Dear students,
Earlier today, Senate Executive (on behalf of Senate, the governing body of the university), approved several motions related to potential impacts on the academic schedule as a result of the
strike. During any labour disruption, the academic schedule is modified to maintain the integrity of courses and programs, and to ensure that requirements for accreditation are upheld. Modifications are made based on potential scenarios that reflect hypothetical
strike durations. In the motions noted below, two scenarios were presented to Senate Executive with hypothetical strike end dates (Scenario 1: on or before November 15; Scenario 2: between November 16 to 23). In both scenarios the fall academic term remains
intact and the winter term commences as planned.
Academic calendar modifications
Scenario 1 [Return to teaching on or before November 15]:
-
The last instructional day of fall term, December 10, 2021 remains unchanged
for continuing classes.
-
The last instructional day of fall term for interrupted classes will be December 16, 2021.
-
The voluntary withdrawal date will move from November 23
to November 29, 2021 for all classes, continuing and interrupted.
-
The December exam period will still occur from December 11 to December 23, 2021; however, given the extension of the fall term
for interrupted classes, a new exam schedule must be created. The new exam schedule includes dates on the weekends. This schedule will be complete and available to students by December 1, 2021 and
will replace the current exam schedule that was made available to students at the end of October.
Scenario 2 [Return to teaching between November 16 and November 23]:
-
The last instructional day of fall term, December 10, 2021 remains unchanged
for continuing classes.
-
The last instructional day for fall term for interrupted classes will be December 23, 2021.
-
The voluntary withdrawal date will move from November 23
to December 7, 2021 for all classes, continuing and interrupted.
-
The original exam period, December 11 to 23, 2021, will continue as is for continuing courses that are not disrupted by the strike.
-
The dates of the alternate exam period will be January 6 to 9, 2022, inclusive.
All courses interrupted by the strike will have their exams re-scheduled to occur during this alternate period.
-
The final grade appeal deadline will be moved from January 25, 2022, to January 28, 2022,
for all classes, continuing and interrupted.
*Slight modifications may be required for both scenarios. Full details about the academic calendar changes can be
found here.
What happens when the strike ends?
Once an agreement has been reached and the strike has ended, things may move quickly. UM and UMFA will announce that a tentative agreement has been reached, subject to ratification, and that
will include the date when courses will resume.
Senate Executive also passed two motions intended to reduce any undue anxiety or hardship for students impacted by the strike:
-
No assignments will be due or exams held in interrupted courses within 72 hours of those courses resuming. This is to give students some time to complete assignments and to study.
- Some students will have a combination of courses that continued throughout the strike, and courses with modified schedules because the instructor was on strike. Academic unit heads and academic
staff shall ensure that students are not disadvantaged with respect to any missed classes, materials, assignments/tests when there is a scheduling conflict between a class and an exam. Please communicate directly with your instructors if you have a conflict.
This uncertainty can be stressful – please know that UM’s
student support offices are open and more than happy to help during this time. Do not hesitate to reach out. There are also a variety of other resources being shared on our
student Instagram account including academic resources and health and wellness supports.
If you have questions, visit the
strike information website. If your questions are not answered there, please email
strikeum@umanitoba.ca and we will help find you an answer.
Thank you for your patience during this challenging time. I know we all look forward to putting this chapter behind us.
Warmly,
Laurie
Laurie M. Schnarr, MA
(she/her)
Vice-Provost (Students)
Office of the Provost and Vice-President (Academic)
University of Manitoba
208 Administration Building
Winnipeg, MB R3T 2N2
Tel: 204.474.6919
Confidential Assistant - Marci Davies
Marci.Davies@umanitoba.ca: 204.474.6917
Student Affairs: Creating opportunities for student success!
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