December Transit Strike Update to Parents

THIS POST IS A REPUBLISHED VERSION OF AN EMAIL COMMUNICATION SENT BY AUP PRESIDENT CELESTE SCHENCK TO PARENTS AND FAMILY MEMBERS ON NOVEMBER 19, 2019, ABOUT THE EXPECTED TRANSIT STRIKE IN PARIS. IT IS PART OF OUR SAFETY & SECURITY BLOG THAT ROUNDS UP ALL THE LATEST NEWS AND UPDATES FOR OUR COMMUNITY.

In two weeks, on the 5th of December, we are expecting a broad transit strike in Paris. Although strikes are a way of life in France—a highly respected democratic practice that we endure seasonally—they are generally conducted peacefully and almost never totally disrupt the entire system. The one taking place this December is a protest against French President Emmanuel Macron’s decision to raise the retirement age of some groups of the population in the transit industry, as well as some broader reforms he is planning of the social security system. 

At the moment, we have little visibility on how extensive this strike will be or how long it will last. Our current official policy is thus that the school semester will come to its natural end on schedule. The strike could be resolved within a few days or extend until the holidays. We have already begun communicating with faculty and students about alternate plans for the two final days of classes (December 5 and 6) as well as the reading days and exam period (December 7-18). The Provost is working with each department chair to create alternative ways for students to complete final assignments, replacing, where appropriate, an on-campus exam with a take-home equivalent. 

We will continue to communicate regularly with our students and also with you as the situation unfolds. Should it become difficult to attend classes, we will provide alternative ways of assessing the semester’s work. The Student Development team will monitor news during the strikes and send regular updates – it’s essential that students check their email for important information, advice and guidance. We will also provide support for students as they make plans to leave Paris for the holidays, apprising them of best practices for getting to airports. 

We are most definitely unhappy with the inconvenience that our students will inevitably experience but we promise to work with your children, our students, to reduce any disruption and to ensure a successful end of semester for all.