Hi All!

For the  Student Affairs Director for ISAY, a large part of the portfolio consists of advocating on behalf of the international student community at York. Part of this advocacy is raising awareness on campus about the kinds of issues international students have to face here at York. With this in mind, ISAY is holding its first year-long series : The Black Mannequin Events!

These events are aimed at raising awareness on the York campus about international student issues, and what ISAY is doing on their behalf so Keep an eye out for them around campus!

1. UHIP

Since 2006, ISAY has been advocating to remove the discriminatory and exploitative “administration” fee charged by York Lanes Medical Centre. As of September 2010, this fee is $15 per visit (this notwithstanding the yearly charge for UHIP itself). 

According to the York Lanes Medical Clinic changes to the UHIP policy has caused them to charge what they call an “administration” fee for all students under UHIP, of which most are international and exchange students. There has been no such change to UHIP's policy. We believe that York Lanes Medical Clinic sees international students as cash cows, using this fee to increase their profit margins.

ISAY is working closely with the York Federation of Students (YFS) to stop this discrimination. The biggest roadblock is lack of awareness; university administration and students do not understand UHIP and many domestic students haven’t heard of it. This has allowed exploitation of international students to continue. ISAY, along with YFS, is saying enough is enough!

As of October 2010, ISAY is advocating a boycott of the York Lanes Medical Centre, and encouraging students to go to any of the many other clinics close to York that don't charge this fee. We aim to show the Medical Centre Administration that international students make up a large percentage of their customers, and that we deserve to be treated like any other York Student. 

Click to learn more about UHIP and locations for alternate clinics.

2. STATUS LETTERS

As of September 2010, York University has instituted a fee for issuing status letters. These are standard letters confirming that you are enrolled and registered for the current academic session or that you are potentially eligible to graduate. The fee for a standard confirmation letter when picked up in person is $12 each. All letters are printed on official letterhead; there is an additional $25 fee if your letter requires an official stamp. 

When printed off the York Website, these letters are free.  We at ISAY feel that this causes undue hardship on international students in particular, who need such letters for things such as arranging overseas wire transfers to pay school fees, or extending study permits. We are currently in talks with York Administration to possibly get a waiver for affected international students. 

3. INTERNATIONAL STUDENT FEES 

Most people aren't aware that International Students pay THREE TIMES as much as the average domestic student. In addition to this, most scholarship programs at York are restricted to Domestic/Canadian students. With this in mind, ISAY has partnered with the CFS-Ontario Drop Fees Campaign. We have been working to make sure that international students are included in the dialogue of Drop Fees.

The DROP FEES Campaign works to drop fees for all students in Ontario – whether domestic, international or exchange. On November 5th students across the province will demonstrate against the high costs of post-secondary education. Come out and send a clear message to the Provincial Government that enough is enough! Through strong advocacy and united voices, we can pressure them to change their course and reduce tuition fees for all!

Learn more about international student fees and why they are so high at the ISAY office 449D Student Centre.

4. ADVOCACY FOR INTERNATIONAL AND EXCHANGE STUDENTS

Having problems and don’t know where to go? Need information about your rights as a student? ISAY is there. Contact the Student Affairs Director, Eve Kachaje via email at studentaffairs@isay.ca  or Facebook through the ISAY website.