Negotiations Faculty Survey
Hello Lethbridge College Faculty,
We hope 2024 has started off exceptional. As we enter a negotiations year, we value your input and want to ensure that your perspectives and priorities are considered in the bargaining process. To facilitate this, we have created a survey to engage with you and gather feedback on the key issues that matter most to you.
The survey is now open and can be accessed at the following link: Survey Link
We kindly request that you take the time to complete the survey before 5:00 pm on Friday, February 2nd, 2024. Your responses will play a crucial role in shaping our approach and priorities during the negotiations.
We understand that your time is valuable, and we genuinely appreciate your participation in this important process. Your feedback will help us better understand your needs and concerns, allowing us to advocate effectively on your behalf.
If you encounter any issues or have questions regarding the survey, please do not hesitate to reach out to the Mike in the FA Office at mike.mayo@lethbridgecollege.ca
Thank you once again for your commitment to making Lethbridge College a vibrant and collaborative community. We look forward to hearing your valuable input and working together to achieve positive outcomes during this bargaining cycle.
Best regards,
LCFA Negotiations Committee
Professional Development (PD) - Reminder
PD Requests
Good day,
We're coming close to the end of another successful semester. The finish line is in sight.
I'd like to take a moment to remind everyone about the importance of using current and updated forms when submitting Professional Development (PD) requests.
To streamline the process and ensure accuracy, please make sure that the forms you use are the latest versions. You can find the most up-to-date information about Professional Development, including the required forms, here.
Your attention to this matter is greatly appreciated, as it helps us maintain efficiency and consistency in handling PD requests. If you have any questions or need further clarification, feel free to reach out.
Thank you for your cooperation.
Cheers,
Mike Mayo
Faculty Relations Officer
Call for Nominations - ACIFA Awards
ACIFA AWARDS
We are excited to announce that applications and nominations for the annual ACIFA Awards are now open! The ACIFA Awards recognize and celebrate outstanding educators and their contributions to teaching, learning, and innovation in the academic community. Lethbridge College has produced a number of award winners. I hope you take a moment to nominate a colleague; or more, to help keep a spotlight on the incredible work they do.
This is your opportunity to acknowledge faculty and their dedication by nominating them for one of the following prestigious awards:
Distinguished Instructor Award: This award honors teachers who exhibit exceptional commitment to teaching, learners, and the learning process.
Innovation in Teaching Award: Recognizes educators who have shown creativity and innovation in their teaching methods and course design.
For those of you involved in research related to teaching and learning, ACIFA also offers the Scholarship of Teaching and Learning Award. If your project has already received approval from your institute or ethics review board, applying for this award is a straightforward process.
To learn more about these awards, including eligibility criteria, evaluation rubrics, and access to application forms, please visit the ACIFA website.
The deadline for submitting applications for the ACIFA Awards is midnight on December 30, 2023. Award winners will be notified by February 1, 2024.
Don't miss this opportunity to recognize and celebrate the outstanding educators at Lethbridge College. Your nomination can make a significant difference in their academic journey.
Thank you for your commitment to excellence in teaching and learning.
Sincerely,
Mike Mayo, FRO, Lethbridge College Faculty Association.
Focus Groups - Following up on Guarding Minds at Work Project
Focus Groups
Following up on Guarding Minds at Work Project
📢 Attention Lethbridge College Community! 📢
We need your voice to drive meaningful change! Join the Guarding Minds Focus Groups and make a difference. Your participation is crucial in reshaping the culture at Lethbridge College. Together, we can address concerns and promote mental well-being in a confidential and supportive environment.
Why should you sign up? Your unique perspective matters. This is your chance to elevate your concerns and ideas to the forefront, fostering an inclusive, positive, and healthy atmosphere on campus. Without your involvement, the transformation we seek will not be possible. The focus groups are a safe space to share your observations, experiences, and feelings related to the psychological health and safety of the college community. If you are unable to attend, opportunities to connect with the facilitator will be provided. Information on how to do that will be made available at a later date.
This is your opportunity to speak up for what matters to you. To develop a more collaborative and collegial work environment. Your participation will help to define the culture within the College; this is your opportunity to create what you would like to see. Please take a moment to sign up. 💪🌟
There will be five two-hour focus group sessions that you may join between Oct. 16 and 20. Faculty can register for one of these sessions before Oct. 10 by using the link below:
Join a focus group
Welcome Back
Welcome Back Faculty
The campus is filled with activity and it's shaping up to be a great academic year! The LCFA would like to extend our warmest greetings to all faculty as we embark on this journey of higher education together once more. The start of this academic year marks the beginning of exciting times for all of us.
Our students are eager to learn, and they look up to you as mentors and guides. Your dedication, expertise, and passion make a profound impact on their lives, and together, we will continue to inspire the next generation of leaders and thinkers.
As we welcome you back to campus, let's embrace the opportunities that lie ahead. Let's foster a spirit of collaboration, innovation, and excellence. Let's work together to ensure that our institution remains a beacon of knowledge, discovery, and progress.
This year we will convene our Negotiations Committee and begin the process of bargaining a new Collective Agreement. These discussions will be pivotal in shaping our institution's future and ensuring that our faculty's contributions and needs are acknowledged and valued. We look forward to your active participation in this process, which will help us build an even stronger academic community. Look for more information to come in the coming weeks and months.
But beyond negotiations, the year ahead promises to be filled with innovation and collaboration. It's truly an electrifying time to be a part of our faculty community. The world of education is evolving, and our institution is at the forefront of these changes. New technologies, teaching methodologies, and interdisciplinary opportunities await us, allowing us to provide the best possible education to our students.
You can find information related to the LCFA on our website (see link below). There you will find information pertaining to our current Collective Agreement, Workload Calculator, Professional Development FAQ, and News.
Our LCFA Executive Team are:
• Dave English - LCFA President
• Kerry Edwards - VP Negotiations & Welfare
• Nichole Fox - VP Administration
• Sampath De Silva - VP Finance
• Mike Mayo - Faculty Relations Officer
We have a busy schedule of activities lined up for the LCFA. Please see the attached calendar for events.
Thank you for being an integral part of our faculty community. Your contributions are invaluable, and we are excited to see the amazing things we will accomplish together in the year ahead. Here's to a successful and fulfilling academic year!
With warm regards,
Lethbridge College Faculty Association
Faculty Work Period
2023-2024 Academic Year
With the recent changes to the Collective Agreement and removal of assigned/unassigned day; the Academic Calendar has been updated accordingly.
Please ensure that if you've made any arrangements to return to campus on a different date than August 28th, 2023, that it's recorded and approved by your Dean. You don't need to put in a leave request to take your summer holidays.
Have yourselves an excellent summer and enjoy your time with your friends, family, and loved ones.
Thank you,
LCFA Executive
LCFA - Faculty Short Survey
Good day,
At long last the end of the school year is almost here. Hopefully you'll be able to take some time to recharge, relax, and comeback refreshed in the fall. Before you go... the LCFA would like you to take a short survey (5 questions) and provide us with your thoughts on a few topics.
Feedback and Recognition
Scheduling
Decision Making
The purpose of this survey is to collect feedback from faculty; which we hope, will help continue to shine a spotlight on some of the priorities we've been trying to address with administration throughout the year. All information gathered from this survey comes directly to the LCFA, and individual feedback is not shared with administration. It is completely confidential and administration has no input, control, or access to the data collected. This is conducted by the LCFA for LCFA members.
Please take a few moments to share your thoughts with us so we can work together and continue building a better Lethbridge College culture and environment for everyone.
Thank you,
LCFA Executives
REMINDER: Our annual AGM is rapidly approaching (May 15th, 2023)!
Reminder: Lethbridge College Faculty Association AGM & General Election - 2023
When: May 15th, 4:15 pm
Where: EC Fredrick Theatre
Hello folks,
Just a reminder that the Lethbridge College Faculty Association will be holding their Annual General Meeting in the EC Fredricks Theatre on May 15th, 2023 @ 4:15 pm. We hope you will join us; either in person, or online.
During this meeting faculty will have the opportunity to vote on a motion to change the compensation provided to members of the Negotiations Committee. Please click this link to review the proposed changes.
The VP Administration position for the LCFA has recently become available for individuals wishing to fill this position. A huge thank you to Bill Smienk for his contributions to the LCFA and fulfilling this position.
Members will also have the opportunity to be nominated for other open committee positions within the FA. You will find a call for nominations and open position below.
Please see below for the Zoom Link to the meeting. It will also be included in your calendar invitation coming shortly.
Reminder: Call for Nominations to serve on the Faculty Association
We are looking for people willing to serve their Faculty Association in the following capacities:
Vacancies and Elected Position coming up:
VP Administration
Term: 2023 - 2025
VP Finance
Term: 2023 – 2025
Negotiations Committee:
Term: One (1) term of office will run from twenty working days following the final signing of a Collective Agreement and will continue until twenty working days after the final signing of a subsequent Collective Agreement.
One (1) representative from Trades,
One (1) Member at Large representing non-continuing academic staff, and
Three (3) full-time and/or part-time continuing academic staff not including trades or non-continuing staff.
Constituency Reps
Constituency 2 - Term: 2023 – 2025
Cousins (CB) & Centre Core (CE)
· Educational Assistant Faculty will be included in this constituency.
Constituency 3 - Term: 2023 – 2025
Instructional Building (IB)
· Distance Learning Faculty in Criminal Justice will be included in this constituency.All General Studies Faculty without assigned office space will be placed
in this constituency.
Constituency 4 - Term: 2023 – 2025
Paterson (PA)
Constituency 5 - Term: 2022 – 2024
Technologies (TE) & Lakeshore Campus
Early Childhood Education Faculty will be included in this constituency.
Bylaws Committee
Two (2) Elected Positions
Term (2023 – 2025)
Academic Council Alternates
Two (2) Elected Positions
Term: 2023 – 2024
Students Appeals & Alternate
Two (2) Elected Position
Term: 2023 - 2024
One (1) Elected Alternate
Term: 2023 - 2024
Professional Standards Committee
Two (2) Elected Positions
Term: 2023 - 2024
Occupational Health & Safety
Three (3) Elected Positions
Term: 2023 - 2024
Calls from the floor will be accepted prior to the conclusion of our AGM on May 15th. You can find a list of constituencies here.
Nominations must be submitted to Mike Mayo mike.mayo@lethbridgecollege.ca.
Acceptance of nominations but be made in writing by the individual nominated. Mike will follow up with individuals who have been nominated but acceptance has not been made in writing.
An announcement of the elected representatives and committee members will be circulated the following business day after voting has closed.
A quick note - Please check your JUNK folder for ballots once notification of an open election. There have been instances where the ballot is filtered out by mistake. If you do not get a ballot and wish to vote, please contact Mike Mayo and he will arrange for a ballot to be made available.
Have a fantastic summer folks, it's almost here. Cheers to all the hard work everyone has put in this year for another successful semester.
Zoom Meeting Invitation
Lethbridge College Faculty Association is inviting you to a scheduled Zoom meeting.
Topic: LCFA Annual General Conference
Time: May 15, 2023 04:15 PM Edmonton
Join Zoom Meeting
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Meeting ID: 868 3739 6802
Passcode: daqy6E
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Copyright © 2023 Lethbridge College Faculty Association, All rights reserved.
You received this email as a member of the LCFA.
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Lethbridge, Ab T1K 1L6
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Guarding Minds at Work Survey
Guarding Minds at Work Survey:
Now Open
The Lethbridge College Faculty Association would like to encourage all Faculty members to complete the Guarding Minds at Work Survey. This is an opportunity for Faculty to share their thoughts and comments on the psychological health and safety of our campus. It's important for Faculty to lend their voice and help shape the culture of our institution.
Responses will remain anonymous and combined with responses of others in your department or centre. If you have any questions regarding your privacy; how the results will be reported, or are unclear which department you fall under, please contact OHS or IPAR.
The survey will be using several different terms in reference to psychological health and safety. Please review the definitions below and keep them in mind when completing your survey:
Harassment: includes any unwelcome verbal or physical behavior that unreasonably interferes with work/learning or creates an intimidating, hostile or offensive work/learning environment. General harassment can include, but is not limited to, remarks, jokes or actions which demean or humiliate another person, and which deny individuals their dignity and respect. General harassment can also include bullying. Bullying usually involves repeated incidents or a pattern of behavior that is intended to intimidate, offend, degrade or humiliate a particular person or group of people. (LC Respectful campus policy)
Discrimination: includes any unwelcome behavior or communication directed towards a person or members of an identifiable group based on a prohibited ground of discrimination. Prohibited grounds include the following: race, religious beliefs, color, gender, physical disability, mental disability, marital status, age, ancestry, place of origin, family status, source of income and sexual orientation. (As defined by the Alberta Human Rights Commission) Excluding a person from a right or privilege to which they would otherwise be entitled, because of a prohibited ground, would constitute prohibited conduct. (LC Respectful campus policy)
Bullying: Bullying is usually seen as acts or verbal comments that could psychologically or 'mentally' hurt or isolate a person in the workplace. Sometimes, bullying can involve negative physical contact as well. Bullying usually involves repeated incidents or a pattern of behaviour that is intended to intimidate, offend, degrade or humiliate a particular person or group of people. It has also been described as the assertion of power through aggression. (CCOHS definition)
Union: Means a member of Alberta Union of Provincial Employees (AUPE) or the Lethbridge College Faculty Association (LCFC).
Remotely: Means working virtually or not on college campus, whether regularly scheduled or a one-off occurrence.
Best regards,
LCFA Executive Council Members
You're Invited LCFA - Town Hall Drop Ins
You're Invited
LCFA - Town Hall Drop Ins
Good day folks,
LCFA Executive Council is excited to begin a new initiative by hosting LCFA Town Hall Drop In events in the coming weeks. These Town Halls will focus on topics ranging from the Workload Calculator to Intellectual Property and will take place in the various constituencies throughout the College.
You'll receive an invitation to your Constituency LCFA Town Hall shortly, if you are unable to attend your scheduled LCFA Town Hall, please feel free to drop in any of the other scheduled events.
The full schedule is below:
Constituency 1 - Tuesday March 21st; from 3:00 pm - 5:00 pm, in room CE1305
Dawn Keith Constituency Rep
Constituency 2 - Thursday March 30th; from 1:10 pm - 3:10 pm, in room PA2110
Currently vacant
Constituency 3 - Thursday March 23rd; from 1:10 pm - 3:10 pm, in room PA2110
Shoja Mazidi Constituency Rep
Constituency 4 - Wednesday March 22nd; from 1:00 pm - 3:00 pm, in room IB2105
Teri Dyck Constituency Rep
Constituency 5 - Wednesday March 29th; from 2:00 pm - 4:00 pm, in room TT2965
Currently vacant
Constituency 6 - Tuesday March 28th; from 1:00 pm - 3:00 pm, in room TT2965
Lorne Atwood Constituency Rep
Best regards,
LCFA Executive Council Members
Ratification Vote - Results
Ratification Vote - Results
Ratification Vote - Passes
Good morning,
The LCFA Council Members would like to thank everyone who participated in the Ratification Vote that recently took place.
The question on the ballot was:
"Do you accept the proposed Collective Agreement between The Lethbridge College Faculty Association and The Lethbridge College Board of Governors dated July 1, 2020 - June 30, 2024?"
86.3% of members voted YES, while 13.7% of members voted NO. The certified results can be found here.
Members of the LCFA community would like to thank the Negotiations Committee for their hard work and dedication in this process.
Best regards,
LCFA Executive Council Members
Reminder - Ratification Vote Closes Today
Reminder:
Ratification Vote
Vote Closes today Wednesday February 22nd, 2023 @ 6:00 pm
This is a reminder that the Ratification Vote on the proposed Collective Agreement closes today at 6:00 pm. For those of you who have not yet voted; a follow up email with instructions will be sent shortly. If you have not received your ballot, please check your trash/junk email to see if the spam filters accidently directed it there. If you have any questions please reach out to Mike Mayo our FRO and he can assist you.
Best regards,
LCFA Executive Council Members
Reminder: LCFA Special Meeting
Reminder
Collective Agreement Update:
Special Meeting & Call for Ratification
This is a reminder that the Negotiations Committee has requested a Special Meeting with all members of the LCFA; to review; then vote on, the proposed/negotiated Collective Agreement between the Lethbridge College Faculty Association and The Lethbridge College Board of Governors. This Special Meeting is scheduled as follows:
Combined Room IB 1101/1104 & online through Zoom
Wednesday February 15th, 2023, beginning @ 4:30 pm
The Zoom link for this meeting was distributed through email on Tuesday February 14th, 2023 to faculty. If you know of any faculty who are not receiving these emails please reach out to Mike Mayo to have their name added to the distribution list.
Executive Council would like to thank the Negotiations Committee for their dedication and hard work in bringing forward this proposal to membership.
Best regards,
LCFA Executive Council Members
Negotiated Collective Agreement
Statement of Changes
Current/Expired Collective Agreement
Negotiations Call for Special Meeting & Ratification
Collective Agreement Update:
Special Meeting & Call for Ratification
The Negotiations Committee has requested a Special Meeting with all members of the LCFA; to review the proposed/negotiated Collective Agreement between the Lethbridge College Faculty Association and The Lethbridge College Board of Governors. This Special Meeting is scheduled as follows:
Combined Room IB 1101/1104 & online through Zoom
Wednesday February 15th, 2023, beginning @ 4:30 pm
Included in this email is a copy of the negotiated Collective Agreement, a Statement of Changes, and a copy of our current Collective Agreement. Please review these documents prior to the meeting so you can come prepared to ask questions.
A calendar invite with the Zoom link will be circulated shortly. If you know of any faculty who are not receiving these emails please reach out to Mike Mayo to have their name added to the distribution list. Copies of these communications can also be found on our website LCFA.ca/news.
Executive Council would like to thank the Negotiations Committee for their dedication and hard work in bringing forward this proposal to membership.
Best regards,
LCFA Executive Council Members
Negotiated Collective Agreement
Statement of Changes
Current/Expired Collective Agreement
Teaching Excellence Awards
LCFA/SA - Teaching Excellence Awards:
Teaching Excellence at Lethbridge College
2022-2023
Each year, the Lethbridge College Faculty Association, and the Lethbridge College Students' Association team up to present awards to some of the best instructors at our institution. This years awards are for the 2022-2023 academic year. These awards are based on student nominations that will be collected over the coming weeks.
This years awards are for:
1) Rookie of the Year
2) Teaching Excellence
If you have any questions please reach out to Mike Mayo, Faculty Relations Officer at mike.mayo@lethbridgecollege.ca.
Nomination submissions are open from Friday February 3rd, 2023 thru Friday March 10th, 2023. Winners will be announced in early April 2023.
Negotiations Update
Negotiations Update:
On behalf of your negotiating committee and myself, I wish to inform you that as of last Thursday Jan 26th, 2023, we the Faculty Association have a tentative agreement with Administration and the Board of Governors to complete this round of bargaining.
What are the next steps?
We need to review our Articles and sign off on the minor changes from our last meeting.
We then do a review of summaries on all Articles and LOU's (Letters of Understanding).
The Negotiation Committee will make the recommendation to the Executive Council to move the proposed Collective Agreement to members for review.
Members will be given an opportunity to review the proposed Collective Agreement; usually five (5) working days, after which an information and ratification meeting will be called. This meeting is to clarify and answer any questions related to the proposed Collective Agreement from members.
Finally, members will participate in a ratification vote to accept or reject the proposed Collective Agreement recommended from the Negotiations Committee.
I personally want to thank my committee for all their hard work and dedication to try and get this round of bargaining settled. Finally, I want to thank you the members, for your confidence to allow us to do the best we can in this extremely trying times to settle this contract.
Please stay tuned as we move through the next steps to get all this information out to each and every one of you. Once again thank you one and all,
Sincerely,
Ryan Kaupp
VP Negotiations
Reminder: LCFA General Meeting January 30th, 2023
Hello folks,
Our LCFA General Meeting is still scheduled for January 30th at 4:15 pm in room CB1005 (Westwinds Theatre). This meeting will provide updates related to Faculty Association business including negotiations, finances, ACIFA updates, and other activities of interest to faculty. Please download the agenda below for more details.
If you have any questions please reach out to our Faculty Relations Officer Mike Mayo and he will be happy to assist you.
Click here for the agenda.
Thank you all,
LCFA Executive
Announcement: General Meeting January 30th, 2023
Announcement: General Meeting
January 30th @ 4:15 pm
Room CB1005 (Westwinds Theatre)
Hello folks,
Welcome to 2023 and a fantastic year ahead. The LCFA would like to invite you to our General Meeting on January 30th at 4:15 pm in room CB1005 (Westwinds Theatre). This meeting will provide updates related to Faculty Association business; including negotiations, finances, ACIFA updates, and other activities of interest to faculty.
Our hope is to meet face to face; but if you are unable to attend in person, a Zoom link will be provided in your calendar invite to join online. A formal agenda will be circulated in the coming days for you to come prepared to participate in our General Meeting.
If you have any questions please reach out to Mike Mayo our new Faculty Relations Officer and he will be happy to assist you.
Thank you all,
LCFA Executive
Bargaining Update: January 13th, 2023
Hello Faculty,
On behalf of your Negotiating Committee we hope you all had a great and well deserved Christmas break.
We just want to bring you all up to date on where we are with Bargaining.
We are scheduled to be back to the table on January 26th; and if needed, Feb 7th, 2023.
If all goes well; we are hoping these will be our final meetings with Administration to finalize an agreement, to then bring forward to you the members for ratification.
We have two items to discuss on our agenda, and if those to are mutual agreed on, this extremely long journey will finally come to a close. I as well as my committee would like to thank each and every one of you for your support and patience as well have been trying to reach an agreement with Administration which has taken way too long.
In conclusion the next update you see from me will be notice of ratification.
Once again, thank you one and all,
Thank you again for your support
Ryan Kaupp
LCFA Bargaining Chair
Introducing Your New Faculty Relations Officer
A new, but experienced, face will lead LCFA's Administrative Side
Hello everyone,
I hope that this email finds you with all grading completed and on your way into the holiday break in good spirits.
This will likely be my last message as the FRO for your faculty association, and I wanted to use it to (re)introduce the individual who will be filling my role in the new year after I depart. I am pleased to announce that Mike Mayo, who had held this role previous to myself, will be returning to LCFA on January 9 to take over as the new FRO for the Association. Should you require the services of the faculty association before January 9, please reach out to Dave English or Kerry Edwards (or any of our other elected representatives - a list of whom can be found at lcfa.ca).
Mike brings with him a wealth of experience in the College community, and I have no doubt that he will serve the Association and its members well into the future. On a personal note, I feel much more assured leaving the administration of the Association with someone so experienced.
Once again, I would like very much to thank all of you for the opportunity to serve this organization and its membership. It’s been an incredible opportunity to see the strength and resilience of faculty from all walks of life as they have come through an incredibly challenging period. The passion and commitment of college teachers to continue their vital work despite everything stacking up against them is genuinely impressive and inspiring.
I have said before that institutions like this one are where the rubber hits the road in terms of social equity and making life better for working people and their families. They provide roadmaps and avenues for good jobs that sustain communities, and they give our neighbours opportunities. I will always believe that – and this experience has made me grateful for the people who do the work of this place day in and day out.
So: thank you again, and all the very best into the future.
Keith