Letters of Understanding re. COVID-19

June 30, 2020

Letters of Understanding re. COVID-19

CUASA is pleased to inform its members of the signing of two important letters of understanding pertaining to COVID-19 circumstances.

The first LOU is in regard to tenure, promotion, and confirmation for faculty and instructors during the COVID-19 pandemic. Under the terms of the LOU, each pre-tenure faculty member appointed prior to today, June 30, 2020, or with an appointment date effective tomorrow, July 1, 2020, will be given the option to apply for tenure and/or promotion under their normal expected timeline, or they will have the option to delay their application for one additional year. Faculty members wishing to delay their application must inform their Dean in writing by either the normal time for their consideration, or by June 30, 2021, whichever comes first.

Instructors who are in their fifth year of appointment will be given the option to receive one additional year of preliminary appointment in advance of being considered for confirmation. Instructors wishing to delay their application must inform their Dean in writing in advance of the commencement of the 2020 Fall term.

The Association and the University are still in discussions on a letter of understanding for librarian confirmation and promotion. We hope to have more details to share on this topic soon.

The second LOU we are announcing today is in relation to the Professional Expense Reimbursement (PER) fund. The University will be making a one-time deposit of $200 into the PER fund of each CUASA employee for eligible one-time expenses incurred as a result of implementing alternative modes of delivery due to COVID-19. The funds will be made available by July 15, 2020. Reimbursement shall be in accordance with the provisions of Article 39.12 of the collective agreement.

Both of these LOUs, as well as the previously announced LOU on summer term student evaluations, will be available for members to access shortly. For any questions on these LOUs, please contact [email protected].

As a reminder, the virtual CUASA Office will be closed beginning tomorrow, July 1, reopening on Monday, July 6.