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One of the highlights of the upcoming FA General Assembly is expected to be David Atkinson’s presentation about the application of MacEwan University for membership in AUCC (Association of Universities and Colleges of Canada). The AUCC Visiting Committee will be be making its second visit to MacEwan University on November 29.

Other agenda items sure to generate discussion at the assembly include the governance structure of the FA and negotiations. See the complete agenda package here: General Assembly Agenda Package – November 24, 2011

So, remember to RSVP to Celine (millerc@macewan.ca), and don’t forget that all members in attendance at the General Assembly, which is taking place November 24 at 5:00 p.m. in Room 6-212 at City Centre Campus, are eligible to enter a draw for a FREE pair of tickets to the November 28 Oilers game against the Predators.

Dear Colleagues:

As you all may know, the second AUCC visit will take place on November 29th. This is our second chance and it is very important for the University that we represent ourselves properly. If we do not get AUCC membership after this visit, we will be shut off for another five years and it will have negative consequences for the University. One of the issues for the last AUCC visit was that they had seen the same people several times. To avoid that, you need to come out and speak up positively this time at the AUCC meetings. AUCC will meet the faculty from 3:30 to 4:30 p.m. on November 29th in Room 9-115 (Paul Byrne Hall) at City Centre Campus. Below are two documents and two links that will help you get prepared.

* AUCC Visiting Committee Backgrounds
* David Atkinson Presentation re: AUCC
* General information on AUCC can be found on the AUCC website (http://www.aucc.ca/)
* Specific information on membership information can be found at (AUCC Membership Eligibility)

The application materials for AUCC are available for consultation by contacting the AGC Secretariat.

Thanks for reading this message, and I hope you will show up for the AUCC site visit.

Dr. Rafat Alam
Assistant Professor, Economics Program
Vice Chair, AGC

Congratulations to Nick Boers with Computing Science, who is the winner of two tickets, compliments of David Atkinson’s Office, to the October 15th Oilers game versus the Canucks.  Nick, the FA Office will be in touch with you to make arrangements for you to pick up your tickets.

Karen Zypchyn, August, 2011

Faculty Association President Jerry Zdril encouraged incoming new faculty members at MacEwan during Faculty Orientation days to get involved in the FA as a way to make MacEwan the best teaching and learning environment possible.

“It is when our members actively participate in University and Association activities that we strengthen our voice as an Association, ” Zdril told about 55 new faculty members at the Faculty Orientation session on Tuesday, August 23.

“I invite and suggest that you become involved in University Committees, Faculty Association Committees, our General Assemblies, Annual General Meetings and social events,” Zdril said.  “Together, our Association can work with the entire University community to ensure that we are achieving our goal of providing the best educational experience for our students by engaged and motivated faculty and staff.”

Most of the FA executive members were present to introduce themselves and welcome incoming new faculty at the session.

FA Vice President Executive Aimee Skye made a presentation, What is the Grant MacEwan University Faculty Association?, emphasizing the association’s important role as a professional organization aimed at furthering the interests of faculty members in their various roles at MacEwan.

Get Involved

Skye also encouraged new faculty members to get involved with the Faculty Association.  She said a variety of committees require FA input  to discuss issues of interest to faculty such as faculty evaluation.

Skye also told new faculty that the FA’s executive assistant, Celine Miller, is a key person they can contact if they have questions about anything related to the Faculty Association.

Faculty Services Expo

The FA also had table set up at a Faculty Services Expo for new faculty members on Wednesday, August 24th.  Some FA executive along with Celine Miller were present to answer people’s questions.

A new faculty member from nursing won the FA draw for a $25 gift card from Starbucks. Enjoy!

Mark your calendar now for the FA 20th Annual Fall Welcome BBQ, which will be taking place:

Friday, September 9, 2011*
Woodvale Facility
4540 – 50 Street
* Times to be confirmed

Watch for further details regarding activities, door prizes, and special guests!

A reminder to RSVP by Wednesday, April 13 for the Annual General Meeting of the FA, which will be taking place:

Wednesday, April 27, 2011
9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. (lunch to be provided at 12:00 noon)
St. Michael’s Ukrainian Orthodox Parish Hall
12918 – 121 Street, Edmonton

Please consider attending this membership meeting. In addition to elections for various committee positions (for complete nomination information, please click here: FA-Elections.AGM-11.Notice-Form), this meeting will address constitutional changes, the budget, policy governance, and more. And agenda Package will be distributed about one week prior to the meeting.

Please click here FA-GeneralAssembly-March3-11.Agenda.Package to access the agenda package for the winter General Assembly of the MacEwan Faculty Association taking place:

Thursday, March 3, 2011
4:30 p.m. – Dinner available
5:00 p.m. – Meeting starts
Room 9-201, City Centre Campus

As numbers do need to be confirmed for catering, please RSVP your attendance to Celine Miller at millerc@macewan.ca by Monday, February 28.

Those in attendance at the meeting will be eligible to enter a draw for a pair of Oilers tickets (approximate value of $500.00) – game date TBA, courtesy of TD Insurance Meloche Monnex.

The deadline for faculty and MacEwan Staff Association (MSA) employees to submit their bi-weekly payroll option forms is Friday, November 26. Please submit your completed forms to Human Resources by email to biweekly@macewan.ca, through inter-office mail or in person to Human Resources, Room 7-105, City Centre Campus, or by fax to 780-497-5430.

Most information on the implementation on bi-weekly pay is now available on www.myMacEwan.ca. Go to Departments, select Human Resources, and then select Bi-weekly payroll. Information includes “Frequently Asked Questions” (FAQ’s), payroll calendar, and specific information, options and forms, respectively, for faculty, term faculty, out-of-scope employees, and MSA employees.

If you have last minute questions about bi-weekly payroll implementation, Jodi Drury will be seeing people on a first-come first-served basis at Human Resources, Room 7-105, City Centre Campus, on Monday, November 22, from 9:30 a.m. to noon, and on Tuesday, November 23, from 1:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Dear All,

Due to an overwhelming response to the recent pre-negotiations survey, the Faculty Association Negotiations Committee wishes to inform you that the update, scheduled for Thursday, November 25th, has been cancelled. Interest in attending the pre-negotations update was also regrettably poor.

FANC received well over 400 completed surveys, with a significant volume of written comments. FANC feels it will be more productive to process all of this data and use it to table and prioritize items for negotiation, before reporting to faculty for further input.

Results from the survey will shortly be distributed to all members. A negotiations update will be scheduled for the new year.

Thank you,

Faculty Association Negotiations Committee