On April 29, 2015, OCUFA President Kate Lawson sent a letter to the Premier of Nova Scotia and the Minister of Labour and Advanced Education Kelly Regan to protest the proposed Bill 100. The Bill would allow universities in financial difficult to suspend collective agreements and ban strikes for up to 18 months . Bill 100 is a direct assault on academic freedom, collegial governance, and […]
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Budget 2015 continues erosion of public funding for Ontario universities
TORONTO – The 2015 Ontario Budget repeatedly acknowledges that universities are vital to economic prosperity, yet does not make any new investments in public funding for higher education institutions. In fact, under the current plan, per-student university funding will reach its lowest level since the 1960s. This has professors and academic librarians questioning the government’s […]
Budget 2015 continues erosion of public funding for Ontario universities
TORONTO – The 2015 Ontario Budget repeatedly acknowledges that universities are vital to economic prosperity, yet does not make any new investments in public funding for higher education institutions. In fact, under the current plan, per-student university funding will reach its lowest level since the 1960s. This has professors and academic librarians questioning the government’s […]
What to expect in this week’s Ontario budget
Finance Minister Charles Sousa will deliver the 2015 Ontario Budget on Thursday, April 23, 2015. What can professors and academic librarians expect to see in Ontario’s financial plan? A good first question is to ask what should be in the budget. As OCUFA pointed out in its pre-budget submission to government, public investment in our universities is […]
As a full time prof, here’s why I stand with my contract colleagues
This Op-Ed, by OCUFA President Kate Lawson, originally appeared in the Huffington Post . The ongoing strikes at York University and the University of Toronto have prompted a variety of thoughtful and insightful examinations of the state of university education in Ontario. In particular, the conversation around the changing nature of academic work and the plight of […]
Government announces consultation process on university funding formula
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 […]
Professors at Queen’s Park today to talk about contract faculty, university funding
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 […]
Professors at Queen’s Park today to talk about contract faculty, university funding
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 […]
Moving OCUFA’s priorities forward: OCUFA’s February Board meeting
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 […]
ADJUNCT WALKOUT DAY: Growing use of contract faculty in Ontario traps many in precarious work, threatens quality of higher education
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 […]
University funding in Ontario hits worrisome milestone
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 […]
University funding in Ontario hits worrisome milestone
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 […]
OCUFA announces winners of Lorimer Award for outstanding work on behalf of Ontario’s faculty
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 […]
OCUFA announces winners of the 2015 Status of Women Award of Distinction
TORONTO—The Ontario Confederation of University Faculty Associations (OCUFA) is pleased to announce the winners of this year’s Status of Women Award of Distinction. 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 students, colleagues, families, and friends. This […]
Message from UTFA regarding bargaining at St. Michael’s
Below is a message from Scott Prudham, President of UTFA, regarding a support request for faculty at the University of St. Michael’s College, who are currently in bargaining and facing a legal strike/lockout date on Feb. 6th. Dear colleagues, UTFA is negotiating a second contract for faculty and librarians employed by the University of Saint […]