McGill law graduates concerned about absence of grades on transcripts

The strike by law professors at McGill University has caused a significant disruption, leading to a halt in grading and incomplete transcripts for graduating students. The Association of McGill Professors of Law (AMPL), representing the university’s 45 law professors, has been on strike for over a month due to stalled negotiations with the university.

As a result of the strike, McGill had to issue diplomas with provisional “NR” (No Record) marks, indicating incomplete transcripts. While some graduates have completed their requirements and remained largely unaffected, others like Émile Chamberland, who has aspirations for a PhD, are feeling uncertain about the recognition of their degrees amid the strike.

Despite the strike, graduates are still allowed to register for the Bar admission exams in Quebec and Ontario using their transcripts with NR designations. However, permits will only be issued once McGill sends out final transcripts.

The president of AMPL, Evan Fox-Decent, criticized the university’s decision to confer degrees without finalized grades, stating that the faculty council’s approval was necessary as per regulations. However, McGill University maintains that those who received their diplomas have met the program requirements and that transcripts will be updated later to include missing letter grades.

The ongoing strike has also impacted research assistants, as the law professors lost access to their official McGill email accounts, complicating communication and productivity. Despite the challenges, negotiations are ongoing, with the next session scheduled for June 7 and more bargaining dates expected in late August.

AMPL has expressed frustration with the university’s approach, warning of further disruptions if an agreement isn’t reached before the next academic term. Fox-Decent stated that if an agreement isn’t reached, there will be a strike in the fall, leading to the absence of a law faculty until a collective agreement is reached.

The strike has created a divide among students, with many feeling the impact of the labor dispute. Chamberland, while proud of his studies at McGill, expressed mixed feelings about the situation, highlighting the challenges faced by students amidst the ongoing strike. Despite the uncertainties, both parties remain hopeful that a resolution can be reached in the coming weeks.