The students on the University have declared a two week strike from classes after a decision 2 weeks to charge students to study past a certain number of years. To my understanding of the situation the German government is running low on money from all of it's social programs and not enough tax money. As a result they decided that students can not study more then 4 semesters longer then the suggested tire required for the program, i.e. an undergrad can't take more then 6 years because it's supposed to take 4. The students have to big problems with this.
1) The students that usually take the extra amount of time are forced into it by having to work to cover the costs of living and their tuition (school is not completely free here). As a result they have to take a smaller class load, which extends the number of years they need to finish. The students most effected are the ones not being supported by their parents.
2) They fell the money should come from the unemployment aid. People in germany can get about 1200 Euros a month when they are unemployed. At the same time you only make 1500 euros a month working a full time job (something like 40 hours/wk). Therefore, a lot of people TRY staying unemployed. Who would want to work 120 hours a month for a 300 euro difference? There is a time limit to unemployment coverage, but it is longer then the U.S. coverage and pay out decrease with time is smaller then ours. After 6 mon they get only like 1000 euros for a bit.

So basically I may not have class for 2 weeks depending on how things go. They claim they are going to block all the buildings off, we'll see.

If I didn't believe it when I heard it at first, then I have to believe part of it now. James was actually forced out of his classroom in the middle of lecture by the protestors. And Sheena couldn't get into the building for either of hers. I'll try my luck in the morning.