CUASA Update – August 19, 2022
August 19, 2022
CUASA Update – August 19, 2022
Urgent appeal to CUASA community re: arrival of Ukrainian scholar from Donbas on September 19
The Ukrainian scholar sponsored by Carleton’s chapter of Scholars at Risk is scheduled to arrive in Ottawa on September 19. He will be accompanied by his wife (a prominent journalist); they are both fleeing the warzone in Donbas, Eastern Ukraine. We are appealing to the CUASA community to assist us in finding either short-term and/or a year-long accommodation for them. This Ukrainian family of two are in their late fifties-early sixties, they are non-smokers, they have no pets, they have conversational English, and they will be able to cover utility bills and pay for their accommodations.
Additionally, we have extended an invitation to a scholar at risk fleeing from Russia for her outspokenness against the war. If we are successful in securing her the needed paperwork, she will be arriving (alone) in Ottawa sometime in mid-fall.
Carleton is also currently hosting scholars at risk from Afghanistan and Syria, and has recently hosted scholars from a number of other countries. We are also currently getting many further requests for support from Afghanistan, Ukraine, and elsewhere. Faculty can support our efforts by donating to the Scholars At Risk FutureFunder page.
If you are willing to help, please contact Dana Dragunoiu at [email protected].
Concerns for the Fall 2022 Term
CUASA has received numerous messages from members who are concerned about the University not having masking or vaccination mandates in place as we prepare for the start of the Fall term. The Association has been calling on Carleton to join a growing list of universities and colleges across the country that have announced plans to reinstate masking and/or vaccination mandates.
CUASA President Marylynn Steckley also wrote to Deputy Provost Catherine Khordoc to ask, at the very least, that CUASA members be allowed to require masks to be worn in their individual classrooms, should they wish to do so.
We received a response this morning saying, “The University continues to monitor the public health situation and requirements and if the University reinstates the mask mandate, the Carleton community will be informed of any requirements to wear a mask while attending campus. Faculty members should not include any statements on their syllabi requiring masks in classrooms at this time, although we continue to encourage masking in indoor settings.”
CUASA is disappointed that its members can’t opt to protect themselves by asking students to mask in their classes. Our membership is curious as to why Carleton is not following other institutions and reinstating a masking policy. In order for our members to be their best selves in the classroom, and for faculty to be able to concentrate on excellent pedagogy, and student support, they need to feel safe on campus.
We are continuing to ask questions about how members can be protected on campus and promise to keep you informed of further updates.
Health Plan Information re. Travel and COVID-19
CUASA wishes to pass onto our members some important updates we have become aware of regarding the extended healthcare plan from CanadaLife regarding international travel and coverage for COVID-19.
The Association had received some inquiries about out-of-country emergency coverage and a requirement in the plan text that employees and dependents have to spend a minimum of 30 consecutive days in their province of residence between trips in order to be eligible for another 180 days of out-of-country emergency coverage. Note: this 180-day maximum for coverage does not apply to a CUASA employee who is on approved sabbatical leave or on university business.
However, we have sought clarification from Carleton Human Resources and members should be aware that they are still required to have the minimum 30 consecutive days in their province of residence between trips to be eligible for out-of-country emergency care.
CUASA is concerned that its members are not being informed of this “fine print” in advance. We have asked if Carleton, as the grant holder for the extended healthcare plan, is able to tend to this concerning issue quickly given that our members have likely already made their travel plans for the upcoming academic year.
The Association also received inquiries regarding coverage if someone requires treatment for COVID-19 while out of the country. The University had previously confirmed to CUASA that if an employee had no symptoms of COVID and did not seek medical attention prior to leaving Canada, and they subsequently became infected with COVID, the out of country coverage would still apply.
IHRA Working Definition Facilitated Conversations
Originally adopted by the 2015 Plenary assembly of the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance (IHRA), the IHRA “Working definition of antisemitism” has been the subject of considerable controversy and strong opposition despite having been endorsed by a wide spectrum of governments and organizations, including the government of Ontario, which endorsed it in 2019. A motion urging CUASA to “oppose the [government] move to enshrine the current IHRA definition” on the grounds that it is contrary in some respects to academic freedom was to be considered by Council but was opposed by some Carleton faculty members as well as some external organizations including B’nai Brith. The motion was withdrawn in early 2021, with the intention of taking the time needed to revise it. With that in mind, David Graham, principal at Xenops Consulting, will be hosting a series of facilitated conversations for us aimed at reaching a consensus on whether such revision is feasible, and if it is, what form it should take.
The first session will be a one-hour introductory session with the goal of discussing the process itself and setting expectations. The facilitation will be held Thursday, August 25, from 11:00 am – 12:00 pm. Advanced registration is required.
Survey on Para Transpo Experiences
The READ Initiative is undertaking a research project to determine how accessible transit services to Carleton’s campus can be improved. As part of this research project, we are conducting surveys with users of Para Transpo and other accessible transit services to campus. We want to hear about the experiences and the barriers that users face in using these services.
If you are a user of accessible transportation to campus, you can click here to take our survey. By taking the survey, you have a 1 in 25 chance of winning $50 towards Carleton merchandise! The survey will only take 10 to 20 minutes. Respondents must be at least 18 years of age and must be able to read and understand English.
Academic Community Updates
Laurentian campaign next steps
There is still work to be done to support our colleagues at Laurentian University. Following the announcement of the senior leadership retirements, OCUFA, LUFA, and CAUT released a joint press release that highlighted the still unmet demands, including addressing gaps in faculty complement and committing to a more transparent, accountable, and collegial approach to governance moving forward.
Until these demands are met, it will be difficult to move forward from the CCAA process. This is why we need your help to support the LUFA CCAA campaign so that this never happens again at Laurentian or any other institution. If you haven’t already, please click here to send an email now.
Union opposes forced relocation of staff: Athabasca University
The Athabasca University Faculty Association (AUFA) has declared its opposition to “the notion of forced relocation of staff,” amid a standoff between Athabasca University (AU) and the provincial government, which recently directed AU to move hundreds of university employees to the town of Athabasca.
Unions fighting to save McGill’s Conservatory of Music
Raad Jassim expected 30 people to join him on June 28 to protest McGill University’s decision to close its Conservatory of Music. Instead, more than 100 supporters showed up carrying signs and musical instruments. Jassim, president of the McGill Course Lecturers and Instructors Union (MCLIU), was moved to tears recalling the spontaneous jam session that erupted at the rally outside the Schulich School of Music.
Read the full story on CAUT.ca.
Labour Community Updates
Capital Pride Parade 2022
The Ottawa Labour Council will be participating in the Capital Pride Parade on Sunday, August 28, at 1pm. This year’s Parade will start at Kent St. and Somerset St. CUASA Members interested in joining the Ottawa Labour Council group should arrive by 12:30pm.
Labour Day March 2022
The Ottawa Labour Council has announced the theme for the 2022 Labour Day March is Forward Together: This is Our Moment. The march will be held on Monday, September 5, and will depart from Ottawa City Hall (Laurier St. & Elgin St.) at 12:00pm. CUASA members wishing to participate in the march should arrive by 11:30am. Please note the Labour Day March will be adhering to Ottawa Public Health safety protocols.
