The USFA Executive Committee is pleased to report that the University has withdrawn its appeal of the Queen’s Bench decision of Justice Laing regarding the “presidential veto.” This decision comes after considerable dialogue between university leadership and USFA representatives.
Articles
James Alan Brooke – A Tribute and The Presidential Search
This issue of VOX contains a tribute to James Brooke, professor of mathematics and statistics, and an article urging an open process for selecting our next president. On the one hand, an account of the life and intellectual interests of an esteemed and dedicated colleague; on the other, a rational plea for a presidential search… Continue reading James Alan Brooke – A Tribute and The Presidential Search
December 31 Spending Credit and Allocation Deadline Approaches for Flexible Spending Plan
A reminder to all faculty: December 31 is the deadline for spending at least some of your Health and/or Wellness spending accounts under the Flexible Spending Plan. Amounts allocated are permitted only one two-year rollover and funds left unspent after the two-year period are returned to the Employer. Now is the time to check the… Continue reading December 31 Spending Credit and Allocation Deadline Approaches for Flexible Spending Plan
National Day of Remembrance and Action on Violence against Women
News about violence against women is all around us. Local, national and international headlines about sexual assaults on university campuses, domestic violence by professional athletes, on-line bullying, sexual assault allegations against celebrities and the 1,181 known missing and murdered Aboriginal women are putting the issue in the spotlight and keeping it there. December 6th is… Continue reading National Day of Remembrance and Action on Violence against Women
Presidential Search Transparency v. The Value of Confidentiality in Searches
The USFA’s September e-Letter advocating transparency in the presidential search resulted in a few expressions of disagreement by faculty members. In the spirit of reasoned debate, we offer a lengthier explanation of the principles on which the e-Letter was based, along with an opposing argument by Dwight Newman, College of Law. Collectively Speaking: Presidential Search… Continue reading Presidential Search Transparency v. The Value of Confidentiality in Searches
Salary Review: New Provisions, Procedures and Reminders
The 2010-13 Collective Agreement contained significant changes to the salary review procedures in Article 17 and our new 2014-17 Agreement includes a few further refinements. In this issue we will summarize the recent changes and provide some guidance for this important collegial process. Click here for a pdf of this issue of Collectively Speaking.
University’s Appeal implies the Agreement fetters Board’s rights under the Act
Last week the University announced that it would appeal the decision of Justice Laing, claiming that its intention is to seek clarity on governance of the university. What University administrators now seek is to determine whether the University of Saskatchewan Act supersedes the Collective Agreement. We are perplexed with this decision because the Board just… Continue reading University’s Appeal implies the Agreement fetters Board’s rights under the Act
USFA disappointed Board has chosen to appeal
The USFA Executive Committee has been advised that the September 16th Queen’s Bench decision of Justice Laing will be appealed by the University. The decision to appeal was made by Interim U of S President Gordon Barnhart. Chair of the USFA, Doug Chivers, expressed disappointment saying, “We knew, regardless of what happened at the bargaining… Continue reading USFA disappointed Board has chosen to appeal
Board Ratifies Tentative Agreement
The U of S Board of Governors has voted in favour of accepting the 2014-2017 Collective Agreement and revoked the delegation to the President of final authority over tenure decisions. A number of issues were addressed in this round of bargaining, the most important being a way to move forward on the “presidential veto.” The… Continue reading Board Ratifies Tentative Agreement
Fall General Meeting, Friday, October 17, 2014
The USFA Constitution provides for two general membership meetings per year. The Fall General meeting is scheduled for Friday, October 17th at 2:30 p.m. in Arts 241, Neatby-Timlin Theatre. Mark your calendar and plan to attend!