Saturday June 20, 2020 ~ VANCOUVER, BC
by Mary Brooke, editor ~ West Shore Voice News
In response to a sudden public upsurge of concern about what is apparently a trend of supporting groups and causes that lean extremely to the right, University of British Columbia (UBC) Board of Governors Chair Michael Korenberg has resigned from the board.
This has made enough of a stir that BC Minister of Advanced Education, Skills and Training Melanie Mark issued a statement on this Saturday evening. These are normally non-working hours for the BC Government, when usually only the most urgent of matters are brought to media attention.
This evening, Minister Mark has stated to media about changes to the University of British Columbia’s (UBC) Board of Governors:
“Today, I was informed of Michael Korenberg’s resignation from his position as chair and board member of UBC’s Board of Governors, effective immediately. Our government and UBC are deeply committed to inclusion, justice and equity for all,” she said.
“The university has an inclusion action plan and has begun implementing it. I believe UBC will continue its work to provide a world-class education to all of its students in a safe and supportive community environment,” said Minister Mark.
Yesterday the Vancouver-based The Tyee pulled together a profile of Korenberg’s alleged propensities, using documentation of Twitter ‘Likes’ and other social media actions as part of some pressure.
A sign of the times:
Social media participation has become like a high-wire game, that not everyone — especially those in elected office or community leadership — should be playing. Korenberg already says he regrets Tweeting late at night.
In the context of the powder-keg of social concern in the last few weeks about equity for all Canadians — particularly with a focus on rooting out discrimination against racialized groups – this is a time that almost any questionable opinion on societal matters will be given intense scrutiny.
From a historical perspective, the reported trend of difficult discussions (or not) about social issues on the UBC campus is so different from how the campus was back in the social revolution of the 1970s. UBC was known across Canada then as a campus that was leading edge on many things, including it’s open-space campus architecture based on a philosophy of freedom and open interaction.
Korenberg’s statement and profile of achievements at UBC:
Korenberg’s resignation statement as posted on the UBC website today includes his own view that some of his “interactions with social media have thoughtlessly supported regressive voices”. The statement also itemizes the University’s accomplishments during his time as Chair including academic renewal, a strategic plan for UBC’s ‘Next Century’, creation and launch of an Indigenous Strategic Plan, increasing accountability and transparency of the Baord, and focusing on student financial aid and resources.
Korenberg’s bio on the UBC website outlines his background as including being a law professor for almost 25 years and Dean of Business Law for over a decade. He was appointed as chair in February 2018 and has resigned now just over two years later. It’s possible his blend of law and direct involvement with the business community led to some sort of blur in his judgement about adhering to the sanctity of his role as head of a leading institution of higher education.