The Senate of York University

Notice to All Students from the Senate Executive Committee

Academic Implications of Potential Strike of CUPE 3903

Because of an October 26 strike deadline that has been announced by Local 3903 of the Canadian Union of Public Employees (which represents teaching assistants, contractual faculty and graduate assistants), a disruption of academic activities could occur. A strike is not inevitable, and the parties may reach a settlement prior to the deadline. If a disruption does occur, the Senate Executive Committee is required under Senate Policy on the Academic Implications of Disruptions or Cessations of University Business Due to Labour Disputes or Other Causes to convey the following information to all York students and employees.

In the event of a disruption due to a labour dispute, the Senate (which is responsible for the academic policy of the University) has enacted a policy with three governing principles:

1. Academic Integrity

In the event of a disruption, the primary obligation of Senate is to ensure the academic integrity of all programmes. No dilution of standards normally expected of students should be permitted and there should be as little diminution as possible in the instructional or supervisory support given to students.

2. Fairness to Students

Students who do not participate in academic activities because (a) they are unable to do so owing to a disruption, or (b) they choose not to participate in academic activities owing to a strike or a lock-out on campus, are entitled to immunity from penalty, to reasonable alternative access to materials covered in their absence, to reasonable extensions of deadlines and to such other remedy as Senate deems necessary and consistent with the principle of academic integrity. Such remedies shall not alter the academic standards associated with the missed activity nor shall it relieve the student of the responsibility for mastering materials covered. The availability of a remedy under this policy does not guarantee students the same learning experience that they would have received in the absence of a disruption.

3. Timely Information

Students, staff and faculty members have a right to be informed in a timely manner of changed requirements, rescheduled academic activities and procedures to be in effect at the conclusion of the disruption.

If a disruption as defined in the policy occurs, Senate Executive will so declare and will take the steps outlined in the policy, including a request to University officers to use their best efforts to inform relevant external agencies about the disruption and to ask that externally imposed deadlines be extended. Although any labour dispute is bound to cause difficulties, Senate Executive wants to assure the University community that we will deal quickly and sensitively with academic implications as they arise.

The full text of the Disruptions Policy can be found on the Senate policies and procedures Websites http://www.yorku.ca/secretariat/legislation/senate. Any authorized changes in deadlines or rescheduling announcements will be listed on the Senate Website. Copies of the policy may be obtained directly from the University Secretariat (Room S-883 Ross Building, Keele Campus); and the Offices of Student Affairs on both campuses (Room C112 York Hall, Glendon Campus, and Room 103 Central Square, Keele Campus).

Members of the community can obtain information about the status of negotiations on links from the University=s Websites and the York Emergency Line (416) 736-5600.

Robert Drummond

Chair of Senate

October 23, 2000