2 THE VOICE, THURSDAY MARCH 14, 2013 EDITOR KEVIN HAMPSON ews & features SPR NGIS IN THE CAMPUS Al ote Gg & BRIAN HORSTEAD photo Blooming crocuses herald an early spring near Langara even though the equinox is still a week away. Last week Environment Canada predicted a cooler-than-average spring for British Columbia. No $1-million cut, says admin College ‘will not be affected’ by province’s $46-million education cut By KELC] NICODEMUS ampus rumour has it that a $1-million budget cut is looming for Langara’s 2018-14 fiscal year, but the college administration said these rumours are false. The provincial government’s budget, released last month, marked $46 mil- lion to be cut from advanced education over three years. Barry Coulson, asso- ciate vice-president of administration and finance, said the college “will not be affected whatsoever” by the cut be- cause the college has already planned for savings. “We have budgeted for a one per cent reduction in the operating grant from the previous fiscal year, but this amount has not been confirmed,” Coul- son said in an email. However, the one per cent reduction would only amount to $400,000, according to Coulson. The reduction would ensure the col- lege would not be affected by the prov- ince’s planned $46-million cut to ad- vanced education, said Coulson. Political science instructor Peter Prontzos said the rumour that the col- lege will lose $1 million in funding is plausible, though he hasn’t heard it. The college’s planned $400,000 spending reduction came out of a study, funded by the provincial gov- ernment, aimed at finding ways to save costs for post-secondary institu- tions by making changes to adminis- trative services. The study aims at cutting the cost of supplies; for example, by switching to cheaper brands and buying in bulk. The college plans to join with other col- leges to buy larger quantities of sup- plies to receive better deals, Coul- son said. Prontzos said he “would be — sur- prised” if these savings in admin- istrative costs will cover the potential reduction in funds. Further, the col- lege has yet to re- ceive confirmation of the 2018-14 pro- vineial budget. Coulson said the ad- ministration doesn’t know when this will be because of the upcoming elec- tion May 14. For more information on the Post- Secondary Sector Administrative Ser- vice Delivery Transformation Project visit the provincial website. PETER PRONTZOS Langara political science instructor BUDGET highlights vanced education over three years HM 21.-per-cent income tax hike for people earning more than $150,000 a year HM Four per cent increase in Medical Services Plan premiums starting in 2014 ME Health care spend- ing will increase 3.2 per cent per year over three years Need a job? Check out on-campus event today Employment day gives a glimpse of job prospects in a shrinking economy By JACQUELINE LANGEN plore a variety of future career op- tions today at Langara’s annual Student Employment Day. The event gives students the oppor- tunity to connect with prospective em- ployers and find out what kind of jobs and internships are up for grabs. “It’s a great way for students to find out what future employers are looking for when they’re hiring,” said co-opera- tive education chairman Kevin Rolston. With limited career opportunities and a shrinking economy, finding a ca- reer can be difficult. More than one- third of Canadian college and univer- sity graduates between 25 and 29 are working in low-skilled jobs, according to the Organization for Economic Co- operation and Development. Second year arts and science stu- dent Dustin Innes says gaining knowl- edge about future employment is im- portant. “Work experience and acquiring first-hand information about our inter- ests is essential to understanding what will make us happy in the long run,” said Innes. Corporate, government and non- profit sectors are at the event today. Over 15 exhibitors are attending, in- cluding the Vancouver Police Depart- ment, Nannies on Call, the Vancouver Aquarium Marine Science Centre and TD Canada Trust. “We try to mix the options up so that there is something of interest for ev- eryone,” said Rolston. Employment Day gives students the ability to plan long term and learn what skills to develop while in school. Students are encouraged to introduce themselves and network with the rep- resentatives in main foyer of Building A. “Explore, learn, and ask the ques- tions you want to ask,” said Rolston. An HR panel session starts at 2:30 p.m. with representatives from Telus, Ranstad and the Langara HR depart- ment explaining the dos and don’ts of job interviews. Si: have the chance to ex- tudents should beware of f March is fraud pre- vention month, a good time for to learn about increas- ingly clever tricks scammers use to steal your hard- earned money By MARIE-ANDREE DEL CID any people don’t believe it Mi: happen to them. But thousands of Canadians fall victim to fraud every year, as scam- mers develop increasingly sophisti- cated ways to trick people of all ages. March is fraud prevention month, when private and public organiza- tions fight against fraud by raising public awareness. Langara Off-Campus Housing 101 is a service helps students find hous- ing and warns them about fraud. “On our website, we have a scam and fraud information section. So we list a few types of common scams and fraud that people can read to see what to look out for,” said Mackenzie Gooch, administrator for off-campus housing. Gooch also actively keeps watch for scammers. “We go through a listing to try and make sure they aren’t scam listings. And we'll go through them to make sure the contact information is an ac- tual person and that it’s not a scam account.” International students may be more vulnerable to scams, Gooch added. “International students] might be a little more desperate to find quick housing at a cheap price. “So they will contact someone by email and that’s usually how the scam works—by email; they usually won’t contact anybody over the phone,” Gooch said. Scams can originate by mail, tele- phone, text, email or online. Fraud- sters usually present themselves in the most professional manner and exhibit great interpersonal skills. They usually pretend to be affiliat- ed with the government, businesses, or charities requesting advance de- posits and threatening to take legal action if a person does not follow through with the requests. raud, experts warn DON HANKINS image Old folks aren’t the only ones who fail victim to scams; students are vulner- able to fraudsters too, says Langara’s off-campus housing administrator.