University of Winnipeg parting ways with president Todd Mondor

The University of Winnipeg is undergoing major changes when it comes to its leadership, as earlier this week the school announced its president, Todd Mondor, would no longer be at the university effective immediately. 

Many in the University community want the full story behind the split.

“As a student, we have a right to know what goes on with our school and who is running it,” said Alyssa Boivin, a fourth-year U of W student.

Second-year student Emma Pfaff agrees.

“I’d like to know more about it,” said Pfaff. “Like a big change like that, because we got an email, all it said was that he’s gone, in the email, there should have been the reason why.” 

University of Winnipeg Student Association president Alan Saji Koshy says students need to be informed as much as possible. 

“Students are the main stakeholders on that campus, and every decision that is made affects them,” said Koshy. 

“Any sort of leadership changes and administrative policies that shift around should be received by the student with full transparency so they know what’s going to affect them, affect their classes, affect their education.” 

The U of W declined to answer questions on Wednesday, referring to an earlier statement from Board of Regents Chair Michelle Pereira, where she said there’s a need to “refocus” its leadership as the school implements a new strategic plan.

“I want to personally assure you that during this transitional time, our focus will actively remain on maintaining stability, supporting our academic mission, and ensuring that students, faculty, and staff experience no disruption to their work or studies,” read the statement from Pereira. 

Agreeing that as much information as possible should be released, University of Winnipeg Faculty Association President Peter Miller said faculty got no advance notice of the decision, but says the University of Winnipeg isn’t defined solely by its president.

“The University is much more than one person,” said Miller. “The University at its core is a community of faculty and students, and the relationship of learning, research, and scholarship, and we have staff and administration who are vitally involved in delivering that, but at the University’s heart is the faculty student relationship, and that’s not affected.”