CORNWALL, Ontario – As the college faculty strike enters its fifth week, student concern is mounting.
Several St. Lawrence College students spoke to Seaway News on Friday, Nov. 10. They were gathered in a meeting at the school and were outlining ways that the strike had negatively been affecting them.
The white board in the room where they were meeting was covered in words like depression, financial concern, stress, uncertainty and anxiety all brought on by the ongoing strike.
The students wanted to convey these concerns to the faculty before they vote on the latest deal from the College Employers Council. The vote was scheduled to take place from Nov. 14 to 16, but OPSEU, the union representing the faculty has called on them to reject the deal.
“I know several students in programs who have considered dropping out,” said SSW student Ashley Skidders.
Schools, like St. Lawrence College, are considering extending semesters into the Christmas break to make up for time lost to the strike. Many students cannot advance to the next semester until their first semester classes are complete and this includes students in programs with a co-op component.
In addition to the worry about grades, assignments and classes, there is also a real financial pressure on students. Many are not able to get a job during the strike because of uncertainty around when it will end. International Students cannot get extra work during the strike at all in many cases.
Ontario Minister of Advanced Education and Skills Development Deb Matthews stated on Friday that she would require colleges to setup a fund for students who have taken a financial hit because of the strike.
