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February 6, 2012 Volume 38, Issue 17 www.mediumutm.ca
Students rally against high tuition Canadian Federation of Students leads campaign to protest restrictions of tuition grant STEFANIE MAROTTA NEWS EDITOR Over 200 students from UTM travelled to Queenâs Park last Wednesday for the Canadian Federation of Studentsâ National Day of Action, arguably the organizationâs most criticized initiative. Members of the CFS across Canada protested high tuition fees and student debt. According to the CFS, the Liberals promised a 30% tuition cut and, because the actual grant is not accessible to all students, McGuinty failed to follow through on his promise. On the Liberalsâ website, the election platform on education states that the promised grant would amount to 30% of the cost of tuition. It does not promise a comprehensive tuition cut. The CFS states that the province should use the $430,000 project for a universal 13% tuition cut rather than 30% for a portion of students. The grant excludes international, part-time, mature, and secondentry program students. Students from families with an annual in-
and âThe students united will never be defeatedâ. At Queenâs Park, NDP MPP Teresa Armstrong and PC MPP Rob Leone addressed students, spoke against tuition increases, and criticized the McGuinty government. âIâve talked to students that tell me they want change to make sure that education is accessible and affordable for everyone. We stand in solidarity with you,â Leone said. Rally continued on page 3
Murder continued on page 2
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dents is a really good step that they should be applauding rather than protesting.â UTM students met with those from U of T, U of T Scarborough, McMaster, Western, and York at Convocation Hall and paraded through surrounding streets to Queenâs Park. The procession was led by CFS-Ontario Chair Sandy Hudson, UTSU VP External Shaun Shepherd, and Sajjad. They cheered slogans like âFuck feesâ, âWhen I say cut back, you say fight backâ,
LORI-LEE EMSHEY ASSISTANT NEWS EDITOR U of T professor Shahrzad Mojab testified as the prosecution expert witness in the âhonour killingâ trial in Kingston that concluded last Monday. The Kingston jury convicted Mohammad Shafia, 58, his second wife Tooba Mohammad Yahya, 41, and their son Hamed Shafia, 21, of first-degree murder on January 30. All three received life in prison with no chance of parole for at least 25 years. Mojab teaches masterâs- and doctoral-level classes in the Department of Adult Education and Counselling Psychology at U of T. She is also the former director of the Women and Gender Studies Institute. Her research has focussed on honour killings, and she coedited the book Violence in the Name of Honour: Theoretical and Political Challenges.
The crowd gathered at Queenâs Park to protest against increases in tuition. come greater than $160,000 are also exempt from the grant. âThey could probably do more for mature students, and hopefully that will get worked out as the deficit goes down,â said Jonathan Scott, a third-year English student and the president of the Trinity College Young Liberals. âItâs absolutely dumb to say that everyone should get 13% off, because thatâs like being against progressive taxation. I think that adding this grant for lower- to middle-income stu-
Professor speaks at murder trial
TAs set strike deadline Clock is ticking for university to make âreasonable contractâ ADAM ERB STAFF WRITER Negotiations between the University of Toronto and members of the Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE 3902) broke down this week after the university offered what the TAs, among others, considered an unreasonable contract. Members of the CUPE 3902 voted against the new contract on Tuesday, considering the offer both insulting and unfair. âWe heard a loud and clear message from the members of our union,â said Ryan Culpepper, the chair of CUPE 3902âs bargaining team. âClearly, what weâve negotiated to this point is not sufficient. Because we are a democratic organization, any new
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contract has to be accepted by our members.â
âI always forget that I have a TA because most of them are so absent from my school experience. I will care, however, if this strike puts school on hold and prevents me from graduating.â âBonny Catherine CUPE 3902 plans to strike on February 24 if the university has
not offered what the union considers to be a reasonable contract. âYou hear this type of thing every year,â said Andrea Zadro, a fourth-year art and art history specialist. âI wouldnât hold my breath for a strike, since they threaten it every single year. However, a strike would put a lot of unneeded stress on the professors.â Professors around the UTM campus promise that the TA strike wouldnât affect the curriculum, but that syllabi would have to be adjusted to make more time otherwise saved by the teaching assistants. âI always forget that I have a TA because most of them are so absent from my school experience,â said Bonny Catherine, a
fourth-year English and history major. âI will care, however, if this strike puts school on hold and prevents me from graduating.â Itâs difficult to determine the extent of the impact a TA strike would have. It is recommended that students become familiar with the universityâs academic continuity policies. âWe look forward to reopening negotiations with the university,â said Culpepper. âWeâre committed to bringing back a contract that meets our membersâ needs.â The union represents 4,200 teaching assistants, graduate-students instructors, lab demonstrators, and invigilators at U of T. TAs are asking for increased wages and improved benefits, among other demands.
ECC approves fee hikes The Erindale College Council votes to recommend fee increases for residence and food services. Medium News, page 3
Shocker! Why the drop fees isnât such a bad thing. Medium Opinion, page 4
The Grammys go indie Shoe-ins, surprises, and snubs to mark Grammys. Medium A&E, page 5
Mind your language Lukeâs Languages signs off. But who has the last word? Medium Features, page 10
Eagles advance to finals Womenâs tri-campus basketball defeats St. George Black. Medium Sports, page 11
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