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Working at MRU

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What’s the difference between instructors?

This is not visible in the classroom, but your instructor holds one of these three positions within the university:

  • Full time
    • Permanent, full time, tenured, conditional tenurable or tenurable
  • Limited term
    • Similar to full time in compensation, but without possibility for tenure or promotion.
    • Has a specified end date
  • Contract
    • “Sessional” – single semester
    • “Continuing” – 12-24 months
    • “Fixed term” – 1-3 years

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Did you know?

  • On average, more than 60% of your courses are taught by a contract faculty member
  • Contract faculty are paid significantly less than permanent faculty members
  • More than 60% of contract faculty engage in service and scholarship activities without compensation or funding
  • Many work without compensation to prepare for classes when they are offered courses

Why?

Many say because of their love of teaching!

There is a deep professional commitment to students and a passion for education.

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Is this just MRU?

Sadly, no. The exploitation of contract faculty work is present at most Canadian and American post-secondary institutions.

  • More than half (53%) of Contract faculty nationwide want a tenure-track university or full-time, permanent job (many of these respondents have had to work on contract for 20 years without ever getting a full-time/permanent role)
  • The dominant experience is that of people who rely on such employment to make ends meet. However, it is also clear that most cannot rely on their contract employment alone. Most have some other form of income or feel that their current situation is unsustainable.
  • Women and racialized individuals work more hours per course per week than their white male colleagues and are overrepresented in lower income categories.
  • 42% believe their mental health was impacted by their employment. 87% of those respondents believe their mental health was been negatively impacted

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What can we do?

Fair Employment Week is will be taking place between October 16-20 this year. This is an awareness event organized by the Canadian Association of University Teachers (CAUT).

  • Learn more about the issues by checking out their website
  • Engage in Fair Employment Week activities at MRU
  • Write to your local Member of Parliament to encourage change
  • Participate in the social media awareness campaign October 18

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Find Out More

Learn more about Contract faculty employment practices across Canada.