Over The Edge
UNBC’s Independent Student Newspaper est. 1994
Orientation Edition!
NUGSS Censorship, pg. 6 UNBC Guide, pg. 4 Clubs, pg. 13 Volume 24, Issue 1
Free overtheedgenewspaper.ca
September 5, 2017 over.the.edge.unbc@gmail.com
Services. We are also lucky to have a fantastic team going into this year: Hannah Rizun (Publisher), Monique Gendron (Production Coordinator), Tierney Watkinson (News Director), Jennifer Baddeley (Multimedia Coordinator), Alexandra Tuttosi (Advertising Coordinator), and Emmanuel Drame (Distribution Coordinator).
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elcome and welcome back to all of our new and returning students! This year is an exciting one here at Over The Edge, as we launch our shiny new format, printed right here at UNBC Copy
Over The Edge is your independent student newspaper, bringing up to date news to the university and Prince George community since 1994. OTE is
To kick off the fall semester, we’ve created an orientation edition to help new folks find their way, and refresh our memories of all the helpful services on campus. As well, several of our Student Led Organizations have provided more detailed introductions to their activities and events
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Over The Edge
also a great place to contribute your stories, poems, arts reviews, opinions, photography, and even comics. We are always looking for volunteers who are excited about journalism, writing, and visual arts -- and we pay all contributors!
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Support is always needed and no experience is required; help make Over The Edge better. We want to hear from you! Call us at 250-960-5633, tweet us @overtheedgeunbc, email us at over. the.edge.unbc@gmail.com and be sure
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Best of luck in the coming semester!
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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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Next deadline: September 20, 2017
Keep an eye out for our future issues, released several times each semester, with more of our usual content. If you are interested in contributing, feel free to check out www.overtheedgenewspaper. ca for content deadlines and publication dates, or come by our office in the NUSC building, located in room 6-350. Inquiries or submissions can also be sent to me directly at over. the.edge.unbc@gmail.com.
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to like us on Facebook. For more information, please visit our website www.overtheedgenewspaper.ca.
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.
in the coming semester.
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Opening Letters
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Letter from the Board of Directors O
n behalf of Over the Edge (OTE) I would like to welcome all first years and returning students to UNBC for another great year. The goal of the society is to be a source of great local news and information for the UNBC community as well as a venue to display some of the amazing talent we have here at UNBC. Over the Edge is a student newspaper, run by students, for students. Being such we love to feature student journalism, poetry, opinion pieces and editorials in our paper. If you have something you think is worthy of others eyes, send it in! We may showcase it in our next paper and you can get paid for it. If you have a passion for papers, or an
interest in journalism, consider joining our team or becoming a regular contributor. This is an unique opportunity for students to gain invaluable journalism and editorial experiences and training. Its ok if you don’t have previous experience working at a newspaper (not many do), we are here to work with you and develop those skills, all we need is a willingness to learn. I look forward to hearing from you, best of luck in this new year. Sincerely, Seth Jex Chair of the OTE Board of Directors
WTF?! Why Does My Professor do This!?! Professors A to Z Columnists
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hen we were students, when dinosaurs roamed the earth, papers were written on typewriters and the Internet was just a twinkle in someone’s eye, we wondered a LOT about things that happened at our universities. Why did our professors do that? Why does the university force us to do X? What do I do if…? How do I (well pretty much do anything, okay)? And back then, good luck to students that had such questions as there were no webpages with FAQ lists.
teacher.italki.com
With this in mind, and recognizing that sometimes a human response is better than a cold list of always posted FAQs and answers, we thought we’d start this column as a way for students to submit questions and get answers directly from
people “in the know”. Every OTE issue, Professors A to Z (two real profs who still like to ask such questions) will do our best to answer yours—NO QUESTION TOO BIG OR SMALL! We will try our best to get the answers to your Qs straight from those who know, and to share those answers here. So, send your questions anonymously to Over The Edge Editor re: AtoZ, at over.the.edge. unbc@gmail.com and every issue look for our best efforts to answer your Qs. We ALL gain if we better understand this place. PS: If you ask us about the old age professorly fashion combination of socks and sandals and why it’s so popular, we will have no good answers about that—we are just as mystified as you are.
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Don’t Get Lost!
Figuring out the room numbering system may seem hard at first, but it’s easy to figure out! If you have a class in 5-172, the “5-” indicates what building you need to be in, in this case, the library. The first number after the dash usually indicates what floor the room is on, in this case “172” means that you need to be on the first floor. Then, it’s just a matter of finding the right room! If you need to vist a professor, the Administration building doesn’t have a prefix number, instead all the room number start with “ADM-.” If you need to visit a residence, they don’t have numbers, they just have names, “Neyoh” and “Keyoh.” If you still get lost, there’s lots of signage and plenty of maps around campus!
And Don’t Forget!
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September Events Calendar
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Labour day Orientation First day of Orientation class All fees due
10 11 12 13 14 15 16 Clubs Days Sept 11-12
Health Research Seminar 1 - 2:30 Weldwood
Cover Letter & Resume Workshop 10 - 12 5-155
Accounting Fair 1 - 2:30 Bently Centre
17 18 19 20 21 22 23 Staff & Faculty Welcome Back BBQ 12 - 1 Agora
Last day to add/drop courses
12th Anuual Critical Geographies mini-conference Sept 22-23
Interview Skills Workshop 10 - 12 5-155
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TEDx UNBC
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News
NUGSS Censures Director of Internal Affairs Tierney Watkinson News Director
*Please note—the writer of this article knows a number of the individuals involved, personally and professionally, and as such may present biases unintentionally.
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o make a motion of censure is honestly a fairly concerning step. Motions of censure are very serious, and the board, as I step out of the room, needs to reflect very carefully if that’s how we want to start this year.” That was part of the defense given by Director of Internal Affairs, Seth Jex, at the August 24 NUGSS Board Meeting, just before leaving the room to allow the other attending board members to decide whether or not to censure him for his actions over the summer. The board spent close to half an hour discussing and voting on their decision. All members excluding Directors Campbell and Snider, who were not in attendance at the time of Director Jex’s defense, participated in the vote. Ultimately, the attending NUGSS board members came to the conclusion to censure Director Jex. The conflict, such as it is, began in April when Director Jex brought forward a motion to create a Band Room. There, it was revealed that Jex had spoken about the initiative with certain clubs and their members before presenting the idea to the NUGSS Board of Directors; President Erik Searle, at the time, vocally expressed his discomfort at this. Then, in early May, it came to the attention of President Searle that Director Jex had submitted a work request
(which, Jex later contended at the meeting, was simply a request for a quote and not an actual work order) concerning key card locks for the earlier proposed Band Room without notifying the board officially. President Searle, in a private meeting with Director Jex, expressed his concern that an official request form had been sent without the board’s approval and that it indeed could be seen as an action going against the board; the board had voted back in April to hold off on the official decision about creating a Band Room before consulting the greater student body. A motion by Jex for the installation of a key card lock on the Clubs Room door, however, was later successfully passed by the board in July. In mid-August, General Manager Duncan Malkinson notified the board that although the work order for the lock had been submitted on time, University Facilities were not certain that they could have the Clubs Room key card lock installation completed by the beginning of the fall semester. An email was drafted by Malkinson to send to Facilities, as a request that the job be completed in time for returning students. According to President Searle, Director Jex decided to send a separate email to Facilities, despite Searle’s insistence that he refrain from doing so. President Searle was concerned that an additional email placing pressure on Facilities, who were agreeing to perform this job for free, might strain or otherwise affect the board’s relationship with them. Searle believed that the decision to send such an email directly from a NUGSS Director should be made by the board as
a whole. Searle expressed these concerns to Director Jex, but Jex dismissed them, believing it was the board’s job to use their position to speed production. Finally, on August 22, Director Jex uploaded the new, updated version of the Student Led Organization (SLO) Application Package to the SLO Facebook page. However, he did so without final approval from the board. President Searle deleted the link and sent a private message to Director Jex, reminding him that Directors cannot act on their own without board approval. Jex responded by re-posting the link and removing Searle as an administrator of that Facebook page. The actions surrounding the SLO Application Package seem to be the main focus of the censure. The President stated at the meeting, “These actions show a consistent disrespect for the opinions of other directors, and disregard for the board’s decision making, which culminated in a massive overstep of power in revoking a fellow Director’s admin privileges on a NUGSSaffiliated Facebook group.” Director Jex responded that he remains “extremely confident” that the actions he took were “well within my right.” The idea for the band room, Jex insisted, was a collective idea that was originated not by himself but by other clubs, and was drafted by himself, other board members, and various clubs’ members. As for the SLO Package, Jex claimed that he did nothing wrong, maintaining that last year’s SLO Package was not approved by the board either; thus, despite not following protocol, Director Jex believes that precedent is on his side. The board meeting at
which the package was meant to be officially approved had been cancelled due to lack of attendance, and Jex did not want that to further delay clubs from having access to the package. Director Jex does not see his actions as an overstep nor as an encroachment upon the position of other board members but rather as taking the initiative. In fact, he believes, the only overstep on behalf of any board member occurred when President Searle deleted Director Jex’s initial upload of the clubs package post without prior warning. Part of Director Jex’s defense included a warning to other board members that to censure him would be “a catastrophe for the board, in terms of political relations.” He also explained that a censure was “extremely concerning, as we haven’t even started day one.” “I’d be warning, to the other board members of the room, how this will look, and how this will talk, and where this will go,” Director Jex concluded. Although Director Jex stated that he would be unable to see a censure as anything but “a direct infringement on my policy and on my bylaw-given responsibilities,” the board thoroughly examined the events of the summer and chose to censure Director Jex. Director Jex had, according to the rest of the board, acted inappropriately by bypassing certain steps deemed important by NUGSS. The censure, an expression of formal disapproval, is a long step away from suspension or impeachment.
News The official statements from both the NUGSS Board and Director Seth Jex are as follows:
Northern Undergraduate Student Society Board “We the NUGSS Board of directors herby censure Director Jex for his actions regarding the club package. His removal of all other administrators from the NUGSS S.L.O. Facebook Group, the posting of the club package before it could be voted on by the Board and his failure to follow proper measures for time sensitive, online votes are things we consider inappropriate. We as the board recognize the Director’s frustration with the speed of the procedures for Board decisions, but we believe his methods in this circumstance to be inappropriate.”
Seth Jex, Director of Internal Affairs “Dear Students: While it is clear that I did not violate policy, broke no bylaws and that my actions were in accordance with precedent from previous years, the NUGSS board still decided to censure me for my action in releasing the SLO package. The censure focused around my release of the SLO package to the student body before the board had “approved” it. While this document does not need board approval, nor had it been approved in years past I still gave my fellow board members weeks in advance to send me edits and comments. After three meetings discussing the SLO package and its edits, I felt confident to present it in final form at the August 17th meeting of the board. However
this meeting was canceled due to lack of quorum from other members who could not attend. Due to the readily approaching school semester I felt that it was important to send out the SLO package to students instead of waiting another week. My role as outlined in policy is to create and process all SLO applications, allowing me to provide a competent and thorough recommendation on their approval to the board. The decision to release the SLO package is well within my ability as Director of Internal Affairs and does not violate any policy or precedent. This censure changes nothing in terms of my role or abilities as Director of Internal Affairs which only emphasizes its ineffectiveness. For meaningful change edits to policy must be made, as ultimately it’s the policy that guides my actions. I do not want this distraction to pull attention away from the real issues that the society is facing. So far, this year we have made some immense positive change for the society in regards to SLO policy, our budget and liability management and even work on board reform for our upcoming AGM. These are the achievements that make me eager to come to work and excited to work with my fellow board members. I encourage everyone to remember the important parts of our mandates as student government and focus on those. I was elected into this position and owe my job, to my constituents, the students of UNBC, who entrusted me to work for them. I will continue to work within my role as outlined in policy and bylaws to the best of my abilities to serve the students of UNBC. This year is going to be critical for our society’s future and I am committed to working together to see our collective goals accomplished.”
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DON’T LOSE OUT – SHOW ME THE MONEY!! There is a small Mid-September/Fall Awards Competition opening on Friday - September 15, 2017 for UNBC awards that were not taken up over the summer and for any new awards that can be offered for disbursement in the 2017 September and 2018 January Semesters.
After September 15th, take a quick look at your Student Online Services / Financial Aid / Award Application portal via http://www.unbc.ca/ current-students to apply for awards that are still available and to submit your online awards application to have an opportunity to cash in!! If you have any questions stop by the Office of the Registrar and ask for Awards & Financial Aid, or email us at awards@unbc.ca . Deadline for Mid-Sept/Fall Online Award Applications* is: Saturday - October 14, 2017 * Supporting Documents, if required, can be dropped off outside the main doors to the Registrar’s Office in the Drop Box or emailed to awards@unbc.ca by the deadline noted above. Reference letters must be emailed by the referee to awards@unbc.ca or if given to the student in a sealed envelope with the Referee’s signature on both the letter and across the envelope seal.
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News
UNBC Response to State of Emergency Tierney Watkinson News Director
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s of the beginning of September, 1,148 fires have started in British Columbia this year. Across BC, flames have devoured 1,054,686 hectares of land, with 816,379 of those hectares burned in the Cariboo alone. A Provincial State of Emergency was declared within the first week of July. The crisis is still not over, with fires continuing to crop up across the province. Responding to the state of emergency and to support the influx of people into the city who were fleeing wildfires, UNBC and the Charles Jago Northern Sport Centre opened their doors to evacuees, residential home patients, and out-ofprovince firefighters. The NSC accompanied the College of New Caledonia, which was the first to open as an Emergency Reception Centre, and Prince George Secondary School as places supplying cots for group lodging. Pets, too, were accommodated with their families at these centres. The City of Prince George welcomed evacuees with open arms. Speaking with Mike Kellett—Senior Communications Officer of Prince George—in mid-July, Kellett expressed enthusiasm for the city’s reception of evacuees and noted that Prince George had already supplied over $300,000 worth of groceries. Red wristbands were distributed to identify evacuees to store owners offering discounts for them. By the end of July, at least 10,000 evacuees had registered in Prince George. Volunteers worked arduously, losing sleep and in some cases personal work hours to secure
temporary homes and care for evacuated people and their animals arriving from the Central Interior and Cariboo areas. Horses, cattle, and other livestock found temporary homes at the PG Agriplex and Exhibition grounds, as well as at neighboring ranches. At one time, 200 animals were housed at the Agriplex alone. Organizations such as the Prince George Horse Society and the PG Humane Society went to great lengths to ensure horses and other animals and pets that could not be with their families during the evacuations were fed and properly cared for. Volunteer PG became the primary organizer of individual community members Becky Dochstader looking for ways to help. So many people offered their time and resources that the City opened a volunteer centre, headed by Volunteer PG, with the sole purpose of managing the volunteer effort. Offers to help even poured in as comments on multiple social media posts. When the NSC announced its temporary closure on behalf of evacuees on its Facebook page, commenters did not provide notes of outrage that the business would be closed, but
rather an overflow of support and praise for the initiative. Someone even offered that the Northern Sport Centre keep the rebates that the centre was offering to clients, in order for the money to go towards helping wildfire evacuees. Kellett cited UNBC as being an outstanding partner in the evacuation aid effort, a statement cemented by Matt Wood, Director of Communications and Marketing at UNBC, who explained that NSC provided cots for 180 evacuees initially, and up to 460 more when they expanded their evacuation centre to include the soccer fields; 563 beds were set up by July 26, when remaining evacuees at CNC were relocated to the NSC. At the request of the Ministry of Forests, Lands, and Natural Resource Operations, UNBC used classrooms in the Geoffrey R. Weller Library, the dining hall, and the Gathering Place to provide sleeping areas for 180 firefighters called in from out of province, and the cafeteria prepared meals for them. Residential care patients were given lodgings in the Neyoh Dorms; 60 patients were hosted in the dorms toward the end
of July. Town Halls were held regularly in the Canfor Theatre to keep evacuees updated on the current situation. Finally, as July drew to a close, evacuation orders were lifted in cities such as One Hundred Mile House and Williams Lake, allowing many to return home. In preparation for the return of its students and in light of those lifted evacuation orders, CNC passed the torch of Emergency Reception Centre to the Prince George Service Centre on August 4. Those evacuees whose homes were still under order were transferred to paid commercial lodgings in the city. The NSC, closed since July 10, began demobilizing (removing cots and plywood from the soccer fields) August 10 and reopened to the public on August 18; regular fitness classes are set to resume on September 18. Firefighters were also moved to commercial lodging, so that UNBC could accommodate students as they return for the fall semester. The thought of having to leave your home and belongings behind to flee any natural disaster is terrifying. Many of UNBC’s own students work as wildfire fighters during the summer months, and surely deserve all of our thanks for preventing the fires from spreading more than they did. Prince George and its citizens went above and beyond the call for help. Businesses and individuals alike accepted many inconveniences and donated hours and hours of time without hesitation to help complete strangers. The worst events bring out the best in us.
Welcome Letters
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NBCGSS Alden Chow Executive Director, NBCGSS
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e would like to welcome all of our graduate student members, new and returning, to the 2017-2018 academic year at UNBC! Please explore our website to learn about our organization and the services we provide. Join our Facebook group and follow us on Twitter and Instagram to stay up-to-date on everything that is going on in the graduate student
community at UNBC. Download our mobile app to get access to campus information, your online services account, and to connect with other UNBC students. Ask us how you can get connected with NBCGSS, student-led campaigns, and the UNBC community. NBCGSS began in 1997, less than a decade after UNBC’s inception. The NBCGSS Graduate Council democratically represents
approximately 600 full- and part-time graduate students, who pay dues and make up our general membership. Members are accorded certain rights by our Society Bylaws, and representatives of the Graduate Council provide advocacy and peer support in navigating academic and administrative challenges our members may face. Members of our Graduate
Council also ensure that there is graduate student representation on boards and committees across campus. Throughout the year, NBCGSS coordinates various social and community service events to foster a thriving graduate student community. We invite you to come and get involved!
PG PIRG Arctica Cunningham Executive Director, PG PIRG
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hat is PGPIRG? It’s an awesome space to hang out, share your ideas and make things happen! We are an inclusive group of students and community members who are engaged with our community on and off campus, and our environment. We’re an awesome group of people, who make change happen. Officially, PGPIRG is the Prince George Public Interest Research Group - a non-profit organization, located right on campus. We’re a resource/action centre focused on activism and
research. PGPIRG focuses on social and environmental justice issues, and have a variety of ongoing programs, including a sustainability garden, selling produce at the University Farmers’ Market, local foods program (good food boxes!), compost collection, amnesty international, alternative resource library, and so much more. Even better: we’re here to support your ideas. Want to start a new initiative? Is there a workshop you’d like to see organized? Have a research question? Want
to make new zines? Start a rally? Organize a film event or series? Whatever you want to see happen, we can help you get started! These can be one-off events, or you can even start what we call Student Action Groups. Student Action Groups start as localized direct action in response to current issues and events. In areas of interest or ongoing concern to the public interest, Action Groups often become PIRG projects or programs; they also change as new issues develop within
the scope of the action itself. Action Groups can also evolve into Coalitions that work with organizations, individuals, and other groups outside the PIRG. In short? Get Involved! We welcome new board members, and are always looking for awesome volunteers. Come hang out at PIRG, we’re located on the third floor of the NUSC Building (6-342), or e-mail us at pgpirg@unbc.ca, or check us out on Facebook.
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Welcome Letters
CFUR Radio Station Britt Meierhofer Music Director, CFUR Radio Society
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rince George has a few radio stations, and most of them have the hits covered. As much as CCR and Gowan rock, we at CFUR 88.7 FM aim to provide an alternative to the mainstream. Listen in for some of today’s best indie music in all genres, with a focus on local and regional talent. CFUR’s mission is to support the cultural, artistic and political evolution of Northern British Columbia by providing a platform for local and regional artists and content producers. We have a
great selection of locally produced shows on the air, including Elizabutt’s Space Ride, What’s Your Problem? and Ether in the Attic. We at CFUR pride ourselves in providing programming as diverse as the communities we serve. The question is, what can we do for you? We have lots of room on our airwaves, and we are always looking to add some new shows to the mix! We are a great
platform for sharing tunes, perspectives and stories, and if you are interested in hosting a show of your own, we are here to train you and get you on air. Alternatively, we also have an immense music library that needs maintaining and we are always looking for volunteers with a love for music to come listen and keep our library organized. Thinking you’d like to get on air, but not into having a show? We also need volunteers to come in and produce PSA’s, where
you can get the creative flow going, without the commitment of a regularly occuring show. Perks for volunteers and hosts alike include training in audio broadcast, experience on air and in production, and a chill place to zone out on some stellar music when your brain needs a break. Drop in to CFUR in the NUGSS building (Room 6-354), or swing us a line at music@cfur. ca to get the ball rolling!
The Geoffrey R. Weller Library Annelise Dowd Librarian
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he Geoffrey R. Weller Library is at the centre of research and scholarship at UNBC. Located in the heart of the Prince George campus, the Geoffrey R. Weller Library offers extensive resources and innovative services to support students and faculty. With four floors of light-filled space, the Library is the ideal place to study on campus. The Library offers a number of different study spaces, including silent study areas and a computer lab. For group project work and collaborative meetings, the Library provides twelve group study rooms for student use. The Library group study rooms can be booked online and several rooms contain AV equipment to facilitate group collaboration.
Any questions you may have while in the Library can be directed to a specialist on the first floor. Research questions, including finding articles and citation help, can be answered by librarians at the Research Help Desk. Drop-in writing help offered by the Academic Success Centre can be found at the Writing Help Desk. Experts at the IT Help Desk can help answer computer-related questions, such as connecting to WIFI or printing a document. Any issues with library accounts and borrowing of library materials can be addressed at the Library Circulation Desk. No matter what the question, we’ve got you covered! Off-campus? The Library owns thousands of eBooks and online
articles accessible off-campus. With your UNBC username and password, you can search databases and consult eBooks at home. If you need help connecting to these resources, you can contact the library via phone, email, text, or chat (consult library website for hours). Each academic program has a subject librarian, who is an information specialist in that discipline. See the list at: https:// library.unbc.ca/about/subjectlibrarians. Learn who your subject librarian is, as they love helping students succeed and they are a valuable resource! Librarians provide one-on-one appointments with students to answer in-depth research questions. They also teach
research skills in the classroom to foster skills where students need help most. Librarians provide Library Starter Workshops at the beginning of the semester to familiarize new students with the Library technology, space, services, and resources. The Library also offers a unique opportunity to win your textbooks! “Like” both the UNBC Library Facebook page and the Win Your Textbooks Contest Facebook post on the UNBC Library page to be entered to win a $500 gift card from the UNBC bookstore. For official rules visit the Win Your Textbooks Contest page on the UNBC Library website: https:// library.unbc.ca/about/planningpolicies/win-your-textbooks.
On Campus
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Degrees Coffee Co. and the Thirsty Moose Pub O
ver a very short time, new food and beverage manager, Ryan Adamcewicz has identified key areas of focus to help NUGSS succeed financially. Taking over responsibility for Degrees Coffee Co. and the Thirsty Moose Pub has a unique set of challenges to overcome in the quickly approaching fall semester. Knowing the importance of these spaces to the academic community, he has executed a variety of refinements to bring Degrees Coffee Co. and the Thirsty Moose Pub into financial stability, as well as living up to the expectations of the students and faculty. Being a student himself, there is extra motivation for him to perform well for both the customers as well as the student society that he represents.
Supporting local sustainability in such a small campus and community is of most importance to his vision for the enterprises, and is proud to announce that we will be the first restaurant in Prince George to supply Crossroads Brewing craft beers on tap. Northern Lights Estate Winery will also be featured on the updated food and beverage menus, as well as our very own “Thirsty Moose” blend of French press coffee from North Roast Coffee. Working closely with staff and customer relations, he hopes to bring a level of success that frankly both customers and students deserve, and encourages anyone to reach out to him for any comments or concerns they may have. He is best reached as nusc-foodandbev@ unbc.ca or 250-301-7098.
The University Farmer’s Market T
he University Farmers’ Market is getting ready to kick-off a new season on campus, and we want you to come celebrate with us! Every Tuesday, starting on September 12th, 2017, the market will be on in the NUSC Event Space from 11am-3pm. We have a great group of returning vendors joining us, as well as some new faces on the scene. Every week you can expect fresh produce, arts and crafts and even a few treats. Students can now spend their “flex dollars” at the market by purchasing UFM bucks from the Thirsty Moose pub. These UFM bucks can be redeemed
at any of our food vendors, so why not treat yourself to a delicious lunch, and don’t forget dessert! Make sure to check out the UFM booth at Community FunFest, on September 4th at the UNBC Campus, for your chance to win a door prize, and take a selfie with our mascots. Can’t wait to see you at the market! Welcome back to UNBC.
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Services
Inspiring Women Among Us Furqana Khan, Student Planning Assistant, IWAU
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elcome back to another school year at UNBC, and another year of Inspiring Women Among Us (IWAU)! What is IWAU, you ask? For those of you wondering about what IWAU is, it’s a celebration! IWAU is an annual recognition of women’s accomplishments and contributions to our society and our community. Additionally, it is a discussion of how we, as a society, can support women in their chosen roles, whatever those roles may be. This year, the theme for IWAU is “Women, Work, and Allies.” We hope to discuss issues women face in the workplace and what we can change to address these issues. What to expect? Starting this fall, there will be a series of free events put on by IWAU to highlight some of the inspiring women in our community and beyond. Main events will take place November 16th-29th, 2017. One of our exciting events will be a panel session on women in Indigenous Leadership. Another
of our events features none other than Honourable Elizabeth May, who will be coming to UNBC on October 13th in Room 8-168 to talk about women in politics. The event will happen from 3:30pm to 4:30pm and after that, Elizabeth will head to the Moose to talk with students about making a difference. As always, these events will lead up to the Day of Remembrance and Action on Violence Against Women. So mark your calendars for two weeks of delightful inspiration at free events, with refreshments provided! You’re invited! Not a woman? No worries! People of all genders are welcome to attend our events.
We hope that people from Prince George and nearby communities will come participate, enjoy, and perhaps even volunteer at the events! Support IWAU: Too busy to attend but want to contribute to IWAU? That’s alright! Find one of us at tables in the Winter Garden in in the upcoming months, or the UNBC Farmer’s Market monthly, to learn more! IWAU has committed to an annual award of $1000 in support of UNBC students who identify as women in financial need. Our IWAU Toques are one of the ways we fundraise for the IWAU award. IWAU toques are $15.00 each with half the money going towards covering event costs
while the other half goes towards the IWAU Award. We have 3 different toques to choose from – buy your IWAU toque today and share your selfie with us using #IWAU2017 and #IWAUtoque! Get involved! IWAU is looking for volunteers at these great events! This is an excellent opportunity to build your resume, meet some really cool people, and attend a variety of free events while you’re at it! If you, or someone you know, would like to volunteer, please contact us at iwau@unbc.ca or 250-960-5819. Contact us: To learn more about event listings, how you can support IWAU, and/ or how to get involved, please contact us at iwau@unbc.ca. You can also like us on Facebook (InspiringWomenUNBC) and follow us on Twitter (@IWAU_Events). We hope to see you during IWAU and wish you all the best for the upcoming Fall semester!
An Interview with Counselling Services Q
uestion: Can you tell me why you are here on our campus?
I’m here to support students in their success at UNBC and journey through the struggles
they face learning, adjusting, and encountering self and any concerns regarding mental health while obtaining their degree. Q: When students visit you, what
is it like in your own words? It takes tremendous courage to seek help and to work on personal issues. Seeking resources shows great initiative and personal responsibility. Both are strengths important for general success in life. That is how I would see each person that walks through my doors. Q: Could you summarise your experience of being a part of our campus? I have been here a long time, and what I can say is that it is wonderful to see students participate, grow, and succeed on their career journey. It is so
invaluable to meet student’s daily who courageously face their struggles and fears and are not afraid to ask me for help…. that is my lived experience. To summarise, it sounds like Counselling Services wants to be a part of your journey here on campus and is available for you Monday –Friday, 9-4 with extended hours offered based on demand. Counselling Services is located in Building 5 Rm 5-196. You can contact us at (250) 960 6369 or email us at wellness@unbc.ca. Follow us on Facebook at UNBC_Wellness for upcoming activities.
Campus Life
Northern Anthropology Student Society
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Orientation and Student Life
Patrick Smith President of NASS
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he Northern Anthropology Student Society is open to all students of UNBC, and serves to bring together those interested in anthropology and its subfields (Archaeology, Socio-cultural Anthropology, Linguistic Anthropology, and Biological Anthropology). We work closely with the Department of Anthropology’s faculty to host events that are both entertaining and educational. The NASS also organizes study groups for students enrolled in anthropology courses to ensure that students have the support they need for paper writing and exams. In the past, we have hosted events such as pub nights and bake sales to raise funds for larger scale events, like bringing in guest speakers or attending conferences. This April, the NASS managed to raise enough money to help get ten students to the Society for American Archaeology’s annual conference in Vancouver. We also organize career panels, where we bring in
community members with anthropological work experience to show students what sorts of job prospects are available to them with a degree in anthropology. By working closely with the Department of Anthropology’s faculty, we are able to keep students up to date with funding opportunities such as scholarships, bursaries and even a few part-time employment opportunities. Through our annual faculty meet and greet events, we help students break the ice with their professors, which in turn makes it easier for students and faculty to build rapport. Our working relationship with the faculty allows us to bring a wider variety of events and guest speakers to the students of UNBC then we would be able to on our own. We are always happy to talk with anybody who has any questions or are curious to learn more about our organization. Find us on Facebook by searching ‘Northern Anthropology Student Society’ or send us an email at nass. unbc@gmail. com. We look forward to hearing from you in the future!
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rientation is a three day extravaganza that includes residence move-in and two days of events to start off your semester with a great time! These events will help you become familiar with the campus and services, give you tools for success, and help you connect with other students, faculty, staff, and the Prince George community. UNBC Orientation 2017 will be unforgettable, you DON’T want to miss it! Interested in getting involved with Orientation next year? Visit us in the Student Life Office (7153) or send us an email atstudentlife@unbc.ca!
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Campus Life
Intervarsity Christian Fellowship W
elcome to UNBC! InterVarsity Christian Fellowship is a long-standing club on campus committed to supporting students and the wellbeing of our campus. We create Christian communities on campus where students can explore, discover and deepen faith, develop friendships and make a difference in the world. Our main weekly events are small and large group scripture studies. Whether you are looking
for ongoing spiritual growth while you are away from home or just want to have some good discussions and meet people asking questions about life and faith, you are welcome! Come check out our kick-off event on September 16th at Shane Lake. We will be having our annual corn roast (come get your corn on clubs days!). Meet us there at 6PM, or walk over with us at 5:45 from the residence building.
Throughout the year we host retreats, meals, fun events, and get aways. We really encourage you to check out MarkWest (end of April)! Its the best way to end your school year. Driving down to Vancouver Island, we join with campuses across BC to eat well, play in the ocean, and study the words of Jesus for a whole week. Last year we took 21 students with us from UNBC! Have a great start to your year, see you on campus!
clubs days or email us at: ivcf.unbc@gmail.com Corn Roast: September 16th 6PM @ Shane Lake, or 5:45PM at residence to walk over together. Family Gathering: September 20th 7PM @ The Gathering Place (by the First Nation’s Centre). Join us for some some singing, prayer, and sharing. All welcome!
To join a study, visit us at
School is Important, Games are Importanter! Andrew Ford Vice President, Nerdy Gaming Club
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ver want to kick back and relax for an evening without worrying about that paper that’s due? Ever feel like celebrating that exam that you totally probably passed? Ever just want a break? The Nerdy Gaming Club is a longstanding fixture of the UNBC Landscape and serves all of these purposes! We’re not an academic club, and that’s pretty awesome! When you’re tired of group projects and would rather hog all of the resources in Settlers of Catan, we’re here for you! When you look outside and see the mountains of snow and just
want to play some Magic, we’re here! The Nerdy Gaming Club is just what it sounds like and so much more. We meet every Wednesday in the April Price board room from 5pm until late, and I mean really late! But we don’t care about attendance, we don’t care about telling you what to do to study better. We’re just a bunch of fellow students who like board games, card games, video games, collectibles, sci fi, fantasy, and generally anything Nerdy. What really makes the Nerdy Gaming Club special is that we’re a
completely relaxed club that is all about hanging out and doing the things that we like (even if you just like leaving blue mana open for that counter spell…). Bring by your favorite games and find people to play with, or learn someone else’s game! Still not sure if the Nerdy Gaming Club is for you? Come stop by and see for yourself what we do, there’s no pressure to join and we understand that students have busy, chaotic lives and sometimes that means that games come after homework.
Things that you can look forward to by the Nerdy Gaming Club: • Staying up late and playing board games • Playing Magic the Gathering • Meeting new like-minded people • Learning new board games • Beer and Board Games pub night! • Treachery, deceit, lying, and cunning battles of wits • Making alliances, forging bonds, and trusting others with your very life
Campus Life
UNBC Fencing Club U
NBC Fencing Club was founded by Mr. Joe de Laronde in 1990. It is one of the oldest and and most successful fencing clubs in Northern British Columbia. The club caters to all levels, from beginners to advanced levels of skill. Foil, sabre and epee training are all on offer at the club. Fencers receive expert training from our club coach, who leads two weekly sessions. Each semester, the club sponsors competitive fencers to compete in provincial fencing competitions. Last semester, our fencers were ranked No. 5 and 6 in the Stephen Lazar Memorial Tournament in Vancouver. Highlight of the season include the Canada West Championship, Canada West UNBC Cup, UNBC Mini-Fencing Duel, and Track
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Creative Writing Club Michelle-Karey McKenna Vice-President, Writing Club
Challenge. The club offers volunteering opportunities almost every month. Fencers are engaged in a variety of activities to socialize, compete, and to stimulate interests of fencing in a wider community. Fencing is an elegant sport with rich history and proud traditions. UNBC Fencing club invites new and returning members to continue this tradition. Join us at: Facebook: www. facebook.com/groups/UNBCFC/ Email: fencing-secretary@unbc.ca Website: unbcfc.ca New Fencing Season: University Session: Sept. 14th, 6:00 p.m - 9:00 p.m NUSC Public Session: Sept. 16th, 1:00-4:00 p.m NUSC (We supply all equipment and electric fencing gears)
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he Writing Club is exactly what it sounds like: A place to force yourself to sit down and actually work on any writing you want/need to do. It’s a relaxed environment full of people willing to be your writing Guinea pigs, or just to get some easy proof reading done. We offer a judgment free zone (unless of course you want to be judged in which case we would happy to oblige) as well as baked goods provided for your writing convenience by our wonderful President. We also put together an Anthology of Student works you do not need to be a member to submit your writings, but we are happy to provide assistance to anyone seeking it, whether it be brainstorming ideas or simple editing, we are at your service. Please pop by for a visit and we promise to share our cookies.
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Campus Life
Commerce Student Society Josh Reimer President, CSS
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he UNBC Commerce Student Society exists to provide the commerce students of UNBC with ways to learn about the world of business from a new perspective. Our slogan “learning beyond the classroom” is achieved through several academic, philanthropic and networking events that are spread out over the academic year. The Commerce Student Society is led by an executive team of business students hired by an elected president, and hopes to foster a rich environment of learning and cooperation while working in partnership with students, faculty, businesses, and
community groups. Our goal is to provide commerce students with as many opportunities as possible to prepare them for successful careers after graduation. This upcoming year we have a lot of fun and beneficial events planned to help the students of UNBC. This includes our annual kickoff event “Volley Into September.” It is a beach volleyball tournament hosted at the UNBC campus designed to help new students connect with one another while also providing a stress-free environment to kick off the new school year. This will be happening on September
9th and tickets are available at https://www.facebook.com/ unbccss/. We also host winter and spring case competitions open to all business students, allowing them to showcase their business skills in front of field professionals. We are proud to say that a large part of the Commerce Student Society revolves around our involvement in charitable initiatives throughout the year. These include bottle drives, Chuck-A-Puck nights at PG Cougars games, and work with AiMHi. Another program that we are bringing to UNBC this year is in collaboration
with the Emerging Markets Project, where we are sending students to China for a 2-week trip that will see them work with international businesses, visit Canadian embassies, and experience the country from a unique perspective. Connections provided by the Commerce Student Society with faculty members and business professionals have been invaluable to countless UNBC graduates, and if you would like to learn more or get involved, visit our website at unbccss.ca or email president@unbccss.ca
UNBC Badminton Club William Chen President of the Badminton Club
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lear. Drop. Smash.
It’s the fastest racquet sport in the world with shuttlecock speeds reaching a record high of 493 km/h. It started off as a no name game played for centuries across Eurasia. It has become a world-renowned sport that dominates not only in India, Denmark, and China but all over Asia as well. It’s none other than the sport we now call badminton. Since 1992, badminton has been a Summer Olympic sport with five events: men’s singles, women’s
singles, men’s doubles, women’s doubles, and mixed doubles. Professionally, badminton is an extremely demanding sport as it tests strength, endurance, agility, reflexes, and speed. The longest match recorded was 124 minutes and was played between Sun Jun from China and Peter Rasmussen from Denmark. Yet the shortest match recorded only lasted six minutes. On the flip side, badminton is also one of the most leisurely and social sports to play. It is accessible to anyone and the
speed of the game is totally dependent on the players. It’s a game that nearly anyone can get into, even to the point where it is easily underestimated. Yet it can be one of the most challenging sports you will ever play, because it can push you to your limits in both agility and endurance. The UNBC Badminton Club offers an environment that caters to both leisurely and professional players. At the Badminton Club, you can play singles, doubles, and mixed, which offers the perfect environment to socialize
for anyone, no matter what your major is. This is because games are either 2 or 4 players, but the more games you play, the more people you meet. Usually the members that come to the Badminton Club are all UNBC students, so opportunity to make more friends are endless. All members are welcome to come to our regular drop-in sessions, as well as our regular tournaments. All news and updates are posted on our Facebook page or personally through email.
Culture
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Slammed Doors & Severance: An Album Review Sam Wall Editor in Chief
Naomi Kavka’s debut album, Slammed Doors & Severance, spans several years of songwriting and EPs, bringing us with her as she navigates the constant longing to be somewhere other than where you are. The way that home only feels like home when it is a far away memory. The way longing for the unfamiliar keeps our feet moving. Kavka’s sound brings you into the depths of British Columbia, digging into what it means to live here. Whether that’s contemplating the land, family, big trucks, love, northern weather, or movement, Kavka uses her hearty voice to echo her words deep into your soul. Kavka shows us, with her first full length solo album, that she is not afraid to delve into deeply personal topics, and that is what makes this album so relatable. As a mainstay of the Prince George music scene, Kavka has shown her maturity and growth as an artist, creating a well rounded debut album. Kavka will have you singing along before you even know the words. Slammed Doors & Severance continues Kavka’s artistic style of alt-folk country, sown with strong lyrics, vocals, and instrumentation. Kavka provides the lyrics, vocals and guitar, Corbin Spensley also adds his
vocals and guitar, Blake Bamford provides lap steel guitar, Keith Rodger adds bass, Patrick Kilcullen plays piano and organ, and Justin Gendreau plays the drums. These instruments combine to create a rich tapestry
the album with Kavka’s hearty voice over silence, leading into folky instrumentation and excellent vocals. Though there is no title track, “Slammed Doors” speaks to a severed connection, as if slamming the door on a
of sound appealing to lovers of country and folk music, or simply enjoys well constructed music. This album would be a wonderful addition to a road trip playlist, or a walk around your hometown.
relationship, as she sings, “I will call you once I’m figured out.” One of the more powerful tracks, “Train from Hiroshima,” uses acoustic guitar to transport us to across the globe into darker territory, as she sings, “My only hopes of getting home are clenched tightly in both hands.”
Kavka’s album follows a definite theme and flow. “No Way” opens
The album draws to a strong close with “The Bank and the River,” showing Kavka’s lyrical prowess as nature is used as a metaphor, singing “Love was the river that destroyed through the middle” Naomi Kavka is originally from Prince George, and currently resides here. She studied musicology and cello at Camosun College and the Memorial University of Newfoundland. Kavka is also a member of local bands Power Duo and Pocket Knife, and has played solo or with various bands over the years. The creation of Slammed Doors & Severance saw Kavka and her band travel to the remote islands of Haida Gwaii, the traditional territory of the Haida Nation, to Dogfish Cabin. There they spent one week developing the album’s ten songs, sharing comradery, food, and drink. The album cover takes inspiration from Indigenous cultural practices, as an animal hide is seen stretched and tied to a frame in preparation for tanning. Slammed Doors & Severance will be officially released on September 16, at the Prince George Legion. The album release party begins at 9 pm, and CDs will be available for purchase. The album is also available to listen to on Naomi Kavka’s Bandcamp and Soundcloud.
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Culture
Valerian and the City of a Thousand Planets: A Movie Review Alexandra Tuttosi Team Member
Though I had never read the comics, and am not a big sci-fi fan, this movie exceeded my expectations. The movie takes place on and around space on a station called Alpha. The two main characters, Valerian and Laureline, are sent on a mission to retrieve something that is more valuable than they expected. Along the way both Valerian and Laureline test their partnership to the limit, while trying to figure out the importance of the foreign object. Director Luc Besson did a fantastic job with piecing the movie together and making his vision come to life. However, the special effects during the movie cannot be ignored. Whether it was under water, in an endless market, within Alpha or even during Rihanna’s scene, they make the movie into the masterpiece that it is. I would gladly go see it again.
thehypedgeek.com
Second Year Alexandra Tuttosi Team Member
You might think “I’m Free” or “The hard part is over!” Well, I’m here to tell you, your journey has only just begun. This is the year when all the chaos that is university begins. You’ve over the hill that is first year. It’s too late to turn back now, you think to yourself as you walk into your first class. Seeing your fellow students and the teacher suddenly doesn’t seem as scary.
As you take your seat you feel a sense of relaxation. But then comes the syllabus and all that relaxation goes away. You think to yourself, This is the year I’ll get good grades. This is the year I’ll try new things, maybe even a club or two. This is the year that I’m going to be me. As the semester goes on you realize that maybe having a fun
university experience is more important than grades. So you go to parties and go dancing with friends every weekend, but when the finals start reality hits. As you sit down to study you think to yourself “What have I done?” Even though the semester was full of fun memories, stories and new friends maybe school is more important. Thankfully there is still time to raise that GPA.
Satire
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Study Finds Heterosexual Attraction in Males Developed to Suppress Homosexual Urges Marshall Spinney Contributor
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n a new controversial study, researchers from the Cyprus University of Science surveyed almost 2000 gay men to determine the evolutionary origins of heterosexuality. The study argues that male attraction to women developed because of the potentially damaging effect a fully gay population may have on humanity as a species. “It is a well known fact that modern cultural constructs and systems have existed forever and always,” lead researcher Dr. Adalon told Over The Edge. “We evolved as a species to be venomously oppressive towards fun and beautiful things, such as two cute boys totally making out. Without this clearly biological adaptation, no man would ever want to touch gross woman bodies.” Adalon went on to say that his
study revealed that in order to reproduce, at least some men must have sex with some women. “It is an unfortunate side effect of having a cruel and angry God as a creator,” Adalon concluded. “One day we will fly our rocket ships into space and kill the bastard, but until then we must continue to put our dongs into icky vaginas” The CUoS findings were released at the same time as the University of Nicosia’s study exploring the evolutionary origins of lesbianism. The equally controversial research claimed that same-sex attractions in women stemmed from male desire, or as Dr. Adalon concludes; women’s perceptions of male desire. While he maintains that all men think girls are grotty and would rather hold the sturdy hand of a fellow man, Adalon supports
his colleague’s findings, stating that he recalls reading a paper about how Homo Erectus women would often make-out with each other while their husbands butchered mastodons, in order to make all the boys jelly. When questioned on how a clearly culturally constructed bias towards heterosexuality could be construed as a product of biological evolution Dr. Adalon laughed: “Our brains evolved in such a way so that humans could create culture. All culture, therefore, is a product of evolution. Hell, the way we touch, taste and see the universe is biological. That wall? Its biological. The pathways in your body and brain allow you to touch and see it’s surface. It doesn’t really exist outside of your own mind. That sandwich? Yup, your brain creates its shape
and taste. We are all just Boltzman Brains floating in space with our memories and perceptions created in this instance, and in that very same instance we will cease to exist. Nothing is real, everything is a lie and we are all figments of our imagination.”
The Last Word
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