KAMLOOPS – On November 12, 2010, the Government of British Columbia released the First Report on the Budget 2011 Consultations. The Thompson Rivers University Students’ Union is pleased that the report quotes its representatives in support of first steps to improve the affordability of post-secondary education. However, the silence on tuition fees has left students skeptical about significant change.

The report recognizes the failure of current student financial aid policies, and adopts recommendations for a BC Student Grants Program and a reduction in student loan interest. These steps would reduce the loan debt taken on by low- and middle-income students and their families, and reduce the interest punishment currently paid by students who cannot afford to pay fees upfront. Unfortunately, without a comprehensive vision including tuition fees and institutional funding, these steps would have a limited impact.

“Tuition fees are the root cause of student debt, and it is disappointing that they were not addressed whatsoever in the report”, said Jamshid Mirzabekov, Vice President External of the Thompson Rivers University Students’ Union.

At Thompson Rivers University, tuition and ancillary fees have increased by 227% over the last eight years, and the resulting student loan debt in BC has risen to an average $26,738. Each increase in fees would stretch the proposed grants funding thinner, meaning it would either serve fewer students or have a limited ability to reduce individual student loan debt.

“Our recommendations on student financial aid were made as part of a comprehensive strategy to improve affordability of post-secondary education,” said Mirzabekov, “We welcome their adoption, but we cannot settle for a piece-meal approach to investing in the future of our province.”

Between 2007 and 2017, 76% of jobs in BC will require post-secondary education, making the affordability of that education for students and their families a priority for BC’s economic recovery.

The Thompson Rivers University Students’ Union is the membership organization of the more than 7,000 students at TRU in Kamloops. It is Local 15 of the Canadian Federation of Students, and stands in solidarity with over one-half million students across Canada.

Kamloops – Wednesday September 22, 20010 TRUSU will present to the Select Standing Committee on Finance and Government Services of the Government of British Columbia.

TRUSU is committed to affordable high quality education in our Province and will be presenting a position paper to the committee to open a dialogue on the reduction of debt for British Columbians.  

“When people in BC carry a lot of personal debt it stalls our economic recovery and student debt is a large part of that”, said Jamshid Mirzabekov Vice President External of the Thompson Rivers University Students’ Union – TRUSU.

The students at TRU are going to ensure that personal debt load due to participating in post-secondary education are at the forefront of the discussion. Student debt is on the rise with average personal and private debt in British Columbia pushing $37,500 for an undergraduate degree BC is at a crisis point. Many people are being priced out of this service at the cost of all British Columbians. Between 2007 and 2017 seventy-six percent of jobs will require post secondary training. Currently the BC Government is not addressing this issue or the climbing personal debts the people taking on. Together we need to address four points to ensure a prosperous British Columbia and continue our climb out of an economic recession. We need new legislation to decrease fees, upfront grants for those who cannot afford to go, increase funding to our institutions and eliminate interest on student loans for those who are already carrying massive personal debt due to their education.

 “Together with the government we can work towards making post-secondary education affordable for all British Columbians with a few easy steps that will see big gains for the people of this province,” stated Mirzabekov. 

This September, TRU students returning to class will face the highest tuition fee levels to date. Many may not be able to return at all. In May, the TRU Board of Governors’ decision to increase the tuition and ancillary fees by the maximum allowable rate left the average full-time student at TRU to pay $4,146.90/year.

These increases have come as the institution downloads costs to students to make up for declining public funding. Over the last ten years, per student funding has declined by 23%. At the same time, tuition fees have tripled – an increase 16 times the rate of inflation. If the price of bread increased at the same rate, British Columbians would be paying over $12 per loaf. “This is simply an unaffordable rate for students to pay,” said Jamshid Mirzabekov, Vice President External of the TRU Students’ Union.

It is clear that students and their families cannot afford skyrocketing tuition fees. Cost has been identified as the primary barrier to attending post-secondary education, with 70% of those experiencing barriers citing finances. For those who struggle against the odds to make tuition payments, student loan debt has climbed to $38,000 including interest. It is also clear that our economy and communities cannot afford to let post-secondary education slip beyond the reach of middle-class families. Between 2007 and 2017, 76% of jobs will require some form of post-secondary education.

“At a time when post-secondary credentials are essential to economic participation and prosperity, we cannot continue to raise barriers to education,” stated Mirzabekov. 

British Columbia’s current system of post-secondary education is failing in significant ways, but progress can be made. We must work to reduce tuition fees to restore broad access, and make the pursuit of education an opportunity and not an economic punishment. We must also work to increase per student government funding so resource strapped institutions don’t turn to fees to make up the difference, and to ensure the quality of education required for a changing economy. For the sake of students and our economy, we can’t afford not to.

The Thompson Rivers University Students’ Union is the membership organisation of the more than 10,000 students at TRU in Kamloops. It is Local 15 of the Canadian Federation of Students, and stands in solidarity with over one-half million students across Canada.

VANCOUVER - Students are ecstatic that BC will be the first province in Canada to implement a U-Pass Program for its postsecondary students. The new program will give Metro Vancouver students access to a U-Pass, saving them over per month and thousands of dollars over the course of their studies.

"Today the government made good on an election promise to students," said Nimmi Takkar, Chairperson of the Canadian Federation of Students-BC, "The U-Pass is an investment in the next generation, in the economy and the environment. This program is going to make a major difference in students' lives and go a long way towards building a transit culture in British Columbia."

On October 21, 2009, the OnePassNow campaign hosted the largest transit rally in BC history. The rally called for the BC government to implement a standardised and fair priced Metro Vancouver U-Pass and included a Proclamation from Mayor Gregor Robertson that October 21 will hereafter be "U-Pass Day" in Vancouver.

U-Pass programs are expected to begin throughout Metro Vancouver in January 2011.

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For more information, please contact:

Nimmi Takkar
Chairperson, Canadian Federation of Students-BC
778.846.5424

Tiffany Kalanj
Media Coordinator, OnePassNow
604.916.7376

CUPE 2396    

Kamloops – On May 8, two representatives of the Thompson Rivers University Students’ Union – TRUSU – will attend the Architectural Institute of British Columbia – AIBC – Gala Dinner to receive the Lieutenant Governor General Award in recognition of architectural excellence for the newly renovated Independent Centre. The TRUSU Independent Centre is the Student Unions’ owned and operated building on the TRU campus in Kamloops, BC. This building serves over 8000 members and acts as a study and lounge space for the campus community.

“The space TRUSU has created has been great for students and for the broader community”, said Jambo Mirzabekov Vice President External Representative of the Thompson Rivers University Students’ Union – TRUSU.

The AIBC is holding its Annual Conference, Community Building: The Social Impact of Architecture at the Vancouver Convention Centre on May 6 – 8, 2010. The TRUSU Independent Centre Revitalization team is the Thompson Rivers University Students’ Union, Andres Development, terra housing consultants and Stantec Architecture.

“I am excited and proud. This took years of collaboration with students and great partnerships with Stantec Architecture, Andres Development and Terra Housing”, stated Mirzabekov.

For more information, contact:

Kamloops – On April 1, 2010 the Thompson Rivers University Students' Union (TRUSU) will host Stephen Lewis, celebrated humanitarian and former UN Special Envoy for HIV/AIDS in Africa. Lewis will speak to students and the community regarding human rights, social justice and international development.

TRUSU is committed to social justice in our community and across the globe. The TRUSU Common Voices Lecture Series serves to bring world-renown speakers like Stephen Lewis to encourage debate and activism amongst members and the broader community.

“I am excited to host a speaker who has done so much as a humanitarian. It is an invaluable opportunity to bring Mr. Lewis’ experience and passion to our members,” said Justin Cartwright, TRUSU Vice President Internal.

Stephen Lewis’ achievements are astounding. His work with the United Nations spanned more than two decades, including service as Canada’s Ambassador from 1984 to 1988, and as the Secretary General’s Special Envoy for HIV/AIDS in Africa from 2001 to 2006. Lewis also served as Deputy Executive Director of UNICEF from 1995 to 1999. He is now a Professor in Global Health in the Faculty of Social Sciences at McMaster University, Chair of the Board of the Stephen Lewis Foundation in Canada, and Co-Founder and Co-Director of AIDS-Free World in the United States.

In recognition of his monumental contribution to international development efforts, Mr. Lewis holds 30 honorary degrees from Canadian universities, is a Companion of the Order of Canada, and was awarded the Pearson Peace Medal in 2004 by the United Nations Association in Canada.

“He is an award winning activist, author, and humanitarian, and an inspirational figure to millions of Canadians. I am proud that TRUSU will host him in our community,” stated Kyle Bowman, TRUSU President.

The TRUSU Common Voices Lecture featuring Stephen Lewis will be held April 1, 2010 at 7:30pm in the Grand Hall of the TRU Campus Activity Centre. The lecture is open to all community members and is free of charge. Please note that doors open at 7:00pm and seating is limited.

Results*:

Yes: 74.3%

No: 25.7%

Turnout: 14.46%

*These results are invalid because quorum was not met.

Kamloops– On January 30, 2010 students marched in solidarity with community members who oppose to the Creosote Gasification Plant.

The Thompson Rivers University Students' Union Council voted to endorse the anti-creosote rally coordinated by many community groups. Kyle Bowman, TRUSU President said “our members have expressed serious concerns about the potential pollution this plant will emit.”

This Saturday students had a strong presence throughout the crowd in order to have their voices heard. “Countless members have voiced their concerns about air pollution, water pollution, and the lack of testing for this type of project,” said Bowman.

TRUSU is the membership organisation of over 7000 students at TRU. It is also Local 15 of the Canadian Federation of Students, Canada’s largest national student organisation.

Kamloops – March 12, 2010, the TRU Wolfpack hosted the Canadian Interuniversity Sport Men’s Volleyball Nationals, and the Thompson Rivers University Students' Union (TRUSU) was out in full force to back the pack!

To help the crowd cheer on the home team, TRUSU provided hundreds of pairs of thundersticks to visitors as they entered the Tournament Capital Centre gymnasium. By the time the game was underway, the stands were packed with fans waving and banging the sticks, which filled the gym with the Wolfpack’s orange team colour. TRUSU President Kyle Bowman was proud to contribute to the crowd’s enthusiasm, “Athletics is an important part of campus life, and we are happy to contribute to our members’ experience at university”

With the Wolfie the mascot leading the crowd, the students and community members showed true pride in our team. “Student athletes put a great deal into their training in addition to their studies, so it’s important to support their contribution to campus” said Bowman.

TRUSU is the membership organisation of over 7000 students at TRU. It is also Local 15 of the Canadian Federation of Students, Canada’s largest national student organisation.

Kamloops – March 11, 2010 was National Bottled Water Day. The Thompson Rivers University Students' Union (TRUSU) tabled on campus, providing information on the environmental impact of bottled water as well as free reusable water bottles to help members do their part.

Bottled Water Free Day is a national project organised jointly by the Canadian Federation of Students, the Sierra Youth Coalition, and the Polaris Institute. It is a broad movement of students, youth, and community members taking a stand in support of public water and against the privatization of our water resources. “We know that bottled water is more expensive, less stringently regulated, and more environmentally damaging than public tap water,” said Natalie Reisle, TRUSU Vice President External, “Bottled Water Free Day is about getting that message out to our members and provided them with the opportunity to make the most of our fantastic public water. “

Hundreds of members received reusable TRUSU water bottles and maps showing the locations of public water bottle filling stations on campus. The filling stations were installed this past year after student lobbying through the TRU Environmental Advisory Committee. “These filling stations are an important step in improving access to public water on campus,” said Reisle. To find out more about Bottled Water Free Day and what you can do to support public water visit bottledwaterfreeday.ca.

The Thomspon Rivers University Students' Union is the membership organisation of over 7000 students at TRU. It is also Local 15 of the Canadian Federation of Students, Canada's largest national student organisation.