The CordThe tie that binds since 1926 Weekly TALE OF TWO GROUPS OUR OWN AMBUSH MAKEOVER Two student lobbies, two different Jumping on the bandwagon of makeover mania, a normal Tuesday directions - why the tuition lobby should turned into a day of pampering for our lucky nominee. See her unite instead of fight... OPINION, 5 remarkable transformation in ... STUDENT LIFE, 12-13 Volume 46 Issue 27 WEDNESDAY MARCH 22,2006 www.cordweekly.com American education cheaper than ours: report ADRIAN MA News Editor Canadian students are usually under the impression that post- secondary education is more affordable in Canada than in the United States. But a soon-to-be- released report from the Education Policy Institute (EPI) is set to state otherwise. The EPI, a research group based in Washington DC and Toronto, asserts that Canadian provinces are falling far behind American states when it comes to the afford- ability of post-secondary educa- tion. In an analysis of 50 states and 10 provinces, Canada fails to break the top 30. Jordan Jocius The report, entitled "Beyond the VETERAN OF THE STUDENT COMMUNITY - Long-time Waterloo resident Dorothy McHugh stands at Veteran's Green, a park directly across from WLU, 49th Parallel: Affordability of with a picture of her late husband John, himself a veteran. Having lived across from the school for a staggering 46 years, she knows the ups and downs University Education", states that of living in a student-infested area, and recently talked to The Cord about what she thinks of her younger and decidedly rowdier neighbours. in spite of higher tuition fees, American universities are more affordable because of the increased financial aid that US students receive. "Tuition is a small percentage of money in education," said Sean lunor, an analyst at the EPI. The data, which was collected 'What's up until 2001, shows that the aver- wrong cost age total of of attendance for a Canadian university student ($8,336 a year) is lower than in the United States, where the average student can expect to shell out over $10,000 a year. Where the US outperforms is in the amount of grant money and these assistance with kids?' financial available. In 2000-2001, the Canadian govern- ment spent an average of $955 per We drive down their property values and keep them up at night, but what do the permanent residents of student on grant aid, while US stu- dents were provided with an aver- Waterloo really think about students? In this Special Project, we found out the answer isn't age of$1,562 ($1,288 USD). all that obvious In terms of student loans, the average Canadian student bor- rower is allocated $4,601. This is APRIL CUNNINGHAM "Maybe they realize they have weighed only 68 pounds. finally erected last summer. eclipsed by the United States, Special Projects Editor to study, with all the money it's "He was lucky to survive," says But, McHugh thinks it came where $19 billion from the US costing these days to go," she McHugh. She says most of the too late. Department of Education trans- The chilling winds of St. Patrick's adds. men who were a part of his unit "I just wish my husband had lates into $7,248 per borrower. Day chase the sun over the hori- McHugh has lived across the were friends and relatives from lived long enough to see it," she lunor said that Ontario in par- zon and green-clad students street from Wilfrid Laurier their hometown in Wales. Most of says. She adds that she was ticular is a major cause of Canada's stumble through the streets of University for 46 years. She and them died as prisoners. pleased with the idea to honour low rank. There are Waterloo. hoots and her late husband John moved Just a few years ago, McHugh's the local veterans, but she was "It's fair to say that the previous hollers floating through the air in into the area after World War 11, husband died of cancer. afraid that students would not decade ... hasn't been fair to the Hazel-Hickory vicinity. when the city set up low-cost Now Veteran's Green, a memo- respect it. Ontario students," said lunor, cit- Yet amid the inebriated excite- housing for returning soldiers rial space with benches and his- "A lot of these kids, they don't ing that accelerated tuition costs ment, 76-year-old Dorothy and their families. torical signs near Hazel and know what these men went and stagnant financial aid have McHugh sits quietly watching As a member of the British University, serves to honour through for them," she says with hampered post-secondary access, Wheel of Fortune in her home army, John McHugh fought in those such as Mr. McHugh, who concern in her voice. "How especially for students from low- alongside Veteran's Green. Japan at the age of 21 and was served in the war and whose fam- they're having the free life they income families. "In years [gone] by it was diffi- taken as a prisoner of war for four ilies helped to build the local uni- have now. A lot of them don't cult," she "But says. it's been real- years. He helped to build the versity community. appreciate what these guys at - See FUNDING, page 2 ly quiet lately. I saw them going famous bridge over the river After a fundraising campaign their age went through." with their green today, but it's Kwai. by students and the surrounding really quiet. > When he came home, he community, the memorial was - See WATERLOO page 14 Editoriol reaction to this story on PAGE 4 |The Cord Weekly 2 WEDNESDAY MARCH 22, 2006 News The Cord Weekly ~ The lie thai binds since 1926 ~ phone: (519) 884-1970 ext. 3564 fax; (519) 883-0(373 Canada behind US: EPI email: [email protected]?] The Cord Weekly - From FUNDING cover 75 UniversityAvenue West Waterloo, Ontario N2L3CS Ashlea Crowe, a third-year History and Political Science stu- WEDNESDAY, MARCH 22, 2006 dent at Laurier, was "shocked" to VOLUME 46 ISSUE 27 learn about the findings in the Next Issue : March 29 report. QUOTE OF THE WEEK "It's unfortunate, really, that "I thought if waslike high school, where youcould get some students in Canada, one of the spores." richest countries in the world, - Features Fdiror BAFS, realizing she needs 20 credits tograduate have to go through this," she said, WORD OF- THE WEEK adding that some ofher friends in scorn (n.): Contempt or disdain felt towarda person or object considered despicable or unworthy. There are no university have racked up to words todescribe thescorn I feel for you. Except scorn. $70,000 worth of debt. CONTRIBUTORS "I know so many people who Mark L>. Hopkins Marcos Moldes Micaela Bontjc are because they're so JoeTurcoiic Dave Alexander Carolyn Brunner starving in Dru Lcmesuricr Veronica Hughes Bruce llarpham Rod Perry Chris Collie Dru Jeffries much debt," she said. "Beyond Parry Sohi Su/an Toperczer Dave Ricci Mark Adamson Jackie Martin? tuition, people have to pay for rent, people have to pay for books WLUSP STAFF ... there are so many bright indi- Production Consultant Ron Johnson viduals out there who are turned Production Assistant Anan than Sinnadurai off by the cost of university." Janet Linscpian Copy Editing Manager. Aria Latto-Haii Junor feels that the report is a Copy Editors jCaitlin Henderson reflection of the problems of the Liz Fenduk Emily Rilley Ariel Kroon Laura Henderson last decade, and believes that Mallory O'Brian Photo Managers Jordan Jocius results will be positive if the Sydney Helland Canadian government extends Online Production Manager. Jason Shim tuition Human Resources Sanjav qjjo grants and OSAP loans in IT Manager. Regan WaMi the face of rising tuition. Distribution Manager. i eo Yu Pam Frache of the Canadian Federation of Students, however, WLUSP ADMINISTRATION is skeptical about the findings in Contributed Photo President Anthony IVuiclli the EPFs She calls the - want costs. VP: Finance Frascr McCracken report. PRICE NOT RIGHT Students lower university But is American-style funding really the answer? VP: Advertising Angela Foster EPFs work, "politically motivated VP: Brantford James Scott income, Chair Of the Board Penny Shearer research." aren't all that rosy." the top quintile offamily friends are also facing. Vice Chair. Sanjay Potttnger "It is true that the US has had a Despite high levels of financial go on to earn a BA. "The evidence is showing in Board of Directors Evelyn chiu George East national system of grants ... but assistance, university education However, only 29 percent of the US that they're heading into a Arthur Wong that program and the upfront in America is not necessarily students with top math scores real crisis of university access," ADVERTISING grant program has been deterio- more affordable. coming from low-income fami- said Frache. She remains uncon- in the last few years," she Dynarski, same. Ail advertising inquiries should be directed to rating Susan associate pro- lies do the vinced that adopting American- VP: Advertising AngelaFoster at 884-0710, ext. said. fessor of public policy at Harvard Dynarski also found that since style education funding will be 3560 or [email protected] She said that organizations like University and research fellow at the 70s, the adjusted average the answer to alleviating the the EPI idealize the American the National Bureau of Economic earnings of a university graduate financial barriers facing COLOPHON system ofhigher tuition rates and Research, discovered that 74 per- has remained level, but that stu- Canadian students.