April 25th: Update to Membership
Communications Concerns at SAIT
I don’t think it is a surprise to anyone to hear that the most common concerns of our members are the lack of communication and consultation from management (see the Question of the Week results below). The annual SAFA climate survey results show this as well, with members indicating growing dissatisfaction with management’s communication over the last 6 years.
Chart: SAIT’s senior management fosters and encourages open, honest communication within departments (Scale 1-4, 1=Strongly Disagree, 4=Strongly Agree). Source: 600 respondents, SAFA Climate Surveys, 2016-2021
Chart: There is effective two-way communication between my Academic Chair/Manager and me. (Scale 1-4, 1=Strongly Disagree, 4=Strongly Agree). Source: 600 respondents, SAFA Climate Surveys, 2016-2021
SAFA’s Response
SAFA believes the best way forward is for increased shared governance. We are in the middle of significant and systemic change at SAIT. It is impossible to miss the impacts that technology use, societal change, and economic shifts have had on our institution. SAFA does not hide from these impacts but looks to work with SAIT to move forward in a thoughtful way that makes sure decisions are beneficial to the members, students, and the institution. The best way to do this is to involve faculty and staff throughout the decision-making process.
The idea of employee consultation is neither new in the postsecondary environment nor is it unique to SAIT. Other Associations also have collaborative and consultative relationships with their employers. Collegial governance, also known as academic governance or shared governance, refers to “a set of practices under which college faculty and staff participate in significant decisions concerning the operation of their institutions”1. Collegial governance acknowledges that faculty and staff are in the best position, as frontline personnel, to know what would be beneficial for employees, students, and the institution. It encompasses decisions relating to curriculum, policy, resource allocation, and strategic planning of the institution. As well, increased faculty and staff participation leads to increased communication, as decision making no longer occurs behind closed doors.
What can Collegial Governance Look Like?
SAFA recently won a grievance that had, as its primary issue, the lack of consultation with the association. From that grievance, SAIT has agreed to increased consultation with SAFA on institutional changes that have an impact on our membership. I believe this is a positive change as it brings SAFA to the table before and during planning rather than after the fact. This new consultive process is in development and will be released soon. This process is a step in the right direction and SAFA will continue to monitor its implementation.
You will also see in the tentative Collective Agreement that will be released next week several Letters of Understanding that call for joint committees between SAIT and SAFA. I believe this signifies that SAIT increasingly recognizes that the Association should be viewed as a partner in the growth of SAIT, rather than a hinderance. These joint committees are significant, as the actions and outcomes will be enforced by the language of the new Collective Agreement, and we expect to see substantial impacts from their work.
Members’ Role in Collegial Governance
I should note that for collegial governance to work at SAIT, additional work will be required from the Association and its members. Participation in committee, focus groups, surveys, and other activities will be crucial in giving SAFA a voice in decision-making at the institution. Collegial governance will not be effective if members are not active and assertive when consultation channels are opened. I hope, when a future call goes out for participation, that you share your expertise and experience through these activities.
I am hopeful that recent actions by SAIT signify a change in consultation, but we will not stop here. SAFA will continue its work to amplify members’ voices at the institution and advocate for improved communication from management.
In solidarity,
1American Federation of Teachers (2004, June). Shared governance in colleges and universities. A Statement by the Higher Education Program and Policy Council (Item no. 36-0696). American Federation of Teachers. https://portfolio.du.edu/downloadItem/139191