Date: Sun, 31 Dec 2000 09:58:47 -0500
From: "alumni"
To: message@esmartstudent.com
Subject: Open Letter to University Admin, and to CUPE members


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*** Please do NOT identify me or my e-mail address. I am a graduate of
York University. ***

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Dear University Admin:

It graduated from York University during the mid-90s, and the only
inconvenience I got was a TTC strike of about two weeks. I loved my time
at York -- the professors were excellent, and the students seemed happy
on
the whole. Yes, we were upset with tuition increases, but we didn't
strike and act childish.

It upsets me to see the present situation at York. How can you let
ANOTHER strike occur -- after the 1997 strike with professors, one would
think that you would have a plan of action to prevent such strikes from
ever occurring again. Yet, the senior undergraduates are experiencing
their SECOND strike of the university experience. If you care about
students, would you let this happen?

I read in today's Toronto Star that President Marsden said "NO!" when the
government asked her for government intervention (i.e., legislate CUPE
members back to work). Why? If you care about the present students, you
would take the government up on its offer.

Why not take a similar stance like U. of T. -- threaten to fire CUPE
members if they refuse to return back to work. I like that. Why let the
union play "spoiled brat", and why are you letting them? With regards to
PhD and masters students, threaten to expel them -- give them consequences
for their actions. Nobody is forcing them to attend grad school at York
-- and nobody owes them anything.

You have let this silly strike go on long enough. The university
reputation has been destroyed...took 40 hard earned years to establish
this reputation. If you can't settle this disagreement, maybe you should
resign! Students should be thought of first -- you have inconvenienced
them long enough. If the forced vote comes out "no," get government
legislation. Students first -- who would want to hire a York graduate
with such a current mess?



Dear CUPE members:

I went to York University last week (main campus) to have discussions with
you. Where were you??? If you're so dedicated, why weren't you
picketing?? Hmmm...do you give a damn about students? You're so selfish
and greedy to allow current York students to be out of classes for nine
weeks...with no end in sight as your union has recommended that you vote
"no" on January 3 and 4. So, when do you expect students to return to
school? Never???

I don't buy that you're looking out for future students. Obviously not
as
you treat the present students like shit. And when (if) you do return to
work, you'll probably treat the students like crap -- always looking out
for your OWN interests.

Maybe the university needs to force CUPE members
back to work -- like the
U. of T. model, fire anyone who does not return. I like that -- YOU have
destroyed the university's reputation -- it is my hope that the PhD
candidates, when they graduate, are unable to find jobs, since they are
protrayed as "shit disturbers".

I have no respect for you. I hope that
the government or university
legislates you back to work -- and you get NOTHING -- i.e., you accomplish
nothing in nine weeks on strike -- you inconvenienced undergraduate
students, and should pay the price. Maybe the students also need to sue
CUPE.


To both parties:

Grow up and face reality. It's about time that undergraduate students
revolted against BOTH the university and CUPE. Can York University
survive the 21st century??




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