In response to Ken Coates' comments, let me first say that, in political struggles, it is rare for the other side to acknowledge the cogency of your arguments. However, the University of Saskatchewan Faculty Association continues to influence the integrated planning process.

Much of Dr. Coates' argument confirms that the university administration has reluctantly made changes designed to legitimize an otherwise illegitimate process. Thus, there is now some consultation with our university council whereas, as originally proposed, there was none. The present process still fails to comply with the legal authority of the board of governors but it is an improvement.

Similarly, on the question of a hiring "freeze" or "squeeze." We claim credit for having relaxed a very rigid process as set out in the provost's White Paper on Integrated Planning. However, in spite of a higher rate of approval for filling vacancies, we are aware of some academic units that have not been given approval to fill existing vacancies.

Finally, the resounding silence about equity has now been broken since the university appears to agree with us that employment equity must be a part of planning and is an opportunity not to be missed. We will continue our struggle to address unreasonably high faculty workload, low faculty complement, and equity and to oppose governance that does not respect collegiality and legal authority.

For more information, please check www.usask.ca/usfa and follow the links to our latest newsletter.

Tim Quigley
Chair, University of Saskatchewan Faculty Association