Issue 18, Vol. 147. The Brunswickan

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Volume 147 · January 29, 2014 · Issue 18

brunswickan canada’s oldest official student publication.

2 • January 29, 2014 • Issue 18 • Volume 147

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January 29, 2014 • Issue 18 • Volume 147 • 3

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NEWS news@thebruns.ca

Emma McPhee News Reporter The faculty of the University of New Brunswick may be locked out but the international students are beginning to feel shut in.

Kathryn Gates, UNB’s international student advisor, said that while international students are affected by the strike similarly to Canadian students, they do not have as many options for spending their unexpected free time.

“Technically [the strike] doesn’t affect the international students any more than it does the Canadian students in terms of nothing happens with their immigration and nothing happens with their health insurance,” Gates said.

“But Canadian students have the option to go home whereas international students don’t have that option.”

Travel costs to return home are out of the question for most international students.

“I just came back from home and it’s not possible to go back,” said Ajayi Ronke, the international student representative for the student union, “flights going back home I’d say are almost $4,000 so I can’t go back.”

Another international student, Malcolm Nwokotubo, shared a similar issue.

“Because this was the busiest time of year I had to pay way above the normal price. I paid about $3000 while at another time the year I could have paid about $1500,” Nwokotubo said.

“Instead, I am back to school with nothing to do, spending a lot of money on living expenses like rent and food when I should be in Nigeria right now.”

Another unique issue faced by international students is that they can’t work longer hours to make more money.

“Because they are on a study permit, they’re only eligible to work 20 hours a week and where Canadian students maybe can take this time to get extra shifts an save up money, international students are still restricted in their work hours because immigration still doesn’t see this as a school break,” Gates said.

As a result, international students are left at loose ends.

“It’s hard for people to come all the way from their homes,” Ronke said.

“Coming here the focus is for school and now with no school it just makes you think more like ‘what am I doing here?’”

The International Student Advisor’s Office has been organising more events in response to these issues.

“We’ve upped our contact with the students and we’re working with the

International students feeling left out in the cold student union to try and plan more events,” Gates said.

“The schedule still moves forward in terms of the services of our office but I totally understand that international students are feeling a little trapped and a little at loose ends trying to figure out what to do with their time.”

Although like Canadian students they were only required to pay for their residence and dining plans by the Jan. 17 deadline, some international students had already paid for all their fees because it takes time for their money to transfer.

This has created increased financial stress for international students whose fees for attending UNB are already significantly higher than their Canadian peers by over twice as much.

“I paid my fees already and I’m doing nothing right now. That’s just one thing for sure that’s a setback for international students,” Ronke said.

But when it comes down to it, international students just want the same thing as any other student: to get back to class.

“I really want everything to be settled and go back to school because losing a term is extending my graduation time so that’s one thing I don’t look forward to,” Ronke said.

Future nurses, lawyers and engineers worried for their future Marc Gagnon Staff Reporter

Faculties such as nursing face unique circumstances when it comes to their semester. Alex WalshW / The Brunswickan

Their position is clear: students want their voices heard.

UNB administration and the professors are taking a sympathetic tone towards student concerns regarding the strike, claiming they will meet when the other party when they have something new to bring.

For some faculties however, this may be too little, too late.

The Student Union’s faculty councillors have been square in the middle of this conflict, trying to have the unique demands of their students recognized through the din of rhetoric on both sides. According to several councillors, however, their worries are not going unheeded.

“Students just want to get back to studying,” said Andrew Russell, engineering councillor. “[Losing the semester to a strike] would be disastrous because many classes are offered only once a year, some only every second year. These are classes we need to graduate.”

Though every student faces the real threat of a lost semester, those in faculties such as law, nursing and engineering also risk missing crucial deadlines for exams and co-op placements unique

to those programs.

Oliver Gorman-Asal, law councillor, believes this year’s out coming nurses, lawyers, and engineers are at risk of unemployment.

“My students have contracts that require them to start articling so that they pass the bar on time,” he said. “Some of us will lose our jobs because of this selfish, hateful bickering. If either side cared at all about any of us at all, they would not have waited until this crucial moment to butt heads.”

Laura Carr, councillor for the nursing faculty, said nursing students are feeling the same way.

“My greatest fear is that no one on either side is listening to the students,” Carr said. “My constituents and I are tired of not being heard.”

UNB Administration is keenly aware of student concerns regarding these time-sensitive issues, said Dr. Laurelle LeVert, associate vice-president of UNB Saint John and student liaison for the collective bargaining negotiations.

“We understand that students and the public are very frustrated, saying, ‘You both say you want to [negotiate], but you’re actually not back at the table’,” she said.

LeVert said that while the full bargaining teams have not met for the past two weeks, the two chief negotiators

have spoken a number of times, and have also been in touch with the mediator for brief meetings. UNB’s hope seems to be an understanding wherein students can return to classes while negotiations with AUNBT continue, but are realistic about their chances; “Thus far the AUNBT has made it clear that they want to come back to the table for us to present an enhanced offer, and we’re simply not in a position to do that,” LeVert said.

LeVert did praise the student demonstrations last Friday, and the student union’s neautral stand. However, having students at the bargaining table is a different story.

“The bargaining table itself is a sensitive type of negotiation that happens between the employer and employee.

So while we don’t see a direct role for students in the bargaining process, certainly students are being very successful in having their voices heard,” she said.

For many students, however, something big needs to change.

“I’m disgusted and embarrassed by AUNBT and UNB’s indolence and complete disregard for the future of its students,” said Gorman-Asal.

“If any union member or administration member reads this, resolve your differences and find compromise. End this utter childishness.”

4 • January 29, 2014 • Issue 18 • Volume 147

Got some news for the bruns?

BRUNSWICKANNEWS

Secuirty confrontation with students a “misunderstanding”

email news@thebruns.ca with breaking news or story ideas

The students were carrying an “Industrial Workers of the World” sign, pictured above.

Alex Walsh / The Brunswickan been able to read it.

“Some of us were really bothered Emma McPhee The university hired the private se- by the confrontational nature of the News Reporter curity firm AFIMAC at the beginning incident. We found out a few days later Two students at the University of New of the strike for safety measures. from the administration that AFIMAC Brunswick Fredericton were left quesJack said it wasn’t until after the inci- misunderstood their instructions,” tioning their freedom of expression on dent that he began to question whether Briden said. “We were assured that the Friday, Jan. 17 when an officer from the AFIMAC officer had been in the administration did not have any probthe private security firm AFIMAC told right to stop him. lems with students showing support for them they could not enter campus with “I didn’t really think much of it until the AUNBT on university property.” signs that supported the AUNBT. Peter McDougall, associate viceI thought more,” he said. “It kind of The faculty strike at UNB has caused bothered me they had stopped me and president of human resources at UNB many differing opinions among the told me I couldn’t have a sign that was said that the incident was solely a misuniversity’s students. Some have sided pro-AUNBT. The spirit of a campus is understanding between the university with the AUNBT and Cody Jack is that I should be able to express how I and AFIMAC and that they had taken one of them. the proper steps to correct it. feel about the strike.”

On Jan. 17, he was leaving the picket “The external security provider had Jack emailed the human rights offilines at the Windsor St. – Kings Col- cer of UNB, Barbara Roberts, to verify not been briefed on our expectation lege Rd. entrance with a folded sign to if what the officer had said was legal. that there would be students who’d meet someone on campus when he was “[Roberts] got back to me and said want to communicate their views on approached by an AFIMAC officer. that it was a mistake, that they didn’t campus,” McDougal said.

“He exited his van and came up to us fully understand their directives,” “When this came to our attention and said we couldn’t open the sign on Jack said. we immediately advised the [AFIMAC campus,” Jack said. “We told him we Roberts also sent a request to the officers] that not only that this was were students just so he knew we were New Brunswick Human Rights Com- absolutely acceptable on the univernot faculty members coming onto cam- mission to determine whether the inci- sity but that non-faculty, students or pus kind of thing, and he said that even dent had violated students’ freedom of others are free to express their views though we were students we couldn’t expression. There was no reply by the and opinions.” have pro-AUNBT signs on campus.” time of print.

No other incidents regarding proThe sign was from the Industrial Meredith Briden, another student AUNBT signs on campus have been Workers of the World, a local labour present at the incident, sent an email reported since then. organization. Jack said the sign had to Laurelle LeVert, associate vicebeen folded throughout the confron- president of UNBSJ, and received a tation and the officer would not have similar response.

BRUNSWICKANNEWS

January 29, 2014 • Issue 18 • Volume 147 • 5

Pierced with dedication

Graham Leupp The Brunswickan All you have to do is go downtown and take a look around to know that body art is growing, and fast.

People from all walks of life now have tattoos and piercings. And in a shop on Carleton Street called Dead Tree, nobody takes pride in their body art more than Jeff Forrest, professional piercer.

“I apprenticed under someone who eventually moved to the United States, but he left me with a good skill set,” Forrest said. “And owning my own piercing shop is something I’ve always wanted to do, so as soon as I got back from the oil sands, I got to it.”

Being in the industry for eight years, Forrest’s journey into entrepreneurship has actually been a rather smooth one.

“When I came back and started my shop, I had a decent following already of people who knew me and knew what I did before when I used to pierce four years ago, and they’ve all pretty much come back to me,” he said.

However, Forrest’s journey hasn’t been completely devoid of problems.

“Probably the biggest difficulty I’ve faced is that people are a little hesitant to rent space to tattoo and piercing shops, based on the way they used to run,” He said.

“But they’re not like that anymore, we’re not affiliated with thugs. Tattoo and piercing is clean, it’s artistic and it’s safe.”

Though being a piercer is pretty badass, Forrest said it’s something that takes skill and dedication.

“Piercing can be difficult to get into because it can be hard to get apprenticed,” he said.

“We don’t want to take just anyone off the street, they have to be passionate about the industry. Not to mention that the master is pretty much liable for the apprentice’s mistakes.”

As a trade, the piercing industry is quite different from most others. You don’t go to school and get a degree in it.

“A good apprenticeship should last for about a year,” Forrest said. “We wouldn’t let an apprentice pierce for a while, an apprentice would mostly be watching for the first months before they do any piercing.”

Jeff Forrest has recently opened his own tattoo and piercing shop.

Submitted.

Forrest is very happy to own his own to get where you need to be.” piercing shop, and has some words of Customer experience is also a key advice for anyone else who wants to do ingredient for success in the industry. the same.

“You also have to care about your “Do it right,” he said. “Get an ap- customers, because they’re also your prenticeship, and go through the steps clients,” he said. “A customer who has you need to go through, don’t just do a good experience will refer more, so it out of your house. And you have to you need that reputation as an artist be assertive enough to do what it takes who cares.”

Counselling now taking walk-in appointments Brandon Ramey The Brunswickan The wait list for counselling services is about to get a little shorter.

UNB Counselling Services will now be offering a drop-in service Monday to Friday during the afternoons. This is a chance for any student who needs to speak with a counsellor to do so in a timely manner.

Students in the past have found the wait lists to see a counsellor very frustrating and not worth the wait.

“It has been made clear to us that access was a problem . . . we’ve known that for a while and this is the one thing we can do,” said April Kennedy of UNB Counselling Services.

There are three slots open per day for anyone who may need them. You can

either call in to book in the morning or you can drop in during the afternoon.

Although the drop-in counselling service is almost open to everyone, UNB Counselling suggests that it be used by people with specific needs.

“It’s a service that we can provide to people who don’t already have an ongoing counsellor or who are on our waiting lists,” Kennedy said.

This does not mean that students cannot use the one hour of urgent counselling per day, which can be used in crisis situations. The main difference is that a drop-in appointment is half an hour and an urgent appointment is one hour.

Kennedy said some students are unsure if counselling would be a good fit for them, which makes the drop-in service a perfect chance to give it a

try. Also, if a student decides to use the drop-in service, there is no intake process and that will reduce their time commitment.

“For some people they do not want to go through our intake service and just need to speak to a counsellor regarding an issue,” said Kennedy.

Beginning at 1:30 p.m. everyday, you can drop into UNB Counselling Services to speak with a counsellor and avoid all of the lines.

“We are really happy that we were able to get this up and going. We are hoping it makes it easier to receive counselling for some of the students,” said Kennedy.

If you have any other questions regarding the UNB counselling dropin service, you can contact them at 453-4820.

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6 • January 29, 2014 • Issue 18 • Volume 147

Outside looking in|Alumnus looks at numbers behind the strike Nick Murray Editor-in-Chief Amid the bombarding of emails and tweets from both sides arguing their case in the UNB labour dispute, one UNB alumnus decided to look at the numbers himself.

Ryan Brideau saw the need for someone to give a fresh view from a third party, from somebody completely unaffiliated with either side – so he did.

Brideau, who graduated in 2011 with separate degrees in both physics and economics, works in the NRC building on campus for a software company called UserEvents, and spent three 18-hours days analyzing all the numbers released by the AUNBT and the university administration.

He released his findings in a threepart series on his blog Whackdata, and concluded among other arguments that the AUNBT’s case for higher wages was valid, but comparing it to UNB president Eddy Campbell’s salary was unfair.

“What I found was within the university, the money we have allocated for salaries was being fairly distributed among the administration and the professors as it compares to other universities in Canada,” Brideau said. “The issue seems to be we just don’t have enough money for salaries in general.”

Brideau argued that in order for UNB to be competitive, it’s not just professors who need a raise. Everybody does – Campbell included. The salaries are being distributed fairly, but it’s not enough.

“Given the money allocated for salaries for both professors and administration, it’s evenly handed out between the two compared to all similar universities,” Brideau wrote on his blog.

“So, if you accept the hard fact that UNB’s professors are among the lowest paid among their peers (they really are), and can stomach the fact that UNB’s administration is paid an amount that

This graph shows how full time professors’ salaries compare to their respective university presidents.

Submitted is fair in comparison (even if it seems high compared to what you or I earn), then the next part is easy: they are all paid too little.”

But Brideau said the fundamental problem with this whole deal is UNB itself has a revenue problem, and until it’s solved, the salary problem isn’t going to disappear.

“What I can say is we need to take a step back and think ‘OK, how can the whole university do better at attracting students, and raising money in a way that we can use it to pay for salaries?’ “ Brideau said. “We have lots of donations, but they’re tied to certain funds and certain restrictions, which means it can’t be used to pay for professors, which is a huge issue.”

Brideau took on the task to analyze

the numbers because it’s a hobby of his, but also because at first glance both sides aren’t telling the whole story.

The AUNBT has consistently argued that UNB has tucked money away – on Friday claiming $130 million over four years – but based on what he’s seen, Brideau said any cash surplus has been reallocated for capital expenditures and fundraising campaigns. However, Briedeau admits he doesn’t have access to all the number the university does.

“The issue though is that I only have one or two data points there and the university is arguing that that money may not be left over in the future given decreasing enrolment and these things,” Brideau said.

“They have much better figures than I do because they have the current

financials. So if what they’re saying is true, what they’re doing is okay.

They’re laying the foundation for a fundraising campaign and they’re doing one-time expenditures. But I can’t say one way or another because I don’t have access to the numbers they do.”

The AUNBT said while it doesn’t have many issues with Brideau’s findings, executive member Jeff Houlahan – a biology professor at UNB Saint John who’s on the bargaining team – said Brideau has made the university’s mistake by looking at salaries relative to the operating grant.

Houlahan said you have to look at the university’s audited financial statements, which gives a better indication of where exactly that surplus is going.

The audited statements are done by an

independent auditor and are available on the university’s website.

“Eleven of the last 12 years, revenues have exceeded expenses and this past year they’ve exceeded it by $28 million,” Houlahan explained.

“So the administration basically moves [money] into other funds. The operating fund is just one of those funds. So it can end up looking like ‘Oh, we just made ends meet’ but they’re actually $28 million above expenses and they just shuffle that money into a different fund so it looks like a tough year.”

Houlahan acknowledged the money is being put to use, but argues the AUNBT feels some of that money should go to paying competitive salaries.

UNB vice-president human resources Peter McDougall commended Brideau’s efforts and encouraged other third-party analyses of the labour dispute.

“I’m impressed that he’s taken a neutral, third-party approach to this.

He’d not set out to prove or disprove on behalf of one party or the other and I think that adds to the public debate,” McDougall said. “It’s helpful for people to understand.”

Brideau said there’s definitely a middle ground to be found with both offers, but if he was at the negotiating table he said he’d like to hear both sides acknowledge that each sides needs a raise; not just the profs.

“I think as soon as those words come out of their mouths, they see each other in a different light and realize they’re both on the same side,” Brideau said.

“This isn’t a professors versus administration issue. This is UNB in the context of a globalized society and they’re operating against other universities across Canada and the world.

As soon as they find themselves on the same side, it’s a lot easier to find the common ground to make concessions on both sides.”

Federal government hopes double international students JANE LYTVYNENKO Ottawa Bureau Chief OT TAWA (CU P) — Ca nad ia n university classrooms could have twice the international students in the next eight years. On Jan. 15, the Conservatives announced a strategy to double the amount of researchers and students coming from abroad.

The program centers around $5 million per year in funding primarily going toward branding and marketing. The funding was approved as a part of the Economic Action Plan last year.

Minister of International Trade Ed Fast announced the program at Ryerson University. Fast said in a press release that in addition to the marketing money, “the strategy will provide $13 million over two years to the Globalink program of Mitacs, a national not-for-profit organization that fosters innovation through research and training programs.”

The initiative will focus on six key regions: Brazil, China, India, Mexico, North Africa and the Middle East and Vietnam.

“The only goal I can see is While critics say an increase in international students is a positive double the number of incoming students,” he says. “I don’t know overall goal, they add there needs to be more details on the program. why that number was picked and if you don’t know why the number Alex Usher, president of Higher was picked you’ll have a hard time Education Strategy Associates, says the newly announced stratjustifying it.”

Da n Ha regy needs They [international ris, the NDP to be better post-secondthought out students] make an a r y educato be successful. important part of the t i o n c r i t i c , “There a re said the idea l o t s o f r e a - student body in Canada of doubl i ng international sons why you and help provide s t u d e nt s i n might want to i nc r e a s e t he resources to universities Canada is not n u m b e r o f through tuition fees a bad one. “ T h e y i nternat iona l students] make students but lets be explicit about [i nternat iona l what they are and work backwards an important part of the student from there,” says Usher, adding body in Canada and help provide there is no clear purpose for doub- resources to universities through ling international students. tuition fees,” said Harris.

He added the government needs Usher says the document presented by Fast should not be called to ensure the resources and support a strategy. He wondered whether are there for the new international provinces and educational institu- students, many of whom face a cultions were consulted when putting ture shock when coming to Canada. together the plan.

Gary Slater, associate vice-president

“

”

international at the University of Ottawa, says new students often have a language barrier and have to deal with different methods of teaching from what they’re used to.

Harris echoed Slater’s concern with resources for international students, saying, “We have to make sure they succeed and we have no problems arise from a larger student body.” He added that universities will need additional funds to provide adequate programming for the new students, something that’s not currently outlined in the strategy.

Slater said that because education is a provincial matter, the federal government can only hope the numbers double as projected. The rest of the work falls on the provinces, some of which have a hard time recruiting international students.

“We have to recognize that a national policy like that will be differently seen in the French and the English world,” said Slater, pointing out that Quebec has a harder time recruiting international students.

“It’s much easier to recruit students that want to study in English than

in French. We have to work hard if we want to keep a linguistic balance in the country.”

Slater said while Canada has a great post-secondary education system, it has to compete with the USA. That’s where the $5-million yearly initiative for advertising comes in.

“The number one t h ing t he federal government can do is give Canada a good reputation outside the country,” said Slater. “It’s a marketing issue to a large extent.”

According to Harris, Canada also needs to ensure there is an easy way to immigrate for international students who decide to stay. “We should be putting a focus on making sure there is a path to immigration and family reunification,” he says.

Whether the students stay or go back, Slater said anyone studying in Canada is an asset for the country.

Those moving back often forge strong links with the institution they studied in, while students who immigrate contribute to the economy.

“They bring a lot not only to university but to society,” said Slater.

January 29, 2014 • Issue 18 • Volume 147 • 7

THE BRUNS

An Open Letter to Dr. Leah Theriault

OPINION editor@thebruns.ca

Richard Kemick Opinions Columnist An open letter to Dr. Leah Theriault concerning your CBC interview against the strike.

Hello, My name is Richard.

First off, Dr Theriault, however much I whole-heartedly disagree with you, I still do recognize the amount of courage it takes for you to be literally the only one within your union to speak against the strike. Furthermore, since your main reason of opposition to the strike is that the labour dispute is detrimental to education, I also appreciate the fact that you are acting in the way you feel is most supportive of your students.

This all being said, however, please allow me to take up a bit of your time in outlining all the various ways I disagree with you. I thought that since you’re on strike and not on the picket line, your days can’t really be too busy right now.

Dr. Theriault, in your interview you situate yourself as a victim within this labour dispute and that the union is steamrolling you, an action directly counter to the benefits of the university.

You state that “the law forces [you] to be a part of the bargaining unit…where [you] have no choice.” While technically that is true, it is also true of every closed-shop union in the country. Your objection therefore seems to be not with AUNBT but the very concept of organized labour.

Playing the role of the forsaken martyr is also dubious since despite the fact that AUNBT voted a near unanimous 90 per cent in favour of a strike, you are given 50 per cent of an interview debating the merits of the strike. Since, I assume, you were the 10 per cent who voted against the strike, that means you have fifty times more of a voice than you would have if the media did not love controversy.

It is not only the ways in which you presented yourself that I found at odds

with reality, Dr Theriault, but also how you presented the rest of your union.

On the radio, you said that the professors on the picket line are acting like “kids at a summer camp.” Dr. Theriault, if your idea of a summer camp is standing on a Fredericton street corner in January making buttons, I think that says more about the tremendously underwhelming summer camps you attended as a child than it does about the actions of striking professors.

But even if we pretend that the picketing professors are riding horses, swimming in the lake, and gluing elbow macaroni to pieces of paper, that shouldn’t matter. Just like it shouldn’t matter if a professor wears a fancy red jacket. A labour action does not need to be a dramatic re-creation of the Siberian gulags for it to be successful; for a labour action to be successful, it needs to stay on issue. In this particular labour dispute, that issue is comparability.

In your interview, Dr Theriault, you state, “This issue of comparability is nonsense…. [since] most of the universities on that [comparability] list are from Ontario.” And while it is true that six out of the fifteen universities within UNB’s comparability group are from Ontario, there are many universities not from Ontario which place well ahead of UNB, such as the University of Saskatchewan, Memorial University, and the University of Manitoba. (I’m pretty sure Manitoba’s license plate reads “Manitoba: Not A Part of Ontario.”)

Out of fifteen universities, we are currently third last. But nobody is saying that UNB must be at the top of this bracket. All that AUNBT is asking is to be average within the list. The union isn’t reaching for the moon, they’re just asking to be let out of the ditch. This idea that every professor at the university makes hundreds of thousands of dollars is a fiction. Has anybody else seen all of the professors’ cars parked along the picket line on University?

Before the strike, I never knew so many Mazada 5s and Kia Sorrentos existed.

the brunswickan

Editorial Board

Contributors

Staff Advertising Sales Rep • Bill Traer Delivery • Dan Gallagher Arts Reporter • Tess Allen News Reporter • Emma McPhee Staff Reporter • Marc Gagnon Staff Photographer • Karsten Saunders Opinions Columnist • Richard Kemick Videographer • Lance Blakney

The Brunswickan relies primarily on a volunteer base to produce its issues every week. Volunteers can drop by room 35 of the SUB at any time to find out how they can get involved.

Editor-in-Chief • Nick Murray Business Manager • Andrew Martel News • Cherise Letson Arts • Lee Thomas Sports • Bronté James Art Director • Alex Walsh Copy • Sarah Dominie Multimedia • Gordon Mihan Web Developer • David F. Stewart Online Editor • Kaylee Moore

Ryan Belbin, Michael Bourgeois, Arun Budhathoki, Nikki Lee Chapman, Bobby Cole, Johnny Cullen, Benjamin Dugdale, Anika Duivenvoorden, Shane Rockland Fowler, Scott Hems, Cody Jack, Connor Jay, Kevin Lemieux, Graham Leupp, Sebastian Maynard, Johanna McPhee, Brandon Ramey, Arielle Rechnitzer, Caitlin Sowers, Jacie Targett, Lindsey Weidhass.

About Us

The Brunswickan, in its 147th year of publication as Canada’s Oldest Official

Not every faculty member has chosen to join their colleagues on the picket lines.

Alex Walsh / The Brunswickan Now, I must admit that at face-value, most tenure-track professors do make a good wage. And, as a rule, I despise anyone who makes more money than me. (Needless to say I live a very dreary and lonely life.) But this administration has cleverly disguised the issue of this strike as being whether or not professors should make more. Though that is not what this strike is about.

This strike is about whether or not UNB professors should be comparable to other professors within like universities. This strike is about whether the university wishes to make the fiscal commitment needed for UNB to be academically competitive.

That is why, I believe, student interest ultimately rests with the professors.

If UNB doesn’t want to turn into the northern equivalent of the University of Arizona, we need to ensure that we have the financial backing to attract the

best professors in the field.

There is no point in being a university if we are willing to be a mediocre university. As students, our degrees will be worth nothing if our university is unable to attract top tier professors.

For instance, Dr. Theriault, you completed your Doctor of Juridicial Science at the University of Toronto.

Your degree is noteworthy not only because it is the highest degree in your field but also because it is from arguably the best university in the country at which to acquire that degree. I’m not saying that UNB needs to pay their professors what UofT pays theirs, but your degree is so valuable because of those who taught you.

I stand with the union for the same reason: I want my degree to be worth more without elbow macaroni glued to it. The only way that I, or any other student, receives that value is through

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working with the best faculty possible.

Nobody chooses a university based on who the current Chancellor is.

There’s no such website as RateMyVicePresidentOf FinanceAndCorporateServices.com. It is the professors that determine the aptitude of the student body and it is the intellect of the student body that determines the worth of the university.

Dr. Theriault, I actually work at a summer camp. And since you’ve publicly announced your resignation, I assume you’re in the market for employment. Let me know if you’re interested in applying; I can promise you it’ll be a lot more fun than standing in a snowbank and drinking lukewarm Tim Hortons.

Sincerely, Richard Kemick richard.kemick@thebruns.ca

W T VIEO N I P

on What’s YOUR s week? i h t d n i m

How have you spent your time during the strike?

Charlotte Bartlett

Connor Morand

Grace Bowness

Jason Manley

Jordan McGrath

“Catching up on sleep and watching Suits.”

“Playing guitar and non-stop eating.”

“A lot of nothing.”

“24-hour naps.”

“Wasting Money.”

Lauren Lawless

Seth Buechler

Shannon Sheppard

Tyler Parmiter

Zach Coates

“Sleeping in, going to the gym and Netflix.”

“Eating, sleeping and watching Leonardo DiCaprio movies.”

“Gym, drinking and hours of Netflix.”

“Going to the gym and hanging out with friends.”

“Playing Dungeons & Dragons.”

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR Back-to-work legislation is not a long-term solution to labour dispute In light of the ongoing strike, some have asked the government to enact back-to-work legislation.

This is a short-sighted fix to a long-term issue.

Back-to-work legislation would have the undesirable effect of a situation where the interest of neither side will be met. Relationships between faculty and administration will decline even more. The AUNBT is arguing that they are paid one of the lowest in the country, and the administration argues they have no money.

The reality of the matter is that without proper funding, the university would be unable to attract and hire the best and brightest professors in the world, or acquire state-of-the art facilities, which is necessary to attract the best students in the world, which will maintain and increase our reputation. A good reputation for UNB is important to the students and alumni at UNB as it would determine the value of our degrees.

The world is now a global marketplace, and not a local one. If the situation continues, no quality professor would want to work at UNB and the current faculty will leave. After all, Fredericton is not the most attractive city for those outside of New Brunswick. The issue of not being able to hire professors is clearly observable at the Faculty of Law. At a time years ago when there were less than a third of the students we now have today, there were 10 professors. Today, there are only 5 more with many scheduled to retire soon. We have not even had a Dean for over the past year.

Unfortunately, I hear that the situation is not unique to the Faculty of Law. Back-to-work legislation would mean that we suffered through this strike for nothing except

inconvenience and a bad reputation. It would set a bad precedent and create a significant power imbalance in favour of employers where they would no longer negotiate in good faith as they can be assured the government will step in whenever there is a strike. Canadians have fought long and hard in the past for labour rights. Many students have worked, are working, or will work in a unionised environment. Thus, destroying labour rights does not benefit students, either side, or society in general.

What will benefit everyone is when both sides think outside of the box and find new and innovate ways to meet their mutual interests. Perhaps they may consider private sector funding, selling university services, raising money from alumni, better lobbying, additional marketing to international students (who pay higher tuition fees), and creating profit-generating continuing education programmes.

The strike has inevitably brought inconveniences and concern to students and brought down the UNB reputation. However, I hope UNB will use this opportunity to reflect on the way it does things, and consider ways to increase its revenue base in order to pay above-average salaries, build state-of the art facilities, and become more competitive in this global marketplace. It is only then will this strike be worth it, and over time improve UNB’s reputation.

Edward Choi

January 29, 2014 • Issue 18 • Volume 147 • 9

THE BRUNS

Autumn Hill at winter concert

ARTS arts@thebruns.ca

Tess Allen Arts Reporter She was working as a graphic designer for some of the world’s biggest stars when she realized she would rather be doing the work they were doing than the work she was doing for them. He was already a successful solo artist, but hadn’t quite nailed down that perfect song.

Their worlds couldn’t have been more different, but when the two came together to form country duo Autumn Hill, sparks flew – and Mike Robins knows why.

“We each bring a lifetime of experiences to the table. When we sit down and write . . . you always sort of get this duality to the songs. It’s this other dimension that breathes more life into [the music].”

Autumn Hill’s other half couldn’t agree more.

“I was living on the other side of the country, in Calgary, when I moved to Toronto to sign with the same label [Wax Records] that Mike was signed with independently. They put us together for a writing session and in that writing session we wrote ‘Favourite Mistakes,’ and that ended up being the title track of our debut album,” said Tareya Green.

“It was the first song we wrote together and it was just one of the best songs we’d written . . . so we decided to write more and before you knew it, we had written an entire album of duets.”

“When we [got together], it was just like ‘whoa.’ It was one of the best pieces of music either of us had ever written,” said Robins, adding with a laugh and a certain degree of cheese, “the rest is history.”

He’s right. One smash debut album later, the duo is busy sharing their talents with country music lovers from all over – including those in Fredericton.

Presented by the UNBSU, Autumn Hill will land at the Cellar Pub on Feb. 1, and both Robins and Green hope to see as many Frederictonians as possible share in the groove – and maybe even get a chance to participate in the duo’s new music video for the song “If She Wants This Town.”

“The idea is we’re having a ton of people submit videos of them holding signs with their favourite lyrics [from the song]. If people want to bring signs [to the show], we can get some good footage,” said Robins, adding that they have already received entries everywhere from Hawaii to Switzerland.

“The most rewarding thing is when you connect with people, so the idea for this is to bring the country community

together.”

The sense of community is certainly Green’s favourite part of the whole experience.

“Just looking out and seeing people responding to your songs in such a personal way is one of the most rewarding parts of being an artist. It makes you

feel connected, more human, like what you’re doing is a lot more important,” she said.

Robins hopes to see many local faces at Saturday’s show, which he predicts will be “an emotional roller-coaster disguised as one heck of a good party.”

Tickets can be purchased in advance

at the UNBSU Welcome Center for $5, or at the door for $10.

“In addition to it being a party, there’s a lot of stuff people can connect with,” added Green.

“We hope they come out of the show feeling inspired or refreshed.”

Downtown galleries get hoppin’ Marc Gagnon Staff Reporter

Gallery 78 was one of the stops on the Downtown Gallery Hop. Submitted

Every now and again, you’ve got to class it up.

As part of the Fredericton FROSTival, I attended the Downtown Gallery Hop and got a taste of the local art scene.

Bowtie tied as neatly as I could manage, I ventured out into the bitterly cold night in search of art – and as many free hors d’oeuvres as I could get.

First stop was the Charlotte Street Arts Centre, a multi-use building that immediately reminds me of UNB’s own Memorial Hall in its jumble of disciplines – a ballet practice was in session as I sauntered up the stairs to the exhibition. It turns out that the staircase was, in fact, the exhibition space, with the works of local artist Allison Green adorning the walls.

Green’s exhibit, Consume, is running until March 3. Consume features mixed-media portraits of substance abusers, portrayed in their drug of

choice. From a piece made entirely of cigarettes stood on end, to one with shot glasses full of coloured wax, nearly every vice you can think of is represented.

“I didn’t want [the models’] identities to be obvious – I didn’t want them to be uncomfortable. But I did want it to be genuine,” said Green of the project that took her nearly two years to complete.

The Charlotte Street Arts Centre has been supportive despite the unflinching subject matter of her show, she said.

While I loved Green’s thoughtprovoking pieces, there was no other art on display that I could find, so I moved on to downtown’s Gallery 78.

The gallery is perched on the corner of Queen Street, directly opposite the cenotaph. This spot was bustling, with easily 50 people crammed into the stately vintage home. With the atmosphere of a family cocktail party, and free cookies, the owners succeeded in bringing attention to their gallery of regional art.

“I’ve talked to I-don’t-know-howmany people tonight who have never been here before. It’s nice, we’re getting a new crowd who don’t know what we do here,” said employee Kim Bent.

Gallery 78 features over 80 artists, largely from Atlantic Canada. Bleak winter landscapes share wall space with quirky nudes and pieces like Margot Cormier Splane’s Nature Abhors a Vacuum, which features a wolf relieving himself on a Dyson.

As I said earlier, it’s all about keeping it classy.

Speaking with various gallery patrons over the evening, it’s clear that the Gallery Hop was a success. While a misleading website blurb led me to believe the Beaverbrook Gallery would also be open – it wasn’t – the event certainly succeeded in getting people into galleries they might not have explored otherwise.

Fredericton’s got a bustling artistic community – it’s just a matter of getting off your butt to see it.

And free cookies always help.

BRUNSWICKANARTS

10 • January 29, 2014 • Issue 18 • Volume 147

Visit thebruns.ca and the Brunswickan facebook page for our weekly video production...

Sexghost exactly what it sounds like

the brunsWEEKLY

From left to right: Jake Martin, Kevin Belyea, Josh Bravener, and Will Pacey. Submitted Tess Allen Arts Reporter Some ghosts want to scare you, some ghosts want revenge, and some ghosts just want to get laid.

At least this is the legend in a Montgomery Street apartment – known by those who have spent the night as “The Nut House” – that has inspired the Fredericton concept band, Sexghost.

“All of our songs are about the Sexghost. [She] comes to you at night while you’re sleeping. It’s not uncommon for people to know about her who have spent the night in that apartment,” said Sexghost guitarist and songwriter Kevin Belyea, adding that while he himself has never encountered the Sexghost, the accounts are “spooky or pleasant or a mixture of both.”

“We’ve taken it as inspiration . . . we’re trying to tell a story about the Sexghost, like a rock opera.”

Indeed, all the band’s music – written and performed by Kevin Belyea, Will Pacey, Jake Martin and Josh Bravener – centres around the fabled Sexghost, an idea first planted by former Sexghost member Michael Sinclaire, who allegedly met the Sexghost in Christmas of 2012 while housesitting for the Nut House’s residents.

“I had heard from the current residents along with past residents about the ghost that lived on the second floor.

From what I was told, the ghost only appears in dreams . . . [and] becomes

a design of your own personal sexual preference,” said Sinclaire, who now lives in Calgary.

Sinclaire recalls falling into what he calls a “mad lucid dream” on one of his first nights in the house.

“The hour was just a little after dawn [when] the door opened . . . and a young woman appeared with hiplength black hair and a white canvas gown,” said Sinclaire.

“I shut my eyes . . . and I felt the bed shift with the weight of someone lying down next to me. My eyes were forced open and I saw the woman again facing me from her side of the bed. I stared into her eyes and was lost in some grip or tether.”

Sinclaire said that what happened next became the inspiration for the band’s unique repertoire.

“I found both our bodies were sliding under the sheets slowly with our eyes still tethered. The strange woman and I proceeded to copulate.

Apparently I had closed my eyes for real sleep sometime during the experience [because] I awoke just a little bit after sunset feeling more refreshed than I had felt in a long time.”

It was shortly after Sinclaire’s paranormal experience that band member Will Pacey wrote the group’s first song, aptly titled “Sexghost.” Pacey said the group’s sound is “hard to describe.”

“We set out to make a punk band, but pretty soon, we had a whole bunch of different influences. I have a bluesy

tone and Kevin has a bit of a surf tone, so what started out as punk became a surfy-rock with that sort of punk attitude. It’s sort of a spacey, spooky sound,” said Pacey, who hasn’t had an experience with the Sexghost but offered, “I want to believe. I have to believe.”

“Some of the songs are kind of funny but they’re all really good and catchy and people sing along. You can dance to some and rock out to others. We like to get the audience involved.”

Belyea couldn’t agree more.

“It’s definitely this kind of balance between taking it seriously and not really taking it seriously,” said Belyea.

“We have some songs that are just funny, and some that are a little more serious. We’re just a rock ‘n’ roll band trying to have fun. That’s the main goal.”

That, and launching their debut album. While the group performs at venues across the region, it is currently their only method of getting their music out to the people.

“We’re trying to record, hopefully a single for now and then eventually getting a whole album out,” said Belyea.

“It’s all in its infancy right now but . . . We’re thinking maybe the single could come out in springtime.”

Belyea encourages those interested in keeping up with the Sexghost and their/her antics to follow their social media pages.

BRUNSWICKANARTS

January 29, 2014 • Issue 18 • Volume 147 • 11

Songs of the week.

by Sebastian Maynard

Johnny Cash - She Used to Love Me a Lot

WEDNESDAY, NOV. 19

On March 25th, Out Among The Stars will be released. The album was recorded by Johnny Cash before he was dropped from Columbia Records in the early 1980s. The restoration of the album has been handled by Cash’s son, John Carter Cash, who chose to release “She Used to Love Me a Lot” as a single for the upcoming record. “The depth that’s there reminds me of the real serious stuff that Dad did later in his life,” said Cash. “And I truly think it’s one of the beautiful undiscovered gems in my dad’s catalog.”

Spotlight Series presents Toronto Dance Theatre. 7:30 p.m. at the Playhouse.

THURSDAY, NOV. 14 Cecile Doo-Kingue, 8 p.m. at Wilser’s Room. $7 at the door.

Hiss Golden Messenger - Balthazar’s Song

Northcote and Dave Hause, 9 p.m. at the Capital, $11.99 advance tickets.

The story of Hiss Golden Messenger’s latest album, Bad Debt, is an interesting one. The album was recorded in the kitchen of M.C. Taylor in the late night, while his newborn son was sleeping. The entire record has a hushed sound, and feels like the listener is with Taylor while he is quietly strumming his guitar. The original recordings were destroyed in 2010 before they could be released, thanks to his distributor’s warehouse burning down during the London riots. With such a complex backstory, it would be easy for the music itself to become an afterthought, but Taylor demonstrates a talent for song-writing and singing, and put out his best album to date.

FRIDAY, NOV. 15 Cinema Politica presents Gold Fever. 7 p.m. at the Conserver House, 180 St. John St. By donation.

The UNB Rock and Ice Club presents The Banff Film Festival World Tour. 7 p.m. at the Fredericton Playhouse. $15 tickets.

The UNB Art Centre presents The Secret Codes: Contemporary African Nova Scotian Narrative and Picture Quilts. Opening at 5 p.m. at Memorial Hall.

Featuring a performance by M.A.P. (Making Africa Proud) crew and members of the UNB/STU African Student Union reading selections of African Canadian poetry.

Free admission.

Phantogram - Nothing But Trouble Gearing up for February 18 and the release of Voices, Phantogram has provided fans with another track to get them excited, called “Nothing But Trouble.” The electro-pop song contains synths, guitars, drums, and vocals that make it feel like a modern disco song that belongs on the Drive soundtrack. When the song gets complicated at the end, with an electronic break down and guitar solo, it reaffirms what Sarah Barthel has been singing throughout the song: “I’m losing my mind/ I see nothing but double/ listen to me/ I’m nothing but trouble.”

Dear

Ari.

Island View Opera Company and Orchestra presents Dido and Aeneas Show and Dinner. 6 p.m. at the Kingswood Lodge, $75 adult tickets.

SATURDAY, NOV. 16 The UNB Rock and Ice Club presents The Banff Film Festival World Tour. 7 p.m. at the Fredericton Playhouse. $15 tickets.

reviews. The last thing you want is to have to show your mom a tattoo that you don’t even like!

Clearly, your tattoo should be well thought out since it’s going to be on you forever.

If you’ve done all your research, and you feel comfortable and ready, and it f its in your budget, go get yourself inked!

Affectionately, Ari

Dear Ari, If you have a question for Dear Ari, I had my first STI test and found out I have an STI – and email Arts@thebruns.ca with the it’s the kind that I can’t just get subject line “Dear Ari”, or tweet rid of. How do I tell my partner? her @AskDearAri Who else do I need to tell?

Sincerely, STIven Dear Ari, I really want to get a tattoo Dear STIven, (just something small on my You need to be direct with your ankle!!) but my mom would absolutely kill me. What should I do? partner. Make sure you’re speaking in person, one-on-one, and Sincerely, with no distractions. Explain that Body Art Bella you received test results, and be clear on what those results were.

Dear Body, While we’ve (hopefully) all It’s your life, and your body.

You wouldn’t be breaking any been taught the signs, symptoms, laws or “ruining your future” in and treatments of a myriad of any way, so mommy dearest will lovely infections, it’s important to remind your partner of how just have to accept it!

That being said, make sure you exactly this infection manifests do your research first – don’t just itself as well as the required stroll into the first tattoo parlour treatments.

If your partner is rude or you find. Look up your local ink artists. Read and ask around for condescending about this pre-

dicament, remind them of the statistics and prevalence of STIs. Ultimately, STIs can be an unfortunate not-so-fun feature of a normal sex life.

If you hadn’t already asked your partner about his or her sexual history, it’s time do so now.

What were their last test results?

If there’s something they’ve been keeping from you, they may be less shocked at your results than you would think.

Your partner absolutely needs to get tested again. Bring him or her with you to your next appointment. You need to face this together as mature adults.

Since it was your first STI test, you’ll need to speak with all of your past sexual partners. As awkward as you may find contacting former flames, it’s best to eliminate as much of the guess work in this situation as possible. You have the responsibility and the opportunity to prevent further spread of your infection.

Condoms, condoms, condoms – wear them. This campus is full of free condoms. You can get them at the Sexuality Centre, the Women’s Centre, Student Health, Residential Life and from residence proctors.

The right selection is to protect your erection.

Affectionately, Ari

Island View Opera Company and Orchestra presents Dido and Aeneas show. 1 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. at the Kingswood Lodge. $20 student tickets.

Frostbite Battle of the Bands. 5 p.m. at the Capital Exhibit Centre. $20 Harvest’s Mardi Gras at the Market presents Nathan and the Zydeco Cha-Chas. 8 p.m. at the Boyce Farmer’s Market. $20

SUNDAY, NOV. 17 Odd Sundays at Molly’s presents Sharon McCartney and Ross Leckie. 2 p.m. at Molly’s Coffee House, 554 Queen St. Dean Brody, 8 p.m. at the Aitken Centre. Tickets $49.50 and $55.50.

MONDAY, NOV. 18 Monday Night Film Series presents Watermark. 7:30 p.m. at Tilley Hall. $7 admission.

N.B. Media Co-op presents “Elsipogtog and the Media: a conversation from the frontlines of shale gas resistance.”

7 p.m. in the Kinsella Auditorium, STU campus.

HAVE AN EVENT THAT YOU’D LIKE ADDED TO THE ARTS CALENDAR? EMAIL ARTS@THEBRUNS.CA OR CALL THE OFFICE AT 506.447.3388

THE BRUNS

SPORTS sports@thebruns.ca

The Tommies gave the V-Reds a run for their money in the second-last Battle of the Hill of the season, with a final score of 6-4. Rob Blanchard / The Brunswickan

V-Reds and Tommies duke it out in Battle of the Hill Tyson Hovey Sports Writer The Varsity Reds and the St. Thomas University (STU) Tommies met Friday night for the third, Battle of the Hill this season, in the 22nd annual Mark Jeffrey Memorial Game.

Jeffrey was a former player and coach of the V-Reds. Since his death in 1991, an annual scholarship called the Mark Jeffrey Memorial Scholarship has been awarded to a deserving player at the annual Mark Jeffrey Game.

This year’s recipient was V-Reds

forward Nick MacNeil, who has had great success this season – including his time in Trentino, Italy, for the 2014 Winter Universiade.

“It’s a tremendous honour,” said MacNeil. “Everyone in the dressing room knew how important this game was – we kept the tradition alive tonight for [Jeffrey].”

Before the game, Jeffrey’s family were invited to centre ice for the opening ceremonies and award presentation, followed by the ceremonial puck drop done by Jeffrey’s father, Jim Jeffrey.

As the game began, the V-Reds quickly fell behind with two back-

PANEL

THEY KNOW WHAT’S UP

to-back goals scored by Tommies forward Matt Bissonnette, each coming within the first four minutes.

Both teams battled back and forth for the rest of the period, but the Tommies held a 2-0 lead heading into the first intermission.

The second period began with a Tommies goal from forward Stephen Stanza to give them a 3-0 lead, but the V-Reds weren’t long responding with a goal of their own as forward Philippe Maillet scored just a minute later to make it 3-1.

The rest of the second period was back and forth as V-Reds forward Philippe Halley scored a short-

handed goal, bringing it to a 3-2 game, followed by Stephen Stanza’s second of the night. The score now 4-2 going into the final minutes of the second period, V-Reds captain Chris Culligan gave them hope going, bringing the score to 4-3.

With 7:48 left in the game, UNB head coach Gardiner MacDougall called a timeout to let his players regroup, proving to work in their favour as a power play goal scored by V-Reds defenseman, Jordan Murray, tied the game up.

It’s now 4-4.

The V-Reds took their first lead of the night with just 4:03 remaining

In light of recent events, do you think the Olympics will be used as a stage for dangerous political protests?

Bronté James

Nick Murray

Robbie Roos

Unfortunately, it most likely will happen. A suicide bomber killed 14 people on a bus – the second attack in two days – and that is nowhere near the start of it. Russia is not known for being at peace, and Putin lying at the realms is not making anything better.

Something is going to happen – it’s a matter of waiting to see what it is.

The Olympics is always a stage for it. But who cares? That’s nothing to the terrorism threats. I just hope Putin has taken an iron fist to it and ensured every measure for security is being taken, because I want my dad to come home.

I hope it doesn’t come to violent political protest, but it’s a possibility. Russia’s been pretty cray lately, and a lot of people are unhappy with Mr. Poutine. I just hope Russia doesn’t imprison the Canadian hockey team when we spank them like the last Olympics.

Sports Editor

Editor-in-Chief

Sports Writer

in the game, making the score 5-4, thanks to forward Cam Braes.

Down by a goal, the Tommies pulled their goalie leaving the net wide open for V-Reds forward Dylan Willick to put the game away with a final score of 6-4.

This win added to their six-game winning streak.

The next V-Reds home game will be Friday, Jan. 31 against fifth place St. Francis Xavier University as part of UNB’s Think Pink weekend.

cellarpub.ca

Andrew Martel Business Manager

The short answer is yes, there will be protests. However, I believe the IOC should have pulled the Olympics from Russia when the unrest, hate and fear were in the public eye. The Olympics help unite this world, but that is not the case going into Sochi.

BRUNSWICKANSPORTS

January 29, 2014 • Issue 18 • Volume 147 • 13

Are you getting enough of the D? Lindsay Weidhaas Keeping Checked In Are you getting your vitamins A, B and C? What about vitamin D? Getting enough vitamin D is more important than one may think.

According to Statistics Canada, 59 per cent of 20- to 39-year-olds get enough vitamin D through out the year. But this is lower than other age groups.

Vitamin D helps the body absorb calcium and phosphorous which are essential for bone growth and bone health.

Adequate vitamin D consumption has been known to decrease the risk for osteoporosis, diabetes and certain types of cancer as well as increase cardiovascular health and the immune system.

It also aids in the release of neurotransmitters, dopamine and serotonin, which are important for brain function and mood.

Now, it’s shown why it’s important to have, but how can you get it?

Some foods high in vitamin D are egg yolks, fortified cow milk, fatty fishes and mushrooms. However, getting 20-25 minutes of sunlight can

give you adequate vitamin D as well.

Supplements are another option.

Health Canada recommends that people aged nine to 70 get 600 IU – 15 micrograms – of vitamin D per day.

The winter months make it very difficult to get a sufficient amount of vitamin D due to the sun’s position – the skin cannot properly synthesize it. It also makes it difficult to absorb when it’s cold outside and you need to bundle up!

For this reason, eating foods high in vitamin D through out October to April is essential to boost your mood and keep your bones strong.

BRUNSWICKANSPORTS

January 29, 2014 • Issue 18 • Volume 147 • 14

You’re a FEMALE sports reporter?!

Bronté James Sports Editor The conversation is always the same.

“So what is your job?” to which I answer, “I am the sports editor at the Brunswickan.”

Here it comes . . . wait for it . . .

“Oh really?! That’s awesome. Don’t see many girls who can talk sports.

Good for you.”

Really, people?

First of all, that statement is rife with inaccuracy. Kate Beirness is a host for TSN SportsCenter, Erin Hawksworth is on Sportsnet Canada, Shelby Blackley is the Canadian University Press sports editor and well, here I am, sports editor of the Brunswickan – that’s only to name a few females in the world of sports.

It’s not all that unusual to see women stepping onto the court, turf or rink and leading the interviews. Don’t get me wrong, I am well aware there is a dominant male presence in sports coverage – and in my skirt and blazer I stand out – but I just look at it as a challenge that I eagerly accept.

One of the many reasons I enjoy covering sports is that I have played many over the years and it has been a crucial part of my life – physically, mentally and socially. Pair this with my desire to write, and boom, I’ve found a lifelong career. Now, many people enter the sports writing ring for their own reasons, but there is always one common factor: we are passionate about the game and want to talk about it. This is true for print, television or radio.

You would think the mere love for sport would be enough, but sadly it isn’t the case. Men, for the most part

– don’t worry, I am not condemning all of you – see women as struggling to grasp concepts, missing key plays or not understanding the dynamics, and have an abundance of other reasons as to why they shouldn’t be right in the action and covering games.

Prime example: when you type in “women and sports journalism” into Google, the first hit is “40 Hottest Sports Reporters.” We aren’t being taken seriously. “Well, that list could include men too!” Sorry, you’re wrong, only women.

Scarlett McCourt even wrote a piece on Dailywildcat.com entitled “Women still have a long way to go in sports journalism.”

There is clearly an issue that needs to be addressed.

Another prime example is the phrase “you have a face for broadcast.” Although it is meant as a compliment it can be misconstrued – a “face” for broadcast? What about my experience in soccer translating to word? What about my ability to befriend people who give me tips on a lead? What about my ability to write a 1000-word piece in less than an hour and be proud to have my name on the byline?

Does any of this matter in the world of broadcast? Or is just a “pretty face”?

In McCourt’s article she quotes a statistic that doesn’t surprise me, which makes it all the worse: “According to a 2012 study from The Institute for Diversity and Ethics in Sport, at 150 newspapers and websites around the country, 90.4 per cent of sports editors were men and 88.3 per cent of sports reporters were men.”

There are advantages to being a female in sports journalism – female

Seventy-four per cent of news journalists on the nationals are men, according to Greenslade Blog.

Sandy Chase / The Brunswickan athletes are at ease with me sooner parts that hits home.

Try not to seem so surprised when I than with a man, and men don’t mind I am female and I am a sports jour- can discuss last night’s hockey game talking to me – but it’s being dubbed nalist, but one does not have relevance without just saying, “I really liked the a “female sports reporter” rather than over the other; they are just two ways I jerseys.” “sports reporter” like my male counter- can describe myself. It’s 2014, people.

Shining the light on false media advertising Bronté James Sports Editor

Dove has launched a campaign to shed light on media advertising and photoshopping.

Bronté James / The Brunswickan

Picture this.

A young girl – we’ll call her Kylie.

She is 16.

Kylie is walking down the street and comes across an advertisement portraying “the perfect woman”: long, lean, 5’10” legs; perfect makeup and long eyelashes; a flat, tight stomach; the ever elusive “thigh gap” people seem to crave; she’s beautiful.

Kylie is 5’4”. She only wears a bit of mascara and her stomach isn’t “perfectly flat.” Her thighs touch and she hates that about herself.

When she looks in the mirror she doesn’t like what looks back at her.

Kylie is beautiful, but most media has distorted her perception of what is beauty.

At this point I am sure most, if not everyone, has seen the video where a woman goes in for a photoshoot, and over the next 30 seconds is airbrushed and completely transformed from her original photo.

What does this tell women?

It tells them their legs need to be longer, skin should be perfect and blemish-free, and other “imperfections” need to be taken care of. But it is these distinguishing factors that

make people individuals, and these are the elements of beauty.

Don’t get me wrong, some advertising agencies are using it for the betterment of body images. Dove has campaigns dedicated to showing the beauty of natural, real women – not ones who have been photoshopped. I’m sure everyone has seen the commercials with women of all sizes flaunting their proud bodies.

Christina Hendrick is considered “plus size” simply because she has curves – of which she is damn proud, and said to a reporter “Calling me full-figured is just rude.” Adele said she “would only lose weight if it affected [her] health or sex life,” and more women are starting to speak out against this idealized version of what true beauty is supposed to be.

Why can’t we all do that?

This is not supposed to be some long lecture where I am hoping to change the world in 500 words or less, but I am using it as a means of shedding some light on an all-tooreal situation women are living in.

To know the enemy is to be able to fight against it. The enemy is insecurity, and it’s a battle women go through daily.

Kylie is beautiful, but she doesn’t see it.

BRUNSWICKANSPORTS

January 29, 2014 • Issue 18 • Volume 147 • 15

Jammin’ out rail hard

The UNB Ski and Snowboard club hosted the second annual Keeping it Rail Jam at UNB. Adam Travis / The Brunswickan Bronté James Sports Editor The –20 degree weather couldn’t keep university students, parents and groms – the younger boarders, showing up the older folk – away from the UNB Ski and Snowboard Club’s second annual Keeping it Rail Jam. “I always love seeing the younger generation getting out and ripping with the older guys,” said club presi-

dent Matt Andrews.

Despite the freezing weather, Andrews was happy with turnout and is hoping the event will get more skiers and snowboarders around the community to come out.

“The cold kind of keeps people away, but they’re still here,” said Andrews. “It’s great – I’m impressed that people come out in the cold and watch us slide metal, really.”

The first event, in 2013, was to raise awareness for the Ski and Board

Club. A ndrews was also hoping to showcase his preferred style of boarding – riding rails in the park – and get others to come out and show their support for the sport.

It’s not just snowboarders who like to slide metal, but skiers as well.

Second-year mechanical engineering student André Aikens has come out to both Rail Jams at UNB and is happy to see more events like this on campus.

Growing up in a skiing family, he

THE BRUNS WEEKLY WAY BETTER THAN THE SCOOP w w w. t h e b r u n s . c a

is hoping to see more skiers because he doesn’t know too many in the Fredericton area.

“It’s super fun, everyone is stoked out there, good music, good vibes,” he said. “It was pretty fun [last year], but this year, it’s a little better – better music and more participation.”

He, like Andrews, loves to see the groms come out and match his favourite tricks, like a switch 270, 270 out or a 450 on.

Both see the sport as a family-

oriented, so everyone is excited for everyone else to go riding – and doesn’t consider it as competitive as team sports.

“Everyone gets excited and stoked when everyone else is riding,” said Andrews. “As a club, it’s not just for UNB students, we encourage everyone to join if they like.”

The Keeping it Rail Jam was the kickoff event for the 2014 FROSTival.

Drs. Lenehan/Legere Dr. David Hickey

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Bike Rack

16 • January 29, 2014 • Issue 18 • Volume 147

BRUNSWICKANNEWS