Weekly Update – April 16
April 16, 2021
Weekly Update – April 16
Solidarity with Laurentian University
Laurentian University recently closed several departments and laid off faculty and staff due to financial insolvency. CUASA stands in solidarity with the faculty, staff, and students at Laurentian University as well as the broader Sudbury community during these difficult times.
On April 13, CUASA wrote to Ontario’s Minister of Colleges and Universities in response to Laurentian University’s recent program and job cuts. To read the full letter click here.
Call to Action – Laurentian University
On April 12 the University of Ottawa administration pledged solidarity with Laurentian University during its unprecedented insolvency proceedings which have already resulted in program closures and job losses. To the best of our knowledge, the Carleton University administration has not commented on the issue.
CUASA is calling on the Carleton University administration to stand in solidarity with the faculty and staff at Laurentian University and to condemn the provincial government’s failure to intervene.
Northern Solidarity
A website was recently launched to provide resources on how you can support Laurentian University. Please visit https://northernsolidarity.ca/en/ to learn more.
Laurentian University Petitions
On April 12 Laurentian University closed its School of Midwifery and terminated its faculty. The school’s faculty have launched a petition to attempt to persuade the university to reconsider its decision.
To read the open letter to the university and sign the petition, click here.
Laurentian University’s Department of Women’s, Gender, and Sexuality Studies is also under threat of closure. The department’s faculty are seeking support to prevent its closure through an open letter and petition, which you can read and sign here.
Today is the last day to sign both petitions.
Open Panel on Laurentian University
Today at 2:00 p.m. there will be an open panel and discussion on the situation at Laurentian University. To register click here.
CUASA Business
Save the Date: CUASA 2021 AGM
The CUASA 2021 April General Meeting (AGM) will be held on Friday, April 30, from 1:00-3:00 p.m. The meeting will take place on Zoom and all CUASA members are welcome to attend.
The meeting documents and Zoom details will be sent closer to that date.
Nominations for Steering Positions
The following Steering positions are either currently vacant or will be up for re-election this year for terms beginning on July 1, 2021:
- Vice President
- Chair, Collective Bargaining (note: this position also serves as Chief Negotiator)
- Salary and Benefits Officer
- Communications Officer
- Chair, Nominations and Elections
- Chair, Internal Affairs
Nominations are due to the virtual CUASA Office by Friday, May 14, at 12:00 p.m. Elections will be held at the May Council meeting on Thursday, May 27. If you are interested in one of these positions or wish to nominate a colleague, please contact us at [email protected] for a nomination form.
Information on the nominations process can be found on our How to Volunteer page. Remember that CUASA is only as strong as its membership, so we count on the time and commitment of our members to achieve our goals. Some of these positions come with a course release, subject to the availability of funds. Please ask if you are interested.
Carleton Community Updates
SOPI Grants
Grants under the Shared Online Project Initiative (SOPI) between Carleton University and the University of Ottawa are now being offered again. To learn more and to apply click here.
The deadline to apply is May 7.
Carleton Water System Project Update
The contractor will start work on 10 campus buildings during the week of April 19. For details on water shutdowns for each affected building please click here.
Academic Community Updates
Brightspace Update
The new version of Brightspace now supports rendering LaTex expressions via MathJax in both question libraries and HTML content pages. To learn how to use this new feature click here.
Labour Community Updates
OFL Support for Laurentian University
The Ontario Federation of Labour (OFL) recently released a press release in support of faculty and staff at Laurentian University and calling on the Ontario government to intervene before it is too late. To read the full article click here.
OFL Call to Protect Workers from COVID-19
The OFL recently wrote an open letter to the Ontario government calling for it to implement increased protection from COVID-19 for workers. To read the full letter click here.
OCUFA Calls for Resignation of Laurentian University Senior Leadership
Following the recent financial crisis at Laurentian University which resulted in program closures and job loss for many faculty and staff members, OCUFA is calling on senior leadership at the university to resign. To read more click here.
