St. Clair College is getting ready to re-open its doors after back-to-work legislation passed Sunday.
Bill-178 passed 39 to 18, forcing more than 12,000 professors, instructors, counsellors, and librarians — who have been on the picket line since Oct. 15 — back to work Tuesday.
St. Clair's John Fairley says administration has covered its bases and students will be ready to resume their studies.
They should follow their existing class schedule for Nov. 21, he added.
"New frequently asked questions on our website that have been anticipated or discussed on social-media, emails and phone calls we've received," he says. "Also the semester completion plans have been emailed to all the students."
Fairley admits there will be a lot of kinks to work out, but the college will work with students to resolve issues when they're brought forward.
"People have been asking about parking, my parking pass has been paid up until December and now you're going into January for part of the fall semester," says Fairley. "We've extended everyone's parking passes. Things like that are small things, but it's big to some people."
The strike dragged on for five weeks, but Fairley says with some adjustments, the fall semester will have minimal impact moving into the New Year.
"Taking away some holiday time and teaching all the way up to Dec. 22, coming back Jan. 2 instead of Jan.9," he says. "The fall semester is going to be a total of 14 weeks compared to 15 weeks, so really there's only been one week lost."
St. Clair College Student Representative Council President Nick Goran says that condensed schedule is at the forefront in most of his classmates minds.
"Time is the big issue at this point, we only have so much time, are we going to be able to cram all this information in," he says. "At this point we believe that it is possible."
Fairley says the college is aware of the added stress reduced holiday and preparation time can have on both students and staff — administration will work with the SRC.
Goran says making up for the loss of that downtime needs to be a priority — both faculty and students need to unplug throughout the semester.
"A de-stress week, we usually do that later on during exam week, but I think that task will be extended on throughout the semester," says Goran. "It's going to be a big, big thing on campus to try to assure students we are there for them."
The province mandated a "hardship fund” made up of unpaid wages to striking staff and other savings from not operating the schools.
Goran says the SRC will make sure the students have a voice in the process of deciding how the money is distributed.
"We will be sitting on that fund regulation [committee] on how the fund is administered, but at the same time our focus is on the success of students," he says. "We will plan accordingly to what the students need, and what they ask for."
Both Goran and Fairley say input from students is imperative moving forward. They encourage anyone with concerns, or in need of help, to reach out.
Ontario Public Service Employees Union Local 138 President Bernie Nawrocki says — despite the outcome of Sundays vote — students should rest assured that teachers will resume work whole-heartedly.
Details of the Fall Semester Completion Plan are available at www.stclaircollege.ca.