Stress is mounting for Algonquin College students as the college faculty strike and work stoppage persists without a foreseeable ending. Last month, 12,000 professors, librarians and other faculty members from 24 colleges across Ontario went on strike. While professors are advocating for equal pay for equal work, full time staff, and better control over course material, students are left to their own means to keep up with their school work. The president of Algonquin College, Cheryl Jensen, is sending students updates on the strike’s status, but so far there is no resolution in sight.
A group of frustrated students rally at the Robert C. Gillett Student Commons on Nov. 3. It is unclear how much the work stoppage will affect their academic year, including tuition costs and travel plans. (Katie Jacobs, Centretown News)
August Huang, third year student in finance, works independently at the Algonquin College Hub. Students have access to classrooms, the gym, working lounges, the cafeteria and the library during the work stoppage, but life on campus is not moving at its regular speed. (Katie Jacobs, Centretown News)
Asmaa Elshayeb, 21, a first - year in dental hygiene, works on her online assignment at the Student Commons. Since classes have been cancelled, she has only been coming on Fridays to work. Students are trying to keep up with their academic year by following their online course outlines. (Katie Jacobs, Centretown News)
Hari Gopalan, volunteer at the AC Hub, is also the class representative for medical sonography. He says he is tired from the strike because students come to him with their struggles and questions since they can't communicate with the teachers. (Katie Jacobs, Centretown News)
Students epitomized the rally with the hashtag #NotABargainingChip. They are writing local MPPs, the faculty union and the college employer council to facilitate a government resolution to the strike. (Michael Charlebois, Centretown News)
Darren Finleyson and Julia Miller are first - year students in computer technology. They are working on their network operating systems labs in the AC Hub since they are unsure how their co-op placements will be affected. (Katie Jacobs, Centretown News)
Since communication is cut off between students and their professors, Ian Glas (middle left) volunteers his time to tutor database students with a free session in the library. (Michael Charlebois, Centretown News)
So far, attempts to get college faculty and the College Employer Council to the bargaining table have been unsuccessful. It is unknown how the student's academic year will unfold when the strike is over. (Michael Charlebois, Centretown News)