June 2003 B0y2 Effective fall 2003, tuition at Douglas College will increase an additional 30 percent. Added to the 2002/03 increase, this means tuition costs have risen a total of 69 percent. The cost for a three-credit course is now $223 and a full-time semester is $1,114. According to Brad Barber, Director of Communications and Marketing, the new rates are “partly because tuition fees were frozen for at least six years and operating costs rose significantly during that time.” Barbér added, “The College has to balance their budget every year, by law.” Provincial Ministry Grant covers 67 percent of operating costs, tuition covers sixteen percent, and the rest is generated through miscellaneous resources and cost recovery activities. Cost recovery activities include continuing education and contract training. Ministry Grants are expected to decrease over the next few years, which means post-secondary institutions will need to create ways to generate the lost revenue. Asked if students can expect to see similar increases next year, Barber did not rule them out. “We don't anticipate any increases of the same magnitude. Some small increases may occur next year.” A portion of the revenue raised from the new rates was used to add 50 new sections to the Fall and Winter Semester of 2002/03 and 15 new sections to the Summer Semester of 2003. The sections added were for high demand University transfer courses. The College considered charging tuition fees for DVST courses, but decided it was not necessary this year. The possibility of future fees has not been ruled out. One student's reaction to the increase was, “I knew this would happen the moment the Liberals lifted the News ¢ the other press © tuition freeze.” The Douglas Students’ Union (DSU) is working with the Canadian Federation of Students (CFS) to halt the escalation in tuition across the country. According to a CFS fact sheet, British Columbia “had the second lowest tuition fees in Canada until the cur- rent provincial government ended a seven- year fee freeze in 2002.” When asked how the College's fees compared to the rest of the country Barber replied, “My understanding is that we are still well below the national average.” One solution detailed on a CFS fact sheet is the implementation of a Canada Students Grant Program. The CFS feels this could resolve the surge in fees. To access additional CFS fact sheets, visit the DSU website at: In accordance with Workers’ Compensation Board regulations and Douglas College Standards of Conduct, a new smoking policy has been implemented at both the New Westminster and David Lam campuses. Students and employees can now smoke only in designated external areas of each campus—three at New West and one at David Lam. The new policy went into effect May 5. New “No Smoking” signage is on display at previously popular smoking spots around the campuses and ashtrays have been removed. Security staff pro- vides information cards to smokers who fail to comply with the new policy. The cards list permitted smoking zones: New Westminster Campus Level 0—0600 (away from Systems) Level II—West Concourse (Cafeteria) Level IV—10 metres from Theatre Foyer entrance David Lam Campus South East Ramp According to Terry Leonard, Director of Facilities at New West, reaction to the policy has been a non-issue; there haven't been any complaints. He stated that one person did call the switchboard to enquire if the policy was posted on the College’s website. Douglas Student's Union External Relations Coordinator Joel Koette says that students have complained by word of mouth only, many of those com- plaints have been in the form of jokes uttered by the smokers themselves. Regarding the policy itself, Koette said, “The DSU respects decisions made in accordance with WCB regulations but feels undermined due to lack of stu- dents consultation.” Koette acknowledges the importance in upholding WCB regulations, but feels that, “perhaps with student consultation, different solu- tions may have been looked at. There’s a lot of restriction, they only give us three areas when there’s a lot of open areas.” In response to the DSU’s concerns, Leonard said the policy recommendation came from the Health and Safety committees at both campuses, and that stu- dent representatives were provided the opportunity to be a part of the com- mittees. Upon implementation of the smoking policy, Leonard said that on May 5, flyers were posted in every classroom and were given to the DSU, and employ- ees of the college were notified of the new policy via email. The new policy amended an existing smoking policy in effect since 1990. Changes to the existing policy, made in accordance with WCB regulations, are to ensure smoke-free entrances for College employees. Donna Freeman, WCB Manager of Public Affairs, said WCB regulations are restricted to workplaces registered with WCB. She stated the WCB’s “only jurisdiction is to protect workers.” Change to Douglas College Smoking Policy In consideration of others, smoking is only permitted outside in the following locations: New Westminster Campus Level O 0600 (away from Systems) Level 11 | West Concourse (Cafeteria) Level 1V 10 metres from Theatre Foyer entrance David Lam Campus South East Ramp In accordance with Workers Compensation Board and Douglas College Standards of Conduct, A 10.02.01/02, Douglas College Restricted Smoking Policy A 05.05.01 {under revision). A message from Facilities Services. IN \ Douglas College Thanks to Panago New West For the Production Grub! http://otherpress.douglas.be.ca «© Page 7