The Nipissing University Student Union is hosting a Day of Action.
It’ll include a panel discussion that will focus on three demands.
Officials say OSAP Grants and not loans, free tuition, and education justice are the topics that will be covered.
The event will be hosted at the NUSU student centre this Wednesday (Nov. 8) from 2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Panelists will include:
– Dr. Kevin Wamsley, Nipissing University President & Vice-Chancellor
– Dr. Natalya Brown, NUFA President and Professor in Economics
– Rob Boulet, OPSEU L608 President
– Riley McEntee, NUSU President
The event is open to everyone and participation is encouraged as those attending will be able to ask questions during the event.
NUSU’s localized Day of Action will focus on three key demands aimed at advancing the cause of free and accessible education:
1. OSAP: Grants, not Loans
– Calling for the Ontario Student Assistance Program (OSAP) to provide funding to students solely in the form of non-repayable grants without reducing the overall amount of funding that each individual student would receive.
– Urging OSAP to eliminate the provincial component of student debt, leading to the immediate forgiveness of OSAP loans.
– Advocating for increased funding for OSAP.
2. Free Tuition
– Calling for post-secondary institutions to eliminate tuition fees while ensuring they receive funding equal to or greater than what they would have typically collected through tuition fees.
– Demanding that Northern Ontario post-secondary institutions receive their fair share of public funding.
3. Education Justice
– Honouring Indigenous Learners’ Right to Education: Calling for increased funding for post-secondary institutions to focus on teaching and preserving Indigenous languages, culture, and history, benefitting both Indigenous and non-Indigenous learners.
– Fairness for International Students: Calling for the regulation of international student tuition fees, public healthcare coverage under OHIP for international students, and more accessible immigration pathways for international students.
– Supporting Students with Disabilities: Advocating for increased funding for post-secondary institutions to provide appropriate exam accommodations (without fees for students) and to enhance assistive technologies and support services for students with disabilities.
– Increased Funding for Graduate Students: Calling for greater funding for post-secondary institutions to support graduate students, graduate studies research, graduate awards, and the establishment of dedicated research fellowships for Indigenous and international students.
