By Shannon Younker

EI STUDENTS WHO PREREGISTERED or their courses this summer were put in the id position of signing up for courses without nowing their cost. The university budget, sually passed in May of the preceding year, as not been passed yet for the 1994-1995 year. n August 25, a mere 13 days before registra- ion day, prices were set at $262 per three mester hour. This is the latest date that tudents anywhere across Canada have waited to find out the price of their education. The 262 price tag represents an increase of 5% from the $249 per course last year. The prices for fall 1994 are unique in another way, since the price for 1994 summer session courses was $264 technically tuition dropped in Septem- ber. The two dollar reduction is not cause for celebration.

The delayed announcement of tuition rosts came on the heels of another discourag-

ing situation experienced by UPEI students who chose to take summer courses in 1994. The price for courses at the beginning of the first summer session was $249, the same as it was for the previ- ous two semesters. People paid, knowing that the price could change at any time, completed course work and received their marks, theusual sequence for any se- mester. When the marks were mailed out, the prevailing opinion was that students were lucky and there would be no increase until September. That was not the case. In early July, all students who had taken courses in Mav

Even though marks had been received, there is no way out of paying this retroac- tive increase in tuition.

VEWS AND FEATURES

oney talk at the university PEI. SAYS “GOOD-BYE” ,

and June received bills for a 15 dollar increase in tuition for the already completed courses. Considering that the UPEI budget has yet to be finalized, is it irrational that some students fear the same for the courses in which they are pres- ently enrolled.

Even though marks had been re- ceived, there is no way out of paying this retro- active increase in tui- tion. If you do not pay you will be sent many letters from the busi- ness office, and eventually your name will be sent to a credit agency. No doubt it would keep you from graduating, not to mention difficul- ties in getting future loans

The delay in announcing tuition rates is ano-win situation for administrators as well as students. Most UPEI students are on a tight budget and a 5% increase in price can make a difference in the number of courses they are able to take, ifany. This delay could also have created frustration and extra work in the busi- ness and registrar’s offices. People who might have had money available to pay in full during the pre-registration period were unable to be- cause no one knew what payment in full would be. And what of Student Aid? With every increase in tuition, the money available can be spread between fewer people. And when the total amount is undecided, loans may be proc- essed slower than ever. Not even the Univer- sity can benefit from the added funds from students if tuition increases come in conjunc- tion with a decrease in funds from government and other sources

By Shannon Younker

WHO KNEW THAT REGISTRATION DAY Wvas so confusing? I am not referring to choos- ing courses and times or figuring out a payment plan to offset your tuition, Iam referring to the question of what off-campus businesses can be represented. Registration is a hectic day any year. Various lineups snake around the gym in front of cashiers from the business office, people granting permission to pay late, the various university departments and assorted udent council members and clubs. If you ooked past these lineups at registration day 994, there were also booths and representa- ives from Island Tel, Unitel and various banks. t present, there is no policy for controlling ho solicits on registration day, nor is it clear nder whose jurisdiction this decision would all.

The University owns Registration Day n the sense that it is not a Student Union ction. The University, through the business ffice gives the Student Union part of the floor ce, allowing various suborganizations to tup booths. Unitel and Island Tel cameto the tudent Union and asked permission to set up ths as well. In exchange they provided a lonation to the UPEI Student Union, essen- ially ‘‘renting’’ the space from them so they uld provide a service. Similarly in Welling- on, during off-campus registration, the Boy’s nd Girl’s Club was provided space by the tudent Union. Bank representatives were iven permission toattend Registration Day by he Business Office.

The Charlottetown Playhouse and Lit- le Christo’s arrived having been given per-

mission by neither the UPEISU, nor the Uni- versity itself and began handing out coupons for $3.65 off food or beverage for a night later in the week. The Playhouse representatives

The Ma

Registration day: whose business is it? Businesses compete for student patronage

against the Panther Lounge or goes against Student Union policy. As well, these tickets were freely given out without asking if the recipient was of legal drinking age, which does

ent and Staff of Playhouse

nagem The Charlottetown are pleased to offer you this

Complimentary Coupon for food or beverages to the value of

fF 2-4 FER? Goth

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were asked to leave by the Student Union. Other businesses stayed, but it did raise the question of the necessity of outside busi- nesses being present on Registration Day, and whether some types of businesses are more legitimate than others. All of the companies which were officially present during Registra- tion provide services to students that are una- vailable on campus at any other time. With the Playhouse, or any other bar attending there is the competition against the University’s own Panther Lounge, which was represented by Student Union members. There is also the issue that the coupons being handed out, while clearly labelled as being valid for food or beverage were also clearly thought of and referred to as “‘drink tickets’’ by students. Giving out free alcohol tickets is illegal, re- gardless of whether it is unfair competition

not blend with the ‘‘it’s ok to be dry at UPEI’’ Frosh week theme.

The Playhouse was asked to leave Reg- istration Day because they were not authorized to attend’ With the above problems, even if they, or any bar in Charlottetown was to ask permission of the University or the Student Union to attend, they would not be given permission.

Regarding banks, they provide a valu- able service to students in providing a ‘‘one- stop shopping”’ type ofatmosphere when choos- ing where to negotiate their Canada Student Loan. The key word in the previous statement is “‘shopping’’. At present, both the federal and provincial student loans can be negotiated with any bank. With the future monopoliza- tion of the Canada Student Loan Plan, students will no longer have the choice of what bank

they will be able to negotiate loans with. The Canadian Student Loan Program and the PEI Student Loan stipulate that CIBC and the Royal Bank of Canada will be the only banks carrying their loans and it is expected that this deal will be signed by the end of this year. This is widely seen as a dangerous development that could lead to privatization and most student organizations are against this. By allowing only certain banks on campus on Registration Day, it is perceived that the University and the Student Union prefer some institutions over others. If these institutions are CIBC or the Royal, it is perceived that the University and Students approve of their monopoly on student aid.

To rectify the situation and avoid future difficulties on registration day, the Registrar’s Office and the Student Union are working on a draft policy which will cover this situation.

The X-Press is also asking for student opinions on this issue. If you have something to say, give us your two cents worth.

When you go to registration, do you appreciate the services offered by businesses other than the University of Prince Edward Island?

Are there types of businesses that are more or less acceptable?

Should only those businesses that pass Student Union approval be allowed to attend?

Drop us a line either through our mail slot in 06 Main Building or through Email -our address is, simply, XPRESS@UPEI.CA.

| september 13, 1994 page 3}