VOLUME 23 ISSUE 10
PRIVILEGE
A C T S
MARCH 20, 2019
1 7 : 1 9 - 2 0
ADVOCACY ON TWUSA
LIFE, LIBERTY, & THE PURSUIT OF EQUITY
What TWUSA does that you don’t see
A survey and examination of accessibility at TWU
PG. 7
PG. 10-11
PLANTS ARE PEOPLE TOO A very brief history of botanics in art
PG. 12
2
Our Our Team Team
Sabine Henderson Managing Editor
Janae Gartly Visual Editor
FROM THE EDITOR “Life is a gift, and it offers us the privilege, opportunity, and responsibility to give something back by becoming more.” - Tony Robbins Kelsey Morris Academy Editor
Kennedy Dragt Arts + Culture Editor
Maxwell Stow Web Editor
Ishita Wilson News Editor
Manfred Dewsbury Layout Editor
Bailey Broadbent Sports Editor
The most vivid and best part of my childhood was between 2010 and 2015, when my parents opened a theatre and music club for local children from difficult family backgrounds—children from single-parent families, children in the foster system, children in families that could not afford to send their kids to extracurricular programs. The city I lived in in central Russia had a reputation for having a high percentage of low-income families and a lot of broken homes, so the project my parents had set up was welcomed with open hands. Having a creative outlet, especially in music, proved to be a much needed remedy for the kids who joined the club, and some of them flourished in that environment so much that they have remained in the program to this day. We were never a well-off family; one could say we were even lower middle class for most of my life, but on a comparative scale to those living next door, we had a lot, even if just in the form of financial stability. I remember being incredibly proud of my parents for using what privilege they did have to create a unique and welcoming environment for children who had so much less than I did. Our privilege was, in fact, not even that impressive—we had one large van for our family of five, we lived in a three-room apartment (which was quite large by Russian standards), and both my parents had stable jobs. But what we had, we used well. Almost every bit of privilege our family had over the majority of the community we lived in we gave back in some form or another, and that mentality, I would like to say, has stuck with me ever since. Now, years later, I find myself in a drastically different environment. However, while I may no longer be considered financially privileged here, I am still a member of the 7% of the world population who get to attend university at all. A large part of the TWU student body has grown up with some
Nyssa Morgan Humour Editor
Hannah DeVries Photo Editor
Richard Enns Advertising + Finance Manager
Sierra Ellis Illustrator
Emma Dykstra Staff Writer
Hazal Senkoyuncu Social Media Manager
Mars’ Hill Mars’ Hill is a student publication of Trinity Western University, floated with funds raised by the Student Association. Mars’ Hill seeks to be a professional and relevant student publication, reflecting and challenging the TWU community, while intentionally addressing local, national, and international issues. Editorial Policy Mars’ Hill encourages submissions and letters to the Editor. Mars’ Hill reserves the right to edit submissions for style, brevity, and compatibility with the Mission, Statement of Faith, the Community Covenant, and the Core Values of the University. Anonymous authorship of any material may be granted at the discretion of the Editor-in-Chief. Opinions expressed in Mars’ Hill belong to the individual authors and do not necessarily reflect those of the editorial board, Trinity Western University, its officials or its Student Association. This Issue Brought to You By: Dablling Darn Ijskoud by Nielson Murs Hurrrr Skip the dishes sushi Breez Gang Stolen Coke from the smash tourny The Sun!!
form of privilege beyond that, and the environment of our university itself is suggestive to us having some advantage over the general population in culture, faith, and leadership training. Our emphasis on leadership as a privilege, I believe, is where our greatest potential lies. But the desensitization to the word “leadership” that some of us may feel may come from our synonymizing it to “privilege” in the first place, rendering both concepts a given in this community. However, they are not a given. The very definition of privilege is “a special right, advantage, or immunity granted or available only to a particular person or group,” meaning that what is available to us in the form of academics, leadership training, and spiritual sustenance is the result of a manipulation of certain funds and resources in a particular direction. Keeping to ourselves and using exclusively for ourselves what we have in the form of knowledge, abilities, resources, and a voice would be a direct abuse of privilege that visibly affects those around us who do not have the same advantage we do. Many of us have privilege that even goes beyond something we have--it is something we are, and our responsibility as privileged individuals is to use that inherent privilege for positive change. Leadership on campus is just one opportunity we are given to exercise our beliefs and not just call it a “privilege to serve,” but resist our own default, lifelong privileges in favour of supporting our little community with our unique, God-given gifts. I know; it’s easier said than done, but I’d like to say I’ve tried my best to follow in my parents’ footsteps. Privilege is advantage, and with someone on the high ground, someone is bound to be falling behind. Are you using your privilege to bridge the gap, or is it fuelling your personal agenda?
-Niki Mara
Mission to Mars The mission of Mars’ Hill, as the official student newspaper of Trinity Western University, is to inform and entertain its readers, cultivate awareness of issues concerning the TWU community, and provide a forum for purposeful, constructive discussion among its members in accordance with the Community Covenant, Statement of Faith, and Core Values of the University. Contributors: Rich Nickel Chrisaleen Ciro Madison Fleischer Micah Morgan Monique Bouchard Hazal Senkoyuncu Jacob Chisholm Linda Arce Riley Giesbrecht Kenzie Morgan Micah Bron Rees Morgan Christina Martinez Breez Gang Connor Thiesson Maxwell Stow Deryk Kirchner Spencer Cushing Media Advisor: Loranne Brown 7600 Glover Road Langley, British Columbia, Canada v2y1y1 marshill@gmail.com marshill.news
What makes you irrationally angry?
Senior Editors:
Niki Mara
Editor-in-Chief
Sabine Henderson Managing Editor
Hannah Fletcher
Chief Copy Editor
Janae Gartly
Visual Editor
DE-CLASSIFIEDS live, laugh, love, gossip any purple lanyards sticking around next year? NETFLIX IS NOT REST. In case you were wondering, no - I don’t really care that you got RA. “Godly Christian leaders”... redundant? Student Life staff are the best kind of human beings. Dany Lombardo 2020/2021 please.
for
president
#Gotcha has made me aware of how few people I know on this campus as a 4th year... I think I saw Andrew Richmond can I give my preview day student back now? it’s been like 3 weeks *gets upset that introverts and unpopular people got leadership positions for next year* “I’m on the waitlist, but you know, everything happens for a reason, and maybe God’s trying to tell me something”
Alex Walker is a pure bean and deserves the best Hey, girl with the maroon backpack here. I am nice and approachable! (p.s thanks for recognizing I got a new backpack.) Mikeball: Spikeball but played in the mud! Can we just take a minute to appreciate kevin Jonas’ solo whistle in “Sucker” Can we just take a minute to appreciate Kevin Jonas in general mar’s hill* People, respect the geese @ that cute murse caleb: d8 me already yought > yeeted are you really even a senior if you show up on time to any of your classes? Just say yikes and move on. Why is Jordan Peterson a taboo topic at Trinity again?
Submit your declassifieds at: www.marshill.news/ declassifieds
save the bees plant more trees EAT THE FLOWERS
THE COMPLIMENTS SECTION
egg
Emilio Rodríguez is woke. I think he’d appreciate this, but he would never say it himself, which means he is actually woke.
Eva De Souza is the ray of sunshine this campus needs but never deserved.
shout out to flag guy!! we love you flag guy!!! i thought there was a large bird trapped in the atrium but turns out it was just flag guy Pro tip for introverts at TWU events: Grab the goods and go. Mars’ Hill? More like Jupiter’s Valley, amiright? Darn I should have said Uranus Eye new ewe whir tra bull win ewe wok tin Sa-kidney-bean-a You’re like Goldilock’s porridge. Not too hot. Čäñ ÿøû prîñt çôōł ćhâräčtėrś łîkê thęśè õńêš¿ .sdrawkcab si deifissalced sihT
Gotcha 2019 is contributing to global warming. #walkdontdrive
Stan ITZY? Nah fam, STAN YEJI DALLA DALLA
Hey Sabine can we do one of those declassifieds where you reply in bold after? That’d be pretty special. -No. —Not Sabine
“GPA over PDA” -Lisa
Come to me Daddy Marx
“White power has space” @Danya
Stephanie Pappenfus is such a good mom and grandmother she even will hide your stuff in her room
Sodexo taking over the university one department at a time. Sodexo just has to bribe twu with money, twu can’t say no to money.
jake krause unfollowed me on instagram and I’m taking it very personally
If a girl dyes her hair in the nunnery and no one is around to notice, did she really dye her hair? applications for mars’ hill are open!!
you: birkenstock me, and intellectual: britney birkenstock
Chip Funk you are my heart sparkle. Are we just not going to talk about Rees basically proposing to all the girls on campus ???
Mars’ Hill editors reserve the right to edit or reject submissions based on content and/or length. A printed submission does not necessarily reflect an endorsement of any kind, nor does it necessarily reflect the opinions of Mars’ Hill staff, the student association, or that of the University. In fact, probably not.
CONTRIBUTOR OF THE ISSUE
What is your name? Micah Charles Morgan, and 5th generation to have the name Charles. What is your major? Business. I love that it can be used for anything. Where are you from? Portland area, Oregon. It’s sooo similar to Vancouver area up here. I like ‘em both. What is something you believe in, something you’re passionate about and want to share with the world? Honestly, I want people who complain about their first world problems to think a bit more about how lucky they are. “Privilege” is a hot topic nowadays. One thing I think people who have good healthcare, food, and shelter should do more of is think of how privileged they are just to have those things.
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Chrisaleen Ciro is the most loving, gracious, nurturing and hospitable gem of a woman. And her hugs are amazing <3 Sharon Roy is the most kicka**, fierce, strong and resilient future Secretary General of the United Nations. Look out world. Fun fact: Daniel Flowers has some good poop stories. How do I know? Because he’s authentic and vulnerable. Love that guy So now we know that Euni is not only a smart af man, but that he also can dance. #hootenanny Hannah Ahrendt is low key high key a style and fashion icon. Can we take a second to talk about how Alex Pernsteiner is a sweetheart? Enough of stanning for kpop, I STAN TINA FU Kelsey Morris is inspiring. She has a bright future, and I’m thankful for the the authenticity she brings to the lives of the people she touches Kyla Mears is a powerhouse in a grey world. She deserves all the wildflowers the world has to offer. Matt Vlasic is the hero trinity needed but didn’t and doesn’t deserve. Thanks Matt for everything!!! Chase Maloney’s hair slays almost as much as his smile. Daryl Seow is such a good man. 10/10 recommend his friendship
What is your favourite body part? Either the man bun or beard, I can’t decide. If you had to stand on one surface for the rest of your life, what would it be? Water, because that’d mean I’d be able to walk on water. How cool would that be? What is your favourite article you’ve written for Mars’ Hill and why is it important? The Sodexo one I wrote for the last issue. Again going with the privilege comment I previously mentioned, I think the fact that we have every major food group available at the caf should be recognized.
This could be you! Each issue, we will feature a contributor here that has submitted consistent, relevant, and thoughtful content. Send your submissions to marshill@gmail.com!
Why do you write for Mars’ Hill? I love both The Onion and The Babylon Bee. The humor allows people of all stripes to hear a humorous take on the news, to have a good laugh, and maybe even think critically about an issue.
“Dramatic entrances being foiled by slow automatic doors” –Kenzie Morgan
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news Ishita Wilson
An Uncharacteristically Interesting Time in Canadian Politics Chrisaleen Ciro Canadian political culture, by virtue of the parliamentary system and the culture of our media, is usually uninteresting. Our parliamentary system prizes party loyalty and streamlines the legislative process, which significantly impacts our nation’s capacity for scandal. Canadian politics seem particularly tame when compared to the crises our European allies face and the antics of our allies to the south. As Canadians, we take pride in the sobriety of our political discourse and even the banality of our corruption.
in the Prime Minister’s office. The party leader signs re-election bids, and reserves the right to fire cabinet members. Further, it is actually the Liberal party that gave Wilson-Raybould the platform on which to testify.
However, pursuant to the cliché, pride goeth before fall. Canadian politics became more interesting since the SNC-Lavalin Affair began to dominate the media discourse. In early February, The Globe and Mail ran a story alleging that Prime Minister Justin Trudeau inappropriately pressured Jody Wilson-Raybould, the now former Minister of Justice and Attorney General, which ultimately resulted in her reassignment to Veterans’ Affairs. Trudeau and Wilson-Raybould disagreed about how to handle the misconduct of an engineering company that employs 9,000 Canadians, SNC-Lavalin. The Quebec-based company was accused of bribing and defrauding Libyan government officials, including paying for prostitutes for dictator Muammar Gaddafi’s son. In light of the compelling evidence, Wilson-Raybould decided to pursue prosecution. Trudeau’s staff reportedly pressured Wilson-Raybould to sign a Deferred Prosecution Agreement (DPA) with SNC-Lavalin.
However, someone should explain to Trudeau that placing women in decision-making positions is not inherently feminist, unless these women are free to exercise their own autonomy. The purpose of a DPA is to ensure that the company is held accountable. The company would be forced to pay a fine and restructure their governance to ensure that the possibility of recurrence is eliminated. Typically, crimes like these are the responsibility of a few mid-to-high level individuals. Frankly, many legal experts maintain that it is proportionate to punish the entire corporate structure for the crimes of a few. SNC threatens to eliminate 9,000 jobs from the Canadian economy if prosecuted. Why is this scandal so crippling to the function of the Canadian government? This scandal has severely impacted the velocity of legislation and policy making on the Hill, and its prevalence in the media has distracted from other significant conversations. Diplomacy has ground to a halt, even as Canadian citizens remain stranded in China and various trade deals hang in balance. Specifically, this story continues to damage Trudeau’s reputation domestically and internationally. Not only does Trudeau, in the wake of the Harper era, pride himself on “transparency,” he also identifies as a committed feminist. First, this story reveals how difficult transparency can be in a parliamentary system. Few Canadians are aware of the way that power centralizes
One of the most significant and realistic possibilities for reform is splitting the responsibilities of the justice minister and the attorney general. The two roles require a vastly different relationship with the prime minister, which, as this case proves, have a tendency to conflict. Further, this story also undermines Trudeau’s feminist virtue signalling. The media has leaned into the gendered implications of this investigation and its political optics. Trudeau’s virtue signalling has intensified as a form of resistance against the Trump administration. Feminism defines several of Trudeau’s legislative efforts, his campaign, his foreign aid spending, his domestic budget, and, famously, his cabinet assignments. Naturally, a story that involves permitting a Canadian corporation’s complicity in using prostitutes as a mechanism of bribery has gendered implications. Additionally, the figure accusing him is an indigenous woman. Further, this affair drove another influential female minister, Jane Philpot, treasury minister, to resign from cabinet on principle. Some have questioned Trudeau’s decision to shuffle Wilson-Raybould to another cabinet position, from which she ultimately resigned. Wilson-Raybould’s gender has limited Trudeau’s capacity to respond, as he could not survive the optics of firing a female minister for expressing her opinion. A male minister likely would have been fired before the scandal would have been allowed to progress this far. Wilson-Raybould’s gender has limited Trudeau’s capacity to respond, as he could not survive the optics of firing a female minister for expressing her opinion. However, someone should explain to Trudeau that placing women in decision-making positions is not inherently feminist unless these women are free to exercise their own autonomy. Essentially, Trudeau’s cabinet policy is not empowering to all women; it is only empowering to an individual who can be depended upon to make a certain type of decision. Such moments of “interesting” politics allow us to interrogate the values that comprise our national character. Canadians need to hold Trudeau’s current tolerance of Wilson-Raybould’s desire to express her opinion against the fact that the source of the controversy is his unwillingness to trust her judgement in the first place. The difference, naturally, is the spotlight. What Trudeau could do in broad daylight was very different than what he could do behind closed doors. An interesting predicament for a political operative that prides himself on transparency.
“Internal service error (ERROR 101)” –Leah Goertz
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The Evolution of Education History books are rewriting history?
Ishita Wilson Education should, ideally, provide students with a clear lens through which to see the world. However, as time progresses, it is evident that much of the education students receive today is inherently tinted to sway students’ views a certain way. Many schools, especially in the United States, glaze over important historical events. Early last year, the Southern Poverty Law Center’s Teaching Tolerance Project administered a multiple-choice survey to 1,000 high school seniors. The results revealed that two-thirds of the respondents were not aware that the 13th Amendment ended slavery, and the majority were completely unaware about the Middle Passage. Ninety-two percent of the respondents did not know that slavery was the primary reason the South seceded from the Union. The historical narrative taught in American schools today still over-emphasizes the experience of white people before and during the Civil War. According to Jason Daley from the Smithsonian Magazine, “Lessons that divorce slavery from the ideology of white supremacy focus on slavery as a Southern institution, and downplay slavery’s impact on the nation as a whole additionally contributed to a lack of understanding around the origins and impact of slavery in the U.S.” Furthermore, schools fail to connect this period in history to later periods such as Reconstruction, Jim Crow, the Civil Rights Movement, etc. One high school teacher from Maine responded to these results, saying, “I find it painful, and embarrassing (as a white male) to teach about the history of exploitation, abuse, discrimination and outrageous crimes com-
mitted against African Americans and other minorities, over many centuries—especially at the hands of white males.” This problem is one that many teachers face; however, the dismal effort put into overcoming this problem is unacceptable. The teacher goes on to explain, “While [students] are able to begin to understand this important concept [of white supremacy], many struggle with or actively resist it.” America does not have a clean and pretty history, and students should try their best to understand it. Skirting around these topics is definitely not the right way to go. The members of the Teaching Tolerance Project suggest that schools should try to use more primary accounts to properly teach the stories of those marginalized by history. Another area in which students lack historical knowledge is the Holocaust. According to The Washington Post, 66% of the American millennials surveyed did not know what Auschwitz is, and 22% had not heard of the Holocaust at all. Many graduates think that high school students are ignorant of history as important, because schools now place more emphasis on social justice issues rather than on history. Nevertheless, as important as social justice issues are, they lack context without the backdrop of history. Schools are in great need of a curriculum change; one that will not only wipe away historical ignorance in students today, but will also allow them to advocate for social rights from a more informed platform.
Unexpected Tragedies
A crash that leaves much unanswered
Madison Fleischer
Micah Messent, a young Métis environmentalist from Courtenay, BC, was enroute to a UN conference in Kenya on Sunday, March 9 when the Ethiopian Airlines plane he was traveling in crashed just six minutes after takeoff. The Boeing 737 Max 8 jet crashed not far from Bishoftu, south of Addis Ababa, and killed all 157 people on board, 18 of whom were Canadians. Messent had devoted his rising career to protecting the world’s oceans and sharing Indigenous teachings. He had been chosen to go to the conference as a Canadian representative, and he was excited to meet other young leaders at the United Nations Environment Assembly. Messent graduated from high school in 2013 and immediately enrolled in the Indigenous Studies program at Vancouver Island University in Nanaimo, BC, with a focus on Ocean Geography. He furthermore pursued a job as an Indigenous Relations Analyst after graduating with his degree. Messent was the youngest of five siblings and grew up on the traditional territory of the K’ómoks First Nation on Vancouver Island, near Courtenay, BC. “Growing up, I spent much of my time exploring various communities across Vancouver Island with my family,” he stated in an online profile last year, “sailing around the islands and inlets located throughout the Salish Sea . . . learning the rich histories and teachings associated with various traditional territories.”
Grief and anger are very much present as families travel to the crash site to identify loved ones killed in the Ethiopian Airlines crash. In the wake of the tragedy, Ethiopian Airlines and all Chinese airlines have grounded their Boeing 737 Max 8 planes indefinitely. Investigators are currently in the process of examining the black box, which has been located and shipped to Europe for analysis. Canada’s two most prominent airlines, Air Canada and WestJet, have publicly stated their confidence in the safety of the Boeing 737. In the last two months, there have been two plane crashes, the second being a new Lion Air Boeing 737 Max 8 that went down over the Java Sea in October. This crash took the lives of 189 people. As of Wednesday, Egypt proceeded with a ban of the Boeing 737 Max aircraft from its airspace as a “precautionary measure” to ensure the safety of passengers, according to the Civil Aviation Authority. Canada and the US joined the ban on March 13. Experts claim it could take weeks or months to identify the victims, as their remains were scattered, burned, and fragmented due to the impact and the fire following the crash. Frustration and heartache is growing among the families of victims of the crash, with many of them asking Ethiopian Airlines for greater transparency and answers. Ethiopian Airline officials have opened a call-in centre that is available 18 hours per day to respond to questions by immediate family members.
“That we decided to call it ‘Gotcha’ and not ‘Gotteem’” –Lanie Hawkinson
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Artificial Intelligence
The insensitive use of robots in healthcare
Ishita Wilson
In early March, a robot rolled into 78-year-old patient Ernest Quintana’s hospital Fremont, California, hospital room. Using the robot’s video call function, a doctor told Quintana that he would likely die of chronic lung disease within a few days. His daughter, enraged, explained that when telling a patient they were going to be put on a morphine drip until they die, it should be done in person, not through a machine. Ernest Quintana died on March 5. However, the hospital, Kaiser Permanente, claims that this robot visit was a “follow-up to earlier physician visits.” Senior Vice-President of Kaiser Michelle Gaskill-Hames claims, in a written response, “It did not replace previous conversations with patient and family members and was not used in the delivery of the initial diagnosis.” Despite this claim, granddaughter Annalisia Wilharm, 33, says that she was alone in the room with her grandfather when a nurse announced that the doctor would be making his rounds. Instead of the doctor, a robot rolled in, and the doctor appeared on a video screen to relay the heartbreaking message. Gaskill-Hames later added, “We understand how important this is for all concerned, and regret that we fell short of the family’s expectations. We will use this as an opportunity to review how to improve patient experience with tele-video capabilities.” A family friend later expressed on social media that this was “not the way to show value and compassion to a patient.”
As the world ventures further into a technology-led future, more and more human jobs are replaced by high-tech workers. But where should employers draw the line? In 2015, the global medical robot market was valued at $7.24 billion, and by 2023 it is expected to grow to $20 billion, according to the American Society of Mechanical Engineers. There are robots specializing in human treatment, surgical assistance, rehabilitation, and even therapy. Originally, robots were meant to take over administrative activities or repetitive clinical tasks, allowing doctors and nurses to spend more time with the patients. They were not expected to replace human interaction completely. However, every day, healthcare ventures further and further from this initial vision. Researchers at the Georgia Institute of Technology have even developed a way to give robots a sense of touch. A project called “GrowMeUp” is working to develop a robot that will be able to use facial recognition and oral dialogues to remember the needs of each person, according to Forbes. The team responsible for this project explains, “We have definitely brought social robots closer to society. With intelligent dialogue, older people can effortlessly and intuitively interact with the system using natural speech.” However, expecting robots to act like humans is one thing, but expecting them to convey empathy is quite another. It is far too early—if even possible—for robots to be replacing humans in environments that require thought, feeling, and, compassion. Humanity is on the precipice of a technological revolution, but a simple misstep may result in a steep fall.
TWU Security: Fair and Firm
The people that protect you, your stuff, and this campus
Monique Bouchard
Last week, TWUSA hosted a Q&A session with Derek Adams, Parking and Security Manager at Trinity Western University, where students had the chance to ask questions about everything from parking to theft to on-campus cameras. Students had the choice of watching the live stream or attend in person, and over 100 students watched; many sent in questions as well. Here is a summary of the discussion topics covered in the forum: The security team is made up of individuals that are all Christian, family-oriented people. They don’t want to seem oppressive because of their uniform, but they are required to wear it. As a department, they want to be seen as approachable. The philosophy of the guards is to help students reach a place of compliance with the law, especially with regard to parking enforcement. When dealing with the variety of situations they encounter on shift, security intends to be perceived as fair and firm. All guards are trained for emergency response and first aid, and female guards have been hired to do the late-night walkthrough of female residence halls. There two guards on shift at all times, ensuring round-the-clock surveillance of campus. Students often encounter guards at the front gate after 11p.m. Normal protocol is for the gate to be down past this time, and students are required to show their student ID card for entry. However, if guards are responding
to a call or doing rounds, they have to keep the gate up in the meantime, which is why sometimes students arrive back late and the gate is up. There are also cameras at the main gate that can read license plate numbers to make sure that no one who shouldn’t be on campus can get access. As for parking, Security asks that you comply with the set rules, since they enforce parking but do not regulate pricing. If students ever feel unsafe on campus, they can call Security to have a guard walk them to where they need to go. Security recognizes that lighting on campus is an issue, but unfortunately does not have the funding to fix it immediately. In the case of a emergency, TWU alerts will send an alarm to students, and loudspeakers around campus will also notify students of the threat. In addition, Security is also working on an app that will have functions to benefit students’ safety. Adams reminded students to make sure that they lock their residence doors and do not leave their belongings unattended in public on-campus spaces. To contact security, students can call 604 513 2099, or email their concerns to Derek at derek.adams@twu.ca. Thank you, Security, for keeping us safe!
“When people say ‘sneak peak’ instead of ‘sneak peek’” –Tina Fu
academy
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Kelsey Morris
Advocacy on TWUSA What TWUSA does that you don’t see
Linda Arce & Monique Bouchard TWUSA is known for free printing, free coffee, and some wild campus-wide events. What TWUSA is not as popular for is showcasing one of its main pillars: advocacy. What most of the students at Trinity don’t often see or hear about is what happens behind the scenes. This year, TWUSA has focused meeting time on the creation of task forces. The subjects of these task forces were decided on by TWUSA council with the intent of looking at Trinity with a more critical eye. “When I used to think about Trinity, I would only want to show off the good parts, says TWUSA President Monique Bouchard. Now as a voice for students, I understand that it is through my love for Trinity that I get to lead a Council that works alongside the School to fix the ugly parts, especially when it’s an issue that is really important to students but not noticed by the rest of campus.” At the beginning of January, the team gathered and made a list of things they thought the school could do better. From this list, TWUSA Council identified six major issues that seem to affect the students of TWU on a large scale: Library Hours, Atrium Renovations, enforcing the integrity of the Standard Grading System, Sodexo, Accessibility, and Security.
Library Hours: The Norma Alloway Library is the main study spot on campus. Currently, the library has hours that are similar to local academic institutions of the same size; however, TWUSA recognizes that students would be able to enhance their study time with extended weekend hours. Members on the Library Hours task force have been in conversation with both Jenn Skelding, Director of the Learning Commons, and Darcy Gullacher, the new Head Librarian. They shared with TWUSA that there are some really exciting changes and major renovations that will be coming to the library next year, and TWUSA was able to share how extended weekend hours, especially on Sunday nights, would benefit the student body. Based on the discussion during the meeting, and through ongoing dialogue, this is a possibility. This will mean higher productivity on weekends for students to study and excel in their classes! Atrium Renovations: This task force is committed to improving use of
the space in the Atrium. The Atrium is a space with huge potential. However, it often houses TWU choir practices, making it difficult for studying and socializing during such times. In addition, the furniture and spatial set-up can cause confusion around the purpose of the space: is it a silent study place or a gathering spot where students can hang out? The Atrium task force envisions a space where students can enjoy the large windows, great acoustics for events, inviting ambiance, and tables and chairs that allow for comfortable collaboration with peers. Student Life has already been working on a plan to reimagine the Atrium space and TWUSA has had the opportunity to come alongside and offer feedback.
Grading Scale: TWUSA Council member, Kierianne Carkner, brought forward that TWU departments are deviating from the standard grading scale, making it difficult for hard-working students to achieve the grades they deserve. More specifically, professors are using high grading scales as an excuse to mark more leniently, potentially endangering TWU’s reputation for academic excellence. Given that some professors also use old material, students are exhausting themselves trying to memorize course content that is out-of-date. This again is a potential detriment to TWU’s reputation. Students trying to gain ac-
ceptance to professional programs which use a 4.0 scale may encounter challenges when applying with degrees from TWU, which uses a 4.3 scale. Interestingly, no other university in the Lower Mainland allows professors to select their own grading scale. Carkner made a presentation to TWU’s Senate proposing an amendment to TWU’s policies instructing professors that they are not to change the standardized grading system in their own courses. Any deviation would therefore be against official Trinity Western University policy. If this change is implemented, TWUSA hopes students will be motivated by the potential for success, thus allowing them to develop as Godly Christian leaders in all areas of life.
Sodexo: Jennifer McPhail and Cassidy Mahler are on the Food Services Committee alongside a few other on-campus departments and the head of Sodexo TWU, who was recently hired in January. McPhail and Mahler intend to help Sodexo work toward a better relationship with students, which will hopefully result in better feedback for Sodexo. They want to encourage students to provide genuine, constructive feedback to improve their services. In addition, something that is important for students to know is how much food is wasted by students in the cafeteria. This is mostly caused by students taking too much food or food that they discover doesn’t go well together. To remedy this, Sodexo creates different stations in the cafeteria with foods that compliment each other. Hopefully, students understanding this will change the level of waste in the cafeteria.
Accessibility: The Accessibility task force has been made aware of
many areas on campus that are not physically accessible for students. Every student should be able to access areas of campus that are meant for all students. The fact that many areas are not accessible to all reflects that TWU’s facilities need some major changes. The accessibility task force has been listening to the experiences and perspectives of students with disabilities and/or exceptionalities, including members of TWURise. Recently the accessibility task force has met with Jo Jansen and Wendy Shellborn, as they oversee the construction projects and physical changes to TWU’s campus. Through this meeting and more anticipated meetings in the future, the accessibility task force is putting together a list of the top-priority projects. These projects will then get a price quote and be sent to the appropriate recipients to evaluate whether they can be added to the school’s budget in the near future. This accessibility task force aims to help create a campus that is easier to maneuver and more accessible to everyone.
Security: The final task force is for Trinity Western security. TWUSA rec-
ognizes that there are currently some perceived issues between security and students that can make the relationship difficult. This is a problem because security exists to keep students safe, protect our belongings, and ensure that our campus secured. The task force’s main contact has been with Derek Adams, the Parking and Security Manager. The security task force coordinated an all-campus Q&A event where students could voice their questions. Security, in turn, had the opportunity to share with students more about their job and what they are implementing to protect us. This task force is currently proceeding with more ways to increase positive communication between security and students.
“When freshmen come within 15 feet of me” –Joey Schweitzer
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Chrisaleen Ciro
The Way Things (We) Are Privilege can be an unhelpful word, one around which ideological battles are drawn. It is a word that hopes to liberate some individuals by forcing others to self-investigate. Working-class white men are sick of messaging that seems to suggest that their economic anxieties and frustrations about limited political efficacy are not legitimate, while marginalized communities are desperate for their leaders to acknowledge that individuals have unique interactions with the public sphere based on their identity. I encountered this alienation from understanding of the word privilege as a marking assistant for GNDR 105, Introduction to Gender Studies. We asked students in the class to identify areas of privilege in their own lives. Most students said things like education, socio-economic mobility, access to safe-drinking water, and healthcare.
that narrative. Most Christians happen to believe something similar. Too often, privilege is explained as an abstract concept. I prefer to think of privilege as the way I navigate an airport. When I travel, my adrenaline comes from excitement and anticipation. In contrast, my Salvadorian friend’s adrenaline is fuelled by constant vigilance. She knows she is watched. She knows she has no margin for error. Often, privilege is freedom from constant scrutiny, and it offers the space for imperfection. Yes, for both of us, the ability to travel and pursue opportunities to serve, learn, and rest around the world is an example of a privilege. However, the way that we negotiate the space of travel itself is different. She experiences limitations and is subject to gazes that I will never fully understand.
However, while there are many who are denied access to these necessities, they are actually rights. Privilege, in the context of feminist discourse, is actually quite different. Essentially, privilege is not only your specific circumstances, it is also your way of being in society.
Privilege is the questions that one community never has to ask, but another group cannot avoid. Men are never asked how they will balance a healthy family and a fulfilling career, while girls start asking themselves that question in middle school.
We have privileges, but we also are privileged.
White people, when they feel unsafe, can rely on law enforcement. Latino and black men are significantly more likely to be targeted by police officers. For white Europeans, law enforcement is a structure designed to maintain a social stability according to their values. For Indigenous people, the RCMP was an arm of enforcing Canadian sovereignty and undermining Indigenous governance. Sometimes, privilege means having positive views of authority.
Privilege flows from history. Bodies have history. Bodies are interpreted through history. One of the most significant—and disconcerting—aspects of feminism is that it gives us the opportunity to rewrite the histories and the narratives which we inhabit. Contemporary feminism functions similarly to many deconstructionist theories and argues that the things we believe are true—about ourselves, about each other, about God, and about the environment—impact the way we negotiate life. Feminists also believe that when we believe things that are not true or narratives that cause us to hurt others, we need to challenge
On paper, ideas like privilege and oppression may seem abstract. However, these words describe experiences that real people live through every day.
Kelsey Morris
Epidemic
Trigger warning: suicide, mental health Each day in Canada, ten people die by suicide. For every completed suicide, there are roughly 25-30 suicide attempts across the country. And, in 2016 alone, 4,000 Canadians were lost to mental illness. This is an epidemic. According to a 2017 survey by Ipsos, all age groups in Canada are at an increasingly high risk for mental health issues, with upward trends in risk each year, particularly affecting Millennials and those born into Generation X. And while all provinces are seeing a similar uptick in prevalence of mental health issues, British Columbia is the most at-risk region in the country. While suicide is one of the leading causes of death in the general population, it is the second among college-age Canadians. Given these worrisome trends, it is clear that students attending universities in BC—specifically in the Lower Mainland—are a vital target population for accessible mental health care. BC students today are suffering extreme levels of stress. Faced with rising tuition rates, increasingly high cost of living, crippling amounts of debt, and a shrinking job market, students today have less security and certainty about the future than ever before. So, it’s no surprise that mental health issues are on the rise. However, provincial services in BC are not moving quickly enough to sustain a population in such dire need of care. “In my experience with mental health care in BC, there wasn’t much preventative care for those who are experiencing depression,” says Sarah Peitsch-Tyerman, an undergraduate student at Trinity Western University. “I found that unless you actively had a plan to kill yourself or have made an attempt, most resources were bogged down.”
access to necessary mental health care until after they’ve found themselves in the kind of crisis situation that threatens to take their lives. So what are students to do in the meantime? Many universities are responding to this reality by offering free or reduced cost counselling—a crucial step in the process of prioritizing mental health care and making it accessible to struggling students. However, these universities simply do not have the funding, resources, or personnel available to support even the smallest of student populations, like the one found at TWU. TWU’s Wellness Centre offers counselling with both Registered Clinical Counsellors and Student Interns from the school’s MA program. But a couple weeks into the semester already, the waiting lists are long, and students are limited to only ten sessions with a counsellor. While this may be sufficient for individuals facing situational anxiety or a mild depressive episode, these services allow students with severe mental health issues to fall between the cracks. Such students must seek therapeutic care elsewhere, with 50-minute sessions costing $120 without GST on average. The message sent by both the provincial government and the institutions within the province is clear: saving your life will cost you roughly $6000 per year. Given the shortage of psychiatrists, many students are forced to see family doctors regarding their mental health. The result? Common and dangerous misdiagnoses, excessive—and often inappropriate—pharmacological treatments, and insufficient mental health education for struggling individuals. Things must change—and change is in the works. But in the meantime? We’re watching students suffer. We’re watching students die.
For many students like Sarah, key components of mental health care are simply unavailable and out of reach. Psychiatrists are almost impossible to find outside of an inpatient psychiatric unit. Essentially, students have no
“Helvetica” –MacKenna Wilson
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Stop Using Rape as a Catch-All Riley Giesbrecht Trigger Warning: rape and sexual violence Disclaimer: For the purposes of this article, I am talking about all survivors of sexual violence, regardless of whether or not they fit the legal definition of rape. We live in a world where sexual assault is often dismissed with excuses and laughed off with jokes—it certainly isn’t always treated with the seriousness that the issue certainly warrants. The word “rape” is often used as a catch-all verb to describe situations entirely separate from what the term really means. To use “rape” inaccurately in conversations trivializes its actual meaning. Using this word to describe anything other than the act of sexual violence is not only incorrect, but disrespectful to those who have experienced such violence. It is worrisome to think that such casual use of the word “rape” could reflect the lax societal attitude to the crime. It is often used inappropriately in contexts like this: “I just got RAPED by that midterm.” “Hell yeah! We just raped that whole team! Wanna play again?” “That restaurant totally raped my wallet.” It is never acceptable to normalize rape like this. It is never acceptable to do anything that takes the sting out of a word that should make us feel physically sick. The normalized and widespread nature of these inappropriate comments makes it so much harder for victims to speak out, as they learn to believe they won’t be taken seriously or are dismissed when they do. The cycle continues as victims are silenced and blamed, the crime normalized, and offenders forgotten. This is rape culture. Using the word “rape” so casually minimizes sexual violence and takes away from the fact that rape is a crime. It is not a word to be thrown around as a joke. This is dangerous because of the effect it can have on survivors of sexual violence and their loved ones. We are often unaware of how many people around us have personally experienced sexual violence when we carelessly mention rape in a joking manner, thinking that others will find it funny. But statistics show that one in four women will experience sexual violence in their lifetime; so, odds are, in a group setting, someone has experienced it—and the impact can be reverberating. Maybe the survivor was considering sharing their experience, but now they are clouded with self-doubt and insecurity. From my own experience, it is mostly men saying these things. These men are mostly good, respectable people who mean absolutely no harm by throwing the word “rape” around in such a casual manner. These men are good friends, my coworkers, family members–men who are respected and admired. But faced with situations in which these men are close to me, I am left stunned, wondering why in the world anyone would think using this word is acceptable. I am left wondering whether or not I should speak up. I never do. But I am today. I’m speaking up because it seems that our society continuously desensitizes people to the severity of sexual violence through language, to the way survivors are treated publicly by being both implicitly and explicitly blamed, and to the ways in which media repeatedly romanticize sexual violence and dehumanize women. I am speaking up because I am tired of reading articles that lead me to conclude that nobody is safe, because almost every friend that I know has a story like mine. Illustrations of the prevalence of sexual violence are everywhere. I’m speaking up because I am a survivor of sexual assault, too.
As a sexual assault survivor, as a woman who is still not brave enough to say his name, as a woman who was conditioned at a very young age to listen to what men told me to do, I am speaking up. I struggled with the idea of making this article anonymous or attaching my name. But ultimately, I decided that I wanted to put a face to the story.
These are my own experiences as a middle-class, heterosexual, white woman. My extraordinary privilege did not shield me from sexual violence. There is silence around rape because people are not speaking up when they hear these kinds of things, and they do not see anyone else challenging it. So I want to contextualize the experience that one in four women have. I am one of these women. I am a daughter, a sister, and a friend. It is hard for me to open up about these experiences, but I feel very strongly that the more guilt and shame we feel, and the more that we hide, the more power the past has to hinder our ability to embrace the future. I am speaking up because I don’t want to hear anyone misuse the word “rape” anymore. When I hear the word “rape” used out of context, it makes me extremely uncomfortable. Often, it can be a trigger, causing fragments of my assaults to come flooding back. The stale scent of cigarette on his breath, the song “It Girl” playing in the background to drown out the noise, the wine I accepted innocently, so unaware of what would happen next—and it all becomes too real. I am transported right back. It can make me feel physically or emotionally unsafe in the company of the people who say it. It is painful. It makes me feel violated all over again. These are my own experiences as a middle-class, heterosexual, white woman. My extraordinary privilege did not shield me from sexual violence. Unfortunately, I know many women who have a similar story. None of them ever came forward. Most of them never even thought about coming forward as a possibility because of the fear that no one would believe them. Rape is not something that can be described as anything other than sexual violence. And to continue to say “rape” out of context is to disrespect all the women and men who have already had so much taken away from them. Again, many people who say things like this are not doing so out of malicious intent. I’m not here to shame these people. Instead, I want to educate them. Misuse of the word comes sometimes from cruelty, but most often from ignorance. Ignorance is completely surmountable. So let’s move forward together, and stop minimizing the suffering of so many people. Changing your language is a small step, but an intense one. Be an ally to survivors of sexual violence. Expand your vocabulary.
“When people microwave their lukewarm coffee” –Nicole Mara
life, liberty,
1
disclaimers Out of the 78 people who participated in this survey, 35 identified as having a disability. Therefore, because of the relatively small sample size, these results should be interpreted as not necessarily reflective of the entire student body with some form of disability.
2
One of the survey participants brought to our attention that we did not add an “other” option to our question asking participants to identify their specific disabilities. Since we added the “other” option after the survey had launched, the results may not accurately represent the percentage of students who have disabilities not listed and described in our survey.
& the pursuit of
35 participants
equity
are you registered
46%
by chrisaleen ciro & kelsey morris
with
Equity of
no
yes
The Equity of Access Office exists to ensure that students with disabilities at TWU have equal access to all aspects of educational programs at TWU in accordance with the Human Rights Code of BC and the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms. Directed by David Stinson, Equity of Access allows students with documented disabilities to request accommodations, such as permission to record lectures, alternate locations for writing exams, and classroom accessibility, that reduce barriers to their education.
Additionally, in the summer of 2019, the Learning Commons, together with the Equity of Access Office, will move from the second floor of the Reimer Student Centre to the first floor of Norma Marion Alloway Library, to create a more integrated approach to learning and resources on TWUʼs campus. The renovated first floor will continue to feature the SAMC gallery and circulation desk, but will also include the services offered at present by the Learning Commons. Our hope is that, with increased visibility of the Equity of Access office, students who need accommodations will be able to maximize their learning potential and overall TWU experience.
14% what is that?
60%
The importance of this survey rests in an apparent lack of awareness of and accessibility to the procedures, policies, and processes available to students with disabilities at TWU. Many students have been burdened unnecessarily by the processes available to them. The purpose of this survey is to ultimately improve campus accessibility by bringing specific issues that students have experienced to light. Changes to these processes and the communication of them must be made and are already underway. In fact, just last year, Equity of Access moved out from under Student Life and now reports to the Learning Commons under the Office of the Provost. This is an important shift given that Equity of Access is responsible primarily for issues in academic accessibility.
Access?
29%
dis agree
11%
I’m not sure
I feel my p
und
20%
10%
neutral
agr
strongly agree
69% mental health condition
which of the following
do
37% chronic condition
you
29% learning disability
17%
physical disability
ha
6% hearing disability
10
10
6%
intelle disab
I feel
confident & comfortable
with the process of obtaining my neccessary accomodations through
40%
dis agree
Equity of
Access
20%
20%
neutral
strongly disagree
10% 10% agree
strongly agree
have you ever had
a professor
?
50%
yes
refuse to comply
40%
no
with one of your accomodations?
10%
I’m not sure
derstand their part
in the accommodation process
ree
ave?
%
I started at TWU enrolled in science courses, seeking to pursue a Biology major. While I have a passion for the sciences and an excellent memory, the big problem for me lies with the small mistakes I make in labs. ADD and ADD with hyperactivity both affect executive functioning, which in my experience hinders my ability to plan my time effectively, execute difficult processes correctly the first time, and utilize my working memory. All three of these things are essential for labs, which made my lab experiences much more difficult. I had to choose to pursue other areas of interest, eventually changing my major and minors, because accommodations in these settings werenʼt made clear. In hindsight, I couldʼve requested help in the form of extra lab time to practice the weekly lab or accommodations in the way assessments were conducted. At the time, however, for fear of being different, I found it difficult to speak up for myself. As I have progressed in my time at TWU, Iʼve learned to care less about those fears because they actually hold back my own ability to progress and meet my goals. My experience with Equity of Access at TWU has been largely positive, but indeed the process has been complicated and unclear. Even now I couldnʼt accurately describe the steps needed in order to be registered with a disability or exceptionality at TWU. Making a more streamlined and clear process of disclosure is perhaps the largest area of improvement that could be made.
christina martinez
professors
0%
micah bron
3%
ectual visual bility disability
3% other
anonymous I am one among the many who have fought through education unaware that I was battling against a learning disability until part way through university. Finding out was bittersweet—on the one hand, I had answers, but on the other hand I had questions and no clue what to do with them. As a student navigating this new dynamic in my life, I quickly found myself confused and exhausted. I wasnʼt only trying to juggle the everyday demands involved in being a university student. I was also faced with the challenge of figuring out how to process this new information at an emotional level, learning how to work collaboratively with professors at an academic level, and discovering how to access and understand a system that was developed with the purpose of supporting students such as myself. Professors know that some students who come into your class are coming in at a disadvantage, and your role in allowing for the accessibility of our education is crucial and does not go unrecognized–we thank you. Equity of Access, we desire to thrive, we need your proactivity as we navigate a complex system that has some of us quite petrified. Fellow students, genuinely listening lightens the load, your support and advocacy matters–just a little bit goes a long way. Let us band together to build a campus that supports and advocates for one another as a unified body of Christ.
For the past three years, I have had the beautiful opportunity of being part of the TWU community. When I first started here, my chronic pain condition was in remission and I rarely felt its symptoms. However, God had a very different plan for my first year than I did. I was diagnosed with Fibromyalgia (a syndrome that affects my nervous system causing chronic pain and other symptoms linked to such) in December of my first year. Professors and resources that TWU had employed astonished me; professors provided extensions and accommodations when I went to the hospital or was unable to attend class due to my conditions. The grace that filled my professors amazed me. The Equity of Access office has given me a voice when I felt as though mine was too weak to fight. Each staff member has a great desire to give struggling students a hand in their success. While my interactions with the office have been lesser than some, I would without a doubt send a fellow student to the Equity of Access office if they felt like they needed help. My friends, boyfriend, and student mentors over the past three years have allowed me to be fully myself without feeling shame of the chronic fatigue or inability to be social. They would show up and just sit with me to pray or talk about anything that would distract me from how I was feeling. I have found the community at TWU to be exceedingly accommodating: whether that be the people brought me meals when I was unable to prepare them myself, or those who walked a little slower with me when I use my mobility aids, or those who took me to the hospital so I wouldnʼt be sitting alone. I have found a home in the community that TWU has provided for me. I pray that our universityʼs accessibility only continues to grow.
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arts + culture Kennedy Dragt accompanied. Some designers even suggest that plants can act as standins for gallery patrons, taking on an anthropomorphic quality. Faye Kahn, a writer for Bad At Sports, says they “occupy space in an analogous way to how a person would, with similar height and life presence.” Thus plants became a central part of the welcoming atmosphere but were not meant to attract attention, just as one patron is not generally concerned with another unless they make a disturbance. In the 1980s to 1990s, concerns about moisture from plants ruining precious artwork drove the decorative flora outdoors, now adorning only the entrances of many buildings. However, it seems that plants were destined for more than decoration. Leading into the twenty-first century, new artists have brought the foliage back into installations. But, this time they have an even more vibrant presence. Plants, it seems, have leapt out from canvases and etchings, establishing themselves as their own central exhibits. In 2014, Rashid Johnson created Plateaus, a layered sculpture made from shrubs, cacti, ceramics, metal, and wood, creating a conversation about colonialization and urban displacement. Similarly, Canadian Artist Tau Lewis’s sculptural work draws a parallel between the hardiness of cacti and “the perseverance of black life.” The artist uses the harsh contrast between the organic and constructed to symbolize the African diaspora. While creating a sense of distance in this particular work, the plants within the artwork still encourage a weird sense of empathy, “perhaps a vague, displaced feeling of connection with other living beings,” making this plant the perfect platform for conversations about race.
Plants Are People Too A very brief history of botanics in art
Kennedy Dragt Since time immemorial, humanity has relied on the bounty of the organic world for sustenance. However, this sustenance is so much more than physical. Yes, plants have always been used as housing materials and incorporated into clothing and food, but they have served aesthetic purposes as well, what one may presumptuously call a spiritual food. Barks, berries, and root vegetables have been used for the production of artistic materials (dies, inks and paints) for ages. Some archeologists believe that mosses, in all their soft and airy glory, were the original paintbrush. But aside from participating in the production of art, plants have, for the longest time, been the subject of art. The lotus flower, for instance, has been found on ancient Egyptian ceramics, amulets, and papyrus paintings symbolizing fertility and birth. Jumping to the Middle Ages, millefleur, a pattern of intricate flowers covering tapestries, was popular for its aesthetic value. The Renaissance led to a bloom in botanical still life painting. During the Industrial Revolution, plants emerged as a new code of symbolism. With rising rates of imperialism and colonial endeavors, the organic shapes of plants came to represent the wild and untamed lands waiting to be conquered. Plants depicted in art at this time were both dangerous and exciting. The wild nature of the plant was soon complimented by a more domestic representation in the Victorian era as floriography, the art of crafting simple messages such as love notes or apologies through the contents of bouquet gained popularity.
In summer of 2018, the Spencer Museum of Art at the University of Kansas featured a five-month-long exhibition titled Big Botany: Conversations with the Plant World. The exhibition sought to engage with “artists’ studies of plant forms; historic and contemporary plant lore; ecological sustainability and biomechanical plant hybrids; plants in a post-human world; and scientific research on how plants sense the world and communicate.” The exhibition’s website stressed its aim to “cultivate viewers’ empathy for plants by addressing the tendency of humans to dismiss plants as a static backdrop to their fast-paced lives.” Perhaps there could be no better way to phrase the current plants-as-art movement. Whether or not one chooses to believe the studies purporting that plants talk to one another and have memories, it is impossible to ignore their ever-present and apparently growing influence in human life. Plants are not a backdrop for human activity or simply the subject of inanimate painting but have finally regained their spot in the spotlight. These new plant-as-art installations have unique allure because they grow and change as they are viewed—they are not entirely controllable. They are, in many ways, independent of the artist; they have free will. Plants, it seems, are becoming more human. Plants have become our companions, breathing with us, living with us, and inspiring us to become more human.
Whether or not one chooses to believe the studies purporting that plants talk to one another and have memories, it is impossible to ignore their ever present and apparently growing influence in human life.
In the 20th century, for the most part, plants became background noise in art, no longer the stars of the show, or they were recognized for their symbolic and emotive potential, and added to museums and galleries as fillers or decorations. As living, growing things, gallery plants were intended to bring a calming organic contrast next to the human-made artworks they
“People who talk to me” –Hazal Senkoyuncu
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Type Means More Than Words Rees Morgan
The typeface Comic Sans is so synonymous with bad design that there are whole movements trying to ban it. It’s such a joke that it has almost reached a point where it is cool to use it ironically. And honestly, rightfully so. Comic Sans is a horrible typeface by today’s standard. The lettering is incredibly inconsistent, the letter forms are borderline illegible at small sizes, and it cannot be lined up in a grid system. Comic Sans breaks almost every rule of good design. While by today’s standards the typeface falls very short, when it was designed in 1994, the design succeeded in its mission. It was designed to be used in the speech bubbles of a friendly dog who gives helpful insight on how to use Microsoft Bob: the operating system skin created to make Windows 3.1 more kid-friendly and usable. The typeface was designed to fit a friendly and playful feel, and it did its job well. And, while computer screens today have a feature called anti-aliasing, making words on a screen look smooth, in the past this feature was not present, causing words to look jagged and harder to read. Comic Sans was designed to be viewed on screens without this feature, so, in its original context, all of its imperfections actually allowed for quite a legible read. Comic Sans was designed for a specific era, in which it worked remarkably well, and now it has been taken out of that context. Today, Comic Sans comes across as incredibly ugly. Yet, it still has an important role to play in the world of design. The fact that there is such widespread hatred of Comic Sans shows that our society has attained a certain level of design literacy. In the same way that the printing press brought on high literacy rates within the public, the widespread use of typefaces on computers is starting to bring on a high level of design literacy. And while that means that Comic Sans will be used over and over again by people who just don’t know better, it also means that the public is starting to understand the power contained within a typeface. We never see language naked. It is always dressed in a typeface. So, it is vital that the public understands fully the effect of typeface on communication. Alan Fletcher, a British graphic designer, famously said: “a typeface is an alphabet in a straitjacket.” Typefaces like Gotham or Helvetica are commonly used by corporations and governments because their aesthetics communicate simplicity and professionalism. A typeface like Lydian is frequently used by artists because it is beautiful and intricate. A bolder typeface is often considered manly or harsh, whereas a lighter weight typeface is seen as more delicate and feminine. Typefaces convey meaning, moods and emotions, which can go beyond the words they clothe.
Germany, Renner dubbed it an “eminently German typeface.” In 1941, the typeface was picked up by the Nazis, and it was used in everything from political propaganda to designing guides for uniforms. By that time, Futura had gained a name for itself in the international typography community as the typeface of the future. When NASA was looking for a typeface to be launched into space, they needed something that was legible but also carried the feeling of the progress, modernism, and the future; they chose Futura. This means that Futura is the only typeface which has landed on the moon. In fact, during Apollo 11, the crew left a plaque that reads: “Here men from planet Earth first set foot on the Moon July 1969, A.D. We came in peace for all mankind.” It was written in Futura. Its usage and connotations have not died in the near 100 years that it has existed. It is still the typeface of the future and just as cool. The streetwear giant, Supreme, uses an italicized medium weight Futura inside a red box as their logo. These shirts sell for hundreds of dollars just because of their “hype.” Filmmaker Wes Anderson has used Futura pretty much exclusively in every movie he has ever made. As trends come and go, one would think that a typeface would die along with the trend; however, that has not been the case with Futura.
The fact that there is such widespread hatred of Comic Sans shows that our society has attained a certain level of design literacy. There is a common design saying that goes, “type means more than words.” The level of meaning offered by a typeface surpasses that of the words which it dresses; it reaches beyond trends and changes in vocabulary to express some underlying sentiment. It can even be used to represent a vast range of ideologies. Comic Sans and Futura are proof of this. If you write a paper in Comic Sans, it is likely that your professor will not
even read it. If you change that typeface to Times New Roman, those same words are seen as professional and the paper is taken more seriously. The words themselves haven’t changed, but their form has. Comic Sans may be childish, unprofessional, and flat out ugly, but the benefit of design literacy that comes with its existence opens up society’s view of typefaces. Our generation is exploring new avenues of type, and the general public is starting realize the power that type has. Design literacy is opening up our society to new ways of feeling and expressing emotion, and that is a beautiful thing.
There isn’t a better example of this concept than the typeface Futura, the typeface in which this article is written. Designed in 1927 by Paul Renner in
SAMC Presents: Anne of Green Gables : The Musical Connor Thiessen
A remarkably talented cast of kids, students, and community members has brought to the SAMC stage a delightful production of Anne of Green Gables: The Musical. It is adapted from the iconic Canadian novel by L.M. Montgomery and directed by Angela Konrad. From the delightful up-tempo musical score to the vibrant characters and amazing choreography, this show is sure to be a perfect way to get into the spring season. Last spring, for the first time in SAMC history, the Trinity Western University Theatre program opened its auditions for one of their shows to community members and alumni, resulting in a wide range of age representation in the cast. While the titular character is played by fourth-year BA student, Hayley James (past credits including Silvia in The Game of Love and Chance from last semester’s season and The Disco Queen from The Comedy of Errors from the spring of 2018), the guardian roles of Matthew and Marilla Cuthbert are played by TWU Theatre alumnus Scott Campbell and local teacher Kim Hardy. Various roles are also played by elementary and middle school children. Thus, an authentic-feeling community forms the town of Avonlea, in which the musical is set. The highlights of this show include the amazing musical score and stunning accompanying choreography. The music, written by Norman Campbell
with lyrics by both Campbell and playwright Don Harron, is performed by handful of SAMC’s music students, led and conducted by Dr. Allan Thorpe. The choreography, full of twirls, jumps, and impressive stunts, is arranged by Joel Ballard. Together, they set the pace for a catchy, fun, and moving spectacle. While it is always a challenge to adapt such an iconic novel to the stage, Anne of Green Gables: The Musical makes sure to preserve the heart of the novel, as is evident in the infectious energy that Hayley James brings to the role of Anne, as well as in the passion that the entire cast and crew have poured into the production. This production will leave you speechless.
“Emails from the registrar” –Janae Gartly
14
ARTIST SPOTLIGHT: BREEZ GANG Mars’ Hill: What are your names and majors? McFlizzurp: My stage name is McFlizzurp and this is Cocaine Juicebox. Oh, and my major is Computer Science. Cocaine Juicebox: And my name is Cocaine Juicebox, but I don’t know if you can put that in the paper, and I’m an HKin major. MH: How did you decide on your band name and stage names? CJ: Uhh, so band name—me and the other member in the group (he doesn’t go here), we were just in a car, and we needed to come up with like a cool group name. And it was originally going to be “The Breeze Boys,” but he said that sounded stupid, so he suggested “Breez Gang,” ‘cause that sounds cool. And then our stage names—it was like a post on Instagram
MH: What do you think is the most unique aspect of your band? McF: Well, I don’t think I’ve ever heard of any other rap group forming at Trinity. So that’s a pretty original aspect. CJ: It’s like three white guys rapping just about jewelry and diamonds and stuff. Stuff you don’t really hear other white rappers rapping about. It’s kinda funny. McF: It’s a total joke too, like everything we rap. I don’t think we have ever done any of it even relatively close to seriously. It sorta makes fun of rap as like a genre. MH: What does your production process look like? McF: Pretty much I just make a sick beat or make a few sick beats and then show it to the other guys. And then they choose the one they like. And then we spend maybe five or ten minutes writing to it. And then just kill it on the mic and hope for the best. Then I just edit it, do all the effects on it, make it sound right, and then go back and change anything that needs to be changed, if there’s like a misrecording or something or someone’s like, screaming in the background from the dorm. MH: So you do most of your recording in your dorm then? CJ: Yeah just in the dorm. We don’t know where else to go. It’s so hot in there [the music recording studio]. McF: Yeah I tried going there but I was sweating after five minutes. So I can’t do it. MH: Would you say that your music style has evolved since you first began? If so, how? McF: Oh definitely! We used to record on a sock mic and now we actually have a real one. And I have figured out how to produce at an adequate level to good level. Lots of YouTube involved in that. But I figured it out eventually, and it sounds pretty sick now, I think. CJ: Some of our first songs just straight up sucked. And then you listen to the other ones on the album and they’re just so so much better.
I saw. . . it was like the month you were born in and each month had a name beside the month, and mine was November which was Cocaine, and then the first letter of your real name, which is T for me, and so that was Juicebox. McF: I got my name from McDonalds. I accidentally said McFizzurp instead of ordering a McFlurry. And it sounded sorta dope. So I just sorta stuck with it as my name. MH: So there are actually three of you in the band? What is the third member’s name? CJ: So his name is Husky Trout, like the fish, but he doesn’t go here. McF: We have some original names. MH: Can you give a brief overview of how your band began and has come to be as it is now? CJ: Well ahh, last year in our dorm, we were the only guys who like, really really listened to rap music and everyone liked it. And so they just kinda called us “the rappers” or whatever. And then we made a song. We put a sock over an iPhone for a mic and we recorded over a beat. The song was awful, but people loved it. So then, we made a second song and people loved it. So then in the summer, after school ended, the three of us (he [Husky Trout] has a legit mic now), we were just like, “let’s make more music.” So we were just grinding out an album in the summer. MH: Would you say that being part of the TWU community has influenced or shaped your group? McF: Yeah for sure, we sorta keep our music cleaner, but like as a joke. We’ll like do a really crappy bleep over swear words or something just for fun. And just sorta we keep it away from being misogynistic like other rap. ‘Cause like I dunno, it’s not good to treat women poorly in music. CJ: And we shout out OGSL a lot, which is a brand that our buddy who goes here started. We use some, like, inside memes with people we know at Trinity. And put people in songs.
MH: What is your favourite part of the band? McF: We’ve got a sick flow. CJ: Listening back to it, it actually sounds pretty good. Even though the lyrics are like total nonsense, but the flow of it, just listening back, and it goes hard. That’s probably my favourite part. McF: People get hyped on it. It’s sorta cool that people around here listen to it. MH: Do you have plans to expand beyond the TWU community? CJ: I mean the album is on Spotify and iTunes or Apple Music, yeah whatever it’s called. So that’s the only expanding we’re trying. We’re not like trying to make it big off this. If it expands to other places that’s cool, but yeah we’re not trying to do anything big; it’s just for fun. MH: Do you have any plans for another album? CJ: It’s in the works right now. McF: It should be done and on Spotify and Apple Music by mid-April. We’ve got like a few more songs to finish up that are almost done. It’s gonna slap twice as hard as the first one. MH: Do you have an album title, and are you willing to release it to us? CJ: Should we? McF: Yeah, do it. CJ: Brzn Szn 2 MH: What advice do you have for fellow students who might want to do something like this? CJ: Make sure you have a good mic. Make sure your music doesn’t suck. McF: Yeah, make sure it’s actually good. CJ: Make sure it slaps. McF: Don’t take it too seriously. It’s sorta cringey if you take your rap seriously and you’re like us, three white guys in university.
“Loud chewing” –Juliana Chalifour
15
Five Tips to Help You Write a Research Paper You knew it was coming. It was looming on the syllabus, perhaps delicately scaffolded from annotated bibliography to outline to draft. The calendar notification you keep dismissing, the assignment you wish to forget: the Research Paper. Whatever the case, now is the time, and the information is ripe for harvest. The Reference Help Desk and Writing Centre have some tips for you: 1. Hone your research question. “Be sure you understand what the assignment asks for before starting your research. Ask for clarification from the instructor,” says assistant librarian and research assistant Duncan Dixon. What are you even looking for? Well, the professor will be your guide and provide assignment instructions (check the syllabus and Moodle). Determine the parameters of the paper like the number of sources required and the paper length. Look for key verbs in the instructions to identify the task(s) at hand: analyze, argue, evaluate, etc. 2. Identify your key words. As much as possible, use important words in the research question as keywords for your searching. For example, if the research question is: “Is regulation or carbon pricing the best way to address climate change?,” then the keywords could be: regulation and climate change, carbon pricing and climate change, regulation and carbon pricing and climate change. When you go to OneSearch with the keywords, remember “AND is demANDing; OR gets you mORe,” says assistant librarian and research assistant Quin Quin Zhang. AND is asking for a half-sweet, whole milk mocha with extra whip. OR is like asking for a hot drink with chocolate or coffee.
3. Collect your notes. Everyone gets overwhelmed by endless browser tabs. Find a way to collect and organize your research: Google Docs, Evernote, Scrivener, EndNote, or note cards for each source. For easy access, be sure to save the bookmark for the source. As you mine the source for information, read the abstract of the article and do a command/control “F” search for your keywords throughout. You can copy the citation information from OneSearch, but always double-check as it is auto-generated. Don’t turn over your brain to an algorithm. 4. Turn the research into a roadmap. “Once you have a problem-based research question, use terminology from the question to create a preliminary outline (roadmap),” says associate librarian William Badke. You can start to group points around key terms. As you research, you will start to see logical patterns. If you live in Fraser and have a morning class in Northwest, you should get your coffee at the Cog, not Bookstore Cafe. On your way to the Evening Writing Centre in Library 230, you can drop off your overdue books. 5. The Library website is your research portal. Think before you Google. This is not just an academic axiom; it is common sense. TWU pays thousands of dollars per year for the research resources it provides for students, including JSTOR and EBSCOhost. Using OneSearch is like using your parent’s Netflix account or friend’s Spotify Premium, instead of searching virus-infected torrent sites. You know better. Through OneSearch, you can also filter by “peer-reviewed,” “publication date,” and more.
Ask for help! The Research Help Desk is available on the first floor of the Library Monday to Friday from 10:30a.m.–3:30p.m. and via email at infodesk@twu. ca. For more information, visit http://libguides.twu.ca/help. The Writing Centre is available to help at all stages of the writing process. There are in-person and online services. For more information and to book appointments, visit create.twu.ca/learningcommons.
Captain Marvel Captain Marvel dropped into the theatres of the earth from the Kree Empire. Mind you, she is from the 90s—so get ready for the nostalgia-packed soundtrack while you watch Brie Larson kick ass! Since its opening night March 7th, Marvel’s newest release, Captain Marvel, has received a variety of criticism. Some say she is the embodiment of a male prototype in a desirable female body, others claim Carol is the superhero they never knew they needed more of on the silver screen, especially after the debut of Wonder Woman. The mastermind Kevin Feige, whose vision built the Marvel Studios from ground up (thanks to Iron Man!), spent a budget of $152 million on Captain Marvel’s production and doubled the studio’s profit with a record-breaking $455 million worldwide in its first weekend. This is a grossing more than the totals of any three-day opening of a motion picture this year. There is a question worth answering: To what does Captain Marvel owe its success? Unlike Stan Lee’s legacy of comic book inspired continuity, Captain Marvel welcomes newcomers with Carol’s origin story and doubles that with cues about Fury’s past as well. On top of the complexity of his character, the young Samuel L. Jackson is a delight to watch on screen (thanks to the blockbuster’s makeup artists!). Even though Fury is not the tough authority figure we are used to seeing as the leader of the S.H.I.E.L.D., he still plays
Hazal Senkoyuncu a crucial role in stirring the storyline, and he is a living reminder that the actor has a huge role in creating a legendary character. A common criticism and a generalization was that Carol Danvers, and the rest of the female superheroes, were created on the basis of “girl power” and while doing so, the character was still masculinized. Masculinization might be a way to empower female superheroes, but it is definitely not the only way. I see Marvel’s Carol Danvers as a success because as powerful as she is, she is also emotional. She is a woman who is confused about her past, where she stands in a fight, and what she believes is right. Through her journey of self-connection, she navigates her confusion about what she stands for, and she regains her faith in her own strength. She is a powerful embodiment of what women go through today. Brie Larson’s character certainly does not deserve the harsh criticism she received upon the opening weekend. Cap-
tain Marvel is also the Marvel Cinematic Universe’s response to the demands of the public. We are more concerned about diversity than ever in an era that grounds itself on acceptance. Whatever the reason may be, be it for publicity or expanding their audience, the women in Captain Marvel are fully-clothed, colorful, and beautiful yet vulnerable. These are the stepping stones for a long-awaited perception change for Marvel’s cinematic audience, and we are excited and in it for the long haul.
“People who don’t eat pizza crusts” –Nyssa Morgan
16
sports
The Rugby Sevens Tournament
Bailey Broadbent
Maxwell Stow The Rugby sevens tournament put on by HSBC is one of the largest rugby tournaments in the world. Vancouver has been one of the stops for the past four years and recently was able to announce that it won the bid to continue hosting the sevens for another four years. My first time going was two years ago, back in 2017, and it was quite a memorable experience. This year it was even better. Every year, those who attend dress up for the tournament, and this year was no exception. The costumes that people wore were crazy; they ranged from things like inflatable T-Rex costumes to people dressed as pregnant nuns with almost everything in between. You may look to the left and see a group of people in cow onesies and then look to your right and see a dozen people dressed as scientists with bright green wigs. It was quite the lively atmosphere. Also, it was cool to see Jason Momoa at the rugby sevens that day, given his connection to the New Zealand team. Later in the day, some of the Riverdale cast made an appearance as well. Some of the games that happened throughout the day were simply amazing. The match where England went against USA was one of the closest games I have ever seen. England was winning up until the last few seconds when USA scored a try to tie up the game and then won the game when they were successful with the conversion. About halfway through the day, we, a group of people from the HSBC suite, were given a VIP tour around some of the player areas and the behind-the-scenes operations. Part of the tour was lead by a retired Team Canada sevens player, John Moonlight. He gave us insight on what it was like to be a player in these sorts of games. It added to the whole immersion
Name: Rich Nickel Year: 3rd Major: Business Sport: Ice Hockey Mars’ Hill: How did you first get involved in ice hockey? Rich Nickel: I really grew up around the sport; my family has home videos of me watching hockey while potty training. I started actually playing hockey at six years old when I first got into roller hockey, and I got into ice hockey once I was 11 after my family moved near enough to an ice rink in Texas. MH: How did you hear about TWU? RN: My mom went to school here a while back and it’s also right close by to my grandparents’ house, so I was always aware of it when we’d come here to visit. MH: Have you continued playing ice hockey at TWU? RN: I played for the Bombers team last year, but unfortunately my schedule got a bit too busy this year, so I didn’t have the luxury of playing again. I definitely loved my one year playing for the Bombers though.
of the tour and really made you connect with the atmosphere. We also went to the camera room where they filmed and did the commentating of the games live. It was quite the operation, with multiple cameras going and even multiple commentators. It was really neat to see how it was all done. Throughout the day in between games, the camera operators would focus on people for things like “kiss cam” and “dance cam,” but one that was new to me was the “oblivious cam.” This was one where the camera was focused on someone in the crowd, and next to the footage was a timer counting up until the person realized that they were on camera on the big Jumbotron screen. The longest I saw was 19 seconds. Unfortunately, Canada’s team did not make it to the Cup qualifier, but it was the runner-up for Challenge Trophy since they lost to Australia in the Challenge Trophy final 21-35. Right before this game, I experienced something that was definitely unforgettable and borderline scarring. Someone from the crowd ran into the middle of the field and proceeded to take all his clothes off and run around the field. It took a surprising amount of time for the security and police personnel to get him, but nonetheless, he was caught and arrested. The final two games were both equally amazing in sportsmanship. Fiji won the Bronze medal game against the USA team, and South Africa won the Cup final game against France with a score of 21-12. Over the span of the two days that weekend, the attendance was 73,819 people. Overall, this was an amazing experience, and I would definitely recommend that anyone see the Rugby Sevens here in Vancouver.
MH: What is your greatest hockey related accomplishment? RN: That’s a tough one. Growing up, my team never won any championships, so in terms of individual awards, I guess when I won the Lady Byng award (most skilled player combined with most sportsmanlike play). That was sort of fun. MH: What is the best part about playing ice hockey? RN: Dangle, snipe, celly. Scoring goals and rocking a nice celly. That’s probably the best part of hockey right there. MH: How did playing for the Bombers compare to other teams you have played for? RN: It was definitely a different locker room vibe—in a great way. Hockey locker rooms can be pretty rough, but the Bombers are full of a bunch of solid Christian guys. I really felt like everyone worked well with each other and the team was really closely knit. Everyone was committed to helping each other out and putting the team over individual success. MH: Do you play any other sports than hockey? RN: I stayed true to the game, never played any organized sports outside of hockey.
“How tiny student leadership grants are for how much work we do :)” –Alex Gust
17
B o m b e r s Pl ay o f f Pr e v i e w
A deep dive into the TWU Bombers final playoff Deryk Kirchner & Spencer Cushing Recently, the TWU Spartans finished up their BCIHL playoff run. Are you caught saying, “Wait?! I didn’t get to watch any playoff hockey this year!” Well, if this is the case, you should know that the Spartans aren’t the only TWU team hunting for a hockey championship this year. The TWU Bombers play in the CMCHL and are currently embarking on an intense playoff run throughout March and early April. With eight teams remaining, each series is a best of five games, meaning that there is lots of playoff hockey to watch on the weekend. If you are asking yourself, “Who do I know who plays on the Bombers?” or “What has the season looked like so far for the team?” or if you are simply wondering what type of team the TWU bombers have in comparison to NHL standards, then keep reading. The Bombers’ first line is a dominant force, arguably one of the best in the league. It is centered by senior Braden Senft (Niklas Backstrom), a playmaker and elite two-way player who is capable of pushing them deep into the postseason. He recently made a lovely lady’s left hand a little heavier and would like some hardware of his own from a championship. Additionally, he is nominated for the Selke Trophy. Riding shotgun to Braden is power forward Brett Fontaine (Blake Wheeler), who brings leadership to the team as their captain, and also leads the team in points heading into the postseason. The top line is rounded out by seasoned sniper Daniel Oakley (Mike Hoffman), who leads the team in goals on the season (21) and is a candidate for the Lady Byng award. The second line is more of a wildcard, bringing a little bit of everything to the table. Centered by the ultra-talented but often-missing James Gordon (Jonathan Huberdeau), they have the skill to match any line in the league. Balancing out James is the steady Austin Driedger (Matt Cullen), who is the oldest player on the team, pushing 42 years of age, but still brings youthful energy with his game. He was nominated for the King Clancy Memorial Award. With even more energy, the tenacious Jaron Jeske (Andrew Shaw) had a breakout season offensively scoring 20 points after a paltry five in 2017. He is currently experiencing improvement on the score sheet when he stays out of the penalty box. The success of the Bombers largely rides on these guys bringing their best sides and intangibles. The third line could be considered many other teams’ “first lines” with their comparative scoring prowess. With one of the best shots in the league, William Robertson (Brian Boyle) has recently fought off a deadly case of borborygmus and will bring some scoring touch and size to the roster.
Hudson Shelvey (Josh Anderson) is another big body who has had a fantastic offensive season, interchangeable in various positions throughout the lineup. Finally, Joey Schweitzer (Paul Byron) brings the speed to this line, rounding out what General Manager Spencer Cushing (Brian Burke) calls the BCL; “Big Connection Line.” Substituting in and out of the lineup (fourth line) are TWU grads Bryan Mancini (Blake Coleman), Tyson Ediger (Jason Pominville), and Ryan Valdes (Alexander Steen), who have never tasted a championship while at TWU but want to aid the current squad in their quest. On the backend, the defense for the Bombers all starts with goaltender Dan Schweitzer (Dave Rittich), who has had a surprising breakout season as a young player on the team, leading the league with two shutouts along with a respectable 3.94 GAA and 0.867 S%. Another young defender worth praising is Caleb Boelema (Rasmus Dahlin), who has had a great rookie season, showing offensive flair with dazzling end-to-end rushes and is in the running for the Calder trophy. Paired with Caleb is Lincoln Nikkel (Tyler Myers), who is a past rookie of the year winner, but has run into significant injury troubles; Lincoln is healthy and back in the lineup for playoffs and could be the X-Factor if he can return to form. The other steady Bombers D-pairing is made up of Dawson Shelvey (Brent Seabrook), who has had a career resurgence playing alongside Deryk Kirchner (Mark Giordano). Deryk has been the guiding force on the Bombers backend, leading the league in points as a defenseman, and, in the process, becoming a strong Norris trophy candidate. Brad Dueck (Sami Vatanen) is the final piece to the team and is able to play any position with an energy and positivity that the Bombers feed off of. This is the last chance the Bombers have at a CMCHL championship, and the lineup is laden with veteran talent that won’t be returning to TWU after this season (Fontaine, Cushing, Senft, Nikkel, Oakley, Kirchner, Driedger, Robertson, Dueck, J. Schweitzer). The final quote from team GM to summarize playoffs: “It’s the Final Flight for the Bombers. I would hate to see the plane go down in anything but a blaze of glory. We hope to see you at the Langley Sportsplex joining our fantastic fans over the coming weeks; the fans who show the best support have a special surprise in store.”
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“Slow walkers” –Micheyla Mayne
18
humour
Professor Hailed a Hero for Conquering Technology
Nyssa Morgan
A rare sighting occurred this week when a professor successfully turned on the projector and sound system in a classroom without any assistance from students. To the surprise of his RELS 102 class, Professor Richard Hastings was able to have the whole system up and running by himself before class began, giving himself enough time to complete his whole lecture for the first time in years. According to multiple sources, most of his students rarely bother to show up on time, as he consistently struggled with the technology for at least 20 minutes at the start of class. While some students are praising Professor Hastings for his newfound technological expertise, others are not quite as thrilled. Julia Marsh, a first year student, gave a statement regarding the controversy to Mars’ Hill reporters, saying: “I used to be able to wake up late, go to TWUSA for coffee, take a walk around the pond, and then show up to class, but now I have to be there on time. It’s so unfair. We’ve never had
Nyssa Morgan
to take notes before, but this means I have to show up and actually write stuff down!” When asked how he was finally able to achieve this extraordinary task, the Religious Studies professor could barely comment on it himself. “I am completely baffled; I have no idea how I did it,” said Professor Hastings. “I did my usual routine of plugging random wires in, pushing any button that lights up, and muttering under my breath that God is punishing me with technology because I cancelled class once so I could go golfing even though I told my students I was sick, but then, suddenly, it worked! I am more surprised than anyone, honestly!” While it is an incredible achievement for professors everywhere, because of Professor Hasting not knowing exactly how he accomplished it, this feat is unlikely to be recreated in the future.
GOTCHA TO BE ESTABLISHED AS NEW METHOD FOR SELECTING FUTURE STUDENT LEADERS Micah Morgan
In previous years, student positions such as RA and Faculty Rep were chosen by an application and interview process or through a student election. However, sources confirm that in the future they will be determined by the winners of the popular campus game “Gotcha.” Current staff and faculty at TWU have determined that despite all the effort put into choosing the best student leaders possible, their selection process pales in comparison to the brutal elimination by water bottle that students face in the game. “This really is the best way to thin down the ranks,” said a representative of Student Life. “Choosing student leaders used to take a month and a half of elections, applications, and interviews. Now, this all only takes a week, and no one resents those who win since they display such obvious strength, willpower, and resourcefulness.” Sources from Student Life indicate the exact tasks one must complete in the game of Gotcha in order to attain certain positions. The overall winner will become TWUSA president, while those who come first place
in their department will become TWUSA faculty reps. Students who have the highest score in their dorms will become RAs, students that get a few kills without missing any classes will become Peer Instructors, and students who get kills without lying to anyone will become D-group leaders. “This really does make for a great week of fun and making sure the best students get the jobs,” said second-year David Engelbert. “I just hope they expand this to the faculty too.” Other students have concurred, saying that if the most worthy students were chosen through Gotcha, faculty should be as well, leading to TWU faculty boards “preparing for war” in order to keep their jobs. “I have faith in my favorite profs,” said one fourth-year student. “I know Cal Townsend has nothing to worry about, and that Vic Cavalli will utterly destroy anyone who brings a water bottle to threaten him and his box of papers.”
How To Marie-Kondo Your Life Sabine Henderson After the Marie Kondo craze at the beginning of this year, your room is clean, your clothes are neatly folded, and everything joyless has been sold on TWU Swap & Shop. But it’s the busiest time of the semester, and your life still feels too full—so, it’s time to declutter again! No, not your closet, your life. This simple four-step process will change your existence forever.
your bed. Hold each activity one by one, and ask yourself: does this spark joy? Dorm meeting doesn’t light a flame within you? Don’t show up. Writing for Mars’ Hill evoked fear in your soul? Ghost the editor. GENV 121 doesn’t make you feel like an active volcano? Drop it.
1. Greet your life. Find the right spot in your life, and kneel on the ground. Close your eyes, and turn on some ultra-zen music (e.g. lofi hiphop beats—beats to study/relax/game to on Spotify). Think about your life. Think about how it makes you feel. How it has served you. Thank your life. Tell your life what you desire for it. Tell your life your life dreams. Bow to your life. Realize your life is bowing to itself and get caught in a spiral of existentialism. Realize you missed the whole point of the exercise and start again. Realize this exercise does not spark joy. Throw it away. Move on.
3. Move on to the sentimental item. Your roommate. Take your roommate into your arms and hold them close. Close your eyes. Take a deep breath. Does this roommate spark joy? Do you need this item to remind you of good times, while you already have all the memories you need of them in your mind? Do you feel a firework inside your heart? If you feel more like a plastic bag, secretly don’t request them as your roommate on your housing application for next year. However, if your roommate does spark joy, lay them on the floor, thank them for serving you well, fold them in half, and then in threes, and stick them in your drawer. Tadaa!
2. Look through your life’s closet. Pull all the events, deadlines, classes, and other responsibilities you have out of your schedule and pile it on
4. Give a speech about how this process changed your life. You can thank me later (I like chocolate).
“White Trinity culture” –Micah Bron
19
“The Patriarchy” —Kieran Wear
THE Jacob Chisholm
Favourite Christian (non-worship) song? Any song’s a worship song if you repeat the chorus enough. Best place for a first kiss? The gates of heaven How would you make up after your first fight? Sacrifice seven goats Skill that makes you “the one”? Can plant a tree in under six seconds. Domestic talents? Can thoroughly wash counters—like I will wash them till they are impeccable.
HIMNAL
Major: Education Height: 5’11” Hometown: Hope, B.C.
Best pick-up line? Is your name Eve? Because you tempt me to do anything. Biggest deal breaker? Lives in Skidmore. Good age to get married? Spring of final year. What skill will you pass on to your future children? Playing Alto Sax just enough that it’s funny. heck, I even know how to roof a house. Your favourite band? Rubber band.
Year: 2nd Age: 19
Favourite action movie? The Notebook How many kids do you want? As many as there are stars in the sky What is your go-to party trick? Downing a pint of ice cream in a sickeningly short period Do you live by any motto? “That’s for future me to worry about.” What do you put in your coffee? You, sugar ;)
Using more scientific articles to reach the word count
Adding a bible verse out of context
Kenzie Morgan
“when we have one more spot on the bottom line but none of y’all are funny enough” -Manny