The Communiqué: Volume 47, No. 5 – November 20, 2024
In This Issue:
- CUASA Bargaining News
- Letter From CUASA President on Carleton budget
- Volunteer Retirement Packages
- Conference Report. Beyond Words – Translating Indigenization of the Academy into Practice
- Three consultations at Carleton: Accessibility, Human Rights, and Sexual Violence
- Campus calls for service
- Upcoming Events
- Updates from OCUFA and CAUT
- Get involved!
Bargaining News
CUASA’s Negotiating Team met with the Employer on for a half day of bargaining on November 18th. At this session CUASA presented our non-financial amendments of articles, Letters of Understanding and appendices. The Employer is scheduled to present their non-financial amendments at the next bargaining session scheduled for November 25th.
Bargaining sessions with the Employer are scheduled for December 5th, 10th, 11th, 16th and 18th.
Watch your email and the CUASA website for bargaining updates going forward!
The 2021-24 Collective Agreement remains in force until a new agreement is concluded by both parties, or until a lockout or strike. CUASA will continue to regularly inform its members on collective bargaining.
Letter From the President on Carleton budget
On November 8th the Carleton community received and email from Vice-President L. Pauline Rankin(Academic) and Interim Vice-President Angela Marcotte (Finance and Administration). Titled “Operating Budget Uptdate” the email warned of the necessity of “significant measures” for the sake of the “university’s financial sustainability”. The vagueness and tone of the email prompted this response from CUASA’s President.
In their email the Vice-Presidents asked our community for suggestions. CUASA encourages members to fill out the form Carleton provided. Let the administration know that you expect them to help safeguard the future of the institution in ways that protect the Carleton community and the quality education CUASA members provide. Please send a copy your suggestions to CUASA at [email protected]. If you would like to send your suggestions to Carleton anonymously please fill out this survey and CUASA will send them on your behalf. If you are inclined to bring your concerns and ideas to social media please tag us @cuasa and the University @Carleton_U and use the hashtags #CarletonStrong and #CUASAworks.
This week CUASA’s President met with Carleton’s incoming President and Vice-Chancellor, Wisdom Tettey. The two presidents discussed the many common goals of Carleton and CUASA including budget choices that sustain the academic health of the university, the need for better governmental funding for education, EDI (Equity, Diversity and Inclusion) work on Campus, and joint efforts to demonstrate the value of a post-secondary degree. Keep up with CUASA’s continued work in consultation with other on campus unions, and in meetings with administration about the budget transparency here and on our website.
Volunteer Retirement Packages
Today Carleton’s administration announced a “Voluntary Retirement Incentive Program” as a part of the “Financial Sustainability Framework”, made public on November 8th. This new retirement program was undertaken without consultation with CUASA. We are researching what the program will mean for our members and the larger Carleton community, and you will be hearing from us soon. In the meantime, and given the short time allocated for eligible CUASA members to make a decision, we urge you to contact us at [email protected], once you have read the information provided by Carleton, with questions, concerns, or simply to discuss what the new package means for you. If you receive an email from Human Resources over the next couple of days informing you of your eligibility, we would be grateful if you let us know.
Report on the Beyond Words Conference, on the practice of Indigenization of the Academy
In October CUASA sponsored Deborah G. Young’s attandence to the Beyond Words Conference, organised by the Aboriginal Post-Secondary Education Working Group of CAUT. Upon her return Deborah met with CUASA’s President and Equity officers to discuss the event. We are happy to provide her report on the conference to our members.
Providing First Nations, Métis, and Inuit Scholars with Advice: Beyond Words – Translating Indigenization of the Academy into Practice Conference
Prepared by: Deborah G. Young (Cree), Lecturer & Ph.D. Candidate, School of Social Work, FPGA
On October 4-5, 2024, in Regina, Saskatchewan – Treaty 4 territory – the traditional lands of the Cree, Saulteaux, Dakota, Nakota, Lakota and the homelands of the Métis – approximately 200 Indigenous and settler scholars as well university administrators from across Canada gathered at the annual Aboriginal Academic Staff Conference hosted by the Canadian Association of University Teachers (CAUT).
The theme of the conference is timely as discussions focused on moving beyond words by translating Indigenization of the Academy into practice, which is a conversation that many universities are grappling with, especially in the light of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s Calls to Action, the Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls Calls to Justice, and more recently, the recommendations coming out of the Independent Special Interlocutor’s Final Report on Missing Children and Unmarked Graves and Burial Sites associated with Indian Residential Schools.
Over the two-day gathering, conference participants had the honour to listen to the wise words of Elder Margaret Reynolds, English River/Patuanak First Nation who opened and closed the conference in a good way.
On Day 1, the first keynote address was from Dr. Niigaanwewidam James Sinclair, University of Manitoba, shared his vision on what university learning could look like by weaving stories and knowledges from Knowledge Holders and incorporating land-based knowledge into the curriculum. The second keynote came from Dr. David Newhouse, Trent University, who challenged us to never give up on advancing reconciliation in our workspaces. He shared his long-standing advocacy work and best practices both as university scholar and administrator. The final panel discussion, Jean Teillet, Counsel Emeritus, Darren Thomas, Wilfred Laurier University, Kat Pasquach, University of Waterloo, focused on navigating Indigenous identity claims.
Day 2 discussions focused on Tri-Council support for Indigenous research and building pathways for Indigenous scholars through collective bargaining. For the collective bargaining panel discussion, Dr. Christine O’Bonsawin, University of Victor, and Doug Pople, Brandon University, did an exceptional presentation on their respective university’s collective bargaining negotiations.They shared best practices and lessons learned as they navigating through negotiations from an Indigenous perspective. The final panel discussion focused on challenges and opportunities for universities. Carleton University’s own, Dr. Gabriel Maracle, shared his experiences as a newly appointed faculty member! Dr. Maracle did an exceptional job sharing what it is like to be new scholar navigating the colonial halls of a university.Dr. Christy Bressette, Western University, spoke about her long career as a senior administrator, scholar, and First Nation advocate.
Both days participants were broken into smaller groups to discuss topics such as sharing our experiences and identifying supports and sharing Indigenous research experiences and issues that were later shared in the larger forum on the final day.
I would like to express my gratitude to CUASA for its support. I found the Beyond Words Conference to be inspirational and pragmatic. It certainly gave me much to think about as I step onto my own scholarly pathway as one of the new Indigenous hires at the School of Social Work.
Consultations at Carleton
CUASA urges members to take an active role in these 3 consultations. If you have thoughts or concerns you would like CUASA to forward please be in touch at [email protected] we are attending meetings and preparing proposals and would appreciate your input.
Accessibility at Carleton Consultation Session
As we approach International Day of Persons with Disabilities, the Coordinated Accessibility Strategy (CAS) Renewal is concluding the listening phase of its consultation with an open session for all faculty, staff and students on Thursday, Nov. 28, at 1:30 p.m. This 45-minute session will cover all CAS areas of focus, and light refreshments will be provided. Please register on the Accessibility Institute website.
Sexual Violence Policy Review
The Sexual Violence Policy Review is undergoing a broad and inclusive consultation process and Carleton encourages all members of the Carleton community to provide feedback and comments through our consultation website or by email, before the end of November While some areas have been identified for further consideration, feedback is welcome on all aspects of the policy. For more information on the review process, visit the Sexual Violence Policy website.
Provide Feedback on a New Human Rights Policy
Carleton invites all faculty, staff and students to comment on a new proposed Human Rights Policy that reflects the Ministry of Colleges and Universities issued ‘Minister’s Anti-Racism/Anti-Hate Directives’ under Bill 166. Share your feedback via the Human Rights Policy Consultation webpage or by emailing [email protected]. The submission deadline is Dec. 13.
Campus calls for service from Carleton
The Sexual Violence Prevention and Education Committee
The Sexual Violence Prevention and Education Committee (SVPEC) is currently accepting applications to fill vacant faculty positions. The SVPEC is focused on fostering a culture of consent, making recommendations to the Office of the President about the sufficiency of the sexual violence policy, and the effectiveness of current programs. Interested candidates should send a letter of intent to EIC at [email protected] by Friday, Nov. 29.
Call for Nominations: Faculty Members to Serve on University-wide Tenure and Promotion Committees
The Carleton University Senate is calling for nominations for full-time CUASA faculty members to serve on the Tenure and Promotions Appeal Committee (TPAC) and the University Promotions Committee (UPC) for the 2024/25 academic year. The deadline to submit a self-nomination is Dec. 6. Click on the links above to learn more about eligibility criteria and how to apply.
Upcoming Events
CPP Investments hosts in person public meetings across Canada every two year. Learn about various topics, including how and where investments are made and the financial sustainability of the Canada Pension Plan. There are opportunities for participation in a question-and-answer sessions. Registration National Virtual Public Meeting Thursday, November 21st, from 12:00 p.m. – 1:00 p.m. EST.
Scholars at Risk Carleton invites you to join them on Monday, December 2 at 7 pm in the Maxwell MacOdrum Library for the opening of an exciting exhibition by Nataliia Kononova. Registration and more information can be found here. CUASA is one of the main contributoirs of SAR on campus, with an annual donation.
Updates from OCUFA and CAUT
Report on OCUFA Advocacy Day, November 8
MPPs Acknowledge Ontario Public Universities Require Additional Funding OCUFA’s Advocacy Day, bringing Ontario MPPs into conversation with faculty and academic librarians, opened with a breakfast event where all four political parties– Conservatives, NDP, Liberals, and Green Party – spoke about the importance and value of Ontario’s world-class public universities. In Minister of Colleges and Universities Nolan Quinn’s remarks, […] Continue reading
Bargaining update: Guelph University Members of the York University Faculty Association ratified their new three-year collective agreement in August. They made significant gains, thanks to the hard work of the bargaining team, empowered by a strong strike mandate from members. On compensation, members received an across-the-board salary increase of 3.1% in the first year, which also applies to […] Continue Reading
Bargaining update: TMU In July this year, Arbitrator Kaplan delivered his interest arbitration award for the Toronto Metropolitan Association Faculty Association’s (TFA) 2023-2026 collective agreement. The monetary elements of the award include across-the-board increases of 3.5% in year one, and 3.0% in years two and three, to apply retroactively within sixty days to active and former members. There […] Continue Reading
Bargaining update: York University Members of the York University Faculty Association ratified their new three-year collective agreement in August. They made significant gains, thanks to the hard work of the bargaining team, empowered by a strong strike mandate from members. On compensation, members received an across-the-board salary increase of 3.1% in the first year, which also applies to […] Continue Reading
CAUT welcomes “Dimensions” federal research program renewal The Canadian Association of University Teachers (CAUT) is celebrating the renewal of the federal Dimensions: equity, diversity and inclusion Canada program following its successful five-year pilot phase […] Continue Reading
CAUT survey on Indigenous academic staff experiences CAUT’s Aboriginal Post-Secondary Education working group has launched a survey to assess the experiences of Indigenous academic staff working at universities, colleges and polytechnics across Canada. The working group encourages all Indigenous staff to respond and share with colleagues. The survey takes about 35 to 45 minutes to complete. Take the survey or share the link. The deadline for completion is November 29, 2024.
Get involved!
CUASA’s 2SLBGTQIA+ Pride Caucus and Disability Caucus are now meeting regularly, and are happy to welcome new members. These caucus groups are intended to be an informal way for people from equity-seeking groups to find community connections, socialize, organize, support one another, and share ideas with each other and with CUASA. Groups usually meet once a month.
If you are interested in participating in these caucus groups, please contact CUASA’s Equity and Member Services Officer, Max López, at [email protected] for more details.
The Communiqué is published by the Carleton University Academic Staff Association. Past issues are archived on our website at CUASA.ca. The Communiqué publishes CUASA-related news and information for our members. Please follow us on X and Facebook for daily CUASA and community news.
We want to hear from you! Get in touch, by email, social media, phone, or by scheduling a meeting. We read everything you send, and thank all of those who have contributed suggestions.
