Over The Edge
UNBC’s Independent Student Newspaper est. 1994
DECISION TIME
Senate Election Bios, pg 3
NUGSS Election Bios, pg 6
EGM Recap, pg 4
Board of Governors Election Bios, pg 9
Volume 23, Issue 7
Free overtheedgenewspaper.ca
March 14, 2017 ote-newspaper@unbc.ca
Relentless positivity is an appealing concept that rarely goes well. Last week, the popular Hell Yeah Prince George Facebook group suffered a nearly fatal blow after its creator Scott McWalter had been kicking off other administrators and moderators who had been disagreeing with his management of the group, culminating in a firestorm when McWalter used the group to promote a pending lawsuit by his employer. I take no issue with the aims of the group, and I admire many of its accomplishments; promoting charities, assisting the less fortunate members of our community,
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and bringing attention to the efforts of individuals that work hard to help their fellow citizens. I believe that Prince George has an unfair reputation as a dangerous, dirty city, and I can appreciate that people want to convince others that we’re really not so bad. However, the methods used by the group are deeply flawed.
Moniq ue
To talk about Prince George in a relentlessly positive manner is like attaching blinders to your face. Only discussing the sunshine and rainbows part of living in the city is to neglect that the real problems that our city suffers from. A large percentage of
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the posts in the group seem to be publicity opportunities for local businesses masked as altruism, which paints the group with a large coat of disingenuousness, especially as the group’s rules supposedly prevent businesses from co-opting the group. The group’s rules state that any negativity whatsoever will be removed, but this removes any opportunity for discourse, and without the ability to discuss and adapt to the negative parts of the city, Prince George cannot become the idyllic city that the members of the group so desperately want it to be. By all means, consider and discuss the good points of our city - but don’t blind yourself to its problems.
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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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Over The Edge is the University of Northern British Columbia’s independent student 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.
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Over The Edge
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Letter from the
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Senate Election
3
Senate Bios Aaron Larsen
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y name is Aaron Larsen and I am currently wrapping up my fifth and final year in the Bachelor of Arts degree in History, with a double minor in Anthropology and Human Geography before starting in the Bachelor of Education program here at UNBC in the Fall. I have been elected the Media Coordinator of the Northern Historical Student Society for the past three years. During my time with the NHSS, the club grew into a highly successful student society, holding advanced standing. I ran a number of popular events, and helped found the Northern Historical Conference, currently the largest student run history conference in Western Canada. My goal for Senate is to provide a new and open voice for students, with a focus on transparency. It will be my goal to reach out to our entire student body, hosting information sessions and informal conversations, in which I will hear your needs and bring them before the Senate. As a UNBC Senator, I will be making students our number one priority. With my future intrinsically tied to UNBC for another four years as I complete my B.Ed. and M.A., my platform is guaranteed to not simply be short term fixes to major issues, but rather focuses on taking on these problems head on while establishing long term solutions. I don’t want more band-aids covering old problems, I want a better future and a better university for us all.
Lauren Dohler
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y name is Lauren Dohler, and I am a third-year student here at UNBC studying political science and psychology. I am interested in being a Student Senator because I have been involved in University Life in many different ways over the past three years, and feel as though I have some insight into what changes could be made to make the University Experience a more positive one for UNBC students. Since my first year, I have been involved in the Debate Society, the past two years as an executive member, giving me insight into some of the struggles that SLOs have on campus in things like finding funding, and booking space around the university. As well, this past year I have been a Resident Assistant, through this seeing where first year students can be overwhelmed coming to UNBC. I feel like the UNBC Senate has the power to make positive changes in Student Life, and would be excited to bring the student voice to their decisions.
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Ana Saenz
s I approach the 5th year of my Bachelor of Arts, I reflect on all the growth and development I have experienced at UNBC. This campus serves as an opportunity for students to pursue their passions in an inclusive and supportive environment. This has been a result of many years of advocacy and work by students, staff, and faculty members that have one simple goal in mind: to better UNBC. If elected as your senate representative, I hope to continue this work and serve as a voice for all undergraduates, including international students, who are often underrepresented. I am looking forward to answering your questions, so feel free to email me at saenz@unbc.ca for more info!
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NUGSS
NUGSS EGM Leaves Students Uncertain Tierney Watkinson Team Member
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ast month NUGSS held an Extraordinary General Meeting in order to engage with undergraduate students on the issues and information surrounding last year’s revelation that the society had run into financial trouble through indelicate managements of funds. NUGSS General Manager Duncan Malkinson started by briefly outlining NUGSS’ finances. According to Malkinson, The Moose’s financial numbers have experienced a slight drop, but seem to be holding. Degrees Coffee, on the other hand, has seen increased performance. Malkinson continued his presentation by revealing that the last three years of accumulated debt for student UPASSes were paid in full to BC Transit, thanks to $108,000 forwarded from UNBC. That debt is owed directly to the university. As a result, $27,000 per year will act as a “hit to our budget” in order to pay off this debt. Malkinson touched upon a “five year plan” to pay off accumulated debts. He also noted that the not for profit efforts of the society-like Northern Students Give Back--were consistently successful. Grant Bachand from CFUR raised a question about a $30,000 deficit with the Thirsty Moose that Malkinson mentioned, because he could not see it on the visual presentation. Malkinson clarified that he was exaggerating, and pointed out the true numbers: a $23,000 deficit. Next, there was a discussion about the composition of the NUGSS board. Previously there were eleven members when the board is full: the President, four Vice Presidents, and six Associate Directors. The board presented those in attendance with the option for a new structure consisting of eight board members: a primary Director or President, four Directors rather than Vice Presidents, and three Representative positions. In effect three current AD positions will be kept but their titles will change, becoming the Women’s Representative, the Sustainability Representative, and the Aboriginal Representative. When questioned about these titles, which seem less authoritative than “Director”, Shannon Williams (AD Women’s Representative) claimed that the title of “Representative” is
simply less “awkward” to say than “Woman’s Director”, etc. (Note: while the names of the new positions were not read out in full at the meeting, they are as follows: President, Director of Internal Affairs, Director of External Affairs, Director of Finance, Director of Student Affairs, Sustainability Representative, Aboriginal Representative, and Women’s Representative.) When questioned about the effects of the change upon NUGSS’ budget, it was revealed that savings would not be significant. Cunningham confirmed that NUGSS would see approximately $8500 in savings over one year from cutting three positions. The amount spent on honorariums, currently changes with every year so these future savings would also vary. When questioned by an audience member, Cunningham assured those in attendance that in the case of a split vote within the board (which would be eight members), “the Chairperson” would break the tie. A motion to adopt this new board structure was put forward to a vote. The vote was unanimous—none in attendance opposed. Next, the President brought forward ideas to save the Thirsty Moose. The first idea was a proposed $6.50 increase to NUGSS fees for students. This addition would raise NUGSS fees to $42.19 total per semester. Raychill Snider, AD Sustainability Rep, assured the audience that this new fee was not meant to be a crutch, but rather a way to give the Moose more time to reorganize and come up with a sustainable plan. It was then revealed that the Food and Beverage Manager has left the organization. A student in attendance asked for further explanation of the fee’s purpose beyond covering the Moose’s losses. The fee is meant to be permanent, Snider admitted. If the fee is approved, she said, it is meant to be more of a “contingency fund”. As discussions continued, it was made clear that this fee would only affect the Prince George Campus. When asked how we could be guaranteed fair management of these fees after the Moose was in the clear, Cunningham replied that NUGSS was looking into committing to having separate funds for
certain fees; for example any cushion from the Health and Dental Fund would be saved as such and could only be touched for Health and Dental related needs. This way, the board could directly avoid misuse of funds. This fee increase will be the subject of a referendum on March 20th and 21st. Cunningham also mentioned a possible, voluntary fee or cover charge for faculty members and other UNBC employees for use of the Thirsty Moose should this fee be instated in order to be more equitable. A second idea to rescue the Moose, if this referendum fails, is for NUGSS to look into renting out the Moose to an outside party. Otherwise, NUGSS might be forced to close it down entirely. “Not just anyone” would be selected to lease the Thirsty Moose, students were assured. The motion for an Oversight Board (OB) was then presented by Chris King. He introduced the idea of five elected members from the student body, with the purpose of supervising the NUGSS board. In extreme circumstances, this board could intervene on NUGSS board decisions or impeach a member. King spoke of eliminating the “awkward power dynamic” that currently exists within the NUGSS board, which at present is expected to police itself and its members internally. King stated the aim of an Oversight Board is to “create a culture of engagement” among the student body. The OB would meet once a month, for 1.5 to 3 hours per meeting as necessary. The single meeting a month, King claimed, would help to accommodate students who have heavy course loads and thus couldn’t attend multiple or weekly meetings. Snider then took the podium, assuring the crowd that the OB was not intended to govern or to prove that the current board was committing any malfeasance. Considering the financial problems accumulated from previous boards, Snider stated that she and others who were proposing the OB did not believe anyone currently on the board was capable of embezzlement, but “we need to acknowledge that it could happen.” The OB would be a second party who worked to ensure that oversights or simple mistakes,
perhaps not seen initially by the board itself, were not made. She further stated that OB members would not be volunteers—they would be paid for their time. She hoped the board would serve to improve transparency and student input, eliminate or at least lessen the concentrated power that is the NUGSS board at present, and increase the diversity of students involved with student politics. To conclude, she stated that the Oversight Board’s main goal was transparency. “We exist to serve students,” she said, and she hopes the board will allow NUGSS to do that more efficiently. David Schroeter, AD of Events, followed Snider to speak at the podium; unlike Snider, he was abjectly opposed to the idea of an OB. Schroeter reminded the audience that proposed OB boards had been rejected on four separate occasions at UNBC, and even in cases where a motion for an OB went through, such a board has failed before and there was no guarantee that it would not fail again. Despite the proponents’ claims that it would make the NUGSS board more accountable and transparent, Schroeter insisted, NUGSS already has events and public meetings in place to increase transparency, such as town halls, AGMs, and board meetings. Despite Snider and King’s assurances that it is not the OB’s intent, Schroeter persisted that the existence of an OB presumes guilt in the governing party, and NUGSS’ problems are not the result of a conspiracy. Schroeter added that an OB board would cost the school approximately $6000 annually simply to cover the attendance meetings—this wouldn’t include other expenses associated with running an Oversight Board. As well, there was no guarantee that all five positions on the proposed board would be filled, or indeed remain filled. He worried about the potential for the OB’s power to impeach any board member they did not approve of, thereby implying potential corruption or at least overly harsh judgement within an OB itself. Schroeter went on to question the ability of elected students with no experience with NUGSS analyzing specific NUGSS activities, in addition to their
NUGSS willingness to take the time to examine the stacks of necessary paperwork.
on NUGSS members to potentially fill their time requirements falsely in desperation.
A discussion period amongst the audience was then organized. When questioned how students, who were putting in the minimal time requirement of a single meeting a month, could fairly hold NUGSS accountable, King assured the audience that every OB member would be required to prove their understanding and input in written form, to be submitted each month. Ana Saenz, who was until recently a NUGSS board member, came to the mic and stated that the OB would cause a “weird power dynamic” as a result of 5 inexperienced members scrutinizing the work of NUGSS. It is “hard to quantify” a lot of the work, Saenz claimed, because “this is not like a regular job”. Alex Pinette, also a past NUGSS executive, later defended this statement, telling the room that it would often take him hours simply to answer emails, and sometimes he and other members would put in multiple hours of time with little to show for it in a physical, substantial sense. King assured Pinette that the OB would not be ruthless. Saenz went on to say that she was worried that too much time would be spent scrutinizing and questioning NUGSS members’ hours rather than working on other more important issues.
Speaking again, Saenz referred to a current board member who had been nearly impeached as a result of missing mandatory meetings as a result of working a second job outside of the school. She claimed the attempted impeachment was unfair because this member had outstanding work ethic and had accomplished a great deal during her time with NUGSS. In her opinion, sticking to bylaws could hurt board members.
Erik Searle, joining King at the podium to defend the OB during the question period, replied that, in fact, NUGSS is in a sense hired by the student body and is, therefore, already subject to such an “employeremployee relationship”. He continued that it was healthy for anyone, not just an OB, to question NUGSS actions because those of us being governed--in this case the students of UNBC--should be questioning every single act, not necessarily just because we disagree with a decision but so we remain aware of campus issues. We, the students, are supposed to question things like what NUGSS members are paid, he said. Searle then used an example, referencing recent arguments within the board, wherein a team member was confronted by another about work hours and cuts to their pay, and a fight ensued—an OB would prevent such conflict. Cunningham clarified that, as a Board member, the pay system is “all or none”, meaning that should a member not make the required hours, they would receive zero pay. As a response an audience member suggested that perhaps this bylaw itself be dropped, in order to create less pressure
Seth Jex then took the microphone. He began to speak about nine errors or problems he had found in the proposed bylaw as currently written, referencing the copy handed out at the meeting by OB presenters. Jex stated that there is no contingency plan for if the OB positions are not all filled. A second issue he cited was the impossibility of filling certain bylaws. For instance, missing meetings warranted a 14 day suspension; however, this suspension would result in a member missing more weekly meetings and thus being impeached. Searle freely admitted that this OB idea was new and would have mistakes, therefore he encouraged any input or criticism; the Oversight Board was meant to be a group effort. The OB monthly meetings, Searle went on, would be advertised to everyone at UNBC, and completely open to the student public. He also admitted to the “oversight board’s oversight” that there was, at present, no plan for what happened should the board not have a full five members simply because they had assumed a full membership should the motion for an OB pass. Jex motioned to table the motion of an Oversight Board to the next Annual General Meeting, which will be held in October 2017. He was defeated—56 people in the room opposed and only 30 voted in favour. Jex then requested that quorum be reconfirmed, because students had been leaving the NUSC space and the seats they had left empty were not being refilled. Malkinson performed a recount and confirmed that quorum still existed. So many people stood up to vote in favour of the Oversight Board that it was deemed easier to count those who opposed. In the end, only 31 students present voted against the motion; this was enough to defeat it, however, because 75% of the room had not voted in favour. And so, abruptly, the Extraordinary General Meeting ended.
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Post-EGM Interviews Sam Wall News Editor
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fter the EGM concluded, Over the Edge connected with Erik Searle, Chris King, Ana Saenz, and Seth Jex to get their opinions on the events of the Oversight Board debate. Searle said “I think it was really quite a positive debate. We had a lot more input from students on this issue than we’ve seen at any AGM on any issue for years. Obviously, we’re disappointed that it didn’t go through. I think students raised a lot of really good concerns and I hope that we can move forward to find a solution to this in the future that works for everybody.” King added “I was just really glad at how many people showed up and were willing to actually talk. Even at the last AGM that we had, where everybody was talking about financial problems, we didn’t have this many people discussing that and that was a huge deal. So the fact that enough people cared about this to have an hour and a half debate was really encouraging. Really, what we’re trying to do here is build student engagement. I think even though our motion didn’t pass we still accomplished that.” When asked about the possibility of bringing the motion to the next AGM, Searle and King indicated they needed time to weigh their options. At the same time, they acknowledged some of the issues brought up about their motion, and indicated they would be open to amending it. Ana Saenz expressed her concern about the motion: “I think it was a very productive discussion, but I was personally saddened
that NUGSS has come to this, that we see such division when we could be talking about more productive things. Moving forward, the reason why I’m so opposed to this is because I don’t want to just push this Board and expect them to fix everything. There’s many structural problems at NUGSS, there’s many things that need to be addressed. More engagement and more participation is very necessary, but there’s other ways of doing it that don’t require this vertical model that is just going to be more damaging.” Seth Jex was optimistic, saying “I think it [the Oversight Board debate] shows a lot of student engagement and interest in having an oversight committee that holds NUGSS responsible and keeps open transparency and I’m 100% in support of that. If you listen to a lot of my arguments that happened during the discussion of this motion, they were targeted around the particular writing of this policy. There were a lot of gaps and legal obligations that were left amiss in the current writing of the bylaw. I think it needs revision, I think it needs to acknowledge those sorts of gaps that it leaves, and then it possibly will be a viable bylaw coming in the next AGM.” Jex also stated he is open to working with Searle and King “to present something that is more moderate and that has better written policy and better safeguards.” Though the deliberations went for over an hour, and the motion was ultimately overturned, the concept of the Oversight Board was a contentious one for students.
Tierney Watkinson | OTE
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NUGSS Election
Internal Affairs Representative Keaton Freel
I
grew up in Toronto and left as soon as I could. UNBC has been my home since 2013. After two years in environmental engineering, I switched into forestry, which I am very stoked on. I am currently in my fourth year of a six-year undergraduate degree. My primary habitat consists of the school, the forest, the gym and the Legion. I have been called a hippie, a nerd, a hard worker and an optimist. I am here to make things better for your Student-Led Organization! Throughout my time at UNBC, I have been deeply involved in Student-Led Organizations (SLOs). I was president of Students for a Green University (SGU) for three years, during which time the club has been highly active and successful. I have also participated in EESA, the Outdoors Club, the Debate Club and the Forestry Club. This year I have also been working as the Local Foods Coordinator for PGPIRG. This involvement has defined my experience at UNBC, and is why I love this school. It
Seth Jex
was through SLOs and other involvement that I found a sense of community, and felt like I could make a difference. Having been involved in many SLOs, I have become aware of the great work that different SLOs are doing, many times in relative isolation of each other. If elected Director of Internal Affairs, I would work to liaise between SLOs so they are aware of opportunities to work with and share resources with other SLOs with similar interests. I will also work to improve communication with SLOs and make useful information available on strategies for teambuilding, event planning and more. My aim as Director of Internal Affairs is to serve SLOs using my experience as a leader and by making myself an accessible resource for you.
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ear Fellow Students,
My name is Seth Jex. I am a fourth year chemistry major with a minor in political science and I am hoping for your support. Since my first year I have been involved with clubs striving to make the student experience at UNBC the best it can be. As a first year student I was selected to be the NUGSS representative on the UNBC Lab Safety Committee, volunteered as part of the Political Science Student Association (PSSA) helping to organize various events as well as attending CPSSA national conference. In second year I was elected co-president of the PSSA, was hired as a Residence Assistant, working on residence as a peer counselor, programmed events and partnered with other UNBC Departments to get things done for students. Come third year, I joined the RA team again, was appointed Chairman of Over the Edge Newspaper, and spent the summer travelling Australia. This past year I have remained involved in the Political
Science Student Association, earned a promotion to Senior RA, continued to sit on the Lab Safety Committee and have become passionate about making meaningful change as part of the NUGSS Executive. As a Senior RA I have had the opportunity to meet and work with many students, listening to their concerns and helping solve problems important to them. Since arriving at UNBC I have attended every NUGSS AGM, voted in every election, and have studied our NUGSS Bylaws and Policy Handbook. I am committed to getting the job done right by working collaboratively with everyone, especially the students I am elected to serve. I believe my extensive experience with different SLOs and the University’s Residence Life Team make me the best candidate to achieve results for you, as NUGSS Director of Internal Affairs. Now more than ever NUGSS needs experienced, teamwork driven leaders who are committed to transparency and consultation. I hope I can count on your support March 20th and 21st. Thank you!
NUGSS Election
C
hris King was raised in Burns Lake BC, but don’t hold that against him. Back when he graduated high school in 2010 he came straight from his hometown to UNBC to squander two years of education and realize that there was some serious growing up to be done before he would be ready to complete his degree. Fast forward four years and one Carpentry apprenticeship and he’s back to complete his Bachelors of Commerce with a new appreciation for his education. Spending a few years out in the working world has given Chris a perspective that will be very useful in understanding and dealing with the current problems that face the student society. Of particular relevance is his work with his family’s building supply store. Over the past five years it has undergone a complete rebranding and expansion, doubling the size of the business, allowing it to prosper and continue to serve its community, even with the closure of the local mine. Chris was an important part of this process and has continued to build on these lessons by coming back to UNBC to study business. This year he has set his sights on reforming NUGSS to make sure that it prospers and
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Finance
Student Affairs
Chris King
Janelle O’Meara
continues to serve its community for years to come. Through his experience sitting on the Board Structure Investigation Committee, helping manage his family’s business, and campaigning for the creation of an Oversight Board, Chris has gained experience and a particular skill set which will be his strongest asset in his run for election as Director of Finances.
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rowing up in northern British Columbia, Janelle O’Meara always knew her path would lead her towards UNBC. She first entered the doors of UNBC for a science fair; coming from Burns Lake, the university with all its classrooms and lecture halls seemed huge. After spending three years at UNBC, it is now clear to her that the UNBC community is incredibly supportive and does not seem so big after all. Janelle is in her third year at UNBC with a joint major in Global and International Studies and Political Science with a minor in General Business. A year long exchange in Belgium inspired Janelle to follow this degree path and she hopes to work internationally in the future. During the past two years, she has worked at the Thirsty Moose Pub and is now looking to transition into a position with the NUGSS Board of Directors as a way to increase her involvement in the UNBC student community. What Janelle loves the most about UNBC is the strong community between students and professors that is fostered by small class sizes, as well the fact that we have Forests for the World right in our backyard. In the past, she has held leadership roles with various Rotary International organizations,
such as Interact Clubs and Rotex Clubs. Last year, she was the Northern Events Coordinator for the District 5040 Rotex Club and worked to organize events and social nights for Rotary exchange students across northern B.C. Her strong work ethic and commitment to the betterment of the undergraduate study body have led her to run for this position on the NUGSS Board. As Director of Student Affairs, Janelle aims to increase engagement among students for NUGSS events, as well as working to build a productive and cohesive NUGSS Board. With a strong background in social media and marketing, she plans on making the NUGSS website and social media platforms more accessible and open to students. If elected, Janelle would like increase the visibility and knowledge of the services that NUGSS offers and would like to have all students feel that they are involved in the society, whether it be by attending board meetings or reading monthly Director’s reports to see what their elected representatives are working on. Janelle is committed to putting the leadership and skills she has learned both in and out of the classroom to use as your Director of Student Affairs.
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NUGSS Election
NUGSS President David Schroeter
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y name is David Schroeter, I am a 3rd year political science and business student and I am committed to working to be your new NUGSS President. In my first 2 years at UNBC I spent the majority of my time involved in the campus community through clubs and events. In my 3rd year I joined NUGSS as the Associate Director of Events and saw an entirely new side of UNBC. Over the past year through my involvement in NUGSS as a Director I have become more involved in the UNBC and Prince George community than ever before. As an individual born and raised in Prince George I have spent my entire life involved and devoted to our community. During high school I was an active volunteer at a wide variety of community events both planned, and executed by myself, and others. For eight years I have been involved as both a paid and volunteer coach for the Prince George Track and Field Club. This year I have assisted in both the planning and execution of the majority of annual and individual NUGSS events. Over the previous year I have developed a working knowledge of NUGSS’ finances, commercial services, and debt situation. My understanding of our current financial situation will assure a quick and successful transition period assuring no steps are missed. In my spare time I have volunteered to create a program for young LGBTQ+ men to learn, gain access to services, and build a better community. My community involvement led to a love of not just Prince George, but Northern British Columbia as a whole.
Erik Searle
One of the most important questions I asked myself, and that any individual should ask themselves when deciding to run for president, is, “Why do I want to be NUGSS’ president?” The answer I came to was “I want to help student have the best possible experience at university, by promoting academics, social wellbeing, and affordability”. Being NUGSS’ President would allow me to return the generosity and leadership our community has shown me my entire life. I am ready to return this gift. If Elected I promise to faithfully represent all UNBC undergraduate students according to four guiding principles: 1. Financial Responsibility 2.Accountability 3. Collaboration 4. Strengthening our Community. Areas I will advocate for improvement at UNBC include: 1. Holding Chartwells Accountable 2. Supporting Mental Health Services on Campus 3. Bridging the Gap between our Student and our city 4. Diversifying NUGSS’ revenue streams. If you have any questions I ask you to not hesitate to reach out and contact me in person, or over E-mail at schroet@ unbc.ca. Follow me on Facebook for chances to get involved, event details, the campaign, and an in-depth explanation of my goals for our society. Thank you!
E
rik Searle is a second-year Computer Science & Physics Student, but more importantly, he’s an incredibly dedicated leader at UNBC. In the past year alone Erik has served as an undergraduate representative on the Senate, as well as four Senate committees. He’s been the Vice President of both Students for a Green University, and The UNBC Computer Science Club. He’s worked as an SI leader and a peer tutor with the Academic Success Centre and in MACE, and he volunteered as a cohort leader, and led an academic info session during Orientation 2016. Now, as a candidate for President of NUGSS, Erik hopes to be able to use the relationships he has developed with administrators and faculty during his time on senate, and the leadership skills he’s gained throughout his work on campus to be a strong advocate for students in all areas of university life. Erik firmly believes that NUGSS can do a much better job of listening to the concerns of students, advocating on their behalf, and most importantly communicating that information back to students. If elected president, Erik will work to ensure that NUGSS no longer works behind a closed door. Students will no longer feel like they are simply governed by NUGSS, but that NUGSS is truly working for them.
NUGSS Election
Sustainability Representative
Board Of Governors Wendel Schwab (Graduate Rep)
Raychill Snider
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aychill is a 4th year Environmental Studies Major originally hailing from Ottawa, Ontario. Raychill chose to attend UNBC because of its mantra of being Canada’s Green University. Over her years spent here in Prince George, she has immersed herself into the green community that UNBC offers, having spent time as co-president of the club Students for a Green University, manager of the SGU Dome Greenhouse, the Green Resident Assistant, and the Sustainability Representative on the NUGSS board for the past school year. She loves supporting the local and unique amenities that UNBC offers, and she can often be seen hanging out at the Farmers’ Market, picking up a good food box, or enjoying a nice cold sleeve of Canterbury (or two) at The Thirsty Moose Pub. Raychill did spent the past year on the NUGSS board, and during that time she spearheaded a number of new initiatives to benefit students on campus. One of her major accomplishments was the introduction of UFM Bucks, allowing students to use their meal cards at the Farmers’ Market. Her other work consisted of helping develop the NUGSS Foodbank to address food security on campus, and running the “Green Campus Crash Course” to show what it means be a part of Canada’s Green University. Over the year, Raychill also
worked to ensure that the highest yield of produce from the SGU Dome Greenhouse was served at the Thirsty Moose Pub to date, a project that she has been working on since her very first semester at UNBC. In the latter half of the year, she spent much of her time working on general NUGSS initiatives aimed at solving some of the financial struggles that NUGSS faces moving forward, such as sitting on the Board Structure Investigation Committee. Overall, she has proven to take her role seriously, and has been a very vocal member of the current board, constantly voicing concerns and trying to look inwards at NUGSS considering things from the student perspective. Environmental sustainability is a huge interest for Raychill, and a notion that influences her daily choices and habits. From her past experiences at UNBC and strong relationships with various members and groups at the university, she is able to offer a comprehensive perspective to the Sustainability role on the NUGSS board. She is constantly advocating on behalf of students’ interests, and actively tries to engage with them to figure out how to best work for and represent them, continuously aware that the position she is seeking is made possible and paid for by the students that make up UNBC.
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M
y name is Wendel Schwab, I am completing my second semester of study as a graduate student in the English department here at UNBC, I am also a TA instructor for English 170, and I am running to be your Graduate Student Representative on the UNBC Board of Governors. I am from Prince George, and I attended UNBC for my undergrad. I have extensive experience in university governance: I have previously sat on the Senate and the, and I am currently the Vice-President of the NBCGSS. I contribute to the UNBC community: I currently sit on the Academic Planning Committee and Provost’s Committee on Pedagogical Practices, I am the Vice-Chair of the Board of Directors for OTE, and I am the Secretary of the English Student Society. My platform is communication—I want to improve communication at UNBC, representation—I will represent you and your views, experiences, and concerns to the Board of Governors, and accountability—I will hold the Administration of UNBC accountable.
For my full platform, see my Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/wendel4senate/ Twitter: @WendelSchwab Email: schwabw@unbc.ca
10
NUGSS Election
Board Of Governors (cont’d) Eric Depenau (Graduate Rep)
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y name is Eric Depenau and I am an experienced voice for you in this election. (March 16th / 17th – Electronic ballots will be sent to all graduate students). As a graduate student working towards a Masters in Interdisciplinary Studies, I am interested in serving as your graduate BOG representative, a role I am well suited for, having been an elected member of this board in the past. I have had the pleasure of serving on the UNBC BOG as well as the CNC BOG. Both were great opportunities to provide input on important topics including the institutions budgets, high profile appointments, arbitrations, and the strategic vision of our community’s higher education bodies. Moving forward I want to, once again, be engaged as your representative to advance sustainability issues, ensure regional campuses are considered in decision making, and to help build on the vision that
Arctica Cunningham (Undergraduate Rep)
has made UNBC #1 two years in a row. In short, I will bring a breadth of experience to this position, experience that I have acquired through my time serving on the UNBC and CNC Board of Governors, CNC’s Education Council, as a past Chair of the Canadian Federation of Students Local #13, and as Vice President Finance of the Northern Undergraduate Students Society. In these elected positions as well as in my career as a civil servant, I have had the opportunity to network in our campus community and with local, provincial, and federal organizations that share similar structures, budgets, and values with UNBC. I want to use this background to make sure that we as students don’t miss any opportunities. I ask you again to lend me your support and give me the opportunity to work as your Board of Governors representative for the coming year. Thank you!
M
y name is Arctica Cunningham and I am entering my fifth (and final!) year of my undergraduate degree. I will be graduating with a joint major in Environmental Studies and Political Science, and a minor in International Studies. Throughout my time at UNBC, I have had many wonderful experiences both inside and outside the classroom. Serving on the NUGSS Board of Directors for the past two years (Academic Rep 2015/16, President 2016/17) has taught me a lot about how to influence change at UNBC and given me great connections to students, faculty, staff and administration. While I greatly enjoyed my time as NUGSS President this year, I realized that many of the changes I was advocating for needed the approval of the Board of Governors. Most of the members of the Board of Governors are members of upper administration at UNBC, or Order In Council appointments from the Provincial Government. It is very important to have strong voices on the Board that can speak directly to the student
experience at UNBC, and make sure the other members of the Board fully understand the implications their decisions will have to the student experience. For example, there are many programs at UNBC that are extremely short on faculty members, reducing the number of courses being offered, and thus delaying graduation for too many UNBC students. Last year, the Deans identified over a dozen ‘critical hires’ for their programs, with many more positions that were also requested to be filled; however, the Board of Governors only budgeted for half the critical faculty placements to be hired. Next year, I hope to change that conversation, and ensure all programs have an adequate amount of faculty to meet the needs of their students and department. I am extremely passionate about UNBC, and I hope to be able to continue representing undergraduate students as a member of the Board of Governors. Thank you!
Student Life
11
“My Friends Are All Dead”: Dealing With Roommates When Your Friends Graduate Veronica Dumont Guest Contributor
A
s April draws near, the reality of change begins to set in. In a way, this is an ode to my roommates, who have been two of the best things that have happened during my university experience. I wasn’t always so lucky, however. Between having a passiveaggressive roommate who would ever-soslightly shift my belongings from their proper place (my shampoo doesn’t usually reside on the bathroom floor!?) and other roommates who would love to indulge in my chocolate raisins (it’s okay, we all have those days), co-habitation was seen as a gamble, at best. Lo and behold, two human beings stepped into my life who would redefine what it meant to have a roommate: not only
people to live with, but people to shape the university years that include some of our highest-highs and our lowest-lows. For the first years trying to get through the last month or months of the school year with their roommates, here is what the last four years have taught me: When in doubt, ask. Maybe your roommate thought they were eating their own food when you came in to see them munching on your Doritos. Maybe they were perfectly aware of their actions. However, before jumping to conclusions it’s always nice to make space for a conversation.
Err on the side of caution: While one of my roommates and I enticed my (more shy) roommate into a water/peanut butter fight my first year, it wasn’t until days later that I realized she might not have been as keen as I would have hoped she was. While lots of people come out of their shells, others are perfectly happy to stay Franklin-like in their tortoise shells. Be inclusive: Sure, you might think that your roommate may not want to go to Booster Juice with you (I think she’s allergic to strawberries!?), but asking nonetheless fosters a sense of inclusiveness that could brighten your roommates day.
Be open and honest: If something isn’t working, it’ll save you time and energy if you bring up interpersonal issues right away. Being verbal opens up the floor for discussion, and thus growth. School is stressful enough without having to deal without the trials and tribulations that roommates can pose. With a little bit of conservation, and a lot of latenight bonding, roommates can prove to be an irreplaceable part of the university experience. However, if this doesn’t work out, you can always get a cat.
Grant’s Rant: Everyone’s Yelling And No One Is Thinking Grant Bachand Contributor
M
-103 has been the bane of my life. The recent rally at city hall was a perfect example of how the conversation has become completely unhinged and toxic. On one side, there’s grumpy old white people who want to retain their freedom of speech, AKA “I want to be able to insult Islam, and nobody else can say anything.” On the other side is the proponents for the motion, who willfully look past some of the motions major failings in the name of unrelenting tolerance and open-heartedness. Both sides are exhausting to listen too for different reasons, and both sides have decent arguments. Let me start off with the old angry white people. I have never tired of the boomer generation’s constant barrage of complaints about the rapidly changing society and how in some way or another they are
negatively impacted. The complaint by these groups is that somehow by allowing M-103 to go through, Canada will be overtaken by Sharia Law is an absolute garbage argument. That line of thinking is bigotry with a lovely coating of fear mongering. There is no reality to it and is completely ill informed. The point that Islam is above criticism is a silly argument too; we freely critique other religions, and Islam does not get a pass on that. The individuals who are on side with the bill, however, do have a strong case. Some critics of Islam say they are against the motion because of freedom of speech but in reality, they just really don’t like that Mohammad living down the street is different from them. The motion looks to push back on that bigotry, and we have to start somewhere,
therefore, putting forward a motion to study this problem is a good starting point. Governments are too often looked to for leadership in the area of social change because it is easy to make them do it instead of individuals in their lives. Whenever the state gets involved in anything, it is never a minor or subtle approach; it is far-reaching and possibly invasive. Therefore something as important as ending bigotry should not be left to something as clumsy as government. It should be lead by individuals. Instead of asking the government to deal with racism, how about individuals do it instead? If you are at a family dinner and your parent says something that could be construed as racist, stand up and say something. If you read a piece of fake news lambasting Muslims, support real journalists who fight back
against fake news. If you feel the public is becoming less informed, do something about it; become a writer, a teacher, an artist, an activist, or someone with a big ass microphone. Don’t look to the state to fix the ills of society because they aren’t known for doing the best job with those things. This motion put forward by the Liberals is quintessentially liberal. It has a great heart at its center but is fundamentally and logistically short sighted. The government should help fix the social ills of our society, however, we shouldn’t sit back and assume government will fix everything. It is better if we take an active role in the betterment of society on an individual level than at a state level.
12
Culture
UNBC Musical Productions: Meet The Executive Tierney Watkinson Team Member
Tierney Watkinson | OTE
A
s the performance dates for our main musical of the year loom closer, the Musical Productions Club on campus is working to make this show all that it possibly can be. This is my fifth year with the club and every year, as we get into the final rehearsals before the show, tensions always become higher and the pressure is certainly felt by the club’s members as homework accumulates, the last few props need collecting, and the final details in dance numbers are ironed out. However, we always get it done. Sometimes sets go up during the final, precious, panicked hours before the first show, but they go up. And, when the time comes and we are gathered as a group backstage, waiting for the lights to dim and the crowd to go quiet in anticipation of the first few bars of music signalling the start of the show, it is impossible to deny feeling as though we are a part of something amazing. Meeting every Sunday afternoon since September has paid off. We are a team. We will all have a moment on stage. There will be applause. In anticipation of our upcoming presentation of The New Mel Brooks Musical: Young Frankenstein, I would like to introduce you to the club’s official executive members. They are all extremely busy with final preparations for Young Frankenstein, so I opted to send them a questionnaire to fill out in their own time. Coffee dates are impossible these
days and we need all of the time available to us on Sundays to simply rehearse scenes. On top of our weekend rehearsals, we have had weeknight practices nearly every evening for the past three weeks to get the dances and musical numbers just right. First, our head gal: Veronica Church. Veronica is Co-President with Jasmine Eadie this year. She is a jack-of-all-trades where the club is concerned--besides being CoPresident, she is Co-Director, Producer, and Choreographer. On top of her executive duties, she is a chorus member in Young Frankenstein--where she performs her own tap solo--and will star as Draco Malfoy in A Very Potter Sequel (AVPS) in April. Taking on so many responsibilities may seem arduous, but “we always need more warm bodies in the chorus,” she says. This is her first year as a President, but Veronica has been a member of UNBC Musical Productions for four years. When I asked if she had previous theatre experience to UNBC’s club, Veronica wrote to me: “I was in kid productions of musicals with a theatre school in Vancouver. They cut out a lot of stuff but I loved it. I’d research the musical, try to get my hands on a copy... and just live and breath that character for a few months and move on to the next one.” Within the UNBC club, Veronica cites her favourite role as being Draco Malfoy in A Very Potter Musical (AVPM) last year. She has also played a Swamp Monster in The
Nightmare Before Christmas, Christmas Eve in Avenue Q, and a Groom Ancestor in The Addams Family: A New Comedy Musical with the club. “I would love to play Marquis de Lafayette/Thomas Jefferson from Hamilton,” Veronica notes; “the tempo of his songs are outrageous! 6.3 words per second at his fastest!” Her favourite musical is surprisingly not Hamilton, but Legally Blonde. “Elle Woods for #POTUS.” Although many people, both club members and previous audience members, have expressed their wishes for the club to perform a Disney musical, Veronica laments that the rights to Disney productions are simply too expensive: “The rights alone are more than double what we paid for this year’s musical and let’s not even start on costumes and sets,” she says. As well, although we performed Addams Family at the PG Playhouse last year, it “cost about the same as the rights for a Disney Musical,” and our current stage, the cramped Canfor Theatre, could not support the scope of a Disney musical and simply “wouldn’t do it justice, it’s just too small.” Despite these limitations, Veronica says, “we’re constantly on the lookout for funny, new musicals for our university crowd”. As a current Undergraduate English/History student at UNBC, Veronica plans to return to the club next year. Although “homework more often than not has slipped to the wayside” as a result of fast-approaching show dates, she has few regrets. “The friends you make
when you’re building sets until 3am or who meet up with you after rehearsal to work on dance steps are the friends that I know will always be in my corner. You can’t get that from a textbook.” When she has graduated and no longer with the club, Veronica plans to stay involved with theatre. “The theatre bug is like a drug, and I’m never quitting (no matter how often I throw my hands up in exasperation).” Her most memorable moment with the club, as of yet, was taking Avenue Q on the road to Quesnel two years ago. Above all, Veronica says, “Communication and teamwork are paramount, without them this show would never have gotten off the ground. Everyday I’m thankful for the solid team that I’m working with and that we’re all in this together.” Next up is Jasmine Eadie, Co-President as well as Co-Choreographer this year. She is well into her second year with the club and will be playing Inga, “Dr Frankenstein’s bubbly Transylvanian lab assistant” in our main production. Last year, she starred in both showings of AVPM as Pansy Parkinson and Cho Chang alternatively and was the First Nations Ancestor in Addams Family. Before joining the club, Jasmine’s theatre experience came from Drama class in high school. “In grade 9 we performed a series of short plays but in grade 12 I was in the production The Somewhat True Tale of Robin Hood as a merry man. And in my later
Student Life teens I did some beginner dance classes, but overall I was pretty new to all of this.” Having just finished her Bachelor of Science in Wildlife and Fisheries she isn’t sure of what her future holds, but she hopes to stick with the club next year if possible. Whether she is able to continue with the club or not, Jasmine intends to stick with theatre. “Theatre has always been a dream of mine that I have never been confident enough to try. I think I would like to continue doing theatre and maybe do some singing and dancing lessons to try and improve.” Like Veronica, Jasmine claims her favourite musical as Legally Blonde, saying “it’s what introduced me to musical theatre and holds a special place in my heart.” Her dream role would be Elle Woods but, she admits, “really any role in that show would be fine by me.” As for what shows she would like to see performed by the club in the future, Jasmine says the possibilities are endless and choosing is nearly impossible. Future performances aside she, too, has felt the pressures of the club, which is surprisingly time-intensive. “I drink lots of tea to try and preserve some sanity,” she says. Regardless, Jasmine values what she has learned through the club. She will always remember “how much we came together as a family, and how we all relied on each other to survive through the whole process and the more stressful times.” She continues, “Theatre is an experience that really brings you close to people, and provides you with many inside jokes. It was a dream to experience what being in a production in the Playhouse felt like.” Besides becoming familiar with the ins and outs of putting a show together, Jasmine writes, “I’ve learned so much.” Most importantly, “the people in this club have helped me learn my value and how to be there for each other as a family.” Lluvia Lopez, another of the club’s family members, is this year’s official Treasurer. You will see her starring in the chorus alongside Veronica in addition to playing Iggy, the village idiot, in our Young Frankenstein production and the Trolley Lady in AVPS this spring. Lluvia joined the club the same year as Jasmine. She says she plans to limit her involvement next year, but usually finds herself drawn back in by “the wonderful community.” Lluvia had no experience in theatre before joining the club, but she made a name for herself starring as Severus Snape in last years’ rendition of AVPM and as the weepy
Deceased Bride Ancestor in Addams Family. When asked about her dream role, she says “Rafiki would definitely by my dream role from my favourite musical The Lion King; but who doesn’t fantasize about being the main in every musical?” In regards to the future of the club, Lluvia mentions “I would really like to host a gender swapped revamp of Dr. Horrible’s Sing-Along Blog as a fundraiser for next year,” and lists Sweeney Todd and RENT as musicals she believes would be fun to perform. She dreams of one day being able to present shows like The Lion King and Hamilton. Currently, Lluvia says, she is “in the Environmental Studies program, with a focus in Natural Resource Management” at UNBC. She admits, in agreement with the other executive members, that “there are times when it does get difficult to juggle school, work, the musical, solo time and maintain a decent social life.” Even so, she continues, “performing in front of an audience and challenging your fears, like my stage fright, is so empowering. It makes it all worth it in the end.” If she can, she will remain involved with theatre after her university days are complete. In answer to my question about her favourite memories with the club, Lluvia writes, “The memories I have at the MP Club are infinite and it may interest you to know that I am smiling as I type this.” Being a part of UNBC Musical Productions has taught her, among other things, that “it takes a lot of patience and understanding when working with diverse individuals that have differing backgrounds when it comes to musical theatre. Also, musical theatre kids are almost always late. Almost always.” Finally, Neil Brooks, who recently completed his Bachelor’s Degree in Environmental Science, is this year’s Co-Director. He will also star as Bob the Astrologer and Mr. Hilltop in Young Frankenstein. Back in autumn, he starred yet again as Lord Voldemort in AVPM and will appear in the upcoming AVPS as well, this time as the even scarier villainous character Professor Umbridge. He has been with UNBC Musical Productions for six years but because he is now a school Alumni, rather than a student, Neil is not sure if he will be back next year. For now, he would like to see the club succeed from production to production; whatever his involvement, he wants the club to continue. Before joining the club, Neil was in the same boat as Lluvia--he had no experience in theatre, and remembers
the first show, Dr. Horrible’s Sing-Along Blog, as being “just a group of friends that wanted to put on a musical and have fun.” In that first show, Neil played the part of Moist. He has since starred as a Dancing Demon and chorus member in Buffy The Vampire Slayer: Once More With Feeling, Dr. Finkelstein in The Nightmare Before Christmas, Mrs. Thistletwat as well as a singing box and chorus member in Avenue Q, and Grandma Addams in Addams Family. “My dream role would be Scar from Lion King,” Neil admits. In regards to the time demands of the club, Neil says “the musical is my free time, my time with friends, and my break time. Even though it is a lot of work, it is also a lot of fun.” Potentially, he will stay involved with theatre in the future. From being a part of the club, Neil says, he has learned how to deal with the challenges and stress involved with producing and acting in a musical. His favourite things about the group, he writes, are “Making memories, conquering fears, acquiring skills, learning leadership, implementing plans, and creating a community of friends that in time become family.” As much as I would love to, I cannot possibly interview everyone involved in the group and cram them into this single piece. We have well over twenty cast members combined, this year, who play parts as actors, stage hands, piano players, lighting coordinators, etc. in some or all of our shows. Each member is integral to the life of the club and indeed to the presentation of the shows. A lot of what happens on stage would be impossible without the actors drawing from their own personalities to breathe life and, inevitably, hilarity into their characters through physical comedy and ad-libbing between their lines. They make the characters their own. The show itself would be impossible without a band or volunteers to run the
sound systems, without lighting techs, without musical and dance direction. We share inside jokes, near-tears (and sometimes in-tears) moments, late-night set building, frustrations, friendships. And, of course, that magical moment backstage before before the first act begins, when a hush falls and we are waiting, breathless; when we forget our stagefright and we realize that everything we have worked for has come together into this moment. The show dates for Young Frankenstein are March 16-18 and 23-25, with 7pm shows each of these days and an extra matinee on both Saturdays. Doors open at 6:30pm for the evening shows, and 12:30pm for the matinees. All shows will be presented in the Canfor Theatre at UNBC (room 6-213, just inside the main doors of the bus loop and next to Degrees Coffee). Tickets are on sale now in the Winter Garden on campus, and a select number of tickets will soon be available downtown at Books and Co. Tickets are 10$ for students (CNC included) and 15$ for the general public. Be sure to follow UNBC Musical Productions on Facebook for updates. If you invite 100 people to the group’s Young Frankenstein event on Facebook, be sure to take a screenshot, send it via private message to Veronica, and be entered in a draw to win two free tickets to any night of your choice! Don’t forget: A Very Potter Sequel is set for April 7th in the Canfor. Tickets will be sold at the door. It is a onenight only show, so save the date! As a final note, before we present our show to you: Thank you to all of our audience members throughout the years. Without your support, we would not be able to continue doing what we do.
Tierney Watkinson | OTE
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14
Culture
Humanity, A Lost Quality Emmanuel Drame Contributor
I
am an inherent word for creatures I thought knew and valued me….
I have lost my place; my name resonates only with chaos and conflict….
I am a quality shared by all humans given my derivative as a word and definition, but my Derivatives have forgotten all about me…
I lost my place because humans placed irrelevant issues above me.…
I am dead and buried in the heap of competition for dominance… it baffles me as to why
I unite differences across every spectrum of life; they are products of mine…Race,
humans strive to dominate themselves, losing me in the process….
Religion, Philosophy, Ideology, Culture, Ethnicity, Nationality, Geography and so on….
Humans greatest achievement thus far is how far beyond their sense of humanity they have Progressed…….
When people speak of me today, I bow in shame because I have become a cry for help…the last instead of the first resort to action…. People try to appease their sense of ‘humanity’ through philanthropy… I have become a bargaining chip for self-aggrandizement…. No one can feel human without me…I admit I thought wrong there for a second…some people feel more human than others….I guess that was where I lost my place…
My loss as a quality is a carefully knitted fabric of cavalierity that has been perfectly woven into how humans view their own plight… Nature is a victim of my loss; preservation and conservation have been limited to here and now….I am most appalled by the bureaucracy for their own existence… In discussions about me, I am on the periphery instead of being the focus…. How we got here is simple….. Humanity lost its Quality!
chobirdokan.com
Culture
15
So Long For Now: Extreme Spring Cleaning: Remembering Stuart McLean
Dorm Edition
Colin Slark Editor in Chief
I
pride myself on not being taken in by Canadiana. I get very tired of trite songs, CBC TV shows, trinkets, and books that distill the Canadian experience into a concentrated blend of hockey, maple leaves, and beavers; like we lack any sort of further complexity other than the stereotypes we complain that other countries foist upon us. As an example, the works of Stompin’ Tom Connors are anathema to me. Yes, The Hockey Song is fun to sing along with, but it merely describes the events of a hockey game, it makes no attempt to explain why we love hockey or what its significance to our country is. Perhaps then, it is confusing why I enjoyed the stories of Stuart McLean. Stuart McLean, the recently deceased host of the long-running CBC Radio program The Vinyl Cafe, was one of our country’s most prolific manufacturers of Canadiana. For years McLean told Canada about a corner of Toronto where Dave and Morley lived, along with their kids, neighbours, and extended families. A lot of stories appear to at a surface glance check a lot of boxes on the standard Canadian story checklist. There are stories about hockey, ice skating, quirky small towns, multiculturalism, and the difference between English and French Canadians among others. While the concepts are familiar, perhaps even stock, McLean managed to inject a serious dose of personality and thought into his stories. For example, the first time we meet Kenny Wong, owner of Wong’s Scottish Meat Pies, the purpose of the character is to serve as a joke based on the incongruity of his name with the product he serves. However, a later story about Kenny’s childhood illustrated the problems faced by his family being an immigrant family trying to run a small business in the face of racist treatment from members of his community. One story featuring Dave and Morley’s son Sam trying to get into youth hockey has some silly jokes about his mother needing to purchase a jock cup for her son, but also features talk of the expensive nature of the equipment and the fairly high barrier for entry for our country’s most popular game. Unlike a lot of stories about an idyllic Canada,
there were a lot of characters of more varied backgrounds than white Anglo-Saxon Protestant. McLean didn’t present Canada as an unrealistic melting pot - people of foreign origin or identity were an accepted part of the society, but they didn’t give up their identity in service of joining a larger whole. I will admit that there is a significant chance that I am blinded by nostalgia when it comes to Stuart McLean’s works. I saw the Vinyl Cafe perform several times in Prince George, including his last performance here in 2015. One time when I saw him as a child I was lucky enough to for him to choose me as a helper during the segment of his live show where he gave out merchandise to audience members. I trudged onstage wearing my winter boots and was given a t-shirt. I was told that if I could take a gift out to a member of the audience at the back of Vanier Hall and get back before the violinist on stage stopped performing, I would be able to choose another item of merchandise. It did not occur to me at the time that it was unlikely that he would humiliate a child in front of an audience of hundreds, so I ran my heart out in heavy boots. I ran so hard that I nearly wiped out into the front of the stage on my way back, inciting gasps from the audience. It just so happened that I arrived right before the violinist stopped playing, and I won the prize. Vinyl Cafe stories were a constant companion for me and my family. We made frequent trips down to Vancouver to visit family, and we would listen to a cassette or a CD when we hit a section with no radio coverage. When I went on a high school exchange to Germany, I would listen to the stories and it would help to temporarily alleviate my homesickness. It felt like I was able to take a piece of home with me. Now that Stuart McLean has passed away, the world feels a little less warm, but I am comforted knowing that he’s never too far away. McLean always signed off by saying “So long for now,” which felt like a promise that we’d meet again, and we will, whenever I listen to a Dave and Morley story.
Jade Szymanski Contributor
S
pring is fast approaching; as the days get longer and the temperature gets warmer, university students everywhere are filled with anticipation of the four-month long break from school that they will get to work, sleep, and soak up the sun instead of study, drink nothing but coffee, and freeze their butts off while getting to class. With spring comes the notion that we are renewed and brighter days are ahead of us. This is why spring cleaning is so popular- an organized and clean living environment helps translate to how we function in day-to-day life, which should feel exciting and fresh when spring finally rolls around. It is the beginning of a promising summer, and your dorm should reflect that positivity. After all, a cluttered space leaves a cluttered mind, and we all need to be on our A game with finals season looming near. While those of us living in small dorms are not graced with the luxury of being able to rearrange furniture and redecorate, even the simplest additions or spruce ups can make a change of difference. Adding new posters to the wall or changing the orientation of your bed can add a new vibe to your room and the creative element can make cleaning seem more exciting (not to mention all the calories to be burnt while moving those heavy objects). Common spaces such as kitchens, bathrooms, and living rooms could also benefit from simple decorating adjustments such as putting the kitchen table to the other side of the room, painting on the windows, adding scent diffusers to the room, and decorating your fridge with all of those C+ assignments of yours to remind you of your successes because nonetheless, C’s get degrees. As it’s certain that you haven’t had a deep clean of your living space since the beginning of the school year in September, a fresh wash of your sheets will feel great against your naked body (because honestly who doesn’t sleep naked now that you have
fancy locks on your bedroom door and no fear of your siblings or parents barging in). Vacuuming your floor is a strong suggestion as all the late-night snack crumbs mustn’t be very good for bugs and bacteria festering about. Dusting should also be high on your priority list as removing all the dust from your room will help with sneezing and allergies that spring is sure to bring. Lastly, as there is only about a month and a bit left in the semester, you will soon be packing up your dorm into storage boxes. Having a clean room will facilitate that process at the end of the semester (when you’ll be busy with finals), as well as make it much easier when unboxing it all again in September. Even as young adults, it’s hard to find the motivation to want to clean when there’s so many other things that would be more fun to do. Eating nothing but spinach salad (no dressing and the only topping is celery) for breakfast, lunch, and dinner is even starting to sound more appealing than cleaning at this point. However, we need to stop seeing cleaning with such a negative connotation and realize the benefits that it brings. If all of that fails, you can always turn cleaning into a game. Every hour you clean means 30 minutes less you need to spend at the gym, or you get a slice of pie from the cafeteria, or perhaps even a mid-day beer to celebrate. Every room you clean means an extra hour to sleep in on the weekend, or an extra 30 minutes of Netflix. Every plastic bag you fill with trash means you treat yourself to a meal not from the cafeteria, or you get to squeeze in a nap between Biology 110 and Philosophy 200 instead of doing the Stats 240 assignment. Whatever will get you motivated, harness that power to get it done, clean your room and take control of your life. Your physical and mental health will thank you, as well as your roommates who have been dying from the questionable odor coming from your sock drawer.
ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING Date: March 23, 2017 Time: 12-1 pm Location: April Price Board Room Food will be provided