About 18,000 students at Vancouver Island University will be heading back to class on Tuesday, after a strike by the faculty association was settled on Sunday.

The university says the semester will now finish by April 29 and the upcoming summer session will run as scheduled at the four campuses in Nanaimo, Cowichan, Parksville and Powell River.

Student representative Tony Sorchy said he's tremendously relieved the strike has been settled, after the university suggested the semester might be cancelled last week.

"We're going to be able to complete the semester. Students are going to be able to graduate on time and continue with our jobs and internships," said Sorchy.

No classes are scheduled for Monday, except for ESL classes that will continue at the Waterfront Hotel. Other students who have been taking classes at alternative locations are advised to return to their regular classroom location on Tuesday.

The university says it will take time to restart some services and contact vendors, so employees and students should expect reduced service in some areas, such as the cafeteria and bookstore for the first few days.

Key issues still outstanding

According to a statement issued by the faculty association, a final agreement was reached on a number of issues, but outstanding concerns over program cuts and lay-offs will be referred to a government appointed mediator.

The mediator will have until May 11 to resolve the issue, but if no agreement is reached, he will make public recommendations, which may be accepted or rejected by either side.

Cindy Oliver, the president of the Federation of Post Secondary Educators of B.C., said, "The issues they actually went on strike for are still outstanding."

The month-long strike began on March 11. The key issues included layoff and hiring policies.