Principles to guide our collective action
What we stand for
For over 30 years, we’ve been working to build a university that serves the common good, one that is focused on the success of the greatest number of people, democratically managed, respectful of human rights and equity, adequately funded and essentially public.
1. The fundamental mission of universities
We affirm that the fundamental mission of the university lies in the production and dissemination of critical knowledge, primarily through teaching, research, creation and community service. This mission must not be subject to commercial considerations.
2. University autonomy
We demand the autonomy of the academic institution and full respect for its mission. We want to take action to defend and promote university autonomy and academic freedom.
academic and political freedom
and political freedom of professors and students.
3. A vision based on consultation and cooperation
We reiterate the need to promote an overall vision of the development of Quebec’s universities, based on consultation and cooperation between these institutions, while respecting their autonomy. We are opposed to any plans to create a hierarchy of universities, or to any measures that would encourage competition or opposition between them.
4. Gender equality
We affirm the principle of equality between women and men in academia, and recognize the importance of promoting the increased participation of women in all aspects of university life.
5. Opposition to all forms of discrimination
We are opposed to all forms of discrimination, and we want to act to ensure that no university institution exerts, directly or indirectly, any pressure, constraint or discrimination against any of its members on the grounds of ethnic origin, beliefs, gender, pregnancy status, age, physical disability, political or other opinions or actions, language, sexual orientation, or the exercise of any of their rights.
6. The inalienable right to collective bargaining
We recognize the inalienable right of teachers, as of all workers, to collectively bargain their working conditions, and we oppose any measure aimed at restricting or contradicting its application.
7. A community of teachers and students, first and foremost
We affirm that the university is a community made up primarily of professors and students. As a result, we challenge the claim of institutional administrators and their groupings to be the sole or principal representatives of the academic community.
8. Decision-making and consultative participation
We affirm that professors must be able to fully assume their role and their place in academic establishments, within decision-making bodies as well as advisory bodies.
9. Accessibility to higher education
We affirm that accessibility to higher education is a fundamental right, and we demand the removal of social, economic and geographical obstacles to the exercise of this right.
10. Support for retired teachers’ associations
We support all efforts to bring together associations of retired teachers and are open to collaboration with these associations. We believe that the expertise and experience of retired professors, to whom specific mandates can be entrusted, would serve the interests of the Federation and the faculty.
