MAUT • APBM
McGill Association of University Teachers
Association des professeur(e)s et bibliothécaires de McGill
FALL GENERAL MEETING
November 20, 2008
MINUTES
1.
Call to Order
The meeting was called to order at 12:20 pm. Edith Zorychta, MAUT President
welcomed members to the MAUT Fall General Meeting and Mme Cécile Sabourin,
FQPPU President. E. Zorychta introduced members of the Executive Committee,
reminded members to sign the attendance record and to state their names and
departments prior to questions and comments.
2.
Adoption of the Agenda
The members reviewed the Agenda. There were no objections. E. Zorychta asked for a
motion to accept the Agenda. J. Henderson moved to adopt the Agenda. Seconded by
M. Zannis-Hadjopoulos. The Agenda was approved.
3.
Minutes of the April 18, 2008 General Membership Meeting
A motion to receive the Minutes of the April 16, 2008 Spring General Membership
Meeting was proposed by A. Saroyan. Seconded by D. Harpp. There was one
correction. Under Section 7, the text now reads: and the exceptional MAUT Advisors
who handle all complaints and grievances. With this correction, the Minutes were
adopted. Of the 88 people who signed in, only 78 were full members and quorum (100)
was not achieved. Therefore any votes or motions would not be binding but would be
taken into consideration by the Executive and Council.
President’s Report (Edith Zorychta)
 CASP: Salary Policy
E. Zorychta projected slides showing the accumulated operating deficit forecast for the
2007-2008 academic year and the $14.5M deficit for McGill. There is also a $10M deficit
forecast for 2008-2009 and the university has been directed by the MELS to achieve a
balanced budget by 2010-2011.
4.
Also projected was the Academic Salary Policy which was developed and implemented
in 1999 by the Academic Salary Policy Sub-Committee (ASPSC), which is now CASP.
The policy was reconfirmed and expanded in 2004 with the announcement by former
Provost Vinet which stated: McGill will ensure that the academic salaries remain at
or above the mean for the top research intensive (G10) universities. … McGill will
work towards positioning its academic salaries among the three universities with
the best record of academic achievement from the G10 group.
As of December 1st, the salary policy for 2008-2009 will consist of 1% across-the-board
(ATB) and 1.5% merit for a total of 2.5%. The merit will be distributed in increments of
$550 up to $2,200. There will be 0.3% set aside for retention and anomaly; 0.35% for
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promotions and raising the minima per rank for a total of 0.65%. The overall total is
3.15%. [Salary minima now become: Professor: $90K; Associate Professor: $77.5K;
Assistant Professor: $65K; Faculty Lecturer: $50K; Librarian: $77.5K; Associate
Librarian: $65.5K; Assistant Librarian: $50K] The Professional Development Allowance
[PDA] can now be accumulated for 3 years. The memorandum from Provost Masi in July
2008 stated: We have therefore agreed, for the first time, despite this period of
budgetary constraint, to a multi-year framework which provides for a minimum
salary adjustment envelope of 4.15% and 5.15% for the years 2009-2010 and 20102011 respectively. The allocation of the envelope between the four components will be
discussed by the CASP during the coming year. T. Velk commented that the fixed sum
of 1% allocated to cover the certainty of inflation would not suffice since the inflation rate
is expected to jump significantly.
 CASP: Gender Equity Study (Michael Smith)
The members of the Gender Equity Task Force, a sub committee of the CASP, are J.
Galbraith, J. Hunt, D. Parent and M. Smith. M. Smith presented the group’s findings. A
study of gender differences in pay in 2000 found that female academics were
disadvantaged in the faculties of Arts, Medicine and Music. The salary policy was
modified to eliminate this gap and it was agreed that the study would be repeated later to
determine whether or not the gap had re-emerged.
The 2008 study produced these substantive conclusions:
 At the university level, after controls for work experience and department
(market), women may be said to have earned between 3.2% and 1.8% less
than men, depending on whether OLS or median regression is used.
 Within the Faculty of Arts, after controls for work experience and
department (market), women earned 4% less than men using OLS. The
relationship more or less disappears when rank is added.
 Within the Faculty of Medicine, there was no difference in the pay of men
and women using log transformed earnings. There was a difference of
about 4,000 using raw dollars.
 Within the Faculty of Science, there is no evidence of a female earnings
disadvantage.
 Any differences are reduced and ultimately eliminated when the effects of
being recruited from outside at the full professor level and when awards
(CRCs, Dawson and McGill chairs, other awards) are controlled.

Retirement Package
E. Zorychta outlined the components of the Retirement Incentive Package [RIP] which is
expected to be announced by the Provost’s Office. [Note: The details about RIP were
circulated on February 23/09.] These included a one time offer for academics over age
64 with a window that would close as of June 30th, 2009; a phased retirement option for
academics near or close to the average retirement age of 67 or 68; and an early
retirement option closer to the average retirement age. Possible retirement incentives
could include monetary settlements related to a one-time offer and to fixed windows of
opportunity; phased options; post-retirement engagements and emeritus status. There is
the possibility that the University would honor exceptional academics with an award of
distinction. K. GowriSankaran asked if the retirement incentives would differ by faculty
(no) and whether the current financial crisis would have an impact on retirement.
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
Conference on University Governance
E. Zorychta outlined the proposal for the upcoming conference on collegiality and
university governance which is scheduled for February 2009. The keynote speaker is W.
Bruneau, who will speak about best governance practices and recognized pitfalls. Other
speakers include: Principal Munroe-Blum, C. Sabourin [FQPPU], E. Zorychta, and B.
Robaire who will provide an overview of the workings of the Board of Governors and the
Senate, the challenges of university administration and the IGOPP report. A panel
discussion will follow.

New Policies and policy revisions
E. Zorychta outlined the policies and revisions on which MAUT has been consulted over
the past months:
 Research on Human Subjects
 Safe Disclosure
 Employment Equity
 Research Misconduct
 Course Evaluations
 Conflict of Commitment / Conflict of Interest
 Conduct of Research
 Harassment and Discrimination
E. Zorychta asked members to forward their comments and concerns concerning
McGill’s Harassment and Discrimination Policy.

Age discrimination and pension contributions
The Board of Governors decreed that the University would cease pension contributions
to members at age 69, despite the changes in the federal law permitting contributions to
age 71. This deprives active academics of their pension contributions from the employer,
which are part of their global employee remuneration. Also the Board has indicated an
intention that university pension contributions to new hires will cease at age 65. MAUT
has engaged the services of Me Julius Gray who will represent academics and take the
University to court to protest its alleged age discrimination practices.

Report on Membership
On behalf of Simon Tran, E. Zorychta presented the report which indicated 15 new
members from the period of August 1st to November 1st, 2008.

MAUT Forums
On March 4th, 2008, MAUT, MUNASA and MUNACA collaborated on a joint forum which
informed the university community about Socially Responsible Investment [SRI] options.
The session was well attended and was recorded on COOL McGill and made available
for the university community.
On October 16th, 2008, MAUT and the SEDE Office collaborated on a Cultivate Respect
Day which discussed Sexual Diversity at McGill. A proposed topic for next year’s
collaboration was: Visible Minorities on Faculty.

Other Items
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Members discussed the Travel Policy that had come recently to Senate. There had been
no prior consultation. In compliance with CIDA, the Canadian government has issued
Travel Warnings concerning the security risk posed by travel to various countries. There
is no university-sanctioned travel to areas designated as posing high security risks.
Members discussed current study abroad options and academics’ and students’
responses to the policy.
Members also briefly discussed the tax problem for Postdoctoral Fellows. To date, the
University has issued T2202A tax forms which recognize the PDF’s tax-free status as
trainees. Letters are being sent to the CRA to urge the government to reverse its
decision to tax the PDFs.
MAUT donated $500 to the Jackie Kirk Memorial Education Fund. Dr. Kirk, an Adjunct
Professor in the Faculty of Education, was killed in Afghanistan on August 13th, 2008.
5.
Report from the V-P Internal (Beverlea Tallant)
B. Tallant reported on two Staff Benefits Advisory committee Meetings. The Employee
Assistance Program covers 4 to 6 sessions with a counselor. The Health Plan has had a
9% increase. The current increases for single and family coverage are $6.68/pay and
$13.17/pay respectively. The refund for rehabilitation services is up to $1K/year and as
of January 2009, members will no longer require a doctor’s referral to access a
psychologist and the client is reimbursed 80%. There was a 4% decrease for the dental
plan. There was no increase for the Long Term Disability Plan. J. Dealy asked about
paid leave to care for disabled relatives. B. Tallant asked members to email questions to
her.
6.
Report from the V-P External (Brendan Gillon)
B. Gillon noted the upcoming CAUT Council meeting. The FQPPU has addressed issues
such as the concern for government involvement in university governance, the chronic
under-financing of Quebec universities, the trend, both global and in Quebec, toward
adopting a business model of university management. The FQPPU has active dossiers
on the UQàM crisis and the Auditor General’s Report, the IGOPP Report and the
subsequent reactions, opposition to Bill 107, and the SPUQ and UdM initiative. The
FQPPU has also been active in gathering statistics on the status of the working
conditions of female academics, held the Colloquium “Must we rebuild Québec
universities?” in November 2008, and is undertaking a review of the Psychological
Harassment policies in Quebec universities. He noted that all universities and
academics will be urged to sign a petition against Bill 107. He stressed the importance of
attending the upcoming MAUT conference on university governance and asked
members to email any questions to him.
7.
Past-President’s Report (Malcolm Baines)
M. Baines noted the interim report of the Provost’s Task Force on Non Tenure Track
Academics was placed before Senate in April 2008. There are several observations and
recommendations to be corrected and the MAUT sub committee will meet to provide
feedback. W. Foster, (Associate Provost, Policy and Procedures) is working on
translating the global recommendations into policy. He stressed there is progress on
this dossier which will affect approximately 4000 members of the academic staff at
McGill. . E. Zorychta thanked M. Baines for his work on the Non-Tenure Track dossier
over the past 18 years.
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8.
Report from the V-P Communications (Deanna Cowan)
D. Cowan reviewed the types of communications from MAUT:
 The Newsletter
 MAUTFORUM and ListServ
 Email to the Council
 Website [information, archives, membership application, links to federal
and provincial associations, current concerns, and forthcoming events]
 EntreNous, a ListServ discussion list
Auditor’s Report and MAUT Budget (Estelle Hopmeyer, SecretaryTreasurer)
E. Hopmeyer reported on the meeting with the Auditor. On the whole, MAUT has a clean
bill of health. The Auditor is very diligent and cautious. The MAUT investments have
sustained some losses due to the global financial situation but those in the RBC
Premium Money Market have grown. The Finance Committee has recommended that
MAUT remain with its current investment strategy.
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10.
MAUT Retired Members (John Dealy, Council Representative for Retired
Members)
J. Dealy reported there is now a Standing Committee on Retiree Affairs. There are two
annual lunch get-togethers for retirees. The McGill on-line directory now includes contact
information about retired academic staff. He noted that the retirees are anxiously
awaiting news on the proposed changes in titles and privileges for retired academics. On
behalf of the retirees, he is investigating upgrades for software covered by McGill site
licenses and health benefits including drug coverage and travel insurance. The MAUT
Retirees now belong to CURAC [College and University Retiree Association of Canada]
and are eligible to receive preferred rates for automobile and home insurance. He
expressed retirees’ concern for the effect that the current market conditions could have
on the Pensioner Fund from which McGill annuities are paid. [Note: Pension reports are
available on the McGill website.]
11.
Report from the Chair of the Librarians’ Section (Jim Henderson)
J. Henderson reported that in May 2008, CAUT launched an ad hoc Investigatory
Committee to examine the situation of librarians at McGill concerning possible violations
of academic freedom and other academic rights. MAUT officials have expressed the
opinion that proper procedures had not been followed in launching the investigation, and
that internal procedures should have been followed. To date, the CAUT team
undertaking the investigation has visited the campus twice and is expected to submit
their report to the Academic Freedom and Tenure Committee in Spring 2008. J.
Henderson also noted that the vacation policy for librarians had been revised without
consultation and MAUT is working with the Administration to have this policy
reconsidered. He also made the following observations:
 There has been a higher staff turnover and significant number of librarians
resigning
 The Provost and the Director of Libraries have been holding breakfast meetings
with recent hires
 Librarians are currently updating the selection of members for the Library Tenure
Committee
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12.
Faculty Club (Edith Zorychta)
E. Zorychta reported that both Faculty Clubs [McGill and Tadja Hall] are well managed
and are excellent venues for conferences and meetings.
13.
Other Business
There was no other business.
14.
Adjournment
R. Janda called for a motion to adjourn. Seconded by G. Tannenbaum. Approved
unanimously. The meeting adjourned at 1:40 pm.
Respectfully submitted,
Honore Kerwin-Borrelli
MAUT Administrative Officer
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