September '25 Chronicle by emmamowatbu

13. May I Use AI?

14. “I’m in University! Now What?”

15. Meet a Freshman

17. Dorm Room Hacks

EDITOR’S LETTER

Hello, my dears! This is it—The first issue of The Chronicle for the 20252026 school year! I have an awesome team yet again, with hopefully a few more additional members coming soon.

This month’s cover says “Who We Are”, and the meaning behind that is that with the incoming freshmen, there is so much to be discovered about what it means to be a Burman student. We really are a unique and closeknit bunch. It also points to the journey of self-discovery we’re all on. All of us are just trying to figure it out: who we want to be, where we want to go, and what we want to do.

As I enter into my final year at Burman and as the editor of this silly little paper, it has really become clear to me how much solidarity we all have in that. As you look around at your peers, know that we all share the same doubts and worries for our future, and we all have aspirations and goals that can feel out of reach at times. Let’s be there for each other, uplift each other, and give each other grace in this turbulent time of our lives.

All right, enough preaching from me, after all, what do I know?! I hope you enjoy this month’s edition! Always feel free to reach out to me at emmamowat@burmanu.ca if you ever have any questions, concerns, or contri butions.

EMMA MOWAT EDITOR-IN-CHIEF

September Playlist

Still (feat. Charlotte Day Wilson) - KAYTRANADA

From Scratch - Ravyn Lenae

No Excuses (feat. Ludwig Goransson & Kamasi Washington) - Childish

Gambino

Last Forever - Patchwork Inc.

Something Wrong (with Don Toliver) - DJ Snake

SPACE INVADER - KAYTRANADA

Call On Me - Daniel Caesar

Yamaha - Dijon

Soda Pop - Saja Boys

Golden - HUNTR/X

Vivid Light - Blood Orange

12 to 12 - sombr

Wish I Didn’t Love You - Love Spells

Meet The Writers

Truth and Reconciliation

On Tuesday, September 30th, our beautiful campus will pause classes to observe the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation. Established in 2021, this federal holiday is a direct response to Call to Action 80 from the Truth and Reconciliation Commission, which documented the painful legacy of Canada’s residential school system. Every year on September 30th, Canadians honour Survivors, children who never returned home, and the families who endured unjust treatment. This day also holds space for reflection and discussion on how we as a society can move forward in reconciliation (Government of Canada, 2025).

shirt serves as a reminder of the culture and freedom that were forcefully stripped from Indigenous children who were taken from their homes and placed in residential schools. By wearing orange, we affirm that “Every Child Matters” and stand in sol-

Our University’s land acknowledgement is not just a statement, but a reminder of our shared responsibility to foster intentional partnerships and to work toward reconciliation.

“Burman University acknowledges that we are located on Treaty 6 territory—the traditional and ancestral territory of the Cree, Dene, Blackfoot, Saulteaux and Nakota Sioux.

We acknowledge that this territory is home to the Métis Settlements and the Métis Nation of Alberta, Regions 2, 3 and 4 within the historical Northwest Métis Homeland. We are grateful for the traditional Knowledge Keepers and Elders who are still with us today and those who have gone before us. We make this acknowledgement as an act of reconciliation and gratitude to those whose territory we reside on or are visiting” (Burman University, 2025).

Although this holiday is a good start, it is imperative to understand that reconciliation is not simply a single day or event. Reconciliation is an ongoing process that requires honesty, humility, and a willingness to listen (National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation, 2025).

September 30th, also recognized as Orange Shirt Day, is an Indigenous-led initiative that has become a national symbol of remembrance. The orange

idarity with Indigenous Peoples who continue to live with the intergenerational effects of these schools. So on September 30th, we invite you to express your support and join a community of Canadians determined to make a change by wearing orange (Government of Canada, 2025).

As September 30th approaches, Burman University invites students, faculty, and staff to wear orange, reflect on the heavy history that weaves us together, and take steps toward reconciliation.

Written by Teresa Bruce

September 2025

THE BEAT BU

Keeping you in the know on what’s new at

Burman Is Making A Racket!

Written by Briana Perrone

Badminton is officially in the spotlight! Burman University is excited to announce that we have received probationary entry to join ACAC (Alberta Colleges Athletic Conference) for the upcoming academic year. ACAC is a governing body for the province of Alberta that provides competitive experiences for intercollegiate athletes. In the past, Burman tried to join ACAC for other sports, such as basketball. However, this was not possible due to most tournaments being held on the Sabbath; luckily for Badminton, tournaments are held on Sundays.

This is particularly exciting news for those who were regular attendees of the Badminton Club that ran on campus this past year. Aaron Park, president of the club, says that “joining ACAC would mean so much to me. It would mean that our school can be a part of competitive sports again, opening a path that lets us into ACAC with other sports teams. This means that our sports teams will be taken more seriously, which will attract more people to come to Burman. Personally, the chance to compete with other universities is so exciting; it’ll push me to work harder and be more dedicated to improving.”

Ron Schafer, Director of Physical Education, is encouraging any skilled Badminton players to join and to

invite any friends who would be interested. The team will particularly need more ladies, as there must be a team of both men and women to join the league. The head coach will be Oktavian Mantiri, and the assistant coach will be Jorel McManes. Tryouts will be held at some point in September; students are encouraged to keep an eye out for emails.

With ACAC in the future, this is an excellent opportunity for Burman athletes to step up their game. Whether smashing birdies or cheering from the sidelines, let’s rally together to support our team!

Mastering Marketing: Burman University’s New Business Track!

Written by Thirsa Ward

Big news for future business leaders as the Burman School of Business is thrilled to announce the launch of its new Bachelor of Business Administration (BBA) Marketing track, which is set to begin this fall!

As a business major, I’ve learned how marketing is a vital part of every successful organization. The new BBA Marketing track will teach students to create campaigns in today’s competitive and increasingly digital economy.

Students in this program will study areas such as consumer behaviour, market research, branding, advertising, and marketing strategy,

while also learning about digital marketing, social media, search engine optimization, and analytics (all so important in today’s internet age!). The curriculum is designed to prepare graduates for both traditional and modern marketing careers, offering a strong foundation for leadership in diverse industries.

According to government labour market projections, there will be a need for approximately 350,000 marketing and management specialists between 2019 and 2028. Graduates of the BBA Marketing track will be ready to step into roles such as marketing manager, brand strategist, digital marketing specialist, market research analyst, public relations manager, social media manager and more.

As a business student, I see this new track as a great opportunity to study in an area that blends business with the growing world of technology, consumerism and more. For students who want to influence how organizations connect with audiences and achieve success, this is definitely a major worth looking at.

For more information about the BBA Marketing track, visit: https:// www.burmanu.ca/news/2025-0612/school-business-launches-newmarketing-track

May I Use AI?

Written by Martin Santomin Opinion Piece

Remember when we used to do assignments and essays without using AI? Like, I stared at a blank page for 30 minutes trying to think about how to start my first sentence. I think that this generation will have their minds turned into mush because of AI. I mean, there is no such thing as critical thinking anymore. All that it takes is typing a prompt into ChatGPT, and then inputting it into Quillbot, and then writing it in your own words, and boom, you have an essay (to all my professors reading this, I’m not saying I do this, I’m just saying that it’s this easy… LOL).

AI is actually phenomenal at this point in time. The pictures and videos that it’s able to develop are especially amazing. However, if you’re below the age of 30, then I’m confident that you’d be able to tell the difference between a real and fake AI product. I mean,

my aunt, who is 43, sent me an Instagram reel of penguins doing the griddy and spinning on their heads, then diving into a pool. She said, “How did they teach them to do this? Can you believe it?” I didn’t even tell her it was AI. I just said, “Yeah, tita, check out this one cooking,” and I sent an AI video of a penguin cooking linguine. I’m not sure why I did that. I just wanted to see how far it’d go, I guess. But to be honest, I’m not really that scared of AI. Here’s why: if you believe that AI will become the terminator and become sentient, get all angry, and try to take over the world, then you also have to believe that AI can just be sad and want to stay in the house. We don’t know! AI could get feelings and be like, “Wow, Earth is a little dangerous, I’m gonna stay in the computer where it’s safe.” Because if AI hops out

and becomes anything like us, it’s gonna become depressed and insecure, and that’s how we win. We could take on a sad AI. That doesn’t sound that difficult.

In all seriousness, though, I think we’ll eventually learn how to live with AI without taking away our humanity. I mean, people thought that the calculator would make us useless, mindless vegetables or that digital clocks would make us dumb. However, we ended up just fine! I spoke to a teacher, and they mentioned that AI is like fire! It can consume or warm us–it’s not up to the fire to decide how it’s used. AI should be used as a thinking partner, and educators should get to know their students and their writing without the use of AI; it cannot replace human relationships, so we must emphasize this and make it the most important part of education.

“I’m

in University! Now what?”

Written by Renee Hall

You’re on your own now. For many of you, this is new territory, and it is important to know that you’re going to go through a lot, but it’s going to be one of the best chapters of your life. Enjoy it for all that it is.

Here’s a list of what not to do within your first semester. So buckle up, buttercups, let’s get to it. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11

Don’t be afraid to ask for help! Campus resources are a cheat code; use them. Tutors, the writng centre and counselling, use them to your advantage.

8 AM’s sound great at first. Registration you and Morning you are two different people. Registration you is a liar. ( Try to avoid the 8AMs, if you can’t, I’m so sorry.)

Your assignments and homework may look easy now, but you won’t think that by midterms. Try not to skip class these first couple of weeks! You’re going to want to save those unexcused absences for the colder

Do not self-isolate. Yes, my precious little wallflowers, that includes you, too. Making friends will take time; the best ones are made in the mezzanine ten minutes before handing in an assignment due at 11:59 pm.

Don’t overload your plate. This is a big life transition; the only person you have to impress is yourself. It’s okay to miss an event, but it’s not okay to join every club on top of a job and classes.

Office hours are not scary; meet up with your professors even if you’re not failing. They have experience and know a thing or two about getting through university. Your professors want to talk to you, trust me.

Textbooks are a scam, guys. If you like burning money, go ahead. If you want to stay on budget, look for old ones, check the library, speak to students from previous years, and SEARCH FOR PDFs and ePUBs.

University may not be easy, but it is worth it. Give school a year before making any big decisions about transferring or dropping out.

PAY ATTENTION TO YOUR CAF BILL.

On the topic of food, free food is a love language at Burman. If the email says there’s free food, grab your keys and head out. You don’t like the club hosting the event? Just go, it’s food.

Sleep is currency ; spend it wisely. Do not use it all on Netflix, Insta, TikTok. Just go to bed.

Homesickness is a JUMP SCARE . One minute you’re having the time of your life, and the next? You’re crashing out while microwaving Mr Noodles at 2 AM because you miss the sound of your dog’s snoring.

These next three or four years of your life are going to be the time period where you make the best memories. Savour each moment as much as you can.

Yes, she’s Teresa Bruce’s sister!

Angela Bruce Meet a FRESHMAN

What is your name and major?

Hiiii! My name is Angela Bruce, and I am majoring in Biology. I love human anatomy ;)

Why did you choose Burman?

I chose Burman because I had no choice. But I can’t wait to meet new people, and I’m excited for this new chapter.

Where are you from?

I am from Toronto, Ontario. But I was born in Phuket, Thailand, and moved to Canada when I was 4, and I have been in Canada ever since. I wish I could go back to the motherland.

What’s one thing people should know about you?

I am Wasian. Yes, my dad is the white one, yes, my mother is filipino, no, I don’t look like Belly from The Summer I Turned Pretty.

Do you think Burman will be different from your high school experience? If yes, how so?

I think Burman will be very different compared to my high school. I came from a public high school in Toronto that had over 1000 kids, so moving to a school with around 400 will be very different.

What are your hopes for this year?

To not fall into winter depression or fail any of my courses.

Are you excited for dorm life?

I’m excited to be away from my parents and can’t wait to witness all the drama.

What rumours have you heard about Burman? Do you think these will be true?

The main rumour I have heard is that the cafeteria food is not the best. I have yet to form my own opinion on the matter, but I will make my own judgment once I eat more food.

What are you looking forward to most?

The main thing I’m looking forward to is the independence. This being the first time I’ve been away from my parents will make me become more responsible and independent.

Are you excited to eat at the cafeteria?

….not really, but I will give it a chance. I’m sure the cooks are doing their best!

Do you plan on joining choir, band, or any sports teams?

I plan on joining various sports teams, like badminton and volleyball. In high school I was quite active in many sports and plan to continue to be in university. I hope this year, an Ultimate Frisbee team will be created (ahem, KYLE) because it is one of my favourite sports.

What class are you most excited for?

I am excited for 8 am racquetball because who doesn’t want to wake up at the crack of dawn to play racquetball in winter?!

Do you think you’ll get homesick? What do you anticipate missing most about home?

I think I will be homesick for a little bit, but I just need to have a few crying sessions, and I’ll be fine. And, I will be missing my friends, family and my cat back in Toronto.

Are you mentally and physically prepared for Alberta winters?

I know I am not ready at all for Alberta Winters. Coming from Toronto, where it starts to snow in December and never gets below -25 degrees, to now being in Alberta, where it snows in October and can get to -30 DEGREES CELSIUS… I will be struggling.

Are you hoping to find love at Burman?

No, I hate everybody. But if you’re rich, hit me up at 647 *** 6975.

If Danielle Smith and Doug Ford engaged in a wrestling match, who do you think would win?

I honestly don’t know much about politics, but I’m gonna just say Danielle Smith. She’s a woman, and I believe in her more. I feel like she’s more fit than he is and will just tire him out.

Do you have anything you want to say to your fellow Burmanites?

Hi, if you have a car, please talk to me, I promise I’m nice :)

Dorm Room Hacks

Written by Renee Hall

Your dorm room is going to become your everything place; you’re going to eat there, sleep there, and study there. It’s a doom scroll haven, make it your own and as comfortable as possible! Here are a few things that I’ve learnt being a dorm resident myself :)

1. COMMAND HOOKS. These bad boys are the bestest things you could possibly use to hang anything and everything up in your room. They’re easy to put up and, best of all, no damage to the walls, so no extra damage fees at the end of the semester.

2. If you and your roomie are looking for storage space and do not like the idea of bunk beds, just lift your bed. It’s a great way to move your suitcases and storage bins out of the way. For my girlies who want their bed to still look neat and tidy, get a “bed skirt”!

3. Power strips that have USB and USB-C ports, not just plug-ins. (Life-savers)

4. Dryer Sheets: they’re not just for laundry, put some in your sock drawer, your shoes, your roommate’s side of the room. (I’m kidding…unless?)

Amazon Dorm Room Bed Skirt in White, $39.99

Amazon DEPOW 5-Outlet Power Bar Surge Protector with 4 USB Ports, $19.99

5. Invest in The Mini-Fridge. I promise you, you won’t want to eat caf food every day. Stock up on your favourites and keep them all in your room. Those late-night cravings won’t fuel themselves.

Walmart Hamilton Beach

Single Door Compact Refrigerator in White, $179.97

6. Collapsible everything: hampers, bins, storage. It’s so helpful when packing up for the summer!