12:22 p.m., Oct. 21

“Rain or shine, it’s union time!”

Faculty continue to chant and picket through inclement weather on day three of the strike. Large tents provide shelter for food – yet professors, students and alumni continue to walk in the drizzle.

Professor Pablo Delis, gate captain of the picket line at Old Main, said they will continue picketing unless lightening or other dangerous circumstances arise. Although the spirit was strong on the picket line, professors would have rather been in their classrooms.

“We want to be in class teaching, but unfortunately the state system of higher education has let us down and let students down,” Delis said.

Alumna Kate Messenger is passionate about participating in the picket line, saying the faculty deserve better treatment for their devotion to students.

“This isn’t just teaching. This is so much more,” Messenger said.

As dark clouds roll over the sky, the chants of the picket lines serenade the campus as the strike weathers the storm.

12 p.m., Oct. 21

APSCUF President Kenneth Mash is spending his morning working to end the strike, said Kim Garris, APSCUF SU’s spokesperson.

“He’s been in meetings this morning,” said Garris. “We don’t know the exact content of these meetings, but we do know we are working very hard to end the strike.”

Garris made the announcement to media and faculty at the North Prince Street picket line. She said she does not know what the content of the meetings are about, or who they are with, but their purpose is to end the strike.

Union members responded to the news with cheers.

“We’re trying to contain our excitement,” said Kara Laskowski, APSCUF SU’s chapter president. “We’re not sure yet what’s happening.”

Faculty continued to picket while it started to rain. Under several canopies they had food and chairs.

Students brought a grill and started to make hamburgers, while other students joined the picket lines.

“We’re hopeful,” Laskowski said,. “We’re very hopeful at this moment.”

8 a.m., Oct. 21

Rock music played at the Prince Street entrance to Shippensburg University as faculty mingled and cars honked in support as the strike went into its third day.

Denija DuCasse, a graduate student and president of Chi Sigma Iota, joined the protests at 7:30 a.m. She said it was not fair that her professors had to work with no contract and that she wants the faculty to stand their ground.

Kara Laskowski, the SU chapter president of APSCUF, said faculty seemed to have more energy than in the past few days. She said the first day was surrounded with uncertainty. The faculty did not know whether students would return to show support, but they have kept coming back day after day.

Laskowski said the faculty has kept coming back and the number of people has grown.

“I didn’t realize it would resonate with people,” Laskowski said, “especially with people from all over the country.”

Joe Shane, department chair of the chemistry department and associate professor of chemistry and science education, said the strike was a “necessary fight.”

“Public education has and will continue to uplift our nation,” Shane said. “This [the strike] goes beyond healthcare and salary.

Laura Kreiser and Troy S. Okum contributed to this article.

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