The academic mission of the University remains intact despite the ongoing strike.
With Winter Term classes ending this week, uncertainty remains about students’ academic standing. In an e-mail to the Queen’s community on April 3, Provost and Vice-Principal (Academic) Matthew Evans gave an update on the ongoing Public Service Alliance of Canada (PSAC) 901, Unit 1, strike from the University’s end, now that the strike is finishing its fourth week, assuring students there are solutions in place.
Evans highlighted while negotiations continue, over 240 PSAC union have returned to work, assisting students and faculty as the term concludes. Striking who wish to resume their duties may do so by submitting a “Request to Work during Strike” form to their managers.
Included in the e-mail is an Open Letter by Gavan Watson, vice-provost (teaching and learning), which states the University is adapting its grading policies in response to the ongoing labour disruption.
According to the letter, the University’s Academic Operations Committee has recommended the use of Credit Standing (CR) in select cases, rather than Grade Deferred (GD), to prevent academic setbacks for students.
While CR is typically used in exceptional personal circumstances and implies a student ed the respective course but doesn’t show the actual grade earned, GD means the grading for the course has been delayed.
According to Watson, while instructors are expected to assign final letter grades where possible, GD isn’t suitable during the disruption due to its negative impact on students’ academic progress. GD freezes academic records, complicates registration, and hinders graduation and further study opportunities. As a result, its use will be limited to rare cases, such as those involving academic integrity investigations.
“This pan-institutional, shared approach to using CR when a letter or numerical grade cannot be calculated reflects a measured, collaborative, and student-centred response to an exceptional situation. It protects academic standards while minimizing academic harm to students,” Watson said.
In the e-mail, Evans also addressed recent disruptions linked to the strike, including delays in food deliveries to campus dining halls, interruptions at exam proctor meetings, and reports of faculty and staff being targeted. He underscored the importance of maintaining respectful engagement within the University community.
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