Weekly Update – August 14
August 14, 2020
Weekly Update – August 14
CUASA Business and Events
Call for Volunteer: University Pension Committee
We are seeking a volunteer to represent CUASA on the Carleton University Pension Committee (please see Terms of Reference for Pension Committee Appointees). If you’re interested in serving on the Pension Committee, please contact [email protected]. The minimum term for this position is two years, with a possibility of a renewal for an additional two-year term.
Nominations for Steering Positions
We are still accepting nominations for the following Steering positions:
- External Relations Officer
- Communications Officer
- 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.
Message from Dawn Moore, Chair of Equity
As your new Equity Chair, I am convening CUASA’s Equity Committee. We have an exciting year ahead of us and a lot to get done. We need to ready ourselves to be working and teaching in an upside-down world in which discrimination and inequality are finally making headlines and we see vital debates ongoing regarding the future of Universities in a world in which racism, colonialism, gender inequality, trans and homophobia, ableism and ageism must be addressed. The Black Lives Matter Movement and COVID are showing us how gender inequality persists, poverty and racism deeply impact health, and the lives of folks with disabilities are unduly jeopardized. In our own backyard we see our colleagues, students and friends struggling to keep working without childcare. Those in our community who are immune-compromised are experiencing extreme stress and lockdown is creating an unprecedented mental health crisis. At the same time, we worry for our BIPOC colleagues, students, friends and loved ones in the face of relentless violence and killings. These problems are in our own house, they impact us all and we must act now to address them.
The University intends to move very quickly on devising its Equity, Inclusion and Diversity plan AND we are moving into bargaining, all under the most remarkable circumstances of our time. This is our moment to make significant equity gains, but we will have to work hard to get them and make sure they suit our community and most importantly our current and future members.
Please send an email to [email protected] to express your interest in doing committee work. Given the context of COVID we will work together to devise work strategies that respect extenuating circumstances and people’s very real stresses around mental and physical health, as well as caregiving in the absence of safe and reliable childcare.
All emails are confidential.
Carleton Community Announcements
Health & Counselling Centre
Carleton has secured the appointment of a new physician to the Health & Counselling Centre, whose practice will be dedicated to serving employees of the University. More information will be provided as soon as possible.
Restricted Access to Offices
As of August 11, the University began permitting restricted access to individual faculty offices. Read more here.
Teaching & Learning Services Update
A recent report from Teaching and Learning Services (TLS) showed that 38.7% of the University’s total teaching staff attended professional development sessions, one-on-one consultations, or received support for educational technology from March 15 to July 31, 2020.
You can access the many resources provided by TLS for the transition to online teaching here.
Ottawa Community Updates
Capital Pride Festival
This year the Capital Pride Festival will be held virtually on August 22-30. Read more here.
Labour Community Updates
OCUFA
The August 2020 OCUFA report is now available, which includes several articles from Academic Matters on issues arising for academics from the COVID-19 pandemic. Read the full report here.
CAUT
CAUT has released a statement condemning the recent dismissal of Professor Tai, a pro-democracy advocate, from the University of Hong Kong. Read the full statement here.
Labour Day Parade
The Ottawa District Labour Council will be releasing details about this year’s Ottawa Labour Day March and Picnic shortly, which will be provided in an upcoming CUASA weekly update.
