Article content-Negotiations began the last week of MayArticle content-Dalhousie Faculty Association contract expired June 30Article content-Strike vote taken from June 23 – July 4Article content-85.5 per cent of Dalhousie Faculty Association membership votedArticle content-91.2 per cent of membership voted in favour of a strike mandateArticle content-Dalhousie Faculty Association locked out by university Aug. 20Article content-Parties return to conciliation on Monday (Sept. 8)Article content-Dalhousie Faculty Association membership is 981 professors, librarians and professional counsellorsArticle content Keith Brunt, associate professor Dalhousie Medical School N.B., “At some point, they are going to have to demonstrate competencies in that material and that’s going to be more and more challenging every day, every week.” CONTRIBUTEDArticle contentCOURSE DISRUPTION ADDING STRESSArticle contentWhile the courses instructed by a DAF member aren’t able to be taught, students are being asked to self-study and peer learn until they return.Article contentBrunt said the impact is going to be felt by all students at the medical schools, particularly those in their first year who are just getting introduced to the program.Article contentFor students at Cape Breton Medical Campus, there are no older students to reach out to like there are at the other campuses. Brunt said this could make the disruption in course time more challenging.Article contentArticle content“I think Cape Breton has a unique aspect as it it’s fairly new and the students are figuring things out as much as the campus itself is figuring things out,” Brunt said.Article content“It’s not a total cessation of their learning, but it’s definitely a bridged version. So, the students, as I understand it, have been instructed to look at their content that they’re supposed to be getting and try to self-study and self-learn and peer educate as best they can. But, at some point, they are going to have to demonstrate competencies in that material and that’s going to be more and more challenging every day, every week.”Article contentHe also thinks not having access to core faculty, whose job is to be available all week to help students meet curriculum deliverables, will add strain on the medical professional community as well.Article content“That means being able to answer questions about their research projects, being able to follow up with lectures. I do things called professional competency tutoring. These are two to three-hour sessions every week that they learn how to engage and critical thinking and how to be a professional physician,” said Brunt.Article content“Not only will the students be stressed out, but our clinical colleagues who are MD’s (medical doctors), many of them with their own practices, are going to be called upon to do more and shuffle as best as they can to make up the differences, as best they can.”Article content
Courses at Cape Breton Medical Campus disrupted by Dalhousie lock-out
