Two weeks, AUFA began soliciting pledges from faculty associations as part of AUFA’s campaign to resist Athabasca University’s proposal to de-designate approximately two-thirds of its members. AUFA has asked other faculty associations to instruct their members to not recommend visiting students enroll at AU if AU de-designates AUFA members.
To date, the faculty associations at the Universities of Alberta, Lethbridge, Saskatchewan, and Western Ontario have sent letters to AU Board chair Nancy Laird indicating their pledge. These four universities are among the top “sending” institutions of AU visiting students. Additional pledges are expected over the coming weeks.
AU’s Board of Governors is expected to review President Fassina’s proposed de-designation policy on September 11. The Board can avoid losing visiting student tuition revenue and negative publicity by tabling the policy and directing Fassina to discontinue his efforts to de-designate AUFA members.
Bob Barnetson, Member
AUFA membership engagement committee