Perry Visit
continued from
page 1

The Minister said that given the financial
reality, "increases in tuition are in-
evitable." He added that only 15 percent
of college costs and 19 percent of univer-
sity costs are currently covered by tuition
fees. Tuition fee increases will be kept
below 10 percent.

Perry said gradual hikes "would help
avoid the trauma of massive increases"
such as those in Quebec where some fees
jumped 50 percent after a freeze of
several years was lifted.

What were the reactions?

"Dr. Perry was open in listening to our
concerns and he seemed very interested
in the excellent services and programs we
provide at all three campuses. He had a
good tour of the Thomas Haney Centre
and he enjoyed talking to students in the
Basic Occupational Education program
and Bobbie Boehm’s class. I was disap-
pointed, but not surprised, at the news
that the College will not receive any
budget lift," said Myrna Popove, Chair of
the Douglas College Board and President

of the Advanced Education Council of B.C.

Several people said they understood the
government’s concerns about the deficit,
but cautioned against becoming obsessed
by it.

"Everyone knows about the provincial
deficit," added Popove, “but the human
costs of denying education to adults of
the province must be understood. Our
economy will fail without a trained _
workforce."

Popove’s concerns were echoed by
Douglas College Faculty Association
President Cathie Cookson.

"| do know Dr. Perry has been making
the rounds of colleges and my under-

 

 

 

 

 

CHAIR OF THE EDUCATION COUNCIL ROBERTA BEND
greets Dr. Perry during his visit to the future Coquitlam
campus site on Pinetree Way.

standing is he has been fairly consistent
with his messages throughout his visits,
reflecting what Premier Harcourt and
Finance Minister Clark are saying about
the budget. I’m not sure what the point
is," said Cookson. "I recognize as a com-
munity member and taxpayer we need to

deal with the problem as a province. How-

ever, the government seems transfixed on
the deficit as opposed to getting on with
a vision for education and setting some
ground work."

Glen James (shop steward) with the
British Columbia Government Employees
Union said the visit clearly was intended
to tell the College community to keep ex-
pectations low.

"Basically there is not a lot of money and
Perry was here to relay that message to
staff, faculty and students," said James.
"There seems to be no money anywhere
and that’s been reflected in settlements
that have been coming down recently at
two or three percent per year."

Douglas College Student Society President
Jerome Bouvier acknowledged the
balance sheet indicates that students may

 

 

 

People from various College constituencies had the
opportunity to speak to the Minister.

have to pay more, but stressed that
students should not shoulder the burden
alone.

"We know there has to be higher tuition
fees with the way things are. I under-
stand the financial crunch the
government is in. I’ve met with Perry
before and I find him genuine when he
says he’s trying to access more money for
us," said Bouvier.

"What everybody must do is tighten their
belts and do the best they can as each in-
stitution deals with this. However, the
belt-tightening must also include all bar-
gaining groups. During labour disputes I
always hear people say they are here for
the students, but it is always the students
who wind up suffering." «

HRD continued
from page 1

Day knows the report recommendations
well: he played a large part in writing the
official reponse to the document from the
Council of Chief Executive Officers of
colleges and universities. The Council
endorsed most, although not all, of the
recommendations, and said that the con-
clusions of the HRD report "constitute a
broad vision for the post-secondary sys-
tem."

Colleges, says Day, must "collectively ad-
dress the report in cooperation with the
unions and the students, with AECBC
(Advanced Education Council of British
Columbia) as the vehicle."

Copies of the HRD Report and the ap-
proved-in-principle CCEO response are
available from department directors or
chairs and members of Education Council.
The HRD Report is also available in the
Library. a

SSR TE EAL SR A CIO WARD SCRA SRE Laie ETS A