COVID LOU Update – April 2021

Dear members,
 
After several weeks of negotiations with the Central Administration, we are pleased to inform you that we have signed four letters of understanding to support our work amid the COVID-19 pandemic. Some of the letters we present in this communication apply for the current term, and others will be in effect for the 2021-2022 academic year.
 
We thank APUO members for their continued support and patience throughout these negotiations. 
 
COVID-19 Performance Assessment of Members
 
The COVID-19 Performance Assessment of Members LOU has been renewed for the 2021 Spring/Summer, the 2021 Fall, and the 2022 Winter terms. As per the provisions of the LOU, all members are invited to outline how the COVID-19 pandemic and the exceptional circumstances it brings on may have impacted their teaching/professional activities, scholarly activities, and/or academic service activities in their annual reports, contract renewal applications, promotion, tenure, and continuing appointment applications, and academic and professional leave applications. Both parties have agreed that the information provided by members cannot unreasonably affect the outcome of performance evaluations, and career recommendations and decision processes under the Collective Agreement. 
 
COVID-19 Promotion, Tenure, and Continuing Appointment Processes
 
Similar to our previous Letter of Understanding on promotion, tenure, and continuing appointment processes, non-tenured tenure-track members hired by the University of Ottawa between May 15, 2020, and the effective date of this LOU will be granted an optional one-year extension to their current contract. Direct Peer Review of Teaching (DPRT) in relation to promotion and tenure applications will be delayed unless a member requests that they proceed regardless of the exceptional circumstance. 
 
Librarians on a preliminary appointment as referred to in Article 17.7.3.3 of the Collective Agreement hired between May 15, 2020, and the effective date of this Letter of Understanding will receive a six-month extension to their contract. 
 
COVID-19 Student Evaluations for the 2021 Calendar Year
 
For the Winter 2021, Spring/Summer 2021, and Fall 2021 terms A-Reports (as referred to in Article 24.3.2.1(a) of the Collective Agreement) will be produced. However, only members will be provided with a copy of their 2021 A-reports. As per the practice for previous terms, members will also be provided with the results of students’ responses to all of the questions and comments provided in the questionnaire in the form of “P-Reports.”
 
The inclusion of the 2021 A-Reports and P-Reports for tenure and promotion applications will be optional. 
 
COVID-19 Use of PER by Members Who Retire During the 2021-2022 Academic Year
 
Members with an effective date of retirement on or after March 16, 2020 or during the 2021-2022 academic year will be allowed a grace period until June 30, 2022, to use their Professional Expenses Reimbursements (PER) funds and internal and general research funds remaining as of the date of their retirement for allowable expenditures.
 
The APUO will follow up on this communication with the four signed Letters of Understanding next week.