When the voices of tomorrow speak today.

 In 1989, during my first year of undergraduate education, I paid $1,100 for the year of school. Yup - for the whole year! Two semesters of school. Eight months. Ten courses.

Today, that cost is approximately $1,110. Per course. In 21 years, the price of post secondary education has gone up over 10 fold.

Metro News

I'm no expert, but it seems to me that this has been a rather large increase over the last two decades. Sure, everything has increased; the average wage has gone up, the cost of gas has jumped, even a can of Classic Coke (not new Coke - don't get me started on that) has increased. But none of these items have gone up 1000% in the past 20 years, have they? We don't put a ten dollar bill into the pop machine today and didn't pay workers a minimum wage of $0.96 in 1989.

So when I saw the students of Nova Scotia stand up and have their voices heard in a peaceful protest on February 2nd, I was nothing but proud. Here in Nova Scotia, our Premier has raised the cap on provincial tuition to 3%, up from the former increase of ... right - nothing. To compliment this increase, he has served our post secondary institutions with a 4% decrease in funding. Welcome to the second decade of the 21st century and a 'social' government.

If you're a fan of ice cream cones, this in analogous to getting less ice cream on top of a crappier cone. Plus a kick to the knee cap.

When we decide that budgets need to be tightened, why is it that we target those who are eating the least at the table first? Today, our students are saddled with personal debt. Parents, if they can, are having a tougher time supporting their kids to get an education. So, in debt they become, to the average tune of $28,000, with the greatest burden of debt falling to students in the Maritimes.

Nova Scotia is Canada's Education Province. We have 11 universities and 13 community college campuses. Students from our province can confidently remain in their home to earn an outstanding education; students from across Canada and around the globe flock to our schools. Instead of embracing the social values of an education for all, our most socialist government party has decided to turn capitalistic. This is something that frustrates me.

However, over two thousand students here in Halifax decided to take to the streets on Feb 2nd's Day of Action to have their voices heard. They marched in the middle of a snow storm strong enough to close the very schools they attend. They marched in the middle of the downtown streets in which their annual investment of tuition, books and recreational capital flows. They marched in the middle of the day, peacefully expressing their disgust at a tuition increase that serves political gains over provincial growth. They claimed their voice in a process that often moves around them without speaking with them.

My livelihood is made from teaching these young voices. I work with them everyday. And I am thrilled every time they take action, using their voices and intellect to stand up for their opinions and beliefs. They are the leaders of tomorrow. They are strong, smart and stellar, deserving the best that we have to offer. When they stand tall in one voice under one cause, all of those negative whispers of an apathetic generation are rightfully brushed aside.



Putting financial barriers in their path is not the way. They know it, we know it. Could someone tell our government? Better yet, we must encourage our non-apathetic youth to tell them in the next election. For the most powerful tool to bring in a government that supports funding education is through votes.

Politicians understand the marketplace. Show them that the demand is there and they will no doubt supply you with what you desire. They have the ultimate job in customer satisfaction and popularity. They know it and we know it.

From what I see, it's time to start shopping around. But that's just my two cents.

WCM

Time Management and TV

Man, I was busy today.

But so many people can say the same thing, so to write a blog about being busy seems odd. Thus, my next blog will be about time management. Today, we talk about TV.

Mental note folks – whenever someone asks if you would like to be on TV, radio or any other form of media, you say “Yes Please”. Today was just my normal day of busy with a topping of crazy. Then, at midday, I was asked if I could help the regional news with a story. I hummed for a couple of seconds and then said “Yup!”

First of all, sitting down with the local news outlets (thanks CTV Atlantic News and Steve Murphy) can never hurt. I really, truly believe that we need more perspectives on tourism and service. As such, should someone come knocking on the door, you answer. I will be that voice if asked. Every single time.

Secondly, I have already said that I want to build a tourism/service brand here. TV can never hurt. I’m going to take every single opportunity to speak about these issues, whether it’s my topic of choice or another's.

Finally, it doesn’t matter how busy you are; there are regional service tasks that deserve your time. That is why I’ll be up at 5:30 am tomorrow grading papers and prepping classwork. There was a timely question that they asked my help to answer. I said yes. One day, I will need some timely news coverage and have no doubt that "what goes around, comes around." I’ll give 10 times for each one I draw out.

Now, how do I manage tomorrow. Some of today has spilled over somewhat.

But that, as Hammy Hamster would say, is another story. Right now, I need some sleep.