Munirul-Haq Raza | Contributor
Featured image: YUFA president Richard Wellen, pictured above, is concerned with York’s research program criteria implementation. | Michael Zusev
The York University Faculty Association, or YUFA, is increasingly concerned that faculty may be forced to restrict their definition of research. In a statement posted to its website, YUFA questions York’s commitment to enhancing the university’s standing as a research institution.
For example, editing journals or collaborating with graduate students may not be considered active research. Writing books, as opposed to journal articles, may also be weighted differently.
Another concern is the elimination of Graduate Assistant, or GA, positions. What was once considered paid research jobs for graduate students will now have to be done on a volunteer basis for those without the external funding for GA support.
YUFA president Richard Wellen says most faculty are hired to do research and teach, and that those who teach must have a teaching load competitive to other universities.
Wellen is concerned with the way the research program criteria is being implemented. “The administration is saying ‘if you don’t agree now, then we’re not going to let you participate in this program for this year’ and […] that’s the worst thing that’s happened. [They] are using that to pressure the department to agree to much stricter criteria than is reasonable,” he says.
The “star system” is a term describing the concentration of research support in a narrower group of faculty members, according to Wellen.
“This describes the process whereby a university decides to recognize only a relatively few ‘stars’ who deserve support. This model creates divisions and competition within departments so that many faculty will stop doing the little, important—but under-recognized—things that don’t allow them to score points, like spending extra time with students, working on committees in their departments, editing journals and peer reviewing articles for journals,” he adds.
“YUFA strongly believes the research release program has to be broad and inclusive, and we believe that’s what the intention of the collective agreement provision is as well,” says Wellen.
Barbara Joy of York media says the university expects ongoing dialogue between departments and deans about qualification criteria consistent with language in YUFA’s collective agreement.
“Agreement on eligibility criteria has already been reached in various departments and faculties and, given an opportunity for further consultation, there is an expectation that the criteria will be confirmed in the remaining units,” she adds.
