Weekly Update – June 25, 2021
June 25, 2021
Weekly Update – June 25, 2021
NOTICE: Proposed Constitutional Amendments
In accordance with Article XIV of the CUASA Constitution, notice is hereby given that a vote will be held on a series of proposed amendments to the Constitution. This is the first of two notices. As required by Article XIV, these amendments were passed by a majority of CUASA Council at a special meeting on June 24, 2021.
A document containing information on the proposed amendments can be found here.
We will be holding two information sessions on the proposed amendments on Tuesday, July 13, 2021 from 10:00am to 12:00pm and Thursday, July 15, from 1:00 to 3:00pm (Zoom details to follow).
The vote will be administered electronically from Monday, July 26, 2021 at 12:00pm to Wednesday, July 28, 2021, at 12:00pm.
Voting information will be distributed via email to all eligible voters prior to the opening of the polls.
Note: Only members who have joined the Association are eligible to vote. Membership in the bargaining unit is not the same as membership in the Association. To confirm your eligibility, please contact Deborah Jackson at [email protected].
CUASA Business
CUASA Office Closure
Please note, the virtual CUASA Office will be closed Thursday, July 1, and Friday, July 2 for the long weekend. The office will reopen on Monday, July 5, at 9:00am.
Accordingly, there will be no regular “Weekly Update” next week.
CUASA Council Ratifies Staff Collective Agreement
At a special meeting yesterday, June 24, Council voted to unanimously ratify the new collective agreement with Unifor Local 567, which represents CUASA’s seven full-time staff members. The new agreement is in effect from May 1, 2021, to April 30, 2024.
Introducing: Marylynn Steckley
Today we’d like to introduce you to Marylynn Steckley. Marylynn is an Instructor III in Global and International Studies, and since last fall has been serving as the Instructor Representative on CUASA’s Steering Committee. Now, she is taking on the additional role as CUASA’s Chair, Nominations and Elections.
Click here to watch a short video from Marylynn and learn more about her role as Chair, Nominations and Elections, and why she decided to get involved in the Association.
Vacant Steering Positions
We are still seeking volunteers for the following Steering positions for terms beginning July 1 (click on the title below to see the position description):
* The Steering committee has allocated a 0.5 course release for the Vice President and Chair, Internal Affairs positions, respectively.
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. If you are interested in one of these positions and would like some information, or wish to nominate yourself or a colleague, please CUASA’s Chair, Nominations and Elections, Marylynn Steckley, at [email protected].
Call for Volunteers: JHSC
We are seeking two CUASA members to volunteer to be the Association’s representatives on the University’s Joint Health and Safety Committee (JHSC). If you are interested, please contact Marylynn Steckley at [email protected].
Call for Nominations: University Promotions Committee
The Carleton Senate is calling for nominations for full-time CUASA faculty members to serve on the University Promotions Committee (UPC) for the 2021/22 academic year.
Eight elected positions are available: Two members from the Faculty of Arts & Social Sciences, two members from the Faculty of Public Affairs, two members from the Faculty of Engineering & Design, one member from the Faculty of Science, and one member from the Sprott School of Business.
To submit a self-nomination for a position, send a statement of candidacy to Kathy McKinley, Assistant University Secretary before June 30, 2021 at [email protected]
To be eligible, faculty must hold the rank of Full Professor. Procedural rules of this committee are in accordance with Article 10.11 of the CUASA Collective Agreement.
Carleton Community Updates
COVID-19 Second Dose Vaccinations at CU
Carleton Health and Counselling Services is now able to book appointments for second-dose mRNA (Moderna) vaccines for eligible people aged 18 or older in 2021. Appointments are currently available on June 28, July 8, and July 9, 2021.
You can book your second dose appointment at HCS even if your first dose was administered elsewhere. For more information or to book an appointment, visit the Health & Counselling Services (HCS) website here.
Update on Cihan Erdal
Carleton PhD Student and CUPE 4600 member Cihan Erdal was ordered released from prison on June 15. The release is conditional, and Cihan is subject to conditions, such as remaining in Turkey and reporting to the local police station twice per week.
While his release is good news, Cihan cannot return to his residence in Ottawa and remains separated from his spouse and family. He also remains at risk of future imprisonment based on charges that are clear violations of his freedom of association and freedom of expression.
Until Cihan is able to come home, the campaign pushing for his return continues. If you haven’t already, please consider sending a solidarity message asking for Cihan’s charges to be dropped and that he be allowed to return home. You can show your support here.
CU SASC CHAT
Help support your students by spreading the word about Carleton University Sexual Assault Support Centre’s new service: CU SASC CHAT.
Trained peer supporters are available to offer free, confidential support for undergrad and graduate students via web chat or text. Chat sessions are encrypted, anonymous, and all messages are deleted afterwards.
Students can chat with SASC about anything that helps create a culture of consent on campus, including relationship topics. For those who have experienced sexual violence of any type, SASC can offer both emotional and practical support at all stages of their journey. SASC can provide info about community resources on and off campus. CHAT is also a great place to get info on all of CU SASC’s services and programming.
Students can visit the CU SASC CHAT webpage to find out more and to start a text or chat session. SASC CHAT is open all summer (Mon/Wed 1-3pm & Tues/Thurs 10am-12pm) and will continue in the Fall.
Academic Community Updates
Jill Dunlop appointed the new Minister of Colleges and Universities
Following a major cabinet shuffle in Ontario on June 18, Jill Dunlop was appointed the new Minister of Colleges and Universities. Minister Dunlop is a first-term Progressive Conservative MPP for Simcoe North. She previously held the position of Associate Minister of Children and Women’s Issues. Dunlop replaces Ross Romano, previous Minister of Colleges and Universities, who has been appointed Minister of Government and Consumer Services.
OCUFA hopes that Minister Dunlop’s approach to the sector will be different than that of her predecessor. OCUFA hopes to meet with Minister Dunlop in the coming weeks to discuss her vision for the future of higher education in Ontario and current issues facing postsecondary education, including the rise in precarious jobs and the need for government investment in universities to ensure they are an active part of Ontario’s economic recovery.
To read OCUFA’s full statement, click here.
Join OCUFA and the OFL for the Education Assembly on June 26
Join OCUFA and the OFL for another virtual Province-Wide Education Assembly to discuss what Ontarians need from our education systems during COVID-19 and beyond. The assembly takes place on Saturday, June 26 from 10 a.m.–1:00 p.m.
Parents, teachers, students, child care workers, faculty, and support staff across education sectors are invited to come together to envision and discuss a seamless plan that works for the entire education sector, from child care to postsecondary education.
For more information and to register, click here.
Students, faculty oppose performance-based funding for post-secondary institutions in Canada
The Canadian Federation of Students (CFS) and CAUT are calling on provincial governments to suspend the current plans on the introduction of performance-based funding for universities and listen to the students and faculty concerns regarding the proposed system.
To keep reading, click here.
Labour Community Updates
CUASA Supports Striking OPSEU Black Creek Community Health Centre Workers
On June 12, OPSEU Local 5117 Black Creek Community Health Centre workers, who are predominantly black and racialized, went on strike fighting for fair wages, after the employer walked away from the table, despite receiving assurances from the provincial government to fund a 1% wage increase.
CUASA’s External Relations Officer, Raj Singh, sent a letter to the Executive Director of the Black Creek Community Health Centre expressing solidarity with OPSEU Local 5117 members, and asking that the Employer meet the Union’s demands for fair wages so these pillars of the community can get back to work. You can read Dr. Singh’s letter here.
