» February 4, 2010

Personal PD Reminder - March 15, 2010 Deadline

All Regular and Non-regular Type 2 Faculty Members: Please be reminded that all Personal PD applications need to be received by the Finance Department at Langley Campus by March 15, 2010, for the fiscal year April 1, 2009-March 31, 2010.  The allocation for the current fiscal year is $100.

Some eligible expenses are: travel; registration and tuition fees; expenses related to meetings, conferences, workshops, seminars or other similar professional activities not covered by other funds; membership fees in learned societies, service organizations and professional organizations; books; subscriptions to newspapers, scholarly and professional journals; computer software.

Please note:
  • »  Subscriptions, memberships and other annual fees are pro-rated for the current fiscal year and can be re-submitted for the following year
  • »  Hardware (computer or otherwise) is not covered
  • »  Stationery, supplies, DVDs, CDs, videos, internet expenses, exercise classes are not eligible
  • »  Claims for parking, mileage, etc., must be accompanied by confirmation of attendance at the workshop or meeting that the claim covers
  • »  On-line book orders must show payment information
  • »  Visa receipts without the itemized store receipt attached are not accepted

To be reimbursed:
  • »  Requests must be made on an Expense Report (form A1001) with original receipts attached. Be sure your employee number and campus and the words Personal PD are on the Expense Report.
  • »  Receipts must be dated in the current fiscal year (April 1, 2009-March 31, 2010)
  • »  Expense reports for personal PD requests do not require departmental approval - they may be forwarded directly to Finance.

Please forward your requests to Finance as early as possible, to ensure they are processed, prior to the March 15 deadline. Claims received after March 15 will be returned to the employee.

» January 15, 2010

NEW! Update on 2010 Bargaining

Bargaining Priorities Approved
On Friday, January 8, 2010, KFA members voted overwhelmingly to approve the bargaining priorities recommended to them by the Working Conditions Committee. More...

Provincial Bargaining Strategy
The KFA President and Vice-President—Negotiations will be meeting with other Federation of Post Secondary Educators (FPSE) Presidents and Bargainers on Friday, January 15, to discuss provincial bargaining.  More...

Bargaining in Bad Faith?
In the midst of preparations for bargaining a new collective agreement, our employer is confusing things by trying to erode our bargaining rights.  More...

» November 5, 2009

KFActs - Fall 2009

The latest edition of KFActs, Kwantlen Faculty Association's newsletter, is now available online.

Headlines from this edition include:
» How Different Are We?
» Scholarly Activity: The State of Understanding At Kwantlen Polytechnic University
» Labour and the United Way

 
» October 16, 2009

KFA Presentation to the Select Standing Committee on Finance and Government Services

On October 16, 2009, Joel Murray, Member-at-Large, made a presentation on behalf of the KFA to the Select Standing Committee on Finance and Government Services. His presentation spoke to such issues as the lack of proper funding for post-secondary education over the past decade, the real-life result of this underfunding in terms of the effect on students, and the demographic changes that will require the increase of post-secondary graduates. It also offered solutions for the committee to include in its final report and beseeched the government to fund education.

To view the full presentation, click here.

» April 29, 2009

AGM Update & Election Results

Thanks to all who attended our Annual General Meeting on Friday afternoon, April 24. 

At this meeting, the membership approved the 2009-2010 budget, including a dues increase to 1.95% effective June 1, 2009. This change will be reflected on your June 19, 2009 pay.

As well, we held elections for a number of important positions and here are the results:

Table Officers
Vice-President-Grievances: Maureen Shaw
Member-at-Large: Joel Murray
Secretary-Treasurer: Suzanne Pearce

Executive
Access: Ronnie Skolnick
Applied Design: Vacant
Community & Health Studies: Vacant
Learner Support: Robyn Rushford
Science & Applied Science: Jane Hobson
Social Sciences & Related Studies: Greg Jenion
Trades/Tech/Horticulture: Tim Groves
Ombudsperson: Panteli Tritchew

Working Conditions Committee
Access: Ronnie Skolnick
Applied Design: Vacant
Business: Joel Whittemore
Community & Health Studies: Balbir Gurm
Humanities: Karen Inglis
Non-Regular Faculty: Dave Harvey
Learner Support: Caroline Daniels
Science & Applied Science: Mike Coombs
Social Sciences & Related Studies: Bill Burgess
Trades/Tech/Horticulture: Tim Groves
Status of Women: Gillian Dearle

Please join the KFA in congratulating the successful candidates and in recognizing the hard work of those who are not continuing.

» March 25, 2009

KFA Supports Kwantlen Students at 20th Annual Scholarship and Award Ceremony

The Kwantlen Faculty Association continued with its commitment to support Kwantlen students at this years Scholarship and Award Ceremony. This years recipients of the Kwantlen Faculty Association Awards were Bryce Akey (Carpentry), Ling Zeng (Accounting) and Xiu Yan Chu (Accounting). The recipient of the Kwantlen Faculty Association Ecole Polytechnique Memorial Award was Christina Akesson (Drafting).

Xiu Yan Chu expressed these thanks to the KFA:

"I'm so delighted that I can receive the award.  With your encouragement I have more confidence to fulfill my dream to become a CGA."

» March 05, 2009

United Way Honours FPSE and Kwantlen Faculty Association

Last week, the KFA was honoured to receive the United Way Union Spirit Award. Bob Davis, KFA Vice President Negotiations (pictured below with FPSE Secretary Treasurer Dileep Athaide), received this award on our behalf (read story below). We are very pleased to have our contributions recognized in this way.

FPSE NEWS 5 March 2009:

For over 30 years the labour movement has shown tremendous support for communities through a valuable partnership with United Way. On February 26th, the United Way acknowledged the leadership role that various unions have played in building a strong community partnership. The awards are called the Union Spirit Award and it recognizes a union committed to furthering the shared common values of a caring, healthy and inclusive community through the work of its members in support of United Way.

This year, our organization was recognized for its commitment to those values. Both the FPSE provincial office and Local 5, the Kwantlen Faculty Association were awarded Union Spirit Awards for their tremendous contribution to making a difference in the lives of people in the Lower Mainland.

Over the years, both FPSE and Local 5, have actively supported United Way. Local 5 in particular has distinguished itself through the Kwantlen Campaign, where it has succeeded in once again securing 100% participation by Union officers and staff.

Local 5 is also committed to the success of the CLC United Way Union Counseling program, which provides peer support in the workplace and referrals to community agencies where appropriate. The local is actively involved in training members. They’ve even taken the extra step of creating an internal committee to ensure the program’s continued expansion.

Since 2007, the FPSE provincial office has had a member on the United Way Campaign Labour Committee as Co-Chair. The office has also actively encouraged support of United Way and participation in the CLC United Way Union Counseling program among provincial members and institutions.

Congratulations to the staff and members of both organizations. You’re making a real difference in the lives of those in need in your community.

» February 19, 2009

[FPSE News] Fiscal shell game leaves post-secondary empty handed

"British Columbians were looking for answers in this budget and the Minister is just offering up a fiscal shell game," said Cindy Oliver, President of the Federation of Post-Secondary Educators. "The Minister claims that there is more money for post-secondary education, but most of that money is coming from federal transfers, not new commitments from the provincial treasury," Oliver added.

"Our organization released a poll last week that showed a strong majority of British Columbians wanted to see major investments in post-secondary education. This budget comes nowhere close to meeting those needs. Operating grants to post-secondary institutions are virtually flat-lined in this budget, leaving no capacity to improve access or affordability," Oliver added.  More...

 
» December 1, 2008

Special Bulletin #3: "CREATION OF FACULTY GOVERNANCE STRUCTURES "

The results of the Faculty Election to Senate were announced on November 28, 2008, and a full membership Senate will convene in January, 2009---congratulations to all Faculty senators!

Special Bulletin #3 identifies some key issues that affect all faculty who wish to participate meaningfully in Kwantlen's new model of governance and collegial, academic decision-making.

Past bulletins are available online at:
http://www.kfa.bc.ca/bulletins/

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» November 25, 2008

Georgia Milligan Memorial KFA Award

The family of Georgia Milligan has established an endowment in her memory to acknowledge the adversities that are often faced by single mothers who are pursuing post-secondary education. This award is open to students of all stages of studies, including citations, certificates, diplomas or degrees.

From left: Phillip Legg, Ruth Legg, Soren Legg and Peter Podovinikoff

Georgia Milligan joined the English Department at Kwantlen in 2002. Throughout her life, Georgia overcame adversities and persevered to pursue graduate studies, eventually establishing a career in post-secondary. Throughout Georgia's life, she remained passionate about literature and graphic arts and was a committed union activist who actively participated with and supported the Kwantlen Faculty Association.

The $1,000 annual award will become available in perpetuity starting in Fall 2009. 

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