The Ontario government publicly announced that colleges cannot legally charge ancillary fees for academic or capital costs. The announcement came only days after two students launched a $200-million class action lawsuit against the provinces colleges, arguing that they have been charging the computer, laboratory, locker, and other fees illegally for years.

But the students are not letting the government off the hook. They threatened to name the government in the lawsuit as well for turning a blind eye to the fees. They also say that under-funding colleges led to college’s being forced to charge the fees.

“Ontario is ninth out of ten in government funding for colleges,” said Jesse Greener, Ontario Chairperson of the Canadian Federation of Students, a student lobby organization that is supporting the student lawsuit. “The government has essentially employed a strategy of under-funding in which they have allowed colleges to charge hidden tuition fees with a wink and a nod.”

But not all students agree that the fees are not appropriate. The student president at Sault College told the Sault Star that the charges were fair. He said that the student government has been monitoring the fees closely and new charges are always determined in consultation with students. …

Two students are launching a major class action lawsuit against a number of Ontario colleges, accusing the institutions of breaking provincial law by charging students ancillary fees. The Canadian Federation of Students(CFS)are also involved in the suit in an advocacy role.

Amanda Hassum and Dan Roffery, who are students at Conestoga College and George Brown College respectively, are suing Ontario colleges for $200 million, alleging that ancillary fees they paid were illegal. They are seeking damages for all students who have paid the fees since 2004. Hassum said that she was shocked to find out that the fees were “directly related to the capital costs of my education.”

In Ontario, it is illegal for post-secondary institutions to enforce compulsory tuition-related ancillary fees. Compulsory non-tuition fees can only be charged if approved by a student referendum.

In a press conference at provincial legislature, Hassum and Roffery argued that the government knew that the fees were being collected illegally and did nothing to stop the colleges. Their legal counsel Doug Elliot–whose firm Roy Elliott Kim O’Connor LLP won a $1-billion settlement last year for victims of the tainted-blood scandal–said that they intend to add the Ministry of Training, Colleges and Universities to the suit in the near future.

“There is an issue of concealment here because the colleges … used deceptive names to describe these fees to try to disguise the fact that they are improper fees,“ said Elliot.

“Premier McGuinty broke his promise to students by claiming to lock the front door [by freezing tuition] while leaving the back door wide open,” said Hassum. …

Last week, Maclean’s reported on the announcement that Algoma University College is about to become Algoma University. Tonight, I received an open letter from Rosario Marchese, the NDP critic for Training, Colleges and Universities to Minister Bentley.

Here it is:

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May 31, 2007

Hon Chris Bentley
Ministry of Training, Colleges and Universities
Mowat Block, 3rd Flr, 900 Bay Street
Toronto, ON M7A 1L2

OPEN LETTER

Dear Minister Bentley,

I read with interest your intention to introduce legislation to establish Algoma University College as an independent university.

New Democrats understand the need for a university in Algoma and support its creation. That is the reason why I despair that your promise is too little too late to be a real commitment to Algoma. Instead of making an effort to support the region during your four years in government, you have waited to nearly the end of your term to make a promise to introduce legislation in the fall.

As you well know, the provincial election takes place in October. I fear that your commitment is nothing more than an election promise and nothing less than a vehicle for re-election.

If your intentions are true and you want to do right by Algoma, why not make a serious commitment to sit in the House through June or as long as it takes to allow this promised legislation to be introduced, debated and passed.

Otherwise, leave election promises where they belong – on they campaign trail.

Sincerely,

(original signed by)

Rosario Marchese
NDP Education Critic

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Expect more announcements and letters like this as we approach the election in October. …

I have been practicing with a DSLR lately in order to become a better photographer. I have been taking pictures this week for The Silhouette of life on campus.

It has been a hot week so I wanted a picture of the campus ice cream stand:

People watching the Stanley Cup finals in the campus bar (I had a real hard time with lighting):

Hare in the centre of campus at about 1am: …

Alright, I clearly have to explain some simple points. First- comments should be on the post, not whatever has you pissed off today. I have been getting a lot of nasty comments. You do not like me, great, let me know… do not expect my newspaper article page to become your own “I hate Joey” wall.

In terms of email, I get dozens of emails every day. I read everyone of them. I do not have time to reply to most. Sorry, but that is just the way it is. In terms of wanting to let me know how I am out to destroy society, please take a number and get in line.

For people at McMaster, I will be setting up “office hours” in the near future. I will be setting aside two hours on Monday or Tuesday to talk with people. I am more than interested in hearing your point of view.

Here is another tip, if you are trying to make a point or change my mind on a topic, please cite academic research or a really good book. I received an email this week completely disagreeing with one of my recent writings. The person who wrote it told me what she disagreed, asked me how I came to my opinion, and then gave me some suggested readings. I am going to read her suggested books later this summer. I am always looking to absorb more knowledge and love reading. …