Former UBC president Arvind Gupta responds to accidentally released documents

Former University of British Columbia president Arvind Gupta is speaking out about the mistaken release of unredacted documents related to his leaving the university one year into a five-year term.

"What was published is a one-sided representation of what transpired in the months prior to my resignation," wrote Gupta in a written statement.

"The assertions in the released documents were not based on facts or evidence given to me at any time."

• UBC's mistaken release reveals friction between board and former president
• UBC FOI-dump sheds little light on former president Arvind Gupta's departure
• UBC board chair John Montalbano resigns after report finds academic freedom not protected

The documents revealed a growing rift between UBC's board of governors and Gupta in the months ahead of the former president's sudden resignation.

Gupta said he felt "compelled" to comment on the documents. 

"As President, I made a commitment to the people of British Columbia, the board, the students and the faculty that we would move UBC to become one of the top universities in the world," said Gupta.

"That goal meant substantial change including a rethinking of priorities and refocusing on the academic mission. And change can make some people uneasy."

Gupta said he endeavoured to work in a collegial manner, but not everyone was onboard with his plans.

"Unfortunately there was never any formal review of my performance, or outreach by the Board to the broader university community," he said 

"This would have allowed both the UBC board and myself to assess my first year accomplishments and the scope of the work ahead."

Gupta went on to add that he felt he "had no other option but to resign" when it became clear that he didn't have the board's support.