Testimonials from AUFA Members

AUFA Professionals and Academic Coordinators face involuntary removal from their chosen union. We have collected dozens of testimonials and highlighted several below for social media sharing. Please share and spread the word about this attack on our members.

Dawn Mercer RiseliBeing a part of AUFA is critical to my work with AU. AUFA ensures that we are best positioned to operationalize the mission and values of AU and to provide a world-class learning experience for our students. — Dawn Mercer Riseli
Being a part of AUFA is critical to my work with AU. AUFA ensures that we are best positioned to operationalize the mission and values of AU and to provide a world-class learning experience for our students.

Gail LeichtProfessional staff play a unique and integral role in the work of AU and in the educational journey of our students, and this unique role has long been recognized by virtue of our equal standing with our academic colleagues within AUFA. B… — Gail Leicht
Professional staff play a unique and integral role in the work of AU and in the educational journey of our students, and this unique role has long been recognized by virtue of our equal standing with our academic colleagues within AUFA. Belonging to the same bargaining unit ensures that we have a greater ability to advocate and push for what is best for this institution, and our students.

Geoff LokenEven more urgently, they protected and supported me when my personal life has been difficult, most importantly when my wife suffered from cancer, and when my own health has failed. AUFA is essential to AU. — Geoff Loken
Even more urgently, they protected and supported me when my personal life has been difficult, most importantly when my wife suffered from cancer, and when my own health has failed. AUFA is essential to AU.

Heather BuzilaBeing in AUFA with the academics has allowed me to create very positive working relationships with people who I otherwise may not be in much contact with. These relationships benefit AU in terms of better courses and a more efficient w… — Heather Buzila
Being in AUFA with the academics has allowed me to create very positive working relationships with people who I otherwise may not be in much contact with. These relationships benefit AU in terms of better courses and a more efficient work environment.

Margaret AndersonAU's courses are world class because professionals work collaboratively with academics to create excellent learning materials. — Margaret Anderson
AU's courses are world class because professionals work collaboratively with academics to create excellent learning materials.

Rhiannon RutherfordAt a time when the university administration is going to great lengths to articulate the value of AU's unique model to external bodies, it is extremely disappointing that it would simultaneously seek to enact a policy that is out … — Rhiannon Rutherford
At a time when the university administration is going to great lengths to articulate the value of AU's unique model to external bodies, it is extremely disappointing that it would simultaneously seek to enact a policy that is out of step with many of the most valuable and forward-thinking features of our university. The proposed designation policy, with its unnecessarily narrow definition of academic staff, is a step backward.