8 The Cadre November ry 1

Letters to the editor

I just finished reading the article, "The fixed link from Holland College to UPEI" in the October 28th issue of The Cadre, and I must say I am very upset.

Before deciding to further my educational career at UPEI, I attended Holland College. I graduated from the Youth Work program in 1994, but decided I wanted something more. [am NOT saying that Holland College was not adequate, it just wasn't what I was looking for. However, if I had to come to UPEI straight out of high school instead of studying at Holland College, I never would have stayed. Holland College gave me the necessary skills I needed to succeed at a university level, such as self-motivation and good study habits -- something I had not acquired in high school.

Mostcourses at Holland College use STEP -- Self-Teaching Education Program -- which encourages students to work and develop skills at their own pace. The course in which I participated also had a pass mark of 75% -- well above the necessary 60% required by UPEI. I am therefore confused as to why Ms. Broderick is so strongly opposed to the new transfer policy. If young students straight out of high school are qualified to study courses at a university level, than shouldn't mature students with one or two years post-secondary education have that same qualification?

John Crossely also seemed opposed to the new policy stating, "colleges do not emphasize a self-directed or autonomous type of work", and because of the presence of inferior college students, the university will have to, "integrate such things as skills training into the courses." I beg to differ. In its very name, STEP strongly encourages self-direction and motivation. Don't worry Mr. Crossely, college students are coming to university well equipped with the skills they require to excell and we are doing it. | am very proud of my Dean's List distinction. Not bad for a college student whom you believe lacks skills and motivation.

I feel it is about time the university recognized the hard work and dedication that college students demonstrated in their previous studies.

Lana Mill Holland CollegeAlumni& = - 4th year UPEI Arts student.

Iam uncertain with how my comments may have been received in the October 28" Cadre article, “The Fixed link from Holland College to UPEI.”

A university education is synonymous with the concept of critical thinking as well as of theory and knowledge-based learning. A college education isa training institute that focuses on skills and practical experience. Our Island needs both of these institutions as Islanders look to further their education and enter the workforce. In the article, my comments may have downplayed the importance of a college education, especially with the remark of wondering if college educated students “will be qualified to study courses at a university level.” Any student is quite prepared to make the transition from one institution to the other.

The argument against the transfer of credits from the college to the university level is not an attack on students’ abilities to adapt. The argument against credit transfers is for the protection of two separate ideologies: academia and technical experience. Specific courses offered at UPEI and Holland College may contain the same factual information. However, the student transferring credit to UPEI is not transferring the experience of theory surrounding those ~ facts-- the student transfers the practical experience. Is the transferring of credits between both institutions robbing the students of a proper education in their respective institutions? I have considered this question over the past number of weeks and feel that the answer is yes. Should anyone be interested in a further explanation of my stance, please contact me at the Student

Union.

Sincerely, ‘ Janice Broderick

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