Solidarity with AMPL

In the last few weeks, solidarity with striking Association of McGill Professors of Law (AMPL) members has been tangible as various academic bodies altered plans for this year’s Congress, June 12 to 21, 2024, hosted by McGill University. Organized by the Federation for the Humanities and Social Sciences, Congress is the largest academic gathering in… Continue reading Solidarity with AMPL

2024 USFA scholarship applications are now available online

Online applications for the USFA Scholarship will be accepted until 11:59 p.m. Saturday, June 1, 2024. The USFA Scholarship Program is open to students who are immediate family members of USFA members. Immediate family includes spouse/partner, their children and including children for whom USFA members have served as legal guardians. The application form for the… Continue reading 2024 USFA scholarship applications are now available online

Alberta’s Public Priorities Act: Political interference in research

The USFA is watching with concern the Alberta government’s efforts to politicize federal research funding. Bill 18, the Public Priorities Act, would give the Government of Alberta the power to review federal research funds received by university-based researchers to ensure they align with provincial government’s priorities. Not only does this legislation jeopardize millions of dollars… Continue reading Alberta’s Public Priorities Act: Political interference in research

Removing inappropriate comments from SLEQ

Responses to SLEQ are confidential, not anonymous, and it is possible to have inappropriate comments removed. This clearly came through in comments from respondents to our Campus Safety and Student Abuse of Faculty Questionnaire with the suggestion that accountability is needed for anonymous evaluations. Comments from students are treated as confidential and while student identity… Continue reading Removing inappropriate comments from SLEQ

Campus Safety and Student Abuse of Faculty – Suggestions from you

Our recent questionnaire on the topic of campus safety and student abuse of faculty garnered 193 responses. Of these, 121 provided detailed answers to three open-ended questions included in the questionnaire: What was the nature of abuse? (Select all that apply, with an option for “Other” and space for specifying details.) Do you have suggestions… Continue reading Campus Safety and Student Abuse of Faculty – Suggestions from you

Faculty Associations support STF job action

On Monday, the USFA, University of Regina Faculty Association (URFA), Saskatchewan Polytechnic Faculty Association (SPFA), and Saskatchewan Teacher’s Federation (STF) held a joint press conference on the state of funding for education in Saskatchewan. (View the press conference here.) Whether it is early childhood and primary or post-secondary education, we share the same concerns and… Continue reading Faculty Associations support STF job action

An important message concerning the Assignment of Duties

Last week faculty members received an email from the Office of the Vice-Provost Faculty Relations regarding the Assignment of Duties process, which is nearing deadlines for completion (Department Heads must complete assignments by March 31, and Deans must approve them by April 30 for the 2024–5 Academic year). You should be aware that, in the… Continue reading An important message concerning the Assignment of Duties

Student Abuse of Faculty Questionnaire: What we heard from you

Thank you to everyone who responded to our questionnaire regarding student abuse of faculty. We received 193 responses (nearly 25% of the faculty complement). You can view the results in a graphic format here. Just over two-thirds of respondents told us they have experienced abuse from current or former students with most abuse (75%) taking… Continue reading Student Abuse of Faculty Questionnaire: What we heard from you

December 6 – The National Day of Remembrance and Action on Violence Against Women

On December 6, 1989, fourteen young women at Polytechnique Montréal were murdered and 10 others injured in an act of violent misogyny that shook our country and led Parliament to designate December 6 as The National Day of Remembrance and Action on Violence Against Women. Women, girls and 2SLGBTQI+ individuals face unacceptable violence and discrimination.… Continue reading December 6 – The National Day of Remembrance and Action on Violence Against Women