RAAS Report
Thursday, May 30, 2024
Ann Dennis, Editor
PRESIDENT’S UPDATE
Palestinian Solidarity
The resolution we passed at our AGM expressing support for Palestinian education workers has received quite a bit of attention within our sector, and I have received a lot of positive, appreciative feedback on it from colleagues in the OCUFA world. Following the passage of the resolution, a subcommittee of the RAAS Equity Committee has been convened to coordinate follow-up actions. The subcommittee (and many of you) has been closely following developments surrounding the student encampment at the Grad House on main campus. You will have seen the statement, drafted by the subcommittee, that we made in response to UW’s eviction notice last week.
While subcommittee has been mandated to consider and coordinate actions that follow from our resolution, it is the RAAS Executive that is responsible for what actions get taken. We welcome your ideas for further action as well as your feedback – supportive or critical – of the actions being taken on your behalf.
Congress (of the Humanities and Social Sciences) and the McGill Law Professors strike
Several of us have plans to present our work at the various association conferences that make up Congress, being held this year at McGill. In solidarity with striking law professors of the Association of McGill Professors of Law (AMPL), CAUT and many individual faculty associations are encouraging their members to not cross the picket line to attend Congress. Find out why AMPL is on strike here.
RAAS (so far) has no specific position on whether or not our members should participate in Congress if it means crossing a picket line. I would, nonetheless, encourage all who plan to attend Congress to let your associations know that you are not comfortable with (or refuse to) cross a picket line to attend the conference and press them to do one of two things: find an alternative venue off the McGill campus (a number of associations are doing this already), or contact AMPL to explore options (the Canadian History Association, for instance, has made arrangements with AMPL that enables CHA to hold its main conference at McGill despite the strike). I, for one, will not be crossing the picket line to attend any Congress events, including the two conferences at which I am scheduled to present work, unless an arrangement is made between my associations and AMPL.
Regardless, if you do attend Congress (or if you are just in Montreal), make some time to join AMPL members on their picket line to learn about their issues, express support, and bring the extra visibility to their action.
Bill 166: Strengthening Accountability and Student Support Act.
Earlier this month the Ford government crammed through yet another law that is raising alarm bells among Ontario university. Bill 166, the so called Strengthening Accountability and Student Support Act, ignores decades of research and best practices on mental health and equity and threatens to seriously undermine the work that has been done in these areas on Ontario campuses. The act also gives the Minister of Colleges and Universities an unprecedented degree of the authority to intervene directly in the operations of universities and colleges by issuing directives regarding the costs of attending university or college.
Critics, such as the Ontario Universities and Colleges Coalition, are calling the act “hastily crafted,” “ill-defined,” and suggestive of “an intention for unprecedented political interference in academic freedom and in research that is contrary to universities acts” (Province urged to take time to rethink flawed post-secondary education bill). The OCUFA Executive is currently considering a motion from a member (St. Jerome’s University) to commit the organization to rejecting any directive that comes out of Bill 166 and encouraging member associations to do the same.
For more critical perspective on Bill 166, consult the Stop Bill 166 post of the Coalition Against Political Interference in Public Research and Education in Ontario, and see OCUFA’s submission in response to the tabling of the bill.
OCUFA Conference: Bargaining Stronger Together (September 25 & 26)
The Collective Bargaining Committee (CBC) of OCUFA (which I chair) invites you to join us for an in-depth exploration of how collective bargaining can be most effectively attuned to not just making gains for association members, but to furthering the broader strategic goals of the association and our sector as a whole as well.
This two-day conference will include a mix of keynote addresses, panel discussions, and workshops exploring topics such as how to build union power through the bargaining process, how to remove barriers and enhance supports for Indigenous students and faculty (though and beyond the language of collective agreements), and how we might better coordinate negotiations priorities and strategy across faculty associations in Ontario to make greater gains for our sector.
Session speakers so far include:
Dr. Shelly Johnson (Mukwa Musayett), Saulteaux, first Canada Research Chair in Indigenizing higher education and Associate Professor at Thompson Rivers University, member of the BC Federation of Post-Secondary Educators Decolonization, Reconciliation and Indigenization Steering Committee (DRISC); and
Darrel Manitowabi, President of the Northern Ontario School of Medicine (NOSM) Faculty Association and NOSM University Associate Medical Services Hannah Chair in the History of Indigenous Health and Indigenous Traditional Medicine
Stacy Davis Gates, President of the Chicago Teachers Union
The target audience for this conference is anyone who sees themselves in a faculty association leadership position now or in the foreseeable future. OCUFA covers the costs of CBC members, and RAAS will cover the costs of other members we wish to send.
Let me know if you’re interested in joining me at this conference. It will be fun!
Rob Case
RAAS President
BOARD UPDATE
The Board of Governors met on Wednesday, May 29, 2024. The meeting was held in-person, and highlights include:
Promotion to Full Professor: The Board received a strong recommendation supporting the VPAD-TPC's proposal to promote Dr. Christine Logel to Full Professor. The recommendation letter highlighted the unanimous approval (5-0) from the VPAD-TPC, recognizing her exceptional qualifications and her scholarship, teaching, and service contributions that warrant her promotion. The Board enthusiastically passed the motion to promote Dr. Logel to the rank of Full Professor, effective July 1, 2024. We extend our heartfelt congratulations to Christine on this well-deserved achievement and wish her continued success and accomplishments!
Finance Update: Jill Pauls presented an update on the latest Cash Flow Projection, Forecast to Year End, and Statement of Operations up to March 31, 2024. At present, we are just above the $3.5M limit of internally restricted funds. The Management Team and Budget Sub-Committee are working to balance revenues and expenses to give the Board a budget without a cash deficit at the June meeting.
Sabbatical Leave Requests: The Board approved motions for sabbatical leave applications of Drs. Hsiao d’Ailly, Denise Marigold, and Crystena Parker-Shandal. We hope it is a time of great productivity and inspiration for you all.
AFIW-UW Negotiations: The Board reviewed a draft framework agreement between the Affiliated and Federated Institutions of Waterloo (AFIW) and the University of Waterloo. This memorandum outlines the principles and intentions guiding their relationships and serves as a reference for existing and future agreements. The draft does not discuss terms for the equity funding arrangement, which will be covered by further agreements that must be worked out. The document has been reviewed by relevant parties, including VPs and councils. The Board passed the motion to endorse the draft AFIW-UW Framework document as presented.
NEXT MEETING: Our next and last meeting of the academic year will take place virtually on Wednesday, June 19, 2024, at 6:00 pm.
Respectfully submitted,
Edwin Ng and Jeff Wilson
Faculty Board Representatives
RAAS LECTURERS COMMITTEE (LC) UPDATE
Two of our esteemed lecturers are embarking on the journey of retirement. Maggie Heeney has already begun her well-deserved retirement since the end of April, while Pat Skinner will gracefully conclude her teaching at the end of August. We extend our heartfelt congratulations to both Maggie and Pat as they commence this new chapter in their lives.
The RAAS Lecturers Committee convened for an online meeting on May 24th. The focal point of discussion revolved around our collective response to the impending transition towards teaching stream faculty ranks on the main campus, scheduled for implementation in September 2024.
Cindy Zhuang
RAAS Lecturers Committee Co-chair
Renison Representative on FAUW Lecturers’ Committee
SATIRE
Google announces plans to shove AI into all its products then eventually remove AI from all its products
May 16, 2024, Mary Gillis, The Beaverton
At its annual developer conference, Google has proudly unveiled the numerous AIs it will be forcing into its products until some point in the not-too-distant future when every AI is quietly removed with no fanfare.
NOT SATIRE
Stacey: It’s time to shrink Ontario’s university administrations
Jan 31, 2024, Robert Stacey, Ottawa Citizen
Every university position should have to be justified in terms of a university’s primary mandate: to educate students and produce knowledge.
CAUT NEWS
You can find the latest CAUT updates here.
OCUFA NEWS
RAAS is a member of the Ontario Confederation of University CAUT Associations (OCUFA), a province-wide association of our peers.
University presidents defend efforts to combat antisemitism on campus
May 29, 2024, Peter Zimonjic, CBC News
Canada needs a better legal definition of hate crime to help enforcement, says Toronto deputy police chief.
University of Waterloo African Institute for Mathematical Sciences and Faculty of Mathematics Celebrate Partnership
May 29, 2024, Education News Canada
Delegates from the African Institute for Mathematical Sciences (AIMS) met with representatives of the Centre for Education in Math and Computing (CEMC) and the larger Faculty of Mathematics to celebrate a new phase in their continuing partnership.
Wilfrid Laurier University to launch Milton campus for commuters in fall
May 25, 2024, Robert Williams, The Kitchener Waterloo Record
Wilfrid Laurier will launch its Milton campus this fall to help support a growing number of students who are interested in a commuter-style university experience.
‘Difficult financial situation’ could mean cuts at RMC in Kingston
May 14. 2023, Elliot Ferguson, The Trentonian
More than 50 courses at Royal Military College could be cancelled and dozens of faculty vacancies may not be filled as the college struggles with financial challenges.
Opposition to Ontario’s Bill 166 gains momentum
May 10, 2024, Hannah Liddle, University Affairs
University professors, staff, and stakeholders, including a grassroots faculty-led coalition, are mounting pressure against the Ford government over legislation they say threatens university autonomy and constitutes a level of political interference never seen before in Ontario.
Mark Your Calendars!!
| Item | Key Date |
|---|---|
| Tenure and promotion application | Member to notify VPAD in writing of their intention to apply for tenure or promotion on or before June 1. |
| Sabbatical Applications | 12-month sabbatical: October 15 6-month sabbatical beginning July 1: October 15 6-month sabbatical beginning January 1: March 15 |
| OCUFA Conference: Bargaining Stronger Together | September 25th & 26th |
| CAUT Dedicated Service Award Nominations | Nominations are ongoing throughout the year using this form. |
CA HIGHLIGHTS
Editing, proofreading, and reformatting of our 2023-2026 Collective Agreement is now complete, and the CA is now available on our website for viewing and downloading.
Article 25: Sabbatical Leaves
Our 2023-2026 introduces some new language outlining the importance and significance of sabbatical leaves, clarifies and slightly changes how sabbatical credits are calculated and used, and amends some specific aspects of the associated timelines and processes. The following is a summary of the key changes made.
Sabbatical options
Both six-month and 12-month sabbaticals remain an option for RAAS members [25.3]
The early 6-month sabbatical option for pre-tenure Members after 3 years also remains available (at 100% of salary) [25.14]
Sabbatical credits
Sabbatical credits will now be counted by month (rather than by year) [25.22(a)].
The length of time required to become eligible for sabbatical remains unchanged (e.g., 6 years = 72 credits) [25.12(b)]
Unused sabbatical credits can be accumulated and do not expire [25.11(c)]
Unused sabbatical credits may be put towards your next sabbatical or used to augment your salary during sabbatical (up to 100%)
72 credits, for example, can get you a 6-month sabbatical at 100% of salary, or a 12-month sabbatical at 85%
a 12-month sabbatical at 85% of salary, for example, can be taken with 72 credits (6 years) or at 100% with 108 credits (9 years) [see 25.23]
Deferred sabbaticals
Members whose sabbaticals are granted but deferred at the request of the Dean may apply the sabbatical credits accrued during the period of deferral towards a sabbatical salary top-up of 7.5% per year of deferral (up to 100% of salary) [25.9(c)]
This language is a slight departure from our previous CA language, where the salary top-up was calculated at “1/12 of the nominal salary” (equivalent to 8.3%)
Members who request a deferral of their sabbatical after it has been approved continue to accrue sabbatical credits but are not eligible for the accelerated top-up described above
the language in our previous CA was unclear but implied that member-requested deferrals would generate the accelerated top-up
Sabbatical Timelines
12-month sabbatical will now “normally” fall in line with the academic year (September-August) [25.2(c)] (the previous CA allowed for January-December sabbaticals)
The number of course releases for six-month sabbaticals will now alternate between 3 and 2. I.e., if you take a 3-course term off for your first 6-month sabbatical, you will be required to apply a subsequent 6-month sabbatical to a two-course term. [25.13(c)] (this is a change from our previous CA, which was silent on this subject)
Application Timeline: applications are due well in advance
12-month leave: October 15 (leave commences September 1 of the following academic year)
(“6 months prior” to sabbatical in our previous CA)
6-month leave beginning July 1: October 15
6-month leave beginning January 1: March 15
Sabbatical Credits for Academic Unit Leads
New Academic Unit Leads will accrue an extra one half (1/2) sabbatical credit per month, which may either be applied to salary top-up during sabbatical or banked for a future sabbatical.
Academic Unit Leads who began their term under the previous CA will continue to accrue additional credits, which can be used for salary top-up, at the rate of 1/12 of nominal salary per year.
Academic Unit Leaders holding the rank of Continuing Lecturer are eligible for one course release after six years in that role (or a prorated stipend based on the sessional rate for a shorted term as AUL.)
Our previous CA had no provision of this kind of non-tenure track Academic Unit Leads