Volume 24 Issue 1: Sacred Ground

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“Walter, what in the world are you doing?”

He said, “I’m taking the shoes off of my feet; I want to walk on this ground in my stocking feet because I believe I am walking on holy ground. I’m coveting this ground for the Wheaton of Canada.”

Dear Reader, Welcome to the first issue of Mars’ Hill Volume 24.

We are excited to have you.

The comforting rhythm of Orientation Day and the first few weeks of classes forces me to reflect on the fact that I negotiate my relationship with this campus entirely differently than I did in my first year. Upon my first encounter with this space, overwhelmed by the exuberance of my future classmates, I wondered if I had made a horrible mistake. I wondered if I would ever be able to acclimate to the level of energy that seemed to define my new community.

One of our community practices at the first year assembly is for one of the members of our Executive Leadership Team to assume the role of “storyteller” and begin to tell us the story of an innocuous dairy farm, and a man named Walter. In 1960, Walter Cahil joined a group of his peers, united in the vision to bring Evangelical post-secondary education to Canada, to scout out a property near historic Fort Langley. Walter, overcome with the belief that he was walking on “holy” ground, takes off his shoes and continues the tour in his socks.

The storyteller then asks students to also remove their shoes, in deference to the idea that we are treading on “holy ground.”

In that moment, hearing that story for the first time, I remember being imbued with an intense sense of belonging, unity, and motivating purpose.

I possessed an uncomplicated belief that this was a sacred space and that the presence of God resided here. The story did what it was intended to do.

rience is a beautiful thing. However, it is essential to reckon with the fact that there is more to that story. We have chosen to begin this story at a particular point. Our home—the land on which TWU now sits—was home to someone before us. As we have settled here, we must acknowledge that we have displaced others.

Further, our story about the dairy farm, for the time being, seems to have displaced the telling of any other story. However, historians at TWU and members of the local Indigenous community are committed to preserving a different story.

I, a settler and first-generation Canadian, whose family has found unfailing hospitality in this space, am not the right person to tell you this story. I can, however, encourage you to join with the Mars’ Hill team as we tell hard stories like this one.

This year, Mars’ Hill is committed to amplifying and engaging with these narratives. We believe that through our commitment to offering hospitality to you, our readers, we can encourage you to engage critically and empathetically with diverse and complicated worldviews.

This issue, in addition to the feature that further discusses TWU’s efforts to indigenize its understanding of place and curriculum, we explore the theme of the sacredness of space through an article evaluating the searches that Student Life staff plan to conduct in apartments. An article written by our Humour Editor, Emmett Hanly, on Orange Shirt Day encourages students to visibly participate in the national story of reconciliation. Further, Bethany Haynes, a valued member of the TWU community, shares her thoughts with our readers on how the theme of “home” intersects with her art. I hope you enjoy this journey to understand our home as much as I have.

Faithfully yours,

A story’s capacity to create a shared human expe-

MARS’ HILL

MISSION TO MARS

Mars’ Hill is a student publication of Trinity Western University, which is located on the tradtitional ancestral territory of the Sto:lo people. 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.

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.

EDITORIAL POLICY

CONTRIBUTORS

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 Student Handbook, 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.

Tobin Maddison Micah @ Carter Sydney Amaris Ralph

WHAT IS YOUR FAVOURITE PLACE TO CRY ON CAMPUS?

Voth Fleischer Morgan officialtwumemepage Sawatsky Dvorak Henry Alvaro (Photo)

Media Advisor: Loranne Brown 7600 Glover Road, V2Y1Y1 Langley, British Columbia, Canada marshill@gmail.com marshillnewspaper.com

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SUBMIT YOUR OWN AT MARSHILLNEWSPAPER.COM/DECLASSIFIEDS RIP Daniel Johnston, you were a true artist in every sense of the word. True love found you in the end, through all the people you touched.

I need beta male strategies, any suggestions?

Why do people take the liberation provided by Birkenstock’s and stifle it with socks? The whole point is you get to wear shoes without actually wearing shoes. I rest my case If every team on Pokemon go just agrees take turns owning the campus gyms we’ll all get more Pokecoins with less effort sorry girl who made .05 seconds of eye contact with me, I’m taken ropeladder to whoever stole my water bottle: I bet you don’t even like eggs Who is SAMC, you ask?

Well it’s Sam Corbett, of course. aRe DeClAsSiFiEdS rEaLlY dEcLaSsIfIeD I know last year the maintenance guys were all the rage, but I can’t be the only one falling for those security girls?

Who the heck is Lincoln Nikkel and why does that fifth-year girl in Fraser have a poster of him in her apartment?

It’s not even a week into school and I’m already skipping class

Trinity requires TWUSA to make crappy coffee so that students use more flex dollars the CA’s are doing great this year. very professional and welcoming. way to make the commuters feel welcome guys egg “Dr. Husband’s looks like a koala” Does ‘ring by spring’ still count after graduation? I just need more time Taxi Crab Taxi Crab I’m such a capitalist pig Art as political protest Fraser?

Greatly appreciated.

Roses are red Trees have bark There’s no heckin Space to park if y’all haven’t met Dan Aguero y’all are missing out on a fantastic human being loving those passive-aggressive letter-sized non-tickets security campus is giving out this week Wasps can’t bite you if you bite them first “You are so much more than a letter grade on your assignment” --Kent Clarke, aka ManSuper

Does David Coulter still go here?

Overheard at chapel during Mark Husband’s address: “he’s like, so adjacent to charming”

Stefanie Pappenfus is a precious little nugget that must be protected

Mars’ Hill just kachowed the entire line

Farms are parks with a purpose Periods are just eggs that got no treats so they quit

Repeat it with me now: parking is not an issue.

He is not thirsty, nay, he is parched.

100% of virgins will die

Jesus Forgive Me, I Am A Thot

Be part of the fulfillment of Mt 24:14: “And the Good News about the Kingdom will be preached throughout the whole world, so that all nations will hear it; and then the end will come.” VISIT PRAY4THEBANJAR.COM

A man and a woman had a little baby Yes, they did And they had three in the family That’s a magic number

Why do we call it TWU and not T triple U

#diversifyreesmorganswardrobe “Watch the minimalism documentary on Netflix” -Rees

Does this still wokr o’er summ?

I’ve come up with so many great declassifieds this week, but then everytime I’m reminded that there is no more Mars’ Hill this year. :(

Torchfyrelightfest was great!! !!

Josh Voth or Riley Webster?

Kangaroos are better than giraffes.

Yet, penguins are greater than whales. Discuss

Did you know that there is still racism on campus? Yeah. that’s you.

Cut this declassified out and paste it to your crush’s door.

Bye Bob. Hello Mr. Wife...no Husbands

listen to charlie xcx

TFW everyone is complaining about parking but CANIL lookin like my GF prospects - empty how is your hand Wouldn’t want to be Student Life right now… ok so can norma now also pls provide free sunglasses because flippin chickens i am blinded by that first floor light

twu.ca/frog

SEE ALL THIS EMPTY SPACE? YOU SHOULD FILL IT OUT BY SUBMITTING AT

Holy Forking Shirt. Sensor me Mars Hill I dare you.

I miss the old memepage. The one without an agenda.

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.

What is your name?

Tobin Voth—call me Toby. Or anything else, as long as it isn’t Tobes.

What is your major?

Unemployment. Kidding, I was an Honours Political Studies major, but finding a job is stupid hard.

What is something you believe in, something you’re passionate about and want to share with the world?

I’m a staunch conservative, but Andrew Scheer has gotta go.

What is your favourite article you’ve written for Mars’ Hill and why is it important?

I wrote a Letter to the Editor several years ago, and while it doesn’t capture what I think or believe now, it certainly did in the moment and I think it was an important contribution to a discussion that our community needed to have. For me, it’s been a long process of thinking things through and it means something to me because it’s a moment in that cool process that’s frozen in time.

Why do you write for Mars’ Hill?

My girlfriend is the Managing Editor and none of the rest of y’all will write, so.

What is your favourite body part?

My left thumb. It doesn’t get near as many hangnails as my right thumb.

If you had to stand on one surface for the rest of your life, what would it be?

Steel deck, pitching in moderate to high seas.

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!

“IN THE ARMS OF VIC CAVALLI” - LAUREN KOZOL

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GRACE GIESBRECHT Trinity Western University’s (TWU) Norma Marion Alloway Library received a major makeover this summer, and she has never looked better. The sleek, modern look reinterprets what a library could look like, with a notable lack of books on the redesigned first floor. Screens and computers shine in new workspaces for students. There are welcoming couches, bright white walls, and colourful throw pillows—even a bowl of donut holes on a wooden table in a traditionally food-free space.

But the renovation of the first floor is not merely an aesthetic update, nor is it only a practical improvement for the function of the library. It is a space intentionally designed to house the TWU Learning Commons alongside the services provided by the library.

The Learning Commons is a centre for academic support at TWU that opened two years ago in a temporary space on the second floor of Reimer Student Centre. Executive director Jenn Skelding says that the original plan was to run the Learning Commons out of the library, but it was not a “budget reality” at first.

Though the Learning Commons proved an excellent resource for students, Skelding said it was difficult in such a small space.

“We couldn’t fully utilize the supports [in that space] in the way we truly envisioned,” she said. “Our staff were literally working on top of each other.” The new space will give the opportunity for the Learning Commons to expand into a professional, creative workspace for students, Skelding explained.

like academic advising, success coaching, supplemental instruction, Learning Community One, and the Writing Centre.

Many of these services are free for students to use. The central location and welcoming design are part of that normalization of academic support. But the redesign goes beyond the practicalities of a good-looking space to those of accessibility.

The other major aspect of this initiative is the design focus on physical accessibility, such as updated accessible washrooms, automatic doors, and wheelchair-friendly flooring.

“It’s very important that we model what an accessible learning environment means,” Skelding said, as the Learning Commons includes the Equity of Access office to help students with varying disabilities. Though she knows the space is still far from a perfect example of accessibility, it is well on its way.

There is still work to be done on the Learning Commons as furniture and other elements arrive, but it is open and functioning. The Learning Commons hired four new full-time staff in various areas for the opening of the new centre, and Skelding wonders if it may still grow as students continue to realize its potential. At this point, however, it is the perfect size for its new home: large enough to service every student but small enough to be personalized and nimble to respond.

“We’re feeling patient and blessed in all things right now,” Skelding said, smiling and imagining the future of the newly realized Learning Commons. “It’s a new way of working and it’s a new way of studying.”

Built in 1989, the library is only 30 years old—young for a building, but old in terms of technology. Before the renovation began, tons of preparation went into moving the collections of journals and research material from the first floor to the upper and lower floors, said University Librarian Darcy Gullacher.

With the massive task of reorganizing finished, Gullacher said that the library staff are looking forward to sharing the space with the Learning Commons in the interest of helping students. “Often, we refer students to the Learning Commons for assistance,” he said, “but there was no guarantee that, once they left the library doors, that they would get there.”

Now, with both departments under the same roof, he can point across the room from the research desk to the Writing Centre. “There’s some great opportunities for synergy between the departments,” Gullacher said.

The project of designing a space for the needs of both the library and the Learning Commons began in winter last year when the university committed budget resources to make both the move and the renovation possible. After touring different examples of learning centres, the design team landed on the welcoming west coast vibe for the space, Skelding said.

THE CONCEPT WAS A COLLABORATIVE, ENERGIZED SPACE WHERE ALL STUDENTS WOULD FEEL WELCOME TO WORK AND LEARN. According to Skelding, an aesthetically pleasing design was important to welcome all students into the Learning Commons because it fulfilled a very practical goal. “We’re trying to normalize academic supports and draw them out into the open,” she explained. The Learning Commons houses the Disabilities and Equity of Access office, and it provides services

“SKINNY DIPPING IN THE BACK 40 IN THE MIDDLE OF THE AFTERNOON” – JANAE GARTLY

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TYLER JONES On September 10, 2019, we sat down with Trinity Western University’s (TWU) Director of Rugby, Andrew Evans. After briefly discussing basketball and other sports that piqued our interest, we began talking about the debut of the rugby program, and the series of events that led to Evans’ involvement with the program.

Evans began playing rugby in grade eight, when his family moved from the east coast of Canada to Vancouver Island. He attended the University of British Columbia and earned an undergraduate degree in Human Kinetics.

His education provided the opportunity for a career with Rugby Canada. He was a Strength and Conditioning Coach there until 2015. Believing that there was little chance he would be involved in a rugby program again, Evans said that he “knew it was time to go, so [he and his] family moved to the Vancouver area in search of a new beginning.”

Seeking employment, he decided to reach out to TWU’s athletic department. He was hired part-time, supporting Spartans in their individualized strength and conditioning programs. He recalls being interviewed by TWU a few years later, while the rugby program was in process of being approved, to “gauge [his] interest in working together to build this new program.”

When asked what he is most excited for in the debut season, his answer is emphatic: the growth and development of the program. Evan contends,

NOT ONLY DO WE STRIVE FOR DEVELOPMENT AS ATHLETES, BUT AS INDIVIDUALS IN OUR MISSION AT TWU.

is going “to be persistent in developing godly leaders in our studies, and [in] our work on the pitch.” The ultimate goal: to love what they do and to pursue excellence in all ventures.

SYDNEY DVORAK

Evans says that this school year’s theme passage, 1 Peter 2:9-10, is quite characteristic of God’s work in bringing this rugby program to TWU. He states clearly, “this was not my doing, but that of God’s.”

Therefore, when asked if there is anything that scares him about the upcoming season, he states that he is not overly worried.

“God is going to make things happen, so we want to play the best and eventually be the best.”

Much needs to happen in the coming months as the team works toward their goal of being the best program in North America, but both Evans and the rest of the leadership are “very confident in [their] players going forward.”

Finally, Evans has high hopes for the student body’s response to the new team.

“We want the rugby team to be the life of the party,” he says.

“So many awesome students, like the Spartan 300 . . . are willing to support all of our teams.”

The Spartan 300, which hosts events such as tailgates and provides transportation to and from games at the Langley Events Centre, continues to succeed in galvanizing the student body’s enthusiasm for sporting events.

Child marriage is a global issue, with over 12,000,000 young girls forced into marriage every year, according to the organization Girls Not Brides (GNB). One of the highest concentrations of this phenomenon is in Mozambique, a country in Southeast Africa. There, GNB writes, one in two girls are married before their eighteenth birthday, and 1 in 10 before the age of 15. Child marriage prevents girls from going to school and leaves them vulnerable to extreme poverty, physical and sexual abuse, and taxing pregnancies, which can cause health complications, social degradation, and death.

On July 18, 2019, the Assembly of the Republic of Mozambique unanimously passed a law criminalizing marriage between an adult and any person under the age of 18. Under the new law, any adult who marries someone under the age of 18 can be punished with up to 12 years in prison. Any family member found forcing a child or adolescent to agree to marriage could receive up to eight years in prison.

But the prevention of child marriage worldwide does not end in the courts of Mozambique.

Change is happening, and must continue to happen, at the community level. It comes down to providing equal education and economic opportunities for boys and girls, as well as cultural reform and legal enforcement of protections. This is an important step for women’s rights globally and, hopefully, a step that other countries with high rates of child marriage will soon take.

Evans concluded by expressing his appreciation for TWU’s unique athletic culture, commenting that “the faith that drives our campus is unifying in many different aspects, including the world of sports.”

He goes on to say that the team

“THE CLOSET” - MICAH BRON

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TOBIN VOTH September 12, 2019, saw the first of several debates scheduled to take place over the next 40 days as Canadians prepare to vote in the federal election on October 21. The Leaders of the Green Party, the New Democratic Party, and the Conservative Party of Canada squared off in the debate co-hosted by CTV and Maclean’s.

NOTICEABLY MISSING FROM THE STAGE WAS THE CURRENT PRIME MINISTER AND LEADER OF THE LIBERAL PARTY, JUSTIN TRUDEAU.

venturing too far off script in several key discussions.

Mr. Singh was dynamic and exciting on stage, but made several errors that demonstrated his inexperience. In fact, at one point he made such preposterous accusations against the leader of the Green Party, Elizabeth May, that she erupted in laughter. Overall, though, Mr. Singh fared quite well, as his performance seemed to connect him to voters. Other voters, however, might feel that stories and value statements are no replacement for a comprehensive understanding of his own policy, let alone the policies of the other parties.

Ms. May, the long-time leader of the Green Party, was the star of the show. As her party’s support has levThere has been significant conjecture surrounding elled off as of late, she entered the debate with perMr. Trudeau’s absence. It appears that he is making a haps the most at stake. With a weakened NDP, Ms. strong play for Quebec votes by participating in more May’s strategy was to show Canadians a distinct difFrench language debates than English debates. Re- ference between her party and the NDP. She often gardless of his reasoning, Mr. Trudeau took a large risk challenged Mr. Singh and showed the distinct opby not appearing on the stage, opening himself up to posite of his strategy. While Mr. Singh floundered on attack without the opportunity to rebuff his opponents. his understanding of policy, Ms. May showed a level of understanding unparalleled by any other leader.

While the leaders of all three present parties took the opportunity to criticize the Prime Minister, none did so But while she was able to answer each and every quesmore than Andrew Sheer, the leader of the Conserva- tion with composure and accuracy, she was put on the tives. Mr. Sheer came into the debate in an interesting spot several times with regard to comments made by position. His party is in a dead heat with the ruling Liber- candidates of her party. Ms. May will need to learn how als, while the others on stage with him are projected to to manage a party with more than one seat, which win less than 12 percent of the available seats between would be a very big change for the Greens from the them. Mr. Sheer needed to find a way to debate his past decade, However, these were little more than disreal opponent, Mr. Trudeau, without getting dragged tractions. Ms. May was the clear winner of the debate, into the weeds by the leaders of the smaller parties. having executed her strategy to perfection, rebuffed the criticism of her opponents, and generally shown He appears to have executed his strategy quite well. herself to be a mature and respectable candidate.

He spent most of his speaking time looking directly into the camera and speaking directly to Cana- We will have to wait and see what the poll numdians and took every opportunity to shift the dis- bers are in the next week, but it would be unsurcussion to Mr. Trudeau’s disappointing record and prising if the Greens began to gain popularity again. ethical lapses. Predictably, Mr. Sheer played it safe, but the safe plan came across to many as lackluster.

To the left of Mr. Sheer was Jagmeet Singh, the leader of the once powerful New Democratic Party. Mr. Singh, the first non-white federal party leader, has been widly critizised for his managment of the party. Under his leadership, the NDP has taken a massive hit in the polls and many of his Members of Parliament have abandoned ship. It is for this reason that Mr. Singh certainly had the most to gain by participating in the debate.

His strategy, similar to many of the NDP leaders before him, was to present himself and his party as an alternative to the Liberals and Conservatives he accused of not standing up for lower and middle class Canadians. He attempted to connect his answers to stories of average Canadians, responding to a question about pharmacare policy with a story about a young boy who was worried that his parents would be unable to pay for his medication. He executed his strategy satisfactorily, but dampened his performance by

“ON THE GROUND IN REES MORGAN’S ROOM” – NAOMI WILLETT

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Each day, the team at Floralista share their artistry with all those who walk through the doors of the Fort Langley studio.

With over 24 000 Instagram followers, people from all over are admiring the colourful and aesthetic floral arrangements produced by the talented artists inside Floralista’s walls.

“We talk about colour pallete and whether it’s soft and muted and romantic or if they want it more bold or moody or edgy,” explains Alice. The florists then work with their clients to create a mood board, “a combination of colours, inspiration, [and] photos.”

Langley local and Floralista’s Principal Florist, Alice de Crom, has a love for flowers that started at a young age. “My parents were horticulturists and avid gardeners . . . It was what I was always around. We didn’t have TV—we were always outside,”

When it comes time to put together the bouquets, Alice says she is often not sure exactly what it will look like until she is mid-way through. Though there are some florists who plan out their bouquets stem by stem, Alice has found that by not doing so, the piece “kind of evolves and morphs into this beautiful creation.” She adds, “Until you’re kind of there, that’s when the creative design happens.”

De Crom remenices as she sits across from me on a pink velvet couch in the Floralista Studio. From the radiantly colourful flowers, to the soft pop ballads playing through the speakers, the whole store front is warm and inviting.

“I was always creative in high school,” Alice continues, “but it wasn’t until my grade twelve grad when I had to go into an actual flower shop and order a corsage [and] I was kind of intrigued by [becoming a florist] as a career.”

Alice went on to find a program at a floral shop where she fell in love with the trade. She worked in various studios prior to deciding, at the age of 19, to open her own. “I had to convince my mom to sell her townhouse and buy this [new] townhouse,” she explains. It is this townhouse that ended up being the location of the original Floralista storefront.

“I love weddings,” Alice states when asked what her favourite type of event is, “but lately we’ve been doing a little bit more [of] corporate events or brand launch parties.” The artists at Floralista do not limit themselves—Alice and her team provide flowers for a wide variety of occasions. From birthday parties to bridal showers, many people are eager to have Floralista’s handiwork present.

So whether you need a bouquet for Mother’s Day, a bribe for your favourite professor, or a plethora of beautiful arrangements for your “ring by spring” wedding, Alice de Crom and her team at Floralista will be sure to provide you with something spectacular.

The studio’s success was relatively instant, and Alice recalls being busy from the very beginning. This is due to her remarkable talent that she uses to bring a unique brand of floral arrangements to the table.

“I started when this new generation of florists [weren’t] even a thing yet, so a lot of the shops were super traditional and old school,” Alice recalls. “We use a lot of textures and garden-inspired flowers, so everything has a very wildflower feel.”

The artistic process by which a floral arrangement is produced varies from florist to florist. For Alice, it is all about the feeling that her clients want the flowers to create. Alice and her team will work one on one with their clients to try and uncover their desired textures, mood, and colour pallete.

“ON THE GROUND OF THE HUGE RNT 2ND FLOOR BATHROOM LISTENING TO JULIEN BAKER” – REES MORGAN

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CHRISALEEN CIRO On September 2, 2019, students of Trinity Western University (TWU) were invited by Red Door Events to “encounter God in the birthplace of British Columbia” at the inaugural Torchlight festival. The festival, sponsored by TWU’s External Relations department, included performances from Vertical Worship, Mack Brock, Building 429, and Phil Wickam. Trinity Worship Project was noticeably absent, while Fort Langley brewery Trading Post was noticeably present, as TWU has officially rescinded its policy of prohibiting alcoholic beverages at associated events.

TWU was involved with Torchlight from the very beginning, according to the Director of Red Door, Jonathan Houweling.

“Trinity has been a key partner early on as they will have one thousand students kick off their school year at Torchlight,” says Houweling to Light Magazine. Scott Farenbacher, Vice President of External Relations, describes the choice to provide tickets for the incoming class of students “as a way of welcoming our new students to the Trinity Western Community.”

gram stories emphasizing TWU’s proximity to both urban and outdoor adventures, to emotive Facebook posts and ethereal website banners, MarCom constructs an exhilarating image of life at TWU. Torchlight provided a backdrop for incoming students to build memories in an environment of intoxicating music, artisanal food, and high energy—in alignment with the image projected by External Relations.

Therefore, Torchlight was a significant cultural event for two reasons: first, it provided us with the opportunity to gather around artifacts and products of broader Christian culture. Second, it inaugurated incoming students into the culture of TWU through implicit statements, such as the sale of alcohol, the various norms of worship, and the significance of the location.

Not only did we behold culture, we actively reproduced culture.

Leaving us with the question: How will Farenbacher, MarCom, and other culture carriers on campus build on this momentum?

Farenbacher goes on to say that Torchlight was an “important opportunity to kick off the school year with a significant community event that specifically focused on worship.” External Relations—specifically the Marketing and Communications (MarCom) department—has a vested interest in curating depictions of the TWU community. From Insta-

CARTER SAWATZKY The sultry pop princess of California, Lana Del Rey, has recently blessed us with her sixth studio album entitled Norman F****** Rockwell! It will undoubtedly be loved by her hoard of devoted fans, but it also holds a unique appeal for a wider audience and may be the album that will garner her broader critical acclaim. Why now? Because Lana’s newest album packs a different punch. She has steadied her voice and now sings poignantly in the face of chaos.

Tracks like “Young and Beautiful” and “Summertime Sadness” have made Lana a household name, as she is known for her melancholic perspective on romance, glamour, and Hollywood. On her previous records, Lana made you feel as though you had stepped through a magical closet in Hollister and into an alternate Californian reality filled with hazy lighting, intoxicating fragrance, and half-naked models.

On Norman F****** Rockwell!, however, Lana leads you on a journey through her mind as she comes to terms with reality in her own way. She submits to the universe’s inevitable destruction and invites you to gaze with her into the abyss as she reminisces about her loves and losses.

DESPERATE TIMES CALL FOR DESPERATE LANA DEL REY RECORDS— AND THE DESPERATION IN HER VOICE IS WHY HER MOST RECENT ALBUM GLISTENS THE WAY IT DOES.

urgency can be heard on “How to disappear” where she inserts jingle bells mid-song, as if to rush in the familiar warmth of the holidays.

In “Love song,” Lana thanks her lovers for “the high life” as if she is giving her final acceptance speech. In “The greatest,” her notorious pessimism is suddenly a refreshing oasis amid her reflections of past romances. Assuming the worst, she declares, “the culture is lit and if this is it, I’m signing off.” Lana manages to eloquently sum up our current cultural moment with the delivery of a news reporter reading from a teleprompter: “L.A. is in flames‚ it’s getting hot.

Kanye West is blond and gone.

‘Life on Mars’ ain’t just a song.

Oh, the livestream’s almost on.”

As her confidence in America dissipates, she is left to bathe in nostalgia; back to the days when all she wanted was her lover. This is her siren call for days gone by.

SHE SINGS AS IF DOOMSDAY IS IMMINENT; AS IF THE ATOMIC BOMB TO END ALL EXISTENCE IS SET TO DROP. On the tenth track of the album, “The Next Best American Record,” Lana just wants to party one last time. This same

“AT ANY TWUSA EVENT” - NYSSA MORGAN

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TYLER JONES This year’s incoming class at Trinity Western University (TWU) has brought a splendid array of faces and interests into the rapidly growing educational institution.

This expansion of the TWU community has ushered in a significant trend in the overall culture of men on campus. One may ask: why does every first year guy have a cleaner fade than all of the fourth years? Why does it look like every guy has a perm? Is there a reason that every one of these guys is wearing a hype shoe?

The answer is simple: everyone wants to be a baller because basketball is the coolest sport in North America.

Throughout the past 20 years, Air Jordan sneakers have found their way into the world of fashion. The timeless silhouette of the Jordan can be seen on the feet of all kinds of people:

SKATERS, JUSTIN BIEBER, YOU NAME IT—THEY ARE ALL WEARING THE FRESHEST J’S ON THE MARKET.

hip-hop in the world of music is related to the growth of basketball’s popularity in North American culture today. Give J. Cole’s “I Got It” a listen; he spits a reality that many high school boys are preaching to themselves, “Jordan was like Jesus, SLAM was like the Bible.”

The majority of notable hip-hop artists—Drake, Kendrick Lamar, and Kanye West among them—make basketball references throughout their songs. Other sports do not have nearly as much music pouring into their current game, while simultaneously promoting and shaping the culture of their sport.

IF YOU CONSIDER THE FACT THAT THE NHL HAS KEITH URBAN SINGING ITS NATIONAL ANTHEMS, WHILE THE NBA IS BEING REFERENCED IN DRAKE’S 0 TO 100, YOU CAN SEE THAT OTHER SPORTS HAVE A LONG WAY TO GO.

The sneaker game is controlled by the Air Jordan brand. And although the average person may be Consider yourself enlightened. Tomorrow morning, take sporting J’s on their feet, Air Jordan’s most limit- in your surroundings. Watch that curly-haired guy walk ed stock caters toward an elite group of celebrities. out of his dorm rocking his J’s, joggers, UCLA hoodie.

You may not see it, but he is eagerly waiting to lace One of the biggest movements in the sporting world up and hit the court at intramurals tonight. This isn’t is the wholehearted attempt to bring famous ac- a weird trend— it’s the way culture is rolling. By nailtors, artists, and other personalities of Hollywood ing down a vibe, a look, and a personality, basketball into the production of the biggest sporting events. A has easily become the coolest sport in North Amerigreat example of this is J. Cole’s assist of one of Den- ca. As long as the relationship between sneaker culnis Smith Jr.’s dunks in the 2019 NBA Dunk Contest. ture and hip-hop remain steadfast, basketball will continue to make waves in North American culture.

With this picture in mind, consider the two main components: Smith Jr. and J. Cole. These two figures are char“Hey Siri, play ‘Middle Child’ by J. Cole.” acteristic of the way basketball is trending. The rise of

“SOMEWHERE GRAMMATICALLY CORRECT” - AMANDA HAGGETT

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GRACE GIESBRECHT

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We sat down with the new Trinity Western University Student Association (TWUSA) president, Quinton Mischuk, to hear how he wants to represent the student body of Trinity Western University (TWU) in the upcoming year. With clarity and humour, Mischuk explains the function of TWUSA, how he views his role as president, and some of his personal motivations and goals for the year.

“

Mischuk, a third year Political Studies major, with a concentration in Economics, is from Kitchener, Ontario. He heard about TWU from his mother, who was born and raised in the Lower Mainland. Driven by a desire to study politics from a Christian perspective, Mischuk was conI SEE THIS POSITION AS A GREAT OPPOR- vinced that TWU would provide him TUNITY TO REACH AS MANY PEOPLE AS with the “knowledge and education to I CAN, AND TO BE A ROLE MODEL, AND live out [his] faith in the public sphere.”

TO BE ENCOURAGING TO PEOPLE, AND MAKE SURE THAT EVERYONE I COME INTO CONTACT WITH KNOWS THAT JE- TWUSA (pronounced “too-suh”) is, according to Mischuk, “a central hub of SUS LOVES THEM AND I LOVE THEM.”

community on campus.” Students can come to the spaces that TWUSA facilitates, such as planned events or the lounge situated in Douglas Centre, to get connected to campus and “feel like they are loved and at home.”

Elaborating on TWUSA’s mandate to advocate for students, Mischuk describes the role of the ombudsman as a mediator. This year, the role is filled

by Monica Rawlek Elizondo, TWUSA’s Vice President of Student Relations.

Students can use the confidential ombudsman service to help them appeal cases between them and the university. For example, if a student has a problem with an exam or a grading scale, and they are unsatisfied with their professor’s response, the ombudsman can help them navigate the next course of action.

When asked about his role specifically, Mischuk chuckles and answers, “. . . I sit in a bunch of meetings.” He goes on to say, “I’m the leader of the team—I get the opportunity to develop their leadership and . . . empower [them] to be able to serve the university and the student body.”

Further, he says that all the meetings give him the opportunity to ensure that “students’ voice[s] are heard at all levels of administration.”

He shared that the executive team’s main priority for this year is to “increase communication between TWUSA and the students.” Especially, he says, to address the fact that not everyone even knows what TWUSA does.

“Our team wants to focus on making sure students know that our events are for WE [TWUSA] REPRESENT THE VOICE OF everyone, that we are advocating for “ THE STUDENTS TO THE UNIVERSITY AND [them] through committees, and we THE UNIVERSITY TO THE STUDENTS. WE can advocate for [them] in specific apACT AS A BRIDGE BETWEEN THEM.” peals in specific ways, through the role of the ombudsman,” says the president.

When asked if the job was what he expected, he answered, “I expected it to be a lot . . . but, like for all roles, there are little things that pop up.” He shared concerns. “How do I properly manage a team of my peers, some older and some younger? I am not afraid of that, but I want to know how I can best serve them.”

And his commitment to growth is evident, as he relays his desire to overcome fear of social perceptions and acceptance. He acknowledges that a life in politics means a life in the public eye, and responds to this reality by setting some specific goals for the coming year. “I want to come to a place where I will make the right decision because it’s right, not because of what other people think of me. I want to be myself, because I’m who God created me to be, not because I want to please others.”

Even with all of these lessons to learn, though, Mischuk has not lost sight of why he wanted to do this in the first place. He recalls serving as a member of his student council in high school and praying each morning, “God, use me to be a role model, and use me to impact someone.” He says that the opportunity to be in this position feels quite similar in that it allows him to pass Jesus’ love on to all those he comes into contact with.

“That’s

ultimately

why

I

wanted

to

be

TWUSA

president.”

13

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When did you begin creating art, and how did your [on] my concept of home and how I view that, and how passion for it grow?

I have struggled with that throughout my life. I moved a lot, so I have both this craving for settling in and deI [have] made art my entire life. Since I was little, I was veloping deep roots, but also I love moving around and always painting or drawing or something. My Dad is re- being almost a “transient person.” I covered it in old ally creative, and I have a lot of early memories in which drawings, memories, and addresses of the places I have we would hike somewhere and sketch landscapes to- lived. I also painted a mural this summer, so I would say gether. I am thankful that he is a creative and saw the that’s probably my other favourite piece I have done importance of fostering that in me. In high school, I because it was so different from anything else. I loved stopped really drawing and painting and developed the social interaction of working on the street and peomore of a photography practice and was strictly doing ple coming by. I find that a lot of people in that area of that. I wanted to go into nursing and was into science Langley have immigrated from somewhere, and so I’d . . . and just didn’t make a whole lot of art. Then I took a hear about their background, when they moved to Cangap year and I got back into my painting practice and ada, and what languages they speak. On the bottom a lot of people were encouraging me to go into art in- banner of my mural I have the phrase for “my home” or stead of nursing, and I just decided to go for it. “my city,” so a lot of people I interacted with added that themselves.

What is your major now? Do you enjoy it?

Art and Design . . . and I love it. You can kind of cater the program to what you want to focus on, and so I chose painting and graphic design.

What is your preferred medium?

Probably painting. I would call myself a painter first, but I love graphic design as well—I just think of it as almost a separate trade because it is so different.

What is your plan for your art career going forward?

I feel like an art degree is almost like a trade. You are learning a bunch of different skill sets that you can almost adapt to anything you’re doing. I think a hypothetical career path is being a creative director while running a studio space, and then eventually teach at a university level.

What are some of your favourite pieces that you have created?

I did an abstracted landscape series at the end of last year, and . . . that was like a breakthrough moment for me, moving away from realism and towards abstraction.

I really like building things, as well, so last year I built a house that was big enough for me to sit inside. On the inside, I darkened the whole house and wrote thoughts

“ANYWHERE THAT PEOPLE CAN SEE IT. MAKE IT A POWER MOVE” - CONNOR THIESSEN

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How long have you been playing Super Smash Bros.?

Who is your favourite professional player?

I have been playing the Smash Bros. series since their second installment, Super Smash Bros. Melee came out in 2002. I was quite bad and only played at my church’s daycare. I played sporadically throughout the next decade until Smash 4 was released for the Nintendo 3DS during my eleventh grade year. Over the past five years I’ve consistently played, but Smash Ultimate’s release on the Nintendo Switch pushed me off the deep end. In the span of a semester my console logged more than 350 hours of playtime.

Above all, ZeRo has to be my favourite. He embodies King Dedede in an ironic way with his carelessness, humour, and cockiness. When I first started watching professional play during the Smash 4 era, ZeRo was the undisputed king of the game. I fell in love with his skill.

There must be something said for watching the best in the world do the very thing you seek to master. Since the release of Smash Ultimate, ZeRo has become more of an online personality, rather than a competitive player. Albeit, I still enjoy watching his content.

Who is your main, and why?

What is your favourite memory playing Smash Bros.?

My main is King Dedede, and specifically the pink variant that I’ve dubbed “Queen Dede”. I’m a big fan of the heavy character class that Dedede resides in. His ability to kill faster is something I look for in a main. “Queen Dede” is a very carefree character who is certainly a master at taunting opponents. He is perfect for my style of play.

I’ve always loved hosting mini-tournaments in every aspect of life. Song preference tournaments, Spikeball tournaments, you name it, I’ve run it. When Smash Ultimate came out in between semesters of the 2018-2019 school year I was poised to host a small tournament for TWU students. So, I hosted “Leviathan 1” on February 9, 2019. I was astounded to see that over 30 students were fully committed and pumped to play in this local tournament. Since then, I’ve hosted a total of six more tournaments. I’ve loved getting people together every month to indulge in competitive play. With funding from TWUSA, the tournaments have become an actual event with food, prizes, and an engraved trophy for the winner of each tournament. Smash Bros. has truly been able to foster community on our campus and I love it!

“IN THE GUARD SHACK AT 2AM AFTER A NIGHT OUT WITHOUT MY STUDENT CARD” - DARYL SEOW

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TOBIN VOTH & THE MARS’ HILL EDITORIAL TEAM On December 5, 2018, Student Life notified all apartment residents at Trinity Western University (TWU) that searches of all residences would be conducted before the end of the month. In the course of the searches, which were conducted regardless of the presence or the consent of residents, staff rifled through the pantries, medicine cabinets, backpacks, and underwear drawers of students whom they had never met. And while some students were found hiding prohibited candles, it appeared that the majority of fines levied as a result of the searches, which were called in the name of “increased fire safety awareness,” related to violations of the Student Code of Conduct involving alcohol.

While some students were certainly pleased with increased accountability for upperclassmen, some began to wonder if the premise of the search had been communicated honestly—and whether such incidents would continue to occur. It seems that the current Student Life team shares last year’s priority for compliance to the Student Code of Conduct, as contained in the Student Handbook.

Erin Thiessen, Director of Community Life at TWU, has confirmed on the record that apartment checks will continue this year, regardless of reasonable grounds that the apartment in question contains any form of contraband.

The Student Code of Conduct is clear: “Consumption of alcohol, alcohol intoxication, and possession of alcohol or empty alcohol containers on TWU property (including extension sites or facilities), at any TWU-sponsored event, on a TWU-sponsored trip, or in any other circumstance in which the Code of Conduct applies is prohibited.” TWU maintains that a “dry” campus is an essential characteristic of the community it seeks to build. The question here is not whether or not students should be held accountable for violations of the Code of Conduct; instead, the question surrounds the rights of students in residence.

In fact, student advocacy groups from other universities in the province have begun to raise concerns about such practices at their own institutions, even putting forward a formal list of recommendations for those involved in student housing.

At TWU in particular, apartment searches raise two pertinent questions. First, is this permitted by TWU policy, as per the Student Handbook? Second, is this permitted by law?

As far as policy is concerned, one of the only items surrounding housing rights for students is TWU’s “Residential Tenancy Agreement,” the binding document between the university and its residents. The agreement makes no mention of room inspections beyond condition assessment at the end of the year. Additionally, it allows for staff entry only when a maintenance request has been made by a resident of the apartment or when emergency repairs must be completed. The lack of provision for searches in the official rental document constitutes a loud silence.

The other document concerning community living on campus is the Student Handbook, which states that entry into apartments for the purpose of investigation is permitted only when there are “reasonable grounds to believe that . . . a serious violation of University policy has occurred.”

Conspicuously lacking, however, is any discussion of what constitutes both reasonable grounds or a serious viola-

tion. Reasonable grounds, a well-known standard of proof, requires the existence of a set of facts which would lead any reasonable person to believe that a suspected event has taken place. This means that it must be more than a hunch or suspicion, and must be defensible with concrete evidence. Therefore, the existence of alcohol on campus, or staff’s knowledge of such alcohol in any given apartment on campus, does not constitute reasonable grounds to search every apartment—with or without notice.

Further, providing notice of searches does not circumvent the policies laid out in the Handbook that require reasonable grounds, regardless of notification. Based on the policies that Student Life has laid out, staff must be able to articulate what breach of policy they believe has occurred before searching any apartment. Staff must also be able to articulate a set of facts which has led them, and any other reasonable person, to the conclusion that the specific breach has occurred by a resident of the apartment in question.

During the first week of classes of Fall 2019, Upperclassman Resident Director Paul Curtis informed students via email that “apartment checks for drugs, alcohol, and missing furniture will occur spontaneously (or with reason) throughout the course of the year.” In the days since this notification to students, both Paul Curtis and Erin Thiessen have communicated on the record that the use of the word “spontaneous” did not relay Student Life’s intentions—explaining that apartment searches will continue with both notice and reasonable grounds. They declined, however, to comment on what Student Life considers to be reasonable grounds.

As far as the legality of this practice, Section 8 of the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms endows Canadians with the right to “be secure against unreasonable search or seizure.”

However, as TWU is not a government entity, this right does not protect students from unreasonable search or seizure at the hands of the University. This is not to suggest that the Charter should cover TWU in this way, but rather to demonstrate the value that Canadian society has placed on protecting individuals against unreasonable intrusion by authorities.

Because rental agreements are not covered by the Charter, legislation in BC offers the same protection for tenants in the Residential Tenancy Act, which bars landlords from unreasonable search of tenant property. But in 2002, amendments removed housing under educational institutions from the Act, leaving students with no protections under law.

Therefore, while this practice is—unfortunately—legal, there is certainly an argument to be made that it does not fall within the policy that TWU itself has set, nor does it honour the rights of students on campus. The Alma Mater Society at UBC, the University of Victoria Students’ Society, the Simon Fraser Student Society, and the Alliance of BC Students (representing over 156 000 students) are actively lobbying the government to implement legislation to protect students.

It may be both appropriate and expedient for advocates of TWU students, such as the TWU Student Association (TWUSA), to become involved in this ongoing conversation.

“MATTSON DURING BAGPIPE PRACTICE” - ABIGAIL SEIDLE

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LIV WALTON On July 26, 2019, Joshua Harris, the prophet of the “purity movement,” took to Instagram and denounced Christianity, along with the he opinions proposed in his book, I Kissed Dating Goodbye (IKDG). After this announcement, it became clear that IKDG, coupled with existing purity culture, created undeniable damage to the Christian church’s views of sex. After it was first published in 1997, IKDG became the curriculum for teaching values of purity and dating for Christians. The theological debate surrounding this curriculum is not the concern. The concern is purity-pushing leaders who deliver this commandment in a way that causes psychological damage.

While biblically sound in its intentions, the purity movement of the modern Evangelical church has built false idols. Some are worshipping purity instead of worshipping God. As a result, they are skewing self-worth and value until it equates purity, which is far from biblical. Since Harris’ statement of un-faith, people are expressing how purity culture brought shame into their lives. For many, growing up under the idea of abstinence as a religious act taught them to fear their bodies and loathe physical intimacy. This combination harbours shame, causing sin to become a defining factor in people’s lives. It is discouraging that generations of God’s children face immense shame surrounding the basic human need for intimacy, which is, as all things are, intended for our good and for God’s glory.

Dr. Tina Schermer-Sellers further researches these concepts in her article, “How the ‘Christian’ Purity Movement Causes Symptoms of Sexual Abuse.” Schermer-Sellers found that

many individuals who were part of the church during the 1990s purity movement experience symptoms characteristic of sexual abuse in their adult lives today. Throughout the text, Schermer-Sellers shares stories from her graduate students in studying family therapy whose sexual development had been harmed by fear. Schermer-Sellers states, “virginity is not the issue; nor is purity . . . it is fear, shame, and silence.” These variables create symptoms related to depression and anxiety, as well as varying sexual dysfunctions.

Unfortunately, the effects of the purity movement extend beyond the bedroom. These negative experiences taint Western Christianity, and rightfully so. The dialogue surrounding purity needs to change because the way purity is taught is neither effective nor edifying. Christians should not be taught that their value lies in the security of their virginity, nor that sexual sin is more immoral than any other sin. Instead, the message needs to enforce truth, stating that an individual’s value is found in God and no sin is going to take that value away. Ultimately, when purity is taught from the pulpit, listeners need to keep in mind the context for purity and God’s intentions for marriage, followed by physical intimacy. Sexual abstinence is a personal decision that must to be made out of respect for God and ourselves and no person should live under shame if this is not a choice they have made. I believe that God has surely called humanity to abstain from sex before marriage, but also that He has called us to live in freedom from sin and shame.

CONTENT WARNING: RESIDENTIAL SCHOOLS

EMMETT HANLY In September, 1973, six-year-old Phyllis Jack Webstad attended her first day of school. Her grandmother, despite not having much money, bought Phyllis a new outfit for her first day: an orange shirt with string laced up the front. However, upon her arrival, St. Joseph’s Mission Residential School stripped the young Indigenous girl of her brand new shirt and gave her a uniform. She never saw the gift from her grandmother again.

For Phyllis, the colour orange came to be associated with her own powerlessness. She felt insignificant and worthless on that day, leading to lifelong psychological consequences. Even after years of attending a treatment centre, the pain she endured in a residential school still creeps into her mind. By taking away the orange shirt that she was so proud of, the residential school began its long campaign of chipping away at her identity and forcibly assimilating her into a culture of which she never asked to be a part.

Unfortunately, Phyllis’ experience, which is detailed in full on orangeshirtday.org, is not unique.

THE RESIDENTIAL SCHOOL SYSTEM HAS BEEN ONE OF THE FOULEST STAINS UPON CANADIAN HISTORY, IN WHICH MANY, MANY CHILDREN WERE ABDUCTED FROM THEIR FAMILIES AND FORCED TO EXPERIENCE CULTURAL GENOCIDE.

came the impetus for the first Orange Shirt Day on September 30, 2013. The event originated in Williams Lake, BC, but is now observed across Canada, especially in elementary and high schools.

Both Indigenous and non-Indigenous children wear orange shirts to school as a demonstration of solidarity for the survivors of residential schools, remembering the past and finding hope for the future.

The Orange Shirt Day website describes the purpose of the occasion as “an opportunity for First Nations, local governments, schools and communities to come together in the spirit of reconciliation and hope for generations of children to come.” The official shirts bear the slogan “Every Child Matters” and are bright orange, reminiscent of the shirt Phyllis wore in 1973. The date September 30 was chosen because it is around the time of year when children were forcefully taken from their parents and put in residential schools. This date is also close to the beginning of the school year, a time during which teachers and students can work together to create better anti-bullying and anti-racism policies.

On September 30, all are invited to wear an orange shirt and to listen to the stories of residential school survivors. The effects and implications of the residential school system can be an extremely painful topic, but it cannot be forgotten. It is an undeniable part of Canadian history, but by working alongside Indigenous people, reconciliation can be found.

While it may be true that not every child who attended a residential school had a negative experience, the unfortunate reality is evident in the hundreds of heartbreaking stories from survivors, many of whom are compiled by the Legacy of Hope Foundation.

Forty years later, despite adversity and hardship, Phyllis’ story be-

“LINEUP GOING INTO SODEXO” - LYDIA DAHL

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ISHITA WILSON

MADISON FLEISCHER

NO MATTER HOW PREPARED YOU ARE, YOU WILL ALWAYS MANAGE TO LOSE ALL OF THE FORKS YOU HAD WHEN YOU MOVED IN.

COOKING FOR YOURSELF IS GREAT UNTIL YOU START RECEIVING HOMEWORK. AND WITHIN THE BLINK OF AN EYE, MEALS GO FROM STEAK AND LA CROIX TO UNCOOKED VEGETABLES WITH RANCH.

IT TAKES LESS TIME TO WALK DOWN THE STAIRS AND ALL THE WAY TO STROMBECK THAN IT DOES TO WAIT FOR THE ELEVATOR ON THE THIRD FLOOR.

REGARDLESS OF THE AMOUNT OF GROCERIES YOU BUY, YOU WILL STILL BE CALLING DOMINO’S ABOUT THREE OR FOUR TIMES A WEEK.

PEOPLE IN APARTMENTS ARE CONVINCED THAT THEY CAN TAKE CARE OF A BETA FISH; BUT THE REALITY IS THEY CAN BARELY TAKE CARE OF THEMSELVES.

“Oh, your stomach hurts? Must be because you’re on your phone all the time.” An exaggeration? Perhaps. Yet many people, usually Baby Boomers or those from Generation X, have unironically uttered some version of this sentence, whether they realize it or not. Social media, usually included under the big bad umbrella term “internet,” has been the scapegoat for both temporary nausea and major ailments alike. This misplaced blame undermines the severity of issues that the younger generations actually face.

No one is “addicted” to the internet. The American Psychiatric Association’s (APA) Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5)does not classify internet addiction as a disorder. Also, Colin Drummond, professor of addiction psychiatry at King’s College London, says that trying to treat “internet addiction” is not effective. This is because the emotional hardships which cause people to spend all their time on the internet remain unaddressed. “Excessive internet use is a symptom, not a cause of a person’s problems,” he explains.

People are stressed and the internet helps them temporarily forget their worries. Research shows that student stress levels over the last 10 years are higher than they have ever been; according to a survey conducted by the APA, teen stress levels averaged 5.8 on a ten-point scale, much higher than the 3.9 that the APA states is within healthy range. This was also higher than the adult average of 5.1. The conveniently simultaneous rise of social media in the last 10 years has received the majority of the blame. This correlation, however, does not prove causation.

It is easy to turn to the internet when looking for an escape from reality, a coping mechanism, or even simple relief after an exhausting day. The internet was never the problem; the problem has always been, and will always be, external pressure—whether it be academic, personal, social, or a lovely combination of all three. Identifying and addressing these outside forces is the best step forward, whereas blaming the internet and refusing to look beyond it is not.

Along with the internet’s evolution has come increased awareness of topics such as cyberbullying and social media-induced anxiety. Although social media provides a new platform for bullies and predators, it is wrong to pretend that these types of people did not exist before.

Jared Keller from Pacific Standard explains, “Is social media making us rude? No, you were already rude, but the Internet is a great place to be a jerk . . . Is Facebook to blame for the rise of cyberbullying? Not really: your local bully has always been a bully; they just found a place without the watchful eye of a teacher.” This does not invalidate the experiences of someone who was cyberbullied, but blaming them for spending too much time on the internet is another damaging form of victim-blaming.

Although “spending time on the internet” includes scrolling through social media and playing video games, it also entails research, reading, fostering meaningful connections with friends who live far away, and other productive activities. Hencewhy, Brian Resnick, a science reporter, claims that studies surrounding the internet do not “appreciate the richness of the digital environment.”

The internet is simply another advancement that serves as a vehicle of communication, one that is efficient and convenient for most. It is an artistic outlet, a library, a map, a how-to guide—a reliable resource, instantly available when needed. It provides a way to have the world at our fingertips. The unbearable stress society places on the younger generations is the thing people actually have to look out for, because the internet is not the villain.

BY THE TIME YOU BECOME AN UPPERCLASSMAN, YOU ARE MOSTLY—IF NOT FULLY—DESENSITIZED TO NOISE; WHETHER THAT BE THE TRAIN, YOUR NEIGHBOURS, OR EVEN THE FIRE ALARM. THE “IT IS WHAT IT IS” MENTALITY IS SO STRONG BY THIS POINT THAT YOU WILL BARELY BAT AN EYE AT ANY SORT OF DISTURBANCE.

“IN THE LOWER LEVEL OF THE LIBRARY BY THE MUSIC SCORES” - MACKENNA WILSON

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AMARIS HENRY

Hey-Hidey-Ho there folks! I’m Hieronymus Anonymous Pseudonymous, resident metaphysical hillbilly at Trinity Western University (TWU)! I live in the labyrinth underneath the bell tower and I’m here to bestow my wisdom upon thee. Ask me your questions, and I will ignore 99 percent of them since I’ve got a strict word count! Let’s dive in!

“Hey Hieronymus, I’ve got a problem.

There’s this girl I like and I have no idea how to ask her out. What do I do?”

- Mark Mark, you came to the right place. I’ve asked out tons of different folks and I’m proud to admit I’ve got a 13 percent success rate (which is up 49 percent from last year). First, change your name. Mark? Please. Go with something cool like “Breughel the Conjurer”.

Wear some cologne, buy some flowers. Then, profess your undying love in a witty limerick! I find occasional success with this method, and I expect you will too.

“Hieronymus, help! I’ve been lost in the Back 40 for two months! What should I do?”

– Wandering Woodswoman

MICAH MORGAN In a sudden turn of events, first-year student Evan Trulera has ceased going to chapel after about a week of regular attendance. During the first week of classes, he was proud of how often he showed up, saying he felt that attending chapel to spend time with God was an essential part of the TWU experience, “since Christianity is a relationship, not a religion.”

Upon arriving at TWU, Trulera was overheard boasting in an area where many first-year women had congregated that he was “very excited to connect with God” and that he doesn’t understand why people skip out on chapel. “I really wonder why it isn’t mandatory. I don’t have a problem with being told to spend time with my Saviour.” He later mentioned how difficult it is to not look down on those who aren’t at the same advanced spiritual stage as him.

After the first week of chapel, however, Trulera began singing a different tune. “I’m still very tight with the Father,” he said, “but I think that going to chapel five times a week is a little excessive.” He went on to describe how he was often too busy or too hungry to attend chapel. “I really enjoy getting to the caf right when the food is hot, and I also have at least one Foundations paper per week. I think chapel is a great thing, and I wish more people would attend and get spiritual growth from it, but it just isn’t possible for me right now.” At press time, sources confirmed Trulera was yet again missing chapel because he was playing Super Smash Bros for the purpose of “fellowship with the boys.”

You got lost in the Back 40? Ha! Nice going.

Here’s my advice: walk in a straight line long enough and you’re bound to run into something, whether it’s the University or the clan of human-bear hybrids that live back there.

Best of luck if you run into those guys.

“Mr. Pseudonomynus, it has come to our attention that you have been squatting on University grounds. You have 24 hours to vacate the premises before you are evicted.

Have a nice day.”

– TWU Administration Whuh-oh! Looks like the fuzz has caught on to my lovable yet illegal antics! You’ll never take me alive! Wahahahahahaha!

Do you want Hieronymus to answer your questions?

Email happyadvicecolum@gmail.com and you might see your submission in a future issue of Mars’ Hill!

“IN A PRACTICE ROOM OF THE MUSIC BUILDING” - MERIBETH GRABNER

Hey! You’ve made it to the page where you can find out all about how to contribute to Mars’ Hill. We have 10 more issues of Mars’ Hill coming up throughout the year, and you can be a part of it by following these simple steps:

Consider what you are passionate about.

What makes you mad, excited, indignant, fascinated? What do you wish people knew about?

Create a collection of topics you might like to write on.

Think about what section the topics fit into—News, Opinions, Features, Arts & Culture, Sports, or Humour?

Email or message the editor of the section You are now on the road to writing your very first Mars’ Hill article. When you feel satisfied with your work, send it back to your section editor for final edits and approval.

Once you see your article printed in the paper, you will realize that all the hard work was worth it. And you’ll want to continue writing—it’s quite addicting.

APARTMENT 325 - MONICA RAWLEK

NEWS Grace Giesbrecht gracegiesbrecht4@gmail.com OPINIONS Ishita Wilson ishitawilson@gmail.com ARTS + CULTURE Makena Wardle makenalynn2@gmail.com SPORTS Tyler Jones tylerjonathanjones@gmail.com HUMOR Emmett Hanly emmett.hanly@gmail.com FEATURES Chrisaleen Ciro chrisaleen.ciro@gmail.com