LETTER XI - Valuing the Service Contributions of Black, Indigenous, and Racialized Members

The University believes that Black, Indigenous, and racialized members often make service contributions to their communities and for Black, Indigenous, and racialized students to an extent that is over and above normal service contributions. In effort to value these particular and individualized contributions, the University sets out the following adjustments in workloads for Black, Indigenous, or racialized members.

The University shall recognize the unique and individualized service contributions made by Black, Indigenous, and racialized members in one or a combination of the following adjustments during an academic year:

1. to allow a member's service contributions to be devoted to service that in the members opinion is for the benefit of Black, Indigenous, or racialized students or their communities,
2. to allow reduction in teaching load by one course, or, for librarian members, a reduction in duties and responsibilities assigned equivalent to one course,
3. to specify a reduced expectation in research/creative activity.

The above is applicable provided that any adjustments in workload will not increase the service contributions by the member above 30% of their time devoted to discharging the regular employment obligations of a member unless otherwise specified in this collective agreement.

Request for an adjustment to teaching workload or to assigned duties and responsibilities.

Where a Black, Indigenous, or racialized member believes that their increase in service contribution warrant a reduced teaching workload or, for librarian members, a reduction in assigned duties and responsibilities, the member may request an adjustment from their AAU Head before their letter of workload is made pursuant to Article 5:08(a), or for librarian members Article 5:55, or for ancillary academic staff members Article 5:47, of this collective agreement. Such request shall be in writing setting out the expected service contributions of the member and the need for the adjustment. Following a written request, the AAU Head shall discuss with the member the request and by mutual agreement determine an appropriate workload that shall be expressed in writing and attached to the member’s personnel file and performance review. Where mutual agreement is not reached, the member shall be entitled to appeal the AAU Head’s workload assignment to URCFW pursuant to Article 5:16, or for librarian members Article 5:55(b) through (h) inclusive. The relevant review committee shall either affirm the AAU Head’s or the member’s requested workload assignment for the following academic year.

Request for an adjustment to research/creative activity and /or service contribution

Where a Black, Indigenous, or racialized member believes that their increase in service contribution warrants reduced expectation in research/creative activity and/or to focus their service on contributions in furtherance of Black, Indigenous or racialized students and/or communities, the member may request such adjustment from their AAU Head at anytime during the academic year. Following a written request, the AAU Head shall discuss with the member the request and by mutual agreement determine an appropriate change in workload that shall be expressed in writing and attached to the member’s personnel file and performance review. Where mutual agreement is not reached, the member shall be entitled to appeal to the Vice-President Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion whose decision shall be final. The Vice-President Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion shall either affirm the AAU Head’s or the member’s requested change in workload assignment for the academic year.