Weekly Update – June 5
June 5, 2020
Weekly Update – June 5
Updates from JCAA
We are pleased to report that the University has accepted our request for a special JCAA meeting on June 16 to discuss the document entitled “Principles and Procedures for On-campus Research at Carleton University”. Again, we wish to apprise our members that CUASA was never consulted on this document, nor has it officially gone before the Joint Health and Safety Committee. It will go to the JHSC on June 24.
We have learned that some of our members have already completed the research resumption plan under this policy. Please continue to watch for more updates under this policy. CUASA was only informed of our members returning for research at the Joint Health and Safety information session, and was not informed by the University at the JCAA level.
We ask CUASA members with any concerns about this document to contact [email protected] so that we can raise them either at JCAA or at the next JHSC meeting, as appropriate.
CUASA Business and Events
Nominations for Steering Positions
We are still accepting nominations for the following Steering positions:
- External Relations Officer
- Communications Officer
- Chair, Equity
- Chair, Nominations and Elections
- Chair, Internal Affairs
- Instructor Representative
Information on the nominations process can be found on our How to Volunteer page. The work of the Association continues, despite the current environment we find ourselves in. Remember that our Association is only as strong as its membership, so we count on the time and commitment of our members to achieve our goals. Some of these positions come with a course release subject to the availability of funds.
Call for Volunteers
We are seeking volunteers to represent CUASA on the Carleton University Pension Committee (please see Terms of Reference for Pension Committee Appointees). If you’re interested in one of these positions, please contact [email protected].
Virtual Unit Visits
CUASA President Angelo Mingarelli has been continuing his unit visits virtually. He met with Health Science this week and plans to visit Physics and Civil and Environmental Engineering later this month. If you’d like Angelo to have a virtual visit with your unit, please contact [email protected].
Academic Community at Large
Solidarity with OSSTF District 35
OSSTF District 35, representing Support Staff at the University of Ottawa, has announced that the University has formally requested the Ontario Ministry of Labour, Training and Skills Development to conduct a vote asking PSUO-SSUO Bargaining Unit members to accept or reject the University’s most recent offer. CUASA stands in solidarity with PSUO-SSUO and is disappointment that the University would go to a final vote directly to the members instead of getting a deal at the negotiating table. CUASA members wishing to express solidarity are asked to email the UofO President Jacques Frémont ([email protected]) with a CC to PSUO-SSUO President Marcelle Desmornes ([email protected]).
CAUT Statement on anti-racism protests
CAUT has issued a statement in solidarity with communities around the world protesting racism, injustice, and inequality, saying: “Our universities and colleges must do better. We need to be part of the solution by addressing the inequities that exist and by leveraging the knowledge and expertise of academic staff and students to develop concrete ways to end racism and inequality in our society.” Read the full statement here.
LAST CALL: Survey of post-secondary staff on the impact of COVID-19
CAUT has launched a survey to assess the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the working lives of staff at universities and colleges across the country. The survey is open until June 8 to those who were working at one or more Canadian post-secondary institution (universities, colleges, and polytechnics), in March of this year. It consists of approximately 30 questions—some multiple-choice and some open-ended—that should take approximately 15 minutes to complete. Access the survey here.
OCUFA Board discusses impact of COVID-19
On Friday, May 8, OCUFA held its final Board of Directors meeting of the 2019-20 academic year, and the organization’s first ever virtual Board Meeting. Throughout the day, board members discussed the pandemic’s impact on their institutions and on OCUFA’s priorities. Read the full update here.
OCUFA policy brief highlights impact COVID-19 has had on PSE
In response to the Ministry of Colleges and Universities seeking input on the impacts the COVID-19 pandemic has had on different sectors of Ontario society, OCUFA has submitted a detailed overview of the pandemic’s implications for faculty, academic librarians, and other academic professionals at the province’s universities. Read the full brief here.
