University of Lethbridge Students' Union (ULSU)

Self Advocacy Package

ULSU Self AdvocacyPackage

Prepared by the University of Lethbridge Students’ Union in response to the return to classes following job action in the Spring 2022 semester.Many students are finding themselves in unique situations while we are returning to class following labour disruptions whether it be in regards to finances, modality, prior commitments, or any other number of reasons and no one solution will work for all students. This self advocacy package clearly lays out the rights students have, as well as the pathways to support that are available to them. If a student requires alternate accommodations or is unsure if specific solutions are available to them we ask that they consult the contacts list included for direct support.

Back To Class Letter Writing Campaign

Monday, March 7th, 11:00 am, on a regular day, these hallways would be noisy bustling from the hurry to get to another class or grab a bite to eat, the atriums would be a vital interchange to say hello to peers or squeeze in some studying, the classrooms would be full with students ready to learn and professors ready to teach, and all members of our campus would be radiating with our renowned U of L spirit.On March 7th, there was none of that. The strike and lockout have put the student experience on indefinite suspension. Who knows when campus will resume to normal so that we can all share the Fiat Lux spirit together once again?

Official Press Releases

2SLGBTQIA+ Support

Resources for the 2SLGBTQIA+ Community on campus, in Lethbridge and Alberta

Grade Appeals

The grade appeal process can be a very intimidating procedure for students, and often leaves many unanswered questions as to what should be done next. The Students’ Union is here to guide students through this process, addressing any questions or concerns they may have. If you feel that your grade for a course has been improperly determined, please stop by SU180 and talk to your VP Academic.

U of L Committees

Student Representation on Committees

The Students’ Union needs people like you to represent your fellow students on committees. There are approximately 50 committees filled every year with dedicated volunteers. Being a student volunteer on a committee is a great way to understand the workings and personalities of the university and may qualify you for more scholarships. Volunteer committee experience shows possible future employers that you have commitment, drive, and a knowledge of how meetings work.Becoming a member of a University of Lethbridge committee is a serious responsibility, as well as a unique opportunity to speak on behalf of the students. Each committee at the U of L has certain roles and responsibilities for the entire university and attendance is of the utmost importance. Membership can be both rewarding and exciting. You will meet faculty and staff from around the campus who care as much about this institution as you do. We recommend you use their knowledge and expertise to its fullest.

CASA

Federal Lobby Group

What is CASA?

The Canadian Alliance of Student Associations (CASA) is a not-for-profit, non-partisan student organization composed of 21 student associations representing 250,000 postsecondary students. Through its partnership with the Quebec Students Union (QSU) and their 8 member associations representing 77,000 students from Quebec, CASA presents a national student voice to the federal government. CASA advocates for a postsecondary education (PSE) system that is affordable, accessible, innovative and of the highest quality.

CAUS

What is CAUS?

The Council of Alberta University Students (CAUS) represents the interests of over 100,000 Alberta university students across Alberta. They represent undergraduate students from the University of Alberta, the University of Calgary, the University of Lethbridge, Mount Royal University, and MacEwan University to the public, government and other post-secondary education stakeholders. Based in Edmonton, CAUS is a non-partisan and active advocacy group looking to ensure a fully accessible and high quality system of education in Alberta.For more information visit: http://caus.net/

ULSU Job Action Response

ULSU Job Action Response and Collective Bargaining Info

Dear students, Thank you for your passionate input on the matter. Although we can not respond to every bit of correspondence, we are taking every point under advisement. We are trying to allocate as many of our resources to our job action response and communications. Please bear with us as we make these changes and updates, we thank you for your patience in advance.The bargaining situation between the University of Lethbridge Board of Governors and the University of Lethbridge Faculty Association has come to an impasse. This impasse resulted in a ALRB certified strike vote which ran from February 2nd to February 4th. The outcome of the vote was 92% in favor and faculty membership participation rate of 87% of ULFA members voting. ULFA is on legal strike as of 11:00am on Thursday February 10th 2021. The Board of Governors removed it’s bad faith complaint that was meant to delay the strike deadline, with both parties citing that negotiations were progressing during the 72 hour notice period. The Board of Governors has applied for and served notice to ULFA that a lockout is slated to start on February 11th at 11:00am.In response to this, the FAQ webpage page has changed to represent the ULSU’s whole advocacy effort about collective bargaining and job action. The newest update to this page is the button at the top that directs you to remediation strategies and contingency plans to support students during disruptive job action.In response to this, the FAQ webpage page is changing to represent the ULSU’s whole advocacy effort about collective bargaining and job action. The first part of this webpage is a recent video from the ULSU Executive Council titled US to U: Job Action. The second half is a glossary of relevant labour terms. The last portion of this page is the FAQ that we’ve been updating since October. The EC answered questions submitted directly by students about this situation. We want to thank these students for submitting their questions as it has given us an understanding of what concerns need to be addressed by students. We hope you find that it is a useful and reassuring resource. This situation is rapidly evolving and the ULSU is updating the information on this page as frequently and efficiently as possible. Due to this, the ULSU might draw upon the first source of information we receive, but then retroactively edit and update the document to better reflect fact rather than subjective reports from any party. Please be patient with us as there are sometimes some lags between news breaking and any updated or outdated information will be noted where applicable. Please email su.communications@uleth.ca if you notice any errors or omissions.If you feel any distress or anxiety from this situation or just need to speak to a professional please feel free to contact counselling to book an appointment. https://www.ulethbridge.ca/counselling/content/booking-appointmentRelevant ULSU Memos and Communications:Click here to read the ULSU speech to the Board of Governors Open Session on December 9, 2021.Click here to read the open letter inviting all parties to join together and advocate against the government’s cuts posted on December 13, 2021.Click here to read the email to U of L President Mike Mahon and ULFA President Dan O’Donnell on the morning of the cooldown ending on February 2, 2022.Click here to read the official press release from the ULSU Executive Council in response to the strike which began on February 10, 2022 at 11:00am.Click here to read the ULSU speech to the Board of Governors Open Session Sit-in on February 17, 2022.Media Contact:For media inquiries, please contact Max Bartlett at su.communications@uleth.caULSU Official Position Statement: Voted unanimously by the ULSU General Assembly on January 21st, 2022The Students’ Union recognizes the importance of the collective bargaining process in negotiating a collective agreement between the faculty union and the University. We further recognize our positionality in this process, being that the Students’ Union is formally unable to waver decisions to the benefit of either party. We strongly encourage both parties to actively and continuously consider how their decisions impact students and their quality of learning, especially when considering job action. We further recognize that students have already had to bear financial, mental and academic challenges this past semester, and urge both sides to consider how their decisions exacerbate student struggles.Relevant developments as of February 8th:Please know as of writing this, less than two days remain before the strike is set to take place. Both parties are in negotiations during the 72 hour period given before the strike. A potential resolution is still theoretically possible before the strike is set to commence on the 10th of February.ULFA related updates: As of writing this on February 8th, ULFA has held a supervised strike vote from February 2nd to February 3rd. The results have been ratified by the ALRB for a positive strike vote. ULFA intends to strike lawfully and has given notice to the employer that a strike will occur on February 10th at 11:00 am. ULFA bargaining updates: https://www.ulfa.ca/taking-action/bargaining-updates/ULFA has prepared a student-specific FAQ which also hosts information about picketing: https://www.ulfa.ca/faqs/Board of Governors related updates: On February 8th the ULSU received an update that the Board of Governors had withdrawn its bad faith bargaining complaint. The Board of Governors has applied for a lockout under the ALRB. The application is still pending as of writing this in the evening of February 8th, 2022. We will keep you updated on whether or not it is approved. U of L Board bargaining updates: https://www.ulethbridge.ca/bargainingU of L Bargaining FAQ for students: https://www.ulethbridge.ca/bargaining/student-faqIf you have any questions that we have not answered here or have input for the ULSU about these matters, please reach out to ULSU President, Holly Kletke, at su.president@uleth.ca

Remediation Plans

Spring 2022 Remediation Plans

Contingency Plan Recommendations: February 2022 Strike + Lockout

Student Representation at All Levels

The University of Lethbridge General Assembly is your Student Council and they represent all University of Lethbridge students on a campus, city, provincial and federal level. They are the voice of each student individually and collectively.

Canadian Alliance Student Organization (CASA) is your Federal lobby group, and the Council of Alberta University Students (CAUS) is your Provincial lobby group. Representation on a campus level consists of student delegates on over 50 committees at the University of Lethbridge. The ULSU VP Academic is mandated to fill these positions from within the student body. It is the Student Council which provides active student delegates to attend formally structured events where the presence of a student voice is valuable. In addition to this, the Student Council represents students on an individual level for things like Grade Appeals and they also address the students needs as they are brought to the table of the General Assembly or Executive Council.

The Students' Union gives all U of L students the opportunity to become a student leader in action by running in the SU General Elections which take place every February and March.

Please check out the "Representation" links along the side and if you have any questions feel free to contact the Students' Union VP Academic at su.academic@uleth.ca .