‘Challenges and uncertainty:’ Dalhousie University faculty lockout leaves students worried

Students at Dalhousie University speak out about faculty lock out

The lockout of Dalhousie University faculty is inching closer to the start of the school year, and it’s fuelling concerns among students.

David Westwood, the president of the Dalhousie Faculty Association, told CTV News on Monday that they’re “waiting for the employer to return to the table with an improved offer.”

Meanwhile, Janet Bryson, the strategic communications and media relations director with Dalhousie University, says “Dalhousie remains sincere in our desire to reach a fair and sustainable agreement.”

Bryson adds, “the university’s priority is working with the DFA to reach a resolution that restores stability on campus and minimizes further disruption for our students.”

The Halifax university locked out more than 1,000 faculty members last Wednesday. The members of the DFA represent faculty, instructors, librarians and counsellors.

The lockout comes after 83 per cent of DFA members voted to reject the school’s latest contract offer.

The union says the main issues are wages and the university’s reliance on limited-term contracts.

With classes set to begin next week, it’s left many students uneasy about what’s to come.

“I’m kind of feeling frustrated about the strike,” says Dalhousie graduate student Riasat Mahbub. “Before the strike happened, I was really worried about whether I was going to finish my thesis or not. And I was really worried if I would actually graduate.”

Third-year Dalhousie computer science student, Mehil Shah, shares similar feelings, saying the lockout could make things even more challenging for international students preparing to move in.

“They should be pretty nervous, considering the fact that they have arrived in a brand-new country with not a lot of connections, usually for most of us. So, it’s a bit challenging for them as well,” says Shah.

“Parents are afraid of sending their kids because they don’t really know … are classes going on? Will the semester go on? Should they stay at home for one term? Are the flight tickets refundable? So, there are a lot of challenges and uncertainty with the situation for international students especially."

Maren Mealey, the president of the Dalhousie Student Union, says they are doing their best to offer students support, as orientation week festivities kick off.

“We need to make sure that people get connected to the services they need, that they know where things are. That they feel connected, that they’re set up well. And so even though it’s not normal, we’re not trying to replicate normal. We want to make sure students are still set up, but we can’t let them come here without having the supports,” says Mealey.

She, alongside many students, are hoping for a quick resolution.

“That’s our hope that people come back to the table. And that they acknowledge that students are the largest stakeholders and they’re being the most severely impacted currently,” she says.

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