As for the letter that our Chinese student want to send to the Board of Director, I think we should change the phrase "American Indian nations" to the more correct 'Aboriginal nations'. ( American Indians live in the USA.)
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The Board of Directors,
As English program students of UQO, we are paying great attention to the upcoming decision you shall be making in the next month, a decision which determines the future of all the English programs in our university. This decision may invariably close the doors on many prospective students who are very much attracted to the unique English programs of study offered by this university. Therefore, we would like to express our viewpoints on this matter to you respected and honorable board of directors.
Situated in the heart of Outaouais characterized with two rich and vibrant cultures, UQO is the only totally Francophone university in the nation capital region. The English programs of UQO are just a small part of its whole academic services while playing a very important role in developing resources for the Outaouais region and Canada as a whole. All the English programs help to provide a platform that not only extend academic influence for UQO nationally as well as internationally but also benefit English-speaking Quebecers and students from other provinces and countries and thereby giving the university a whole new international outlook. Some of its program, like PMP, can boast its uniqueness in Canada. Keeping the English programs will definitely give UQO a wider range of recognition and increase the chances for international exchanges so as to meet the needs and vision of UQO itself.
Québec is a pluralist society. The French-speaking majority coexists with an English-speaking minority, aboriginal nations and people of various origins and cultures that have come from other parts of the world, as such the growing diversity of its population cannot be ignored. The Government of Québec deems this diversity to be a source of great wealth. Cultural exchanges and the integration of all communities are encouraged. As Quebecers, we have every reason to preserve and promote French and respect French as the common symbol of belonging to Québec society. At the same time, we have every reason to believe that the existence of English programs in UQO will never become the threats to any other existing French programs. Terminating English program for language purification will only serve to kill the spirit of diversity, global integration and worldwide recognition which Quebec deserves to have. The only thing left is rumor and tension.
We question ourselves repeatedly why we cannot hold ourselves together in the same campus while we can hold ourselves together as a nation regardless of the languages you speak. Language should never become the barrier to deprive us of educational rights and association; Language should become the bridge to foster mutual understanding and appreciation. We all have a dream, a dream that no matter what you speak, French or English, the linguafranca used in our beautiful campus should be trust, tolerance and understanding.
Our dream is in your hands, respected and honorable board of directors, as English program students, we humbly yet strongly ask every member of you to have a careful consideration before making any decisions. We believe in your wisdom and courage. We respect any of your final decision but only one can fulfill our dreams and aspirations and bring a more prosperous future for our beloved university.
