Dalhousie Faculty Association Vote Shows 71% Lack Confidence in University Leadership
A recent vote by the Dalhousie Faculty Association revealed that 71% of participating members lack confidence in the university's leadership, citing concerns over a previous lockout, government overreach, and hiring freezes.
The Dalhousie Faculty Association (DFA) has expressed significant dissatisfaction with the university's leadership following a vote conducted at its annual general meeting. The results indicate that 71 per cent of participating members lack confidence in the administration for the period spanning July 2024 to June 2026.
The vote saw just over 52 per cent participation from the DFA’s total membership of 592 individuals. Among those who cast ballots, 15 per cent expressed confidence in the leadership, while nearly 13 per cent abstained. The findings were formally presented via letter to Dalhousie President Kim Brooks, Provost Brenda Merritt, and Cheryl Fraser, chair of the board of governors.
Several key issues drove the negative sentiment among faculty members. These included the disruption caused by last year’s lockout, which affected the start of the academic year, and concerns regarding government overreach through Schedule H program reviews and bilateral funding agreements. Additionally, members cited unease over partnerships on subsurface energy research and a hiring freeze that they argue is inconsistent with the collective agreement. The association noted that these factors have contributed to increased workloads for faculty, eroded institutional autonomy, and threatened the viability of smaller programs.
In response, Michael Fleury, senior manager of strategic communications at Dalhousie University, acknowledged that while the vote is non-binding, it reflects continued concern within the faculty body. He emphasized the university's commitment to rebuilding relationships and engaging further with the association.