A new report by the Council of Ontario Universities (COU) finds that Ontario’s higher education institutions make a huge contribution to communities across the province. In particular, the report finds that, “an average Ontario faculty member devotes about 20 per cent of their work hours to services, such as informing policy and using their skills and knowledge to […]
Posts from February 2015
Today, OCUFA launched the “ We Teach Ontario ” to highlight the outstanding work of contract faculty, and the challenges created by their precarious working conditions. Using contract faculty profiles and shareable graphics, the campaign aims to raise public awareness of this critical issue facing higher education in Ontario and around the world. Despite teaching more than half […]
TORONTO — The quality of Ontario’s postsecondary education system is threatened by the poor working conditions of contract faculty. The Ontario Confederation of University Faculty Associations (OCUFA) launched a campaign today to the difficult circumstances faced by contract faculty, who nevertheless are talented teachers and researchers. The launch coincides with National Adjunct Walkout Day in the United States, where contract faculty will leave […]
Ontario’s Ministry of Labour has announced consultations on how the Labour Relations Act, 1995 and Employment Standards Act could be amended to “best protect workers while supporting businesses in our changing economy.” One of the key trends to be examined is “the increase in non-standard working relationships such as temporary jobs, part-time work, and self-employment.” As the […]
Time is running out to register for the first annual Worldviews Lecture on Media and Higher Education. The lecture, a spinoff of the popular Worldviews conference, will feature Simon Marginson, Professor of International Education at the Institute of Education, University of London. Prof. Marginson will deliver a lecture titled, “Universities, the plutocracy and the 99%: Is […]
For the first time ever, tuition fee revenue has exceeded public operating funding for Ontario’s universities. Tuition fees now account for almost 51 per cent of the university operating budgets across the province. “Our universities are meant to be public – that is, supported by public dollars,” said Kate Lawson, President of OCUFA. “The fact […]
For the first time ever, tuition fee revenue has exceeded public operating funding for Ontario’s universities. Tuition fees now account for almost 51 per cent of the university operating budgets across the province. “Our universities are meant to be public – that is, supported by public dollars,” said Kate Lawson, President of OCUFA. “The fact […]
Last week, OCUFA participated in consultations with the Associate Minister of Finance and submitted a formal written brief regarding the provincial government’s proposed Ontario Retirement Pension Plan (ORPP). Our presentation and submission focused on the needs and concerns of the growing ranks of contract faculty at Ontario’s universities and the potential for them to benefit immensely from the establishment […]
Faculty at the University of St. Michael’s college reached a tentative agreement with the employer on Feb. 6, 2015. Ratification by faculty and the Collegium (akin to a Board of Governors) are expected in the next few weeks. The faculty at St. Michael’s – represented by the University of Toronto Faculty Association (UTFA) – was […]
When a policy is proposed, the burden of proof lies with the people making the proposal. They need to explain why the new policy is better, and they need to provide evidence to support their claim. This is how sensible policy gets made. The Government of Ontario is interested in performance funding for universities. That […]
The following is a message from the Nipissing University Faculty Association, regarding the cuts to faculty appointments announced this week On Wednesday, February 4, the Nipissing University Faculty Association (NUFA) learned that the Employer, Nipissing University, will not be renewing 22 faculty appointments for the 2015-2016 academic year. We are profoundly saddened and dismayed by […]
The Government of Ontario is undertaking public consultations about the design of the proposed Ontario Retirement Pension Plan. OCUFA will be submitting a brief and participating in the consultations, and we also encourage faculty associations to participate. Upcoming locations for in-person consultations include Markham, Brampton, Thunder Bay, Ottawa, Etobicoke, Windsor, Woodstock and Stratford. These meetings […]
The provincial government has signaled that it intends to review the formula according to which funding is allocated to universities. Over the coming weeks, OCUFA report will run a series of think pieces related to the funding formula – what it looks like currently and what it might look like in the future. First in […]
Today, OCUFA announced the winners of the 2014 Status of Women Award of Distinction and the Lorimer Award. The awards will be handed out in a special ceremony in Toronto on February 7, 2015. The Status of Women Award of Distinction recognizes women who have improved the lives and working conditions of academic women and, […]
TORONTO – The Ontario Confederation of University Faculty Associations (OCUFA) is pleased to announce the 2015 winners of the prestigious Lorimer Award. This honour recognizes individuals who have worked to protect and promote the interests of Ontario’s academic staff through collective bargaining. This year’s winners are: Sheila McKee-Protopapas, Executive Director, Wilfrid Laurier University Faculty Association […]