Shippensburg University President George “Jody” Harpster held a Q&A during the first day of the strike to address students’ concerns about how the job action would affect them.

At 4:06 p.m. on Oct. 19, about 200 students filed into the Ceddia Union Building multipurpose room to ask their questions about the strike.

Leslie Folmer Clinton, associate vice president of external affairs, introduced Harpster.

Harspter gave an introductory speech saying his goal was to answer all questions, but explained he did not have all the answers.

“I don’t know everything by a long shot,” he said.

After his introduction students jumped into ask questions, many of which revolved around how the strike would affect the end of the semester.

Harpster said the administration was taking it day-by-day and administrators would have a plan if needed. When the strike ended, the administration would work to allow students to complete their work, he said.

Students also asked if the strike would affect enrollment for 2017. Harpster said there was no way to tell at that point. SU canceled its Oct. 22 open house.

There were also questions about how not having the band at sporting events would affect students. Harpster said he did not know if the band director needed to be there to practice. Tara Bennet, the president of band, answered the question and said the director did not need to be there, but the band was “choosing to stand with our director.”

There were also questions regarding how many students returned to the residence halls and Harpster said about 70 percent of students returned.

One of the last big questions was what students should do if they used the counseling center. Harpster said they would have to go off campus, but emergencies would be dealt with if police, resident staff or anyone else identified a problem. Although students would have to “pay out of their pockets.”

Harpster ended the Q&A with thanking students for coming and for their commitment to SU.

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