Administrators have said they want to increase services for students — not hire more faculty. But having qualified, full-time teachers in the classroom is a service — it's the very heart of our education system.

243

In this context, it is outrageous that the Ontario government is preparing to increase college tuition fees next September. Why should Ontario families keep paying higher and higher fees for less and less quality?

230

The evidence shows that for every two percent increase in the number of college students enrolled, there is a corresponding one percent decrease in full-time faculty. This decline in quality is unacceptable, and unless the deterioration stops now, it will only get worse.

210

What we're seeing is just the tip of the iceberg. Last year, college presidents made it clear to the Ontario government that at least $150 million in additional funding was required for the current year — just to stop the steady decline in quality. Yet colleges received $50 million less than required just to maintain the status quo, never mind making improvements.

182

Back-to-work legislation is not an option that will work in the interests of students. If imposed, there will be absolutely no trust in the process since back-to-work legislation could impose not only an arbitrator, but even a contract. In this case, students will likely not see improvements in the faculty student ratio - this would be serious set-back in the quality of college education.

164

We see the strike and the tuition fee increase as two sides of the same coin. There aren't enough resources in the system to prevent these problems.

129

We've heard reports of students meeting with their instructors on the subway as their teachers dash off to other jobs. How can we claim to provide a quality education when faculty members often have neither an office nor a desk?

121

Furthermore, like any legislation, before becoming law back-to-work legislation must go through three readings in the Ontario Legislative Assembly, not to mention possible committee hearings. Given that Thursday is Budget Day this option can only prolong the strike and keep students out of their classes unnecessarily.

100