Letters to the Editor
UMSU ignores students
“They can’t deny a student who is a member of a student union to vote,” Lucy Watson, the organizing director for CFS, was quoted as saying in the recent Manitoban article “CFS referendum campaign begins” (02/11/2005).
As a fourth-year medical student currently on rotation in Churchill, Manitoba, I was recently informed that I will not be given the opportunity to voice my opinion in the decision to join the CFS. Apparently, according to the faculty of medicine UMSU representative, it was just too much work to organize voting at different campus sites, let alone provide for proxy voting.
In my opinion, this is yet another example of how UMSU disregards the voice of many students, particularly those enrolled off the Fort Garry campus. Clearly, I should consider the payment of my mandatory student fees to be the equivalent of a gift to UMSU, as I do not seem to receive the same services and opportunities as many Fort Garry campus students.
Ultimately, I suppose having the opportunity to voice my opinion regarding joining CFS would be a futile endeavour, as this is likely just yet another organization that will ignore and devalue my point of view.
Keleigh James
Graduates deserve a say in UMSU decisions
In the November 10 editorial “Referendum procedures a cause for concern,” Regan Sarmatiuk states that allowing graduate students to vote in the CFS referendum was a “highly suspect” practice and suggests that UMSU’s bylaws should have somehow prevented this from being allowed.
In a relationship that differs from that at many other universities in Canada, graduate students at the University of Manitoba are currently fee-paying members of UMSU and are recognized as such by both the University of Manitoba and UMSU bylaws. According to UMSU’s bylaws (and fundamental democratic practice) all members of the Union are eligible to vote in any referendum held. Rather, it would seem that disenfranchising one subset of UMSU’s membership would be a more accurate example of a highly suspect practice or “cause for concern.”
Although graduate students have been members of the CFS since 2001, UMSU’s membership will still impact us. By way of example, graduate students participate in the health and dental plan administered through UMSU. The recent move to the National Student Health Network, a service of the CFS, has already saved students, graduate and undergraduate, over $370,000. Now, as members, UMSU, and thus graduate students, will have decision making power in the network.
GSA autonomy has been a topic of discussion for years and continues to be a priority for the Graduate Students’ Association. However, until this can be implemented, graduate students will continue to be full, fee-paying members of UMSU and are entitled to the same right to participate in decision making as are other members.
Having members of UMSU as members of the CFS strengthens students’ voices provincially and nationally. United, we can more effectively advance our common goals regarding quality of and access to post-secondary education. We at Local 96 are thrilled that members of UMSU share this sentiment with us, and we look forward to working together through the same national and provincial student organization.
Meghan Gallant,
President University of Manitoba Graduate Students’ Association
CFS Local 96
Dear Editor,
It was a pleasure to read Sarah Jones’ article on oral contraceptives (Is it in you? Should it be?, 02/11/2005), drug marketing and drug safety concerns. She understands well that no medication comes without side-effects and risks, and that any medication, even oral contraceptives, should be assessed (weigh benefits vs. risks) in that light.
However, there is more reason to be particularly concerned about the drug Diane-35 than even Ms. Jones relates.
As she notes, Diane-35 has been aggressively marketed to university women with the implication that it can be used as a birth control pill and/or a mild acne medication. However, Diane-35 has never been approved in Canada for use as a birth control pill.
In fact, Diane-35 has only been approved in Canada for restricted use for the treatment of severe acne in women who have failed to respond to other acne treatments and who also have signs of hormonal imbalance.
Diane-35 also has serious potential health risks associated with it. Health Canada has already issued two safety warnings for Diane-35, in both cases stating that Diane-35 carries an increased risk of potentially fatal blood clots compared to other similar hormonal combinations, and that it should not be used just for birth control.
Other risks include a possible association with liver toxicity and changes to liver cell DNA for those who use it. A potential link to liver cancer remains an open question. There are at least six reported deaths of young women in Canada for which Diane-35 was the suspected cause.
For more information on the health risks associated with Diane-35, and the Health Canada safety warning on this medication, see the detailed October 2004 article by Dr. Barbara Mintzes entitled, “Drug regulatory failure in Canada: The case of Diane-35.”
Sincerely,
Kathleen O’Grady
Director of Communications
Canadian Women’s Health Network
The power of witches
I wish to tell you of my appreciation for your article on witches (The power of witches, 02/11/2005). For the most part, the article presented the modern wica movement in a fair light. However, as a Gardnerian (following the tradition of Gerald Gardner) High Priestess since l982, I felt that some of what was written is incorrect.
Gardner was indeed initiated by a group of elder witches in England in the late l940s and, according to two of the High Priestesses he worked with over the years, he only filled in missing areas of the rituals with material from other sources he researched to give it more substance. Since the elder witches were dying out, he wanted to ensure the English tradition would survive with a strong structure and ritual. He was aided by Doreen Valiente at one point.
However, for your information, much earlier in the late 1800s, Leland’s material and interviews with Italian witches became the basis for his classic book Aradia.
Witches are interesting and sometimes powerful even now. However glamorous it may seem, to be an empowered witch takes much learning and self-knowledge, along with humility and self-discipline. And contrary to the witch trials, men are witches too, not to be called warlocks.
May the Goddess of Life and the Lord of Nature bless you.
