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Hi everyone! I’ll be live tweeting #UAlberta’s General Faculties Council (GFC) meeting today! Follow along for updates #abpse
The meeting today opens up with Kate Peters, GFC secretary, explaining the technical difficulties that occurred with their online voting system at the last meeting in December
“We certainly recognize these issues were problematic”
“We certainly recognize these issues were problematic”
Last meeting, the voting system, e-clicker, had numerous issues. Because of this, some GFC members couldn’t register their votes with the system and had to independently message Peters to register their vote
Peters says, going forward, GFC is interested in using the polling feature on Zoom to overcome these challenges. They will be doing a test vote today
If this was done, votes at GFC would be anonymous, meaning the public wouldn’t be able to see the votes of specific members
If this was done, votes at GFC would be anonymous, meaning the public wouldn’t be able to see the votes of specific members
After the test poll, Peters says that the GFC members will be using e-clicker for the remainder of today’s meeting
Christopher Lupke mentions how, if GFC did go forward with using Zoom polling, how would they conduct a roll call vote under Robert’s Rules?
Peters says they could use the “raise hand” function on Zoom to publicly state votes in the possibility of a division vote
Peters says they could use the “raise hand” function on Zoom to publicly state votes in the possibility of a division vote
Despite the earlier discussion over technical difficulties, GFC is already experiencing new challenges over Zoom. Multiple GFC members are saying they cannot access the “raise hand” function to add themselves to the speakers list
After a brief pause in the meeting, they’ve decided that Peters will keep track of the speakers list. If people cannot add themselves, they can personally message Peters to add themselves to the list
We’re now onto approving the agenda. In response to requests from student reps, Bill Flanagan agreed to move forward a discussion on online learning higher up in the meeting
Adrian Wattamaniuk, a student rep, is motioning to include a discussion item about the future of collegial governance at the University
This motion arises in response to concerns over how the Board of Governors (BoG) didn’t follow GFC’s recommendation at last months BoG meeting
This motion arises in response to concerns over how the Board of Governors (BoG) didn’t follow GFC’s recommendation at last months BoG meeting
Multiple GFC members are now speaking in favour of the motion, including @ArtsSquared and Andrei Tabirca. Both emphasize the importance of having a formal discussion over collegial governance and reflecting on what BoG’s decision means for the U of A community
UPDATE: With vote of 100-8, with one abstention, the motion carries.
A discussion on collegial governance at the University will be added to the agenda
A discussion on collegial governance at the University will be added to the agenda
Afterwords, GFC quickly approves the agenda.
We’re now moving into our first agenda item, which is the presidents report. Flanagan opens by discussing his decision to keep remote learning in place throughout spring and summer semesters
We’re now moving into our first agenda item, which is the presidents report. Flanagan opens by discussing his decision to keep remote learning in place throughout spring and summer semesters
Flanagan is now addressing the BoG decision on Dec. 11
He begins by acknowledging skepticism towards the UofA tomorrow plan to address post secondary cuts and that many are disappointed in his decision to recuse himself at the meeting
He begins by acknowledging skepticism towards the UofA tomorrow plan to address post secondary cuts and that many are disappointed in his decision to recuse himself at the meeting
He believes, however, he had a conflict of interest between his role as GFC chair and BoG member, which required him to recuse himself
Upon reflection, he wishes he had told the UofA community about his COI before the Dec 11 meeting
Upon reflection, he wishes he had told the UofA community about his COI before the Dec 11 meeting
Flanagan ends by saying that he many have shared their frank thoughts with him over the decision. He says he’s happy to have these discussions going forward and that these discussions are a part of collegial governance
. @ArtsSquared responds to Flanagan, saying she feels his explanation is inadequate
“I’m still not hearing an understanding of the really fundamental things that went wrong here”
She says Flanagan withheld vital information to GFC that impaired their decision-making
“I’m still not hearing an understanding of the really fundamental things that went wrong here”
She says Flanagan withheld vital information to GFC that impaired their decision-making
Following these remakes, GFC passes a motion to extend the meeting until 5pm.
We’re now moving into the discussion about online learning and remote assessment. Multiple student groups, including @UASUualberta and @ISAUAlberta, have advocated for this to be discussed at GFC
We’re now moving into the discussion about online learning and remote assessment. Multiple student groups, including @UASUualberta and @ISAUAlberta, have advocated for this to be discussed at GFC
Wendy Rogers Presents on the challenge of online learning. She admits there’s challenges with remote delivery impacting students
Rogers says she would like a system where students could report issues and receive a robust response from admin
Rogers says she would like a system where students could report issues and receive a robust response from admin
. @DavidDraperAB begins his statements by expressing his disappointment that it took so long to get a conversation with GFC about this issue
After advocating for a meeting with GFC since September, Draper is frustrated that it took over an hour in today’s meeting to discuss it
After advocating for a meeting with GFC since September, Draper is frustrated that it took over an hour in today’s meeting to discuss it
Draper continues his remakes, criticizing the shortcomings of online learning
He says the solution of having students reach out to individual profs puts the problem of dealing with issues on the shoulders of students
He says the solution of having students reach out to individual profs puts the problem of dealing with issues on the shoulders of students
Draper also calls out the university for using online proctoring, after other post secondaries in Canada have banned the software
“I frankly believe it’s unfair and unjust to our student population”
“I frankly believe it’s unfair and unjust to our student population”
Other student reps are now speaking over systemic issues with remote learning. @TaliaDixon8 specifically highlights issues faced by those with learning disabilities
Wendy Rogers discusses how profs have the academic freedom to determine the content and structure of their courses, which is a challenge
She does say that Draper’s earlier suggestions, such as having students turn off their camera, could address privacy concerns
She does say that Draper’s earlier suggestions, such as having students turn off their camera, could address privacy concerns
. @uasupresident uses his soeakifng time to tell the story of Priya, an international student who wakes up in the middle of the night to attend courses, despite paying a hefty tuition fee to attend courses
“This is happening to thousands of students across campus”
“This is happening to thousands of students across campus”
Katie Kidd calls the discussion happening “embarrassing,” saying that students feel as if they’re yelling at a wall and that admin aren’t taking their concerns seriously
“If students are not the priority, why are we here?” #ualberta
“If students are not the priority, why are we here?” #ualberta
. @RicAcuna says, while student needs must be addressed, profs need support too and aren’t getting it from admin. He also says he knows profs who do wake up at 2am for professional events like thesis defences
“Time zone and physical location are not grounds for accommodation”
“Time zone and physical location are not grounds for accommodation”
Pierre-Yves Mocquais, Dean of Campus St. Jean, apologizes to students who are experiencing challenges with online learning
“I owe you, as one of the leaders of the university, an apology for not taking this issue more seriously from the start”
“I owe you, as one of the leaders of the university, an apology for not taking this issue more seriously from the start”
Roger Moore says professors are experiencing similar difficulties to students and remain inexperienced with remote delivery.
He asks students for patience when dealing with profs, while also calling for clearer expectations and standards for profs teaching online
He asks students for patience when dealing with profs, while also calling for clearer expectations and standards for profs teaching online
. @ArtsSquared says that the issues brought up by students shows a breakdown of collegial governance. Sale says that they should’ve had a separate meeting for this issue as they have another matter to discuss
She advocates returning to online learning at the next meeting
She advocates returning to online learning at the next meeting
Given that student reps do not wish to end the discussion on online learning, GFC is debating over whether to extent the meeting until 6pm or potentially have another meeting on collegial governance next week
After a brief break, GFC returns and extends the meeting to 6pm, two hours over the scheduled ending time
Resuming the discussion on online learning, Dan Romanyk outlines how, as a professor, he has taken many steps to meet with students to try and support them. Despite having negative experiences, Romanyk says there are positive steps being taken by profs
David Draper is now summarizing student concerns, saying they would like the UofA to move away from discriminatory tools like online proctoring, which UCalgary has done
“People have gotten around these problems with little to no issue and I’m curious as to why we haven’t yet”
“People have gotten around these problems with little to no issue and I’m curious as to why we haven’t yet”
. @TaliaDixon8 says the challenges of online learning must be resolved, emphasizing that many of her friends have experienced depression and self harm for the first time over the fall semester. Because profs gold more power than students, Dixon says they must act
Katie Kidd speaks again, saying the UofA have a responsibility to act, calling the response so far “pathetic.” She highlights a gap in privilege between staff and students when solving issues
“Professors are paid to be here. Students are paying to be here”
“Professors are paid to be here. Students are paying to be here”
Kidd is briefly interrupted by a point of order from a prof, who says many student remarks are making staff feel uncomfortable
Kidd gives a pointed response:
“I’m sorry you feel uncomfortable with me asking you to do your job” #ualberta
Kidd gives a pointed response:
“I’m sorry you feel uncomfortable with me asking you to do your job” #ualberta
Because it is 5:15, GFC is once again debating how to get through the rest of the meeting. Members are now discussing whether to adjourn this meeting until next week.
Flanagan has called a 5 minute recess to discuss next steps with the GFC secretary
Flanagan has called a 5 minute recess to discuss next steps with the GFC secretary
Resuming the meeting, GFC continues to debate whether or not to adjourn the meeting until February 8. There’s currently a discussion over whether to adjourn the meeting or hold a special meeting
UPDATE: The motion to finish the discussion on online learning and adjourn the GFC meeting until February 8 passes, 83-13, with one absentions #UAlberta
Kathleen Lowrey says, because the UofA is funded by taxpayers, they have a responsibility to provide high quality education to Albertans
She says this creates a problem for online learning, where UAlberta must still live up to their standards and that they shouldn’t be lowered
She says this creates a problem for online learning, where UAlberta must still live up to their standards and that they shouldn’t be lowered
Multiple students interrupt Lowrey with points of order, with many GFC members shouting over each other.
David Draper’s comment gets through the noise - students pay taxes too
David Draper’s comment gets through the noise - students pay taxes too
Adrian Wattamaniuk, a student rep, responds to Katie Kidd’s earlier remarks, saying it’s hypocritical to not listen to profs who are experiencing similar challenges to students
“This can’t turn into an us versus them thing...we’re all here to continue to learn”
“This can’t turn into an us versus them thing...we’re all here to continue to learn”
Samar Barazesh, a student rep, understands that profs are under pressure but says that students can’t help them, only admin can
In contrast, Barazesh says profs can help students. She asks for standards and training to hold profs accountable to
In contrast, Barazesh says profs can help students. She asks for standards and training to hold profs accountable to
Ana Oliveria, a student rep, highlights that some international students pay 5 times the tuition of domestic students and make sacrifices to attend UofA. She says they deserve accommodation for the amount of money they pay
Concluding the discussion, Wendy Rodgers plans to address the issues of students enrolled this term. She commits to come up with a strong and long-term response
John Nychka also highlights the importance of creating and implementing various solutions for these problems
John Nychka also highlights the importance of creating and implementing various solutions for these problems
And with that, GFC adjourns their meeting until February 8. Thanks to everyone who followed along and follow @The_Gateway for more coverage of the meeting!
