Capilano Courier | Vol 55, Issue 8

CAPILANO COURIER

APRIL 2023

VOLUME 55 | ISSUE

MATT SHIPLEY (HE/HIM) Co- Editor in Chief matt@capilanocourier.com

I’m starting to get into the thick of pre-season training for the diving season since spring is (hopefully) almost here. If I’m skipping office hours, I’m probably upside down at the pool.

Q: Describe your role in the Courier in 3 words or less.

A: Oxford Comma Advocate

Q: What song would you add to the staff playlist?

A: The Wind And The Wave - Grand Canyon

Q: You’re having a picnic, what are you bringing?

A: Imported French cheese I stole from my dad’s stash

Q: What movie are you looking forward to coming out?

A: The next Marvel film, so I can make fun of it

Q: Latest risk you’ve taken.

A: [insert trick name here] at the Vancouver Aquatic Centre

Q: Tip for finals.

A: Go outside and get some exercise - it’ll help you more than any textbook

Mass-Producing Euphoria

I grapple often with the idea of happiness. It seems that today, in this age of information and entertainment, happiness has become a farmable commodity. We understand the mechanisms in the brain that produce happiness, and we more or less understand how to create it with the tools at our disposal. As such, it can now be used against us — to create dependency, addiction, even fear. Happiness has become as much a weapon as a tool for healing.

So, what of joy? Of euphoria? Of these deeper emotions not yet intrinsically linked to extraction? How do we break through this digital membrane of falseness and feel true, lasting self-satisfaction? What does it even feel like?

It took me over twenty years to realize that my primary motivator — that which guided my decisions, my friendships and my mental state for my whole life — was shame. And, as an indirect result, I rarely felt satisfied. Every achievement, every project, every mountain was enough to briefly stave off the shame, but still it persisted. I did things not because I wanted to do them, but because I was afraid of what people would think of me if I didn’t. The giants of the Information Age push that motivator to its absolute limits because that’s what makes the most money. Shame drives people to spend more time scrolling, spiraling, caving into the arms of manufactured happiness without ever learning what true joy feels like.

Pure, unbridled joy cannot be manufactured. It combines rare ingredients — passion, work ethic, the drive to love and to be loved, and so much more. It stems from a climb that is spurred neither by shame nor by fear, but by a fire within, one that yearns to grow and to brighten, to lead and to love. It stems from a true commitment to oneself — not to escape a past self or to stave off a present demon, but to look to the future and meet it with open arms.

So come with us. See what the future holds beyond the seemingly impregnable wall of exams and papers ahead. The walls around you are meant to be broken. The mountains around you are meant to be climbed. The people around you, more than anything, want to see you succeed.

As do we.

Hugs,

The Courier Crew

FREYA EMERY (SHE/HER)

Co-Editor in Chief production@capilanocourier.com

Lately my To-Do list has looked like find rental listings, illustrate that one assignment, and GO OUTSIDE! With the sun coming out I’ve been more and more excited to layout in a park with friend and take some time off. Summer will be here before we know it!

Q: Describe your role in the Courier in 3 words or less.

A: Just Checking In

Q: What song would you add to the staff playlist?

A: Here Comes The Hotstepper by Ini Kamoze

Q: You’re having a picnic, what are you bringing?

A: Tzatziki and Garlic Naan Bread

Q: What movie are you looking forward to coming out?

A: A Good Person

Q: Latest risk you’ve taken.

A: Choosing to take three classes over the summer

Q: Tip for finals.

A: Make time for yourself. You deserve it.

You never know what might happen

This past year has gone surprisingly fast! My third year of university comes to a close, and so has the 55th Volume of the Capilano Courier.

Not too long ago, I started with the ‘Courier’ as a Staff Photographer. Just a step up from contributor, I would photograph events on campus or museum exhibitions we were covering. It was my first real job in the creative industry, and I had so much fun learning how to be a photojournalist and work in a publication.

Nine months later, I was asked to take on the role of Art Director/ Production Manager, a big step up for me. I was in shock and felt incredibly humble. I stepped up and did my best, taking on more than I thought I was prepared to handle. I found myself pushing my professional boundaries, meeting new and amazingly talented illustrators, and learning how to manage a team of creatives.

About four months into the job, I was again shocked when I asked to take on the role of Co-Editor-in-Chief with my lovely Co-EIC, Matt. I felt an immense amount of impostor syndrome – but I drew strength from what I had accomplished so far – and I gratefully accepted the position.

The EIC position in a publication like the ‘Courier’ is usually run by someone with exceptional talent and skill in writing… as a dyslexic artist who had a tutor in English growing up, I feel so out of place. Luckily, Matt and I combined forces and tailored our roles to our strengths. As an experienced writer, he took on the role of managing the writing while I managed illustration and design.

With that all to say, I feel immensely honoured for all the trust and support I’ve received along the way. To all creatives who feel lost or like they don’t have a place in the industry, I see you. I was you not long ago. Remember to keep your head high and keep going! Connecting with people while being friendly and genuine will get you far.

So don’t be afraid to apply for that job; who knows where it will take you.

Enjoy your summer, and see you in September!

- Freya

JAYDE ATCHISON (SHE/HER)

Columns & Opinions Editor jayde@capilanocourier.com

I am a woman of simple pleasures – just give me a book, some tea and a fuzzy blanket and I will be happy for however long the book lasts. I am the most content when there is a cat added to the mix, but I sadly don’t live in a pet friendly house.

Q: Describe your role in the Courier in 3 words or less.

A: Worth it

Q: What song would you add to the staff playlist?

A: Season of the Witch by Donovan

Q: You’re having a picnic, what are you bringing?

A: Miss Vickie’s Sour Cream and Caramelized Onion

Q: What movie are you looking forward to coming out?

A: Peter Pan & Wendy

Q: Latest risk you’ve taken.

A: Buying a whole new skincare regime without trying any of the products

Q: Tip for finals.

A: Don’t overdo it, get enough sleep the night before

BRIDGET

If you see someone carrying coffee, a thermos of tea, a water bottle and a notebook—despite having a perfectly functional backpack—that’s probably me. The end of the semester is always a bit chaotic, but I’m so glad the sun is out and I can go for walks without needing four jackets and a tuque!

Q: Describe your role in the Courier in 3 words or less.

A: Just following up

Q: What song would you add to the staff playlist?

A: Accidentally in Love by Counting Crows (yes, the one from the Shrek soundtrack)

Q: You’re having a picnic, what are you bringing?

A: Homemade cinnamon buns, and a lot of napkins

Q: What movie are you looking forward to coming out?

A: Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny

Q: Latest risk you’ve taken.

A: Finally asking the guy down the hall if I can pat his dog

Q: Tip for finals.

A: Get enough sleep the night before!

GWEN PEMBERTON (SHE/HER) Arts & Culture Editor gwen@capilanocourier.com

Lately I’ve been focused on finding the little things in life that I enjoy. I can’t believe what a huge difference actively looking for the positives has made. Some recent highlights include not having to wear a jacket to go outside, napping on a comfy couch, and having a good conversation with a friend between classes.

Q: Describe your role in the Courier in 3 words or less.

A: Learning and re-learning

Q: What song would you add to the staff playlist?

A: Modern Jesus by Portugal. The Man

Q: You’re having a picnic, what are you bringing?

A: Costco Peanut Butter Pretzels (and cheap wine)

Q: What movie are you looking forward to coming out?

A: Dune Part 2

Q: Latest risk you’ve taken.

A: I bought a very loud sweater.

Q: Tip for finals.

A: Find a study buddy. Social breaks in between are way more helpful than they look.

LUCY BENSON (SHE/HER) Communications Manager communications@capilanocourier.com

Hello all! If we havent met yet, I’m an illustrator, designer, and country music lover. If you’re looking for me I’m probably holed up somewhere drawing strange fish and writing bad poetry. I love meeting new people so feel free to reach out and get an earful about my latest projects.

Q: Describe your role in the Courier in 3 words or less.

A: Instagram 4 Lyfe

Q: What song would you add to the staff playlist?

A: Shadow on the Wall by Video Age

Q: You’re having a picnic, what are you bringing?

A: Strawberry lemonade and a jar of pickles

Q: What movie are you looking forward to coming out?

A: There has never been an anticipation like the wait for the new Barbie movie. I’m stoked.

Q: Latest risk you’ve taken.

A:I put away my winter jacket, I’m counting on spring weather now

Q: Tip for finals.

A: Everyone says it, but take care of yourself! Eat good food, go on walks, and get as much sleep as possible

Contributing Writers

Tobin Elias, Ren Zhang, Luke Faulks, Taylor Colby, Avery Nowicki, Ana X. Mtnz Lima, Declan Moffat, Jasmin Linton, Jenny Rog, Beatriz Mac, Eugenia Trevino, Lea Krusemeyer, Emma Mendez.

Contributing Illustrators

Chelle Lussi, Natasha Lee, Liza Borissova, Siobhan Barry, Talia Rouck , Sol Yoon, Shruti

Sharleen

Tanner

Featured Artists

NEW IDEA SCHOOL OF DESIGN DIPLOMA LAUNCHING FALL 2023

The two-year Interaction Design Diploma will be offered at the Lonsdale Campus

school before they apply for jobs but we know for students that it’s quite expensive and hard to commit to,” said Lee Kim Koon. “Creating the two-year diploma was our way of balancing student preference versus industry preference, so that students come out with a good foundation but also can get through school pretty quickly compared to a four-year degree.”

The diploma has been in the works for almost two years, and is now launching in the Fall 2023 semester. It started with a concept paper, developed by the faculty, which then passed through the curriculum committee at Senate, and then was approved by the Board of Governors. Shadmehr was thankful that no revisions were required, meaning that once the concept paper was approved, the faculty could start conducting research and consulting stakeholders.

While applicants are required to submit a portfolio, this is more to evaluate their compatibility with the program and doesn’t have to be a design portfolio. Shadmehr stressed that interest and passion is key, and that a portfolio can include painting, illustrations or anything else to illustrate the applicant’s artistic background.

“We are not approaching it in a way to say if you’re good enough for the program, we like to also assess to see if the program is a right fit for you,” said Shadmehr. He’s happy to meet with incoming applicants, in-person or online, to chat about the program. “We want to make sure [students] know what they are signing up for, and we are happy to answer any question they have,” he said.

The new two-year Interaction Design Diploma will be offered as part of Capilano University’s IDEA School of Design. In-person classes will be held at the Lonsdale campus, and the diploma will include a work-integrated learning experience and a final capstone project.

This program has been designed to fill a gap expressed by the industry — a shortage of designers for the tech sector. Ramin Shadmehr, Dean of Faculty of Fine and Applied Arts, explained how the idea of user interface (UI) and user experience (UX) design isn’t new, but it’s becoming increasingly important in app design and development.

Shadmehr also pointed out how the newness of the program is actually beneficial because it is providing up to date UI/UX training and is based on current industry standards and practices.

“Any organization that deals with their stakeholders through a digital platform can definitely hire these graduates because if you’re designing an app, if you’re designing a website — even if you’re designing a digital magazine — you need a UI/UX designer to do it for you,” said Shadmehr, mentioning that UI/UX isn’t only for website, it can also include things like the Tesla car dashboards or Apple CarPlay.

Two years is also the optimal length, according to Christina Lee Kim Koon, an instructor and co-coordinator in the IDEA School of Design. Lee Kim Koon is excited about the opportunity to teach this subject because there’s a small portion of it within the bachelor, but the two-year diploma will really allow for a deep dive into the field.

Most programs that currently exist are either four-year degrees, or boot camp style programs that only last eight to 12 weeks.

“We’ve found from industry feedback that they want students that have more time and more training at

One of the priorities in the creation of the diploma was ensuring graduates are able to easily transfer into the third year of the Bachelor of Design without taking additional courses. The diploma fulfills the Cap Core and elective requirements that Bachelor of Design students would take in their first two years, making for a seamless transfer — even if students want to take some time off to work before coming back to school. There will still be an approval process — an assessment of the applicant’s portfolio and an interview — but it will be streamlined because the students already met the initial admission requirements.

The diploma is set up in a cohort, like the Bachelor of Design. “It really allows students to connect with their peers and build those relationships, but also get one-on-one instructor time, which isn’t often experienced in the university setting,” said Lee Kim Koon.

Applications for the Fall 2023 cohort are open until June 6, 2023, however, both Shadmehr and Lee Kim Koon suggest applying as soon as possible as there is only room for about 25 students. About half the positions are filled so far, and Shadmehr mentioned that he expects seats to be full by the end of April or early May.

More information about the Interaction Design Diploma is available on the https://www.capilanou.ca/programs--courses/program-profiles/ interaction-design-diploma/.

Bridget Stringer-Holden (she/her) - News Editor

Chelle Lussi - Illustrator

MINDFUL FUNDING FOR MENTAL HEALTH

HR provides insight to mental health grant spending; Student Affairs introduces a student wellness action plan

In August 2022, Capilano University was one of the 14 recipients of the Mindful Campuses mental health grant. The grant was awarded by Mindful Employer Canada, a non-profit organization that develops programs and resources to help workplaces build leadership skills and improve mental health.

Annually, a limited number of Canadian post-secondary institutions are selected to receive the $2,000 grant. The funds are used to support the psychological well-being of faculty, staff and students. Additionally, each grant recipient must facilitate two workshops before mid-March. The first is a workshop for staff and faculty called Plan for Resilience. The second is for students, called From Surviving to Thriving. These workshops assist in developing healthy coping methods and personal resilience to manage life’s many challenges.

In 2013, Louise Allison was working in programming for Continuing Studies at CapU when the school’s Human Resources Director offered her an assistant role. At the time, she had never considered pursuing human resources as a career.

A decade later, Allison is now CapU’s HR Manager. “The focus [of the HR department] was never on well-being,” she said, thinking back to her first year in the department. “I asked if I could start an employee well-being committee because there was nothing, there were no resources.”

Ambitions to provide improved mental health care services and activities steadily grew in the HR department, and Allison watched the need for a budget expand just as quickly. This led to the discovery of the Mindful Campuses grant.

CapU has been a recipient of the grant each year since first applying in 2018. Mindful Employer has even proactively provided the application forms to the school every year since.

In order to decide how the funds will be allocated and distributed, there are 13 representatives who come together from multiple departments on campus, including Student Affairs, Athletics and Recreation, Communications and Human Resources. “We’ll do a report at the end of the year to say what the funds were being spent on, what we’ve done over that year to support being a mindful campus,” said Allison.

The Mindful Campuses grant is used to support and develop two annual mental health and well-being events on campus: CapU Together Day, which is held in late January, and Well-Being Week, held in October. Well-Being Week, in particular, helps to connect staff, faculty and students in a shared period of mindfulness. This is helped by activities

such as therapy dog visits, free massages and mental health webinars, in collaboration with the Capilano Students’ Union.

Although beneficial, the grant only covers a small chunk of CapU’s annual wellness planning. Allison also expressed her frustrations with the role. “Everything moves at glacial speed…so that can be frustrating when we can’t move as fast as I’d like to [in making] positive change,” she said. Despite that, she enjoys making a positive impact and finds it rewarding to be able to bring in new services and make a difference.

One of the key responsibilities held by HR is to provide staff and faculty with resources and tools to support their mental health and well-being. However, apart from the mandatory Mindful Employer workshops, supporting student well-being is a role which falls primarily to Student Affairs.

Along with events, booths and social media polls, Student Affairs runs the biennial Canadian Campus Well-Being Survey, which provides them with meaningful data regarding student mental health and well-being needs. Ashley Bentley, Student Affairs Manager, shared that data from 2021’s survey identified food security as a key struggle, prompting the creation of a food security program the following year.

Student Affairs has also been developing a mental health and well-being action plan, which will be implemented this coming May. This plan outlines services and programs that will be offered in the next three to five years and also makes a commitment to ensuring this programming considers the needs of all backgrounds and identities—rather than being based in just colonial, westernized practices.

“Well-being is a cornerstone of everything we do at CapU,” said Allison, “and we’re trying to, in HR especially, make that one of the building blocks of our people plan that we’re busy building.”

Students who are interested in supporting the development of upcoming well-being and mental health initiatives can reach out to well-being@capilanou.ca.

Tobin Elias (he/him) - Writer

2023 CSU GENERAL ELECTIONS RESULTS

Included are Capilano Students’ Union board members, Capilano Business and Professional Society presidents and a referendum on fee standardization

Bridget Stringer-Holden (She/Her) - News Editor

Natasha Lee (She/Her) - Illustrator

The results of the Capilano Students’ Union general election are out!

Voting closed at 5pm on March 16, 2023, and the results were posted soon after on the CSU’s Simply Voting website. There was a turnout of 1243 votes.

Students also voted in a referendum on fee standardization, which involves a standard membership fee rate for all students, as well as a membership base fee freeze until September 2024. This standardization would also mean that fees would be reduced for 92 per cent of students. There were 906 votes in favour, 21 votes against and 316 abstentions.

The elected CSU directors and CBPS executives for the 2023-2024 school year are:

CSU EXECUTIVES:

Karandeep Singh Sanghera

He/him/his President

Hello everyone, thank you for voting for me. All I want to say is I am already working on every student issue and will continue to working to do so. Thanks again to show your trust and belief towards me.

Manpreet she/her

Vice-President External

I’m very grateful to everyone who took the time to vote in the elections! Student voices matter and I will do my best to represent those. As I have already said, student issues are very much my issues too, and I’m already working on them within the university. Now I’ll take them further as well! Thank you so much for choosing me to represent you :)

Manbir Singh

He/His/Him

Vice-President Equity & Sustainability

Thank you to everyone who voted for me. I am so excited to work as your Vice President of Equity and Sustainability at CSU., I plan to prioritize the creation of an inclusive and environmentally responsible campus community. I look forward to working with you all to promote social justice, equity, and sustainability in all aspects of university life.

Akshit Kansra

He/Him

Vice-President Finance & Services

Many thanks to those who gave me this opportunity to serve as vice president finance & services. Working together in a group and ensuring that CSU will look forward for the beneficial development of students,. I hope to engage with students and look into solving the problems they are facing.

Manmeet Singh

Vice-President Student Affairs

Creating a more inclusive campus culture: It is essential that all students feel welcome and included on our campus. I would work with student groups, faculty, and staff to identify and address any barriers to inclusion and create programs and initiatives that promote diversity, equity, and inclusion.

CSU BOARD MEMBERS:

Amisha Maini

Her Accessibility Justice Coordinator

It is an absolute honour and privilege to serve as Accessibility Justice Coordinator. I am thrilled to have the opportunity to work with the Capilano Student’s Union. I promise to listen to student concerns and to make every effort to bring positive change in University. Once again thank you so much for your vote of confidence.

Karandeep Singh Dhillon International Students Liaison Candidate did not submit a statement.

Jasmeen Kaur Women Students Liaison Candidate did not submit a statement.

Abhijit Rai

he/him/his

Arts & Sciences Representative

I’m grateful and honoured to have been elected as the faculty representative for the Arts and Sciences. I’ll be working with utmost sincerity and honesty and utilizinge my position to bring necessary changes within Arts and Sciences Faculty

Amar Gill

Business & Professional Studies Representative Candidate did not submit a statement.

Shruti Karthikeyan

she/her

Fine & Applied Arts Representative

I’m really excited to continue representing the Fine and Applied Arts Faculty and I want to thank everyone who voted. My goal is to get more exposure and recognition for all the work we spend hours creating and get our work displayed around campus!

Saadat Ali

He/Him

At-Large Representative

I’m honoured to get this opportunity, work for students, and make their school life more enjoyable.

Arshleen Kaur

She/her

At-Large Representative

I am thankful and honoured to be elected as At large representative. I am looking forward to amplifying student voices in addressing issues of equity our campus faces. I’ll try to always give my best.

Saif Dil Singh

At-Large Representative Candidate did not submit a statement.

CBPS EXECUTIVES:

Divya Divya

Capilano Business & Professional Society Vice-President Candidate did not submit a statement.

Kam Pashandi

He/him/his

Capilano Accounting Association President

I am thankful for each CapU student’s’ consideration to elect me as the new Capilano Accounting Association President. My team and I look forward to further increasing students’ awareness about the many opportunities that are present in the field of accounting.

Ashneet Kaur

she/her

Capilano Communication Association president

Hello everyone! My name is Ashneet Kaur, because of you lovely people I secured the position for Capilano Communication Association president. I am extremely thankful for all the people who had an opinion about this election term. I hope to make a difference in the student experience with my position.

Rakshana Priya Sampath

She/her

Capilano Human Resource Management Association President

I am incredibly grateful and thrilled to have been elected as the President of the Capilano Human Resources Management Association in my first year at CapU! I’m looking forward to working with my team to create a year full of exciting events and giving HR students more opportunities.

Roman Ivanenko

Raghav Mittal Queer Students Liaison Candidate did not submit a statement.

Capilano University Marketing Association President Candidate did not submit a statement.

STORWELL STORAGE AIMS TO HELP FORMER FOSTER YOUTH REACH THEIR EDUCATIONAL GOALS

Those who have lived in foster care, kinship care, or under the Children’s Aid Society are eligible for their $2,000 bursary

Ren Zhang (they/them) - Writer

Liza Borissova (She/Her) - Illustrator

“[Former foster children] are the most underrepresented demographic when it comes to scholarships and bursaries,” says Joseph Dinesh, a communication coordinator for Storwell.

In addition to the lack of these monetary supports, current and former foster youth experience financial barriers, issues with employment, mental health struggles, housing and food insecurity, educational difficulties, stigma, and an overall lack of sufficient support systems. For many of those formerly living in alternative care situations, this means pursuing post-secondary studies is extremely difficult.

According to the Children’s Aid Foundation of Canada, approximately 59,000 children and youth across the country are living in permanent government care with foster families, extended family, or in institutional settings. Many of those who age out of the system experience complications, said a 2017 report by the Office of the Provincial Advocate for Children and Youth. The report also concluded that “outcomes are systematically negative in predictable ways.”

Storwell Storage, a family-run storage company founded in 1986, sought to improve these outcomes, creating the Storwell Foster Children Bursary Program in 2012.

Since then, it has provided a $2,000 annual bursary to eligible students working toward their academic goals. Another goal of the bursary was to help raise awareness, in the hopes that other organizations would follow suit. Dinesh mentioned another organization that reached out to say that they appreciated Storwell’s efforts.

Since the onset of the pandemic, however, Storwell has had some struggles finding applicants.

“We removed some redundant questions, based on feedback from universities, colleges, and even former recipients of the awards.” Dinesh said.

Nikola Asambelevski, a content strategist for Storwell, added,“[in regards to] the things we were asking for in the previous application forms, we felt that some of that information was not particularly relevant to choosing a deserving candidate.” This included changes such as reducing the amount of personal financial information needed and no longer requiring the gender of applicants.

The eligibility requirements can be found on Storwell’s website, at https://www.storwell.com/ bursary-application. The deadline to apply is December 31, 2023.

CAPILANO STUDENTS’ UNION PROVIDES ANSWERS AND RESOURCES TO STUDENTS STRUGGLING WITH RENTAL HOUSING

In a worsening rental housing market, the CSU encourages students to know their rights as renters.

Luke Faulks (he/him) - Writer Siobhan Barry (She/Her) - Illustrator

“I held open office hours for any students to come to just talk about affordability, and [in] 90 per cent of the conversations, students were bringing up navigating the housing rental market,” said Aryanna Chartrand, the Capilano Students’ Union’s vice president external relations.

Student housing is an issue that often comes up for the CSU. North Vancouver, where the school’s main campus is located, recently became Canada’s priciest city in which to rent.

Vancouver students have also been struggling with housing costs for years — and it’s only getting worse. In 2019, a study by the Real Estate Investment Network Canada estimated the city of Vancouver was short on student housing by over 14,300 beds. That, combined with the stress of school and work, places students’ academic progress and mental health at risk.

“It’s significantly contributing to mental health crises in post secondary time and time again, students were telling me that their housing, housing insecurity [and] financial cost of housing is directly impacting their mental health,” said Chartrand. “It seems to be a very big issue that has not shown any signs of going away.”

The CSU is working to inform students of their rights as renters. They are also lobbying the school, the city, the province and the federal government to expand students’ renting rights and housing opportunities.

The CSU recognizes that student housing isn’t covered by the protections listed in B.C. Residential Tenancy Act, which risks shifting the balance of power between tenants and their school in the latter’s favour. The CSU is also a part of the Alliance of BC Students, which provides funding for schools looking to get student housing projects off the ground.

While housing needs vary among CapU students, one key theme has emerged for the CSU; renters need to better understand their rights under B.C. law.

“A lot of people navigating this housing market don’t know their rights as renters, and so many are being taken advantage of,” said Chartrand.

The CSU outlined six areas that students should be aware of:

1. Landlords can’t enter your unit’s private space without notice (mostly)

Landlords need to provide written notice of the date, time and purpose of their visit to the property at least 24 hours prior. Whether it’s for an inspection, maintenance or showing the property to prospective tenants, that written notice needs to have been provided.

One big exception is when a landlord is seeking entry to common areas that are shared with other tenants, like hallways or laundry rooms. Then, no notice is needed.

2. Landlords can’t ask for the first and last month’s rent up front

When you’ve found a place to rent, the deposit cannot also include the first and last month’s rent on the unit.

3. Landlords need to establish cause for one-month eviction

The Tenant Resource & Advisory Centre (TRAC) — an online repository of B.C. tenancy information — lists a few common reasons for eviction, from “repeatedly paying rent late” to “seriously damaging the rental unit or building” to “endangering the landlord or other occupants,” among other reasons listed in section 47 (1) of the RTA.

4. Landlords can’t raise your rent higher than what the province has set out for the year

The B.C. government set the maximum rent increase for 2023 to two per cent. Anything higher is a violation of your rights. It can also only be raised once within a 12-month period.

5. Landlords must give you three months’ notice before raising rent

In 2021 and 2022, the provincial government released the rent increase limit for the following years in early September— nearly four full months before new rental amounts can kick in. That’s four months for landlords to provide tenants with the required three months notice.

6. Normal wear and tear is not an acceptable reason for landlords to keep your damage deposit

The RTA acknowledges that some damage to a unit will occur over time—like scuffed floors and holes in the wall where a nail might have hung a picture. It’s when wear and tear exceeds normal wear and tear that a landlord can refuse to return a tenant’s damage deposit.

There are limits to what personal information landlords can request from you

Students should also recognize what information is acceptable for landlords to request from them. When applying for tenancy, students can be asked to provide references, a post-dated cheque, and proof of employment—including recent pay stubs, an employer’s letter, bank statements showing regular payroll

deposits, and, as a last resort, viewing (but not keeping) copies of income tax assessments.

What landlords cannot ask are questions that infringe upon your human rights. Any question that might give a landlord the opportunity to deny you tenancy based on age, sex, race, place of origin, marital status, gender identity or sexual orientation, is forbidden. Landlords are permitted to ask for your Social Insurance Number, but you are not obligated to give it.

The CSU encourages students to get in touch if they have rental questions, but they also suggest taking questions to TRAC, with whom the CSU teams up to run workshops for renters. They also provide a Tenant Infoline for renters seeking free legal information.

Beyond referrals to housing advocates, the CSU also runs a Facebook group for Capilano students looking for roommates or housing.

The CSU holds a renters’ rights workshop once a semester. They’re currently working with TRAC to establish a date and time for the next one, which will be announced on the CSU’s Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter pages.

PRESCRIPTION CONTRACEPTIVES WILL BE FREE IN B.C. STARTING APRIL 1

The program is the first of its kind in Canada, and will be expanded in the coming months

Matt Shipley (he/him) - Co-Editor-In-Chief

Talia Rouck - Illustrator

Starting April 1, 2023, dozens of prescription contraceptives will be available free of charge to any B.C. resident with a prescription. Currently, contraceptives must still be prescribed by a medical doctor, but later this spring, pharmacists will be able to prescribe them as well.

The list of available contraceptives include: copper IUDs; hormonal IUDs; oral contraceptives; the morning-after pill; hormone implants and hormone injections.

“There’s something in it for everybody,” said Lisa Seidel, a Squamish K-12 school teacher and member of AccessBC’s social media team. “It’s one of the few things where everyone wins — it opens up more health options for all socioeconomic groups, offers more life control for everyone and more.”

AccessBC is a B.C. advocacy group that has been fighting for legislation of this nature since January 2017. The BC NDP’s 2020 election platform promised to make all prescription contraception free, and though earlier attempts at legislation were struck down, the concerted effort from AccessBC pushed the program through.

The program will cost the Province of British Columbia up to $119 million over a three-year period from 2023 to 2026, while the Province’s estimated yearly savings as a result of the program are forecasted to be $95 million annually.

“Saving money for the Province and the people was an important goal,” said Seidel, “but the neat part is that they’re focused on the equity side of it.” Access to free contraceptives levels the playing field for marginalized and poverty-stricken groups who have historically not been able to afford contraceptive care. Lack of access to contraceptives plays a major role in the perpetuation of the poverty cycle, and AccessBC believes that this is an important step towards equity in B.C.

Another benefit of the program is that it aims to help unburden the B.C. healthcare system, which has been overloaded since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. “The program offers a proactive approach for improving health outcomes for mothers and infants,” said Seidel. “It does all this by reducing the risks associated with unintended pregnancy, particularly among adolescents.”

“With everything going on in the world right now in terms of reproductive freedom, B.C. can be a beacon of hope in that regard,” said Seidel. B.C. is the first Canadian province to implement a no-cost contraceptive program. Seidel and the AccessBC team hope that B.C. can lead by example, potentially establishing Canada as a global leader in reproductive equity and reproductive freedom.

Later this spring, the program will expand to allow pharmacists to prescribe contraceptives. This will mostly impact rural areas, where access to a doctor can be logistically prohibitive. Pharmacists are much more widely accessible, providing access to care that was previously not offered in many rural towns across B.C.

As of April 1, contraceptives can be prescribed by a doctor, nurse practitioner or midwife at multiple locations, including hospitals, walk-in clinics and street nurse programs. The pharmacist may not charge a fee for any action associated with filling the prescription. The cost of a medical abortion is also fully covered by PharmaCare, given that the patient is a B.C. resident with a B.C. Services Card and a prescription.

Importantly, PharmaCare will not cover the cost of condoms, cervical caps, diaphragms, patches, rings or sponges.

This article will be updated as more information becomes available.

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Celina Zhong @celinaa.jpg

“SPRING NIGHT”

@epworonko_art

“SLUDGE PIT”

Ethan Woronko

THE FINAL FINALS

Capilano University graduating students recall the hardships, lessons and memories that came from going to university during a pandemic.

Taylor Colby (she/her) - Writer Sol Yoon - Illustrator

Three years after the COVID-19 pandemic forced the world into isolation, this year’s graduating class of 2023 can truly say they’ve been through it all. The CapU graduates began their university journeys only months before the start of the pandemic, and they have been faced with numerous challenges and obstacles along the way. Choosing courses, meeting new people and planning one’s life can be difficult, but the pandemic added a whole new set of challenges. Now, as this year’s graduating students look back on their journeys, they are able to reflect on both the difficult times and the lessons they’ve learnt.

“I will never take working in groups or in-person settings for granted”, says CapU graduating student Alanah Dulong as she reflects on her time during university. In the online world in which we are living, students were fortunate enough to still be able to attend classes over Zoom. The virtual learning environment “provided more flexibility through the opportunity to take mixed mode and online synchronous courses.” However, staring at a screen all day also has its drawbacks. “I found it more challenging to stay engaged during 3-hour online lectures, and, as a result, I usually had to work extra hard to teach myself the course material,” said Dulong.

Lesson plans are often structured to be taught in an in-person environment, but suddenly, many professors were forced to change their curriculum, as well as the way in which they delivered it. However, in her final month as a university student, Dulong still feels that she is “equipped to take on real-world work experiences”.

Adrianna Babinski, former captain of the Capilano University varsity women’s soccer team, claims that “as a student athlete during the pandemic, it felt as though one of the two worlds were taken away from me. As an athlete you’re constantly surrounded by teammates and trainers, and with that taken away, it was just added isolation.” While school was still operating online, there was no way for sports to take place virtually, resulting in so many student athletes having yet another major part of their life and university experience taken away.

Some students feel that the pandemic has helped them to better appreciate the connections and friendships that are made during university as well as the work that goes into planning and teaching classes. In speaking with students, they convey that it has opened up a whole new world of opportunities when it comes to online and mixed mode classes, which have allowed students to attend their classes from different areas and has provided a way to still stay caught up when in-person attendance was impossible.

This April, as the graduating students write their final finals, many will reflect upon their time at university. Despite all the hardships that Babinski had to endure, she feels that she has come out stronger and is filled with gratitude. “The ultimate lesson for myself is to live as genuinely as I can,” she claims. As the old saying goes, life is short, and we should seize every moment.

FILING INCOME TAX RETURNS

A student’s guide to the tax season

Mayumi Izumi (she/her) - Writer

Shruti Karthikeyan (She/Her) - Illustrator

The April 30 deadline is one that most Canadians dread, whether they are brand new to filing income tax returns or veterans who have been filing them for years. There are several options: filing your taxes online, hiring a tax preparation company or completing the tax return in old school style by hand (not recommended for first timers).

For those up for the challenge of filing your tax return yourself, there are a few different varieties that you can use. You can purchase TurboTax software at Staples or London Drugs for $22.99 for Basic (simple taxes and includes four returns) or $37.99 for Standard (includes eight returns). Their web version is free for people 25 years or under.,

Ufile is another tax return product that offers software as well as their free online platform. Ufile is NETFILE certified and has free telephone, email and community support.

Before you start your taxes, you will need to gather all of your T4 forms from your employers (they will either send them by mail or email to your inbox, but sometimes you will have to request them your employer), your T2202 from your CapU Account, under the Student Services tab, near the bottom under Official Transcript, Tax Notification (T2202).

Click the button, then the year 2022 and print the two-page T2202 form. If you received any student loans, bursaries or student grants you will also need to log in to National Student Loans Service Centre (NSLSC) and download the T4A form.

Once you are logged into NSLSC, open your inbox and click on the message subject T4A - Statement of Pension, Retirement, Annuity and Other Income. NSLSC will send you an email to notify you when your T4A is ready. This year it was available January 12, 2023.

The online tax return platforms will show you stepby-step what to do, tips and definitions in case you do not understand the different tax terms. You will need to enter the figures from the numbered boxes from T4s and T2202 into the corresponding boxes. This is also applicable for the manual paper tax return.

After you enter all of your T4, T4A and T2202, you will enter medical expenses, employment expenses (if you have any) and other qualified tax expenses. Some examples are disability tax credit, moving expenses (there are conditions that are explained on the platform), Canada training credit, home office expenses for employees and meal expenses if you had a business lunch.

At the end of entering all of your forms and expenses, you will have a positive or negative figure. If you have a negative figure you will receive a refund from the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) and they will mail to you via a cheque or directly deposit the refund into your bank account if you set up this option.

Alternatively, you can also take all your receipts, T4s and T2202 to a tax preparation company such as H&R Block. You will have to pay for this service and the cost starts at $49.99, but could be more depending on your tax needs. If you decide to use H&R Block you can download a checklist from their website, drop off your receipts and forms to them, or you can send them remotely. Or you can take advantage of their free online option for students 25 and under.

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Shylo Popkin @snap_crackle_popkin

TUNES AND TOMES

Inside the annual School of Performing Arts Music Sale

Gwen Pemberton (she/her) - Arts & Culture Editor Tiffany Zhong - Illustrator

The sounds of raucous horns and drums flow through the hallways of the Fir Building on the afternoon of March 16. A jazz ensemble plays with fervor, and a few feet away, the music reaches the ears of students attending the School of Performing Arts Music Sale. They peruse tables laden with boxes upon boxes of sheet music and theory books. Proceeds from the annual event are made available to students enrolled in Capilano University’s Music Diploma program.

A sign posted on the wall states that all books about music are one dollar, as are books of sheet music 99 pages and under. Any books of sheet music over that page count are a whopping two dollars. Settled behind a folding table, overseeing the event, is Geordie Roberts, a professor of CapU’s Faculty of Fine Arts, currently teaching in the jazz and classical programs. He says that all the items on sale are donated by the music department, or people in the community looking to downsize their collections. “It’s a way of providing print music to the students at economical prices,” he said.

Roberts has a point. One student, who has methodically combed through all the books of folk music, leaves with an overflowing armload of material. His total? Six dollars. Salvador Gomez Molinar, a jazz student at CapU, scours the table of music theory books. He says that he’s been looking for books about music that don’t feel like textbooks. Eventually, he finds some to his liking, and heads to the front to make his purchase. Gomez Molinar also attended the sale of CDs and vinyls, another installment of the sale which was held two weeks earlier. “There were some really good finds. I still need to buy a CD player though,” he said.

The music sale used to be an annual event, organized to raise money for the Music Diploma scholarship, but when COVID-19 put a stop to on-campus events, it went on hiatus. No students were around to purchase items from the ever-growing collection. Roberts says this was part of the rationale behind splitting the event into two this year. One for the sale of physical music, and the other for music books.

Inevitably, there are some items which are left over from year to year, but Roberts says those are also going to a good cause. They will be donated to Kofi Gbolonyo, a Jazz Studies instructor at CapU who will be sending unsold items to music instructors in Ghana.

As the afternoon progresses, more and more students flock to the first floor of Fir to see what gold they can find among the stacks of paper. Laughter mixes with percussion and the smell of old pages.

“Can I buy this politically incorrect Christmas album?’ jokes one attendee. In the small space there is a sense of community that can be hard to come by at CapU, and in Vancouver in general. If supporting a good cause and finding stellar bargains weren’t enough to pique students’ interest for the next event, the opportunity to connect with like-minded students may just sway them.

CAPU-BASED FOLK BAND ANNOUNCES LIVE ALBUM RELEASE SHOW

Shadowfax, led by a current CapU Jazz student, breaks down their story-driven debut album

Matt Shipley (he/him) - Co-Editor-In-Chief

Sharleen Ramos - Illustrator

After a wait of nearly four years from their planned album release, Vancouver-based alt-folk group Shadowfax is now in the final stages of preparation for their official release on April 6, 2023.

“It’s been in the works since 2010,” said Jeremy Gerard Raphael Hanlon, the band’s guitarist and lead singer — as well as a current CapU Jazz student. “‘Stars and Shells’, one of the tunes on the album, I originally recorded it on my brother’s old cassette-tape recorder.” Stars and Shells is a mythical tune that follows the story of Orpheus as he enters the Underworld to save his wife, Eurydice, setting the scene for a very story-focused album.

“Each of the songs on the album, for the most part, is a story about a character,” said Hanlon. “You know, on the album art you can see a few of the characters that are referenced in the lyrics.” Another song, the name of which is yet to be revealed, is about a demon corrupting and devouring the soul of a lustful preacher.

The story-focused nature of the lyrics leaves much to be imagined by the audience, rather than a straightforward explanation of the story. “I don’t want to say ‘this is what this is about’ on a deep level,” said Hanlon. “To some extent, people come to their own conclusions on what a song is about, and whether or not that’s true to me, what matters is whether it’s true to them.” He explained that the album encompasses multiple different musical styles to fit each individual segment of its story better, and to create a sense of change throughout the album.

The band’s original release date was going to be in 2019, but a number of hurdles kept pushing the date back. “We had to delay the release date once for a grant application, which ended up falling through. We pushed it back to April of 2020, but… you know,” Hanlon laughed. “We couldn’t meet up to jam for a couple of years, and with the production of an album already being such an intense and expensive endeavour, it just wasn’t possible to do it before now.”

The band is doing all of the promotion, arrangement and organization by themselves, including collaboration with Salt Spring Island-based artist Julia Iredale on their album art and merchandise.

“We sent Julia an email back in 2017, and she said she loved the music and would be happy to do the illustrations for it,” said Hanlon. “We’ve been ecstatic about pretty much everything she’s done for us since. She mostly does book covers, and she’s quite prolific.” Hanlon recommended her for any art commissions a reader or writer might have, whether it be a book or something more like Shadowfax’s project.

“It’s definitely a relief,” said Hanlon. “We’ve been sitting on this for so long, and people are finally going to hear it. It’s scary, for sure, but it’s a relief more than anything.”

Shadowfax will play at the Wise Hall in East Vancouver on April 6. Doors open at 7pm for the 8pm show, featuring multiple CapU students, alumni and community members.

Tickets can be found on Eventbrite under Shadowfax: Orpheus.

THE 95TH OSCARS CEREMONY

The Academy Awards and their relationship to systemic change

Avery Nowicki

(they/them) - Writer

Tanner McMahon - Illustrator

As Oscars season comes to a close, viewers are reflecting on this year’s event, which celebrated a revolutionary year in cinema. 2023 marked the 95th Annual Academy Awards Ceremony. Many viewers saw this year as a positive shift toward inclusion and representation, with most of the nominees and winners representing minority groups, accepting wins that highlighted inclusionary action.

This year, the Awards were dominated by Everything Everywhere All at Once, the absurdist fantasy film featuring a near entirely Asian-American cast. The A24-produced film took home many awards, including the ceremonies most prestigious, Best Picture.

As with every year, the ceremony was filled with a large number of interesting moments. One of the most memorable came when Sarah Polley, Canadian writer and director of Women Talking, began her speech with a sharp dig at the Academy as she accepted her award for Best Adapted Screenplay.

Polley said, “First of all, I want to thank the Academy for not getting offended by the words women and talking put so close together like that” This demonstrated that Polley is a member of Hollywood with no interest in conforming to the institution.

Brenden Fraser also won Best Actor in a Leading Role for his performance in A24’s The Whale. The emotion in Fraser’s voice was palpable as he spoke, tears brimming in his eyes. He thanked everyone, making emotional whale puns in a heartwarming and short speech.

Ruth Carter, costume designer for Wakanda Forever, shared a powerful speech while accepting her award. Carter received a standing ovation, ending her speech by saying, “Thank you to the Academy for recognizing

the superhero that is a Black woman. She endures, she loves, she overcomes, she is every woman in this film.”

In one of the Twitter memed moments of the night, Jamie Lee Curtis accepted the first Oscar of her three decade long career. While some are proud of her achievement, Curtis’ win sparked some controversy online. Many were upset that Angela Bassett, nominated for her performance in Wakanda Forever, was snubbed in favor of Curtis.

Buzzfeed Editorial Assistant and self proclaimed ‘Oscars Enthusiast,’ Spencer Althouse (@SpencerAlthouse), took to Twitter to say: “Angela Bassett’s reaction to Jamie Lee Curtis’ name being called…you can tell how much that Oscar would have meant to her. She is, was, and always will be incredible. I better see her on that stage SOON.”

Twitter User @Meradceu resonated similar thoughts by saying: “Of course the #Oscars reward white mediocrity because in what world did Jamie Lee Curtis give a better performance in comparison to Stephanie Hsu or Angela Bassett?

“We just won an Oscar!” Curtis screamed into the crowd, teary eyed. She won this for her role in Everything, Everywhere All at Once, causing speculation as many viewers found that Curtis gave a lackluster performance as IRS inspector, Deirdre Beaubeirdre.

Ke Huy Quan won for Best Supporting Actor in Everything Everywhere All at Once. The excitement in the room was palpable. The entire audience was moved by the tenderly beautiful moment, even causing presenter and actress Ariana DeBose to cry as she announced his win.

Huy Quan entered the stage with a muttered “Oh my god” before giving a tear-inducing speech, saying, “I cannot believe this is happening to me, this is the American dream!”

Michelle Yeoh won Best Actress in a Leading Role for her portrayal of Evelyn Quan Wang in Everything Everywhere All at Once. She began her speech by saying, “Thank you, for all the little boys and girls

who look like me watching tonight, this is a beacon of hope and possibilities, this is proof that dreams do come true, and ladies, don’t let anybody tell you you are ever past your prime.” She then thanked her family in Malaysia, and Hong Kong, the place where she started her career. Michelle closed her speech by saying, “Thank you to the Academy, this is history in the making.”

This year, The Oscars amassed a viewership of 18.7 million Americans, and saw a significant jump in ratings from the previous year. Compared to last year’s controversial events, (including the infamous slap) the general public agrees that this ceremony moved The Oscars into a more positive space, building the ceremony back to its original intentions for an enjoyable and respected event to celebrate the year in film.

GWENDSDAY MOVIE NIGHT

High and Low (1963)

This March, most film-buffs were talking about the Oscars, (check out our coverage on pg. 32,) but for cinephiles looking to scratch a less contemporary itch, there is something right here at Capilano University. Free weekly screenings in the Bosa Theatre cater to a wide variety of tastes. Recent offerings include Joe Talbot’s The Last Black Man in San Francisco, and John Carpenter’s contained horror thriller, The Thing. This week I sat down to watch Akira Kurosawa’s acclaimed mystery crime drama, High and Low.

High and Low follows Kingo Gondo, played by Toshirô Mifune, a high ranking executive at a Japanese shoe company. After business disagreements boil over, Gondo makes a deal to quietly acquire a majority of National Shoes, mortgaging everything he owns in the process. Everything is set for his takeover when Gondo receives a phone call at home. His son has been kidnapped, and the captor demands 30 million yen in return for the boy’s life. Gondo scrambles to put together the money when his son Jun enters the scene, safe and sound. His relief doesn’t last long. Gondo’s chauffeur, Aoki, enters the room, asking if anyone has seen his son, Shinichi.

The kidnapper has made a mistake, but now Gondo must make a choice. Saving the chauffeur’s son will ruin him financially, but what responsibility does he bear, when he was so ready to make the same sacrifice for his own child? What follows is a taught thriller brimming with tension, mystery and themes of morality and class that will keep you at rapt attention from its opening credits to its final frame.

The screenwriters (Akira Kurosawa, Ryūzō Kikushima, Hideo Oguni, Eijirô Hisaita) know just what information to reveal and when, so that the viewer can guess at what will happen without ever really knowing for sure. Once the film gets you in its grip, it doesn’t let go.

Kurosawa is a prolific Japanese filmmaker, whose career spans from the 1940s to the 1990s. He is perhaps more well known for his films Seven Samurai (1954) and Rashomon (1950), but High and Low is a masterful film which shows Kurosawa’s command of the camera, and his immaculate attention to composition and editing.

The first act of High and Low is contained to Gondo’s high rise apartment, overlooking the city of Yokohama. Unable to leave under the watchful eye of the kidnapper,

the characters grapple with impossible choices, and so does the audience.

Minimal editing, a fairly impersonal lens and blocking that could tell the whole story without a word allow for full immersion in the story. Mifune delivers an incredible performance, allowing the audience in, as his facade of power cracks and crumbles. I was also struck by Kyōko Kagawa’s performance as Gondo’s wife Reiko. She serves as the film’s moral compass, and her shaming, despairing eye pierces each scene she is in.

The second act begins with a sequence on a train, where the tension reaches its peak. A kinetic camera and editing style, unseen to this point in the film, evoke the anxiety oozing out of the characters.

The pacing drags a bit in the second half, and I began to feel the runtime. The police procedural is interesting, but one gets the idea that the audience isn’t trusted quite so much as in the beginning of the film. Once the final act began, though, with a sting throughout the crowded city told almost entirely without dialogue, I was hooked again. The final minutes pay off all of what has been planted throughout, and the final scene will have you thinking for days afterward.

High and Low is a classic for a reason. The film shows what a crime drama can be at its very best, with stellar cinematography, performances, and a screenplay that keeps you asking questions. Questions about what will happen next, and questions about how we define right and wrong. High and Low is engaging on an artistic and thematic level, and elicits anger, fear, relief, sadness, disgust and sympathy. That is all I can ever really ask of a film.

4.5/5

Gwen Pemberton (she/her) - Arts & Culture Editor Eva Staub - Illustrator

“Did you know, Mr. Gondo, that it is only extortion if you threaten a person or his kin?”

LATIN X AFRO NIGHT

Ana X. Mtnz Lima (she/her) - Writer Freya Emery (She/Her) - Illustrator

Latin music and Afrobeat in the same place? A must-attend event.

On March 23, Latin x Afro Fusion Night event took place at the Red Room in downtown Vancouver. Arts and Entertainment Management students at Capilano University were tasked with the organization of the event, applying everything that they learned about event planning through their course.

“I think these are the kind of events the city needs,” said PR Representative for the event, Amanda Mulder. The first event created by Mulder and her teammates was called All Femme Fronted, and involved bringing together local female-led bands to play music at the Red Gate Arts Society. Latin x Afro Fusion Night was the second event planned by the group, and what better way to get people dancing than with good musical rhythm?

I write this as a person who is proud to be from Latinoamerica. From the moment the music starts you can’t help but want to dance, and adding Afrobeat, there can’t be a better combo than this. Along with incredible music, the event is designed to bring people together to have a good time. For the first time, we should not agree with Sam Smith – let’s say, “I AM here to make friends.”

Afrobeat originated from the roots of Yoruba traditional music. Blended with jazz and funk, it became widely popular in the 1970s. Music of the Latin genre includes all songs in languages derived from Latin; whereas Latin American music encompasses all music originating from countries south of the United States (Latin America). The appreciation for Latin music in North America has greatly increased in recent years. According to Billboard, Latin music consumption increased by 55.26 per cent between 2020 and 2021. “[Latin music] makes me happy to bring a bit of my Latin culture and roots to Canada,” said the Executive Director of the event, Maria Perez.

I had the opportunity to chat a bit with the organizers about their experience in creating Latin x Afro Fusion Night and their goals for it. Pérez, along with Mulder, mentioned how the event became an inspiration for celebration of diversity, and an opportunity to bring a little bit of Latin and Afrobeat music to parties in Canada. “Embracing diversity is not just a celebration of our differences, but a recognition of the beauty that lies in the unique perspectives, experiences, and

cultures that each individual brings to the table,” said the organizers in a statement.

The original plan was to make an event exclusively for CapU students, but after some thought, the organizers realized that it would be great to make it an open event where everyone was welcome.

Marketing Coordinator, Jose Miguel Norena, along with the Marketing Manager, Mariana Aiello, talked about how the event was changed to facilitate an opportunity to reach out to people from other schools, international students, and anyone who wants to have an incredible time with good music and make friends. “The arts and entertainment are about bringing people together, regardless of their background, and that is exactly the intent of our event,” said Aiello.

The students also wanted to create a large-scale event in the city by “bringing people together to enjoy the arts and music,” said Norena. For Mulder, the connections that are made while organizing events are of utmost importance: “This will help us connect with other people and grow in the industry. It’s important to have experience in the field before graduation. My goal is to work in the music industry, probably managing funk metal bands.”

Pérez shares Mulder’s long-term goal, adding: “Having the experience of running an event, networking with industry professionals, and developing your skills is crucial. I would love to work with a record label or sports management in the future.”

For Norena, this will help him find his way and hopes that everything will open doors for him in the future. Aiello commented that this type of experience can prepare her for the future, “I want to find my path. I’m not exactly sure where I would like to work, but it could be something in event planning or a record label.”

The group of organizers also had a message that they wished to pass on to anyone who came to Latin x Afro Fusion Night: “If you’re reading this and you attended the event, thank you — we benefited from your presence.”

For more information about upcoming Arts & Entertainment Management events, follow @aemlive.events on Instagram.

I´m not here to make friends

RISE FILM FESTIVAL

A showcase of the CapU community’s diverse cinematic projects

Declan Moffat (he/him) - Writer Valentina Kruglikovskaya - Illustrator

Excitement was in the air. The seats were full of a buzzing audience, waiting for the lights to dim. The RISE Film Festival was about to begin.

On March 2, in collaboration with Capilano University, Arts and Entertainment Management students hosted a night of cinema. The festival was created to celebrate and connect local student filmmakers through a series of short films and Q&As. Held in CapU’s Bosa Theatre, the event featured six short films, all written, directed and produced by Capilano students and alumni. The films showcased unique stories and perspectives. They covered a variety of different genres. The quirky comedy, The Onion Effect, directed by Malka Martz-Oberlander, explored the absurdity of self-help books, while the art documentary FIONN, directed by Joscha Burger, featuring the creative exploits of an American exchange student in Germany.

The wide range of films shown at RISE are representative of the diverse community and talent that is being fostered through events and festivals around the CapU campus. The films that were presented were passionate and unique, and the overall experience was polished and professional. It was immediately apparent in the attention to detail, great editing and the power behind each story.

Greek countryside that took place between 1946 and 1949. The film is told through a conversation between grandfather and grandson in a mixed-media documentary.

You dont have to stay friends after highschool

Papadopoulos noted the difficult emotional experience of putting together his documentary. Since the story was so personal, there was a strong sense of responsibility. “[My grandfather] has passed away, so the only thing that remains is his stories, what’s preserved, the film, the memories. It’s not about documentation, it’s about evoking that similar emotion so that you can go through it with him.”

To Papadopoulos and the other filmmakers, this was more than simply a submission to the film festival. The films shown at the festival allow the audience to learn from the different places and people that are portrayed within these stories. CapU has a reputation for excellence in the B.C. film industry, and continuing events like this one can benefit the community, while also promoting the work of students and industry workers alike.

Other films featured at the festival included the drama Deadbeat, produced by Montse Vega, and dark comedy Staff Meeting, produced by Shelby Stadnyk. It Gets Dark too Early, directed by Rebecca Spiegel and produced by Brooke Fusick and Mario Herrera Lira tells a fun yet tragic story, while Peter Siskos: In the Midst of the Greek Civil War, is a documentary interview directed by Nickolas Papadopoulos.

At this year’s RISE festival, one of the main objectives of the organizers was to make the event as accessible as possible. In this spirit, admission to RISE was free. The choice was made to allow as many people as possible to appreciate the films shown. This is ultimately the primary goal of any film festival; to connect people and stories through film.

For Nickolas Papadopoulos, director of Peter Siskos: In the Midst of the Greek Civil War, family is everything. The short film delves into the oral history of his grandfather, Peter Siskos, and his life story as he faced the horrific realities of the Civil War in the

For many newer directors, student actors and the ensemble of producers and crew, this film festival was the first time they could see their work on the silver screen. The festival not only created a place for those who love cinema to come together and celebrate it, but also provided emerging filmmakers with a platform to showcase their work and build experience. As the legendary actor and proud Canadian Keanu Reeves once said, “The whole of cinema and film should be a moment to come together and celebrate art and humanity.”

RISE Film Festival was much more than just a fun event — it was a reminder about how important it is that CapU promotes a space that connects people and the stories they want to tell. As for myself, I’m already excited to attend the festival next year.

GREEN THUMB 101

A foolproof guide to protecting your plant babies

Jasmin Linton (she/her) - Writer

Tobin Elias (He/Him) - Illustrator

Have you ever wanted to get a plant but had no idea where to start? Maybe you’ve been given one and want to take care of it, or you are already a dedicated plant parent and one of your babies is sick. It’s no secret that plants can be a lot of work, especially for beginners with a schedule full of responsibilities, extracurriculars and other demanding tasks.

Today, all your questions about how to take care of your plant babies will be answered, and your worries will wilt away. Here are just a few tips and tricks to help you take care of your first plant or tend to the wilting ones you’ve been neglecting.

In order to succeed, it’s important to not go overboard all at once. Though a bedroom full of lush greenery is usually the goal, start with one or two low-maintenance plants that won’t disturb an already busy routine. Some good beginner plants include pothos, snake plant and ivy. All of these guys are easy-toplease plants, so there shouldn’t be much trouble fussing with types of soil, amount of water or how much attention you should be giving them.

However, plants are picky; some prefer the sun, some the shade and some like a mix of both. If you live somewhere that has lots of sun throughout the day, try a strawberry begonia or jasmine plant (my personal favourite). If you live in residence or a basement suite, a better choice would be either a parlor palm or ivy plant; these don’t mind the shade or lack of sun. Looking for a plant that likes both? Try a pothos or snake plant.

Once you are set on a plant and where it will live, it’s time to get the rest of the equipment to properly tend to it. Soil type is important and will usually differ from plant to plant. Some plants prefer a more acidic blend, whereas others require alkaline soils, which have a higher pH balance. A good place to start is a regular indoor potting mix and go from there. To get soil and plants relatively cheaply, try stores like Home Depot or Walmart. There are also many local shops, and plant shop owners are always incredibly excited to share their knowledge. So, make sure to ask away if you’re curious about anything.

To keep your plant happy and healthy, it’s important to know what to do when it gets sick. The usual issues to look out for are overwatering, underwatering and one of the most common: the plant has outgrown its pot. Everyday items — that you probably have at home already — can be used as fertilizer to help get your baby back to normal. One cheap option is coffee grounds. Instead of throwing them out, sprinkle some on the top soil around the plant. It will help improve drainage and aeration in the soil, and will also be adding organic material to it. It’s important to only fertilize used coffee grounds. Unwashed, fresh grounds are too acidic for most plants and will end up doing more harm than good.

Just as important as the soil is your choice of pot. Pots may be an aesthetic choice, so it’s good to understand that different materials require different things before you make your decision. Pots made from terracotta are more porous than ceramic or plastic, so plants in terracotta or clay pottery will need a more frequent watering schedule.

For any type of pot, make sure to have drainage at the bottom. This will allow the roots to breathe. Fill the bottom 4th or 3rd with small-ish rocks, and then pour soil on top before planting. Drainage will help with issues such as root rot, which is caused by overwatering and/ or pots that are too small.

Over and underwatering is going to be more common if you’re starting out as a beginner. A good way to tell when your plants are in need of a drink is to poke your finger about an inch deep into the soil. If it’s dry, it needs a drink. To make sure that your plants are regularly tended to, a good rule of thumb is to water one to two times a week. Just be aware that this will depend on the type of plant; a cactus is not going to need the same amount of water as a pothos.

For many, plants can be a starting point to taking on more responsibility. It might be a trial run before getting a pet, or you just want to brighten up your room. Whatever the reason, remember: mistakes are normal when starting out with anything. Don’t be discouraged! You are bound to kill a few plants in your time, especially in the beginning. The trick is Wto stick with it and the payoff will be well worth it.

FEATURED ARTISTS

Mesh Devkota @meshart.ca

“SELF PORTRAIT”

SOCIAL (MEDIA) ETIQUETTE

The Golden Rules of the Internet

Jenny Rog (She/Her) - Writer Jasmin Linton- Illustrator

Most people know the idea of social etiquette, which is the behaviour one does in social situations. What many people do not talk about nearly as much is the importance of internet etiquette, and how we should treat it. This concept should be discussed more since there may be differing opinions on how to behave on the internet.

I’m a consistent user of social media, where I use platforms from streaming on Twitch and catching up with friends through Instagram, Twitter or Facebook. We all have our ways of interacting with each other — my rules and morals may come off as easygoing, but at the same time, protective of my privacy.

Some social media pages, such as Facebook, require you to send a friend request. Instagram however, is a bit different when doing so, depending on your privacy settings. You either have the chance to follow someone if their account isn’t private or accept or decline a follow request if it is private.

When meeting a new friend in person, or meeting someone who will be an acquaintance, what are some of the appropriate protocols when adding them online?

Well, as long as you have met the person in the past and roughly know who they are, it isn’t that strange to follow them. Individuals replying to my story aren’t considered weird either. If I decide to post something on the internet, I would likely expect a response from someone else.

Anyone who follows me on my private social media pages are people I know and roughly trust. Someone looking at my story is perfectly normal, but someone leaving comments the minute I post a story or status may come off as a bit strange; borderline looking like someone with too much time on their hands. With that type of person in mind, here are some things I always try to practice.

One thing that I will always stand by is not being too descriptive of my private life. Yes, the internet is a great place to create posts and talk to friends, but I have met a lot of people online — both good and bad. The internet can be a dangerous place, considering anyone can access it, as long as they have stable WiFi. It’s incredibly important to remember that anything posted can be looked at

regardless of if you have a problem with that or not. I’ve had situations where individuals would not leave me alone, leaving comments or messaging me to the point where it came off as clingy or “thirsty.”

If you get to the point where you are worried about your privacy or personal space, it’s time to set boundaries and block the individual. I hate confrontation more than anything, but I choose to always follow my gut feeling if something is off. If I feel the person does not respect my personal space or boundaries, blocking them is likely the correct thing to do. I would rather lose a potential friend than sacrifice my peace of mind, having to worry about someone who doesn’t respect my requests.

At the end of the day, the majority of my social media is set to private to avoid these situations. I have a fair amount of people who know me through Twitch, so I would rather keep my online life and private life completely separate. All in all, we should be careful about what we say, and what we post online. Have fun on the internet, but be sure to stay safe.

MINDING YOUR BUSINESS IS FREE

A reminder to be happy and let others be

Ana X. Mtnz Lima (She/Her) - Writer

Yohahnah Loker - Illustrator

Where do you invest your energy? In yourself or in others?

With the rise of social media, the erroneous perceptions that people have has increased drastically. Putting aside everything that comes with constantly comparing ourselves to what we see on social media (such as how we want to look, what kind of life we want to have, what car we want to drive). As a society, we have reached a point where we criticize the lives and actions of others based on something small that we see.

The problem begins when we start getting involved and talking about other people’s lives; things that do not affect us and should not matter to us. It is very easy for us to give our opinions, criticize, say what is right and what is wrong, and worst of all, insult. No one likes it when people are meddling in their lives, talking about them, criticizing them, and telling them how to behave. But why, despite hating it, do we do it to other people?

I believe that many times we do not realize the damage that we can cause to people until it happens to us. Hopefully, after some self-reflection, we could see people with empathetic eyes and not eyes that criticize what they see.Everyone has their own battles, struggles, and wounds. Inside each head there is a universe, and no matter how much we try, we cannot think the same way as everyone.

Apply it to yourself. Have you ever received a hurtful comment? Have people talked about your body in a way that made you sad or offended? Have you been criticized for your way of being or thinking? Have you been belittled for your beliefs or preferences?

People and society have enough problems already, but still, there we are, adding more salt to the wound. We do not know the context in which other people have grown up, if they have been violated, humiliated, if they have lost a family member or pet. You never know if they have insecurities or any physical or mental illness. It is better to avoid giving your opinion when it is not requested.

We don’t know what each person is going through, so it’s better to refrain from giving unsolicited opinions.

You and I know what it feels like to be criticized and talked about behind our backs. We know what it’s like to feel inferior, to feel like people are looking down on us. We know what it’s like to have lies spread about us, and have rumors circulating. I know you’ve been through something similar, even if it was a small thing. We’re all human, we have feelings, and it’s not fair to make others feel bad.

Stop spending your energy on things that aren’t worth it (such as meddling in other people’s lives). You have no idea how emotionally exhausting it is to be more focused on others than on yourself. It’s tiring, draining and it wears you down. When we focus on ourselves, we stop comparing ourselves to others and we start to grow. Our mood improves, we worry less and we have more peace around us.

Let’s start by respecting, loving and not commenting on other people’s lives.

THE GOOD, THE BAD, AND THE MESS OF PERFECT MATCH

All the drama reality TV watchers need

Beatriz Mac (she/her)

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Writer Megan Barry - Illustrator

Perfect Match is Netflix’s newest reality show where the most liked and hated contestants are picked from previous shows and sent to a secluded villa in Panama. Stars from eight different shows compete against each other to pair up with their “perfect match,” and the winners get the all-expenses vacation to anywhere in the world — and screen time. Couples are expected to be formed each week and then compete in “compatibility challenges.” At the end of each week, those left unpaired will leave the house, unless they are chosen to come back and be matched up with someone already in the house.

This description alone can give you an idea of how chaotic and drama-filled Perfect Match really is. Despite what the title suggests, this show is not about love — it is about the interconnected relationships of Netflix’s celebrities. The real goal of the series is to create as much drama as possible, and the cast is perfect for that. They bring on ex-partners, friends and enemies; and they all have big personalities. I have to admit, all the drama created an incredibly entertaining show.

We even get a hint of bi-representation, which would be good if not for Francesca making out with Kariselle while she was seeing Abbey and, o. On top of that, saying that Abbey was not ready to date women when Francesca was the one that couldn’t commit to anyone. Francesca’s comments and actions further reinforce the very harmful bisexual stereotypes, but Abbey was a good contrasting force to have on the show.

As these 10 singles try their very best to keep their Netflix “celebrity status,” they are eager to instigate fights and force relationships. In fact, for what might be the first time ever in the history of reality shows, the contestants are relatively honest about their intentions in participating in the show. Many even full-on state “I am not ready for a relationship” (Mitchell), and “ I want to win” (Will).

Although the honesty is refreshing, I also felt frustrated to see a dating show where contestants are not interested in participating.

I liked Mitchell in The Circle, and even had high hopes for him and Chloe as a couple. However, after seeing that he led Chloe into thinking he was ready to commit to her, only to leave her after she picked him over Shayne, I see that Chloe deserves better. Chole’s taste in men is questionable, to say the least, but her bubbly persona almost made me forget about Shayne and Mitchell’s terrible personalities.

Netflix’s producers poked and prodded at Shayne’s insecurities and anxieties throughout the show in order to make him spiral mentally — thus creating viral content and drama in the house. Although I disagree with Netflix’s approach, that doesn’t justify Shayne’s toxic behavior.

I think we can all agree that Netflix needs to stop casting toxic men like Bartise, Shayne and Chace and give opportunities to new people. However, if I am being completely honest here, the moment when Chole and Mitchell jumped in the pool and splashed water on Shayne and Bartise was pretty iconic.

If you like messy reality television then Perfect Match is the show for you. Plus, I am counting the days until the reunion episode, where they can be even more honest and fill us in on the post-production drama. I am expecting full chaos.

EVERYDAY IS EARTH DAY

If we all come together, change will happen

Eugenia Trevino (she/her) - Writer

Andy Poystila - Illustrator

Climate change is a concerning and complicated issue, partly due to insufficient actions, but I believe there is enough time to reverse our environmental circumstances, such as global warming, climate change and food shortage. At the beginning of human society, people weren’t aware of the harmful impacts of their actions towards the environment.

For instance, many countries and areas don’t require recycling. In fact, my hometown never encourages or offers recycling programs. When my family separated the trash appropriately, the workers would just mix it together, so we stopped trying to recycle until we arrived in Vancouver.

Despite the fact that Earth Day is not as popular as Christmas and Halloween, it needs to be more encouraged and promoted. This should be the case because time delays might lead the planet to a permanent problem. Sadly, many people either have inaccurate knowledge about the Earth’s situation, or are too lazy to correct it — partly because it requires a lot of money and resources. One of our first moves should be active collective action.

To make things worse, my private schooling didn’t focus enough on environmental concerns or encourage recycling. General society still needs more actions to reverse climate change issues. Pollution and deforestation, which are just some of the problems, still concern authorities and experts. Earth Day is a great idea to encourage everyone to help the planet and encourages more love and care for the planet with strong strategies. Therefore, Earth Day should happen in everyday routines, not just on that one day.

People tend to follow social trends, behaviour and mentality, especially when their friends and family members are participating. The global population needs to use more social power to help the planet. For instance, they should encourage people to do helpful things for the planet, like doing a good environmental gesture everyday. There are several ways to do this – recycling, cleaning the streets or creating environmental events.

While social trends are essential, there are other options that require more in person support. What this could look like is utilising the younger population, especially students, to support us. For instance, elementary and high schools should promote and organize environmental activities. I believe that these strategies could be a game changer.

With continuous action and encouragement, society will likely develop a habit to care about the planet. As a society, we can create better habits by using marketing approaches, such as announcements and social challenges. Between potential environmental solutions, social media is a strong choice because it has become an important part of our lives.

As social encouragement happens, everything will improve and it will encourage countries to work together. Potentially, they will create and collaborate into some kind of “Earth Day” as an everyday routine. If they are successful, other countries might consider the same actions or even more. Even then, the participating countries will be wanting to do even more; therefore, they might do more media awareness in social media and television. In fact, influencers and celebrities should encourage environmental challenges, such as cleaning or finding ways to recycle waste. Just like people socialize, we can use a similar approach to help the planet.

Another problem in certain parts of society is inaccurate information, especially people who spread false news. These people are successful because they have lots of fans and influence. To correct this, people should research the given information to ensure that it is accurate. If we teach young children to ensure the accuracy of popular information, children will develop the skills they need to distinguish between opinions and what is real. These days, it is easy to misunderstand and mislabel, especially information by “specialists” and websites. Social media and the internet are useful tools, but it is important to use critical thinking skills and to be cautious.

The Earth needs our help after previous generations have harmed and mistreated it. We can use the internet, social media, certain social patterns and encouragement as a global society. If we try to commit to doing an environmental action every day, we can increase our chances to reverse most of the environmental issues. If we manage to make daily environmental actions a social trend, we will have an advantage, and significant progress in our fight against environmental issues, including climate change. I am certain that we can do it again — taking one step at the time. We can resolve problems and live happily.

MESSAGES FROM THE ISS –INTERNATIONAL STUDENT SUPPORT

A million pieces make a whole

Most of us who came to Canada from somewhere else know the feeling of missing out. Missing out on birthdays and weddings, but also missing out on festivities related to your culture. Events that you might have participated in every year until you left, or events that you discovered right before you left — it doesn’t matter how devoted you were to those festivities, missing out and seeing your friends back home participating might still hurt.

Here at Capilano University, there are international students from such a wide variety of countries and cultures, which gives us a variety of colourful events to celebrate. The fact that you cannot do it at home does not have to stop you from doing it here. We are all a part of our own culture, and wherever we go, our culture follows. So gather your friends, maybe invite some strangers and celebrate the festivities that are so important where you are from.

One example is the World of Colour celebration that was hosted at CapU on Friday, Mar. 10 by the Center for International Experience. Holi is one of the biggest celebrations within Hinduism and its main purpose is to celebrate the triumph of the good over the evil and the love of the gods Radha and Krishna. Though this is a celebration that millions of people partake in, it is not widely known in North America. That did not not stop the people at the CIE from organizing one for CapU students. The celebration was open to all CapU students who were interested in the event and that led to something beautiful — shared culture.

Students of all nationalities participated and got to learn about the background of this beautiful event. This was just one example of sharing and participating in someone else’s culture. Recently, CapU also hosted a variety of Black History Month events, where students got to engage and learn about various African and diaspora cultures.

You as students have the power to shape and suggest events that are hosted and offered at our university. If you feel like there is something from your home country that you want to share, reach out to a teacher or the Capilano Students’ Union. See if they can connect you to a department or a person who can help you arrange that. Our world is so big

and beautiful and there is always something that can be learned. It would be a shame to not share with each other.

If you still feel a little uncertain, here are a few examples or ideas — my roommates are from Mexico and they introduced me to “Rosca de Reyes,” a celebration that is held on January 6. A delicious cake is eaten 12 days after Christmas, and inside the cake there is either a coin or a little figurine hidden. Whoever has the token in their piece of cake is said to have luck for the rest of the year. I got invited to join that celebration for the first time last year, and it was a wonderful evening of laughter and talks. Imagine if we came together as a university and bonded over a tradition that involves eating cake?

Another idea could be the celebration of a Carnival. Carnival, or “Karneval” in German, is a celebration that is hosted all over the world at different times of the year and with slight variations, but the core is always the same — people coming together dressed up in costumes to dance, listen to music and celebrate life. Where I am from in Germany, we celebrate this event in February — which makes it an ideal spring semester activity. Students could dress up, candy could be distributed and it would be a big celebration of life.

Those are just two examples of events which originated in a different country and a different culture than the one we are currently living in, but are beautiful and easy to transfer to CapU. Most of you can probably think about something within your own culture that is worth sharing.

So, do not hesitate to share your own culture — or experience the culture of your fellow students. All of you have something to offer, and all of you come from a beautiful background and deserve to feel like you can still participate in your celebrations — even though you might be thousands of miles away from home.

Lea Krusemeyer (she/her) - Contributor

BROKE BUT BOUJEE

What happens in Vegas – gets published online

Jayde Atchison - Columnist

Growing up, Las Vegas was painted as the city of sin — it was the place you flew to when you turned 21 and could legally drink in the States, or where you went to celebrate your last wild weekend before marriage — and I had no desire to partake. I don’t gamble and I figured I could party in Vancouver if I really wanted to. I didn’t need to pay all that money just to get drunk. When I got invited to go on a girls trip to Vegas with some coworkers In February I wanted to say yes to a new adventure, but I was skeptical about spending four days and not getting bored (or alcohol poisoning).

If there’s one thing to bet on when I travel, it is that I will find the weirdest activity to experience in each city. I listen to a lot of true crime and paranormal podcasts, and the dynamic duo on And That’s Why We Drink brought up the wild time they had at Zak Bagan’s Haunted Museum. When I tried to search Tiktok for the content coming from the museum (you know, to see if it was worth the $70 ticket), I could only really find videos of the lobby, the gift shop and people’s experiences once they were home. It seemed like the museum had a strict no phones policy and this museum was just something you had to experience for yourself.

I had a feeling my coworkers would never be into spending over two hours with demon dolls, haunted rocking chairs or serial killer memorabilia. However,I bought myself a ticket and was ready to explore a piece of Las Vegas on my own — and it turned out to be a highlight of my trip. I was greeted with a two-hour guided tour through a historic mansion that had been repurposed into a museum after being reportedly haunted and used for Satanic rituals in the 1980’s. The guide I had was extremely knowledgeable, engaging and made moments of light in the often dark rooms (both literally and figuratively).

When I wasn’t hunting for Zak Bagan or his ghosts, I was discovering that this city has an abundance of places to ogle. Every movie and TV show has gotten it right — the lights are just as bright in real life. I was walking with my eyes glued to all the neon lights, and maybe it was the tall boy of White Claw bought from Walgreens, but I couldn’t get enough of the showmanship of it all. Every block feels like Disneyland without the cartoon characters. Each hotel is done up immaculately to its respective theme. Stare

at massive columns and statues in Caesars Palace, feel like you’re in the side streets of the big apple in New York-New York, and contemplate taking a gondola through The Venetian.

What I didn’t know about Vegas was that it is more than just gambling, drinking and pool parties — especially when you get up before noon and the hangover isn’t debilitating. Admittedly, this is not a city meant to absorb culture or do what the locals do – it’s entirely catered to tourists. When you accept this, you have more of a chance to search for the hidden gems before you step on the plane. If you aren’t into the typical bachelor/ ette party vibes, head to the Grand Canyon, go to one of the many museums, ride the roller coasters and enjoy the campy side of America.

If you want to gamble and club, there is no shortage of that every night of the week. Even on a Tuesday night, you can find a club that has no room on the dance floor and full bottle service. I will admit, I did take full advantage of being a woman in Vegas and the only drinks I paid for this trip were the ones I had while walking around the city during daylight hours. Typically, a group of girls will be pulled to a table that’s got primarily men with bottle service — and while I think it’s a rather archaic and icky concept, turning down alcohol in the U.S.? In this economy? I don’t think so.

READ, REVIEW, REPEAT

The Ones We Burn, by Rebecca Mix

Matt Shipley - Culture & Communities Editor

Ranka is tired of death. All she wants now is to be left alone, living out her days in Witchik’s wild north with the coven that raised her, attempting to forget the horrors of her past. But when she is named Bloodwinn, the next treaty bride to the human kingdom of Isodal, her coven sends her south with a single directive: kill him. Easy enough, for a blood-witch whose magic compels her to kill.

Wow. This one caught me by surprise from the moment I picked it up, not least because of the absolutely gorgeous cover art. It’s a long one (I tend to do that) but it’s doable in a day. I read it over about five hundred miles on the I-5, so I may have some cool-road-trip bias, but I can tell you with absolute certainty that this is not a book to miss.

First off: I love the way this book begins. It’s no secret that a bestseller needs a strong, action-packed opening sequence to hook the reader, but I’ve read many books that don’t pull it off nearly as well as this. The author doesn’t give the reader many moments to rest between the action, which is what makes the few interspersed pages of respite so tender. The structure is formulaic, but very well done. It’s obvious that this novel was a long-waiting labour of love, which is by far the most important detail in my eyes.

The Good: Characters. I would have so much more to say here if the character design didn’t blow everything else out of the water. Aramis and Percy in particular were both strong in their own right, and Percy especially contributed so much to the book’s worldbuilding that I don’t think it would have done nearly as well without him. Ongrum was a perfect soft villainess — even though it was evident from the get-go that she would become the antagonist by the end, the main character’s perspective managed to shift that turning point far later into the book.

The Bad: As I mentioned previously, this novel follows the Golden Brick Road to the New York Publishing Houses to an absolute T. Main character gets married off to an evil family who she ends up liking, has to make a choice between old family and new romance, chooses

the old family, regrets it, changes her ways and boom. It’s tried-and-true (it certainly kept me reading, though I’ve read many similarly-plotted books) and if it works, it works. I just feel like we’re seeing a narrowing of the scope that publishers want to see, meaning most of the stories we’re sold operate on very similar plot points. Importantly, this is a debut novel, and now that Mix has broken into the business (a very hard thing to do) I hope that she’ll be able to branch out and write more daring storylines.

All in all, I very much enjoyed this book. To anyone who’s into sapphic romances, this one’s for you, whether or not you’re into fantasy. It seemed a tad cheesy at times, and on rare occasions I felt that the decisions being made were more for the advancement of the aforementioned Golden Brick Road than for the actual logic of what humans would do. The prose alone has beholden me to the purchase of every subsequent book by Mix — it’s a high point of the novel, for sure.

You may have noticed that I haven’t talked about endings much. It’s not because I don’t want to spoil them — especially in stories like this, it’s pretty easy to tell how they’ll end — it’s because in terms of endings, I am a raging masochist. I want the ending to be as messy, unsatisfying and thought-provoking as possible, no matter how angry it makes me. This book, however, had a perfect chance to do just that. Finally, I was about to read an ending that satisfied my craving for unique, raw, real conclusions — ones that feel authentic, ones that portray the truly shattering nature that fantasy wars tend to possess without… wrapping it into a shiny little happily-ever-after box like this one did. I truly have nothing against this — there’s no way an ending like that would make it past the publishing house — but please, New York. Broken endings don’t have to be restricted to self-published books and Natasha Ngan’s Girls series. Give the people a breath of fresh air. 8/10

JUDGEMENT

There is much to experience and say with Judgement present. As well as much to be open to at this time and or upcoming. Life may be feeling a bit rough around the edges of a new beginning or of a relationship (not necessarily romantic). But with this card comes many hidden and powerful blessings. There is both a salvation of the self, in that you choose to be your own advocate, warrior, and alchemist of your life, and a renewal of faith in second chances. What may have previously seemed promising to you may come forward to you in a new light and with a different purpose. Or you may have opportunities to choose to follow your heart and dreams again, this time with full force and faith. Judgement, as a card for this time, speaks of the importance of allowing yourself to start again, to pursue new avenues in familiar or unknown places with the wisdom and knowledge you have gained. You are not the same person you were before when similar situations, opportunities, or people were in your life. You will not make the same mistakes if you choose to believe that you deserve to experience joy, safety, and stability again.

For some there may be a chance for some much needed peace in your life. Although this may feel strange or even counterintuitive with the grandiosity of Judgement, know that peace is often something many take for granted. You wished for this at some point, and now you are being given it. Learn to appreciate the stillness of life, and you will see that it is in fact anything but still. Life and the world around us, is instead constantly transforming. This is how you too will transform, even when few truly see it and appreciate it. They simply have not learned and that is okay.

Be wary of self-sabotaging behaviour in regards to career or the workplace. And in connections, be aware of your openness or lack-there-of. You may be making these areas of your life harder than they need to be.

Emma Mendez (she/they) - Tarot Reader Kelsea Vance - Illustrator

Staff Playlist

Across Down

2. The main character of The Ones We Burn

5. The roots of Afrobeat

7. The band behind the Orpheus album release

9. Professor and overseer of the School of Performing Arts Music Sale

10. ______ with the Courier

12. A German celebration of costume, dance and life

13. Best Supporting Actor

15. The venue for Latin x Afro Fusion Night

16. Founders of a $2000 annual bursary for foster

1. ___ _____’s Haunted Museum

3. A good beginner plant

4. Japanese thriller about the kidnapping of a businessman’s son

6. CapU’s student film festival

8. The new President of the Capilano Communication Association

11. Mindful ________ Canada

14. Director of Women Talking

THE CAPILANO COURIER is an autonomous, democratically-run student newspaper. Literary and visual submissions are welcomed. All submissions are subject to editing for brevity, taste and legality. The Capilano Courier will not publish material deemed by the collective to exhibit sexism, racism or homophobia. The views expressed by the contributing writers are not necessarily those of the Capilano Courier publishing society.

We acknowledge that the work we do and the institution we serve happens on the unceded territory of the Coast Salish peoples, including the territories of Musqueam, Squamish, Stó:lō and Tesleil-Waututh nations.

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