What exactly is Academic Freedom? Academic freedom is part of our collective agreement (Article 13) which while complex, is a broad right that you can exercise in your workload discussion with management. In plain language, academic freedom enables faculty to: Speak about academic issues without fear of reprisal. Design and teach a course using [...]

Thank you for taking the time in September 2020 to help us learn more about the costs incurred by SLC Faculty in order to work and teach remotely. Information gleaned from your responses has been an important part of the discussion the Local Executive Committee has been having with college management as we bring forward your [...]

In the coming weeks, Full-time faculty will receive their Standard Workload Forms (SWF) for the winter; many of them will think, “Hmmmm….” Concerned about the numbers on your SWF? Uncomfortable approaching your manager again for another SWF discussion? Maybe even feeling a bit intimidated? As a next step, you have the choice to refer [...]

SLC Faculty Local 417 members sometimes need to communicate or meet with representatives from Morneau Shepell, the college's external service provider for accommodations, short-term disability, and return to work. There have been increased reports to Local 417 of members feeling harassed when interacting with representatives from Morneau Shepell. The generalities, but not details, of [...]

As we continue to work remotely, it is more important than ever for us to understand what health and safety supports are available to us as members of OPSEU/SLC Faculty Local 417. The longer we work from home, sitting on uncomfortable chairs, at dining room tables that are too high, with computer screens that [...]

Decisions of the Workload Resolution Arbitrator (WRA) St. Lawrence College and OPSEU Local 417 September 2, 2020 Here are summaries of two recent decisions by an arbitrator from appeals of decisions of St. Lawrence College’s Workload Monitoring Group (WLG). The arbitrations took place on September 2, 2020. This was the first time in the [...]

THE WORLD PREMIERE FILM SCREENING: “Great!… this ranks with the best!”–Dr. Joe Berry, author of RECLAIMING THE IVORY TOWER “An important and compelling film!”–James DeFelice, Canadian Screen Award Winner IN SEARCH OF PROFESSOR PRECARIOUS, the Canadian documentary feature examining the issues, stories and struggles of precarious contract faculty in higher education, will be getting [...]

The Canadian Association of University Teachers has shared the results of its research on the impacts of COVID-19 on post-secondary education staff. Despite the name–Canadian Association of University Teachers–college professors were included in the research. The results are interesting (but not surprising), but it is also interesting to see the snapshot of who we [...]