The Communiqué – September 24, 2019
September 24, 2019
In this issue:
Delivery Option for Student Evaluations
The Office of Institutional Research and Planning (OIRP) has sent out an email to faculty to select their preferred mode of delivery for Student Evaluations. Your Collective Agreement protects your right to choose which mode you prefer.
The University defaults to online delivery of Student Evaluations, unless you choose to request to have them administered on paper. You must indicate your desire for paper evaluations via the web form linked in the email you received from OIRP by Sunday, September 29th.
CUASA strongly recommends that all members choose paper evaluation forms. Scores are consistently lower when electronic surveys are used, and opting for paper reduces gender and racial biases in the surveys. Response rates tend to be higher and written comments more constructive and extensive on paper evaluations than online.
While these questionnaires are useful for some in appraising students’ experience of the course, the fact remains that these surveys are not adequate in addressing teaching effectiveness. However, they retain importance, especially for CDI assessments, and tenure and promotion dossiers.
Climate Strike This Friday
As part of the Global Climate Strike, the Ottawa/Gatineau march Act for the Climate, March for the Planet will be taking place this Friday, September 27.
In case you missed it, the following notice has been sent by Jerry Tomberlin, Provost and Vice-President (Academic):
The global week of climate action will culminate in Ottawa with a rally and march to Parliament Hill on Friday, September 27 from 11:30 am to 2:00 pm. We have been asked to support Carleton students who would like to take part in solidarity with millions around the world at the same time. On behalf of the senior administration, I encourage all course instructors to provide reasonable accommodation and access to materials covered that day to students participating in the rally and march. As in all cases of accommodation, students remain responsible for all academic obligations.
We ask all CUASA members to please accommodate your students when possible to allow them to take part. We also encourage you to attend yourself, if possible. We have CUASA flags available for anyone who wants to carry one (contact [email protected] to get a flag).
Help Western University Librarians and Archivists Avoid a Strike
Western’s librarians and archivists bargaining unit requested a No Board on Friday, September 13, and anticipates being in a legal strike position by the week of October 7.
UWOFA key bargaining demands include:
- Fair Workload so our librarians and archivists can maintain high quality service to the university community.
- Professional autonomy and collegial governance so that our librarians and archivists can have a meaningful voice in how the Western libraries system is run.
- Fair compensation and benefits in line with those negotiated with other employee groups on campus.
Please click here to join on online letter campaign to put pressure on the employer.
OCUFA Statement on Conservative Flyers on Campuses
OCUFA has issued a statement expressing concern about Conservative Party flyers that have shown up on Canadian university campuses that insult the work of faculty. The posters read, “Because you can only hear the same left wing talking points from your professors so many times”. Conservative Party leader Andrew Scheer says the posters are just meant to be funny. However, OCUFA says the posters are merely trying to score cheap political points and that Scheer should instead focus on addressing the most pressing challenges to postsecondary education. You can read OCUFA’s full statement here.
Psychology Mental Health Day
Psychology Mental Health Day is coming up on Thursday, October 10th, 2019, in the Richcraft Hall Conference Rooms. The one-day conference will feature the latest research on mental health and well-being. Some of the topics include: addiction, autism, mental health and the workplace, and using the natural environment to promote well-being. The keynote address will be on the treatment for anxiety. The event is free and all are welcome to attend. For more information, or to register, click here.
Reminder: President’s Survey
If you haven’t already, please take a moment to review our brief President’s Survey, which asks for your thoughts on what is or isn’t working for you as a member of this Association. Which questions you answer are entirely at your discretion, and we welcome any and all responses. You can access the survey here.
Vacant Steering Positions
The following Steering positions are currently vacant (click the title to see position descriptions):
- Instructor Representative (two-year term, 2019-2021)
- Treasurer (two-year term, 2019-2021)
- External Relations Officer (two-year term, 2019-2021)
- Communications Officer (two-year term, 2019-2021)
- Chair, Equity (two-year term, 2019-2021)
- Chair, Nominations and Elections (two-year term, 2019-2021; note that there is a 0.5 credit teaching release added for this term)
If you are interested in any of these positions, please contact the CUASA Office for a nomination form, either by dropping by 2003 Dunton Tower, or by emailing [email protected].
Our Association is only as strong as its membership, so we count on the time and commitment of our members to achieve our goals. The Collective Agreement recognizes CUASA work as Service in members’ annual reviews. CUASA may purchase teaching releases under Article 18.8(c), subject to budget availability, and application to/approval by the Steering committee.
Call for Committee Volunteers
Two of CUASA’s primary committees are seeking volunteers: the Collective Bargaining Committee, and the Grievance Policy and Administration Committee. For more information on these two committees, please see Bylaw 7 here.
We are also seeking one volunteer for each of the following: the Salary Adjustment Commission, the Joint Committee on Employment Equity, Diversity and Inclusion, and the Joint Health and Safety Committee.
If you are interested in volunteering for any of these vacancies, please email [email protected].
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CUASA Communiqué, September 24, 2019 The Communiqué is published by the Carleton University Academic Staff Association (CUASA), 2003 Dunton Tower, 1125 Colonel By Drive, Ottawa, Canada, K1S 5B6. Past issues are archived on the CUASA Web site at CUASA.ca. The Communiqué publishes CUASA-related news and information for our Members and provides Members with a forum to express their CUASA-related ideas and opinions. We want to hear from you! Please send your CUASA-related story ideas, news items, opinion pieces, letters, photographs, and other submissions to the CUASA Office at [email protected]. You can find CUASA’s Accessible Customer Service Policy here. |
