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 Analysis, Calls to Action, Events, University Updates

FAS Faculty Board Special Meeting Update: Some Answers and Many Outstanding Questions

With less than 48 hours' notice, 150 members of the Faculty of Arts and Science (FAS) logged into a meeting to discuss the Provost’s plan for seat transfers at Queen’s. The Provost’s announcement at the March 27 Senate meeting that he would move a further 200 seats from BA/BAH programs in FAS to the Faculty … Continue reading FAS Faculty Board Special Meeting Update: Some Answers and Many Outstanding Questions

criticalmass Analysis

Reader Responses to the Principal’s Bicentennial Vision, #3

This is the third in our series of posts featuring readers’ responses to the Principal’s Bicentennial Vision.  A big thanks to all those who have copied us on their correspondence and a reminder to keep sharing your answers by cutting and pasting them into this anonymous form. Today’s posts raise a new set of problems … Continue reading Reader Responses to the Principal’s Bicentennial Vision, #3

QCAA Analysis

Queen’s Bicentennial Vision: From Liberal Arts University to Technical School

The murky process guiding the administration’s drive to restructure Queen’s got a bit more concrete last week when Principal Deane released a discussion paper, Queen’s Bicentennial Vision, in an email to all members of the university community.  Readers who attended the December Senate meeting, where the Principal faced pressure to reveal the administration’s plans, will … Continue reading Queen’s Bicentennial Vision: From Liberal Arts University to Technical School

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)