January 24, 1984
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’ CAMPUS COMMUNITY
/
ReceptiOnist needed
Want to sit at a desk in the Student Union office, type, and
answer the phone?
g Well, neither do we, but there must be someone out there
who we its to be a receptionist Apply for this position before January 26 at the Student Applications are available at the Registrar’s Office or at Student Services. Closing date for applications is Friday,
Union office.
Election date set '
A datehas been set elections.
for the Student Union spring general
On March 13 and 14, students will vote for next year’s President, VP Academic, VP Operations, Treasurer, and most Council positions. The previous day, March 12, will be res'erved for candidates’ speeches in the Robertson Library Lounge and the annual spring general meeting of the Student
Union.
Nominations for positions are now open.
Part-time bursary ¥- $150
An award of $150 is being offered to part-time students
enrolled at UPEI.
The terms of this new bursary are as follows: given to a needy student, registered for three or six semester hours of credit in the second semester, who has received passing grades in all courses in the last semester registered at UPEI.
8 February 1985.
Daily fitness classes
Fitness conscience women take note — now you can keep in shape (or get back into shape) with new Dancercise classes that are being offered to all women of all ages. Come at 12:00 on Tuesday and Thursday for a thirty minute work-out.
These classes are in addition to the already existing Fitness classes that will continue to go Monday, Wednesdays and Fridays at the same tines a. last semester (11:30 - 12:30 and
12:30 - 1:30).
, Spira talks of Poland at seminar
By Michael Zinck
With the recent trial of Polish security officers, we have tended to overlook the
‘ everyday situation in Poland, which effects the lives of all Polish citizens. Professor Thomas Spira (Dept. of History) from a recent trip to Poland was able to assess the situation first-hand. (Faculty Seminar lecture Jan. 11)
Professor Spira was in Krakow (population 500,000) at the invitation of the Uni- versity of Krakow. The de- partment to which Professor Spira was assigned specializes in the study of the German minorities in Hungary be- tween the 2 world wars.
From the outset Professor Spira makes it clear that the Polish government is not just a carbon copy of that of the Soviet Union. The Polish government, while “a mono- lithic Soviet type of regime,
of course, invite the Russians in.-
What this points to is a clear division in the com— munist world, but one that cannot be exploited, as the Soviet Union will not tolerate a divide and conquer. strategy.
Even between East block nations, all is not well. Pro- fessor Spira points out that while “Poles have made peace with thé Germans,
Poles loathe and despise the .
Czechs”. Of course 'this warmth is returned by the Czechoslmaks.
As an example, Professor Spira spoke of his colleague from Yugoslavia who travelled by trian via Vienna and Czechoslovakia to Krakow. At the Czech- Austrian borders armed troops crawled over, around, through and under the train, searching all the compart- ments and the Yugoslav pro-
“Poland is critical because Poland sits between the Russians and East Germany, and the Russians don't
trust the East Germans.”
is facing a reformist anti- communist Solidarity. ”
And it is a. “government divided against itself, Soviet hardliners and moderates who would like to make peace with Solidarity.” The result of such internal feuding, Professor Spira states, is a “government com- pletely deadlocked within itself.”
Yet Poland, for security reasons, remains vital to the Soviet Union. “Poland is critical because Poland sits between the Russians and East Germans, and the Russians don’t trust the East Germans.”
This point was made by people he talked to, who were aware that Poland must not push the‘authorities too far. This would invite the Mina-antistatic mver ~ and,
fessor himself. And yet he was only in transit. Again at the Czech-Polish border the search was repeated as before.
These two countries are not only Warsaw Pact members, but are supposed to' be “Fraternal Socialist States”. As Professor Spira says, “This shows a total lack of unity in the Soviet camp”.
However, he goes on “we should not rejoice at such a situation, as (the Soviets) are morrdangerous than if they had unity. The Soviety Union is very touchy, very nervous because its security depends on the East European cor- ridor of states.”
But such external and internal divisions have been costly, especially for the average Polish citizen. The shortages of basic essentials
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has lead to rationing of most meats and gasoline.
Though there is a black market for all these goods, it is too expensive for the average Pole, and its cur- rency of transaction is American dollars. According to Professor Spira, there are really two levels of trans- actions. Small exchanges are done in Zloyts (the Polish
ment spends millions on re- storation, but according to one official, “because of the pollution everything (all monuments) need to be repaired every ten years.” Clearly even for the Cana- dian government this would represent an extremely ex— pensive undertaking. For the Polish government with is current debt load, the task
“Life for the visitor is sweet”.
currency), while all large transactions are in dollars. While the official rate of exchange is 100 Zloyts to 1 American dollar, the black market pays from 500 to 600 to 1 dollar. '
To earn more money, many Poles moonlight in second and third jobs. This also keeps large families (the nuclear family plus in-laws or grandparents) out of small apartments, which are as— signed by the state and are in short supply.
Yet while life maybe more difficult for the average Pole, “life for the visitor is sweet.” Professor Spira notes “there is a supply of luxury goods available at about 20-25% cheaper than in Canada. And accommodations and espe- cially the meals are first class.”
Economically, Poland is rich in natural resources with excellence farmland, forests, minerals (an abundance of coal) and rivers for hydro- power. All this is in a land of 37 million people the size of Labrador.
Coal, though, has brought Poland many problems, the most serious of which is pollution. The air is so bad in Krakow that American con- sulate officers receive hard- ship pay because of the dangers to their health.
In addition, this pollution has caused. millions in damage to historical monu-
,ments. In fact the govern-
become almost impossible.
Still, as Professor Spira warmly notes, “Poland is a cultural historian’s heaven." By looking at each floor of an older building one can tell the period it was built in. “You can actually see the development of different styles as the centuries go on.” In addition, he says that “never (has he) seen a better exhibit of period furniture” than in Poland.
Clearly Professor Spira is pleased about much that he found in Poland. As he notes, “what the Poles do they do well.”
As Canadians perhaps we should take a good look at Poland and help give them the time and resources needed, so that the Polish people can continue in the words of Professor Spira, “to do more of what they do so well.”
Professor Spira’s remarks, titled “Poland Today, ” were given in a faculty seminar and are available on cassette from theLibrary.
In addition, his latest publi- cation "The Radicalization of Hungary’s Swabian Minority after I93 ” is available for reading in the publication Hungarian Studies Review, Vol I No 1, Spring 1984, which can be found in the periodical section of the library.
Professor Spira is currently editor of the publication Cana- dian Review of Studines in Nationalism.
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Next hopeful to arrive
The second candidate to appear before UPEI audiences and courageously volunteer to be President will give a public lecture at 8 p.m. in the Robertson Library Lecture Theate on Monday, January 28.
Dr. Terrence P. Hogan has been affiliated with the University of Manitoba as teacher of psychology, associate dean of arts, and dean of graduate studies. He is now Associate Vice President (Academic).
Hogan will meet with faculty, students, and the media during his two—day stay on the Island.
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0.x. , CLASS), TODAY
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EVERY TIM‘ 1 OPEN MY MOUTH
speakeasy
A SHORT COURSE ON EFFECTIVE SPEAKING FOR U.P.E.|. STUDENTS
ln a few years you will be assuming an active role in your work, in social and service organi— zations, and in the community. While at univer- sity ydu should expect to gain the skill and confidence necessary to communicate your ideas to others. This short course is designed for University of P.E.l. students who wish to achieve more effective expression in various forms of speaking such as discussion, seminar partici- pation and social interaction. Emphasis will be on the achievement of self-confidence, deter- mination and the development of human poten- tial. This course is not intended to be a high level course inpublic speaking or debating. Method: Exercise in small groups. Stress will be on doing. Length of Course: Six weeks, beginning Tuesday, _ January 29, 1985 Day and Time: T.B.A. Placez‘Audio Visual Studio, Robertson Library Class Limit: 8 participants Fee: $20.00
This is a non-credit course. No examinations will be held or marks recorded. Those wishing more information before registering are asked to contact the: Department of Student Services. Early Registration is Advised.
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