From October 2019 to March 2021, the Librarians’ and Archivists’ Association of the University of Waterloo (LAAUW) evaluated possible affiliation with the Faculty Association of the University of Waterloo (FAUW). A vote was held in late March 2021 and our membership decided against seeking FAUW affiliation. Of our 38 members, 18 voted against, 9 voted in favour, and 9 abstained. Twenty-four votes in favour were required for the vote to pass.
- October 2019 – Formation of the Academic Status Working Group.
- The purpose of this group was to select a short list of academic institutions that can be adequately compared to the University of Waterloo and review their agreements, policies and procedures that are related to academic status (or similar status such as inclusion in faculty associations or collective agreements).
- October 2019 – May 2020 – Jordan Hale, Rebecca Hutchinson, and Kari Weaver wrote the Academic Status Comparator Institutions Report.
- June 2020 – Internal consultations about the report were held. A summary of the consultation responses was prepared and the ASWG provided the following recommended next steps for LAAUW:
- That LAAUW host a consultation with Dan Brown, president of the Faculty Association of the University of Waterloo, so he can answer questions about FAUW affiliation and learn from our members;
- That LAAUW host a consultation with Lawrence Folland, president of the University of Waterloo Staff Association, to hear from our members regarding concerns that impact us and potential support that they can provide as the association that presently represents us;
- Have a membership vote, with quorum, before the next AGM, on topics related to how to proceed with academic status, for example, support for a mandatory research requirement;
- Continue to collect robust quantitative and qualitative data with all LAAUW members regarding our employment conditions.
- July 2020 – September 2020 – 1:1 conversations with members.
- The President held 1:1 conversations with all members that were willing to participate (78% participated) about ongoing issues, including academic status. The section on academic status was released in advance of the vote.
- October 2020 – Consultation with FAUW held.
- dan brown, FAUW President and Erin Windibank, FAUW Executive Manager answered LAAUW member questions about possible affiliation. 22 members attended.
- November 2020 – Consultation with UWSA held.
- Kathy Becker, UWSA President, Lawrence Folland, UWSA Past-President, and Gail Spencer, UWSA Executive Manager answered LAAUW member questions about their current affiliation with UWSA. 21 members attended.
- March 3, 2021 – A final package of information released was released. It contained:
- The ASWG Consultations Summary
- Minutes of the consultation held with FAUW
- Minutes of the consultation held with UWSA
- Results of the 1:1 conversations with members about academic status
- A copy of the process currently underway for FAUW to pursue representing research professors
- March 15 - March 26, 2021 - The vote was held anonymously using Qualtrics survey software. All LAAUW members were entitled to vote.
