NO PRIVATE UNIVERSITIES IN ONTARIO!

New university admissions policy: Intelligence is useless without a huge family income!

I finally got around to updating this; sorry it took so long.

My name is Laurel. I am an Ontario university student. I am here to talk about education. The Conservative government in Ontario has decided to allow private universities into our province.

Soon-to-be former premier Mike Harris and the Minister of Colleges and Universities, Dianne Cunningham, have said that post-secondary education is ACCESSIBLE in Ontario. Our province already has the second highest tuition rate in Canada. Since Premier Harris took office in 1995, tuition has risen 60%. Unless you're in a graduate or professional program; those are deregulated (also thanks to the Harris Tories) and have faced much greater increases. Want an example? University of Windsor Law is deregulated, and first-year Law students this fall will have a tuition increase of 43%. The average student debt upon graduation from a four-year program is $25 000. (For more information on these issues, visit my Enough is Enough page.)

��������������������������������� THIS IS THE GOVERNMENT'S IDEA
��������������������������� OF ACCESSIBLE EDUCATION?

Private universities will make this about a hundred times worse. They will charge $40 000 a year in� tuition fees. They will take away faculty from public universities, most of whom are understaffed already due to funding cuts from both the federal and provincial government. Some students at my school have had to deal with courses being cancelled because no instructor was available. The Canadian Federation of Students also fears that the government will use private universities as an excuse to neglect the public system; they can put less energy into that system because there will now be an alternative . . . for a couple of students, anyway.

Additionally, the Ontario government does not want students to be involved in the decision process. They first made the announcement at the end of April 2000, a time when most university students are finished exams and are not on campus. This makes it much more difficult for students to mobilize and oppose the Tories. The government also chose not to invite groups like the Canadian Federation of Students to the consultations being held on this matter. Said Enver Villamizar, former Vice President of University Affairs for the University of Windsor, "They are literally ruling by decree on their own, without even considering the political will of the people. This is a very dangerous thing, because it shows their willingness to do whatever they want, and actively try to stop any opposition."

And THAT'S NOT ALL! The Ontario government placed a time allocation motion on Bill 132 (the private universities bill) to limit debate. They rammed this bill through the Legislature quickly and held the final debate on it late at night hoping that nobody would be paying attention. Students, please stand up and demand to be heard despite this undemocratic behaviour.

They say: Private universities will stop overcrowding in public universities.
Actually, most students will not be able to afford private universities. Studies have shown that students from lower-income families are applying to university less and less frequently. Ontario New Democratic MPP Peter Kormos once referred to, "bright, hard-working, capable kids, whose fear of not being able to go to college or university is growing on a daily basis, not because they don't have the potential or the capacity or the skill or the desire, but because this government's persistence at ratcheting up tuition increases has made it impossible for all but the richest of young people to go to post-secondary education without accumulating horrendous and crippling debt." Even with private universities coming to Ontario, most students will still be forced to apply to public universities. The private universities' effect on overcrowding will be negligible at best.

They say: Students want private universities.
What students? When Dianne Cunningham made this announcement at a press conference, she was shouted down by furious students who demanded that she retract this decision or resign. When the subject of private universities came up during a debate at Queen's Park, the legislature had to be temporarily closed down because student demonstrators were chanting, "No private universities! No forty grand tuition fees!" Sounds pretty clear to me. I can't speak for all university students, but I have not yet heard any students speak in favour of private universities. If such students exist, where are they?
Update: in the name of fairness, I've gotten an answer to the above question. On May 31, 2000 a petition from the constituents of Tory MPP Marilyn Mushinski was presented at Queen's Park that encouraged the implementation of private universities in Ontario. The students who signed this were from a private institution that under the Tories' new policies would be allowed to grant degrees. Sure, they can ask for this and their MPP can endorse it if she wants. But I believe that politicians who truly want to be advocates for students should listen to all of us and I think they would certainly hear a different viewpoint. Not all students have the luxury of making whatever decision they want to regarding post-secondary education.

They say: Private universities won't get any public money.
In other areas that already have private universities, the universities inevitably ask for money from the government for research grants or other things.�According to Liberal MPP Ernie Parsons, "The U.S. experience has clearly demonstrated that private universities ultimately derive about 40% of their funding from public sources." Why should Ontario be different? As well, according to the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA), private universities can claim that public universities have an unfair advantage because they receive government funding. The government can then be forced to fund private institutions in the name of providing a level playing field.

They say: Private universities will create healthy competition.
There is ALREADY an atmosphere of competition among the public universities. Each university is already in the business of trying to convince students that their school is better than other schools. Any student who has toured universities while trying to make up their mind will know this. We do not need the Tories to create competition in the system. That said, our public universities, who are understaffed and underfunded, are not in the condition to compete with private universities--who have massive amounts of money and who (as seen above) may also be eligible for government funding-- for the few students who can afford them.

They say: Students at private universities will have financial protection.
The government claims that if a private institution goes bankrupt, students who are in the middle of their programs will have their tuition refunded. Liberal MPP Ernie Parsons recently expressed skepticism about this, saying, "Please explain to me how a bankrupt university can give tuition back. `Bankrupt' means they owe more than they have."

They say: Private universities will provide quality education and keep students from leaving the province for university.
This may be the most important point. If the government wants students to stay in Ontario, a far better idea would be to restore the funding they have cut from public universities so that said universities will be competitive with schools in other areas and be able to provide a wide variety of quality programs. The Tories found $4 billion for corporate tax cuts in their last budget, but they have cut $1.6 billion from the operating budgets of universities. It is time to represent someone other than the corporate sector. They should also freeze or cut tuition because more affordable fees would provide an incentive for students to remain in Ontario. This is hardly a radical suggestion when you consider the fact that many other provinces are not allowing increases at this time and that the government of Manitoba cut tuition by 10% last year. The solution to the problems facing our public universities is not to give up and hand things over to the private sector.
�

Ontario Liberal Colleges and Universities Critic Marie Bountrogianni (a PhD who has taught at four universities, by the way)

"What an irony, that while OCUFA [Ontario Confederation of University Faculty Associations] is recognizing the excellence of the faculty of our publicly funded universities, this government continues to undermine these institutions by introducing private, for-profit universities through the back door. This will further erode the resources available to our public universities, including the availability of faculty which will need to be replaced by the thousands over the next 10 years.This government makes a mockery of our public universities and the outstanding faculty who contribute so much to the students of Ontario. This government is still deluded in thinking there is no connection between the well-being of our public institutions and the future prosperity of Ontario." Marie Bountrogianni

"You [Dianne Cunningham] claim private universities will increase choice. You claim private universities will not cost the taxpayer anything. This is where you're wrong. Your plans will create a two-tier system of universities in Ontario. Private universities will increase choice only for those who can afford tuition of $25,000 to $40,000. They already have that choice. You obviously agree with your candidate for the Canadian Alliance, Tom Long, who says they should go to the United States to attend university. Taxpayers . . . will pay for private universities through OSAP loans. Who do you think provides funding for OSAP loans, your research grants?" Marie Bountrogianni

"[The Conservatives] are willing to pour already scarce dollars down a black hole rather than invest in our excellent public institutions. They cut $400 million to post-secondary funding in 1995. Private universities cannot and will not make up for the shortfall of spaces." Marie Bountrogianni

"The question for you, Premier, is: Why is it that you have given up on Ontario's young people? Why is it that you've given up on our public universities? Why is it that instead you've extended an open arm to private American universities which our children are not going to be able to afford to attend? Do you not understand how important it is to maintain in place a modernized public university system which Ontario youth can afford?" Ontario Liberal Leader Dalton McGuinty, also a former Colleges and Universities Critic

"The fact is that our children today, the echo generation, are marching through our primary and secondary schools and they'll shortly be knocking on the doors at our universities. Do you [Harris] know what you're telling them? You're telling them, `There is no room for you here, but I'm inviting in American private universities and you can be my guest and pay those people $40,000 for your tuition over there.' That is not living up to your responsibility and your government's commitment to ensure that our young people find space in publicly funded, affordable universities." Dalton McGuinty

"There's no secret that the Harris approach to our public institutions, whether you're talking about primary and secondary education, the health care system or now our public universities, is that first you starve them until they are broken and you undermine public confidence. Next you claim that the problems are too big for government alone to fix. Finally, you bring in your big business friends to profit from the mess. That's what this is all about." Dalton McGuinty

"When at the end of that press conference a student asked the minister, `Where are we going to find $40,000 a year to attend this so-called private university?' [this article] said, and I quote, 'She snapped, "Ask your parents."' I say to the people who live in my riding, even if we have a four-year program, we're talking about $160,000, which is about the cost many people will spend on a home. I want to ask these parents on behalf of the Minister of Colleges and Universities, where are we going to get that kind of money to send our students to these so-called private universities? It's just one more example of how the Tories find the easy way out instead of addressing real issues about college and university education for our young people in Ontario. I am opposed to moving to private universities and think instead that you should get back down to basics, roll up your sleeves and figure out exactly how you want to better fund our post-secondary education." Ontario Liberal Deputy Leader Sandra Pupatello

"Now that the students have more choices, does this really mean they have viable options? The operative word here is `options'--options that are viable and valuable, which is highly important as we enter the new millennium. There's a demand for skilled professionals in this highly skilled workforce. Dalton McGuinty and the Liberals support increased investment in our public colleges and universities, not passing the buck to private operators whose main motive is to make a profit. We don't support private universities that will extract funds away from public institutions. Where is the promise Mike Harris has offered, that every qualified student would have a space in our colleges and universities? That seems to be gone, and they should be reminded about their promise they have not kept." Ontario Liberal Training and Skills Critic Alvin Curling

"The expansion of private universities . . . really is nothing more than a smokescreen to cover up the failures of this government to address the real issues facing university students. Skyrocketing tuition fees--out of control. You look at the promises made by Mike Harris when he was Leader of the Opposition about what he would do with university tuition fees. You've seen now university tuition go through the roof; students on average $40,000 to $50,000 in debt. It has become already, under the current system, not whether or not you have the ability or the drive to go to university and graduate from university; it's become a question of, does your family have the money? That is not the Canadian way. That certainly is not the Ontario way of the university and college system we have built. I'm disappointed that the government didn't use this as an opportunity to enhance our system rather than bringing in private sector companies." Ontario Liberal Party Member Dominic Agostino

"I think we need to and I would encourage the minister [Dianne Cunningham] to talk to the students, listen to the students in this province, listen to the Ontario branch of the Canadian Federation of Students and what they're saying. The federation of students is saying, `Students are not going to stand by while they erode and destroy access to public education.' The Ontario Confederation of Faculty Associations: `The system is already starved.' How can you further starve, how can you further destroy, the system of post-secondary education in this province? Minister, do the honourable thing: repeal." Ontario Liberal Party Member Steve Peters

"I'm the critic for disabilities. There will be no requirement for private universities to provide interpreters in sign language or to provide closed-captioning. That closes the door to citizens in our province who are people with disabilities." Ontario Liberal Party Member Ernie Parsons

"Our universities have been doing a splendid job of producing the economic and intellectual leaders our society needs, despite reduced resources. What they require in return is ongoing public investment to insure their future -- not cutthroat competitors from the U.S.� . . .� we cannot allow the destruction of the institutions which form the backbone of our society."� Ontario New Democratic Party Colleges and Universities Critic Rosario Marchese

"Inviting private, for-profit universities into Ontario will divert public dollars to corporate coffers, not improve post-secondary education. This is a direct assault on Ontario's public universities and colleges by big box American education conglomerates, but the Conservatives want to do it quietly, without public discussion." Rosario Marchese

"Your [Conservative government's] private university scheme could cost us our entire public post-secondary education system if there is a NAFTA challenge by American companies. You need to bring this wheeling and dealing out of the backroom and into the light of public scrutiny. If you are so proud of your public pronouncements on private universities, why do you skulk away so cowardly from public consultation?" Rosario Marchese

"You [Dianne Cunningham] dissemble by saying that private universities are not getting public funding, but students who go to these schools will get OSAP student loans. These loans come from public funds and will subsidize private universities. The private sector is drooling for this. They're drooling because they know the money is coming, so they can make money out of education. Is this what we want? Nobody is asking for this. Nobody is asking for this except this minister and her private friends who want to make money out of education by privatizing our education system. Shame on you, Minister, and the government." Rosario Marchese

"Who are we serving here? Who is clamouring for a post-secondary, for-profit university? Where is the need? Where are the demonstrators saying, "We want private universities in here"? Where are they? There aren't any. So who's driving this agenda? It's the minister and the Premier and a few cabinet ministers and that's it. They are the ones who are driving this agenda, because if it's not responding to any perceived need, it is a reflection of a Conservative ideology. They love to privatize. They love to privatize anything that moves, anything that they can." Rosario Marchese

"We've pointed out example after example over the last five years of how your [Conservative government's] short funding of colleges and universities is creating all kinds of problems for our students, and last week we got your answer. What is your answer? You are going to invite scandal-plagued institutions, scandal-plagued private, for-profit universities like the University of Phoenix to come into Ontario; the same University of Phoenix that has been fined $6 million by the federal Department of Education in the United States for misusing student aid funds." Ontario New Democratic Party Leader Howard Hampton (as if there weren't already enough reasons to be concerned about privatization!)

"Our universities are 59th out of 60 spots [in North America]. We're 59th in terms of funding for universities, dead last in Canada. Your answer to that? Bring in privatized universities . . . Create a crisis--read that to mean `Screw it up, break it, cause chaos'--and use that as an excuse to step in and do something, and then usually what you say is: `They wouldn't do anything. We're the only ones with the courage to step in.' Believe me, there's nothing courageous or correct about bringing in privatized universities as some sort of quasi-response to the crisis that exists in universities." Ontario New Democratic Party Member David Christopherson


If the idea of high-priced private universities described here offends you at all, PLEASE contact your MPP and let them know. Click here to find your MPP's mailing address. This is one issue that students must not be silent and complacent about. Another good idea is to e-mail Dianne Cunningham , Minister of Colleges and Universities. Ask her to repeal the bill that implemented private universities in Ontario (Bill 132). You are welcome to send a copy of any letters or e-mails to me; I'd like to post them here.

Also, please pass this site on to your friends and anyone you know who cares about having affordable, accessible post-secondary schools in Ontario.

I would like to give the last word to Rosario Marchese (see above). This came from a debate on other education issues, but it is a call to action for many other people as well. The Honourable Member said, "There are no more hearings. There is no longer any democracy. There's nothing left any longer. We are on our own. So those of you who are watching, you need to become part of a movement. You can't sit back at home and say, `Somebody else is going to do it for me.' You can't. If you're not part of a resistance movement, we won't be able to change the direction of this government. These people are taking us to the gutter, to the compost heap. That's where they're taking us, and if you don't fight back, if we don't collectivize our energy--and I've got to tell you we have a lot of power. You have a lot of power if you fight back, but if you sit at home deciding somebody else is going to do the fighting for you, this government will continue to victimize you and the rest."

Questions or comments? E-mail me!


SOME COMMENTS I HAVE RECEIVED
Conservatives, whether they be Canadian, American or otherwise share a certain mutal desire to set modern society back to a level where they do not need to be accountable for any social obligation other than that of their own immediate interests. (A.R. Thomas)

I do not support the government allowing private universities into Ontario. Also, I do not support public funding for private schools. I believe that both of these government policies undermine our public education system in Ontario. (Barbara Mitrow)

Thank you for visiting my site.

Links:
Canadian Federation of Students
Ontario Liberal Party
Ontario New Democratic Party
Terrific Anti-Harris site
Fight The Right
Save Our Schools Ontario.com
University of Windsor Access 2000 Committee