Concordia University closed on Thursday, March 22. All classes and activities cancelled.

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Cegep and university students across the province are taking part in a day of action on Thursday, March 22, to protest the increase in tuition fees announced by the Quebec government.

We have been informed that protest organizers have designated Concordia’s downtown campus as a gathering point for a march planned by students from Montreal and other cities. It is expected that more than 15,000 students will mobilize around Concordia on March 22, from 10:30 a.m. to 1 p.m., before marching toward Place du Canada.

The university respects the freedom of students to express their views on important issues through public discourse, assembly and civil action. It is equally important, however, for the university to exercise prudence and to implement appropriate measures to ensure the safety and security of the university community and members of the public.

In light of security concerns and related operational challenges regarding the size of the crowd expected to gather at Concordia, the university will therefore close its two campuses on March 22. Faculty and staff members are not to report to work and will be compensated as they would be for a scheduled work day when the university is closed, such as the President’s Holiday.

This closure means all classes, labs, studio work and other activities will be cancelled. All buildings, studios, libraries and athletic facilities on both campuses will be closed. There will be no access to the Sir George Williams Campus tunnels. There will be no shuttle bus service between the two campuses for the day. Designated individuals, who are required to report to work for security and operational reasons, will be compensated in accordance with the relevant collective agreement or human resources policy.

As previously stated, the university will not extend the winter 2012 term due to student protest actions. There is no plan to add an additional day to the winter term to make up for the classes cancelled on March 22. Faculty members are encouraged to be flexible and to show leniency with respect to the cancellation of academic activities on this day.

We regret the inconvenience this will cause. As an urban university in a vibrant metropolis, our goal is to ensure a safe and secure environment both on campus and the public streetscape that we share with our neighbours and the general public. Please note that the university will reopen Friday, March 23 and that all scheduled activities will take place.

If you have questions, please email internalcomms@concordia.ca.