York University’s senate executive has approved the resumption of nearly all classes at the university, despite an ongoing strike by teaching assistants and graduate students.
“Our most immediate priority must now be finalizing plans to allow as many students as possible to return to their studies in order to complete their terms,” Provost Rhonda Lenton said in a statement Monday afternoon. “This in no way diminishes the imperative of resolving the labour disruption as soon as possible.”
Lenton said classes at the Glendon campus and in the faculties of education, health, science and the School of the Arts, Media, Performance and Design classes will resume Tuesday. Classes in the faculties of environmental studies and liberal arts and professional studies will be back in session by March 23.
The move comes amid ongoing negotiations with striking teaching assistants and graduate students.
Over 300 courses resumed last week after contract teaching staff voted to accept an offer put forward to them by the university.
Despite the resumption, the university said some courses taught by workers who remain on strike may not resume. Labs and tutorials may also remain inactive and some work may only be graded until after the strike is resolved, the statement said.
The final exam schedule will also be pushed back a week for most courses.
Teaching assistants and graduate students have been on strike at the university since March 2 in a dispute that has revolved around wages and job security.
