Monday, Novemeber 6, 1989 OtherPress et : 3 VICTORIA (CUP) -- BC spends less per capita on post- secondary education than any province in Canada, according to a recent inter-provincial report. At 2.8 per cent of its total budget, B.C. spent a third less on post-secondary education than the national average of 3.72 per cent in 1986-87. The Tripartite Committee on Interprovincial Comparisons, a committee of Ontario university presidents, Ontario government, and advisory reps, compiles the report annually. B.C. also spent the least per capita on student aid. "We need a massive influx of dollars," said Kelly Abeysinghe, vice-president academic of the University of Victoria Student Society. "The quality of education is unacceptable. Students can’t get the courses they need to graduate," she said. In terms of dollars spent per student, B.C. ranks eighth, ahead of Nova Scotia and Ontario. Shell Harvey, B.C. assistant deputy minister of advanced B.C. Spends Less on Education education and job training said the comparison was of little use. "We (in B.C.) choose to deliver educa- tion in a way very different from Ontario," Harvey said He said although the report is published every year, the most recent available figures are out- dated because of the "diversity in university systems across the country." Assembling the report is time consuming because there is so |= little common ground between universities. He pointed to incentives the government is now introducing. Harvey said the Access For All policy now in effect promises to bring the number of graduates up to [ the National level over 6 years through increased funding. Since 1971 only 15 B.C. resi- dents per 1000, between 20 and 29 got bachelor’s degree, compared to a national average of 20 per 1000. Last year over 10,000 qualified, willing students were turned away from post-secondary institutions in the province. "These figures are a direct result of consistent Socred budget cuts which resulted in a plummet- ing line on the graph of real dollars given to education", said Abeysin- ghe "Resources such as library materials and research facilities are substandard", Abeysinghe said. "In 1981 the University of British Columbia’s library system ranked Premier Bill Vander Zalm buries post-secondary 15th in North America. Only four years later it fell to 33rd place. In one year alone, (1986) 900 journals were discontinued. UVIC Administration Indifferent to Campus Rapes VICTORIA (CUP) -- The University of Victoria administra- tion is doing nothing about "a crisis for women students on campus," its women’s centre co-ordinator says. Shannon McAleese of the UVic Women’s Centre said the lack of action following two recent sexual assaults on campus shows the adminstration’s lack of con- cern. ae Free Whopper for Douglas College Students At Burger King Columbia Street 1035 Columbia Street, Columbia Square, New Wesminster : Present Your Douglas BURGER College Student ID When You Buy a Whopper and Regular Fries and Recieve Another Whoppe Absolutely FREE She said members of the Women’s Centre met with the ad- ministration this summer to discuss the level of lighting on campus, the number of night patrol staff, and the lack of communications between university security and the student council. "What we’re getting is hot air and no action. And what we want to know is how bad does the situa- tion have to get for (the Ad- ministration) to think it’s an issue?" she said. Two women were sexually as- saulted on campus three weeks ago, within five days of each other. The first happened at night, on September 30 within fifty feet from the crowded entrance of a residence. The second attack hap- pened October 5 at 9:00 p.m. In one case the woman broke free, in the other, the attacker fled when he heard people approaching. Richardson said UVic is a dangerous place for women after dark. "Can you think of any place in Victoria where you can find that many women after hours?" asked Richardson. "We believe-the lighting on campus is adequate," said UVic security director Don Marykuca. Both crime scenes were "fairly well lit," said Marykuca. However Richardson described them as "poorly lit". The UVic security service of- fers an escort service for women from any location on campus to residence, the bus stop, or their car. "We only get five or six a month,” said Marykuca, "It could be used a lot more." Richardson said for women on campus after dark "the motto should be saftey in numbers". «je ape — Nationally Tuition to Rise in Quebec After 20 Year Freeze MONTREAL (CUP) -- Quebec’s largest student coalition is calling for a one day student strike Nov. 28 to protest the government’s plan to thaw the 20-year-old tuition fee freeze. The walkout -- on the first day of the fall parliamentary session -- will include a demonstration on the steps of the National Assembly in Quebec. The Association Nationale des Etudiantes et Etudiants du Quebec (ANEEQ) launched a six-week mobilization and publicity campaign at a Montreal demonstration two weeks ago. Over 1500 students marched through the city to Premier Robert | |Bourassa’s office Oct. 18 to support the tuition freeze. The provincial government is expected to increase tuition fees -- frozen at about $517 since 1968 -- to bring them in line with the Canadian average of about $1500. Josette Cote, head of ANEEQ, said the coalition’s goal is to pressure the government and increase public awareness. "We will organize a strong strike and demonstration to force the government to realize that we are not just a bunch of whining, spoiled children,” Cote said. The impending tuition hike has also spurred student councils at schools not part of ANEEQ to take action. "Our objective is to be on the offensive, therefore, we must prepare our members to pressure the government right away," she said. Although ANEEQ represents over 100,000 students, not all student associations agree with ANEEQ’s strike strategy. McGill’s student association, which is not an ANEEQ member, said a one-day strike would not increase awareness on the issue. "Informing the public takes much more than a strike or the passing out of leaflets," said John Fox, McGill student association’s external coordinator. "More media coverage and help from other groups is needed." "If your gay and you know it - kiss your friend" MONTREAL (CUP) -- The jazz pianist sang "Thank heaven for little girls, they grow up in the most delightful ways..." while the tune outside a Montreal restaurant was "Down with homophobia!" Tuesday Oct.24, two women were kicked out of Upstairs, a popular restaurant near Concordia University’s downtown campus, "persisting in showing affection in an offensive way," according to its owner, Chris Gore. Shira Spector and Jen Dt and about 10 members of the Concordia Women’s Collective had gathered for a regular meeting at the restaurant. Concordia student Charlene Nero, a member of the collective said Spector and Dt had their arms around each other. Gore asked the women to leave the bar. They shouted back "Homophobic asshole." "At Upstairs, men don’t hug or hold hands with men; And women don’t hug or hold hands with women,” he told the women. On Wednesday police cars lined Bishop Street as more than fifty women and men chanted "It’s a straight bar after all", "If you’re gay and you know it, kiss your friend" and shouted "Boycott Upstairs." Members of the collective also distributed flyers asking customers and passers-by to boycott the restaurant. Gore said he’s not homophobic. "I’ve come to accept homosexuality totally in society. It’s a way of life, it’s great, I’m all for it,” he said. Homophobia is the irrational fear and hatred of homosexuals. "Upstairs is a nice quiet cafe," he said. "We don’t like to see it disrupted by people who like to cause a scene and draw attention to themselves.” "Upstairs is a haven for people of all sorts, and we welcome all types to visit the place as long as they maintain a certain sense of decorum," said Gore. In his three years as the club owner, Gore said he has asked people to leave on only two or three occasions. He has never asked a straight couple to leave for openly displaying affection. "This should go before the Human Rights Commission," said Carolyn Gammon, a member of Concordia’s Lesbian Studies Coalition. "Heterosexuals can practically make out (there) without comment." "This type of blatant discrimination against any group, be it racial minorities, gays or lesbians -- we can’t let any individual instances go by without commenting." Gore seemed composed during the demonstration. "I'll just wait till it blows over," he said. "I’ve been through things like this before and I know that they just fizzle out after a few days."