Dear Concordia,

This notice is to inform you that throughout August and September, over 10 student associations representing over 5,000 students in the faculty of Arts and Science voted YES to strike from class on October 3, 4, 5, 6, and 7 in lieu of a fall semester reading week. All classes held on and between those dates will be shut down by the student association. 

Despite years of student advocacy throughout the 2010’s– Concordia remains one of the few Universities in Canada who has yet to introduce a standard reading week during the fall semester, and won’t for another year. 

Concordia’s website emphasizes the benefits of a reading week for both students and faculty. 

With benefits for students including;

  • Catch-up time for coursework and prepare for midterms;​

  • Accommodates those who wish to travel home to visit family;​

  • Offers mental health benefits such as lowering anxiety and stress by giving a pause during the term;

  • Creates conditions for increased student success.

And benefits for faculty including; 

  • Catch-up time for teaching activities (course prep, grading, etc.); ​

  • Provides intensive research time in the middle of the term;​

  • Time to write grant applications during high season; ​

  • Facilitates the planning of out-of-town academic outreach activities.

The past two years have been extremely challenging for students. In Town Halls hosted by the CSU and ASFA in 2020 and 2021 students reported feelings of burnout, digital fatigue and stress from taking on multiple jobs to keep up with the rising cost of living. A reading day is not enough. Students deserve a week-long break from classes and to enjoy the many benefits of having a reading week immediately. 

We ask that faculty members respect students' collective and democratic decision to take a break this semester by taking time to review and adjust your course syllabus to accommodate the reading week chosen by the MA with your class. 

If you are a faculty member who is unsupportive of our decision, we respectfully ask that you make it clear if an alternative class will be hosted  online, whether or not there will be any penalties for missed assignments during the strike and what those penalties are. 

Regards, 

Arts and Science Students