RAAS Report
RAAS REPORT
A biweekly newsletter from your
Association of Academic Staff
Friday, November 8, 2019
RAAS PRESIDENT'S UPDATE
(forwarding an important message from FAUW, with thanks)
What Is Collegial Governance?
Universities aren’t run like businesses. The University is collegially governed, which means that many decisions are made by faculty. Faculty represented by FAUW have a stronger voice in governance than any other stakeholder group on campus.
Faculty members’ participation in collegial governance is essential. Since the University’s core mission is scholarly, it is scholars themselves who chart the institution’s course. Participation in collegial governance is often called “service,” but service is a misnomer. The work is a central part of the job of a faculty member, and we’re paid to do it.
Collegial governance is stronger in Canada than anywhere else in the world. We safeguard this system by participating in it. Learn more about how governance works at Waterloo—and the role of faculty—in our Faculty Guide to Working at UW .
If you want to take a deeper dive into the topic, attend FAUW's annual workshop on University Governance, coming up on November 15. The workshop runs from 9:00 am to 1:00 pm and lunch is provided.
Space is limited, so please register by November 8 — THAT'S TODAY — to reserve your spot.
SATIRE
Man Regrets Wasting Money on College after Failing to Secure Perfect Dream Life by 24
The Beaverton (January 22, 2019)
NEW YORK — Noting that his four years at Fordham University hadn’t even led to a 3,000-square-foot penthouse apartment on the Upper East Side yet, local 24-year-old Alex Michaelson, who still hasn’t achieved his dream life, told reporters Tuesday he regrets wasting money on a college education.
NOT SATIRE
Teachers to fight Ontario law capping public sector wage hikes at 1%
Canadian Press (November 8, 2019)
Ontario’s teachers are preparing to challenge the government in court over a new law that caps all public sector wage increases.
OCUFA NEWS
RAAS is a member of the Ontario Confederation of University Faculty Associations (OCUFA), a province-wide association of our peers.
Why universities are trying to recruit overseas students from as many places as possible
Jennifer Lewington, Macleans (November 4, 2019)
Canadian universities are riding a wave of popularity as destinations of choice for overseas students. But the high-water moment comes with risks. Of 356,035 Canadian study permits issued to international students at post-secondary institutions in 2018 alone, 54.1 per cent went to students from only two countries: India and China.
Librarians and Archivists Ratify Agreement with Western Administration
UWOFA Updates (November 4, 2019)
The UWOFA librarian and archivist membership has voted to ratify the tentative collective agreement reached with the university administration. Members of the faculty bargaining unit voted 89 per cent in favour of the deal in a vote that closed Monday, November 4.
Nipissing University full-time faculty agree to new contract
Michael Lee, North Bay Nugget (October 31, 2019)
Full-time faculty members at Nipissing University have ratified a new three-year collective agreement after months of negotiations, agreeing to one-per-cent annual increases in salaries and avoiding a potential strike or lockout.
Trent University reaches deal with faculty
Peterborough Examiner (November 4, 2019)
Trent University and the organization representing Trent faculty have reached a tentative new collective agreement. Trent University Faculty Association (TUFA) and the university have agreed to recommend the tentative settlement to their respective parties.
UNBC Faculty Association strike in gesture of solidarity with colleagues
Academica Group (November 8, 2019)
The Faculty Association at the University of Northern British Columbia announced yesterday morning that it will strike.
CUPE 3906 requests 'No Board' report
CUPE 3906 (November 6, 2019)
Following a fruitless day of negotiations, the union representing 2,900 teaching assistants, research assistants, demonstrators, tutors and markers at McMaster University announced late last night they would be seeking a ‘No Board’ report from the Provincial Ministry of Labour.
CAUT NEWS
RAAS is a member of the Canadian Association of University Teachers (CAUT), a nation-wide association of our peers.
When compared to other members of the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), Canada does very well on one indicator, the number of adults with tertiary education. On other key indicators such as the teacher/student ratio, advanced degrees, research intensity and public funding, Canada is middling at best. On some indicators, Canada is near the bottom – for example, Canada is 26 out of 32 OECD countries in women’s PhD attainment.
FAUW NEWS
RAAS has a service agreement with the Faculty Association of the University of Waterloo (FAUW), a campus-wide association of our peers.
Additional FAUW Workshops
November 28: Lunch & Learn on disconnecting from work
Learn how others set weekend, evening, and vacation boundaries and unplug without making things worse.
Please register by November 20.
November 29: Indigenization reading circle
Learn about Indigenization and reconciliation in the university context. Everyone is welcome.
Incorrect hire dates in Workday
Having incorrect service dates on record can affect access to retirement and other benefits. Faculty members are encouraged to check their hire dates in Workday. The faculty should get in touch with your Association if the dates are wrong. To find these dates, log in to Workday, click on the cloud icon in the top right, then "View profile", and then choose "Job" from the blue menu.
FAUW Lecturers Committee Meeting
Aga Wolczuk, RAAS Report (October 22, 2019)
The Lecturers Committee met the second time this academic year on October 22. This time two guests were invited to join:David Rose, Faculty of Science, Professor, Policy 76 Revision Committee Chair, and Benoit Charbonneau, Faculty of Mathematics, Associate Dean Undergraduate Studies, and Chief Salary Negotiator for FAUW. Another new development was the nomination of Geoff Malleck, CL, Department of Economics, to the 2019 Presidential Nominating Committee.
Rose became Policy 76 Revision Committee Chair in September. He has reviewed the Lecturers’ Survey from 2015. He expects the process of revising Policy 76 should be completed by early spring of 2020.
Charbonneau summarized the work of the Working Group of Salary Structure. The WGSS recommended adjustments of Lecturers’ and Clinical Lecturers’ salaries at both thresholds (see https://uwaterloo.ca/faculty-association/sites/ca.faculty-association/files/uploads/files/working_group_on_salary_structure_report_january_2019.pdf) for comparable performance.