"The sooner the teachers are back, the better those plans will be," said president of Algonquin College, Robert Gillett. "But we will still see the students finish their term."

Gillett says he's been speaking with the students' association and is responding to the No. 1 demand: to complete classes on time.

The college plans to examine each course and cut all non-essential content so students can finish classes by Apr. 29.

However, courses that involve clinics or a practicum, such as nursing and early child-care education, may extend into May.

Gloria Desrochers, who is studying to become a law clerk, is one of 15,000 Algonquin College students forced out of class since early last week.

On Tuesday, 9,100 faculty members walked off the job provincewide after talks broke down between the instructor's union, the Ontario Public Service Employees Union, and management.

She says she feels no sympathy for the striking instructors.

"They're saying that they care about us, and they're saying that they want better working conditions so they can help us in the end," she says. "They're using us to get what they want."

Desrochers says when returns to class, she'll be overwhelmed with work.

She says she'll be expected to write a mid-term, as well as a test on a chapter she's trying to teach herself on, and hand in all assignments due during the strike period.

Algonquin's faculty union says there are no negotiations scheduled, but students shouldn't worry just yet.

"We haven't reached a crisis point yet, this is just Day 5," said Doug Brandy, president of Algonquin's faculty union.