Weekly Update – October 1, 2021
October 1, 2021
Weekly Update – October 1, 2021
COVID-19 Campus Update
On Wednesday September 28, CUASA met with the Employer and discussed the number of COVID cases on the Carleton University campus. The current Carleton website shows active cases and updates daily at 2pm. However, it does not show historic data on cumulative active and recovered cases. So far, we have been informed that there have been at least 4 cases since the beginning of classes.
We asked the Employer for this data, but they refused to provide it. CUASA is adamant that the historic data, showing both active and recovered cases is important for the community to know. All public health authorities provide this data, as do several other universities. Everyone should have access to the historic case trends, so we can monitor the effectiveness of campus protocol management and for Occupational Health and Safety reasons. Ontario Chief Medical Officer Dr. Kieran Moore has been consistently indicating that the trends of numbers are important to public safety.
CUASA is also concerned about the lack of wall sanitizer units in buildings, unsafe ventilation in washrooms, lack of sufficient water fountains in certain buildings, concern over attendance taking during class, monitoring students’ coming and going, and generalized cu-screen concerns. CUASA was told that the Winter term 2022 would be like the Fall, a hybrid mix with the same classroom allocations as the present capped at 60 for in person/online.
National Day for Truth and Reconciliation
Yesterday was Orange Shirt Day, which recognizes and raises awareness of the history and legacies of residential schools in Canada. The federal government designated September 30 a National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, in response to the Truth and Reconciliation Calls to Action. We encourage members to read the TRC Reports and consider the state of truth and reconciliation and decolonization at universities and in our work.
CAUT Forum – Building Solidarity and Alliances: Indigenizing the Academy
CAUT will host this virtual interactive forum on Friday, October 15, 2021, from 11:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. (Eastern Time). The forum is an opportunity for all members of the academic community — Indigenous and non-Indigenous — to come together in the spirit of reconciliation and explore concrete approaches to advancing and strengthening Indigenization of the academy. Dr. Lorna Wanosts’a7 Williams will open this event as keynote speaker, followed by a panel discussion on collective bargaining wins, Indigenous self-identification, and recruitment and retention of Indigenous academic staff. Event details, the registration link, and agenda can be found on the CAUT website. Simultaneous interpretation will be provided.
CUASA Business
Vacant Steering Positions
We are still seeking volunteers for the following Steering positions (click on the title below to see the position description):
* The Steering committee has allocated a 0.5 course release for the Vice President position.
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 and would like some information, or wish to nominate yourself or a colleague, please contact Marylynn Steckley, at [email protected].
Call for a Volunteer
We are seeking a CUASA volunteer to be a Trustee for the CAUT Defence Fund. If you are interested, please contact Marylynn Steckley at [email protected].
