All full-time Arts & Science students might pay for five courses
By Joe Howell
Issue date: 3/26/09 Section: News
VUSAC President Jamie Janeiro is one such person. "This year I would have no choice but to still take three courses, because there's no way you could be VUSAC President and still take a full course load. It's impossible."
He said he would not want to drop to part-time status, because the majority of the students he represents are full-time.
"Basically I'd just be getting shafted by paying for five when I'm only taking three," said Janeiro.
Adam Awad, UTSU VP of University Affairs and co-founder of Ginger Magazine, said "the more I got involved, the less time I had for school."
Calling the report's assertion that course intensification likely would not impact campus involvement "total garbage," he said "if I had to be paying for five courses throughout my time here, I wouldn't have the time to get involved - I'd have to work my ass off to pay an extra $1000."
Siwak felt similarly, saying "if it were possible, I would definitely just suck up the lost $1000, only take four courses, and continue to play all my sports, but financially it wouldn't be feasible."
There are those who balance involvement with a full course schedule, though. VUSAC Commuter Commissioner Catherine Brown is taking 5.5 FCEs this year, and took six when she was the co-manager of Caffiends.
"You make your agenda your bible and you plan your life. You should see my to-do list!" said Brown.
Such people appear to be in the minority, however. "I don't know many involved students who take five," said UTSU President Sandy Hudson. "I think that they're kidding themselves - absolutely it will affect involvement."
Hudson said that UTSU planned to meet with ASSU and some college presidents, but that the student union is "in opposition to the idea."
FAS Director of Communications Kim Luke said that she had "heard people speculate that having a more intense course load could have people cutting back on their engagement," but that "it's really hard to correlate or establish a relationship." She said that while most of the professional faculties here are already on a program-fee system, it does not seem to prevent them from getting involved.
Throughout Canada, the majority of professional programs with limited, competitive enrollment - like engineering or pharmacy - use the system, along with small universities like Waterloo's Wilfred Laurier, Nova Scotia's St. Francis Xavier, and New Brunswick's Mount Allison.
Luke added that most of the money would go back into the classroom experience in the form of more TAs, a smaller faculty-to-student ratio, and other benefits.
The next stop for the proposal is the Faculty of Arts and Science Council meeting on April 6, where it must pass to go on to the Governing Council Business Board.
He said he would not want to drop to part-time status, because the majority of the students he represents are full-time.
"Basically I'd just be getting shafted by paying for five when I'm only taking three," said Janeiro.
Adam Awad, UTSU VP of University Affairs and co-founder of Ginger Magazine, said "the more I got involved, the less time I had for school."
Calling the report's assertion that course intensification likely would not impact campus involvement "total garbage," he said "if I had to be paying for five courses throughout my time here, I wouldn't have the time to get involved - I'd have to work my ass off to pay an extra $1000."
Siwak felt similarly, saying "if it were possible, I would definitely just suck up the lost $1000, only take four courses, and continue to play all my sports, but financially it wouldn't be feasible."
There are those who balance involvement with a full course schedule, though. VUSAC Commuter Commissioner Catherine Brown is taking 5.5 FCEs this year, and took six when she was the co-manager of Caffiends.
"You make your agenda your bible and you plan your life. You should see my to-do list!" said Brown.
Such people appear to be in the minority, however. "I don't know many involved students who take five," said UTSU President Sandy Hudson. "I think that they're kidding themselves - absolutely it will affect involvement."
Hudson said that UTSU planned to meet with ASSU and some college presidents, but that the student union is "in opposition to the idea."
FAS Director of Communications Kim Luke said that she had "heard people speculate that having a more intense course load could have people cutting back on their engagement," but that "it's really hard to correlate or establish a relationship." She said that while most of the professional faculties here are already on a program-fee system, it does not seem to prevent them from getting involved.
Throughout Canada, the majority of professional programs with limited, competitive enrollment - like engineering or pharmacy - use the system, along with small universities like Waterloo's Wilfred Laurier, Nova Scotia's St. Francis Xavier, and New Brunswick's Mount Allison.
Luke added that most of the money would go back into the classroom experience in the form of more TAs, a smaller faculty-to-student ratio, and other benefits.
The next stop for the proposal is the Faculty of Arts and Science Council meeting on April 6, where it must pass to go on to the Governing Council Business Board.
Viewing Comments 1 - 2 of 2
Computer research paper
posted 3/28/09 @ 7:37 AM EST
This is not a good news. I will change it into part time student. But what if in last semester. If he/she doesnt have 5 courses left.
Joe Pish
posted 3/29/09 @ 6:40 PM EST
In addition to a flat fee the university should also replace the grades on our transcripts with a smiley face for a pass and a sad face for a fail.
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