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Returning photography students say the program's resources are adequate for about 25 people. So far, there are 16 second-year students, 14 first-year students, and possibly four more students on their way. The supply of certain equipment used by all students, such as medium format cameras, light meters and even chairs, is short. Second-year students have a begun a petition to remedy the situation. College registrar Sylvia Poirier says it's quite common for students to confirm they're coming by paying their $100 confirmation fee, and then for whatever reasons, whether financial, personal or otherwise, do not come in September. "Now, what happens this year is that they followed that practice in photography, and everybody came," Poirier says. "It says a lot for the quality of the program, but there are probably some major inconveniences for the students and the instructor," Poirier says. Poirier says discussions are currently taking place to ensure the students continue to have an acceptable level of access to the resources required in the program. "We still want to deliver the same quality program, and not drive the instructor around the bend in the process," Poirier says. Both second and first-year photography students are understandably upset by the comparatively-cramped quarters they face this year. "When it comes to crunch time, it will be very hard to get things completed. When we all have the same projects due on the same date, tensions will get high," says second-year student David Reay. Other second-year students agree with Reay. "All equipment and supplies are going to be short, our time in the studios is going to be short. A couple of people had to sit on the floor. It's a dismal situation," Glenn Piercy says. "Even our lockers are overcrowded," says Charity Fitzgerald. "The locker situation just shows how every aspect of our department is overcrowded and over-utilized," Fitzgerald says. Pam Bernard says even coming in to the college on weekends and evenings will not be enough. "We wanted to sneak in and stay overnight to get a chance to use the equipment," Bernard jokes. First-year student Vickie Pavlovic was surprised to find out the program had so many people this year, but offers an intriguing solution to the overcrowding problem. "Our tuition should go down if we have to buy more equipment," Pavlovic says. "I'll probably be more upset when we're all looking for the same camera at the same time," Pavlovic adds.
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