Two complaints lodged against UPEI president

The same lawyer is representing both UPEI employees who filed human rights complaints against the university’s president.

Published on February 13, 2013; Published on February 13, 2013
Ryan Ross

Topics :: Human Rights Commission , The Guardian , P.E.I. Human Rights Commission.Tom Cullen

The same lawyer is representing both UPEI employees who filed human rights complaints against the university’s president.

On Tuesday, Greg Howard, the Human Rights Commission’s executive director, confirmed there were two people represented by the same lawyer who filed sexual harassment complaints against UPEI president Alaa Abd-El-Aziz.

Howard said the commission is proceeding with its usual process in dealing with complaints.

In January, The Guardian reported a university employee filed a complaint with the P.E.I. Human Rights Commission.

Tom Cullen, chair of the university’s board of governors, confirmed the board was aware of the complaint and said the allegations involved inappropriate comments between colleagues. None of the allegations have been proven and the complaint hasn’t gone before a human rights panel for a hearing.

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Chucker

- February 14, 2013 at 10:42:42

The Egypt junket got my spider sense tingling too. I did not even read about EL Aziz before so it all came as quite a full load all at once, Robert Ghiz pretending through a two week vacation to boot. Very bizarre. Suspicion of authority here is the best way. I was very ignorant of harasssment and such issues until my niece suffered through it. We should not question the complaintants for trying to get fair, objective treatment. The Board may too cozy with the Pres so it is best to steer clear. There should be no questioning of this by posters on this story. Sure let us make no judgments yet but for now error on the side of the complaintants. For now anyway. Let them follow the process they need.

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Alumnus-also

- February 13, 2013 at 22:02:57

Let's be fair and wait until the commission does its work to investigate all facts before concluding anything about the complaints or judging the President. The complaints may be founded, and if they are ...it is serious business warranting sanction. Conversely it's also possible that this is essentially a misunderstanding. Having proper process fair for both sides is first thing I'm concerned about.

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boondoggle

- February 13, 2013 at 20:47:58

Why couldn't the Board of Governors settle this with the accusers and the President? It's pretty bad that there was no internal resolution to this matter and these women had to resort to the Human Rights Commission.

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Alumnus

- February 13, 2013 at 15:52:02

I am alarmed by this unfortunate development. I was dubious of this appointment because it was so secretive. I do not find the reasoning for the taxpayer paid visit of this official and the Premier to Egypt to be acceptable. I will not donate to UPEI again until these human rights matters are resolved. I would also appreciate an explanation from the UPEI Board of Governors as to why the appointment of El Aziz was not preceded by a proper public vetting process. I would also like to know of internal disciplinary matters related to the TRC problems re: the CRA inquiry. I am very unhappy with UPEI at this point. I expect action on the human rights incidents and more honesty and integrity going forward. Thank you.

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- agreed
  
  - February 14, 2013 at 00:23:18
  
  Yes - I must admit I felt unhappy about the Premier & president of UPEI spending our tax dollars to promote private enterprises (ie. the aerospace company) and UPEI abroad.
- RECENT UPEI BBA Now Working in Alberta
  
  - February 14, 2013 at 11:54:35
  
  "I would also appreciate an explanation from the UPEI Board of Governors as to why the appointment of El Aziz was not preceded by a proper public vetting process. I would also like to know of internal disciplinary matters related to the TRC problems re: the CRA inquiry. I am very unhappy with UPEI at this point. I expect action on the human rights incidents and more honesty and integrity going forward." ALUMNUS...............................Regarding the CRA fraud investigation at the UPEI School of Business TRC...now that a regime change has occurred at UPEI, will the new President of UPEI investigate how a long time finance instructor got appointed to manage a Tourism Marketing Research Center? People typically rent a hotel room or a campsite with a credit card...no financing expertise required....IT SMELLS LIKE THE TRC SET UP WAS A COVER STORY FROM THE GET GO....WHY DO WE NEED TO WAIT FOR THE PUBLIC OFFICIALS AT THE CRA TO REPORT? ......WHAT ARE OFFICIALS AT ACOA AND THE PEI DEPT OF TOURISM DOING TO RECOVER THIS TAX MONEY WHILE THE UPEI BOARD OF GOVERNORS ARE RESTING OR SLEEPING???

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