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Show Above The Border Student Rights: A Threat? By JEANNETTE BROWN VANCOUVER, Brit. Col. There is no escape from maladjusted and indifferent administration (i.e., the University of Utah). The values of leadership at the University of British Columbia are the same ones afflicting the University of Utah the officials will leave students alone as long as students don't conflict with the business interests; the current student government govern-ment is ineffective at talking with the officials and relating to student problems; the faculty is almost unheard of; and the students are the center of little, if any, concern. The brain-drain of American youth to Canadian cities and universities is deeply felt in Vancouver. The Americans here are almost apologetic about being from "south of the border," although Canadians take in stride the increasing number of escapees. They are no longer surprised by the hopeful smiles of many disillusioned people seeking the ideals and values promised in "the land of the free." Contagious Cynicism And, for what it's worth, American students have influenced the free-thinking Canadians and their lives more than most care to admit . . . because the same promises, the same values are being spoken but not practiced in Canada either. The Americans see the same farce being promoted in Canada's cities and universities and, now, the Canadian students are seeing it, too. Student power is taking hold and becoming as much a threat to the Canadian establishment as it is in America. On the Surface The University of British Columbia, on the surface, enjoys more freedom than the University of Utah. Underground movies and newspapers have no trouble appearing on campus. Speakers such as Paul Boutelle, a Black Power leader, and other open crtics of American Amer-ican policies are frequent. Students, in the main, seem well-informed and equally critical of American war oolicies. They seem to be more open-minded concerning con-cerning everything from religion to obscene language. And yet, they are also more complacent. As one student remarked, "Of course we have the freedom to say what we want, because our opinions have no effect on anything. Canada is not involved; therefore, we can be." But that student is now finding non-involvement fading fad-ing student power is becoming the voice. And, just like the University of Utah, students are attempting attemp-ting to effect change. Right now, University of British Columbia students are electing studentbody officers. But the current student government has blatantly interpreted the student stu-dent constitution first strictly, and then loosely, in the short span of one week; in an attempt to keep the favorite candidate from being elected. The candidate, Stan Persky, and the candidate most likely to become his vice-president, are both Americans. Their platforms plat-forms are simple: "A change from the emptiness of our student government to one that is direct and personal." per-sonal." They refuse to set up a public relations committee com-mittee or numerous other committees to relate to the administration and to downtown and to the students as John Kesler is doing. They have promised to omit bureaucracy and to change the constitution so that it can not be interpreted at the whim of those in power. No Such Tiling Neither the provincial government nor the administration admin-istration have overtly pressured anyone, excluding the present student government's action. But they are afraid of student power, which has been promised by Persky. In fact, universities across Canada are as much afraid of student power as are those in the United States. A commitee of university presidents met in January and flatly said, "There is no such thing as a student right to representation in university government." govern-ment." Why Educate? At the same time, a Toronto newsman warned his readers that "If student power ever gets control and takes over a university, students might use it for their own ends and not the country's ends." The youth of America and Canada are fighting for their right to be free of the establishment the businessmen busi-nessmen who say a college education is merely a tool for making more money, not for thinking. Some students would rather think. And those, at the University of British Columbia, are demanding' the right to do so. |