It is coming to the end of another academic year and time to reflect on the successes and challenges of 2010-11 and the opportunities for 2011-2012.
I feel the successes achieved were modest. Our staffing numbers have remained relatively stable, and in the next academic year, we will add three new full-time positions to this number. However the challenges ahead are enormous.
Full Time Faculty Numbers
The comparison of staffing numbers between full-time and part time professors is everyone’s concern. The non-full time numbers are continuing to rise dramatically compared to new full-time. We have close to 82 full-time professors, triple that in the number of part-time/partial load/session professors. Almost 70 per cent of 2010-11 faculty were teaching on a non full time basis.
Substantial Growth in student Enrolment
The college’s full time student numbers have grown at an astounding rate- 10 per cent last year, with a further projected increase of close to 10 percent for the fall 2012. Again, the hiring of full-time faculty members has not kept pace with this explosion in student enrolment.
Vacant Full-Time Faculty Positions
Four full-time faculty members’ positions will be vacant on June 30, 2011.The challenge is to get all these positions replaced for the next academic year. It is the intent of the union to fight for all replacements.
General Membership Meeting
A general membership meeting is being organized for Friday, April 20, 2011 in room B-132 at the South Porcupine campus. The meeting will begin at 1 pm. The agenda will include officer’s reports, the budget, election of the Local Executive members, and more. Come one, come all. Your union needs your support.
OPSEU Convention Report
Smokey Thomas, from Region 4 in Kingston, was re-elected as the President of OPSEU for a third two-year term. He received close to 70 per cent of the total ballot cast. Eddy Almeida from Region 2 in Hamilton won the treasurer/VP position by defeating Jamie Tucker from Region 7 in Thunder Bay.
Call for new Stewards.
Finally, there is always a need for new stewards, if you like to be a steward, just let us know.
Lad Shaba – President, Local 653