Humanities Research Council (SSHRC) receives the smallest amount of funding of the three graduating councils. Women have traditionally studied in the social sciences and humanities and are therefore most affected by the lack of dollars. This scarcity of funds poses barriers for- women undertaking valuable research projects.

In the faculties of engineering and applied science women represented about 9% of the graduate student population and 13% of the total enrolment figures in 1987-88. A recent federal government program, the Canadian Scholarships Program, provides equal funds for male and female students in the area of science’ and engineering. While this is laudable, it is only applicable to undergraduates and does nothing to address the under representation of women at the graduate level.

The lack of women in teaching positions at universities and colleges denies women students role models in an educational setting. Currently, women represent about 18% of university faculty and most of these are concentrated at lower academic ranks. Women make up only 2% of the faculty in engineering and the applied sciences and 5% in mathematics and the physical sciences.

Student Assistance

The current part-time student aid provisions clearly act as a barrier to women in their pursuit of post-secondary education. Women represent over 60% of the part- time undergraduate student population.

The Canada Student Loans Program for part-time students requires that the individual pay back the amount borrowed in thirty days. This is clearly unrealistic for many women who are required to pay not just education costs but also childcare.

Federation Policy

CFS believes that the federal and provincial governments must work together to create policies which improves the accessibility of post-secondary education for women.

Federal legislation be introduced to address the need for non-profit childcare providing single parent students with accessible, fully subsidized childcare on campus.

Thee part-time student loan program should be available to students on similar terms as

the full-time student program.

Counselling be provided for women at the secondary and post-secondary levels to correct their under representation in certain faculties.

The UPEI X-Press

November 8, 1990