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International Women’s Day 2021

Today, March 8, is International Women’s Day (IWD). For more than a century IWD has been observed around the world to raise awareness of issues affecting women. It is a global day to recognize and celebrate advancements while reminding us of the need for continued vigilance and action.  The UN, noting “from challenge comes change,” […]

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Pre-approved IT Hardware Purchases for faculty

A list of pre-approved hardware has been finalized by IT Acquisitions in an effort to have purchases and approvals proceed more smoothly. This list itemizes hardware purchases or reimbursements that should not be denied by ConnectionPoint, but it is not comprehensive and if you find your request is denied, you should reach out to IT Acquisitions (it_acquisitions@usask.ca).  […]

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March 30, 2021 Deadline to Submit Expense Claims to Sun Life for Health, Dental and Flexible Spending Benefit

Claims for reimbursement for any expenses from any of the benefit plans must be submitted to and received by Sun Life within 90 days of the end of the calendar year in which the expense is incurred. This means that the deadline for submitting claims incurred between January 1 and December 31, 2020 is March 30, 2021.  Claims must be received by […]

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2020 Summary Report of the University Administrative Practices Survey

The USFA Executive reconstituted the USFA Committee on University Administrative Practices during the 2019-2020 academic year, but the pandemic struck just as the Committee was about to begin its process. Unable to have discussions as hoped with faculty in small groups about the ways administrative practices at the U of S help and hinder faculty […]

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Collectively Speaking – October 2020

In the first issue of Collectively Speaking for the 2020-2021 academic year you will find articles about a number of things. There’s a message from USFA Chair, Allison Muri, and articles about getting involved in the USFA, the importance of participation in collegial decision-making, copyright and CAUT. Download Collectively Speaking

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Discussions continue nationally and locally on teaching evaluations

On March 1, 2019, The Ontario Confederation of University Faculty Associations (OCUFA) released its report investigating complaints of misuse and inappropriate interpretation of the scores on student evaluations of teaching. The report points out that many factors figure in students’ responses, some of which have nothing to do with quality of teaching: class size, time […]

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Assignment of Duties: Annual meeting and equitability

This is the time of year when the process for the Assignment of Duties is underway. Provisions for the assignment of duties are covered in Article 11 of the Collective Agreement. Department Heads, or Deans in non-departmentalized Colleges, “following consultation and discussion with faculty at a meeting,” assign duties. This annual meeting is an important […]

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Arbitration Decision: Grievance 2017-01 Surreptitious and Non-consensual Recording of College Committee Meetings

In a recent arbitration hearing, Arbitrator Anne Wallace Q.C. considered the issue of audio recording of College Review Committee (CRC) meetings and deliberations.  The Association filed a grievance when it appeared that one College’s CRC deliberations were being recorded without the knowledge or consent of some of its committee members and without the matter having […]

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