Page 4 October 2008

~ CAMPUS

UPEI Cadre

Federal candidates look for solutions to stu- dent’s financial woes

Conservative, Liberal and NDP candidates opine in on what they feel is needed for the betterment of the university experience

The colours varied from blue to green to red Monday night as candidates for the Liberal, NDP and Conservatives moved into the UPEI Student Centre to discuss their plans for the students of UPEI. “Post-secondary education has been left struggling,” NDP candidate Brian Pollard started off. “We [the NDP] have plans for the future.”

But the other candidates fired back. Conservative candidate

Tom DeBlois spoke of what the school has done for the province and how he has great respect for it.

“T don’t drive by the UPEI campus without looking back,” he said. “It’s with a

campus.”

DeBlois continued with his opinions of how UPEI has helped shape the area for the better by _ stating the province should join him in being happy with its devel- opment.

“All Islanders should. be proud, they are proud. And for that I salute you.”

Liberal candidate and Charlottetown riding incum- bent Shawn Murphy focused his opening arguments on what he has done for the school since first taking office.

“My biggest priority has, since then, been this univer- sity,” he said.

A big topic of discussion for the debate was the illus- trous problem of student debt, and all candidates aimed to have their voices heard on the subject.

“I’m extremely pleased with the Liberal platform in this area,” Murphy said.

But Pollard saw it in a dif- ferent light.

“Since the 1990’s debts have tripled,” he said.

in the people I know.”

He went on to say the NDP plans to lower student loan rates, making it easier for students to pay them back.

“T have a lot of sympathy for the loans students have to pay these days,” he said.

“T for one would like to see the day there are no student loans.”

Murphy noted __ that: “People don’t just jump into the work force...It takes time.”

All three candidates agreed there needs to be something

i 6

done __ to

dt ensure

™ Islanders

. have _ the

ability to

obtain a

post-sec-

ondary

education, and while there

has been significant

improvements in_ recent years more can be done.

“Any canadian will have

the chance to obtain a post-

secondary education, and i’m very proud of that,” DeBlois said.

The cost of books was also on the agenda. DeBlois insisted the prices in the school Bookstore are exactly what you’d expect else- where and while the Liberal and NDP _ candidates declared prices could be changed.

“Anything that would lower the cost of text books

for students, I’m all for it,” Pollard said.

The federal election will take place on Oct. 14.

Wave of controversy finds its way in the Wave's Halloween pub_

Change of plans means those under and over 19-years-old may not be sharing the bar together

Students of UPEI under the age of 19 may have gotten an unpleasant surprise recently upon hearing the popular Halloween party held at the Wave had moved from a wet/dry event to an event only for those of drinking age.

Student Union President Justin Douglas says there’s no reason to fret, however. There still will be an event for students who are under- age, there’s simply been a change in plans.

“As it stands there’s going to be two Halloween dances,” Douglas said.

Douglas smiled often when discussing a situation he says has “snowballed.” When the decision was made to move away from

the wet/dry concept, he had no idea it would spawn into such a major ordeal for the student population.

He went on to state that while no plans have been set in stone, it seems possible the first night will be for those of and below drinking age, while the next will be an event permitted to those of 19 years and older.

“Anything could happen...It’s really up in the air. Nothing’s been solidi- fied yet.”

The change in plan is by no means trying to keep the younger students from enjoying a similar university experience as the older ones, he said.

“Its

not a deliberate

attempt to keep the underage

from attending the pub...It’s not something we’re. doing in spite of them.”

As the problem has pro- voked some keen interest, Douglas said some work must be done in order to per- fect the plans for the Halloween party.

“Tt’s a bunch of different things and they need to be factored in and weighed.”

In the past, the Halloween party has lived up to its. hype, welcoming a packed house and a variety of cos- tumes. as students jam into the bar.

The event, Douglas. said, often entices excitement.

“We find these shows to sell out very quickly.”

Final plans have not yet been released.