VOL. 170 ISSUE 2 JANUARY 17, 2022
NEWS
OP INIONS
F EAT UR E S
S P O RT S
SFSS election dates announced
I’ve got hurt feelings — a look at heartbreak
We asked professors for their advice to students
Teams to watch heading into the spring season
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The numbers don't add up Pension precarity amplified for working women P.11
Volume 170, Issue 2 Eye strain since 1965
Maggie Benston Centre 2900 Simon Fraser University 8888 University Drive Burnaby, BC, Canada V5A 1S6 Phone: (778) 782-5110
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COVER Alyssa Umbal CONTRIBUTORS Maya Beninteso, Nazmus Sakib, Simran Sarai PEAK ASSOCIATES Craig Allan, Gurleen Aujla, Alex Masse, Maple Sukontasukkul STAFF WRITERS Charlene Aviles, Kelly Chia, Luke Faulks, and Tamanna T.
NEWS SFU fills new equity position
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OPINIONS
NEWS WRITERS Karissa Ketter, Yelin Gemma Lee
Canadians aren’t so nice after all
OPINIONS EDITOR Jacob Mattie opinions@the-peak.ca FEATURES EDITOR Marco Ovies features@the-peak.ca ARTS & CULTURE EDITOR Sara Wong arts@the-peak.ca
FEATURES My disability is a part of me, and that’s okay
SPORTS EDITOR Isabella Urbani sports@the-peak.ca SPORTS WRITER Greg Makarov sports2@the-peak.ca HUMOUR EDITOR Sara Brinkac humour@the-peak.ca
ARTS & CULTURE Cheers to Dry January with OPUS’ zero-proof cocktails
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SPORTS
How it works!
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SFU point guard David Penney speaks on having faith over fear
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NEWS
January 17, 2022
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STUDENT DEMOCRACY
SFSS announces election dates Fast facts heading into this year’s SFSS elections
YE LIN GEMMA LEE / / NE WS W RI TE R
Due to the changing pandemic, students will be voting electronically this year.
The Simon Fraser Student Society (SFSS) has announced the upcoming dates for the Spring 2022 general elections and referenda. Council will be giving notice of the election and referendum period from January 10–16 and collecting candidate nominations and referendum responses from January 17–30. For the following two weeks, candidates running for positions in the executive committee will be campaigning starting January 31.
from “every faculty and departmental student group across all three campuses.” The faculty and department representatives are elected by their respective student unions. The voting periods are as follows: •
These dates concern the executive Council general election, the referendum, and the non-executive Council general elections for the 2022–23 year.
February 15–17: voting period for executive committee general election and referenda
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February 21–March 20: non-executive Council general elections called
The executive committee is formed of seven executive officers elected by the student body: the SFSS president and six vice-presidents who each oversee different departments of Council affairs. According to the SFSS website, they have the “powers and duties to implement motions approved at Council meetings.” Motions are requests voted on during Council meetings. The nonexecutive committee is formed with representatives
The referendum will occur during the executive committee general elections and be prompted by an email. Referendums are votes asking for students’ opinion on a specific topic. The questions will be regarding changes to the health and dental plan fee and implementing three dedicated fees for constituency groups, such as clubs. Additionally, there will be a survey question asking for students’ opinions on whether SFSS should take on another big project. Students can vote
PHOTO: Chris Ho / The Peak
for the SFSS to plan for a Surrey Student Union Building, focus on affordable housing, or neither.
The Peak spoke to Corbett Gildersleve, vice-president internal and organizational development, for more information. Gildersleve said students will be sent the means to vote electronically to their SFU emails. He explained the SFSS were initially willing to try in-person voting stations this year. “I wanted to try and set up physical polling stations with a tablet or laptop to log into vote, but with COVID-19 and such [it’s] probably best to try that next year,” said Gildersleve. On January 12, SFSS sent out a notification email calling for candidates to begin their application for the general elections. Interested parties have until January 31 to complete and submit their nomination package.
For more information, students can follow SFSS on Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter.
DIVER-CITY
Urban Studies co-operatives advocate for inclusive social sustainability City in Colour and Citopia work towards feminist and racially-inclusive urban planning
YE LIN GEMMA LEE / / NE WS W RI TE R
The founders of City in Colour and Citopia, from left to right: Dionne Co, Ghazaleh Akbarnejad, Rahil Adeli, Farina Fassihi, Fiorella Pinillos, and Aman Chandi. Six migrant women of colour from SFU’s Masters of Urban Studies program founded City in Colour (CiC) and Citopia, two sister co-operatives tackling barriers for socially sustainable urban planning. The Peak spoke to members of CiC and Citopia to find out more about their ongoing work. Rahil Adeli, co-founder of CiC and Citopia, discussed the exclusion of marginalized communities and the impact from lack of diverse opinions in urban planning. “City in Colour aims at engaging communities that are often not engaged.” When talking about the motivations for founding these co-operatives, the members mentioned being informed and impassioned by their personal experiences within their own racialized communities.
“City in Colour is focused on developing communityled planning solutions to create more equitable cities and Citopia is focused on data-driven strategic planning in addition to participatory planning and community engagement and design,” explained Chandi. In November 2020, CiC formally began operations under Solid State Community Industries. According to their website, this network of co-operatives based in Surrey, BC aims to “address the economic immobilities of racialized migrant youth.”
“We saw our perspectives missing in how our cities are shaped and wanted to create a place where we felt inspired and supported to create cities where we felt belonging,” said Aman Chandi, co-founder of CiC. “We want to empower communities so that they feel that they are able to shape their cities and not find city planning a daunting exercise!”
Although they operate separately, they share many mutual interests and frequently work together. CiC and Citopia are currently collaborating on Towards a Feminist City of Surrey, a project funded by the Federal government’s Feminist Recovery Grant. This three-year project supports Surrey’s public institutions including SFU Surrey “in their efforts to hire, retain, and support racialized women in the workforce.”
According to the founding members, the two sister urban consultancy co-operatives are separated due to differences in focus areas and the large scale of their collective mission.
“The collaboration between City in Colour and Citopia allows us to draw on each other’s strengths and networks while at the same time allowing each co-operative the
PHOTO: Courtesy of City in Colour and Citopia
freedom to pursue each of our own mission and vision,” said Dionne Co, co-founder of CiC. Ghazaleh Akbarnejad, co-founder of CiC and Citopia said the two co-operatives will continue to work closely together to achieve their mutual goals including “system change initiatives and engaging underrepresented communities for positive impacts.” Akbarnejad explained CiC will continue to center inclusive community forward engagement in their work using creative methods like workshops to achieve their goal of spatial equity. Citopia plans on using data-driven community engagement towards its vision of socially sustainable urban systems in areas such as housing, transportation, and economic development. “Our dream is to live and work in cities and workplaces that acknowledge the existing race and gender-based discrimination and attempt to be inclusive and thriving for all community members including BIPOC,” said Adeli.
To find out more about City in Colour and Citopia, check out their website and one of their recent video projects for community engagement, 2020 in 3 words.
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NEWS
News Editor Nancy La
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News Writers Karissa Ketter and Yelin Gemma Lee
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news@the-peak.ca
FITNESS CONUNDRUMS
Impacts of biowearables on children Dr. Kitson encourages parents to talk to their children about biowearable tech
KELLY CHIA // STAFF W RI TE R
Biowearables’ feedback on the physical body can have psychological effects on children. Researchers at SFU’s Tangible Embodied Child-Computer Interaction Lab (TECI) are concerned with the ethical effects of biowearables on children. Biowearables refer to apps or wearable devices that track data from the body, such as Fitbit watches. TECI researchers are strongly urging parents to have conversations with their children about using this technology.
“So for kids, that could be quite dangerous because they’re getting wrapped up in all these numbers which don’t even make sense for them because all the numbers are based on adults. I think designers should be thinking about children and not using adults’ metrics for data. And also being transparent in the kind of things that these wearables can or can’t do.”
The Peak spoke to postdoctoral researcher Dr. Alexandra Kitson, who works in the TECI lab alongside Dr. Alissa Antle.
Recognizing that these devices will only become more popular, TECI is working on ways to give children tools to grow their agency when using these devices. Kitson held a maker’s workshop online where children would develop a breathing sensor with parts TECI shipped to them. As they created these devices, Kitson asked the children to reflect on what their sensors were doing. In these workshops, Kitson observed how technology can affect children’s judgement, such as the presence of red lights meaning the light is “bad,” and green lights meaning it is “good.”
While there is significant research on data privacy with technology like biowearables, Kitson noted a gap in the research surrounding how they made people feel. Biowearables provide feedback on their users’ physiological states, a process TECI worries would affect growing children psychologically. Kitson is concerned that children will treat the biowearables’ feedback as an authority on their health. She explains biowearables were not initially made for children. “It was really meant for elite athletes trying to push their performance, so it is very performance centric.
“If kids are actually engaged with the making of these things and think more critically about the kinds of decisions that go into making them in the first place, [they realize] there’s not some all-knowing designer,” Kitson said. “Even when
PHOTO: Nazmus Sakib / The Peak
we have the best intentions, there are some unintended consequences with these technologies.” TECI published conversation starters on their website for parents to use to talk to their children about biowearable devices. The questions centre around how these devices could be addictive and how they make them feel. Kitson also pointed to the biotech design cards on the website to help parents learn more about how these technologies work and how they can continue the discussion with their children. Kitson directs people to think more critically about how biowearables may affect children’s growing identities and to have conversations with them about how these devices can help or impact the ways they think about themselves. “We need to give children more tools to help navigate that space and to recognize when our inherent assumptions are embedded in the designs of these biowearables,” Kitson said.
To find out more about future maker workshops and read about TECI’s research on biowearables, visit their website.
DIVERSE LEADERSHIP
Dr. Yabome Gilpin-Jackson announced as new vice-president, people, equity, and inclusion This position was created in consultation with the SFU community Dr. Gilpin-Jackson will take on her new role in April 2022.
PHOTO: Courtesy of SFU
KA R ISSA KET TER // NE WS W RI TE R
On January 5, 2022, SFU announced the hiring of Dr. Yabome Gilpin-Jackson as the first vice-president, people, equity, and inclusion (VPPEI). Gilpin-Jackson is currently an adjunct faculty member for the Beedie School of Business and has previously worked as the executive director of organizational development for Fraser Health. She will begin her work on April 15, 2022. The creation of this new administration position led to extensive online consultation between SFU, Simon Fraser Studen Society (SFSS), and student groups on campus. SFU Students of Caribbean and African Ancestry (SOCA) and SFSS members advertised the consultation to the SFU community to ensure diverse input was submitted. The VPPEI aims to “represent the diversity of people, ideas, and cultures to the fullest of ways throughout our institution.” It is part of SFU’s work towards reconciliation, anti-oppression, and the inclusion of BIPOC leaders at the institution. This announcement comes after SFU recently signed onto the Scarborough Charter on Anti-Black Racism and Black Inclusion in Higher Education in November 2021. This charter commits post-secondary institutions to creating leadership that is equitable across all areas of the institution for Black students, faculty, and staff. Balqees Jama, president of SOCA, said to The Peak, “This is thrilling news to welcome Dr. Yabome Gilpin-Jackson as the Inaugural VPPEI!
“We thank the community and allies for supporting the campaign for SFU to establish this new VPPEI role and ensuring proper consultations centring Black, Indigenous, People of Colour, and the voices of the various equity-seeking groups were heard during the process,” she said. Former SFSS president and SOCA member Osob Mohamed participated in the hiring committee and “ensured the voices of students were heard during the process, commitment to meaningful equity, and centring the voices of marginalized students,” according to Jama.
Thank you for all the show of support and congratulatory messages! With this level of support I know we can work together to turn every challenge into solutions and possibilities. Onward . . .
“In recent years, several reports and recommendations, including the recent Diversity Meter survey, have called for a senior leadership role to guide our institutional approach to equity, diversity and inclusion (EDI). “This position, and the hiring of Dr. Gilpin-Jackson, are important steps in our journey. The vice president, people, equity, and inclusion will oversee a number of [departments], including faculty relations, human resources, and an EDI support unit,” said Johnson. This will allow “SFU to create a more strategic approach for the development of our organization and employees,” according to Johnson. The VPPEI will “ensure that EDI values are embedded in decision-making and institutional strategies.”
D R . YABO M E G I L PI N-JAC KS O N
Gilpin-Jackson has worked with the United Nations Development Programme to create a program in South Africa aimed at repairing and building a relationship between white settler communities and Black South African Indigenous communities.
In a statement to The Peak, SFU president Joy Johnson said, “Since I began my role as president, I have had many conversations about how we can make SFU a more equitable and inclusive community.
On January 8, Gilpin-Jackson tweeted, “Thank you for all the show of support and congratulatory messages! With this level of support I know we can work together to turn every challenge into solutions and possibilities. Onward . . . ”
OPINIONS
January 17, 2022
COLONIALIST COMMENTARY
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ONE DIMENSION TOO FAR
Movies are better without the 3D
3D movies have never been good and just need to end
The Canadian Parliament is built on unceded land.
P H OTO: Jason Hafso / Unsplash
The “nice Canadian” stereotype distracts from our colonial shame Canadians are seen as friendly but the nation’s history says otherwise
Why pay more for a worse experience?
PHOTO: Tima Miroshnichenko / Pexels
CRA I G A L L A N / / P EA K ASSO C I ATE K IT TY CHEUNG // ASSI STANT PRO D UCTI O N E D I TO R
Content warning: mentions of Indigenous genocide I say this as a Canadian — one with maple syrup flowing through my veins and icicles hanging off my Timbit-loving ass — we are morally vile. The “nice Canadian” is a misleading stereotype that erases and diminishes our shameful reality of colonization. “Our country” was built on the genocide of Indigenous peoples, a foundation which is nothing short of insidious, cruel, and villainous. Sure, Metro Vancouverites may politely holler thank you’s to bus drivers and tag our land acknowledgements, but there are still entire Indigenous communities without clean drinking water. Access to clean water is a basic human need and a fundamental human right. Our dear democratically-elected government isn’t even trying to get this right. The fallacy of the “nice Canadian” puts us on an undeserved pedestal. Migrants from outside of Canada flock to this supposed promised land, many unaware of the nefarious history that made this land “free.” I recognize I am extremely lucky to be here and have access to the freedoms and privileges that I do. But it’s a manifestation of my gratitude that I practice my freedom of expression and criticize Canada’s failures. When the mass grave of 215 Indigenous children was found at a Kamloops residential school in 2021, it opened a global conversation around Canada’s shameful history. News headlines began circulating, presenting the discovery as shocking. The stories framed this event as the beginning of a national reckoning. For some, perhaps it was a beginning — however, these realizations of systemic racism should have come a long time ago. The Truth and Reconcilliation Committee released 94 Calls to Action in 2015, yet many remain uncompleted. Why did the dialogue around the discovery note this as some kind of revelation? This implies these deaths were a surprise, when many Indigenous survivors were already painfully aware of the truth. I presume part of this shock comes from the fact that we’ve convinced ourselves we’re so nice, so polite, and oh-soprogressive. When you live with this stereotype as part of your
national identity, it’s easier to ignore the colonial horrors that are still ongoing today. To challenge this stereotype, we need to learn our history and keep a focus on our actions (or lack thereof). Don’t stop at residential schools and water rights. These problems are mere parts of a wide and repulsive colonial project.
When you live with this stereotype as part of your national identity, it’s easier to ignore the colonial horrors that are still ongoing today Other evidence can be found in the near-extinction of bison in 1800s North America. These animals were mass-hunted and left to rot in an attempt to starve out Indigenous peoples of the Plains and coerce them into signing treaties. The Sixties Scoop — extending from 1960 well into the 1980s — was responsible for thousands of Indigenous children being “scooped” up by social workers without warning or their families’ consent and adopted into Euro-Canadian households. Many of these children faced abuse and the erasure of their cultural identities. To this day, there’s still a gross overrepresentation of Indigenous children in the BC foster care system. Alongside these cruel stories are plenty more of Indigenous strength and excellence, but this is an article pointing out Canada’s colonial shame — I’ll leave you to do your own research. If you live on this land and proudly claim to be a “nice” Canadian, question whether this country deserves your pride. Know that loving Canada means realizing and defying its deeply rooted flaws. Know that we must criticize ourselves as a nation instead of hiding behind a stereotype. How else will we grow?
Imagine this: you’re going to see a movie that you’ve been looking forward to. You have your tickets paid and your seats reserved. As you walk to the theatre, your excitement growing by the step, you see an unfortunate sight: a theatre employee is handing out glasses. You’ve made a terrible mistake — the tickets you bought were actually for a 3D movie, not a regular 2D movie. 3D movies have been a novelty item for theatres from almost the inception of film. However, the practice didn’t really take off until the 1950’s when studios were faced with the growing threat of television. Even then, there was some dissatisfaction — famed film critic Roger Ebert also spoke against it. The problem with 3D movies is the glasses needed to make the film work filter out light and make the film darker. Additionally, with 3D images, you tend to miss more of the movie because the screen is constantly refocusing your eyes on the images jumping out in front of you. It’s distracting, and makes it less likely for a film to catch you with what really matters: the great stories and characters. Rather than enhancing the movie experience, 3D often breaks the immersion of the film. Along with being a terrible way to watch a movie, 3D isn’t good for the environment either. Yes, many of the glasses are recycled, cleaned, and repackaged, but the plastic packaging is still garbage. As someone who works at a theatre, I have seen so many children popping out the lenses for the paltry five seconds of fun it provides. I doubt many of those pairs are salvageable. If 3D is so bad, we might wonder why movie studios still make movies like this. Relying on the draw of novelty, the motivation is in the profit. Converting a film to 3D is usually expensive, but for a blockbuster film like SpiderMan: No Way Home that you know people will clamour to see, it’s safe to expect that the extra expense will be made back, especially with a $3 increase on ticket prices. There are great things about watching a movie in theatres instead of at home. The big screen, the surround sound, the feeling of going out — but 3D isn’t one of them.
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OPINIONS
Opinions Editor Jacob Mattie
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opinions@the-peak.ca
TEARS, TURMOIL, AND TRANSITION
Heartbreak is inevitable and invaluable Heartbreak isn’t the villain we make it out to be MAYA BEN I NTE SO // SF U STUD E NT
Heartbreak sucks — there’s no way to sugarcoat it. It can manifest in not being able to stomach food, hours spent at the gym (physical soreness is decidedly better than emotional turmoil), or days spent in bed. In short — heartbreak is pretty similar to depression. I wish heartbreak was a preventable experience, but it’s inevitable: relationships require vulnerability, and vulnerability leaves us open to harm. Learning what we want from a relationship or a potential love interest often requires a few iterations, and each one of these leaves us susceptible to getting hurt. But this is exactly where the value lies — heartbreak is as constructive as it is painful. Of course, there’s no one form of heartache. Whether from breakups, unrequited love, or a myriad of other ways, heartbreak comes in many shapes. It need not even be romantic. As someone who has experienced her fair share of heartache, I can attest to the perspective I’ve gained by having to work through the post-heartbreak difficulties. Although I would not want to relive the emotional pain I have felt in the past, it’s helped me develop a good reference of things not to do, and now have better foundations on which to build future relationships. I can avoid certain behaviours, like ghosting, or accentuate others, like communication, because I can recall the effects they had on the relationship. It’s because of my prior heartbreaks that I’ve adopted the habit of being open, honest, and setting boundaries. The strengthened communication this entails has led to more solid relationships, be they personal or romantic. The most profound impact of heartbreak is the training in resilience. The experience of getting hurt is — almost paradoxically — a dehumanizing, but profoundly human
Heartbreak sucks, but it’s not all glum.
PHOTO: Designecologist / Pexels
The experience of getting hurt is — almost paradoxically — a dehumanizing, but profoundly human experience
living through the end of the world as I knew it. It was — but not in the way I was expecting. I grew, and the world I knew changed with it. I came to realize that the person I was under the dynamics of the relationship was not the person I had to continue to be. As the days passed, my perspective changed, and heartache — while no less painful — grew to be a smaller and smaller part of my life until it was small enough to be outweighed by other forms of happiness.
experience. The way days can blend into one another, it’s easy to feel lost in a haze of misery. But the sincerity of the sadness, and the eventual recovery, can feel incredibly empowering. In a particularly rough time, I thought I was
To those who are currently heartbroken, there is no easy cure. It’s going to suck. But you’ll be fine, you’ll recover, and most likely you’ll do it all over again. The vulnerability. The loving. The hurting. Because we know there are people out there that will make all of the tears, all of the pain, worth it in the end.
WHAT'S THE RUSH?
Breaks from academia can do a world of good Don’t become your studies, your major, or your GPA
A LEX M ASSE // PEAK ASSO CI ATE
University is a commitment — if you’re looking to complete a Bachelor’s degree, you can expect at least four years spent in an academic institution. If you pursue a second major, a minor, or take anything less than a full course-load, you add time to your degree. In those four-or-more years, you are a student before you are anything else. It becomes a part of your identity. That isn’t always a bad thing — I for one enjoy the assortment of discounts we receive on everything from museums to Spotify memberships — but while some of us may devote our whole lives to scholarly pursuits, for most of us, academia is temporary. The transition out of university, known as post-grad depression, is the cause of a worsened mental state in nearly 50% of recent university graduates. This change, among others, is why it’s important in those years to occasionally take breaks from academia. Beyond preparing yourself to better prevent a depressive episode, there are many other advantages to the academic break — and many kinds of academic breaks. If you still want to work on your degree but need a break from the classroom, a great thing to try is co-op. After all, if you’re aiming for a specific career post-graduation, taking a semester or two to work in that field can be super eyeopening — you might love it as much as you thought, or you might realize it’s not what you were imagining it to be. As well as getting you out of academia, it offers a glance at what your
There’s more to life than what we can find in a textbook.
future might hold and could steel your resolve for when you go back to your studies. The best part? Co-op can pad up your resume with relevant experience. If you’re looking for a way to still be a student but step back from your studies, coop is a great opportunity. Another direction is to explore other potential paths and skill sets. This can look like just about anything and it can be a great way to add depth to what you’ve learned in university. Personally, I used what I’d learned in my Communication degree to take on freelance writing and design. I wrote for various platforms, performed at festivals, and had the time of my life being someone other than a student. Of course, you can also approach something completely unrelated — maybe you’re in STEM, but you’ve always wanted to make and sell jewelry. Maybe you’re in FASS and want to try crocheting. Unlike co-op, you have complete control over where you aim to work. It’s also nice to be someone besides
PHOTO: Designecologist / Pexels
who your degree makes you out to be, and a good way to remind yourself you have other skills and talents. Finally, and perhaps most importantly, you can have a break from academia for the sake of having a break. It’s one thing to remember how you like to dedicate your energies outside of your studies, but how about who you are outside of your hustle? Who are you when you’re not productive, be that studying, working, or saving up? During the pandemic, grind mentality has been through the roof, and it’s important to remember you’re more than how much you get done in a day. No matter how much you love school or how excited you are for your career goals, you can’t forget to give love to who you are — when you’re off the clock, when you’re having fun, and when you’re with your friends. In short: take that break! Any break. Your body and mind will thank you.
Accepting my disability has been an empowering experience
FEATURES 7
The journey taught me how to be kind to myself
There was no going back to “normal,” I had to readjust my life around my disability. ILLUSTRATION: Maple Sukontasukkul / The Peak
Michelle Young, Copy Editor
Writing this piece from my desk, a wrist brace hugs my forearm. My elbows are at a 90° angle, and I’m trying to remember to stretch my fingers every once in a while. Among many others, these are habits I’ve integrated into my daily life to ease chronic pain and take care of my well-being. I came to understand my disability through an extremely long and exhausting journey. Once I accepted disability as a part of my identity, I’ve been much kinder to myself. It forced me to reframe my expectations and habits, and I have never been more grateful to have a word that accurately describes my experiences. The first time I realized I had an issue with my hands was when I brought an ice pack to a college English exam. For weeks before that, I had ignored flare-ups and it was now painful to write my final essays — I messily scrawled out the paragraphs on the page and ran out of time before I could finish. Practising piano was also a disaster — I spent around 15 minutes on the piano bench but didn’t progress at all because my wrists would quickly feel swollen. I quit shortly after to heal, and that was nearly five years ago. The doctor I saw gave me a wrist brace which provided temporary relief. I wore it when I was in pain, and once the pain went away I took it off. It was like this for years and I couldn’t help but start to wonder when I was going to get better. I didn’t get better, and I only got worse. Since my doctor only offered to provide pain injections, I tried to search for more sustainable treatment. I eventually went to physiotherapy when I could barely use my hands anymore. Everything was achey: brushing my teeth, washing my hair, and doing dishes. My hands would shake if I tried to pluck my eyebrows. My physiotherapist told me I’d relied on my brace so much over the past few years that I’d lost most of the strength in my wrist and
LAYOUT: Kitty Cheung
fingers. Not only that, but I was also using my hands beyond their capacity.
thought about myself, my actions, and my definition of productivity.
I diligently did my physio exercises and tried to rebuild the strength in my hands with rubber bands. Placing the bands between my thumb and index finger, I stretched them out as far as I could as a form of resistance training. But I always fell back into the same problems when I tried to go back to my previous lifestyle. Society, in general, is not accommodating towards those with disabilities and I felt pressured to return to my “normal” lifestyle.
Once I began to realize and accept that I have a disability — a condition that can restrict the way I live — I was able to acknowledge I needed rest. Not only rest, but I needed my lifestyle to be sustainable for my body.
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Once I began to realize and accept that I have a disability — a condition that can restrict the way I live — I was able to acknowledge that I needed rest. Not only rest, but I needed my lifestyle to be sustainable for my body.
”
One day, I stumbled upon something called spoon theory which uses spoons as a metaphor for energy. The idea is to start with 12 spoons, and remove one “every time an activity like taking a shower or getting dressed was mentioned.” The theory shows that basic daily tasks can require much more effort from those with disabilities. When I read about this, something clicked inside me. All my daily habits were laid out in a way I felt I could explain to others. I can’t clean on the same day I have a heavy workload: I need to spread out my hand use throughout the day and week. My focus was always on getting better and getting back to where I was before. The moment I was feeling good about my condition, I hunkered down and got back to my old habits. What helped me the most, though, was severely shifting the way I
I’ve been going to physiotherapy for over a year now. I see a professional who specialises in hand therapy. She loosens the tightness in my wrist and forearm and goes over how to reduce my pain. She also explains why I’m more high-risk: my small frame and hyper-flexibility make me more prone to these issues than others. Switching my dominant hand from right to left just means the same issues will arise there, too. Understanding this is just a part of me and loving myself regardless of whether I feel better has been an act of care. I’m restricted in the things I do, not because I’m inadequate, but because I’m disabled. Describing myself as such has helped me explain this to others and accept that, as I’m taking care of myself, I need more time to rest. Constant reminders asking me when I’m getting better and being told that I shouldn’t “give up” are deep misunderstandings of chronic pain. Rather than beating myself up for not being able to do as much as I could before, recognizing my disability has allowed me to shamelessly ask for help from others. For those who’ve helped me chop veggies, carry pots, and open bottles without complaining, I am always grateful. Regardless of whether I have chronic pain over the next few years or for the rest of my life, my worth isn’t tied to being able to perform tasks as efficiently as possible. Of course, I miss many hobbies like piano, painting, and scrapbooking — and will gladly take them up again if I have the capacity to do so. Ultimately, however, learning about my disability and how to manage it has been an exercise in self-love.
Features 8
Seeking professor-nal help Build a solid foundation for your semester with advice from professors Charlene Aviles, Staff Writer
The Peak
Transitioning into the Spring 2022 semester Dr. Torsten Kehler, department of English:
Dr. Christopher Pavsek, School for the Contemporary Arts:
th
Dr. Pascal Haegeli, School of Resource and Environmental Management:
Dr. Zachary Rowan, School of Criminology:
Features 9
Work-life balance
Support for students
Dr. Alessandra Capperdoni, department of humanities:
Shafik Bhalloo, Beedie School of Business:
Suzanne Norman, publishing program:
Dr. Angela Kaida, faculty of health sciences:
Study tips Dr. Clare McGovern, department of political science:
PHOTO: Dom Hou / Unsplash
LAYOUT: Kitty Cheung
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ARTS & CULTURE
Written by Gurleen Aujla
Arts & Culture Editor Sara Wong
|
arts@the-peak.ca
NEED TO KNOW, NEED TO GO Events to check out from Jan 17–23
VANCOUVER OUTSIDER ARTS FESTIVAL
LUNCH POEMS: MOLLY CROSS-BLANCHARD & HASAN NAMIR
IS CAPITALISM WORKING FOR US?
Runs until February 16 FREE PoMoArts Online and in-person
January 19, 12:00 p.m.–1:00 p.m. FREE Online
January 20, 12:00 p.m.–1:00 p.m. FREE Online
The Community Arts Council of Vancouver presents the Outsider Arts Festival as a touring exhibition. The purpose of the festival is to spark conversation around “who and what counts in the art world.” Self-identified “Outsider Artists” often face social exclusion and other barriers to the mainstream art world. Participating artists will showcase pieces that challenge stereotypes and tackle pressing social issues, such as restorative justice. The exhibit can be viewed in-person at the Port Moody Arts Centre or online at PoMoArts.ca.
Held on the third Wednesday of every month, this edition of Lunch Poems features Molly Cross-Blanchard, a white and Métis writer and editor, and Hasan Namir, an Iraqi-Canadian author. New and returning participants will engage in a celebration of our local poetry scene. Remember to bring your “curiosity, open mind, and love of words.” Participants must register in advance through Eventbrite.
The Vancouver Public Library (VPL) and PuSh Festival are hosting an art installation titled Capitalism Works For Me! True/False. Artist Steve Lambert crafted an interactive billboard where people “vote on capitalism in its relation to their own lives.” To mark the project’s launch, VPL is hosting an online conversation on questions such as “are perceptions of capitalism changing?” and “who does this system benefit or leave behind?” Panelists include Steve Lambert, organizing expert Alejandra Bravo, and legal scholar Joel Bakan, with CBC journalist Anita Bathe as moderator. Register on the VPL website.
Romanticise life with Lovebird Magazine SFU student Jaymee Salisi discusses inspiration behind her upcoming work Tamanna T. // Staff Writer I have loved romance since I knew how to read. Noticing the romance in everything around you can be magical and can make you appreciate the little things. This is what Lovebird Magazine focuses on capturing. In an interview with The Peak, creator and SFU student Jaymee Salisi talked about the inspiration behind this upcoming publication, and what it will entail. The first few issues will feature fashion trends, interviews with local musicians, and other artists’ work. Lovebird is currently accepting submissions for articles, poetry, visual art, and more.
Passion and creativity shine in Lovebird.
PHOTO: Courtesy of Jaymee Salisi
Salisi and I instantly connected over our love for fashion and the world of publishing. She, like me, is a romantic. “I’ve always romanticised life. Ever since I was little, I would romanticise everything, even going to the grocery store,” said Salisi. “It’s honestly been the secret to my happiness. This mindset is the main inspiration behind Lovebird Magazine. “There was one day where my boyfriend and I were on the phone with his mom, and she was like ‘oh, everything’s better when you’re in love,’ and when she said that I was like ‘oh gosh, that’s so true.’ Everything is better when you’re in love, but not even necessarily in a romantic way. I think the world is just better when you love everything around you,” Salisi explained. After that conversation, Lovebird took shape. Salisi aims to showcase her passions and those of others, especially within the BIPOC community. She emphasized designing a space to exhibit the creative joys of marginalized groups, who deserve more attention than they currently receive. The intention is not to ignore sociopolitical issues, but rather to provide a platform that prioritizes joy.
Lovebird will also portray a generation that wears their heart on their sleeve. Along with being a magazine of the 2020s, it will feature a 90s/2000s vibe. At the same time, Salisi hopes to incorporate timeless elements. It will include fun activities for the readers, like a horoscope column and crossword puzzles. Salisi’s experiences as a publishing minor helped her design the magazine and brought her vision to life. She also discussed her time working for The Peak. “I was just a news writer but I still gained a solid understanding of information hierarchy and how to effectively communicate the message in a way that can be clearly understood by everyone reading,” she said. “Once I started branching out of the news section [I realized] how much I enjoyed writing about arts-related subjects, which is now basically what Lovebird Magazine is all about.” Salisi said her SFU experiences showed her “students can make publications,” empowering her to kickstart Lovebird!
For updates on Lovebird Magazine, check out their website — lovebirdmagazine.com — and Instagram @lovebirdmagazine. If you’re interested in contributing, email lovebirdmagazine@gmail.com
ARTS & CULTURE
January 17, 2022
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SIP AWAY
Celebrate Dry January with a locallymade drink from OPUS
drinkers and non-drinkers,” said Kalaitzis. With OPUS, consumers can have an enjoyable drinking experience, whether they want something alcoholic or not.
Founder Christos Kalaitzis reflects on the launch of his new company
“We need to make sure that we leave the world a better place than we take it,” he said.
Their innovative approach to cocktails earned them two silver medals at the 2021 San Diego Spirits Festival. The brand quickly gained widespread support from coast to coast and expanded out of BC. It is now available in grocery stores and liquor stores across Canada. It’s OPUS’ quality ingredients that set their drinks apart from other cocktail brands. Instead of preservatives and artificial flavours, they use plant-based products like stevia and grains. From their recyclable packaging to their tree planting initiatives, OPUS’ commitment to sustainability is central to the brand’s operations. In response to BC’s recent devastating wildfire season, OPUS began planting a tree with every alcohol-free box sold. By October 2021, they had planted 323 trees, and plan to continue this initiative.
After speaking to Kalaitzis, I was even more interested in trying their non-alcoholic aperitivo spritz and gin and tonic. Here were my first impressions: CHAR LEN E AVI LE S / / STAF F W RI TE R
Alcohol-free aperitivo spritz Score: 5/5
Since I started drinking a few years ago, I’ve yet to find my drink of choice. I’ve tried numerous suggestions, but all were too bitter for me. Recently, I’ve found the nonalcoholic versions of classic cocktails appeal to me more than the alcholic. Noticing this was a growing trend among consumers — and not just during Dry January — awardwinning mixologist Christos Kalaitzis founded OPUS Cocktails. In an interview with The Peak, he described his passion for mixology and further inspiration behind OPUS. Wanting a change of scenery, Kalaitzis left his barista job to pursue mixology, eager to experiment with new flavours and techniques. “There is always room for putting your own touch and [taking] things to the next step,” said Kalaitzis. OPUS’ new line of drinks features both alcoholic and nonalcoholic versions. According to Kalaitzis, “We are one of the very few companies globally that do both. “The mission of OPUS is to create 100% handcrafted cocktails [in] a safe and sustainable environment for both
Have a sweet tooth? This is the drink for you! As soon as I opened the can, the grapefruit smell caught my attention. Since the ingredients also included rhubarb and orange, I expected a tart cocktail, but this drink was a pleasant surprise. The citrus fruits complemented each other. It made me forget about Vancouver’s dreary weather. Alcohol-free gin and tonic Score: 4.5/5 The cucumber and mint was a refreshing combination. Artificial mint flavours tend to be overwhelming, but the natural mint here blended well with the gin and tonic nicely. The hint of lime was a nice touch to complete the drink. I preferred the spritz more, because of its sweet and fruity flavour. In comparison, the flavours in this drink were rather mild. I still give it 4.5 though because mint is one of my favourite flavours.
You can stay updated with OPUS’ upcoming products by following them on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, and Twitter @drinkopus. Visit their website to find OPUS cocktails at a liquor store near you.
OPUS offers zero-proof aperitivo spritz and gin and tonic. PHOTO: Courtesy of Katja Martin
PITIFUL PENSIONS
Examining the challenges women face after leaving the workforce Takeaways from the final episode of the Women, Work, More podcast G UR LEEN AUJLA // P EA K AS S O C I AT E
Give this podcast a listen for intersectional feminist insight on labour-related issues. Women, Work, More is a four-episode podcast series hosted by SFU sociology and labour studies student Alyha Bardi. The series eloquently shines a light on women in different stages and positions of the working world. In episode four, “Senior Women & Economic Insecurity,” Bardi focuses on issues surrounding pensions and retirement. I was intrigued to hear the last episode because the subject is rarely discussed in media. The episode features Sheila Block, senior economist at the Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives, and Jo-Ann Hannah, retired director of Pensions and Benefits at Unifor. Alongside anonymous snippets of lived experiences, the episode spotlights intersectional impacts on retirement incomes. “As a single parent, you’re just, you’re in the moment. Just doing your daily stuff [ . . . ] If you struggled all through those years and don’t have a high income and a high pension and own property, it’s concerning to be older,” one interviewee shared. Speaking about a recent report published by the Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives, Block and Hannah explained since pension earnings are based on contributions made to collective funds during employment, systemic factors experienced by women during their time in the workforce follow them into retirement. This includes gendered pay gaps and jobs that don’t
provide pensions, such as caregiving. If someone takes time away from the workforce, as women are more likely to do, that also impacts their pension. As a young woman in the working world, I realized this could significantly impact my livelihood decades from now. A recurring theme was the importance of intersectionality. However, pensions, either public or private, don’t have different lenses through which they operate. “Today, only 25% of workers in the private sector have a pension plan. So employers are showing they don't want to provide pensions,” Hannah said. Hearing womens’ lived experiences powerfully solidified this fact. Another interviewee explained they will receive three pensions after they retire, but “those three pensions are way too low to live.” How can we account for systemic issues impacting the livelihood of seniors? We’re no longer talking about these issues as a theory or relic of the past. The oldest interviewee in this episode was 82 and still working. This speaks volumes about the failures of our current system. Block explained pension income is “a reflection of both your privilege and your marginalization throughout your working life.” This made me wonder how pensions, meant to support an
ILLU STRATION: Alyssa Umbal / The Peak individual’s standard of living after decades of contribution to the labour force, come as a byproduct of capitalism. Is it possible to have an adequate and equitable pension under a system designed to maximize profit over people? Lastly, Block highlighted people are no longer spending decades working at the same company. They’re moving from job to job, being self-employed, freelancing, and experiencing “precarious work patterns.” Our pension system is not reflective of the current labour market and trends. While not a typical conversation I have with friends over coffee, this episode exemplified the need to keep a careful eye on your pension contributions and future financial situation. Young adults shouldn’t sit out of these conversations just because we aren’t currently impacted by pensions. Hearing the stories in this podcast was a wakeup call. It’s important that we have a pension system in this country that equitably serves our needs. Women, Work, More is part of the Below the Radar series from SFU’s Vancity Office of Community Engagement (SFU VOCE). Podcast episodes and transcripts can be found on the SFU VOCE website.
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Sports Editor Isabella Urbani | Sports Writer Greg Makarov | sports@the-peak.ca
SPORTS SLAM DUNK
MASTERING THE BASICS
THE HISTORY AND ROLES OF EQIUIPMENT IN HOCKEY How has hockey equipment changed and how has that affected safety and the game itself?
A standard NHL set of goalie equipment can cost up to $10,000.
PHOTO: Andy Hall / Unsplash
G REG M AK AROV // SP ORTS W R I T E R
One might think defensive equipment has existed in hockey since its beginnings, but that would be wrong. The first-ever sticks were made from “a single piece of wood,” while skates were simply shoes with a blade added to the bottom, offering players little support. The quality of the ice did not make things any better. With artificial ice not having been invented yet, ice rinks were just rectangular frozen puddles. Until the 1900s, sticks, padding, and skates were all that was offered for hockey players. Before the introduction of the National Hockey League in 1917, hockey was a hobby that ran on commitment and passion. As technology continued to improve, however, so did equipment — padded hockey gloves, elbow pads, and shoulder pads — with improvements added reactively as star players got hurt. A thumb reinforcement was added to hockey gloves after an injury in the 1930s. Alongside helmets, elbow pads made out of leather were designed to soften falls as the physicality of games increased. After World War II, leather was phased out by fibreglass and plastic manufacturing. By the 1950s, equipment changed the face of the game. Players began to bend their sticks, creating a curve, known as a banana blade. In doing so, players could easily raise the puck off the ice, moving away from the typical slap shot across the ice, and introducing elevated shots, known as wrist shots. In the modern NHL, many star players have their own signature curve. The most dramatic change occurred for goalie gear. In the beginning, there were no protective masks, and goalie pads filled with furniture stuffing became extremely heavy as they got wet. One of the first changes was the widening of the goalie stick to stop pucks shot at the bottom of the net. A blocker piece was later added in combination with a trap glove in 1948. However, implementing some of these changes came slower for goalies as team owners refused to allow their netminders to wear protective masks. Jacque Plante was the first goalie to wear a mask in the NHL in 1959 — refusing to play otherwise. However, he was not the first one to wear a mask, as Elizabeth Graham used one in a women’s university league in 1927. With new hockey equipment came discussions regarding what was necessary to wear and for whom. For example, the “cat-eye” goalie mask, which increases visibility, is illegal to wear in Canada due to its failure to provide enough protection from sticks and pucks. In order to minimize skate cuts, neck guards were invented; however, currently, only goalies in the USA have to wear them. They are not mandated in the NHL, though the Canadian minor leagues require them. Overall, while equipment is still a work in progress, it continues to improve the safety of players and their performance. Better padding has allowed for cleaner hits and helmets offer protection against errant sticks. Fibreglass, carbon fibre, graphite, and kevlar have redefined stick construction, directly impacting the game with lighter and more flexible sticks. In conjunction with improved injury protocols, the NHL has become a much safer league than it was in its early days.
David Penney passes the ball to a teammate versus Western Washington for one of his eight season-high assists.
PHOTO: Michael Potash / Western Washington Athletics
David Penney looks forward to the new year SFU point guard discusses the importance of faith, teamwork, and commitment
C H AR L E NE AV I L E S / / STA F F WR IT E R
David Penney (He/him)
Major: Health Science, third year Position: Point guard, #3 Favourite basketball player: Myles Powell David Penney is a sophomore on the SFU men’s basketball team. In 2016–17, he became a National Preparatory Association (NPA) All-Star and his team placed second in the NPA Championship. In an interview with The Peak, Penney reflected on his growth as an athlete. His transition from tennis to basketball was the first step in paving the way for his basketball career at SFU. At seven years old, he caught people’s attention by dribbling his tennis balls. Soon thereafter, he was invited to a basketball camp, where his love for basketball began. Recognizing SFU’s academic and National Collegiate Athletic Association opportunities, Penney chose to sign in 2019. After moving from Guelph, Ontario, he fell in love with BC’s beautiful nature. As part of his game-day routine, Penney listens to Drake’s Do Not Disturb during the pregame shoot. He explained calming lyrics motivate him before a match. “My biggest pregame ritual that's a staple in my life right now is [running] out to the court. And before I run out, I’ll [ . . . ] splash water on my face, pick myself up, and I'll take a snack, like grapes.” On his performance this season, Penney noted the games against UBC and Western Washington University (WWU) stood out the most. At the SFU Showdown game against UBC on November 20, 2021, SFU won the Buchanan Cup by a score of 82–90. In the match against WWU, Penney scored 15 points. This season he hopes “to win a conference championship.” In addition to his goals of improving his leadership skills and the team’s chemistry, he also strives to be a well-rounded student. “It’s more about what you do outside of class and practice time. Are you willing to put in extra hours to become a better basketball player and a better student?” said Penney. According to Penney, stellar basketball players go above and beyond by being selfless and prioritizing teamwork. “Somebody who’s selfless is somebody who creates their own shots, creates shots for other people, and does things for the team.”
He attributed his success as an athlete to “being able to build a strong support group.” Penney credits head coach Steve Hanson and the assistant coaches with pushing him to improve his communication skills through being more vocal. “I think guys trust me a lot more now that I’m playing. I’m playing more and I’m more comfortable talking to them. And I think that they’ve made me just a more patient and kind person, which has made me a better basketball player.” If he had any advice for his younger self, it would be, “Not to be so hard on yourself. When things aren’t going right, that just means you got to keep pushing harder and never get down on yourself. And trust that if you work hard, good things will happen.”
I shouldn’t be afraid of failing because I know I’ve done the work to succeed. DAV I D P E N N EY // SFU basketball player
Penney writes his motto “faith over fear” on his basketball jersey and shoes to motivate himself. He explained his faith in God inspires him to continue working towards his goals. “If I believe in God, I believe God is there to help me, then I have no fear because I fear nothing but God. So everything in front of me will be handled by myself and God,” said Penney. He added, “I shouldn’t be afraid of failing because I know I’ve done the work to succeed.” Penney is most excited for the team’s home games against Seattle Pacific University (January 22, 2022, at 7:00 p.m.) and WWU (February 26, 2022, at 7:30 p.m.). You can watch Penney play at his upcoming home game against Montana State University Billings on January 20, 2022, at 7:00 p.m. Students can claim their free tickets by presenting their student ID.
SPORTS
January 17, 2022
Written by Simran Sarai
4 Track and field SFU’s track and field team is set to open their season at the UW Indoor Preview on January 15. Track and field has not competed since the 2020 season.
Which SFU team is set to bring home some hardware this season? Although the spread of the Omicron COVID-19 variant has shed some uncertainty on the Spring 2022 athletic calendar, several SFU teams are still scheduled to play. With that said, The Peak takes a look at which SFU teams you should keep your eyes peeled for.
1 Wrestling SFU’s wrestling team kicked off their season in November 2021, marking their first competition in over a year. On the men’s side, fans should keep their eyes on senior Logan Nelson. Nelson qualified for the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Championships back in 2020 and is striving to become an NCAA champion. He is ranked 10th in his weight class this season. Heavyweight class wrestler Taniela Feliciano-Takafua and teammate Riley Prough were among SFU wrestlers who were unbeaten at the Desert Duals meet on December 19, 2021, and will also be key pieces for SFU men’s wrestling. SFU women’s wrestling was ranked fourth in the NCAA Preseason Coaches Poll. Teammates Karla Godinez-Gonzalez and Alex Hedrick are ranked number one in their respective weight classes. Godinez-Gonzalez (13–0) and teammate Maddie Mackenzie (11–0) remain unbeaten. Although SFU’s wrestling program has never had an NCAA champion, a roster with this many accolades is sure to go far this season. Men’s and women’s wrestling championships are scheduled to begin in late February. Expect to see teammates Nelson, Feliciano-Takafua, Godinez-Gonzalez, and Hedrick as top contenders for playoff spots.
2 hockey SFU’s men’s hockey team currently sits at the top of the British Columbia Intercollegiate Hockey League (BCIHL) with an impressive 6–0 record. Forwards Garrett Hilton and rookie Logan Bromhead lead the team in points, and goaltender Cale Dolan was awarded BCIHL goaltender of the month for November 2021. During the 2019–20 season, SFU finished second in regularseason play. With SFU’s dominance out of the gate, the team is in the driver’s seat to come out as champions if they can keep their winning streak going.
3 swimming Both the men’s and women’s teams have continuously set records meet after meet. At October’s Logger Relays, SFU’s first meet of the season, both teams placed first overall. At the Winter Collegiate Invitational, SFU swimmers won 28 out of 38 races, set four school records, and 14 meet records. On the men’s side, junior Collyn Gagne has impressed, winning two medals at the 2021 Toyota US Open Championships. Junior Kennedy Loewen has led the women’s team, collecting victories and setting records. Preseason swimming and diving polls conducted by the College Swimming Coaches Association of America have SFU’s men’s team ranked 15th and the women’s team 19th. Students should continue to expect strong performances from the swim team. However, SFU faces a difficult path in their quest to qualify for NCAA Championships in March. The men’s and women’s teams have never finished better than ninth. Under new coach Demone Tissira, will SFU swimming be able to improve their finishes?
Headed by GNAC head coach of the year for cross country, Britt Townsend, SFU’s track team is expected to reach new heights this season. Building upon fourth place finishes at the 2019–20 GNAC Championships, SFU track and field athletes will be toeing the line all season in anticipation of qualifying for the 2022 DII Indoor Track and Field Championships, set to take place March 11–12.
5 Golf SFU men’s and women’s golf have boasted impressive finishes since their season began in September. Freshman Bailey Bjornson’s third place finish during the Dennis Rose Intercollegiate tournament led the men’s team to a fourth place finish at the tournament. Team captain Ryan Stolys will continue to be a leading force when the golf season resumes in the Spring, based on his fall performances that saw him tied for 30th at the South Central-West Regional Preview tournament. The women’s golf team opened the 2021–22 season at the Saint Martin’s Invitational, where team captain Shirin Anjarwalla led teammates to a second place finish at the tournament. Competition is tough amongst NCAA Div II schools — SFU’s men’s team is ranked 59th, while the women’s team is ranked 115th. NCAA West Regional Championships are scheduled to occur May 5–7.
6 Basketball Heading into the season, the men finished seventh in the Great Northwest Atlantic Conference (GNAC) Basketball Preseason Coaches Poll, while the women ranked fourth. The men’s basketball team has had several highlights this season, including victories over UBC for the Buchanan Cup in front of a sold-out crowd, and conference opponents Western Washington University in a nail-biting 82–80 finish. Players to watch include senior forward Jasdeep Singh, who was selected to this season’s GNAC Men’s Basketball Preseason All-Conference Team, and fellow senior Julian Roche (centre), who leads the team, averaging 15.1 points per game. Despite a slow start to the season, the women’s team is poised for a turnaround with sophomore Jessica Wisotzki (guard/ forward), who has had multiple career-best games already this season. Alongside the forward is senior guard Jessica Jones, who was named GNAC’s Preseason Player of the Year. Men’s basketball hasn’t qualified for the GNAC championships since the 2013–14 season, while the women’s team qualified more recently, making it to the first round of the 2018–19 championships. After almost two years of no competition, both the men’s and women’s teams have considerable depth heading into the Spring season. With GNAC championships scheduled to take place March 3–5, expect both teams to be strong contenders for a championship spot.
7 softball SFU softball is gearing up for what should be a strong season despite missing two seasons during the COVID-19 pandemic and losing key players, such as catcher Amanda Janes and outfielder Kate Fergusson, to graduation. With the return of seasoned players such as sophomore Anissa Zacharczuk, juniors Hanna Finkelstein and Alex Ogg, and seniors Chelsea Hotner and Courtney De Adder, SFU softball should be able to hold their own this season. The last time SFU softball punched a ticket to the GNAC Championships was during the 2018 season when they finished second to number one ranked Northwest Nazarene. After the hiring of head coach Tina Andreana in 2019, the team saw a revitalization that led them to the top of the GNAC standings, with a 7–1 record in 2020. SFU’s GNAC games are scheduled to start on February 18.
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HUMOUR
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humour@the-peak.ca
PINEAPPLE ON PIZZA
Vancouver indie bands
SFU majors take on society’s minors
The best bands you’ve probably never heard of
Charlene Aviles, Staff Writer
Sara Brinkac, Humour Editor
1. The Tiny Hat Trio
Hailing from Commercial Drive, this 2010–14 indie folk cover band is a staple of the Vancouver indie scene. While some critique the band for having no original songs, we believe their ability to add a unique Vancouver flavour (primarily through multi-coloured tiny hats) makes this band an easy Top Ten pick. Their cover of Mumford and Sons’ “Little Lion Man” reworked as “Little Mountain Man” will bring tears to your eyes.
2. Colton and the Granola Boys
A new band to Vancouver, this ukulele foursome has taken the city’s vibes by storm. Colton and the Granola Boys can always be spotted playing in their trademark performance attire — Patagonia sweaters, rolled up pants, and bare feet. On behalf of The Peak and indie kids everywhere — keep living your truth boys.
3. Disgruntled and attending a post-secondary institution (DAPI)
With a list of accolades as long as their name, this band’s timeless music speaks to the souls of twenty-somethings across Vancouver. Classics of DAPI include “The administration at my school sucks,” “Fuck UBC,” and “Asking for my 19th extension.” For three years in a row, they have been voted Vancouver’s “best music to procrastinate to” and boy could I tell you more about that.
4. The Knit Sweater Cruisers
Rolling up to (and then playing) every gig on their cruiser boards, this band will have you going with the flow all night long. Their knit sweater coziness and laid-back attitude combine for a great fall beach sound. As an added bonus, the band has recently released a line of matching knit sweaters and snapbacks that have quickly become a Vancouver fashion trend.
5. Housing Crisis
Members of this indie punk band are paying $1,100 a month to live with five other people and they are not happy about it. Their melodic lead guitar paired with monotone vocals make songs like “Pet fees should be illegal” a favourite of angsty listeners everywhere.
6. Apricot Pit
Much to the band’s chagrin, most people assume this is a Peach Pit cover band. But what makes this band such an indie icon is that only true underground fans will know that Peach Pit actually began as an Apricot Pit cover band. What unfortunately has stood in their way of public fame — but once again has strengthened their credibility on the indie scene — is the band’s insistence that their music only be released on vinyl. Apricot Pit contracts also stipulate their music may only be sold in record stores with a minimum of two judgmental clerks working at a time.
7. The Kits Cats
When they’re not at Kits beach playing volleyball, these cats can be found skating down Granville Street or at their famous home dance parties. A truly unique beach, skateboard, party sound, this band’s vision is most potent on their 2019 album Ollie and Molly.
8. Locally Sourced
Energized by only the most ethical and fresh food, wearing the most original and friend-made clothing, Locally Sourced is the epitome of Vancouver indie bands. Unlike most bands each member has their own unique style and vibe, making for an extremely disjointed band visually. But two things unite them as a powerhouse musically: veganism and astrology.
9. Home Brew
The most stylish band in Vancouver, Home Brew makes it a policy to only be seen with ethically sourced cotton clothing, long coats, Doc Martens and, of course, holding a mason jar of home brewed coffee. Personal favourites of the band are “Sipping on that Grouse Grind” and “Bean talking with my neighbour.”
10. Kasey and the Thrifters
With thrifted outfits and instruments alike this experimental folk funk band is a leading voice in the Value Village scene. Their newest single “I lost my baby driving downtown” has topped vegan café charts for three weeks and is a leading song recommendation amongst people who want to show off their music taste.
A breed of their own
Squeeze the day with a pineapple debate
After The Peak staff had an aggressive debate regarding pineapple on pizza, we sent a reporter to investigate the topic. They approached several students at SFU Surrey’s Mezzanine. We hope with these interviews The Peak will settle this age old debate — and protect the sanctity of our pizza parties — once and for all.
Does pineapple belong on pizza? Criminology:
If I remember correctly, somewhere in section four of the Canadian Criminal Code, it states pineapple on pizza is technically a criminal offense. The minimum punishment for this crime is making another pizza from scratch. Now, whether pineapple belongs on pizza is a whole other question. Pineapple has the right to legal representation and a fair trial just as much as any other pizza topping. But if you ask me, the current state of pineapple pizza reform is abysmal. People just pick pineapples off as if they mean nothing and don’t give them a fighting chance to lead a fruitful life. Progressive change needs to take place in the current group order/sharing system.
Computer Science: 1
English:
Of course it doesn’t belong on physical pizza. People rarely appreciate the artistic merit of pizza restaurant menus anymore. Pineapple on pizza was meant to be an allegory for the disjointed flavours of society and the polarization that is occuring in our modern world. Pineapple represents the sweetened innocence of youth and the optimistic desire for change. This juxtaposed against the aged and melting cheese of older, traditional generations is fascinating. It forces us to question whether these two flavours can find harmonious balance or if we are doomed to a society of constant opposition. It’s actually quite riveting stuff!
Business:
Yes, as long as it’s not fresh, imported pineapple that absolutely destroys your costbenefit ratio — and not in a good way, dude. Also, if a customer wants pineapple on their pizza, they’ll have to pay an extra $5 per order. Life is all about maximizing production efficiency and minimizing consumer surplus, bro. Go big or go home!
Visual Art:
Yellow on yellow? That’s appalling. You would need to complement the pizza with purples. An intermediate colour wheel could work too I guess — if you’re feeling adventurous. But you’d need to add blues, greens, and oranges to the pizza. Hmmm, yea. That would actually make for a really nice pizza scheme. A pineapple, grape, blueberry, celery, pumpkin pizza — beautiful!
Kinesiology:
Pineapple absolutely belongs on pizza! Eating natural sugars can help you maintain a balanced and healthy diet. But it’s not enough to have plain pineapple! We need to take it up a notch by sprinkling protein powder on top of the pineapples. This way, we can have a cheeky little cheat day with pizza but still work towards that New Year’s resolution goal!
Math:
I don’t know.* *When approached by our reporter, the math major seemed to be in a state of extreme stress and confusion. A state which quickly descended into intermittent mutterings about Ramsey’s Theorem, imaginary units, and complex numbers. When asked their opinion on whether pineapple belongs on pizza, the student began repeating the words “I don’t know.” Staff at The Peak are unsure if this answer was related to the pineapple on pizza debate or their homework.
Philosophy:
Does anything really belong? Personally, I subscribe to the Cartesian a posteriori tradition — if I can imagine pineapple on pizza, then pineapple on pizza necessarily exists and therefore must belong on pizza. But what is a pizza when you think about it? Maybe we shouldn’t be concerning ourselves with the trivial details of life like pizza and instead work to understand the root of the debate — “What is?” How could you be sure that’s even a pizza?
NEWS
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LAYOUT: Kitty Cheung
Top Ten
Humour Editor Sara Brinkac
PHOTO: bckfwd / Unsplash
14
HUMOUR
January 17, 2022
Your SFU Horoscopes
January 17–21 Sara Brinkac, Cosmic mailman
Special notices from your planetary guides ARIES — Mar 2–Apr 19
LIBRA — Sept 23–Oct 22
Sorry I haven’t gotten out of retrograde. I accidentally had caffeinated tea at 8:00 p.m. last night and my orbital schedule has been a nightmare. — Mercury
Sometimes it feels like you’re just one big joke to everyone and no one sees you for who you really are. I get that. I’m here if you ever need me to take that shit for you. — Uranus
TAURUS — Apr 20–May 20
SCORPIO — Oct 23–Nov 21
I get that you’re really into the phrase, “The early bird gets the worm,” but you are neither a bird nor early to anything. So why do you keep trying to eat worms? — Earth
Nothing is impossible if you believe in yourself. Even when people with a “doctorate” say you aren’t what you want to be and try crushing your dreams with “scientific criteria,” keep believing, friend. — Pluto
GEMINI — May 21–Jun 20
SAGITTARIUS — Nov 22–Dec 21
If you say anything bad about my dance recital last night I will lose it. I swear I’m not above telling everyone about that one time you farted in the Denny’s waiting area. — Venus
Do you ever feel forgotten just because you don’t have a funny name or controversial size? Yeah, me too. Just know that I see you and you’re beautiful. — Neptune
CANCER — Jun 21–Jul 22
CAPRICORN — Dec 22–Jan 19
WOW. I can’t believe you actually fell for that lie your close friend told you two days ago. I had no idea you were such a complete sucker! Well it’s only going to cause you moderate to grave consequences so don’t worry too much. — The Sun
You should consider starting your own chocolate bar line. It’s an extremely lucrative business opportunity and great for personal branding! — Mars
LEO — Jul 23–Aug 22
AQUARIUS — Jan 20–Feb 18
I know I said “never go to bed angry” but dude — you look terrible. Just spitballing here but maybe get some sleep and instead channel that anger into raising a suburban family. — The Moon
I watched you on Google: Street View last night! Your performance was so incredibly realistic! I especially liked when you “tripped” on that curb and made the child cry. Keep up the good work sweetie — here’s hoping for that Oscar! xoxo — Saturn
VIRGO — Aug 23–Sept 22
PISCES — Feb 19–Mar 20
Your mom called and told me to tell you that you have to start calling me dad now. — Jupiter
You’re so wound up. Sometimes in life you just gotta float aimlessly for a bit. Who knows, maybe you’ll find a hot ball of rock gas and the two of you can spark a new life together. — A passing asteroid
COMICS BY SARA BRINKAC
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DIVERSIONS
Business Manager Yuri Zhou
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business@the-peak.ca
CROSSWORD Across 1. Da Vinci's "____ Lisa" 5. Blunders 9. Conform 14. Stratford-on-____ 15. Spur on 16. Category 17. Bread spread 19. Rock star ____ John 20. Not quite 21. Smallest 23. College cheer 24. Made haste 25. Get worse again
29. Food allotment 34. Browning's "before" 35. Skirt length 38. Not busy 39. Bestowed 41. Host 42. Surrender 43. Floating 44. Stains 45. Support 46. Eyed slyly 48. Scuffles 52. Feels unwell
55. Court divider 56. Small sofa 60. Continuing story 64. Over 65. Designer Oscar ____ (3 wds.) 67. Motor inn 68. Fall faller 69. Energy source 70. Malt brews 71. Different 72. Brood
25. Princely 26. Wipe clean 27. River embankment 28. TV award 30. Facial spasm 31. Perfect 32. Dated ditty 33. Requires 36. Skating surface 37. Robin's home 40. Lobe locale 41. Comedian ____ Murphy 47. Painters' stands 49. Risky
50. Psychic 51. Small river 53. Large spoon 54. Strong metal 56. Mary's pet 57. Band instrument 58. Cast a ballot 59. Perpetually 61. Occupied with 62. Above 63. Gold fabric 66. ____ Cruces
Down 1. Papa's spouse 2. Egg-shaped 3. Standard 4. Soft wool 5. Our planet's 6. Baseball stat 7. Leases 8. Sharply inclined 9. Schedule 10. Food shop 11. Penny ____ 12. Experts 13. Camp shelter 18. Urgent abbr. 22. Ghostly
SUDOKU
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