Students trying to get into Nipissing University on Monday found their paths blocked by protesting professors.
All three campuses of the North Bay-based school, including the one in Brantford, were closed due to strike action from the university’s full-time faculty.
Mike McCabe, an associate professor at the Brantford campus, said there were three main issues from the union’s perspective – including staffing levels.
“We’re looking to maintain our full faculty complement,” he said, claiming that the number of full-time jobs at Nipissing had fallen in recent years as part-time instructors picked up more work.
Financial matters are also considered an issue, as is faculty input into Nipissing’s operations.
As an example, McCabe pointed to the school’s decision to close its Brantford campus once current students graduate.
“We would have liked to have had a greater say in maintaining the campus … but didn’t have that,” he said.
In Brantford, Nipissing’s only program offers a bachelor’s degree in education.
Students at the Brantford campus say they’re concerned about being able to finish all classes and hours in classroom placements in time for graduation, especially if they have to deal with a prolonged strike.
“People are panicking, because they have to make up these dates,” said fifth-year student Aryan Arvandi.
Talks between the two sides have been ongoing since May, but broke off Sunday night after mediated negotiations failed to end with a deal.
“There wasn’t any effort left by either party to try and find something that could be accommodating,” said school president Mike DeGagné.
No further talks are scheduled.
Nipissing Brantford students also take arts classes in that city through Wilfrid Laurier University. Those courses are not affected by the strike.
