Reposted from the Langara Voice – Feb 5, 2026

Faculty describe ‘climate of fear’ after Langara board retains Paula Burns despite 92% non-confidence vote

Instructors worry speaking out could affect jobs and opportunities now that Burns has the board’s backing

By OKSANA SHTOHRYN

Langara faculty say a climate of fear is growing on campus since the college’s board of governors announced it will retain president and CEO Paula Burns despite a 92 per cent faculty vote of non-confidence last fall.

Since the board’s announcement Tuesday to keep Burns in place, many faculty have declined to be interviewed by the Voice, citing fears of retaliation against themselves or their departments now that Burns has the board’s backing.

Nina Winham, who has been an instructor with the Langara school of management for the past decade, lost part of her work this year and expects to lose all of it as of September. She said the board’s decision has created a “chill factor.”

“I certainly have heard from some colleagues that they feel like speaking out could cause retribution,” she said.

‘Uncertainty and fear’

In an email sent to faculty to announce the decision, board chair Scott Murray said the reason for keeping Burns as president and CEO was to “continue to provide stability for the college during this turbulent time in the post-secondary sector.”

“I mean, we can have stability and still sink,” Winham said, alluding to Langara Faculty Association president Pauline Greaves-Aylward’s analogy in the media that the college was a sinking ship.

“As faculty, we’ve lost confidence in the board,” Winham said. “When you lose faith in a governing body, it creates more uncertainty and possibly fear.”

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