Final Call for Nominations for 2024 KFA Elections

Dear Kwantlen Faculty Association Members,

In accordance with Article 7 of our Constitution and By-Laws, this is the final call for nominations for the following positions on the KFA Executive Committee:

KFA Executive Committee

• President (until end of term, August 31, 2026)
• VP Negotiations (until end of term, August 31, 2026)
• Member-at-Large (until end of term, August 31, 2026)
• Science & Horticulture Representative (until end of term, May 31, 2026)
• Business Representative (until end of term, May 31, 2026)
• Faculty of Health Representative (until end of term, May 31, 2026)
• Faculty of Trades & Technology (until end of term, May 31, 2025)
• Ombudsperson (until end of term, May 31, 2025)
• School of Design Representative (until end of term, May 31, 2026)
• Qualifying Studies & Access Representative (until end of term, May 31, 2025)
• Non-Regular Faculty Representative (until end of term, May 31, 2026)
• Status of Women Representative (until end of term, May 31, 2026)
• Academic Governance Committee Representative (until end of term, May 31, 2026)
• Occupational Health & Safety Committee Representative (until end of term, May 31, 2026)
• Pension Advisory Committee Representative (until end of term, May 31, 2026)
• Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer, Two-Spirited+ Committee Representative (until end of term, May 31, 2025)

KFA Working Conditions Committee

• Science/Applied Science Studies & Horticulture Working Conditions Committee Representative
• School of Business Working Conditions Committee Representative
• Trades & Technology Working Conditions Committee Representative
• Qualifying Studies & Access Working Conditions Committee Representative
• Non-Regular Faculty Working Conditions Committee Representative
• Wilson School of Design Working Conditions Committee Representative
• Status of Women Working Conditions Committee Representative
• Social Sciences Working Conditions Committee Representative
• Humanities Working Conditions Committee Representative
• Learner Support/Co-op Working Conditions Committee Representative
• Faculty of Health Working Conditions Committee Representative

Please see the attached document titled “Responsibilities of an Executive Member” and By-law 4.2 for information about these roles. Please also see the attached KFA Conflict of Interest Policy.

Nomination Period – March 26 to April 17, 2024

The nomination period runs from March 26 to April 17, at noon. Nomination forms are to be sent to the Chief Returning Officer (C.R.O.), Rachelle Hollaway. Three calls for nominations will be made during this time period. In the event that the call for nominations results in only one nomination being received by the close of the nomination period, the nominee shall be acclaimed at the Annual General Meeting on April 18, 2024. If there is more than one nominee, an online election will be held.

The nominations received to date are as follows:

If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to contact me. You can find more information about the election process on our website.

Rachelle Hollaway, Member-at-Large

Officer Responsible for the Election

Notice of Motions and Amendments to the KFA Constitution & By-Laws

Dear Kwantlen Faculty Association Members,

In advance of the Spring KFA AGM, we are providing notice of a motion to change dues from 1.95% to 2.20% of gross faculty salary. If passed, this change would mean an approximate increase of $10.96 per pay cheque for a 100% faculty member on the top salary step. The last time we adjusted dues was 15 years ago at the April 2009 AGM. Please go to the Members/minutes area of the KFA website to view a document that provides context for this motion for you to review.

In addition to the notice of motion regarding dues, and in accordance with By-Law 3.4.1, this is notice of changes for By-Laws # 7 & 8:

7. BY-LAW #7: ELECTIONS OF EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE AND OMBUDSPERSON

7.11 Educational Leave

A vacancy created by an Executive Committee Member who has been awarded an Educational Leave will be filled by the following process:

7.11.1  If the Executive Committee Member on Educational Leave does not wish to continue in their role and there is time remaining in their elected term, they will resign from their position, and the vacancy will be filled as per BY-LAW #8: REPLACEMENT

7.11.2   If the Executive Committee Member on Educational Leave wishes to continue in their role and there is time remaining in their elected term after the end of their Educational Leave, then the member will temporarily step down from their position and the KFA Executive will make a replacement appointment as per BY-LAW #8: REPLACEMENT for the duration of the Educational Leave at which point the incumbent will resume the remainder of their original elected term.

8. BY-LAW #8: REPLACEMENT

8.1         If the office of Vice-President—Grievances, Vice-President—Negotiations, Member(s)–at-Large, or Secretary-Treasurer becomes vacant, the Executive Committee shall appoint a member of the Association to serve until the next meeting of the voting members of the Association, subject to the restrictions of Article 7.1 & 7.11 of the By-Laws, according to the following procedures:

• The President shall recommend an appointee to the Executive Committee.

• The Executive Committee members shall also have the opportunity to put forward nominations.

• The Executive Committee shall vote to confirm, or in the event there is more than one candidate, elect the appointee.

MOTION: To approve the changes to By-Law #7 and #8 as recommended by the Executive.

If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to contact me.

Mark Diotte, President

Second Call for Nominations for 2024 KFA Elections

Dear Kwantlen Faculty Association Members,

In accordance with Article 7 of our Constitution and By-Laws, this is the second call for nominations for the following positions on the KFA Executive Committee:

KFA Executive Committee

• President (until end of term, August 31, 2026)
• VP Negotiations (until end of term, August 31, 2026)
• Member-at-Large (until end of term, August 31, 2026)
• Science & Horticulture Representative (until end of term, May 31, 2026)
• Business Representative (until end of term, May 31, 2026)
• Faculty of Health Representative (until end of term, May 31, 2026)
• Faculty of Trades & Technology (until end of term, May 31, 2025)
• Ombudsperson (until end of term, May 31, 2025)
• School of Design Representative (until end of term, May 31, 2026)
• Qualifying Studies & Access Representative (until end of term, May 31, 2025)
• Non-Regular Faculty Representative (until end of term, May 31, 2026)
• Status of Women Representative (until end of term, May 31, 2026)
• Academic Governance Committee Representative (until end of term, May 31, 2026)
• Occupational Health & Safety Committee Representative (until end of term, May 31, 2026)
• Pension Advisory Committee Representative (until end of term, May 31, 2026)
• Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer, Two-Spirited+ Committee Representative (until end of term, May 31, 2025)

KFA Working Conditions Committee

• Science/Applied Science Studies & Horticulture Working Conditions Committee Representative
• School of Business Working Conditions Committee Representative
• Trades & Technology Working Conditions Committee Representative
• Qualifying Studies & Access Working Conditions Committee Representative
• Non-Regular Faculty Working Conditions Committee Representative
• Wilson School of Design Working Conditions Committee Representative
• Status of Women Working Conditions Committee Representative
• Social Sciences Working Conditions Committee Representative
• Humanities Working Conditions Committee Representative
• Learner Support/Co-op Working Conditions Committee Representative
• Faculty of Health Working Conditions Committee Representative
   

Please see the attached document titled “Responsibilities of an Executive Member” and By-law 4.2 for information about these roles. Please also see the KFA Conflict of Interest Policy attached.

Nomination Period – March 26 to April 17, 2024

The nomination period runs from March 26 to April 17, at noon. Nomination forms are to be sent to the Chief Returning Officer (C.R.O.), Rachelle Hollaway. Three calls for nominations will be made during this time period. In the event that the call for nominations results in only one nomination being received by the close of the nomination period, the nominee shall be acclaimed at the Annual General Meeting on April 18, 2024. If there is more than one nominee, an online election will be held.

The nominations received to date are as follows:

If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to contact me. You can find more information about the election process on our website.

Rachelle Hollaway, Member-at-Large

Officer Responsible for the Election

First Call for Nominations for 2024 KFA Elections

Dear Kwantlen Faculty Association Members,

In accordance with Article 7 of our Constitution and By-Laws, this is the first call for nominations for the following positions on the KFA Executive Committee:

KFA Executive Committee

• President (until end of term, August 31, 2026)
• VP Negotiations (until end of term, August 31, 2026)
• Member-at-Large (until end of term, August 31, 2026)
• Science & Horticulture Representative (until end of term, May 31, 2026)
• Business Representative (until end of term, May 31, 2026)
• Faculty of Health Representative (until end of term, May 31, 2026)
• Faculty of Trades & Technology (until end of term, May 31, 2025)
• Ombudsperson (until end of term, May 31, 2025)
• School of Design Representative (until end of term, May 31, 2026)
• Qualifying Studies & Access Representative (until end of term, May 31, 2025)
• Non-Regular Faculty Representative (until end of term, May 31, 2026)
• Status of Women Representative (until end of term, May 31, 2026)
• Academic Governance Committee Representative (until end of term, May 31, 2026)
• Occupational Health & Safety Committee Representative (until end of term, May 31, 2026)
• Pension Advisory Committee Representative (until end of term, May 31, 2026)
• Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer, Two-Spirited+ Committee Representative (until end of term, May 31, 2025)
   

KFA Working Conditions Committee

• Science/Applied Science Studies & Horticulture Working Conditions Committee Representative
• School of Business Working Conditions Committee Representative
• Trades & Technology Working Conditions Committee Representative
• Qualifying Studies & Access Working Conditions Committee Representative
• Non-Regular Faculty Working Conditions Committee Representative
• Wilson School of Design Working Conditions Committee Representative
• Status of Women Working Conditions Committee Representative
• Social Sciences Working Conditions Committee Representative
• Humanities Working Conditions Committee Representative
• Learner Support/Co-op Working Conditions Committee Representative
• Faculty of Health Working Conditions Committee Representative

Please see the attached document titled “Responsibilities of an Executive Representative” and By-law 4.2 for information about these roles. Please also see the KFA Conflict of Interest Policy. 

Nomination Period – March 26 to April 17, 2024

The nomination period runs from March 26 to April 17, at noon. Nomination forms are to be sent to the Chief Returning Officer (C.R.O.), Rachelle Hollaway. Three calls for nominations will be made during this time period. In the event that the call for nominations results in only one nomination being received by the close of the nomination period, the nominee shall be acclaimed at the Annual General Meeting on April 18, 2024. If there is more than one nominee, an online election will be held.

If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to contact me. You can find more information about the election process on our website.

Rachelle Hollaway, Member-at-Large

Officer Responsible for the Election

Representation at meetings with the Dean’s office

Hello KFA Members,

A number of our faculty members have reported that they have been called into their Dean’s office for “an informal chat” that became something different. If you have received such an invitation, there are a number of things you should be aware of.

It is important to ask upfront for the subject of this proposed meeting to ensure the meeting is not about an issue that could potentially end in possible discipline.

If this planned “informal chat” is about any student complaints or teaching concerns, we advise that you ask for KFA representation. It is vitally important that you are protected by a KFA representative should the nature of the informal chat change to a more aggressive investigation of facts which can lead to discipline. You have the right to have a KFA representative present in these discussions, and this right is enshrined in our Collective Agreement. It is not an escalation to want to have support that you are entitled to have.

Should you find yourself in a meeting with the Dean’s office where the nature of the meeting goes from a casual, informal chat to something more serious and potentially disciplinary in nature, we advise you to ask to reschedule this meeting with KFA representation. You DO NOT have to answer questions at that point, until a KFA representative can join you. You can simply state that you need to contact the KFA for advice on this topic before responding.

In Solidarity,

Your KFA

Regularization? Increase to regularization?

Hello colleagues,

We understand that your regularization or increasing your regularization is a concern for a number of people right now. To help make sure everyone knows their rights, the KFA would like to summarize these for you.

Regularization is defined in the Collective Agreement as an entitlement to “ongoing work.” If you have ongoing work then you would have worked at least 50% during two consecutive years, and at least 50% work is available (or performed) during the third year. Work as both NR1 and/or NR2 counts towards regularization.

If you are working or are scheduled to work during the timeframe where you should expect to be regularized (or have a verbal or email promise of work), then you are entitled to be regularized regardless of paperwork in hand, though it is nice to have that paperwork in hand as soon as possible.

Part-time regular faculty who have been consistently working above their regularization percentage through additional work each year are entitled to an increase in regularization percentage. This increase must occur. The new language says:

After the initial determination of the regularization percentage, if there is a reasonable expectation of an ongoing workload over and above the initial regularization percentage, the member shall have their regularization percentage increased by the corresponding amount.

Ongoing work is defined in the same way as above, over a three-year time span. If this describes your workload history, then you are entitled to a regularization increase. If you have been regularized at a workload below the workload you have performed over the past three years (even prior to regularization), then your regularization percentage needs to be increased now.

Your rights exist now if you are entitled now. We are advocating “behind the scenes,” as it were, with KPU admin to continue with regularization and to take action on increases to regularization even in our current uncertain times. Even if we have enrolment problems that result in fewer sections of available work at some future point, entitlement to regularization is a right that exists as of that third year.

Furthermore, the layoff procedures in the Collective Agreement are designed to deal with a decrease in work at the point the work is actually decreased. Not before. Being regularized and then laid off is far better than not being regularized because we have mitigation, severance, and recall rights as described in the Collective Agreement.

Next steps you can take: if you believe you are due to be regularized or to have your regularization increased, you can contact your dean’s office, enquire, and ask for an appointment letter. If you’ve already done this, you may want to ask again for the appointment letter if you have not received it in a reasonable amount of time (if, for instance, it’s been a month since you last heard anything related to your regularization from the dean’s office).

Contact the KFA if your enquiries don’t yield an appointment letter or you prefer not to enquire, and we will follow up on your behalf.

Addendum 

Part-time regulars: If there was non-regular work in your department and you were not offered the work, you should have been. It is improper to offer out non-regular work before offering it to a part-time regular faculty member.

Therefore, this work should be included as part of what will make you entitled to a regularization increase.

In solidarity,

Diane

Hold the Date for the KFA AGM – 3:00-6:00 pm on Thursday, April 18, 2024

Please join us:

KFA Annual General Membership Meeting

Thursday, April 18, 2024
3:00 – 6:00 pm
Online Zoom Meeting

On the Agenda:

2024 Elections and Acclamations

Changes to Constitution and By-Laws

KFA 2024-25 Draft Budget

KFA New Collective Agreement Update March 1 2024

Hello KFA members,

I want to take this opportunity to provide you with the current status of the implementation of our new KPU-KFA Collective Agreement, April 1, 2022 – March 31, 2025.

• The new KPU/KFA 2022-2025 Collective Agreement is currently being finalized and will be available on our website shortly.
• The retro-active payments are currently being processed by KPU Payroll. As outlined in our last message of January 15th, the Employer committed to have this payment applied by the end of May. We are continuing to engage with the KPU Administration to speed up this process.
• As mentioned in my January 15th communication, a new ongoing Health Benefits Fund was established to cover health expenses for Non-Regular Type 1 faculty. We are still working with KPU Administration to develop the guidelines and process for this Fund administration. When this work is complete, we will put out further communication to our members with the details of this benefit.
• We have received confirmation from KPU Administration that all benefit changes for Regular and Non-Regular Type 2 faculty have now been made by Manulife. The KPU Administration has provided an update via Today@KPU on February 22, 2024 on the changes to our coverage. 

In Solidarity,

Raphael Lagoutin

Intersections of Gendered Violence Experienced by Faculty at KPU

Good day KPU Faculty!!

Friday, March 8 is International Women’s Day. I will be hosting an online panel on Tuesday March 19, titled “Intersections of Gendered Violence Experienced by Faculty at KPU”. Please mark your calendars for Tuesday, March 19 11:30am to 12:30pm for a  KPU faculty Zoom panel discussion.  

Dr Balbir Gurm, Dr Fiona Whittington-Walsh and Dr Cherylynn Bassani will speak on intersections of gendered violence in our work place. Balbir will be focusing on intersections of ethnicity and race, Fiona on intersections of disability and Cherylynn on some initial findings from the faculty survey that she conducted in November 2023 on gendered violence that KPU faculty have experienced. Each will briefly talk, though the majority of time will be held for faculty sharing.

The Zoom link will open at 11am, with the meeting beginning at 11:30am.

Join Zoom Meeting

https://ca01web.zoom.us/j/68070423633

Meeting ID: 680 7042 3633

I hope to see you online! I will send a list of other International Women’s Day events in March. If you know of a Women’s Day event that you would like me to share please email me directly with the link and general information (day, time, title, etc.). 

In solidarity of a workplace free of gendered violence, 

Cherylynn Bassani

Status of Women Representative, Kwantlen Faculty Association

A KFA faculty representative needed for Langley OH&S committee

Dear KFA Members,

The KFA is looking for a faculty member who regularly teaches on the Langley Campus to serve on the Langley Occupational Health & Safety Committee. This is a joint committee with representatives from KFA, BCGEU and KPU Administration.

• Meetings currently occur on the third Tuesday of every month.  
• Currently, meetings are still virtual.
• 8 hours of training for OH&S is provided per year which is typically done in 2 – 4 hour sessions about 6 months apart.

If you are interested in this opportunity, please let us know by responding to Raphael Lagoutin by February 23, 2024.