Capilano Courier | Vol. 49, Issue 5.

15

9

CULLING ME SOFTLY

MENTAL HEALTH WEEK

Why BC’s wolf cull should have you howling in protest.

A look at the causes, feelings and treatments for people with anxiety and depression.

VOLUME 49 ISSUE 05

OCTOBER 05 - 11 | 2015

PUG LIFE: FASHION DOGS UNLEASHED

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CONTENTS

@CAPILANOCOURIER

WWW.CAPILANOCOURIER.COM

01

02

03

05

Cover Art

Editor's Desk

Guest Editorial

News

08

09

13

16

Features

Features

Arts + Culture

Columns

CRISTIAN FOWLIE

PUGALICIOUS: A LOOK AT FASHION DOGS

BACK TO BASICS

MENTAL HEALTH WEEK

NATIONAL COMING OUT DAY

ROCKY HORROR PICTURE SHOW

BOARD OF GOVERNORS MEETING RECAP

SIP SIP HOORAY: ICHIBAN & FRENCH WINE

THE STAFF STAFF THIS ISSUE COURIER COLUMNISTS Andy Rice

Therese Guieb

EDITOR-IN-CHIEF

EXECUTIVE NEWS EDITOR

Carlo Javier

Gabriel Scorgie

EXECUTIVE LIFESTYLE EDITOR

FEATURES EDITOR

Kevin Kapenda

Mark Crickmay

OPINIONS EDITOR

ARTS + CULTURE EDITOR

BRANDON KOSTINUK After a year of working in clandestine, the Courier’s elusive web editor and lead investigative journalist will now also be adding the columnist hat to his ever-growing role with the paper. In this column, Brandon will be talking about sports, but not just the X’s and O’s. He’ll be discussing the controversies and taboo subjects that surround the world of athletics.

MAX LEY

Christine Beyleveldt

Alva Tang

CAMPUS CORRESPONDENT

COMMUNITY RELATIONS MANAGER

Cristian Fowlie

Syd Danger

ART DIRECTOR

PRODUCTION MANAGER

Tianyi Bao

Brandon Kostinuk

BUSINESS MANAGER

WEB EDITOR

THE CAPILANO COURIER

VOLUME 49 ISSUE NO. 05

CONTRIBUTORS ERIC WONG TAELORE KEYANA

VIVIAN LI MEGAN COLLINSON

KEARA FARNAN

ZED ALEXANDRA

MILANA BUCAN

MEGAN DIETRICH WHITNEY SALGADO ZOE SOFIANOS JAMES SAVILLE DANIELLE MAINMAN

1

Max Ley is here to help. Much of the student population tends to live on a limited budget, which creates a hunger for cheap and accessible “student” foods and the occasional glass (or bottle) of wine. What Max will be doing is finding the perfect budget bottle to pair with your go-to snacks.

Yes, we know, we should have this column every week.

ALEXA KWAN Alexa Kwan is so done with school. She is. She’s been graduated for two years and is currently working for a commercial mortgage brokerage. Here, she’ll be writing about life on the outside, beyond the protective boundaries of school. Oh and she’s got an Associate’s Degree from CapU’s Creative Writing program. She’s living proof that CapU can take you places.

KENNETH & JACQUIE We don’t know much about best friends Kenneth and Jacquie other than that they love fashion. However, we couldn’t give them a simple fashion column because you can only joke about Alexander Wang’s wang so many times before it becomes stupid. Instead, they’ll be our very own federal election fashion police. Hey, maybe they can even sway a vote or two!

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.

EDITOR'S DESK

@CAPILANOCOURIER

WWW.CAPILANOCOURIER.COM

BACK TO BASICS Andy Rice EDITOR-IN-CHIEF

I love fall. I love leaves, I love pumpkins, I love scarves, I love soups and I love sweaters. I just wish that openly declaring it wouldn’t make me so basic.

For the record, that word has never made much sense to me. Does it refer to members of the Millennial generation who flock to the simplest of current fads and stick to them like sap, or does it actually have something to do with the pH scale?

“Ugg” will always register in my vocabulary first as an exclamation of discontentment and second as a footwear company with a penchant for faux sheepskin. However, I can taste the difference between Starbucks’ old recipe for pumpkin spice syrup and its newest one. That probably makes my basicity a bit hard to classify. If this aspect of our culture really is measured in chemistry terms then I think I’d be about a nine. I’m not sodium hydroxide by any stretch of the imagination, but I’m not exactly neutral either. I am baking soda.

There are many reasons I love fall, but I think the biggest actually has do to with the tangible changes that can be seen in the trees and felt in the air.

I’ve always viewed autumn as a season of self-reflection and inner maintenance — a time to look back and plan ahead.

The oaks and maples get to shed their burden and hunker down for the winter, so why can’t we?

People often look at New Years’ Day

as the perfect occasion to turn over a new leaf, but I think a tree’s schedule is far more forgiving, more gradual, more realistic.

For students especially, the fall is a time of anticipation, fuelled by a hefty dose of optimism and good intentions.

The season offers new classes, new teachers and new friends. Wallets are a little fatter from summer employment.

Smiles are a little wider from outdoor enjoyment.

In that spirit, I find it quite fitting that Thanksgiving occurs every year in the month of October. It gives us all a chance to share a feast (or even just a couple of pumpkin-flavoured beers) with the ones we love. We’re reminded of what we have, how lucky we are to have it and that we get a way better deal than the Americans who will all be waiting until November for their turkey fix.

Elections are another occurrence during the fall. These events provide further opportunities to make changes to our future, should we choose to use them.

Others prefer simply to get cozy and sleep in. Thankfully, they’re in luck too. Every year, Daylight Savings Time comes to an end on the first Sunday in November, giving North Americans an extra hour on their pillows.

And then there are the many superficial reasons to love autumn. Soups, hot cereals, crockpot meals and large batches of mulled apple cider become a fixture of our diet, while putting caramel on everything is pretty much standard practice.

THE VOICEBOX

Wearing sweaters, scarves and multiple layers indoors is both accepted and encouraged, and playing in fallen leaves is no longer just for kids.

Unfortunately, this is where people (…I) have a tendency to overdo it. They (…I) spend far too much of their money at Lululemon because the whipped cream they include as part of their three-Pumpkin-Spice-Latte-a-day workout plan keeps bumping them into a new weight class.

They decide they’re the kind of person who might be able to pull off a “man bun”. They forget what it’s like to hike the Grouse Grind wearing anything other than flipflops on their feet. They take thousands of pictures of pinecones. They start speaking in their own dialect of hashtags.

They #cantstopwontstop.

I would continue, but I think I'll just leaf it right here at the moment…

I love fall and I'm proud of it. If you want to call me basic then by all means fill your boots — chances are they’re probably Ugg boots, which would make you just as basic.

You do you, I’ll do me. See you in the Starbucks lineup!

So I submitted my completed Sudoku. Where are my tickets? And is Gabe free in the evenings for a romantic evening?

with Carlo Javier

Why is it called ‘Capunity?’ Was Cap divided or something?

From what I can tell, it’s still not united.

Does Capunity know their logo looks like the Whitecaps logo? Cuz it totally does. You guys are gonna get sued big time for that!

Hey Cap Courier! I’ve been a frequent reader of the paper since my first year here and I noticed that you guys didn’t have a special feature in the last issue? What’s up with that?

#PIZZALEBRITIES

What happened to your masthead?

Didn’t you used to have photos of the staff there?

This year's staff isn’t as photogenic. We're just trying to spare you.

THE CAPILANO COURIER

Why would WE get sued for that?! We’re not affiliated with Capunity whatsoever, but I do hear that they’re pretty neat people over there.

Yes, Gabe is free for a romantic evening at the aquarium and yes your tickets are almost coming. We’re just waiting until someone on staff actually starts the selection process.

TWEETS OF THE WEEK

How do you think the Canucks will do this year?

I don’t know much about hockey so I asked Gabe, our resident hockey expert, for his in depth analysis. He gave me one word: shit.

So why does Andy have a photo of himself in every issue? Is it a vanity thing or just the first step towards world domination?

No! That was a test. You passed.

More importantly though, how come ya’ll only give feedback when it comes to the things we may not have done as well? Assholes...

The Voicebox is back! If you have any questions, concerns or any other bitchin’ to do, text it over to our boy Carlo at 778-865-2649.

“Please text me,” he says. “No one else does.”

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VOLUME 49 ISSUE NO. 05

You should see the walls of our office!

There are entire bulletin boards full.

You guys getting lazy?

NATIONAL COMING OCTOBER 11, 2015 OUT DAY

THE CAPILANO COURIER

VOLUME 49 ISSUE NO. 05

— CRISTIAN FOWLIE

3

STUDENTS SPEAK ABOUT COMING OUT A lot of people assume that coming out happens on a single day. Instead, it’s a lifelong process. Oct. 11 is National Coming Out Day, a celebration of this process, and the following is a collection of students’ thoughts, feelings and experiences on coming out.

- Jon Kinsley, Queer Students Liaison

Coming to terms with who you are is a challenging process but it is one of the most important and empowering things you can do for yourself. Realizing and accepting myself as Queer has been difficult but my experiences have made me into a stronger person.

I began to question my sexuality when I was in Grade 6. In Grade 6 I discovered that I was attracted to both the boys and girls in my class.

The negative messages that I heard about Bisexuals from my family and friends caused me to feel very confused about my attractions to both genders. “Bisexuals aren’t real, Bisexuals are gays who haven’t fully come out yet” — these were the kind of messages I heard and listened to from the people around me. Being Bisexual is a very different experience than being gay.

As a Bisexual I never felt like I fit in. Not in straight spaces, not in gay spaces.

The first person I came out to was my best friend when I was 16. Instead of being supportive she chose to invalidate the words I used to express my sexuality, and she told me that I wasn’t old enough to know what I was talking about. However I have been lucky that other friends and family members I chose to come out to later on were more supportive.

Coming out is not something that happens only once. Every time I meet a new friend or start a new job I have to start all over again, but it gets easier every time. I think that coming out is a form of radical self-love.

Loving myself has been a lot easier since I started being true to who I am and stopped caring what other people think of me.

- Anonymous, Global Stewardship

The process of coming out is never easy, but coming out in a place where the culture is accepting helps, compared to a place where over 60 per cent of the population is religious. In Mexico, people who identify as LGBTG get bullied, harassed, disowned and abused much more than in Canada. A lot of the hate crimes that happen in Mexico will go unreported and even unpunished. There is more fear in coming out in Mexico because of the closed-mindedness and intolerance there. The stories that I have read from Canada are mostly positive and accepting, but not in Mexico. This makes me very sad because of the time and age we are currently living in.

People should be accepted as who they are, however they identify as LGBTG, and they should be proud of who they are wherever they happen to live.

Due to the negative stigma of Bisexuality, some people have outright denied that they are Bisexual. Others avoid coming out completely and keep on dating the opposite sex so as not to raise any suspicion of being Queer.

As time passes and more celebrities have started to come out as Bisexual, the stigma has started to break down, but there are still many challenges and misconceptions.

One of the big misconceptions is that people must be gay or straight and that’s it. That is not possible, especially talking in a scientific way. I hate it when people say that Bisexuality is not real — they have no facts supporting that idea whatsoever. The Kinsey scale represents the spectrum between heterosexuality and homosexuality very well because everyone is in this scale, even if they deny it. The Kinsey scale is an attempt at explaining the sexual response or experience of a person at any given moment. Sometimes, that response or experience can even change from day to day.

The best way to make coming out an easier process for someone is to simply accept them for who they are. If they are Trans, ask for pronouns or what they prefer to be called by. And if you are going to ask questions, don’t ask stupid questions.

- Max Diaz Gonzalez, Education and Employment Access

Do you remember when you were a kid at your neighbourhood pool and you longed to jump off the high dive, but approaching the edge of the board made your heart pound in your eardrums? That feeling carries on into the scary world of adulthood. I found myself feeling that way when I came out. Coming out is unique to each person because we all come from different homes, upbringings and lifestyles, so I'd like to stress that I'm not speaking for others. I'm telling my story.

Honestly, I haven’t been sure of many things, but I know who I am. I know who I love. I identify closely with Pansexuality, but I know that it isn’t a well-known term, so I will explain it. I’m attracted to people, regardless of their gender. I have aesthetic preferences that I find more attractive than others, but all in all, their gender does not concern me.

Now, I didn’t just suddenly decide to be like this. I’ve always seen the beauty in all people for what it is. I didn’t identify with the term to be “special” — in fact, sometimes being open about this terrifies me. When I came out, I ended up apologizing for it. I shocked my family and they felt as though I was doing it for attention. I felt pressure to deny it and just head to bed and forget the whole thing.

My family loves me, regardless of who I am, but they can’t grasp my sexuality and that’s okay with me. In a weird way, I think that’s what has given me me this sort of fantastically indestructible sense of acceptance for who I am. Then again, this is only true for myself. I don't think anyone should have to go to bed in tears about having to hide a part of who they are to others. I don't think anyone should apologize for how they feel.

It's taken me years to be open and public about my sexuality. This is probably the largest audience I've shared my story with and that makes me feel really honoured.

Thanks for giving me the chance. As for any advice I can give to those who aren't out in this scary big world, I can tell you right now that you'll find the right time. Things are going to be just fine. Please, never feel pressure to come out if you don't feel ready. You should feel safe. Just know that there will always be people who will support whoever you are. I have a feeling that the world is slowly getting more and more progressive and accepting. We've got a long way to go, but we'll get there.

Happy National Coming Out Day to all you lovely human beings.

- Micaela Pirritano, Diploma in Music

NEWS

THERESE GUIEB

EXECUTIVE NEWS EDITOR NEWS@CAPILANOCOURIER.COM

CUTS CONTINUE TO AFFECT LITERACY PROGRAMS CapU struggles to keep up with costs of adult education Carlo Javier EXECUTIVE LIFESTYLE EDITOR

Capilano University received $69,000 in grants from the provincial government earlier this month, a significantly reduced amount from what the Squamish campus’ literacy programs are used to receiving.

The funding is part of a $2.4 million investment in community adult literacy programs throughout the province. $29,600 will be put towards the Squamish Community Learning program (SCL) while $24,411 will benefit the Squamish Faces Family Learning program.

The remaining $15,006 is slated for the Whistler Community Learning Program. The initiatives are part of CapU’s Community Development and Outreach Department (CDO), and exist to help further the education and literacy skills of members of vulnerable communities.

SCL and Faces represent CapU’s dedication to helping communities with adults struggling with low literacy levels. The SCL focuses on any adult who needs to improve their literacy skills and the Faces program operates similarly but works with both adults and children.

According to Pam Gliatis, adult literacy program coordinator at CapU’s Squamish campus, the grants will go towards field trips and re-

sources like books, learning materials and software. Funding will also go towards her time as coordinator and instructor, including her managing of the budget, recruiting and training volunteers and tutors, as well as teaching.

There were no mentions of funds going to technology resources like computers or iPads.

In the past, the adult literacy programs were required to apply for grants annually. “What’s changed recently is the proposal we put in last year for this year’s funding, once it was approved, it was supposed to be for three years so we wouldn’t have to reapply again for three years, which is good,” Gliatis said.

Programs dedicated to adult literacy in the Squamish campus and the Sea to Sky Corridor have recently suffered from the effects of CapU budget cuts. This year’s reduced funding stabilizes the grant system and eases the reapplication process but it still affects the operation of the program. Gliatis said that the two training ses-

sions for tutors, including the recruitment and interviewing process will be cut down to one, and the two field trips will also be cut down to one. “It’s a significant reduction,” she said. Last year, the program had 30 learners — twice as many as it should have.

CapU’s Adult Basic Education (ABE) programs across regions have also felt the ramifications of budget cuts. ABE allows students to take prerequisite courses that they might have not completed in high school but will need in order to get into certain post-secondary programs. The program also gives students who didn’t graduate high school the opportunity to complete their secondary school qualifications. The Squamish campus’s ABE program was cut two years ago.

Meanwhile, at CapU’s North Vancouver campus, ABE remains, but it too has felt the effects of budget cuts. As of May 2015, the program has begun to charge its students for tuition. “ABE used to be fee free,” said Don Bent-

ley, program coordinator and computer studies instructor. Government support for the program was included in former BC Attorney General Geoff Plant’s Campus 2020: Looking Ahead, a comprehensive review of BC’s post-secondary schools commissioned in 2007. “In his report, he recommended that ABE become fee free and it would become fee free in 2008, and just last summer the government reversed that decision,” Bentley said. “The University used to get a grant, so the University gets money from the province and they used to get a portion of that specifically allocated for Adult Basic Education, basically to run the courses and [so] that the students didn’t have to pay for them. They’ve since removed that,” he added.

The CDO, which has tutors working with members of the community in their region within community centres, remain fee free but the studies provided by the ABE program, which are done in classrooms, now cost at about $320 per course. Regular classes are priced at $360 per course.

Since the reinstatement of fees, the North Vancouver campus’s ABE program has seen a 20 per cent decrease in enrolment, while the one offered at the Sunshine Coast campus has lost 65 per cent of its numbers.

ROOM AND BOARD

The CSU's housing registry and what it can do for you [on our website] to mainly help students find

have housing registries administered by their

Kevin Kapenda

accommodation, and for people in the Lower

administrations.”

OPINIONS EDITOR

Mainland looking for students to rent to,” said CSU’s housing registry, visit

When students from outside of their campus’s

name of the listing location, its price, whether

Csu.bc.ca/housing.

city head back to class each fall, or begin uni-

it’s non-smoking, if pets are allowed and what

versity for their first time, what often precedes

other amenities are included.”

shopping for school essentials is the search for

For Taylor Wilson, the CSU’s vice-presi-

affordable and reliable off-campus housing.

dent of external relations, operating an online

When a university has no residence on its

registry is a useful service that he believes is

grounds, as is the case at Capilano University,

necessary to help students find housing in a

living in off-campus housing can become an

competitive rental market. “[Our registry] is

out-of-town student’s only option.

incredibly important. I think it’s one of the

To facilitate the search for housing, the

most important services the CSU offers,” he

Capilano Students’ Union (CSU) operates an

said. “I think that there’s a definite housing

online housing registry that helps students

crisis on the North Shore, and really any-

find a suitable place during the school year. In

where in the Lower Mainland, if you look at

the absence of the University operating a reg-

vacancy rates.”

istry, the CSU believes that its online housing

Wilson is also glad that the CSU is provid-

registry helps students find reasonable and

ing students with such an important resource

reliable housing that is often difficult to find,

because the CapU administration, unlike

especially if an individual is new to the North

those of most large BC universities, does not

Shore or Metro Vancouver.

operate its own housing registry. “As a school

CSU Services Coordinator Sarah Silvester

that doesn’t have residences or doesn’t even

helps oversee the housing registry. According

have a university offering their own regis-

to Silvester, it exists primarily to help stu-

try, the CSU really has to advocate for their

dents find housing, but is as equally as impor-

students here,” explained Wilson. “For the

tant for those who post vacancies on it. “It’s

record, schools like UBC, SFU and UVIC all

IE L L E — DAN

M A IN M

AN

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VOLUME 49 ISSUE NO. 05

For more information on the

online form where it asks for details like the

THE CAPILANO COURIER

Silvester. “People who want to post fill out an

NEWS

@CAPILANOCOURIER

WWW.CAPILANOCOURIER.COM

UNIVERSITY FORGIVES SIX-FIGURE LOAN

Board of Governors meeting offers update on CapU financials, president search 2015 to 2018 continues to be in operation and

Plan Committee responsible for overseeing

try and makes no difference to CapU’s income

its implementation is being managed by Dr.

the goals of the Strategic Plan and a Creden-

statement. Originally intended as a temporary

Richard Gale, vice-president of academic and

tials Summary Report that is still in progress

loan, Turner assured the Board that its forgive-

provost at CapU, along with McDade. Both

stating all course credits offered at CapU. An

ness will not mean a significant loss to the Uni-

On Sept. 22, Capilano University’s Board of

informed the Board that they are working

experiential review of all programs will begin

versity since CapU has a surplus of $50 million.

Governors held its first meeting of the semes-

with a consultant to assist them in imple-

this semester and continue into spring 2016.

The presidential search for CapU is still in

ter. The members of the Board are respon-

menting the Academic and Strategic Plan.

An internal review of the Advising Ser-

progress. Boyden Global Executive Search is a

sible for establishing policies and affairs that

Gale claimed that the focus as of now for the

vices and Financial Aid departments are still

firm that the Presidential Search Committee

CapU is involved in. They also oversee that

plan is to enhance student relations and com-

in progress, and academic support data from

has been closely working with in the process of

the University follows the University Act of

munity on campus.

satellite campuses will be acquired in order

the search. According to McDade, Boyden indi-

BC, which states rules and regulations for all

According to Gale, a Mid-Cycle Evalua-

to establish a redevelopment of all campuses.

cated that some processes of the search could

public universities in the province.

tion Report was prepared for the University’s

In regards to campus residences, it is not part

have a negative impact the outcome, causing

Shelley McDade, chair of the Board,

commitment to accreditation with the North-

of the Academic and Strategic Plan because

candidates to withdraw their applications or

led the meeting. New board members who

west Commission on Colleges and Universi-

there are no possibilities for creating residency

be deterred from applying altogether. When

were present included Christopher Clarke,

ties (NWCCU), an independent, not for profit

in the next three years.

the search was first announced, the Commit-

Dr. Michael Fleming, Rhita Hassar and Dr.

membership organization that provides re-

The Cap Year Experience (CYE) included

tee intended to have the final three candidates

Aurelia Mahood.

gional accreditation of postsecondary insti-

in the Academic and Strategic Plan was cre-

give presentations on campus as to why they

Clarke was elected as a non-faculty repre-

tutions. NWCCU has scheduled a site visit

ated to provide a structured plan for the 2017

should be the next leader. However, in doing

sentative for May 19, 2015 to July 31, 2018. He

planned for Oct. 7 and 8. Assessment plans

academic year. The CYE committee, which is

so, Boyden foresaw a conflict between the can-

has worked at CapU since 2011 as the mainte-

of the Strategic Plan from all academic and

composed of the Dean of Health and Educa-

didates and their current employers given that

nance worker II in the Facilities department.

non-academic units will be evaluated during

tion, five representatives from all academic

they would need to reveal their intent to leave

Fleming has been with CapU’s Philosophy

the site visit.

faculties at CapU and a student representa-

their positions. As a result, the Board approved

department since 1999. He has also been a

The Mid-Cycle Evaluation Report was

tive, will be part of research and development

a motion that allowed the candidates to present

Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) executive

presented to the Board by Gale. The presen-

for what the first-year experience of a student

their platforms in private to campus stakehold-

and is a faculty representative on the commit-

tation included enrolment updates and the

at CapU should be. Public forums will be held

ers and have the stakeholders sign a non-disclo-

tee for the Academic and Strategic Plan.

Academic and Strategic Plan. The enrolment

by the committee all throughout this semester

sure agreement. Campus stakeholders include

Hassar was elected student representa-

statistics at CapU remained in their draft

and will then finalize a proposal development

the Board of Governors, the Senate, members

tive for July 31, 2015 to July 31, 2016. She is

form as general registration is still being pro-

by spring 2016.

of the Canadian Office of Professional Employ-

a third year Business student at CapU and is

cessed by the Registrar’s Office. According to

The Board approved a proposal pertaining

ees Union (COPE), Capilano Students’ Union

also a student representative for the Senate.

the Student Enrolment statistics listed on

to the operating agreement between CapU and

(CSU) and select alumni. Dr. Fleming was one

Mahood has worked in the CapU English

the CapU website, a total of 7,000 students

the Capilano University Foundation, thereby

of the Board members who raised concerns on

department since 2005. She has also served

are currently enrolled.

forgiving the Foundation’s debt of $312,205.90.

this decision due to the fact that CapU students

as coordinator of the Liberal Studies BA pro-

Gale stated that all aspects of the Academic

The Foundation typically fundraises $25,000 a

are also campus stakeholders.

gram since 2011 and is chair of the Studies

and Strategic Plan are still on schedule. Some

year to generate capital, but has struggled to

Steering Committee. Both Fleming and Ma-

aspects of the Plan included determining pro-

explain to donors how much its debt is. Cindy

The next Board of Governors meeting is sched-

hood were elected faculty representatives for

gram offerings where more degree options at

Turner, vice president of finance and adminis-

uled on Nov. 7. For more information on the

July 31, 2015 to July 31, 2018.

CapU will be offered, international student re-

tration at CapU, claimed that the loan comes

Board of Governors visit Capilanou.ca/Board-

CapU’s Academic and Strategic Plan for

cruitment and retention, a Strategic Wellness

from the University’s balance sheet as an en-

of-Governors-new.

Therese Guieb EXECUTIVE NEWS EDITOR

FREE STUDENT SERVICES

THE CAPILANO COURIER

VOLUME 49 ISSUE NO. 05

A look at some oft-overlooked resources on campus Christine Beyleveldt

and housing to many of its students. Among

hall that sees little traffic. “A lot of students

prescriptions. “We give prescriptions for

CAMPUS CORRESPONDENT

the services that CapU provides are dental

don’t know about us,” explained Mary Cic-

birth control, we do the STD testing also,”

care, treatment for sports injuries and other

cone, a nurse and receptionist at the facility.

continued Ciccone, “It’s very convenient,

Although Capilano University caters to

first aid, conflict resolution harassment

“It’s sort of word of mouth after a while, but

and they [students and faculty] don’t have

only a small population of post-secondary

counsellors and a childcare facility for stu-

it’s steady, especially [during] lunch hour.”

to miss work or class.”

students in the Lower Mainland, many

dents with young children.

The clinic has been trying to reach out to

Although these services are free of charge,

services are available on campus. How-

Counsellors are available to students

more students. So few utilize the service that

details about them aren’t visible on campus.

ever, they often go unused, either because

struggling with victimization and harass-

appointments aren’t necessary, except with

Communications student Alicia Neptune

students do not know they exist or are

ment, interpersonal conflict and other forms

the dental clinic, which provides free routine

said she was unaware of the number of re-

unsure where to find them. Two of these

of bullying. The counsellors offer advice,

checkups and dental care to students as long

sources available on campus. “I haven’t re-

services include the Health Services and

strategic discussion, coaching, mediation

as they are covered under Pacific Blue Cross

ally sort of looked into any health services,”

Sport Medicine Clinic and the counselling

techniques and a number of workshops

health insurance. Costs of this health insur-

she said. “But I haven’t really seen anything

department.

ranging from anger management to team

ance are included in tuition. The dental clin-

on bulletin boards.”

Though its campus serves a student

building skills.

ic also offers free movie passes to students

body twice the size of CapU, Douglas Col-

The services are all neatly located in hard-

who make appointments. “If they have the I

For more information about student services

lege offers many of the same student servic-

to-spot areas around campus, including

Have A Plan it’s 100 per cent coverage,” said

available to students, visit: capilanou.ca/

es, with exception of its tutoring and men-

the second floor of the Birch building. The

Ciccone. “They pretty well see any problem

services.

torship program. Boasting eight times the

Health Services and Sports Medicine Clinic

you would see in a doctor’s office.” These in-

enrolment, BCIT offers recreation services

is located in Birch 249 at the far end of a

clude immunizations, flu vaccines and other

5

NEWS

THERESE GUIEB

EXECUTIVE NEWS EDITOR NEWS@CAPILANOCOURIER.COM

NORTH VANCOUVER ALL CANDIDATES FORUM: OCT. 1 Therese Guieb EXECUTIVE NEWS EDITOR

— TOMAS DANCO

Federal MP candidates visit CapU to discuss student issues issue of sexualization and violence against women was another question that was asked. Martin argued that having more women MPs in parliament would change

Christine Beyleveldt

the outlook of how the government would

CAMPUS NEWS CORRESPONDENT

address this issue. "We have to elect more women so it becomes more of an issue and not just swept under the carpet," she said.

She also brought up the issue regarding the

the North Vancouver riding visited Cap-

missing and murdered Aboriginal women.

ilano University and participated in an all-

Wilkinson focused on how he would en-

candidates forum in LB 195, hosted by the

sure the provision of services for victims of

Capilano Students' Union (CSU). Claire

violence and sexual harassment. "[We will]

Martin of the Green Party, Andrew Saxton

develop a plan to work with the provinces so

of the Conservative Party, Carleen Thomas

we can actually provide services they would

of the New Democratic Party and Jonathan

need," he said.

Wilkinson of the Liberal Party were all in

Saxton said that the Conservatives would

attendance. Jullian Kolstee, a 4th year com-

aim to create safe havens for victims and

munications student at CapU, served as the

women at risk. ”We have to make sure that

moderator of the forum.

we have protections in place and we have

Students and North Vancouver residents

shelters in place,” he said. “We have to en-

were allowed to ask questions while each

sure we have enough support from the com-

candidate were given two minutes to answer

munities for every situation. I think it's very

or one minute if they choose to counter the

important we promote corporate boards and

question. The first question that was asked

council positions for women to represent.”

was how the candidates would handle stu-

Thomas countered Saxton's response.

dent debts if elected. "We have introduced

”When the Conservative government was

the post-secondary student grant [Canada

asked about the missing Indigenous women

“Self-identified homelessness among stu-

that is thoughtful and balanced, and the Lib-

Education Savings Grant] to enhance the

he [Harper] said that 'it's really not in our

dents is shocking,” said Martin, adding that

erals offer a very strong team of candidates

quality of student loan programs," said Sax-

radar’,” she said. "It’s important to note that

the Green party’s platform emphasized stu-

from across the country."

ton. "We've allowed students to work longer

Thomas Mulcair started his campaign by

dent homelessness on this particular issue

Martin implored students to vote in the

hours and still be eligible for student loans."

saying that within the first hundred days he

and would implement a housing strategy, in-

upcoming election, and more importantly

Saxton emphasized how his government

would launch the inquiry to the missing In-

cluding 20,000 new units to support students

vote the way they wanted to, not the way

would help students have more opportunities

digenous murdered women."

who can’t afford property.

they felt obliged to, because the Green Party

when they graduate from post-secondary.

The final question pertained to what

Thomas finished the discussion with the

is more than a one-issue party.

“[In our platform] we have abolished stu-

candidates would do to i

mprove afford-

NDP’s plan to enact an affordable housing bill.

Thomas delivered a short and effective

dent debt and [unpaid] apprenticeships as

able housing in the Lower Mainland, seeing

Each candidate was offered the chance to

sentiment, closing the forum with “the NDP

of 2020… We’ve also got rid of interest pay-

as Vancouver has one of the highest-priced

make a final statement as the forum drew

is about bringing Canada back to Canadians."

ments on student debts," answered Martin.

property markets in the world.

to a close. Saxon displayed much national-

The forum was well-attended by students,

She argued that the Green party will "screw

Wilson responded by emphasizing that

istic pride in his remark. “Canada is one of

faculty and residents of the North Vancou-

student debt" altogether.

non-resident ownership is driving up prices

the most admired countries in the world,” he

ver community. “I see folks getting more en-

Wilkinson stated that the Liberals will

in Vancouver and that the Liberal party

said, suggesting that it could continue to be

gaged and there's an energy here and there's

focus on accessibility to education, "We will

planned to support the middle class by lower-

under Conservative leadership.

something happening that provided a space

work to actually find ways for individuals

ing the income tax rate, as well as building

Wilkinson emphasized the Liberals’ plans

for discussion to happen," said Outdoor and

with low and moderate income backgrounds

up infrastructure programs.

for the economy. ”I have two teenage daugh-

Recreation Management student Andrea

to gain access to education,” he said.

Saxton remarked that the Conservatives

ters I want them to grow up in a Canada that

MacDonald.

Thomas responded that the NDP will also

would implement a homebuyer’s plan and

actually provides a high-level standard of liv-

“I didn’t realize that the Green party was

look into accessibility for education. "The

tax credit. Thirty-five per cent of Registered

ing for all citizens but one that is also com-

as big as they said they were,” commented

NDP tabled a post-secondary act and that

Retirement Savings Plan (RRSP) funds

passionate and environmentally friendly,” he

Liberal Studies student George Kuintero

would be brought back and ensured that all

would be able to be put toward property

said. “This is the type of future, the type of

following the event. “I kind of expected ev-

peoples will have equal accessibility educa-

down payments. Saxton also mentioned that

regime that Justin Trudeau and the Liberal

erything that I heard from the Liberals, the

tion,” she said.

$600 million would be put toward improving

party and I will offer Canadians this coming

NDP and the Conservatives…”

How the candidates would address the

life for the homeless.

election. We will offer this country economy

ANDREW SAXTON

CARLEEN THOMAS

CLAIRE MARTIN

JONATHAN WILKINSON

VOLUME 49 ISSUE NO. 05

6

THE CAPILANO COURIER

On Oct.1, all four federal candidates from

CAP YOU

CARLO JAVIER

EXECUTIVE LIFESTYLE EDITOR CARLO.CAPCOURIER@GMAIL.COM

LET’S GET DOWN TO BUSINESS Therese Guieb EXECUTIVE NEWS EDITOR

VOLUME 49 ISSUE NO. 05

From black-tie galas to masqueradethemed dinners, the six student-run business associations at Capilano University have done it all. Under the management of the Capilano Undergraduate Business Enterprise of Students (CUBES), these associations aim to enhance the on-campus experience for CapU School of Business students and test their skills with networking and portfolio-building.

“CUBES was created to provide an opportunity to unite all the different other associations and just to bring more professional development and social awareness to students,” said Nancy Tran, career development officer at CapU. CUBES is run by an executive team who are picked through a hiring process where students are invited to submit their CV and then be called in for an interview. The existing executive team is responsible for succession planning and choosing their replacements. “If there is a role open, you interview for the process, then you take it from there. The team would decide if you deserve to have a role in CUBES,” explained

Ali Abassi, president of CUBES. Although from the outside CUBES may appear to be a separate entity from the other business organizations, in fact it’s the mother of them all. “What CUBES does mainly is it organizes events to make sure those associations under us run as efficiently as possible,” continued Abassi, “We deal with all the things they shouldn’t have to deal with — like event marketing, we will assist them with that, building a community and members, things that would stray them away from their own goals.”

In the past, CUBES communicated on social media platforms separately from the business associations it manages, which made it seem like CUBES was one of the associations. However, this year, CUBES has completely redesigned its communications approach by deleting its social media accounts and focusing on overseeing the business associations under it. “The great thing about CUBES is that students don’t need to know about CUBES. We do stuff for the organizations,” stated Abassi.

According to Abassi, it is important to keep in mind that the business associations focus on different areas of business. As a result, there is no conflict of interest between the associations. “They all have their specific focus of what they’re doing so we don’t

actually deal with managing their event.

We let them do as much as they can, we are more of a support system,” said Abassi.

“Before this year, there was a lot of confusion going on [about] how things work, so each association has their own marketing person, has their social media person,” he added. “We just simplified, organized and strategized everything for them so they don’t have to deal with confusion anymore.”

In order for CUBES to continue to oversee the associations and stay afloat, the School of Business at CapU provides its resources. “My role is really just to provide them with guidance and advice like just making sure they follow all the policies and procedures and the events will comply with the university policies,” explained Tran.

“We also fund each of the associations and provide them some financial support and all the faculty members are very keen on supporting each of the associations and encouraging their students to attend the events that are held by the associations.”

Although these are the Business department’s roles, it lets CUBES and the associations be innovative and allow them as much freedom as possible.

This year, an upcoming event called Leadership Lunch is one of the initiatives that CUBES is hosting. The organization

— JAMES SAVILLE

A look into the new operations of CUBES

will be inviting student leaders of CapU to come together and discuss issues on campus. “We want to invite all the leaders from the school, so people on the executive team from the business associations to the CSU,” said Abassi. “Just building these connections is the goal of the leaders’ lunch,” he added.

However, creating connections on campus isn’t just for high-profile students in suits. In fact, it’s one of the simplest ways to gain knowledge from a different faculty and help build a portfolio. “I would definitely encourage students to keep an open mind,” said Tran. “You could be in film, you can be in music, you can be a rehab assistant — come out and take advantage of the opportunities.”

anxious? blue? stressed? depression and anxiety information and screening free, anonymous, confidential, drop-in

THE CAPILANO COURIER

Capilano University Birch Building (Birch 267 and Birch Cafeteria) October 8 11:15am–1:15pm for more information: www.heretohelp.bc.ca 7

FEATURES NEWS

GABRIEL SCORGIE

FEATURES EDITOR SPECIALFEATURES.CAPCOURIER@GMAIL.COM

PUGALICIOUS

The changing face of man’s best friend Christine Beyleveldt CAMPUS CORRESPONDENT

According to one-time New York Times columnist Margo Kaufman, pugs are “12-pound package[s] of pug charm and pugnacity with the face of an imp, the heart of a ham, the seductive skills of a slut and the deductive gifts of a genius.” These creatures are much loved by all who have had the pleasure of knowing one, despite their decidedly wrinkled appearance and what appears to be crinkled Saran Wrap for a nose. Pugs are clearly the dog in fashion, though, oddly enough, no one cares to admit it.

The number of pug-owning celebrities should already pinpoint why we love pugs so much. Celebrities often influence our choices, because North America is utterly consumed by celebrity culture. The trends set by stars are the ones that are followed — so naturally, when Paris Hilton gave up her iconic Chihuahua for a blonde pug that goes by the name of Mugsy, the message was clear: pugs were in style. Many pop culture legends such as Chris Pratt and Hugh Laurie have joined the pug-crazed bandwagon, followed by astounding numbers of the public.

THE DEAL WITH PUGS

Unlike the silverware that came as part of an inheritance, animals are not meant to be tossed out once they have gone out of style.

According to the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA), shelters pick up 7.6 million cats and dogs in the United States every year. Some will be adopted, but the rest are often put down.

Many pets don’t even make it to shelters, and are abandoned on the side of roads or in the forest.

Canada has a similar problem, and shelter workers can attest that it isn’t necessarily even breeds that have gone out of style that end up in shelters. “It’s a huge mix of different breeds,” said to Dragana Hajdukovic, branch manager of the West Vancouver SPCA. The shelter sees up to 1,000 animals come through its front doors every year, with 30 to 40 per cent of them being dogs.

The number of animals appearing in shelters across North America is alarming.

Sadly, those numbers are due in part to the short attention span of new owners. Dogs, especially puppies, are very much like children according to Lisa Brink, who owns a Bichon Shih Tzu. “Well if you leave a puppy alone, it’ll get up to nonsense and eat shoes,” said Brink. They require constant attention.

“They’re more needing of people.”

Pets end up in shelters for a variety of reasons, among the obvious being a lack of facilities to care for the animals and the cost of maintenance. Many more are dropped off because owners simply lack the time or the energy. According to Hajdukovic, it’s crucially important to match the personality of the animal to the family. For example, one can adore Dalmatians as she said, but if you don’t have between two to four hours to walk them every day, it’s not going to be a harmonious relationship. In that sense, puppies require a lot of attention because when they’re young they can be very frisky, they need to be trained, walked frequently and constantly entertained, much like little children.

Often, owners cite exhaustion as the main reason for giving up a new puppy, although many dogs that are kept on by owners beyond the first few months may still find themselves homeless because they simply lose their appeal over time.

“There’s random stuff that happens that you have to deal with,” cites Brink, “Like they get into chocolate when they shouldn’t, or their ACL [Anterior Cruciate Ligament] goes.” In their old age, dogs often require surgery to their hips or knees and medication becomes increasingly expensive. “If they have allergies you have to deal with that, if they have ear problems you have to deal with that,” added Brink. Sometimes, the bills become too much to handle and owners are faced with difficult choices.

Shelters are facing a problem of their own, where many aspiring pet owners overlook them for the fact that the animals are second hand, and would rather purchase a pup from a pet store. Shelters receive animals in such astounding numbers that they don’t have the resources to care for them all, and often if an animal isn’t adopted within a few days of turning up at the shelter, it will be euthanized. It is estimated that over half of all dogs in animal shelters are put down.

Just like their owners, dogs happen to come in many shapes and sizes. A pug may be wrinkled and constantly wheezing, but they’re rolled in layers of fat that just ooze love and affection. “It is no wonder that pugs have become a popular breed among families with children, couples or single people wanting an unconditional companion,” said Sun. “They may be more popular than they were, but there are loads of dogs that people love,” said Brink.

It seems the old adage rings true — a dog really is man’s best friend, even if a particular breed happens to be a little ruff on the eyes.

8

VOLUME 49 ISSUE NO. 05

“Our goal at SuperDogs is to show people how much fun it is to own, communicate, play and love their dog,” said Leonard Chase, COO and CFO of SuperDogs.

Loving owners adopted a number of the starring pets from rescue groups or shelters.

SuperDogs do not own any of the pets. “[This] keeps our production pure and not a circus,” remarked Chase.

The show has been featured at the Pacific National Exhibition (PNE) for the past 38 years, encouraging delighted audiences to adopt companions of their own. “The breed is unimportant as we also have many mixed breeds in the show,” said Chase. “It is all in the way we present the show with lots of sentimentality. Plus, all the dogs belong to the trainer so they are showing pure love and communication on stage.”

The relationship between humans and dogs is unlike any other. It’s not often that we are able to bond so completely with another species, and while many families love their dogs wholeheartedly, there are some truly heart wrenching incidents involving the dogs that aren’t considered family members.

WHERE ARE THEY NOW?

THE CAPILANO COURIER

For 23 years, the Labrador Retriever held a special place in man’s heart. A loyal breed that originated in Newfoundland and Labrador, these golden creatures were used by fishermen on the Atlantic coast to pull in fishing nets. But something changed, and Labrador Retrievers gradually fell out of fashion. There was once a time when owners valued their pets for their heartwarming personalities and steadfast loyalty, though it appears pop culture now has a massive influence on the animals we chose for companions, and more often now pet owners are selecting their animals as a fashion accessory.

One wonders why the pug finally usurped the Labrador Retriever as man’s most adored pet, considering that the pug gained its name from the old English word for goblin, or small monkey. Perhaps pet owners simply feel sorry for the poor animal. Pugs have protuberant eyes that are consistently becoming ulcerated. They also have poorly

formed knee joints that make walking painful and a flat snout that makes breathing difficult. Pugs have a hard life, but they have no trouble exacting sympathy and adoration from would-be owners. But what is it that makes pugs so loveable? According to Lisa Sun, a certified master trainer who owns three pugs that go by Snap, Crackle and Pop respectively, “it was love of the breed at first sight.

“We hope that whatever breed a family owns, whether a pug or not, that their dog is most loved and well hugged,” she continued, “And not only days, but moments with them are always cherished, as our pugs have really filled our lives with the best of times.”

At SuperDogs, an event that puts dogs in the spotlight by making them perform tricks and run through obstacle courses, all dogs are welcome. SuperDogs is one example of a community of people who love their dogs for who they are, not for their style as a breed.

FEATURES NEWS

GREATER THAN SAD The inner workings of anxiety and depression Gabriel Scorgie FEATURES EDITOR

“ THE CAPILANO COURIER

VOLUME 49 ISSUE NO. 05

PEOPLE DON’T CHOOSE TO STRUGGLE ON PURPOSE — RATHER, THEY ENCOUNTER OBSTACLES. WHEN SOMEONE HAS GAINED THE SELF-AWARENESS TO REALIZE HIS OR HER NEED FOR PROFESSIONAL HELP, THIS IS SOMETHING TO BE ADMIRED AND NOT JUDGED.

”

9

Nothing defines us more than our brain. It influences the way we think, the way we feel and how we interact with the world. For the average person whose brain is not focused on the rain clouds in the sky, that their food is slightly burnt or the fact that they just can’t take it anymore, their brain is an ally. Some, however, find that more often than not, their brain is the root of their problems. It’s the reason they can’t get out of bed, let alone go to work some days. They feel too sad and too tired and they don’t see any reason to believe that it will end.

These people might not know why this has happened to them or if it’s even really happening. Some will deny that they are anxious or depressed and many more will unfairly blame themselves for being weakminded or not tough enough. This isn’t true.

People don’t choose to wake up anxious or depressed and shouldn’t be looked at or feel as if they do. The truth is that anxiety and depression are two of the most exhausting illnesses to fight and the people who have them shouldn’t have to struggle alone.

Twenty per cent of Canadians will experience mental illness in their lifetimes. Of that 20 per cent, eight per cent will go through a major depression and only 51 per cent will see a doctor or go get help. In a time where one of the leading causes of death among adolescents and adults is suicide, that number is particularly alarming.

Mental illnesses are one of the most debilitating disorders in the world, but through therapy, medication and self-help, they are treatable.

WHAT IT FEELS LIKE “When our needs aren’t met, or we experience loss or face disappointments, we naturally feel sadness. It’s a normal emotional human experience. Sadness is usually timelimited and, when it’s freely expressed and felt, generally will bring a sense of relief,” said Dr. Jessie Langlois, a Vancouver-based clinical counsellor with over 10 years’ experience treating anxiety and depression. “The kind of sadness felt in depression brings no relief when it is felt and the cycle of despair that is commonly associated with it can linger considerably, from weeks to months to years. Depression is an experience of symptoms that leaves you feeling stuck in a cycle of despair. Over time, its symptoms may worsen, leading individuals to lose hope that [an] escape from this cycle is possible.”

Anxiety also has physical symptoms — the difference between the two is that the

physical symptoms of anxiety tend to be much more uncomfortable. “When experiencing anxiety, an individual may experience some emotional problems like racing thoughts, difficulty concentrating, distractibility, excessive worrying, and irrational fears. The sufferer of its symptoms may experience considerable worry about events that are feared to occur in the future,” explained Langlois. “Physical symptoms occur with anxiety, some of which may include dry mouth and restlessness, to more serious and chronic physical conditions including insomnia, gastrointestinal, cardiovascular and neurological problems.” When these physical symptoms add up, they can cause people to feel the golden standard of anxiety, the panic attack.

A panic attack will feel as if the grim reaper himself has kicked down the door and taken a swing of the scythe in their direction. The thought, ‘I’m going to die’ will likely run through a person’s head at least once. However, these episodes aren’t just reserved for people with anxiety disorders.

Someone without anxiety may have a panic attack because it’s the morning of the exam they haven’t studied for, while someone with social anxiety will have one because they have to go to the grocery store. There’s also a branch of anxiety known as panic disorder, where people won’t believe their symptoms are anxiety-related and instead become convinced they are physical maladies. For example, the cardiovascular problems that Langlois mentioned would be seen as heart disease or failure, gastrointestinal distress would be chalked up to stomach cancer, while anything to do with the head would be viewed as a tumour.

“Because people are naturally driven to avoid pain, an individual who suffers from something greater than sadness or nervousness may also be more likely to avoid the situations, people and circumstances that are perceived to trigger their intolerable symptoms,” said Langlois People who suffer from anxiety or depression will often become more reclusive the worse their symptoms get, as many are afraid of having a panic attack in a place they aren’t familiar with. Upon entering a crowded place, someone with a panic disorder will start scanning for exits, bathrooms or any way they could get away from people if they needed to. This makes travelling difficult and airplanes virtually impossible. Home becomes a safe haven, a place where someone can have all the panic attacks they want. Being away from that place for an extended period can, quite understandably, cause a great deal of anxiety.

People with depression often find it hard to do virtually anything, preferring to stay home because it’s where they can sleep

and not have to deal with the world. Being outside can expose them to a lot of difficult situations they aren’t prepared to deal with.

“Individuals suffering from more problematic anxiety and depression are more likely to experience greater personal distress and take excessive and prolonged means to avoid certain situations or circumstances, they may become paralyzed in the face of them or they’ll repeatedly engage in other unhealthy or unhelpful behaviours so they can temporarily avoid encountering these. Generally, more problematic conditions negatively impact their wellbeing, their relationships with others, and their achievement at work or in school,” explained Langlois.

DON’T ASK, DON’T TELL Like many illnesses, people can be born predisposed to anxiety and depression. But unlike any other, they are the only two that people blame themselves for. “There can be a sense that it’s a problem that is your fault — if you were just a different personality, if you were stronger,” explained Sarah HamidBalma, mental health promotion director for the Canadian Mental Health Association (CMHA). Hamid-Balma believes that because there’s been such a longstanding culture of not talking about anxiety or depressed that people who have it see it as a moral failing, that there’s something wrong with them as a person.

Depression and anxiety have nothing to do with a lack of toughness, said Langlois.

“Anyone who’s ever suffered from these often debilitating conditions knows just how much effort is required to battle these symptoms,” she said. “It’s downright exhausting.”

Langlois also explained that if anxiety and depression could be dealt with by thinking another way, then self-help books would be more effective than they are in treating severe cases. “There is certainly a place for selfhelp and advice; however, when more may be required, to suggest an individual stop thinking the way they think is unhelpful, dismissive and cruel,” she added.

Even for people without a mental illness, facing challenges can be tough and some individuals find certain obstacles harder to deal with than others. However, when someone reaches an obstacle they can’t get over by themselves, they shouldn’t be looked down upon for seeking out professional help. “The decision to participate in therapy is a personal choice. Seeking help from a therapist is not a sign of some inability to solve problems on one’s own,” said Langolis. “People don’t choose to struggle on purpose — rather, they encounter obstacles. When someone has gained the self-awareness to realize his or her need for professional help, this is something to be admired and not judged.”

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WWW.CAPILANOCOURIER.COM

DNESS “I think there's probably more fear that someone will judge us than people that actually will,” said Hamid-Balma. “We have to get over that stigma that someone will judge us. It’s better than it’s ever been. The chances are if you talk to someone you really care about, and you'll have a sense of who you want to talk to, they’ll listen.”

The onus is also placed on the listener to not trivialize or minimize what the anxious or depressed person is talking about. “We all know that when someone tells us 'oh don't worry about that’ we aren't just going to suddenly say 'oh okay, I’ll stop thinking about that,’” said Hamid-Balma. “Sometimes, your friends will change. I went through a major depression when I was 18 and my friends changed. We have to find someone we care about and trust.”

It’s important that people who are trying to help someone deal with their anxiety or depression understand that often, the best thing to do is listen. There is often no advice or magic words you can say that will make them feel better. Just listen and don’t judge them. “Help them feel heard,” said HamidBalma, “That'll do so much for someone who's struggling.”

WHAT HELP LOOKS LIKE

THE CAPILANO COURIER

— MEGAN COLLINSON

VOLUME 49 ISSUE NO. 05

For students who may be struggling with anxiety or depression, there is an event happening on Oct. 8 from 11:15 am to 1:15 pm in Capilano University’s Birch Building called Beyond the Blues. “One of the reasons that for 20 years we've been running [Beyond the Blues] is to help educate people on what the normal ups and downs are. Everybody feels worried sometimes, everybody feels low sometimes and everyone gets stressed, but what’s the difference between a bad day or bad week and something that's not going away on its own?” said Hamid-Balma. The rule of thumb that the CMHA tells people is that if someone isn’t feeling like themselves and it’s lasting a long time and they’re having trouble doing things like getting up and going to school, then it’s something to consider getting looked at.

For students at CapU, there are everyday options available on campus long after Beyond the Blues. “We have the Accessibility Services [department] which provides support and accommodation to students with mental illness,” said Dr. Keith Lam, a counsellor at CapU. “Often, they may also work with instructors to help them understand the students’ needs.

The Counselling Services [department also] offers counselling appointments for regular therapy support and drop-in for crisis.”

Another option for CapU students is a free program run by the CMHA known as Bounce Back. It requires a doctor’s note, but it’s designed to help people with mild to moderate anxiety and depression. If someone is part of

the Bounce Back program, they’ll undergo phone coaching from community coaches across the province. These coaches call people and work on some exercises and build some skills they can use to feel better. “It's not counselling per se, it's really sort of self-management, someone helping themselves but learning some new ways to feel better which are often really hard to do when you're feeling low. But having that support of someone on the phone and being able to do it at your own pace is often easier for people,” said HamidBalma. The CMHA tries its best to offer affordable options to those who may not have counselling options at work or at school, but if someone’s anxiety or depression is severe enough, they will help them find counselling.

“The cost associated with therapy can range,” said Langolis. “There are a number of non-profit and community agencies offering their services for a nominal fee and some may be provided no cost. Some therapists offer a sliding fee scale and there’s no harm in asking.”

For those whose anxiety and depression can’t be managed through self-help, counselling can be an important resource for combating all of the confusion and loneliness involved.

“The therapy environment is also an important helpful factor in treatment of anxiety and depression,” said Langolis. “This type of environment offers a non-judgmental, caring, confidential and safe space to freely work through sensitive emotional problems.

“If you find yourself struggling with symptoms that are personally distressing and/or causing further suffering to your relationships or your overall sense of achievement in life, you are not alone,” she continued. “With the right kind of support, care, and compassion for yourself and from others, the parts of you, underneath this mask, longing to emerge may have their chance.”

Hamid-Balma said that she’s proud of anyone who acknowledges something’s off and actually says it to another person. “So many people just keep it hidden. More and more people are realizing they don't have to feel like that. If something feels off with our bodies we would go to the doctor, and our mind and our bodies and our thinking is part of our body too and we have to check out our whole self. It can be very serious, but it is very treatable.”

10

CALENDAR NEWS

05 MONDAY

NEIL YOUNG + PROMISE OF THE REAL

ROGERS ARENA 7:30 PM • $35 TO $150 + SC

The good thing about having Young as a last name is that even when you get old, people still give you the benefit of the doubt. Neil Young is a Canadian rock legend and on this night he’ll be tearing it up at Rogers Arena with a bunch of young guns, including Willie Nelson’s son, Lukas. They’ve recently released an album together called The Monsanto Years.

MAKING SENSE OF STUDENT LOANS

BR 265 12:30 PM • $ - FREE

ANDY RICE

CALENDAR EDITOR EDITOR@CAPILANOCOURIER.COM

15 06 TUESDAY

Most Canadians will owe the government between $20,000 and $30,000 in student loan payments by the time they graduate from university. That’s why Capilano University’s Financial Aid and Awards department is hosting a free workshop to help students navigate the ins and outs of this necessary evil. I’m pretty sure they just teach you how to bend over and smile.

VENUE 8 PM • $15 + SC

Mikky Ekko was featured in Rihanna’s hit single, “Stay” a couple of years ago. Evidently, heforgot to take his own advice because he didn’t stick around on the pop charts for too long after. That tune was solid though, so hopefully he has a few more like it to round out his set. He’s currently touring in support of his debut album, Time.

With indie bands playing on two stages every night until 2 am, the historic Railway Club is my favourite escape from the Granville Strip and all of the epic douchebaggery it has to offer. Now, the Railway is adding funny people to the mix. The Mermaid Club is a live stand up comedy and improv show starring Stefan MacNeil, Brad Dorion and Dylan Williamson.

07 WEDNESDAY

Why is an event called Twitter For Seniors listed on the calendar of a university newspaper?

Because it’s hilarious. Can you imagine teaching your elderly grandmother how to use Twitter? First you’d have to explain that it looks like a search engine but isn’t. Then you’d have to explain what a search engine is. Then you’d have to explain how it doesn’t run on gasoline…

MONTY PYTHON: THE MEANING OF LIVE

THE CENTRE 9:15 PM • $12 TO $14

They’re back! In 2013, Monty Python’s surviving alumni (Terry Gilliam, John Cleese, Eric Idle, Terry Jones and Michael Palin) reunited for 10 shows at London’s O2 arena, their first in 34 years. Luckily, the rehearsals and performances were captured on film and made it into a documentary that’s being shown this year at VIFF. The dead parrot lives on!

08 17 THURSDAY

COODER, WHITE AND SKAGGS

09 FRIDAY

Did you know that the Courier’s production manager, Syd, is banned from Fright Nights at the PNE because she once punched a scary actor on reflex? I can only assume she’d do the same to one of the minimum-wage Draculas or Frankensteins at the Stanley Park Ghost Train if they happened to mess with her too. Bring her and find out.

RINGO STARR

QUEEN ELIZABETH THEATRE 8 PM • $75 TO $165

Ringo Starr used to be the drummer for The Beatles. He also sang “With a Little Help from My Friends”, “Octopus’s Garden” and “Yellow Submarine”. Like his former bandmate Paul McCartney he continues to tour relentlessly, keeping The Beatles’ songbook alive. Unlike Paul McCartney, he grew up in a town called Dingle, Liverpool, which I think is hilarious.

THE GREAT SYMPHONY

THE CAPILANO COURIER

VOLUME 49 ISSUE NO. 05

CHAN CENTRE FOR THE PERFORMING ARTS 8 PM • $28 TO $65

What makes this particular symphony great? I’ll tell you. Apart from being a perfectly lovely piece of music, Schubert’s Symphony No. 9 in C Major is also very long (55 minutes.) That makes it significantly “greater” in size than the other symphony he wrote in the same key a few years earlier. Of course, he’s dead now so none of this matters.

11 SUNDAY

EARTH BITES: BEST GARLIC EVER

CANADIAN SCHOOL OF NATURAL NUTRITION 7 PM • $35

If you attend this event, you’ll meet a nice man with a nose ring who will tell you all about garlic. His name is Brendan and he’s a registered holistic nutritionist and urban farmer.

Although Canada imports around 80 per cent of its annual garlic supply, it grows just fine here too. That’s why he’s going to teach you how to plant, harvest and store your own.

If you’re at all interested in making your education feel more like a vacation by studying abroad then this workshop will be perfect for you. CapU offers full-term and short-term programs in dozens of cities around the world. At this meeting, held on campus at the Centre for International Experience, staff will explain where you can go, how much it costs and how to apply.

10 14 SATURDAY

LOVE BOMB

FIREHALL ARTS CENTRE 4 PM AND 8 PM • $22 TO $32

I don’t know who the Firehall Arts Centre’s publicist is but they should probably be out of a job after the vague-ass description they cobbled together for Meghan Gardiner’s new musical, Love Bomb. “A concert of emotion rips through Justine’s first performance in years.”

Great. What the hell does that even mean? Do you feel like going now? Me neither.

CANUCKS VS. FLAMES

ROGERS ARENA 7 PM • $80.25 TO $281.25 + SC

Finally, the moment our features editor has been waiting for — the Canucks’ first home game of the regular season. This is probably the only time you will ever catch him drinking a beer priced over the $4 mark too. As for me, I haven’t watched the Canucks since Luongo left the net so he’ll have to fill me in on everything.

JUMBO WILD

PATAGONIA VANCOUVER 7 PM • $ - FREE

I used to tease our former editor-in-chief mercilessly about her infatuation with skiers and tree planters. Being that this documentary is all about snow and trees, I think she’d be pretty stoked to see it in the calendar. Jumbo Wild covers all angles of the proposed development of BC’s pristine Jumbo Valley and the ongoing local battle to save it.

WALKING DEAD SEASON 6 PREMIERE YOUR TV 9 PM • $ - NIGHTMARES

I’m about four seasons behind in the Walking Dead so don’t you go worrying about spoilers now. I think it’s safe to assume that the zombies are still a problem for Rick Grimes and his family though. Geez, I hope he still has family. I’ve been kind of worried about that guy.

His beard must have walkers of its own by now.

BEARRACUDA VANCOUVER

ODYSSEY BAR & NIGHTCLUB 9 PM • $15

Bearracuda is a fully nude shower show that’s currently found in 40 cities around the globe.

The popular event is celebrating its fifth anniversary this year and will offer one of the biggest bear dance parties Vancouver has ever seen. Better yet, it’s a great excuse to check out the newly-reopened Odyssey Bar & Nightclub and learn all about the bear necessities.

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With his reputation preceding him, roots-rock singer-songwriter WiL returns to the Granville Entertainment District where it all began. This time, instead of The Royal he’ll be at The Roxy, his beard a little greyer and his lyrics a little wiser than before. The dude puts on a fantastic show full of raw energy and great storytelling. Go see him. He’s a local legend.

LB 127 5:30 PM • $ - FREE

The name sounds super dirty, but really it’s just two old dudes and a girl getting together for a night. That didn’t help much, did it? Okay, fine. This is a concert featuring blues, gospel and bluegrass music by multi-instrumentalists Ry Cooder and Ricky Skaggs, with vocalist Sharon White. Check it out and let me know if that old Cooder still has any spunk left.

STANLEY PARK GHOST TRAIN

WIL

THE ROXY 7 PM • $10 + SC

STUDY ABROAD WORKSHOP

VOGUE THEATRE 6:30 PM • $45 TO $95

STANLEY PARK 5:30 PM • $6 TO $11

G-SPOT AND FEMALE EJACULATION

ART OF LOVING 8 PM • $20 + A TOWEL

MIKKY EKKO

MERMAID CLUB COMEDY

TWITTER FOR SENIORS

This world has a great many syndromes — Toxic Shock Syndrome, Premenstrual Syndrome, Down Syndrome, you name it. But have you heard of Zombie Syndrome? Apparently that’s what this play is about. Performances take place at a top-secret location and audience members must work together for an interactive survival challenge. If they don’t, infectious aliens will eat their brains.

“Learn how to have a G-spot orgasm and ejaculation by yourself or from your partner using toys and hands,” said the website. If you think $20 and a case of carpal tunnel is worth it for a few drops of happiness, which may or may not turn out to be piss, please be my guest and go to this — figuratively, of course, because I’m going alone.

RAILWAY CLUB 8 PM • $5

VPL CENTRAL BRANCH 8 PM • $49.75 TO $83.75

VIRTUAL THEATRE: ALIEN CONTAGION

SECRET LOCATION 8:30 PM • $12.50

WALKING DEAD SEASON 6 PREMIERE

ARTS & CULTURE NEWS

MARK CRICKMAY

ARTS & CULTURE EDITOR ARTS.CAPCOURIER@GMAIL.COM

TECH’D OUT CONTRIBUTOR

With the release of new computerized products from tech giants like Apple, Samsung and Microsoft, the world of technology has become a rather competitive place for electronic-based companies. The constant launch of new products has created friction between innovators who develop similar models. Society, with the help of social media, has dictated to the public that they must have the latest up-to-date gadget. Whether it be wearable technology, a phone or the latest in digital advancements, everything has a relatable social pressure now.

While there are various forms of technology that outweigh functionally, it is difficult to pinpoint just one aspect that determines the drive for mass consumerism. Mr. Randhawa, an employee at a reputable technology company with offices in Vancouver, stated that “A cellphone can be bought for $100, however it is seen as a luxurious piece of technology — [therefore] one spends $1,500 instead for the latest and greatest.

“It is society 90 per cent of the time,” continued Randhawa when referring to the bearing that trends have on the wants and needs of customers. “It’s marketed

flawlessly, making a want into a need, tagged along [with having] enough influential people around you such as friends [and] coworkers all indulging in it. It’s hard to break away and say what is a need and what is a want.”

Randhawa continued to state that these companies try to appeal to vast markets at once. “You cannot escape the brand or product,” he said. “You see it everywhere from old retired individuals to kids who can’t even walk who are rocking an iPad. It’s the social era we live in where the need to fit in outweighs everything…

It’s ingenious — they create a problem and want, then provide the solution.”

Luxury technology is often seen as a symbol of status, especially depending on the culture. Leonard Nima, a BCIT Marketing graduate, stated that luxury technology is “aesthetically pleasing tech that has hype built behind it, and [it is] ultimately a status-symbol in society. It doesn’t have to do anything useful but the price tag and very idea of it has to be luxury.”

Nima used the current roster of Apple products as an example. “The Apple Watch starts around $500 and compliments your $800-plus iPhone with the most basic functionality,” he said. “Hardly worth the price tag, considering you could just use the phone instead, and one would

—Z OE SOF IAN

Keara Farnan

OS

Luxurious technology affecting functionally

be better off investing in something like a Rolex, as it appreciates in value, unlike modern tech.

“There’s a point of diminishing return, where after a certain point, the benefits depreciate and changes are minimal,” he continued, pointing towards marketing and cultural pressures as potential stakeholders in the continued demand and desire for luxury tech products.

“I would define luxurious technology as expensive technology that is costly to create,” said David Bailie, a former employee of Simply Computing. “Being costly makes it desirable by everyone who can afford it along with lots of other people that cannot, which is why luxurious technology is often copied.

“The power of a smartphone in our pockets for a few years has spoiled us into wanting a faster, small[er] and more capable device on us all the time,” Bailie con-

tinued. “New technology costs a fortune…

I think current technology is priced about right, or perhaps a little on the high side.

Cheaper prices mean cheaper components.

That leads to higher and earlier failure rates. The old adage of ‘you get what you pay for’ is very true in technology.”

Consumers feel a need to line up and wait countless hours for the new release of electronics because society and the media has glamourized their products. “[We desire] the experience of the crowd launch.

Having it first, I think, is the number one reason,” said Bailie.

“To belong to a certain group, to be able to relate to others, to be accepted into society or seen in the way one seems themselves — luxurious technology is bought to have this social standard,” added Randhawa, re-affirming the importance of technology as a symbol of status within our society in the digital age.

A ROCKY RIDE

CapU theatre department to showcase Rocky Horror Picture Show Christine Beyleveldt CAMPUS CORRESPONDENT

The Rocky Horror Picture Show will be performed at the Blueshore Financial Centre for the Performing Arts. Tickets are available at the door or online. For more information, visit Exit 22 Productions on Facebook.

VOLUME 49 ISSUE NO. 05

For those who are unfamiliar with the Rocky Horror Picture Show, it was originally styled as a musical in the early 1970s before it hit the silver screen and amassed a worldwide following. The story follows recently-engaged couple, Brad and Janet, who wander off the main road on a stormy night and into the castle of the self-described transsexual transvestite, Dr. Frank N. Furter.

He introduces the couple to his new boy toy, Rocky, who seduces both of them.

Frank himself acts as the salacious in-

“The experience has been pretty nutty for this show, it’s a very pleasure-driven show in many senses,” said Adams. “The girls that play the Frankettes, the five of them are just killing it, they’re working so hard. It’s been really fun to watch everyone develop.”

“Every theatre has to be enjoyable but also a learning experience for them [the cast],” said Aikins. The Rocky Horror Show is but the premiere to an enigmatic season the theatre has planned for 2015-16. Cabaret and Dangerous Liaisons are set to follow.

“It’s a wild show,” said Aikins. “Hopefully it brings a mix of the iconic Rocky experience that everybody expects, as well as a bit of originality,” said Adams.

“I think we’ve done a lot of things with this show to really mix it up and make it our own, and I’m pretty proud of that.”

THE CAPILANO COURIER

From Oct. 14 to 17, Capilano University’s Musical Theatre and Acting for Stage and Screen departments will present their salacious take on the Rocky Horror Picture Show, the movie that has held audiences captive since 1973 and ignited a sexual revolution around the world.

After last year’s season of predominantly dark and serious subject matter, it was decided that the 2015/16 performances would be chosen with a different tone in mind. “We wanted to do a kind of liberated season,” said Stuart Aikins, chair of the School of Acting for Stage and Screen.

The Rocky Horror Picture Show seemed the perfect fit. The story is a classic, one that has inspired a cult following with screaming fans and the tradition of hurling objects, including toast, onto the stage. “It’s one of the most iconic shows out there, and it’s something that I’ve never really done before, I thought it would be an interesting challenge,” said Darren Adams, a student of the Acting for Stage and Screen program and the lead in Rocky Horror.

stigator of all of the madness occurring in his castle. “He [Frank] always wants to show off and ensure that everyone has a good time, and he goes out of his way to be in control of everyone and everything at all times. He’s very flamboyant,” said Adams of his character.

“We decided that we were going to do Rocky in March,” said Aikins, adding that casting began in April and the past six months have been a whirlwind of perfecting pitches and memorizing dance routines. The theatre troupe started coming together at the beginning of September for their first stage rehearsals. “[The students] work very hard,” said Aikins.

“Typically we rehearse in the Arbutus studio first, we move into the theatre for our tech rehearsal and dress rehearsal,” said Adams. As of late, the cast has been holding nightly rehearsals, and if one were to take a peek behind the curtain, they would find a sensual display filled with energy and enthusiasm. When The Courier paid the cast a visit on Sept. 22, they appeared to be very comfortable in their own skin, taking immense pleasure from their experience of being up on stage as they danced to the energetic and sexual “Time Warp” and to Dr. Frank N. Furter and the Frankettes’ cabaret-style finale.

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NEWS ARTS & CULTURE

@CAPILANOCOURIER

WWW.CAPILANOCOURIER.COM

THE TRIPLE BLACK EFFECT

Layering blacks and shades of grey in fashion Milana Bucan CONTRIBUTOR

Batman, Simon Cowell and the Olson Twins are just a few pop culture icons that prefer the all black fashion statement. It seems that wherever you turn the blacks and greys are overtaking the mainstream fashion world. After Fifty Shades of Grey, the new thing is dressing in fifty shades of black. Dressed in black head-to-toe is the easiest, most foolproof and chic way to get out the door. It doesn’t require any major outfit coordinating and is the easiest way to bank on time. The colour black signifies power and control, sophistication and mystery and is often used as an emotional blanket for insecurities.

Fashion bloggers, high-end fashion designers and well known sports brands are

cultivating or perhaps maintaining this simplistic style of all black. A snapshot featuring black on black with a Starbucks coffee in hand gets you as many likes on Instagram as there are leaves on a tree. While this could be a new trend for some, black has always been a go-to colour for others.

“Wearing all black has always been in, depending on what subculture you’re in or into,” said Joanne Jin, a fashion coordinator at Sharp Magazine. “You have to do it right though, to avoid looking like a server.”

With modern social connectivity, people are able to see what fashionistas are wearing and posting from all around the world. “Social media has a lot to do with the way fashion trends are circulating,” Jin explained. “Fashion trends can be spotted at a greater speed now that we are all connected globally.” Fashion bloggers are following this trend of simplicity and effortless, minimalistic style. As Mi-

chael Lewis, non-fiction author and financial journalist explained in the October 2012 issue of Vanity Fair, “Take Albert Einstein. It has been reported that the famous physicist bought several versions of the same grey suite because he didn’t want to waste brain power on choosing an outfit each morning.”

More recently, the late Steve Jobs could always be seen wearing the same outfit — a black turtleneck, blue jeans and New Balance sneakers. There is something to be said about wearing the same colours, and with little effort making the morning rush of getting dressed simpler and headache-free. “Men’s fashion is a lot slower than women’s,” said Jin. “The turnover rate for men’s fashion doesn’t happen overnight. Skinny jeans are still in…

Chambray shirts are also still in and that won’t be going anywhere. White sneakers will stick around for a bit longer.”

Brands such as Nike, Herschel, and even Rag and Bone have followed suit on the all black trend, releasing several of their popular lines in this format. As trendy as it seems at the moment, this style may prove to be a timeless one.

Not everyone is able to picture themselves in all black outfits all the time, however, and Jin certainly doesn’t recommend it just for the sake of being fashionable.

“Try not to look like everybody else,” she said. “Find what works for you, for your body type. Wear what makes you feel most comfortable but in a way it showcases who you are. Finding the inner true style is everything. Don’t let fashion trends dictate who you are. Not every fashion trend is for everyone.”

THE ONE PROJECT

“You are the most important project of your life” Scott Barkemeyer

THE CAPILANO COURIER

VOLUME 49 ISSUE NO. 05

CONTRIBUTOR

The One Project is a photography community for depression and anxiety. It was born through overcoming severe mental illness and not understanding how to express the issue.

“The One Project started about five years ago with my own story, severe depression and anxiety and not knowing a way to express that. No one know what I was going through at the time,” said founder Bryce Evans.

Since then, it has evolved into a community that promotes mental wellbeing and assists with healing. It focuses on starting a conversation and creating a safe environment for sufferers to share their story. What started as a personal and local healing project has now shaped into a global online community.

Therapeutic photography can be used to gain insight, heal or transform.

“I strongly believe that photography can help people, because it is a more gradual process than just saying that you suffer from depression and anxiety,” said Evans.

“Photography can be a very powerful means of confronting problems and providing a way to overcome and survive them. Evans has started a vital conversation, using photography as his language for activating that dialogue,” said Judy Weiser, a psychologist, art therapist and lecturer.

The One Project has three main channels of communication: #StoryMeet, its official blog and podcasts. These combine to create a proactive, consistent growth through reactive treatments.

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The One Project is designed to be an ongoing community and resource that allows users to consistently develop while helping others with their struggles.

“The whole project and whole platform is based around helping you figure out your situation, the tools that work for you and helping you become your most authentic self and the best person you can be,” said Evans.

The idea for #StoryMeet came from the desire to share The One Project with the real world. According to Evans, “it is a way to bring the online offline.” #StoryMeet, a unique take on InstaMeets, is designed to share the values and techniques of The One Project in a way that speaks to others with similar interests. The process of the #StoryMeet is simple: gather a group of individuals in a space that allows for interaction and creativity, then share images and insights gathered throughout the day. “We are introducing people to the aspects of The One Project through

the use of the #StoryMeet, it is a way to create community and break down the issues of social anxiety and promote the ideas of The One Project.”

The podcast focuses on mental wellbeing and how the arts can be used to overcome struggles in life. The overall goal being “how to overcome great struggles in life to go onto amazing successes,” said Evans. Topics that have been discussed include entrepreneurship, music, photography, as well as comedy and technology. “The podcast is designed to feature a variety of guests that bring forth their personal stories and experiences for listeners to gain insight into their own lives,” said Evans.

The future of The One Project is based on the development and launch of a new online platform that will allow for an increased interaction between users. The future platform will connect those who are currently working through their issues with those who have overcome theirs.

According to Evans, there wasn’t anything building the conversation about depression and anxiety or giving people a safe space that would teach people how to use art and photography and storytelling to assist in healing and connect them with others in similar circumstances.

Evans has created a community by helping those who are suffering from mental illness to start talking and share their story by removing the stigma. Currently there is a Kickstarter campaign to help fund the development of the platform. As part of the rewards for the campaign, backers can contribute their story to be included in a collaborative art project titled #ANewLens.

For those that are interested in more information on The One Project you can find it on Instagram, Twitter, Facebook and more at Theoneproject.ca.

OPINIONS

KEVIN KAPENDA

OPINIONS EDITOR OPINIONS.CAPCOURIER@GMAIL.COM

DOMO ARIGATO, FISTER ROBOTO Eric Wong CONTRIBUTOR

Technology may be helping society improve, but sex robots are one invention that should not be available to the public. One company in particular, TrueCompanion, founded by Douglas Hines, has been making headlines for bringing the first sex robot to market. His company is taking technology and employing it in lady-like sex robots. Although his company will also releasing a male version of the robot, the most popular and controversial model is by far their female one. Because of these objects, our society will begin viewing women as usable objects for sexual pleasure. A sense of real and artificial will be blurred as individuals become immersed in a sea of technology and simulated pleasure.

This trend will also lead to a loss of empathy and morals as we seek to replace human companionship with a piece of machinery.

Another thing to fear from the introduction of sex robots is the way society views female appearance. On the internet and social media, women are often told to strive for perfection, or ultimate sexual desirability.

Those women usually have amazing bodies with supposed loving and caring attitudes.

The sex industry is now essentially trying to robotize a woman’s ideal look and personality. These machines make women look like sex objects that can be bought and utilized for the purpose of sexual release only, which

is neither moral nor desirable for a society striving to end rape and violence against women. Physical or verbal abuse may rise as more men would expect more out of women because of their experience with the robots.

Furthermore, the robots are detrimental to the efforts of feminism. Women around the world are trying to gain social status and affirm their sexuality. However, as these new robots are beginning to portray women as mere objects, it’s not assisting in the fight for social equality. Manufacturers are also attributing hyper sexualized personality traits to the robots with regard to age, race and fetish. According to the TrueCompanion website, there are several pre-programmed moods available, including: “Frigid Farrah, Wild Wendy, S&M Susan, Young Yoko [and] Mature Martha.” However, no human has a consistent mood throughout the day.

Another problem in the near future is the modifications people can make to these robots. Like all technology, users will find a way to tailor their robot to their own liking.

Unfortunately, this does not work in real life.

If someone doesn’t like their sex robot, they can change or replace it. If someone doesn’t like their spouse, they don’t have the same option, leading to relationship problems and in extreme cases, domestic abuse.

The real-life aspect of robots and the customization possible generates yet another very controversial topic: children. Someone can modify their robot to look or act like younger children, which could become a legal

issue concerning child pornography. It may help deter one’s demand for child pornography at first, but it may not forever. Individuals can get hooked on the supposed sexual release they get from kids through the use of a robot, which could lead to individuals wanting to access child pornography or in extreme cases, looking to abuse actual children.

Video games for example, though unreal to most, have had adverse effects on some players, like several young people in the United States that have perpetrated mass shootings in movie theatres and malls. Computerizing pleasure through robots would condition users to believe that the sexual behaviour of a female partner is subject to their complete control and manipulation, like a video game or personal computer, when it is in fact not the case in reality.

A technological sex robot can provide physical sexual pleasure to the user, but it removes the emotional connection one gets from a normal sexual experience. Like cell phones, technology is replacing face-to-face human interaction. Individuals are becoming so immersed in technology that everything around them becomes artificial. Society will begin to communicate with robots as if they’re humans and start to treat them as such.

In a story published by CBC News, Hines originally told BBC News that “the majority of [users’] time will be spent socializing and interacting” with the robots. How can one socialize with a computer? A computer can only have a set of pre-programmed responses that

— MEGAN DIETRICH

Sex robots and their negative consequences for society

are set to respond to a user’s input. It can’t judge human emotions simply by appearance like other humans can. This is where technology falls short. These robots don’t have thoughts — they are prerecorded words from a professional speaker meant to temporarily stimulate a human’s mind. Humans desperately need to fill the void left by technology, and that can only be done through interactions with other humans, not robots.

The rapidly advancing technological landscape of sex robots is moving faster than what our society can handle. Producers of sex robots are misconstruing the value of women and it may be a few years until the consequences are fully understood and solutions on how to correctly handle them are identified. In the meantime, and really for all time, these robots should not be sold on the market because of the damage they’ll cause to society.

VIET GONE

Pressuring band to change name isn’t undemocratic, but respectful Carlo Javier EXECUTIVE LIFESTYLE EDITOR

Mao Zedong. There are also bands like Black Pussy, The Dayglo Abortions, Slaves and British India — all white, all male.

On Sept. 19, Viet Cong announced that they would be rechristening themselves with a new identity. Their new name has yet to be announced, but whatever it is, shedding the name Viet Cong is the best thing the band can do amidst this turmoil. Although this is a commendable move, it’s still ultimately just a small step. Too many male, white bands, unknowingly and blatantly ignore the cultural and historical ramifications that certain names will bring about. Bands will cite the existence of Joy Division and Gang of Four as precedents, as reason to be able to use a “historically ironic” name for the sake of art.

Then they use freedom of choice and speech as a shield when the racist word comes charging at them, by arguing that any call to ban offensive band names is censorship of art.

This isn’t censorship, just like a “historically ironic” and unnecessary appropriation of an offensive political term isn’t art. Heck, Viet Cong’s name choice isn’t even driven by sociopolitical criticism. All it is, put simply, is ignorance.

VOLUME 49 ISSUE NO. 05

and lack of historical knowledge as reasons for their poor decision. “When we named ourselves, we were naïve about the history of a war in a country we knew very little about… we never intended for our name to be provocative or hurtful,” they wrote. Their acceptance of their own ignorance may seem almost admirable, but then again this is the same band that told the same publication that they got their name after their drummer, Matt Wallace, commented on a moment in which bassist Matt Flegel seemingly held his bass guitar like a gun. His words (“All you need is a rice paddy and it would be so Viet Cong”) were revealed to The Guardian in an earlier interview regarding the origin of their band name, so evidently being “naïve about the history of a war in a country” wasn’t really the case here.

One of the many subplots that have grown out of the Viet Cong band name controversy is the resemblance in situation and in race that the members have with other groups that have chosen similarly vitriolic names. Joy Division, possibly the most noted example, is also composed of all white and all male members. The group is named after the camps that relegated Jewish women as sex slaves for Nazi soldiers. Gang of Four, the same band that lambasted the very controversy, is named after a Chinese Communist Party subsection that grew in power during the reign of

THE CAPILANO COURIER

Viet Cong is an all white, all male, post-punk band from Calgary. Over the course of the band’s existence, they’ve received constant criticism for their name choice, a decision that has been labelled as insensitive, ignorant and racist. Why all the backlash?

Because the Viet Cong was a Cold War-era communist militant group, led by Vietnamese revolutionary Ho Chi Mihn, that was responsible for targeted attacks in populated areas of Vietnam and Cambodia, killing hundreds of thousands of political opponents and innocent people between 1954 and 1976.

As the musical relevance of the Canadian Viet Cong grew, so did their notoriety, resulting in numerous campaigns against them that led to concert cancellations and other forms of lost revenue.

In an editorial for Exclaim, April Aliermo of the band Hooded Fang wrote that the controversy was only exacerbated by the band’s defiance and naïvety. “Despite all this, the band has been irresponsible and dismissive, issuing flippant non-apologies,” she wrote.

However, Viet Cong wasn’t exactly alone in the centre of the storm. Gang of Four, another

band with a politically charged name — this time fully aware — bashed the controversy as a whole. While speaking with the music blog Brooklyn Vegan, Gang of Four’s guitarist, Andy Gill deemed calls for Viet Cong to change its name ridiculous, undemocratic and anti-progressive. Furthermore, Gill went on to argue that, “It's a little ridiculous to ban bands for their name…” and that “…People should be treated as grown ups, capable of making their own decisions. We should not be deciding for people what we think they are capable of understanding or not.”

Viet Cong’s name choice is undoubtedly offensive and was done in naïvety and poor taste, but for Gang of Four to describe the entire controversy to be ridiculous is senseless. The issue with calls for Viet Cong to change its name isn’t about undemocratic thinking or anti-progressiveness. It’s about sensitivity and respect for a country and a group of individuals who were once ravaged by war in Vietnam.

In Viet Cong’s poor defense, the band has revealed that they’ve come to a conclusion that changing their name will be for the better, though they’ve yet to announce what their new name will be. The band also worked with British media giant The Guardian to publish an official statement of their re-naming, citing their innocence

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OPINIONS

@CAPILANOCOURIER

WWW.CAPILANOCOURIER.COM

CULLING ME SOFTLY

The disgusting murder of BC’s wolves Taelore Keyana CONTRIBUTOR If the province of British Columbia had too many people, would you just stand by as the government announced they would be executing thousands to ‘save the human race’? More likely than not, most people’s answers would be ‘no’. So why in the world are British Columbians just going to sit around and allow the provincial government to ruthlessly slaughter hundreds of cute, fluffy wolves? Oh right, because Tom Ethier, the assistant deputy minister from B.C.'s Ministry of Forests, Lands and Natural Resource Operations maintains that it's an effective way to help the save caribou from being eaten by wolves.

The BC government began their cull on Jan. 15 of this year, with an estimated completion date set to occur sometime in the next five to 10 years. In the program's first outing, helicopter hunters shot 84 wolves in BC’s South Peace and South Selkirk regions, which is less than half the number permitted by the province in a regular hunting season. The second hunt of the helicopter killers yielded a body count of 74.

This unethical and completely unnecessary wolf cull is a consequence of industrial logging and other human activity, which has transformed the caribou's habitat into a landscape that can no longer provide the food, cover and security these animals need to survive. Rather than address the real problem, such as the destruction of the life-sustaining caribou

habitat, the B.C. government has chosen to use wolves as a scapegoat.

Members of the general population are not the only ones overly concerned about these wild pups either. The funny, yet ever controversial Ricky Gervais has said a fair bit about the inhumane slaughter happening in our province. Gervais has never been afraid to vocalize his opinions about animal rights on Twitter and Instagram. Recently on the Ellen DeGeneres Show, Gervais spoke out on several issues including the BC wolf cull, overfilled animal shelters and this past summer’s disgusting slaughter of Cecil the Lion in South Africa.

Another celebrity who has brought an iconic voice to the issue is none other than former Playboy Playmate and PETA activist Pamela Anderson. The Canadian-born bombshell has been aligned with PETA for as long as she’s been away from Playboy and recently she spoke out against her country for allowing the BC government to murder these helpless animals.

However, the name that seems to be shock-

ing everyone the most when it comes to advocating for saving the wolves is none other than Miley Cyrus. Cyrus, who has been criticized previously for twerking on Robin Thicke and lighting a doobie at the MTV European Music Awards, is quite the activist. Her passion for her own organization, The Happy Hippie Foundation,is greater than anything else the public has ever given her credit for. Cyrus is also heavily involved with the #FreeTheNipple project, an organization dedicated to ending the over-sexualization of the female nipple.

But most recently, Cyrus has gone on to fight for the rights of the wolves who cannot speak for themselves.

Starting her protest on Instagram, Cyrus asked her 29.1 million followers to sign a petition that could be brought to BC Ministry of Forests.

On Sept. 18, Cyrus travelled to Klemtu, BC to learn more about the wolves and see their habitat. During her trip, conservation group Pacific Wild, as well as some British Columbia First Nations groups, took her around to meet with environmental scientists

and explore the area. Not everyone welcomed the American pop star with open arms. Our oh-so-lovely premier Christy Clark was snide towards Cyrus, calling her “uneducated and uninformed” in a live press conference broadcast on networks such as Global BC and City TV. Clark then quipped that if the province needed help on its twerking policy, it may contact Cyrus about her dance moves. Many know Clark is out of touch with young people on the environment, but with her response to Cyrus, she once again proved it to be true.

This cull in particular is digging into society’s hearts with a vengeance, perhaps because it’s happening close to home or maybe because a good handful of people have done a lot of research on the situation. Either way, murdering one thing to save another is the dumbest idea to be had. As previously mentioned, would you kill of a select group of humans to save another? No, because that’s a genocide. Nature will run its course — as it has and will for hundreds of years — without us humans sticking our noses in the middle of that delicate balance.

Humans are the only beings that kill for a reason other than food or self-protection.

This needs to end, as it just makes us as a province — and not to mention as country — look disgusting. What are we even doing with the bodies of wolves after we kill them?

Respectfully disposing of their meat? No. Using their bones to fashion tools or other equipment? No. How about using their pelts to make clothing? No. Let’s end this cull and take the ethical road. Let’s not let Tom Either have his way.

NAME GAME WITHIN THE HORSE RACE

How careful choice of proper nouns can make or break an election Andy Rice

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EDITOR-IN-CHIEF

Don’t even bother tuning into a newscast on October 19 — I’m calling the Canadian federal election right now. Stephen Harper is going to win it.

How do I know this? Easy. History shows that there is an important connection between one’s common name and one’s place in the Canadian House of Commons.

Bill Clinton and Jimmy Carter may have been able to snag elections in the United States, but they wouldn’t have lasted two minutes up here. Canadians are looking for a leader with a proper, distinguished and unabbreviated first name. Other than having a governor general who, fittingly enough, is the only one equipped with the official powers to call an election, it’s one of the last tangible traces of Commonwealth heritage that we have.

North of the 49th parallel, hypocorism is a death sentence. Stephen Harper tried it once, shortening his name to Steve during the 1988 federal election in an attempt to appear more blue-collar. He lost by a wide

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margin and wouldn’t get to be an MP in his riding of Calgary West until 1993 when he finally smartened up and went back to Stephen on the ballot. He’s been winning elections ever since. Coincidence? I think not.

Thomas Mulcair, who is going by Tom these days, is playing with fire by doing so.

He’s used Thomas his whole career and has an undefeated electoral record, albeit in the Quebec general elections of the 1990s when he ran as a Liberal before transitioning to his most recent foray into federal politics as NDP leader. He’s going to lose this year and it’s not because of his beard, temper or smarmy intellect. It’s because he decided to cut three letters from his name in order to seem more down-to-earth. Anyone as smart as him should have figured out by now that shortening names is a bad idea.

For Justin Trudeau, it’s his last name that’s going to get him. His father Pierre made about as many friends as he did enemies during his four terms as prime minister between 1968 and 1984. Out East, save for Quebec, he’s immortalized as a cult hero.

But, the western side of the country has yet to forget his unpopular National Energy Program of 1979. This has the younger Trudeau

flip-flopping between the T-word and the name he shares with Bieber depending on where he’s campaigning. It’s a promotional mess, but at least he’s not at risk for any abbreviations that could make things worse.

While it’s not impossible to take office in this country using a hypocoristic proper noun, it does come at a sizeable disadvantage. Of the two Canadian prime ministers who managed to slip through the cracks with shortened first names, neither lasted long at all. Joe Clark was in power for nine months less a day while Kim Campbell led the country for only four. If only they had gone with Charles Joseph and Avril Phaedra, as per their birth certificates.

Theirs were preventable failures, but what about the instances where candidates have no control over the names they’ve been given? Take current US president Barack Obama, for instance. In the mid2000s, it was revealed publicly that his middle name was Hussein. Considering that this information landed smack-dab in the middle of the country’s high-profile Iraqi witch-hunt for Saddam, it dealt a rather unfortunate blow to his political appeal. Granted, it could have been worse —

his first name could have been Osama or Adolf — but even then it still wouldn’t have been his fault. Thankfully, he had a first name that was memorable and a last name that sounded vaguely Irish.

NDP candidate Pixie Hobby is another example of someone at the mercy of proper nouns. Although in real life she’s actually a middle-aged environmental lawyer, her name makes her sound as though she’s a 22-year-old stripper from the No. 5 Orange. It will be interesting to see whether that works for or against her in her slugfest with Dianne Watts for the riding of South Surrey—White Rock. I’ve been told strippers are popular out there.

At the end of the day, a candidate’s name might seem like a pretty superficial thing to focus on amidst all of the other defining factors. However, it stands as the last thing a voter sees before they mark an X on their ballot — hell, it’s what they mark that X next to. After every attack ad, every photograph, every advertisement, every lawn sign and every sound byte someone’s name is really all that’s left to consider.

COLUMNS

CARLO JAVIER

COLUMNS EDITOR CARLO.CAPCOURIER@GMAIL.COM

FEDERAL FASHION WITH KENNETH AND JACQUIE

So Kenneth, the Jays are winning…

You’ve been talking a lot about these darn birds lately J, what’s goin' on?

The Blue Jays, the Toronto Blue Jays, you know… baseball?!

Oh. Darling, we’re supposed to be covering election fashion and three of the four leaders have been spotted at Jays home games. We gotta talk about their athletic get-ups.

Just three? Who wasn’t there? I’m sure Tommy showed up. He’s definitely got that sports dad look, and obviously JT made an appearance because, you know, he’s athletic.

No, no, they were there. It was Liz who missed out. I feel bad, Ken. First The Globe and Mail didn’t invite her to their debate, then she got snubbed at the Munk Debates and now I’m starting to think the Jays didn’t give her free tickets. Shame.

Hey, maybe she live-Tweets the games!

Oh, because the Blue Jays are named after a bird? Haw-haw.

Blue Jays Apparel: Who wore it better?

Okay, moving on. Did you see Tommy’s full Jays get up? He actually looked like the team manager, decked in blue and red from head to toe.

Ugh, there’s nothing I hate more than a matching track pant and sweater ensemble.

Gotta say, though Tommy is winning the beard battle even though this track suit isn’t swinging my interests towards him.

You don’t dig it!!?

No! He looks like your washed-up former baseball player uncle who, after a few drinks, won’t stop talking about the good ol’ days when athletes played for the love of the game.

Okay now, don’t bring my uncle in to this.

Fiiiine. What about the PM himself then?

Eh, he could do better. That suit isn’t doing him any favours.

Yeah with that 400k annual salary he should be able to get some nice threads from Indochino.

At least we agree on something.

You know what else we can agree on?

JT in that jersey.

Yeah, oh my. He could definitely pass as a player on that team.

And on my team too!

SIP SIP HOORAY Max Ley COLUMNIST

ally interesting way. None of the over-saltiness of the Ichiban cluttered my palate and the Muscadet worked tremendously well in being able to clean my mouth.

The 2013 Château De La Gravelle was the perfect accompaniment to an Ichiban feast and I loved the look of the elegant bottle of French wine next to my steaming bowl of instant noodles. It is remarkably easy to find well-made wines to add a touch of class to those kinds of simple meals. The Muscadet was fantastic with the Ichiban, and provided a refreshing, clean way of working my meal. Classy. Refreshing.

Complex. Delicious.

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with a refreshing acidity and decent complexity that this style is known for. This white is $15.69 on the shelf and demonstrates that French wine complexity and austerity can be found within a modest budget.

As I start to experience more of these tastings, I find myself surprised by how well these inexpensive meals pair with these wines! The Muscadet was remarkably refreshing against the spicy saltiness of the Ichiban. As I took a bite of noodles and then sipped at my glass of wine, the dry lemon flavours cut through the spice, cleaning my palate and making each sip even more delightfully refreshing than the last.

There is a slight flinty, almost salt-like quality to Muscadet that matched the Ichiban in a re-

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When I was still living at home, it wasn’t substances or a secret gang that became my dark, personal shame – it was Ichiban instant noodles. I would hide and hoard these packages from my mother, waiting desperately for her to leave the house so I could prepare those bracingly salty instant noodles. As a child who was deprived of most kinds of junk food, Ichiban was a little taste of noodle heaven. On the off chance that my mother would return home soon after I made Ichiban, she could always sniff out the MSG tang in the air as I desperately tried to hide the package in the garbage can.

The Ichiban brand of Sapporo “ramen” instant noodles is almost the quintessential symbol of “student food”. They’re cheap and come in a variety of flavours such as “original”, “shrimp” and “miso”. You can make them in less than three minutes and they are spectacularly bad for you. Each of the flavours are only a vague approximation of what they claim to be and the soup mix primarily provides the intense levels of savoury saltiness that make these instant noodles so difficult to resist. Sure, they are easy to spruce up by adding vegetables, chicken or maybe a fried egg, but after studying till the wee hours in the library, or if you’re holding out till payday to do that grocery run, you’re going to want to make something quick and easy and with very little effort.

For today’s pairing, I wanted to go with the most basic and unadorned bowls of Ichiban that I could make, opting for the red-packaged

“original” flavour. Whatever “original” is supposed to mean, I have no clue, but the soup mix comes out as salty, with maybe a dash of a beef broth type of flavouring. I decided to eat my bowl of Ichiban completely unadorned, although I did let myself throw in a touch of Sriracha hot sauce to liven things up a little bit.

Now, what on earth could pair well with original flavour Ichiban?

For salty, semi-spicy flavours like these instant noodles, white wines typically hold up better than reds. That’s not to say that you couldn’t pair a red with this meal, but I felt that some type of white wine would work perfectly.

For this pairing, I decided to go with Château De La Gravelle Muscadet Sèvre & Maine 2013. Yes, that was a lot of French words in one go, and what kind of wine is that anyway?

Muscadet is a type of white wine made in the western parts of the Loire region of France.

Although many wines in Europe are named after the region where they’re grown, or after the varietal (type of grape) that they’re made from, Muscadet is a rare exception. It is made exclusively from the Melon de Bourgogne grape, and so the name Muscadet is actually believed to refer to the “musqué” or “musky” character that the wines sometimes produce.

Truly, only the older vintages of Muscadet seem to attain these types of characteristics and even then, they aren’t exactly “musky”, but that’s besides the point.

The 2013 Chateau De La Gravelle shows beautifully what good Muscadet is all about.

Light aromas of cantaloupe and melon wafted from the glass with a very faint floral tinge. At first sip, notes of lemon and anise make way to a dry finish. This Muscadet comes off as dry

— WHITNEY SALGADO

Ichiban + Château De La Gravelle Muscadet Sèvre & Maine

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ATHLETIC DISCRETION

Poor spending habits are in all of us Brandon Kostinuk COLUMNIST

Reading about basketball legend Larry Johnson forking over his home after having to file for bankruptcy earlier this year drummed up a cold sweat that could only be brought on by such significant and comprehensive mismanagement of money.

Johnson, who in 1993 inked a 12-year, $84 million deal with the then-Charlotte Hornets, recently signed over his Orange County, California home to settle a $900,000 child-support tab adding to the list yet another professional athlete in the headlines for falling so hard from financial grace. But the trend from millions to nil is not uncommon in the world of professional sport. One statistic reported by Sports Illustrated in 2009 stated, “By the time they have been retired for two years, 78 per

cent of former NFL players have gone bankrupt or are under financial stress.” When it comes to the NBA, an estimated 60 per cent of former players go broke.

Squandering millions of dollars is certainly an art. It requires a deep-seeded recalcitrance toward one’s own fiscal well-being tethered to a willingness to ignore the reality of poor decision-making. “The first thing I bought for myself was a Cadillac Escalade,” an athlete recounts in the opening segment of Billy Corben’s 30 for 30 sports documentary, “Broke”. “I wanted earrings that were $30,000,” said another.

Johnson had five children with four different women leading to, according to Johnson, an unbearable strain on his financial position.

Some may find difficulty in feeling any sense of sympathy for the retired NBA star and others in similar positions. After all, many will never see in their entire lives the

amount of money that passed through the pockets of these high-profile athletes.

But such a contemptuous attitude, sometimes so palpable, is also, in general, quite hypocritical when viewed against the Canadian public. National debt loads are on the rise in 2015, from $76,140 per person last year to $93,000, as reported in Money Sense.

And while some citizens carry good debt, such as a mortgage or toward education, “18 per cent of Canadians cite a car loan as their biggest source of debt.” Others relinquish dollars on entertainment, (pharmaceutical) drugs and unnecessary trinkets, perhaps inspired by the comfort lent by the adage: YOLO. Poor spending habits aren’t just a characteristic of the rich and famous. Some would argue, ‘well if I had that kind of change, I wouldn’t be in debt’. Yeah…right.

I know oil-riggers and government employees that make (made) six figures or close thereof, yet still managed not to save a gener-

ous portion, spending it on a new car or clothes or concerts, to the point some complain of being broke. It’s easy to forget average citizens fall into the same trap of consumerism. And while millions of dollars may seem difficult to do away with in the ways that Scottie Pippen, Diego Maradona and Mike Tyson did, understand that at those levels of fame and fortune there’s just that much more to seize your attention. Vultures exist.

The lifestyles of the rich and famous are easy to judge and jape at. Certainly, the longer the fall the greater the spectacle. But perhaps that cold sweat brought on by the fiscal misery of others is reflective of the bitter realization that we are bound by the decisions we make.

LIFE ON THE OUTSIDE

The Great Housing Debate: to move, or not to move?

Alexa Kwan

Being a post-secondary student is a title that undoubtedly comes with pride. Unfortunately, it also comes with an intense amount of financial burden from the costs of tuition, books, food items and housing, with the latter being particularly steep.

Whether you’re sheltered in a university dorm, a basement suite or an apartment, the cost of living is so demanding that many students who are lucky enough to have the option of remaining at home during their stint in university are choosing to do so.

However, one of the downsides to this is that it becomes difficult to leave the comfort of home-cooked meals and financial freedom. How do you know when it is time to fly the coop?

Although living with parents while studying or saving to purchase a place are both very justifiable reasons, there comes a time when people begin to question your ability to do a load of laundry or cook anything more complicated than Kraft Dinner.

Despite there being no numerical way to determine whether or not one should move out, society frowns upon those who have surpassed the typical stage of life in which it is still acceptable to live at home.

The 2006 film Failure to Launch addresses the negative connotations of an adult living at home when Sarah Jessica Parker is hired to convince a 35-year-old Matthew McConaughey to move out of

studies. The number one reason for this is that it reduces financial hardship. Although graduating with little or zero debt is well worth a few more years at home, Forbes acknowledged that students do not want to “wake up in [their] childhood bed and greet mom and dad at the breakfast table before class.”

Childhood bed or not, the social sacrifice of staying at home is well worth it when another benefit is being able to save for the down payment needed to purchase a place. Unfortunately, breaking into the housing market isbecoming less and less likely these days. The unaffordability of property in Vancouver is a topic that is splashed across newspapers and addressed almost daily on the news – and with good reason.

The average cost of a singledetached house in Greater Vancouver has jumped to $1.47 million dollars, according to the Globe and Mail on Sept. 2 of this year. It doesn’t take a genius to know that the average salary in Greater Vancouver falls far short of this

number. Given the wide gap, there is only one way the majority of students and recent post grads are able to make that purchase.

Hello, bank of mom and dad? I would like an interest-free loan with a zero dollar biweekly payment plan, please.

Realistically, it just can’t happen without help, and even with help young adults between the ages of 18 and 34 are staying at home far longer than they used to. Statistics Canada has noted that in recent years, the “transition to adulthood is taking longer to complete”. One of the major ways they classified this transition in their study is by the age in which a person leaves their parental home. There was a notable decline in the number of young adults who were able to move out before the age of 22, however this was not portrayed negatively. The number one reason that young adults are staying at home longer? They were receiving a formal education. The correlation between moving out and studying was blatantly obvious. Society as a whole was becoming more educated, but in order for that to happen students were living at home longer to make ends meet.

Ultimately, whether you are studying or not, there is absolutely nothing wrong with staying at home a little longer than originally anticipated (just ask my mother!) Whether the reasons for staying at home are situational or financial, there are definitely a wide range of benefits that persuade adults to continue living at home, and this is perfectly okay – as long as you don’t forget to help out with the dishes every once in a while.

Come write for us!

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VOLUME 49 ISSUE NO. 05

COLUMNIST

his parents’ home. Parker promises McConaughy’s parents that when she succeeds in getting him to move out, he will finally be an “independent, self-sufficient adult.” The movie pinpoints a thought process that seems to align with much of society – regardless of age, until you move out, you are still seen as a child living with your parents.

However, there are many students who have moved out in spite of their studies.

Some, like Capilano University’s 800 international students, may not have had a choice. There are others who may have been tempted by the lure of independence or enticed by one of the many dorm residences offered by many universities. However, despite the desire to experience life away from home, statistics show that more and more people (students and post graduates) are choosing to stay at home longer.

In an article published by Forbes in 2014, 54 per cent of students are said to have chosen to stay at home while pursuing post-secondary

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HUMOUR

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SPACE FILLER

It’s Saturday Morning Play music for

Things are better and wetter on Uranus Andy Rice EDITOR-IN-CHIEF

The Milky Way just got a whole lot milkier.

In addition to the discovery of liquid water on Mars, NASA scientists also announced last week that fertile semen had been found on the surface of Uranus.

“We’re not exactly sure who jizzed on Uranus, but it’s there,” said Tim Sheen, chief scientist for NASA’s planetary division. “Gallons of it.”

In fact, the seventh planet from the sun appears to have been taking it in the face for years. However, without the proper equipment, NASA was unable to gather information beyond the photos its Voyager 2 robotic spacecraft brought home in 1986.

That all changed in 2009 with the help of some Canadian corporate funding. NASA announced in January of that year that a special lander would be constructed to withstand the planet’s icy conditions. Waterloo, Ontariobased company Research In Motion (RIM) committed to funding 60 per cent of the $2.5 billion project while NASA covered the remaining cost. After two years of construction and trials, it lunched the aptly-named RIMRover on Nov. 26, 2011, the same day the Curiosity lander began its own journey towards Mars.

“We thought that thing would burn up for sure,” said Sheen. “I mean, successfully landing a 1,000-kilogram robot on Uranus is asking for a lot.”

But much to NASA’s delight, the RIMRover arrived without a scratch and soon began probing Uranus relentlessly, taking samples almost daily for a period of three years. Eventually, it made contact with what appeared to be a body of water. “Initially it looked like some kind of murky little lake,” said Sheen. “Little did we know, it was the money shot we’d all been waiting for.”

Samples gathered there turned out to contain over a dozen naturally-occurring chemical compounds, including fructose, ascorbic acid, zinc, cholesterol, protein, calcium, chlorine, citric acid, magnesium, phosphorus, sodium, potassium, nitrogen, uric acid, lactic acid, DNA, blood group antigens, vitamin B12 and several other nutrients. “Mix them all together and you have what my wife calls, uh, nature’s protein shake,” said Sheen.

What made the RIM-Rover’s discovery particularly interesting was that the DNA found was not a match for humans or any known animal species on earth. “It’s anybody’s guess,” said Sheen. “I don’t use this word lightly because I’m kind of the guy who’s supposed to be coming up with scientific explanations for all this stuff, but it could actually be aliens.”

If that’s the case then ET may have been phoning a few other places besides home.

“Up until now, Uranus was just a featureless blue planet with a cold exterior and a bit of a gassy reputation,” said Sheen. “This changes everything. We never would've thought the galaxy would take us this deep.”

Giving your cat a bath Lay Your Hands on Me Bon Jovi Little Weapons Lupe Fiasco Cat Scratch Fever Ted Nugent Can’t Feel My Face The Weeknd Doctor My Eyes Jackson Browne Protect Ya Neck Wu Tang Clan Biting Down Lorde Still Got a Finger Blake Shelton Eyes Without A Face Billy Idol

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Don’t Look Back in Anger Oasis The Cat Came Back Fred Penner Eye of the Tiger Survivor

VOLUME 49 ISSUE NO. 05

FIND THIS PLAYLIST ON OUR YOUTUBE SITE

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THE CABOOSE HOROSCOPES IF YOUR BIRTHDAY IS THIS WEEK: Your parents aren’t getting that iPhone you want.

You’re an adult now — buy it yourself.

ARIES (March 21 - April 19):

When you start to feel like life has no beauty, remember that two people can like each other so much they’ll put their genitals in each other’s mouths.

LIBRA (SEPT. 22 - OCT. 23):

Here today, gone tomorrow. A popular saying, but also the future of your sex life.

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THINKING CAP

Q

WHAT IS YOUR FAVOURITE BREED OF DOG AND WHY? “Pugs. I really like pugs because they’re so ugly but they’re cute. And they have breathing problems and I have breathing problems.”

— Janelle Venegas Fourth Year Communications

SCORPIO (OCT. 24 - NOV. 21):

TAURUS (April 20 - May 20):

Your mom’s sudden passing will baffle everyone until you remember that time three years ago you swore on your mother’s life that you’d never smoke.

GEMINI (May 21 - June 20):

You will become the type of person your parents would be proud of when you get in the car and abandon your family.

CANCER (June 21 - July 22):

The phrase “Sometimes you’re the windshield, sometimes you’re the bug” will become clear to you as you sail through the window of a Ford F-150.

LEO (July 23 - Aug. 22):

You will draw inspiration from your favourite show, Dexter, by having four strong seasons followed by three horrible ones.

SAGITTARIUS (NOV. 22 - DEC. 21):

There’s a time and place when you should let things run their course, but your growing dependency to Xanex isn’t one of them.

CAPRICORN (DEC. 22 - JAN. 19):

Pisces are about to enter a steamy love affair. Too bad you’re a Capricorn.

AQUARIUS (JAN. 20 - FEB. 18):

PISCES (FEB. 19 - MARCH 20):

VIRGO (Aug. 23 - Sept. 21):

Dogs may be a man’s best friend, but they don’t particularly care for you.

VOLUME 49 ISSUE NO. 05

TO ADVERTISE in the Courier’s pages, please contact us by phone at 778-855-9942 or email Alva Tang, our Community Relations Manager, at community.capcourier@gmail. com. We are proud to offer discounts to non-profit organizations and North Shore customers. A full media kit with sizes, rates and deadlines is available on our website, CapilanoCourier.com. Classified advertisements up to 50 words are free for students.

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“Cocker Spaniel because they have really long ears and they have really big eyes and when they look up to you its so cute, it’s like the cat in Shrek.”

— Beatriz Miralles Second Year Business

Your fear of public speaking will be heightened when you realize that people generally hate what you have to say.

The only interesting thing about your future is how short it is.

Your need to always support the winning team will take you down an interesting path when you start cheering for your lung cancer.

“German Shepherd because it’s the most popular dog in our country and it’s pretty smart and big and not like a Chihuahua.”

— Axmet Toknweb Fourth Year Communications

WIN TICKETS

ROCky Horror Show

PRESENTED BY EXIT 22 PRODUCTIONS OCT. 14 -17 | BLUESHORE CENTRE FOR THE PERFORMING ARTS

Answer the following Skill-Testing Question: Which cast member of the original movie was a member of the 70’s pop-duo Kimi and Ritz?

Clue: This performer and TV host also wrote the original musical.

Submit your answer to editor@capcourier.com by 5 pm on Friday, Oct. 9 to be entered in a draw for two complimentary tickets to a performance of your choosing!

“I don’t want a little dog. I want a DAWG.” — Kevin Kapenda Opinions Editor

“Myself.”

— Olive Office Dog

FLASH MOB! Don’t miss this special event, happening on October 13 in the Birch cafeteria at 12:30 pm sharp!

There will be free candy and coupons.

The flash mob will be followed by a dance and costume contest judged by several of the show’s cast members. Prizes include tickets to the show, DVDs and action figures.