Spicy Answers to Saucy Questions
Everything YOU need to know about the Drop Fees Rally!
Q: What is the Drop Fees campaign and why is it important?
A: The Drop Fees campaign aims to reduce and ultimately eliminate economic barriers between people and the education necessary to be employed in today’s job market. One major barrier is the high cost of tuition here in Ontario, which forces students to take on an average of $28, 000 worth of debt over the course of a four-year degree.
As if that wasn’t enough, the provincial government is planning to increase tuition fees by 20 to 36% over the next four years. That’s 4 to 8% per year!
Q: Funding schools costs money. If students don’t pay tuition, where will the money come from?
A: The money is there, but it’s a question of our government’s priorities. For example, they have allotted $490 billion to the military budget. With that amount of money, tuition could be entirely eliminated nation-wide 109 times over! Even just a fraction of that money could make a huge difference to accessibility of education.
Q: I’ve been hearing a lot about November 5th. What is that about?
A: On November 5th, students across the GTA are rallying at Queen’s Park to demonstrate against rising tuition fees. Here at York, we’re meeting in Vari Hall and taking charter busses downtown so we can march together in solidarity. Students from Ryerson and all the U of T campuses will meet us downtown as well, but we need YOU to make this work!
Q: Why is it important to do this now?
A: The existing tuition fee framework, used to establish how much tuition schools can charge across the province is about to expire in 2009. That’s this year, making this the perfect time to take action and send a message to Dalton McGuinty’s government. Students will no longer stand to take on crippling debt for an education that is our right!
Q: I want to go. What time is the meet-up?
A: Meet in Vari Hall at 10 am, November 5th. If you are downtown you can meet us at the corner of Spadina and Bloor at 12p.m.
Q: Will it cost me anything?A: Not at all. The charter busses are completely free of charge. They will take you there and bring you back.
Q: But November 5th is a weekday and I have class. How can I participate?
A: The York Federation of Students worked to get Academic Amnesty from Senate for students who attend the rally. This means you can’t be penalized academically for attending the protest. Participation grades can’t be affected, assignments must be extended and tests cannot be held. We’ve got you covered, so get out there and be heard! Check out the page on academic amnesty at http://www.yfs.ca/index.php?section_id=184