National day of action

ears its head again

tudents to gather on January 28 to protest debt

Chliboyko

 

_ tudent politicians across the country are
” gearing up for this year’s national day of
®&@,_ action, to be held for the first time since

2 | 1996, on Wednesday, January 28. The

“protest, engineered largely by the
adian Federation of Students (CFS), will
ifically target wealthy institutions, such as
, which profit at the expense of students.

As well, the protest will be the kick-start for a
uest for a national grants program.

The protest is sure to be vocal; according to one
tly oft-quoted figure released by the Canadian
eration of Students, post-secondary students

id an average $25,000 debt load upon leaving
ool.

“Students are fed up. Every September they face
tion fee increases. Canadian students need a
ional system of grants. They also need a national
ition fee freeze,” said Brad Lavigne, National
airperson of the CFS. “Grants and a fee freeze
first steps toward a fully accessible, publicly
ded system of post-secondary education today
id for future generations.

Douglas College student politicians are also

ing their voices heard. “Students from poor

d even middle class backgrounds are becoming
able to finance their post-secondary education,”
rites DCSS VP External Christa Peters, “and if

y decide to go into debt, with the interest they
by upon graduation, they end up paying more for
ir education than a wealthier student. The post-
ndary educational system is moving towards a
em for the rich and privileged only, leaving out
e of the best and brightest students just because
ir pocket book is not big enough.”

The figures are daunting. Tuitions, which used to
ount for 13% of universities’ and colleges’

rating budgets, now pay for 30% of institutions’
rating costs. Since 1984, tuition fees have
reased by 155%, more than four times the rate
inflation, which has risen by only about 38%.

 
  
  
 
  
    
  
 
   
 
  
  
   
 
 
   
  
    
   
  
 
 

‘Hurtin’ Numbers

gy by the CFS
Cuts since 1993: $2.29 Billion

 

in 89-90: 50%
in "94-95: 63%

This fundamental shift in economic responsibility
has been hitting students hard.

While education is largely a provincial responsi-
bility, recent provincial initiatives are running out
of steam and inspiring anxiety. Glen Clark’s two-
year tuition freeze is drawing to a close and an
extension has not yet been promised. Federal help,
meanwhile, has been weak as well. According to
Peters, Canada is one of only two countries in the
world (the other is Japan) that lack a national
grants system to help students deal with their debt
load.

; The CES has been planning the protest for
months. Peters herself was involved with some of
the commissions planning the logistics of the
protest, such as the route to be taken and the hiring
of protest marshals.

At a recent meeting for a pre-protest brainstorm,
Peters asked for ideas from the several students who
attended. “What about the Douglas College Float?”
suggests Maple Ridge VP Amanda Wheeler. “How
about a debt wall? We can brick up the registrar's
office window,” offers VP Internal Darryl Flasch.

Elsewhere on campus, the instructors have
thrown their hat into the ring, as well. According to
Peters the Douglas College Faculty Association has
agreed to refrain from scheduling tests on that day,
and to let their students attend the protest without
being penalized.

Peters also speaks of calling on members of the
various clubs on campus to volunteer their time to
the protest. Under college rules, every member of
every club on campus must volunteer one hour of
their time per term. Peters says she plans on cashing
in these chips to assist the protest.

The national day of action’s action is scheduled
to occur on the grounds of the Vancouver Public
Library, the scene of the crime in 1996. A down-
town march has already been planned, so students
are asked to gather, in sturdy walking shoes, at 1:30
pm. If you need more information or if an
instructor is resisting your attempts to attend the
protest, Peters asks you to call her at 527-5114. @

Uncrease in Tuition fees since 1993: 45%

Average Student Debt in 1993: $13 000

Pverage Student Debt in 1997: $25 000

Percentage of Full Time Students that rely on student loans in '94-95: 48%
ercentage of Full Time Students that rely on BC loans and student loans

 

  
 

Portishead
bathed in
blue
page]

Devil's Advocate - page 2
Win stuff - page 4
| End of an era - nage 5

David Tam Photo

This house is crumbling: This hotel on 6th, currently being destroyed, seems a perfect visual metaphor for the
financial confidence of Canadian students, suffering under the constant pounding from government cutbacks