VOX is an arm’s length publication sponsored by the USFA. VOX has an independent editorial board and the USFA Executive does not evaluate nor endorse the articles appearing in VOX. VOX allows members of the University community to express their views regarding issues and topics related to the University and our profession. The opinions and […]
Read More »Whether public or private, the single most important defining characteristic of a university is its faculty. Faculty transform both the university and the generations of students they teach by means of the advancement and dissemination of shared knowledge. As is the case at many universities, some faculty at the U of S were educated here, […]
Read More »The USFA has recently been asked to endorse an open letter expressing dissatisfaction with the TransformUS process and to pass a motion of non-support for the TransformUS process because of its perceived inadequacies. The position of the Executive is that these issues should be addressed and resolved through collegial governance via University Council and the […]
Read More »Many people are concerned about the TransformUS process as a means of academic decision making at the University of Saskatchewan. The model on which TransformUS is based is being implemented, or being considered for implementation, at several Canadian Universities and many at those institutions are likewise concerned (http://ocufa.on.ca/wordpress/assets/Dickeson-Right-for-Ontario-Craig-Heron.pdf, http://www.academicmatters.ca/2014/01/doing-the-ppp-a-skeptical-perspective/). At the U of S the […]
Read More »“The goal for TransformUS is to obtain $20-25 million in permanent annual savings, or approximately five per cent of the university’s total operating budget. In addition, $5 million will be reallocated to top priority programs and services that would benefit from increased resources.” (Provost and Vice-President Academic Fairburn, report to University Council, January 2014) The […]
Read More »There is less than one month until nominations close for the USFA Peter T. Millard Award and the USFA Peter C. Dooley Legacy Award. Nominations must be in by February 7. The Millard Award is a way for you to acknowledge fellow USFA members for contributions to the USFA and its membership. Who do you […]
Read More »Happy New Year!! 2013 came to a close with bitter cold and concerns about future of many academic programs at the U of S. This issue of VOX is another submission from Professor Eric Howe. It follows-up what he previously wrote and presents his thoughts on TransformUS now that the task forces have released their […]
Read More »The timing and speed of the TransformUS process may not have allowed for thorough involvement of everyone in an academic unit in completing the TransformUS templates and, in some units, it meant the responsibility fell to one person. The unfortunate side-effect of this means that programs may not have been portrayed appropriately or completely. Now […]
Read More »In 2010-11, a University wide austerity exercise saw reductions in unit budgets in order to free up $10,000,000 of base budget money to cover off pension solvency costs and reduced investment income. The University had a financial crisis and it needed to be addressed immediately!! Looking over the financial statements since 2010-11, investment income has […]
Read More »Following is a link to an issue of Collectively Speaking that discusses the projected $44.5 million structural deficit in relation to TransformUS. A hard copy of this issue is on its way to you. http://usaskfaculty.ca/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/13-12-20-speaking-of-transformus-final.pdf The USFA will continue to work on a more complete understanding of the financial status of the University and we […]
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