February 11, 1997

‘What's i in it for me?’ When it comes to UPEISU Inc., the answer is: poeine:

r |

Editor,

I agree with the thoughts expressed (re: ‘Panther Pride’) by Peter Gillis in the January 14th issue of your publication. I, too, was insulted by the letter that was sent tome by UPEISU Inc. in December and wanted to object to such wasteful arrogance.

When I first enrolled at UPEI five years ago |

(which, in turn, would p ith ‘valu- able” part-time jobs), ( to (“soon”) build a nic

Five years (and si

veral hundred dollars i in ‘union

‘what’s in it for me?’ attitude”. Sol have. And! now find myself: wishing I had spent my five years here displaying ‘what’s ini

cause students to neglect their studies (b of them get to go on nice trips!). Worst of all, ) real nstipated, hyr I

> it: 1

practically self- imed body mandate fo sneak sea ehind | bribe us and make us feel sel

i yn ees SeouneE

ass i applying the peas ‘ta _ * ~ The student council is more a ‘pet’ of the UPEI

administration (how else could you explai th

of the Pre: ident of U t UP. In

discovered that I was required to pay ‘union dues’ to UPEISU Inc. and was told that my money would be used — to: maintain and operate the Barn, the Student Union

dues’) later> UPEISU Inc. asked me to “reevaluate the —

armie?’ oe Ifmy classmates

ut at least some :

Letters Ao the =

Dear Sacred Cows,

The Panther Prints

faLcCor

It has become increasingly apparent that Peter Gillis, in his article Sacred Cows, has fallen into a cynical pit. This is a pit that contains people who have lost their faith in the democratic system. From his articles, Gillis has made his lack of faith quite clear. He has constantly denounced the democratic system and the people who have been elected to power in it. The latest target of Peter Gillis’ attacks has been Chris Gray, Vice-President External and acting President of the UPEI Student Union. Gray, spelled G-R-A-Y and not G-R-E-Y, had taken the reins of the Student Union for little more than a week when the attack on his presidential ability started. Personally, I find it difficult to comprehend how a man can be condemned a week into office. Perhaps the root of the problem is Gillis’ disdain of anyone in politics. For a man who believes the best use of his vote is to simply walk out of the election office with his ballot, I fail to see why he cares. He has not offered any solutions to any situation, political or otherwise. In fact, Gillis has painted himself as nothing but a complainer. Mr. Gillis, if you are not part of the solution, you are part of the problem. People such as Chris Gray at least have the initiative to put themselves in harm’s way and try to attain the goals of UPEI students. I guess everyone is not as fortunate as Mr. Gillis who obviously watches too many Mr. Dressup reruns and looks to Casey to solve all ofhis problems. Inthe real world, society’s problems are solved by the people in politics. These people deserve, at the very least, the chance to succeed or fail. That is all I ask for our acting President. A little respect for someone who is trying to do a difficult job under difficult circumstances that have not been made any easier by Mr. Peter Gillis.

Jason Shreenan, 4th Year Science

Ed. Note: I am responsible for the misspelling of Gray's name and not Mr. Gillis.

Building Fund

Dear Editor,

I am aware of the con- troversy surrounding the build- ing fund. It seems a band- wagon effect has occured in the instance of large numbers of students requesting a re- fund. Who can account for this? The dynamics of bu- reaucracy and student politics, to name only a few factors, are so fluidand unaccountable as to make a definitive answer almost impossible to deter- mine. I know you have to try to figure out why this has hap- pened and wish you luck in finding one, but it will be quite the project.

The fact is, notwith- standing all the rhetoric about rights to education, government

obligations, and so on, the con- tinued development of the uni- versity’s facilities is in our hands. That is not entirely a bad thing, for I think that we should demonstrate our com- mitment to higher education in a meaningful way. Twenty dollars is not an excessively burdensome way to do that. I reel at the realization of how far in debt 1 am -- the banks must be crazy to have loaned me so much! Yet I still give monthly to my undergraduate university and faculty, Queen’s (Arts), by monthly automatic debit. I feel I owe it that help...and that gesture. The same goes for UPEI, though I have only been here a. few

months. SoI won’t request a refund and, in fact, have en- closed a cheque for $20.00 to demonstrate my belief in this little university, its future, and the role of its own students in promoting that future, even ifit is only by giving little amounts omoney that add up to a big gesture. If a system of auto- matic debit exists for UPEI as it does for Queen’s, I will also undertake now to make a monthly donation commenc- ing September, 1997.

Thank you fortaking up this matter with us all.

Sincerely, Robert D. Bradford