By Jim-Beau Lieyeah

STAFF GONZO

On Friday, February 25", the government of Prince Edward Island an- nounced plans to spend $2 million on post secondary edu- cation through three initiatives. These ini- tiatives included a new interest relief plan, an Island Awards program, and a $1 million in- vestment in UPEI’s future student center. Reaction varied to- wards these initia- tives.

Student Union(SU) Presi- dent John Desrosiers was happy commenting, “4t shows that the gov- ernment feels post secondary education is important. How- ever, I was surprised by the timing of it. The Friday before spring break with nobody around, 3 days be- fore the federal bud- get, and with a pro- vincial election pend- ing,” Desrosiers said.

SU VP Fi- nance Stephen Lewis also expressed his general surprise.

“There was] no advance warning. I got a call Thursday asking me to come in the next day for an

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important announce- ment” Lewis said.

UPEI President _

Wade MacLauchlan added, “it is an indica- tion that government is increasingly of the view that the Univer- sity is an asset in the knowledge economy, and that university edu- cated students are an important part of their

newly earned degree.

President MacLauchlan stated in a Guardian commen- tary that he expected this relief to cost “up- wards of $100,000 per year... it enables students to repay debt ina way that is flexible and sensitive to their earning capacity, with

Fund which is $1.3 mil- lion per year. The Mil- lennium scholarship fund has been problem- atic for PEI because two thirds of that money goes to students study- ing off Island. Education Min- ister Chester Gillan stated that, “we need to cover as many as pos- sible” in reaction to why the money was targeted towards students close to graduation. He then added, “ we have heard students when they say they can not afford 3% tuition raises. Without this initiative, tuition could have risen by 18%.” But after

Studnet Union President

John Desrosiers

raises of 89% in the last decade, the last statement rings a little hollow. Desrosiers added, “it will help keep brain gain in university...$600 is an upper level gift

long term vision for provincial develop- ment.” The first initia- tive is anew interest relief plan similar to the one the federal gov- ernment uses with its Canada Student Loans program.

The plan states: “Tsland students with low or no income will be eligible to have the

province pay the inter-

est on their student loans during an agreed upon period of interest relief.” The plan comes into effect on April 1 and should be benefi- cial to students who are testing the job mar-

ket with their

the possibility of relief extending up to 60 months.” This is impor- tant to graduating stu- dents especially when they see their monthly loan repayment equivalent to their rent.

The second ini- tiative was an Island Students Awards pro- gram. It will give $600 dollars to 3" and 4" year UPEI students as well as 2™ year Hol- land College students. It is estimated the pro- gram will cost about $400,000 per year and is targeted to- wards about 800 stu- dents. The money comes from the prov- inces share of the Mil- lennium Scholarship

but first year stu- dents are important as well. Itis unlikely this amount will be enough for some prospects to stay on the island.” Which is one of the ar-

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eas being targeted by this program. — Another is the fact that 9000 Island- ers have University credits but have not finished their degree. Hopefully, this new initiative will act as an incentive to those people as well as those considering leaving their studies. tive was the $1 million for the new Student Center. This unsolic- ited amount followed the provincial govern- ment practice of try- ing to match student contributions. In that area, $1.1 million has been raised (primarily - through student fees). Alumni and staffhave contributed another $200,000. Altogether the two and a quarter million dollars brings

the student center, with an estimated

price tag of $3 million (3 years ago), a lot closer. But as Lewis points out, this is from an old estimate that did not include all of

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the facilities and op- tions being discussed to be included.

Desrosiers stated that, “it is nice to see the province taking initiative in see- ing aneed for the stu- dent center and fol- lowing the lead of the student union and ad- ministration. Now itis time to get the general community on board as they will benefit from it too.”

As Gillan pointed out, “there is nothing wrong with more money regard- less of the timing.” And he is right. All parties contacted were pleased that the prov- ince stepped forward and all see the utility in the initiatives. How- ever, all that being said, Desrosier seemed to offer the best synopsis when he said, “it is step in the right airec- tion when what we re- ally needed was a

leap.”

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