SFUFA Teaching Release Policy
This policy guides SFUFA use of teaching releases to recognize significant work that Executive members or volunteers may take on from time to time.
Release Time Entitlements as per the Collective Agreement
Release Time for Association President and Chief Negotiator
The President of Association shall be entitled to a reduction of workload over the term of the appointment. 20% of workload shall be designated university service and shall require no release. Specific terms of the release shall be negotiated between the Association President and the Chair or equivalent and will be approved by the appropriate Dean.
For a tenured or tenure-track faculty member, the release time shall consist of at least one and no more than four courses and half of the research expectations of a faculty member at the same rank.
The Department will be reimbursed to cover the teaching releases at the rate of TSSU sessional course stipends (3 contact hours).
For a lecturer or laboratory instructor, workload reduction shall be not less than 50% and up to 100%. Costs shall be % of release X salary at step one of the appropriate job category.
For a librarian or archivist, workload reduction shall be not less than 50% and up to 100%. Costs shall be % of release X salary at step one of the Librarian 1 scale.
The Chief Negotiator shall be entitled to a reduction of workload equivalent to one course per year. The Department will be reimbursed to cover the teaching release at the rate of a TSSU sessional course stipend (3 contact hours).
Payment of Release Time
The cost of workload reductions arising from Article — (above) shall be shared equally by the Association and the University
An Association member released under this article shall receive full pay and benefits as provided for in this Agreement.
Release Time Entitlements as Set by SFUFA Executive
The Association shall provide one course release per year to the Promotion and Tenure Advisor in accordance with past practice and in recognition of her/ his responsibility as the Association’s primary academic resource for members undergoing review for tenure and/or promotion.
Should the Past President and/or the President Elect so require, s/he may be awarded a reduction in workload over the term of the appointment. For a tenured or tenure-track faculty member there shall be a reduction in teaching load of one course. For someone other than a tenured or tenure-track faculty member, release shall be paid according to the standard agreement with the University above.
Guidelines for Additional Release Time
From time to time, the Executive Committee may identify projects that will require member participation beyond that of a normal service load. In such cases, the Executive may elect to offer teaching release or commensurate relief not to exceed the equivalent of one course per year or equivalent, as per the collective agreement.
In exceptional cases, members of the Bargaining Committee, the Executive Committee, or members at large may be required to devote extraordinary time to the Association in ways not anticipated in advance by the Executive Committee. In these cases, the Executive, by a vote of at least 2/3 in favour, may provide teaching release or commensurate relief not to exceed the equivalent of one course or equivalent per year, as per the Collective Agreement.
General Provisions
All release time other than entitlements specified in the Collective Agreement is subject to that Agreement generally and the following provision specifically:
Other Association Officers (Committee Chairs, Special Projects Coordinators) will be entitled to release time with the agreement of the responsible Dean in consultation with the Chair or equivalent. Such agreement will not be unreasonably withheld. Costs for releases under this provision shall be consistent with the terms for Chief Negotiator, but shall be paid fully by the Association.
In exceptional circumstances only, and subject to the agreement of all parties, teaching releases mandated by the collective agreement may be paid as a dollar amount into an SFU expense account to offset research or professional development costs or an agreed sum may be used to hire teaching assistants.