URSU goes old school to give students new voice

After an extra long break, our class finally got back in the Ink groove.

Today's story is about the University of Regina's student's Union (URSU) and their latest campaign stunt. (I'll give you a hint, it involves mass faxes)

They've been running an aggressive student issue campaign since the election was called and they're going to keep doing so until the election. When I spoke with Paige Kezima, URSU's VP of external affairs, she told me how URSU really wants to battle student apathy by getting students informed about election issues.

URSU has put together a list of five areas they believe need to be addressed:
1. Housing
2. Tuition costs
3. Day care availability
4. Aboriginal education
5. Student votes

Unlike tradition party campaigns, URSU has really tried to engage young people. Last week they held a memorial for democracy as a way to raise awareness about low voter turn out rates, and next week they're hosting a karaoke for students and candidates at The Owl.

I spoke to a lot of students around the school, many of whom said they didn't know a whole lot about the election. Those who did raised some great points. One first-year political science student questioned how effective a four year tuition freeze would really be. What about everyone who comes after? He asked.

Another student raised a point about housing. His rent was raised so high that he eventually had to move out, and once he did, he couldn't find anywhere affordable to live in Regina, and was forced to move to Lumsden.

Unfortunately, I didn't have room for all of that in my story. But I'm glad I could share them here.

This is a short piece that concentrates on the issues of the cost of education and the dangers of student debt, a topic I'm sure many students here at the U of R can relate to.

Check it out:

Students send mass faxes to NDP and Sask Party