Students vote to increase clubs fees in SAC referendum; 382 clubs to get $300,000

The referendum to increase SAC fees by $3.82 was passed by U of T’s students, with 63.8 per cent voting yes. The online vote took place on ROSI on October 12, 13 and 14 and a total of 2,224 students participated. The extra $3.82 per student will generate an extra $300,000 for the university’s 382 registered clubs.

“The fee increase for our campus clubs is a long term, responsible approach to improving campus life and investing in our community,” said Paul Bretscher, president of SAC in a statement.

“We intend to consult with the clubs in January on the new services they would like to see implemented for the 2006-2007 year,” said Samson Romero, SAC vice-president of campus life, adding that liability insurance for events was at the top of many clubs’ list of funding priorities.

  • Nicole Lavigne

Audience soaks up Buddhist message at Earth Sciences Centre conference

Professor Mark Epstein’s lecture “Exploring the Mind: Buddhist and Scientific Approaches to Mental Health” attracted a crowd of several hundred to the Earth Sciences Centre last Friday.

“It’s not what we are feeling that’s important but how we relate to it that matters,” explained Epstein, who has been practicing meditation for over 30 years. The lecture was part of the Exploring the Mind conference, which seeks to raise the profile of Buddhist studies at U of T and to encourage an interdisciplinary approach to the study of the Buddhist tradition. The university currently offers major programs in Buddhist studies through the religion and East Asian studies department, but students argue that the creation of a Buddhist centre would provide infrastructure and much-needed resources.

  • Leah Stokes

Juried Student Shorts film festival will raise profile of student cinema

Toronto-based film festival Student Shorts will hit Innis College this weekend, screening films made by post-secondary students from around the world and representing every genre.

Now in its fifth year, the fest was established in 2001 by three film students from Ryerson University who felt that there was not enough industry support for young film graduates.

This year’s distinguished jury includes Toronto International Film Festival’s Myrocia Watamaniuk, Bravo!FACT and MaxFACT’s Judy Gladstone, National Film Board of Canada’s Silva Basmanjin and Toronto-based documentary film maker Lalita Krishna.

Student Shorts will take place October 21 and 22 at Innis Town Hall. Visit www.endlessfilms.com/shorts.htm for more information on ticket prices and screening time.

  • Nicole Lavigne and Benedetta Lamanna