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UOITFA social media day of action brings focus to bargaining priorities

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The University of Ontario Institute of Technology Faculty Association (UOITFA), which represents full-time faculty at Ontario Tech University, recently completed a successful Social Media Day of Action in support of bargaining to urge the Ontario Tech administration to take action on workload, mental health, pay equity, and pension issues identified as priorities by faculty working at the university.

The success of the day was a direct result of the incredible support from UOITFA members and the broader postsecondary community. The campaign was centred around a Social Media Day of Action and a dynamic membership meeting that featured discussions of bargaining progress and strategies for reaching a fair settlement with the university.

The COVID-19 pandemic has exposed and intensified many challenges faculty and students have been facing at Ontario Tech. This round of bargaining, which began in May 2021, is designed to address these challenges by proposing changes that will improve working conditions for faculty and learning conditions for students.

Stay tuned for bargaining updates and ways to support by following the association on twitter @UOITFA.

This weekend: Join “Labour Confronts the Climate Crisis”

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On October 15 and 16, join workers from across the province for a virtual conference about how labour is confronting the climate crisis. Discussion will focus on what’s at stake, what the science says, and where pensions fit in.

WHEN: Friday, October 15 @ 7PM EST and Saturday, October 16 @ 10AM EST
WHERE: Sign up here for free

Guest speakers include:

Friday, October 15 @ 7PM EST

  • Eriel Tchekwie Deranger, Executive Director, Indigenous Climate Action
  • Noam Chomsky, Laureate Professor, Linguist, Political Theorist, Activist

Saturday, October 16 @ 10AM EST

  • Simon Donner, Professor, Climate Scientist, University of British Columbia
  • Seth Klein, Team Lead & Strategy Director, the Climate Emergency Unit, and Author of “A Good War”
  • Jim Stanford, Economist & Director, Centre for Future Work
  • Adrienne Buller, Common Wealth
  • And many other great speakers…

Toronto Star publishes article by OCUFA President about the threat federal insolvency legislation poses to public universities

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Earlier this week, The Toronto Star published a contribution from OCUFA President Sue Wurtele that highlights the need for the next federal government to pass changes to federal insolvency and bankruptcy legislation to exempt public institutions, including universities. Read “Laurentian University’s collapse shows federal government must protect public institutions from private-sector restructuring.”

Faculty associations ask federal candidates to protect public institutions from private-sector restructuring

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Ontario faculty associations are sending letters to federal candidates running in their regions and asking those seeking a seat in Parliament to exempt public institutions from private-sector restructuring under the federal Companies’ Creditors Arrangement Act (CCAA) and the Bankruptcy and Insolvency Act (BIA). It was under the CCAA that, earlier this year, Laurentian University acted to cut more than 60 programs and hundreds of jobs, throwing away decades of important research and longstanding commitments to Francophone and Indigenous programming.

“If other public institutions are allowed to invoke the CCAA or BIA, the results will be devastating,” said OCUFA President Sue Wurtele. “This federal election is an opportunity to pressure candidates from all parties to commit to updating the CCAA and BIA to exempt public institutions and protect Canada’s vital public services.”

The letters are part of a broader OCUFA campaign to raise awareness about the dangers the CCAA and BIA pose to public institutions across Canada, including universities.

In a major success, as a result of public pressure, both the federal Liberal and New Democratic Parties have included commitments in their platforms to reforming and exempting universities from the CCAA.

“This is a warning to anyone who values Canada’s public institutions,” said Wurtele in a recent Op-Ed for the Toronto Star. “If changes are not made to federal insolvency and bankruptcy legislation, this story of destruction will repeat itself elsewhere.”

OCUFA is committed to pressuring the next Parliament to make sure that, no matter who is elected, changes are made to the CCAA and BIA.

The text of the letter follows:

Dear [LOCAL CANDIDATE NAME],

I am calling on you as the 2021 federal election candidate for the [POLITICAL PARTY NAME] in the riding of [RIDING NAME] to commit to amending the federal Bankruptcy and Insolvency Act (BIA) and the Companies’ Creditors Arrangement Act (CCAA) to exempt public institutions that receive transfer payments and government operating grants and to commit to adequately funding public institutions across Canada.

Public and publicly assisted institutions differ from private sector corporations in various ways, including their requirements for compliance with policy and operating procedures related to governance, accountability, finance, and administration. Public institutions should not be subject to the same rules and regulations governing financial insolvency and bankruptcy for corporations in the private sector.

Last February, Laurentian University, a public institution in Ontario, filed for insolvency protections under the CCAA—a federally legislated process designed for corporations, not publicly funded institutions. Laurentian is the first public university in the country to file for bankruptcy protection. This resulted in the devastating loss of hundreds of jobs and academic programs at a publicly funded, bilingual, and tricultural institution with a mandate to serve the broader northern community in Ontario. These proceedings also have alarming implications for the postsecondary sector and public institutions across the country.

This federal election is an opportunity to commit to our cherished public institutions that have been created for the common good, including universities, and to ensure that they are protected from proceedings designed for private sector corporations under the BIA and CCAA acts.

It is the responsibility of federal and provincial governments to ensure the health and sustainability of public institutions through appropriate instruments and regulations for the public sector.

I urge you and the [POLITICAL PARTY NAME] to commit to adequately funding public institutions across the country, including universities, and to amending the BIA and CCAA acts to exempt public institutions.

I await your response to my letter.

Sincerely,

    • Algoma University Faculty Association
    • Brescia Faculty Association
    • Brock University Faculty Association
    • Carleton University Academic Staff Association
    • University of Guelph Faculty Association
    • Huron University College Faculty Association
    • King’s University College Faculty Association
    • Lakehead University Faculty Association
    • Laurentian University Faculty Association
    • McMaster University Faculty Association
    • Nipissing University Faculty Association
    • Northern Ontario School of Medicine Faculty and Staff Association
    • Ontario College of Art and Design Faculty Association
    • Association of Professors of the University of Ottawa
    • Queen’s University Faculty Association
    • Renison Association of Academic Staff
    • Ryerson Faculty Association
    • Professors’ Association of Saint Paul University
    • Jerome’s University Academic Staff Association
    • University of Toronto Faculty Association
    • Trent University Faculty Association
    • Faculty Association of the University of Waterloo
    • University of Western Ontario Faculty Association
    • Windsor University Faculty Association
    • Wilfrid Laurier University Faculty Association

 The list of signatories will be updated as more letters are sent.

OCUFA pleased that Federal NDP’s Northern Platform commits to reforming CCAA

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TORONTO, September 9, 2021 — OCUFA welcomes the Federal New Democratic Party’s commitment to reform the Companies’ Creditors Arrangement Act (CCAA) so that public postsecondary education institutions are not subject to restructuring under federal legislation. The commitment, on page 13 of the Federal NDP’s A Better Future for Northern Ontario, states that, if elected, the NDP would, “Reform the Companies’ Creditors Arrangement Act (CCAA) to make sure it can’t be used this way ever again.”

“We are pleased to see the NDP make this commitment and will continue to put pressure on federal candidates from all parties to commit to exempting public institutions, like Laurentian University, from existing corporate restructuring legislation,” said Sue Wurtele, President of OCUFA.

Following Laurentian University’s application for protection under the Companies’ Creditors Arrangement Act (CCAA), OCUFA and its member associations have repeatedly raised concerns about public institutions abusing the CCAA and other legislation designed for private-sector corporations. Laurentian was the first public university in Canada to exploit this legislation and OCUFA wants to make sure it is also the last.

OCUFA is pushing all federal political parties to make similar commitments and will hold Ontario MPs elected to the next parliament accountable for ensuring that the CCAA and Bankruptcy Insolvency Act are updated to exempt all public institutions that receive transfer payments and government operating grants. Both the NDP and Liberals have now made similar commitments.

As part of this effort, OCUFA launched a campaign to put pressure on federal candidates to commit to making these changes: https://ocufa.on.ca/ask-your-federal-candidates-to-exempt-public-institutions-from-the-ccaa/

Founded in 1964, OCUFA represents 17,000 professors and academic librarians in 30 faculty associations across Ontario. It is committed to enhancing the quality of higher education in Ontario and recognizing the outstanding contributions of its members towards creating a world-class university system. For more information, please visit the OCUFA website at www.ocufa.on.ca.

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For more information or to arrange an interview, contact:
Ben Lewis, OCUFA Communications Lead at 416-306-6033 or communications@ocufa.on.ca

OCUFA welcomes Federal Liberal Party’s commitment to exempt public postsecondary institutions from corporate restructuring

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TORONTO, September 2, 2021 — OCUFA is pleased to see the Federal Liberal Party’s commitment to exempting public postsecondary education institutions from being subject to restructuring under federal legislation. The commitment, on page 31 of the Liberal platform, states that, if elected, the Liberals would, “Protect public post-secondary educational institutions, such as Laurentian University, from being subject to corporate restructuring.”

“We welcome this commitment, but won’t rest until public institutions, like Laurentian University, are exempted from existing corporate restructuring legislation,” said Sue Wurtele, President of OCUFA.

Following Laurentian University’s application for protection under the Companies’ Creditors Arrangement Act (CCAA), OCUFA and its member associations have repeatedly raised concerns about public institutions abusing the CCAA and other legislation designed for private-sector corporations. Laurentian was the first public university in Canada to exploit this legislation and OCUFA wants to make sure it is also the last.

OCUFA will continue to push all federal political parties to make similar commitments and will hold the next parliament accountable for ensuring that the CCAA and Bankruptcy Insolvency Act are updated to exempt all public institutions that receive transfer payments and government operating grants.

As part of this effort, OCUFA recently launched a campaign to put pressure on federal candidates to commit to making these changes: https://ocufa.on.ca/ask-your-federal-candidates-to-exempt-public-institutions-from-the-ccaa/

Founded in 1964, OCUFA represents 17,000 professors and academic librarians in 30 faculty associations across Ontario. It is committed to enhancing the quality of higher education in Ontario and recognizing the outstanding contributions of its members towards creating a world-class university system. For more information, please visit the OCUFA website at www.ocufa.on.ca.

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For more information or to arrange an interview, contact:
Ben Lewis, OCUFA Communications Lead at 416-306-6033 or communications@ocufa.on.ca

Ask your federal candidates to exempt public institutions from the CCAA and BIA

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When Laurentian University filed for protection under the Companies’ Creditors Arrangement Act (CCAA), it became the first public university in Canada to do so. Let’s make sure it is also the last.

Send a letter to your federal candidates today and ask them to commit to updating the CCAA and Bankruptcy Insolvency Act to exempt public institutions and protect Canada’s vital public services.

OCUFA alarmed by last-minute fall guidelines for postsecondary education that ignore science, compromise health and safety

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TORONTO, September 1, 2021 — OCUFA’s faculty, academic librarians, and other academic professionals are looking forward to the start of the new academic year, but health and safety must remain the number one priority as COVID-19 cases rise and Ontario enters the fourth wave. With less than a week before the fall term begins, the inadequate guidelines introduced at the last minute by the Ontario government are deeply concerning, as they will increase the exposure risks to faculty, staff, and students.

The government’s Postsecondary Education Health Measures Framework for Fall 2021 will exempt most postsecondary education institutions, including Ontario universities, from capacity limits and distancing measures that have been implemented across the province at the recommendation of public and occupational health authorities. Despite new mandatory vaccination policies, these exemptions run counter to the scientific consensus and will unnecessarily increase risk for students, faculty, and staff.

As cases of the Delta variant continue to rise, mandating vaccination policies is only one of many safeguards needed to ensure a safer return to campus. Limits on class sizes, physical distancing measures, and improved ventilation and air-quality monitoring are among numerous other safeguards that must be in place to protect members of the campus community. Ensuring these measures are implemented requires firm provincial leadership and investment in the case of infrastructure improvements. The government’s exemptions for  capacity limits and distancing rules and the fact that it could not even pull together health guidelines until a few days before fall classes are set to begin, is of significant concern to academic staff at Ontario’s universities.

Instead of allowing universities to recklessly increase class capacity limits, the provincial government should compel university administrations to engage with and take guidance from Joint Health and Safety Committees on campus, many of which have been bypassed since the pandemic started. The comprehensive Health and Safety Checklist for University Re-opening developed by public health experts at the Dalla Lana School of Public Health at the University of Toronto should be consulted for guidance on specific, measurable, and accountable actions to inform provincial guidelines for university administrations and to make campuses safer in the midst of the pandemic.

As much as faculty, students, and university administrators would like this pandemic to be over, it is not. As faculty, academic librarians, and students begin a second year of pandemic education, it is far past time for the province to establish clear guidelines that acknowledge the latest science on COVID-19 and its airborne nature. That is the only way to protect those who might be returning to campus and ensure a safer September.

Founded in 1964, OCUFA represents 17,000 professors and academic librarians in 30 faculty associations across Ontario. It is committed to enhancing the quality of higher education in Ontario and recognizing the outstanding contributions of its members towards creating a world-class university system. For more information, please visit the OCUFA website at www.ocufa.on.ca.

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For more information or to arrange an interview, contact:
Ben Lewis, OCUFA Communications Lead at 416-306-6033 or communications@ocufa.on.ca

Investigation of international student recruitment industry results from Fellowship in Higher Education Journalism

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We are proud to announce the first article published as a result of the OCUFA Fellowship in Higher Education Journalism. The Fellowship is designed to support those wishing to pursue in-depth investigative reporting on higher education in Canada.

With the backing of the Fellowship, respected journalist Nicholas Hune-Brown spent two years investigating the troubling world of international student recruitment. Every year, hundreds of thousands of foreign students are actively recruited to enroll at Canadian universities and colleges. “The Shadowy Business of International Education,” published in The Walrus, explores this growing industry with a particular focus on India, the source of more than a third of Canada’s international students in 2019.

The article paints a fascinating, revealing, and concerning picture of the international student recruitment industry. It’s an important read for anyone interested in international student issues, immigration, or the commercialization of Canadian postsecondary education.

Read “The Shadowy Business of International Education” in The Walrus.

OCUFA welcomes government mandating vaccine policies for postsecondary institutions

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TORONTO, August 17, 2021 — Ontario university faculty and academic librarians welcome the announcement from the provincial government that will require vaccination policies for high-risk settings, including postsecondary education institutions.

OCUFA had previously called on the government to implement a required vaccination policy for universities as part of a safe return to campus strategy, along with appropriate accommodations for those with valid reasons to be exempted from the policy.

While it is encouraging to see the Ontario government listen to the advice of health experts and require vaccine policies, it is important to note that, on its own, mandatory vaccination will not be sufficient for the safe return of students, faculty, and staff to campuses. To protect the health and safety of our campus communities, the government must provide appropriate supports to universities to ensure that, among other safeguards, ventilation systems in all campus buildings are working effectively and meet the criteria recommended by public and occupational health authorities.

“A safe return to campus requires a thoughtful and comprehensive provincial strategy that not only includes mandatory vaccination policies, but also proper infrastructure investments, necessary supports for international students, limits on class sizes, and implementation of health and safety measures—including mandatory masking and physical distancing—informed by the most up-to-date science on COVID-19,” said Sue Wurtele, President of the Ontario Confederation of University Faculty Associations.

The fall term is only weeks away, giving universities little time to draft these policies, but the details of these policies and how they are developed will be critical.

“The government must ensure that university administrators work with Joint Health and Safety Committees and consult with workers’ and students’ unions as they make important decisions on what a return to campus can look like,” said Wurtele. “These policies must be equitable, transparent, accountable, and be developed in consultation with the campus community.”

Founded in 1964, OCUFA represents 17,000 professors and academic librarians in 30 faculty associations across Ontario. It is committed to enhancing the quality of higher education in Ontario and recognizing the outstanding contributions of its members towards creating a world-class university system. For more information, please visit the OCUFA website at www.ocufa.on.ca.

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For more information or to arrange an interview, contact:
Ben Lewis, OCUFA Communications Lead at 416-306-6033 or communications@ocufa.on.ca

Summer reading from Academic Matters

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Laurentian University insolvency reflects a structural crisis in Ontario’s neoliberal university system
By David Leadbeater
“On February 1 the Laurentian University president and board got what they wanted from Ontario Chief Justice Geoffrey Morawetz: “This Court orders and declares that the Applicant [Laurentian] is insolvent and is a company to which the CCAA applies.” The CCAA—Companies’ Creditors Arrangement…”

When the Government comes for you, you better have academic freedom
By Marc Spooner, University of Regina
“Every so often, academic freedom makes the news. When this happens, it is usually because a violation so egregious took place that its immediate impact is of concern to the broader community. However, many attacks on academic freedom happen in the dark, with malicious intent…”

How the pandemic changed my approach to humanities research and scholarship: A personal reflection
By Ruth Panofsky, Ryerson University
“Now that I am sufficiently removed from the dire doomsday feelings of March 2020, when COVID-19 first took hold and I was in the grip of pandemic panic and paralysis, I feel called to reflect on recent scholarly strain. Today, as I review my…”

Campus free speech: Does it extend to what students say online?
By Dino Sossi, University of Toronto
“Professors fiercely champion free speech. Many believe that unfiltered, even offensive, expression is fundamental to post-secondary academic life. But what about their students? Should student social media posts be punishable, even if they are made off-campus? This emerging issue in the perpetual battle…”

Online learning has changed the way students work — we need to change definitions of ‘cheating’ too
By Linda Rowan, Massey University and Fiona Murray, Massey University
“As university students wait on their mid-year exam results, some will no doubt be thinking about more than just passing. Since COVID-19 pushed teaching and testing online last year, the issue of cheating has come into sharper focus. Recent reports of University of…”

Brescia Faculty Association agreement achieves important gains

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Congratulations to the Brescia Faculty Association (BFA) for ratifying a new collective agreement. The BFA made a number of notable gains in the areas of faculty hiring, workload, contract faculty security, and professional expense reimbursements.

New language will place a greater emphasis on internal hiring, making it easier for contract faculty or faculty in limited term appointments (LTAs) to get positions. Full-time faculty performance reports are no longer required to include numbers from student questionnaires on teaching and instead are asked to reflect and comment on the questionnaires. Improvements to workload include better balance for tenure track hires and recognition of service to OCUFA and the Canadian Association of University Teachers. Professional and travel expense reimbursement funds have increased and the waiting period for full-time faculty joining the pension plan has been shortened to three months from one year.

Building on gains for contract faculty from the last round of negotiations, contract faculty will now retain right of first refusal while on protected leave and earn seniority for courses for which they received contract offers prior to leave. In addition, a new multi-year teaching sessional appointment has been established, along with a grid that includes a 7 per cent premium on regular per-course compensation each year. Contract faculty will now receive compensation for service, apply for internal grant competitions, and will have access to Undergrad Tuition Awards for Dependents after three years of service. LTAs will also now have full access to awards, grants, and course releases.

OUCC opposes Bill 307 and Ford’s attempt to silence workers and students

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The Ontario Universities and Colleges Coalition (OUCC), of which OCUFA is a member, has put out a statement strongly opposing the new provincial election spending rules outlined and enforced by Bill 307, Protecting Elections and Defending Democracy Act. With the use of the Notwithstanding Clause, the government has imposed Bill 307 despite a court decision declaring the law unconstitutional based on the harm that this kind of legislation would cause.

The rules imposed by Bill 307 penalize independent democratic organizations for working collaboratively to serve their communities. This unconstitutional legislation will hinder the discussion of important public policy issues, including those impacting postsecondary education; and undermine effective promotion and equitable participation in Ontario’s electoral process, particularly for students.

Read the full statement.

OCUFA raises concerns about safety of fall 2021 university reopenings

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OCUFA President Sue Wurtele has written to Ontario’s Minister of Colleges and Universities and Minister of Labour to express concern with the government’s plan for universities to fully reopen this fall. The plan was developed without consulting sector stakeholders, including faculty. As a result, it does not address some of the main concerns of those working and studying at Ontario’s postsecondary institutions.

These concerns include: the inadequacy of ventilation systems on campus to combat the airborne nature of COVID-19, the need to engage Joint Health and Safety Committees in return-to-work planning, and the importance of consulting faculty and postsecondary sector stakeholders in developing any guidelines for the safe re-opening of campuses.

OCUFA has requested a meeting with each ministry to discuss these concerns.

Read the full letter here.

Trent professor Sue Wurtele appointed OCUFA President

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TORONTO, July 21, 2021 — The Ontario Confederation of University Faculty Associations (OCUFA) is pleased to announce the appointment of its 34th president, Sue Wurtele. An Associate Professor of Geography at Trent University in Peterborough, Ontario, Wurtele officially began her two-year term on July 1, 2021.

“OCUFA plays a vital role advocating for high-quality public university education and advancing the rights of Ontario’s faculty and academic librarians,” said Wurtele. “It is an honour to lead OCUFA and continue this important work.”

Wurtele has served as the Vice-President of OCUFA, Chair of OCUFA’s Collective Bargaining Committee, President of the Trent University Faculty Association, and was a driving force in the early development of the creation of the multi-institution University Pension Plan. Wurtele has been a faculty member at Trent since 1994 and has won numerous awards for her teaching. Her research focuses on feminist geography and aging.

OCUFA would also like to extend its sincere gratitude to outgoing President Rahul Sapra, who served the organization with remarkable dedication and passion during a challenging period in Ontario’s history.

“Through the introduction of the Ford government’s reckless performance-based funding framework and the unprecedented impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic, Rahul has been an unwavering principled voice for OCUFA,” said Wurtele. “I am incredibly grateful for his lasting contributions and look forward to building upon the advances made under his leadership.”

Wurtele will be joined on the OCUFA Executive by:

  • Vice-President, Jennifer Sutton, Associate Professor of Psychology and Chair of the School of Behavioural and Social Sciences at Brescia University College in London, Ontario, and Vice-President of the Brescia Faculty Association.
  • Treasurer, Mike Eklund, Professor in the Faculty of Engineering and Applied Science at Ontario Tech University in Oshawa, Ontario and President of the University of Ontario Institute of Technology Faculty Association.
  • Board Chair, Gyllian Phillips, Associate Professor of English Studies at Nipissing University in North Bay, Ontario, former President of OCUFA, and previously the President of the Nipissing University Faculty Association.
  • Officer-at-Large Gautam Das, Professor in the Department of Physics at Lakehead University in Thunder Bay and President of the Lakehead University Faculty Association.
  • Officer-at-Large Kimberly Ellis-Hale, Contract Faculty member in the Department of Sociology at Wilfrid Laurier University and the Wilfrid Laurier Faculty Association’s V.P-External and Contract Faculty Liaison.
  • Officer-at-Large Kate Lawson, Associate Professor in the Department of English at the University of Waterloo, former President of OCUFA, and currently the Vice President of the Faculty Association of the University of Waterloo.
  • Past-President Rahul Sapra, Associate Professor of English at Ryerson University in Toronto, Ontario and former Vice-President (External) of the Ryerson Faculty Association.

Founded in 1964, OCUFA represents 17,000 professors and academic librarians in 30 faculty associations across Ontario. It is committed to enhancing the quality of higher education in Ontario and recognizing the outstanding contributions of its members towards creating a world-class university system. For more information, please visit the OCUFA website at www.ocufa.on.ca.

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For more information, contact:
Ben Lewis, Communications Lead at 416-306-6033 or communications@ocufa.on.ca