Nathalie Des Rosiers explains Policy 92

On July 7, 2009, former VP-Governance Nathalie Des Rosiers sent a message to the “University community”. The message is appended below.
..
The message states that Policy 92 was approved by the Board of Governors (BOG) in December 2007. In fact, the posted minutes of the BOG meetings show that Policy 92 was approved at the October 2007 meeting of the BOG [LINK].
..
The message goes on to recast Policy 92 as being only concerned with “fraud” and only in the context of “best practices in the area of good governance.” (See message below.)
..
The latter clarification is contrary to the language of the approved Policy which states: “Thoroughly investigate all allegations of wrongdoing … ‘Wrongdoing’ means any act, irregularity, misconduct or activity, real or perceived, that is dishonest, inappropriate or illegal … Wrongdoing of any kind is strictly forbidden … University staff members who engage in any wrongdoing of any kind are subject to disciplinary action …”
..
Ms. Des Rosiers’ message also states that “Before Policy 92 was approved, various stakeholders at the University had been consulted on the policy.” (sic) The consulted “stakeholders” are not named. Students and professors were not consulted directly or via their faculties and departments. Maybe some deans were consulted? Maybe members of the BOG were “consulted” before they were asked to pass the new policy in October 2007? There is no indication in the BOG minutes of any debate or objections, or of anything other than unanimous approval of the Administrative Committee’s recommendation.
..
For example, there is no evidence in the minutes of any BOG member’s enquiry about what the consultations had been for such a far reaching policy. Unfortunately, the October 2007 BOG meeting was held before the new BOG video policy came into effect, so there is no actual record of the proceedings.
..
Furthermore, the most recent Des Rosiers message (below) stunningly states that the June 9, 2009, message to all University staff was meant to announce the “implementation” of Policy 92, not simply the introduction of a commercial snitch line software to be used in conjunction with Policy 92.
..
The message goes on to explain that Policy 92 was never implemented and that its implementation will be further delayed by an additional six months.
..
How can delaying the implementation of this judged vital and BOG-approved policy (the text of which does not mention a software snitch line) by more than two years be consistent with the university’s “highest standards of honesty, integrity and transparency in all of its activities?”
..
On the one hand, the policy is motivated by such vehement language of responsibility and ethics and on the other hand its implementation is delayed by university executives by more than two years after it becomes officially the law by decree at the BOG.
..
On the one hand, the policy is recast to address allegations of fraud in governance against the university’s highest executive officers, yet on the other hand the same executive officers can delay its implementation at their whim; having written the policy such as to explicitly include an unqualified clause allowing the Administrative Committee (made up of the President and the VPs) to except the policy’s application whenever it chooses: “23. No exception may be made to this Policy without the approval of the Administrative Committee.”
..
There you have it.
..
They’re just making it up as we go.
..
Policy’s passed by the highest governing body of the university and posted on the university’s public web site are retroactively not implemented until sufficient consultation is deemed to have occurred.
..
As per Des Rosiers’ memo (below), consultations will be held with “various groups” during the next two summer months… That should do it.
..
Let’s call it bulldozer governance, with a consultation trailer (or parade float?) hitched to the back.
..

THE JULY 7th MASSAGE:
..
Sent: Tue 7/7/2009 2:18 PM
Subject: Message from Nathalie Des Rosiers Message to the University community
..
In December 2007, the Board of Governors approved Policy 92, the University’s policy on fraud. The goal of this policy is to ensure the University remains at the forefront of best practices in the area of good governance. Before Policy 92 was approved, various stakeholders at the University had been consulted on the policy.
..
This policy is designed to protect individuals who may have witnessed a fraudulent act. Under the policy, these individuals can report their suspicions to the external firm responsible for carrying out investigations. A similar process is already in place at McMaster University.
..
The announcement made a few weeks ago indicating this policy was being implemented has generated a great deal of discussion, and people who were not heard two years ago have expressed their desire to be heard now. As a result, and because of the length of time between the consultations and the implementation of the policy, it seems fitting to allow everyone a chance to be heard on this issue.
..
Therefore, we will delay the implementation of the policy by six months to allow for further consultation. Please send your comments on Policy 92 to vp.governance@uOttawa.ca. We will also hold consultations with various groups on campus over the next few months.
..
Nathalie Des Rosiers
..
[Photo credit: University of Ottawa; Chairman of the BOG Marc Jolicoeur]

CanWest MEDIA REPORTS: LINK-ONE, LINK-TWO.