Academic programming – classes and work placements

In the event of a strike:

Classes

• All classes will be cancelled in the event of a strike by faculty members.
• The exact impact of a strike will depend on what program you’re taking, the timing of a strike and how long it lasts.
• Specific information about your program will be shared with you by your program’s Academic Chair. For example, once classes resume, course content and assignments may need to be reduced, rescheduled and/or modified to fit a shortened timeline.
• Program impacts will be assessed regularly and decisions regarding potential adjustments will be made on a weekly basis. In the event of an extended strike, some adjustments to the current academic calendar may be necessary. We will communicate any changes by email and through this site.

Apprenticeship classes

• All apprenticeship classes will be cancelled in the event of a strike by faculty members.
• The Nova Scotia Apprenticeship Agency (NSAA) will contact apprenticeship students.

Coursework, assignments and tests

• You are encouraged, wherever possible, to work independently on course material and assignments.
• You will continue to have access to Brightspace during a strike.
• You are not expected to do coursework or complete tests during a strike, but you are encouraged, wherever possible, to work independently and stay current on your course materials and assignments.
• You are not accountable to deadlines during a strike:
  • Tests may still become active (open) in Brightspace, but you’re not required to complete them until after strike action is resolved and testing dates have been updated.
  • Brightspace may continue to show assignments/items as due – these dates will be updated when strike action is resolved.
• You may choose to submit assignments, but you won’t receive a response from your instructors during a strike.
• Faculty members will not be available to answer questions or provide feedback, grades or any communication while on strike.
• You will receive updates about changes to assignments and/or deadline extensions when the strike ends.
• If you have questions about your program and/or courses, contact your Academic Chair or Program Manager. If you don’t know who this is, view “key contacts” under your Campus page on Connect.

Testing Centre

• The Testing Centre is closed for tests scheduled for an NSCC class as faculty will be unavailable to assist with questions. These Testing Centre appointments will be cancelled (you will receive an email). Updates to testing dates will be made once strike action is resolved.
• The Testing Centre remains open for proctor tests for outside organizations.

Withdrawals

• Depending on the duration of a strike, a decision will be made at the appropriate time regarding any changes to course withdrawals and transcript notations.

Work placements

• Decisions regarding work-integrated learning will be made on a weekly basis. In the event of an extended strike, some adjustments may be necessary. We will communicate any changes via email and through this site.
• If you are in a current work placement or have an upcoming work placement, we will communicate with you directly via email about any impacts.

Portfolio

• Depending on the duration of a strike, a decision will be made regarding any changes to course and/or graduating requirements, like the portfolio, at the appropriate time.

Continuing education and customized training

• Most continuing education offerings and customized training will not continue during a strike. There are some exceptions for funded and contractually-obligated offerings (e.g., C2R2, CICan).
• If you are part of an offering that is proceeding, you will be contacted via email.

Student supports and services

In the event of a strike:

• Campus hours may be affected and may vary from campus to campus.
• We will make every effort to provide you with access to libraries, bookstores, Student Services, Business Offices, Learning Commons, computer labs, testing centres, fitness facilities, cafeterias, classrooms, student meeting spaces (as needed), Technical Support and student housing facilities, adjusted at the campus level based on demand.
• Live Chat and email will continue to be answered by front-line staff and Managers, Student Services.
• Services related to your student account will not be affected. You will continue to be able to access your student account.

Student mental health supports

• You have access to free mental health and wellbeing supports, services and resources, including culturally-responsive supports for Mi’kmaw and Indigenous students and/or Black and African Canadian students. Explore mental wellness supports
• Find community resources and services near you by visiting 211.ns.ca
• If you use the College’s counselling services and your counsellor is unavailable because of a strike and you’re in need of support, please contact Student Services at your campus to reach the Manager, Student Services.

Funding

In the event of a strike:

• If students can complete their program, there is no tuition refund option.
• Depending on the timing and duration of a strike, and if options to complete can’t be presented to students, an extension of withdrawal dates or a graduated refund schedule may be considered.
• Some programs and courses have unique start dates and are shorter in duration. They may be in a refund situation if the course or program can’t be delivered or deferred. The important consideration is the start date and duration of the course or program relative to when the impact occurs to program delivery.
• We have many students at NSCC who receive financial support through several funding partners. We are working with all these funding partners to assess the potential impact and then communicate directly and early with students.

International students

In the event of a strike:

• Your study permit will not be impacted. Find out more from Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC).
• If you have immigration questions, please contact us through our Immigration Questions form.
• If you are working off campus, you can continue to do so.
• If you are working in a student casual position with the College, your supervisor will contact you. You can continue working provided your work is still required and the duties you’re performing are not Faculty or Professional Support duties.
• You will continue to be eligible for the Post Graduate Work Permit program.

Campus access

In the event of a strike:

• Campuses will be open. There will be no campus access restrictions for non-striking employees, students or community members.
• Campus hours may be affected and may vary from campus to campus. View campus hours
• We will make every effort to provide you with access to libraries, bookstores, Student Services, Business Offices, Learning Commons, computer labs, testing centres, fitness facilities, cafeterias, classrooms, student meeting spaces (as needed), Technical Support and student housing facilities, adjusted at the campus level based on demand.
• Access to daycare centres on our campuses should not be affected at any stage of the collective bargaining process.
• After-hours events and activities on campus (e.g., sports team practices, cultural events, external meetings, etc.) will continue as long as is feasible to support (i.e., there is necessary staff support and no other impediments).
• Campus management teams will ensure the appropriate external users are notified of the cancellation if these events can no longer be supported due to limited resources.

Picket lines

• Students, non-striking employees and community members will not be prevented from crossing picket lines.
• If/when crossing a picket line:
  • Expect delays – Picketers have the right to slow down both walking and driving traffic at the picket line. Be patient and allow the process to unfold.
  • Be respectful – Emotions may run high during a strike. Don’t take comments or events personally and don’t engage in confrontation.
  • Reach out if you need help – Each campus will communicate a phone number you can call or text for assistance if you are experiencing any difficulties accessing the campus.
• All students and employees must continue to behave in a respectful manner, as outlined in NSCC’s Respectful Community Policy (intranet login required) and our Student Community Standards Policy. Both policies emphasize respectful relationships, proactive problem-solving and addressing harm – if it occurs – in a restorative way.

Campus housing

In the event of a strike:

• We will continue to ensure our 3 campus student housing facilities remain open for students who rely on the facilities for their place of residence.
• Cafeteria access will continue to be available.
• New housing construction projects: we have reached out to all construction project contractors to ensure they are aware of the situation as it relates to our employees/collective bargaining process so they understand what to expect and can plan from their end how to ensure College construction projects remain on time – especially those we are planning to have in operation this fall.

Scholarships, bursaries and awards

• A number of outside agencies set the policies and standards for scholarships and awards. To the extent possible, the College will work on a case-by-case basis with the recipient and the funding party if there is any potential impact.

Student loans

• The College is in discussion with student loan personnel and will advise students of any potential impact.
• You will continue to receive government aid if you don’t reduce your credit hours below the loan agreement you have with provincial/federal loan agencies.

Convocation (graduation) and other events

In the event of a strike:

• We will make every effort to ensure events such as graduation can proceed.
• Events will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis.
• Any key updates will be communicated through both internal and external College channels at the earliest opportunity.

Processing new applications

In the event of a strike:

• The College is still accepting applications for 2024-25. Future students can expect a delay in processing times.
• International student applications: The deadline for international student applications is April 1, 2024. You can expect a delay in processing times – this delay won’t impact the eligibility of your application, but could reduce the time you have to apply for a study permit if you’re offered a seat.

Student casual employees

In the event of a strike:

• If you are working in a student casual position with the College, you can continue to do so provided your work is still required and the duties you’re performing are not Faculty or Professional Support duties.