Retired Acadia Faculty Association

Latest Newsletter: March 8 2010:

RETIRED ACADIA FACULTY ASSOCIATION
Editor: Bob McCarthy (rmccarth@acadiau.ca)
Editores Emeritissimi: Ralph Winter et Ed Eagles
Production Genius: Sandy Shelley
WEBSITE: http://www.rafacadia.ca
WebWizard: Larry Bogan
Newsletter 34 March, 2010
MEETING IN THE UPPER ROOM
Tuesday, 16 March, 2010 at 10:00AM

Featured Guest:

Ray Ivany, Acadia’s President and Vice-Chancellor

In the Passover Spirit of the Gospel of Mark (14:15), the RAFA will assemble in the Upper Room, a.k.a. “Studio Zed”, at Justus Coffee in Wolfville, on Tuesday 16 March, 2010 at 10:00AM to discuss the present state of Acadia University in light of two recent developments, i.e.:

1. The O’Neill Crisis/Renewal.

On January 22, 2010 at 2:49 PM, the office of Premier Darrel Dexter announced the appointment of former Bank of Montreal Executive Tim O’Neill to “provide advice and recommendations to government on how to further strengthen Nova Scotia’s world-class university system.”
On 17-18 February, president Ivany held open meetings with the Acadia community to discuss this announcement.

2. RAFA’s efforts to assist the University.

Prior to the announcement by the Premier, the RAFA had for some time been engaged in discussions with the administration on practical ways for RAFA members to help ease the present fiscal crisis. After preparatory consultations by Vince Leung and senior administrators, the executive met with Jill Davies, Elisabeth Frost and David MacKinnon on 23 February, 2010.
RAFA 34, page 2
On 22 January, 2010, Premier Darrell announced the appointment of Tim O’Neill:

“Economist and former Bank of Montreal executive vice-president Tim O’Neill will provide advice and recommendations to government on how to further strengthen Nova Scotia’s world-class university system.

“Nova Scotia’s universities are critical to the economic and social development of the province and it is important to strengthen how we deliver education at the university level, particularly in a time where demands of the workforce and the economy are changing so rapidly,” said Premier Darrell Dexter.

Mr. O’Neill will examine the demographic trends and financial situation facing post-secondary education and assess the impact on the long-term viability of the university system. He will develop policy options for the province to ensure Nova Scotians have a sustainable and responsive education system.

“Nova Scotia benefits from a strong university system that delivers quality teaching to its students along with research that enhances the environment for innovation,” said Mr. O’Neill. “Universities also improve the economic, social and cultural life of the communities in which they operate. The aim of my work is to identify policy options which ensure the long-term viability of the university sector.”

Mr. O’Neill’s findings and advice will help develop arrangements between the province and universities, including financial support. Mr. O’Neill will also examine links between universities and economic and social development activities, including research and development, labour force and community economic development.

He will consult with university and college leaders, students and other people with expertise in the university sector.

“Our university leaders welcome the opportunity to work closely with Mr. O’Neill and the government on developing policy options which ensure the sustainability of the province’s university system,” said John Harker, president and vice-chancellor of Cape Breton University and chair of Council of Nova Scotia University Presidents.

“Mr. O’Neill’s recognition of the important role our universities play in economic growth and social and cultural development across the province is appreciated. Our universities are enthusiastic about the consultation process and look forward to being active participants.”
The report is expected in early summer.
________________________________________________________________________
This announcement is available online at:
http://www.gov.ns.ca/news/details.asp?id=20100122004
RAFA 34, page 3
The following are the Terms of Reference for the mandate of Tim O’Neill:
Mandate for External Consultant:
The consultant will be mandated to develop policy options and advice with specific emphasis on higher education. Major tasks will be:
1. Environmental scan and forecast for higher education in the province, addressing:
a. Financial condition of universities
b. Fiscal capacities of province
c. Demographic trends
d. Enrollment trends
e. Market potential for recruitment of local, Canadian and foreign students
f. Current linkages to economic and social development processes (R&D, innovation,
labour force development, community economic development, etc)
2. Identification of policy options and best practices in post?secondary education in other
jurisdictions (nationally and internationally), addressing:
a. Governance models
b. Financing arrangements
c. Restructuring strategies
d. Linkages among institutions and between higher education and community and
workplace based adult learning systems
e. Recognition of prior learning, credit transfer, foreign credential recognition and
other innovations to enhance system integration and expand participation in
higher education
f. Linkages to economic and social development processes
3. Consultations with major stakeholders inside and outside the higher education sector
4. Identification of policy options and presentation of policy and strategic recommendations to the Premier
5. Development of specific advice and guidance to inform and shape future funding arrangements and relationships.

Reports and Timeframe The consultant will carry out this work over 5 months beginning February 2010.
A first report will be submitted to the Premier by May 2010 and will set out policy options for the development of a more integrated, effective and sustainable higher education system in Nova Scotia.
A second report will be presented by mid June 2010 and will provide guidance on future funding arrangements.
______________________________________________________________________________Terms of Reference may be viewed online at: http://gov.ns.ca/PPO/
RAFA to the RESCUE!! RAFA 34, page 4
Ever since Acadia’s severe fiscal challenges became public, the RAFA has offered its assistance to the university administration. Recently, Secretary-Treasurer Vince Leung met with senior administrators to discuss practical ways to channel this help.
As a result of these efforts, on 4 February, Jill Davies wrote to Vince to indicate the need for tutors in “Strengths of Materials, Dynamics and Design 2”. Jill also referred us to Elizabeth Frost (O75309f@acadiau.ca or tutoring@acadiau.ca), a M.Sc. graduate student in Biology, who serves as Coordinator of Tutors, to explore other tutoring opportunities.
Elizabeth and Jill attended a meeting with the RAFA Executive on 23 February, 2010, along with David MacKinnon, Acting Dean of Research and Graduate Studies.
In a letter to Vince of 21 February, 2010, David suggested that the RAFA could be of assistance in two ways:
1. Reviewing Tri-Council Applications; and
2. Review of Honours Theses.

The RAFA proposal to have its members teach in exchange for a tax receipt was not deemed viable owing to the delicacies of contract negotiations.
Senior administration agrees that it would be helpful if the RAFA could supply a database of members, indicating the various services they might provide. These might include individual lectures; academic advising; as well as teaching through the customary channels.
Following on that, the RAFA Executive will be polling its members in the near future.
THOUGHT QUESTIONS:
• Will RAFA members be included among the “stakeholders,” college leaders, or “other people” with whom the Premier indicates Tim O’Neill will consult?
• When will he appear at Acadia for such consultation?
• Why is the “financial condition of the universities” listed first?
• Would Acadia make a good “feeder school” for Dalhousie?
• Is the free-standing mainly undergraduate Canadian university a thing of the past?
• What are the causes of Acadia’s present fiscal emergency?
• How can such crises be prevented in the future?
• Can RAFA really help? Can anyone?

CHESHIRE BUZZ: Inside the Finances.
When the Premier announced that GDZ funding for RR&D universities would be calibrated to the Net Fund fluctuations of the BTM indicators, regardless of hyperfiscal increases and/or parabolic bond ties with BRZ-10 and PKM-15 specific market values, it was assumed that compensatory default remedies would serve to balance the predicted drop in QMD and YJR indices with the 2014 – 2012 exculpatory commitments announced by the Federal OHP managers. Since that has not been the case, it will be necessary to shut down the sprinkler system in War Memorial Hall.
We regret any inconvenience or actionable bodily harm.

February 21, 2010

Vincent Leung
Retired Acadia Faculty Association

Dear Vincent:

It was a pleasure to meet with you and your colleagues from the RAFA Executive on January 26th. I apologize for taking so long to follow up from that meeting, but February is a challenging month in Research and Graduate Studies, made more so this year by the fact that we are short-staffed. But so much for excuses.

It is especially gratifying for me to know that many retired colleagues are willing to give of their time and expertise to assist the University in various ways. As we all know, these are difficult times at Acadia and the offer of assistance is most appreciated. From my perspective as Acting Dean of Research and Graduate Studies, there are two primary ways that RAFA members could be invaluable:

Reviewing Tri-Council Applications:

Each fall many faculty members apply for external funding to the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council (NSERC), the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council (SSHRC), and the Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR). Very few faculty members apply to CIHR, but many apply to the other two councils. SSHRC applications are due in this office on October 1st and to Ottawa on October 15th. NSERC applications are due here by October 15th and in Ottawa by November 1st. This makes October an exceptionally intense month in R&GS. If some RAFA members were willing to read a small number of subject-appropriate applications (1-3), this could be very helpful to the applicants and to our office. Ideally it would be best if we could connect a RAFA member with one of more applicants well ahead of the application deadlines, but knowing how many apply at the last minute, this is likely not to happen in very many cases. Faculty members must give permission for their applications to be read by someone outside of R&GS, but I expect some would jump at this opportunity.

Review of Honours Theses

The undergraduate Honours program has grown substantially at Acadia. For those students intending to graduate in May, their theses are due at R&GS by March 19th. Last year, we had slightly over 100 theses submitted. This year the Honours Committee will be doing a quick review of all theses to determine which ones will need to be reviewed by external readers. If we have difficulty finding readers on campus, it would be great if some members of RAFA were willing to read one or two theses. External readers are not asked to comment on the substantive nature of the theses, but rather to review them for spelling, grammar, and other technical-editorial errors. Thus, unlike Tri-Council applications, we would not attempt to match on the basis of subject expertise.

I look forward to hearing from you following your meeting on the 23rd. If you have any questions, or if I have overlooked something in this letter that we talked about in January, please contact me at any time at 585-1787, or at this e-mail address. And thank you again for your offer of assistance.

Sincerely, David