The University of Lethbridge Faculty Association is an organization of professionals composed of the academic staff at the U. of L. The Universities Act of Alberta specifies that each university shall have an academic staff association and that all members of the academic staff shall be members of this association. Here at the U. of L. the Association is best known by its acronym, ULFA. ULFA has the exclusive authority, on behalf of its approximately 500 faculty/professional librarians/academic assistants and 100 sessional lecturers, to negotiate with the Board of Governors and to enter into an agreement.

The U. of L. ULFA/Board agreement is referred to as the Faculty Handbook and Sessional Lecturers Handbook. The Handbook is a lengthy and complex document that governs many aspects of a Faculty Member's/Sessional's life on campus, including terms for probation, tenure, promotion and increments. It also contains information about salary scales and other benefits such as that for tuition (Schedule B.0.1.6).

The policies and procedures of ULFA are recommended to the membership for ratification by Council and implemented by the Executive.  Two general meetings of all ULFA Members are held each year on the first working day following the last day of classes in April and December.  The ULFA By-Laws are available via the home page of the website.

ULFA is affiliated with the Confederation of Alberta Faculty Associations (CAFA) and the Canadian Association of University Teachers (CAUT). By virtue of the fact that you are members of ULFA, you are also automatically members of both CAFA and CAUT. CAFA's objectives are to promote the quality of education in the province and to promote the well-being of Alberta universities and their academic staff. The CAUT objectives are similar in nature, but at the national level.

ULFA's office currently employs one full time staff person, Brenda Rennie, Executive Director, and one part-time (1/2 day; 9 mos. appointment) person, Sue Edwards, Administrative Assistant. Office hours, except for the summer months, are 8:00 a.m. to noon and 1:00 - 4:00 p.m., Monday thru Friday. During the summer the office is normally open mornings only.