Spring Institute - Your Faculty PD Day

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Last Updated on Monday, 27 May 2019 13:22

THE SPFA PRESENTS: SPRING INSTITUTE - YOUR FACULTY PD DAY with special guest, DAVID BOUCHARD!

WHO:     The event is open to all faculty from all 4 campuses. We have also extended the invite to faculty from the Regional Colleges, Saskatchewan Indian Institute of Technologies and Gabriel Dumont Institute. Spots are limited so register early in order to avoid missing out!

WHAT:    A day of networking, learning and enrichment to help you in your role as faculty.

WHERE:   Delta Bessborough Hotel

                601 Spadina Crescent East

                Saskatoon, SK

WHEN:   Thursday May 30 - REGISTRATION opens at 6:30 pm

SOCIAL 7-9 pm WITH cash bar, appetizers & live entertainment

               Friday May 31 (all day) click HERE to view the schedule

COST:     Early Bird Registration (EXTENDED TO MARCH 31, 2019): $200.00

               Presenter Registration: $175.00 (please only select this registration type if you have been confirmed as a presenter for the conference.)

               General Registration (April 1, 2019 - May 30, 2019) : $225.00

Faculty are encouraged to apply for Professional Development dollars through their program and through the SPFA Professional Development Fund. 

HOW DO I REGISTER?

SPFA members can register by clicking HERE. NOTE: The registration website is now operational. Please note that you must be logged in as an SPFA member to register through this link. If you have issues accessing your SPFA account, please contact This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. . Once you have filled in the registration form, you will be directed to the paypal site for payment.

Not an SPFA member? Faculty from the Regional Colleges, SIIT and Gabriel Dumont Institute can register by emailing This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. with the subject line "Faculty PD Day Registration". Please include your full name, email address, program area, college and campus in the body of your email. Upon receipt of your registration, Doris will contact you for payment. 

PRESENTATION TOPICS

Faculty PD Day will feature a number of presenters on a variety of topics that are relevant to all faculty. The following is a list of presentation topics or click HERE to view the schedule.

• How to Ensure the Success of Indigenous Students in Learning Where They Live
• How to Grow Your Program
• Move Your Students Forward with Backward Design
• Tech Tool Showcase
• Antigym
• Integrating Universal Design into Teaching and Learning
• Peer Assisted Studying
• Workplace Harassment
• The Truth and Lies of Student Engagement
• Stress Mindset
• Copyright
• Political Correctness
• What's Wrong with Sask Polytech and What You Can Do to Fix It
• Lockdown Browser
• Reading - The Ultimate Aboriginal Challenge

HOTEL AND PARKING 

If you require a hotel room for the conference, the Delta Bessborough has provided us with a group rate of $149.00/night. Discounted rate is available until May 6, 2019. The Bessborough has also provided us with 50% off parking so please register your vehicle at the front desk upon arrival. 

Links:

Spring Institute - Faculty PD Day Poster

Spring Institute - Faculty PD Day Trailer

David Bouchard's Website

David Bouchard's Welcome Video

Delta Bessborough Group Rate Room Booking

Associate Dean – Academic Chair Survey Results

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Last Updated on Wednesday, 02 January 2019 10:03

When the academic chair positions were introduced, SPFA identified and circulated expected positive outcomes resulting from the introduction of this new level of management and SPFA encouraged faculty to apply for the academic chair positions. We are pleased to note that most academic chair positions have been filled by faculty. It has been over two years since the introduction of these positions and perhaps three years since the introduction of associate dean positions. As in the case of academic chair positions, most associate dean positions have been filled by faculty. Again, we are pleased to note this trend.

Given that faculty and students have a vested interest in the success and effectiveness of these positions, SPFA conducted a brief survey of faculty to determine the impact of these new positions.

While the survey was simplistic, the results do identify both positive and negative reactions to the implementation of these positions. The majority of the responses are negative in terms of the value and functioning of the academic chair and associate dean positions.  While this is not encouraging, the survey may provide a basis for required improvement.  The value of the survey is not in criticizing; the value is in identifying current perceptions and performance and finding a way forward.  We hope that this survey will start a conversation and processes that will lead to a higher functioning Saskatchewan Polytechnic.  We hope to be engaging management in relevant conversations in the immediate future.

A brief synopsis does not do justice to any survey. Readers are encouraged to see all responses as reported through the 31-page document posted to our website. You must log in to see the plotted survey results. The 242 comments received (27 pages) can be viewed by contacting the SPFA office or your campus VP.  These comments have been edited to remove all information that would identify the authors. Regardless of that precaution, we will not be making this document public. 

530 faculty responded to survey questions. This level of response assures that the survey accurately reflects the opinions of faculty.  

Protected  "Survey Results" (Members must log on to view the survey results).

Lunch and Learn - IG Wealth Management

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Last Updated on Tuesday, 20 November 2018 09:54

The SPFA is sponsoring a lunch and learn on Financial Literacy Factors presented by Thomas Martin of IG Wealth Management. 

Saskatoon
November 6, 2018
Room 128
12:00 - 1:00 pm

Prince Albert
November 8, 2018
Room 236 (Academic Building)
12:00 - 1:00 pm

Regina
November 14, 2018
Room 155
12:00 - 1:00 pm

Moose Jaw
November 20, 2018
Macoun Lounge
12:00 - 1:00 pm

Click to view the brochure for the session.

Click to view the presentation slides.

2018 AGM Information

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Last Updated on Tuesday, 30 October 2018 15:43

Please be advised that the SPFA 2018 AGM is scheduled for Thursday, November 8, 2018 between 3:30 – 5:30 pm.

The AGM will originate from the Saskatoon Campus – Lecture Theatre 104. 

The AGM locations at the other three campus’ will be:

• Moose Jaw Campus – Rm 2.213.04
• Prince Albert Campus – Rm 207
• Regina, Lecture Theatre 100 (Parkway Campus)

The following timeline will guide the preparations for the AGM:

• Sept. 27, 2018 - Notification of AGM (Article VII, Section 1)
• Oct. 5, 2017 - Open Nominations – President, VP Moose Jaw, and VP Saskatoon terms end this year (Article V, Section 3).
• Oct. 11, 2018 – Constitutional Amendments received (Article X, Section 3)
• Oct. 19, 2018 – Nominations Close (Article V, Section 5)
• Oct. 25, 2018 – Constitutional Amendments circulated (Article X, Section 3), Resolutions received (Article VII, Section 3 and 4)
• Oct. 26, 2018 – Nominations Circulated (Article V, Section 5)
• Nov. 8, 2018 – AGM

Note that when the election for President and VP’s occur it may be by E-ballot.  Reminders / additional details concerning the above timeline and election information will be distributed as soon as they become available. 

Greg Gardiner

Secretary Treasurer

SPFA Education Awards for member’s dependent family

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Last Updated on Friday, 12 April 2019 14:25

The SPFA is once again pleased to offer education awards to support post-secondary studies of faculty family members. The Education Awards Committee is working with SaskPolytech’s Donor and Alumni Relations (DAR) office again this year to assist with the application and award distribution process.

Saskatchewan Polytechnic Faculty Association Awards are $1000 each and are awarded to faculty family members (as per the benefits package definition) who are enrolled for fall 2018 in a recognized Canadian post-secondary institution. Applicants from last year who did not receive an award, but are still in post-secondary studies, are encouraged to apply again. Previous recipients of SPFA awards are ineligible.

Download application process information