When I graduated from university, I did so with honours - which meant I achieved, at least to someone's satisfaction, a certain degree of academic excellence. But is why is that the only kind of excellence that's recognized? Instead of just graduating with honours, why not offer other classifications such as "with part-time work," "with a full-time job" or "as a single-parent?"
It's an interesting question - and one that my wife asked me to think about last week as I began teaching a course in journalism at the University of Victoria. Because, thanks to tuition fee increases brought in by the Campbell administration, my students are now paying about twice as much as I did when I graduated.
Now, in fairness, British Columbia has nowhere near the highest undergraduate fees in the country. Five other provinces came ahead of us in fiscal 2008/09. Nevertheless, those increased fees mean only the lucky, the privileged or the talented can afford to focus full-time on their studies - making it more difficult for everyone else to achieve the kind of excellence that would ensure British Columbia is the most educated jurisdiction on the content.
So here's my proposal for the government: recognize the additional financial hardships post-secondary students now face or do more to alleviate them. It's as simple as that.
Sean, a few thoughts:
1st: Congrats on the journo class. Heaven knows you are the top gun of the BC Legislature... don't lose your edge.
2nd: Perhaps there is a need to adjust for inflation plus years of a tuition freeze creating a deflationary impact on institutional coffers while BCLibs invest greatly in higher education.
3rd: Perhaps these youths need to back the BCLiberals... and take cues from the USA tea party movement :-). Take cues from the Canadian Taxpayers' Federation and expose government waste. Take cues from Sean Holman and create a journalistic outpost from scraps & donations into glory & riches as they fight for lower taxes (tuition is a tax) and less government waste!
4th: Perhaps a way of incorporating your idea is worthwhile...
Enuf said.
Our daughter, mother of four,two of which have at least one degree just got her first degree with Distinction this year. It was a tough job, working full time besides university but she got there with her family support. Almost forgot, her youngest is in fouth year of a Master Of Science, and the last but not least is getting his journeyman Cabinet Makers certification in a couple of months. All of them work like slaves to complete their schooling , but really are amazed that a single parent or a member of a really poor family could manage to graduate with the high cost of tuition, not counting the many hours of study. Two words come to mind, focus and dedication. So a family of six are all paying taxes in higher brackets, to a government that does little to assist students but when they do succeed are quite ready to nail on a extra tax or two. One of the kids started doing summer school courses as the semester costs were rising. Wasn't one of Gordos golden gals, the highest educated province? So why does his government make it so hard to get to and stay in university?
Hi again
Forgive my sloppy typing, and spelling. The youngest is in fouth year of a B. Science not a Masters, and he doesn't dance in the park like the Minister has suggested, students should be doing to keep fit, But he is on the Senior rowing team at the University. University should be available for those who want and have the desire to go, unfortunalty many highly motivated kids simply cannot afford to do, and that's a loss for all of us. Nothing wrong with a solid apprentaship program either, but Gordo and crew sort of screwed that system up as well. where we we find these characters to fill seats in the Legislature. The youth of this country are the future and need all the help they can get to achieve their goals
My daughter works 3 jobs to put herself through university to become a Doctor. Works at a hospital part time as a cleaner, cleans houses and works another job when she can with a full course load. We help as we can but what is shocking is that the unionized hotel workers make more an hour than her hospital job. Wasn't that the argument that they were just glorified hotel workers. Pitiful.Remember this is the man who gave himself an obscene raise. Gordo also brings us His Shit Tax the great dissembler tells us it won't hurt. BULL