UWaterloo loves its acronyms. Here are links to existing University glossaries/acronym guides and some terms that come up frequently in FAUW communications.
UW glossaries and acronym guides
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Waterloo-related acronyms (not including buildings)
Key FAUW acronyms
AF&T – Academic Freedom & Tenure Committee
The Academic Freedom & Tenure (AF&T) Committee provides confidential support to individual members with workplace issues of all kinds.
FRC – Faculty Relations Committee
FRC is made up of five representatives each from the FAUW Board and the University administration. It is co-chaired by the FAUW president and the Vice President Academic & Provost. It meets every two weeks, and is where MoA and policy changes are approved before going to the University Board of Governors. Non-policy issues are also often resolved at FRC.MoA – Memorandum of Agreement
The Memorandum of Agreement provides a framework governing all aspects of the relationship between the University and faculty members, including salary structure, academic freedom, discipline, and grievances. It differs from a collective agreement mainly in its (lack of) comprehensiveness. Much of what is typically covered in a collective agreement at other universities is covered in policy at Waterloo.
UWaterloo acronyms likely to come up in FAUW communications
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AVPA – Associate Vice-President, Academic: David DeVidi
The AVPA oversees undergraduate education at the University, including curriculum, policies, new programs and program reviews. -
CEPT – Course Evaluation Project Team
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CTAPT – Complementary Teaching Assessment Project Team
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PACT – Provost’s Advisory Committee on Timetabling
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VPAP – Vice President, Academic & Provost: James Rush
The VPAP (often shortened to just “the provost”) is the chief academic and budget officer of the University. -
W3 – Waterloo Women’s Wednesdays (co-sponsored by FAUW)
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WISC – Shatitsirótha Waterloo Indigenous Student Centre
Related organizations
CAUT – Canadian Association of University Teachers
The national organization representing university faculty, of which FAUW is a member. A portion of FAUW dues go to CAUT.
COU – Council of Ontario Universities
The COU provides a forum for Ontario’s universities to collaborate and advocate. It's like OCUFA, but for the universities themselves.
CUPE – Canadian Union of Public Employees (Local 793)
Unionized staff members in the Food Services and Plant Operations departments are represented by the Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE) Local 793. The membership covers a range of positions from kitchen porters, cooks and bakers to custodians, grounds staff, trades and maintenance staff and stationary engineers.
HEQCO – Higher Education Quality Council of Ontario
HEQCO is an agency of the Government of Ontario that evaluates the postsecondary sector and provides policy recommendations to the Ministry of Training, Colleges and Universities.
LAAUW – Librarians and Archivists Association of the University of Waterloo
Librarians at UW are represented by the UWSA, but LAAUW also supports, promotes, and creates opportunities for professional librarians.
OCUFA – Ontario Confederation of University Faculty Associations
The provincial organization representing university faculty, of which FAUW is a member. A portion of FAUW dues go to OCUFA.
RAAS – Renison Association of Academic Staff
RAAS represents faculty at Renison University College. The association was formed in 2018 and is currently negotiating a memorandum of agreement and policies with Renison.
SJU ASA – St. Jerome’s University Academic Staff Association
The SJU ASA is the certified bargaining agent for all faculty and professional librarians at St. Jerome’s University. The SJU-ASA is unionized.
UWSA – University of Waterloo Staff Association
Our counterpart representing staff. While they represent more than twice as many people, they do not have automatic/mandatory dues and are funded only by members who opt in.
