Premier Bennett Campbell has decided that UPEI will receive an increase in government funding of 8.6 percent, a figure in line with me. recommended by the Maritime Provinces Higher Education Commissim. rlhis marks the first time in several years that the provincial government has followed the Commission's recommendations.

Unfortunately for UPEI

What's.New'

FOACH o

COACH KEVIN FEIGHBg

Kevin Feighrey was named coadm of the year in the AUAA. You remember that league don't you? That's the one with the Brian Heaneys and Steve . Kondmalskis and Dick Hunts. He was named coach of the year because he brought a temvthat everyone thought was domed from the 1

beginning, to a second place -

finish in the toughest league in Canada, and a number ten ranking in Canada. ~

At the beginning of the seasm, people were WChderi—ng .just Who would mach the team - relieved that George Birger had 90116 west, and taken every- one with him, the search

V'Ewnms' PAYN. Mm: run LESS’

ihfanned an cutbacks

students, the governirent also accepted another Commission recamendation that called for tuition fees to rise with the cost of living. Student Union President Kevin Chuthier has expressed mixed feel-'- ings about the announcement.

"It's nice to know that the government is finally taking the MPHEC seriorsly but I am not at all satis— fied with the fundin announcement. _

The main thrust of all our work has been to make the point that tuition fees are high enough now. It looks as if nobody is listening." .

'me MPHEC recommended to the Council of Maritime Premiers that funding for Maritime universities be increased by 8.75 per cent, with an additional grant of .75 per cent for certain universities who required extra assistance. Included as well was the suggestion that tuition fees be

Coach

FIHE YE

was When Ed Hiltcn mach the announcement that Feighrey had the job, mly weeks before the start of the fall semester, people were saying things like: You gotta be kidding, Kevin who? and Great, but who do we have to play for him?

Within weeks, Feighrey had assembled Larry McGhee, John .Guilford, Jude Kelly, and other talented basket- ball types frtm the Maritimes and elsewhere. 'mese players were to become nurber one in our hearts, and close to number one on the court, due to

‘the young coach's expertise.

It was evident early in

the year that this team was not a fly—by-night operation. It was a class outfit that had a chance for upsets galore, given the right

time and place.

After losing our opener to Acadia by a mere seven points, and being downed by the defending national champion St. Marys Huskies in Halifax, the dynamic Panthers captured two, one a laugher cver Mt.A. and the other a squeaker over the St. F.X. X-NEn in

‘ Antigcnish.

After Christmas it was all uphill, running off win- after win, including

THE UPEI SUN,Thursday,March 8,1979 ,Page 3

indexed. "Of course, we weren't happy with the Commission's recommendation in the first place," remarked President Gauthier, "because it meant students would end up paying more. It's unfortunate that the government decided to accept a recommendation that we opposed from the very start."

Provincial governments across the country are imposing serious cutbacks on all universities, a trend that has dr-avm severe criticism from students, faculty and administration alike. Ontario recently awarded a 5 per cent in— crease, land similar armomcements have been made in other provinces. in the Maritines, Nova Scotia universities have been hardest hit this year, with the province increasing grants by only 5.5 per cent. President Gauthier tented the N.S. announcement

" absolutely unbelievable" .

another victory over X here in Alumni Gym. From there it was on the playoffs,

and a confident feeling -, -

going into the playoff game against the X—IVEn — two time losers to the Panthers previously. Actually, that's all she wrote so to speak; the Panthers were beaten early in the game, due to larry McGiee being coublef: and sometimes triple teamed by the aroused X—Nhn defense.

What does all this prove? It shows that a rookie coach went up against the best teams and coaches in Canada, and more than held his own in the melee of the AUAA race. Granted the V talent that Kevin assembled so late in the summer didn't hurt any, but the other top teams in the league had a wealth of talent also, and years of coaduing experience as well, but the second place finish, the national ranking and the poise and intensity that the team and coach showed in the rough going easily merited the award.

The award is voted on by the ether coaches in the AUAA, and it only goes to show the respect that they have for Feighrey's prone$s

as a coach.

"I cannot imagine how anybody who is familiar [with the plight of universities today could. consciously impose such short—sighted, careless non—planning on a resource as valuable as this." The MPHEC is currently meeting with the N.S. govemment to arrange a more accept- able plan.

UPEI Presichnt Peter Meincke has said he is pleased that the P.E.I. government accepted the ' recamendation of the ‘ MPHEC. The announcement will still require the university to tighten its belt, he said, but no programs are expected to be cut. As far as tuition increases are concerned, Dr. Meincke remarked that some sort of "a trade—off between an increase in tuition and quality of education to the student", would have to be made, indicating that tuition fee increases will be kept to a Mr. Gauthier stated that "the Student UniOn will be working very closely with the administraticn ' to ensure that tuition for next year will be as low as possible."

' "All in all," said President Gauthier, "it looks like another expensiwa year ahead.

The government apparently still does not believe that we are paying enough for education."

Currently tuition at UPEI is among the highest in Canada. With‘ a normal course load, students pay $750 per year to attend university. The Student Union President has pointed out that this expense is compounded by "the cost of textbooks, which is galloping along at a ridiculous rate, the cost of residence which will undoubtedly increase ,‘ transportation for non— Islanders who come here, clothing and all the regular expenses everybody must pay, and discretionary expenses such as enter- tainment, etc."

It is not yet known when the university Board of Govemors will make-a final decision regarding increases in tuition and ' residence rates. The Board usually finalizes a budget before the end of the semester in order to have the information ready for new students next year.