Here are our September updates on what's been happening on campus, this time with news on collegial governance, workplace surveillance, and more.
Faculty Board and Social: Friday, Sept 12!
The elections for the FAS Process Group will take place during Faculty Board on Friday, September 12 at 2:30 pm in Jeffery Hall Room 128. Members must attend online or in person in order to be able to vote. All faculty members, adjunct and tenure-stream, are eligible to vote. Zoom: https://queensu.zoom.us/j/99758657092?pwd=TXB2S2F2aU8rM2pDeFBYT0cya1g2UT09 Meeting ID: 997 5865 … Continue reading Faculty Board and Social: Friday, Sept 12!
“I’d wear it on a t-shirt”: The National Post Defangs Nous
Thursday’s National Post has a cracker of a story on Nous, the consulting firm that has taken up residence in at least 20 Canadian universities since the start of the pandemic. The article follows news of Nous’ recent troubles in its home country, where its contracts with the Australian National University have been investigated by … Continue reading “I’d wear it on a t-shirt”: The National Post Defangs Nous
August Updates
QCAA may have taken a break over the summer, but the university’s austerity juggernaut has not. Below are some important updates, which we encourage you to share with your units. The so-called “Phase 2” layoffs in FAS, which are focused on technical and teaching support staff, have begun. The university has done its best to … Continue reading August Updates
Gossip Box Round Up, #4
I’ve heard from several sources that one (?) unit in FAS is considering breaking away from the faculty, and that they are doing so with the support of the upper administration. Why has there been no consultation about this move? How does this comply with the QUFA roll-over agreement, which prohibits restructuring before June 2026, … Continue reading Gossip Box Round Up, #4
Feedback Due! FAS Dean Search and the Future of the Arts, Humanities, and Social Sciences
A reminder for all of those within the Faculty of Arts and Science that there are two important (and rare) opportunities to provide feedback about the direction of FAS due in the next two days: New Arts and Science Dean: The Principal has asked for feedback for the advisory committee for the new FAS Dean … Continue reading Feedback Due! FAS Dean Search and the Future of the Arts, Humanities, and Social Sciences
Open Letter on FAS Dean Search and Collegial Governance
On June 4th, Principal Deane announced that a committee had been formed to advise him on the Faculty of Arts and Science Dean search. This announcement came on the heels of debates within the Senate about the process by which deans are chosen and the lack of substantive faculty representation on decanal search committees. Notably, … Continue reading Open Letter on FAS Dean Search and Collegial Governance
QUFA’s Tentative Roll-Over Agreement: Concerns and Questions
The Queen’s University Faculty Association has reached a tentative roll-over agreement with the university administration. If ratified, the roll-over would extend the current collective agreement for one year, until June 30, 2026. The administration wants this roll-over, claiming it sought the delay due to fatigue from a string of difficult negotiations with other campus unions … Continue reading QUFA’s Tentative Roll-Over Agreement: Concerns and Questions
Not for Sale: Neoliberalism, Right-Wing Politics, and the Crisis in Post-Secondary Institutions
As we continue to reel from the recent provincial election in Ontario and look ahead to the influence of Pierre Poilievre at the federal level, we are increasingly concerned about how neoliberalism and privatization continue to actively dismantle public institutions, including post-secondary education. Doug Ford’s re-election grants his government a renewed license to impose conservative … Continue reading Not for Sale: Neoliberalism, Right-Wing Politics, and the Crisis in Post-Secondary Institutions
Gaslighting, the politics of budgets, concerns about surveillance, and more
On Thursday, April 17, Queen's Senate had a meeting that dealt with budgetary issues, fallout from the PSAC 901 strike, the shrinking of the Bachelor of Arts program, and how Deans are appointed. A win, and a note about gaslighting and the politics of budgets The Provost’s budget update largely focused on scapegoating the Faculty … Continue reading Gaslighting, the politics of budgets, concerns about surveillance, and more
Queen's Coalition Against Austerity 