The UBC Faculty Association is the voice of faculty on a number of important issues. To see related posts on these issues including calls for faculty input, select the relevant tag or select the search icon at the top right of this page to use the search bar. Many topics are ongoing and faculty perspectives are always welcome. If you would like to comment on any item, please send an email to [email protected].
Link to Media Statement from the Chair of UBC, John Montalbano
Dear Colleagues:
As you may know, last week the UBC Faculty Association presented a request to the Board of Governors asking for more details on the resignation of Professor Gupta as President. We received the Board’s response on August 14.
We are disappointed that the Board’s response provides no new information. In essence, it asks the university community — and the public at large — to take on faith, the fact that the Board has acted responsibly and in the public interest. While the Board should normally have the trust and confidence of the university community, events surrounding the resignation of Professor Gupta make this increasingly difficult.
Read the response to our concerns from UBC’s Board of Governors here.
In reaction to President Arvind Gupta’s sudden resignation, UBCFA President Mark Mac Lean sent a letter to all of our members on August 10th. View our correspondence by following this link.
Policy 81
On February 20, 2014, the Board of Governors passed Policy 81 (Initial Version) (Use of Teaching Materials in a UBC Credit Course) outside its regularly scheduled meeting process. The Faculty Association vigorously opposed Policy 81 as drafted, revised, and implemented at all stages of discussion with the University. As Policy 81 was of major importance to the membership, we are presenting a chronology of events surrounding the issue.
Revised 26 April 2014
When does this take effect?
The Board of Governors passed the policy on February 20. It comes into effect on the first day of classes for the Summer Term 1 (May 12)
Links to documents related to the Gender Pay Equity Working Group:
Joint Communique: UBC and UBCFA
Report of the Pay Equity (DATA) Working Group
Report of the Structural Measures and Resolution Tactics (SMART)
Report of the Gender Pay Equity Recommendation Committee: UBCV
Report of the Gender Pay Equity Recommendation Committee: UBCO
Please take the opportunity to express your voice in the formation/change of university policies!
The University is proposing amendments to Policy #85 (Scholarly Integrity). We have attached the rationale for the changes that were presented to the Board of Governors at its meeting on 4 December 2012 as well as both the existing and proposed policies. Below you will find the University’s comments on the proposed amendments.
Please review the proposed changes to see if you have any questions or concerns. You can submit your response to the Faculty Association by January 23 to be considered when we formulate the Association’s response, or you may forward your concerns directly to the University by January 31. If you do submit a response to the University directly, please copy us so that we’re aware of your response.
Please take the opportunity to express your voice in the formation/change of university policies!
The University is proposing a new Policy #104 (Acceptable Use and Security of UBC Electronic Information and Systems) to replace existing policies #104 (Responsible Use of Information Technology Facilities and Services) and Policy #106 (Access to and Security of Administrative Information).
We have attached the rationale for the changes that were presented to the Board of Governors as well as both the existing and proposed policies. Below you will find the University’s comments on the proposed new policy.
Please review the proposed changes to see if you have any questions or concerns. You can submit your response to the Faculty Association by January 11 to be considered when we formulate the Association’s response, or you may forward your concerns directly to the University by January 25. If you do submit a response to the University directly, please copy us so that we’re aware of your response.
The Faculty Association is very concerned about proposed revisions to Policy 88, Intellectual Products (formerly called Patents and Licenses). Some of the elements, if implemented, would appear to seriously erode your intellectual property rights, and negatively impact your academic freedom.
We have attached the Association&rsquos response to the proposed changes, and you can also find it here. A copy of the proposed policy is here. I urge you to review our concerns, and send an email to Hubert Lai, University Counsel, copied to us, to express your concerns. Comments on the revised policy are due to Mr. Lai by October 7, so you must act quickly. We do not think it is in the best interest of faculty members to have the revised policy implemented and I think a strong signal should be sent about this to the University.
Respectfully,
Nancy Langton
President
