Annual Reports

Report of the Chair of the Librarians Committee, 2016–2017

The work of the Librarians Committee continues to inclusively and collaboratively foster community by building on the work and ideas of previous chairs, members, and the wider librarian community. Investment in a collegial, diverse, transparent, and equitable future for academic librarians at U of T is at the forefront. We seek consultative processes; equitable opportunities and procedures; fair working conditions; and consistent practices across our three campuses.

In this busy year, especially as we prepare to enter into negotiations, the Committee has focused on:

Report of the Chair of the Equity Committee, 2016–2017

A number of developments relevant to equity, diversity, and inclusiveness have occurred at the University of Toronto since my December 2016 report.

Report of the Chair of the Appointments Committee, 2016–2017

The Appointments Committee advises UTFA Council and Executive on matters related to the University’s many policies and procedures on appointments. This includes procedures for hiring, promotion, tenure, and termination, encompassing all librarian and faculty ranks—full-time and part-time—including tenure stream, teaching stream, contractually limited, visiting adjunct appointments, and emeriti/ae.

Report of the Treasurer, 2016–2017

The Association remains in very strong financial health. The audited financial statements of the last five years show an average yearly surplus of approximately $375,000, which would have been $515,000 without the dues holidays in 2014 and 2015.

Report of the Vice-President, University and External Affairs, 2016–2017

This year I have been a liaison between UTFA and the following groups: the University of Toronto Employee Associations and Unions (UTEAU); student groups such as UTMSU, APUS, SCSU, and the Canadian Federation of Students (CFS); the Ontario Confederation of University Faculty Associations (OCUFA); and the Canadian Association of University Teachers (CAUT). As VP University and External Affairs, I serve on the University of St. Michael’s College Leadership Committee.

Report of the Vice-President, Salary, Benefits and Pensions, 2016–2017

I assumed the role of Vice-President, Salary, Benefits, Pensions and Workload after the last round of bargaining, and I would like to thank Paul Downes for making the transition smooth.

Report of the President, 2015–2016

Greetings. The Annual General Meeting coincides with the arrival of spring (we assume!), the end of the winter term, and in many units, transition from one academic year to another. UTFA’s calendar too turns over, with any vacancies on the UTFA Executive filled by the Council at its May meeting for terms commencing July 1. This year has seen an UTFA Presidential election as well. I want to offer my sincere congratulations to Cynthia Messenger, whose term will likewise begin July 1. I am looking forward to working with and supporting Cynthia during this period of transition.

Report of the Chair of the Teaching Stream Committee, 2015–2016

Momentous changes have happened this year for full-time members of the Teaching Stream: Senior Lecturers and Lecturers have had the opportunity to elect to change their titles to Associate Professor, Teaching Stream and Assistant Professor, Teaching Stream. Negotiations are ongoing regarding policy language prescribing the process for promotion to Professor, Teaching Stream.

Report of the Chair of the Retired Members Committee, 2015–2016

2015 was a significant year for the retired constituency of UTFA. The UTFA Constitution was revised, a new standing committee of UTFA for retired members was approved, and the Retired Academics and Librarians of the University of Toronto (RALUT) ceased to exist. This report highlights some of the key developments and the contribution that the Committee and the constituency are making to UTFA.

Report of the Chair of the Membership Committee, 2015–2016

As Chair of the Membership Committee, I strive to support the work of UTFA Council and Executive in new ways, to increase dialogue with members, and to circulate ideas that matter to all of us within the membership and beyond. Some of our activities relate broadly to UTFA’s mission and the broader landscape of collegial governance, and others concern decisions we need to make at UTFA and at U of T. The broad goal of our outreach is to ensure colleagues come together during the academic year to think across divisions, departments, and fields about the common good.

Annual Reports

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