Glenn Barnes, who forwarded student's email to parent, resigns as chair of MUN board of regents
Glenn Barnes has resigned from his position as chair of MUN's board of regents. (Gary Locke/CBC)
Glenn Barnes, the chair of Memorial University's board of regents who came under fire this summer for forwarding a student's pro-Palestinian email to her father, has resigned, the Newfoundland and Labrador government said in a news release Thursday.
Vice-chair Anik Rahman will serve as the interm leader, as the department works to have a new chair appointed, the Education Department said.
"This has been a challenging time of change at Memorial," said Education Minister Krista Lynn Howell in a statement.
"I want to thank Mr. Barnes for his work and contribution to Memorial University during his time as chair."
The university said in a statement shared in the Gazette that the decision follows a review process undertaken by the board in a special meeting on Aug. 13. The board, which comprises faculty, community leaders and students, determined that Barnes's recent email activity did not align with their code of conduct, according to the statement.
Barnes came under fire in July after forwarding an email in support of pro-Palestine protesters from a former student to her father.
The student, Becky Winsor, was 35.
Barnes had received more than 100 similar emails as part of a campaign organized by the Newfoundland and Labrador branch of the Canadian Federation of Students.
Barnes said in an email reply that he wanted to let parents know that he knows "what their kids are doing."
MUN's information access and privacy office investigated the email and found there was "unauthorized disclosure" of a third-party email. As a result, MUN disciplined Barnes, asking him to take privacy training.
The privacy breach was also reported to the provincial information and privacy commissioner.
In its statement in the Gazette, the university says the board of regents is committed to "upholding the highest standards of ethical conduct, integrity, respect and inclusivity in its interactions with the Memorial community, other stakeholders and the public."
CBC News has asked the Education Department whether the minister requested Barnes's resignation.
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