Marianne Saikaley

Dear Colleagues,

It is with great enthusiasm that I write to you to submit my candidacy for re-election as a representative of the administrative personnel to the Board of Governors.

The past two years on the board have been challenging. As an institution, we initiated the switch to Workday and are still navigating this transition. Additionally, our financial situation has become increasingly precarious, and we are currently ramping up the POLARIS project to design a new operating model. Though it is difficult, I firmly believe that change and modernization are necessary for our institution to thrive. That being said, I have been a strong advocate that the brunt of the burden cannot rest solely on the shoulders of the administrative personnel. If re-elected I will continue these advocacy efforts and help ensure that cost-cutting measures are strategic and fair to the best of my ability.

Throughout my mandate, I have continuously encouraged central administration to improve communication and transparency with its three major stakeholders (administrative personnel, professors and students) which has proven fruitful with the addition of finance-focused Townhalls. Additionally, I have attempted to foster engagement by sharing meeting updates and important information on the uOttawa Support Staff Discussion Facebook page. I plan to expand these efforts, by creating a chat option to facilitate feedback, answer questions, and increase accessibility.

As I look ahead to the next three years, I believe that the University’s financial health will remain the primary focus. Ambitious revenue generation targets and the POLARIS project are key pillars in the University’s strategy to get back on track. To this effect, I have been working closely with board members to provide feedback and suggestions to central administration on possible areas of improvement and leveraging revenue opportunities. I have been outspoken about defending the interests of the administrative personnel, especially concerning POLARIS and budget considerations/cuts. If re-elected, I will continue to speak on your behalf.

Having worked at the Faculty of Social Sciences since 2008 I am well aware of the particular concerns that are faced by Faculties and services across campus. Throughout my mandate, I have been particularly vocal about issues such as operationalizing major and minor projects and ensuring the availability of the proper expertise and personnel to handle these additional tasks. My extensive knowledge of the University’s financial management, governance structures, policies, and guidelines has been crucial. It has enabled me to understand the documents and motions brought to the board for approval and how these impact our daily work. It has also allowed me to effectively consult various stakeholders and advocate for change when necessary.

Over the last two years, I have worked hard to represent and defend the support personnel in a professional and assertive manner. With your support, I am convinced that my expertise, devotion, and vision can continue to be an asset in steering our institution and contributing to its long-term success.

Thank you!