londonness 2006-2-27 00:55
western学生抗议高价的学费
By Paul Mayne
Although confirmed earlier this month that tuition fees will indeed rise at post-secondary institutions, students continue to voice their opposition to the Liberal government decision.
Chants of "shame, shame" were heard from approximately 70 Western students as they protested in front of the London office of Minister of Training, Colleges and Universities Chris Bentley, Friday afternoon.
Made up of undergraduate and graduate students, along with a number of activist organizations from campus, the students spoke out against Premier Dalton McGuinty's decision to end the two-year tuition freeze for the upcoming fall term.
Graduate student Nick Cothros told those in the crowd that post-secondary institutions are not receiving enough funds from the government, adding if universities are strapped for cash "where do you think they're going to get it from."
"Post-secondary education is expensive and is becoming even more expensive," says Cothros. "It's becoming increasing difficult for low- and middle-income families to send their kids to university.
A tuition hike is not the solution to the problem."
Huron University College student Meg Pirie agrees, saying students are having to work multiple jobs just to get by, which is putting them at a disadvantage scholastically.
"This is a travesty and should not be tolerated," says Pirie. "University is turning into something only for the financially elite. No government has the right to undermine our access to a post-secondary education."
Bentley was not at his London office during the protest. He was, ironically, in Ottawa attending a post-secondary skills training summit. In a phone conversation with Western News during the London protest rally, Bentley reiterated that his Liberal government is keenly interested in the future of post-secondary education.
"Continuing the freeze is not going to improve access," he says. "Whereas previous government had raised tuitions, while at the same time not investing in post-secondary education, the Liberals are changing that by stepping up with a major contribution."
Bentley is referring to a $6.2 billion provincial investment over the next five years for post-secondary education. Along with improving student aid, Bentley says a rise in tuition fee will go a long way in improving the quality of education and access to post-secondary opportunities.
"To have the best quality education requires resources," says Bentley.
For Patti Dalton, President of Western's Society of Graduate Students, this "keep the freeze" protest rally is just the first of many.
"The government wants to talk about improving access, but it seems strange that they think raising tuition fees will accomplish this," says Dalton, adding additional rallies will be organized, including one within 24 hours of the new tuition framework announcement.
"All this will accomplish is students incurring more debt once they graduate," she says.
Bentley says a formal announcement regarding the new tuition framework is expected in March.
