University and joint committees

Role: This committee deliberates on the yearly compensation package. Conclusions reached here are carried forward to the Provost for approval. The committee is chaired by the the associate provost, human resources, and includes the director, HR total compensation; the vice-president, administration & finance; a member of Executive Council, appointed by the provost, and four UWSA representatives, typically the three UWSA presidents and one director.

See the Terms of Reference for PACSC.

UWSA representatives on PACSC

• President; co-chair: Yessenia Guerrero
• President elect: Lisa Habel
• Director: Bill Baer
• Director: Agata Antkiewicz

Role: SRC is a key forum through which UWSA and the University administration establish staff working conditions. Any issue on campus that affects staff may be discussed and remedies suggested. All policies affecting staff must be approved by this committee before implementation. Decisions are generally based on unanimous agreements although some issues require a vote.

See the Terms of Reference for SRC.

UWSA representatives on SRC

SRC is co-chaired by the UWSA president and the associate provost, human resources. Representing staff are the three presidents, three directors, and one member at large.

• President; co-chair: Yessenia Guerrero
• Past president: Agata Jagielska
• President-elect: Lisa Habel
• Directors
  • Bill Baer
  • Kenneth Berry
  • Sara Perkins 
• Member at large: Goldi Gill
• Alternates (directors)
  • Lillian Liao

This is a new policy, initiated in early 2021. The minimum benefits to be covered under this policy already came into effect May 1, 2022, but we are still waiting for the policy to be completed.

UWSA representatives: Kathleen St Laurent, Sara Perkins

This is a new policy, initiated in 2019, that will outline the provisions and processes for employee workplace accommodations. This policy is a requirement under the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act and human rights and labour legislation to have clear employee accommodations procedures. The University has so far had accommodations guidelines, but a policy will be more enforceable, and, importantly, requires employee input and approval.

An accommodation is a change or adjustment to a job, the work environment, or the way things are usually done so that someone with a disability can apply for a job, perform job functions, or enjoy equal access to benefits available to other individuals in the workplace.

UWSA representatives: Eric Jardin, Bill Baer

The Copyright Advisory Committee (CAC) serves as the primary forum for collaborative decision-making regarding copyright and its applications on campus. The committee will work to keep campus administration, faculty, staff, and students informed about the current and ongoing status of copyright and licensing related issues, projects, and developments. The CAC supports campus administration, faculty, staff, and students in their use of copyright protected works, through either Copyright Act exceptions or license permissions.

UWSA representative: Amanda MacKenzie

This Policy provides a confidential, effective and fair way to resolve problems, disputes, misunderstandings and disagreements concerning management action or inaction directly affecting a staff member. Complaints concerning the failure to apply or the misapplication of a University policy, procedure or guideline may include matters such as abuse of supervisory authority, demotion, working conditions, discipline and discharge.

See the full policy description of the Dispute Resolution Pool.

UWSA representatives: Ryan MacMillan, Samantha St. Amand, Melinda Szilva, David Everest, Jennifer Morgan, Samuel Vandekerckhove

UW representatives: Nancy Collins, Kathryn MacDonald, Clare Bermingham, Nancy Heide (chair), Katherine Marshall, Ryan Jacobs

The P&B Committee monitors and evaluates the performance of the pension and benefits plan. The Committee recommends and initiates changes and improvements to the plan as required. Minutes and reports to members are available on the Secretariat's website.

See the full terms of reference for the Pension & Benefits Committee. 

UWSA representatives: Melissa Graham, Lily Hua (also on the Pension Investment Committee)

These committees strive to inform their workplace community on means and measures to improve health and safety according to the Occupational Health and Safety Act (OHSA) and University of Waterloo Policy #34, Health, Safety and Environment. Among other duties, members: ensure inspections are conducted; review health and safety concerns; make recommendations for improving health and safety; are consulted on  occupational health and safety tests on campus; and recommend the establishment and monitoring of health and safety measures.

More information about the JHSCs.

UWSA Representatives

• Main campus: Melissa Benjamin, Ahmad Ghavami, Andrew Urschel, Maryann Sertic, Chris Kleven
• Health Sciences campus: Monica Tudorancea, Lisa Walsh
• Stratford School:
• Architecture campus:  

Advisory to the Associate Provost, Human Resources, the Accessibility Committee provides a forum for consultation and collaboration on campus-wide initiatives relative to improving the accessibility of the University and its campuses for persons with disabilities whether they be employees, students, visitors, or members of the general public. Compliance with the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA) is a foundational focus for the Accessibility Committee and where possible, members will consider inclusive practices that extend beyond a state of AODA compliance.

UWSA representative: Stefaniada Voichita

The program provides assistance to both staff and faculty members who are in distress due to family problems, addiction, or other stressful situations. The Committee responsible for maintaining this program also plans and hosts extremely helpful seminars on communication, time management, stress management, dealing with teens, and other pertinent topics.

Employee & Family Assistance Program website.

UWSA representatives: Renate Donnovan, Ashley McKnight

The Staff International Experience Fund (SIEF) provides an opportunity for University staff members to travel internationally for professional development. Successful applicants travel to one to two host institutions in one or two countries abroad for a duration of 1-1½ weeks. It grants a maximum of $7,500 to up to three successful applicants. The Selection Committee evaluates and selects the successful applicants for the program.

The SIEF is paused for this year, but but there is funding for a targeted program in partnership with the University of Twente (UT), Netherlands, the Strategic International Experience Grant.

2024 UWSA representative: Jennifer Morgan

Traffic violations and vehicle parking affects many people on campus. In order to obtain user views on existing and future policies related to traffic violations and parking, the advisory committee regularly reviews the policies and procedures associated with traffic violations and parking. Please feel free to contact us at uwsa@uwaterloo.ca, or Sustainable Transportation at strnsprt@uwaterloo.ca, if you have questions about this committee.

Citations are issued to vehicles that are parked in contravention of the University of Waterloo Traffic and Parking Regulations. This committee was established to provide a separate entity from parking staff to review all written appeals of citations issued on campus. 

See the terms of reference for the Property Infractions Committee.

Please feel free to contact us at uwsa@uwaterloo.ca, or Sustainable Transportation at strnsprt@uwaterloo.ca, if you have questions about this committee.

The Pay Cycles Working Group reports to the Provost’s Advisory Committee on Staff Compensation (PACSC). The Working Group’s mandate is to:

• Develop potential scenarios for shifting the frequency of pay for those paid on a monthly pay cycle to a more frequent pay cycle, weighing any disadvantages, risks, and benefits.
• Provide a summary review of one or more scenarios to PACSC.
• Seek stakeholder and operational input and feedback as appropriate (from HR, Finance, IST, for example).

The target date for completion of this work is May 1, 2024.

UWSA Representatives: Trish Owens, Jen McCaig, Cyntia Bratan (alternative)

This group will advise on the development of a Sustainable Transportation Plan, which will cover many aspects of campus transportation, including fleet, commuting, and shuttle service.

UWSA Representative: Lauren Byl

The Wellness Collaborative, which launched in June 2019, is a result of the signing of the Okanagan Charter and the Healthy Workplace Statement. The Wellness Collaborative is unique, as it addresses the wellbeing of the entire university community, including students, staff, faculty and CUPE. The Wellness Collaborative is committed to the continual improvement upon health and wellness at the University of Waterloo.

UWSA representative: Sue Fraser