The College Student Alliance has scheduled a Students First Rally at Queen's Park on Wednesday as a strike by faculty enters week three.
On it's Facebook page, the Alliance says 'the risk of losing our semester becomes more of a reality' if the strike hits a third week.
"Students are feeling increasingly helpless and frustrated as the college faculty strike goes on. A unified voice showing our strength will pressure both sides to make a deal immediately and demonstrate the seriousness of the situation for college students. Students are currently being used as pawns in negotiations without actually having a voice at the table. It’s time to have the student voice heard loud and clear," the Alliance stated.
In its latest update to students, Georgian College is offering assurances that 'academic completion plans' will be created for each program.
The college says on its website that detailed information regarding course content and assignments will be available when students return to class.
"The approach we use will differ across programs and courses and ultimately, will depend on the length of the strike," it reads.
Georgian says there's no plan to change the holiday break in December.
"We understand many students have already made travel plans and reservations. While we are working on an academic completion plan for students to complete their year when the strike ends, this is not one of the measures being considered at this time."
An online petition that garnered more than 100,000 signatures demanded that students get a partial refund for their tuition, depending on how long the faculty walkout lasts.
Georgian also addresses that issue, acknowledging this is a 'stressful time for students and their families.'
"A refund on tuition presumes that students will not have the opportunity to complete their academic year. We fully expect students to be able to complete their year once the strike ends. Plans to complete the semester will be put in place and communicated at that time. No Ontario college student has ever lost their academic year because of a strike," the college said.
Fall convocation ceremonies were cancelled due to the strike. Future dates will be announced once the strike ends, according to the college, and credentials will be mailed to students the week of Nov. 6 or earlier.
There have been no talks between the Ontario Public Service Employees Union and the College Employer Council since Oct. 16 when 12,000 college instructors, counsellors and librarians walked off the job.
"We are reaching a point at which students are in real danger of losing their semester," OPSEU states in an update posted Friday on its website.
"The colleges are trying to reassure students that they have a plan, but if they do, faculty have not seen it."
A mass OPSEU rally is planned for Thursday at noon at Queen's Park.
The union for striking faculty is calling on the Liberal government to direct the College Employer Council back to the bargaining table.
