Emails reveal UBC managing Furlong crisis
Attempt to blame cancelled speech on ‘scheduling’
Last December, after a senior University of British Columbia official called John Furlong’s agent to say the school was pulling the plug on an appearance by the former Vancouver Olympics CEO, the discussion turned to what to tell the public about the cancellation.
One idea floated by the UBC official: Furlong, whose booking had reawakened controversy over historical abuse allegations and sparked criticism of the school, could say he had to withdraw due to “scheduling conflicts.”
That did not sit well with the agent who was already upset over the cancellation.
“Absolutely not,” the agent said. “Say it as it is.”
More than 900 pages of email records obtained by the National Post through a Freedom of Information request reveal the behind-the-scenes scramble last winter as UBC’s top administrators tried to put a lid on what they saw to be a growing controversy over Furlong’s appearance — a move that ultimately backfired and resulted in an embarrassing mea culpa.
UBC president Santa Ono has previously said he was unaware of the decision to cancel the keynote Furlong was to deliver at an athletics fundraiser, and that the university’s decision-making “did not meet the standard I am eager to instill.”
But emails show the decision was not made in a vacuum, and that senior people around Ono were intimately involved in discussions leading up to the cancellation.
An $11,000 contract was signed with Furlong’s agent in September 2016 in which UBC agreed to pay him half the money upfront.
Then on Dec. 19, Glynnis Kirchmeier, a UBC alumna, wrote an open letter objecting to the school’s choice of Furlong. She cited a report published in 2012 alleging Furlong had abused First Nations students in northern B.C. — claims he has always vehemently denied.
On Dec. 20, Linc Kessler, a senior adviser to Ono on aboriginal affairs, also complained to the president about the choice.
The next morning, Shantal Cashman, director of development and alumni engagement for athletics and recreation, emailed senior colleagues.
“It does appear that the call for the president to cancel (Furlong) … is gathering steam on Twitter,” she wrote.
By 4 p.m. on Dec. 22, the decision had been made to drop Furlong. Cashman emailed colleagues to say attempts were being made to reach Furlong’s office after she had discussed the matter with Herbert Rosengarten, executive director of the president’s office, who in turn had spoken to Philip Steenkamp, vice-president of external affairs, and Terry Lavender, the president’s communications manager.
A summary of Cashman’s conversation with Rosengarten was completely redacted in emails provided to the Post.
A UBC spokeswoman refused Tuesday to confirm who was in on the decision, saying only discussions about the speaking engagement “involved a number of individuals.” She did not respond to specific questions as to whether Ono stood by his original statement that he was unaware of the decision to cancel Furlong’s appearance, or whether he knew the cancellation was being discussed.
Later on Dec. 22 Cashman announced she had reached Furlong’s agent and informed her of the cancellation.
“The agent was not pleased — it was apparent that she has had this conversation many times,” Cashman wrote. “She asked for a written cancellation by tomorrow. I agreed and said that Athletics wanted to confirm with them on the message, and suggested that it be said that the Speaker had to withdraw due to scheduling conflicts. The agent said — absolutely not. Say it as it is.”
Neither Cashman nor the UBC spokeswoman would say Tuesday whether there had been intent to deceive. Andrea Shaw, Furlong’s agent, confirmed the exchange occurred but said the matter was “behind us.”
After the cancellation became public, the campus was inundated with messages from alumni who threatened to stop donating. Many said the university’s decision was “spineless” and “cowardly.”
Susan Danard, UBC’s managing director of public affairs, wondered if there was “any risk of a defamation suit?”
“Presumably, John would want to remain gracious, but his reputation has arguably been damaged.”
Over several days, the university sought to win back Furlong’s good graces.
“There is a delicate ongoing discussion with John Furlong,” Steenkamp said on New Year’s Eve.
The university tapped Longview Communications, a crisis-consulting firm, to help draft a public apology. Its president, Josh Pekarsky, wrote on Jan. 1 the university had “no easy way out.”
“Some kind of statement is clearly required, but any statement will be parsed, scrutinized, criticized and certain to upset people.”
Ono’s apology, released Jan. 3, said the cancellation was made without considering its “potential impact on Mr. Furlong or his family.” It noted Furlong’s “great number of supporters” and record of public service.
The apology didn’t cut it for some donors who demanded UBC reinstate Furlong as speaker.
On Jan. 5, Ono emailed Furlong with an “offer to reinstate you as our keynote speaker.” Furlong accepted and said he looked forward to “putting this matter behind us.”
(FURLONG’S) AGENT SAID — ABSOLUTELY NOT. SAY IT AS IT IS.