What does it mean to be a student on strike?

Recently, Concordia University announced that its board had settled on Ryerson provost Alan Shepard as its choice for president. Shepard, who’s had a very successful tenure at Ryerson, was unanimously recommended by a search committee that included student leaders. The prospective new president had hoped to engage in a public discussion with the university community prior to the formal selection taking place; unfortunately, the event was derailed by a handful of students, who used a megaphone to drown out any attempt at dialogue.

As the Montreal Gazette explained the protestors sought to disrupt the meeting because of a perceived slight from the university administration:  “[Lead protestor Alex] Matak then began reading out a long list of grievances, including the university’s refusal to alter the exam schedule to accommodate students who have been boycotting classes to oppose tuition-fee increases.”

Pretty much since the start of the strike 11 weeks ago, a major issue has been how the province’s CEGEPs and universities would ensure that, ultimately, students have the opportunity to complete the semester and move on to their next year in the fall. Earlier this month, Concordia studio arts professor Jessica MacCormack explained to CTV that instructors felt hung out to dry by university administrators: “I’m faced with the task of grading students some of whom I haven’t seen for the last four or five weeks.” (Concordia students must have their work in by May 30th, though the university has waived the $20 fee for work that is late or incomplete.)

Now, the Concordia incident isn’t special because of its effects on Alan Shepard. He’ll do fine one way or another; and heck, with his enthusiasm for learning French, he could always land a job with the Habs if Concordia doesn’t work out. Rather, what stood out was the level of self-absorption of the protestors, and the idea that everyone else’s schedule needs to shift according to the needs of the people who are boycotting their classes.

The entire point of a strike or boycott is that there is something tangible at stake. A strike that doesn’t run the risk of derailing the semesters of its participants isn’t really a strike at all. And that means that, contra the bullies who short-circuited Concordia’s forum with its new president, that schools must plan for the eventual end to this rocky semester.

A strike without risk has little in the way of meaning. Nobody wants to see the semester go down the drain. But that doesn’t mean it can’t happen.