News Archive
Ongoing Challenges in the College of Nursing
October 4, 2022 | All News
On June 7, the USFA Executive requested a meeting with the President, the Vice-President of Finance and Resources, and the Provost regarding the College of Nursing to work toward tangible solutions that can be clearly stated and achieved. The request was reiterated multiple times and a date for the meeting was finally set late last …
Continue reading “Ongoing Challenges in the College of Nursing”
Update: Reimbursement of Airfare
September 27, 2022 | All News
There appears to have been some developments in recent months regarding airfare reimbursement. While we are waiting for confirmation from the Employer, based on changes to the Airfare section of Expense Guidelines, our understanding is approved travel can be booked through any service provider. There is no longer a statement in the Guidelines that Concur or …
USFA Executive Committee report
September 22, 2022 | All News
The USFA Executive Committee, which meets every two weeks during Fall and Winter terms of the academic year, has held its first meeting for the fall of 2022. It is apparent already that this will be a busy year for the mix of returning and new committee members. Bargaining is on the horizon. Events for …
COVID-19 Safety and Masking on Campus: What the Pandemic Response Team said in June 2022 and the Realities of September 2022
September 15, 2022 | All News
Read the September 15, 2022 issue of VOX here.
Administrative Processes – Concur/Direct Travel Update
August 8, 2022 | All News
In June 2020, we sent to faculty the USFA survey report on administrative practices at USask, which included faculty experiences with CONCUR, UNIVRS, Connection Point, IT and computer services, and Pcards. The response rate was high with nearly half the USFA membership responding. The report and a summary of the results can be found here. In …
Continue reading “Administrative Processes – Concur/Direct Travel Update”
Accommodation requests with a “return to normal”
July 5, 2022 | All News
With communications from senior administration about an expected “return to work,” we know that our members face different circumstances. We are aware that there is a general expectation from administration that students be taught face-to-face and that other necessary collegial and academic work take place on campus as the expectation of “returning to normal” is …
Continue reading “Accommodation requests with a “return to normal””
Nursing Update
June 9, 2022 | All News
Months ago, College of Nursing faculty members requested to meet with President Stoicheff. Last week, rather than receive a petition signed by faculty members from across the university demanding he meet with Nursing faculty members, the President held meetings with Nursing faculty members. While we recognize the efforts that have been made by President Stoicheff …
U of S Administration needs to pursue just and respectful relations with Indigenous faculty
June 9, 2022 | All News
The USFA Executive Committee remains dumbfounded at how Senior Administration at USask continues to embarrass our University Community in relation to Indigenous issues. For the latest, please see the following CBC article: https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/saskatoon/real-carriere-rejected-university-saskatchewan-documentation-1.6482089 The USFA encourages members to continue to share their concerns with the Provost and Vice-Provost Indigenous Engagement (copied to usfa@usaskfaculty.ca) to push the university …
National Indigenous History Month
June 7, 2022 | All News
June is National Indigenous History Month. During this month, celebrate the cultures of First Nations, Inuit and Metis Peoples across Canada, and in Saskatchewan. This is an opportunity to learn and celebrate the rich history, heritage, resilience, diversity and contributions of Indigenous Peoples to our country and province. It is also a time to acknowledge …
June 6, 2022 | All News
The May 2022 issue of Collective Speaking focuses on a presentation, made at the Joint Grievance Committee meeting in mid-March by USFA Senior Grievance Officer Colleen Bell, to senior university administrators. The presentation outlined challenges faculty members encounter with administrative processes at the U of S, and how these challenges add to and impede the …
National Nursing Week: Thank a Nurse
May 11, 2022 | All News
This is National Nursing Week in Canada and May 12, the birthday of nursing pioneer Florence Nightingale, is International Nurses Day. National Nursing Week is a week that draws attention to nurses, increasing the awareness of the public, policy-makers and governments of the many contributions of nursing to the well-being of Canadians. The theme this year is #WeAnswerTheCall to showcase …
Crisis in the College of Nursing (A university lesson on how to bury one’s head in the sand)
May 10, 2022 | All News
On March 4, 2022, the faculty and student representatives in the College of Nursing passed a vote of no-confidence, citing the entire executive team over longstanding governance failures in the Dean’s office. The motion passed with an overwhelming majority of 51 (67.1%) Faculty Council members in favour, 20 (26.3%) against, and 5 abstentions (6.6%) despite deans and directors, voting members from other colleges, who …
2022 USFA Executive Committee Election Results
April 29, 2022 | All News
For those who were not in attendance at the Spring General Meeting to hear the results of this year’s election announced, we are pleased to tell you that we have two new Executive Committee members and four returning members. Elected to the Executive for a two-year term are Helen Vandenberg in Category A, and Paula …
Continue reading “2022 USFA Executive Committee Election Results”
Worker’s Day of Mourning
April 28, 2022 | All News
April 28 is the Canadian National Day of Mourning. It was initiated by unions almost four decades ago and officially recognized by the federal government in 1991. This day is dedicated to remembering workers who have lost their lives or suffered injury or illness on the job or due to a work-related tragedy. It is …
Support College of Nursing Faculty in their call for fair governance
April 28, 2022 | All News
Attached to this e-letter is an image for use as a background in virtual meetings held via Zoom. These backgrounds have been created to show support for our colleagues in the College of Nursing who are working diligently toward changes in their college. We encourage you to show your support by using the attached background. …
Continue reading “Support College of Nursing Faculty in their call for fair governance”
2022 GAA another example of administration’s choices
April 14, 2022 | All News
On April 6th the annual meeting of the General Academic Assembly (GAA) took place. The GAA is a component of University governance established by the University of Saskatchewan Act. It is composed of all faculty members, specific University administrators, and several student representatives, with the President of the University serving as chair. Quorum is 150 members. The …
Continue reading “2022 GAA another example of administration’s choices”
USFA Executive Election – Polls close midnight April 14
April 13, 2022 | All News
This is a reminder to cast your ballot in the USFA Executive Committee elections. You may vote until 11:59 on Thursday, April 14. If you did not get an email asking you to vote, check your spam/junk folders for email from “University of Saskatchewan Faculty Association <vote@simplyvoting.com>” with subject line “Vote Now: 2022-2023 Executive Committee …
Continue reading “USFA Executive Election – Polls close midnight April 14”
2021-2022 USFA Scholarship Application Available Online DEADLINE June 1, 2022
April 12, 2022 | All News
Online applications for the USFA Scholarship will be accepted until 11:59 p.m. Wednesday, June 1, 2022. The USFA Scholarship Program is open to students who are immediate family members of USFA members. Immediate family includes spouse/partner, their children and including children for whom USFA members have served as legal guardians. The application form for the 2021-2022 USFA Scholarship Fund Program …
Continue reading “2021-2022 USFA Scholarship Application Available Online DEADLINE June 1, 2022”
Important: USFA Executive Election – Voting Underway
April 4, 2022 | All News
This is a reminder that voting for the Executive Committee election is underway. Montreal-based Simply Voting provides us with a secure internet platform for our election. Please make sure you vote! If you did not get an email asking you to vote, check your spam/junk folders for email from “University of Saskatchewan Faculty Association <vote@simplyvoting.com>” with subject …
Continue reading “Important: USFA Executive Election – Voting Underway”
Time to Regain Faculty Control of University Council
April 4, 2022 | All News
Read the April 1, 2022 issue of VOX here.