The new up-front grant program for Ontario students is grabbing headlines, but what else does the 2016 Ontario Budget do for universities? When it comes to operating funding, the picture continues to darken. Just as it has for the past four years, the level of operating grants to universities will barely change. And in the […]
Professors and academic librarians across Ontario are welcoming changes to the Ontario Student Assistance Program (OSAP) to make higher education more accessible to low-income students, announced in today’s Budget. At the same time, they are reminding the government that new investment in universities is urgently needed to ensure that that every student has access to […]
Every year, OCUFA recognizes outstanding teachers and academic librarians in Ontario universities through its Teaching and Academic Librarianship Awards. We are pleased to announce that nominations for the 2015-16 awards are now open . Up to seven awards are presented annually. Teaching, in the context of the OCUFA awards, embraces virtually all levels of instruction – graduate […]
Michelle Dion, a professor at McMaster University has won the 2015 Status of Women Award of Distinction, presented by the Ontario Confederation of University Faculty Associations (OCUFA). The award, sponsored by OCUFA’s Status of Women Committee, recognizes women who have improved the lives and working conditions of academic women and, by extension, their colleagues, families, […]
The Ontario Confederation of University Faculty Associations (OCUFA) is pleased to announce the 2015 winner of its 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 winner is Bill Salatka, from Wilfrid Laurier University. “Bill’s ability to make the […]
On Friday, February 12th representatives from four OCUFA member associations met with the provincial government’s Gender Wage Gap Steering Committee to discuss measures that have been taken in the university sector to address the gender wage gap. This meeting built on the written brief that OCUFA submitted to the committee on January 15th. The Gender Wage Gap […]
On February 11, 2016, OCUFA launched an online pledge where faculty, students, and members of the community can show their support for fairness for contract faculty. The pledge is the latest version of OCUFA’s We Teach Ontario campaign, which has been drawing public attention to the issue of precarious academic work. In less than 24 hours after its […]
On February 12, 2016, Laurentian University announced it was closing its campus in Barrie , part of the University Partnership Centre at Georgian College. The Laurentian University Faculty Association (LUFA) released this statement on the closure: The Laurentian University Faculty Association (LUFA) is concerned by the decision to close the Barrie campus and its impact on faculty members and students in Simcoe County. […]
Today, OCUFA is launching an online Pledge , where students, faculty, and citizens can demonstrate their commitment to fairness for contract faculty. Part of the We Teach Ontario initiative, the pledge is open to individuals and organizations who believe in fair pay, benefits, predictable scheduling, and job security for contract faculty members. The pledge reads: Professors are at the […]
Today, OCUFA released the results of a public opinion poll examining attitudes to precarious work in Ontario’s universities – the first of its kind in the province. This new research demonstrates a strong level of support for good working conditions in our universities. Highlights from the poll include: 94 per cent of Ontarians think universities should be model employers and support good jobs in their communities. 88 per cent […]
Faculty, staff, and students are coming together to challenge the rise of precarious work at universities and colleges across Ontario. An online day of action will unite contract faculty in their call for good academic jobs. “Thousands of talented teachers are stuck in precarious academic jobs with unfair pay, lack of access to benefits, and […]
OCUFA’s contract faculty committee is planning a day of action on Feb. 11, 2016, to call attention to the growing issue of precarious academic work in Ontario. Contract academics from across the province will be tweeting pictures of themselves on campus to call attention to the important work they do, often in the face of […]
On Feb. 1, 2016, OCUFA President Judy Bates presented OCUFA’s 2016 budget priorities to the Standing Committee on Finance and Economic Affairs. This committee is tasked with reviewing Ontario’s fiscal and economic policies, and makes recommendations to government on what should be contained within the provincial budget. OCUFA’s proposals are directed toward enhancing the quality […]
Fifty years ago, the Government of Ontario began to invest in the university sector, increasing the number of institutions and the spaces available to qualified students. This has allowed us to make huge gains in access and quality. But now, we’re on the precipice of undoing a half century of accomplishments. Ontario’s per-student funding for […]
Professors and academic librarians are commending the Government of Ontario for taking action to address sexual violence and harassment in our communities, workplaces, and on university and college campuses across the province. Last week, legislation was before the Social Policy Committee at Queen’s Park that would require every university and college in Ontario to have […]
