In early May, UBC prof Dr. Sumeet Gulati came out against Dr. Bonnie Henry receiving an honorary degree, arguing that Henry holds significant oversight power over the university and that the timing of the award is “problematic.”
Dr. Bonnie Henry, BC’s provincial health officer, is set to be one of 18 people to receive honorary degrees from UBC this year. UBC said it chose Henry to receive an honorary degree for serving as a leading voice in the midst of the global pandemic.
“The calm, assured face of the COVID-19 pandemic response in B.C., she has led the government initiative from a rational, scientific perspective, garnering accolades from across Canada and internationally,” a UBC press release read.
On May 1, Gulati, a professor in environmental and resource economics, published an open letter in response to the announcement. In the letter, Gulati wrote that by nominating Dr. Henry, the Vancouver Senate made exceptions for two guidelines as outlined in the criteria section for honorary degrees.
Under the criteria, honorary degrees are not typically awarded to current or former UBC faculty — but Dr. Henry is a clinical associate professor at UBC’s School of Population and Public Health.
Additionally, the criteria states that honorary degrees are not awarded to those holding political office. Gulati argued in the letter that while Dr. Henry is not a politician, “She holds significant oversight over the functioning of our university (especially during the ongoing public health emergency).”
Gulati also expressed concern over public health’s plans for the fall term. He wrote that the return of thousands of students to campus could be an issue, as many students will be unvaccinated, making crowded classrooms hazardous.
To Gulati, Henry and public health’s instructions to post-secondary institutions are creating “stress and uncertainty” on campus.
“Significantly, they are making it difficult for those in the University [to determine] what is safe and appropriate for its employees and students,” he wrote in the letter.
The timing of this award is problematic. We should not be awarding honorary degrees to those wielding direct influence on the functioning of #UBC. 3/3
— Sumeet Gulati (@sgulati) May 3, 2021
The professor saw significant support in response to his Twitter thread on the open letter.
Gulati said he hopes for change in the nomination process for honorary degrees and the inclusion of faculty and staff in these decisions. He hopes the Senate will rethink the decision to award Henry this degree.
“I hope they will then come to a mutual agreement to defer this award for the time being, with the understanding that Dr. Henry’s nomination will be considered anew by the Senate once the current health emergency is over.”
UBC and Stephen May, senior public affairs officer at BC Public Service, declined to comment on the issue.