We’ll be updating this set of questions and answers on a regular basis as the merger process moves forward. If you have questions that aren’t addressed here, please get in touch with us and we’ll be happy to address them as we’re able.
(Updated May 8.)
1. Jobs and Staff
What will happen to faculty and staff at NSAC? (Updated May 8.)
NSAC faculty and staff will officially become employees of Dalhousie University on September 1, 2012. Government and Dalhousie jointly agreed to move the date forward from July 1 to address the few remaining details of the merger agreement and ensure a more realistic timeframe for NSAC faculty and staff to work with Dalhousie on transition activities.
As the course calendar for September is unchanged, faculty, staff, and administrators will be will be delivering the same programs and services this fall.
Employees can expect to have some new working relationships as central support services move to Dalhousie from government.
Will all NSAC staff be employed by Dalhousie?
NSAC staff will become employees of Dalhousie.
Some employees will stay with the Department of Agriculture, including staff at Agri-TECH Park and the Atlantic BioVenture Centre.
Details on this will be part of the transition process, and will be governed by the collective agreement.
Will there be jobs lost?
The college is funded to maintain the same number of positions.
The future organizational structure will be determined during the transition process.
What about the collective agreements?
NSAC employees will transfer to Dalhousie under the terms of their existing collective agreements. Length of service will be protected through a provision in the legislation.
In 2010, government amended Section 31 of the Trade Union Act to extend successor rights to the civil service. Public sector employees are now covered by the same provisions that apply to all other transfers of unionized employees in the Province.
This means that Dalhousie will become the new employer for the existing contracts, and terms and conditions of employment cannot be changed without renegotiation.
Will Dalhousie change the contract once the transition is complete?
The union, on behalf of its employees, will take part in a negotiation process with the new employer to discuss possible changes, if any, to the future terms and conditions of employment.
What about pensions?
Government has made the commitment that employees enrolled in the Public Service Superannuation Plan who transition to Dalhousie will remain in the Province’s pension plan, and be eligible for retirement health benefits associated with the PSSP.
This applies to both unionized and non-unionized employees.
Under a new Dalhousie collective agreement, new employees at NSAC will be offered membership in the Dalhousie Pension Plan.
Will employees be eligible to receive the Public Service Award?
The public service award continues to apply to employees under current collective agreements.
Should collective agreements change, existing employees who retire from Dalhousie and meet the PSA eligibility criteria will be entitled to a PSA based on their years of service up to the date collective agreements changed.
What about excluded employees?
Dalhousie will be meeting with each excluded employee to clarify their terms and conditions of employment.
Existing terms and conditions of employment will carry over. However, employees will participate in Dalhousie’s benefit plans.
Excluded employees will be eligible to retain membership in the PSSP, along with the retirement benefits that go with the plan.
Dalhousie will also honour their PSA entitlements.
What if I have questions about benefits with Dalhousie? (New question, May 8.)
NSAC employees are invited to contact Joni Brown (joni.brown@dal.ca or 902-494-1122). Pension and public service award questions should continue to be directed to the Public Service Commission.
The majority of employees at NSAC will keep the benefits in their collective agreements until such point that any new agreements are negotiated as part of the collective bargaining process. Management employees, however, will move to Dalhousie’s benefit plans. There will be personal meetings scheduled with management staff scheduled to discuss the transition.
2. Students and Programs
What does this merger mean for students?
Dalhousie and NSAC academic programs are already closely linked. Together, there is potential to expand and enhance their academic offerings.
The course calendar has been set for September 2012. The existing academic change process will be used to consider any future program changes. This includes faculty input and Dalhousie Senate approval.
Dalhousie has made a commitment to ensure that students who are enrolled in a program now will be able to see it through to its completion.
Will tuition go up?
Under the MOU, all Nova Scotia post-secondary institutions may choose to increase tuitions this year as a way to cover the cost of good quality educational programs for students.
Government has capped tuition increases to 3 per cent – to ensure post-secondary education continues to be affordable.
What does this merger mean for research?
Dalhousie and NSAC both have very active and successful research programs and many collaborative activities exist now.
As a merged institution, we think NSAC and Dalhousie can be a centre of excellence in Canada for research and innovation in agriculture, agri-food, and bioresource research.
A Dalhousie-NSAC institution can help stimulate research activities in many partner agencies not only in Bible Hill/Truro but also in the Valley and Nappan.
3. About the Agreement and Institutional Issues
Who will lead the institution?
Dr. Harold Cook, former Dean of Medicine for Dalhousie and a distinguished NSAC alumnus, was appointed Principal/Dean of the campus effective May 1, 2012. A national search will begin immediately for a permanent Principal/Dean.
Susan Spence Wach will lead the transition team in the coming months.
What does the agreement in principle represent? (updated May 8.)
Government and Dalhousie have reached an agreement in principle and the fine details are now being worked out. There is considerable legal work involved. The final agreement will address technical details not covered in the legislation, such as property, finances, employees, and academics and research. It will be consistent with the agreement in principle (announced on March 23) and will be shared once it is final.
What does the agreement in principle say about governance?
NSAC will be a faculty within Dalhousie on a distinct “campus” with a local identity.
The Faculty of Agriculture will be led by a Principal/Dean. The model envisions a form of advisory council to continue the College’s close relationships with its many partners.
What will the transition process look like?
The Department of Agriculture, NSAC, and Dalhousie University will collaborate on the transition process to September 1, focusing on administrative transition issues.
Legal and other paperwork will give effect to the merger on September 1. Legislation was introduced on May 8, 2012 to give force to the administrative changes such as the transfer of property. The NSAC Act of 2008 will be repealed.
Dalhousie and NSAC staff will work closely to develop the opportunities presented by the merger for many years to come, based on principles agreed to during the merger process.
Why did the merger happen?
The idea to make NSAC more independent goes back many years, if not decades.
NSAC is a post-secondary institution, and everyone agrees it was not well suited to its current situation as a division of a government department.
The merger concept is consistent with Dr. Tim O’Neill’s recommendation in the Report on the University System in Nova Scotia (September, 2010): “Consider integrating Nova Scotia Agricultural College into Dalhousie University as the college ceases as a government entity.”
Dalhousie and NSAC have had a close academic relationship for many years. NSAC degrees are jointly awarded by Dalhousie and NSAC is represented on the Dalhousie Senate.
What will happen to the NSAC Foundation? (New question, May 8.)
As outlined in the legislation, the Nova Scotia Agricultural College Foundation will be dissolved and its property will become part of the Dalhousie University Foundation. Dalhousie will continue to honour the terms of all current and future gifts to NSAC or the Faculty of Agriculture.
4. Economic and Industry concerns
How will a merger affect the Truro/Colchester area?
NSAC plays an important role in promoting the agriculture sector as an engine of economic growth for Nova Scotia, as outlined in the government’s strategy for the sector: Homegrown Success. Dalhousie’s participation will augment this role.
This is a positive development for Truro/Colchester, potentially opening up new opportunities for the community. This process is based on the premise that there will continue to be a strong agricultural academic program and research and development capacity in Bible Hill and Truro.
This is also a positive for the Valley and other areas, where the college has close connections with the farming community as well as research facilities.
Will membership in the Autopact be affected by the merger? (New question, May 8.)
No, current membership in the Autopact will not be affected.