ScienceDaily (May 3, 2011) — Conscientious academics who try hard to keep in regular contact with their students are the most likely to suffer from work-related “burnout,” a new study has found.
Positive traits that can make faculty more appealing teachers, such as openness, also make them more susceptible to suffering feelings of weariness and emotional exhaustion.
The problem could be getting worse as more students join part-time, distance and online learning programmes and other flexible study options that increase their need for learning support.
To read the complete article, go to
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/04/110418083353.htm
I attended the triennial convention in June of the National Union of the Canadian Association of University Teachers (NUCAUT), which is the national union of Canada’s post-secondary faculty and academic staff.
Working with the Canadian Labour Congress, local labour councils, provincial federations of labour, and other national unions, NUCAUT promotes the interests of academic staff and seeks to improve the quality and accessibility of post-secondary education in Canada.
At the convention, CLC President Ken Georgetti spoke about the importance of protecting Canada’s public services and identified some of the challenges ahead for the labour movement faced with a majority Conservative government and persistent fiscal restraint by employers.
Resolutions passed included support for CAW and CUPW who were negotiating with Air Canada and Canada Post at the time, a call for increased funding for the Canada student Grant Program, and a request to change Canada’s discriminatory student bankfuptcy laws.
The next NUCAUT convention will be held in Montreal in 2014.
While the Canada Day long weekend marks the true beginning of summer, it isn’t vacation time for everyone! The DCFA office will remain open throughout July and August, though with slightly limited access to Table Officers. If you need assistance during this time, please contact either Erin Rozman or Sandra Hochstein.
