Category: Collectively Speaking

Collectively Speaking presents in-depth perspectives on issues affecting USFA members

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.

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

A Message from USFA Chair Doug Chivers

A pdf is available here. Dear Members: There is much discussion with respect to opinions being expressed about TransformUS and the action, or inaction, of the USFA. Based on the many emails I have been receiving from members, I think it is clear that there are a few misconceptions. First let me say that the… Continue reading A Message from USFA Chair Doug Chivers

Speaking of TransformUS…

On December 9, the TransformUS Task Force reports were released, but the process is not yet complete. Between now and February there will be consultation and opportunities to provide feedback. From February to April the President’s Committee on Integrated Planning (PCIP) will review the feedback and develop an implementation plan, which will be shared in… Continue reading Speaking of TransformUS…

Nominations are Now Open: Peter C. Dooley Legacy Award and Peter T. Millard Award

Peter C. Dooley Legacy Award On April 12, 2013 the first Peter C. Dooley Legacy Award was presented. The Dooley Award is intended to recognize and celebrate champions of collegial self-governance and to ensure that the role Peter Dooley played as such a champion in making the USFA what it is today is not forgotten.… Continue reading Nominations are Now Open: Peter C. Dooley Legacy Award and Peter T. Millard Award

Reflections on my discussions with new faculty

This issue of Collectively Speaking is a memo composed by Doug Chivers, USFA Chair and Rawson Professor of Biology, to a number of senior U of S administrators including the President, the Provost and Vice-President Academic, the Vice-President Research, the Vice-Provost, Faculty Relations, the Acting Vice-President Finance and Resources and the Associate Vice-President Human Resources.… Continue reading Reflections on my discussions with new faculty

Freedom of the Academic and the Academy

Most of us who have joined the academy have a notion that we enjoy “academic freedom”, but most would be surprised to find out that, like other freedoms, it is not a well-defined concept and, like the concept of “tenure”, it is not governed by legislation. It is more typically described in mission statements or… Continue reading Freedom of the Academic and the Academy