UMSU council notes

The fight for lower tuition

JENELLE PETRINCHUK STAFF

While snacking on food left over from a busy second-last day of Celebration Week, UMSU councillors began the Jan. 25 council meeting with plans to take actor and Celebration Week keynote speaker Ken Davitian (Azamat from Borat) out on the town. Although the plans eventually fell through, throughout the meeting there was no shortage of excitement among council members pertaining to both Celebration Week and the upcoming Day of Action, the day when students across the country rally for lower tuition fees.

“I’ve just been busy with the Day of Action,” stated Rachel Gotthilf, vicepresident (external), when presenting her report to council.

She explained that throughout January, volunteers have been busy preparing for the big day, to take place on Feb. 7 at the Manitoba Legislature. “We have cut hundreds of scarves, made tons of buttons, painted banners, and have been speaking with students daily about the Day of Action and encouraging students to participate,” stated the report.

The plans for the day are also outlined, with buses leaving the Fort Gary campus at noon from the Administration building, and departing from the legislature sometime after 2:30 p.m.. The University of Winnipeg Students’ Association will be hosting a party for participants afterwards at the U of W.

Students from both the U of W and St. Boniface College will be meeting for the rally along with students from the U of M.

Aside from the Day of Action, Gotthilf and Matt McLean, representing the Graduate Students’ Association, met with Jon Gerrard, leader of the Manitoba Liberal Party. The Jan. 17 meeting included discussion of government funding for post-secondary education as well as the tuition fee freeze.

It is stated in Gotthilf’s report that “Mr. Gerrard was not in total agreement with the position of the students’ associations of CFS [the Canadian Federation of Students], but he said that the Manitoba Liberal Party has not finalized their platform for the 2007 Provincial Election.”

Public opinion poll released

A public opinion report of postsecondary education issues, compiled by CFS, was also presented to council. The report is made up of 11 questions pertaining to tuition costs and where money should be spent in regards to post-secondary education.

Statistics that were stressed at the meeting included the 45.8 per cent of students who think Manitobans are more likely to vote for a party that makes accessible post-secondary education a priority, and that an 82 per cent majority of Manitobans “feel that everyone benefits when tuition fees are progressively reduced.”





Volume 94 Issue 19	The Official University of Manitoba Students' Newspaper Website	January 31, 2007

Home About Us Advertise Contact Staff Current Issue PDF Employment Letters to the Editor Meet the Staff Online Archives Personals Volunteer	Font Size Respond Email Print-Friendly UMSU council notes The fight for lower tuition JENELLE PETRINCHUK STAFF While snacking on food left over from a busy second-last day of Celebration Week, UMSU councillors began the Jan. 25 council meeting with plans to take actor and Celebration Week keynote speaker Ken Davitian (Azamat from Borat) out on the town. Although the plans eventually fell through, throughout the meeting there was no shortage of excitement among council members pertaining to both Celebration Week and the upcoming Day of Action, the day when students across the country rally for lower tuition fees. “I’ve just been busy with the Day of Action,” stated Rachel Gotthilf, vicepresident (external), when presenting her report to council. She explained that throughout January, volunteers have been busy preparing for the big day, to take place on Feb. 7 at the Manitoba Legislature. “We have cut hundreds of scarves, made tons of buttons, painted banners, and have been speaking with students daily about the Day of Action and encouraging students to participate,” stated the report. The plans for the day are also outlined, with buses leaving the Fort Gary campus at noon from the Administration building, and departing from the legislature sometime after 2:30 p.m.. The University of Winnipeg Students’ Association will be hosting a party for participants afterwards at the U of W. Students from both the U of W and St. Boniface College will be meeting for the rally along with students from the U of M. Aside from the Day of Action, Gotthilf and Matt McLean, representing the Graduate Students’ Association, met with Jon Gerrard, leader of the Manitoba Liberal Party. The Jan. 17 meeting included discussion of government funding for post-secondary education as well as the tuition fee freeze. It is stated in Gotthilf’s report that “Mr. Gerrard was not in total agreement with the position of the students’ associations of CFS [the Canadian Federation of Students], but he said that the Manitoba Liberal Party has not finalized their platform for the 2007 Provincial Election.” Public opinion poll released A public opinion report of postsecondary education issues, compiled by CFS, was also presented to council. The report is made up of 11 questions pertaining to tuition costs and where money should be spent in regards to post-secondary education. Statistics that were stressed at the meeting included the 45.8 per cent of students who think Manitobans are more likely to vote for a party that makes accessible post-secondary education a priority, and that an 82 per cent majority of Manitobans “feel that everyone benefits when tuition fees are progressively reduced.”


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