criticalmass Analysis

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

criticalmass Analysis, PSAC strike, University Updates

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

criticalmass Calls to Action, Campaigns, PSAC strike

Fair Deal Now! Letters to the Administration, Vol. 2

QCAA continues to receive letters from undergraduate students urging the Principal, the Provost, and the Board of Trustees to return to the table and negotiate a fair deal for PSAC 901 workers. You can read some of those letters below, and find a summary in the word cloud. As of this morning, more than 650 … Continue reading Fair Deal Now! Letters to the Administration, Vol. 2

criticalmass Calls to Action

Fair Deal Now! A Repository of Letters to the Queen’s Administration

QCAA has learned that department heads are being copied on numerous letters sent by undergraduate students to the Principal, the Provost, and the Board of Trustees urging them to return to the table and negotiate a fair deal for PSAC 901 workers.  Please encourage students, as well as their parents, Queen’s alumni, faculty and staff … Continue reading Fair Deal Now! A Repository of Letters to the Queen’s Administration

criticalmass Calls to Action, Campaigns, PSAC strike

Why and How to Support the PSAC Strike: A Guide for Faculty

WHY SUPPORT THE STRIKE Without graduate student labour, the university cannot function. Over 40 courses in FAS alone this semester are being taught by graduate students. These courses, and hundreds of labs and tutorials, are now on hold. Midterms are being cancelled, papers are being left ungraded, and students in practicums and accredited programs are … Continue reading Why and How to Support the PSAC Strike: A Guide for Faculty

criticalmass Budget, Calls to Action, Campaigns, Newsletter, PSAC strike

Newsletter #21 (03/13/2025)

Let’s call this the “University Admin Causes More Chaos with a Strike” edition If understaffing, over-filled classes, and digital surveillance weren’t enough of a challenge in our workdays, the university has now forced our grad student workers into a strike. This first-ever academic strike at Queen’s is one more thing to add to the legacy … Continue reading Newsletter #21 (03/13/2025)

criticalmass Calls to Action, Faculty Board, Newsletter

Newsletter #18 (9/26/2024)

Let’s start with the money. $20.4 million. 1. Queen’s University ended the 2023-24 fiscal year with an operating surplus of $20.4 million. The year-end consolidated financial statements are included in the agenda package for this weekend’s Board of Trustees meeting. QCAA has posted a commentary on the statement that draws our attention to the unusual … Continue reading Newsletter #18 (9/26/2024)

QCAA Analysis, Budget, Posts

Notes on finances from the Board of Trustees’ meeting agenda

With the Board of Trustees meeting this week, the administration has provided a series of reports for the Board’s meeting. In this post we provide details of two interesting developments: the updated financial projections for the 2023-24 year; and, a review of the Investment Committee’s Terms of Reference. A lower deficit and a win for … Continue reading Notes on finances from the Board of Trustees’ meeting agenda