May 1, 2008
Fee Hike Protesters Hit With Criminal Charges
Last we checked on a group who have now been dubbed the "Fight Fees 14," they were loudly chanting "Shame on you!" to police officers because they were slightly annoyed over increasing residence fees at New College.
According to an online petition and press release, fourteen of the students are now facing criminal charges. After turning themselves in, the students were released under strict bail conditions that prevent them from associating, except in class or in court. The activists have interpreted this as an attempt to squelch free speech and political organization. Additionally, some members who were part of the group and are employed by the university have been banned from University property, and at least thirteen students are being investigated under the University's Code of Student Conduct.
While the tactics may seem heavy-handed, the justification from the activists' standpoint seems positively confusing. Sheila Hewlett, an organizer with the Committee for Just Education and an elected member of the Arts and Sciences Student Union said that: "We have to look at who is excluded when these unchecked fee increases compound and realize that education is increasingly not accessible to many. The student experience is at best one of debt servitude; at worst, education is completely unavailable to more and more people."
What we can't figure out is how residence fees are at all related to affordable education—the argument of "making education accessible" is pretty flimsy. While some may see living in residence at the quintessential university experience, this nostalgic feeling seems to be mostly borrowed from modern-era American coming-of-age films, and is really more suited to middle-of-nowhere college towns than a real city like Toronto. It took us a while to realize that living in residence had nothing to do with learning, and making it cheaper won't improve your grades. You could live in two Annex apartments and eat twice as much food for the cost of eight months of U of T residence. Living in residence, for many students, is precisely the opposite of educational. By trapping themselves in residence, many students from outside the city miss the best thing about attending the University of Toronto: living in Toronto.
Naturally, the Committee for Just Education, which includes the students charged by police, have outlined the following demands: "Equal access to education through the elimination of all fees," "That the U of T administration and Toronto Police immediately drop all proceedings against students and organizers and stop policing of dissent on campus," and "Student, worker, and faculty parity on University decision-making bodies, including the Governing Council."
The University released a statement yesterday.
Kevin Bracken is a student at the University of Toronto.
Photo by Edward Wong, courtesy of the ASSU.
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Hi there,
Firstly, Sheila's comments were in reference to general fee increases seen across the board at the University of Toronto, and indeed at many universities in Canada. However, the argument that residence fee increases affect accessible education still stands if we consider the social context in which these issues reside in.
One suggestion brought up was that residence housing is a privilege, not a right, and therefore it is unreasonable to demand that it should be affordable. Assuming this argument is correct, and it isn't, we must ask the question about privilege for who? If residence living does add to the educational experience, why should it only be open to the upper class? In essence, this assumption suggests that our education system should be two-tiered, with 'privileges' provided to the rich, while the poorer students are left behind.
But we should recognize that residence housing should not simply be a privilege, and is, in fact, a right. Detractors argue that low-income students could simply seek housing off campus, but the reality is that there is a lack of affordable housing in Toronto and cities across Canada.
Consider these statistics -
-In 2002, 32,000 persons used Toronto's homeless shelters, including 5,000 children
-250,000 households spent 30% or more of their wages on accommodations and are considered to be experiencing relative homelessness, at risk of absolute homelessness
-With increasing poverty rates in Toronto, more people are competing for less affordable housing units, with a combined loss in rental housing from 1996 to 2002 at more than 5,000 units
-Though average rents decreased by 1.5% in Toronto in 2003, average rents had previously increased by 31% between 1996 and 2002, more than twice the 14% rate of inflation over the same period
-While the average low-income household could only afford to pay $450 in rent, the average cost to operate new rental housing in Toronto is about $1400 per unit
These are the circumstances faced by students when they arrive in Toronto to study at our institution and one of the many issues making education inaccessible to low-income students. How could the university claim to be open to people of all economic classes if it refuses to make firm commitments to providing affordable housing for students? It is clear from the decision by the administration to raise rental fees at New College by 20% and Woodsworth College by 10%, that not only is the university not committed to affordable housing but is contributing to processes that are resulting in growing homelessness. Housing is integral to accessing education and if the university is serious about such a commitment it must reaffirm the right to housing by not only refusing to increase rent, but also working towards the reduction of rental costs.
Cheers,
Edward
Hey Edward, I argued that living in residence actually detracts from the educational experience. Living in residence actively prevents the average student from engaging with the city, and anybody who has lived in a U of T residence knows this.
Also, yes, I do believe that more students should seek off-campus housing - downtown Toronto rent is cheaper than all campus residences by a factor of two to four, depending on the college.
Also, I am going to go out on a limb here and say that most students living in New College or Woodsworth (or UC, for that matter) rez fall into the categories in your stats.
My bad, I recycled some old comments I made and didn't realize it wasn't too relevant to your point about detraction from the educational experience. But that's fine, the question of whether or not its better for one's education is fairly subjective (though what isn't), and I prefer to focus on the issue of housing. There is no access to education without housing.
"Also, yes, I do believe that more students should seek off-campus housing - downtown Toronto rent is cheaper than all campus residences by a factor of two to four, depending on the college."
Indeed, but this still does not mean downtown rent is affordable. Far from in, downtown housing is inaccessible for many low-income households. Therefore, should the university be committed to providing education for all, residences should be need-based.
"Also, I am going to go out on a limb here and say that most students living in New College or Woodsworth (or UC, for that matter) rez fall into the categories in your stats."
I assume you mean that most students living in New College etc. do not fit into these categories. I'd agree, residence fees are exorbitant and unaffordable for the vast majority. My concern is for the people forced to commute long distances or worse yet, be denied an opportunity to study at this institution because of the lack of affordable housing (a problem that would still exist even with free tuition).
-Edward
Some residence fees add up to $1000 to even $1200 per month per student. Residence is definitely way more expensive than even renting a one bedroom apartment by yourself in the heart of downtown. If you share costs with roommates in a rez-like apartment or house, your cost of living goes down even more, to about $500-$700 per month.
Residence is a luxury, not a necessity. Many students aren't even eligible to live in rez because they live too close to the university to begin with.
I agree with Kevin's argument that living in rez takes away from the educational experience that is living in Toronto on your own for the first time. Some of my peers who lived in residence didn't even ride the subway for the first time until their second or third year in the city.
All that rez gives you is automatic friends and roommates for your second, third and fourth years of school.
Sure, I'll protest the fact that tuition fees are rising, or the fact that there are tuition fees at all. But the rest is wishy-washy. The cost of living is rising for everybody, not just students. There are things you can do to try to stop it, but online petitions, sit-ins and "shaming" the police are not them.
"...residence housing should not simply be a privilege, and is, in fact, a right."
Yeah! And ponies too!
JUSTICE!!!!!!!!
I prayed they would get arrested and they did! Amazing!
While I agree that living in the city is an experience that should be enjoyed by as many University of Toronto students as possible, I disagree that residence is a privilege. Not all 17 year olds are ready to take on the responsibility of a first year course load AND start managing their lives on the level living off campus would demand. I'm not saying people should be coddled, nor do I think it is impossible; lot's of people manage to be very able to take care of themselves at that age, but it shouldn't be the assumption.
I think people underestimate the cultural adjustment some people go through when they make the switch from rural to urban communities and in this case, there are plenty of first year students making that switch, from very rural Canada and beyond to our big fat, metropolis. Should they face huge residence just because we've decided that residence is a privilege? No, the options should be more comparable.
I don't know enough about the issues raised by this particular campus group, but I know I feel the this article was a little off-base.
Well Edward, it's nice that you at least admit that your comments are copy & pasted. That and not bothering to read what you're commenting on or what ideas you're responding to seems to be a pattern among most of the pro-protesters I've come across.
Also, if the comments section of the Varsity is to be believed, you're one of the accused. So that's something one might want to disclose.
The sad thing is that terrorists invading and occupying university buildings weren't shot as the clear and present danger to campus security that they were. Hopefully they will all spend the rest of their lives in prison.
I am rather shocked at how $00 or $500 a month is unaffordable. Students qualify for generous loans, and you only need 40 hours at a low paying job to pay that each month.
I have no problem with freedom speech, even if those speaking freely are white, but it should be done in a way that doesn't interfere with other's freedoms. These yahoos crossed the line by enjoying their freedom so much that they impeded the freedom of others. As such, they should be expelled from the university and locked up.
On a tangentially related criticism, there are hordes of students that need to dump the entitlement complex from which they suffer. Don't expect room and board, professionals to dedicate their time to educating you, and an institution to put their reputation on the line by vouching for your intelligence without giving something back in return. Silly Commies.
My favourite part of this was the Star article yesterday:
At the very least they seem to have an intelligible cause, unlike the Knoll protesters at UBC who were recently arrested.
Live off campus. That's what I'm doing to cut my costs after New College jacked up its rent, and that's what I encourage others to do as well. Contrary to popular belief, residence is NOT an essential part of going to university and the majority of U of T students live at home and commute - and many can't afford to do otherwise.
New College - $10201/year including food = $1275/month
Single apartment near campus - $800-900/month + $200/mo food = $1000-1100/month
Apartment in the suburbs - $600-700/month + $100 TTC pass + $200/mo food = $900-1000/month
Room in shared house - $500-600/month + $200/mo food = $700-800/month
Living with parents - free except for transit pass
Costs may vary. The fact is, university residence and university food service are a ripoff and I strongly advise people to shop around for housing. Or, failing that, live at home in Brampton and take the GO train (you'd be surprised how many people in rez live in the GTA).
Take a look at all of the demands in their petition. Not only do they call on the university to drop all charges, but also to eliminate altogether investigations under the Code of Student Conduct, as well as eliminate tuition fees. Why is everything that comes out of this AlwaysQuestion group (or whatever name they're using now) so schizophrenic?
First they conflate issues at the residence fee protest, chanting about the Israel-Palestine conflict (and other assorted pet causes), now in their bid to get their friends out of jail they demand along with it an untenable amendment to university procedures and educational reforms the likes of which this province has never seen before. Somebody should really give them the "choosing your battles" lecture.
My favourite part of the Star story:
Their petition has 15 (!!) whereas recitals and they didn't get around to mentioning Second Cup coffee or Iraq once? Unbelievable.
Anyways, what a lame issue to push as far as getting arrested. As others have said: residence is pricey? Live off campus. Off campus housing in Toronto is a little dear for your tastes? Well, I've got some good news! I have it on good authority that there are decent universities in places like Guelph, K-W, and London.
Still want UofT? Get a fucking loan. Then get a job afterwards and pay off said loan.
It's magical how it all works out like that.
Uh, I did live in rez 1st year at UofT, after having moved to TO from 200km away. I lived in Devonshire House (South House) which was closed and converted to the Munk Centre for International Studies or some such. The optional meal plan was to join the New College plan, in fact. I did so and braved the January minus 20 weather to walk over for breakfast.
First, although many people do not value living on campus as part of the university experience, I do. The amount of time I saved by eliminating commuting, cooking, and cleaning was invested in studying and socialising: the only two things a 1st-year should have to worry about.
Second, I guess in the mid-80s it was affordable, because I came from a blue-collar family and my parents couldn't afford to give me a thin dime to pay for my education (tuition or living expenses). All was financed by loans, grants, and part-time work. I graduated with a student debt in the top 5th percentile, and paid it all off with salary from the good job a university education got me.
Residence should still be affordable to anyone who wants to try it: the only barrier to entry to any university in Canada should be your high-school grades, not your ability to pay.
Cheers,
Tuds
PS I also lived just off-campus on St. George Street after Devo, and then my last year in a 2-bedroom apartment at Young & Eligible.
While living off campus may detract from the university "experience", I don't think anyone can successfully make a case that on-campus housing is essential; it's a luxury, really. As someone who commuted for his entire degree and still managed to have a heavy involvement in extracurriculars, I'm afraid I just don't see it as that big of a deal.
It'd be nice if operating costs were lower, but high costs are unfortunately a fact of life downtown. OSAP exists for a reason, and while post-graduation debt sucks, it's motivation to become responsible and take ownership of your education (and not waste your time at university pulling stupid stunts like the ones that led to the arrests). In my experience people have a lot less respect for things they aren't at least partially on the hook for financially (and the tuition paid by domestic students is already heavily subsidized).
There are countless bursaries and scholarships that go unclaimed every year. Students are ignorant of these or too lazy to bother looking them up and applying.
And University residence is a priviledge. If you're coming from far out of town, then you obviously need some place to live, but there are options outside residence. Yes, it's tough for a 1st year student to adapt, but it's not THAT hard to figure out how to feed yourself semi-regularly and pay rent. If a student lives anywhere near the TTC lines, then staying at home is a perfectly viable, and cheap, option.
And here's a crazy thought - if the costs are out of your reach - take a year or two off and WORK. Earn the cash and then start school. You don't need to be 17 to get in.