News Archive
Parking Fees during the closure of the campus due to COVID-19
June 30, 2020 | COVID-19
Dear Faculty members, We have had a number of emails expressing dismay that parking fees continue to be charged while the campus is closed and faculty are working at home. We raised this issue with the employer when we were negotiating the COVID Letter of Understanding early in the spring. However, the employer’s response was …
Continue reading “Parking Fees during the closure of the campus due to COVID-19”
Reminder: USFA survey on University Administration
June 29, 2020 | USFA e-Letter
The USFA Administrative Practices Committee has received a strong response to the survey mailed out June 23, 2020. Thanks to all who responded. Your comments have given us much to discuss in the future. If you have not completed the survey, please take a few moments to answer the questions and provide us with your …
Continue reading “Reminder: USFA survey on University Administration”
Emergency financial support for students – Please donate if you can
June 25, 2020 | COVID-19
Dear colleagues, We are writing to encourage faculty to consider reallocating unneeded funds from your Accountable Professional Expense Funds (APEF) to support students during COVID-19. Faculty and staff who have either an Accountable Professional Expense Fund (APEF) or a Department and Senior Administrator Expense (DSAE) account can allocate funds for Emergency Student Support grants or …
Continue reading “Emergency financial support for students – Please donate if you can”
Office Access Clarification
June 24, 2020 | COVID-19
Information provided in the June 9 edition of the YouSask Faculty and Staff Newsletter regarding office access has created some confusion. The use of “one-time access” in conjunction with a different protocol, in the Newsletter led many to believe that the previous protocol for access to offices was discontinued. That is not the case. While …
Remote teaching and your copyright
June 23, 2020 | COVID-19
We have had a few inquiries about the ownership of materials faculty develop for teaching remotely. The copyright article, which has remained almost unchanged since the first Collective Agreement (1977–79), stipulates that faculty own the copyright to their lectures but do not own copyright in recorded works if such works are created in the course …
USFA survey on University administration
June 23, 2020 | USFA e-Letter
This survey is from the USFA Administrative Practices Committee. Would you please take a few minutes to evaluate the University’s performance with regards to P-cards, Concur, UNIVRS, ConnectionPoint, your office, COVID, and other relevant issues. The survey takes on average 12 minutes to complete. There are text boxes to include additional topics or comments. https://www.surveymonkey.ca/r/YVPW5KG …
SEIU Wage Top Up Petition
June 12, 2020 | USFA e-Letter
Front line workers have been crucial in the province’s effort to flatten the curve of COVID-19. Among this group of essential workers are those working in the health care sector. Sadly, the joint federal-provincial wage supplement announced in late April has left most health care workers ineligible to receive it. The criteria for workers to …
Response to Caregiving Demands Letter
June 9, 2020 | COVID-19
We received many responses to the Caregiving Demands e-Letter circulated to members last week. Faculty members have written about their concerns about equity for caregivers in various collegial processes in the future, such as tenure, promotion, and salary review, the lack of acknowledgement from the University of the stress on faculty, the additional stress of homeschooling …
COVID-19 and Caregiving Demands
June 1, 2020 | COVID-19
Dear USFA members, Please find attached a letter concerning the circumstances of faculty parents and caregivers under the ongoing pandemic conditions. USFA has been asked to initiate informed discussions with the university administration to find equitable, realistic solutions to the unmanageable demands faculty face in carrying full workloads while also providing part- to full-time care …
Collegial Processes will still happen
May 29, 2020 | COVID-19
In light of COVID-19, the USFA negotiated a Letter of Understanding with the employer that includes provisions for probationary employees. Even though this Letter of Understanding is in place, collegial processes – renewal of probation, tenure, promotion – will still happen this year. All employees who currently hold a probationary appointment or who are appointed …
Take care, stay connected and stay safe – a message from the CWI
May 28, 2020 | COVID-19
Members of the Committee on Women’s Issues are reaching out to let you know we are thinking about you. COVID-19 has changed our personal and professional lives dramatically. The sudden transition from campus to home, urgency to reconfigure classes, assignments, and final exams put a tremendous amount of pressure on us all. With little understood …
Continue reading “Take care, stay connected and stay safe – a message from the CWI”
Assignment of Duties by May 31?
May 27, 2020 | Assignment of Duties
Despite the Association’s agreement to the Employer’s request that the timeline for completing assignment of duties be delayed by one month, to May 31, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, some colleges are having difficulty meeting the deadline. We know of at least one college where duties assigned by Department Heads have not been approved by …
CAUT: COVID-19 and the Academic Workplace
May 27, 2020 | COVID-19
In addition to the regular CAUT publication, the Bulletin, the website for CAUT has a wealth of information regarding COVID-19 and the academic workplace: Frequently asked questions Results of a national survey of post-secondary staff The latest on remote teaching Information on special income support measures Subscribe for regular updates and the monthly CAUT newsletter.
Thank You!!
May 11, 2020 | COVID-19
During this pandemic there are a lot of people stepping up to keep things moving, including USFA members. Not only are you at home working, with all that entails, you are dramatically changing the way you work. Your contributions to the U of S and to our community are invaluable. Thank you! “The University Works …
Working from home – reimbursement and eligible expenses
May 6, 2020 | COVID-19
We have received inquiries from members about working from home expenses eligible for reimbursement. The University website outlines guidelines for purchasing items for working at home. The following are a few of the highlights from the guidelines: You will not be reimbursed for any computer equipment and software purchases that are made independently without authorization from …
Continue reading “Working from home – reimbursement and eligible expenses”
Office Access on Campus
May 5, 2020 | COVID-19
We have been receiving questions from members regarding office access on campus. For one-time access to campus office space, faculty must receive approval from their supervisor and contact the Protective Services office to arrange to be let into the appropriate building. Faculty who are required to work regularly on campus are to apply for a …
Survey of Workers’ Experiences During a Pandemic
May 1, 2020 | COVID-19
CAUT, along with researchers and other unions, worked with the Occupational Health Clinics for Ontario Workers to develop a survey on COVID-19 workplace experiences. Data collected from this survey will help with focused and accurate approaches to workplace health and safety and general working conditions during this pandemic. We encourage you to participate This survey …
Continue reading “Survey of Workers’ Experiences During a Pandemic”
Issues with Sun Life Benefit Claims
April 28, 2020 | USFA e-Letter
The USFA has heard from many members that Sun Life is denying benefit claims filed after March 31 but before April 30. As you have been advised, the time for submitting a claim was extended to the end of April by agreement between the University of Saskatchewan and Sun Life. Faculty who have received denial letters …
USFA Statement on the National Day of Mourning
April 28, 2020 | USFA e-Letter
The vigils held to mark the National Day of Mourning will be virtual this year – yet another way COVID-19 has changed the way we live and work. The theme of the Day of Mourning – to mourn for the dead and fight for the living – is ever more meaningful this year. Right now, …
Continue reading “USFA Statement on the National Day of Mourning”
COVID-19 Letter of Understanding
April 27, 2020 | COVID-19
Dear USFA members, We are pleased to announce that we have agreed upon a Letter of Understanding with the employer to address certain issues arising from the COVID-19 emergency measures. The terms are as follows, and may be revisited later in the summer depending on how the situation develops. We continue to discuss other issues …