THE STUDENT MOVEMENT
March 16th, 2010
Issue 2
Dr. Wildeman’s Town Hall
By Vajo Stajic
Students Raise Real Problems Facing the University On March 8th students from many faculties attended University President Alan Wildeman’s Town Hall meeting to express the real problems they were facing in their faculties and as students.
the requirements of the Ontarians with Disabilities Act, which not only requires accessible buildings, but also that university services accommodate the reality faced by persons with disabilities.
Students clearly and articulately spoke about the difficulties they were facing in their areas due to decisions made by administration. A large group of students from Visual Arts attended and their representative asked why the university would not replace a retiring staff member whose health, safety, and supply components are vital to the program. Students from music expressed their frustration over the fact that their building remains one of the most in need of upgrading on campus, yet no renovations are planned. A student from the faculty of education raised serious concerns about discrimination faced by teacher candidates in their placements, especially those whose first language is not English.
Representatives of the Drop Fees Coalition raised pointed concerns about the overall direction of the university in terms of growing privatization and the lack of campus democracy.
Graduate students from Computer Science and Engineering requested an explanation of how GA-ships were awarded by the university, for they had been seeing allocations that were not based on the previous criteria, such as class size. When they had asked for answers at the Graduate level, they were refused information. A representative of “Out on Campus” asked why no hiring had been done for the Human Rights Office since it has been eight months since the previous officer had resigned. Another student spoke on behalf of students with disabilities and asked how the university was preparing for
Students spoke about their individual problems at the university as well. One student asked for concrete answers as to why she was being denied the right to complete her degree. She attributed the problem to the lack of flexibility in course switching to accommodate her learning disability. Another student asked why the university has a policy restricting the number of A’s or B’s a class should have, which pressures professors to curve the grades. Students lined up eagerly to express their views throughout the Town Hall. Unfortunately, the first half of the meeting was taken up by Dr. Wildeman to present on the new Strategic Plan and the budget. Due to time limitations, a number of students were cut off or unable to follow up on their questions. Some in the audience suggested that other forums should be organized so students could have their say. It was clear to all that students wanted to talk about the real life problems they were facing and not just the high ideals of the university. By the Editorial Committee The Student Movement
Editorial: Dr. Wildeman’s Rhetoric At Dr. Wildeman’s latest Town Hall meeting, he presented extensively on the mission, vision, principles and priorities outlined in his strategic plan. When asked specifically about certain issues on campus, he replied with broad responses like “planning planning planning” or “communication communication communication,” but said little else. I personally asked if he could give specific, concrete examples of changes students would see around campus as a result of his strategic plan. Despite claiming to be able to list many, he instead went on to continue quoting vague rhetoric which plagued the rest of the meeting. Dr. Wildeman can say “planning” or “communication” until he loses his breath, but that won’t make it happen. The Strategic Plan outlines many ideals, but there seems to be no plan to implement them. Or, if there is, students are not a part of the decision-making process.
The administration claims to be transparent and to want student input, but instead of holding a forum, Dr. Wildeman lectured for 45 minutes before dodging student concerns during the question period. The defensive tone of last Tuesday’s Town Hall shows how students are there to criticize decisions already made rather than being part of the planning process. If the administration truly wanted student input, the focus would have been on discussion instead of presentation. I understand that branding can be important, but when our school is in such dire financial straits as the administration claims, I worry when they put so many funds and so much effort into a marketing scheme which may have little to no effect on the school. Or, more frighteningly, there may be many changes planned, but they are not in the best interests of students or educational quality. By Ian Clough
We Need a President Who Stands with Students, Faculty, and Staff—Not Against Us At Tuesday’s meeting, President Wildeman began the hour and a half “Town Hall” with a 45 minute presentation on his Strategic Plan and on the university budget. During the presentation on the budget Dr. Wildeman stated that 78.7% of University revenues goes towards salaries, wages and benefits. He also indicated that overall university revenue is broken up as follows: Tuition Government Grants Investment Income Other revenue
44.7% 49.8% 1% 4.4%
Dr. Wildeman then explained that in the coming year there would be a 2% shortfall assuming government funding remains the same. The spirit in which he seemed to say this was to suggest that everyone should understand that, if the government doesn’t increase revenue, cuts to programs would have to be made and/or tuitions increased to offset the loss. In other words, we are at the whims of the provincial government and the amount they decide to give. If they give less, then cuts have to be made. Dr. Wildeman’s constant emphasis on the almost 80% figure going to wages, salaries and benefits seemed to imply that if only professors, sessionals, and campus staff would accept less, then we would be in a better position. In addition, the suggestion seemed to be that wages, salaries and benefits are the reason why we pay such high tuition.
Why is Dr. Wildeman so adamant to try and isolate faculty and staff and ignore the real context? What Dr. Wildeman failed to mention is the fact that since the 1990s the Federal and Provincial governments have been cutting funds to social programs. They have done so as a mechanism to restructure postsecondary education in particular and put more of the burden for paying onto students. Dr. Wildeman’s implied suggestion that wages, salaries and benefits are the problem flies in the face of the reality that the deliberate reductions of funding for post-secondary education is the cause of increased tuitions, and the reduction in the quality of education. The reality is that the federal and provincial governments are the ones who have a responsibility to ensure that our education can be funded so that one day we can contribute to society as educated individuals. Instead, billions are being re-directed in the Federal Budget towards war and bogus “security,” while the basic necessities of the Canadian people in the form of transfer payments for social programs are being cut. Why blame the salaries, wages and benefits of the faculty and staff, the very people who make the university function and who educate students? Why not take on the real cause of the funding problems instead of trying to divide students, faculty and staff? By Enver Villimizar
The Student Movement
Drop Fees: A Practical Solution This question has been put forward to me by students and members of the community many, many times. There is a concern that if we attempt to lower tuition fees by securing more government funding we will bankrupt the province. “The deficit!” they warn. “We're leaking money like your second-hand car leaks oil!”
Real concerns, to be sure. Currently, students receive a tax credit for their tuition fees and textbook costs. However, this doesn't help us directly pay for anything. We won't receive this tax credit until we get a nice comfy job pulling in enough cash that we can actually be charged income tax. As students, most of us don't qualify, so those tax credits are just piling up at the moment, or if our parents can use them, they receive the rebates. However, once we graduate, OSAP starts collecting interest and demanding a monthly payment. Well, okay, to be fair, we get a short break—a period where we're supposed to be looking for a job. That's kinda difficult in the middle of a recession... I feel that by the time we settle into a job that pays enough so that we can actually start claiming tuition and books on our income tax, we'll have accumulated enough interest that it won't be worthwhile. Plus, if we have a stable income from our career job, we'll be in a position where we don't desperately need the tax rebate. The tax credits will be appreciated when we can finally use them, but it would be most effective when we are still in school. It would be easy enough shifting this money to grants through OSAP or to directly cut down the tuition cost ... what's holding us back? By Darryl Gallinger
The Hidden Success Behind the Town Hall Over the past year or so, I have learned more about this university than I can stomach. I have watched in horror how the administration has responded to budget cuts, the Passa Passa event, and the September 2008 faculty strike.
Turning First Rate Universities into Second Rate Companies: The Future of Post-Secondary Education in Canada? A talk by James Turk, Executive Director Canadian Association of University Teachers
Often, the more I learn, the more I feel alone in the struggle for social justice. Before stepping into Dr. Wildeman’s Town Hall meeting, I was worried that I would feel this again. But once the question period with students began, my sense of isolation was replaced with pride.
Commercial values are transforming our universities. The very integrity of our institutions is at risk. This talk will explore the changes that are taking place, the reasons for the changes and what academic staff and students can do to reclaim and protect the role of our universities.
After Dr. Wildeman’s 45 minute presentation—which was very defensive—he finally allowed students to ask questions.
Wednesday, March 24, 2010, 4 pm McPherson Lounge, Alumni Hall
Continued on last page. The Student Movement
WHO WE ARE The Student Movement is a newsletter of the University of Windsor’s Drop Fees Coalition. We consist of student volunteers supported by the Organization of Part-Time Students (OPUS), the Graduate Students’ Society (GSS), Windsor University Faculty Association (WUFA) and the Canadian Federation of Students (CFS). Our goal is to inform our university community about important campus events and to encourage everyone to participate, come forward with stories, and take action on issues that concern them. Continued from Hidden Success. When people were about to speak, the format of the discussion was laid out by having former UWSA president Jeff LaPorte act as the mediator between President Wildeman and the questioners. This immediately revealed how fearful Dr. Wildeman was of his own students, that he would not be able to merely have one-on-one conversations with us, unlike previous Town Halls. Speaking rights were also refused to staff members when one approached the microphone.
Where is the Tree that Dr. Wildeman’s Money Will Grow On? During the Town Hall meeting Dr. Wildeman was asked where money would come from to fund the $1.5 million Strategic Priorities Fund announced in his Strategic Plan document. His response was that it would be “built into the budget;” as if to suggest it would come from a magical tree. When pressed, he continued to assert that it would be built into the budget, even though, twenty minutes earlier, he presented the school’s budget as airtight and shrinking. Students should consider what this means. Dr. Wildeman is deliberately hiding the fact that the 1.5 million will be taken from the public funds we pay—tuition and taxes—and then put under the control of the Provost. Not only is this undemocratic in that it takes a huge sum of money out of the normal budgetary procedures of the university, it is also a huge cut of money which will be taken from other programs. When the President claims there is no money for investments in struggling programs at the university, how is it that he can “create” 1.5 million for a Provost to allocate at their discretion? By Enver Villimizar
Quickly after one student spoke, students began to line up at the microphone and soon about 10 people were eagerly waiting. One after another, students eloquently and passionately urged Dr. Wildeman to hear their stories and they did not back down. Windsor students had not bought into President Wildeman’s flimsy rhetoric and were persistent about voicing their concerns. Despite several members being present, no UWSA representatives spoke. Students started from the grassroots and took it upon themselves to voice concerns. As students, we are joining together to ensure that we establish a safe, equitable, and accessible educational experience. We are working together to make a real difference on this campus. I have written this article for the students who have picked up The Student Movement and the students who were present at the Town Hall meeting because they are concerned and want change. When you showed your determination to fight for your education, I have never been so proud to be a University of Windsor student. Thank you, students, for giving yourselves and me this gift. By Lauren Quinn
Get involved! The University of Windsor Drop Fees Coalition meets Saturdays at 2 pm in the CAW Center Commons. Come out and get involved! Contact us at: drop.fees.windsor@gmail.com Got Something to Say? Share your stories and opinions with The Student Movement. E-mail submissions to drop.fees.windsor@gmail.com The Student Movement