Western University President Amit Chakma. Photo by Ashton Patis. Western University President Amit Chakma. Photo by Ashton Patis.
London

Chakma Survives Non-Confidence Vote

The Western University Senate still has faith in President Amit Chakma as the school's leader.

After hours of debate at a special meeting on Friday, the senate struck down a vote of non-confidence in Chakma 49-39, with five voters abstaining.

This means Chakma will remain at the helm of the school and continue to be president until the end of his contract in 2019.

"I am committed to working with you. I have begun the process of listening and am taking concrete steps to regain your trust and confidence," he told Senators ahead of the vote.

A total of 22 Senate members called for the special meeting after the release of the 2014 Sunshine List. The list detailed Chakma's nearly $1-million payout last year. The president collected a double salary in lieu of taking a paid year off, spurring outrage within the school's community.

The president has since agreed to repay the extra money.

"I have been asked to comment publicly as to what my intentions are when my tenure ends. As I indicated in my public statement on April 1, I am voluntarily refunding the payment I received for the administrative leave I did not take during my first contract. I have also decided not to receive payment in lieu of administrative leave at the end of my second term. At the end of my tenure as president I intend to return to my first love of teaching and research as a professor of chemical engineering. At that time I will use the administrative leave to prepare for my return to academic life," says Chakma.

Following the debate and vote, several faculty members and students stood up and yelled "resign" in protest. Many call the decision to keep Chakma as president disappointing, while others believe the controversy has started a positive conversation.

"We need to reprioritize our resources towards teachers and researchers," says President of the Society of Graduate Students Kevin Godbout. "My colleagues, as teacher's assistants, work more hours than are in their contract and will make very little money... I want to see a system where the people who do teaching and research make living wages."

Chakma took over as president in 2005. Since the concerns over his leadership have come to the forefront he has promised to meet with each faculty to address issues staff may have.

An independent review of the university's presidential compensation practices is also underway.

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