Dalhousie engineering staff escorted off campus amid layoffs 

Earlier this month, Dalhousie University quietly laid off eight administrative staff from the faculty of engineering — allegedly escorting them from their offices without warning. 

On Oct. 7, Dalhousie human resources representatives allegedly escorted the terminated employees to their desks and told them to pack up their belongings and leave the premises, according to Noreen Kamal, an industrial engineering professor. 

The move sparked frustration and fear among engineering faculty, who say the process lacked transparency and humanity.

Kamal says that most of the people laid off were required to sign non-disclosure agreements.

“It was a horrific experience,” she says. “People were trying to hug them, and they were actually told not to hug.” 

The Dalhousie Gazette reached out to the university to ask why staff were laid off. In an email to the Gazette, Janet Bryson, Dalhousie’s media relations director, said that “the university has been navigating a significant and complex financial challenge due in part to a decline in international student enrolment, that will require a multi-year approach to resolve.”

Bryson said more than 70 per cent of the university’s operating budget is spent on faculty and staff salaries, benefits and pensions. 

“Faculties and business units across the university, have been looking at ways to ensure the long-term sustainability of our academic mission, ensuring we move forward with balanced budgets over the next three years,” Bryson’s email said. 

Bryson did not respond to requests for confirmation that the laid-off administrative staff signed NDAs. 

“It builds fear in people,” Kamal says. “The university hasn’t done anything to alleviate the fears of students or staff about what’s really happening.”

According to Kamal, those given NDAs were reportedly given two options: accept a severance package or be placed on a rehire list — Dal’s list for laid off employees to wait for other jobs to open up. It’s unclear how many laid-off employees were given NDAs. 

“NDAs are used to control people and build fear,” said Kamal. “That’s exactly what they’re trying to do.”

The incident has mobilized members of the newly-formed Coalition for Collegial Governance, co-chaired by Kamal, Katja Fennel and David Westwood — president of the Dalhousie Faculty Association. The group, now made up of about 60 faculty members, is advocating for more transparency and accountability in university decision-making.

“So many people have become activated into wanting change at this university and moving towards collegial governance,” said Kamal. “Our first meeting had just three people — now we have 60.”

Earlier this month, the coalition released an open letter addressed to John Newhook — Dalhousie’s dean of engineering — and Grace Jefferies-Aldridge, the university’s vice-president of people and culture.

The letter called for “a return to collegiality” and urged leadership to rebuild trust with faculty and staff. As of Oct. 22, the letter has 184 signatures. 

“We are watching, and we are committed to working toward a university that truly values its people,” the letter concluded. “We can do better, and we ought to do better.”

Kamal said the layoffs will also directly affect engineering students.

“These administrative staff were front-line for our engineering students,” she said. “They helped students navigate course loads and registration. They’re the people students go to for help, and now they’re gone.”

Jack Smyth, a fourth-year civil engineering student, says administrative staff play a key role in helping professors stay organized and connected with students.

“Admin bridges that gap a lot,” he said. “A lot of times with their scheduling or anything, students will go talk to admin before they talk to profs.”

Despite the difficult atmosphere, Kamal says the situation inspired faculty to get involved and demand accountability.

“We need better leadership,” she said. “We’re slowly uncovering the layers of whatever is going on. But it’s sad that it’s only happening because these horrible things are happening.”