SYDNEY, N.S. (CUP) — A student politician in New Brunswick wants Atlantic students to band together in a regional federation which would promote their interests.
John Bosnitch, student union president at the Uni- versity of New Brunswick, says a regional organization would help Atlantic students overcome their isolation from the rest of the country and could lobby provincial governments about import- ant issues in the region, such as massive tuition fee in- creases and spiralling rent.
He says he wants to revive the Atlantic Federation of Students, which represented students in the four Atlantic provinces several years ago, because it would mean the first positive step in the student movement since the mid-70$.
“If this is a student move- ment, I’d like one person to step forward and tell me why it hasn’t m0ve one inch in 10 years.”
Bosnitch presented the idea
UNB Pres ‘ wants student revival
to several student union pre- sidents in the Atlantic in the summer. Although he pointed out the organization could be democratically run and would not set up what he calls the Canadian Federation of Students’ “massive hierarchy”, most of the stu- dent union presidents were not enthusiastic.
“By the look on their faces, it was an idea they never considered. ”
Student union presidents in the Atlantic, however, say the region’s concerns could be addressed in other ways than what Bosnitch hopes to set up. ~
Michelle Dorsey, student union president at the Uni- versity of Prince Edward Island, says the provinces should form their own organ- izations. She says Nova Scotia and Newfoundland have already done so.
Dorsey agrees with Bosnitch .
that CFS does not adequately represent regional interests, but says the organization is only three years old and has
not yet solved many of its problems. '
“You have to build sup— port from the ground up, not from the' top down,” Dorsey says.
Ed Byrne, student union president at Memorial Uni— versity in Newfoundland, says the region must work with CFS to make the organi— zation stronger. “An Atlantic Federation of Students would work against CFS,” he said.
But at least one student union president says the idea could prove useful. Carolyn Hann of the University of Cape Breton says a regional organization would improve communication among stu- dent unions. .
“It would help the univer- sities keep in touch with each other,” she said. “CFS is too widespread. An AFS could concentrate on problems closer to our area.”
Bosnitch plans to meet with the student union presi- dents again within the next two months. He says he is certain they can be convinced.
Liquor laws to blame a— Beattie
By Carolyn Ryan r»
About ten percent of UPEl’s student population can’t hear decent live music at the Barn.
According to Student Union VP Internal Howard Beattie, who’s in charge of booking bands and planning events, UPEI’s small popu- lation and the high fees charged by bands makes it impossible for the Student Union to play dry pubs and still. break even or make money.
Beattie, responding to an editorial in last week’s Gem, said the Liquor Control Act prohibits any combination of wet and dry events. He quoted Article 35B: “A club licensee shall not permit any person under the age of eighteen years of age to enter the club room or rooms in
which bars are located during the hours liquor is being consumed.”
He said he’s considered having events where only the Panther Lounge would be open to sell alcohol (with the second floor dry). However, only 125 people are allowed in the Lounge with current fire regulations (and 475 in the Barn), and Beattie doesn’t want the crowding in the Lounge he thinks would result.
“People (over l8) don’t want to have events dry,” he states, but encourages stu- dents who are under the legal drinking age to show interest in committees planning Fall Fest and Winter Carnival, so that some events will be open to all.
Answering a suggestion that minors receive a portion of their SU fees in compen-
' subsidize
sation for events they can’t attend, Beattie says no money collected in fees is used to alcoholic pubs. Pubs are set up so that they don’t lose money v Inst-cad, ices are used t fund ClMN, the Gem, the SU building, Council pro- jects, and executive salaries. Beattie says he’s trying to bring in more non-liquor events, such as lecturers, but finds a’low turnout of stu-, dents when that’s done. .“Then there’s always the possibility that students, through Council, can lobby the provincial government to change policy,” ends Beattie,
‘but is unsure of how effective
this would be.
A current campaign by Island bars to have draught (unpasteurized, unbottled) beer legalized has had no results.
(will gradually level off to
Scribbled graffiti h assaulted both UPEI’s “Great White Wall” and our integrity. We Gemmies, exalted as we are on the fourth floor of Main, like to keep our name wholesome, without the sexual connotations denoted here.
Business school review planned
By Carol Doiron This November, Senate will be raising questions
about the decision made in 1980 to separate the business department from the rest of the Arts faculty.
The decision was originally made (by Senate) when the business students composed 30% of UPEl’s entire enrol- ment.
The present Business School Director, J. J. Revell said, “There was a great deal of tension between the Arts and Business faculty and students. Of the 14 depart- ments in the Art’s faculty board, the Business depart- ment received only one vote! We were having a lot of
difficulty getting things done.”
At the time, opposition was expressed that:
(l) A business faculty
would draw more of the stu- dents who choose to attend UPEI, and the other faculties’ student enrolment would suffer.
(2) Business program stu- dents would have to take more business courses, and fewer electives. The students
would, therefore, not receive the traditional university education.
The proposal, however, went through and with it, came the stipulation that a review be held in three years time. That is where we are now.
THE REVIEW:
When Senate reviews their decision in November, they will be looking at what has happened both within the program and to the university.
One regret expressed was the loss of 1979 chairman, Walter lsner. to Acadia over this matter.
However, Revell says, “I feel the formation of the school has been a good thing, both for Business and for Arts. If we were in Arts now, with our size, we would be putting too much of a strain on the faculty.”
Referring to original argu- ments, “their fears have not materialized. Students are still required to take 18 busi— ness courses plus other facul- ties’ courses, and the School’s student size is decreasing. lt
between 15 and 20%.”
WHAT THE FUTURE HOLDS?
A more extensive emphasis on computer application is intended. Revell feels that the Computer Science 120 course is very successful.
“It is very important that.
students become more profi- cient with computers and computer applications. Com— puter Science 120 is designed for Business students, (but) it has the potential for the sciences and other faculties.”
Marketing has also been improving.
“My guess”, said Revell, “is that we will be allowing students to identify 21 Mar- keting concentration as they move into their third year.” Accounting students already have a concentration; it will be similar for Marketing.
Finally, the big question many Business students want answered — Is it true that ‘Policy’ may be going? “N0,”
replied Professor Revell, “That is just a vicious rumour. ”
Gem of a Weekend
By John Dougan
Friday, September 28th, was a day just like any other
But for three staffers ana the Editor of the Netted Gem this Friday was different.
Bags were packed, a car was rented, and last minute
arrangements were being made as Carolyn Ryan (Editor), John Pendergast,
Michael Zinck, and John Dougan wondered what a weekend at St. Thomas University in Fredericton, NB. would have in store.
The Aquinian, the student newspaper of St. Thomas University, was the host of a conference for the member papers of ARCUP (Atlantic Region of Canadian Univer- sity Press).
The attending staff of the Gem had prepared them- selves for the drive to Borden, the ferry ride, and the sub- sequent 3 ‘/2 hour ride to Fredericton. What they were not prepared for was other
students at St. Thomas, the
inability to find the Aquim'an office, and the late hours to be kept.
The opening plenary was to be held during that evening from 7~10200 p.m. Luckily enough it didn’t convene until 10 pm. You see, the Gem didn t arrive until then.
This meeting introduced attending papers to the agenda for the conference and 9"“"d for billets.
Early Saturday morning, well actually not so early, the attending papers managed to drag themselves to the first
seminar ofthe day which had . . classes... .
. . . . . . t l r . .
been scheduled for 9:00 a.m. Due to late risers, it was pushed back to 10:00 pm.
The seminars included lay- out, photography, darkroom and newswriting techniques, ' all of which were attended by at least one member of the Gem Staff.
Advertising concerns, nu- clear issues, campus media, and autonomy were discussed at similar seminars through- out Saturday and Sunday.
Men’s and women’ cau- cuses were also held in which people were encouraged to give their views on sexism and inequality.
The papers even had a chance to attend a lecture/ question and answerl- sessior with John Bosnitch, Student President of U.N.E., con- cerning student issues
The closing plenary was scheduled to start at 1 pm. Sunday and everyone very much looked forward to it after the late nights and early mornings experienced.
Motions were made, con- cerns were voiced, and the Netted Gem was named as host for the next regional conference to be held early in November.’
This plenary adjourned at 4:15 pm. and some very tired, but enlightened Gem- mies were back on the road to U.P.E.l.by 4:30 pm.
By Monday morning things were back to normal, or al- most normal, as each of those who attended the conference made it to their respectixe
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