As of March 11th, 2024, Trent Central Student Association (TCSA) Vice President Health & Wellness, Bri Policicchio, resigned from her position amid allegations of bigoted behaviour and workplace conduct from her fellow executives.

In a letter obtained by Arthur written by TCSA President, Aimee Anctil to the Association’s Elections Committee, Anctil alleges that from as early as June of 2023, Policicchio repeatedly harassed Association staff and Directors, monitored BIPOC Association Staff during work hours, and attempted to wrest power from the Association’s Resource Manager and General Director.

In a statement to Arthur Policicchio called the allegations “false or misconstrued” and that she would not support further conversations “defaming” her character. All names of the Directors and staff members involved are redacted in the original document. While Arthur is unable to verify the veracity of these allegations, the existence of the document provides insight into the reasons behind Policicchio’s resignation and shed light on how the TCSA has operated as an association over the past year. 

Anctil’s letter describes how during a June 9th Lobby Training session with herself and fellow executives Policicchio, Alexx Bodden, and Juman Zanzoul, as well as BIPOC Organizer Sofiat Olabitan, when asked to “honestly describe their issues with the ways the TCSA functions or rolls out its programming,” Policicchio allegedly stated that she “did not appreciate how the TCSA hires people of colour in favour of more qualified students who are not racialized.

In defense of this claim, Policicchio allegedly cited her time on the Association’s Brand Ambassador Team hiring committee, during which she purportedly claimed that “many of the prospective candidates, some of whom she knew personally, were significantly more qualified than the BIPOC student staff who were hired.”

Policicchio reputedly characterized this as “reverse colourism,” and Anctil’s letter emphasizes that she stayed on past the end of the call to apologize to the facilitator for Policicchio’s comments and that both she and the facilitator expressed discomfort at Policicchio’s behaviour.

Months later, during a September 15th Human Resources meeting between Anctil, Policicchio, VPs Bodden and Zanzoul, and Association General Manager, Tracy Milne, Policicchio allegedely responded to complaints from her colleagues about her behaviour, reputedly retorting “It is messed up that you are calling me a racist. I am not a racist. I am actually [diverse identity].”

The specifc identity to which Policicchio allegedly lays claim was redacted from the original document. In quoting from Anctil’s letter, Arthur has directly reproduced the language used in the letter unless otherwise noted in square brackets. 

“I do not tell people this information about me often,” Policicchio reportedly continued, “but your calling me a racist is messed up. It is actually racist that you are saying that about me.”

Anctil’s letter further alleges that Policicchio repeatedly harassed and unduly monitored part-time Association staff, with Policicchio having “expressed that she has monitored the work one racialized staff member by leaving class to ensure they were at their work station.” The letter goes on to note that this exceeds the expectations or purview of the VP Health & Wellness’ portfolio.

In the letter, Anctil also details a number of alleged outbursts attributed to Policicchio against Association Directors and apparent attempts to undermine their work, including: “It’s stupid that she [sic] thinks this is anyone’s responsibility but hers,” “Can you believe what he [sic] said,” and “That idiot does not know what he’s [sic] talking about.” Policicchio also reportedly claimed that she was picking up “slack” from part-time Association staff, and further purportedly bemoaned that “*redacted* [sic] expects me to plan this for her? She needs to step up and do her fucking job,” and that “If you want a job done like shit, ask *redacted*.”

Anctil’s statement seems to point to a series of statements regarding former VP University and College Affairs, Juman Zanzoul, which, if true, could be construed as harassment or bullying and likely contributed in part to Zanzoul’s resignation from the position in September of 2023.

The letter does note that Policicchio was allegedly exuberant at the announcement of Zanzoul’s resignation and, per Anctil’s words, had previously alleged that Zanzoul “[did] not do any work.” Direct quotes presumably attributable to Policicchio included directly thereafter apparently show her expressing her opinion that Zanzoul, “needs to pick up her fucking slack,” and “does not do a fucking thing,” though Arthur is unable to definitively corroborate this as the names are once again redacted within the document.

In addition to a specific purported disdain for VP Zanzoul, Anctil additionally alleges that Policicchio has “expressed on many accounts how [she] does not do a good job at being President, and she could do better.” The letter goes on to recount how following a Policy and Governance Meeting with Milne and Association Resource Manager, Wendy Walker, Policicchio related, again per Anctil, that she “doesn’t like [Walker] and she would like to get a written report on her for no reason.”

Policicchio also allegedly expressed disapproval towards Milne, with Anctil reporting that she “spoke on how Milne is overpaid and [Policicchio] does not see a reason for her position,” saying (Policicchio’s words) that “[Milne] is paid more than a nurse.” According to Anctil, Policicchio “retaliated” by subsequently approaching the Policy and Governance Committee with “a drafted policy to gain more authority and power over Walker and Milne.”

The current recommended starting salary for the General Manager position is between $69,926.93—$75,351.83.

In the document, Anctil claims that she “kept mostly quiet about [her] concerns about Policcichio [sic]” until March of 2024—more than nine months after the first incident the letter details—in an effort to “preserve peace in the office,” though she notes that “[Policicchio’s] expressed distaste towards my leadership and work ethic are ultimately nowhere near as personal as comments about one’s identity.”

“That is too far,” Anctil continues “and these are words and actions of racism.”

“Verbally attacking other staff members and directors based on their character and identity is where I draw the line.” 

This statement naturally raises questions regarding why Anctil, if she felt sufficiently concerned about the seriousness of Policicchio’s alleged conduct, chose to draw said line only when it became clear Policicchio would be running unopposed for President, as opposed to on the occasion of any of the earlier incidents of alleged verbal harassment detailed in her letter. No clear answer is provided in the document.

Policicchio is the second VP Health & Wellness to resign in two years, after previous Vice President, Holly Naraine, resigned on March 6th, 2023, after what she described as a months-long bullying campaign from members of the then-TCSA Executive, including Anctil. Furthermore, Policicchio is the second member of the Association’s Executive to tender their resignation this year, following the aforementioned departure of former VPUC Juman Zanzoul.

While the circumstances of both resignations do not superficially resemble those under which Policicchio vacated her position, the phenomenon speaks perhaps to a degree of political turmoil and institutional instability at the heart of the Association.

Responding to a request for comment, Association Resource Manager, Wendy Walker, told Arthur that “Part of [Policicchio’s] resignation included withdrawing from our election as a candidate.” It is worth noting that as of the closure of the nomination period for the Association’s Spring Elections at the end of February, Policicchio was the sole candidate running for the position of President.

Walker further clarified that in the absence of any other candidates running for the Presidential seat, “The board will appoint a director to the position of President until we can complete our By-election in the Fall.” She added that the Association “wish Bri the best in her future endeavours.”

The TCSA has yet to announce the appointment of an interim President.

Pressed for comment on the contents of the document, Walker responded with the following statement:

“The Association's Human Resources matters are confidential in nature. We respect the privacy of all parties and will not comment publicly on Human Resources matters. As the Association, we have a commitment to following our policies and by-laws. Although The Arthur [sic] is not required to abide by TCSA policies, we hope The Arthur [sic] will choose to respect the privacy of all involved. 

The Association has a duty to protect its membership. Students are protected by the Student Charter, and as any Trent-affiliated institution, it is our responsibility to maintain their confidentiality and integrity.”

Reached for comment about the allegations laid out in President Anctil’s letter to the Association’s elections committee, Bri Policicchio told Arthur:

“I left the Trent Central Student Association because it was best for my mental health. I have faced many challenges internally at the organization and will refrain from commenting on specific HR proceedings as I am bound by my employment contract.

Despite the letter coming to light, I will not support furthering conversation when it comes to defaming my character; especially when what was said has been false or misconstrued. I appreciate having the opportunity to serve the student body and will fondly remember the initiatives and events I put together to help the membership. 

This will be the last time I address this publically, as that is what is best for me mentally. I hope the undergraduate student body can understand my decision and respect that I had to do what is best for myself.”

This is an ongoing breaking news story. Further information is likely to emerge as the story develops. If you have information you would like to share with Arthur, tips can be directed to editors@trentarthur.ca under guarantee of anonymity.

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Editors' note: An earlier copy of this article included a misspelling of Policicchio's last name including in the headline. We have maintained the misspelling of Policicchio's name when directly quoting from Anctil's letter where, it is worth noting, it was consistently misspelled. Additionally, the official announcement of Policicchio's resignation as VP Health and Wellness contained the same misspelling. Arthur apologizes for this oversight in the original version.