Over The Edge Page 2 News November 20, 2000 Private Auto Insurance Discriminates Against Youth Cost would Exceed Student's Canadian Federation of Students- Vancouver- A Campaign to warn British Columbians, in particular youth and stu- dents, about the dan- gers of private auto insurance was launched today by the Friends of Public Auto Insurance. Opposition to the way private insurance com- panies discriminate on the basis of age, sex and the marital status is at the core of this cam- paign. Hundreds of thousands of British Columbians will pay substantially higher rates with youth being hit the hardest. The Canadian Federation of Students has joined with con- sumers and_ seniors- reach groups to reject private auto insurance because of the discriminatory rat- ing practices of the pri- vate companies. “Students are under tremendous financial pressure due to the increasing costs of edu- cation and living.” said Anita Zaenker, BC Chairperson of the Canadian Federation of Students. “If private insurance companies discriminated against young people because of their age demograph- ic, the cost of insuring a student’s car would sky- rocket” Zaenker also stated that many students are dependent on personal transportation methods in the absence of public transit and because of tight schedules. She said that rising insur- ance costs would pro- hibit some students from using private vehicles, specifically student par- ents, working students, and those in rural areas. “For a young driver with a perfect driving. record, the cost of insuring a vehicle in Toronto is over $4500” said Zaenker. “In BC currently, the maximum student loan allowance for two semesters is $8,800. High rates under a pri- vate system would push students further into debt and poverty.” Healthy Progress: the process to obtain medical coverage for students Contributed Boyden. by Johan As the workload of late November descends upon students, the health care committee has decided to take a break. The next health care group meetings will be held in January. The Health Care Group is trying to establish an extend- ed medical plan for under- graduates. This plan (or plans) will cover dental and prescription drugs. Depending on the plan ‘selected, optical and other wellness benefits (such as the services of a massage therapist and a chiropractor) maybe also covered, compli- menting the British Columbia continues... Medical Services Plan. Five companies could cover UNBC students. This semes- ter the health care group has narrowed the list down to two companies. The next goal is to find out what students think. The health care group has also drafted a survey to answer three key questions: do you want coverage? what would you want? and how much would you pay? The survey will be launched in January and, using the results, the companies will be critically reviewed. Next semester will involve the last step: selection of one compa- ny. Throughout this process, everyone is encouraged to contribute. There will be open-forum discussions, at least two formal presenta- tions from each company and potluck discussion dinners on the weekends. For more information about health care, read over the edge or contact NUGSS director Johan Boyden. Email: boydenj@unbc.ca or Phone: 562-4645 or leave a message at the NUGSS office. Bangers and Mash on the Menu? Recently the Globe and Mail announced that Cara Foods is intending to sell their interests in cafeterias. Beaver Foods runs Cara’s cafe- teria operations — for schools, colleges, and universities, and among these is UNBC. The esti- mated sales of $300 mil- lion a year Beaver Foods services takeover is scheduled to _ start January 1st 2001 by a British based company Granada Compass pending approval. Granada Compass is a specialized cafeteria company with leading divisions in England, France, and Australia. The proposed _ deal would make Granada Compass the _ largest cafeteria operator in Canada. UNBC cafeteria manag- er Mike Antonio was unable to comment on the specific potential pol- icy changes of how this take over may affect operations at UNBC. He speculates that opera- tions will remain similar, with no change _ to employment policies, the current meal plan or ser- vice hours. Granada foods will assume the current contract with the University. We’re Number 10! In Canadian universities that is... Our university has maintained a top 10 position in Maclean’s magazine in the catego- ry of Primarily Undergraduate for small to medium sized univer- sities. NBC ranked number 1 in library acquisitions spending 1.6 million dollars in 1999-2000 on new materials. UNBC was also within the top 10 for faculty in national awards, for the number of student receiving national awards, and for research in the humani- ties, social sciences as well as for sciences. The annual magazine featuring - the Universities has been one of their best sellers, it is expected that 500,000 people will read the issue this year. Over The Edge needs your input. If you can blink you can help!