The Northern Ontario School of Medicine Faculty Association (NOSMFA) was welcomed into membership by CAUT Council in April.

Representing academic staff at the newly-created institution, the faculty association is actively pursuing certification to establish collective bargaining rights at the school's two campuses.

Brian Ross, the president of NOSMFA, expressed delight at his association becoming a member of CAUT. "With our members split between two campuses - 1,000 km apart - we face many challenges," Ross said. "But we're confident we will complete our certification drive shortly and then successfully negotiate a first collective agreement. We look forward to the advice and support of CAUT and its member associations."

The Northern Ontario School of Medicine is a joint venture of Laurentian University in Sudbury and Lakehead University in Thunder Bay. It will have multiple teaching and research centres across Northern Ontario. The first group of undergraduate medical students will begin their programs in September 2005.