Weekly Update – May 7

May 7, 2021

Weekly Update – May 7

 

Categorization of Courses for Fall 2021 Term

We received messages from some CUASA members raising concerns about what they had heard on the subject of a categorization of courses for the Fall 2021 term. In this plan, courses would be divided into three priority categories, with 1 being the highest and 3 being the lowest. From what we were told, Category 1 courses would be essential to be taught in-person; Category 2 would be advantageous to teach in-person; and Category 3 could be taught in-person or online.

We reached out to Deputy Provost Lorraine Dyke to express concern about this categorization plan, particularly since the details we received from our members was the first time we had learned any specifics about how such a plan would operate. We also expressed concern that our members’ choices to teach either in-person or online would be neglected under this plan.

In response, Dr. Dyke told us that the three categories are only for courses which departments wish to offer in a face-to-face capacity. Courses being considered for face-to-face instruction had already been previously limited to those with 60 students or fewer. Any courses with more than 60 students will be delivered online and will not be categorized. Dr. Dyke explained that departments have been asked to prioritize those courses that are possibilities for in-person instruction to determine priority rankings in the event of space constraints. We were also informed that more online course sections have been requested than face-to-face, and that it is unlikely the University will be able to accommodate all of the face-to-face requests due to its reduced capacity.

While we appreciate the clarification that Dr. Dyke provided when we raised our members’ concerns, we are disappointed that the fine print details of this plan were not shared with the Association in advance of us hearing about it through questions from our members.

The University gave CUASA an overview presentation of its plans for Fall 2021 at the JCAA meeting on March 24. However, there was a just a brief mention of the need to prioritize courses for the fall term. We received no details on the specifics of this plan, despite repeated requests for CUASA to be meaningfully consulted with on any return-to-campus plans.

Because of the repeated inaction on the University’s part to engage in meaningful consultations with the Association, we are left unable to answer our members’ questions. This is especially disappointing at such a confusing time when the Fall 2021 timetable will soon need to be finalized and our members are still trying to figure out what will be expected of them when September arrives.

We will continue our goal of meaningfully engaging with the University to ensure a safe return to campus for our members, for our students, and for the entire Carleton community.

 

Vaccination Clinic on Campus

The University announced this week that Health and Counselling Services will be offering appointments for AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccines for eligible people aged 40 and older in 2021, including Carleton employees and family members of employees. Those who meet the criteria can begin scheduling appointments with HCS by calling 613-520-6674. For eligibility and other information, click here.

 

CUASA Business

Annual Tenure/Confirmation and Promotion Workshops

Each spring CUASA presents Tenure/Confirmation and Promotion workshops, which cover the process for applying for tenure/confirmation and/or promotion, the preparation of dossiers, and the appeals process in the event of a denial. We will also cover your options on tenure/confirmation and promotion during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The dates and times for the workshops are as follows:

• Librarian Confirmation and Promotion – Monday, May 31, 9:30am-12:00pm

• Instructor Confirmation and Promotion – Monday, May 31, 1:00-3:30pm

• Tenure and Promotion to Associate Professor – Tuesday, June 1, 9:30am-12:00pm

• Promotion to Full Professor – Tuesday, June 1, 1:00-3:30pm

• Tenure and Promotion to Associate Professor – Wednesday, June 2, 1:00-3:30pm

All workshops will be held virtually on Zoom. If you plan to attend, please email [email protected] to RSVP.

 

Nominations for Steering Positions

The following Steering positions are either currently vacant, or will be up for re-election this year for terms beginning on July 1, 2021 (click on the title to see position description):

• Vice President
• Chair, Collective Bargaining (note: this position also serves as Chief Negotiator)
• Salary and Benefits Officer
• Communications Officer
• Chair, Nominations and Elections
• Chair, Internal Affairs

Nominations are due to the virtual CUASA Office by Friday, May 14, at 12:00pm. Elections will be held at the May Council meeting on Thursday, May 27. If you are interested in one of these positions, or wish to nominate a colleague, please contact us for a nomination form at [email protected].

Information on the nominations process can be found on our How to Volunteer page. 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 (please ask if interested).

 

Academic Community Updates

Updates on campaign to save Laurentian University

OCUFA member associations continue to push back against Minister Romano for his role in the collapse of Laurentian University. We are seeing the positive impact of these efforts as the issue continues to be covered by the media.

Click here to read the full update.

 

Who cares during COVID? The new issue of Academic Matters is out now

The latest issue of Academic Matters is out now. Contributors reflect on how the pandemic has impacted faculty and students struggling to balance their professional and personal lives. You can read the issue for free online.

Click here to keep reading.

 

Third OCUFA Fellowship in Higher Education Journalism awarded to Meral Jamal

Meral Jamal was born and raised in a joint family in the United Arab Emirates. She will be graduating with a bachelor of journalism from Carleton University and is the newsletter editor with LiisBeth. She spent the summer of 2019 in the Yukon as part of Stories North, an initiative by Carleton professor Kanina Holmes to get journalism students involved in experiential reporting. Her time there taught her about reporting from and with racialized communities.

The Fellowship in Higher Education Journalism was established to help address the shortage of informed investigative reporting on Canadian higher education issues in the Canadian media. Open to full-time, part-time, and freelance journalists, including students, the fellowship is designed to support those wishing to pursue in-depth and innovative journalism on higher education.

 

Labour Community Updates

Mental Wellness While Working from Home

The Ottawa and District Labour Council and the Workers Health and Safety Centre will be holding “Mental Wellness While Working From Home” as part of the Virtual Health & Safety Information Series. This event takes place on Tuesday May 11, 2021 at 7:00pm Advance registration is required here.