8 The Cadre November ry 1 
     
    
   
   
    
     Letters to the editor 
     
    
   
   
    
       
     
    
   
   
    
     I just finished reading the article, "The fixed link from Holland College to UPEI" in the 
     
     October 28th issue of The Cadre, and I must say I am very upset. 
     
    

    
     Before deciding to further my educational career at UPEI, I attended Holland College. I 
     
     graduated from the Youth Work program in 1994, but decided I wanted something more. [am 
     
     NOT saying that Holland College was not adequate, it just wasn't what I was looking for. 
     
     However, if I had to come to UPEI straight out of high school instead of studying at Holland 
     
     College, I never would have stayed. Holland College gave me the necessary skills I needed to 
     
     succeed at a university level, such as self-motivation and good study habits -- something I had 
     
     not acquired in high school. 
     
    

    
     Mostcourses at Holland College use STEP -- Self-Teaching Education Program -- which 
     
     encourages students to work and develop skills at their own pace. The course in which I 
     
     participated also had a pass mark of 75% -- well above the necessary 60% required by UPEI. 
     
     I am therefore confused as to why Ms. Broderick is so strongly opposed to the new transfer 
     
     policy. If young students straight out of high school are qualified to study courses at a university 
     
     level, than shouldn't mature students with one or two years post-secondary education have that 
     
     same qualification? 
     
    

    
     John Crossely also seemed opposed to the new policy stating, "colleges do not emphasize 
     
     a self-directed or autonomous type of work", and because of the presence of inferior college 
     
     students, the university will have to, "integrate such things as skills training into the courses." I 
     
     beg to differ. In its very name, STEP strongly encourages self-direction and motivation. Don't 
     
     worry Mr. Crossely, college students are coming to university well equipped with the skills they 
     
     require to excell and we are doing it. | am very proud of my Dean's List distinction. Not bad 
     
     for a college student whom you believe lacks skills and motivation. 
     
    

    
     I feel it is about time the university recognized the hard work and dedication that college 
     
     students demonstrated in their previous studies. 
     
    
   
   
    
     Lana Mill 
     
     Holland CollegeAlumni& = - 
     
     4th year UPEI Arts student. 
     
    
   
   
    
       
     
    
   
   
    
     Iam uncertain with how my comments may have been received in the October 28" Cadre 
     
     article, “The Fixed link from Holland College to UPEI.” 
     
    

    
     A university education is synonymous with the concept of critical thinking as well as of 
     
     theory and knowledge-based learning. A college education isa training institute that focuses on 
     
     skills and practical experience. Our Island needs both of these institutions as Islanders look to 
     
     further their education and enter the workforce. In the article, my comments may have 
     
     downplayed the importance of a college education, especially with the remark of wondering if 
     
     college educated students “will be qualified to study courses at a university level.” Any student 
     
     is quite prepared to make the transition from one institution to the other. 
     
    

    
     The argument against the transfer of credits from the college to the university level is not 
     
     an attack on students’ abilities to adapt. The argument against credit transfers is for the 
     
     protection of two separate ideologies: academia and technical experience. Specific courses 
     
     offered at UPEI and Holland College may contain the same factual information. However, the 
     
     student transferring credit to UPEI is not transferring the experience of theory surrounding those ~ 
     
     facts-- the student transfers the practical experience. Is the transferring of credits between both 
     
     institutions robbing the students of a proper education in their respective institutions? I have 
     
     considered this question over the past number of weeks and feel that the answer is yes. Should 
     
     anyone be interested in a further explanation of my stance, please contact me at the Student 
     
    
   
   
    
     Union. 
     
    
   
   
    
       
     
    
   
   
    
     Sincerely, 
     
     ‘ Janice Broderick 
     
    
   
   
    
       
     
    
   
   
    
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