York's University's 'sham summer' raises 'deeply troubling questions' about academic integrity, warns CUPE 3903

TORONTO, May 23, 2018 /CNW/ - Efforts to mount a summer term for students in the midst of a three-month long strike by its academic workers raise 'deeply troubling questions' about York University's commitment to academic integrity, according to the Chairperson of Local 3903 of the Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE 3903), the union representing 3,000 striking teaching assistants, contract faculty and graduate assistants.

"The summer term commencing this week can charitably be called a sham term," said CUPE 3903 Chairperson Devin Lefebvre, adding that in the absence of the majority of instructional staff, "York's ability to meet even a basic standard of academic integrity for the term is somewhere between slim and none."

Units 1, 2 and 3 of CUPE 3903 went on strike March 5 in an effort to secure a fair, concession-free contract that takes steps towards addressing deep levels of insecure, precarious employment for academic workers in the post-secondary education sector.

"Considering that the Winter semester is still outstanding, with made-up "provisional grades" and unclear policies around tuition and OSAP, as well as severely reduced course offerings, trying to run the Summer semester concurrently is a recipe for disaster," said Lefebvre.

"This raises deeply troubling questions about whether York University is capable of or even interested in maintaining academic integrity over this or any other term, going forward," he added.

Throughout the week, members of CUPE 3903 are strengthening picket lines around the York University campus.

"We want students and members of the York community to understand that by unnecessarily prolonging this strike, the York administration is jeopardizing their own reputation, as well as the quality of education for every student. We urge York to end their refusal to bargain and agree to a resumption of bargaining," said Lefebvre.

SOURCE Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE)