Student FAQs

The UPEI Faculty Association initiated strike action on March 20, 2023. During the strike, all teaching—including classes, online lectures, labs, tutorials, assessments, etc.—is suspended.

Students are welcome to come to the University campus and will be able to enter UPEI buildings, use the library, and access student services. Students will retain access to their UPEI email, myUPEI, and Moodle account (except where access to individual courses has been deactivated by the instructor). Students are able and are encouraged to continue to work on their assignments, readings, and research during the strike. Submission deadlines for assignments due during the strike period do not have to be met. Tests, quizzes, etc. that are scheduled during the strike will not take place.

Please find below a list of Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs). If the information you are looking for is not reflected on these FAQ pages, please submit your question to communications@upei.ca

Check your @upei.ca email inbox and visit the Updates page for the latest news on labour relations.
Visit the Resources and Issues page for the latest "Outstanding Items in Dispute" document and our Issue Briefs.
Student Supports, Events, and Activities, March 27–31

Can I come to campus and cross the picket line during a strike?

Students, non-striking employees, and visitors are welcome to come to the University campus and can cross the picket line. You will be able to enter UPEI buildings and access student services during a strike, including your UPEI email account and Moodle (except where access to individual courses has been deactivated by the instructor). 

Please note that on the picket line are members of our University community, and we should all continue to be respectful of each other during this period of disruption. We encourage you to exercise patience and caution in crossing any picket line. All parties, including employees on strike and individuals crossing the picket line, are responsible for refraining from illegal behaviour. If you experience problems or are involved in an incident while crossing the picket line, please report this to your supervisor or Dean’s office.

Should a strike occur, how long will it last?

We hope that any strike will be brief. At this point there is no way to know. Please visit the UPEI Labour Relations website for updates on negotiations and/or job action.

Are there any classes that will continue during a strike?

All classes, labs, tutorials, etc. will be paused during a strike by the UPEI FA, Bargaining Unit #1. The only exception are English Academic Preparation classes as they are not taught by UPEI FA members.

At what point could the semester be lost? Could the semester be extended? How does this impact my GPA and transcripts?

Much depends on the duration of the strike. In the event of a strike, the University will do everything in its power to ensure the semester is saved and that students have a reasonable opportunity to complete all courses, get grades, and maintain their GPA. Please continue to work on course work during a strike. The University will explore all options, including extending the semester or condensing it.

I’m due to graduate in May. Would a strike affect my ability to graduate?

In the event of a UPEI FA strike, classes, labs, tutorials etc. will be paused. We are hopeful that any possible strike will be short. But much depends on the duration of a strike.

For graduate students, PhD comprehensive exams and oral thesis defences, which normally require the participation of UPEI FA members, will also be paused during a strike. Dates would be rescheduled as soon as possible when job action ends.

When the strike ends, the University will do everything in its power to extend and/or condense the semester to ensure the term is not lost and senior students will be able to graduate on time.

Should I expect changes to course assessments/syllabi and how does this change the timeline?

The syllabus for a course will not change although the timeline of course assessment may change depending on the duration of a possible strike.

Will the summer semester take place (sessions 1 or 2)?

We are hopeful that any possible strike will be short. If a prolonged strike occurs, this may impact the sessions of the summer semester.

What if I need a course for a graduate program that I have already been accepted to?

If the graduate program is at another University, check with the graduate studies office there. Best efforts will be made by the University to make arrangements so that the strike doesn’t impact your future academic studies.

Can I discontinue studying? Will I be able to drop/discontinue a class after the last day to drop if the strike makes me miss a number of classes?

Special arrangements that may be required will be communicated later, depending on the duration of a possible strike.

What if my courses are pre-requisites? Will this put me behind a year?

Best efforts will be made by the University so that students are not disadvantaged and that pre-requisite courses will affected minimally.

If we have to come back to classes following a strike, can I do that online?

In-person instruction is anticipated following the conclusion of a strike.

Should I continue doing my coursework (i.e., readings/previous assignments) during a strike?

Yes. Students are encouraged to continue with readings and previously assigned work so you will be better prepared for the return to class following a strike.

Will I be required to submit assignments that are due during a strike period?

No. Students are not required to meet deadlines for assignments due during the strike period; however, it is encouraged that you continue with readings and working on material assigned prior to the strike. Tests, quizzes, etc. that are scheduled during the strike will not take place.

Can a faculty member assign new work during a strike?

No. A faculty member is not allowed to teach/instruct during the strike period and, therefore, cannot assign new work to students.

Will I continue to have access to my @upei.ca email, myUPEI, and Moodle during a strike?

Yes. Students will continue to have access to their University email account, myUPEI, and Moodle (except where access has been deactivated by the instructor).

Will I be able to email my professor during a strike?

Your professor will have access to email; however, they will not be required to answer emails. They will not have access to Moodle.

What if I need help with an assignment during a strike?

Students are encouraged to continue with readings and previously assigned work so you will be better prepared for the return to class following a strike. Faculty members are not allowed to teach/instruct during the strike period; therefore, if you need help with your studies you may want to reach out to a classmate, a help centre or to the Writing Centre.

Can I go home during a strike (out of province or out of country)?

While students are permitted to travel at any time, the duration of a possible strike is not known. Students should be prepared to return back to class at any time on short notice; however, we expect there will be at least a 24-hour period after the strike ends before classes resume.

I'm a student and I haven't paid my tuition yet for the 2023 Winter Academic Semester. Should I?

Yes. There is no change to the fee schedule for the winter 2023 semester.

Will my tuition be refunded if there is a strike?

In the event of job action, the University will do everything in its power to ensure the term is saved and that students have a reasonable opportunity to complete all courses. Financial aspects about any possible refunds will be communicated broadly when more information is available.

Will the add/drop deadlines change if there is a strike?

Following any job action, the Academic Calendar will be reviewed by the University Senate and any changes will be widely communicated.

Will the semester be lost or cancelled if there’s a strike?

In the event of a strike, the University will do everything in its power to ensure the semester is saved and that students have a reasonable opportunity to complete all courses. The University will explore all options, including extending or condensing the semester, to mitigate the impacts of a strike on students. No university in Canada has lost a semester due to a strike.

Will I be reimbursed tuition for the days there were no classes during a strike?

The University will do everything in its power to ensure the term is saved and that students have a reasonable opportunity to complete all courses. Financial aspects about any possible refunds will be communicated broadly when more information is available.

If I drop a class because of a strike, can I get a refund for the course?

It will depend on the duration of any possible strike, but financial aspects about any possible refunds will be communicated broadly.

How does a strike impact my student loan?

A student loan is subject to the terms and conditions of the signed agreement unless otherwise changed by the lending organization. It will depend on the duration of any possible strike as to whether you may need to contact the lending organization.

I am a student staff member: can I come to campus and cross the picket line?

Yes. Students, student staff, and non-striking employees are welcome to come to the University and can cross the picket line. You will be able to enter UPEI buildings and access student services during a strike. Please note that on the picket line are members of our University community, and we should all continue to be respectful of each other during this period of disruption. We encourage you to exercise patience and caution in crossing any picket line.

All parties, including employees on strike and individuals crossing the picket line, are responsible for refraining from illegal behaviour. If you experience problems or are involved in an incident while crossing the picket line, please report this to your supervisor or Dean’s office.

I am a student who works on campus and I am not comfortable crossing the picket line, what should I do?

The University remains open and non-striking employees are continuing to work to support students. If your supervisor is a non-striking employee, you should speak with them about your concerns. If your supervisor is a faculty member, you can connect with the Administrative Assistant for your faculty member and make arrangements with them. If you are unable to make your shift, you will not be paid.

Can I stay in my residence room during a strike? Can I use the cafeteria?

Yes, students can continue to stay in their residence room and use their meal plan.

Will I be reimbursed for my room or meal plan if I go home during a strike?

It will depend on the duration of any possible strike, but financial aspects about any possible reimbursement will be communicated broadly as soon as information becomes available.

Will the Tim Hortons and other food service locations be open during a strike?

It is anticipated that food service locations will remain operating during a strike; however, there may be reduced hours or closure of some campus food services due to reduced demand.

Will The Fox & Crow Café and Pub be open during a strike?

The Fox & Crow is operated by the UPEI Student Union, which is a separate, independent entity from the University. Please visit the Fox & Crow Facebook page for more information.

Will the Robertson Library be open during a strike?

Yes, the Library will be open during the strike, but some services may not be available.

Can I use classrooms to study/are computer labs open during a strike?

If a classroom is not in use for teaching and learning and otherwise unoccupied, students are welcome to use empty classrooms to study. Computer labs will remain open.

Will Student Affairs be open during a strike?

Yes. If you would like to meet with a personal counsellor, academic coach, academic advisor, or our Indigenous student support coordinator, please email studentserv@upei.ca or drop by fifth floor Dalton Hall from Monday to Friday, 8:30 am–12:00 pm and 1:00–4:00 pm to make an appointment. Appointments can be made for in person or online.

If you would like to meet with someone in Accessibility Services, please email accessibility@upei.ca, or drop by first floor Dalton Hall Monday to Friday, 8:30 am–12:00 pm and 1:00–4:00 pm to make an appointment.

I am feeling stressed about a possible strike—what can I do?

Campus Life Advisors (Student Leaders) will be running the Campus Life program in the Day Lounge in the W. A. Murphy Student Centre. Check out the schedule on our UPEI Campus Life Facebook page and come hang out with other students, play a board game, share a laugh and unwind.

If you need assistance, UPEI has a number of resources for students through UPEI Student Affairs, including personal counselling (studentserv@upei.ca), and the International Student Office (irostu@upei.ca).

Should I continue to book testing accommodations during a strike?

During the strike, there will be no tests or exams taking place; therefore, there should be no need to book accommodations.

Will the UPEI Health and Wellness Centre be open during the strike?

Yes. The UPEI Health and Wellness Centre will be open for regular hours and services, Monday to Friday 8:30 am–12:00 pm and 1:00–4:00 pm. To make an appointment, you can call the clinic at (902) 566-0616, or email healthcentre@upei.ca.

Will the UPEI Chaplaincy Centre and the Campus Food Bank be open during a strike?

Yes. The Chaplaincy Centre, including the UPEI Food Bank, will be open for regular hours and services. Check out the Chaplaincy Centre Facebook page and the UPEI Food Bank, page for more information.

Will the Writing Centre be open to help with papers and assignments during a strike?

Yes. The Writing Centre will be open to support students with ongoing assignments. Please visit upei.mywconline.com to see our schedule and book an appointment.

Will the UPEI Chi-Wan Young Sports Centre be open during a strike?

Yes, the Sports Centre will be open for regular hours and all fitness and intramural programming will continue as scheduled.

You might also be interested in the new onDemand Fitness Programming, which is free for UPEI full time students. Over 40 workout videos including Pilates, yoga, Zumba, strength training, etc. Check out the website for more information.

Will varsity sports continue during a strike?

Yes. All regularly scheduled varsity games will be held during the strike. Visit the GoPanthersGo website for schedule of games and more information.

Will the UPEI Bookstore be open during a strike?

Yes. The Bookstore will remain open during a strike.

Will parking on the UPEI campus be impacted during a labour disruption?

In the event of a strike, on-campus parking may be impeded by picket lines at University entrances. Please allow for extra commuting time in the event that your normal lot is inaccessible. Individuals with permits are expected to continue to park in their allotted location(s). However, leniency will be in place during a strike for a permit holder to park in a nearby lot.

Will my co-op work term continue in the event of a strike?

The members of the UPEI Co-op Office team are not members of the UPEI Faculty Association, and, therefore, their work will carry on uninterrupted in the event of a strike. They will continue to be reachable.

Job development for summer work terms will continue, and they will continue to seek employment opportunities for students for Summer 2023. They do not expect any disruption to students being hired, or completing their summer work terms.

Students completing Winter 2023 work terms will continue their work terms as planned, with any changes to assignments (requirements, deadlines) communicated directly. The Co-op team will reach out to students whose direct supervisors are faculty members with details and arrangements for their work and supervision.

Will my grades for my Career Skills courses be impacted by a strike?

Career Skills courses are non-credit, and final grades are submitted by the UPEI Co-op Office team directly, so they will not be impacted by a strike. Many of these grades for the Winter term have been submitted already.

I am a Nursing/Nurse Practitioner, Education, or Veterinary Medicine student. Will I still be able to go on my placement, or participate in internships/residencies?

The Faculties of Nursing, Education, and Veterinary Medicine will make every attempt to ensure continuation of placements and internship programs. Please contact your Dean’s office to confirm arrangements.

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