Concordia Strike Against Tuition Hike: March 15th-22nd

As it now stands, Concordia University students have united this afternoon for one of the most important and participated general assemblies of the Winter 2012 semester, and possibly of the entire year. This assembly invited all students to put into vote on how Concordia's students should go about the said hike in tuition fees for CEGEP and university in the next 5 years (for a total of almost 1,600$ by 2017). This doubling the amount that students currently pay for their classes per semester. 

Now before continuing, I would like to make clear that I am not writing this blog to start a fight. Nor am I declaring that I am pro-hike. I'm just trying to see the whole picture and remind myself again as to why friends, classmates, and strangers are uniting together to start this strike to fight the hike (ha it rhymes).

That being said, I've noticed an alarming increase in Facebook updates where friends of mine are putting out their thoughts and opinions on this upcoming strike. As it stands, Concordia students will be on strike as of March 15th until the 22nd after large vote of 1,552 students for the strike and 523 against it. Classes will still be taking place during that week, however, as I understand, if majority wins again on the 22nd, Concordia will have no choice but to extend the semester for the lost time. This means another "x" amount of weeks of school, a later exam schedule, and depending on how long the strike is extended for, a delay for those who have looked forward to the month of June to see their graduation day. 

I am not saying that I was particularly thrilled when I realized that education was, in fact, not free back when I was old enough to understand. I believe that education is a right for everyone to have and should be accessible to every single individual on this planet. Education should be free. However this is under the impression that we live in a Utopian world and society. Yes, education is free within certain countries (Iceland, Cuba, etc.), but unfortunately, this isn't the case and we must pay for our education. But what I would like to bring up is that under the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, Article 26 are the following points:

• (1) Everyone has the right to education. Education shall be free, at least in the elementary and fundamental stages. Elementary education shall be compulsory. Technical and professional education shall be made generally available and higher education shall be equally accessible to all on the basis of merit.
• (2) Education shall be directed to the full development of the human personality and to the strengthening of respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms. It shall promote understanding, tolerance and friendship among all nations, racial or religious groups, and shall further the activities of the United Nations for the maintenance of peace.
• (3) Parents have a prior right to choose the kind of education that shall be given to their children.

Let me reiterate that I am not trying to start a fight, but let me point out that no where does it say that this includes anything post-secondary. I mean, you hear that people going to universities such as Havard, Princeton, Yale, Ryerson, etc. pay closer to 15,000$... I mean, for higher education, I think it only makes sense that we pay up for it, realistically, nothing in this world is free... well, maybe except the air you're breathing. We are specializing in a specific field to do specific jobs. Yes I understand that there will be some professors who will not meet your satisfaction when it comes to teaching, but when you take a look at what they're teaching you, they've studied this their entire life, unfortunately the system only requires they have an MA and PhD to teach at university level. It doesn't require them to have a degree in education. 

The increase in tuition is something that's already been happening previously... that why it's called inflation, no? I mean, the price of everything is going up, including minimum wage (so that we can be able to afford whatever we need to save up for). There's been a disgusting increase in gas prices... but we haven't seen picketers fighting against that. Society's accepted it and is simply more aware of when they should fill up at a more "reasonable" price.

I get it, this increase in tuition is rather "shocking" since it's been on a freeze for quite some time (since 1994 if I'm not mistaken). But it's not like they (the government) didn't warn us about it. They've tried to remove the tuition freeze multiple times and so far, they've only succeeded twice in doing so. The first time between 1991-1994 and 2007-2012. Yes, paying over 1,000$ more on a semesterly basis (come 2017) is quite the jump for a lot of students paying school tuition on their own, but this is only going to be met in 5 years from now. I have a lot of international friends studying here in Montreal for university, and the most I've ever heard them complain about was how there's no heating in their apartments during the winter. 

I'd like to emphasize that even if we're going to be paying this much more in 5 years, we are still, by far, paying the lowest in tuition prices across the country. I came across an article while just re-familiarising myself with the situation, and Mathieu Laberge writes, 

"In 2011-2012, Quebec students will pay (in 2008 dollars) $2,024 annually in tuition fees, whereas they paid $2,168 in 1994-1995. This means that, at the end of the announced period of increases in Quebec tuition fees in 2012, they will still be less than 50% of the Canadian average for the last available year (2007-2008)1 and that the amount paid by Quebec students will still be slightly lower than in 1994-1995" (Laberge 1). 

I'm not too sure on how the math worked exactly, but this quote was pulled from the Montreal Economic Institute's "Economic Note". 

I'm NOT saying that these students shouldn't fight against it, by all means if you're super passionate about this hike then you fight for what you think is right. But as a TA, I can't help but worry that maybe some of my students will miss my upcoming lab during the week of the strike because of it... and not going to lie, that was the lab I was looking forward to the most for my students (I'm so excited, I'm giving my first years a quick lab on how to create mashups!). 

Now I've also been extremely curious to see how others perceive this situation (I'm not that close-minded). A lot of my friends have been kind enough to point out that I should perhaps reconsider the reasons why students are fighting against this hike. The one that stuck out most to me was from one of my closer friends, Chelsey. She explained that, 

"Having an iPhone, a laptop or some nice clothes doesn't mean people cant be advocates for accessible education. The reality is that this is not an issue that effects people on a purely personal level - we need to see this in a larger context of public access. 

I see the value of preserving Quebec's incredible system of accessible education. Just because the rest if the world has insane tuition doesn't mean Quebec should devalue its tradition of making post-secondary schooling accessible to those across the board."

The reason why she brought up the "iPhone, laptop or some nice clothes" was because I had just finished explaining that I had just seen some students fighting against this hike wearing a Canada Goose jacket with an iPhone in one hand and those Dr. Dre Beats headphones around their neck. I thought it was rather ironic, don't you agree? Because if I were to tally up the amount that that individual paid for all three items, it's pretty close to a semester's tuition. 

Chels brings up an interesting point that I had forgotten while being overwhelmed with everything happening. The reason for which a lot of my international friends study here in Quebec is for its cheaper educational system. Despite it all, we have it pretty damn well here. Like I said before, I see why students want to take action against the tuition hike. Believe me, I do. But I feel that the reason why I'm not so willing to "fight" for it, I guess, is because I've seen the increase in prices for everything in general over the years and so, as a single body, I've accepted it. I realize that things are not the same as they were back when I was 8 years old. Before you go getting the wrong idea, I'd like to point out that I am a full time student at Concordia, working three part-time jobs, paying my own bills and expenses whilst keeping a GPA of 3.2. In a way, it kind of bottles down to just how we manage our time. Sure, I don't "party" as much as I would like to, but I realize that in order to keep up financially with school and personal expenses, I need to sacrifice certain things. This being my social life. 

I guess what I'm trying to say, is that I am not pleased with the idea of fighting through a large amount of bodies to get to my class. Think about it, we've already paid off this semester... and yet students choose to fight against this hike now? You're fighting against the idea of tuition increasing (that's fine, I get it), but you'll do so by skipping class for a week to prove your point... let me repeat that again. You're. Skipping. Class. For. A. Week. During. A. Semester. That's. Already. Been. Paid. For. 

If you ask me, that's just a waste of money (not to mention time). If this strike extends past March 22nd, no offence but these friends and classmates of mine will only be hindering and hurting themselves in the end. Like I mentioned previously, if this continues then our semester will be extended to make up for lost time, students and teachers who have planned to go back home in May will have to cancel or postpone their flights due to the class make up and extended exam schedule. What about graduation? Will this be delayed as well? What about those who have jobs waiting for them to finish by May 3rd, but then find out they're only available as of June 5th (I'm just throwing out dates)? What about the students who applied for summer school so they can get more credits done and out of the way? What about your plans for all of the above? These are questions to reconsider I guess. Is all that time taken away from your summer plans really worth it?

I also just found out that if there are students who are picketing and preventing you from physically getting to class, 

"After meeting with Concordia University's Provost this morning, here is what we can each do individually against those blocking our classrooms: If picketers refuse to move, you or any faculty member present can demand their names in order to file a complaint, which can result in a fine of 500$, suspension, or expulsion. If they refuse, take a picture and they will be identified. They are in violation of the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedom's with respect to freedom of mobility and other individual liberties. Furthermore, and more importantly, THEY ARE IN VIOLATION OF THE UNIVERSITY'S ACADEMIC CODE OF CONDUCT."

I am not going to report them and be the reason for my own classmates being fined 500$ for fighting for what they feel so passionate about, but if you are purposely preventing me from getting to the class(es) that I paid for... I am not going to be a happy camper.

So, just to re-emphasize, I'm not pro-tuition hikes. I do sincerely believe that education is a right to everyone living on this earth. I am blessed to live in a province where CEGEP and university tuition has been on a freeze since 1994. I am extremely blessed to be paying the cheapest educational fees compared to the rest of the world. I do believe in fighting for what you feel is right. What I don't agree with is how it's being done with this strike affecting Concordia as of March 15th-22nd. Especially since I know that everyone's paid for this semester already. Not to mention, wasting the professor's time and class which they put effort into preparing. I understand that not all the professors are everyone's favourites... but there are some who put so much time and effort into preparing lectures and seminars. The least we can do is show up and appreciate the fact that we are able to attend such lectures (whether or not we like them). 

In the end, I feel that I'm part of the population of students who feel so torn in this situation. Torn because we don't agree with tuition going up and further increasing the gap "between the rich and the poor", however we have already accepted the hike taking place and have started to rearrange life to adjust to it (looking for another job, asking if there are extra hours one could take, spending less on wants that we don't actually "need", etc.). I feel torn because all I want to do is get this semester done and over with so I can graduate come June 18th with friends who mean so much to me (can't wait!). 

Most importantly, I understand that everyone being affected by this hike are not all on the same page as we like to think we are all on. We are all fighting it (or not fighting it) for our own personal reasons and intentions. Personally, I feel that there are other issues that demand our attention instead of this hike... come to think about it, if you're so against the hike, why are we picketing on school grounds? This is a governmental decision, shouldn't they be in front of city hall instead?  

Another article I stumbled on from my cousin, Mike.

http://www.montrealgazette.com/touch/business/story.html?id=6231778

What a headache situation to be stuck in... #firstworldproblems

On a lighter note, I recently came across Matt Webb (Mariana's Trench)'s EP "Coda and Jacket". Bought it. Listened to it. Loved it. Honestly, I was not expecting this from him (then again, I don't really know much about him and the guys from MT except that they're Canadian), but all that came out of my mouth after the last song on the EP was just a soft, "Wow". Kind of a rad feeling really. Probably my favourite album to drive to :)

This song's called "Cinnamon" and although I love his entire EP, this one stuck. Highly recommend listening to the album in its entirety! Enjoy!



Cheers,
C.