UPDATE - November 17, 2017
Bargaining update
The Ontario government has introduced legislation that will end the faculty strike at Conestoga and the province’s other 23 colleges. We now expect that classes will resume at some point next week.
The legislation may be approved over the weekend or early next week. That means classes could resume as early as Tuesday, November 21.
As soon as we are certain of the date, an email will be sent to your student email account announcing when classes will start. We will also announce the date of return through the college website and on our Facebook and Twitter feeds.
Although the exact date of return is still not certain, Conestoga is continuing to work on plans that will allow you to complete your academic year.
At this time we can confirm that the fall semester will be extended. Classes will run until Friday, December 22, and will resume on Tuesday, January 2.
Important information regarding student accommodations:
Conestoga understands that some students have travel plans, employment and/or family obligations that will prevent them from being able to attend class during the revised semester dates. To address these issues, a designated point person from each program area will work with you on an individual basis to help you maintain both your studies and other obligations during this time. All requests for accommodation will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis.
To submit a request, please review the document Addressing Student Attendance Exceptions - Contact List For All Schools and contact the designated point person in your School by email or in person. The designated point person will work with you to collect the required documents including student number, program, proof of travel booking etc. Once this is done, the designated contact person will forward your request to the program Chair for review and approval.
Message to students from VP Student Affairs - November 17, 2017
Message to students from VP Student Affairs - November 13, 2017
Message to students from VP Academic Administration - November 2, 2017
As the result of the strike:
All classes are suspended. Conestoga faculty continue to have access to all systems including email and eConestoga, but may choose not to communicate with students until the strike is resolved. The college does not require faculty to perform work during the strike.
Exams, tests and assignments will be postponed until after the strike has been resolved. You will continue to have access to course materials through eConestoga and may choose to take advantage of college resources and services to continue your studies independently and prepare for the resumption of classes.
Scheduled co-op and field placements and related activities will continue unless you are otherwise notified by your Program Team.
FAQ
How long will the faculty strike last?
The Ontario government had introduced legislation that will end the strike very soon. Conestoga will provide updates as they become available.
How quickly will classes resume once the strike is over?
Now that legislation to end the strike has been introduced, things may move very quickly. Students should be prepared to return to class with 1 to 2 days' notice. Classes will resume on the second weekday after the work stoppage ends to give professors one day to review and finalize their course plans and prepare for their first class back.
How will students be informed that the strike is over?
Students can expect to be informed through the college website and social media.
What happens with the apprenticeship programs?
Apprentice block and day release schooling is suspended. Visit the Apprentices' web page for more information.
Are Continuing Education classes cancelled?
No. Continuing Education classes are still running, and resumed Saturday, October 21.
I am an international student, how does the strike affect me?
For additional information for international students regarding the strike, please visit Strike Information for International Students.
Will the semester be extended?
Fall semester classes will be extended until Friday, December 22, and will resume on Tuesday, January 2. The College will be closed from 9:00 p.m. Friday, December 22, 2017 to 7:00 a.m. Tuesday, January 2, 2018. During this time, no classes will be scheduled.
I booked travel arrangements for the winter break, will I be accommodated?
Conestoga understands that some students will not be able to attend class during the revised semester due to travel plans, employment and/or family obligations. To address these issues, a designated point person will work with you on an individual basis to help you maintain both your studies and other obligations during this time. All requests for accommodation will be reviewed on a case by case basis.
To submit a request, please review the document Addressing Student Attendance Exceptions - Contact List For All Schools and contact the designated point person in your School by email or in person. The designated point person will work with you to collect the required documents including student number, program, proof of travel booking etc. Once this is done, the designated contact person will forward your request to the program Chair for review and approval.
When will winter semester start?
The beginning of the winter semester will be delayed slightly. At this time, we anticipate that the start date for the winter semester will be January 15, 2018.This date will be confirmed in the near future.
Will we lose our mid-winter student success week?
If the work stoppage continues into the week of November 20, it is possible that the mid-winter student success week will be affected (February 26 to March 2, 2018). We advise students to refrain from booking travel during this period until we know more. Further updates will be provided as soon as they are available.
Do I have to submit assignments/online tests during the strike?
Exams, tests and assignments will be postponed until after the strike has been resolved. You will continue to have access to course materials through eConestoga and may choose to take advantage of college resources and services to continue your studies independently and prepare for the resumption of classes.
How long will we have to turn in assignments once classes resume?
We can confirm that no assignments, tests, projects or graded labs will be due or held in your first class of each of your courses. The first day of a course will include a review of course expectations, and discussion of revised due dates. Specific dates for assignments, tests, projects and graded labs will only be available after the work stoppage ends.
Are winter semester fees due on November 20, 2017?
During the period of the strike, fees for the winter semester are not due. When fall classes resume, notices will be sent to students advising them of the revised dates for the payment of fees.
What happens with my OSAP?
The Ministry of Advanced Education and Skills Development will provide relevant details regarding the impact on OSAP for affected students at https://www.ontario.ca/page/information-about-college-strike.
Can I get a refund?
College policies outlined by the Registrar’s Office still apply. A decision about tuition refunds rests with the Ontario Ministry of Advanced Education and Skills Development. The Ministry will provide direction to all Ontario colleges about refunds of tuition fees once the strike is over.
Will the course withdraw deadline change?
The final day to withdraw from a course without academic penalty will be extended. The specific deadline for withdrawing from a course will be provided when the work stoppage is over, and will give you sufficient time to make a decision.
I stay in residence, how does the strike affect me?
In light of the ongoing strike, the residence cancellation deadline of November 15 has been extended. A revised cancellation deadline will be determined following the conclusion of the strike. All residence students will be notified of this final date via email once it has been determined.
Because the semester has been extended, students will be able to remain in residence through the week of December 18 - 22. During winter break, students will have the option to remain in residence for no additional fees.
Is fall convocation cancelled?
No. Convocation is not cancelled, and is expected to proceed as scheduled. The Conestoga community looks forward to celebrating the class of 2017 on November 16, 2017.
Are fall open house events cancelled?
The Fall Open House (Guelph) and Fall Open House (Waterloo) events scheduled for November 18, 2017, are postponed and will be rescheduled for January, 2018 (exact date TBD).
The Fall Open House (Doon and Cambridge) event scheduled for November 25 has been postponed and will be rescheduled for January 2018.
What services are available during the faculty strike?
Campuses remain open, and students will have access to college facilities and services during normal hours of operation.
Some off-campus partner locations will also remain open with specific services and supports provided. Please visit your location for more information or contact the Program Team.
All college facilities will remain open and most services remain available, including:
- Athletics and Recreational Programming
- Bookstore
- Child Care Centres
- Computer Labs
- Conestoga Career Centres
- Co-Curricular Programming
- Co-op, Career & Practicum Services
- CSI Service Hub
- CSI Shuttle
- Food Services
- Health Sciences Labs - Cowan Health Sciences Centre
- International Student Support Services
- Library Services
- Pita Pit
- Registrar's Office and Student Financial Services
- Student Engagement Programming and Services
- Student Success Services
- Testing and Assessment Services
- Varsity Sports
- The Venue
What services and activities will not be available?
- Bloom, the student-run restaurant, is closed for the duration of the strike.
Where can I find more information about the labour disruption?
Check the college website at www.conestogac.on.ca regularly for information, updates and possible changes to operating hours or services.