On Wednesday, March 25th, the members of the Nipissing University Faculty Association (NUFA) voted overwhelmingly in favour of a strike mandate. Over 90 per cent of NUFA members cast their ballot, and 97 per cent voted to authorize NUFA to strike should one become necessary. NUFA held its strike vote less than a week after […]
Posts from March 2015
In anticipation of a government-led review of Ontario’s university funding formula, OCUFA Report is hosting a special series of articles examining the issues around the funding formula. This is part five of six. You can also read parts one , two , three and four on OCUFA’s website. Now that we have a handle on the origins of the funding formula and how it actually works , it is clear […]
A coalition of university students, faculty, and staff are calling for a funding formula that ensures high quality and accessible learning while fostering good jobs in the university sector. At the same time, the formula must guarantee that our higher education institutions remain strongly public. The Ontario University and College Coalition (OUCC) released these principles […]
OCUFA has been working with the Ministry of Finance to ensure that the regulatory framework that will guide asset and liability transfers between single employer pension plans (SEPPs) and jointly sponsored pension plans (JSPPs) in Ontario’s broader public sector meets the needs of faculty associations across the province. On February 27, 2015, we submitted a written response to the government’s […]
On March 9 & 10, 2015, Wilfrid Laurier announced a series of layoffs to faculty and staff. Since the announcement, the Wilfrid Laurier University Faculty Association (WLUFA) has been working to clarify how many positions have been lost or affected. Based on the administration’s “loose forecast,” 30.5 fulltime faculty positions will be lost, alongside 27 affected staff positions. The faculty […]
On March 12, the government announced that it will be launching consultations to inform a review of the funding formula for universities , starting this spring. The process will be open, formal and transparent and will include students, administration, and faculty. The government has also indicated that employers, colleges, professional associations and the elementary and secondary education sector will be included […]
TORONTO – Professors and academic librarians from across the province will be at Queen’s Park today, talking with MPPs about important issues facing Ontario’s universities. The meetings are part of the Ontario Confederation of University Faculty Association’s annual Advocacy Day. “The work of professors and academic librarians is at the heart of higher education in […]
TORONTO – Professors and academic librarians from across the province will be at Queen’s Park today, talking with MPPs about important issues facing Ontario’s universities. The meetings are part of the Ontario Confederation of University Faculty Association’s annual Advocacy Day. “The work of professors and academic librarians is at the heart of higher education in […]
OCUFA is pleased to announce a workshop on the ongoing implementation of the Ontario Occupational Health and Safety Act on Ontario campuses. The workshop is intended to initiate broader dialogue between all association representatives charged with protecting members’ rights to a healthy and safe workplace. Nearly five years have elapsed since the provisions for workplace […]
On March 6, 2015, representatives of OCUFA were pleased to attend the launch of the Government of Ontario’s It’s Never OK: An Action Plan to Stop Sexual Violence and Harassment . The plan is a wide-ranging and comprehensive document, and demonstrates Premier Kathleen Wynne’s commitment to fighting sexual violence and harassment in Ontario. The plan makes the reduction of sexual violence on university and college campuses a […]
As part of ongoing layoffs, the administration of Nipissing University recently announced that 22 limited-term appointments would not be renewed. This means the loss of 22 faculty members and many more courses, and does significant damage to many academic programs. On March 3, 2015, the Nipissing University Faculty Association (NUFA) and Nipissing University Students Union […]
On February 7th and 8th, 2015, OCUFA held the 145th meeting of its Board of Directors. At the previous meeting in October, OCUFA approved its priorities for the year: contract faculty and faculty complement; online learning; and university pension plans. The February meeting was all about ensuring that these priorities continue to move forward. On […]
Last week, OCUFA launched the We Teach Ontario campaign to highlight the important contributions made by contract faculty to Ontario’s universities, often in the face of difficult working conditions. The campaign is based around www.WeTeachOntario.ca , and is also running on Facebook and Twitter . After an exciting launch week, we need you help to make the campaign a continued success. […]
The Ontario Confederation of University Faculty Associations (OCUFA), on behalf of its 17,000 members at 28 faculty associations across Ontario, supports the members of CUPE 3902 and 3903 currently on strike at the University of Toronto and York University. We join them in their call for better pay and improved working conditions. We also urge […]
In anticipation of a government-led review of Ontario’s university funding formula, OCUFA Report is hosting a special series of articles examining the issues around the current funding formula. This is part four of six. You can also read parts one , two and three on OCUFA’s website. For most people, even those who work in the university sector, […]