The Nipisising University Student Union has decided to stay neutral during negotiations between the faculty and the administration during the strike.
However, the Student Union has called out the faculty because of student complaints about incidents at the picket line between faculty and students.
The Student Union says a fourth year Nursing Student was attempting to go through the picket line and when she told one male professor that she was getting grad pictures done at the school he retorted: “That’s the best one I’ve heard today, you really think you are going to be graduating?”
The comments outraged the fourth year student who contacted NUSU about the incident.
"We are saddened to hear that this incident took place; however, it is not an isolated event,” stated Andrew Deugo, VP Student Life of NUSU.
“Unfortunately, prior to this we have had other complaints, as well as testimony from student members and workplace staff in regards to what they feel as inappropriate conduct by professional academics.
“We are by no means painting each faculty member with the same brush; however, we condemn any action taken to make students feel uncomfortable, emotionally distraught or stressed.”
Deugo says the Nipissing University Faculty Association Executive has had more than due notice about complaints arising from picket line conduct.
“The letter represents the culmination of the NUFA Executives unwillingness to address the Student Union and the average student plight to fix their picketers behaviour at the line despite our best efforts. We would respectfully ask that throughout the remainder of these negotiations, and further into the classroom, that faculty start and continue to respect that students have their own voices and opinions in these proceedings.”
NUFA President Susan Srigley was surprised with the Student Union, she says it's unfortunate that any one may have had a bad experience on the line.
"We haven't had any specific details other than the anonymous letter posted by NUSU today from the Nursing student, but NUSU has contacted us about their concerns and we have responded to them and addressed these issues with our membership," she said in an email to BayToday.ca.
"It is regrettable, since the support from students, staff and the community has been largely positive on the line and as you know Wednesday the students at the sit-in joined us on the picket line. It is impossible to control every situation."
