Q: Is winter (mid-term) break going ahead as planned? (updated 02/03)
Winter semester break is planned as scheduled. Winter break will take place Feb 20-24, 2023.
Q: I am an international student. Where can I find information on how a strike could affect my immigration status?
Information on what a strike means for international students is available here and on the IRCC Help Centre page.
A strike would have to last beyond 150 days to affect student immigration status. Based on the fact that no Canadian university has ever experienced a strike of this length, we want to assure students that this is an unlikely scenario. We do not anticipate immigration status being affected by a strike at Memorial given the history of strikes at Canadian universities and we encourage all students with questions about their immigration status to contact international@grenfell.mun.ca.
International students are one of the most vulnerable populations on Canadian university campuses. Part of what makes international students vulnerable is the temporary nature of their immigration status. Regulated Canadian Immigration Advisors (RCICs) and Regulated International Student Advisors (RISIAs) have a legal obligation to ensure that any immigration information provided to students is fully accurate and empowers students to make decisions for themselves and their families. This is not done lightly, but with the greatest care and commitment to the wellbeing of international students.
Q: Is food services on campus impacted?
The Grove will be open 11 a.m. - 6 p.m. Take away bags are available through pre-order by visiting The Grove. Brewed on Campus will be temporarily closed.
Q: Is there information specific to students living in student residences?
Yes, please visit Grenfell's Student Housing page.
Q: Is the Learning Centre and tutoring services be available to students?
Yes, the Learning Centre will remain open at regularly scheduled hours. Math and writing services will continue to be available and students should use the online booking system under MyGrenfell to schedule their appointments. Math Corner will continue as scheduled. Supplemental Instruction and open tutoring will continue but may have some modifications. ACES will be open.
Q: Will the strike impact the winter semester?
Memorial will do everything in its power to ensure students are able to complete their semester. Our team will monitor the level of impact depending on the length of a strike and plan for all scenarios. If any changes are needed to the academic diary, they will be widely communicated at the conclusion of labour action. If any changes are needed to the academic diary, they will be widely communicated at the conclusion of labour action.
Q: I am currently employed in a MUCEP/ISWEP/SWASP/GradSwep placement this semester. Will I continue to work and get paid?
If your supervisor is a MUNFA member, and has assigned independent work, or if you have an additional non-MUNFA supervisor, you can continue to work.
If there are no alternative work arrangements, or you prefer not to work during the labour disruption, your employment opportunity would be interrupted until a resolution is reached. Please note, if your campus employment is interrupted, once a resolution is reached, Memorial will work closely with your supervisor to help students complete their hours for their MUCEP/ISWEP/SWASP/GradSWEP placement this semester. If your campus employment has been interrupted by the strike, please reach out to info@mun.ca to let them know.
Q: What if I have a campus job, but I am not comfortable crossing the picket line?
If your campus job supervisor is a non-MUNFA member and you are not comfortable crossing the picket line, we encourage students to discuss options such as independent projects with your supervisor to complete your hours during the labour disruption.
Some campus positions may not lend themselves to alternate arrangements, and in those instances, students may be expected to report to work in order to keep certain campus student services operating. If you are not comfortable coming on campus, please reach out to your supervisor to discuss further.
Q: Will my tuition be refunded?
The university will do everything in its power to ensure the term is not lost and that students have a reasonable opportunity to complete all courses.
Our team will monitor the level of impact depending on the length of a strike and plan for all scenarios.
If any changes are needed to the academic diary, they will be widely communicated at the conclusion of labour action.
Q: Will the add/drop deadlines be changed if there is a strike?
Following any job action, the academic diary will be reviewed and any changes will be widely communicated.
Q: I’m due to graduate in May. Will job action affect my ability to graduate?
Courses taught by members of MUNFA are paused.
For graduate students, PhD comprehensive exams and oral thesis defences, which normally require the participation of MUNFA members, are paused. Dates would be rescheduled as soon as possible when job action ends.
When the job action ends, the university will do everything in its power to extend and/or condense the term to ensure the term is not lost and senior students will be able to graduate on time.
Q: Will the semester be lost or cancelled because of the strike?
The university will do everything in its power to extend and/or condense the term to ensure the term is not lost.
Q: I’m a student and I haven’t paid my tuition yet for the winter 2023 semester. Should I?
Yes. There is no change to the fee schedule for the winter 2023 semester.
Q: Can I cross a picket line?
Students can cross the picket line. You are entitled to enter the university’s buildings, to attend continuing classes and access student services. Please note that on the picket line are members of our university community, and we should all continue to be respectful of each other during this period of disruption. If you are attending in-person classes or labs, we encourage you to exercise patience and caution in crossing any picket line. All parties, including employees on strike and individuals crossing the picket line, are responsible for refraining from illegal behaviour. If you experience problems or are involved in an incident while crossing the picket line, please report this via the MUN Safe app.
Picket lines will be set up at the entrances to campus, not the entrances to buildings. For more information on crossing a picket line, visit Tips for safely crossing a picket line.
Q: I'm not comfortable crossing the picket line. Am I still expected to attend class?
If a student chooses not to cross the picket line, and their course is continuing during the strike, the student is still responsible for material covered in any class or lab that is included in the course syllabus. Course requirements at this time are, as always, set by the instructor of the course. Please contact your course instructor with any questions related to a particular course.
Q: I’m due to graduate in May. Will the job action affect my ability to graduate?
During job action by MUNFA, courses taught by members of that union will be paused.
For graduate students, PhD comprehensive exams and oral thesis defences, which normally require the participation of MUNFA members, will be paused during job action. Dates would be rescheduled as soon as possible when job action ends.
When the job action ends, the university will do everything in its power to extend and/or condense the term to ensure the term is not lost and senior students will be able to graduate on time.
Q: I’m an international student. In a strike, what happens to the status of my student visa?
If you are an international student and have questions about your status in Canada during a strike, please contact the immigration advising team by emailing
international@grenfell.mun.ca.
You can also review the following links from the Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada website, which address the issue of study permit compliance and work authorization for returning students:
Q: Is the library be open? Will all buildings remain open?
Access to Memorial University Libraries and its collections will remain available with modifications to some services and hours.
The library will be open Monday-Friday 8 a.m. – 5 p.m. Staff are available to provide some assistance and check out material, but please note, our Public Services Librarian is an academic staff member and part of MUNFA, and therefore unavailable for one-on-one reference help or library instruction classes.
Please check out Memorial Libraries FAQ: www.library.mun.ca/grenfell/news/TheLibrariesLabourActionFAQ.html
All other Grenfell buildings will be open but you may have to cross a picket line to access them.
Q: I am currently employed in a MUCEP/ISWEP/SWASP/GradSwep placement this semester. Will I continue to work and get paid?
If your supervisor is a MUNFA member, and has assigned independent work, or if you have an additional non-MUNFA supervisor, you can continue to work.
If there are no alternative work arrangements, or you prefer not to work during the labour disruption, your employment opportunity would be interrupted until a resolution is reached. Please note, if your campus employment is interrupted, once a resolution is reached, Memorial will work closely with your supervisor to help students complete their hours for their MUCEP/ISWEP/SWASP/GradSWEP placement this semester. If your campus employment has been interrupted by the strike, please reach out to ask@mun.ca to let them know.
Q: What if I have a campus job, but I am not comfortable crossing the picket line?
If your campus job supervisor is a non-MUNFA member and you are not comfortable crossing the picket line, we encourage students to discuss options such as independent projects with your supervisor to complete your hours during the labour disruption.
Some campus positions may not lend themselves to alternate arrangements, and in those instances, students may be expected to report to work in order to keep certain campus student services operating. If you are not comfortable coming on campus, please reach out to your supervisor to discuss further.
Q: I’m due to graduate in May. Will the job action affect my ability to graduate?
During job action by MUNFA, courses taught by members of that union will be paused.
For graduate students, PhD comprehensive exams and oral thesis defences, which normally require the participation of MUNFA members, will be paused during job action. Dates would be rescheduled as soon as possible when job action ends.
When the job action ends, the university will do everything in its power to extend and/or condense the term to ensure the term is not lost and senior students will be able to graduate on time.
Q: Will tests and assignments go ahead?
Tutorials, tests, exams and assignments for classes taught by MUNFA faculty will be paused for the duration of the job action.
Q: During the strike, will Brightspace still be available?
Brightspace will continue to be accessible to students, however, MUNFA members may choose to pause access to their course shell(s) during job action.
Q: Can I reach my professor during the strike?
Office hours of MUNFA members will also be paused.
Brightspace will continue to be accessible to students, however MUNFA members may choose to pause access to their course shell(s) in the event of job action.
Q: What if I have a campus job, but I am not comfortable crossing the picket line?
If your campus job supervisor is a non-MUNFA member and you are not comfortable crossing the picket line, we encourage students to discuss options such as independent projects with your supervisor to complete your hours during the labour disruption.
Some campus positions may not lend themselves to alternate arrangements, and in those instances, students may be expected to report to work in order to keep certain campus student services operating. If you are not comfortable coming on campus, please reach out to your supervisor to discuss further.
Q: What happens at Harlow Campus during the strike?
Students currently studying at Harlow Campus, or using it as a base for work placements, can remain at Harlow. In general, experiential learning activities will continue in the event of job action.
Q: What mental health resources are available to students during the strike?
Counselling and Psychological Services (CPS) will not be available as counsellors are members of MUNFA . This includes both individual counselling and group sessions. If you have a scheduled appointment(s), they will resume or be rescheduled once the labour dispute is resolved and lectures resume.
The Student Wellness and Counselling Centre (SWCC), can offer virtual counselling appointments. Make an appointment through the Student Wellness and Counselling Centre website.
www.wellnesstogether.ca and www.bridgethegapp.ca are helpful websites. If you would like to talk to a mental health professional, please see the resources below. In emergency call 911, or if on campus call CEP at 637-2888
- MY SSP app (Keep.meSAFE): Through keep.meSAFE, real-time call and chat services are available 24/7 in the several languages.
- Doorways, 35 Boone's Road (virtual option available upon request), 634.4506: Provides rapid access to mental health and addictions counselling services 'one session at a time'. Drop-in counselling services are available without an appointment or referral at Corner Brook location M-F 8:30am-4:30pm (and until 8pm on Tuesdays)
- Mental Health Liaison Nurse: Between 4pm and midnight, individuals can present at the emergency department at Western Memorial Regional Hospital and request to speak to MH Liaison nurse.
- Call 811: speak with a crisis line worker or access mobile mental health crisis team if you have mental health or addictions issues
Q: Where will I get information on how the strike will impact me?
This website will contain all updates for all audiences. It is also important to check your @mun email address frequently as this is your means of official communications with the university, particularly with the Office of the Registrar. Any critical information related to updates or changes in class schedules will be sent to you via your @mun.ca email address.
Urgent information will also be provided through the MUNSafe App. This free app can be downloaded through the App store.
Q: Can I use classrooms to study?
If a classroom is not in use for teaching and learning and otherwise unoccupied, students are welcome to use empty classrooms to study.
Q: Are computer labs open during a strike?
Yes, in the event of a labour disruption, computer labs will remain open.