COVID-19 and the Academic Workplace Resources

Overview

COVID-19 Pandemic
In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, universities and colleges have been forced to take measures that have, amongst other things, affected the working conditions of academic and general staff, teachers and students. Below are some measures that have been initiated.

News

Re-opening colleges and universities
CAUT is tracking institutional plans for delivery of courses during the pandemic.

— Winter 2022 Semester Plans
— Vaccine requirements should be considered for safe return to campus (August 10, 2021)
— Fall 2021 Semester Plans Summary
— Fall 2021 Semester Plans Database
— Checklist for assessing re-opening plans
— Template Mandatory Vaccination Policy

French-speaking universities in pandemic times
(February 26, 2021)
From apprehended crisis to critical emergency, the Francophone University is facing the pandemic.

— Forum (Feb 26)
— Transcripts (Feb 26)
— CAUT townhall explores growing pressures on francophone post-secondary institutions (Feb 2021)

Re-opening Campuses: Fall/Winter semester
(September 1, 2020)
CAUT is tracking institutional plans for delivery of courses during the pandemic.

 


— Re-opening colleges and universities: Fall semester plans (Sept 2020)
— Fall/Winter Semester Plan Database
— Checklist for assessing re-opening plans

Surveys

Impact of the Pandemic on Post-Secondary Teachers & Staff
CAUT surveyed its members, using crowdsourcing data collection, between May 13 and June 12, 2020. (Aug 2020) // Read

COVID-19 and the Impact on Students
A new survey shows a significant number of students are reconsidering their plans for university and college in the fall. (May 2020) // Read

Resources

Actions to advance equity during Covid-19

  • The COVID-19 pandemic has amplified inequities in the academic workplace. To help address equity issues on campus exacerbated by COVID-19, CAUT offers the following suggestions to member associations. (Aug 2020)
    Read

Coronavirus hits Campus - Special Bulletin

  • Staff and students had to quickly adapt to emergency remote teaching, leaving many frustrated and anxious. (May-June 2020)
    Read

Townhall Series

  • CAUT webinars highlight impact of COVID-19 on academic work.
    (June 2020)
    Read

Remote Teaching during a Pandemic

  • As universities and colleges develop plans for the 2020-21 academic year, many are preparing for the continuation of remote instruction either fully or in part. (May 2020)
    Read

Guidelines for re-opening of Campuses

  • As the federal and provincial governments consider easing the emergency restrictions put in place to limit the spread of COVID-19, colleges and universities across the country are developing plans for their operations in the fall. (May 2020)
    Read

Federal Advocacy

CAUT advocates for the inclusion of academic staff and students in emergency supports as well as for strong investments in research and post-secondary education as key to recovery.

Frequently Asked Questions

  • CAUT has provided guidance on how associations should respond to the most common issues and questions. (Dec 2020)
    Read

COVID-19 Income Support Measures

  • Where the employer is not providing adequate income protection, federal income support measures may provide some relief. (Dec 2020)
    Read

CAUT Town Hall Series

COVID-19 and the Academic Job

Systemic racism in the academy

(June 25, 2020) The latest CAUT town hall event focused on how post-secondary education plays a role in perpetuating systems of exclusion and ways in which academic staff are striving to develop concrete ways to end racism and de-colonize campuses.

Constructive discussion with Tri-Council representatives

(May 21, 2020) Nearly 300 CAUT members joined this online town hall to discuss the effects of COVID-19 on research with representatives from the granting councils. The closure of the economy and public spaces took the Tri-Councils by surprise and they had to adapt quickly to continue fulfilling their mission.

Governance in the time of COVID-19

(May 14, 2020) This townhall discussed practical steps to help ensure that these principles are upheld, as well as lessons for academic staff about how they might organize to strengthen governance at their institutions. While the seriousness of the current situation demands appropriate flexibility, the approval of any modifications to academic policy should remain the purview of academic governance bodies, consistent with principles of shared governance.

CAUT Town Hall on Contract Academic Staff and COVID-19

(May 7, 2020) This town hall series looked at the unique experiences of contract academic staff (CAS) in the time of COVID-19. Academic staff association leaders and activists discussed practical steps they have taken to provide additional support for their members.

CAUT webinar highlights concerns with remote teaching

(April 22, 2020) The rushed transition to remote teaching is raising concerns about privacy, academic freedom, and intellectual property. In the second series of webinars organized by CAUT, experts discussed the implications of the temporary transition to virtual instruction.

CAUT webinar highlights impact of COVID-19 on academic work

(April 16, 2020) More than 500 members participated in CAUT’s first webinar on the effects of COVID-19 on work of academic staff. Moderated by CAUT President Brenda Austin-Smith, the English webinar featured Ian Milligan (Waterloo), Stephanie Ross (McMaster) and Julia M. Wright (Dalhousie).