In recent years, MUNFA members have expressed significant concerns relating to collegial governance and shared-decision making at Memorial. Whether it be a search for a new academic administrator, a decision related to the design of academic programs and the appointment of new faculty in them, or the development of the University’s Strategic Plan, Academic Staff Members (ASMs) have seen the ongoing erosion of these core principles.
Memorial University has often been cited as the only Canadian university without faculty representation on its governing board. This is due to fact that the Memorial University Act explicitly states that “A person who is a member of the teaching staff of the university or of an affiliated college or institution shall not be eligible to be appointed or elected as a member of the board.” Given that “All Hands on Deck” and “The Big Reset” both recommend changes to the Memorial University Act, now is an important opportunity for the government to make the necessary changes to strengthen collegial governance and ensure faculty representation on the Board of Regents.
In response to these issues, MUNFA is striking two working groups.
- MUNFA Governance Working Group to address the erosion of collegial governance and shared-decision making at Memorial University.
- MUN Act Working Group to develop specific recommendations for changes to the MUN Act which strengthen collegial governance and ensure faculty representation on the Board of Regents.
ASMs interested in participating in either work group should contact MUNFA’s Organizing, Membership Engagement, and Communications Coordinator, Travis Perry, at membership.munfa@mun.ca.
