News Archive
A Competitive Compensation Package
October 5, 2017 | All News
Those reading Academica’s Top Ten, especially in combination with local messaging, may have noticed mixed messages as regards attitudes towards faculty compensation. Recently, Academica’s Top Ten cited a Star-Phoenix report that “Despite its recent fiscal challenges and what a recent report described as the erosion of Canada’s research competitiveness, the University of Saskatchewan is ‘punching …
URGENT NOTICE, BEWARE: “MY TOTAL REWARDS” PROGRAM
September 14, 2017 | All News
The University has contracted with a third party to communicate information about benefits with faculty without notice or explanation to the USFA. Access to the “My Total Rewards” program is available through the employee tab on PAWS. The Association is concerned about the scope of rights members are being asked to waive to gain access …
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CORRECTION: USFA Modified Reduced Appointment Retirement Plan
June 21, 2017 | All News
The memo that went out to USFA members from Human Resources yesterday about the MRARP contains several errors. The Detailed Plan Information page linked from the memo references an “Application Process” and provides a link to an “Application” form, which specifies that “your Dean will provide decisions (approvals and deferrals) to you no later than Sept. 30, 2018.” In …
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Information regarding management of short-term disability benefits by a private contractor
June 19, 2017 | All News
Effective May 1, 2017, the University contracted a private corporation called Lifemark Health Group to manage our short-term disability benefit. Part of our Salary Continuance Plan provides that the employer will pay faculty members their full salary for the first 90 days of an illness or disability. Members who remain ill or disabled beyond this …
Reminder: USFA Scholarship: Online applications close 11:59 p.m. Thursday, June 1, 2017
May 19, 2017 | All News
The USFA Scholarship Program is open to students who are immediate family members of USFA members. Immediate family includes spouse/partner, sons, daughters or children whom USFA members have served as legal guardians. The application form for the 2016-2017 USFA Scholarship Fund Program is now available exclusively online at: paws.usask.ca/go/awards. Students can apply online through their …
Introducing our New Executive Committee
May 8, 2017 | All News
We are delighted to welcome newly elected members to the USFA Executive Committee: Erika Dyck (History), Mark Meyers (History), Anne Springer (Nursing), and Jesse Stewart (Linguistics). We welcome back for another term Doug Chivers (Biology), and Eric Neufeld (Computer Science). We thank our outgoing members, Patricia Farnese (Law), Len Findlay (English), and John Moraros (Public …
Reminder: USFA Scholarship: Online applications close 11:59 p.m. Thursday, June 1, 2017
May 1, 2017 | All News
The USFA Scholarship Program is open to students who are immediate family members of USFA members. Immediate family includes spouse/partner, sons, daughters or children whom USFA members have served as legal guardians. The application form for the 2016-2017 USFA Scholarship Fund Program is now available exclusively online at: paws.usask.ca/go/awards. Students can apply online through their …
Follow-up: Impact on academic ranks?
April 26, 2017 | All News
In our previous e-letter we requested feedback, both to University Council and to the Board of Governors, about new policies and procedures proposed by the College of Medicine which would result in the academic ranks of Assistant, Associate, and full Professor being awarded to ca. 1500 clinicians who currently practice medicine in the province of …
Feedback requested: Impact on academic ranks?
April 19, 2017 | All News
University Council and the Board of Governors need to hear from you and from your Council representatives. If new policies and procedures proposed by the College of Medicine are approved, the academic ranks of Assistant, Associate, and full Professor will no longer be awarded only to academic employees of the University of Saskatchewan. Submitted to …
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Important announcement: 2017 USFA Award Recipients
April 12, 2017 | All News
With pleasure, we announce the 2017 recipients of the Peter T. Millard Award and the Peter C. Dooley Legacy Award. The 2017 Peter Millard Award goes to Dr. Lee Murray from the College of Nursing. Through her involvement as the Faculty Association Representative (FAR) in the College of Nursing, Lee Murray has assisted and supported …
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Press Release: Students and faculty at the U of S are deeply concerned following the provincial budget
March 29, 2017 | All News
Saskatoon – The recently announced provincial budget will have substantial negative consequences on post-secondary education in Saskatchewan. The dramatic reduction in operating funds after multiple years of provincial government cut backs and claw backs is jeopardizing the quality, affordability and accessibility of advanced education in Saskatchewan. Our Universities and post-secondary institutions serve the public good, …
Upcoming Talk: Publishing and the New Tri-Agency Policy
March 28, 2017 | All News
1:00 – 2:30 p.m. March 29 Room 50.12 Murray Library As part of Open Education Week, USFA member DeDe Dawson, one of the creators of the library’s LibGuide on predatory publishers, is giving a presentation next week on “Publishing and the New Tri-Agency Policy.” This talk will include information about how to find legitimate journals …
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Saskatchewan’s universities after Budget Day: Destabilized and diminished?
March 22, 2017 | All News
Representatives of the Saskatchewan Association of University Teachers will be in attendance at the Legislature today to hear firsthand how much financial support from the Provincial Government will be provided to Saskatchewan Universities for 2017-18. Saskatchewan is home to world renowned scholars and high quality degree programs because our universities are more than simply institutions …
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U of S: We are worth the investment
March 20, 2017 | All News
In light of the government directive to constrain salaries of university employees, it is important to remember that the funding it provides is not only a sound investment in the Saskatchewan economy, but also one that will shape the province’s future for better or worse. We have been building for years to attract the “best …
It’s never too soon to think about tenure or promotion: Lunch invitation March 27 or 28, 2017
March 16, 2017 | All News
Today is the best day to start thinking about your promotion/tenure case. You have a lot of resources to help you with your case. If you are planning to go forward for renewal, tenure or promotion this fall, consider joining USFA representatives at the University Club in the Club Room from 11:30 to 1:30 March …
Grievance Filed on Surreptitious Recording of Committee Proceedings
March 16, 2017 | All News
The Faculty Association has filed a grievance against the employer for surreptitiously audio-recording collegial committee meetings and deliberations. The recording was done without the knowledge and/or the consent of the members of the collegial committee, which did not have written procedures in place regarding the recording of deliberations. The surreptitious nature of the recording is …
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USFA Scholarship: Online applications close 11:59 p.m. Thursday, June 1, 2017
March 14, 2017 | All News
The USFA Scholarship Program is open to students who are immediate family members of USFA members. Immediate family includes spouse/partner, sons, daughters or children whom USFA members have served as legal guardians. The application form for the 2016-2017 USFA Scholarship Fund Program is now available exclusively online at: paws.usask.ca/go/awards. Students can apply online through their …
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Government threatens the autonomy of the University
March 6, 2017 | All News
Like all publicly funded institutions in this province, our university faces a directive from the Government of Saskatchewan to constrain the total cost of employee compensation so that it is no greater than what it was in 2016–17. The government suggests that the Board of Governors achieve this goal by entering into negotiations immediately and …
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Avoiding Publishing and Perishing! Beware of Predatory Journals
March 2, 2017 | All News
Faculty members getting ready for tenure and promotion are under pressure to publish their research and scholarly work. According to the University Standards, candidates for tenure and promotion are required to demonstrate, through publications in reputable, peer reviewed outlets that the results of their research have made a contribution to the field of specialization, sufficient …
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Important Notice: Rally March 8, Provincial Legislature
February 15, 2017 | All News
On March 8 at noon there will be a rally at the Provincial Legislature. We need you to attend. The USFA is willing to help transport members and members of our university community to Regina for the rally. This rally is an opportunity for people from across the province to come together before the budget …
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