Read the April 26 letter to the College of Medicine

The Provost and Vice-President Academic
107 Administration Place
Saskatoon, SK S7N 5A2
Telephone: (306) 966-8489
Facsimile: (306) 966-4316
MEMO
TO:
FROM:
SUBJECT:
College of Medicine Faculty, Staff and Students
Brett Fairbairn, Provost and Vice-President Academic
College of Medicine Future Concept: Vision and Implementation
DATE: April 26, 2012
I would first like to express my appreciation for the widespread discussion of the concept
regarding the future governance of the College of Medicine and the academic model of
instruction and research in clinical departments. The relevant documents and summary of
feedback are posted at www.medicine.usask.ca/concept.
I have heard considerable support for the concept as well as numerous suggestions that will
enhance it, which we will aim to incorporate in a revised concept model that will again be
shared with the college.
Along with the support and suggestions, there have been many questions, in particular with
regard to what implementation will mean for people in the college and how the proposed
model will be implemented.
I want to reassure all members of the college that employment changes are not imminent and
that every effort will be made to treat faculty and staff fairly; to find places for people in the
new structure; and to explore options through what may well be a lengthy period of transition
toward the new model. Decisions and discussions regarding the placement and roles of
individuals may be required once a direction has been approved by the university's governing
bodies. Only at that time, and only in the appropriate ways, will those discussions occur, with
consideration for our collective agreements, protection of privacy, and all the relevant
legislation.
It bears repeating that the dean and I do not have all the answers and we appreciate that this
creates uncertainty. It is normal in university affairs to have an academic discussion of
academic goals in one forum, and later to pursue the implementation of these goals by other,
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careful and respectful due processes. It is important to keep these discussions distinct. The
question now before us, and on which we need to focus, is simply whether the proposed future
concept makes sense and whether, once it has been achieved, it will address the college's
teaching, research, and service obligations. The college's long-term health and success depend
on the outcome of this discussion.
Our focus now is on the broad outline of a new academic model, including the creation of new
divisions that can be authorized only by University Council. How this new model will work in
practice will depend on additional work to be done in the College of Medicine following
University Council approval of the overall structure. The nature and role of divisions; the
management structure of the college; the roles of departments in assigning duties; resourcing
including Alternate Funding Plans; new ways to engage community-based faculty; and new
initiatives for student involvement and learning are among the matters that the college's
leadership, its faculty council, its Budget Planning and Priorities Committee, and other organs
will need to work on to bring the new model to life. I am eager to see the college get to this
stage. A summary of the work that is foreseen at this time and the timelines involved is
attached for your information.
The status quo is not an option and the university has been asked to help shift the college onto a
better path. I need your assistance to do so: now, in refining and testing the general concept;
and in the near future, in refining it and bringing it to life within the college. The provost's
office along with the dean and many others across the university are doing everything we can to
make this process as consultative and open as possible. I sincerely hope you will join in these
tasks. There are many ways to become involved, notably by participating in open meetings and
by proposing ideas by way of the website noted above. Please watch for additional information
including summaries of the suggestions we are receiving.
There are tremendous opportunities inherent in the new model: opportunities for educators,
for researchers, for clinicians, and for students. Collectively there is an opening for the college
to put decade-old issues behind it and to progress in ways that are beneficial for the whole
college and for the province.
Another open meeting is scheduled for May 2. Please see details for this meeting and other
information online at medicine.usask.ca/concept.
Sincerely,
Brett Fairbairn
Provost and Vice-President Academic