Understanding the Unexplained Absence of KPU President Bruce Choy
The Kwantlen Polytechnic University (KPU) community is grappling with the sudden and unexplained absence of its newly appointed president, Dr. Bruce Choy. Hired in June 2025 and starting his five-year term on September 2, 2025, Choy's disappearance from public view has lasted several weeks, raising serious questions about leadership stability at this Surrey-based institution. Faculty members report cancelled meetings, unreturned emails, and a postponed official installation ceremony, creating a vacuum of information that has amplified existing tensions amid financial pressures.
KPU, a polytechnic university with campuses in Surrey, Richmond, Langley, and Cloverdale, serves approximately 20,000 students annually, offering a mix of degrees, diplomas, certificates, and apprenticeships focused on applied learning. The timing of Choy's absence coincides with critical decisions like the early approval of the 2026/27 budget, fueling speculation and concern among stakeholders.
Dr. Bruce Choy's Background and Rapid Appointment
Dr. Bruce Choy brought a unique blend of academic scholarship and business acumen to KPU. Holding a doctorate from the University of Sydney in mathematics for risk management, he taught engineering at Sydney and finance at the University of Toronto's Rotman School of Management. His professional career includes roles at PwC as a risk consulting partner and general manager at the Commonwealth Bank of Australia. Most notably, he chaired the board of governors at George Brown College, gaining direct experience in post-secondary governance.
Choy was selected amid faculty dissatisfaction with his predecessor, Dr. Alan Davis. A May 2025 survey of 281 faculty revealed 67.9% supported a non-confidence vote, citing autocratic leadership, lack of transparency, and poor planning for international enrollment declines. Choy promised realignment of administrative functions to bolster revenue-generating areas, positioning KPU as a lifelong learning hub. Yet, just 19 weeks into his tenure, he went on leave starting January 16, 2026.
Detailed Timeline of Events Leading to the Leadership Gap
The sequence of events unfolded rapidly:
- September 2, 2025: Choy assumes office, welcomed warmly by the community.
- January 2026: Absent from Board of Governors meeting where FY2026/27 budget is approved two months early, with Provost Diane Purvey referred to as interim president.
- Early February 2026: Kwantlen Faculty Association (KFA) unable to contact Choy via email or MS Teams; meetings cancelled.
- February 13, 2026: KFA issues formal inquiry to Board and Ministry of Post-Secondary Education, copied for transparency.
- February 24, 2026: Board Chair Erin Barnes confirms Choy on confidential leave; appoints Purvey acting president indefinitely.
- March 3, 2026: Scheduled KFA special general meeting on non-confidence in senior administration.
This timeline highlights a lack of proactive communication, exacerbating distrust.
KFA's Vocal Concerns and Call for Accountability
The KFA, representing faculty, has been outspoken. President Mark Diotte noted, "The university community has received no formal communication regarding his multi-week absence." Vice-President of Grievances Diane Walsh described a "vacuum of information from senior management." Key issues include budget irregularities, inaccurate enrollment projections, and undue concentration of power without formal acting president designation.
In a KFA update, they raised alarms over the budget process and governance. The March 3 meeting stems from ongoing grievances, including late consultation on layoffs effective August 2026.
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Board's Response: Privacy, Confidence in Acting Leadership
Board Chair Erin Barnes emphasized privacy protections: "The board has appointed Diane Purvey as acting president... while Bruce Choy is on leave, which is confidential in nature." She affirmed handling of any complaints per respectful workplace policies and confidence in Purvey's prior interim role.
Dr. Diane Purvey, Provost and VP Academic since 2022, has deep KPU roots—from 1990s instructor to Dean of Arts. Her expertise in open education earned awards, positioning her to steer through crisis.
The Perfect Storm: International Student Caps and Enrollment Plunge
Canada's 2024 federal cap limited study permits to 437,000 in 2025 (down from 650,000 in 2023), devastating institutions reliant on international tuition—often 30-50% of revenue. At KPU, international enrollment fell to 2,360 in Fall 2025 from nearly 6,000 in Fall 2023—a 60% drop—slashing projected revenue by $49 million in FY2026.
- 70 faculty layoffs announced March 2025.
- 45 additional staff cuts by March 2026.
- Program suspensions, reduced course offerings in ABE/ELL (43% provincial funding cut).
This mirrors BC-wide crisis at SFU, UBC, Langara—layoffs amid domestic growth insufficient to offset losses.
Historical Context: Patterns of Leadership Strain at KPU
Choy inherited tensions from Alan Davis' era, marked by 2015 Kinder Morgan sponsorship backlash and 2025 non-confidence survey (81.7% lacking confidence). Faculty decry administrative bloat untrimmed despite cuts, eroded shared governance, and morale damage. The early budget—lacking actuals vs. projections—intensified scrutiny.
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Impacts on Stakeholders: Faculty, Students, and Operations
Faculty: Job insecurity, grievance filings over late layoff consultations. Morale hit amid unclear leadership.
Students: Potential larger classes, waitlists, program delays; ~14,000 undergrads affected.
Operations: Budget cuts risk workforce training capacity, local economic ties in Surrey.
- Risks: Delayed strategic planning (VISION 2026 expires soon).
- Benefits of interim: Purvey's stability from prior roles.
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Broader Implications for Canadian Higher Education
KPU's turmoil exemplifies polytechnics' vulnerability to intl caps. BC institutions face 'biggest post-sec crisis,' with 1000s jobs lost province-wide. Solutions: Diversify revenue (domestic, online), trim admin, lobby for cap adjustments. KPU's case underscores need for transparent crisis leadership.
Read more on Canada student cap impacts.
Looking Ahead: Resolutions, Reforms, and Opportunities
The March 3 KFA meeting could catalyze change, potentially formal non-confidence. Board must address transparency to rebuild trust. Positively, Purvey's experience offers continuity; long-term, new VISION plan essential.
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For deeper dives, see Vancouver Sun coverage.
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