Targeted in TRU administrator’s lawsuit, improper conduct complainants start fundraiser

KAMLOOPS — A group of defendants being sued for defamation by a senior Thompson Rivers University administrator has launched an online fundraiser to help pay for their defence.

The eight defendants were complainants who accused two TRU administrators of improper conduct including bullying and harassment. This resulted in TRU launching a lengthy independent investigation. When results of the investigation were released last month, school administration revealed that 22 of 55 allegations — those made against Vice-President of Finance and Administration Matt Milovick — were not substantiated. Of the remaining 33 allegations made against former Vice-President of People and Culture Larry Phillips, 10 were considered substantiated.

Milovick has now launched a lawsuit against the eight, alleging defamatory statements. The allegations have not been tested in court.

The defendants include seven former employees and one current employee:

• Amanda Ellison, former Associate Director, Human Resources
• Charis Kamphuis, Associate Professor, Faculty of Law
• Deanna Brkovich, former Talent Acquisition Consultant, Human Resources
• Jim Gudjonson, former Director of Sustainability
• Laura Cooke, former Manager of Engagement and Learning, Human Resources
• Lucille Gnanasihamany, former Associate Vice-President, Marketing and Communications
• Meaghan Hagerty, former Sexualized Violence Prevention and Response Manager
• Stacey Jyrkkanen, former Associate Director, Safety and Emergency Management

In launching the fundraiser, the group says it denies all the allegations put forward in Milovick’s lawsuit. It says the recently concluded investigation “has severely impacted all of us and this new phase multiplies the risk, stress and costs each of us must now carry.”

Information on the fundraiser can be found here. One of the publicly listed donors is Christine Cnossen, TRU’s former provost and vice-president academic, who donated $1,500.

Ed. note. This story has been edited for clarity.