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455 University Ave.‘. 892-4206

Point Of View

By Mike J. Trainor

As this article will be my last one for the year and my last as a student at UPEI, I would like to look at the past four years that l have spent at this insitution of higher learning.

The past four years here have seen many changes which have contributed to the overall workings of the university.

I have seen a progression in the emphasis which is placed on the institution. We have begun to move away from the fundamental philosophy of a liberal arts institution to a skills- or job-oriented philosophy. ‘ . V '

We seem now to be training students for the outside world rather than providing them with an overall education to help prepare them to face the real World. - *-

I am by no means attacking the idea of educating young people to enter the work force. Rather, I am probing the reationale for such a move in emphasis from the liberal arts education «which was intended when the university was established in 1969.

If, as a university, we fail in our bid to educate our young people to think, write, and take their place in society, then we must reflect on where our programs are headed. ’

When I arrived on this campus four years ago, I came to be educated, and taught how to’think, write, and take my place in society. I did not come to UPEI for the sole purpose of acquiring the skills required tortake my place in the jOb market: " ~ -

If we as students are not taught to think for ourselves, how do we expect the problems of society to be worked out?

Society’s problems can never be solved by throwing money around. There must come forward ideas and concrete thinking on the part of. all of us who live in this world if we are to solve this world’s problems. -‘ ‘ 1

One serious threat} facingithe future of this educational institution is the VetCOllege. I say this because the College is not like the more traditional liberal arts university. ltis'a professional school. catering to the needs of a select fewt - :

.vatejreto inmrneratejthissssqhqol into shamanism of UPEI life, than we must remainaware’oft its potential threats and benefits. V

We cannot look upon the Vet College as the saviour of UPEI, but rather must look at it as another facet of education.

The Vet College is. here to. stay at UPEI, but wejmust as a collective community of concerned academics (students, faculty and administration) make sure we gain control of this threat. Only by thinking rationally can we contain the 'fear now plaguing this educational institution.

I strongly feel that collectively we can achieve such a stance, keeping in mind the philosophy upon which UPEI was founded. _ i

My four years have been rewarding ones. I would deeply like to thank the many professors who have taught me over the years to think in a rational manner. Many of our faculty members have never really been given credit for their dedication to the field'of higher learning, all meant to make us students educated products of the society in which we live.

A bouquet of roses is deserved by these men and women who have dedicated their lives to making us more educated and aware of the outside world;

Because of them, we have the capacity to make our society a better place for all of us.

“And that’s my point of view.”

Financial AidColumn

By Sylvia Crawford ' * The following scholarship is’available to students attending U.P.E.I. or Holland COllege: . - -

Rotary Club of Charlottetown Scholarship —- Deadline

April 15th. I - I ,

Eligiblity: — must be a physicallydisabled person

—+ must be entering or continuingrstudies at U.P.E.l. or Holland College

$2,000: ' '

\

/ Value:

Term: ' t —: one academic (mayberen'ewed) _ Residency; —' must bea resident of PrinceEdward Island V —-‘- forms are available in'Student Services

V Anything else I may be able to. helpjyouéwi'th, stopiin.__and

see me in Student Services, 13tFloor,‘_MaingBuildinggTuesday

The Netted Gem

or Thursday 1:00—2 4:00pm; g .l ,

‘ April 12, 19