Dear Colleagues, I am in receipt of my e-bill from the University of Ottawa, which I will share: My bill for this semester is $3,410.77, including $925.40 for things I have no interest in supporting. This is a substantial amount for a Canadian student. Tuition is reasonable. The fees being grabbed for programs supported by …
Today’s high school and university graduates are facing unprecedented challenges—high unemployment rates, crippling student debt, an inflated housing market, and a social safety net that no longer offers the protection that it was intended to provide. As students, we have a say in our representation in the House of Commons, which controls and manages many …
After the first general assembly of the Student Federation of the University of Ottawa (SFUO) almost ended in flames and the second was somewhat of an apathetic flop, it seems as if our experiment with direct democracy has been rather unsuccessful. It shouldn’t be. If the GA has so far failed, that is probably because …
The article repeats a common misconception that I would like to point out. The second last paragraph states: ” the other function of a university is teaching its students.” It must be stressed that teaching is the prime function of a university. Research is secondary, and is only conducted as a way of keeping the …
Thanks to the tireless work of student activists, the University of Ottawa became the first university in Ontario to put a complete and immediate stop to the sale of bottled water on its campuses in 2010.
I came to the University of Ottawa for a future. I wasn’t certain what that future would be, but in grade 12 I was sure I could make one. I had almost failed grade 11 biology, so a future in sciences wasn’t in the cards. I was no better at math. But I had skill, …
To the editors and writers at the Fulcrum, After attending the Capital Hoops games on Friday, Feb. 6, and reading some of the reviews and articles about them over the weekend, I must say that I am quite upset and disappointed with the level of attention and importance given to the women’s game in comparison to the men’s. When I …
Dear Editor, From now until Friday, December 5, full time undergraduate and graduate students have the opportunity to opt-out of paying fees to Ontario Public Interest Research Group-Ottawa (OPIRG). According to their website, OPIRG’s mandate is to “facilitate and support campus and community activism in Ottawa and strive to work in an anti-oppressive framework.” In …
Dear Editor, A quiet incident last Friday has left me frustrated. Since it’s the kind of thing that goes unnoticed, I’d like to call attention to it. I am the vice president of the University of Ottawa Students for Life club, and a team of us were putting up posters to promote an event we …
Justin Dallaire’s opinion piece in the previous copy of the Fulcrum, “Religion and human rights: A united front for progress,” properly reminds readers of the historical role that religious groups and heroes have played in human progress. It is indeed the case that “we cannot fall into the trap of perceiving all religious organizations as …
I was one of the roughly 350 attendees at uOttawa’s first General Assembly (GA); unfortunately, there weren’t enough at any time to reach quorum. The GA was cut off during question period at 9 p.m., due to an arbitrary ruling from the chair.
Letter to the Editor: Why students need to show up and participate in university affairs.
Over the past couple of weeks, Canadians came face to face with the harsh reality that sexual harassment continues to be prevalent in our society.
I was rather disappointed with the Fulcrum’s recent sex supplement, which was published as part of the issue released prior to reading week. Before continuing, I should note that I don’t begrudge the Fulcrum for its interest in writing about sex. Sexuality is an important subject, and the sex supplement was likely of interest to …
WITH THE OFFICIAL first day of spring coming up, March is a month full of happenings; the mathematical constant 3.14 has a spotlight on the 14th with Pi Day, the Lenten season, and St. Patrick’s Day festivities are on the 17th. So other than the number enthusiasts, Christians, and pub-goers, is there another day in …
DEAR PRESIDENT ALLAN Rock, Last week I and fellow student senator, Hazel Gashoka, wrote to you requesting that you agree to allow students and the public to observe your upcoming cross-examination in the defamation lawsuit of St. Lewis v. Rancourt, which is currently before the Ontario Superior Court of Justice. You will be cross-examined by …
Re: Niqab ban oppresses new Canadian citizens (Opinions, March 8) MINISTER JASON KENNEY’S controversial ban on the wearing of the niqab during citizenship ceremonies has been an effective red herring, distracting from the government’s many questionable policies. But it would arguably be acceptable even if he sought to extend the ban toward all public life …
STUDENTS ACROSS THE country are facing barriers to access to post-secondary education. Recently, the Charest government in Quebec passed a proposed increase in tuition fees by 75 per cent over the next five years in their budget, imposing new barriers to students in the province. Though their tuition fees will still remain amongst the lowest …
HAVING BEEN INVOLVED in event planning these past two years through my volunteering within the Health Sciences Student Association, I am surprised to see most political aspects of the upcoming election remaining unknown to your average University of Ottawa student. Having worked within the executive of a student federated body, a clearer picture of what …
AS A CURRENT vp social of one of the many hardworking federated body executives on campus, I find it laughable when candidates running for re-election run on a platform that is the exact opposite of what they achieved in their previous term. MC Noël, candidate for the position of vp social affairs of the Student …
Re: “SFUO election period begins” (News, Jan. 26) ON PAGE 7 of the Jan. 26 issue of the Fulcrum, a cartoon was published that left me feeling alienated. Devin Beauregard’s political cartoon depicted Student Federation of the University of Ottawa (SFUO) executive members Liz Kessler and Paige Gallette trying to get Sarah Jayne King out …
LIKE MANY STUDENTS, I delight in the occasional snide remark at my rival university. Indeed, much of the content of the “meme war” unfolding on Facebook between the University of Ottawa and Carleton University is harmless and amusing. I was, however, deeply disturbed to discover that my picture had been used as one of these …
AT A TIME when Israel, backed by the United States and Canada’s power elite, is calling for all-out war to destroy Iran; even having a U.S. Zionist pundit call-out in the media for U.S. President Obama to be assassinated by Israel if he won’t attack Iran (as recently reported in the Globe and Mail)… At …
DEAR STUDENTS, THE University of Ottawa Young Liberals want you to participate and vote in the upcoming elections for the Student Federation of the University of Ottawa. We want you to become involved, have your say, and engage the executive, the bureaucracy, and staff by letting them know what you want. We want this localized …
DEMOCRACY IS A concept somewhat difficult to identify in contemporary society. Although we clearly live in a democratic society, we do not live in a democracy as defined by the elites of ancient Greece. It is generally believed that the average Canadian’s views are not considered in our democratic system and very seldom reach the …
