Students Unite to End Current Academic Labour Unrest

Strong Academics + Strong Colleges = Strong(er) Students

TORONTO , Feb. 9 /CNW/ - College students from across the province are uniting to deliver a simple equation to both the colleges and the over 10,000 full-time academic staff, "Strong Academics + Strong Colleges = Strong(er) Students". The College Student Alliance (CSA) and its members are launching the Strong(er) Campaign today to remind the colleges and the faculty of their shared role in creating strong students and graduates.

"With faculty set to vote on the colleges' 'final' offer this week and the very real threat of a province-wide academic strike looming over the college system, students are concerned as their education hangs in the balance," says Justin Fox , President of the College Student Alliance.

The Strong(er) Campaign was designed to remind everyone why colleges exist: it's the students. If there were no students then there would be no need for Ontario's 24 colleges and their campuses in over 100 different communities. Along with wearing the 'Strong(er)' bracelets students will be sharing their personal worries, frustrations and explaining how a strike would impact them. All of the stories and video pleas will be uploaded to our central strike information website, www.collegestrike.ca.

"Students are frustrated, angry and panicked as the colleges and the faculty have not been able to resolve their issues," adds Fox.

The CSA and students are urging all full-time and partial load professors, librarians and counselors to review the final offer being proposed; think about where the right place for their students is; and vote on Wednesday, February 10th . The result is too important for everyone concerned. All academic staff must go out and exercise their vote.

"It is time that our colleges get back to focusing on providing relevant and timely education and training to ensure that Ontario and Ontarians are able to recover from the recent recession rather than facing potential province-wide strike," adds Tyler Charlebois , Director of Advocacy.

For more information on the potential strike and its impacts on students, visit www.collegestrike.ca.

The College Student Alliance (CSA) is an advocacy and leadership organization, which has been proudly serving Ontario's college and college-university students since 1975. The CSA currently represents 17 colleges and 25 member councils with over 127,000 full-time student members throughout the province.

For further information: Tyler Charlebois, Director of Advocacy, College Student Alliance, T: [phone], E: [email protected]; Justin Fox, President, College Student Alliance, T: [phone], ext. 4524, E: [email protected]