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The new Letter of Agreement, which goes until the end of the CRC program in 2005, includes two new provisions, one governing salaries and the other governing professional responsibilities.

Section 7 provides that the higher salaries paid to appointees as a result of the special funding will be in the form of a stipend and continue only as long as the extra funding lasts. This means that the University won't have to pick up the tab to the detriment of other YUFA members and new appointees.

Section 9 clarifies that CRC appointees will be expected to fulfill all aspects of faculty members' responsibilities (Article 11 of the Collective Agreement), including teaching and service - not just research.

Here is the full text of the new agreement.

Letter of Agreement Between YUFA and the Employer Regarding the Appointment of Canada Research Chairs (15 November 2001)

Preamble

Understanding that aspects of this process are outside the control of the parties and that the results will have a substantial impact on hiring, salaries and other activities within some units, the parties are making the following agreement. This agreement is being made without prejudice to our respective positions on the hiring process of the collective agreement.

It is the intention of the Employer that the appointment of Canada Research Chairs (CRCs) will have no negative effect on faculty complement.

The parties recognize that, as required by the Tri-Council and CFI Secretariat, all nominations submitted by the University must conform to the strategic research plan; such a plan shall be developed with collegial input and with the assistance of previous planning documents that have been the subject of collegial discussion and review.

1. Academic units shall recommend to their Dean candidates for Canada Research Chair positions. Unit recommendations for CRC positions shall address teaching as well as research, as described in the CRC Program Guide. Time restrictions may require a unit to amend established procedures. Units shall employ a collegial assessment process for recommending candidates. Organized Research Units (ORUs) may recommend CRC candidates to the appropriate hiring unit(s). In so far as is practicable, recommending units shall endeavour to follow the principles embodied in the affirmative action clauses, including  appropriate priority for qualified Canadians and members of designated groups.

2. Deans shall forward all applications received from the hiring units to the University Selection Committee with letters copied to units.

3. The University Selection Committee shall select all nominations and shall be composed of the following individuals or their designate: the Vice-President (Academic), the Vice-President (Research and Innovation), the Associate Vice-President (Research), the Affirmative Action Director, the Dean of the Faculty of Graduate Studies, the Chair of APPC, and the Chair of SCOR.

4. Academic planning documents, particularly the University’s strategic research plan, shall guide the University Selection Committee in its deliberations. The Committee shall also seek to respect the principles of affirmative action that are contained in the collective agreement.

5. The selection Committee’s consideration of non-Canadian applications must respect both the collective agreement provisions regarding the hiring of non-Canadians and all regulations established by the Government of Canada for Canada Research Chairs.

6. The recommendations of the Selection Committee will be post-audited by the joint affirmative action committee, which will make recommendations to the parties for further affirmative action goals.

7. In cases where internal candidates are recommended, any salary increases permitted by the Canada Research Chairs program shall not be subject to the restrictions on aggregate salary adjustment contained
in Articles 25.10 and 25.11 and Appendices C and P, and will be in the form of a CRC stipend which will continue for the term of the Canada Research Chair appointment. In cases where external candidates are
recommended, starting salaries shall consist of two components: a base salary, determined on the basis of those factors normally considered for new appointments, including experience-related factors and marketability, and a stipend, which will continue for the term of the Canada Research Chair appointment. Canada Research Chair stipends for new appointments will not be subject to Article 25.10 or Appendix P.

8. The Employer agrees to provide to YUFA information on every employee hired as a Canada Research Chair, as stipulated by Article 8.01(b). The Employer will also provide YUFA with a copy of directives sent to Deans/hiring units regarding Canada Research Chairs.

9. Canada Research Chairs will be expected to undertake the professional responsibilities of all full-time faculty members.

10. This Letter of Agreement shall remain in place until the conclusion of the current Canada Research Chairs Program (2005). The grounds for reopening shall be limited to the matters contained in the
Letter of Agreement. Parties agree to discuss in negotiations for a renewal collective agreement processes for externally funded positions.

Penni Stewart, Chairperson
York University Faculty Association

Sheila Embleton, Vice-President Academic
York University