News Archive
September 26 Speak-out BBQ 11:30 between Arts & Thorvaldson
August 14, 2012 | All News
On Wednesday, September 26, the USFA along with other campus bargaining units, including CUPE 1975 and ASPA, as well as SGEU, an off-campus bargaining unit will be hosting a speak-out barbecue on the west end of the Bowl between the Arts and Thorvaldson Buildings from 11:30 am and 1:30 pm. By eating a free hot …
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September 19, 20, 21 and 25, 26 – New Member Lunches
August 14, 2012 | All News
11:30 to 1:30 Red Room, University Club USFA members in the first few years of appointment at the U of S are invited to join USFA Executive members and Staff for lunch. RSVP: tammy.stieb@usask.ca or 966-5609
September 6, 2012 – GAA Special Meeting, Noon, Convocation Hall
August 14, 2012 | All News
The U of S Act provides that the General Academic Assembly (GAA) may direct University Council to reconsider a decision authorizing the Board of Governors to establish or disestablish Colleges, Departments or Institutes. To do that, 50 or more members of the GAA must request that a special meeting of the GAA be called for …
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GAA Special Meeting 12:00 Noon Sept 6 Convocation Hall
August 14, 2012 | All News
The U of S Act provides that the General Academic Assembly (GAA) may direct University Council to reconsider a decision authorizing the Board of Governors to establish or disestablish Colleges, Departments or Institutes. To do that, 50 or more members of the GAA must request that a special meeting of the GAA be called for …
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The Legacy of Peter C. Dooley
June 28, 2012 | All News
The USFA Executive Committee wants to express its deepest condolences to the family and friends of our colleague, Peter Dooley. The University of Saskatchewan Faculty Association would not be what it is today if not for his work. Peter was Chair of the Faculty Association when it became a certified trade union in the 1970’s …
A Bad Deal: AUCC/Access Copyright Model Licence Agreement
May 29, 2012 | All News
On April 16th the Association of Universities and Colleges of Canada (AUCC) announced that it had reached an agreement with Access Copyright about a model licence agreement to cover reproduction and digital content on university campuses. On April 17th CAUT released a statement in response urging institutions to refuse to enter into the agreement and, …
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College of Medicine Going Forward
May 28, 2012 | All News
The Fairbairn motion related to the College of Medicine concept paper that was passed by University Council on May 17, 2012 is another example of the undermining of collegial self-governance and decision making. Against 100 years of collegial tradition, the concept paper was sent to University Council for a decision prior to input from faculty …
Library and Archives Canada Cuts Impact Archival Research
May 22, 2012 | All News
Recent cuts to Library and Archives Canada included the elimination of the National Archival Development Program (NADP), a peer-reviewed funding agency that supports local archival activities across Canada, including some in University Archives at the U of S. Funds from this program are essential to University Archives and enhancing access to primary source research resources. …
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College of Medicine Rejects Concept Paper
May 15, 2012 | All News
The USFA Executive recently communicated its concerns about the proposed “restructuring” in the College of Medicine. The timing and process associated with these announcements raises troubling questions. The Concept Paper, which contemplates the elimination of the Clinician-Teacher category of faculty appointment (of which there are more than 100), was announced just as the President and …
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Star-Phoenix Reports U of S Faculty Salaries: Clarification
May 9, 2012 | All News
In an article printed on May 3rd and May 4th, the Star-Phoenix reported that, based on the StatsCan final data for 2010–11, mean salaries at the U of S were $148,754 for Full professors, $121,339 for Associate professors, and $105,102 for Assistant professors. We wish these numbers were accurate, but they are not. The numbers …
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May 16, 2012 – Member Social 4:00 p.m. Faculty Club
May 7, 2012 | All News
Hello everyone. Now that warmer weather is here it’s a great time to get out of your office. Take a stroll over to the Faculty Club on May 16 and join us from 4:00 to 6:30 in the Windows Room for our next member social. It’s a wonderful opportunity to clink a glass, bend an …
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Bargaining Update May 2012 – Benefits and Other Financial Issues
May 1, 2012 | All News
In our last bargaining update, we presented the case for a bargaining mandate with respect to salaries that is based on the Employer’s lead-payer strategy for compensation at the 75th percentile of a group of seven comparator institutions. Based on the salary data that is currently available (i.e., 2010-11), the average salaries by rank for …
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Events in Medicine Part 1
April 25, 2012 | All News
The recent announcement of restructuring in the College of Medicine has surprised and shocked affected faculty members in the College. The draft discussion paper, titled “Academic Reorganization and Administrative Alignment in the College of Medicine”, which proposes dramatic changes, is being rushed to University Council on May 17, 2012, in the final months of the …
Copyright or Copywrong?
April 19, 2012 | All News
Changes to Canadian copyright law are underway, with the Copyright Modernization Act (Bill C-32) presented to the House of Commons for a third reading last month, and expected to become law. This new legislation will create a new reality for faculty, especially as it is coupled with the decision last year by a majority of …
Spring General Meeting
April 12, 2012 | All News
The USFA Constitution provides for two general membership meetings per year. The official meeting notice for the Spring General Meeting will be going out in the next few days. This meeting is scheduled for April 20 at 2:00 p.m. in Arts 143 and will include information about negotiations, a discussion of the recent provincial budget, …
June 10-14, 2012 – Prairie School for Union Women
April 11, 2012 | All News
The Prairie School for Union Women offers trade union women an intensive four days of learning and sharing in a supportive environment. The goals of the school are to develop women’s personal and leadership skills and to build solidarity among women workers. The school provides on-site child care and is committed to child-friendly attitudes. (Read …
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Report on the USFA Scholarship Fund 2010 – 2011 Academic Year
March 27, 2012 | All News
The USFA Scholarship was established in 2004. Each year scholarship awards are made to eligible students of USFA Faculty members. The University of Saskatchewan makes an annual contribution to the fund of $250,000. In 2010/2011 a record number of 208 applications were received. Of these applicants, 196 students were eligible for partial tuition reimbursement. For …
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Voluntary Group Life Insurance (VGLI) Contribution Holiday
March 27, 2012 | All News
For the 9th year in a row, VGLI members will receive a contribution holiday. The duration of this year’s holiday is four months. The VGLI premiums for the months of March, April, May and June, 2012 will be paid for by the USFA VGLI Trust Fund. The USFA is the sponsor of the VGLI plan …
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Getting Merit Right: Where do we go from here?
March 27, 2012 | All News
Our first experience with the new salary review provisions in the Collective Agreement is nearing completion. Departments and Colleges have awarded their portions of the merit pool and the President’s Review Committee is in the final stages of its deliberations. The USFA has received an enormous amount of feedback regarding the new salary review process, …
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Preparation of Negotiations: Your voice counts!!
March 27, 2012 | All News
Our current collective agreement expires on June 30, 2013. Both the USFA and Employer are committed to settling the next agreement prior to expiry of the present one, so it is likely that we will be at the table in early 2013. As a consequence, preparation for the next round of bargaining by the USFA …
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