* grabs",- u m
by Kevin Gauthier
Hello, and welcome bads!
'Ihe column that you are in the process of reading is the first in aseries, I hope, of articles dealing with events and happenings that make neWs at UPEI. Each week, this column Will explore some item of interest to people at the miversity. By exploring, I dm't necessarily mean merely reporting, although of course some degree of reporting will be involved. But aside from reporting the facts, I hope as well to stimulate a little interest and discussion on the various events that occur on campus. by offering a humble, but considered, opinion, or asking a few interesting questions. Of course, ladcing any trace of writing talent or artistic style, I don't promise I'll Be a great success as a columnist, but an opinion expressed is more likely tobe discussed than one suppressed, so I'll do what I can to generate interest. If just one other person will express his can qainicn publicly, then something will have been accomplished. 'Ihis campus could use a bit more discussion and debate.
Well, it's only the first
week of the semester, / and already the Student. Union is having prdolems
(394 chuhb‘ “and cold!
President's _, ‘ greeting
The summer has finally came to a Close and with 11: the sumer operations at'the Barn. The Student Union had a very successful summer. 'lhe Barn was.b1;sy One or two nights a Week which is a definite improvement over previOLs Years. There were many conferences this summer and most stopped in at ' the Bam'to relax. 'Ihe
with students becoming . _ dissatisfied with what's happening, a problem that plagues the Student Union every year. President Walker has had inquiries from three individuals who have asked that their $55 Student Union fee be refunded; the reason — they'dcn't feel they are getting their money's worth.
Well, if these students feel that their $55 is not well spent (and there are undoubtedly more who share their feelings) perhaps rather than asking for ‘ their money bad< they should think about the reasms for their diss— atisfaction and try to do something about them. 'Ihere is no valid reason for anyone tofeel
dieated by the Student Lhion. Every student on this campus has the right to expect that the Union will function to serve
. him/her as well as it may. But nobody has the right to expect the Union Executive orrCouncil to
. conceive and satisfy
every student's expectations which many students ‘ Qice you pay your fee,
you are a full member of the Union and as free to use the organization as
you wish. 'Ihis can involve anything from setting up
In Mardi of last year members of this year's executive received an Enersave grant. 'Ihe grant will be used to replace windcws in the Barn. The renovations will result in a saving of $12 1500 in heating costs over the next five years. After mud'1 painting and patching the Barn is ready to go.
In conclusion I would like to welcome all students back to UPEI.
Kevin Walker S .U. President
THE UPEI sum, Thursday, Sept; 13, 1979, page 3
ON AND YOU
a old) to suit your particular interests to asking advice and support in some dealings with the administration. The Union has the capability of serving every student in some way, but it cannot force itself on individuals who do not choose to use it.
Ps an illustration of how the S.U. can work for you, and to those students in particular who want their fees refunded, consider what your tuition fees might be if not for your Student Union. The $55 Union fee you HON grudgingly pay would be insignificant compared to what you would pay in tuition if the Unim had not been battling tuition and residence fee increases over the past four years. And consider as well what strength the Union would have if students began resigning as members, as you would like to. With fewer members, the Union would have less power, and
every student would soon reconsider the value of the Union fee compared to the srbsequent rise in tuition and residence fees. So stop complaining. There isn't
a student at UPEI who has not received full value for their Student Unicn fee and more. Some students, the ones who aren't complaining, know how to get more for their money than others, and know the value of member- ship in the Student Union. But, as is so often the case, some of us won't appreciate what we have until it is no longer there. Let's avoid that mistake.
Incidentally, Student Union fees are compulsory for all full-time students, so these students have not and should not receive refunds. let's all hope that they, and Others who shared their disill- usion, will see the value of membership in the Student Union, and begin to use it more to their advantage.
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_; I“ I . maann 0500
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