Rally let-down

Dear. Editor, ; | I would just like to say how disappointed I am with the way the | UPEI Student Union handled the ‘ ‘rally’’ on January 25. It was

not until the evening of the 25 of January that I was aware that | UPElIhad organized any type of session for students. It was nice | to see that Student Union took our concerns to the MPs for us, | but I am sure the MPs were disappointed by the turnout at the | barn. Had the university population as a whole been informed

by Student Union that there was to be a rally, perhaps more ' students would have showed up for it. I hope that in future the | Student Union will advertise their intentions to the student body | more efficiently. | The proposed cut backs by Mr. Axworthy are going to _ effect every student attending University, and I am disap- pointed in some of my fellow students for not wanting to | become involved. I am also disappointed in the student who said to me the | other day, ‘‘What cutbacks? I didn’t hear anything about _ them,”’ and then went on to state that they wouldn’t be affected,

because they are not on student aid.

Concerned Student

Message of Support from Prince | Edward Island Teachers’ Federation

Editor: :

The Prince Edward Island Teacher’s Federation takes this opportunity to express our opposition to the Federal Government’s proposed changes to the funding of post-second- ary education are pleased to join with you, the students of the University of Prince Edward Island, in your opposition.

It is critical for all students to speak out on this issue. It is even more critical that your Student Union join in solidarity with all students across this country to say no to the proposed changes. It is important to remember that the proposed changes continue to move post secondary education down the road to more commercialized educational institutions and more priva- tization of educational services.

When one studies the proposed changes it becomes clear that public educational institutions in Canada are being re- shaped according to commercial values and commercial objec- tives. Universities are being forced to be run like businesses where students are treated as customers, and education is seen as a product.

Pulling more money through loans in students’ hands and raising tuition fees are not the means to fund post-second- ary education. As well, and as important, many students will be denied access to post-secondary education in the future if the proposed changes are enacted. If equality of access to educa- tional opportunities is to remain in our society, students must speak out and make our politicians aware of the impact of their decisions. Remember, as students you have power-- be pre- pared to us it. You are fighting for your future and the future of those who come after you.

Sincerely,

Leo Broderick

President

Prince Edward Island Teacher's Federation

Disgusted with dirt

Editor:

The amount of trash that is strewn about here at UPE] is great! Before we knowit, we will probably earn Charlottetown’s distinction as the city’s slum area. Is that something to be proud of? I don’t think so.

Iam offended by the amount of garbage that the people here at UPEI throw around: broken bottles, candy wrappers, used condoms, you name it. Is this the way you treat your yard at home? I would hate to see the way you keep your yard! This is your yard too. It’s about time you started acting like it. Would you like it if everyone that passed your house threw their trash on your yard? Probably not!

The campus maintenence could help out too. If they would just put a few more garbage containers around in accesible areas, then once a week make a round to pick them up. To keep the snow and rain out they could install some weatherproof covers over them. Then everyone can also just deposit their empty liquor bottles there instead of anywhere they can.

Just take a little more pride in your campus and look around once in awhile at the refuse on the ground. How much can it hurt to just simply take your garbage somewhere where it can be disposed of instead of littering? Anyone who thinks that these wrappers and bottles are too heavy forthem shouldn’t have them in the first place.

Disgusted Student

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

I see many possible benefits from making this newslet- ter available to all students through the X-Press. Here area few: 1. It is possible that a greater awareness of the residences will increase interest in experiencing residence life. The residences may be mostly full, but they are not overflowing.

2. More attention and publicity could be brought to residence students concerns. Yes, residence students are unique among the student body. This fact should be explored and celebrated, not hidden.

3. The relationship between Student Services/Residences and the Student Union, as well as the rest of student body could be strengthened. This should be a priority.

There are surely many more.

I must reiterate my concern for the fact that Student Services, or whomever is paying for the cost of publishing the newsletter, is wasting money by publishing at a cost what could be published for free in the X-Press. I would rather see them directing this money into services that are not already offered, or saving the money for the rough fiscal times ahead.

For me it seems extremely clear that the Residence Times would benefit from being included as a part of the X- Press. The X-Press would undoubtedly benefit from the increased readership. I challenge the respective publishers to consider and explore this possibility.

Thanks for listening, Steve Ellis 3rd Year Former Residence Student.

Student separation

Letter to the Editor:

Recently I stumbled upon the fact that the residences have started publishing their own newsletter. Their publication is called the Residence Times and it comes out monthly. It includes some well written articles, profiles of residence per- sonalities and lots of little verbal snapshots of residence life.

I have nothing against the publication itself, but I

‘question the fact that it is published separately from the student

newspaper, the X-Press. The newsletter is written for students, so I believe the best medium for its release would be the X- Press. I believe it foolish for Student Services to be wasting time and money duplicating a service that is already offered.

I have heard arguments why the Residence Times content is not suitable for the X-Press. One of the most prominent of these arguments has been that it does not deal much with matters outside the residence; it is a very inward looking publication. As a former UPEI residence student, I think this rationalization is a bit silly, and maybe even a bit destructive. I’m sure there are plenty of students that would be interested in knowing about the goings-on inside the residence.

There is an invisible wall that exists which separates the residences from the rest of campus. By not making this newsletter accessible to all students, the newsletter publisher is effectively building this wall broaderand higher. I believe they should be trying to get rid of this wall permanently instead.

Another concern I have heard raised is the fact that, because of space limits, articles are sometimes bumped in the X-Press. Due to the fact that the residence news is only published monthly, and the fact that it has a reasonably guaranteed content, I’m sure that arrangements could be made to guarantee space with the X-Press. Status as a supplement could quite possibly be established, so that the ‘“‘Residence Times’’ could be a removable part of the newspaper (i.e. a centre-spread).

VCCI Pei mind. If you have a concern with university life, and want to make it known, feel free to write a letter to the editor, and MMT LIM ela e (ee cte All letters must be in by Friday at 9:00 a.m.. Your name and number must be included with the letter, but they can be withheld from print upon request.

NOU KNOW OF COURSE, TWAT THIS =CARCTCOM,

HAS ABSOUTEL YY NO SCOR SIGNIFIGANCE }

| a:

warren 9 a4 ‘ a aay l £ “lo

{ ge Rpt eee tS 7 Ae

4"! rhs 2 ot z: Qa (sPeNceR J ’ 4 5 Fl ak

, >

41 JO

Cmminiadl

January 31, 1995

alam i a oN Se aioe ein a. hs