News Archive
Tentative Agreement Accepted
September 2, 2014 | All News
At a Special General Meeting this afternoon, USFA members voted in favour of accepting a tentative agreement for a new three year Collective Agreement. Details of the tentative Agreement can be found at https://staging.usaskfaculty.ca/wp-content/uploads/2014/09/ratification-language-2014-17-agreement.pdf. The Board of Governors has yet to ratify the tentative agreement.
Ratification Meeting 3:00 pm September 2 Room 1150 Health Sciences
August 21, 2014 | All News
On August 6, 2014 the Executive Committee unanimously recommended that the membership ratify the 2014-2017 tentative collective agreement. A special general meeting to consider ratification by the membership has been scheduled for Tuesday, September 2nd at 3:00 pm in room 1150 Health Sciences (E wing).
Call for Nominations for the USFA National Academic Freedom Award
August 18, 2014 | All News
Nominations are now open for the USFA National Academic Freedom Award. The concept of the Academic Freedom Award emerged from a 2004 conference dedicated to the late Harry S. Crowe “whose academic freedom case gave rise to the modern day CAUT…” The Harry Crowe Foundation sponsors an annual conference to celebrate the courageous story …
Continue reading “Call for Nominations for the USFA National Academic Freedom Award”
USFA is willing to explore University openness to reconsider the Presidential veto
July 21, 2014 | All News
While the University has launched an appeal of the arbitration decision regarding a former President’s unlawful participation in the process for the award of tenure, the dispute that gave rise to the grievance and the substance of the appeal stem from provisions in the Collective Agreement between the University of Saskatchewan Faculty Association (USFA) and …
Denial, Deflection and Distraction – Who is running our university?
July 21, 2014 | All News
Every day more troubling information comes to light underscoring the disarray of U of S leadership and the need to know who is ultimately responsible for decision-making. On the heels of the former President and Provost denying responsibility for critical decisions, more examples of mysterious decision-makers are brought to light. The University has launched an …
Continue reading “Denial, Deflection and Distraction – Who is running our university?”
The Continuing Leadership Crisis at the U of S
July 14, 2014 | All News
USFA e-Letter: The Continuing Leadership Crisis at the U of S There have been more remarkable developments in the ongoing saga at the U of S. At the end of last week in a communication labelled “Confidential – Not for Distribution,” former Provost Brett Fairbairn wrote that no university leader had asked about “who was …
Continue reading “The Continuing Leadership Crisis at the U of S”
Update on Presidential Veto Power of Tenure Recommendations
July 9, 2014 | All News
We are pleased to report that tenure has now been granted to all faculty members recommended by collegial bodies for the 2013-2014 academic year. However, the fact that the Board of Governors has not formally reconsidered its original motion and that it is still fighting the case for a presidential veto is a cause for …
Continue reading “Update on Presidential Veto Power of Tenure Recommendations”
Teaching Assignments in Spring and Summer Terms are voluntary not mandatory
June 18, 2014 | All News
Faculty are reminded about the following provisions of article 11.2.2 (a) with respect to teaching assignments in the Spring and Summer Terms: “No employee shall be required to teach Spring and Summer Session. Teaching these classes is rewarded with extra compensation in accordance with Article 18, unless the employee and the employee’s Department Head or …
Continue reading “Teaching Assignments in Spring and Summer Terms are voluntary not mandatory”
To members who are US citizens or otherwise have connections with the US:
June 13, 2014 | All News
A class action Charter challenge is being launched against the Canada-US agreement implementing the US Foreign Account Tax Compliance Act (FATCA) in Canada. Information is available from the Alliance for the Defence of Canadian Sovereignty at: http://www.adcs-adsc.ca/
Actions not words
May 22, 2014 | All News
We are pleased that the announcement from the Board of Governors about the change in leadership stated “in the strongest possible terms, that the University of Saskatchewan is committed to the principles of academic freedom and freedom of expression. It would also like to stress that it believes that tenure is a sacrosanct principle within …
Silence of the Board
May 20, 2014 | All News
The fact that the Board of Governors remains silent on their decision to delegate veto power over tenure and promotion decisions to the President is a sign of failed leadership. Two of our members have received a positive recommendation for tenure by the appropriate collegial bodies on campus and are awaiting a tenure decision by …
Make no mistake, Academic Freedom and Tenure are Under Attack at the University of Saskatchewan
May 19, 2014 | All News
Notwithstanding the very public and powerful words last week from President Ilene Busch-Vishniac about the importance of tenure and academic freedom after reversing the decision to strip Professor Robert Buckingham of his tenure, there are clear indications that the tenure process at the University of Saskatchewan is under full attack. Despite assurances by the President …
Academic Freedom includes the right to criticize the University
May 14, 2014 | All News
Many of you will already know that the employment of Dr. Robert Buckingham, Executive Director of the School of Public Health, was terminated this morning. His termination letter, which can be found on the CBC News Saskatoon website, states that he irreparably damaged his relationship with the U of S and breached his employment contract, …
Continue reading “Academic Freedom includes the right to criticize the University”
The New Normal
April 24, 2014 | All News
Professor Claire Card, Department of Large Animal Clinical Sceinces University of Saskatchewan The University received an increase of 2% to their operating grant from the Provincial Government, which is below a cost of living increase. Ilene Busch -Vishniac stated “I am very appreciative of the province’s investment in the University of Saskatchewan, and much of …
Manufacturing Collegial Consent?
April 24, 2014 | All News
Len Findlay, Professor of English and University Professor, U of S At the January meeting of University Council the President of the USSU Council, Max Fineday, read the text of a motion unanimously passed by the USSU Executive expressing non-confidence in TransformUS. This news was greeted by prolonged applause from students and faculty in attendance, …
Association Wins Important Arbitration Award
April 22, 2014 | All News
We are very pleased to report that our legal challenges concerning the University President’s alleged powers under The University Act to overturn a decision of the Renewal and Tenure Appeal Committee has resulted in an important victory for the Association. Previously we had reported to Association members that President MacKinnon had refused to forward to …
Continue reading “Association Wins Important Arbitration Award”
Ballot Deadline Election for the Executive Committee of the Faculty Association
April 14, 2014 | All News
Due to a delay in the delivery of ballots for Executive Committee elections to some Colleges, the deadline for submitting ballots to the USFA office has been extended. Ballots must be received at the USFA office by 2:00 pm on Thursday, April 24th. If you have not received your ballot by April 17th, please contact …
Continue reading “Ballot Deadline Election for the Executive Committee of the Faculty Association”
Spring General Meeting April 25, 2014
April 10, 2014 | All News
The USFA Constitution provides for two general membership meetings per year. The meeting package for the Spring General Meeting will be going out next week. This meeting is scheduled for Friday, April 25th at 2:30 p.m. in Arts 241, Neatby-Timlin Theatre. Following the meeting please join us for a social in the Windows Room at …
GAA, Noon, April 9 – Will the President have anything new to say?
April 8, 2014 | All News
The General Academic Assembly (GAA) is required to meet once per year at which the President reports on the state of the University. This year’s GAA meeting takes place tomorrow, Wednesday, April 9th, at noon in Convocation Hall. More than just a body to which the President is required to report the GAA is a …
Continue reading “GAA, Noon, April 9 – Will the President have anything new to say?”
It’s never too soon to think about tenure or promotion
April 3, 2014 | 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. By May 31, your Department Head or Dean should have met with you to discuss your progress with respect to the approved standards, with which you should be familiar. You don’t …
Continue reading “It’s never too soon to think about tenure or promotion”