UPEI students grow concerned as faculty strike enters second week
Apprehension and uncertainty are emotions some students at the University of Prince Edward Island say they are feeling as a faculty strike goes into its second week.
Students are set to start exams in the middle of April and have already missed a week of class due to the job action.
“I have to work during the summer,” said student Nathan Wright. “[That’s] the starting date for my job. I’m kinda worried about if that’s going to work now.”
Students who spoke to CTV News said they worried about being ready for exams, impacts on their GPA, and a potential extension to the semester interfering with plans for work or travel this summer.
The issue is even more complex for international students, who are planning to go home right after exams end.
“I really hope the semester doesn’t get extended because a lot of international students will be flying out,” said student Ananya Bathak. “It’s just going to be difficult for us.”
Many have already booked their tickets and aren’t looking forward to the challenges and a potential hit to the wallet having to rebook on short notice would have.
However, the students CTV News spoke to were broadly sympathetic to the striking faculty.
The UPEI Faculty Association (UPEIFA) wants pay equity for contract academics, recovery of lost wages and protection against future inflation, among other things.
Decisions about whether the semester will be extended haven’t been made yet, but university officials say all options are on the table, including moving back the last day of classes or changing the exam schedule.
“All of these actually are the purview of senate at the university, and senate, of course, has faculty on it, so we wouldn’t be able to finalize those arrangements at this time,” said Greg Naterer, vice president of academic and research for UPEI.
This means the strike must end before students will know what is happening at the end of the year.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Montreal doctors' breakthrough discovery about causes of cerebral palsy giving hope
A breakthrough discovery made by doctors at the Montreal Children's Hospital about the causes of cerebral palsy is giving new hope to one West Island family.
Weather alerts issued for 7 provinces, 1 territory
Warnings of up to 60 millimetres of rain and other alerts have been issued for seven Canadian provinces and one territory ahead of the Easter weekend.
Ontario homeowner on the hook for $27,000 when contractor severed power line
An Ontario man who built a garage on his property has been locked in a battle with his electricity provider for a year and half over a severed power line.
He didn't trust police but sought their help anyway. Two days later, he was dead
Jameek Lowery was among more than 330 Black people who died after police stopped them with tactics that aren’t supposed to be deadly, like physical restraint and use of stun guns, The Associated Press found.
Grandparent scam: London, Ont., senior beats fraudsters not once, but twice
It was a typical Tuesday for Mabel Beharrell, 84, until she got the call that would turn her world upside down. Her teenaged grandson was in trouble and needed her help.
CRA no longer requiring 'bare trust' reporting in 2023 tax return
The Canada Revenue Agency announced Thursday it will not require 'bare trust' reporting from Canadians that it introduced for the 2024 tax season, just four days before the April 2 deadline.
Why Kim Kardashian is being sued for 'knockoff' furniture
The estate of minimalist contemporary artist Donald Judd filed a lawsuit against Kardashian this week, claiming the fashion and beauty mogul promoted 'cheap knockoffs' of his furniture designs.
Where is the worst place for allergy sufferers in Canada?
The spring allergy season has started early in many parts of Canada, with high levels of pollen in some cities already. Experts weigh in on which areas have it worse so far this season.
Louis Gossett Jr., 1st Black man to win supporting actor Oscar, dies at 87
Louis Gossett Jr., the first Black man to win a supporting actor Oscar and an Emmy winner for his role in the seminal TV miniseries 'Roots,' has died. He was 87.