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Over The Edge

UNBC’s Independent Student Newspaper est. 1994

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Volume 20, Issue 10 overtheedgenewspaper.ca

February 13 2014 ote-newspaper@unbc.ca

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Next Submission Deadline: February 19th, 2014

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Support is always needed and no experience is required, help make Over The Edge Newspaper better. We want to hear from you! Call us at (250) 960-5633, tweet us @overtheedgeunbc, email us at ote-newspaper@unbc.ca and be sure to like us on facebook. For more information, please visit our redesigned website www.overtheedgenewspaper.ca.

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Over The Edge is the University of Northern British Columbia’s independent newspaper. Our office is located on the 2nd floor of the NUSC building in room 6-350.We are an equal opportunity publication which represents students in the UNBC and Prince George community. Our publication supports student writing by welcoming news, arts, sports, culture and opinion articles as well as photography, comics, and creative writing submissions. Every year, we provide employment as editors, designers, and managers to students with a passion for journalism and are always looking for motivated individuals to work and volunteer in our collaborative environment. Over The Edge offers competitive advertising rates for space in our print publication as well as online.

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What could possibly go wrong? erm u e n d e

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Here’s a rather long record.

I hope I’m here at the end of it -Gavin Cavanagh

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fter a lot of thought and reflection, I have decided to resign as EditorIn-Chief/Publisher of Over The Edge newspaper. I have made the choice to graduate on time in 2015 and therefore can no longer fit in the long hours and busy schedule running a business and a nonprofit organization require. This means that Over The Edge newspaper will soon be seeking applications for a new Editor-InChief/Publisher who will successfully guide Over The Edge throughout the next year(s).

It is without question that my time at Over The Edge has been challenging, however

these challenges have led to remarkable improvements which have helped our paper to rival those seen on a national level of campus press. Regardless of our success, we still have a long way to go. I am certain the next editorial team at Over The Edge will show the same commitment seen from the individuals I have had the pleasure of learning and working with over these last two years.

At this year’s AGM I will be submitting my request to sit on the Board of Directors in order to continue to aid in the success of this little publication I have come to hold so close to my heart. It is my hope to be a mentor to my successor and next year’s editorial team for the remainder of my time at the University of Northern British Columbia.

I ask the students and all members of the UNBC community submit their requests to sit on the Over The Edge Board of Directors.

We need all the voices we can get to ensure the paper is providing you with the services you want and need.

If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact me by phone at (250)960-5633, by email at ote-newspaper@ unbc.ca. You can also come visit me in the office from 11am-5pm most days.

News

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Nicole Halseth News Editor | ote-news@unbc.ca

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ccording to the BBC, “a Ukrainian protester who says he was abducted and tortured has been put on a police wanted list, sparking a stand-off at the hospital treating him.” This new step marks one more development in what has become a persistently tense and violent situation in the Ukraine.

After being reported missing and allegedly being tortured for eight days during protests in the capital Kiev, protester Dmytro Bulatov is currently recovering at a clinic. Police, prosecutors, and supporters have all flocked to the clinic to await a decision.

Bulatov is a well-known anti-government protestor, and a leader with AutoMaidan, a prominent anti-government group that has been active in the protests in Independence Square. The group has allegedly blocked streets to police, picketed the houses of government officials, and driven protesters in AutoMaidan cars.

Te n s i o n s continue to

escalate, despite the passing of an amnesty bill for protesters which has not yet come into force. President Viktor Yanukovych signed the bill, which was passed by parliament at the end of January. The bill will ensure amnesty to detained protesters under the condition that all occupied buildings are vacated. More than 300 protesters have allegedly been arrested since the beginning of the protests. Yanukovych also signed a repeal of his anti-protest laws put forth on 16 January. President Yanukovych is currently on sick leave with a reported “high fever.”

protesters took to the streets in November 2013. After a major economic deal with Russia was announced on 17 December, followed by the beating of a pro-opposition journalist on 25 December, there was renewed opposition from the public.

Since the violence escalated on 22 January 2014, three protesters and three police have been killed and numerous others injured.

Government buildings across the country have also been occupied.

Opinions about the protests vary, even among protesters. Many protesters want the conflict to end peacefully and democratically.

The protesters reportedly want new elections to occur, as well as a new president. They also want to address the level of corruption within Ukrainian society, and many remain divided over the extent to which they want their country to engage with the EU. Meanwhile, the protests continue and hundreds of people remain in the streets of the capital and in camps in Independence Square (Maidan).

As news about the violence in Ukraine continues to flood international media, people and groups around the world wait for a hopefully peaceful resolution to this longstanding conflict.

The former Prime Minister, Mykola Azarov, and his cabinet have already resigned as a result of the situation on 28 January.

Additionally, Catherine Ashton, the EU foreign policy chief, is currently holding talks in Kiev with the President and members of the opposition to try and resolve the conflict.

The conflict in Kiev was initiated when Yanukovych favoured closer economic ties with Russia over a trade deal with the EU, which was abandoned in November.

When the president decided not to sign a major partnership deal with the EU, even after years of negotiations, thousands of proE U

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News

Great Barrier Reef: dredge dumping Nicole Halseth News Editor | ote-news@unbc.ca

environmental controls. The disposal site can be seen here:

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According to Dr. Russell Reichelt, Chairman of the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority, this approval reflects "the agency's view that port development along the Great Barrier Reef coastline should be limited to existing ports.” The Chairman also said that “as a deep water port that has been in operation for nearly 30 years, Abbot Point is better placed than other ports along the Great Barrier Reef coastline to undertake expansion as the capital and maintenance dredging required will be significantly less than what would be required in other areas.”

project to dump dredged sediment in the Great Barrier Reef marine park has been approved by Australian authorities, as reported by the BBC. This approval is the latest step in a project which attempts to create one of the largest coal ports in the world, and was made by the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority.

The approval comes despite warnings by scientists that the sediment dumped on the reef as a part of this dredging project could suffocate or poison coral.

Abbot Point in the northeastern part of Australia along the Queensland coast, where the dredging project will take place, has become very attractive to companies wishing to export coal from around Galilee Basin.

This approval follows the expansion of the coal terminal in Abbot Point last year, which was approved by the Australian government. This dredging would allow more ships to enter the port.

According to the BBC, the proposed dumping site is located around 25 kilometers out from the port in an area where there is reportedly no coral reefs or sea grass beds. This operation would also reportedly be subjected to strict

This view is opposed by Greenpeace Reef Campaigner Louise Matthiesson, who in a statement, said “this go-ahead for dumping is one more body blow for the reef, which further threatens marine life, its World Heritage status and Australia's tourism and fishing industries.”

Rich in biodiversity and the world’s largest coral structure, the Great Barrier Reef (stretching for more than 2,600 km along Australia’s east coast) could reportedly be listed as a World Heritage site in danger due to water quality in recent years, according to UNESCO. It seems parallels can be drawn between this situation in Australia and our own situation in northern BC, in regards to

the proposed Enbridge Northern Gateway Pipeline project. Both are examples of ancient and incredibly complex ecosystems being put at risk under the umbrella of economic development and progress.

And the risks are certainly numerous.

The Northern Gateway Pipeline could result in devastating oil spills, increased carbon emissions, and further disruption to vital ecosystems and habitats. Above and beyond the environmental impacts, there are numerous economic and social effects that may occur as a result of the pipeline, including disruptions to existing employment and non-oil related industry sectors, as well as the disruptions to the fishing and tourism economy due to the increase in pipeline and tanker traffic.

There will also be various impacts to First Nations and other northern communities and peoples that may be exceedingly difficult to predict and measure. The threats that northern BC could see should the pipeline go forward mirror those that will affect Australia in regards to this dredge dumping plan.

The benefits of the pipeline project also

closely mirror those of the Australian dredging project. Both would likely result in an increase, at least initially, of jobs, and both would result in a significant economic boost for each respective country.

It seems the economy versus environment debate is alive and well in our contemporary global context. The dichotomy so often represented here persists, despite ample evidence of how often economic and environmental concerns are intricately and irrevocably linked. This debate is further complicated by its often intangible, far-reaching, and impossible to quantify impacts, which are often difficult to reconcile with the current economic cost-benefit model, where variables must be quantified in numerical and monetary terms. Though we are seeing a push in recent years to bring alternative forms of measurement and assessment to the analysis of projects like these, the debate remains divisive and complex. In regards to both the Australian dredging plan and the Northern Gateway pipeline, we shall have to wait and see exactly how far the effects will reach.

Research at UNBC: the American Pika

Nicole Halseth News Editor | ote-news@unbc.ca

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researcher at UNBC is examining the effects of climate change on the American pika in BC using green techniques.

In a UNBC press release, Assistant Professor of Ecosystem Science and Management at UNBC, Dr. Philippe Henry said “I decided to study the American pika (pronounced peekah) along BC’s Coast Mountains because we have observed a six degree temperature change along an elevation gradient from sea level to 1500 meters where the pika lives…we know from previous studies of the pika that it is particularly sensitive to changes in temperature, which made it ideal for our study.” He also said “the key for me is to have sustainable and safe interactions with wildlife as researchers.

To me, there is a direct connection with this and UNBC’s status as Canada’s Green University.”

The pika is a small mammal that lives in

cold northern climates, and can be found in BC along rocky mountain sides like those in the Coast Mountain Range. Dr. Henry initially hypothesized that climate change was resulting in warmer climates, and as a result, organisms like the pika were likely to move to higher, and thus colder, climates.

Dr. Henry found that the pikas were not moving to higher elevations as a result of the warming temperatures. Through looking at environmental conditions and genetic markers, it was determined that the pika were actually adapting to changes in their local environment, and that for the pika, this appears to be the most viable solution to the situation.

Henry used ‘green’ methodologies throughout his research, such as using “hair snares” made out of packing tape, as well as remote-sensing cameras. Dr. Henry and his team are currently examining the sex ratios and population sizes of pikas in Banff and Yoho National Parks.

Research like the kind that Dr. Henry and his team are pursuing may benefit UNBC, and also help us better understand the effects and potential impact of climate change on the world around us.

To read more about this

research, check out the UNBC release here: http://www.unbc.ca/releases/11246/unbcresearcher-uses-green-techniques-studyhow-climate-change-affecting-evolutiontiny-bc-animal UNBC is also continuing its ‘green’ initiative through cost-cutting and more sustainable energy measures and partnerships. For more information, check out the UNBC release here: http://www.unbc.ca/ releases/11258/unbc-saving-energy-andmoney

The American pika unbc.ca

News 5 Leader of the Opposition Mulcair blames Harper for Senate scandal Matt Jiggins

Senators removed from Liberal caucus

Nicole Halseth News Editor | ote-news@unbc.ca

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very Liberal member of the upper house was expelled from Justin Trudeau’s caucus on 29 January, who has declared that there is now no longer such a thing as a Liberal senator.

The CBC reports that Trudeau “said the former members of the Liberal Senate caucus will sit as Independents, and they will have no formal ties to the Liberal parliamentary machinery apart from through their friendships.” Trudeau also said that “the only way to be a part of the Liberal caucus is to be put there by the people of Canada.”

This action will see some key members of the Liberal Party moved outside its “inner circles.” This move was very surprising to Liberal senators and Senate staffers, among others, who had not previously been warned of the decision. Trudeau reportedly told the Liberal senators that “the Senate is broken and needs to be fixed,” when he advised them of his decision.

Phillip Currie | SAIT Polytechnic

At a news conference, Trudeau explained that the motivator behind this action was Senate reform. He said that “the Senate was once referred to as a place of sober, second thought. A place that allows for reflective deliberation on legislation, in-depth studies into issues of import to the country, and, to a certain extent, provide a check and balance on the politically driven House of Commons. It has become obvious that the party structure within the Senate interferes with these responsibilities.”

This argument closely mirrors criticism that has emerged over the past few years over the existing Senate system, though there is doubt over how much effect these new changes will actually have on Senate reform.

Trudeau also said that he envisioned the Senate becoming non-partisan, with all Senators sitting as Independents to better

serve Canadians openly and transparently.

He elaborated that “instead of being separate from political, or electoral concerns, senators now must consider not just what’s best for their country, or their regions, but what’s best for their party… at best, this renders the Senate redundant.

At worst — and under Mr. Harper, we have seen it at its worst — it amplifies the prime minister’s power.”

The Conservatives, however, call the move a “smokescreen.” Pierre Poilievre, the Conservative Minister of State responded that Trudeau’s proposed Senate reform would actually damage the system. He said “we are the one party that supports a democratically elected Senate that is accountable to Canadians…not only has the prime minister named to the upper chamber four citizens who were previously elected by citizens in the province of Alberta, the prime minister has also asked the Supreme Court for a legal instruction manual on how we can make all Canadian senators elected. That has to be our goal.”

Prime Minister Harper also responded to the move during question period, saying “I gather the change announced by the leader today is that unelected Liberal senators will become unelected senators who happen to be liberal…what the Liberal Party doesn't seem to understand is that Canadians are not looking for a better unelected Senate.

Canadians believe, for the Senate to be meaningful in the 21st century, it must be elected.”

The NDP also proposed Senate reform in October of last year.

This action follows the Senate scandal that has plagued media for over a year.

Though most of the Senators under review are Conservative, the Liberals have been involved through Mac Harb, a former Liberal Senator who was under review for his spending. The Senate’s spending is currently being reviewed by Canada’s auditor-general.

Matt Petricone

Culture

Good-bye Pete: Social activist & singer passes away at 94

Tyson Kelsall Culture Editor | ote-culture@unbc.ca

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ete Seeger sang labour tunes and jumped freight trains with Woody Guthrie and Leadbelly in the 1940s, and attended the Occupy Wall Street protests, cane in hand, in 2011. The American banjo-playing folk singers’ presence in social activism spanned over eight decades.

For years the highly-principled, but gentle mannered Seeger was blacklisted by American authorities for his associations with communism in the early 1950s. In that time, however, he toured from campus to campus to spread his message. Although Guthrie did not pass away until 1967, he was in bad health by the late 1940s.

It was Seeger who shared a glimpse of his working-class songs with the American student population. Seeger was also a founding member of the Weavers, who would later reach international fame and success.

Seeger, not one to compromise his beliefs for recognition, separated himself from the band due their participation in a Lucky Strike cigarettes commercial. In that instance, he exchanged the lifestyle of a

highly paid pop singer for a musical career built on the foundations of hardline ethics.

As reported by the New York Times, Pete Seeger also sang at many anti-Vietnam war protests. In the early 1960s, he adapted a song called “We Shall Overcome,” which became a sort of anthem at social justice events.

On the 27 January 2014, Seeger passed away in his sleep. His grandson told the Associated Press that just ten days before he had been chopping wood in the backyard.

In addition to his role as a social activist, Seeger was also an environmentalist. In 1969, he sailed the Hudson River with a

group of musicians demanding the river be cleaned up. In 2009, General Electric finally started clearing up the water they had polluted.

Throughout the 1980s and 1990s, Seeger ended up touring with the son of his good friend, Arlo Guthrie. He wanted to show the everyone that there was good, meaningful music in the world. In 1994, he said, “the key to the future of the world, is finding the optimistic stories and letting them be known.” Through song, many people around the world have been touched

by Seeger’s faith in a better world. He received many awards and accolades, with recognitions ranging from Grammy Awards to Cuba’s Order of Félix Varela.

On top of all of his crusading and populist rousing, he was also a family man. His wife, Toshi, passed away less than a year ago in 2013. They had been married for 69 years, and he is survived by all three of his children.

Seeger’s presence is already missed in many circles, and undoubtedly within his family and friends, but his music and words will be remembered for a very long time. Seeger had sung songs representing the people of America since the 1940s, certainly he still has lot to offer us, and the future. Good-bye Pete, rest in power.

Culture 7

A must see: Blue is the Warmest Color Nahid Taheri Contributor

Quat'sous Films

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Northern Women’s Centre Tyson Kelsall Culture Editor | ote-culture@unbc.ca

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he Northern Women’s Centre at the University of Northern BC is the only place of its kind in Prince George.

The executive director of the Northern Women’s Centre, Sarah Boyd-Noel, says that the most important thing that centre can do is be there for women in their time of need. Access to their services is not limited to the student body; any woman is welcome to come into the Women’s Centre.

Boyd-Noel defines the role of the organization as a “Gatekeeper.” The role played by the center is multi-dimensional as the issues faced by the women who seek their services greatly vary in nature.

The Women’s Centre acts primarily as

a resource center and a safe place. It often helps with referrals, as well as providing important information on a variety of topics including addiction, violence, mental health, and gender issues. All of the volunteers at the Women’s Centre also receive training in suicide and crisis intervention, thereby enhancing and diversifying the strength of a safe atmosphere for women in need.

Additionally, the Women’s Centre plays the role of advocate for many women; Boyd-Noel gave an example of a woman who came into the center because her gas had been cut off. Boyd-Noel advocated on her behalf and spoke with Fortis BC to help her get it running again. They also host a wide array events year round.

The “No Means No” and “Yes Means Yes” campaign regarding sexual consent was

nspired by Julie Maroh's graphic novel of the same name, Blue Is the Warmest Color is the story of Adele. At first it seems that three hours is too long for watching a movie, however once becoming engaged with Adele’s story, it is not enough. She loves to read, talks about boys with her friends, attends anti-austerity rallies, and has only a very vague sense of what she wants to do with her life. Whilst walking through town one day, she sees Emma, a girl with blue hair, and falls for her, hard. The director draws us in to Adele’s ordinary life in high school, love at first sight, her sexual orientation, immersion into the older, blue-haired Emma’s artistic lifestyle, her own work as a school teacher and a perhaps inevitable break up as two different worlds collide. On the one hand

we can say it is a basic French love story, on the other hand we can share real-life emotions with Adele. The director is not in a hurry, so we can see every detail from Adele, her way to school, when she is eating dinner with her family and even when she is sleeping. The director forces us to watch reality. There are no make-up artists, no costume designers, or use of anything fancy. The colour blue has been used rigorously and it seems to pop up everywhere Adele looks, from Emma’s blue hair to the blue water where Adele tries to drown her tears. When we see Emma with her blond hair, it seems this is an end for both of them. There are number of criticisms for the sexual scenes, but still this is movie should be watched. This is not love story, this is about the emptiness you feel when you are all alone, about very simple yet true feelings.

ARTivism hosted by UNBC’s Northern Women’s Centre, September 2013 Trina Mae

held very successfully this past year on campus. Another on-campus event is their involvement with Respect Week.

This year, on 27 February, the Centre will host an interactive self-assessment for women in relationships. In conjunction, a counsellor will be readily available for women who may come to the realization they are in an unhealthy relationship after completing the assessment. Off-campus, the Women’s Centre acts as a connector to the community, helping and coordinating events such as Take Back the Night, Jezebel’s Jam and the Eco-Fashion Show.

Additionally, according to Boyd-Noel, the Northern Undergraduate Services Society’s Women’s Representative put together a survey that concluded there were still many cases of abuses towards woman that were/

are relatively hidden or unknown at UNBC. The results are relatively consistent with the number of incidences that occurred in 1995; the year that the Women’s Centre first opened its’ doors. In other words, she does not believe enough has changed, and the Women’s Centre still plays a crucial role in meeting the needs of women at UNBC and in the community at large.

Currently and ongoing, the Women’s Centre has an art program, featuring Si Transken and other artists’ work. At the moment, 50% of sales goes towards the Women’s Centre and the other half towards Transken’s community-based art therapy program. Boyd-Noel says the program has helped raise many funds for their program and she is very thankful for all of the artists’ and communities’ support.

Opinions

Valentine’s

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(Unrightfully) Hated Holiday Laura Mooney Arts Editor | ote-arts@unbc.ca

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hen we were kids, Valentine’s Day meant going to the nearest supermarket and with the utmost precision picking out the colorful little preboxed cards that caught our eyes, knowing that the rest of the class was going to love them. Some came with stickers, some with candy; the choice we made would show other exactly how we felt about them, and so it had to be just right. When we were kids, the small section dedicated to the holiday featured cards with our most beloved movie or television characters, others with a straight to the point love theme, but they all had that cute little quip wishing someone a Happy Valentine’s Day. When we were kids, Valentine’s Day was the day you walked into your elementary school classroom to see the walls covered with red hearts and pink streamers, all paying homage to the love that filled this day. It was a day to sit down and make special bags that would store all of your classmates just as carefully selected Valentine’s that were addressed to you, that would be carefully placed into your hand crafted holder. That feeling you would get when you saw your secret crush approaching your bag and placing in their Valentine to you, and you knew you would treasure that one small card above all the others. When we were kids, we never thought of Valentine’s Day as a day to hate.

It was not a day to be resentful or hostile. It was simply a day for love that everyone got to participate in. It was a day for everyone. Then something changed.

As we got older, the idea that Valentine’s Day was a day strictly for love remained, but now it was focused solely on couples. The idea that Valentine’s Day was for everyone slowly faded into a fabricated ideal. All of the commercials, the products, the dinners, were all pushing this idea that Valentine’s Day was only accessible to those who had found their soul mate, or

Day

Because Love isn’t quite complicated enough as is

at least a person to take to dinner for the night. All those who remained alone, began to feel as though they were being punished for it. No longer were we celebrating with an entire classroom full of people, it had become something private, and if you were not part of this elite group “allowed” to celebrate Valentine’s Day, you were definitely made aware of it.

Every year once February arrives, the public is bombarded with the message that if you are not in a relationship by Valentine’s Day, you should be worried. Dating sites begin to use scare tactics on their commercials, making comments such as “Valentine’s Day is just around the corner,” placing pressure on singles to make sure they are not left in the dust by the time the big day rolls around, and it works. Suddenly that panic sets in for all those who have yet to find the one. What if I am alone on Valentine’s Day? What if I have to spend the most romantic day of the year all by myself? The fear of being alone sets in, casting a shadow over what was once a celebrated day filled with love.

The stigma around what is supposed to be the most love filled holiday of the year was created. For all those people who remained single, the notion that Valentine’s Day was for couples only was hitting a nerve, and for good reason. Over the years, wave after wave of anti-Valentine’s Day propaganda began to flood the media just as much as the pro. It began to spring up in films, with even a movie called Valentine’s Day featuring a woman who throws an anti-Valentine’s Day party. Soon it became common to find anti-Valentine’s Day products in novelty stores, with candies that read “love stinks” and scowling bears, all marketed to the singles as if to tell them, “see, we hate Valentine’s Day too!”

The pressures of Valentine’s Day however did not remain exclusive to singletons, because now even

those in a relationship have been succumbing to just as much stress, all based around having to make the most of the holiday for their significant other.

Jewellery commercials, restaurants, and high-end stores all tell the doting males to spend obscene amounts of money in order to make their sweetie smile, and if not then they will have failed as a mate.

These pressures alone have caused couples to throw in the towel, opting instead to ignore Valentine’s Day all together.

So here stands this holiday, February 14th, a day that has left a bad taste in the mouths of those who once celebrated it. A day that once made us smile as children, now no more than a dreaded day that many just wish would vanish from the calendar. Somewhere along the way in the throes of commercialism, the meaning of Valentine’s Day that we had known as children got lost. Now is the time to remember it as it was.

Let us start thinking of Valentine’s Day as the day that celebrates love, not one specific type of love, but every type under the sun. Make this day the one where you can express your love for whomever you have in your life, even more so than you have on any other day of the year. Let us get rid of the stigma that has been surrounding Valentine’s Day for far too long and make it once again a day where everyone is included.

Whether you are in a long-term relationship, going on a first date, going out with a group of friends, or even staying at home with your dog, Valentine’s Day should be about celebrating the love you have in your life at that very moment. By doing so we can take away the power that commercialism has had over Valentine’s Day, and instead make it once again about love, not about buying love with fancy presents. With the pressure gone we can once again open up the day for everyone, and celebrate it once again just as we did once as children.

The

Tyson Kelsall Culture Editor | ote-culture@unbc.ca

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n November, Over The Edge ran an article about the end of Eurest’s current food services contract and the ongoing negotiations for a new one. Since then, there has been a series of events, which has led to a letter of intent for the winning contract... Chartwells!

In terms of business ideology Chartwells is something of a sister-company to Eurest.

The multinational food service provider, Compass Group, owns both. However, Aaron Leblanc, Director of Ancillary Services at UNBC, points out that Chartwells focuses more on educational institutions, including running food services at Simon Fraser University. In relation to new services, there will also be some opportunities for food education within the new plan.

Additionally, Chartwells has promised $10,000 in annual scholarships to UNBC students. Leblanc hopes to concentrate on the distribution of these scholarship funds into student-generated ideas that are food focused. The contract was signed for five years, with an option for a five-year renewal if UNBC is content with the results.

The focus on local food innovation and education is important. As both LeBlanc and Cam Bell, the representative for student campus, pointed out. Defining exactly what “local” means to UNBC and the Prince George community can be difficult. LeBlanc says there is no concrete or popular definition of what "local" means, and that the capacity of agriculture in the northern region, is unfortunately too sparse at the moment to be relied upon. According to Cam Bell, “the local sourcing plan is still a little weak.” He stated that Chartwells was planning to work with the Canadian Food Inspection definition of local; anything that is within provincial boundaries, plus 50 kilometers, this definition leaves a lot of room to be desired. Bell also pointed out that there are holes in the process of getting local foods to campus. As Chartwells uses a centralized method of distribution for supplies, using local foods becomes

problematic. The implication is that any local food grown in Prince George has to first be sent to a warehouse, then driven back to Prince George. The question then develops whether or not food that has travelled for 1,000 kilometers can still be considered local, and whether it is truly sustainable. However, Bell said that creative problem-solving around keeping food close to consumption has started to cultivate in southern Ontario, and thinks that UNBC can eventually be a part of this shift.

Leblanc said that within the contract there is plenty of room for improvement as new solutions to sourcing local food arise.

Surrounding localization, there will be opportunities for local food education and connecting with local restaurants. Bell says that Chartwells has come up with some initiatives to promote local food knowledge, such as having a “Local Food of the Month,” which will celebrate and incorporate a food that grows in the Prince George region that month. There will also be a setup in the dining hall where chefs from the community can come up and cook their specialties and educate students on how to prepare healthy meals.

What is the dining hall? This is a new renovation coming to the University of Northern BC: a controversial one amongst students. What is now the cafeteria will be turned into an all-you-can-eat dining hall. There will be two ways to access the cafeteria. The first is a pay-per-entrance fee, one that LeBlanc is hoping to keep at a price point close to the average meal price at the cafeteria, which he identifies as $10$11. This will also be open to the general public. The second, which is generating conversation around campus, is through a meal plan. The problem, according to some students, is that first year students living in residences will be forced into a mandatory meal plan. LeBlanc said that for returning students in residence the meal plan will become optional. This is causing a stir, as for first years, this will add an additional $2166 per semester to their fees, most of which will be going straight to Chartwells, a subsidiary of a large, multinational corporation. As an aside, options are being explored in regards to different types of

meal plans for other students, such as a Monday-to-Friday plan that is a little less expensive.

Nicole Neufeld, Sales and Proposal Writer at UNBC, who has been put in charge of addressing questions or concerns, said that the amount of healthy foods in the dining hall will eliminate student anxieties or dilemmas about debating dollar for dollar what to eat, and the focus can be put onto eating healthily. The mandatory meal plan will give unlimited access to these students, meaning they can go to the cafeteria whenever they want and eat as much as they want. Another issue caused by this is that the seating in the cafeteria will be limited to people who have and can afford the meal plan. LeBlanc acknowledges the lack of good seating at UNBC, and hopes to work on improving that before next year, especially in the Canfor Winter Garden.

After the official contract is signed, UNBC will have to hold Chartwells accountable for the promises they make. As Bell notes, they arrived as politician-like businessmen and promised many things, so now it is in UNBC’s hands to make sure these things happen. UNBC is paying the costs of changing infrastructure, so that, as LeBlanc put it, “they are not in bed with the food service provider.” Since Chartwells is not paying for any of the new infrastructure, UNBC is not monetarily accountable to them in any way. LeBlanc also stressed that UNBC receives some of the commission from food sales, so it is not Chartwells receiving 100% of the funds when somebody pays to enter the dining hall.

This also means that UNBC and Chartwells are taking more of a partnership approach, rather than adversarial one.

As Chartwells is a company with ties to UNBC’s previous food services provider, the staff will also be retained. Bell says this is good, because the current staff is already in tune with what the UNBC community wants.

Chartwells and UNBC will also be combining to provide some other new additions to the cafeteria. The first is titled “My Pantry.” My Pantry is a small area

Feature

where there will be pre-cut foods and spices where students can go and cook their own meals within the dining hall. The selection of foods will be diverse, and LeBlanc said that this will eliminate any issues related to dietary restrictions. Bell agreed, pointing out that the contract indicated mandatory fees meant mandatory diversity of foods, so that everyone can eat. The next is an interactive feedback mechanism, where somebody can send a text message from their cellphone to the kitchen staff about their food. For example, a student could text, “the rice is way too salty!” and the staff could adjust the food accordingly.

There will also be tablets available with easy access to nutritional facts.

The dynamics of the offerings made outside the dining hall will also change, although concrete decisions have not yet been made.

Chartwells has offered UNBC to change the Tim Horton’s to a GoodEarth, a coffee chain that began in Calgary, but has expanded into over 35 locations around western Canada. A Subway will also be opening on campus. Each meal plan will come with some flex dollars that can be spent at any of these outlets, including the Northern Undergraduate Student Society’s owned Thirsty Moose pub.

In any case, there are some big changes coming to UNBC’s food services and layout. The most prevalent debates will undoubtedly arise around whether UNBC did enough to support local foods, protect student costs and/or connect with the Prince George community as a whole. Undoubtedly there is going to be some excitement surrounding the new developments, and the diversity of food options in the dining hall should satisfy more students than the current offerings provided by Eurest. As local agriculture and small scale farms grow, let’s hope UNBC holds Chartwells accountable to sourcing food from them. As Cam Bell said, “food is the new energy for Canada’s Green University, I hope that continues for the next few years.”

If you have any questions concerning the food service changes, please contact Nicole Neufeld at Nicole.Neufeld@unbc.ca.

10

Opinions

Manufacturing consent: Selling UNBC students to the corporation Kirk Walker Contributor

“

Like other businesses, [the media] sell a product to buyers.

Their market is advertisers, and the “product” is audiences.

U

-Noam Chomsky

NBC's new Food Services Plan functionally acts in the same way mass media sells audiences to advertisers, except that it is students being sold to the corporation. This corporation (Compass Group) is the same corporation that owns Eurest. We are effectively replacing the same incandescent light bulb with another, albeit a lower wattage. If you look at Chartwells' flashy, well-produced promotional video, "Pulse on Dining," you will see corporate seduction at it's best.

Under the veil of buzzwords like community, diversity, and food security, we are being sold, whether we like it or not, a version of the world that is all about profit and revenue. The mandate of UNBC's Ancillary Services is to generate revenue for the university. The goal of 500 mandatory meal plan "subscribers" (by year five of the plan) will guarantee Chartwells over $1 million in base revenue.

I do not know the specifics of the contract, but rest assured UNBC will be generating income from this meal plan scheme.

Consider too that Chartwells will also require significant margins in order to make a profit.

Which raises so many questions; why would UNBC not take this venture

themselves and retain profits? Shouldn't the meal plan be optional, so good that it sells itself? I could go on, but why is this plan our only option? I know the idea of creating a cooperative with CNC's culinary program and having a student run cafeteria was floated around for some time. CNC provides high quality, low cost food to students.

CNC has gone the student route, UNBC the corporate. Ancillary Services had an agenda. The Food Committee started subversively over a year ago. Student engagement was symbolized through the inclusion of student representatives on the committee. The UNBC Food Services blog states that these student representatives were responsible to act as "a conduit for 2-way communication between the working group and the area they are representing."

If the power relationships involved in committee structures are disregarded, and the resources required for such communication—to over 3000 students— are considered, not only was this unfair, it was unrealistic. They did their best to communicate student recommendations, but in the end Ancillary Services knew best.

Fortunately, there was headway made in the local, sustainable, and fair trade clauses in the Request for Proposal.

However, is it not ironic that in-depth student consultation and research was so limited in a research institution? I suppose market research is not required when the students are the "product" sold to the Compass Group. With the exception of NUGSS, all campus food services, including the convenience store have been handed to a corporate monopoly.

The launch of the mandatory meal plan next year is first applied only to first year students living on residence. You may not care about food services, or the mandatory meal plan. But don't expect to be using the cafeteria to study anymore. It will now be the Dining Hall, and unless you have Meal Plan or Flex-cash card, you will not be getting in. The barrier to entry will be at least $10. I would encourage you to enjoy this well-lit, social study space before it disappears into UNBC's new revenue machine.

coffee at Degrees. But the first year student on residence does not have the option. The new mandatory meal plan will also include removing kitchenettes in the dorms to replace them with an additional bedroom.

We're going to pack 'em in folks!

While I pity the first year residence student who has to get dressed and walk in -25° weather to get breakfast in the morning, it will not affect me that much either. I choose to dine at the Moose and get my

Some students saw the kitchens in residence as an attractive feature. It was a factor in the decision process that added weight to their choice to come to UNBC. This new Food Services Plan places UNBC in the same food service ranks of every other university in North America with mealplans. For a university that positions itself on its unique qualities, one feature that draws students may now be a null point.

The UNBC Debate Society is hosting its 4th annual Northern Academic Debate Challenge March 7th – 9th!

A novice tournament for high school students from all over Northern British Columbia!

Students will learn:

•

Public Speaking

•

Argument construction

•

How to debate

All while have a great time with great people!

? t i s at i

Wh

For more information contact our Tournament Director Terrance Badham at tjbadham@gmail.com or check out our Facebook page NADC 2014.

Arts

temadaily

YouTubers: role models for our generation Laura Mooney Arts Editor | ote-arts@unbc.ca

T

hese days, when a twenty-something turns on his or her computer, a large percentage of them automatically punch the familiar words “YouTube” into the search bar without even having to think it over. The insanely popular online video website has become such a large part of our generation’s lives that we do not stop to think about how much time we spend on it everyday, even if it is more than some of us would like to admit. Amongst the infinite amounts of cat videos and wannabe singers, there lies some poignancy. All it takes is a little digging.

While YouTube, to some, may only appear as an outlet for a person’s own self involvement, over the years it has evolved into a hub for those particular people to branch out creatively and express their personal opinions for the world to see.

These people that we see everyday have become our source of entertainment and method of gaining information about the world around us. One could argue that these online personas are rapidly becoming the role models for the upcoming generations, and in some cases, rightly so.

Now, while many may not agree with the idea of an entire generation modeling themselves after strangers they see online, these YouTubers are providing unique views of the world that viewers cannot see anywhere else, and much of the content surpasses what is shown on television in terms of quality.

When was the last time you turned on the television and saw a reality show about a family actually getting along? One YouTube family in particular has been setting the standard for family values for over five years now with their daily vlogs. The ShayTards, which is run by a man named Shay Butler, is a daily vlog channel that features a Mormon family with husband Shay, his wife, and their five incredibly vivacious and talented children. The family’s daily vlogs showcase a family that have truly put their lives online, with the viewers being a part of two childbirths and even a cross country move. The realness of the videos is something that one could never see if they simply turned on the television, with the majority of family based reality television featuring the likes of the Kardashians or the Vanderpumps, it is a benefit to see what an actual family looks like, providing a great role model for

a variety of ages.

Even when it comes to receiving the daily events of the world, one can turn to YouTube instead of any of the news channels to get in the know. Long time YouTuber Philip DeFranco, has been delivering his own comedic account of the news for over five years now, all while making sure he get the point across and maintaining a generally unbiased viewpoint. On his self- titled channel, DeFranco takes on the most popular stories but adds in a flare not seen on a cable news station. This flare not only makes the news more entertaining for viewers of university age, but is doing a great service by enticing younger viewers to begin to take notice of the events occurring in the world around them, with many of his viewers being under 17. DeFranco, along with other YouTube reporters, are providing the model for young people everywhere, telling them that it pays to be aware of world issues, because let us face it, when the news comes from someone closer to your own age, you are much more likely to pay attention.

YouTube is also is a goldmine for talented, undiscovered people who have just enough guts to put their talents up online for

the world to see. The amount of singers, comedians, and dancers all over YouTube is endless, and showcases how a perfectly average person can make it big, just like any other celebrity one sees on television.

Bo Burnham is one great example of a teen that started off with only a camera and a great sense of comedic timing. Burnham filmed his own comedic songs in his room, including “Rehab Center for Fictional Characters,” and posted them on the site.

Burnham’s original videos now have over ten million views each and have allowed him to pursue a professional career in comedy, with his stage show and book of comedic poems. While this type of success is not common for many performers on YouTube, the ones who have made it big, like Burnham, are still as down to earth as the day they posted their first video, and have managed to remain out of trouble, unlike the celebrity singers we see today. So although the majority of the world may not be ready to fully make the switch to having YouTube as their primary media source, as far as taking over the role of role models, it seems as though the people on YouTube are a much better option, and will soon take over as the idols for the upcoming generations.

12

Arts The Princess Petition: Give those girls some

Curves!

Laura Mooney Arts Editor | ote-arts@unbc.ca

I

t is a fact; the female body comes in all shapes and sizes. While more mainstream television shows and movies having been adapting to this fact with the inclusion of curvy actresses now appearing in leading roles, one company in particular, has remained consistently unchanged with their model of female beauty; Disney.

Throughout the 80-year span of Disney’s feature length animated films, the one major aspect that has been noticeably absent in their films is some diversity with their animated characters, with the most specific one being the Disney princesses.

mostly likely only on shows that have appeared in the past three years, such as Melissa McCarthy in Mike and Molly, and Lena Dunham in Girls. Although Jewel is concerned about the lack of diversity across all mediums, Disney is her main target, since the princesses tend to be the first role models young girls have as children.

Jewel states in her petition’s manifesto, “if Disney could make a plus-sized female protagonist who was as bright, amazing, and memorable as their others, it would do a world of good for those plus-sized girls out there who are bombarded with images that make them feel ugly for not fitting

npr.com

T

he dystopian novel trend in young adult novels continues to hold strong, with what seems like the weekly release of a new novel involving a female teen in the not so far off future battling for her freedom. But before The Hunger Games, there was a small unassuming novel called How I Live Now that puts other dystopian books to shame, and features a passionate, albeit rather unorthodox love story that is the perfect read just before Valentine’s Day. How I Live Now tells the story of Elizabeth, or as she prefers, “Daisy,” as she is sent from America to live with her cousins (Edmond, Isaac, and Piper) who she has never met, in England at their secluded country farm.

Unfortunately, the entirety of Britain is at war with an unnamed enemy, and Daisy must learn to not only cope with her new surroundings in a war-ravaged country, but also maneuver her way through the trials of being a teenager.

Meg Rosoff’s 2004 short novel is read through the eyes of Daisy in a stream of consciousness. Not much is given about anyone’s background, or even the current setting of the story. It is through Daisy that the reader learns of the horrors that Britain is going through, as well as Daisy’s own personal horrors, which the reader discovers is the reason why she was sent away. The entire novel reads so subtly that some sentences must be read a couple times over just to retain the small clues that Daisy leaves the reader about the novel’s

environment, such as an atomic bomb being dropped on London.

As mentioned, although How I Live Now is marketed as a dystopian novel, once having read it, it is undeniably a love story.

Although the love story is not the typical tale one is accustomed to hearing around Valentine’s Day, it is nonetheless a beautiful tale of young love. Admittedly, after having read the moment where Daisy and Edmond share their first kiss, this reader had to go back to double check the facts laid out by our protagonist. What I discovered was yes, Daisy and Edmond were indeed cousins.

After the initial ick factor had subsided the context of their unique relationship began to set in. Here was this pair of young teenagers who had never met before in their lives, thrown together unexpectedly in the shadows of a once great country, and are now just trying to find some sort of solace. Of course, nothing remains perfect.

The story that follows is Daisy’s heart wrenching attempts to find her way back to her cousins, and Edmond, as she is taken by soldiers to live in a separate foster home far away from the farm. How I Live Now is exciting, heartbreaking, and horrifying all in one, and the ending is beautifully simple, yet will leave you with tears of happiness in your eyes. The novel is a great read for anyone looking for that perfect book to get you in the romantic mood just before Valentine’s Day.

thecurve11.tumblr.com

Laura Mooney Arts Editor | ote-arts@unbc.ca

This lack of curves on some of the most famous women in the world has not gone unnoticed, with many groups concerned with women’s self-esteem commenting on this fact before, but now one young woman is determined to get something changed once and for all. Jewel Moore from Virginia started a petition on change.org, urging Disney studios to create a Disney princess that has some curves to her body, in order to reflect a more realistic female body type. The tenacious junior high student, who says she is a plus-sized young woman herself, is using the petition as a means to call out not only Disney, but all those in the media who are responsible for there being a lack of role models for curvy women represented in today's media. When one stops to think about the statement that Jewel is making, one can see that she is not wrong. You could probably count on one hand the number of shows that an overweight woman has appeared on in which she is the main character, and are

the skinny standard.” She also goes on to express her desire for Disney to create this curvy princess, since their films are so widespread and influential to young children, and it would be nice to have some reprise from the constant bullying and fat shaming they receive from the rest of media.

Although it is a large task, Jewel’s petition entitled “Make Plus-Sized Princesses in Disney Movies!” has caught a fair amount of steam, with the petition already receiving 13,090 of its desired 15, 000 signatures, and is rapidly spreading across Facebook and other social media websites. Whether or not it will be enough to convince those at Disney to branch out with their character designs, it is always a plus to see that people are aware of the issue, and are working hard to get what is considered “the norm” to change.

nascar

Sports

rule changes send sport spinning Laura Mooney Arts Editor | ote-arts@unbc.ca

out brawl spanning ten races at the worlds most famous race tracks would begin.

ince its introduction in 1949 the wildly popular sport of stock car racing has undergone a mere fourteen rule changes, with the majority of them focusing on how the cars themselves would be set up in terms of engines and other body elements. However, as of January 2014, a major overhaul of the points system and the “chase” format was implemented, leaving many of the drivers worrying about the racing system they once knew so well. Originally, the drivers in the “chase,” meaning the top ten drivers who qualified with enough points to make it to the final ten races, would make it to the chase based on a point system that gave the driver a predetermined amount of points that correlated to the position they came in at the end of a race. The top ten drivers with the most points, along with an additional two drivers who had achieved the most wins in the 11th through 20th positions, were then considered as being a part of the chase for the Sprint Cup title, and an all

This entire system however is being altered, causing some NASCAR fans (and racers) to scratch their heads. The largest change is the expansion to including 16 cars in the chase for championship instead of only 12.

This means that now, the top 16 drivers will have a shot at NASCAR glory, but it is not quite as simple as that. The new Chase will still feature the usual ten races, but with the addition of a much more important goal for the drivers to achieve. The Chase will now begin with a three race event called the “Challenger Round” in which the drivers who win are automatically advanced into the next set of races, while the other top drivers are determined by position and points. Next begins the “Contender Round,” where once again the winning drivers of the three races are automatically advanced and the remainder are determined by points. Finally, there is

S

a set of four races called the “Eliminator Round,” and one final race called simply the Championship Event, in which the winner drivers in the “Eliminator Round” will battle it out for the championship.

So by the end of the entire Chase, there will only be four drivers competing in the championship for the trophy.

While at first glance this may only seem as though the executives at NASCAR bundled up sets of races and gave them names, the tricky part to the new system is that for every racer who does not win a race, their points are reset to zero once the next race begins. This means that no matter if a driver came in second place during the previous race, he could, in theory, have a bad day and come in last, thus eliminating his chances of being able to race in the championship. Meaning that in reality, this change could provide the opportunity for any driver to potentially win a place in the championship, instead of the same names

all race fans have come to know by heart.

Officials at NASCAR explained in an interview that the motivation behind the change was to encourage the drivers to do their absolute best, and basically encourage them to win more races. They also stated that they had gathered information over three years based around what the NASCAR fans wanted from the sport, what the drivers wanted to see changed, and after many years of testing and simulations this was the model that had worked the best.

Although the new system may be a lot to retain for many lifelong fans, NASCAR officials believe it will be a drastic, yet welcome change to a model that was in need of an overhaul. While only time will tell if this new system works out for the best, it will be an interesting sport to watch for those speed junkies who have been fans of NASCAR for their whole lives, or for those just getting interested in the sport.

Sports m

return t o t t e s o e UF b C ay

Anders

on

Sil va

14

Laura Mooney Arts Editor | ote-arts@unbc.ca

H

As of the end of January 2014, rumors have begun to swirl around Silva’s return to UFC as soon as the end of the year. Silva’s correspondents have released comments stating that Silva’s leg is healing properly and he was even asking when he could train again mere hours after his surgery.

Silva’s manager went so far as to say that Silva will return and is already eyeing up his next opponents. This decision however is causing some big names in the UFC world to raise their eyebrows and question whether or not this is the right decision for the seasoned fighter to make. UFC

commentator Joe Rogan openly discussed his opposition to Silva’s comeback while appearing as guest on the SiriusXM Opie and Anthony radio talk show. Rogan stated that since the leg would now be a known weak spot to Silva’s opponents, he would be at a massive disadvantage if he stepped into the octagon once again. He went on to say that his opponents would look to target the leg, risking a break once again.

Fellow fighter Jon Jones also believes that Silva would be making a huge mistake by fighting once again. Jones stated that Silva has been a huge inspiration to

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e may be down, but he will definitely never be out. After suffering what would seemingly be a career ending leg break during a scheduled middleweight championship fight with Chris Weidman in December of 2013, reports have begun to circulate that UFC legend Anderson Silva is considering returning to the world famous octagon later this year. The brutal fight, in which Silva suffered a broken left tibia and fibula, was considered to be one of the most brutal in all of UFC history, with one of the worst injuries every sustained by a fighter. Every person watching the fight at the time assumed the horrible break would be the end to the ten-time champion’s career. Even UFC CEO Dana White was not completely sure if one of his star fighters would ever come back to the sport.

many fighters and should continue to be an inspiration, just from outside of the octagon as a motivational speaker, and says he is praying that Silva will stay away from the sport from now on.

On the other hand, once hearing the news that Silva’s recovery was going well, Dana White released a statement expressing that he did expect the UFC superstar to be back fighting by the end of 2014. In an interview with Sportsnation, White expressed how exceptionally well Silva was doing with his recovery, and believed that even though

he was not, at this point, walking yet, he expected him to be back training in as little as six months.

Despite the debate that has risen up around Silva’s return to the UFC, Silva has proven in the past to be a man full of surprises, and he still has the opportunity to shock us all with the decision he may make. Overall it may come down to what his boss, Dana White, urges him to do, but here is hoping that Silva’s choice is for the better, and will not end up in another tragic accident.

Coffee Break 15

1. Spinning toys 2. River of Spain 3. A noble gas 4. A tart spicy quality 5. Shown (archaic) 6. Counterpoisons 7. Procession 8. Pout 9. Power 10. Frugal 11. Governs 12. Operatic solos 13. Tale 21. Kino gum 25. Young girl 26. Early 20th-century art movement 27. 1 1 1 1 28. Precious stones

29. Enticements 34. Varies the frequency 36. Roman emperor 37. Make a sweater 38. Oceans 40. Blend 42. Sired, biblically 45. Envisage 48. Detects 51. Play a guitar 52. Stage 53. Rabbits 55. Skating areas 58. If not 59. A climbing plant 60. Computer symbol 61. Cold-shoulder 62. Anagram of "Meat"

mirroreyes.com

Down

cupwire

Medium

cupwire

Hard

Across 1. Canvas shelters 6. Highest point 10. Historical periods 14. A religion based on sorcery 15. Midday 16. Brusque 17. Lying facedown 18. Not false 19. Hodgepodge

20. Composer 22. Close 23. Connecting point 24. Shiny 26. Canines 30. Soak 31. Sweet potato 32. Again 33. Bit of gossip 35. Settles 39. Estate

41. Lewd 43. Something of value 44. On the left or right 46. Operatic solo 47. "___ the season to be jolly" 49. Cup 50. Plenty 51. Orb 54. Winglike 56. Part of a comparison 57. Characterized by habitual

skepticism 63. Unusual 64. Narrow opening 65. Specialty 66. End ___ 67. Feudal worker 68. Whip 69. Untidyness 70. Views 71. Ringworm cassia

UNBC Life

Kelley’s “Korner:” The Joys of Student Conferences

Kelley Ware Finance Manager ote-finance@unbc.ca

H

ello Readers! To begin this segment of Kelley’s Korner I want to apologize for missing the last issue of Over the Edge.

I do have a good excuse though, I promise!

I was in London, Ontario at the beautiful campus of the University of Western Ontario for the 18th annual Canadian Political Science Student Association Conference (CPSSA). The topic in question was Current Affairs in International Politics. It was two days of travelling with three and a half days of panels, discussions, keynotes, presentations, and social programming. I have been a delegate for three years now and can honestly say it is one of my favourite parts of January.

Before CPSSA was NASH, the annual conference for Canadian University Press, which lasted two days longer and had sessions on writing, photography, business administration, and more.

After I returned from my jet set January, I realized that many university students do not realize that conferences such as these are open to them. I highly recommend attending student conferences for a multitude of reasons. Here is a chance to go outside of UNBC, often to a whole other city, and take part in important discussions. Oftentimes the speakers are other academics that you would not otherwise have had an opportunity to hear. Other times, the conferences could get big names people to speak. These are the people that you likely would not have a chance to hear outside of this setting. At NASH, Ezra Levant, a right-wing political pundit who got everyone’s blood boiling, spoke as well as the likes of Robin Doolittle, the Toronto Star reporter who was one of the first to break the Rob Ford crack story.

Without NASH, I never would have had the chance to corner Levant off-stage and discuss the future of Canadian politics with him. CPSSA was the same way, with the keynote being Nobel Peace Prize laureate

Dr. James Orbinski of Doctors Without Borders. Student conferences really are a great learning opportunity and, due to that fact, professors tend to be easy-going about missing class for them.

Student conferences also tend to have lively social programming. All of the ones I have gone to have a “Work Hard, Play Hard” mentality. Academics nine to five with parties planned right after. It is the perfect time to kick back and have some fun with new friends who have come from all over the province/region/country. I should warn you, from my experience a lot of drinking goes on at these things. However, I have also met some of the most non-judgemental people at conferences, so if that is not your style do not worry. People will accept whatever choice you make. Just know that acceptance goes both ways and there is a tendency to be wild at the events after the academic programming. I have woken up at one CPSSA to a semi-naked man on the couch outside the bedroom (I wish I was

making that up).

The learning experiences and the friends you will gain make student conferences an amazing experience that most people do not get in university. It is also a great networking opportunity. The people you meet – both academics and other students – build connections that branch all over Canada. There may also be chances to present your own work in an academic setting amongst peers outside of your classes. Other opportunities also pop up.

Many organizations that host conferences like this have Boards of Directors that are made up of students, just like you.

As well, do not let the cost scare you away. The university has a lot of funding opportunities that are waiting for you if you look for them. If it is academic in nature, chances are you can get the conference partially or fully funded. There is nothing to lose and so much to gain by attending student conferences!