Weekly Update – June 4
June 4, 2021
Weekly Update – June 4
CUASA Mourns the 215 Children
On behalf of all our members, CUASA extends its deepest sympathies to the families of these 215 children, the families of all the other children whose deaths are unrecorded or yet to be discovered and those who themselves survived the horrors of the residential school system. We are grieving these genocidal acts and stand in solidarity with all Indigenous, Inuit and Metis peoples, especially those who are members of our own community. Together we commit to fighting to reconcile Canada’s legacy of colonial violence and genocide. These children and the atrocities done to them can never be forgotten.
Specifically, we demand that the federal government act immediately to make resources available for a proper forensic excavation of every single residential school site. We insist that no resource be spared in the project of identifying these children and returning them to their home communities.
We also call on the leaders of all the churches who were the architects of the residential school system to act now, at the national and international levels, to take responsibility for their roles in genocidal actions and to take all measures necessary, as directed by the Truth and Reconciliation Commission, to assist in the discovery, identification and return of what is sure to be many more children.
Finally, we call on each of our members to take direct action by writing to your local MP, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau ([email protected]) and Minister of Crown-Indigenous Relations Carolyn Bennett ([email protected]), with a direct appeal to take the actions laid out above as well as ensuring that the process of recovering the bodies of these children is transparent and directly accountable to First Nations across the country.
Access to Health Services
In our update last week, we spoke about our concern with a message on the Health and Counselling Services website that said CUASA members could not make one of the physicians at the campus clinic their regular doctor.
Following our update last week, we were contacted by the University to say that this was outdated language and not a reflection of current policies at the clinic. That language has now been updated to advise faculty and professional staff members that there is a physician available to be their family physician.
As previously mentioned, Health and Counselling Services hired Dr. Michael Power in August 2020. CUASA members that do not currently have a family physician are asked to call 613-520-6674 to book an appointment.
Should there be any issues or concerns with accessing the clinic, please email [email protected].
Tenure/Confirmation and Promotion Extension Agreement
As you may have seen in a memo from the Provost sent this week, CUASA and the University have reached an agreement in principle that to extend tenure and promotion clocks for faculty and confirmation clocks for Instructors due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Under the agreement, each pre-tenure faculty member appointed prior to June 30, 2021 or with an appointment date effective July 1, 2021 will be given the option to apply for tenure and/or promotion as per the procedures outlined in Article 10 of the Collective Agreement or to delay their application for tenure by either one (1) year or a maximum of two (2) years from their original expected date for application for tenure as stipulated in their letter of offer issued by the Provost.
Instructor employees in their fifth (5th) year of appointment during the 2021-22 academic year will be given the option to receive up to either one (1) year or a maximum of two (2) years renewal of preliminary appointment in advance of being considered for confirmation.
As mentioned, this is an agreement in principle. The University and the Association are still finalizing this agreement, and further information is expected to be available soon through your Dean’s office and/or through the Association.
CUASA Business
Tenure/Confirmation and Promotion Workshops
Thank you to everyone who attended our annual Tenure/Confirmation and Promotion workshops this week.
If you missed this year’s workshops but would like to receive a copy of the materials, please email [email protected].
Vacant Steering Positions
We are still seeking volunteers for the following Steering positions for terms beginning July 1 (click on the title below to see the position description):
* The Steering committee has allocated a 0.5 course release for the Vice President and Chair, Internal Affairs positions, respectively.
Information on the nominations process can be found on our How to Volunteer page. Remember that our Association is only as strong as its membership, so we count on the time and commitment of our members to achieve our goals. If you are interested in one of these positions, or wish to nominate a colleague, please contact us for a nomination form at [email protected].
Call for Volunteers: JHSC
We are seeking two CUASA members to volunteer to be the Association’s representatives on the University’s Joint Health and Safety Committee (JHSC). If you are interested, please contact [email protected].
Carleton Community Updates
Carleton Senate passes motion opposing CCAA process
At its meeting last week, the Carleton Senate passed a motion put forward by CUASA member Dr. Paulo Garcia expressing opposition to the Federal Companies’ Creditors Arrangement Act (CCAA), the process through which Laurentian university recently sought creditor protection.
Here is the text of the motion passed by Senate:
Rationale: The bicameral model of university governance is integral to the health, integrity, and success of academic institutions. It is enshrined in most university acts and is essential to collegial governance. The unique bicameral character of a university provides very different roles for the university board and the university senate, and it is commonly agreed that university governance should be based on principles of collegiality, inclusivity, meaningful representation, shared participation, and shared accountability. University senates must engage in free and open debate on matters under their purview, and in particular on academic matters.
The recent events at Laurentian University highlight the importance of the bicameral model of governance. The Laurentian University Board of Governors declared the University to be insolvent and sought protection under the Federal Companies’ Creditor Arrangement Act, something designed for profit-seeking corporations. To resolve their financial challenges, the restructuring plans include the termination of programs and scholars. In keeping with its bicameral role, any recommendation before senate to terminate a program ought to be assessed on academic grounds and not for reasons of financial expediency.
Motion: Be it resolved that the Carleton University Senate express its opposition to the application of the Federal Companies’ Creditor Arrangement Act to public institutions, when financial solvency should be guaranteed by the Provincial and Federal Government.
Academic Community Updates
Join OCUFA and the OFL for the Education Assembly on June 26
Join OCUFA and the OFL for another virtual Province-Wide Education Assembly to discuss what Ontarians need from our education systems during COVID-19 and beyond. The assembly takes place on Saturday, June 26 from 10 a.m.–1:00 p.m.
Parents, teachers, students, child care workers, faculty, and support staff across education sectors are invited to come together to envision and discuss a seamless plan that works for the entire education sector, from child care to postsecondary education.
For more information and to register, click here.
CAUT warns against attack on collegial oversight at Sheridan College
Sheridan College’s decision to unilaterally terminate its Senate is ill-informed and threatens the quality of education at the institution, says CAUT.
Click here to keep reading.
Labour Community Updates
Canada’s unions mourn with Indigenous communities, call for action
Canada’s unions stand with Indigenous communities across Canada as they mourn the lives of 215 children whose remains were discovered at a burial site at the Kamloops Indian Residential School in British Columbia.
Click here to keep reading.
