Committees
The work of UWOFA is guided by the expertise of its volunteers who make up 12 committees.
The Executive Committee is responsible to the Board of Directors and is in charge of implementing the policies of the Board of Directors.
The Executive Committee consists of the President (chair); the Vice-President; the immediate Past President; the Treasurer; the Secretary; the Part-Time member representing the Part-Time membership; and three additional members of the Board of Directors, elected by the Board of Directors. Where possible, the Executive Committee shall include at least one member from the Librarians & Archivists bargaining unit.
Members
- President: Rachel Heydon (Chair)
- Part-Time Membership Representative: Luke Arnott
- Secretary: Kristin Hoffman
- Treasurer: Christina Maco
- Past President: Nigmendra Narain
- Board of Director: Ben Rubin
- Board of Director: Jonathan De Souza
- Board of Director: John Wilson
The Executive Committee is responsible to the Board of Directors and is in charge of implementing the policies of the Board of Directors.
The Executive Committee consists of the President (chair); the Vice-President; the immediate Past President; the Treasurer; the Secretary; the Part-Time member representing the Part-Time membership; and three additional members of the Board of Directors, elected by the Board of Directors. Where possible, the Executive Committee shall include at least one member from the Librarians & Archivists bargaining unit.
Members
- President: Rachel Heydon (Chair)
- Part-Time Membership Representative: Luke Arnott
- Secretary: Kristin Hoffman
- Treasurer: Christina Maco
- Past President: Nigmendra Narain
- Board of Director: Ben Rubin
- Board of Director: Jonathan De Souza
- Board of Director: John Wilson
The CBC, which includes all members of the Negotiating Committee plus five additional members, is responsible for developing bargaining goals in consultation with the membership, drafting proposed contract language, supporting the Negotiating Committee during bargaining (with research, for example) and, after an agreement is reached, final drafting and checking of contract language.
Committee Members of both the 2022 Negotiating Committee and the CBC:
- Jeff Tennant – Chief Negotiator (French Studies)
- Johanna Weststar – Deputy Chief Negotiator (DAN Management & Organizational Studies)
- Cindy Cossar-Jones (UWOFA Professional Officer)
- Kristin Hoffmann (Western Libraries)
- Jamie Johnston (English and Writing Studies)
- Steve Lupker (Psychology)
- Hiran Perinpanayagam (President, ex officio)
- Warren Steele (Information & Media Studies)
- Nina Zitani (Biology)
Additional committee members of the CBC:
- Steve Laviolette (Anatomy & Cell Biology)
- Spy Dénommé-Welch (Education)
- Laura Stephenson (Political Science)
- Aleksandra Zecevic (Health Studies)
The CBC, which includes all members of the Negotiating Committee plus five additional members, is responsible for developing bargaining goals in consultation with the membership, drafting proposed contract language, supporting the Negotiating Committee during bargaining (with research, for example) and, after an agreement is reached, final drafting and checking of contract language.
Committee Members of both the 2022 Negotiating Committee and the CBC:
- Jeff Tennant – Chief Negotiator (French Studies)
- Johanna Weststar – Deputy Chief Negotiator (DAN Management & Organizational Studies)
- Cindy Cossar-Jones (UWOFA Professional Officer)
- Kristin Hoffmann (Western Libraries)
- Jamie Johnston (English and Writing Studies)
- Steve Lupker (Psychology)
- Hiran Perinpanayagam (President, ex officio)
- Warren Steele (Information & Media Studies)
- Nina Zitani (Biology)
Additional committee members of the CBC:
- Steve Laviolette (Anatomy & Cell Biology)
- Spy Dénommé-Welch (Education)
- Laura Stephenson (Political Science)
- Aleksandra Zecevic (Health Studies)
The CBC, which includes all members of the Negotiating Committee plus five additional members, is responsible for developing bargaining goals in consultation with the membership, drafting proposed contract language, supporting the Negotiating Committee during bargaining (with research, for example) and, after an agreement is reached, final drafting and checking of contract language.
Committee Members of the 2023 Negotiating Committee
- Johanna Weststar – Chief Negotiator (DAN Management & Organizational Studies)
- Kristin Hoffmann – Deputy Chief Negotiator (Western Libraries)
- Samuel Cassady (Western Libraries)
- Cindy Cossar-Jones (UWOFA Professional Officer)
- Brian McMillan (Western Libraries)
- Katya Pereyaslavska (Western Libraries)
- Stephen Spong (Western Libraries)
The CBC, which includes all members of the Negotiating Committee plus five additional members, is responsible for developing bargaining goals in consultation with the membership, drafting proposed contract language, supporting the Negotiating Committee during bargaining (with research, for example) and, after an agreement is reached, final drafting and checking of contract language.
Committee Members of the 2023 Negotiating Committee
- Johanna Weststar – Chief Negotiator (DAN Management & Organizational Studies)
- Kristin Hoffmann – Deputy Chief Negotiator (Western Libraries)
- Samuel Cassady (Western Libraries)
- Cindy Cossar-Jones (UWOFA Professional Officer)
- Brian McMillan (Western Libraries)
- Katya Pereyaslavska (Western Libraries)
- Stephen Spong (Western Libraries)
This committee represents the interests of contract faculty at the University of Western Ontario and within the Faculty Association. Contract faculty include full-time members of UWOFA on limited-term contracts, some of whom have permanent status, and part-time members on limited-duties contracts.
The committee works to promote solidarity and understanding among contract faculty and between contract faculty and the larger UWOFA community.
Committee Members
- Duane Jacques (co-chair)
- Lauren Barr
- Laura Cayen
- Jason Dyck
- Peter Krats
- Leigh MacDonald
- Nigmendra Narain
- Jason Sandhar
- Carla Duarte Da Silva
- Les Kalman
- Graeme Hayne
- Alex Timoshenko
- Nina Zitani
This committee represents the interests of contract faculty at the University of Western Ontario and within the Faculty Association. Contract faculty include full-time members of UWOFA on limited-term contracts, some of whom have permanent status, and part-time members on limited-duties contracts.
The committee works to promote solidarity and understanding among contract faculty and between contract faculty and the larger UWOFA community.
Committee Members
- Duane Jacques (co-chair)
- Lauren Barr
- Laura Cayen
- Jason Dyck
- Peter Krats
- Leigh MacDonald
- Nigmendra Narain
- Jason Sandhar
- Carla Duarte Da Silva
- Les Kalman
- Graeme Hayne
- Alex Timoshenko
- Nina Zitani
The Communications Committee develops strategies for UWOFA’s communication with members, the university community and the broader community. Committee members work on media strategies and creative materials that support UWOFA’s advocacy campaigns. The committee also publishes Faculty Times, UWOFA’s official publication.
Members
- Tiara Sukhan (Chair)
- Maram Hijazi (Communications officer)
The Communications Committee develops strategies for UWOFA’s communication with members, the university community and the broader community. Committee members work on media strategies and creative materials that support UWOFA’s advocacy campaigns. The committee also publishes Faculty Times, UWOFA’s official publication.
Members
- Tiara Sukhan (Chair)
- Maram Hijazi (Communications officer)
The Dependents’ Tuition Scholarship Plan (DTSP) Committee manages the DTSP, and where needed reviews cases for program eligibility. The committee monitors the financial health of the program based on financial reports from Western University.
Committee Members
- Vaughan Radcliffe (Chair)
- Miranda Green-Barteet
- Barry Hawn
- John Wilson
The Dependents’ Tuition Scholarship Plan (DTSP) Committee manages the DTSP, and where needed reviews cases for program eligibility. The committee monitors the financial health of the program based on financial reports from Western University.
Committee Members
- Vaughan Radcliffe (Chair)
- Miranda Green-Barteet
- Barry Hawn
- John Wilson
The Equity Committee is one of thirteen volunteer committees that supports UWOFA in its efforts to represent about 1,500 faculty members and 50 librarians and archivists at Western University. Its members contribute to UWOFA negotiations about collective agreements and various employment as well as workplace matters.
The Equity Committee monitors equity issues at the University of Western Ontario and undertakes initiatives on behalf of the UWOFA membership.
Western University Employment Equity guide.
Committee Members
- Denise Horoky (co-chair)
- Jennifer Ingrey (Co-Chair)
- Madeline Bassnett
- Pamela Block
- Caroline Dick
- Jennifer Ingrey
- Melanie Lawrence
- Beth Lee
- Styliani Constas
- Diana Kuhl
- Treena Orchard
- Scott Schaffer
- Jana Seijts
- Zheng Zhang
The Equity Committee is one of thirteen volunteer committees that supports UWOFA in its efforts to represent about 1,500 faculty members and 50 librarians and archivists at Western University. Its members contribute to UWOFA negotiations about collective agreements and various employment as well as workplace matters.
The Equity Committee monitors equity issues at the University of Western Ontario and undertakes initiatives on behalf of the UWOFA membership.
Western University Employment Equity guide.
Committee Members
- Denise Horoky (co-chair)
- Jennifer Ingrey (Co-Chair)
- Madeline Bassnett
- Pamela Block
- Caroline Dick
- Jennifer Ingrey
- Melanie Lawrence
- Beth Lee
- Styliani Constas
- Diana Kuhl
- Treena Orchard
- Scott Schaffer
- Jana Seijts
- Zheng Zhang
This committee is responsible for upholding the negotiated rights of UWOFA and its members. The committee assists members with workplace issues covered in the Collective Agreements.
Committee Members
- Steven Laviolette (chair)
- Marisa Tippett (Associate Grievance Officer)
- Neil Banerjee
- Cody Barteet
- Anestis Dounavis
- Beth Lee
- Walter Rushlow
- Hristo Sendov
- Warren Steele
- Liana Zanette
Non-Voting
- Rachel Heydon (President)
- Nigmendra Narain (Past-President)
- Lina Rodriguez (Member Services Officer)
- Jeff Tennant (Chief Negotiator)
- Johanna Weststar (Vice-President)
This committee is responsible for upholding the negotiated rights of UWOFA and its members. The committee assists members with workplace issues covered in the Collective Agreements.
Committee Members
- Steven Laviolette (chair)
- Marisa Tippett (Associate Grievance Officer)
- Neil Banerjee
- Cody Barteet
- Anestis Dounavis
- Beth Lee
- Walter Rushlow
- Hristo Sendov
- Warren Steele
- Liana Zanette
Non-Voting
- Rachel Heydon (President)
- Nigmendra Narain (Past-President)
- Lina Rodriguez (Member Services Officer)
- Jeff Tennant (Chief Negotiator)
- Johanna Weststar (Vice-President)
The Nominating Committee presents candidates to sit on UWOFA’s Board of Directors. The Nominating Committee consists of the immediate past president, who chairs the committee; the vice-president; one other member of the Board of Directors; and at least three other UWOFA members who are not members of the Board of Directors. At least one member of the committee shall be a librarian or archivist.
Committee Members
- Nigmendra Narain (chair)
The Nominating Committee presents candidates to sit on UWOFA’s Board of Directors. The Nominating Committee consists of the immediate past president, who chairs the committee; the vice-president; one other member of the Board of Directors; and at least three other UWOFA members who are not members of the Board of Directors. At least one member of the committee shall be a librarian or archivist.
Committee Members
- Nigmendra Narain (chair)
The Pension and Benefits Committee monitors policies and procedures relating to pensions and benefits for UWOFA members with a view to identifying areas that are problematic. The committee also monitors members’ experience with pension and benefits issues in order to identify issues that should be brought to the attention of the Contract Bargaining Committee before the next round of negotiations.
Committee Members
- Jorge Cruz Lopez (chair)
- George Gadanidis
- Greggory Ross
- Barry Hawn
- Mohammad Hossain
- Johanna Weststar
- Jeff Tennant
- Natalia Melo
The Pension and Benefits Committee monitors policies and procedures relating to pensions and benefits for UWOFA members with a view to identifying areas that are problematic. The committee also monitors members’ experience with pension and benefits issues in order to identify issues that should be brought to the attention of the Contract Bargaining Committee before the next round of negotiations.
Committee Members
- Jorge Cruz Lopez (chair)
- George Gadanidis
- Greggory Ross
- Barry Hawn
- Mohammad Hossain
- Johanna Weststar
- Jeff Tennant
- Natalia Melo
The Policy and Governance Committee develops, reviews, and revises UWOFA policies and bylaws for approval by the Board of Directors.
Members
- Johanna Weststar (chair)
- Elliott Gnidic
- Conan Masterson
- David McCord
- Melody Viczko
The Policy and Governance Committee develops, reviews, and revises UWOFA policies and bylaws for approval by the Board of Directors.
Members
- Johanna Weststar (chair)
- Elliott Gnidic
- Conan Masterson
- David McCord
- Melody Viczko
UWOFA’s Salary Committee monitors policies and procedures relating to salary for UWOFA members. The committee also addresses members’ queries about their salaries. The committee monitors and brings forward issues that should be raised by UWOFA during collective bargaining.
Committee Members
- Matthew Lebo (chair)
- Kristin Hoffmann
- Gildo Santos
- Aaron Schneider
UWOFA’s Salary Committee monitors policies and procedures relating to salary for UWOFA members. The committee also addresses members’ queries about their salaries. The committee monitors and brings forward issues that should be raised by UWOFA during collective bargaining.
Committee Members
- Matthew Lebo (chair)
- Kristin Hoffmann
- Gildo Santos
- Aaron Schneider
Committee Members
- David Heap (Chair)
Committee Members
- David Heap (Chair)
UWO Committee Appointments
In addition to internal committees, UWOFA also appoints representatives to a variety of other committees on which the employer and/or other groups on campus are represented.
- Jeff Tennant (Chair)
- Rachel Heydon
- Steven Laviolette
- Brian McMillan
- Johanna Weststar
- Jeff Tennant (Chair)
- Rachel Heydon
- Steven Laviolette
- Brian McMillan
- Johanna Weststar
- Ruth Ann Strickland (Lecturer Observer)
- Nigmendra Narain
- Ruth Ann Strickland (Lecturer Observer)
- Nigmendra Narain
- Robert MacDougall
- Jeff Tennant
- Shawn Hendrikx
- Robert MacDougall
- Jeff Tennant
- Shawn Hendrikx
Our work inspires action. Be a part of it.
There is always something going on at UWOFA and we are only as strong as our members’ support. Join the latest campaign. Write for Faculty Times. Learn more about your Collective Agreement and employment rights.