QUFA Digest: February 2025

Hello QUFA Members,

Please see the February 2025 edition of Digest below.

Notifications

  1. Congratulations to the CUPE locals on campus on signing agreements. We appreciate all your hard work and solidarity. Please visit the Unity Council page for updates on campus union solidarity.
  2. Pension Commuted Value: The University Pension Plan (UPP) has prepared an explanation of how commuted value of pensions works and why they cannot provide forecasted values for members. For those who need these kinds of values for specific legal reasons, there are workarounds. Please download and read the full memo here.
  3. 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.
  4. CAUT has launched its Unlock Education campaign, promoting public post-secondary education.

Participation

  1. Bargaining Mandate: On February 7 QUFA emailed a draft Bargaining Mandate to the membership for feedback. You can continue to send feedback to the Bargaining Team at the link below. Please stay tuned for a Special General Meeting date dedicated to the Bargaining Mandate (date to be announced soon). A electronic vote on the Bargaining Mandate will follow that Special General Meeting. In the meantime, please feel free to send feedback here: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1o61D-I3EWKsRPbByawddxpi66aCZbhVbWYq5PT6f7tU/viewform?edit_requested=true
  2. Panel Series: AI, Austerity, and Pedagogy: Generating Change in Postsecondary Education Through Data. Please join us for the second installment of the QUFA Political Action & Communications Committee (PACC) Panel Series. 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’ll examine how universities are using data to influence resource allocation, teaching practices, and 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). 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. Organized by QUFA PACC members: Pinar Tuzcu and Norma Möllers.
  3. QUFA Caucuses: We are looking for Chairs and members for the New Faculty Caucus and the Caregivers Caucus. Please contact PACC Chair Vanessa E. Thompson if you are interested in getting involved: vt25@queensu.ca.

Announcement: Endpoint Protection

This is a reminder that in the coming weeks, Queen’s will be implementing stricter control over devices connected to university services, such as Microsoft M365 (which includes email, calendar, and Teams) and Peoplesoft. To access these services, you will be required to install and register your device using Endpoint Protection and the Microsoft Intune app. For those in the current phase of the rollout, please look for an email from ITS with the subject “[AWARENESS] Upcoming changes: new Endpoint Protection requirements for your devices” that contains information about the University’s plan. Included in this email are links to University resources providing additional information on the changes and requirements:

It should be noted that there are two levels of “Device Health” with varying degrees of access. Silver level is required for “Queen’s Funded Devices” (QFDs, such as those purchased with research or professional expense funds) and requires onboarding your device to the Microsoft Defender for Endpoint (MDE). For other devices that you would like to use to access Microsoft 365 applications, they do not require MDE but still require Microsoft Intune for device monitoring. The Intune app will be used for Windows, MacOS, iOS/iPad, and Android devices. It is not yet available for Linux devices, but an exception form is available. It is in the Endpoint Protection FAQs link and located in the Endpoint Protection Requirements section.

Deadlines

  1. Tuition Support Plan : 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.

For Your Information

  • New Members: If you are a recent hire at Queen’s, you can fill out an Association Membership form here. To learn more about being a Member of the union Bargaining Unit and a Member of the Association, click here.
  • QUFA Voices: Please see the latest edition here. Stay tuned for a new Voices archive on the website.
  • QUFA Podcast: Check out Campus Conversations.
  • You can always check our News & Events feed on the website homepage for updates: www.qufa.ca
  • Visit QUFA on Facebook and Instagram.

Sincerely,

QUFA Staff