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Many Atlantic student councils have had it with the Atlantic Federation of Students (A.F.S.) The growing dissent, begun ‘ last year by a‘ few student unions, is now more widespread and major institutions have vowed to end their association with the organization.

At an August meeting of representatives of 10 Atlantic institutions,

6 of the 7 AFS members present voiced extreme dissatisfaction with the organization.

'lhey weren't very specific about the prdaleme with AFS, but there is one thing they do agree on - the organization is just not working. There was talk of simultaneous

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campus—wide referenda in hopes that students will cease their support of the organization.

AFS presently consists

of 15 member institutions \_

whose students, after approving membership in a democratic election, each pay a $1 levy to the federation.

Dalhousie Student Union President Mike Power says there is a credibility gap in AFS. He feels the organization is not representative of the students. "It's just not delivering," says Power.

"There are two ' distinct parts to AFS - the federation and the membership. I tend to think the reps on councils are of the same 'ilk as those they

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complaining‘don't want » to do any work." _ ’ Denise Roberge, Nova-47%!- Scotia member on the ' ’ ‘ AFS executive, concurs that the is ' sound. She believes

represent. The AFS executive is idealogic— ally~~different."' ‘

B.J. Arsenault, Acadia Student Union President, is also fed up with. the organization. "Student unions. have tried to the problem. is in the work with AFS. Acadia Way peOple their has always tried to be roles. "They see a leader. 'Let's give selves a${§.SCIIEfl1ing it one more chance" was apart fraficthevféqeratim. : the attitude in the 'past. 'Ihe student unions" and“ NON it's time to do the executive should something else." analyze their roles."

Diane Wright, President AFS consists of four of the Mount Saint provincial caucuses \ Vincent Student Union, a representatiVe says the basic problem _ “from each wit-h AFS is the member-. " executive- ""Iheg p2,; ship- "Many people are -' ' -- not in to utilize ' ' ere? 5‘3 4* T the The - is that Newf structure is set up to 9nly.haS_‘W0 menber function if people institutions and P.E.I.

has only'one, so there are difficulties in forming strong provincial

. caucuses. However, it would be a bigger problem ‘ is the provinces decided to work alone."

Both Power and

Arsenault believe there

,is a need for some type -

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"The way things are organized nm, Halifax tells people what to do. If there were 4 organizations, each would know their om province." ‘ Power thinks a new organization would be more- service—minded. He believes individual student unions have ‘ enough Power governmentsmtheéaxxom s - Without the needvffea-aésisera: organization to represent

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. Wright say" it is.

' necessary to have a regional organization due to the political structure in this area. "Anyone Who thinks individual councils can ; deal with ' p

. government more adequately

‘ than a mufied body does

. not understand the - - i _ ' situation."

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Tnere have been.troubles before.......‘ ~ - In November 1976 student . representatives decided ‘ 1 ' , AFS was ' effective. . ' ‘ They un rstood the need . for a strong regional” 9' organization and felt? " ,it could not ' achieved without a—Soun financial base, a full-' 1 ' time staff person and a regional office. At the

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