PRESENTED BY: Jim Basinger, Chair, Research, Scholarly, and Artistic Work Committee
DATE OF MEETING: December 16, 2004
SUBJECT: Policy for Post-Doctoral Fellows
DECISION REQUESTED: That Council approve the new Policy for Post-Doctoral Fellows.
SUMMARY OF PROPOSAL:
A new policy on Post-Doctoral Fellows at the University of Saskatchewan is brought forward for approval by Council.
The College of Graduate Studies and Research shall oversee the academic and administrative needs of PDFs. PDFs shall be registered with the CGSR.
Responsibilities of the PDF and the supervisor, and the U of S policy on intellectual property as it relates to PDFs, are clarified.
Procedures for selection and appointment are defined.
PDFs are appointed to trainee positions. Minimum salary shall be 1.75 times the Ph.D.-level University Graduate Scholarship award.
Policies concerning benefits, teaching, and conflict resolution are included.
RATIONALE:
In accordance with the Federal Tri-Council requirement that each university create a policy with respect to appointment of post-doctoral fellows, the attached policy was developed and approved by the RSAW committee. In its development of the policy, the RSAW Committee consulted extensively with the Associate Vice-President Human Resources and reviewed the policy statements of a selection of major Canadian universities. In addition, the committee conducted a survey of current PDFs and their supervisors.
The RSAW Committee, after careful consideration of the survey results, of the CCRA (Canada Customs and Revenue Agency) implications of trainee vs employee status for PDFs, and the practices followed at other Canadian universities, has determined that PDFs at the University of Saskatchewan should be considered as trainees. Such classification minimizes visa requirements and thereby facilitates appointment of international PDFs. The CGSR is negotiating with the Graduate Students' Association regarding participation by PDFs in the GSA's group health benefits plan.
In recognition of absence of EI and other legislated benefits to PDFs classified as trainees, the policy increases the minimum salary for PDFs from 1.5 to 1.75 times the Ph.D.-level University Graduate Scholarship, an increase of approximately $4,500.
The policy addresses issues of relevance to appointment, service, and supervision of PDFs.
IMPACT AND RELATIONSHIPS:
It is essential that the University have a policy that is applied uniformly across the institution. The policy presented here is consistent with that applied at similar institutions in Canada. This policy does not preclude appointment of highly qualified personnel as research associates, if classification as employees better reflects their roles in the research environment.
ADDITIONAL RESOURCES REQUIRED:
The appointment of PDFs as trainees should have no financial impact on the institution, as they will not be subject to legislated labour benefits.
The increase in minimum PDF salary will have minor impact on some supervisors. Most PDFs are already paid above this new minimum level.
COMMITTEE COMMENTS AND RECOMMENDATION:
This policy has been under development for some time, with opportunity for extensive consultation within the institution as well as externally. This policy has the support of the RSAW Committee and is presented to Council for approval.
FURTHER ACTION REQUIRED FOLLOWING BOARD/COMMITTEE DECISION:
Once approved by Council, this policy will be implemented by the CGSR for all new and renewed PDF appointments and included in the University's Policy and Procedures Manual. All PDFs will be required to complete a PostDoctoral Fellow Registration form.
Respectfully submitted,
J. Basinger, Chair
Members:
Chris Zhang (Mechanical Engineering)
Rob Pywell (Physics & Engineering Physics)
Marie Battiste (Educational Foundations)
Rob Hudson (Philosophy)
Valerie Korinek (History)
Anne Leis (Community Health & Epidemiology.)
Alison Norlen (Art & Art History)
Gordon Sarty (Psychology)
Kirby Pozniak (USSU)
Nicole Berard (GSA)
Steven Franklin (VP Research)
Tom Wishart (Dean, CGSR & Assoc. VP Research)
Laura Zink (Research Services)
Kathryn Warden (Research Communications)
Bryan Schreiner (Research Services)
Sandra Calver, Secretary, OUS
ATTACHMENTS:
Policy for Post-Doctoral Fellows, University of Saskatchewan
http://www.usask.ca/cgsr/downloads/postdocpolicy.pdf
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