August 20, 2026

Dear Colleagues,

As August draws to a close, programs start back up, and last minute pre-semester meetings fill our calendars, I want to pause a moment and welcome you all back to the rhythm of the regular academic year. 

My first few months as President have been filled with making introductions with different groups across campus, meeting with labour groups in the city, working on the quiet day-to-day business of the union, and more generally keeping current on issues facing the post secondary sector. It reminds me that the work we do at the University and the Association never stops. Our year will see a municipal election, the beginnings of preparations for bargaining in 2028, major changes to the University’s senate committees, a final provincial budget before the next provincial election, and many things we can’t anticipate. 

It will be a busy year, but it’s important that you are ready for calls to action when they come. Recently the American Association University Professors (AAUP) released a report on the ongoing threats to university autonomy in the US, and noted that  “resistance has been most effective—indeed, it may only have been effective—where faculty members have taken independent action.” The strength of our university and union comes from all of us working together.

This is also the time of year when new colleagues join the ranks. All new Members (and those who have joined in recent years but missed orientation) are invited to the New Member Orientation on Wednesday, August 26th from 12:00-1:30 at the UMFA Office in St. Andrew’s College where lunch will be provided. 

Please join me in welcoming all of our new Members to the Association and making sure they are supported navigating the new semester: following the orientation, we will have an evening social gathering at the Granite Curling Club Beer Can at 7:00 pm. All Members are welcome to attend. 

RSVP to umfa-communications@umfa.ca.

Have a wonderful academic year and remember to reach out to the Association with any questions you have now or throughout the year. 

In Solidarity,

Jenna G. Tichon
UMFA President