Articles of the Month

Tuition - It Just Keeps Going and Going...

Up...that is

On May 16, 2001, the people of British Columbia went to the voting polls. Frustrated with the actions of Glen Clark and former NDP premiers, voters overwhelmingly cast votes for the BC Liberal Party. In the end, they received a majority in 77 or 79 electoral districts, and thus became the new government of the province.

So, the people got what they wanted, but did they think when they voted?

In BC, life has been made extremely difficult for many following the actions that the BC Liberals have taken. Students, in particular, have been harshly affected by the removal of the tuition freeze and the "training wage" that has been instituted. When combined, this does not bode well for post secondary options. Tuition has consistently increased at BC post secondary institutions, rising from an average of $2,527 in 2001-2002 to one of $4,140 in 2003-2004. Yet, this is not isolated to BC for many other provinces have experienced a similar increase in recent years. The end of the tuition freeze in BC simply made the hike in that province more noticeable.

What are students to do?

Despite what public and personal opinion may be, the people have a great deal of power. After all, in November of 2001, Anti-Campbell marchers chanted "Liar, Liar" in Vancouver. Following that, in May of 2002, the BC Federation of Labour organized a massive Anti-Campbell rally in Vancouver, for which 20,000 to 40,000 people participated. Moreover, students and workers initiated a blockade of the University of Victoria in October 2002. All this proves that we CAN fight back, we CAN make our voices hear.

Before we can do so successfully, though, we much first be organized. Here are some current protest campaigns organized:

• The Alma Mater Society of UBC has suggestions and guidelines for letters that you can write or email to your provincial government. If you do not live in BC, all you need to do is substitute the correct address
• The Canadian Federation of Students has a mailing list and petition sign up form that you can fill out

If people seem to be apathetic or unorganized where you live, do not be afraid to initiate a campaign yourself. Remember what Gandhi said: "You must be the change you wish to see in the world"