Fk eo MAR 2.6 1996 stude Over © Student Newspaper of the University of Northern British Columbia Tuition Fees Frozen For 1996 by Vince Yim On March 18, 1996, British Columbia Premier Glen Clark made an announcement of paramount importance to the people of British Columbia and thanks to modern technology the students of UNBC were able to witness the event live as it was broadcast on live television. For students across BC the tuition increases within post secondary institu- tions have been a central focus. The Canadian Federal government has cut over $435 million dollars to Canada’s social program funding, which in turn, helps the provincial government fund our various post second- ary institutions. This includes the University of Northern British Co- lumbia. ‘uNdEr tHe cOvERs News.... pg3 “By holding tuition fee hikes to zero in the face of pressures from Ottawa and other provinces, we’re show- Computer theft on Cam- pus? Who is to Blame... . pg 4 choices about what they cut and what they keep,” money is removed from Federally supported provincial social programs the provinces themselves must make up the difference or permit the post-secondarv facilities to fund the difference themselves. As aresult. tuition prices were expected to increuse e throughout E British Columbia = and the rest of the country. However, Premier Glen Clark announced — on Monday, that a province wide tuition freeze is in effect for 1996/97. The Premier is quoted in his March 18, 1996 press release in stating, “My government is committed to protecting affordable, accessible edu- cation for BC youth, despite recent federal budget cuts ...” “ ...We’re choosing to invest in young British Columbians and their future by guaranteeing their right to affordable, accessible education and work experience.” The crowd that attended this public announcement ap- plauded and were generally relieved to hear this rather supportive news. As quoted later, one student simply said, “Thank God!” At the end of the news release, Minister of Education, Paul Ramsey held a public question and answer session in order to answer questions relating to his ministry and the press announcement itself. In relation to the press release the Minister is quoted in saying “There’s one thing that Glen didn’t say, I think that people are going to criticize this announcement. | think that there are people that think that post secondary education and training is within the reach of everybody and that students should be asked to pay more. I’ve heard those voices... from Ottawa... from the Business Sector... from others that look for- ward in post secondary education and that they simply can’t afford to make post secondary education affordable.” Letters to the Panor.... .pe 6. Power of the Pen .< . peg / The Pulp Mill --See what the Mad Tree is up to this time with the Pulp Mill. 2. pe 19 “We’re keeping the future of young British Columbians at the top of our agenda.” “Tuition. is a big deal,” Ramsey continued. “Jt’s a major bar- tier. For some, it is a financial barrier that cannot be overcome.”. “They (the federal government) are effectively telling us that education and students are not a priority, unfortunately, the freeze on Post Secondary education tuition will not come cheap.” Ramesy con- tinued by commenting that the government will be sacrificing 2200 government jobs and reduce spending in just about every facet of social services, except for education and health care. In relation to other provinces, British Columbian students can see how neighboring provinces are being affected. Increased tuition payments are slated in Alberta ( 15%) and in the province of Ontario ing British Columbians that governments can make | Due to the present political structure, it comes to reason that if used as a placemat by unbc ince 1994 660 fo “be §, 5.22 pase B Volume 2 Issue 13 20 March 1996 Above: This following is an artisic rendition of Education Minister Paul Ramsey durring the Press Conference in the North Wood Winter Gardens, March 18, 1996 --Ask Arron Oberman, the Edgy Photo Editor, what happened. Perhalps he knows how to FIX it! (20%). Due to the fact that most British Columbians were expect- ing these kind of hikes a majority of the student population has shown appriciation and relief with the a tuition freeze announcement. “By holding tuition fee hikes to zero in the face of pres- sures from Ottawa and other prov- inces, we’re showing British Columbians that governments can make choices about what they cut and what they keep,” Ramsey said. “We're keeping the future of young British Columbians at the top of our agenda.” Whispers throughout the province and the gathering of con- cerned parties at the Winter Gar- den have been speculating that the tuition freeze in 1996 will lead to big spill-overs in 1997, resulting in an even larger increase in tuition fees. Inresponse to these types of question the Minister Ramsey stated, “Can I guarantee a zero for the next years? No, I can’t. Any- body who says they can is blow- ing smoke,” “But what I will say is that we got a zero this year at a time when no one said we could do it while other provinces are jacking up 15 to 20%. That’s a record I’m prepared to run on. If that’s what we’re going to do this year, give us a vote and this is what we are going to do next year.” What becomes of the fu- ture is still to be discovered and reported on. Whereas speculation and opinions of these reported events belong to the voters of BC and editorials of this and other media services. For more information on the freeze on tuition payments, there is a toll free number, 1-800- 637-5545. For the Internet in- clined, one can obtain more infor- mation by visiting the BC gov- ernment web site at http:// www.gov.be.ca/youth.html