The McGill Tribune Vol. 02 Issue 11

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The McGill Tribune McGILL WITHDRAWS FROM RAEU In an unexpected display of support this past Wednesday, Council voted overwhelmingly (13-5) to support a motion made by Benjie Trister, VicePresident External Affairs and endorsed by the Executive Committee. Mr. Tris­ ter spearheaded the decision to pull out of RAEU because of what he saw as “the organization being ineffective and un­ responsive to the needs and views of McGill students”. Despite attempts by some members to postpone a decision on this question until January, the opinion of Council was echoed in a speech by the seasoned councillor from Music, Suzanne Brynes. “Last year’s Council sat through hours of debate on the pro’s and con’s of being a member (of RAEU) and withheld fees until half way through the year. We

thought we were applying political pres­ sure but nothing ever happened. It’s time to act now,” she said, supporting the move to pull out of RAEU. Student senator David Allsebrooke also vocalized these points when he spoke on the ethics of looking into a new organization while still being a member of another, concluding that “now is the time for action”. Trister finalized discussion by com­ mitting himself to staging a referendum before another organization is joined and to assit him in his investigation Council created an Advisory Commit­ tee with 9 councillors, 3 students-atlarge, the official observer to ANEQ, the official observer to RAEU and Mr. Tris­ ter as Chairman. Executive Committee

“The manifestation of the universe as a complex idea unto itself as opposed to being in or outside the true Being of itself is inherently a conceptual nothingness or nothingness in relation to any abstract form of existing or to exist or having existed in perpetuity and not subject to laws of physicality or motion or ideas relating to non-matter or the lack of objective Being or subjective otherness.” Woody Allen

Food for Refugees by Joanne Bayly As of October 21, government aid to non-status refugees was cut off without forewarning. Without this help, and unable to return to their native coun­ tries, these refugees and their families will not survive. Over 605 political refu­ gees from such countries as Poland, El Salvador, Guatemala, and Sri Lanka are stranded here in Montreal, without aid or hope of support. > A groups of concerned McGill stu­ dents, backed by such campus groups as the German Students’ Association, Latin American Students’ Society, the

Womens’ Union, the South Africa Com­ mittee, N.D.P. McGill, and the Post Graduate Students’ Society, are joining to sponsor a food drive all this week. Taking place in the foyer of the Union Building, organizers hope to collect donations of non-perishable tinned and dry goods such as condensed milk, cheese, preserved meats, fruit, and vege­ tables. All donations will be appreciated, they may even save a life. Update:Last Saturday the Provincial government granted provincial welfare to its non-status refugees.

Study Week Still in Future But N ot Present Patrick H.F. Baillie As the 1983-84 proposed Sessional Dates passed through the final commit­ tee stage on Nov. 5th, one glaring omis­ sion was noted. Despite continued pres­ sure by the student members of Senate, the Students’ Society executive and the student representative on the commit­ tee, there will be no study week in the spring semester of 1984. The Committee on Timetabling and Student Records accepted the proposed dates from its subcommittee on ses­ sional dates and will pass them along to the Senate for final approval. The calendar runs in a pattern very similar to this year’s, as popular or unpopular as that may be. Some students prefer regis­ tration after the Labour Day weekend, while others dislike this practice because it pushes the exam schedule too close to Christmas. Next year’s exams will again end on Dec.22nd. Lectures will commence Monday, Sept. 12th and continue until Friday, Dec.9th. The second semester has the same format as this year’s despite the inten­ tion of Senate to “work towards a study week.” Due to complications in the second semester examination schedule which result from the placement of Easter and Passover holidays, the study week just didn’t fit the plan. The 21 weekdays in April were divided by 5 holidays and 11 examination days leav­ ing only the first week for classes. Pro­ vincial law requires that there be 15 weeks to the semester, composed at McGill of 13 weeks of lectures and two of examinations. In 1985, the calendar is more amena­

ble to the study week proposal and, bar­ ring any problems, there should be a 5-day cancellation of lectures during the last week of February. Looking two years away for a study break is little consolation for many McGill students, while it also symbolizes the Administ­ ration’s sometimes slow responsiveness to the wishes of students. For spring, 1984, then, lectures will begin Thursday, Jan.5th (after a 14-day Christmas break) and will continue until Friday, Apr.6th. Days off are set for Friday, Feb.3rd (Winter Carnival) and Thursday and Friday, Feb.23rd and 24th (Study Break). Much of the dislike for the present University sessional dates is a conse­ quence of the Provincial regulations and the need for a week of Registration. While the former effect is fixed, the larg­ est Faculties of McGill are working towards alternate forms of registration which might, in turn, lead to a more favourable calendar. Following are the 1983-84 Sessional Dates, pending Senate approval. 1983- Tues. Sept. 6th, Registration to Fri. Sept. 9th - Mon. Sept. 12th Lectures begin ex. Engineering - Wed. Sept. 7th End of Lectures - Fri. Dec. 9th - Mon. Dec. 12th to Examinations Thurs. Dec. 22nd - Thurs. Jan. 5th Lectures begin Lectures cancelled - Fri. Feb. 3 - Thurs. & Fri. Study Break Feb. 23rd & 24th - Fri. Apr. 6th Lectures End - Mon. Apr. 9th to Examinations Mon. Apr. 30th

ST U D E N T S’ SOCIETY GENERAL M EETING Are you concerned about your University? About your Students’ Society? About your $32? About beer? If you answered yes to any of those questions and you haven’t taken the trouble to call the Executive Committee (Bruce & Bruce 392-8970; Benjie & Peter 392-8971; or David 392-8972) then.:. TOMORROW IS FOR YOU The Students’ Society is having its bi-annual General Meeting where you can have a chance to voice your concerns, or failing that, find out who represents you and talk to them privately. It’s well worth the trouble! 1:00 p.m. Room 310 University Centre DISCOVER WHAT YOUR STUDENTS’ SOCIETY HAS TO OFFER YOU!


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The McGill Tribune Vol. 02 Issue 11 by The Tribune - Issuu