RALLY APRIL 16th DEMANDING ACCESSIBLE EDUCATION & AN END TO THE CRIMINALIZATION OF DISSENT
As many students are struggling just to survive and afford their education, the University of Toronto and other universities across Ontario are plotting to raise tuition fees. The U of T Governing Council seeks to pass a motion at their next meeting on Thursday, April 16 for further increases of almost 5%. This fee hike will amount to close to $40 million in revenue coming directly from students’ pockets! In addition, last week the Faculty 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. Education is a right and should be free and accessible to all. The U of T administration has shown that their interests lie in turning a profit off the backs of students, while criminalizing those who take a stand against tuition increases. A year later, bogus charges are STILL being pursued against four community members for allegedly participating in a peaceful sit-in against fee increases on March 20, 2008. However, community support continues to grow. Over 100 professors have signed a letter calling to drop the charges and the student code of conduct investigations against the Fight Fees14, and thousands have signed the online petition.
The message is clear; students will not be deterred from exercising their Charter Rights and right to academic freedom. We will join together to take a collective stand against this systemic assault on equity and access on campus and gather outside the upcoming Governing Council meeting.
Join us in sending a message to President David Naylor to STOP CHARGING STUDENTS!
WHAT: Rally Demanding Accessible Education and an End to Charges
WHEN: Thursday, April 16 at 4 pm
WHERE: Simcoe Hall, 27 Kings College Circle, University of Toronto
BRING: Pots, pans and anything loud; banners; and all your friends
