The Other Press

January 31, 1986 page 3

Levy

In spite of some messy per- sonality clashes, the Student Senate accomplished a num- ber of important things at this week’s meeting, including paving the way for a vote on a

‘by JEREMY BLOOM

separate fee levy for Athle- tics, and starting up a support campaign for Swedish second World War hero Raoul Wal- lenberg (see accompanying article on page 9.)

The activity fee for sports would amount to $2.50 to $3.00 per student per. sem- ester, and would be on top of the current $19 Student Soc- iety fee and the $4 Other Press fee which all full-time students pay.

Most other schools have some sort of athletics fee, but up until now the administra- tion has covered most athle- tics costs. According to D.C.S.S. President Michael Glavin, the administration ap- proached him about institut- ing the athletics fee. He said

or not levy?

they might not be able to maintain current funding le- vels without it.

The D.C.S.S. already spends a large percentage on athletics, by appropriating money as it is requested by various athletic groups. They subsidized the Basketball team’s trip to a tournament in Hawaii last semester, and at this meeting voted $1,000 to send the volleyball team to a tournament in Calgary.

‘too busy’ for Maple Ridge — Schmuland

In addition, nearly 25 per- cent of the D.C.S.S. budget goes to using the facilities at the Canada Games Pool.

Before the fee can be col- lected, it must be approved by the students at the annual general meeting,to be held in March.

In February, there will be a Special General Meeting, which will consider a proposal

‘New DCSS vice president Paul Ehni

to assist the Other Publication Society in financing a new typesetter. The senate was

told the O.P.S. had not yet brought it’s proposal, but would have one by

Aid error ‘no problem’

by JEREMY BLOOM

Because of a computer er- ror, a number of students throughout the province found themselves receiving their second semester loans a month later than they wer told they would. :

According to Douglas Finan- cial ‘Aid officer Patty Lewis, the problem was simple. “They put the wrong date on the disbursement notification form, December 19th instead of January. They realized the mistake in August, and sent letters to all B.C. student loan recipients, but not to people who were just getting Canada Student Loans.

“| had no money,’ ‘said Douglas student Jennifer Whiteside. ‘’Christmas was around the corner, rent was coming up. | said, ‘that can’t be.’ After all the other screw- ups with my loans, | was so frustrated | almost cried.’’

Fortunately for Jennifer, the Douglas College Financial Aid Office was able to help her out. But only because she asked. According to Aid of- ficer Patty Lewis, ‘‘we helped out a few people who were in a difficult situation, we gave out a few emergency loans.’’

But Lewis adds, they were fortunate not many people affected came forward. ‘‘We

wouldn’t have had the re- ‘sources to accommodate that many people.”’

According to Ministry of Education spokesman Mary Browning, it wasn’t that big

Douglas Student

Jennifer Whiteside © of an issue. ‘‘I don’t think it was a horrendous problem for a lot of students, although it was a problem for some. We do make an effort to notify if an error occurs.’’

Nobody at the Ministry of Education could tell exactly how many students had been affected. Browning said she would prefer not to guess, but ‘not a large number.’’

‘‘It was a problem, there was an error, what can |

say?’’

D.C.S.S. President Michael Glavin was less sanguine. ‘‘It should be no surprise that C.F.S. Nationally cited stu- dent aid as the area most in need of their attention as a

‘student interest group, and

charged the B.C. Government as having the most outra- geous record of the the prov- inces in this regard,’’ he said.

“| hope students will take the time to inform me of the problems they encountered, with regard to their student loans, since we don’t have to worry about grants around here. With this information and the assistance of the C.F.S., we will bring your concerns to the attention of the ministry and the public,’’ he added.

“| urge all students who have encountered any need- less difficulty with their stu- dent loans to bring them to me, either personally or in writing, as soon as possible, ’’ Glavin stated.

Part one of a three part series. Next issue, Categories: what’s a student supposed to do if they don’t fall neatly into a Financial Aid pigeonhole? The last part will look at the enormous problem of Student debt: do you realize how long it will take you to pay this all back?

Keith ,

winner when spoiled

ballots were thrown out in a close three-way race

Thursday. ‘ Glavin also reported that the old YMCA _ building,

which the senate was consid- .

-ering purchasing for a Stu- dent Union Building, is not quite what they’re looking for. ‘‘It’s in tremendous need of repair,’’ Glavin said, ‘‘and they won’t even give us a def- inite price.’’ He added that there were other options -be- ing investigated.

The meeting was marred by several serious personality clashes. An appeal was heard for the rehiring of John Mc- Donald, who was fired from his job as bar manager at the Pub Nights when he got into an emotional altercation with

‘set an example of sobriety’

— Zwarich

D.C.S.S. Treasurer Shelly Zwarich over staff policy. This sparked a 45 minute debate which mainly centered around the chain of command and lines of authority between the Senate Executive, the Pub Manager, and his staff. Al- though the main issue, execu- tive authority, was resolved in favour of Shelly, the debate left everyone frustrated, es- pecially McDonald, who re- mains fired.

There was also a storm of controversy around D.C.S.S. Secretary Wayne Schmuland. The previous meeting ended in a fire-fight between Sch- muland and Glavin; this one began with letters from Ma- ple Ridge demanding Schmu- land’s resignation if he failed

Neil Burnett, also elected to senate in last week’s by-election

to keep his campaign promise to come to Maple Ridge once a week. A.B.E. student Cindy Phillips was particularly in- censed that Schmuland was not -just ignoring the Maple Ridge Campus, but ignoring their letters of complaint as well.

Schmuland noted in_ his defense that he hadn’t pro- mised to go out every week— “It says right in my letter that I’d come out every week Unless | was too busy; if they can’t read that....’’

Schmuland also observed that the Maple Ridge rep had missed a number of senate meetings, and ‘‘they haven’t been kicked off, although they could be....’’

The discussion was ended when Schmuland promised to speak to Maple Ridge stu- dents and bring back their concerns.

Chris Lirett, a business rep, wished to bring up Sch- muland’s conduct under a later item of business, and in fact called for his impeach- ment, but Schmuland had al- ready left the meeting so that discussion had to be post- poned.

One item of importance which somehow got lost in the shuffle was a decision on

Kevin MacDonald Photo —

voting policy: a number of.

ballots had been counted as spoiled, since they were ei- ther written in pen or used check-marks. The rules state that only X’s and pencil may be used. As a result, one candidate lost who would have won had all the ballots been counted as valid, and this serious problem should have been dealt with.

It will be discussed at a later time.