Minister comments irk student society
The Camosun College Student Society (CCSS) is concerned after comments made by BC minister of advanced education Andrew Wilkinson in a Times Colonist story. In the piece, Wilkinson made several statements about student debt in BC which the CCSS says were misleading. In the article, Wilkinson stated that 61,000 students receive financial assistance, which, according to the ministry’s data, is representative of less than 20 percent of students enrolled in postsecondary, according to a CCSS press release. Additionally, the two-percent tuition-fee-increase cap was mentioned by the minister, but student groups are saying that students are experiencing increases that go above and beyond two percent (see next news item). The press release also says that the minister referred to student loans as interest-free, which the CCSS claims is misleading, as interest kicks in after graduation and students are expected to pay prime plus two percent.
Minstry irks CFS-BC
The Canadian Federation of Students-British Columbia (CFS-BC) is raising concerns about what it considers to be the Ministry of Advanced Education’s refusal to enforce its policy on postsecondary institutions raising student fees. A handful of institutions have proposed new fees that, according to CFS-BC, are technically not allowed under the government’s two-percent tuition-raise policy. The fee increases, according to CFS-BC, range from a few hundred dollars to $2,000 a year.
Camosun College announces two new vice presidents
Geoff Wilmshurst and Shane Busby are Camosun College’s new vice president of partnerships and vice president of administration, respectively. Wilmshurst, who is the former director of Camosun International, will be replacing Tom Roemer, who is moving to a VP position at BCIT; Busby will be replacing Peter Lockie, who is retiring.
Call for poets and visual artists
Camosun College is calling for poets and visual artists to participate in the poetry reading and art exhibition of The Art-Poem-Art-Experiment, to be held on March 31. Completed works of poetry must be submitted by February 18, and finished visual-arts pieces must be submitted by March 10. For more information visit art-poem-experiment.com or see our story on page 5.
UVic students outraged at UVSS-CFS connection
According to an anonymous press release, University of Victoria students were outraged to learn that the University of Victoria Students’ Society (UVSS) participated in the Canadian Federation of Students (CFS) lobby week. The participation on the part of the UVSS is seen as inconsistent, says the press release, following a vote made by UVic students to leave the CFS in 2010.
Camosun students win at regional chemistry symposium
Applied Chemistry and Biotechnology students Kyle Cessford, Brian Thompson, and Tara Turnham took the top three spots at the regional Chemical Institute of Canada Student Symposium, which was held in Victoria in January. The students presented three diverse projects to an audience of academic and industrial chemists. The winning projects involved 3D printing with organic molecules, phenethylamines, and the first artificially produced element, Technetium.
Ministry of Advanced Education funds Aboriginal learners
According to the Ministry of Advanced Education, a total of 29 programs will be delivered in 2015 and 2016 in Aboriginal communities to provide Aboriginal learners the skills to succeed in sectors facing demand for skilled workers. The programs are being supported with funding from the Ministry of Advanced Education, Employment Services and Supports, and Indigenous and Northern Affairs Canada. The goal is to increase the labour market participation of Aboriginal peoples by assisting them to prepare for entry to, or return to, sustainable employment.
CRD Arts Committee awards grants
Thirty organizations within the Capital Regional District are expected to receive grants from the Arts Development 2016 Operating Grant program. A total of $2,121,240 has been set aside and approved for use within the community to produce a wide range of events for citizens and visitors. These activities are expected to bring visibility and economic benefits to the region. Visit crd.bc.ca/service/arts-funding for more information.
Free training for young entrepreneurs
ETHOS Career Management Group is offering a free Business Works Youth program that assists young people in developing the skills to succeed in self-employment. Find out program specifics and eligibility requirements at bwy.ethoscmg.com.