NOVEMBER 30, 2004

THE CADRE e 4

PSE: Looking More Closely at the Government’s Picture

During an interview with the Honorable Mildred Dover, Minister of Education, that was printed in the November 13", 2004 issue of The Guardian, it was evi- dent that she was trying to convey a certain image of post-secondary edu- cation on PEI. Minister Dover spoke about how much the Island government cares about UPEI and how much it has increased the funding to this institution. Since the Conservatives gained power in the Provincial legislature, funding to UPET has risen from $21.9 million to $27.8 million(UPEI & AVC): repre- senting a 31% increase. However, over this same time period inflation has risen by 17.9%. Subsequently, when one re- examines the numbers, there was only an increase of 13.1%. During this same time, enrollment in UPEI’s undergradu- ate programs has risen from 2200 to 3430 students which represents an in- crease of 55.9%. Figure 1 depicts

0 a T Figure ‘{!% Increase in Funding

and Enrolment at UPEI from 1996-1997 to 2003-2004

The government has made commitments during their mandate to the Kindergar- ten to Grade 12 school program in an attempt to have the smallest class sizes in Canada without laying off teachers. Since the Conservatives took power in 96/97, school board enrolments have fallen from 24,747 to 23,083 dropping by 6.7%. It is interesting to compare funding numbers within the education portfolio on PEI. If one was to look

closely at the numbers when the Binns government took office in 1996-1997, operating grants per student at UPEI were at $6,958.45 while:school board grants per student were $4,497.51. Last year these numbers have made a dramatic turn as UPEI grants per stu- dent are now at $5761.45 while schoolboard grants per student have risen to $6422.31. Figure 2 depicts this graphically.

1996

7000 6000 5000 4000 3000 2000 1000

UPE!

Schools

HE Grants Per Student

These numbers give one pause. How is UPEI supposed to maintain the same level of services with such a substantial drop in funding per student? It seems as though there is an inverse correla- tion between funding dollars and enrollment. Perhaps if UPEI was to see a decrease in students, the govern- ment would ante up more operational dollars. Since 96/97, tuition at UPEI has increased by 49%. Over this time total Government revenue has increased by 28.91% (which excludes the trans- fer increases which were negotiated recently.) :

Students, faculty and staff at this University are well aware of the chal- lenges that face this institution. As op- erational funding from the government fails to keep pace with the needs of this University, the ramifications are felt all over the province. The number one concern of Islanders today is health care, but ask yourself this question: where is it that nurses, for example, re- ceive the training necessary to work in Island hospitals? It is in post-second- ary institutions like UPEI. The govern-

ment needs to see post-secondary edu- cation as a pre-emptive form of deal- ing with the concems ofa nation: health care shortages, shortages within eco- nomic sectors. Education is necessary for the continuation of our society and economy and it the public and govern- ment do not start recognizing this, it will fast become a bigger concern.

Perhaps it is time for radical 2003 7000 6000 5000 4000 3000

2000 1000

Schools

UPEI BE Grants Per Student

ideas. If the government does not want to delegate funds to the University, per- haps the University should take mat- ters into their own hands. We’ve seen proposals for racinos to be built to try to save the dying harness racing indus- try. We would like to propose that the

as a court agent, provincial offences prosecutot, immigration counsel or legal researcher

(to name a few potential positions) and you're in the right seat. ;

university consider buying the old Cat building across from Blanchard field and open a casino, with real tables, not those computerized coin monsters. This could create student jobs and bring in a different clientele. This would create new opportunities for tourism and rev- enue generation. We’d merely be fol- lowing the governments lead and mak- ing lemonade out of the lemons we have been dealt. :

In all seriousness, we realize that this is not an appropriate solution to the post-secondary education problem, but the point is that something needs to be

- done and if we, as students, don’t en-

sure that this remains an issue, post- secondary education will continue to decline in importance to government.

Sincerely,

Clare Henderson, President, UPEISU Mark O’Halloran, Exec VP, UPEISU Britt Burns, VP Finance, UPEISU Peter Grandy, VP Activities, UPEISU

Paralegal Studies

Want a degree that works for you? S

Humber offers the only Paralegal Studies degree program in Canada, combining a comprehensive understanding of legal principles with specific law-related skills for an education that’s valued by major paralegal firms, law firms arid federal and provincial governments. Think of yourself

Call 416-675-6622, ext. 3336 or email bernard.aron@humber.ca, for further information. Apply for all Business School programs at www.ontariocolleges.ca

(2) HUMBER

The Business School