aS In an informal poll of 50 students on the New West campus last week, Douglas stu- dents told the Other Press that—across the board—they need a break. And not just for two days, either. The Douglas College Reading Break for “Why Would We Need any Less Time than Those in Universities?” Douglas students say reading break not long enough Nicole Burton, OP News €ditor the semester—to relax, to study and to get some reading done,” said Jessica Monterey, a second year General Studies student and part- time worker. “But for a lot of us, including myself, this break is hardly anything.” Jessica says that like many other students at Douglas, the break is especially insubstan- tial for the growing number of part-time stu- dents holding down part or full-time jobs while they study. ’ “T only come to school on Mondays and Wednesdays; other days I go to work,” she said. “So really, my break is one day sur- rounded by my regular day-to-day workload. I'd definitely prefer to have at least one more day added onto that.” Other students polled said that it doesn’t matter so much whether it’s one day or five— “Why would [college students] need less time than those in universities?” said Molso “Tm a student, I’m full-time, I’m just like a of those guys on the larger campuses. We’v got similar course workloads, so why do we get a shorter break?” When asked off-the-record, two instruc- tors remarked that they and other faculty were discussing a change to the schedule in coming years, precisely for reasons brought up by students. However, both declined to comment on further details. “Tt’s been brought up casually in a few g my classes by instructors,” said Molson, “both last term and this semester. ’m hopit that it will actually go somewhere and isn’t just my teacher telling us, you know, what want to hear, and then doing nothing abou “Whatever we can get!” said Josh Molson, a it.” first-year full-time student. But when com- According to Molson, Monterey, and pared to the “Reading week” breaks of other —_ other students polled, the most popular pla schools, like those scheduled at UBC and for the Winter semester Reading Break are other universities around the country, stu- getting caught up on homework and sleep, dents often remarked that this differential going to the gym, and going snowboarding. treatment was unfair. the Winter semester was February 13 and‘14, which gave students a four-day long weekend to catch up on their homework and prepare for midterm exams. Most, however, claimed that this was not enough. “Sure it’s nice to have any time off during SX Nearly 500 students from Lower Mainland colleges and universities converged in Downtown Vancouver last Wednesday to demand a 10 percent reduction of tuition fees. The rally was organized by the Canada- wide Canadian Federation of Students, as a simultaneous string of action across the country demanding lower fees and greater funding towards post-secondary education. Placards reading “Money for our Education—Reduce Tuition Fees Now!” and “Drop Tuition, Not Bombs!” could be seen roving around the Downtown core, as stu- dent protesters made their voices heard with chants and Kraft-dinner noise makers. The Douglas Students Union and a num- ber of Douglas college students also partici- pated in the day. Speakers for the rally included a short program of speakers, including student activists and BC Federation of Labour leader Jim Sinclair. Students and their supporters advocated that lowering fees will make it pos- sible for more BC youth to finish post sec- 4 THE OTHER PRESS FEBRUARY 15 2007 ondary education and enter the workforce with useful skills and qualifications. Scott Payne, the BC chairperson of the Canadian Federation of Students said that Wednesday’s rally was only one component of a new government relations strategy cam- paign which is unfolding this year. “It’s time to reduce tuition 10 percent and make sure that everybody who wants to get an education is able to.” “That’s how we’re going to move forward as a prosperous province.” In addition to a 10 percent tuition fee reduction, the CFS is also advocating for increased funding to all post-secondary insti- tutions, reinstating student grants for those in need, including graduate students, increasing funding for trades and apprenticeship stu- dents, and making adult basic education tuition free of all fees. Other demonstrations in Canada’s major cities clocked in anywhere between 500 and 200 participants. In Ottawa, 1000 students marched on Capital Hill. PHOTO BY ANGEL DESJARLE