Weekly Update – September 3, 2021
September 3, 2021
Weekly Update – September 3, 2021
CUASA Office Closure
Please note the virtual CUASA Office will close at noon today for the long weekend. The office will reopen on Tuesday, September 7, at 9:00am.
Given that some departments have started to transition back to campus, we also wish to take a moment to remind members that CUASA staff are continuing to work from home and that our physical offices in Dunton Tower remain closed for the time being. If at any time you need to reach us, you may do so by contacting [email protected].
Government Framework for Fall 2021 and Carleton’s Response
The Ontario government has announced last-minute guidelines for postsecondary institutions in the province. Dubbed the Postsecondary Education Health Measures Framework for Fall 2021, it will exempt most postsecondary education institutions, including universities, from capacity limits and distancing measures that have been implemented across the province at the recommendation of public and occupational health authorities. For more information on this framework, please see OCUFA’s statement here.
Despite the government’s announcement, CUASA is pleased to see that Carleton President Bacon announced this morning that, in consultation with local health authorities, the University is staying the course with its fall 2021 plan and maintaining planned distancing requirements.
President Bacon’s announcement today also stated that masks remain mandatory in classrooms, indoor spaces and whenever physical distancing presents a challenge. He also wrote that the University has also insured that it is ready with updated ventilation systems, rigorous water testing protocols, signage, traffic flow, hand sanitizing stations and new cleaning protocols.
As we wrote last week, we are in the process of reviewing the data from our recent vaccine survey, but one thing that is abundantly clear to CUASA is that many of our members do not feel safe returning to campus now, even with current plans and a vaccine policy in place. Given this, we are glad that Carleton has said it will continue with its previously-announced fall plans that include distancing requirements and larger classes being offered online.
Attestation of Vaccination and cuScreen Concerns
As the University previously announced, Carleton will be requiring mandatory vaccination against COVID-19 for all individuals (students, staff, faculty, contractors, and visitors) involved in any in-person University activities.
All individuals who are coming on to campus and/or participating in an in-person Carleton activity must attest to their vaccination status and having received their first dose by September 8, 2021, and their second dose by no later than October 15, 2021. For more information on this, click here.
CUASA has been contacted by members who have expressed concern with the privacy agreement that you are asked to accept when accessing the cuScreen platform. We have written to the University administration to express these concerns and will share any updates as soon as we have them.
Retirement Plan Booklet
The Carleton University Retirement Plan is now summarized in a pension plan booklet which provides an easy reference to the plan. You can find the booklet here.
CUASA Business
Vacant Steering Positions
We are still seeking volunteers for the following Steering positions (click on the title below to see the position description):
* The Steering committee has allocated a 0.5 course release for the Vice President position.
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
We are seeking one more CUASA volunteer to be one of the Association’s representatives on the University’s Joint Health and Safety Committee (JHSC). We are also seeking a member to join the Joint Subcommittee on Teaching Evaluations (JSTE).
If you are interested in either of these positions, please contact Marylynn Steckley at [email protected].
CUASA In the News
- Ottawa’s universities and colleges roll out proof-of-vaccination policies, tools. Ottawa Citizen, September 1, 2021. Click here to read.
- For some university students, the ‘return to campus’ seems like online déjà vu. Ottawa Citizen, August 25, 2021. Click here to read.
Academic Community Updates
OCUFA alarmed by last-minute fall guidelines for postsecondary education that ignore science, compromise health and safety
OCUFA’s faculty, academic librarians, and other academic professionals are looking forward to the start of the new academic year, but health and safety must remain the number one priority as COVID-19 cases rise and Ontario enters the fourth wave. With less than a week before the fall term begins, the inadequate guidelines introduced at the last minute by the Ontario government are deeply concerning, as they will increase the exposure risks to faculty, staff, and students.
To keep reading, click here.
Ask your federal candidates to exempt public institutions from the CCAA and BIA
When Laurentian University filed for protection under the Companies’ Creditors Arrangement Act (CCAA), it became the first public university in Canada to do so. Let’s make sure it is also the last. Send a letter to your federal candidates today and ask them to commit to updating the CCAA and Bankruptcy Insolvency Act to exempt public institutions and protect Canada’s vital public services.
To send a letter, click here.
CAUT Newswire: August 2021—Federal election, vaccination requirements and court wins
Every month CAUT sends out a newsletter with the latest CAUT and post-secondary education sector news. Here’s what’s in the August 2021 issue:
- Federal election 2021: Strengthening post-secondary education for our future
- CAUT urges vaccine requirements as part of measures for safe re-opening
- Win for post-secondary education in Canada: two recent court rulings
- Education International calls for education to be protected in Afghanistan
- Upcoming events
To read the Newswire, click here.
Labour Community Updates
Canadian Labour Congress Statement on Mandatory COVID-19 Vaccination
The COVID-19 crisis is not over.
COVID-19 is not the seasonal flu. It is much more deadly and has inflicted far greater damage on our health system, our economy, our livelihoods and the individual health of Canadians.
Canada’s unions strongly support vaccination against COVID-19 for every Canadian that can be vaccinated.
To read the CLC’s full statement, click here.
Labour Day 2021
The Ottawa and District Labour Council has announced its Labour Day 2021 March. The theme being used by the Canadian Labour Congress for this year’s Labour Day “Workers Are The Recovery”. Join the ODLC on Monday, September 6 at 12pm. The March will begin at Ottawa City Hall (Elgin and Lisgar Sts.) and will adhere to social distancing and masks in line with Ottawa Public Health safety protocols.
