I am a second year undergraduate student at UNBC. I am writing regarding the faculty strike from a human perspective. In my short time at UNBC I have grown to be quite fond of it and I can say without a doubt that the faculty are at the core for my love of this university.
I have been inspired by the life and work of so many faculty members. Stories about working in refugee camps or overcoming abuse remind me that our education can take us anywhere but also that our personal experiences and individual passions make academia the field that it is. On numerous occasions I have experienced the extreme discomfort and profound pleasure of revising my worldview because something said in a lecture resonated with me.
In this time of tension it is important to remember that these are not just nameless, faceless people on picket lines but human beings. The frustration felt by observers of a strike is mirrored by those on the picket lines. The stress of your life, career and merit as a professional being opened up to public evaluation is exhausting. The smallest acts of kindness are cherished.
I would like to extend my deepest gratitude to the faculty of UNBC who spend their lives educating and inspiring students like me. During this strike you have continued to demonstrate your dedication to maintaining the quality of education at UNBC as well as the success of your students. I would like to offer my support to you as you advocate for fair wages. Thank you for your willingness to make yourselves vulnerable as you stand on the picket line. Your actions will ensure that future students can receive a high quality education and benefit from the same rich experience I have had in my last two years.
Sheridan Tamayo-Henderson
Prince George
