Private universities
c
1
threaten education Ryerson Polytechnic University students brought an emergency motion to the board of governors Nov, 27 requesting sup-
J4W
port in the fight against the creation of private, for-profit univer-
&
sities.
private, for-profit universities in Ontario
The introduction of
4$
will threaten students’ ability to receive a quality, accessible
local
public education, the university’s Federation of Students told the board. “Private universities are not a choice at hibitive
The costs are procompromised by ris-
all.
to education is already
and access
of the Canadian
ing tuition fees, deregulation and crippling student debt,” said Odelia Bay, vice-president education of the Ryerson local of the
student federation. Bill 132 was introduced in the Ontario legislature Oct. 19 by Diane Cunningham, Minister of Training, Colleges and
Universities.
The
bill
intends to bring several changes to the
Ontario college and university system. The purpose of the bill is to expand the access of Ontario student degree programs by allowing the establishment of privately-funded degree granting institutions in the province as well as
permitting Ontario
community colleges
offer
to
WHICH IDIOT SCHEDULED FIRE DRILL DURING LUNCH ?
rREAT
...
applied
degrees. Bill
132 will allow corporations to operate for-profit universi-
and colleges in Ontario. There are several concerns about private
ties
for-profit universities.
be privately funded because they will be funded by public funds such as student assistance and public research money. Secondly, the cost of private universities will be prohibitive for most students creating a two-tier system of education - one for
The
first is
that they will not in reality
who
can afford the exorbitant tuition fees and an under-funded public system for the rest. Access is already being compromised by increasing tuition fees. Students are graduating with obscene debt and private unistudents and their families
versities will only
make
Prejudice
Group home opponents need enlightening By
both disgusted and sad-
was
I
dened by the response of a few Kitchener residents to the location of a group
home
The
in their neigh-
who live in the Lackner Woods subdivi-
What
understand
to
an opinion
they attend school.
built
by the Sunbeam Residential
door.
not expected to meet the same quality standards as pubfunded universities. How can we be sure that high quality education will be offered by private universities? And is it possible that the government will reduce its commit-
ties are
lically
funding public post-secondary institutions if private forprofit universities are permitted? Post-secondary education is an imperative in a knowledgedriven economy. Students today cannot be successful without a
ment
to
post-secondary education and everybody, regardless of their financial status, should have the right to this education. The province has drastically cut funding to the universities. Nearly $400 million a year has been cut from the public system and universities are struggling to maintain then programs. -
Ontario currently ranks ninth out of the 10 provinces in Canada in funding to post-secondary education. Instead of importing U.S. -style private universities, the gov-
ernment should be looking at additional funding for publically funded universities and student loan programs to invest in the future of our province and the next generation. Private universities will change the education system into a
money-making industry with
a competitive market.
Education should not be turned into a profit-making industry. Education shouldn’t be about how deep your pockets are.
Development Centre, relocated. The four-bedroom bungalow will
way he would
not have
if
moved
I
comment from Arlene Metz who
said, “...I’m going to have to look
have young children
First
at
I
them. I’m going to have to feel
said,
will If
sorry for them.” it
We, as a society, need to accept and embrace our
should pity them.
bom It
people
with
except
from themselves
is
because they
tion, society will
I
never move for-
in this respect.
suggest the three residents of
of their parents and other adults
Lackner Woods who have a problem with this group home being
around them.
built in their
Metz
should see the creation of
group home as an opportunity
this
ences.
neighbourhood
for area children to
grow up
in a
adults they
grow up
that celebrates all
I,
people, not merely carbon copies
my
is
neighbourhood think
long and hard about what kind of
want
their children to
to be.
for one,
do not
fears to
my
aspire to pass on
children.
mainly funded from September to May by a payInc. (CSI) in exchange for the
ment from Conestoga Students
Keeping Conestoga College connected
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this
in
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SPOKE’s
comes
it
their ignorance to the next genera-
are not endorsed by the
SPOKE
when
each other for
The only reason they would ever be traumatized by someone
simply
means welcoming these
be able
Stajduhar and Metz passing on
dices.
mean
to
preju-
bom w ith
SPOKE
Spoke
like
we seem
that
is it
evolve in every other way,
to
As long
means we, as a society, need to accept and embrace our differThis
of
pick up on the fear and prejudices
various disabilities does not
we
Why
be because they inherit the
views
people.
all
know
I
these children are traumatized,
Children are not
looking for Stajduhar’s pity.
were
who
be traumatized.”
will
celebrates
of people in the area
Metz.
doubt any of these six adults are
Just because they
lot
ignorant
differences. I
“A
faced
group home as an opportunity for area children to grow up in a neighbourhood that
Living in a subdivision does not
was disgusted by the comments from Goran Stajduhar who
six
to 39.
dealing it
the creation of this
grant you the right to pick and
choose your neighbours. Secondly, I was saddened by the
24
is still
same prejudices
Metz should see
next
in
hard to believe that in the
100 years ago.
a right to
handicapped adults aged
house
with the
he does not
whether or not these adults move into his community. The same
want the group home, being
suffer if private universi-
that
it
21st century society
have the right to an opinion on
sion,
may
is
find
I
Stajduhar does not seem
upscale
residents,
of themselves.
our
into
neighbourhoods with open arms.
Student loan programs are woefully inadequate and most students who rely on government funding to attend university or college cannot afford their education without working while Third, the quality of education
homes
kinds of group
Kirsten Fifield
bourhood.
the situation worse.
exists
still
is
ext.
299 Doon Valley Dr., Room 4B14, Kitchener, Ontario, N2G 4M4. 691, 692, 693, 694 Fax: 748-3534 E-mail: spoke@conestogac.on.ca
CSI
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SPOKE
shall not
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SPOKE
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