With thousands of college students out school due to the college strike, I think it is disappointing that there has not been any sort of fair reconciliation between college professors and the provincial government.
Many college programs require field placements to graduate, causing students to become increasingly concerned that the strike could severely impact their winter semester or disqualify them from applying to placements. As a university student, I can only imagine the frustration in imagining how lost class time can result in a postponed graduation or additional financial requirements.
However, I think the main focus of the debate is not only for college professors to be paid fairly but for Ontario colleges to commit to quality education. Students are not the only ones concerned about receiving a good quality education—college faculty members are worried as well. While I support the fact that they want a greater voice, why does the provincial government and college faculty claim to be taking the best interest of students into account while simultaneously wasting their tuition by striking for weeks on end?
I think it is completely acceptable for students to demand refunds for their tuition. Tuition is expensive, and any other business that had to cancel a service would be expected to refund their customers due to the inconvenience.
Even if the strike ends tomorrow, colleges should reimburse students for the lost class time. So please, remove students from being caught in this “crossfire”.
Omoye Otoide
