Fact Sheet #2. May 2005

Roles, Rights & Responsibilities

Some Things You Really Need To Know

New faculty members at the University of Guelph are often overwhelmed by the pressure of getting “up to speed”. Establishing research projects, preparing courses and teaching them, and getting used to life in both the city and the University are more than full-time tasks. Not too surprisingly new faculty often take for granted the working of the University and do not understand its underlying assumptions and structures, or their own rights. This is an attempt to set out some things you really need to know as a member of this community.

1. You may be an “employee” - but with some very real differences. The University is based on the principal of collegial self government in matters of academic concern. On issues such as hiring, courses, systems of evaluation, the terms and conditions of employment, etc. you are expected to play a significant role in decision making. Do not let your rights in these matters be lost by default - get involved, speak out, let your voice be heard. You are not “interfering” - you are acting as a responsible member of a self-governing academic community. Consider standing for election to Senate and if elected to Senate do not feel the need to rubber stamp what comes before you: question, and when appropriate, suggest alternatives or voice objections.
2. Department Chairs, Deans, and other academic administrators are not your “bosses”, they are your colleagues. Ideally they will return to normal faculty work when they complete their term of office, but even if they do not, remember that they are to consult and build consensus, not dictate and threaten. There is no place in this University for any administrator who sees their work as the top-down imposition of orders.
3. Know how the system operates. We are not a unionized faculty, subject to the rules of collective bargaining. Rather we work under a “Special Plan Agreement” (SPA), a legally binding document governing the relations of the University and the faculty. It is available on the Association website - bookmark it, print it out, read it.
4. The SPA creates a formal system for creating policy, most notably the Joint Faculty Policies Committee. It also creates a grievance procedure. It guarantees your academic freedom (more fully than almost any other University around - under Article 15.5, for example, the University is obliged not only to not interfere with academic freedom itself, it is obliged to protect it:

   “The University will act to protect faculty and librarians from all infringement on academic freedom. No University Policy, officer, or agent will be permitted to infringe on any aspect of the exercise of academic freedom and all necessary steps will be taken to protect faculty and librarians from harassment, threats, or abuse by any individuals or groups designed to limit or inhibit the exercise of academic freedom.”

   The point is this: there is much in this document that you need to know, so take the time to read it and return to it.

5. The same thing applies to Faculty Policies - at first you will want to know about Tenure and Promotion policy, and salary increases. Later other topics will arise. Know your rights, as well as your responsibilities. Bookmark the website where it is found for ready reference. (www.caut.ca/ugfa)
6. The Faculty Association is your association - we cannot work without actively involved faculty. Of course you are busy right now getting tenured - but contact us with your questions; participate in our activities as much as you can and include us in your plans after that happens.

May 2005

This UGFA fact sheet has been prepared by membership secretary Keith Cassidy at the request of the UGFA executive and is intended to provide general background information to UGFA members about their association, to allow them to understand it better and to encourage active participation.