Darrell Greer
Northern News Services

Rankin Inlet (Oct 16/02) - Anne-Rose Friesen of Rankin Inlet is spending a lot of time gaining recognition for the management studies student council at Nunavut Arctic College's Kivalliq campus.

The council is involved with fundraisers aimed at sending a number of management studies students on an exchange trip to a foreign country.

Friesen says course instructors have suggested Asia for the trip, but the final destination is still undecided.

"How many students we're actually able to send will depend on the funds we're able to raise," says Friesen.

"A trip like this would be an experience we could relate to our studies in how a foreign country conducts business and also understanding its culture better."

Friesen says student council will accept any monetary donation for the trip, and would also appreciate any information on funding programs it may be able to access.

In addition to donations, council members and course participants are trying to raise funds by holding bingos and planning a blues coffee house and an adult dance.

"We'd appreciate anyone who could donate coffee, sugar, whitener, anything like that to us.

"We're also battling a rumour that we're only raising money to get jackets for second-year students and that's not true.

"Both first- and second-year students will benefit from any funds we raise."

Friesen says council is also tackling a number of other issues this year.

She says council members actively encourage students to stay in school and talk to other people in the community about continuing on with their education.

Many students are also finding it hard to eat properly on $45 per day for their meals.

Friesen says students often have to battle a stigma attached to their meal claims.

"We're tired of being treated like second-class citizens in a restaurant because we can't order big meals.

"The service is slow and the students' menu is like something you would give to kids. Too much of our diet is comprised of hamburgers and hot dogs because that's all we can afford.

"We're going to continue lobbying to get our meal per diem increased to at least $75 a day."