QUFA Digest: October 2024

Hello QUFA Members,

Please see the October 2024 edition of Digest below.

Events, Meetings, and Participation

  1. Mini-Series on Austerity, Digital Surveillance and Resistance: The QUFA Political Action and Communications Committee is organizing a mini-series on austerity, digital surveillance, and resistance within and beyond the university. Three panel conversations will focus on how austerity exacerbates existing inequalities within the university; the relation between austerity and digital surveillance; and the impacts on various dimensions of care work. The sessions aim to unpack these relations and strengthen solidarity in times of austerity between faculty, students, and staff. One of the panels will take place in the fall term, and two panels are scheduled for the winter term. Dates and speakers will soon be announced. Please contact the QUFA Political Action and Communications Committee Chair Vanessa Thompson (vt25@queensu.ca) if you have any questions.
  2. Research Infrastructure Survey: If you are a QUFA Member who is expected to conduct research or produce creative works as part of your work for Queen’s University, we invite you to participate in a new QUFA survey about research supports and infrastructure. The survey is anonymous, but if you are willing to discuss your situation in more detail, you can provide us with contact details. The survey takes approximately 10 minutes to complete, and can be found here: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/PLTVC8J
  3. QUFA New Faculty Caucus: We are looking for a chair/two co-chairs for the New Faculty Caucus. Any recently appointed faculty member (tenured, tenure-track, and adjunct) is welcome to join the New Faculty Caucus and attend the open meetings to discuss the issues that are pressing to new faculty here at Queen’s. The idea is to gather recently appointed faculty (up to 5 years) once or twice a term to share experiences, discuss relevant issues or concerns, share ideas and resources, and outline how our faculty union can work for recently appointed faculty. Please contact PACC Chair, Vanessa E. Thompson, if you are interested in chairing the New Faculty Caucus: vt25@queensu.ca.
  4. QUFA BIPOC Caucus: The next BIPOC Caucus meeting is on October 31. The BIPOC Caucus 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. To join the BIPOC Caucus please contact Co-Chair Ayca Tomac at: ayca.tomac@queensu.ca.
  5. QUFA Finance-Budget Review Committee: The FBRC is looking for a new member. This committee reviews and analyzes Queen’s budget and finances and presents findings at the Fall General Meeting. This is an open call, but the Committee is hoping for a member from Education, Law, or Health Sciences to join. The commitment includes a monthly meeting. Knowledge of budgets and financial statements is an asset. Contact QUFA Associate Executive Director John Rose if you are interested: rj31@queensu.ca
  6. The Canadian Association of University Teachers (CAUT) is inviting Indigenous academic staff members across Canada to participate in a survey entitled Indigenous Academic Staff Members’ Experiences at Post-Secondary Institutions. Please see the Letter of Invitation here.

Deadlines

  1. Tuition Support Plan: The fall submission window is September 1 – November 1, 2024. See Appendix N of the Collective Agreement and click here for the application form.
  2. Childcare Support Plan: The deadline is February 1, 2025. Please see Appendix M 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 Bargaining Unit and a Member of the Association, click here.
  • QUFA Voices: Please see the latest edition here.
  • QUFA Podcast: Check out Campus Conversations for the latest episodes.
  • You can always check our News & Events feed on the website homepage for updates: www.qufa.ca
  • Visit QUFA on Facebook, Instagram, and X

Sincerely,

QUFA Staff