RALLY DEMANDS ACCESSIBLE EDUCATION
And an end to the criminalization of dissent at the University of Toronto
Rally at UofT’s Governing Council Meeting:
Thursday, April 16th, 4:00 p.m.
Simcoe Hall, 27 Kings College Circle
Speakers, performances, free food
U of T’s Governing Council is proposing a further 4.5% tuition fee increase. This fee hike will amount to close to $40 million in revenue coming directly from students’ pockets. In addition, last week theFaculty of Arts and Science voted for ‘flat fees’, which will force students taking 3 or more courses to pay as much as those taking a FULL COURSE LOAD.
The community will gather Thursday, April 16 at 4 p.m. to protest these unprecedented fee hikes and also to support the remaining four out of 14 students/allies with charges from last year’s demonstration against rising fees at the University of Toronto. Over 100 professors have since signed a letter addressed to U of T President David Naylor in support of the Fight Fees 14 and against UofT’s attempts to penalize student dissent. These tactics are clearly meant to deter students from protesting against the University’s continual fee hikes. Toronto Police charged the 14 individuals a month after the peaceful sit-in on March 20, 2008 following UofT’s threats to investigate students under the Code of Student Conduct. The letter, signed by most of the 100 professors states:
"It is evident that the University of Toronto’s administration collaborated with Toronto Police in pressing charges against fourteen members of our university community. It is further evident that this move was taken to repress the expression of dissent at a time when the University administration is publicly and aggressively calling for the commercialization of student fees through deregulation."
A year later the case is unwinding as charges against most have been dropped; four others await trial in September after refusing to sign a peace bond that prevents them from exercising their Charter Rights to participate in peaceful protest on campus and attend Governing Council meetings. Joeita Gupta, VP External of the Association of Part-time Undergraduate Students (APUS) and incoming UofT Student Governor says,
"Students are saying ‘enough is enough’. Across the board U of T is cutting access programs and increasing tuition fees to unprecedented levels. Simultaneously they put millions towards elite sports and expanding business administration. This time they have crossed the line. We will stand together to speak up against these increases andagainst the criminalization of students who are leaders in advocating for the rights of students.
Join students and concerned community members on Thursday, April 16th, 4:00 p.m. to hear speakers and live performances.
Contact for media interviews: Joeita Gupta 416-918-1935 and Katie Wolk 647-830-5283
More information: fightfeescoalition.blogspot.com and www.fightfees.ca or email us fightfeescoalition@gmail.com
