It’s not only UNB students who haven’t been able to get to class lately. For a number of St. Thomas students, the strike has also affected their class schedule.
STU students are able to take classes at UNB. For some, these classes are necessary to take in time of graduation.
STU communications director Jeffrey Carleton said there are 85 St. Thomas students this semester taking classes at UNB, 10 of which are set to graduate. Carleton said each student is being dealt with on a case-to-case basis.
Carleton said there are 41 UNB students taking classes at STU this semester.
Suraj Sidhu is set to graduate in the December convocation and is studying economics and business. To get his business major, he’s required to take two UNB classes each semester.
Originally from India, the STU international student is frustrated with the situation.
“It sucks because I’m paying a lot [to be here] and I’m only taking three courses,” said Sidhu. “I don’t have a job so there’s not much for me to do. Just playing Playstation and getting bored.”
Sidhu doesn’t know what he’ll do if the lockout lasts long enough to cancel the semester. He said he does have six extra credits, but won’t be able to graduate on time with his business degree.
Sidhu said the professors do have a good reason for striking, but it’s not benefiting the students.
“I’m feeling useless,” said Sidhu. “I want to be taking those courses and doing something with my time.”
Hilary Ball is a fourth year Great Books and English honours student. This year, she was taking an American Literature class at UNB to help get credits towards her English degree.
The class was one of many she could take across both campuses, but she thought an American Literature class would look good on her transcript. She also said she didn’t want to take the classes offered at St. Thomas which would fill the same requirements because they were film classes.
Since the strike started, Ball hasn’t dropped the class but has registered for a STU course as a back-up plan.
“It’s frustrating because I was really enjoying the [UNB] course,” said Ball. “But the strike won’t have any detriment on my ability to graduate on time.”
Ball said it’s difficult to watch these events happen down the hill as a STU student.
“It’s definitely inconvenient because, obviously, life at STU goes on,” said Ball. “So, I have to switch my schedule around a little bit. Again, it’s frustrating but it’s not the end of the world.”
Ball said if the lockout continues for more than two weeks, she probably won’t be able to go back to her UNB class. She also refused to comment on what her impression of the strike and lockout is.
