OPSEU/SEFPO members at Fleming are rightly concerned about the program suspensions at the college.
In a 12-month period, college management has announced the closure or suspension of 42 programs.
OPSEU/SEFPO members have raised their professional concerns around the impact on students, industry and labour market needs, due process and transparency, and the lack of consultation with students and industry, all with the goal of safeguarding young people’s futures and quality program delivery at Fleming.
Faculty have the explicit right under Article 13 of the collective agreement to “speak freely about academic issues without fear of impairment to position or other reprisal”, provided they are speaking as individuals and not claiming to speak on behalf of the college.
These are best practices to follow:
- Avoid personal attacks against members of the college community;
- Avoid making assertions that are not supported by fact;
- When speaking either to media, or on social media, identify that you are speaking as a public citizen, and not acting as a representative of the college;
- When posting from social media, ensure the account does not reflect employment or acting as a representative of the college.
Question: Is there a risk of discipline?
The short answer is yes, but we believe that if you are sharing your opinion as a public citizen about academic or scholarly issues, that the risk is low and OPSEU/SEFPO will vigorously defend and support your rights through legal and political action.
Fleming Faculty Union 