Subscribe16 Days Until Feb 7, Student Day of Action: Upcoming Campus Events
January 22nd, 2007 by JP
UTSU (formerly SAC) and GSU (Graduate Student Union) are both gearing up for February 7th, the Student Day of Action. The main issue? Tuition fees! A website by the Canadian Federation of Students coordinating the national effort can be found here, with an outline of the issues for each province. A U of T specific website for the Student Day of Action can be found here. It also has quite a bit of information about the situation of tuition fees.
But before you frown at the thought of how much your tuition fee will increase by next year, know that all’s not lost. There’s something you can do about it, and it’s even fun! Read on for details about events (with free food)!.
So, where’s the free food?
The U of T Reduce Tuition Fees Coalition have begun to meet weekly in order to plan for the Feb. 7 National Day of Action. Everyone who is interested in building the mobilisation of our campus is welcome.
Date and time: Monday, January 22 @ 6:00p.m.
Location: GSU basement lounge (16 Bancroft Ave.)
Dinner and refreshments will be provided.
UTSU is having a Reduce the Fees Movie Night. Come see the hilarious documentary “My Student Loan” – the fastest box office seller at the 2004 Hot Docs International Film Festival in Toronto.
Date and Time: Tuesday, January 23 at 6:00 p.m.
Location: Bahen Centre – Room 1180
It’s free, and there will be food.
GSU is having a Pirates of The High Fees Pub Night. There will be drinks, food, and merrymaking, all with a pirate theme. Pirates, eh? Sounds interesting.
Date and Time: Jan 24th 6-8pm
Location: GSU pub, 16 Bancroft Avenue
So that’s it for free food. But remember, this is a serious affair after all. The one-week count-down to the Day of Action will be kicked off by a “Freeze the Fees” camp-out on King’s College Circle on Wednesday, January 31 beginning at 6:00 p.m. This action of U of T will coincide with other camp-outs across Canada. Freezing for a tuition fee freeze? What a concept. I hope no one catches a cold or pneumonia!
On Feb 7th, there will be a rally to reduce tuition fees:
11:30 AM Gather in front of Con Hall! Sip on some hot chocolate, hear some brief speeches, and learn the cheers.
12:00 PM March across campus with the rest of U of T and with students from colleges and universities across Ontario.
1:00 PM Arrive at Queen’s Park for the big rally. There will be speakers and guest appearances by popular Toronto musicians!
For event updates, check the UTSU web site.
Update: I’ve been told that the rally on Feb 7 will be coordinated with other Universities across Canada. For example, University of Ottawa is organizing a rally on Parliament Hill. If this is an issue you’re concerned with, take this chance to get involved! Afterall, we’re just a 5 minute walk from Queen’s Park.
Rate it!
Loading ...
January 22nd, 2007 at 11:51 pm
That’s funny – I don’t recall Dalton McGuinty raising tuition fees. I thought the universities did it… Maybe these young men and women should stake out Simcoe Hall instead of Queen’s Park.
Though it is worthwhile to mention that Dalton McGuinty did break his promise about the tuition freeze. But then again, this is just one of his many broken promises.
January 23rd, 2007 at 4:10 pm
You’re right Michael, it’s the The University of Toronto’s Business Board that recommends a tuition fee schedule, and the Governing Council that approves it. I have found that the student organizations tend to sensationalize the topic of tuition increases to get a stronger response.
The topic is quite complex, and it’s definitely not just one person making the calls. In fact, I’m not even sure another tuition freeze is really the best course of action, if it leads to underfunded education.
I mean, the ideal case is tuition is frozen, and the government gives enough funding to the Universities… but then, that’s just the ideal case
for students… the government’s not exactly looking out just for
students.
Here’s a statement by U of T President David Naylor on the subject. He seems to support “modest annual tuition increases”: http://www.news.utoronto.ca/bin6/060308-2117.asp
January 31st, 2007 at 12:52 am
I find it hypocritical that SAC is so determined to protest, while I understand that they will be supporting a student levy for a new student centre. It seems as if they feel that its acceptable for students to pay more fees if it meets their own agenda.
January 31st, 2007 at 3:19 pm
That’s an interesting point Jeff. I guess the only difference is we get to vote on the student levy. But I see what you’re saying… UTSU is pushing for the levy.