the other press e KHellyParry e kelly-parry@telus.net October 15, 2003 Student Study — Making Ends Meet Survey Millennium Scholarships Les bourses du millénaire Sa Kelly Parry News Editor You may have been one of the 350 Douglas College stu- dents chosen, at random, to participate in a survey by the federal government and the Canada Millennium Scholarship Foundation. The Scholarship Foundation and the federal government has contracted with EKOS, a public opinion and research firm, to conduct a national survey of student finances. The results could provide information to help governments and_ post-secondary institutions set policies concerning tuition fees, student loans, and bursaries. An initial study of student finances was prepared by EKOS in 2001/2002. Making Ends Meet: The 2001- 2002 Student Financial Survey, showed that more than 70 percent of post-secondary students finance their educa- tion through debt, with nine out of ten students over the age of 26 carrying an average debt of $20,500. The 2003/2004 study is designed to develop a compre- hensive understanding of students’ financial situations based on student reporting. The study looks at the amount and sources of income as well as expenditures stu- dents make throughout the academic year. The national study hopes to have input from students from at least four colleges and universities in each province. Those selected to participate will be eligible to win one of 50 cash prizes valued at over $30,000 in total. At the end of the study, participants may receive a complete record of their own financial information provided over the school year. All information gathered in the study will be kept completely confidential. “The Millennium Research Program is intended to assist the Foundation in evaluating and improving its financial assistance programs,” said Norman Riddell, Executive Director and Chief Executive Officer of the Foundation. “By shedding light on how students manage their finances, Making Ends Meet is a major resource informing the public policy debate surrounding the ques- tion of how to best support Canada’s students.” “This looks like a valuable study, especially given the current concern about the affordability of post-secondary education,” states Bob Cowin, Douglas College’s Director, Institutional Research. The Canada Millennium Scholarship Foundation’s pur- pose is to create opportunities for students to pursue their post-secondary education. As of February 2003, the Foundation has awarded over 360,000 millennium bur- saries worth more than $1 billion in student financial assistance to Canadian post-secondary students. Making Ends Meet: The 2001-2002 Student Financial Page 4 e http://www.otherpress.ca Volunteer Fair Update Kelly Parry News Editor Last week’s volunteer fair, hosted by Volunteer Burnaby, presented students with opportunities to help develop personal, educational, and career development through volunteer positions. The fair seeks to match Douglas College students with vol- unteer positions in nationally known charities and local non-profits. Hoping to inspire and connect with the energy of students embarking on new careers, volunteer recruiters were eager to share their organizations’ stories. “This is where you start changing the world. This is the generation that will change the world,” said Wanda Gendron, Program Coordinator for the Western Society for Children with Birth Disorders. Changing the world can mean different things for different people. For organizations like The Canadian National Institute for the Blind, Big Brothers of Canada, and Variety—the Children’s Charity of BC—there are opportunities to work one-on-one with people through home visits or mentoring programs. For other groups like New Westminster Family Place, Burnaby Youth Open Custody, and PLEA—Pacific Legal Education Association, changing the world means gaining a higher public profile through the delivery of pro- grams and services. “Volunteers are instrumental to the success of the Fraser River Discovery Centre. In being a non- profit organization they are essentially the back- bone of our organization. They are very important in assisting staff with program execution, and take a lead role in implementing the day-to-day activi- ties of the Centre. The Centre has big plans for growth in the future, and continued success for the organization will rely upon building our current volunteer body. We are always looking for dedicat- ed volunteers who would like to contribute to and be a part of the exciting future for the Centre,” said Beth Gentleman, Programs and Volunteer Coordinator. Through volunteering, students are not only able to qualify for programs that require volunteer hours, they can explore possible career options, gain skills and experience, and build a network of contacts, as well as a strong sense of capability about being able to make a difference in the com- munity. “Big Brothers of Greater Vancouver believes col- lege and university students have a lot to offer as mentors to young people. It enriches our commu- nity when they share their accomplishments and experiences and pass on learning and knowledge to children and teens. Mentoring provides both per- sonal and professional development for young adults. It allows them to build skills and gain valu- able experience that can be used to further their careers and strengthen their family relationships,” says Mark Ely, Executive Director, Big Brothers of Greater Vancouver. Didn't have time to attend the fair? Visit the par- ticipants at their websites for more information about volunteering: a fi ai com ie aaa Speech Contest Results Barbara K. Adamski OP Contributor Speakers from Toastmasters and dislike: the luggage idiot; the street or mall parking. Clubs from Burnaby and New Westminster faced off in compet- itive public speaking October 10 at the Telus Auditorium in Burnaby. Chairman Robert Casanova led eight contestants from four different clubs in a round of humorous speeches and table topics (impromptu two-minute speeches). Tim Lecouteur of Burnaby’s Power Speakers club took first place in humorous speeches with his vivid descrip- tions of those people we all know checkout weasel; and the elevator moron. Mia Barkasy from Burnaby’s Future Spirit won the impromptu speeches with her story of the meaning of Thanksgiving. Both will advance to the next level of competition, the Division J Contest (compris- ing groups from Burnaby, New Westminster, and Vancouver), to be held at the New Westminster Public Library, Thursday, October 23 at 7pm (registration at 6:30pm). The event is free to attend. Guests are asked to use For more information on Toastmasters, visit .