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)
Cooking to Death?
At a “Strategy Session for Senior Leaders,” held on May 29 in a packed Ban Righ Dining Hall, Principal Patrick Deane likened Queen’s to a frog being slowly boiled alive. The Principal acknowledged that he had been caught by surprise by the depth of the university’s current budgetary problems. Previously, he had understood our challenges … Continue reading Cooking to Death?
Newsletter #11 (4/3/2024)
It’s the last week of classes! And next week starts with the eclipse! 1. It’s been great to see our dusty, end-of-winter campus covered in posters for the Joint Members Assembly that will be held on Thursday, April 4th at noon in the ARC gym. This event has been organized by Unity Council for members … Continue reading Newsletter #11 (4/3/2024)
Newsletter #9 (3/21/2024)
Here we are, moving into springtime, and we still do not know what the plan is to address the University’s projected deficit. Over the past three and a half months the deficit has been reduced from $62.8 million to $40.7 million. We continue to be told that the deficit is primarily the responsibility of the … Continue reading Newsletter #9 (3/21/2024)
Senior Administration Effectiveness Survey
The consultancy NOUS Cubane on behest of Queen’s University recently distributed a survey on shared services to guide which staff the administration will lay off. However, NOUS forgot to include questions about faculty and staff satisfaction with university leadership. This survey will remedy this oversight. We would appreciate your input to our Administration Effectiveness Survey, … Continue reading Senior Administration Effectiveness Survey
Newsletter #7 (6/3/2024)
1. QCAA’s Week of Action Against Austerity started on Monday with an excellent teach-in on Consulting Firms, Benchmarking, and the Politics of Ratings, with a special focus on Nous. More than 100 people attended the event, which was co-sponsored by QUFA. Dr. Michael Savage, Senior Research Analyst at OCUFA and former Nous employee, warned us … Continue reading Newsletter #7 (6/3/2024)
Newsletter #6 (2/28/24)
This week in austerity and budget cut news #6 There is no shortage of material for these newsletters! We have been gathering a lot of information on austerity measures at other schools and on Nous. So far the big lessons from elsewhere are to pay attention, learn as much as you can, and build community … Continue reading Newsletter #6 (2/28/24)
Newsletter #5 (2/20/24)
This week in austerity and budget cut news #5 Thanks to everyone who has shared this newsletter with colleagues. One of the most frustrating aspects of the current employment situation at Queen’s is the uneven communication across units about what people should be expecting over the coming months. Given the inevitable anxiety many are feeling … Continue reading Newsletter #5 (2/20/24)
Newsletter #4 (2/13/24)
This week’s round up of media coverage, university updates, and anti-austerity activities include: a list of action proposals from students, who met with the principal and provost, a report on the incredible solidarity at the Anti-Austerity Social, serious questions about the legitimacy of the data being collected by NousCubane, Bill 124 news, and a reminder that we are hosting a reading group at the Grad Club tonight - all are welcome!!
Newsletter #3 (2/6/24)
This week's round up of media coverage, university updates, and anti-austerity activities include: coverage, interviews, and call-ins on CBC Radio, the National Post, and the Queen's Journal; the launch of the Queen's Renew Project with a survey of employees, decisions to extend timelines for FAS, and a QCAA social and reading group!
Queen's Coalition Against Austerity 