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PAGE 4 February 1, 1985

 

 

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Bovey report draws criticism

A report calling for a 50 per
cent increase in tuition fees at
Ontario universities over the
next few years has sparked

 

Toronto [CUP]

 

immediate criticism.

Monika Turner, Ontario
Federation ot Students chair,
said. she was shocked when
she heard the long-awaited
recommendations of the
Bovey Commission — report,
which also suggested that
between 6,000 and 10,000
qualified students not be ac-
cepted into Ontario univer-
sities as a cost saving mea-
sure,

‘(Students are going to be)
upset...at this helter-skelter
plan of ‘let’s make the stu-
dents pay for everything’ .’’

Turner said the call for a
six per cent drop in enrolment
will seriously compromise stu-
dents’ right to an accessible
education, if the decrease is
implemented by university
boards of governors.

“The recommendations
mean 6,500 fewer places a
year, but where is the base
for this percentage?’’

The Bovey Commission, set
up last year to plan the
restructuring of Ontario’s uni-
versities, said: in its 64 page
report released fan. 15 that
accessibility must be reduced
to ensure the quality of ed-
ucation, instruction and re-
search remains high.

The report says ‘‘certain
urgent needs’’ must be met
through a ‘’small increase in
provincial government fund-
ing, increased tuition fees
backed by a contingent loan
repayment plan and federal
and.provincial funding of the
overhead costs of research.’’

Along with province-wide
entrance exams in at least
English or French and math-
ematics, the report calls on
students to pay for 25 per
cent of universities’ operating
expenses, and the govern-
ment to set-up a $200 million
fund to hire younger faculty
members, allow older ones: to
retire and reshuffle university
grants to ensure libraries,
research and buildings on
campuses are upgraded.

The commission--headed by
entrepreneur Edmund Bovey
--recommends two phases for

the implementation of tuition.

increases. In the first phase,
tuition fees would rise seven
per cent, resulting in about
$15 million in extra revenue.
The commission says $5 mil-
lion should go towards stu-
dent grants and $10 million to
the upkeep and renovation of
university buildings.

In the second phase, tuition

fees would increase eight per
cent a year for three years,
resulting in about $150 mil-
lion. Tuition fees would make
up 25 per cent of all operating
expenses, an increase from
the current 16 per cent.

The report suggests $60
million of this extra revenue
could be funnelled into a new
loan program with the re-
mainder going straight to the
universities.

Opposition and NDP MPPs
also expressed shock at the
report, echoing Turner’s con-
cerns.

“| frankly am appalled,’’
said NDP leader Bob Rae.
“The commission admitted
that the quality of education
is in jeopardy. What is the
response? Not to fund the
system adequately? The re-
sponse is to tax the students
and reduce access. They’re
not going to tackle the real
problem (which is) govern-
ment underfunding...it’s gut-
lessness on the part of the
commission.’’

Liberal leader David
Peterson agreed. ‘‘The com-

mission creates the clear im-"

pression that the system is
underfunded. Yet Ontario is
being told that it must live
with less, and the universities
should become places for the
very wealthy and well-to-do,’’
he said.

But the commission did not
come up with a comprehen-

  
     

Congratulations to Beth Consift, a

sive plan to restructure On-
tario’s university system, as
was Called for in its mandate.
It recommends that no uni-
versities or faculties be closed

and that universities maintain

their autonomy from govern-
ments as well as their under-.
graduate arts and _ science

programmes.

According to Bovey, uni-
versities and colleges minister
Bette Stephenson was pleased
with the report when the
commissioners presented her
with it in early January.

Though she did not attend
the press conference where

the report was made public,
Stephenson said in a press
release that the government
will not try to implement the
recommendations for the up-
coming school year.

‘‘The government is. giving
the report careful considera-
tion,’’ the release said.

 

 

 

 

Retail Management major at Sheridan
College in Brampton. She's the winner
of the second of three Bronco II's.

ni A

\

 

There's still time to enter the
Long Distance Contest.
Final Draw Date — February 20th

One more lucky student will win an ‘85 Bronco in
the final draw, February 20, 1985.

Entry forms and complete contest details are available in campus
bookstores or by sending a stamped, self-addressed envelope to
Telecom Canada, “Make Someone Happy” Contest Entries, 410 Laurier
Ave. W,, Room 950, Box 2410, Station D, Ottawa, Ontario KIP 6H5.