'Drastic measure': Algoma U profs vote no-confidence in president Asima Vezina

Citing mismanagement — and claiming the university's reputation is on the line — the full-time professors with the Algoma University Faculty Association have voted "overwhelmingly" in favour of a vote of no confidence in school president Asima Vezina.

In a press release issued Thursday, the association said Vezina has prioritized profit-making over the interest of students through the rapid, unmanageable growth of international student enrolment, causing damage to the university's reputation. The release said a 1,000 per cent increase in the number of students since 2018/19 has not been met with increases in full-time faculty, staff or support services for students.

Although not specifically mentioned in the news release, Algoma University's Brampton campus was the focus of student protests earlier this year when a number of international students failed a course in the Computer Science program but, after a review, 32 of those students had their grades upgraded to a pass.

SooToday will have more on this developing story as information becomes available.

The media release by the Algoma University Faculty Association can be seen below:

SAULT STE. MARIE, June 20, 2024 – In an effort to defend Algoma University’s quality education and reputation, on June 7, full-time professors voted overwhelmingly in favour of no-confidence in its president, Asima Vezina.

Since Vezina took over as president in 2017, she has made unilateral and significant changes for the university that prioritize intensive profit-making and privatization over students’ interests, leading to the deterioration of quality education, the erosion of the student experience, and the severe damage to Algoma’s reputation. 

One such decision is the rapid, unmanageable growth of international student enrolment. The number of full-time students has increased by over 1,000% between 2018/19 and 2023/24. The Department of Biology, for example, has seen their student numbers double in each of the last two years without any warning or planning. This increase in students has not been accompanied by corresponding increases in full-time faculty, staff, support services for students, infrastructure, or housing.

“We want to support internationalization in a good way, taking responsibility for our students’ success and wellness,” says Pelham Matthews, Faculty Chair, Faculty of Business and Economics. “We cannot do that without proper student supports, especially in Brampton where there is no university library and other needed student supports are lacking or absent. Algoma University cannot be seen to be treating international students as a primary source of revenue.” 

The cancellation of Algoma’s Project Management Graduate Certificate also proved problematic. The program was replaced by one with the same name and taught by Algoma’s private partner Yorkville University. Through oversight or by design, students are not aware that the Yorkville version is not for academic credit, not taught by Algoma faculty, and not subject to any quality assurance by Algoma University. Multiple calls by professors to correct this lack of transparency went unheeded.

“We want to graduate students from degree programs that will set them up for good jobs, not just any job,” says Tony Fabiano, Algoma University Faculty Association and OPSEU/SEFPO Local 685 President. “We want to know that the programs we teach are quality and research-based.” 

Consultation between the president and professors has completely broken down. As experts in their fields, professors are not afforded proper input in the very programs they lead.

The Department of Psychology, for example, has not been consulted or involved in the development of a newly announced mental health research and training institute, despite the department's ongoing effort to develop a high quality, community-centred, mental health training program. Faculty learned about the launch of the institute from a press release and have not been involved or included in the planning process. While the department commends efforts to improve mental health in our communities, this administration will require the right
resources and expertise to ensure the institute’s success and that all new programming aligns with regulatory requirements for mental health service delivery.

The decline at the university has not gone unnoticed by students. This year, the school has received 278 student appeals, up 632% from the previous year. The mismanagement is also evident in the fact that Algoma is the only university in Ontario to see its international study permit allocation regulators decreased.

A vote of no-confidence is a drastic measure, but an overwhelming majority of the faculty believes it is the only way to right the ship. 

Faculty spokespeople for the vote of no confidence met with Algoma University’s Board of Governors’ Chair and Vice-Chairs (both outgoing and incoming) on June 14. They were disappointed by the Board leadership’s attempt to diminish the vote’s significance, despite the turnout being 89% of all full-time faculty. They were not invited to speak at the Board’s meeting today, June 20. 

“Mino Pimatisiwin. To live a good life, to live a healthy life, following the Seven Grandfather teachings: Humility, Wisdom, Respect, Love, Truth, Bravery, and Honesty. The Algoma University faculty who passed a vote of non-confidence against the President are following the Seven Grandfather Teachings in speaking truth to power, stepping up and owning their responsibility to students, and the community. Mino Pimatisiwin includes transparency, honesty, and truth, as well as working together for the health and well-being of all community members,” says Dr. Paulette Steeves, Associate Professor, Canada Research Chair Tier 11 Healing and Reconciliation, Distinguished Faculty Award (2024). 

Algoma University Faculty Association (represented by OPSEU/SEFPO Local 685)
President, Tony Fabiano
Faculty-elected spokesperson for the vote of no confidence, Alice Ridout