Part-time faculty celebrate in style with dinner and dance

Barbara Black

Seen at the CUPFA dinner are, left to right, Provost Martin Singer, CUPFA president Maria Peluso, Vice-President Services Michael Di Grappa, CUPFA vice-president Pierre Ouellet, and MNA Pierre Descoteaux.
Photo by Andrew Dobrowolskyj

Maria Peluso got two standing ovations. The feisty president of CUPFA, the Concordia University Part-time Faculty Association, must know by now how much members appreciate her leadership.
Her speech at the 15th anniversary dinner at the Hotel Bonaventure was all about them.

She pointed out how diverse and accomplished they are, and how central they are to the university’s mission. In some cases, teaching part-time is their central career, and they are devoted to it. In other cases, such as those who teach in the fine arts and the professions, they are working artists and business people who bring the real world into the classroom.

Her words were echoed by Pierre Descoteaux, the MNA for the riding of Groulx, near Montreal. He had just got off a plane and was aware it was 4 a.m. Paris time, but he told the crowd he wouldn’t have missed their celebration for the world.

A former labour lawyer who had taught part-time at several Quebec universities, he knew how much added value CUPFA members bring to the university, and assured them of the government’s support.
CUPFA was formed in 1985, and certified as a bargaining unit in 1989. The association has signed two collective agreements, in 1991 and 1998, and is in negotiation for a third.

One of CUPFA’s goals has been professional development, and it was a challenge to develop fair, clear procedures that covered all the disciplines. These grants have steadily increased in size and number.

Marika Pruska-Carroll is a political science teacher and academic advisor. She told CTR she could not have written her book Russia: Between Yesterday and Tomorrow without substantial help from CUPFA that enabled her to travel to Russia for research. Véhicule Press is bringing out a second, expanded version of her book.
Most of the university’s senior administrators attended the Oct. 16 dinner, as did the presidents of other unions. Several staff members were invited guests.

One was Gerry Jones (Payroll), who told CTR how glad he was that he had saved pay stubs for part-time faculty going back many years. They turned out to be essential in establishing years of service. CUPFA members now receive long-service awards just like other faculty and staff, and are listed in the Concordia directories, in the calendar, and on many department websites.

For the past six years, the Association has taken responsibility for training sessions to improve teaching skills. Drug and health plan benefits and tuition waivers are available to most members, and the unemployment insurance plan now takes into account the preparatory hours used by teachers. Short-term disability insurance is also available to part-time faculty.

Before and after the dinner, the crowd enjoyed great music from some of their own. Both jazzman Gary Schwartz, who brought his trio, and Craig Morrison, who fronted his rockin’ Vintage Wine Band, are part-time faculty members.