WINNIPEG — Talks continue between the University of Manitoba and its Faculty Association as day 10 of the strike comes and goes.
While these negotiations continue between both sides, the party left in the middle is the students. Many of the 30,000 students being left with no choice but to start preparing for the unknown.
Students unsure if their exams will be moved, if they’ll be moved, if they’ll have classes, and for many the big question is, will they graduate?
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Jebben Jebben is an international student from Nigeria in his last year at U of M. He said he doesn’t know what the future holds for him and he’s begging the two parties to put an end to this strike.
“It’s my last term actually. So, with this strike going on that means I might not graduate in December. So, say I get a job or something in January, I can’t start,” said Jebben.
He added that as an international student the strike is beginning to impact his study permit, tuition, and even housing.
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After a meeting Thursday, a framework was decided on regarding what would come next for exam schedules in the event of the strike continuing.
“For some students absolutely they’ll have a different exam schedule. Rather than in December, it might shift in to January,” said Vice-Provost (students) of U of M, Susan Gottheil.
Students are expressing frustration saying they’ve paid to be in class, but many of them can’t attend class, can’t work towards their futures, and are being left to sit in limbo and just wait.
One first year student said she just wants to get the process going so she can get back to her life.
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“I just really wanted to have the University experience, the whole thing. And all of a sudden there’s no classes,” she said.
University administration said if a deal is reached by Wednesday, November 16, there may be a chance to keep the exam schedule on track for the most part. However, if the strike drags on, that’ll likely change. And if the strike drags on for much longer, reading week could be the next to go.