¥ cd | Federal Party Profiles on Post — Secondary Education Issues The UPEI Student Union ishes to present to you part three of a four part series re- garding post-secondary edu- cation issues as provided by the Canadian Federation of Students. Disabled Students Question —Would you sup- port the implementation of a national grants program to en- sure accessibility for disabled stu- dents? : Liberal Party — Yes. The Liberal Party rec- ognizes the special problems of accessibility facing disabled and handicapped persons. Disabled students are only asking for the same opportunities afforded other students. It is a simple question of fairness in our society. New Democratic Party — We recognize that there are specific groups of Canadians who face greater hardships obtaining access to post-secondary educa- tion than the general population. While steps must be taken to in- THE GEM would Ike to Staff members about +he Very SL. mportant §$ taff Meeting on Monday , Nov. jot. A Highlight on a Classical Situation remind all What is the most excit- ing department on campus this semester? It’s none other that the Classics department! Under the guidence of Dr. David Buck, Assistant Professor and Chair- man of the department, Classics has undergone a severe renova- tion from what it once was. “Essentially what happened was that over time the program got warped, and the sensible se- quence of courses was lost,” says Buck. “I was hired to reform the de- partment, and that’s what I’m trying to do.” In consultation with Presi- dent Eliot, who is also part of the Classics department, and the Dean of Arts, Dr. Buck revised the calendar to include a more co- herant course sequence. As well as dropping five courses from last year’s calendar, Dr. Buck has added seven more that are ei- ther new to the department or totally revised. This revision Was necessary in order to main- tain a sequential set of classics . Courses that covered everything crease access for all Canadians these groups, like disables Cana- dians, will require some special assistance. As you know, there are programs which presently . provide benefits to disabled stu- dents. However, these are com- plicated, and in many cases, in- adequate. As with other areas of student assistance there have also been problems of provinces reducing their support. We will commit ourselves to reducing barriers to access for disabled stu- dents and to study the question of special federal bursaries for this purpose. Such a study would also examine any other recommenda- tions which might arise from the conference of the National Educa- tion Association of Disabled Stu- dents in St. John’s'in September. Part-time and mature Students — Question — Given the rising proportion of students at univer- sities and colleges who are part- time, would you support improve- ments in assistance arrangements to enhance accessibility for these that needed to be covered. With only one full-time and one part- time professor this is difficult and some courses have to be rotated. The minor program was the idea of Dr. Buck. ie “We obviously have the de- partment, but we have no aca- demic statement because we don’t have a major.” It was then decided that there should be a real minor instead of just a fictional one. The point of this program is to give student the proper recognition they de- serve. Other departments have also expressed interest in the minor program. Althouh these depart- ments may have majors, they have few students who actually take enough courses to merit a major, but there are a number of students who take enough courses to gain a minor in that subject. “In the long term, UPEI needs a major in Classics, be- cause students are being disad- vantaged if they are denied the opportunity to do an undergrad- uate degree in Classics”. However, there are no plans in the immediate future for a major in Classics. hiring two more full time profes- sors. idea of a broader education. it will just mean that students get rcognition for it.” courses to the fourteen of the ma- jor. year at UPEI. One reason could be the proper first year “pack- age, and the proper sequence of . courses. Last year there was a to- students? Progressive Conservative Party — The government is ac- tively examining a number of the issues (concerning student aid). We are in the process of intro- ducing regulatory changes to the Canada Student Loans Program. As we proceed with a more thor- ough review of the program, we look forward to the Federation’s continuing advice and coopera- tion. Among the issues identi- fied as priorities are those deal- ing with debt load, interest relief, and the special needs of part-time students. Liberal Party — Yes. New Democratic Party - Yes. International Students _ Question — What steps do you believe the federal govern- ment should take to increase the international student presence in Canada, particularly those stu- dents from the thirty least devel- oped countries? progressive Conservative Party — Our government is work- ing with the provinces and with interested organizations such as your own, with a view to improv- ing the circumstances of inter- national students attending post- secondary institutions in Canada. Recent announcements by the ministers responsible for immi- gration and international devel- opment assistance, easing the re- strictions in this sector, are a sign of the government’s ongoing commitment to making our edu- cation system more accessible to students form other countries. Liberal Party — We believe the federal government should en- courage foreign students and in- crease their presence in Canada. Steps to be taken should include the following: a.) Do away with differential fees. b.) Allow foreign students to work in Canada. : c.) Ease immigration difficul- ties. d.) Increase bursaries for for- eign students. New Democratic Party — The most important step which could be taken in Canada to en- courage the presence of interna- tional students would be a reduc- tion or elimination of differential fees for such students. We sup- port suchastep. This will require negotiations with the provinces, as well as the provision of grants to encourage students from the most under developed countries. Question — If elected, would you oppose differential fees that are charged to international stu- dents over and above regular tu- ition fees and which are often 2 to 5 times the regular cost? Progressive Conservative Party — The federal government views the presence of international stu- dents at Canadian educational institutions as a positive influ- ence which is a great benefit to Canada. At the federal level, we are working together and through the Council of Ministers of Ed- ucation to facilitate within our respective responsibilities their access to Canadian educational training opportunities. Liberal Party — Yes. New. Democratic Party — See response to above question. This would involve “The minor won’t destroy the The minor would have seven Classics has caught on this tal 74 students registered in Clas- sics courses for both semesters; this year there were 88 registered first semester. The new courses are Classics 202 (Agustus and the Early Ro- man Empire), and Classics 222 (Ancient Comedy). Classics 102 (Roman Civilization) and 201 (Classical Athens) have been to- $ tally revised. Along with these ¢ ‘Olds Dublin Pulb GE courses, the ones offered next semester will be the continua- ¢ tion of the first semester language courses, Greek 102 Latin 102 and ¢ 202. Olde Dublin Pub 4 4 The Green of Ireland Extends a Warm Welcome to the Green of UPEI Mon. & Tues. Buy 1st steak for $4.95 Receive 2nd for $0.01 A Roman Picture $7.95 Wed. Bucket of Blue 5 for the price of 4 Thurs. Bucket of Blue 5 for the price of 4 Thurs.— Sat. LIVE ENTERTAINMENT 9:30-2:00 am REPRESENTATIVE ON CAMPUS - ROBINSON SCOTT BROWN ; (Rob Brown) 131 Sydney Street Olde Charlottetown, PE. 7 = Thursday, November 10, 1988 =