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June 1, 2010
Well. This is my last monthly report before Gerry Cross assumes the office of President of the MRFA on 15 June. That marks the end of 5 years in the role for me. In that time we've collectively reimagined Mount Royal, moving from an exceptional college to an exceptional undergraduate university. In the midst of the day-to-day pressures and continuing evolution, it's easy to lose track of what MRFA faculty have achieved in that time. When I speak to faculty from other institutions that have gone through major transition or other structural challenges, I hear over and over of the kinds of conflicts, divisiveness Let's remember what's exceptional about Mount Royal: the emphasis on providing the best possible programs and instruction for our students; the engagement in thoughtful collegial processes improve the university, and a faculty culture that creates a real sense of community across the university with mutual respect as its highest form of expression. That's not to say there aren't other conflicts and interactions among faculty which are real, problematic, and characterized by poor communication and lack of respect - but those would likely occur in any community of 800 people, and they're the exception. What I still love most about my workplace and my colleagues is the will to achieve together, shaping good solutions from shared values, in a supportive environment. Thanks for the extraordinary opportunity to serve you (sometimes lunch even - on the list of other duties as required, Gerry). It's been an incredible honour to support good processes, to be able to offer an ear or advice to so many colleagues over time, and to make a contribution to improving Mount Royal as a workplace and a community. I want to end by outlining where I think we are now as an Association - what I hope are the significant accomplishments and improvements of the last five years. We have a recently-renovated and well-maintained Faculty Centre which continues to be a focal point for faculty social and professional activities. We are fiscally sound, with our audits performed efficiently and reliably, our outstanding debt related to the renovations project likely to be paid off by the next AGM, and a parallel opportunity to plan our next five years of priorities, Our exceptional MRFA staff have proper position descriptions, negotiated contracts, improved benefits, and a formal evaluation process. In addition to our robust and valued long-standing MRFA committees, we have an Executive Board and committee list restructured under the Bylaws to reflect the changing role of the MRFA in university governance, an enhanced level of professional development activities, improved communications on MRFA and academic governance matters, and a new focus on diversity. After years of uncertainty about ACIFA, the Executive has followed through on its strategic planning by having Gerry Cross elected VP External and me elected President of ACIFA at their recent AGM; this allows us to influence ACIFA's priorities and makes both of us regulars at the CAUT table against the day the MRFA applies there again. We have a robust and constructive relationship with senior administration and the Board of Governors based on trust and respect and a common interest in creating an exceptional university. It's weathered real conflicts on academic and professional matters and is sustainable, recognizing that any relationship needs to maintained attentively. We have a higher level of engagement by faculty generally as measured by interest in standing for committees, voter turnout, and General Meeting attendance. We have, through various committees and task forces and collective bargaining, built revised frameworks for university governance (giving faculty a majority voice in academic decisions), for faculty roles and responsibilities (making service and optionally scholarship a recognized part of faculty work), a new tenure system (still as rigorous, reflective of changing faculty roles, and now more procedurally fair), an impending promotion system, a stronger focus on part-time or contract faculty needs, and a revised system for recognizing faculty excellence - and we have those frameworks generally without major trauma (or drama). We are a university. So, being "a proud community of dynamic and progressive professionals," what do we do next? I can't wait to see. Take care and safe journeys, David Dr. David Hyttenrauch
President
Mount Royal Faculty Association
Ph. (403) 440-6191
Fax (403) 440-6752
Cell (403) 827-6732 (TAP-MRFA)
