KTW has reviewed a copy of the investigation’s terms of reference, which details the process of the investigation by Thompson Rivers University’s board of governors into the complainants’ allegations.
The terms of reference state that, following the complaint in February of this year, the board of governors struck a sub-committee to address the matter.
The sub-committee was composed of former board of governors chair Barb Berger, Nathan Matthew and Marilyn McLean (current board chair), but Berger’s term on the TRU board of governors has since expired.
The subcommittee then appointed an independent representative with no previous ties to TRU — Jennifer Wiegele of Mathews Dinsdale and Clark LLP — to assist in retaining lawyers Kelly Serbu of Serbu Law Firm Limited and Sharon Cartmill-Lane of Pearlman Lindholm LLP, who would investigate.
According to the terms of reference, the investigation would occur through two stages.
First, it would include an initial inquiry focused on collecting information to determine the scope of the investigation.
Complainants could meet with the investigators either virtually or in person over a 30-day period, beginning on Aug. 16. That process, however, has faced delays
After receiving the details, the terms of reference state the investigators would assess the alleged conduct and commentary in the context of the BC Human Rights Code, TRU’s Values and Vision Plan, the memorandum of understanding between TRU and Tk’emlúps te Secwépemc, TRU’s equity, diversity and inclusion action plan, TRU’s respectful workplace and harassment prevention policy, TRU’s sexualized violence policy, TRU’s whistleblower policy and the BC Workers’ Compensation Act and Worksafe BC Occupational Safety and Health policies respecting bullying and harassment.
Kamphuis said the investigators are currently interviewing complainants. She does not know when the process was expected to conclude.
