QUFA

Fall General Meeting
2025-12-18 13:00 - 15:00 UTC
The QUFA Fall General Meeting will be held on December 18, 2025 at 1:00pm via Zoom. Please RSVP to Elizabeth Polnicky at ep43@queensu.ca by December 17 to receive the Zoom link.

Special General Meeting
2025-12-03 10:00 - 12:00
Special General Meeting: December 3 at 10am. Please RSVP to Elizabeth Polnicky at ep43@queensu.ca by 4pm on December 2 for the Zoom meeting link. The official notice was sent on November 17 and the agenda was sent on November 25.

Tuition Support Plan Deadline
2025-11-01
The fall submission window is September 1 – November 1, 2025. See Appendix N of the Collective Agreement and click here for the application form.

New Member Quaff
2025-10-07 13:00 - 14:30
New Faculty, Librarian, and Archivist Members (hired within the past 5 years) are invited to join QUFA for a social to kick off the fall term. Our annual New Member Quaff will be held on October 7 at 1pm at the Grad Club (162 Barrie St.). Please RSVP to Elizabeth Polnicky at ep43@queensu.ca.

Adjunct Fund Deadline
2025-10-06 00:00
The application deadline for the Fund for Scholarly and Creative Work and Professional Development (Adjuncts) is October 6, 2025. The application and guidelines are located here. If you have any questions, please contact QUFA Member Services Officer Doug Nesbitt at d.nesbitt@queensu.ca.

QUFA Welcome Back BBQ
2025-09-16 16:00 - 18:00
Please join us for our annual Welcome Back BBQ on September 16 at 4pm in Breakwater Park (King St. at St. Lawrence Ave.). Family welcome. Food supplied by Fryway and QUFA (vegan and gluten free options will be available). Please RSVP to Elizabeth Polnicky at ep43@queensu.ca by September 11 with your number of guests and any dietary restrictions. The rain date is September 17 at 4pm.

Adjunct Rights Workshop (virtual only)
2025-05-07 11:30 - 13:00
Please join us for our annual conversation about Adjunct rights at Queen’s. This will be a virtual meeting. Please RSVP to Elizabeth Polnicky at ep43@queensu.ca for the Zoom link.

RTP/RCAP Workshop - Applicants (virtual only)
2025-05-06 11:30 - 13:00
Please join us for a workshop on Renewal, Tenure/Continuing Appointment, and Promotion. This workshop is specifically for applicants. This will be a virtual meeting. Please RSVP to Elizabeth Polnicky at ep43@queensu.ca for the Zoom link.

Ratification Meeting
2025-05-05 14:30 - 16:00
As you know, we have reached a tentative 1-year roll-over agreement with Queen’s to extend the current Collective Agreement (CA) to June 30, 2026 (it is due to expire on June 30, 2025). This morning, the Executive Committee agreed to send this tentative agreement to the membership for a ratification vote. We are holding a virtual Ratification Meeting on Monday May 5 at 2:30-4:00pm to discuss the tentative agreement. A ratification vote will be held after the meeting if the members who attend the meeting so decide.
If you would like to attend the Ratification Meeting, please RSVP to Elizabeth Polnicky (ep43@queensu.ca) to receive the Zoom link.

For more details visit our Bargaining page at: www.qufa.ca/bargaining

RTP/RCAP Workshop - Heads and Committees (virtual only)
2025-05-05 11:30 - 13:00
Please join us for a workshop on Renewal, Tenure/Continuing Appointment, and Promotion. This workshop is specifically for Heads and Committee Members. This will be a virtual meeting. Please RSVP to Elizabeth Polnicky at ep43@queensu.ca for the Zoom link.

QUFA Spring General Meeting
2025-04-24 13:00 - 15:00
2025 SGM Meeting Details
The QUFA Spring General Meeting will be held on Thursday April 24, 2025 from 1:00pm – 3:00pm via Zoom. Please RSVP to Elizabeth Polnicky at ep43@queensu.ca to receive the Zoom link. The deadline to RSVP to attend the SGM is April 23 at 3pm.
2024 Executive Committee Elections
QUFA is holding elections for some Executive Committee positions at the SGM. Election policies can be found here. In accordance with By-Law No. 1 (A, iii), nominations close one week prior to the meeting. Candidate statements are available here.
To vote in elections, you must be an Association Member who has sent an email RSVP to Elizabeth. Everyone paying dues to QUFA is part of the Bargaining Unit (covered by the Collective Agreement), but you must fill out a Membership Form to be an Association Member which allows you to vote in Executive Committee elections. If you have already filled out a Membership Form in the past, you don’t need to do it again. An online Membership Form is available here: https://qufa.ca/membership-form/
Association Members who RSVP before April 23 at 3pm will receive Simply Voting ballots via email the day of the meeting and the election will open and close during the meeting.

Special General Meeting (Bargaining Mandate)
2025-03-13 09:00 - 11:30
QUFA will hold a Special General Meeting on March 13, 2025 at 9am via Zoom. Please RSVP to Elizabeth Polnicky at ep43@queensu.ca to receive the Zoom link. The deadline to RSVP is March 12 at 3pm.
This meeting will deal exclusively with QUFA Bargaining. After the meeting, members can participate in an online vote on the Bargaining Mandate through Simply Voting. You will receive a ballot via email when the vote opens, after the meeting. The vote will be open until Monday March 17th at 4:30pm.

Panel Series - AI, Austerity, and Pedagogy: Generating Change in Postsecondary Education through Data
2025-03-07 14:00 - 15:30
You are invited to attend the second installment of the QUFA Political Action & Communications Committee (PACC) Panel Series, Divesting from Austerity: Solidarity and Equity in Labour Struggles.
This panel will explore the intersection of AI, austerity politics, and pedagogy in postsecondary education. As AI and data-driven approaches reshape educational landscapes, we will examine how universities are using data to influence resource allocation decisions and teaching practices, and to justify cost-cutting measures. By challenging the assumption of “neutral” data, the panel will explore how AI and data impact not only educational policies but also pedagogy, curriculum, and student engagement amidst economic pressures.
Panelists:

Dan Cohen (Department of Geography & Planning)
Milka Njoroge (PSAC 901 Bargaining Team)
Christina Pilgrim (former PSAC 901 Information Officer)
Rebecca Sweetman (CTL)
Catherine Stinson (Department of Philosophy) – NEW PANELIST

Commenter: Norma Möllers
Moderator: Pinar Tuzcu
Organized by QUFA PACC members: Pinar Tuzcu and Norma Möllers.
Date: March 7, 2:00–3:30 pm.
Location: George Teves Room @ The University Club (168 Stuart St.) and on Zoom.
Event Format: Hybrid (In-person and Virtual). Email QUFA Office Administrator Elizabeth Polnicky (ep43@queensu.ca) for the Zoom link. Please RSVP even if you are attending in-person.

QUFA Town Hall About Potential USW and PSAC Job Action
2025-03-07 10:30 - 11:30
As many people know, our staff colleagues in USW 2010 and PSAC 901 (Unit 1) will be in a legal strike position on March 10th at 12:01 am. USW 2010 represents support staff, academic assistants, and residence dons and PSAC 901 (Unit 1) represents graduate students who are teaching assistants, teaching fellows, or research assistants. Both bargaining units are continuing to meet this week to attempt to reach renewal agreements with the administration. If there are no agreements by Friday March 7th, QUFA will hold a Town Hall to answer questions from our Members and to discuss how we can best support USW and PSAC in their efforts to negotiate a fair agreement. We will also discuss Article 12 – Strikes and Lockouts of the QUFA-Queen’s collective agreement so that you know what your rights and responsibilities are in the event of USW or PSAC job action.

Friday March 7th, 10:30-11:30am
RSVP to Elizabeth Polnicky at ep43@queensu.ca for the Zoom link.

Tuition Support Plan Deadline
2025-02-28 08:00 - 17:00
The winter submission window is January 1 to February 28, 2025. See Appendix N of the Collective Agreement and click here for the application form.

Ontario Provincial Election: Meet the Candidates (Campus Event)
2025-02-26 19:00 - 21:00
The AMS is organizing a “Meet the Candidates” event for the Kingston and the Islands candidates in the upcoming Ontario Provincial Election. It is scheduled for Wednesday February 26 at 7pm. Location: Goodes Hall, Room 101.

Virtual New Faculty Meeting to introduce PACC and talk about new faculty experiences
2025-02-05 12:00 - 13:30
The QUFA Political Action and Communications Committee (PACC) invites New Faculty to a Meeting to introduce PACC and talk about new faculty experiences.
PACC will introduce its work and touch base with new faculty to discuss their work-related experiences and bargaining priorities for new faculty. A member of the QUFA Bargaining Team will also be present at the meeting.
Please register by contacting Elizabeth Polnicky at ep43@queensu.ca
For further information or questions, please contact PACC Chair Vanessa Thompson at vt25@queensu.ca

Fund for Scholarly Research and Creative Work and Professional Development (Adjuncts)
2025-02-03 08:00 - 17:00
The Winter deadline for the Fund for Scholarly Research and Creative Work and Professional Development (Adjuncts) is Feb. 3. Please visit the Queen’s website for the application and more information: https://www.queensu.ca/facultyrelations/qufa/research-fund

Childcare Support Plan Deadline
2025-02-01 08:00 - 17:00
The deadline is February 1, 2025. Please see Appendix M of the Collective Agreement and click here for the application form: https://queensuca.sharepoint.com/sites/HR-employees/SitePages/Childcare-Support-Plan.aspx

QUFA Bargaining Consultation and Staff Bargaining Update (Virtual) Town Hall Meeting
2025-01-30 09:00 - 11:30
Dear QUFA Members,
As you likely know, the collective agreement between QUFA and Queen’s University expires on 30 June 2025. In preparation for bargaining a renewal agreement, QUFA’s Bargaining Team would like to hear from QUFA Members about their priorities for this round of bargaining. Please join us for a virtual town hall style meeting on Thursday 30 January from 9:00am-10:30am. The meeting will begin with a brief overview of recent activities by the Bargaining Team, and then the virtual floor will be open for you to share your thoughts on what is working, what isn’t working, and how you think it ought to be fixed.
You also likely know that many of the campus staff unions are currently at their respective bargaining tables. In the case of the five CUPE locals, the Ontario Ministry of Labour issued No Board Reports recently setting of a 17-day cooling off period and setting the stage for a possible strike or lock-out as early as midnight on 3 February. This does not mean that a strike or lock-out will happen, only that it could. The parties are continuing to meet to try renewal agreements. If they have not already reached an agreement by 30 January, representatives from the CUPE locals will be on hand at the QUFA Town Hall to provide an update and to share with QUFA Members how we can best support them in their efforts to negotiate a fair agreement. We will also discuss Article 12 – Strikes and Lockouts of the QUFA – Queen’s collective agreement so that you know what your rights and responsibilities are in the event of CUPE job action.
Please mark your calendars and plan to attend the Town Hall meeting starting at 9:00am on Thursday 30 January. RSVP to Elizabeth Polnicky at ep43@queensu.ca.
Sincerely,
QUFA Staff

QUFA Fall General Meeting (FGM)
2024-12-18 13:00 - 15:00
2024 FGM Details
The QUFA Fall General Meeting will be held on Wednesday December 18, 2024 from 1:00pm – 3:00pm via Zoom.
Please RSVP to Elizabeth Polnicky at ep43@queensu.ca to receive the Zoom link.
In accordance with the QUFA Constitution, you will receive an official notice of the meeting 2 weeks prior to the meeting, and a full agenda package one week prior.

QUFA Lecture Series - Divesting from Austerity: Solidarity and Equity in Labor Struggles
2024-12-04 10:00 - 11:30
The first panel of the miniseries Divesting from Austerity: Solidarity and Equity in Labor Struggles will take place on Dec 4th, from 10:00-11:30 am online.
This panel will explore how students, faculty, and staff engage in various but related labor struggles in the university and how they are connected to equity issues. We will discuss multiple strategies of labor resistance such as campaigns, strikes and divestment —particularly from exploitative industries and war-driven technology, and —to challenge austerity-driven university administrations. This session will highlight the power of labor resistance in forging connections across diverse communities, fostering a unified front against austerity. Panelists: Students vs Cuts, Ayça Tomaç, Winnie Ng, Sailaja Krishnamurti Moderation: Melissa Houghtaling.
Please RSVP to Elizabeth Polnicky at ep43@queensu.ca for the Zoom link.

BIPOC Caucus Social
2024-12-03 16:00 - 18:00
Please join us for a QUFA BIPOC Caucus social on December 3 at 4pm at the University Club.

Tuition Support Plan Deadline
2024-11-01 08:00 - 17:00
The fall submission window is September 1 – November 1, 2024. See Appendix N of the Collective Agreement and click here for the application form: https://queensuca.sharepoint.com/sites/HR-employees/SitePages/Tuition-Support-Plan.aspx

Fund for Scholarly and Creative Work and Professional Development (Adjuncts)
2024-10-07 08:00 - 17:00
Fund for Scholarly and Creative Work and Professional Development (Adjuncts). The application deadline is October 7, 2024. Please find the application, guidelines, and more information: https://www.queensu.ca/facultyrelations/qufa/research-fund

QUFA Caregivers' Caucus Meeting
2024-10-04 12:00 - 13:00
Any QUFA member involved in care responsibilities (e.g., young children, seniors, family members with disabilities) are welcome to join the QUFA Caregivers Caucus and attend our open meetings. The Caucus meets once per term to share experiences, concerns, and resources. Please join the Chair, Heather McGregor (Education), on October 4th from 12:00-1:00pm for a discussion to address: the context of the caucus, emerging resources/opportunities, and your suggestions/needs. To be added to the caucus listserv and receive the Zoom meeting link please send your request by email to Elizabeth Polnicky: ep43@queensu.ca

QUFA BIPOC Caucus Meeting
2024-09-26 15:00 - 16:30
The BIPOC Caucus of QUFA supports and advocates for members who are Black, Indigenous, or racialized and/or visible minorities. It is organized to collectively discuss workplace matters specific to QUFA’s BIPOC members and work towards racial equity in our workplace. The next meeting is September 26 from 3:00-4:30pm via Zoom. To join the BIPOC Caucus and access the Zoom link, please contact Co-Chair Ayca Tomac at: ayca.tomac@queensu.ca.

Adjunct Rights Lunch & Learn
2024-09-17 12:00 - 13:30
Please join us for a Lunch & Learn about Adjunct Rights. Ask questions, learn about your role as an Adjunct member, and connect with colleagues. Tuesday September 17, noon at the University Club (168 Stuart St.).

QUFA Welcome Back BBQ
2024-09-12 16:00 - 18:00 | Breakwater Park, King St., Kingston
Please join us for the 2024 Welcome Back BBQ on September 12 from 4-6pm at Breakwater Park (on the water, at the south end of St. Lawrence Ave. on campus). RSVP to Elizabeth Polnicky (ep43@queensu.ca).

New Member Quaff
2024-09-06 16:00 - 18:00 | University Club, 168 Stuart St., Kingston
New Faculty, Librarian, and Archivist Members (hired within the past 5 years) are invited to join QUFA for a social to kick of the new academic year. Friday Sept. 6 from 4-6pm at the University Club (Main Bar and Patio).
