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by Amy Gallan

On January 10, a group composed of ten Student Union members and calling themselves the No Committee met for the first time. The group’s mission is to win a referendum to break away from CFS, the Canadian Federation of Students. The date for the referendum are January 25 and 26, with advance polls on January 23 and 24.

The referendum is being called because UPEI is dissatisfied with the

organization. One reason for this, the committee says, is that CFS has become too diversified and diluted. By this the committee means that CFS is concerning itself with too many issues, such as policies on capital punishment and abortion, when they should be focusing on education issues like lower tuition fees -- as they did in the The committee also accuses CFS of fear mongering. They say that CFS leads people to believe that without CFS, tuition fees would be much higher. The commit- tee points out that Quebec universities, none of which CFS is a part of, have the lowest tuition rates in Canada, and so, low tuition is possible without the aid of the organization.

- Another problem area that the No Committee has with CFS is with funding. The No Committee says that CFS has a limited amount of funds which is targeted

To Stay or Not to Stay? THE CFS REFERENDUM

at larger schools with more people. Thus the no committee believes UPEI needs are being left unattended.

Although the CFS representative was not available for a comment, some information concerning the Yes side was shown. One sentiment is that CFS has difficulty satisfying UPEI’s needs because of the lack of good UPEI representation concerning CFS -- that the reps have not been right for their jobs. Thus, because CFS cannot communicate with the univer-

sity, they do not know UPEI’s wants or needs.

Also, some believe that CFS has many good aspects. One of which is the fact that the organization stands for no tuition fees, although some would say it may be time for an updated policy. CFS has been working for years to have a zero tuition fee, but so far that goal seems very distant. The No Committee believes this goal is unrealistic, and believes that CFS should adapt a more realistic aim.

CFS is comprised of two groups. The first is Lobbying, which some say is very important to all members of the organization. This is related to their campaigning, which includes mobilization and awareness. This part of the organiza- tion gets people to speak out and rally for their needs and for their beliefs. One way this is done is through the On To Ottawa

program held yearly. This program sends

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members of CFS to the nation’s capital to voice the needs of students and help inform people of the education situation.

The second group is Services. This part of the organization aids the students themselves. Economically they have programs that will save the student money. For example, Travel Cuts, which is a travel agency which has premium prices for students. Another example is the program dealing with Student Saver cards. This also saves the student money, although the No Committee says that many of the savings are useless to UPEI students.

One question that arises is, ‘‘What happens if UPEI breaks away from CFS?’’ The No Committee says there are other alternatives, one of which is Amnesty International. This organization is said to do a very good job on human rights compared to CFS. However, some people still ask how much different or more progressive will another organization be.

UPEI is not the only school who has held a referendum to decide whether or not to stay in CFS. Many other Maritime schools, including Mount Allison and UNB, have also held referendums. CFS, however, refuses to recognize the outcome of some of these referendums, claiming them to be illegal. In some cases CFS would not even show up or campaign because of this ‘‘illegality’’.

The opening day of the campaign is set for Monday, January 15. It will last one ‘week, until January 22. The committee is busy making plans that will motivate people not only to vote but to vote against CFS. They hope that their posters, speeches and information tables will convince a majority vote for the No side. It is yet unknown how CFS will campaign or fight back.

Fidel Murphy, head of the No Committee explained that the reason for the referendum was, ‘‘To see if students views are aligned with the current views of CFS.’’ Although many students are unaware of many of the aspects of CFS, they will undoubtedly become aware over the days of the campaign, and it may not be until the last vote is counted will it be known who the winner’is.