VIU semester could be extended

Students at Vancouver Island University could have their semester extended if the ongoing faculty strike is not settled by Monday, the Nanaimo Daily News reported. "Deans and others at the University are currently in discussions on ways to mitigate the effects of the strike upon students," read a statement on VIU’s website. However, no talks are currently scheduled at this time. Meanwhile, the university plans to move English-as-a-second-language courses off campus where the VIU Faculty Association cannot interfere with picket lines. ESL courses are taught by a separate union, the B.C. Government Employees’ Union, who recently completed collective bargaining with the university. BCGEU members are also responsible for teaching trades, health sciences and adult basic education, which could also be restarted off campus if the VIUFA strike is not resolved soon.