Faculty Presidents’ Message
Faculty Presidents’ Message
Faculty
These are incredible times. Our lives are being impacted by forces we could never have imagined. As one young child was quoted on social media this morning “It’s like Mother Nature has put us in the corner for a time out”. As we navigate these difficult times please support each other. Look for the positive wherever you can find it.
The faculty association has been asked questions surrounding next steps, the college policy and college positions. Let me reassure you ELT has been as open and transparent with us as they can possibly be. As you have noticed the message comes from different sources ranging from the Prime minister, federal health authorities, World Health Organization to our provincial leadership and health services. The tough thing is the message is not always the same. In an effort to maintain some sense of order the College leadership has elected to follow the recommendations of Alberta Health Services. AHS seems to be re-evaluating daily sometime around 4 o’clock, and Lethbridge College will try to keep up with the latest information supplied at that time.
Many of you have asked the Faculty Association about working from home and self-isolating. In my personal opinion the college has presented a consistent message concerning working. We are here, on campus to provide the best opportunities for our students. While some of you feel prepared and ready to work from home the message needs to be consistent, having said that we understand there are extenuating circumstances created by the pandemic, usually illness and childcare. When you consider these issues please do not rely on previous statements around working from home, we never imagined these conditions when we discussed those guidelines. Please discuss your individual case with your associate dean or your dean. As information comes from AHS they will be the best informed people and they can assess each case on it’s own merit. When the issue of illness arises treat it the same way. Follow the recommendations of Alberta Health services, discuss the issue with your associate dean or your dean, but please be reasonable and honest as you asses your personal situation, don’t let fear be the driving factor. Please also remember that we are all in different circumstances, the best solution for one may not work at all in another situation and these circumstances may be personal and private
I believe the college has the best interests of students, staff and faculty at heart. We are in this together, and by working together we can get through it.
Thank You
Kevin Wiber
President, Lethbridge College Faculty Association
Chair Crooks school of Transportation, Center for Trades
Automotive Service Technician / Heavy Equipment Technician
403-320-3202 ext. 3264 or 3219
3000 College Drive S., Lethbridge, AB T1K 1L6