em Deee Me reer a tt RRR ene gu Se oy a Seen Pee w WaT bela hh FCM EN © ate 8s ny aod 6 C48 LE ied US Vo

f_y

WITHANEW SESSION OF PARLIAMENT just beginning, students can expect to hear more about the future of the funding of post-secondary education in our country. What is the future of the Canadian Student Loan program and whereis university funding headed? This is a question many students are concerned with and it is an enormously difficult question for our dear elected representatives to answer.

The new government’s finance minister, Paul Martin, is currently conducting conferences with the general public to determine what the public believes is the best route to take. The UPEI Student Union President, Todd King, was asked to attend the first of these conferences, which was held recently in Halifax. His role in the conference was to explain what students want from the federal government.

For those who are unaware of the situation which students at UPEI, Holland College, and all other post- secondary institutions in this country

face, | will briefly outline the impending crises which will be felt by students.

Tuition at UPEI is now over $2400 per school year for a full course load. Over the past ten years alone this fee has more than doubled from approximately $1200 in 1983. This is an incredible increase considering the fact that student loans have not increased during this period of time.

In addition to this bursaries, given out to students by the Provincial government have been virtually wiped out. Students can still apply for a provincial bursary but the budget for this program has been curtailed so heavily that very few of those who apply in fact get a bursary.

The mathematics in this equation do not really add up.

A university education has gone from being a top legislative priority to being an afterthought. Politicians do not realize that the future of this province and country lies in the education of its citizens. Canada was once a model for university programs

Andrew MacPherson _ iE

in other countries. Now we are falling behind many European countries in the area of accessibility.

There are many reasons for this change of direction by our legislators. When past student funding arrangements were implemented, many elected representatives did not have a university education-- in any event, not as many as do today. Most of today’s politicians have university degrees and take universities more for granted than the generation before them.

In the past many parents could only dream of sending their children to university. It was only in the mid-to- late seventies that a university education became accessible to most people. This

has now been largely lost and is continuing to go downhill.

In the weeks to come | hope to write aboutissues related to the funding of post-secondary education because | feel that people should become more aware of how crucial funding is to the future of universities and colleges in our province and country.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, KIRBY!

An Ode to Kirby...

Some could call you Kirbaceous, maybe... But we think you're the best.

Many say you are kooky baby,

But you're a head above the rest.

You're the god of the music review,

In production you're a king.

Oh Kirby, Kirby we worship you.

You are such a wild thing!

From all of your friends at the X.Press office, we hope that you have a wonderful time being 22! Happy Birthday, Kirby!

XPRESS MEETINGS EVERY TUESDAY NIGHT AT 6:30 IN ROOM O6 OF MAIN BUILDING

|_ > Sacpress februar first 199épage 9