Tuition waived for Education equity course

Posted December 09, 1997


FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - Monday, December 8, 1997
97-12-03-ED

Tuition waived for education equity course

It?s not often that a university waives tuition for its students. The
University of Saskatchewan has decided to take this unusual step to
demonstrate its commitment to education equity. The University will
absorb the cost of tuition, about $300, for students who enroll in a
three-credit Education Equity course which runs from January to April 1998.

Education equity refers to the elimination of barriers which prevent people
from reaching their full learning potential. At present, the Saskatchewan
Human Rights Commission identifies Aboriginal people, persons with
disabilities, visible minorities, and women as those who have not enjoyed
education equity at the post-secondary level. The University has tried to
make the education equity course as accessible as possible, both by
absorbing the cost of tuition and by scheduling the course at a time less
likely to conflict with a job or other courses. The course will take place
Thursdays, 5:00 to 7:30 p.m.

Susan Vincent was appointed for a one-year term to coordinate the one-
time course and an education equity symposium, to be held in March
1998. The course and the symposium are part of the University of
Saskatchewan?s 90th anniversary celebrations.

Vincent says members of the community at large are encouraged to enrol
for the course. Of the 90 seats available in the class, 35 have been set
aside for people who are not currently enrolled as students at the
University of Saskatchewan.

The course is titled Special Topics: Issues in Education Equity (INTST
298.3). Those taking the class for credit must complete two term papers
and write a final exam. Others can simply audit the class, which means
they will not be required to write the term papers or exam but will also
not receive credit for the course.

The course is team-taught. Instructors include Vincent; Larry Gauthier,
director of the Aboriginal Students Center; Carole Pond, coordinator of
Discrimination and Harassment Prevention Services; Louise Forsyth,
professor of Women?s and Gender Studies and Languages and
Linguistics and former Dean of Graduate Studies and Research; Karla
Jessen Williamson, lecturer in Education; Diana Relke, professor of
Women?s and Gender Studies; Inger Anderson, Ph.D. student in
Sociology; Heather Kuttai, director of Services for Students with
Disabilities; Ivan Wilson, minister, Knox United Church; Lorraine Cathro,
former advisor to the President on the Status of Women; Vera Pezer,
associate vice-president (Student Affairs and Services); Jan Niekamp,
program assistant with the Employee Assistance Program; Lesley
McBain, sessional lecturer; and Lea Pennock, assistant registrar in
enrolment services.

The education equity course would be of special interest to those working
in the education field or in human resource development, and those
interested in equity issues. Anyone wanting to learn more about the
course is invited to contact Vincent at 966-4269.

In 1996, the University of Saskatchewan approved a report on education
equity which identified seven essential elements. These include
recruitment, admission, and retention of students from the designated
target groups; instruction and curriculum; monitoring and ongoing
evaluation; continuing education of faculty, staff and students; and
financial support for education equity.

For more information, please contact:

Dr. Susan Vincent
Education Equity Coordinator
University of Saskatchewan
Phone: (306) 966-4269
E-mail: vincents@duke.usask.ca