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November 14, 2011 Volume 38, Issue 10 www.mediumutm.ca
Another “Drop Fees” campaign UTM Students’ Union embarks on yet another campaign to lobby the provincial government to lower tuition LORI-LEE EMSHEY ASSOCIATE NEWS EDITOR UTMSU held the year’s first Drop Fees coalition meeting last Tuesday. At the meeting they discussed how to raise awareness for the Drop Fees Rally, scheduled for February 1. Attendees also discussed lobbying tactics to advocate for lower tuition fees. UTMSU has suggested that during the provincial election in Ontario the Liberal Party promised a 30% reduction in Ontario student fees. In reality, the Liberal party promised to provide grants of $1,600 to students from families with incomes of less $160,000. The 30% reduction refers to the ratio of the grant to the average tuition (around $5,300). The discrepancy aside, student unions across Ontario will once again rally for a decrease in tuition fees.
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After years of campaigning, the UTMSU plans another lobby initiative. “Even though they promised a 30% drop, a reduction is actually a lie,” said VP External Munib Sajjad at the beginning of the meeting. Sajjad also explained that part-time students
and international student are ineligible. The topic of international student fees came up several times over the meeting. The average tuition cost this year
for international students was $28,000, not counting residence and meal plan fees. “If international students want their fees dropped, then their presence needs to be
shown,” said Sajjad. Along with a fee reduction for all students, Sajjad is also lobbying for a national education act that would cover all university students across Canada. “We’ve been lobbying for years but haven’t seen a change,” said Sajjad. “We need to get students together. We want to drop fees and make sure everyone is attached to it.” The coalition’s goal is to get 2,000 UTM students out into the streets for the rally in February. Other attendees’ visions for the goals of the campaign, not covered by the Liberals’ election promise, included government subsidization of education, a freeze in tuition fees, support of the community, prioritization of education and health care, and a united campus. Fees continued on page 3
Low turnout at town hall Students stressed tuition fees at town hall that assessed progress of “Towards 2030” STEFANIE MAROTTA NEWS EDITOR Few students and faculty attended the town hall last Tuesday, held by the university to seek feedback from stakeholders and assess the progress of the Towards 2030 plan for academic excellence. Cheryl Misak, UTM’s vicepresident and provost, held town halls on all three campuses to facilitate discussion about the new challenges and opportunities that have arisen since the document’s development in 2007. The UTM Students’ Union and students were the most vocal during the hour and a half allocated to questions, which focussed mainly on financial matters, including lobby efforts for increased government funding.
U of T first in research A Canadian ranking team places U of T first in Canada for research. Medium News, page 3
Campus restrictions? Student told off while exploring the Health Sciences Complex. Medium A&E, page 4
Exhibition at Blackwood Gallery hosts experimental video installation series. Medium Opinion, page 7
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Questions from the students’ union dominated the town hall. “It’s troubling that the U of T administration felt the true course was to assess higher tuition fees instead of influencing the policy-makers of the provincial and federal governments to
give more funding,” said Munib Sajjad, UTMSU’s VP External. Misak explained that the university constantly pushes for greater support from the province, but funding for research is
fundamental in expanding upon the university’s prestigious international reputation and providing quality education. Hall continued on page 2
Involving or just lazy? Discussion versus lecture as a teaching style. Medium Features, page 8
UTM plays off Five teams competed in playoff games this weekend. Check for the recap. Medium Sports, page 11