Student Issues and Advocacy
The AMS External Office deals with issues relating to:
- Tuition and Student Financial Assistance/Student Debt
- the U-Pass and Translink
- Government Relations and Post Secondary Issues
- Municipal, Provincial and Federal Student Associations
- the AMS Equity Program
- Childcare
2008 AMS Municipal Lobby Priorities:
Transit
The current state of transit to and from campus is unacceptable. Students are increasingly experiencing crowded buses and pass-ups, yet are paying more for their U-Passes. Late night service is inadequate and many areas where students live remain unserviced. We are unable to effectively voice our concerns within the Translink’s organizational structure since the UBC-area has no formal representation on the Translink Mayors’ Council.
The AMS calls on Metro Vancouver mayors and councilors to pressure Translink to provide increased service to UBC, to ensure that the U-Pass remains affordable, and to pressure the Province to give UBC representation on the Translink Mayors’ Council.
Housing
There is a housing crisis in Vancouver. For low-income people, such as students, the rental market conditions and the increasing cost of living in Vancouver are making it harder and harder to get by. Students struggle yearly to find affordable housing in a Vancouver market that has an extremely low vacancy rate. High rental prices in Vancouver mean that students are forced to find housing further away from campus, increasing their commute time and negatively affecting their university experience.
The AMS calls on Metro Vancouver mayors and councilors and UBC to improve student accessibility to housing that is affordable, immediately.
Governance
As the UBC campus becomes home to more and more residents unaffiliated with the University, students’ voices are becoming increasingly ignored by the administration. The Board of Governors exercises absolute authority over the decision-making process and acts as both the land owner and developer with minimal input from students. Students are not being represented fairly – it’s time for a change.
The AMS calls on the City of Vancouver and UBC to undergo a governance review process with meaningful consultation with students.
Childcare
Throughout the city, childcare facilities are at-capacity. At UBC, many qualified students are not able to pursue their education because user-fees for on-campus childcareare as high as $1080, per child, per month, and the waitlist for enrolment is over 3 years long.
We need our municipal governments to stand up for children and their families, and commit to expanding childcare spaces in the city.