McGill University and the Students’ Society of McGill University (SSMU) are entering a new academic year under a renewed partnership following a disruption in their relationship last spring. In April 2025, McGill terminated its long-standing agreement with SSMU after a series of pro-Palestinian protests, during which some demonstrations involved vandalism, blocked classrooms, and confrontations outside residences. The university cited concerns for safety and order, while SSMU maintained that the protests were organized according to its bylaws and student mandate.
Following the termination, the two parties engaged in negotiations over the summer, resulting in a new Memorandum of Agreement (MoA) signed in July. The agreement reinstated the formal partnership and included updated provisions regarding financial oversight, accountability for affiliated groups, and procedures for addressing disruptions to campus operations. In a statement to members, the SSMU Executive Committee emphasized that it “remains steadfast in its commitment to defending student voices and protecting democratic expression” while negotiating in good faith with McGill.
The renewed MoA clarified responsibilities and expectations for both the university and the student union. McGill emphasized measures to support the continuity of academic activities and campus safety, while SSMU maintained its role as the representative student body for undergraduate students and retained the ability to organize student-led initiatives. As part of the agreement, the union updated its governing documents to increase transparency and accountability. The SSMU notes in its April communication that these revisions “aim to provide clarity and strengthen the working relationship between the university and its student union”. The University Centre was confirmed once more as the central hub for SSMU-affiliated clubs and services, securing continuity for student operations.
Attention has now shifted to October 7th, when SSMU has proposed a campus-wide strike. The date coincides with the two-year anniversary of the Israel-Palestine conflict, and the strike is intended to focus on calls for divestment from companies linked to Israel. Specific plans for the day may include class walkouts and organized demonstrations.
The upcoming strike will be the first large-scale student action under the renewed agreement between McGill and SSMU. The response to the strike will provide insight into how the new framework functions in practice and how the university and the student union can manage student-organized initiatives going forward.
Faculty, students, and administrators have expressed varying perspectives on the proposed strike. Some students have emphasized the importance of maintaining uninterrupted academic activities, noting they “just want to go to [their] classes without worrying about being stopped or blocked”. On the other hand, the role of student-led initiatives in fostering engagement and representation is also important with a U3 student expressing “we need to be able to speak up and actually be heard – it’s our campus too”.
McGill has stated that its approach seeks to balance the rights of students to organize with the operation of university programs and facilities. For SSMU, the October 7th action represents an opportunity to carry out a student-led initiative under the terms of the renewed agreement.
How the day unfolds will be observed by both the university and SSMU as part of ongoing efforts to maintain a functioning partnership. The strike is expected to provide practical insight into how the updated agreement operates and how student initiatives interact with university procedures and resources.
