Chapter 92: Dead Poets Society Part 2

nerd blog post #97

Yesterday morning, each department held a meeting for all staff and students. The English Department was split into two groups, each in a large auditorium. Hundreds of staff and students gathered there to hear the head of department address the issues of make-up classes, the new exam schedule, and how they will be able to still get a grade for a semester in which eight weeks of classes have already been lost. Another big point raised was that the idea of giving each student 50% for the semester (which has happened at other schools in France) was absolutely out of the question.

After the meeting, at 1030am, doors were re-opened and classes resumed. That afternoon, another big student meeting was held. The vote took place and was in favour of a partial blockade, happening Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday of this week. The blockaders are, at this point, a vast minority, and any blockade is not in the least bit condoned by the president of the university, the profs and staff, and over 70% of the students. But they are more aggressive and somehow come out stronger.

Later in the day, the angry strikers went to the Presidence (where HR, the prez etc. work) to demand what they're after. After blockading the building (locking over 70 personnel inside), they broke down the door and entered, demanding to speak with the president, and injuring a couple of staff in that building. The president was not there, so they sent their demands on a piece of paper to one of the VPs. Their demands were answered with a 'non' written beside each one and promptly returned to them. Non, they would not get 50% each for the semester. Non, the president of the university will not resign. Non, non, non. The strikers went home.

This morning I left for my 815am class, arriving at the school just after 8am. The doors to the university were locked, and the blockaders were standing outside of the locked doors. In front of them, a thousand or so students and teachers, wanting to go to school. I stayed for almost two hours, before giving up. It was really discouraging.

But I did see something that was pretty incredible. As fights were going on and people were yelling and getting mad, there was a group of thirty or so students sitting in a semi-circle. In front of them was a small man with white hair and specs, teaching the students. He must have been close to seventy years old. He never looked towards the doors or the shouting or fighting. He just taught his class in the cool morning fog.

I almost cried.

Seeing that class reminded me of the fact that the blockaders are a minority, and that most students are there to learn. While people (not from France) are often quick to criticize the public university system in France, at its foundation are the thousands of young people who are, at the end of day, no different than Canadian university students. It is a system that may have flaws, but that is built on the same principles and with the same heart as any post-secondary institution. And as I was feeling particularly upset with the whole situation this morning, it was nice to see that ray of hope.

I returned home and made a breakie feast and this afternoon went back to see if there were any changes. There weren't. The classrooms were all locked and no classes were going on. It should be the same for tomorrow, in which case I'll leave for Paris earlier in the day.

Hope you are all well!

Much love,
Hincks.