RAAS Report
RAAS REPORT
A biweekly newsletter from your
Association of Academic Staff
Friday, June 14, 2019
SHARED GOVERNANCE. QUALITY EDUCATION.
A message from the Canadian Association of University Teachers (CAUT)
For decades, shared governance has been at the heart of how universities run. In fact, university boards are typically mandated by law to include relevant stakeholders (academic staff, administrators, students and members of the public) in their decision-making process.
But shared governance is under attack. University and college boards are increasingly controlled by corporate appointees with little understanding of important academic matters. Decision-making powers are concentrated in the hands of a few – who act behind closed doors – while the voices of academic staff and other key stakeholders are being weakened or silenced.
It shouldn’t be this way. Academic staff, speak up and be heard!
For more information, see
SATIRE
Man can’t help but think he played small part in female colleague’s success
The Onion (June 10, 2019)
SAN FRANCISCO—Beaming with pride as he recalled the support he gave co-worker Laura Wolff when he refrained from taking full credit for a joint project, advertising copywriter Ken Appleby said Monday he sincerely believes his non-undermining behaviour contributed significantly to the female colleague’s success. “New hires always need a support system, and I’d like to think I was Laura’s when she started here because I generally kept my distance and didn’t hinder her progress on purpose, at least as far as I can remember,” said Appleby, recalling that he actively chose not to upstage Wolff in meetings, and instead greeting the ideas she pitched with the empty silence they needed in order to spread their wings and fly.
NOT SATIRE
Government attack on workers’ rights will deny fair wages and benefits to contract faculty and already underpaid academic staff
TORONTO – Ontario faculty are deeply concerned by the Ford government’s attempt to cap public sector compensation increases at one per cent per year. This legislation represents an attack on the right to free and fair collective bargaining, a threat to pay equity and benefits for contract faculty and other marginalized workers, and an erosion of the foundations of Ontario’s important public services.
Following previous legislation that reduced the minimum wage and took away basic employment rights from Ontario workers, including paid sick days and equal pay for equal work, the Ford government is now attempting to deny public sector employees their Constitutional right to collectively negotiate their salaries and benefits. Ontario’s faculty and academic librarians firmly believe in the right to free and fair collective bargaining. It is through this process that equity is fostered, ensuring that good jobs and fair pay are provided to traditionally under-compensated groups, including women-identified, racialized, and contract faculty.
[Please see the attached OCUFA press release.]
OTHER OCUFA News
RAAS is a member of the Ontario Confederation of University Faculty Associations (OCUFA), a province-wide association of our peers. OCUFA fees are included in RAAS dues each month.
Canada Signs Historic Post-Secondary Education Agreement with Métis Nation
NationTalk (June 10, 2019)
The Government of Canada has committed to providing post-secondary education supports for Métis Nation students across Canada.
The ‘double-dipping professor’ in Doug Ford’s crosshairs is nothing but a myth
Jeffrey McIntosh, Financial Post [yes, way] (June 4, 2019)
Properly understood, there is neither anything offensive about 'double-dipping' nor any cost to the Ontario taxpayer.
Unions vow to ‘fight back’ as Alberta lawmakers introduce bill that strips bargaining rightsDean Bennett, Toronto Star / Canadian Press (June 13, 2019)
The leaders of Alberta’s public sector unions promised Thursday to fight back after the province introduced a bill to strip away bargaining rights.
Doug Ford is testing Ontario’s tolerance for chaosThomas Walkom, Toronto Star (June 6, 2019)
By taking on public-sector workers, Ford has set the stage for politically unsettling labour unrest.
All Ontarians will pay the price for Doug Ford zapping public sector wagesMartin Regg Cohn, Toronto Star (June 5, 2019)
Ford’s 1 percent solution doesn’t add up. Not now, not even close.
CAUT News
RAAS is a member of the Canadian Association of University Teachers (CAUT), a nationwide association of our peers. CAUT fees are included in RAAS dues each month.
PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE: LEADERSHIP & COLLEGIAL GOVERNANCE
James Compton, CAUT (June, 2019)
Are universities becoming anti-intellectual?
FEATURE
RAAS Member Profiles
In this issue, we are very pleased to feature CHRISTINA PARKER, Assistant Professor, Social Development Studies (SDS)
What brought you to Renison?
Before joining Renison, I taught at Ryerson, U of T, and the U of Calgary. Renison stood apart. As a contract faculty member, I experienced first hand the strong community, rich dialogue about social justice and equity, and a true commitment to creating impact. Talented researchers and teachers and diverse students drew me to Renison.
What do you like about Renison?
The people. Renison has so many interesting people doing great work in a vast range of areas. I enjoy the endless opportunities to continuously learn from my colleagues and appreciate the keen interest they take in the work I am doing.
What do you like about RAAS?
I see RAAS as an obvious and natural way to secure and sustain equity and partnerships with UW and the wider academic community. I also appreciate the strong leadership team and their dedication to this important work.
What are you passionate about in your work?
Building meaningful connections with young people through issues that deeply impact them. My work focuses on sustainable peacebuilding, social justice, safe and inclusive schools, and democratic education. I use critical ethnographic approaches so I spend a lot of time immersing myself into children’s spaces. Through this work, I really get to know young people.
Could you tell us a 'fun fact' about yourself?
I practiced sign language with both of my children (1 and 3), pretty much since birth, and each was signing back by month 12!
Do you have any pets?
It’s been almost year since we said farewell to the most amazing cocker spaniel, Dax. We’re hoping to welcome a labradoodle into our family sometime soon.