Thursday, June 23, 2011
Use of blogs for classes
A reader posed the questions: "What do other educators think about class blogs, and what are your ideas for using blogs with students?" So we're throwing that topic open for discussion.
Friday, June 17, 2011
Joint Communication – Tentative Agreement on Compensation Negotiations
We are pleased to report that a tentative agreement has been reached on the terms of a two-year compensation agreement for academic staff. This agreement was achieved by the negotiating teams prior to the conclusion of the final offer selection arbitration.
The tentative agreement has been recommended by the Executive and Council of AASUA for ratification by its members. The board of governors has ratified the agreement, subject to final ratification by the AASUA membership.
The two-year agreement provides for across-the-board increases to salary scales and the value of merit increments effective July 1, 2011, and July 1, 2012. The formulae for determining the size of increment pools are unchanged from the previous agreement.
Other terms of the agreement include increased funding for academic benefits and pensions.
This agreement is the result of long and, at times, difficult negotiations between the board’s representatives and the association. However, we strongly endorse this agreement out of a shared belief that it serves the interests of both parties and will set the stage for continued dialogue between the association and university administration on other matters of mutual concern.
A copy of the tentative agreement is here.
University of Alberta
Comments are not enabled on this post because the tentative agreement has yet to be ratified by AASUA members.
The tentative agreement has been recommended by the Executive and Council of AASUA for ratification by its members. The board of governors has ratified the agreement, subject to final ratification by the AASUA membership.
The two-year agreement provides for across-the-board increases to salary scales and the value of merit increments effective July 1, 2011, and July 1, 2012. The formulae for determining the size of increment pools are unchanged from the previous agreement.
Other terms of the agreement include increased funding for academic benefits and pensions.
This agreement is the result of long and, at times, difficult negotiations between the board’s representatives and the association. However, we strongly endorse this agreement out of a shared belief that it serves the interests of both parties and will set the stage for continued dialogue between the association and university administration on other matters of mutual concern.
A copy of the tentative agreement is here.
Don Heth Carl G. Amrhein
President Provost and vice-president (academic)
Association of Academic Staff University of AlbertaUniversity of Alberta
Comments are not enabled on this post because the tentative agreement has yet to be ratified by AASUA members.
Dean of Medicine Resigns
University of Alberta President Indira Samarasekera announced today the resignation of Philip Baker, dean of the Faculty of Medicine & Dentistry, from his position, effective immediately.
“On the request of the provost, and recognizing that it was in the best interests of all parties involved, Philip Baker is resigning as dean, and I have accepted his resignation,” Samarasekera said.
“It was never my intention to detract from the accomplishments of the graduating class of 2011,” said Baker. “My hope is that the university and the faculty will be able to put this unfortunate incident behind them, and that this will bring closure for the university, the faculty and my family.”
Baker assumed the position of dean on Sept. 1, 2009, and also served as a professor and practicing obstetrician. He will retain his faculty position following a brief administrative leave, with assignments consistent with his academic expertise.
“We have been careful, thoughtful and deliberate in reaching this conclusion, and our board of governors has approved it,” Samarasekera said. She noted that Verna Yiu, currently vice-dean of faculty affairs in the faculty, will serve as interim dean. A search for a permanent dean will be struck as soon as is feasible.
"My sincerest hope is that we can proceed with focusing on the business of the university—teaching, research and service for the public good. I would like to extend my thanks to Dr. Verna Yiu, vice-dean of faculty affairs in the Faculty of Medicine & Dentistry, for agreeing to serve as interim dean. Dr. Yiu is a capable leader in her own right; the Faculty is in good hands."
“On the request of the provost, and recognizing that it was in the best interests of all parties involved, Philip Baker is resigning as dean, and I have accepted his resignation,” Samarasekera said.
“It was never my intention to detract from the accomplishments of the graduating class of 2011,” said Baker. “My hope is that the university and the faculty will be able to put this unfortunate incident behind them, and that this will bring closure for the university, the faculty and my family.”
Baker assumed the position of dean on Sept. 1, 2009, and also served as a professor and practicing obstetrician. He will retain his faculty position following a brief administrative leave, with assignments consistent with his academic expertise.
“We have been careful, thoughtful and deliberate in reaching this conclusion, and our board of governors has approved it,” Samarasekera said. She noted that Verna Yiu, currently vice-dean of faculty affairs in the faculty, will serve as interim dean. A search for a permanent dean will be struck as soon as is feasible.
"My sincerest hope is that we can proceed with focusing on the business of the university—teaching, research and service for the public good. I would like to extend my thanks to Dr. Verna Yiu, vice-dean of faculty affairs in the Faculty of Medicine & Dentistry, for agreeing to serve as interim dean. Dr. Yiu is a capable leader in her own right; the Faculty is in good hands."
Wednesday, June 15, 2011
Policies and Procedures on Plagiarism and Professional Misconduct
A number of comments here on the blog have been related to policies and procedures that the University of Alberta has in place to handle allegations of misconduct with fairness and due diligence. For those who wish to know more about the policies and procedures by which the university examines allegations of plagiarism and professional misconduct by employees, this information is publicly available in UAPPOL under both the Ethical Conduct and Safe Disclosure Policy and the Research and Scholarship Integrity Policy. For academic employees see also Article 16 of the Academic Staff Agreement.
The process as it applies to students is available in the Code of Student Behaviour under “The Discipline Process”.
The process as it applies to students is available in the Code of Student Behaviour under “The Discipline Process”.
Monday, June 13, 2011
Statement from University of Alberta President Indira Samarasekera
The University of Alberta has undertaken a process to examine allegations of plagiarism against Philip Baker, dean of the Faculty of Medicine & Dentistry. The allegations are related to a speech he gave at the graduation banquet for this year’s medical graduates on the evening of Friday, June 10.
These are serious allegations, and the University of Alberta will treat them as such. Academic integrity is at the heart of this university, and must continue to be so. We will undertake our examination within a fair process and with due diligence. As would be the case with any such allegations, a thorough review will be conducted under the university’s established procedures and codes of conduct.
Indira V. Samarasekera, OC
President and Vice-Chancellor
University of Alberta
These are serious allegations, and the University of Alberta will treat them as such. Academic integrity is at the heart of this university, and must continue to be so. We will undertake our examination within a fair process and with due diligence. As would be the case with any such allegations, a thorough review will be conducted under the university’s established procedures and codes of conduct.
Indira V. Samarasekera, OC
President and Vice-Chancellor
University of Alberta
A Statement on Dean Baker
You are likely aware of allegations of plagiarism against our dean of medicine, Philip Baker, in relation to a speech he gave to the Class of 2011 medical graduates at their graduation banquet Friday evening. Academic integrity is at the heart of the institution and we at the University of Alberta take this very seriously. The situation is being thoroughly addressed according to university policies and procedures. It is imperative that serious allegations are dealt with carefully and fairly to ensure that due process is served. As more information that can be shared becomes available, it will be posted here.
Wednesday, June 1, 2011
Canada Post Strike-Notice To Campus
In the event of a postal strike, Supply Management Services will make the necessary operational changes to minimize the disruption in services to our University customers and to our suppliers.
All Canada Post mail services will be affected, including mail and small parcels from a US or International origin.
Payment Services will discontinue sending cheques via Canada Post with the Thursday June 2nd cheque run. Contractors and Suppliers expecting a payment are advised to pick up their cheques at Supply Management Services, 3rd floor Materials Management Building. Cheques must be picked up by a supplier representative or courier service contracted on their behalf.
Contractors and Suppliers are advised to use the secure mail box located outside the main entrance of the Materials Management building to drop off their invoices. Invoices can also be faxed to 780.492.0607 or emailed to customerservice@sms.ualberta.ca for the duration of the strike.
Outgoing mail to addresses within Canada received at Distribution Services on or after Thursday June 2nd will not be metered and will be returned to the department. Outgoing US and International mail is not affected as the University does not use Canada Post for outgoing US and International mail services.
For the duration of the strike, we strongly encourage departments to specify “Courier” as the preferred shipping method when placing orders directly with a Supplier.
All Canada Post mail services will be affected, including mail and small parcels from a US or International origin.
Payment Services will discontinue sending cheques via Canada Post with the Thursday June 2nd cheque run. Contractors and Suppliers expecting a payment are advised to pick up their cheques at Supply Management Services, 3rd floor Materials Management Building. Cheques must be picked up by a supplier representative or courier service contracted on their behalf.
Contractors and Suppliers are advised to use the secure mail box located outside the main entrance of the Materials Management building to drop off their invoices. Invoices can also be faxed to 780.492.0607 or emailed to customerservice@sms.ualberta.ca for the duration of the strike.
Outgoing mail to addresses within Canada received at Distribution Services on or after Thursday June 2nd will not be metered and will be returned to the department. Outgoing US and International mail is not affected as the University does not use Canada Post for outgoing US and International mail services.
For the duration of the strike, we strongly encourage departments to specify “Courier” as the preferred shipping method when placing orders directly with a Supplier.
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