Melnyk’s departure remains unexplained

The reason behind Meghan Melnyk’s resignation is being kept under wraps after she left her post as president of the Students’ Association of Mount Royal University weeks ago.

Citing legal responsibilities, the Students’ Association has remained tight-lipped as an investigation continues. However, some are calling for more answers.

“She’s an elected official,” said Kyle MacQuarrie, who ran against Melnyk in the 2011 SAMRU election. “It was the student body who elected her and put her into that position. Somebody should be making a statement explaining why she was removed.”

“If people aren’t talking what are they hiding?” he continued. “This screams cover-up to me.”

Michelle Dennis, Students’ Association VP external, declined multiple requests for further details. “We cannot share personnel information legally,” she said.

Meghan Melnyk — Former SA president

Meanwhile, Melnyk has also declined to address the reason behind her resignation. “I am moving on to other opportunities and wish my colleagues the best of luck,” she wrote in an email to The Reflector on Feb. 1. Melnyk has not returned several requests for more information. Multiple attempts to reach her have been made through phone, email and Twitter.

However, in a previous interview on Jan. 13, Melnyk suggested the demands of her role were putting her under stress. “People have asked me if I’m running again, but I can’t. I’m so tired,” she said. “I mean, I love this job, but I’m just at that point where I’ve given so much of myself that I’m very much burnt out.”

On Jan. 31, SAMRU released a statement announcing Melnyk had stepped down following the first of two periodic reviews conducted by Students’ Council.

“Somebody should be making a statement explaining why she was removed.”
— Kyle MacQuarrie

“The review identified several potential anomalies and policy compliance issues for which Council was unable to receive a satisfactory explanation within a reasonable time frame,” the release reads. “Council did not have sufficient confidence that its highest standards had been applied.”

The presidential responsibilities will now be split amongst the three vice-presidents on the Executive Committee until the next council takes over on May 15. Dennis said the group is now coping with an increased workload.

“There’s now three of us doing four people’s jobs,” she said in a phone interview. “We’re doing as much as we can and trying to manage the workload. It’s unfortunate, but it was her choice.”

Mount Royal president David Docherty said the university offered its support to the Students’ Association, though officials indicated SAMRU is doing well. Docherty added the university would only intervene if the matter were to impact the institution’s credibility.

“They’re a separate organization,” he said. “They will deal with this. I don’t know the details and I haven’t asked for the details because it is the students’ association.

“It’s presumably up to students to ask.”