This article was sent to us before interim president Gordon Barnhart addressed the University on September 9. Nevertheless, it raises serious questions that continue to be relevant. First, it reveals some very disturbing issues with the development of what is supposed to be a prestigious element of the University. Moreover, it leads to some critical… Continue reading What the University of Saskatchewan should aim for: a Faculty’s perspective
Articles
USFA Donates $10,000 to locked out ATU Local 615
USFA Chair Doug Chivers yesterday presented a cheque in the amount of $10,000 to ATU Local 615, the union representing locked out City of Saskatoon Transit Workers. The lockout of transit workers has clearly affected the entire campus community, including many faculty. “The USFA went on strike only one time in our history, and we… Continue reading USFA Donates $10,000 to locked out ATU Local 615
CAUT Equity Networks
A central part of CAUT’s new equity structure is the creation of networks designed to provide an opportunity for members of marginalized groups from all associations across the country to participate in providing advice to CAUT on its equity work and to advance equity work in local associations. The four are: Network of Academic Staff… Continue reading CAUT Equity Networks
Possible Restructuring in Arts and Science
A number of members in the College of Arts and Science have contacted the USFA expressing concerns about possible restructuring in their College, particularly with respect to the roles of the Vice Deans. The USFA ascribes to the view that College structure and the roles of Vice-Deans, Associate Deans and Assistant Deans are matters for… Continue reading Possible Restructuring in Arts and Science
Help send a message to stop muzzling research
Many of you will have likely heard about an open letter to the Minister of National Revenue asking her to place a moratorium on political-activity audits of various think tanks that claim charitable status. The letter was drafted after a number of university professors learned that the Canada Revenue Agency is auditing the Canadian Centre… Continue reading Help send a message to stop muzzling research
Transparency and Consultation Needs to be Front and Centre in Search for next President
The Search and Review Procedures for Senior Administrators has a number of principles to guide all searches, including confidentiality, transparency and consultation. With a search for the next U of S President about to get underway, transparency and consultation—not confidentiality—needs to be front and centre for the Committee searching for our next President. As the… Continue reading Transparency and Consultation Needs to be Front and Centre in Search for next President
Academic Freedom, the Presidential Veto and Collective Bargaining
Throughout the upheaval of the past six months, the USFA Executive directed considerable efforts toward reaching a settlement at the negotiating table. We reached a tentative three-year agreement on July 30 and ratified it on September 2. We anticipate the Board of Governors will vote on the agreement at their meeting in early October. We… Continue reading Academic Freedom, the Presidential Veto and Collective Bargaining
Judicial Review Decision
Previously we reported that former U of S President MacKinnon had refused to forward to the Board of Governors a positive recommendation by the Renewal and Tenure Appeal Committee for the tenure of one of our faculty members. MacKinnon claimed that, pursuant to The University of Saskatchewan Act, he had the power to veto such… Continue reading Judicial Review Decision
Are you a new faculty member?
Each fall the USFA Executive hosts lunches for USFA members who are in the first few years of their appointment. Join Executive Committee members, as well as USFA staff for lunch from 11:30 to 1:30 on September 17, 18, 19, 22, 23, or 24 in the Red Room at the University Club. For many of… Continue reading Are you a new faculty member?
It’s About Choice
Senior Administrators and the Board of Governors have made a number of choices in the last few years because they believed that the U of S was facing a financial crisis. Using this financial rationale, they chose to reduce the non-faculty workforce and to embark on TransformUS. The upheaval our university has been experiencing has… Continue reading It’s About Choice