Job Opportunities for TAs!

FIRST

From: Wiersma, Janice (This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.)
Department/Program: Computer Science
Ext.: 83564

Application Deadline: December 20, 2018

Position Description:
These positions are subject to course and section enrollment. Application deadline: 4:00 pm December 20, 2018. Send an up to date curriculum vitae or resume of relevant experience to Janice Wiersma (This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.). All applications will be acknowledged; however; only potential candidates will be notified past the deadline. 

CS 1033 - MULTIMEDIA AND COMMUNICATION I 

Preference will be given to applicants with experience in web page development and the use of Adobe tools. 

Responsibilities include attending group meetings with the instructors, instructing hands-on labs, marking of assignments and exams, consultation (electronically and through office hours), exam proctoring, and posting of marks to Sakai Owl 2. 

CS 1032 - INFORMATION SYSTEMS & DESIGN 

Preference will be given to applicants with basic programming knowledge and experience with Microsoft Access and Excel. Familiarity with HTML and XML code is also an asset. 

Responsibilities include attending group meetings with the instructors, instructing hands-on labs, marking of assignments and exams, consultation (electronically and through office hours), exam proctoring, and posting of marks to Sakai Owl 2. 

Responsibilities include attending group meetings with the instructors, instructing hands-on labs, marking of assignments and exams, consultation (electronically and through office hours), exam proctoring, and posting of marks to Sakai Owl 2. 

CS 2033 - MULTIMEDIA AND COMMUNICATION II 

Preference will be given to applicants with experience in web page development and the use of Adobe tools. 

Responsibilities include attending group meetings with the instructors, instructing hands-on labs, marking of assignments and exams, consultation (electronically and through office hours), exam proctoring, and posting of marks to Sakai Owl 2. 

CS 2034 – DATA ANALYTICS: PRINCIPLES & TOOLS 

Preference will be given to applicants with experience in Excel and Visual Basic for Applications (VBA). 

Responsibilities include attending group meetings with the instructors, instructing hands-on labs, marking of assignments and exams, consultation (electronically and through office hours), exam proctoring, and posting of marks to Sakai Owl 2. 

CS 2208 - COMPUTER ORGANIZATION 

Preference will be given to applicants with programming knowledge and experience with Assembly language, as well as machine language encoding/decoding. 

Responsibilities include attending group meetings with the instructors, instructing hands-on labs, marking of assembly programming as well as concept assignments and exams, consultation (electronically and through office hours), exam proctoring, and posting of marks to Sakai Owl 2. 

All positions will be for 140 hours or an average of 10 hours per week. A TA must be available to proctor final exams and marking the final exam if necessary.

SECOND

From: <This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.>
Date: December 7, 2018 at 11:08:37 AM EST
To: <This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.>
Subject: GTA Position Vacancy

From: Johnson, Lori (This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.)
Department/Program: Geography
Ext.: x85033

Application Deadline: January 7, 2019

Position Description:
The Department of Geography is currently recruiting for qualified Graduate Teaching Assistants for the following courses: 

GEOG 2010B - Geography of Canada 
Responsibilities include: 
* attending lectures 
* marking of: essays, reports, assignments, quizzes, exams 
* holding office hours 
* proctoring 

GEOG 2152G - Geography of Hazards 
Responsibilities include: 
* attending lectures 
* marking of: essays, reports, assignments, quizzes, exams 
* holding office hours 
* proctoring 

Only full-time graduate students are eligible to hold a GTA appointment. 
If you feel you qualify for either of the above posted positions, please contact me, via email, and include your CV. 

Lori Johnson 
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

 

THIRD

 

From: Gray, Patricia (This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.)
Department/Program: Biology
Ext.: 80146

Application Deadline: January 11, 2019

Position Description:
Correction and Addendum to posting dated November 11, 2019. 

PhD candidates who are currently just beyond their normal TA eligibility period are welcome to apply. Graduate students in Biology programs will be given preference. 

Biology 1001B/1201B (10 hours per week) 
Duties are separated into Session A "Tutorial" and Session B "Lab" 

Session A 
This is a "tutorial" environment with one TA leader for each section of 40 students. The program is organized into five Modules that each play out over 2 weeks. TAs with full (140 hr) appointments typically have five, 2 hr, sessions over the 2-week period of each Module. Each session generates 2 hr of out-of-class grading (usually online). There are biweekly 1 hr organizational meetings followed by 2 hr of prep time. There will be 8 hrs of marking for the Final Exam on one designated day during the exam period. Proctoring within the course is typically one Term Test and the Final Exam. 


Session B 

This is a "wet lab" environment with two TA leaders for each section of 40 students. The program is organized into five Modules that each play out over 2 weeks. TAs with full (140 hr) appointments typically have five, 3.5 hr, sessions over the 2-week period of each Module. There is no out-of-class grading. There are biweekly 2 hr organizational meetings followed by 2 hr of prep time. There will be 8 hrs of marking for the Final Exam on one designated day during the exam period. There will be roughly 4 hr of diverse administrative work over the term as assigned. Proctoring within the course is typically three Term Tests and the Final Exam. 

These positions are subject to course and section enrollment. Application deadline: 4:00 pm Friday, January 11, 2019. Send the following information INLINE (NO ATTACHMENTS) via UWO email server only. Full name,.uwo email, local phone contact, current program and status, name of supervisor with contact number and email, name of grad chair (if applicable) with contact number and email, brief description of subject background and teaching experience (or equivalent) PLUS the course number(s) to which you would like to apply. Applications that do not meet the above requirements or do not have the consent of supervisor will not be considered. 

NOTE: Candidates who applied by December 7 will be updated via email. Please inform me if your choices have changed, and I will revise your application.

 

FOURTH

 

From: Davis, Brian (This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.)

Department/Program: Physics
Ext.: 86639

Application Deadline: January 4, 2019

Position Description:
First Year Physics Laboratory, Winter Term, 2019. 

Positions are for 10 hrs per week (140 hrs per term). 

Duties will include but are not limited to: Conducting first year physics laboratory classes, giving lab introductory talks, grading lab reports, proctoring exams and assisting other lab related activities. 

Required Skills: Knowledgeable in basic physics laboratory skills and physics concepts at the undergraduate level. A good command of English. Previous experience in the first-year physics lab is preferred. Previous work in a science or engineering laboratory is also an asset. 

Interested applicants should submit a CV and cover letter via email to Brian Davis at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

Mental Health Fund (MHF)

WE HAVE A MENTAL HEALTH FUND

For the academic year (September 2018 - August 2019) members now have access to $299 worth of financial support towards mental health care costs.

You can access the form here.

For more information on the policy click here.

DAY OF ACTION Nov 29

We are holding a rally to push back against Doug Ford's mandate to force Ontario universities to craft 'free speech' policies, which, sadly, have the potential to restrict speech on campus. Non-violent protest is a human right, and we need to stand up against these intimidation tactics.

For more information, including the purpose, and what we hope to accomplish, you can visit the Facebook page for this event.

Feel free to bring some signs, and make some noise! For those who cannot come, please use social media with the hashtag #SilencedByFord to spread the word.

If you know people from other universities who would love to get involved please have them contact me: Jody Tomchishen This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Thursday November 29th

2:00 p.m.

Concrete Beach (outside UCC)

HOPE TO SEE YOU THERE

SOLIDARITY

Strike FAQ

 Strike/Lockout Q&A Regarding UWOFA

Picket Lines

1. How will UWOFA communicate with us about picket lines?

Our Local Executive Committee Officers are speaking directly to the President and members of UWOFA and we will continue to communicate going forward in person, by email/text, social media etc. for ongoing updates. As we get more information and as we get closer to the strike date, we will communicate to our membership on our website, by email etc. In addition, PSAC Ontario REVP, Sharon DeSousa is working directly with PSAC’s legal department and our Local 610 to give us assistance and guidance, as is our assigned PSAC Regional Representative. Also, see #4 below.

2. How do we determine how to interact with the UWOFA picket lines?

We will work with UWOFA to develop a strike protocol for engaging with picketers, entering and exiting the premises etc., physically and/or virtually. There are six main entrances for picketing locations (Richmond Main Gates, Western and Sarnia, Western and Elgin, Western and Lambton, Western and Wellington, and Sunset Drive at Huron St.) and UWOFA will give us guidance as per their plans.  Be absolutely respectful when interacting with UWOFA members, Strike and Picket Captains. We encourage our members to join the picket line on their free time to show UWOFA our solidarity.

3. Can we stand with them on the picket line without repercussions?

Yes, absolutely.  It is our legal right to associate with and support UWOFA on our free time, as per the Ontario Labour Relations Act that governs both this employer, our union, as well as UWOFA.  We have the legal right and freedom to associate as per the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms. 

4. To what extent can we refuse to cross the picket lines?

First it is our hope that the employer will cancel all classes if UWOFA is out on strike and that all students would support UWOFA by not using the services provided by the university or completing their course work, either electronically or otherwise.

Both PSAC GTA Union members, and PSAC Post Doc members have current collective agreements, which do not expire until Aug. 31, 2020 and Dec. 31, 2019 respectively. This means we are not in a strike position and therefore cannot refuse to cross the picket line if we are assigned to work.

Although it is our hope that the employer cancels classes, if the employer insists that our work continues we are obligated to work. We will share the strike protocol between PSAC and UWOFA as soon as it is developed. Should you have questions when you reach the picket line you can speak to a strike or picket captain. You can also contact our Local President, Katelyn Mitri or any other PSAC Local 610 Executive Officer for additional guidance. 

5. Is there any way the University can punish us for not crossing the picket lines?

Yes, there can be repercussions by the university if you are required to work by the employer. However, we are free to walk the picket line during non-working hours and we encourage all members to do so.

Contracts

6. If classes are cancelled do we still have to teach tutorials?

The continuation of tutorials will be on a case-by-case basis and will depend on the course the TA teaches. In some classes, tutorial work would not be feasible without the course instructor, however, some tutorials may continue without the course instructor.

7. What kind of work can we refuse to do if asked by the employer?

Each TA member has a Duty Specification Agreement which outlines your job descriptions. If you are asked to do any work that would normally be done by your Supervisor, Professor or Department Head who are members of UWOFA, we ask that you get in touch with a Local Executive member immediately following to file a grievance. 

For our Postdoctoral Fellows members, you can refuse to do any work that is performed by UWOFA members, as this protection is clearly stated in your Collective Agreement. Section 9.03 of your Collective Agreement states that you have the right to decline work of striking or locked out UWOFA members. Please cite this article for filing grievances, should you be asked to perform such duties.

8. In the case that the strike extends to winter term, how will the lack of duty specification agreements affect what we can or cannot do if asked by the employer?

Unfortunately, there is no clear answer at this time. We expect that the employer will assess contracts case-by-case.

9. Is there any way the strike can affect our pay?

No. The employer is committed to paying out the full amount of funding allocated towards TAships even if the full 140 hours per term is not worked.

10. If my contract expires during the UWOFA strike and is not renewed, do I still need to complete my 140 hours of work once they return to work?

No. After your contract has expired, you will not be required to do extra duties or hours of work.

11. Can my duties change during the UWOFA strike?

Your DSA are the duties that have been assigned to you.  If the employer asks you to do the work of a UWOFA member, state that you object and the reason for your objection (i.e. invoke your DSA if a GTA or Art. 9.03 if a PDF), and if the direction to perform that work is confirmed by the employer, comply with the direction by performing those duties but then initiate a grievance at your first opportunity.

Postdocs

12. Will a strike affect pay/benefits?

No. Your pay/benefits will not be affected by the strike of another employee group.

13. How will a strike affect my ability to do research?

Our research can continue provided that we respect the UWOFA picket line protocols.