Solidarity. Not Austerity.
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
Monday, April 14, 10:30 am, on Zoom At this meeting, FAS members will vote on the Motion Regarding the Removal of Seats from the Faculty of Arts and Science. Our discussion of the April 7 meeting, where this motion was brought from the floor, explains the issues at stake. The motion reads as follows: “Faculty Board … Continue reading Reminder: FAS Faculty Board Meeting Today!
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