Nursing Students March on Leg Demand Government Scrap Plans for Two-Year Nursing Program
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NEWS NTERTATNMENT Matthew Mild winter Good Band means $$$ returns to the saved. 'Peg Please see page 9. Please see page 12. 97 Osborne St. 475-0077 www.pangea.ca/moviev e . lam JECTOR red river college's students' association newspaper march 27, 2000 Nursing students march on Leg Demand government scrap plans for two-year nursing program undreds of angry nursing students rallied on the H steps Manitoba's Legislature to protest a proposed nursing diploma program. On Mar. 16, over 300 Bachelor of Nursing students from Red River College and the University of Manitoba marched from the Health Sciences Centre to the Legislature, carrying signs and shouting slogans against the new two-year diploma program. "We are here today at the doorstep of our government to send a loud message. Your diploma plan is not an acceptable answer to the nursing shortage," said Andrea Otto as she addressed the enthusiastic crowd of ( protesting students. ' Otto, a third year BN student at RRC and one of the protest organiz- ers, said, "This is a quick fix solution which will not benefit anyone, espe- cially the patients we are supposed to be caring for." RRC nursing students are upset with the NDP governments diploma nursing program. She said the diploma program will lower the standard of care received plan's 23 months." program was needed, he did agree to program. by patients in Manitoba, because the Chomiak tried to reassure the stu- meet with the BN student leaders to Steven Fletcher, president of the dents that BN programs in the hear their concerns. University of Manitoba's Student nursing diploma students will have less training then nurses with four- province would continue to get sup- "I'm hopeful we can get out of the Union, spoke to the crowd in sup- year degrees. "This diploma pro- port from the NDP government, but (nursing shortage) crisis in a few port of the BN students cause. gram is a giant step backwards." "We need a healthy future, we She also said the U of M Faculty of need a healthy society, we need qual- Nursing has presented the govern- "We are here today at the doorstep ified nurses, we need BN nurses," ment a plan for a three year exit pro- of our government to send a loud said Fletcher. gram which could speed up the Progressive Conservative health training of new nurses, but maintain message. Your diploma plan is not critic Bonnie Mitchelson and Liberal a high standard of care. The Faculty leader Jon Gerrard also spoke at the of Nursing plan would have stu- an acceptable answer to the nursing rally against the government's plan. dents complete three years of train- If the plan goes ahead, 90 new ing before entering the hospitals. shortage." - Andera Otto nursing diploma students are expect- Manitoba's Minister of Health 3rd year BN ed to start at RRC next fall. Dave Chomiak, however, said the student at RRC Chomiak said response to the pro- diploma program is not very differ- gram has been excellent. He said ent than the plan presented by the U RRC has already received over 1,300 of M Facility of Nursing. he was continually drowned out by years," said Chomiak, as he returned inquires for applications for the pro- While addressing the protesters, screaming protesters. to his legislative office to meet with gram. While the students were not recep- the BN student leaders. "In the last decade, it's the most Chomiak said, " The exit program would only offer 25 months of train- tive to the long list of statistics BN students were not the only enthusiastic response we've had for ing, compared to our (diploma) Chomiak offered as proof a diploma ones on hand to protest the diploma a nursing program." 2 march 27, 2000 11110RIAL Student newspapers are under attack such disturbing and thankful we have these stu- If UMSU can get away with utive may try to get away s my term as a news resort to unsettling tactics as they dent representatives who this now, it sends a message with here at RRC. editor for the have chosen to use. don't believe in silencing a to every student organization Projector winds A UMSU is showing a flare critical voice. in the province. And who Gregory Taylor down to a close, my counter- for leadership which would The only way the Projector, knows what a future SA exec- -- News Editor parts at the Manitoban are make Machiavelli proud. or any student newspaper, being faced with eviction Look at any repressive can remain a reputable from their offices and having society throughout history, source of information, is if their financial support and you will see a society the Students' Association snapped out from beneath A final farewell.. were the press is controlled remains at arms-length and them. and manipulated by the gov- doesn't try to influence edi- The University of ernment. Just because UMSU torial content. Manitoba Students' Union is and a challenge is a student organization, it If UMSU is successful and threatening to close down does not make censorship the Manitoban is dissolved, ith my stint as utors. their student newspaper. any more acceptable. the U of M will not have a one of the editors As for the future of the UMSU is saying the While I seldom agree with respectable newspaper for of The Projector Projector, I strongly Manitoban is in breach of W the decisions made by our many years. Any student ending, I would like to take encourage all interested their autonomy agreement, own Students' Association newspaper created over the this opportunity to thank students to get involved. but the Manitoban believes here at Red River College, ashes of the Manitoban by some people. Whether you are a cartoon- it's an attempt to wrestle and the Projector has printed the present UMSU council As a reporter, I have ist, layout whiz, or writer, away editorial control from a many articles which are criti- will be tainted as nothing relied on instructors and there is always a need for staff which has been very cal of the SA executive, they more then a puppet of students to tell me their volunteers. critical of UMSU. have never tried to interfere UMSU. stories. Invariably, the peo- The Projector is a won- Either way, the threats are a with the journalistic integrity Even though this repres- ple of Red River were help- derful opportunity. How serious blow to freedom of of this newspaper. sion is happening at a differ- ful and forthright. many students have a the press and the democratic Kevin Storey and Paul ent campus, it does effect us Special thanks go to the chance to have 3,000 copies spirit of student representa- Slusarchuk have always co- all as post-secondary stu- students' association, espe- of their work printed and tion. operated with the editors dents. It sets a dangerous cially Kevin Storey, who distributed? Not many. I find it hard to believe and reporters of the precedent which may always had an open door, If you think you have UMSU's grievances with the Projector, and I think all the endanger all of our rights to and who was always gen- what it takes, pick up the Manitoban cannot be students at RRC should be a free and democratic press. erous with his time. phone and call 632-2479. resolved without having to Thanks also to all those After all, it's your paper. students who donated their Why not help make it the time and energy to this best one possible? the paper. We at the Projector were blessed to have many Vincent Pearase PRO J ECTOR smart, enthusiastic contrib- -- News Editor Red River College's Student Newspaper for over 30 years. YOUR studen Editors-in-Chief (acting) Features Editor Vincent Pearase, Gregory Taylor Theresa Seraphim Volunteer Coordinator have an opinion abou News Editors Mike Miguez Vincent Pearase, Gregory Taylor ou've read in the Pro Contributing Writers like to address a Entertainment Editor Tamara Bodie, Brandon Boone, Amber Saleem Jeremy Brooks,David Borowski, rrung RRC, please write.' Jamie Care, Adam Clayton, Photo Editor (acting) Pasquale Greco, Janice Humeny Rachel King Ryan Kinrad, Catherine Ogloza, The Projector Vincent Pearase, Gregory Taylor Advertising and Sales Manager C Studen ts' Ass Guy Lussier 2055 Notre Darn Projector editors can be reached at: Photographer 632-2479 or by fax at 697-9080. innipeg, Manitoba Katie Chalmers, Rachel King Advertising can be reached at 632-2070. R3H 0J9 UNITED ARMY SURPLUS SALES EVERYTHING FOR THE GREAT OUTDOORS 10 % DISCOUNT FOR RRC STUDENTS & STAFF! (ON ALL REGULAR PRICED MERCHANDISE) 460 PORTAGE AVE. WINNIPEG, MB. 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