As students return to campuses and classes get underway, OCUFA will be working on a variety of initiatives important to professors and academic librarians. Here’s what to look out for in 2016-17:
- The Government of Ontario’s reform of the university funding model. For the past year and a half, the government has been examining ways to modernize the university funding formula. We expect final recommendations from this process to go forward this Fall. OCUFA is actively engaged in the consultation around this process, arguing for a student-centred funding model supported by a robust provincial higher education data system. For more information on the process, you can start with OCUFA’s Funding Formula Handbook and for a summary of the latest phase of the project.
- Improving the working conditions of contract faculty. OCUFA will be continuing its work on precarious academic work throughout the 2016-17 year. Led by our Contract Faculty and Faculty Complement Committee, the focus is on increasing public awareness on the issue and organizing sessionals on our member campuses. Look for on-campus events during Fair Employment Week, and in the meantime, take a few moments to show support by signing OCUFA’s Fairness for Contract Faculty pledge.
- University pension plans. OCUFA is continuing to develop pension solutions for all of its members. One of these initiatives is the creation of a voluntary, multi-employer jointly sponsored pension plan (JSPP) for interested faculty associations. There will be lots of news from this project over the coming months, but you can learn more right now at ca.
Other government initiatives to look out for are the implementation of the new OSAP regime (where tuition fees will be effectively free for low-income students), the announcement of a new tuition fee framework, and possibly the announcement of a new internationalization strategy for colleges and universities in Ontario.
As always, you can get the latest news and analysis on the OCUFA website, in OCUFA Report, and on our Twitter and Facebook feeds.