UPEI students step up against high tuition fees

Rising tuition fees got the cold shoulder from students are UPEI on Sept. 22.
Around 20 students froze in place in the hall of the W.A. Murphy Centre for about five minutes Monday afternoon to demonstrate the continuing trend of students who have to put their degrees on hold because of high university costs.
Justin Douglas, UPEI student union president, said rising fees shouldn't be the case.
"Everybody's pushing for high education, but without the proper assistance, that's very hard to do."
Douglas said statistics show 31 per cent of students have to leave university because of financial or employment problems.
He hopes to raise awareness of the issues, catching the eye of the government and other universities.
"Hopefully they'll do the same and we can promote the idea of a new and innovative way of getting public interest and public attention."
Douglas said the freeze was a success.
"It was a fantastic turnout and I was very proud of everyone who did their part. They did their job fantastically."
But Kristen MacKinnon, a UPEI sciences student, doesn't agree.
She doesn't think the freeze had a very good effect and said it could have been done differently.
"There wasn't enough people. There were only about 20, but if there were like, 100, it would have made a larger influence. They also didn't stay in place for very long."
Daniel Roper, research assistant for the legislative assembly and political studies co-op student, agrees with MacKinnon. He said it's good students are trying to voice their opposition to tuition rights, but they could be going about it a different way.
"They have to be reasonable and attack the problem a little more organized. Lobbying government might be a little easier, but it all depends on whether they're trying to attract media attention or trying for real change."
Roper said the best way to get the government's attention is by having a solid plan of action and talking to them about what you want changed.
"You need to say this is what we're doing, this is what we need. That would create more awareness than a freeze."
But Douglas said a small step is all that's needed for now, and even if this can catch the public's attention, it will be enough to do the job.

Island Trails Welcome all Cyclists

If you’re looking for a quiet walk to work off the turkey after Thanksgiving weekend, the Prince Edward Island trails won’t be the place to go.
The Island Trails will host its second annual three-day recreational cycling event during the Thanksgiving weekend on Oct. 11-13.
Event coordinator, Grace Blackette, can’t wait for the weekend to begin. She, along with the other dozen involved in the planning committee, has been planning it since last year’s event ended.
Cycling P.E.I. also played a major part of the planning.
Mike Connolly, executive director of Cycling P.E.I., said they’ve been planning the event since the winter.
“Local business people wanted to do something to the trail to enhance the business, and attract more people, so they contacted us and we helped set it up through Grace Blackette.”
Cycle P.E.I. fully supports the event, Connolly said.
The event is held for all ages, from the young pre teens, to the oldest, who is 82 and already registered.
Over 130 people took part last year and Blackette hopes to meet or exceed that number this year.
“We have a new route this year, so last year’s participants can see new areas of the Confederation Trail. It’s the Island’s best kept secret, the Confederation Trail.”
She anticipates many people from off-Island will join P.E.I. for the event.
The event officially begins on Saturday, Oct. 11 at 11 a.m. leaving from St. Peters Bay. The 34-km ride will take participants to Souris where hot food and musical entertainment will await their arrival.
On Sunday, Oct. 12, the day kicks off at 10 a.m. in Mount Stewart with refreshments. Participants will cycle through St.Teresa and Cardigan to complete the 42-km journey to Montague for another reception and music provided by the town.
On Monday, Oct. 13, the last day of the event, the participants will leave from Iona at 10 a.m. for the 21 km to the finish line in Wood Islands.
The grand finale for participants and volunteers is at 1 p.m. in Wood Islands, with the Island East Tourism Group hosting the receptions.
During the ride there will be trained volunteer trail officers ready to help with flat tires, people who fall and get hurt, or any other thing somebody may need help with.
All participants also get a free ride back to the starting point.
During the event, participants can look forward to six receptions, morning and evening, icluding healthy snacks, music and socials.
“This will get the participants an opportunity to meet eachother and just enjoy Prince Edward Island on the last major weekend of the Fall,” said Blackette. “What a better way to finish up your fall holiday with a fall event."