Conroy said Yale does not believe a union is good for graduate students, adding that because GESO does not officially represent students, it is not clear that the majority actually want to unionize.

“Yale doesn’t believe graduate student unionization is in the students’ interests or in the interests of higher education,” he said. “We think it’s wrong to say that graduate students at Yale want to unionize. It’s never been demonstrated.”

Life on a Striking Campus

Despite an increased police presence the last two days, Conroy said the University is not concerned about protests getting out of hand.

“Our union employees are respectful of people’s rights and know the law regarding demonstrations and strikes,” he said. “It’s never an issue here of safety. It’s overwhelmingly peaceful and always has been.”

While many students say they expected the strike to be more disruptive, it has still had a major impact on their lives.

The strike has accomplished its goal of bringing labor issues to the forefront—the campus is abuzz with talk of the strike.

“I think many people on this campus are seeking ways to become more informed, and to become more involved,” wrote Joshua Eidelman, a member of the Undergraduate Organizing Committee, in an e-mail.

First-year Alyssa Rosenberg, who was handing out flyers with Palitz, criticized Yale for not settling its differences with the unions.

“My mother was making sandwiches for striking workers here 32 years ago,” she said. “It’s ridiculous that Yale still hasn’t solved its labor issues.”

Dean of Yale College Richard H. Brodhead sent a letter to students about the university’s plans for the strike on Feb. 21, the day after the strike was announced.

He wrote that classes would go on in spite of the strike, and students would be expected to attend class, regardless of picket lines.

“Since academic instruction and activities will continue even in event of a strike, undergraduates will be expected to meet their academic responsibilities as scheduled,” he wrote. “Students should understand that they are free to cross a picket line to meet their academic responsibilities.”

In response to the strike, many professors have moved classes off campus, so students will not have to cross picket lines.

Anita Seth, chair of GESO, said Yale is forcing faculty into the middle of the debate.