Federation of New Brunswick Faculty Associations
The Federation of New Brunswick Faculty Associations (FNBFA) is an umbrella group for faculty associations in the province of New Brunswick, Canada. It began as an informal association in the early 1970s and was incorporated in 1981. It represents approximately 1,200 teachers, researchers and librarians across six faculty associations: l'Association des Bibliothécaires, des Professeures et des Professeurs de l'Université de Moncton (ABPPUM); l'Association des Bibliothécaires, Professeures et Professeurs de l'Université de Moncton Campus Edmundston (ABPPUMCE); l'Association des Professeures et Professeurs de l'Université de Moncton Campus Shippagan (ABPPUMCS); the Association of University of New Brunswick Teachers (AUNBT); the Faculty Association of University of St-Thomas (FAUST); and the Mount Allison Faculty Association (MAFA).
Committees
Communications: Chair, Dennis Desroches (FAUST)
Prix Nicole Raymond Award: Chair, Jean Sauvageau (FAUST)
Legal Defense Fund: Chair, Jon Thompson
Health & Safety: Chair, Michele Caron (U de M)
Collective Bargaining: Chair, Suzanne Prior (FAUST)
Scholarship: The Federation annually offers one four year renewable scholarship to high school students entering one of New Brunswick's four universities and satellite campuses. This scholarship is entitled The George Semeluk Scholarship, founded by George P. Semeluk. Each high school in the province nominates a student for the scholarship. The student must exhibit strong academic standing, community excellence and who requires financial assistance.
A distinguished photochemist, Dr Semeluk served as president of the Association of University of New Brunswick Teachers and later as a key member of the bargaining team that secured a first collective agreement for UNB's full-time professors, librarians and instructors. Colleagues describe him as a "model of courage and integrity, as well as generosity and kindness" and as "a gentleman and scholar of unimpeachable integrity and a firm believer in the ideals of collegiality". At a time when FNBFA was faced with member disquiet over perceived lack of transparency in financial decisions, Dr Semelek became its treasurer and remained so for many years. Here he commanded the same respect and affection from member associations as he had from colleagues at UNB. It was in recognition of his personal integrity and his strong role in supporting and developing faculty activism that FNBFA created the George Semeluk Scholarship program in his honour.