News Archive
University withdraws appeal
February 5, 2015 | All News
The USFA Executive Committee is pleased to report that the University has withdrawn its appeal of the Queen’s Bench decision of Justice Laing regarding the “presidential veto.” This decision comes after considerable dialogue between university leadership and USFA representatives.
James Alan Brooke – A Tribute and The Presidential Search
February 1, 2015 | All News
This issue of VOX contains a tribute to James Brooke, professor of mathematics and statistics, and an article urging an open process for selecting our next president. On the one hand, an account of the life and intellectual interests of an esteemed and dedicated colleague; on the other, a rational plea for a presidential search …
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December 31 Spending Credit and Allocation Deadline Approaches for Flexible Spending Plan
December 8, 2014 | All News
A reminder to all faculty: December 31 is the deadline for spending at least some of your Health and/or Wellness spending accounts under the Flexible Spending Plan. Amounts allocated are permitted only one two-year rollover and funds left unspent after the two-year period are returned to the Employer. Now is the time to check the …
National Day of Remembrance and Action on Violence against Women
December 3, 2014 | All News
News about violence against women is all around us. Local, national and international headlines about sexual assaults on university campuses, domestic violence by professional athletes, on-line bullying, sexual assault allegations against celebrities and the 1,181 known missing and murdered Aboriginal women are putting the issue in the spotlight and keeping it there. December 6th is …
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Presidential Search Transparency v. The Value of Confidentiality in Searches
November 28, 2014 | All News
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 …
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Salary Review: New Provisions, Procedures and Reminders
November 14, 2014 | All News
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.
University’s Appeal implies the Agreement fetters Board’s rights under the Act
October 21, 2014 | All News
Last week the University announced that it would appeal the decision of Justice Laing, claiming that its intention is to seek clarity on governance of the university. What University administrators now seek is to determine whether the University of Saskatchewan Act supersedes the Collective Agreement. We are perplexed with this decision because the Board just …
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USFA disappointed Board has chosen to appeal
October 15, 2014 | All News
The USFA Executive Committee has been advised that the September 16th Queen’s Bench decision of Justice Laing will be appealed by the University. The decision to appeal was made by Interim U of S President Gordon Barnhart. Chair of the USFA, Doug Chivers, expressed disappointment saying, “We knew, regardless of what happened at the bargaining …
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Board Ratifies Tentative Agreement
October 9, 2014 | All News
The U of S Board of Governors has voted in favour of accepting the 2014-2017 Collective Agreement and revoked the delegation to the President of final authority over tenure decisions. A number of issues were addressed in this round of bargaining, the most important being a way to move forward on the “presidential veto.” The …
Fall General Meeting, Friday, October 17, 2014
October 9, 2014 | All News
The USFA Constitution provides for two general membership meetings per year. The Fall General meeting is scheduled for Friday, October 17th at 2:30 p.m. in Arts 241, Neatby-Timlin Theatre. Mark your calendar and plan to attend!
What the University of Saskatchewan should aim for: a Faculty’s perspective
October 8, 2014 | All News
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 …
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USFA Donates $10,000 to locked out ATU Local 615
October 8, 2014 | All News
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 …
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CAUT Equity Networks
October 7, 2014 | All News
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 …
Possible Restructuring in Arts and Science
October 1, 2014 | All News
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 …
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Help send a message to stop muzzling research
September 25, 2014 | All News
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 …
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Transparency and Consultation Needs to be Front and Centre in Search for next President
September 23, 2014 | All News
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 …
Academic Freedom, the Presidential Veto and Collective Bargaining
September 18, 2014 | All News
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 …
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Judicial Review Decision
September 17, 2014 | All News
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 …
Are you a new faculty member?
September 15, 2014 | All News
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 …
It’s About Choice
September 8, 2014 | All News
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 …