Western University President Amit Chakma could find himself on the defensive on Friday afternoon, as he is expected to field questions from the school's Senate about his job performance and salary.
In an article published by Western News (a publication for Western staff and faculty) on Thursday, Chakma says it is "difficult to express how truly sorry I am" for taking a nearly $1-million salary last year.
The Senate is being asked to cast a non-confidence vote in Chakma and in wake of the release of the 2014 public salary disclosure.
The Sunshine List revealed Chakma was paid double his normal salary in 2014, banking a total of $924,000 and $43,244 in benefits. That salary makes the president the highest paid public servant in London and the fourth highest paid in the province.
His contract allowed Chakma to take an additional year's pay instead of taking a paid year leave. That did not sit well with the Western University community, spurring online petitions and protests at the school.
“I did anticipate some criticism, which is typical when the ‘Sunshine List’ comes out,” Chakma says in the article. “But I did not anticipate the intensity, or the extent of the criticism.”
The president has since agreed to refund the extra year's pay. But, questions still remain about the university's reputation since Chakma took over in 2005 and its performance on a global scale.
On Friday afternoon, he will stand before the Senate, make a statement about his administrative leave, then take questions.
Since the Sunshine List was released, Chakma has been silent, apart from the release of a prepared statement. He has not spoken to any media outlet in the city.
Friday's Senate meeting is open to the public. It is scheduled for 1:30pm in the Ivey Building's main theatre.
The Board of Governors has launched an review of the presidential compensation practices.
