[. tuition .]

okay, i have to admit...
i can be quite a geek on certain things at times
(but i'm still a chineseblonde most of the time lol)

like who would have went to a site to send an email to supposedly Premier McGuinty?
yes...... i did
what help will it do?
i have absolute cluelessness

www.ReduceTuitionFees.ca
somebody go to the above site, send your bashing email and tell me you didn't get the same replies
interesting replies though...


-- sent email: --

March 10 2006

Dear Premier McGuinty,

THIS IS A CHEAP ESCAPE GOAT TO SQUEEZE MONEY OUT OF STUDENTS WHO HAVE TO WORK MORE THAN 1 JOB WHILE TRYING TO GET AN EDUCATION TO PAY OFF DEBTS SUCH AS TO OSAP AND TRYING NOT TO BE A BURDEN TO THEIR FAMILIES WHEN IN REALITY THE OPTION IS NOT THERE.

THIS ALSO CAUSES A RIPPLE EFFECT THAT PUSHES HIGHSCHOOL STUDENTS TO WORRY ABOUT WORKING EARLIER TO SAVE UP FOR UNIVERSITY WHICH IS WAY OVER THEIR CAPABILITY TO EARN AND PAY FOR.

NOW I DON'T EVEN KNOW IF YOU EVER CONSIDERED OR THOUGHT FOR STUDENTS WITH DISABILITIES. I STRONGLY CONSIDER YOU TO DO SO.

THIS IS A SOCIETY BASED ON EQUALITY. BY RAISING TUITION FEES, YOU ARE CREATING A DISCRIMINATION AGAINST A SOCIALLY CONSTRUCTED GROUP OF PEOPLE WHO ARE POOR AND BUILDING UNNECESSARY BARRIERS.

please immediately RECONSIDER your plan to increase tuition fees for college and university students in Ontario.


-- reply #1 --

March 22, 2006

Hi:

Thank you for your email. I appreciate the opportunity to respond.

We have taken a different approach than either the Tories or the NDP. They allowed tuition to increase dramatically, but did not increase student aid to keep pace and did not invest as they should have to improve the quality of education.

Here is our approach. The McGuinty government is spending an additional $6.2 billion dollars over the next 5 years to improve access and the quality of student education. The people of Ontario are investing $3 for every dollar students will be asked to contribute. By contrast, the Tories took our 15 cents for every extra dollar students contributed, and the NDP put in 90 cents for every extra student dollar.

We have dramatically improved student aid. More students, are getting more aid, and more of it is in grants. For example, there will be 120,000 students receiving grants of some sort this fall from the Ontario Government. The OSAP allowances for books and materials, which had not been updated since the 1980’s, are being dramatically improved.

We are also providing the Student Access Guarantee: Every qualified student with financial need will get access to the resources they need for tuition, books and mandatory fees. We will integrate the government and institutional aid systems so that students do not get left out.

Finally, we are setting up the Higher Education Quality Council, and three year accountability agreements, to make sure that the extra funds result in improved quality of education.

To put the tuition framework in context: 90% of college students will see an increase of no more than $100, and 70% of university students will see an increase of no more than $200. Most programs, in first year, can increase no more than 4.5%, and 4% second and subsequent years. High cost and professional and graduate programs can go up maximum 8% first year, 4% second and subsequent years. The institutional average cannot be more than 5%. The institutions, not the government, will decide whether to use the maximums or not.

No institution can increase its fees unless they participate in the Student Access Guarantee, and the increases improve the quality of education for the students.

Thank you again for writing.

Chris Bentley


-- reply #2 --

March 22, 2006

Hello

MPP Joe Tascona has received your emailed message and advises that he is in support of a freeze on tuition fees.

Linda Constituency
Assistant for MPP Joe Tascona, Barrie Simcoe Bradford


-- reply #3 --

March 23, 2006

Dear Sarah,

Thank you for sending me a copy of the letter you sent Premier McGuinty.

Last year I introduced a private member's bill that would have extendedthe tuition freeze for 2 more years until 2007. Unfortunately, theMcGuinty government refused to listen.

In 1992 students were expected to pay 22% of their education. Now they are paying 43%. The average debt load after graduation is $23 000. At this rate, students will face historic debt levels. I am not sure how they will repay their debts and things will only get worse. It is unfair and unreasonable to expect students to pay more and more. There are social, psychological and economic consequences that must be taken into consideration.

If Manitoba and Newfoundland can continue to freeze rates, then so can Ontario. The province of Quebec has always been much poorer than Ontario, yet they have kept their tuition levels below $2000 a year. As you may know, I attended and spoke at the student and faculty rally calling for the continuation of the tuition freeze. I did so out of the conviction that the universality of the educational system is being eroded. Everyone recognizes that a post-secondary education is critical to not only getting a good job but is vital to our social and economic well-being. If education is good for society then government must contribute more rather than shifting the load on to students.

Governments only respond to political pressure. By continuing your campaign to lobby Liberal MPPs you not only make them accountable but you will make them truly aware of what the public wants and expects from them.

Sincerely,

Rosario Marchese
NDP Education Critic