Volume 29, No. 2 Editor: Bob Rupert September 1998. SHOULD CUASA RE-AFFILIATE WITH OCUFA? Why did CUASA leave OCUFA? CUASA voted to leave the Ontario Confederation of University Faculty Associations (OCUFA) through a membership referendum four years ago. We took this step because we considered that OCUFA was neglecting its primary mandate--to lobby the provincial government at Queen's Park. Several other faculty associations were discontented with OCUFA's performance at that time and both the Queen's and Western faculty associations put OCUFA on notice that they, too, would consider pulling out if OCUFA's performance in lobbying did not improve. How do we know what has happened in OCUFA since we left? Since leaving the confederation, CUASA has regularly sent observers--including Mark Langer, Steve Wilson, Alistair Tilson, and Mike Fox--to OCUFA Board meetings, held three times a year. Is there a case for rejoining OCUFA? Yes, we think so. There have been fundamental changes over the past few years in OCUFA's operation. The main focus is, once again, on lobbying centrally at Queen's Park, an activity that must be done in an era of scarce resources, but something that we in CUASA are unable to undertake effectively. OCUFA has a new executive director and an energetic president, both of whom have committed publicly to the primary mandate of lobbying. Furthermore, OCUFA staff now routinely pass on large amounts of valuable information, and they have responded in a very timely and comprehensive way to our requests for help, even while we have not been members. Carleton's withdrawal from OCUFA was a very effective wake up call for the organization. Steering believes that our interests now dictate that we rejoin this reformed organization. Both Queen's and Western voted to remain as members of OCUFA, recognizing the same changes in the confederation that we have observed. Carleton needs to have its voice effectively heard at Queen's Park. Every other university in Ontario belongs and pays their way; we should do so, too. What are the financial implications for CUASA? Reaffiliation will not require a mill rate increase because dues to OCUFA can be accommodated within CUASA's current income. Our constitution requires that we hold a membership referendum to re-affiliate with OCUFA. Your Steering Committee and Council voted unanimously to hold a referendum. The Council approved question on the re-affiliation ballot will be: As a member of CUASA I hereby cast my ballot in favour of re-affiliation with OCUFA, effective January 1, 1999. A General Meeting to discuss re-affiliation has been scheduled for TUESDAY, OCTOBER 6, 1998 AT 12:30 P.M. IN ROOM 3380 MACKENZIE ENGINEERING BUILDING. Deborah Flynn, President of OCUFA, and the Acting Executive Director, Henry Mandelbaum, will be attending to make a short presentation and answer questions. The referendum date will be THURSDAY, OCTOBER 15, 1998 10 a.m.-4 p.m. 409DT OCUFA's statement regarding their services is on the reverse side of this newsletter. * * * A Statement from OCUFA: OCUFA CHANGES TO BETTER MEET FACULTY NEEDS Henry Mandelbaum, Acting Executive Director/OCUFA OCUFA has gone through a number of changes in the recent past to make it more responsive and relevant to our members. These changes have come in a number of areas including: Lobbying Lobbying is OCUFA's primary activity. This takes place in a number of arenas. This year we have met with Dave Johnson, Minister of Education and Training, to discuss topics such as increasing operating grants, research funding, tuition fees and accessibility. Howard Hampton will be speaking at the October OCUFA Board; Dalton McGuinty at the December Board, and; Mike Harris has been invited to the March Board. OCUFA's lobbying of government ministers goes beyond meeting with the Minister of MET. Earlier this year we met with Jim Wilson, Minister of Energy, Science and Technology as his ministry administers the Research and Development Challenge Fund In addition to this, OCUFA meets regularly with the Parliamentary Assistant, Education and Training as well as the opposition critics for postsecondary education. The OCUFA President and staff are in regular contact with MET staff as well as the research staff in the opposition offices. We are part of a number of coalitions who are working to protect the best features of our education system and public services. We closely liaise with others in the education community, including COU and the provincial student associations, CFS-O and OUSA. Under the leadership of the OCUFA Executive, OCUFA is placing an increased emphasis on local lobbying. OCUFA provides information and other support to assist the local associations in their lobbying activity. Communications There have been significant changes in the way that OCUFA communicates with both the broader public and with our own members. In effect, our external outreach has broadened, resulting in increased visibility for OCUFA and our internal outreach has undergone a revision, particularly from a publications standpoint. OCUFA continues to work to be a credible source sought out by media seeking faculty opinion. In addition, OCUFA initiates regular contact with the media and editorial boards. OCUFA has also changed the way in which it communicates with our members. The OCUFA Forum has changed its format and content so that it can be more relevant to faculty. We have introduced the OCUFA Report, which comes out in an electronic and hard copy version approximately once a month so that we can keep our members informed. The OCUFA web site is constantly used by government, media and our members to keep themselves current on OCUFA positions and activities. The OCUFA discussion list provides information of interest to our Members informed on a daily basis. Responsiveness to Member Needs The OCUFA President and staff are reaching out to our member associations to get a better understanding of their needs. One example of this is the President visiting local associations to meet with the Executive and general membership. Through this, there is an exchange of information which allows the President to obtain a better understanding of the local association as well as providing the faculty association with a better insight as to OCUFA and its activities. Financial Responsibility Recognizing that financial difficulties faced be many of our member associations, OCUFA has reduced its mil rate over the last two years from 1.42 to 1.3. Now more than ever faculty, students, staff and others in the university community have to work together if we wish to preserve the integrity and best features of our public university system.