Fepruary 8, 2005

Dear Mr. Editor,

This letter is in response to the despicable actions taken by the Board of Governors of the University of Prince Edward Island in regards to the Centennial Scholarship. Their reprehensible and negative actions have to be examined in not the mean spirited manner in which it was, but in the realization of today’s realities.

In my opinion I believe all seniors should be given the means and opportunity not only to go to school, but to contribute to their community. I have talked to several of them and my conclusion is that is there were no centennial scholarships they would not be able to come to UPEL, they just can’t afford it. If you’re over sixty why would you want to take out a loan that would put you into debt for the rest of your life? They have already done that, paid taxes, raised children, and put those children through educational establishments. I just don’t understand why Wade MacLaughlin wants to do this to the seniors, I thought that we were a great small University, how can we be great if we don’t assist people to attend here.

The Centennial Scholars are coming here for their own achievement, to provide a sense of well-being, and to challenge themselves. They offer insight to younger students and offer opportunity for mentoring. I find them to be a valuable part of my education, especially in class. They have so much more experience then myself, and they are not afraid to say things and ask questions in classes because they have already been through a variety of experiences.

I did some research on the Centennial scholarships and I found out

that things said in the local paper were wrong. They erroneously reported that the number of the seniors coming to UPElis rising. Inall reality the numbers of Centennial Scholars are dropping from over a hundred in 1994 to now under fifty. Another thing in the paper said that students were upset about the seniors taking up room in the University. I am not upset at all that the Centennial Scholars are in my classes, I think that the people writing these things are childish and immature and are trying to turn the students against the seniors. The papers are also saying that they are a loss of equity to the University, when in actuality no one is paying for anyone, the seniors or the school. The seniors still get charged for. everything else however like books, parking, and food. The Centennial Scholars are getting kicked out of this school because of greedy people. In their opinion Centennial Scholars can have one class per year paid for and they should be happy for that. Now if you do the math, the seniors that want a degree are never going to get it because it would take 40 years, but would be impossible, as in 10 years the course credits would be void and they would lose them. The administrators want the seniors go to Seniors College instead, now if you look at the programs that they offer some are okay but others are like kindergarten for seniors. There are ways to make it work for both sides but the President doesn’t want to listen. He wants to continue to leave a legacy of destruction. He has been quoted twice so far that he wants the Centennial Scholars gone, and he won’t respond to any letters.

AlysiaAngus

Dear Mr. Editor,

First of all, I would like to say that I am a big fan of The Cadre. Well, maybe nota big fan, but I do like enjoy reading it. I like seeing what other students have to say and I usually get a good chuckle from it, but- and you had to see that coming- I do have one little pet peeve with it.

Like reporter Julie Bull, [too am a Newfoundlander. (Key word there, Newfoundlander not “Newfie”). And let me tell you, I am one proud Newfoundlander. I hang the flag inmy room and window, still walk around campus with my Memorial University backpack and when I say “Hello” you can tell from my accent that I am from Newfoundland. While my friends listen to Britney Spears or some other “pop” group, I turn on The Punters, Irish Descendants or The Fables and “ROCK” to my Newfoundland music. (No pun intended)

In the last issue of The Cadre, Julie states “I may be Newfie, but even in my warped sense of reality...” Yes, you are a Newfoundlander and you should be proud! I have a huge problem with the word “Newfie” because I feel that far too many people use this term in a derogatory manner. Many have heard the “Stupid Newfie” jokes and they insult me to no end- slap me across the face instead. I felt that this quote from Julie made her sound that she was less of a person because she was from Newfoundland. Perhaps I am taking this to the extreme, but that is what happens when one proud Newfoundlander gets fired up! .

I think Julie’s articles are great and a nice reminder of home, but perhaps in future stories the word Newfoundlander could be used a little more frequently than “Newfie”- so we don’t have the whole campus running around saying “Those Newfies- they’ re so darn cute!”

Andrea Devine

THE CADRE @ 6

PRES hits

Charlottetown Transit Survey January, 2005

The City of Charlottetown is conducting a survey about a possible public transit system for the city. City residents are invited to participate in

this survey as it is very important to learn how people feel about using and supporting a public transit system for ~ Charlottetown. Results of this research will be one source of information that City Council will use in deciding the best course of action. Your identity remains confidential, no personal details will ever be disclosed and the information collected will be used for no other purpose than the transit survey. You may submit this survey online, drop off at 199 Queen

St. or by mail at P.O. Box 98,

Charlottetown, PE C1A 7K2. Survey Deadline is February 15, 2005.

Visit www.city.charlottetown.pe.ca