AMS Highlights Student Priorities Affected by University-Faculty Negotiations

June 19, 2015

KINGSTON, ON – Today, the Alma Mater Society (AMS) released “Collective Perspectives: A Policy Paper on Collective Bargaining between Queen’s University and the Queen’s University Faculty Association”, a student-centric analysis of the factors affecting the new Collective Agreement between these two parties. The analysis takes a critical look at systemic problems facing the University sector, and provides recommendations on how both parties can improve the student learning experience through the collective bargaining process which is currently underway.

The collective agreement establishes the expectations and incentives on teaching responsibilities, faculty time allocation, and professor evaluations. Therefore, it will have a profound and defining impact on the student learning experience, particularly in the areas of quality assurance, the broader learning environment, and ultimately the cost of an ever more expensive education. The paper is based on four core pillars: The Collective Bargaining Process; Teaching and Learning; Workload and Compensation; and Pension Plan.

Quick Facts:

The Queen’s University Faculty Association is the certified bargaining agent for approximately 1,200 faculty, librarians, and archivists at Queen’s University.
The current collective agreement expired on April 30, 2015, and Queen’s University and the Queen’s University Faculty Association are undergoing negotiations for a new collective agreement.
With the current allocation of faculty workload between teaching and research, our current faculty complement cannot meet teaching demands at current class sizes, threatening the student experience.
Teaching Focused Faculty builds the student experience by increasing productivity, preserving class sizes, and recognizing talented teacher-scholars.
Through the current collective agreement, research is highly incentivized with promotion and tenure opportunities while teaching obligations— a core impact of faculty on the student experience — can be “bought out” which decreases faculty face-time with students.
The collective agreement has a profound impact on the student learning experience, and there are no formal avenues to facilitate student participation in the process.
Quotes:

“As a University, Queen’s should play to its strengths and foster what makes it unique: an unparalleled student experience inside and outside the classroom. The AMS has compiled a responsible and pragmatic analysis that preserves the interests of our students in a quality undergraduate education.”

—Kanivanan Chinniah, President of the Alma Mater Society

“The AMS’s collective bargaining policy was not created overnight, its recommendations reflect students’ interests and the long term future of the University. Over the past few years, student leaders have understood that the collective agreement greatly impacts the future of a Queen’s education.”

—Kanivanan Chinniah, President of the Alma Mater Society

The paper can be viewed here.

Please direct all media inquiries to Jessamine Luck, AMS Marketing & Communications Officer, at or (613) 533-6000 x75850