Basic guide to adapt your course to distance learning
The circumstances of the past weeks created a lot of challenges for the academic staff. The most challenging one- no doubt- has been the need to transform your course to distance learning.
In this context, the Association has created a basic guide to help APTPUO members facilitate the transition to distance learning. You can find the guide on our website here.
APTPUO discussion forum
In addition to the guide, the Association has created a discussion forum on our website in order to allow members exchange best practices for distance teaching and learning, to share advice and experiences or to ask questions. It is a virtual space that will allow the APTPUO community to help each other during these difficult times.
Visit the forums here and follow the instructions to contribute today.
Postings for the Spring-Summer session
We have noticed that some departments have modified postings for the Spring-Summer session without the Association’s consent. Specifically, some departments have added language specifying that preference would be given to applicants with online teaching or distance learning. This is not acceptable. We have, therefore, demanded that these postings be cancelled and reposted with the original language.
However, there may have been changes to postings that went undetected. We, therefore, ask you to be vigilant and to let us know when you see changes that you suspect are contrary to the collective agreement. Do not hesitate to contact us if you see a posting where such changes have been made that would render you ineligible for the course or that might deter you from applying.
In addition, the hiring report will be published by the end of May on the University’s website. You can, therefore, verify if the course allocation has appropriately respected the category and seniority provisions in our collective agreement. If you believe that your rights have been breached, do not hesitate to contact us as soon as possible.
2019 annual statistics on workplace accidents, incidents, and injuries at the University of Ottawa
Every year the University’s risk management office publishes a report on workplace accidents, incidents, and injuries in the workplace. You can find the report here.
Employment Insurance (EI) eligibility
Did you know that members without any courses this spring/summer might be eligible for EI? For the Ottawa region, the minimum number of hours deemed worked for EI eligibility is 700 in the past 52-week period. According to the collective agreement, a member shall be deemed to have worked 200 hours for a three-credit course (or equivalent) for EI purposes.
Note that you must apply within four weeks of the end of your contract. Your contract technically ends when you submit your last grades.
If you have any specific questions with regard to your own EI eligibility, please contact Human Resources or read more on the Government of Canada’s website.
You can also be eligible for financial benefit programs put in place by the federal government to help workers affected by the COVID-19 crisis and you may be eligible.
The Canadian Association of University Teachers (CAUT) has published useful information that can help you navigate through the details. Read the article here.
