Vol. CXXXIII, No. 1
University of Toronto’s Student Newspaper Since 1880
20 August, 2012
THE Varsity thevarsity.ca
U of T student makes big-screen debut at TIFF pg 9
University opens work-study program to all Funding changes grant university control over eligibility Rida Ali ASSOCIATE NEWS EDITOR
The University of Toronto is launching a revised version of the work-study program, this year, after taking over funding from the Ontario government. The work-study program provides students with part-time jobs on campus that tend to have more flexibility than part-time work off campus. Funding for the program, traditionally financed by provincial funds combined with university contributions, was eliminated in the
April 2012 Ontario budget — a budget that critics claim eliminates a total of $100 million in existing scholarships and assistance programs — as part of an effort to shave a billion dollars off the provincial deficit by next year. U of T has said that the university will continue to finance the program, with 20 per cent of student wages coming from employer contributions and the remaining 80 per cent funded centrally by the university. Students who have used the program in the past say it was an ideal way for them to earn money while enrolled full-time in school, and to
Bernarda Gospic/THe VArsity
“Affording an education is a real concern affecting all students. The inclusion of part-time, out-of-province, and international students is a positive step towards recognizing that work-study programs are aid sources for all students.” —Abigail Cudjoe, vice-president-external, UTSU gain work experience in their field without putting too great a strain on their studies. “Prior to working on campus, I worked weekends and some weekdays at a not-for-profit organization,” said Ben Peel, an undergraduate student at U of T and former participant in the work-study scheme. “It was very demanding on me personally and academically since I never had any time to study or work on papers over the weekend. “I never ran into that problem in any of my work-study positions. My employers allowed me to organize my schedule around my free time on campus.” “The program provided an excellent opportunity to develop important skills and work ethic, meet new people, and make life-long friendships,” said Ezaz Uddin. “For many students … the work-study program provided their first professionally-relevant work experience.” In the past the program was restricted to fulltime, domestic students who were receiving funding from OSAP. But the university has redesigned the program to give more students workstudy opportunities since taking full responsibility for funding; work-study positions are now open to all University of Toronto students. The expansion of the eligibility criteria has
drawn mixed reactions from students. While Uddin believes giving more students the option of working on campus is a positive step, “students with substantive financial needs should get priority, not only because of the financial aspect, but also because students who come from poor [or] stressed households are likely to have a hard time securing employment.” “Affording an education is a real concern affecting all students. The inclusion of part-time, out-of-province, and international students is a positive step towards recognizing that work-study programs are aid sources for all students,” said Abigail Cudjoe, vice-presidentexternal of the University of Toronto Students’ Union, in a statement. “At a time when many programs and initiatives are being scaled back or cut completely, it’s really great that the vice provost-students is dedicating funding towards the work-study program,” said Peel. Students who meet the criteria can apply for the program at www.careers.utoronto.ca; applications open September 1 and the hiring deadline is September 28, or when the workstudy budget has been committed.