A Lakehead University student says he's willing to take a hit to his grades to keep a protest going against changes to a first-year aboriginal issues class at the new law school.

Sebastian Murdoch-Gibson is one of the students holding a sit-in outside president Brian Stevenson's office as part of a demonstration that began more than a week ago.

Sebastian Murdoch-Gibson is one of several students who are continuing a sit-in outside the office of Lakehead University's president. The university senate voted to replace a full-credit class taught by indigenous studies faculty with a half-credit course taught through the faculty of law. The students say the new class has a much narrower focus. (Matt Prokopchuk/CBC )

“There are numerous reasons why we would like to go home, but won't,” he said.

“I've lost a bit of weight, and certainly I think all of our grades have suffered a little bit at this point, but y'know, until there's a resolution of the issue, there's no question, I'm not leaving.”

'Very devoted'

Murdoch-Gibson said there's a core of four students — three of whom stay overnight to keep a presence in the lounge at all times.

He says there can be up to 15 people joining the sit-in around lunch time.

"There are some of us who are very devoted,” he said.

“If it comes down to a question of missing class or abandoning the room, I will sacrifice a class to make sure that this place is not abandoned."

Murdoch-Gibson said they're making the lounge as comfortable as they can with blankets and pillows, and other students are bringing them food.

A university spokesperson said administration is pursuing means to resolve the situation. The dean of the law school, Lee Stuesser, defends the current curriculum at the law school, saying it doesn't water down the aboriginal content.