Weekly Update – March 12
March 12, 2021
Weekly Update – March 12
Concerns on Returning to Campus in Fall 2021
As we wrote in our update last week, we have been hearing some concerns from our members about the University’s announcement that a gradual return to campus might be possible this fall.
CUASA and its members have expressed concern that there likely will not be a sufficient number of faculty, staff, and students vaccinated in time for a return to campus in September. We have also heard concerns that the campus itself is not able to accommodate in-person activities in many classrooms that have no windows or options for safe physical distancing. We have heard concerns about members having to continue to wear masks while conducting up to 3-hour classes in poorly ventilated spaces. Finally, we have also received concerns about workload, particularly in relation to any potential hybrid scenarios that will see a blend of in-person and remote learning.
We wish to advise our members that CUASA shares these concerns. CUASA expects that the University will consult with your Association on any return-to-work plan. In the end, it is expected that the ultimate decision on in-person or hybrid teaching will be left to the discretion of our members. CUASA also expects that the University will consult with scientific advisors including its own members, and that these colleagues will be involved in the decision-making process regarding any in-person activities on campus.
Rest assured that it is CUASA’s intention that it will do everything it can to ensure that any plans to return to campus will happen as safely as possible, and that such plans are not executed before it is as risk-free as possible, as judged by local health authorities.
Should you have any concerns that you wish to share with CUASA on any plans for a potential return to campus, please do not hesitate to contact us at [email protected].
CUASA Business
Nominations for Steering Positions
We are still accepting nominations for the following Steering positions (click on the title to read the position description):
Information on the nominations process can be found on our How to Volunteer page. The work of the Association continues, despite the current environment we find ourselves in. 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. Some of these positions come with a course release subject to the availability of funds (please ask if interested).
Carleton Updates
Call for Applications: OCUFA Awards
The Carleton University Teaching Awards Committee (CUTAC) is looking to nominate faculty for the 2021 OCUFA Teaching and Academic Librarianship Awards, which recognize outstanding teachers and academic librarians in Ontario.
If you are interested in applying or if you would like to learn more about the nomination process, please contact at [email protected]. Draft applications must be submitted to CUTAC by April 10. Find more details here.
“Employee Well-being in Times of COVID-19”: Overview of Key Findings
The Mental Health and Well-Being Research and Training Hub (MeWeRTH) is hosting a keynote address by Dr. Linda Duxbury. This talk reports on the key findings from analysis of the data provided by the 1,018 Carleton employees who responded to the “Employee Well-being in Times of COVID-19” study. The event will take place on March 18, from 2:30 to 4:00pm. You can register for the event here.
Academic Community Updates
Laurentian University President is wrong: There’s no respect for stakeholders in CCAA process
From OCUFA: “Laurentian University President Robert Haché’s recent claim that the Companies Creditors’ Arrangement Act (CCAA) process provides a constructive format to engage with stakeholders is not reflected in reality. Instead, the costly CCAA process reduces students, faculty, and staff to the status of creditors, from which the university seeks to protect itself. The CCAA is designed for private-sector businesses not public institutions and both the Laurentian administration and provincial government are hoping that, by exploiting the CCAA process, they can restructure the university by cutting programs, jobs, and research projects.”
Click here to keep reading.
Labour Community Updates
Solidarity with faculty, students and staff at Laurentian University
From the OFL: “Ontario’s labour movement is united in solidarity with faculty, staff and students at Laurentian University. On February 1, Laurentian University sought creditor protection under the Companies Creditors Arrangement Act (“CCAA”) due to financial challenges. This concerning move comes after years of eroding public funding for colleges and universities in Ontario paired with poorly considered and reckless administrative decisions made by the University.”
Click here to keep reading.
