Top Ten

Cushion causes Laurier rez fire

A couch cushion jammed into a sixth-floor lounge fridge at Wilfrid Laurier University's King Street residence was ignited by heat from the fridge's light bulb Saturday morning, resulting in $150,000 damage -- mainly caused by the sprinkler system. A faulty alarm system caused some confusion during the emergency. 12 students and 2 residence dons have been relocated temporarily to a nearby hotel. The Cord Weekly (student newspaper)

Helicopter parents cum laude

As the Millennial generation starts to graduate PSE and enter the workforce, their over-protective parents still aren't cutting the apron-strings. GenY's parents are showing a higher level of involvement in their children's career efforts -- from handing out their children's resumes at career fairs and accompanying them to job interviews, to making follow-up calls for interview feedback when kids don't make the cut.  This hyper-involved, hovering behaviour ("helicopter parenting") emerged on the scene with the freshmen of 2002.  Students don't seem to mind, with national and provincial surveys reporting that parents are highly influential (1st or 2nd) to students preparing for careers.  The Globe & Mail

Armed Forces target med students

One year's tuition at a Canadian medical school will cost students between $10,000 and $17,000.  Applicants who have the marks, but not the financial resources, often turn to the Armed Forces -- where not only is their tuition fully covered, but they receive an annual salary and potentially some very attractive bonuses as well. Students must guarantee four years service to the military, beginning at the end of their education.  The Armed Forces recently broadened their eligibility to first-year med students to meet staffing needs in Afghanistan .  To compete with the rewards of private practice, military medical salaries have been increased, hiring has been tripled, and students are refunded for any tuition they had paid prior to joining the forces.  The Toronto Sun