To explore the legacy of the Cannon Presidency, we are comparing the data from immediately before she took office (the 2009/10 academic year) to the most recent year available (2016/17).  To ensure there is no question of the validity of the figures, we are using the University’s own figures from the relevant Fact Books.

Full-time equivalencies:

*includes continuing, limited term and contingent term; does not include sessionals. The academic staff category includes academic administrators such as Department Heads and Associate Deans.

In other words, during this six-year period, the overall growth of the university staff increased by 11.0%, the M&P staff skyrocketed with 35.9% growth, while the academic staff stagnated with only 2.0% growth. If the increase in hiring due to the Faculty of Nursing in Qatar is taken into account, the overall increase in academic staff becomes almost nil.

During the period, the growth of M&P staff is 18 times that of academic staff while the growth in student numbers is triple the growth of academic staff. Student numbers grew by 6.3% over the same period as indicated below (full and part-time combined), worsening the student/academic ratio from 16.4:1 in 2009/10 to 17.1:1 in 2016/17:

It is interesting to review the experience of the Faculties in considering the impact of the changes in (non-sessional) academic staff over this period, as reported in the Fact Books.  Unfortunately, as of the date of this update the 2016/17 data by Faculties is not yet available on the OIA website, so the information below is based on the 2015/16 data:

In recognition of the contributions of sessionals to the academic environment the Association is awarding Sessional Travel Grants. Four grants of up to $1,500 each are available. The deadline for application is January 12, 2018.

These grants serve to support the academic goals of sessional members of the Faculty Association by providing funding for a portion of travel costs related to scholarly activity in their field. The selection of recipients is at the discretion of the Personnel Committee; however priority will normally be given to those who are presenting papers, giving scholarly presentations, or otherwise playing a significant role at an academic event. The purpose of these grants is to provide these members an opportunity to profile their research, remain current in their fields, and thereby benefit the University with their enhanced expertise and profile.

Sessional applicants must have completed at least three (3) half-course equivalents at the University of Calgary between September 1, 2016 and December 31, 2017. Applicants must also be contracted at the University of Calgary for the Fall 2017 and/or Winter 2018 semesters. Travel must be completed by December 31, 2018.

Grant recipients will be selected by the Faculty Association based on the quality of their application and the relevance of the conference/scholarly activity to the research/field of study.

Click here for a Travel Grant application form.

The Faculty Association office will be closed Friday, December 22 for the holiday season and will reopen on Tuesday, January 2. The Association’s voicemail will be checked regularly on days the University is open. Have a safe and happy holiday!

In lieu of holiday gifts, the Faculty Association donates to local food banks. The Campus Food Bank and the Calgary Food Bank received a donation of $2,500 each in recognition of the valuable support they provide during the holiday season.

WE WISH YOU HAPPY HOLIDAYS AND A GREAT NEW YEAR!

The Faculty Association is seeking nominees to the Board of Directors.

The term of the President and Chair of the Board of Directors, Sandra Hoenle, is expiring on June 30, 2018. Hoenle is eligible to stand for a one-year extension of her term, and nominations of other candidates are invited. As per the Association by-laws, any member nominated for President and Chair of the Board shall have been a member who has served on the Board of Directors for at least one year during the previous five years.

There are five (5) three-year terms open for election on the Board of Directors. The designated sessional seat, a one-year term, is also open for election. Nominees must be current members of the Association, or have held a sessional position at some point since May 1, 2017.

The deadline for nominations is Thursday, February 8, 2018 at 4:30 p.m. Nominations must be received at the Faculty Association office by that time.

Nominations must be received in writing. Also required on the nomination form are the signatures of at least three members of the Association, as well as the written consent of the nominee. Nominations should be accompanied by a statement from the nominee of a maximum 100 words, which will be circulated along with the ballots. No member may nominate more than two candidates.

Potential candidates should be aware that the Board of Directors meetings are regularly scheduled on Tuesday afternoons, approximately once per month from September to June. Additional meetings are scheduled as required. Directors are also regularly appointed to a variety of other Association, University, and external committees as representatives of the Association.

Please contact the Faculty Association office for a nomination form.