More financial "aid" given to well-off students than needy students in the United States
An interesting post on the New America Foundation’s *Higher Ed Watch *blog today noting that President Obama’s recent increase to the Pell Grant – a national bursary program in the United States – will only succeed if institutions do not divert funds away from needs-based financial assistance to…
On the alleged machete attack
The Ottawa Citizen reported today on allegations by Carleton University Student Association vice-president (student issues) and Ontario Progressive Conservative Campus Association presidential candidate Nick Bergamini that he was accosted by a group of individuals Monday morning on a bridge connecting Gatineau, QC and Ottawa. Bergamini alleges he and…
I can breathe again
It is finally all coming together in my personal life. School is improving and I am being very productive in my studies. My mental health is stronger and my depression is mostly under control. I still have my bad days, but there are fewer and farther between. My…
More on the Dean Bates situation at McMaster
My last post about the situation at McMaster University’s Degroote School of Business garnered a great deal of feedback from individuals in both factions and some individuals outside of the dispute. Some are disputing my characterization of the situation as a battle between the academic and industry streams of professors.…
Simplified: the conflict at McMaster's business school
McMaster’s Degroote School of Business is making headlines for all the wrong reasons. The faculty’s tradition of infighting is being aired publicly following a report issued by the university’s Office of Human Rights and Equity Services. Basically, there are two factions among the business school faculty – those…
Ont. Gov. offers news releases by email
The Ontario government offers news releases by email for the general public. It’s a decent way to bypass the time delay between my receiving a news release and the posting of a story about the content of the release. News on Demand – Ontario.ca…
Did uToronto reveal Ontario's new tuition framework?
The University of Toronto revealed its tuition plan for next year at a recent meeting of their Business Board – the body which advises the university’s Governing Council on financial matters. The University of Toronto student newspaper The Varsityreports: Tuition fees will increase by an average of 4.31 per cent…
OSAP changes coming Monday – I don't know anything yet
Two of my friends, one student journalist, and two readers of my online columns have all asked me today if I know what changes the Ontario government will be making to the Ontario Students Assistance Program (OSAP) that will be announced on Monday. The honest answer is that…
MSU VP education Chris Martin responds
Last week, in The McMaster Silhouette, I called on McMaster Student Union vice-president education Chris Martin to clear the air about the resignation of Arati Sharma as national director of the Canadian Alliance of Student Associations. This week Chris Martin very professionally responded to the request with an…
Ontario to make "important" changes to student loans
Ontario’s Ministry of Training, Colleges, and Universities released the following statement to the student media this morning: “John Milloy, Minister of Training, Colleges and Universities will speak to student media about important changes to the Ontario Student Assistance Program.” Minister Milloy has scheduled a teleconference for 2pm Monday. No further…