Two days after Thompson Rivers University released the results of an investigation into workplace harassment and misconduct, a member of the university’s executive says he has been “fully exonerated” by the findings.

Reached by NL News on Wednesday, Matt Milovick, the Vice-President of Finance and Administration, declined further comment saying the university’s policy for workplace harassment requires confidentiality, with “limited exceptions.”

“TRU’s Respectful Workplace and Prevention of Harassment Policy was the main policy guiding the investigation,” Milovick wrote. “It requires that the process and the results are subject to confidentiality, with limited exceptions [and] I support the policy and its process.

“Having been fully exonerated in the investigation, I have been advised by my lawyer that the policy precludes comment by me concerning the substance at this time.”

The long delayed investigation began in Nov. 2021 after anonymous complainants against Milovick and Associate Vice-President of People and Culture, Larry Phillips, came to light in Feb. 2021.

A sub-committee of the TRU board received the over 500-page report from two independent investigators on Dec. 21, 2022. Of the 55 allegations from eight current and former employees, investigators say they substantiated just 10 of them.

Milovick faced 22 of those allegations – none of which were substantiated according to the report – with Phillips facing the other 33, of which 10 were substantiated. Seven of those allegations dealt with claims of sexual harassment, and one each to ageism, a derogatory comment related to Indigenous people, and a “personal harassment.”

Phillips has since left TRU under unclear circumstances.

“Regarding the question of individuals who no longer work at TRU, that is part of their employment history which is protected grounds under privacy legislation so TRU does not comment on matters of that kind,” University President, Brett Fairbairn said when asked by NL News during a press conference on Tuesday.

During that news conference, Fairbairn, Board Chair Marilyn McLean, and Chancellor Nathan Matthew did not identify who was cleared and who was implicated, citing privacy laws, despite multiple questions to that effect.

“It is a workplace investigation and as such, we are really restricted by BC’s Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy and Employment Law. So, we are unable to put any names out into the media,” McLean said.

That changed Thursday, as TRU released a statement affirming its support for Milovick, who will continue on in his role as Vice-President of Finance and Administration.

“Matt is an important member of our senior executive team. His contributions to the capital development and operational progress of TRU over the years are well-known and appreciated by all who work and study here, as well as by members of the broader regional community,” Fairbairn said.

“I look forward to continuing to work with him in his current capacity.”

The year-long investigation cost TRU just over $1 million with McLean noting that while it is “an awful lot of money”, it is important to put it into perspective.

“There were 34 witnesses, there were eight complainants. They looked at untold documents and emails. They rendered in an over 500-page report. They thoroughly investigated all of the complaints that came to them. And certainly, the fee is related to that thoroughness.,” she said.

Fairbairn was asked if the university is concerned about or prepared to face potential legal action from any of the complainants who disagree with the investigation’s findings.

“You know we don’t try to predict legal action. If it comes, we’ll respond to it, but that is not part of our purpose here today,” he said. “Our purpose here today is really to share the conclusion of this investigation and the things that it has shown.”

A heavily redacted version of the report can be found here.

TRU has put out this statement reaffirming that Matt Milovick is “an important member of the senior executive team” and that he will continue on as Vice-President of Finance and Administration. #Kamloops pic.twitter.com/YNeQ78fe6S

— Victor Mario Kaisar (@supermario_47) January 19, 2023