Daily Bulletin, September 9
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Virtual Picket Action
As part of of our lockout actions, our virtual team is writing blogs and opinion pieces on a range of subjects. Our first installment, about our struggle and the fight for a public university–written by
Nancy Ross and Luc S. Cousineau–has just been published by the Canadian Centre for Policy alternatives. Please read full the piece, but this passage seems on point for our bulletin:
Our students need the tools to recognize and resist social injustices, which are too frequently the result of policies shaped by neoliberal ideologies that have little regard for environmental devastation and for the vulnerable in our society. The DFA’s strike mandate can be seen as strong resistance to right-wing neoliberal tendencies that strangle universities.
DSU Actions
We’d like to let you know about two events from our colleagues in the DSU!
The first, taking place today, is one we mentioned in yesterday’s bulletin: a “Lectures from the Line Teach-In,” a co-sponsored solidarity event between the Dalhousie Student Union and our own union. This event will take place on the quad in front of Hicks from 12:00 - 1:00 p.m. The program is as follows:
Opening Remarks: Maren Mealey, President, Dalhousie Student Union
Introductions/MC: Kiran Banerjee, Department of Political Science
Speakers:
Kassandra Luciuk, Department of History: “Key Moments in Canadian Labour History”
Christopher Bennett, Faculty of Management & College of Sustainability: “Trust, Corporatization, and Seeds”
Hannah Harrison, Marine Affairs Program: “How Does Nova Scotia get to the Coast?”
Ajay Parasram, Department of International Development Studies: “Revolutionary Politics of Student Movements”
Second, the DSU is holding a rally, Wednesday, Sept. 10th, at noon, in support of tuition refunds. The students will be meeting at the Dalhousie sign on Robie and University, and march up to the Hicks Building. We encourage all those available to consider attending, to support the students as they have supported us!
Solidarity Run/Walk
Our colleagues Jen Gauthier, Hannah Rosborough, and Tony Walker would like to extend the following invitation to members who may be interested!
5KM Solidarity Run/Walk Invitation!
When: Wednesday, September 10 at 9:00 AM.
Where: Meet at the front entrance of the SUB. The route will pass all picket lines.
Pace: All paces welcome!
Note: If you plan to participate during your regular picket shift you must notify your picket captain of this Job Action Committee approved activity. If you are scheduled for a 7:30 start, please join your regular picket before the run. If you are scheduled for the 9:15 to 11:15 shift, please join your regular picket after the run. Wear DFA colours if you have them!
(And a quick request from the Bulletin team: please get pictures!)
Humans of Dalhousie: “First Week Woes”
Dr. Binod Sundararajan (Professor, Faculty of Management):
I’ve been at Dalhousie University for seventeen years, and I got asked a question: “what does the first week of fall term mean to you?” It means everything to me. In 2012 I was wandering around campus preparing my application for tenure and promotion and I wondered, “why do I do this?” I was so stressed. I was sending out articles for peer review, finishing my teaching dossier, preparing my application for tenure and promotion, which is typically due on the 15th of September. I came to campus and classes were just starting, and I could feel the energy and the buzz of having students milling about campus in the Student Union building and all over campus. I felt uplifted, I felt energized. I realized that day, “this is why I do it.” Students come back every year and give me the tonic, then remind me what it feels to help shape learning, help guide students through their academic journeys, see them succeed, and then have them come back and tell us “oh, I used what you taught us in the classroom.” This is what the first week of September always means to me.
Reminder from the JAC
Regarding “one-off” picket shift changes or accommodations (e.g. for appointments, sick days, etc.): email your picket captain and copy scheduling.dfastrike2025@gmail.com so that the proper changes can be made on our system.