Fepruary 11, 2004 News 4 B.C. students rally Human Rights at UNBC? against tuition hikes Thousands demand lower fees for post-secondary education By Stephen Hui, British Columbia Bureau VANCOUVER (CUP) Placard-waving students from several schools con- verged on downtown Vancouver Feb. 4, joining thousands attending protests across the country to demand increased funding for post-secondary educa- tion. Although the protest's jubilant atmosphere meant that it came close to resembling a dance party at times, the message was clear. The 2,500 pro- testers called for not only an end to tuition hikes, but also a reduction in fees. “Gordon Campbell won the election with a promise that he would reduce tuition fees by five per cent,” Summer McFadyen, provincial chair of the Canadian Federation of Students, told the booing crowd. “Gordon Campbell lied.” McFadyen said 90 per cent of British Columbians oppose tuition fee increases. Bearing signs that read “Increase funding, reduce tuition fees” and van- ous insults aimed at the premier, students rallied’outside the Vancouver Art Gallery before marching to Canada Place and back. Some protesters used their signs to cover those held by five students stag- ing a counter-protest. Joel McLaughlin, a student at the University of B.C., said they attended the rally to show that not all‘students are against tuition hikes. The counter- protesters led the march for part of the route, responding to chants of “No more hikes” with “No more CFS.” ; Student unions provided buses to transport many of the students to the protest following on-campus demonstrations. At Simon Fraser University in Burnaby, over 300 students rallied in the main mall, One student bore a sign with the statement: “Stop killing niy future.” Another's read; “Poverty is my real education.” SFU students Victoria Kowalewski and Karen-Marie Woods said rising fees could make them take longer to finish their degrees. “J may have to drop out for a bit, work, save money, and then go back,” said Woods, who said she is $30,000 in debt. Over in Victoria, 2,000 students marched through the capital's streets to the legislature. One speaker, University of Victoria political science profes- sor Radhika Desai, said B.C. under-funds post-secondary education relative to other provinces. j “We should be asking not only for a fee reduction, but an increase in fund- ing that puts us on par with other jurisdictions,” Desai said in an interview. Tuition fees in B.C. have skyrocketed ever since the Liberal government lifted a six-year tuition freeze in 2002. According to the CFS, fees have risen an average of 9! per cent over the past two years at the province's post-sec- ondary institutions. Students are bracing for another round of tuition hikes this year, with schools already proposing increases of up to 35 per cent. -With files from Nicole Vanderwyst and Patrick White By Genevieve Young WUS (World University Services) started as a non-profit, post WWI relief fund that was a European Response to the war. It was mainly stu- dents helping students, so there was UNBC was approached a few months ago by WUSC (World Universities Services of Canada) and was asked if it would consider partic- ipating in a refugee sponsorship program. not much fundraising or advertising for this organization. The money col- lected went for school supplies; such as books, etc. After WWII, WUS activity was restricted to Europe until it turned into a global organization in the 1950’s. WUS is responsible for devel- opment projects such as building schools in impoverished areas, as well as wells that are a source of clean drinking water UNBC was approached a few months ago by WUSC (World Universities Services of Canada) and was asked if it would consider partici- pating in a refugee sponsorship pro- gram. The program assists a refugee in continuing post-secondary education in our country if his or her own is dis- rupted by war. Anybody approved by the WUSC program would receive landed immigrant status from the gov- ernment. In addition, the refugee would get an opportunity for full Canadian citizenship. The WUSC program has a really high success rate. The kick-off to this program may be as early as next year. There are hopes that it will be an ongoing program, with a new person coming in next year. As Daryl Wigtman of NUGSS explained; the WUSC is relatively new to B.C. and Western Canada. There are a handful of Campuses that par- ticipate in this program in B.C, (Kamloops is one of the few). It is still very Eastern-Canada oriented. The NUGSS Fundraiser Movie Nights help to raise money for this program. What is really needed right now is support from the local commu- nity and campus. What would be appreciated are volunteers. The volun- teers would be responsible for things such as: * Providing awareness to the gener- al public about the program * Peer tutoring * Aid in finding the student a place to live * Aid in finding the student a job {hence helping them to become self- sufficient) * Easing Culture Shock Well, if the University has money to spend for the mystery walls going up around campus, (refer to the article “Random Walls: Conspiracy or Necessity?” by Carolynne Burkholder in the Nov.19, 2003 issue of Over The Edge) would anyone really care about the WUSC Program coming to UNBC? To get a feel for Campus opinion, I wandered around to get an opinion on what student reaction to the Program and the reaction was mixed, Question: Would you mind having some of your student fees (probably under $10) if you knew it was going to help a person in this program? What Will WUSC Mean to UNBC and You? “If I knew it was actually going to help the education of one of these people I-wouldn’t mind at all.” -Anon. “With current tuition fees going up, the increased financial strain is such a burden on the student in Canada, I fear that the added increased cost would be the difference between indigenous students from getting an education. Canada already has a poor academic philosophy I think we need to improve conditions here first.” -Anon. “ J would support anything that could better the lives of people loving in war torn countries. But I would have to say no if the funds were going to the Federal Governments as they take enough money from students as it is.” -Trevor Hetherington “If people here have their tuttion increased for this program I want to see the people actually coming to this school, not having to pay tuition increase for this and have all the stu- dents go back east for school. It’s a good idea, but most students here can’t even afford to be here them- selves, let alone pay to have other peo- ple go to school.” -Marcia “Ten dollars wouldn’t be much to pay to help someone, especially con- sidering all the fees we pay to clubs Provincial or sand services-that are useless.” * «Rob Ardies “I wouldn’t have a problem with paying a few dollars extra if I knew it was going to someone who needed it.” -Anon. WUS is a good program with good intentions; however, with all the debate/anger/rage over the rising tuition fees, the topic will defiantly be controversial, In response to comments and feedback from students, the library has implemented a mew Food and Drink Policy. While the library is happy to provide a comfortable and inviting space for students to study, we must also ensure that books and equipment are not ruined due to garbage and food left sitting around. Please help us:-maintain a clean and comfortable library by disposing of garbage and recycling in desig- nated receptacles. The Food and Drink Policy can be found from the General Information page of the library website at hitp://library.unbe.ca/pages/information/general/food_and_d rink_policy. pdf