Daily Update – April 6

April 6, 2020

Daily Update – April 6

Dear CUASA members,

Tomorrow is the last day of class for the winter term. The move to complete the term through online methods or by email was unexpected when this term began. Our whole way of life has changed drastically in just a few short weeks.

I am proud of the resilience and determination showed by CUASA members over the last few weeks. No doubt, there have been challenges, but we’ve made it this far. I thank you for your dedication both to our institution, and to providing a quality education to your students despite an exceptional and unprecedented set of obstacles.

While winter term classes may be over, a radically different examination period now begins. There will be no rows of desks packed into the fieldhouse in the next few weeks. Instead, you will have decided whether to deliver exams online, by email, through take-home assignments, or not at all.

By all indications from government and public health officials, the COVID-19 pandemic is far from over. The weather is getting nicer and staying home will be difficult. But we have to do our part to protect our families, friends, colleagues, neighbours, and the general public. Please stay home. The coming weeks and months will be hard but, as we said before, we will make it through this.

I know you are all doing the best you can to persevere in these difficult times. As always, please know that your Union is behind you. Discussions with the University are ongoing on a number of concerns raised by CUASA members. Your Steering, Council, and Grievance committees will be sitting again this week and next, and preparations are underway for CUASA’s first virtual Annual General Meeting, including electronic voting to pass the annual budget. Updates will be passed along as they become available, so please continue to watch your emails. You can also find all of our COVID-19 updates on our website.

Stay safe and take care.

In solidarity,

Angelo Mingarelli
CUASA President