Part-Time Faculty Win Voice at SMU Senate

HALIFAX, Nova Scotia--(BUSINESS WIRE)--After years of fighting for better worker representation in university governance, the Saint Mary’s University (SMU) Senate have voted to amend their by-laws, allowing for part-time faculty to run for a seat on the Senate. The Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE) applauds this worker-driven victory.

“This is a huge win for academic workers,” said Lauren McKenzie, CUPE 3912 President. CUPE 3912 represents approximately 400 part-time faculty at Saint Mary’s University.

“We can finally take part in the decision-making processes that impact our lives and the work we do—as the full-time academic staff we work alongside every day have been doing—and work together to protect workers and protect the standard of postsecondary education that we know SMU students deserve.”

The Senate is a body of elected members responsible for the SMU educational policy, including determining courses of study and creating or discontinuing academic departments.

The change in by-laws also means part-time faculty at SMU are now eligible to nominate and vote for all elected members of the Senate, which they were previously unable to do.

This is an important victory for academic workers at SMU, particularly in the wake of recent cuts to SMU course offerings—which have resulted in half of part-time faculty at SMU losing work or losing their jobs entirely.

Previously, CUPE 3912 members taught a third of SMU courses and workers have been vocal about the impact of these cuts on both their members livelihoods as well as the quality of postsecondary education in Nova Scotia.

“These cuts are primarily impacting the humanities, meaning SMU students are losing opportunities to explore subjects like history, religion, and language and culture,” continued McKenzie. “SMU students are losing a wealth of knowledge in these areas and the incredible expertise our members bring. It’s not just about the course list; it’s about the kind of academic institution SMU is—or is at risk of becoming. That’s why we fought for a voice at the Senate, and this is what we can do with that voice.”

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