Capilano students were looking for love at the provincial legislature on Vale-ntine's Day, asking politicians to address their concerns with post-secondary funding.
The Capilano Students Union (CSU) has been working since 2010 to unite various student societies across the province. They boasted a representation of 160,000 students across B.C. when they distributed Valentine cards to legislators in Victoria Feb. 14.
"We're looking at three issues and those are generally core institutional funding provided to colleges and universities, as well as the need for a front-end, non-repayable grants program," said CSU chair David Clarkson. "Our other hope is to have interest eliminated from student loans."
The representatives said they delivered some 5,000 signed Valentine cards to the legislature and met with both the Liberals and the New Democrats to share their vision of a brighter future in post-secondary education.
A growing partnership with other student groups representing institutions across B.C. makes them the largest student society in the province, said Teresa Grant, an organizer of the campaign and CSU representative.
According to her, their recommendations, affectionately delivered, have been generally well received.
"It's a two-way street in terms of dialogue with the government. We're really trying to work together and not telling them what to do," she said. "It's really respectful and open."
Grant said she hoped that their presence at the legislature, which was one week before the release of the 2012 budget (see story page 6), would serve as a formal introduction to what could be B.C.'s largest student lobby group.
Representatives spent two days in Victoria, networking with MLAs and pushing their core principles.
Grant said visits were also made to the Sechelt campus and that students on the Coast can help by signing cards and distributing posters.
"I think students are responding really great," she said.
Powell River - Sunshine Coast NDP MLA Nicholas Simons said that it's important for government to champion the cause of students.
"This is a sector that requires careful government attention," he said. "Student debt load has ballooned in the last seven years and tuition fees have basically skyrocketed. That's going to hurt for a long time."
