The Supreme Court has ruled that sanctions slapped on outspoken MUN critic Matt Barter after a protest in December of 2021, were unreasonable, sending the decision back to MUN for reconsideration.

The ruling describes Barter as a vocal critic of MUN’s leadership, but he was anything but on the day in question.

Instead, it involved his silent protest during a government funding announcement at the student centre on Dec. 2, 2021.

Then-President Vianne Timmons was about to speak when Barter placed a “Stop Vianne” sign on the podium, then stood nearby with a similar sign while she spoke, taking and posting a selfie on social media and his blog.

A complaint was made by a MUN employee, it was investigated, and Barter was found in violation of the student code of conduct; namely, that he bullied, harassed or intimidated Timmons, and disrupted the event itself.

He lost his appeals at MUN, but the Supreme Court saw it differently, finding there might be a case for bullying or harassing, but hardly intimidating.

And as far as disruption goes, the ruling said that’s what protests do, noting exceptions for silent and peaceful ones in the code of conduct, not to mention the fact the event continued uninterrupted.

The court was also critical of MUN’s appeal process, sending the matter back to them for a more thorough review.

The university was also ordered to pay Barter’s court costs.