Daily Bulletin

UW Falun Gong members stand firm

But the UW master's student in chemistry is convinced her mother has been influenced by Chinese government propaganda against the sect, and is determined to continue her Falun Gong activities, as well as her efforts against repression of practitioners of the meditation group in China.

In recent weeks, the Chinese government has cracked down on the movement, charging the group is subversive and a threat to the Communist Party, and imprisoning thousands of Falun Gong followers.

Zhenhua He, Yin's husband and a PhD student in chemistry at Waterloo, was a member of the Communist Party in China before coming to Canada, and still identifies himself as a communist. He sees no conflict between his association with Falun Gong and his communist sympathies. He and Yin have decided to speak up about their beliefs in an effort to "call for the support and understanding of people of goodwill at UW," and to spread the word that the group is "no threat to the Chinese government."

Yin, He and Qiang Li, also a PhD student in chemistry, joined other Falun Gong members from across Canada at the recent protest in Ottawa against the Chinese government's actions.

Li says he was angry and "hated the government" after the Tiananmen Square massacre 10 years ago. As a hospital volunteer, he saw first-hand the brutal response to the democracy demonstration. But practicing Falun Gong for the past two years has "changed my mind and broadened my heart," he explained.

"Now I don't think we should hate anybody." Falun Gong has brought peace to his marriage through the practice of "benevolence and forbearance," and he's convinced the same thing can happen between followers of Falun Gong and the Chinese government. "The problems are just caused by misunderstanding," he believes. "We intend no harm to society or government."

Yin and He were among the original organizers of the Falun Gong group at UW in 1998, and have taught Falun Gong -- also known as Falun Dafa -- classes as part of the UW campus recreation program.

The practice has been compared with Tai Chi and yoga, which have similar concerns with improving health through exercise and meditation, but Yin believes Falun Gong's emphasis on "being a good person" sets it apart. "We are not interested in politics," she says.

Falun Gong activities are all free of charge, says Yin, with no payment for membership, no registration, and very little organization. Practitioners use video tapes to learn the exercises, and practice sessions for some 15 participants are held on Saturday and Sunday afternoons in Waterloo Park. "Everyone is welcome," she adds.

Co-op students earn $83 million

Among the other statistics offered:

• "12,000 representatives of hiring firms and organizations deal with" CECS.
• "In a four week period during fall 1998, CECS processed over 40,000 resumé packages."
• "During the 20 days of the Initial Interview Period for fall 1998, 12,086 interviews were held."
• "In 1998, employers consumed 5,802 cups of coffee while interviewing on campus."
• "Field Coordinators travelled 401,000 km visiting students and employers in 1998."

The brochure also traces the history of co-op at Waterloo, starting with 74 engineering students in 1957. Those original students earned average work term salaries of $60 to $70 a week in 1958, it says. Science joined the co-op program in 1963 (with 19 students, compared to 907 in co-op science today), mathematics in 1964, applied health sciences and environmental studies in 1967, and arts in 1975.

"Co-op at Waterloo is poised," the brochure tells employers, "to take advantage of the new economy that is rapidly emerging by creating programs which focus not only on traditional but also evolving fields, such as the Science & Business and Environmental Engineering programs."

...and get stock options
-- by Amber Christie for the UW co-op and career services department

JTC has implemented a policy whereby co-op students who perform exceptionally during their work term receive company stock options. The shares mature while the students are in school, and may be "cashed-in" contingent upon the students accepting full-time employment with JTC after graduation.

Dan Pronovost, Director of Development, has a "profound respect for the co-op program" and believes there is no better way to achieve growth than with co-op. Pronovost, a UW co-op grad himself, had hired co-op students for years with his prior employer, and within one year of business, JTC engaged in the co-op process. Pronovost, who treats his co-op students the same as full-time employees, says "give them (students) a chance and they'll shine for you."

Edward Lam and Joanne McKinley rose to the occasion last term when they worked as software developers, designing and implementing exciting new software for the company. Edward and Joanne were the first co-op students to work for JTC and the first to receive stock options. Both students are returning this spring to complete their final work term, when they will have the opportunity to earn additional stocks.

"It's a dream of all university grads to have a job when you're done," says Joanne. "Having stock options is a real bonus," comments Edward.

Both students were impressed by the stock option program, but were even more impressed with the treatment they received at JTC and its positive team environment.

Says Edward, "You feel more motivated because they respect and trust you, making you feel important. The stock options are a symbol; they show how the company treats you."

Barbara Elve
bmelve@uwaterloo.ca

Editor of the Daily Bulletin: Chris Redmond
Information and Public Affairs, University of Waterloo
credmond@uwaterloo.ca | (519) 888-4567 ext. 3004
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Copyright © 1999 University of Waterloo