Sheridan Confirms Total Number of Student Withdrawals Following Faculty Strike

Sheridan College has confirmed that 1,917 students have withdrawn from their programs as a result of the province-wide faculty strike.  This number represents 8.5% of the full-time Sheridan student body.

Those students who have not re-enrolled for the Winter term are being issued a full tuition refund, along with a refund of most ancillary fees (with the exception of health insurance and one software program).

In the days immediately following the end of the strike on November 19, 2,649 students gave notice through the Centre for Student Success that they were considering withdrawal.  Following meetings with student advisors who explained the plans for term completion and reviewed options with them on an individual basis, over 700 students chose to continue their studies in the Fall semester.

Of the 1,917 students who confirmed their withdrawal, 798 have re-enrolled in the Winter semester beginning in January, 2018. A further 14 students will resume their studies in the Spring semester, while 44 have deferred their return to the Fall of 2018.

“We recognize the significant toll that the lengthy faculty strike took on our students.  Faculty and staff worked hard to ensure they had all the information necessary to make an informed decision about continuing or deferring their studies,” says Dr. Janet Morrison, Provost and Vice President Academic.  “We’re very pleased that the majority of students are continuing their education at Sheridan, and we’re committed to upholding the quality and integrity of our programs to ensure that students receive the education they were promised when they chose Sheridan.”  

OPSEU announced on October 16 that it was taking its academic members (faculty, librarians and counsellors) out on strike.  The strike ended after the provincial government passed back to work legislation on November 19.  In order to enable students to complete the Fall semester, Sheridan has extended the term to January 12, and shortened the holiday break to just over a week (December 23 – January 1).

To assist students who experienced financial hardship due to the strike, the college is accepting applications to the Student Strike Relief Fund until the end of the Spring semester on April 27, 2018.