DCFA Update aims to engage and inform DCFA members with updates, information, and direction on topics related to DCFA membership at Douglas College.
Updates – September 19, 2023
UPDATES
Item 1 – DCFA Contract Ratification Vote Results
Item 2 – Common Teaching Tools & Methods
Item 3 – Standing Up Against Anti-Trans Hate on September 20th, and Always
Item 4 – National Truth & Reconciliation Day
Item 5 – FPSE Human Rights and International Solidarity Committee – Call for Expressions of Interest
Item 6 – Douglas College Board Meetings – Meeting Minutes & Attendance Opportunities
Item 7 – DCFA Member Questions
1. DCFA Contract Ratification Vote Results
On Monday, the DCFA announced the ratification of its collective agreement with a 96.8% “yes” vote (449 in favour, 15 opposed). In case you missed it, more information can be found in Bargaining Bulletin #9 on the DCFA website: https://dcfa.ca/welcome/bargaining-bulletins-2022-2023/.
2. Common Teaching Tools & Methods
The DCFA has been engaged by faculty across the College about the intersection between faculty rights afforded in the College’s Academic Freedom Policy A35 (https://www.douglascollege.ca/sites/default/files/docs//A35%20Academic%20Freedom.pdf) and requests to utilize common teaching tools (i.e.: assignments, examinations, textbook selection, course shells, and so on). The purpose of this update is to provide faculty with an interpretation to guide their actions.
The Academic Freedom Policy A35 affords individual faculty the right to “conduct teaching, including the setting of educational activities and content in any media, and engage Students in related discussion.” Hence individual faculty are free to collaborate and develop common teaching tools, but individual faculty may also elect to opt out of using such tools. Academic freedom rights of individuals cannot be suppressed by departmental decisions, nor is Academic Freedom a collective right, but rather it is an individual right. Any faculty member who decides to opt out of utilizing common teaching tools must still adhere to College academic policies and official course curriculum guidelines.
The aforementioned principles apply to all faculty members across the College and these principles are applied to all programs (including programs that adhere to industry certification standards, and/or regulations). Please contact the DCFA should you require any additional information and/or support relating to this matter.
3. Standing Up Against Anti-Trans Hate on September 20th, and Always
The British Columbia Federation of Labour stands firmly and proudly with the 2SLGBTQIA+ community in the face of a surge of anti-trans hate speech and actions across the country.
The same forces who have been using fear, disinformation, conspiracy theories and hate to whip up anti-trans bigotry are now coalescing in hate rallies in communities throughout Canada and BC on September 20. These rallies directly attack the 2SLGBTQIA+ community and the principles of equity and inclusion that are at the heart of labour solidarity.
It’s important that our community and our movement show, as we have time and again, that we reject hate and bigotry in all their forms. There are many ways to show your support:
- Join BCFED and union leaders and members at one of the many grassroots counter-protests being organized throughout BC. You can find information on them here.
- Encourage our political leaders and your MLA to condemn these actions. You can find their contact information here.
- Consider making a financial or in-kind donation to local groups and networks that are coordinating counter-protest actions, as these are often led by trans and queer volunteers. Contact a local group to see what help they need most.
Counter-protests
These are protests organized by grassroots community groups. As we get information about counter-protests, we’ll add them here. Aim to arrive half an hour before the protest begins. Things are changing quickly, so email bcflyingsquad@protonmail.com for the latest information.
- Coquitlam — Coquitlam City Hall, Lot A 1299 Pinetree Way — 9 am
- Surrey — Education Minister’s Office, 9030 King George Boulevard — 12 noon
- Vancouver — Vancouver Art Gallery, 750 Hornby Street — 12 noon
More information is available at, and has been sourced from:
4. National Truth & Reconciliation Day
On March 9, the Province of British Columbia passed legislation to make September 30th a statutory holiday in recognition of the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation. This year, National Truth & Reconciliation Day will result in the College being closed on Monday, October 2nd. Faculty members can display solidarity and commemoration by attending the assorted Truth & Reconciliation Day Events, which are scheduled over the course of the September 30th weekend:
https://www.newwestcity.ca/calendar-of-events/events/6721.php
5. FPSE Human Rights and International Solidarity Committee – Call for Expressions of Interest
This is a call out for expressions of interest to be the Douglas College Faculty Association representative to serve on the FPSE Human Rights and International Solidarity Committee.
The Committee works on strategies for achieving equality in our institutions and in our communities. This Committee also organizes an annual Speaker’s Tour, inviting leading human rights activists to our member locals to share their knowledge and experiences.
More information: https://fpse.ca/committees/HRISC
If you are interested in the position, please provide a short statement of interest (100 words or less) by Monday September 25, 2023 at 4:00 pm.
Time Commitment: Three meetings a year. Usually Friday evening and Saturday 9-3, via zoom or face to face.
The next meeting is Friday, October 27th and 28th. Service is for a two-year period from Sept 1st, 2023 – Aug 31st, 2025.
If you have questions please contact Sam Schechter at dcfa.sam.schechter@gmail.com.
6. Douglas College Board Meetings – Meeting Minutes & Attendance Opportunities
Meeting Attendance Opportunities
All faculty are welcome to attend all open session meetings of the College Board. The 2023/2024 meeting schedule is posted below. Guests are asked to register on a sign-in sheet provided in the boardroom or pre-register via email for a virtual meeting, so that their attendance can be recorded in the minutes.
Open Session meetings are held in the New Westminster Campus boardroom (S4920) or virtually via Zoom.
NOTE: When meetings are not able to take place in person, those interested in attending may contact the College Secretary (dsmith93@douglascollege.ca) for a link to attend the virtual meeting.
This meeting dates for the coming academic year are September 21st, November 23rd, January 25th, March 21st, May 23rd, and June 20th.
Updates – September 12, 2023
UPDATES
Item 1 – New DCFA Contract & Ratification Information Sessions
Item 2 – Faculty Matters – Fall 2023 Edition
Item 3 – Message from the Climate Emergency Action Committee
Item 4 – DCFA Member Questions
1. New DCFA Contract & Ratification Information Sessions
The VP Negotiations cordially invites faculty to attend one of the following information sessions:
- Tuesday, September 12th at 10:30am
- Thursday, September 14th at 2:30pm
- Friday, September 15th at 3:30pm (meeting block)
2. Faculty Matters – Fall 2023 Edition
Call for Submissions – Fall 2023 Edition
CALLING ALL RESEARCHERS, WRITERS, AND SUBJECT MATTER EXPERTS
The Faculty Matters Editorial Team cordially invites you to contribute an article to an upcoming edition of the publication. The mandate of Faculty Matters is to provide insightful, honest, intelligent, and well-informed commentary on the academic and societal events and issues that impact Douglas College faculty. The past two years have provided many commentary-worthy events, so we encourage you to provide your expert evaluation and editorial. If writing an article is of interest to you, please contact the FM Editorial Team via the DCFA Update Feedback box (at the bottom of this update). Past editions of Faculty Matters are electronically available via the following weblink – https://www.dcfa.ca/faculty-matters/
If you have an article topic in mind, please contact Ralph Ferens @ dcfamemberatlarge@gmail.com to get your article on the Fall 2023 Edition roster.
3. Message from the Climate Emergency Action Committee
The Climate Emergency Action Committee cordially invites faculty to the following events:
Global Climate Strike
Date: 1:00 pm September 15th @ 1pm
Location: Vancouver City Hall to Art Gallery
UBC Green Building Walking Tour
Date: September 16th @ 11am
Location: UBC – Institute of Urban Ecology
DCFA Update Archive:
DCFA Update 2
DCFA Update 1