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.” “All Hands on Deck” and “The Big Reset” both recommended changes to the Memorial University Act. In response, MUNFA prepared a submission suggesting necessary changes to the Act to improve governance at Memorial University.
To continue this work, ASMs are invited to join MUNFA’s Governance Working Group who is championing initiatives to address the erosion of collegial governance and shared-decision making at Memorial University. Interested ASMs can contact the MUNFA Office at munfa@mun.ca.
