AFOOT WITH ANSUT

The Association of Nova Scotia University Teachers (ANSUT) had its first meeting of the year on September 28^th, 2002 at the Nova Scotia College of Art and Design (NSCAD) faculty lounge with President Chris Ferns of MSVU chairing. Representatives from all member institutions were in attendance.

Current Issues

Two representatives from the Canadian Federation of Students (CFS), Theresa Sabourin and David Hare, were present to give an update on their current campaign and lobbying initiatives.

Two main CFS issues:

1. Free Trade Area of the Americas

ANSUT was urged to support a hemispheric strike against FTAA, the most recent major trade agreement being negotiated by the federal government, for the following reasons:

• concern that the federal government will trade away public post-secondary education to the highest bidder
• fear that free trade will lead to rapid tuition fee hikes and the privatization of post-secondary education
• need to oppose the influence of multinational corporations in the operation of public colleges and universities

2. Tuition Freeze in NS

Issues:

• decreased federal government funding for grant programs is lowering participation rates and decreasing access to education for students from lower and middle income households
• organize a joint ANSUT/CFS campaign on post-secondary issues for the upcoming NS election
• ANSUT asked to support CFS National Day of Action in February to freeze and reduce tuition
• CFS continues to lobby government to reduce tuition fees to further aid accessibility to higher education.

Other major issues:

• the demise of services for the Canadian Student Loans Program and the restrictions placed on students’ rights to declare bankruptcy
• concerns about the Canadian Millennium Scholarship Fund
• the development of private universities and colleges in Canada which threaten to encourage a two tier funded educational system
• de-designation policy – CFS fears that implementation is not in accord with policy; policy itself sets a dangerous precedent.
• CFS reports that they continue to stand firm against the Canadian government implementing Income Contingent Loan Repayment Schemes (ICLRS).

ANSUT continues to support and work with the CFS to further their initiatives, especially in the time leading up to the future election. In turn, ANSUT will be following up a lobbying plan begun prior to the summer. Jane Purves, Minister of Education, as well as opposition party education critics in the NS Legislature will be approached.

ANSUT is considering raising its contribution level to the Canadian Centre of Policy Alternatives (CCPA). A higher contribution will carry with it a full seat on the CCPA board. Discussions continue and a decision will be announced shortly. ANSUT also agreed to give financial support to a CCPA Report on Education in NS as a necessary resource for ANSUT lobbying.

Publications of Interest

The Maritime Provinces Higher Education Commission (MPHEC) has recently released its report entitled Faculty Recruitment and Retention in the Maritimes. The report consists of regional data including faculty demographics, staff trends, factors involved in retention and other concerned issues. The full document is available from Jane Coldwell in the Union office, at the Vaughan Library or online at the MPHEC web site at: http://www.mphec.ca/htm/FacultyE.pdf

The Canadian Association of University Teachers (CAUT) has a new document available on the overwhelming increase of tuition over the years called Access Denied: The affordability of post-secondary education in Canada, 1857 to 2002. The document can be accessed electronically on the CAUT web site: http://www.caut.ca/english/publications/review/200209_access.asp

ANSUT Goes Digital

A new ANSUT web site is now up and running. The site will be a place where information can be accessed and shared by ANSUT’s member institutions. Stay tuned for more coming soon! http://www.ansut.ca

Tanja Harrison and Vernon Provencal

Table of Contents