Dear Editor,

The Panther Prints e

EAT LETTERS TO. FHE EDiFPOR

I would like to thank the organizers of the “trampo- line” event held on the UPEt campus from 3 p.m. Wednes- day, November 20, to 3 p.m. Thursday, November 21. Their efforts in supporting the 1997 United Way cam- paign is very much appreciated.

Would you please convey my thanks and apprecia-

tion toall the very energetic students who took partin this worthwhile project. Their contribution to the United Way helps organizations that serve all Islanders, espe-

OPI AM e Uo

‘outh, and seniors, and improves the

quality of life for those most in need.

Sincerely,

John Crossley, Ph.D.

Chair 1997 United Way

Editor;

I would like to respond to Peter Gillis article in last weeks paper and to his re- marks at the information ses- sion last Wednesday. Mr. Gillis insinuated that in reac- tion to the numerous students who have requested their building donations back, the Student Union “got together ata meeting and came up with a way to stick it to the people they represent.” Also, Mr. Gillis questioned at the infor- mation session why the Stu- dent Union did not “go to the students first” about how we should deal with this issue.

May I clear up any mis- understanding. Atthe Novem- ber 3, 1996, council meeting I gave notice of motion to coun- cil on behalf of the Student Union Executive. This notice of motion means that council has been informed there will be amotion coming to council December 1, 1996 about the way building donations are collected. This notice of mo- tion was followed by placing numerous posters all over campus about the informa- tion session, advertising the information session inthe Pan- ther Prints and the Guardian, and a notice to all faculty to inform students of an infor- mation session.

Therefore, contrary to Mr. Gillis’ article in the Pan- ther Prints and his remarks at the information session, no decision has yet been made to solve the problem with the building donations. The Stu- dent Union is giving council- lors time to discuss and think about the motion, try to in- form Students why this mo- tion is being brought forward, and look for input from stu- dents. December Ist in Kelly building room 210 will be the first time a decision will be made on the issue. The meet- ing is open to all students and I encourage everyone to at- tend.

I certainly hope this let- ter clears up any misunder- standing. I would also like to suggestthat Mr. Gillis research his topics before writing his article so he will be able to write the facts.

Sincerely Lindy MacKenzie, Vice-President Finance

HELPING THE WORLD WRITE NOW

CODE Self-sufficiency through. literacy in the developing world

For information, call 800-661-2633

atta a December 3, 1996

Dear Editor,

I am writing in response to the article written by Peter Gillis in the last issue. This article made me not only laugh at the ridiculous way it tried to portray the Student Union, but it also made me angry that it made us look like power hunger animals. | know for a fact that I got in this job thinking I could make a difference, and do some real good on behalf of the students on this campus. We meet with all the separate entities on this campus... committees, Senate, Board of Governors, the Department Student Development, and even the President of the University to defend and discuss students’ rights. We certainly do not sit around and think of ways we can screw around the student body.

I understand that this fee change is a very controversial issue, but we have our reasons. The University approached the Student Union last year asking for help with the funding for the renovation of the Cass Building. We had many meetings with the University, and in exchange for our donations they are giving us that money back in four years, plus an extra $250,000 to help with our new Student Union building. Now not only does this contract help make another building on this campus beautiful, but it helps guarantee better facilities for our future students. The majority of Student Union’s across Canada contribute to the improvement of their campus’.

The Student Union does not sit around and think of ways to waste your money, on the contrary we do everything possible to keep everything under-budget. We also have one of the lowest student fees per student in all of Canada, and our fee has barely changed for fifteen years. All students were already paying $10/semester towards the new Student Union building, now they are paying an extra $10 towards Cass. The fee also used to be mandatory, but we changed it’s status last year to a donation so that students could get it as a tax write off. We need to switch it back now, because so many students have got their money back and now our contract with the university is in jeopardy.

“The Student Council’s actions are dreadfully wrong and a pompous exercise in wanton ego-masturbation,” this is a quote from Peter Gillis’s article. Well, Peter, I think that if you have sucha problem with the change in status for the fees (and us), why have you not even bothered to come down to the Student Union office to talk to us? You asked in your article if we apologize for making this promise to the University, of course not, I think that it is important for all the parts of campus to help each other. You also asked if we plan to hold any fund-raisers, and the answer is yes. We are planning many fund-raisers over the next few months.

A Student’s Centre is a place where students can relax, seek assistance, and socialize in their university community. As Vice-President Internal I feel that an accessible Student Union is crucial to obtain a strong university. I want students to have pride in their university and having a beautiful campus with impressive, functional buildings plays an important role in creating this pride.

Wendy Venema, Vice-President Internal

The Panther Prints would like to apologize to the Student Union for not publishing their notice regarding their proposal to make the Building

Donations a Mandatory Fee in the last issue of the

Panther Prints. ULM IA LA Ra LA caused.

The Editor