Posts from March 2014

In Ontario, about half of salaries for sponsored research at universities is paid to “other instruction and research” staff. Little is known about them, but  a survey of research professionals  at Québec universities and affiliated research centres provides some insight. The survey was developed by several interested unions in the province. Of the one thousand-plus respondents, 43 per cent were […]

OCUFA, alongside our members, continues to explore new pension options for the university sector.  In early February, we invited our member associations to indicate a desire to work with us and other like-minded faculty associations on this project through a newly established group, and to provide the name of an individual committed to providing faculty […]

New data shows that average class sizes are on the rise at Ontario’s universities, threatening the quality of education received by students. Ontario needs to start hiring more full-time professors to address this problem. Data on average class size in Ontario universities are hard to find. Ever since the Interim Accountability Agreements between universities and […]

New Statistics Canada research demonstrates that university graduates earn considerably more than their peers without a degree. The new report, An investment of a lifetime? The long-term labour market premiums associated with a postsecondary education , shows that university grads make up to 75 per cent more than those with high school only. The report tracks Census data from 1991 to 2010. Over the 20 year period, male university grads make on average $732,000 more […]

On Thursday, March 8, 2014, the Premier Kathleen Wynne unveiled a sweeping “Accountability Act” that, among other reforms, will allow the provincial Ombudsperson – currently Andre Marin – to investigate universities. The proposed act also extends Ombudsperson oversight to municipalities and school boards. Other reforms include changes to the lobbyist registry and a new requirement for MPPs and civil servants to […]

A new report by the Council of Ontario Universities (COU) demonstrates that Ontario’s university graduates enjoy higher earning, have better employment rates, and find employment in their fields . The findings, based on data from Statistics Canada and the Ministry of Training, Colleges, and Universities, was published on February 25, 2014. The report counters recent media criticisms that a university education does not prepare students for the needs of the workforce. It […]

On February 27th and 28th, OCUFA played host to students, faculty, administrators, and policymakers at the “ Future U: Creating the universities we want ” conference. Over 120 people came together to share ideas on how to build democratic, high quality, and sustainable institutions that reflect the needs of students, faculty, and citizens. Through a series of panel sessions and keynotes, attendees were […]