te FOfturi Around Campus ht Places you can go in the CNC neighbourhood Wy byJolene Brisbois Sometimes being at the college can feel repetitious. You go down the same halls for class, drink the same coffee or tea from the cafeteria, and study in the same uncomfortable chairs. However, it doesn't have to be like that. I have recently discovered some fabulous little shops within walking distance of the college that will shake up those boredom blues. The first shop is Stones Coffee in the Massey Centre. This is the little coffee shop that could. The dark, monotone walls and chrome accents give the shop excellent atmosphere. The chairs are comfortable, and the coffee is great. With soft background music that is unobtrusive, Stones Coffee is a perfect place to study. They serve up a host of sandwiches, snacks and desserts to go with your beverage if you are feeling peckish. Oh, and the bathroom is to die for. Really. Stones Coffee also offers coffee deals for CNC and UNBC students, so this is definitely a student friendly coffee shop. Another coffee shop close to CNC is the new Starbucks on 15th Ave. and Central. Featuring new design elements including a large open interior with lots of natural lighting, plenty of seating and a heated outdoor patio this Starbucks is ideal for students looking to relax and enjoy some fabulous coffee. Starbucks has also added wireless Internet to their stores, providing laptop users with more perks in addition to a caffeine buzz. Go clubbing CNC Style! Campus club opportunities from your Students' Association by Rob Mealey The CNC experience isn't just the courses you take - it also involves meeting new people and getting involved in the campus community! While some choose to be more political and get involved in their students' union, others turn to campus clubs. "Each year a number of clubs are formed by CNC students," said Jessica Welygan, Internal Affairs Coordinator for the CNC Students' Association and the person responsible for club issues. "Some, such as the CNC Criminology Club, are connected to specific programmes but non-academic clubs are formed too. Since clubs are open to all CNC students there are a lot of great opportunities to get involved!" Welygan noted that the Students' Association is here to help members set up clubs. "If any member wanted to start a club but doesn't know how, we have some information at the Students' Association office that can help. We offer clubs Official Recognition, which isn't mandatory but among other things makes it easier to book rooms for meetings and hold events on campus." In addition to Official Recog nition, the Students' Association also provides funding to clubs. "In addition to our other Services for Students, By Students we also offer elgible clubs what we call the Basic Operating Grant and Matching Grants," said Justin Simon, Treasurer. "These funding grants can be used to kick off fundraising or hold events for club members." Currently the clubs Officially Recognized for 2005-2006 include the Criminology, Forest Resource Technology and "Playful Minds" (Early Childhood Education). The deadline for all campus clubs to apply for official recognition and funding is January 31st. For more information and copies of funding application forms stop by your Students' Association office in Room 1-201 by the Cafeteria on the Prince George campus or visit www.cncsa.ca today. Have you got an event or story you want to see An unusual place you can go to get out of the college for a while is the best kept secret in town, and it is just around the corner from the college, literally. It is called The Royal Empress' Tea House, and it is located at 1739 Nicholson Centre. The Tea House features a dizzying array of loose-leaf teas; from a variety of black, green and herbal teas blends, to the less known (but no less amazing) Rooibos tea. (Ask Bob, the shop's owner, how to pronounce it). Not only can you choose any of these teas to sip during teatime, you can also purchase the tea, and specialized loose-leaf teapots for at home. If you are feeling particularly British, you can order high tea, and enjoy platefuls of delicious finger sandwiches, biscuits, pastries and desserts. If they day is just to cold to leave the college, oryou are feeling exceptionally lazy, the Students' Association has just opened the student lounge. It is located just outside the cafeteria and has one thing that none of the former shops can boast: a telly. So, wherever you decide to go, take a friend (or a textbook if you have to) and enjoy good conversation (or reading) in an exciting new place. Look in the next issue of Free Forum for places you can go in the CNC neighbourhood: Part II - places to have lunch. Tuition fees review by Justin Simon Well it's that time of year again. It is time for the College Of New Caledonia to start the review process of tuition fees. At the Board of Governors' last public session, a notice of motion (Agenda 20) was brought to the table. It outlines first, the principles the college adopted in 2001 for considering tuition fees; second, the fact that the college decided to not increase tuition for this current school year; and third, how the Ministry Of Advance Education is requesting that colleges do not raise tuition higher than the rate of inflation as provided by the Ministry. It also stated, "During this time the College will also be reviewing other fees charged for materials or services." The principles that the college adopted in 2001 were to remain a competitive college while staying average in tuition fees compared to other colleges within the province. They do not include universities and university colleges in the averaging formula as they feel this would place too much of a financial burden on the students of CNC. The final principle was that they would operate under the BC average for tuition fees, and if the result is a budget shortfall, they will cut expenditures and reduce programs or services to balance the budget. The college certainly felt the effects of the final principle last year when we saw the loss of the Co-Op program and the budget cut for the Volleyball Team. Also, this would be the first year since 2001 , when the tuition freeze was lifted, that the Ministry of Advance Education has put a cap on the amount tuition could be raised. Since 2001 , some institutions have seen up to a 200 increase on their tuition fees alone. But what does that cap mean? The college may have to look elsewhere to make up any shortfalls in their budget, and that place could be the ancillary fees or more cutbacks. Over the next two months, as described in Agenda 20 from the Board Of Governors' Public Session, "the College will seek comments and suggestions from students and College employees regarding the proposed fee increase." So look for your opportunity to speak on this topic. For more information visit your Students' Association Office or visit them online at www.cncsa.ca or go to the Ministry of Advance Education website at www.aved.gov.bc.ca. featured in Free Forum? Let us know! Email cncsncno.bc.ca. JSf v yftM j