Several classes were disrupted at Concordia University on Wednesday because of protesting students.

The university had agreed that classes would not be held this Thursday, when boycotting students are expected to join a large anti-austerity demonstration beginning at 1 p.m.

But protesters at Concordia got a jump start yesterday by occupying a class for more than two hours and preventing any teaching from taking place.

The professor of that class, Graham Dodds, is frustrated he was not allowed to do his job.

He said the majority of his students -- about 50 -- had shown up for class and voted to stay despite the disruption.

Dodds sympathizes with those protesting cuts to education budgets, but does not feel that preventing teaching is the way to do it.

"It really, I think, puts faculty in an awkward position. I mean students want to strike, but my union and the University says I've got to teach so somehow we're caught in the middle of this. It's awkward and not really fair," said Dodds.

"I do think it's unfortunate and ironic that in protesting degraded educational opportunities students further degrade their own education. It just doesn't make any sense."

Other students in the class confirmed they wanted to learn and had no interest in taking part in a protest.

A Concordia spokesperson said afterward the school's plan is "to have continuous, open dialogue on campus and to support faculty and staff" during these challenging times.