March at the Arch

News Editor: Chris Lind

THE CASCADE ::S

Future of UCFV Liberal Arts Program Uncerta,in

By Steve Beketa

Cascade Writer

The Political Science (POSC) department at UCFV appears to be treading water since POSC instructor Jay Haaland announced that he accepted a full-time position at Kwantlen College after UCFV could not match an ongoing full-time offer earlier in the year. Recently, however, the UCFV executives began advenislng to hire an ongoing full-time POSC instructor who would be responsible for eight sections, instead of the present six, for the next two years in order to replace Haaland. "The University community has spent a great deal of effort to establish priorities and develop the discipline of POSC," says POSC instructor Scott Fast. Although the department of POSC has been recognized as one of the many holes in the liberal arts curriculum, there is neither a "great deal of optimism nor pessimism concerning the future," says Fast. There has been an expressed consensus among the UCFV executive to focus on the gaps of the program and to give less attention to new concerns in an effort to aid the programs that have been "left behind." This will take some time, however, as less and less funding is stretched to meet the needs of the status quo. When asked about the future of the POSC department. Dean of Arts Virginia Cooke said "These decisions are all subject to funding." UCFV has acknowledged the need for a POSC major, but the department faces the same battles as a number of the liberal arts departments (including Visual Arts, Philosophy, and Languages) where little funding has been allocated. "The POSC department has been feverishly competIng for the scarce funds available, but of all the disabled faculties POSC has yet to have been found at the forefront of concern," says Haaland Cooke says that "there is a significant pressure for recruitment and retention of good personnel and without funding this Is difficult." As this semester comes to an end, those at UCFV who have an interest in the Liberal Arts are left to ponder the circumstances that have unfolded. Haaland, a dedicated instructor, is leaving due to an issue of "timing," and a new instructor will be hired this summer for a position that could not be confirmed early due to budget uncertainty. Fast says he believes that the UCFV POSC will likely make little headway in the near future as long as the status quo of the established departments are met with a meager budget. Ultimately, progress will not occur at UCFV until more money is seen.

SPIRIT OF HUMAN RIGHTS ACTIVISM STRONG IN LOWER MAINLAND

By Kris Lind News Editor

In an act of human rights group solidarity, Lower Mainland activists demonstrate at Peace Arch Park in support of Quebec City FTAA protesters. Event organizers, including the recently formed Peace Arch Coalition, expect approximately 5000 protesters, union representatives, speakers and oemonstrators to participate in the April 21 rally. The Peace Arch Coalition "March at the Arch" organizers deem the rally an event of solidarity ''to complement the Quebec people's Conference and demonstrate popular oppo• sition to the corporatist agenda which is at the core of the trade [FTAA] deals.''

Mobilization for Global Justice representative Peter Bazovsky says that activists who can't get to the Quebec City demonstrations should try to raise awareness locally in order to support demonstra• tors "because it is so important to Canadian society." He says raising public awareness is essential because [often globalization protests] "are not covered [appropriately) in mainstream media." SFU Latin American Studies Professor Bob Everton agrees, stating "Originally I was not going to go to Quebec City because I believe that rather than summit-hopping, the value of the confrontation that occurs in these different locations is to mobilize the people locally. And for them to become aware in Quebec City as we have become aware here in Vancouver, over APEC and some form having gone down to Seattle, of what those struggles are like. That when you confront power, peacefully, but in large numbers, you might get your head bashed, but you can actually be effective.'' "I always encourage people to get involved in at least one protest - It's a democratic right," adds Bazovsky. International Longshore and Warehouse Union (ILWU) President Terry Engler says their represen• tatives seek to engage in peaceful demonstration, "Our plan is not for any direct action, but to build a long term coalition to fight these agreements. We all plan to go home after the rally with more information than when we went tl:l~re, and convince more people of the dangers involved with these types of deals.'' However, the Blaine Washington police report that they're "preparing for the worst." They fear that '' ... Blaine could be hosting a mini-version of the rally that accompanied the 1999 World Trade Organization Ministerial Conference in Seattle." When asked if the Mobilization for Global Justice would merely demonstrate or engage direct action protest, Bazovsky stated "It's a tough call. I know of some people who are talking about mild, non-violent, direct action protest.'' Bazovsky explains that protesters might prevent people from crossing the border by blocking the traflic lanes, and "using their bodies as shields." RCMP Corporal Janice Armstrong says there will be a definite police presence at the event: "Our planning Is still underway for this event. It would be negligent not to have extra people on for such a large event. Our people will be on providing security." Armstrong explains that there is . always the potential for some '' things to get out of hand at large events. However, she adds that " ... almost always it's not the protest organizers who cause problems, rather just other peo• pie who come to cause a disruption." Armstrong notes that the protest organizers have arranged their own security. "I've heard they will have 100 private security personnel on hand," she says. Engler says the ILWU has no plans to block cross border traffic, "The government is concerned with closing the border to Americans in Quebec - we don't want to be like them because it's counterproductive." "We don't have any problems with trade barriers coming down," says Engler. However, "they're talk· ing about human rights issues such as pay equity, discrimination, and avoiding labour regulation." The rally will occur from 1 0:00am and 4:00pm between the US and Canadian border crossings in the "international area" of the park. Neither Canadian nor American demonstrators are required to clear customs.

Local News Briefs

UCFV PONDERS CHANGES TO LEGISLATION AND ITS NAME UCFV Students Engage Politics in Upcoming Provincial Election

A decision by Okanagan University College (OUC) to request changes to the provincial legislation which governs it, has prompted a related discus~ion ~t the University College of the Fraser Valley and other un1vers1ty colleges 1n BC. Currently most of the public colleges, university colleges, and institutes in BC are governed by the Colleges and Institutes Act. A portion of the act describes the mandate of t,.e five uni· verslty colleges. This mandate includes the ability of the university colleges to offer four-year degree programs in addition to the wide range of one-and two-year college programs such as upgrading, ESL, trades and technical training, applied programs, and continuing education courses and programs. Over the past year all live university colleges have been considering approaching the provincial government to request a change in legislation. This change would more accurately reflect their mandate within the post-secondary system ar1d allow for new areas of development, such as faculty research, in the future. Recently the Okanagan University College Board of Governors proposed that OUC apply to the province for a change in legislation which would recognize that institution as a university. The institution would be called the University of Southern British Columbia or a similar name. The intent of OUC is to remain a comprehensive post-secondary institution with a provincial mandate and a new name. It also includes clianges which would enable it to include faculty research as an integral part of its mandate, and enable it to offer some graduate degree programs. "The decision by the OUC Board has intensified the discussion among the other four University colleges," says UCFV President Skip Bassford. "Questions have been raised such as whether or not all of the other university colleges should request a similar change In legislation and name. There are also many questions aoout the implications of such a request, and about the effects that such a change might have on current and future programs and services offered by univetsity colleges." At UCFV, discussions are currently taking place among the board of governors, administrators, faculty, staff and students. UCFV will also be asking the community what it thinks would be best for the people and communities in the region it serves. "The most important thing at this point is to figure out what's best for our students and for our communities." says Bassford. ''We are incredibly proud of the role that UCFV has been able to play in meeting the educational needs our region. At the cen• tre of ttie discussion about new legislation and any possible change in name, is our commitment to continue to be a com• prehensive regional post-secondary institution that best serves the Interests of our communities. But this is also an opportunity to review our mandate and see if there are things we should be doing to do an even better Job." u1•m looking forward to hearing from the UCFV community which direction they believe would be best," says Bassford. 1

UCFV Alumni Association

An idea whose time has come. That's what Terry-Lynn Stone calls the development of UCFV's newly founded alumni association. "I am thrilled to be associated with its beginnings and look for• ward to all the benefits of an alumni association • meeting past graduates, either in person or through the newsletter [Aluminations], and networking with friends and associates," says Stone, Alumni Association chair.

By Andrew Bingham Staff Writer

Political apathy rampant in BC post secondary institutions? Three University College of the Fraser Valley students "don the gloves" to run in the upcoming provincial election. Cascade News Editor Kris Lind, Women's Centre representative Christine Muise, and President of the Pagan Student's Association Samuel Wagar are all candidates ror the upcoming election. Kris Lind and Christine Muise are both running for the NOP, in Abbotsford·Clayburn and Chilliwack-Surnas respectively. They are concerned with the same types of issues, those for which the NOP Is known. Muise places emphasis on " ... the priorities of accessible and quality education, continued improvements to Health Care, and a sustainable envlrohment for the future of todtty's families. Lind adds that, "An airplane can't fly with only a right wing ... in BC politics now the need for social democracy is very apparent." The NOP is known for its social programmes, and Lind and Muise stress this, pointing to the recent efforis of both the Liberal and Alliance parties to sabotage the national Health Care system. Along with Health Care, Lind says, "We need to be able to hire more doctors and nurses and pay them what they deseive. We need civil servants to monitor environmental practices, and we need lo ensure that post-secondary education will always be available and attordable for all people." When asked about constant BC Liberal Party attempts to cast the NOP in a bad light, they are quick to counter. Muise points to the tact that "currently BC is enjoying its lowest unemployment rate In 20 years. Small businesses pay the lowest tax rate in all Canada, at 4.5 per cent.'' Lind adds, '1he economy grew by three per cent last year. The NOP has always promoted job creation to ensure a healthy economy." He continues saying that "In Ontario, last February, 38 000 jobs were lost where· as in BC in February we created 7000 new jobs, of which 90 per cent were full time. Show me which practice is healthier for the economy." Confronted With the mismanagement of funds by the BC NOP representatives over the last few years, Muise remains calm. "Every party in power will make errors ... one has to look beyond mistakes and focus on the tun• damental philosophy of the party ... on wha1 good was being done during that same time.'' She points out that new schools ~re being built, and university education is widely available. Lind also dismissed the notion of a falsified or deficit budget, saying " ... the courts determined that this budg• et is balanced and sot.Jnd ... we have a surplus of approximately $725 million and we have not sacrificed government services or social programmes one bit.'' Wagar is running for the provincial Green Party. He is a pan of the Abbotsford-Mt. Lehman riding. He is a third year History mature student, and has lived in the Fraser Valley for , 0 years. His purpose in getting elected is to represent the people. 1 He says that while the NOP is primarily a labour party, the Green Pariy's core concern is the environment. This does not mean that it is limited to this, however. It is also very feminist in nature, but not in the narrow way of 'women's rights.' ''We want men and women to be equal at all levels of society," he states, saying that they are not only concerned with furthering women's rights in a male-dominated society. Even though they have no elected members in Parliament at present. he says that the aim of the Green Party in the next eiection is to become the Official Opposition. He points out that while NOP popularity is declining, the Green Party is enjoying a dramatic rise in the polls. A projected goal is to have candidates in all 79 constituencies. He describes the current situation as similar to that of when the Liberals took over from the Social Credit Party: wide public dissatisfaction, and another party that altliough relatively new (formed in 1983) is gaining the public's confidence. It is interesting to note that all three of these students are very much aware of and concerned with the issues that the larger parties in Canada seem to neglect: the environment, social programmes, and the equality of all Canadians. Contacts: Samue !Wagar: swagar@home.com, www.green.ca Christine Muise: (604) 858 3770 (talk to Rollie Keith), www.bc.ndp.ca Kris Lind: lindkris@hotmail.com, www.bc.ndp.ca

Initiated two years ago when a small group of people met with the UCFV Community development office, the Alumni Association was established with a view to improve student life. Moreover, with new degree graduates each year, there ----------------------------------was the general sense that an alumni association would corn- selected items purchased in the UCFV Bookstore. has announced that it will allocate $2. 1 million for three plete UCFV as a post-secondary institution. Members are sent a UCFV Library card and receive the campus improvement projects on the Abbotsford camSince 1975, more than 14 ooo students have graduated from Aluminations newsletter twice a year so they may stay pus. This includes $1.9 million to upgrade chemistry the UCFV/FVC and thousands more have started their uni- informed about benefits, services, special events and and biology science labs and $155,000 for renovations versity studies here before transferring elsewhere. other activities at UCFV. In addition, the association is to the Disability Resource Centre. Earlier this year the "With the support of the president and the Board of Governors also looking to provide s~rvices through initiatives like province approved funding for a new Student Activity and a great deal of help from staff in the Community Relations affinity cards, insurance discounts and travel deals. Centre in Abbotsford and a new multi-purpose classand Development office, the small group dratted a mission The Alumni Association's Executive Committee says room/lab/office facility in Chilliwack. statement, constitution and bylaws, raunched a membership they foresee a role for the association in fundraising.to This year's increases in UCFV's operating grants will drive, hosted a reunion and worked to produce the first alum- aid our library and providing new scholarships for provide more space for students in high-demand areas ni association newsletter, Aluminations," she says. UCFV students. such as nursing, child protection, and the new kinesiThe association has tried to reach as many alumni as possi- There are four ways to register for the Alumni ology degree program. ble through a highly successful reunion last summer and Association: In person at the Community Relations and ''This year's budget increase will allow UCFV to begin through their registration system. They have about 1000 Development office; through snail mail; through the web to address two areas of major concern,'' says UCFV names in the database at present and about 5000 names and site; and by phone. President Skip Bassford. "The first is to properly fund a addresses on the mailing list. The board says that they expect UCFV receives good news an ,·ts poriion of almost 1 ooo seats which we have been about 1000 new members every year from convocation. offering without adequate funding. The second is the Since last year, the Alumni Association has taken an active budget for 2001/02 needtoincreaseanumberofsupportstaffareaswhich role in the UCFV convocation ceremonies by selling roses, have not kept up with increases in the instructional arranging for grad photos and providing UCFV Alurnni pins for UCFV will receive an increase of approximately $2.8 areas." grads. million to its operating budget from the provincial gov- A portion of the new funding will also be used to IntroMembership is free and has many privileges, Including the ernment for 2001/2002. The increase will bring the duce a new Associate of Arts degree program, which chance to network with other alumni and reconnect with for- UCFV operating budget for the next academic year to a can be taken online via computers. UCFV has taken a mer classmates. The Association provides information on total of $31 , 1 million. lead role in developing this new provincial online proUCFV's continuing education programs. 11 offers ex-students a These funds do not include additional monies that the gram. It will be offered in collaboration with five other chance to take part in social events, to find out what former university college expects to receive to cover salary post-secondary Institutions in the province. When it classmates have been up to, and to share their own news. increases for faculty and staff. A new collective agree- begins this tall, students will be able to complete a twoAlumni are entitled to use UCFV's library facilities at all three ment is currently being negotiated by the university col• year Associate of Arts degree online, or they will be campus locations and receive a 15 per cent discount on lege and its Faculty and Staff Association. abl~ to use online courses to supplement programs In addition to the operating fund increases, the province Which also include on-campus studies.

April 17, 2001

THE CASCADE £

AMERICAN UNIVERSITY'S ONLINE PUSH LEADS TO CONCERNS IN CANADA

National News Briefs

By Katie Meyer, Ontario Bureau

GUELPH, Ont. (CUP) - The pressure for Canadian universities to embrace online education increased on Wednesday when the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) announced that it will be puning most of its course materials on-line for free, costing the university over $100 million over the next 1 O years. This announcement follows a trend of recent reports from a federal commit· tee and the Council of Ontario Universities that recommend universi• ties, colleges and ~overnments aggressively pursue onhne post-sec• ondary education. "I think there is a good chance that we may go in the direction that MIT wants to go - to view public university education as a public good, open to all the public with unrestricted access," says Henry Jacek, president of the Ontario Confederation of Faculty Associations (OCUFA). At the University of Toronto discussions are also underway to open the online gates to free academic materials. "We've been in discussions around offering similar online education access since the likely the same time MIT began talking about it," said Sheldon Levy, vice-president for government and institutional relations. Levy was on the federal government's Advisory Committee for Online Learning which released the report, "The ELearning E·Volution in Colleges and Universities" on Feb. 8, which promoted the use of on-line courses. Those recommendations have come under heavy criticism though from faculty and student associations who have concerns about the make-up of the committee and their motiva• tions. "Not one single student was on the panel who wrote that report. It was primarily comprised of CEOs of corporations that are pushing to market their hardware and their software to Canadian universities and colleges," said Erin George, Ontario chair or the Canadian Federation o1 Students. The advisory committee included senior representatives from IBM, the Bank of Montreal, AT&T, Lucent Technologies, and Bell Canada Enterprises, and was chaired by David Johnston, president of the University of Waterloo. ''Obviously they are going to be pushing an agenda of on-line learning," said George. Concern has also been raised over intellectual property rights because professors fear they would be losing ownership and control of the courses and research they have developed. "We have set up a parallel committee to deal with those concerns and formulate policy," says Levy. But Jacek sees all post-secondary material as public domain. "In a corporate way ... the knowledge then does not belong to the university or the faculty members who teach these courses because they're doing it being paid out of the public purse," said Jacek. Discrepancy exists over whether government and universities will follow the recommendations and put funding into online education. George thinks this is an area where the provincial government will invest. .,,,.,,....,,,....,..,.,,.,,...,....... "They have been funding in targeted ways for things like technology," she saicl. The Ontario Ministry of Training, Colleges and Universities is non-committal around any targeted funding and instead said that it is up to universities themselves whether or not they will focus on online education. ''It's entirely up to them. Universities are autonomous organizations that make their own decisions about how they are going to offer their education," said David Booth of the ministry's communications branch. Booth Is concerned that an emphasis on online education will pull money and resources out of public education. "If you start to put a lot of money into online education it could affect research quality and the quality of instruction." He also cited problems With accessibility, since not all students have access to computers. There is consensus from all groups however, that ~ffectlve onllne teaching has not been found to be a cost-saving device and that the price of developing and implementing online courses is high. ''While some people hope that one could reduce costs by using modem technology, it hasn't turned out that way," said Clark. The Council of Ontario Universities created a task force on learning technologies that also released the report. "Time To Sow." It called for "significant investment'' by government, the private sector and institutions through partnerships. That committee was also chaired by David Johnston and similar senior representatives from industry. ''There are a lot of good initiatives in Canada for providing the hardware connections but what we need is content. That's where the MIT providing access to its content is a terrific move in that direction," said Ian Clark, president of the Council of Ontario Universities. The Canadian Federation of Students is more critical of Mlrs decision to offer free online material. "They're not really providing people with education. It's a way to get free advertising for MIT today." said George. NDP , leader hopes sentiment goes beyond

Anti-free trade groups worry about focus on violence in Quebec QUEBEC CITY (CUP) - As activist groups prepare to protest in Quebec City later this month, they are encouraging the public and the media to embrace their message, rather than focus on the potential for violence. As many as 20,000 people are expected to demonstrate outside the Summit of the Americas meetings in Quebec City this April 20-22, when leaders from Alaska to Argentina meet to discuss free trade in the region. Many groups advocate peaceful protest and believe that the police and the state are more to blame for violence than activists. Philippe Duhamel, spokesperson for SALAMI, a large anti-trade agreement citizen's group based In Montreal, said the movement could grow stronger with a solidarity in nonviolent protest, and that the media is already focussing wrongfully on protester violence. "I often warn reporters that there will be a group of people dressed in black, running around, car· rying sticks, throwing stuff at people," he said. "These people are the police." Duhamel said he hopes activists can agree on an approach of peaceful non-violent protest going into Quebec City, which will make the movement stronger. He worries that a few isolated violent Incidents will distract public attention from the real issues, much like they did at similar anti free-trade protests in Seattle and Windsor, though he suggests that the anti free-trade movement is much better organized and prepared for peaceful protest. Pascal Durand, of the Forum Populaire de l'Outaouais, argues that governments are leaving people no choice but to express their opinion in the streets during protests. He worries that the state wrongfully uses various elements of intimidation, such as a security perimeter and the emptying of Quebec prisons, to prevent people from voicing any concerns. ''The message from the police is simple: 'Don't take advantage of your democratic rights,"' Durand stated. Maude Barlow, director of the Council of Canadians, agreed that public attention is too focussed on the violence of protests but ignoring the violence in the system being protested. "Free trade has Invaded areas of life it was never supposed to be in," she said. "It is intruding on all areas of the commons." People protest because they're sick ot living in a world where corporations hold all the power, said Barlow.

Summit protests

By Darren Stewart Ottawa Bureau

OTTAWA (CUP) - In the final stretch before the Free Trade Area of the Americas negotiations in Quebec City, Alexa McDonough is working fervently to ensure Canadians are aware of just what is at stake. The federal leader of the New Democratic Party believes it is crucial that public awareness of the Issues being protested continues beyond the Summit of the Americas meetings in Quebec City this April 20-22, when leaders from Alaska to Argentina meet to discuss free trade in the region. "This movement has momentum and it's growing," she said. "It is late in the game, though. People are just beginning to understand what's at stake with these trade deals." Many feel that the growing civil protest movement is at a critical mass, and this time must go beyond hopping from trade summit to summit. McDonough said she hopes the growing public focus on trade Issues and lack of democratic process at these meetings can translate into a better partnership between progressive members of parliament and civil society. McDonough said that this is an essential step in the con• struction of a viable alternative agenda to globalization, which her party supports. "Without that partnership people can protest forever and exhaust their resources without getting through to governments who negotiate these trade deals," she said. "Just protesting isn't enough. What needs to happen is a genuine mobilization of civil society. And we need to demand the attention of elected officials." Because of the recent focus on the "Shawinigate" scan•

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dal, McDonough is the only party leader still grilling the government about its position on trade in the House of Commons. Prime Minister Jean Chretien is critical of the party's stance on the Summit of the Americas, calling them advocates of civil disobedience and anti-trade. McDonough said her party doesn't plan to let go of the issues after the meetings. The NOP recently created a Web site to inform Canadians about trade issues and the threat they pose to democracy. The party members believe Canadians share their concern about free trade's effect on everyday lives and the potential to transfer powers away from governments into the hands of multi• national corporations.

Education at risk under GATS, critics charge

WINNIPEG (CUP) - Canada's participation in a little-known World Trade Organization agreement could have dire ramifications for higher education, student and faculty leaders are warning. "We feel that if [the government] goes forward with this agreement, it will pose a tangible threat to post-secondary education," said Michael Conlon, the chairperson of national lobby group the Canadian Federation of Students (CFS). Conlon says the CFS is worried about the WTO's General Agreement on Trade in Services, or GATS. Critics fear it would water down Canadian education standards and could further open the door to foreign investors eager to provide forprofit education on Canadian soil. Canadian trade officials were in Geneva last week to take part in GATS negotiations - an event that received little media attention and raised the eyebrows of few multilateral free trade opponents. Despite the GATS' apparently low profile, Trade Minister Pierre Pettigrew stressed before the talks that protecting social programs would be a top priority. "We will not negotiate our health, public education or social services, and we will maintain the flexibility to pursue our cultural policy objectives,'' Pettfgrew said. However Conlon says, ''Education Is overrun with private institutions" and therefore not protected.

WHAT'S IN A NAME ANYWAY?

I

y Christopher Bolster

Okanagan University College wants a name change. 1, What are we really talking about? More importantly, i where does that leave the rest of BC's university col- \ leges? Should UCFV be jumping on the 'university I legislation and name change' bandwagon? I My first reaction to this issue was that it is absurd. We have enough headaches with the limited degrees we already offer. How could we possibly expect to expand our mandate when we can barely fulfill the one we already have? In retrospect though, I usually think a lot of things are absurd and they nonetheless happen. 'The University of the Fraser Valley' does have a bit of a ring to it. The recent announcement that the Okanagan University College (OUC) has applied to the provincial government for a change In legislation has sent a

The heart of the university college model is that the school is 'teaching' oriented, and offers comprehensive educational programs, from the most . basic high school completion programs to degree $-d).r~~-~._;ft~: programs. In other words, the idea behind a uni• ...:.-~ 7 .:\... "~ --·:.~-. versity college is that it should be responsive to the ~-,.J'i. · , . .; ....,,_ ~; , community's educational needs. In contrast, the -r J .' 'university' model is based in the idea that the uni~1-, . • • ._: ~. varsity should be independent, operate on more of l!J1llliiw.li.f-....;.;'_;..· a national level, and be faculty research oriented, while offering both undergrad and graduate , degrees. I wonder if the OUC decision has something to do with a feeling of inadequacy of not fitting it in either with the universities or the colleges. I've always d thought that the idea of the university college was f one worth exploring and offered more than the tra: dltlonal university model. I would hate to see the university colleges give up so early in the project. After ten years, our collective situation is getting better. I guess this development begs the question, "Is the university college model a long term model or Is it a transitional phase from community college to unishock wave rippling through the other four BC univer- 'cold.' I wonder if this will c~use a domino effect? versity?" slty colleges. As soon as OUC announced that it If OUC succeeds In getting new legislation and a intended to pursue a name change and new mandate, name change it would be provincially mandated to the University College of the Cariboo hopped on conduct faculty research and have some graduate It also begs the question that if we do change our name and mandate, can we get a Masters degree In animal husbandry? board so that they wouldn't be left out in the political programs. • April Musings

By Victoria Jordan

April, they say, comes in like a lion and goes out like a lamb. It Is an interesting month, both for the student and those 'in the outside world;' those who don't always understand or comprehend how horrible April can be tor students who are pressured to perform, who are expected to turn out brilliance on eight pages of 8 1 /2 x 11. It can be daunting and overwhelming, something I don't have to explain to most students (is it really a coincidence that the month begins with April Fool's day? I'm not so sure). Interestingly enough, we also have Passover for the Jewish people, Easter for Protestants, Pascha for the Orthodox, Ridvan forthe Bahai, and Earth Day for the rest of the filthy goyim to fill up the calender weekends for April - an interesting month Indeed. April 20 will also be the two year mark commemorating the fatal shootings at Columbine High, In Colorado in 1999 - what a way to end a century. Unfortunately our response to the sacrifices made by some during these shootings is all too typical of our shallow North American lack of spirituality, and our misunderstanding of what real convictions are. I'm speaking of Cassie Burnell, an ordi· nary student, much like most of the students who roam the halls here at UCFV. Unlike Cassie, however, our lives carry on while hers was mercilessly stolen that day because she wouldn't sell out [ed note: she refused to denounce her faith in God while a gun was held to her head]. While I realize there is some debate about the exact accuracy of the account of what went on that day, it doesn't diminish the importance of the response that the story evoked among people. It is a very telling response. "What a waste," we complain. After ail, they're only words. She could have just given her assailants their desired response and lived. Instead of hon• ourlng this girl for her strength and integrity and recognizing her as a modern day martyr, we say that convictions are all well and good but cer• tainly aren't anything to throw your life away for. In fact, there were many who readily denounced their beliefs that day in exchange for their lives, not believing (as she did) that " ... whosoever will save his life shall lose it: but whosoever will lose his life for my sake, the same shall save it." (Luke 9:24) I find it ironic that we are morbidly awe•inspired by a poet who kills herself by sticking her head in a gas oven and inhaling the fumes while her children are in the next room, or a prize-winning author who shoots himself in the head while his wife is making him a sandwich downstairs (Sylvia Plath & Ernest Hemingway). Yet we say of a young girl who won't sell her convictions to a deranged teen gunman that her decision was quite foolish and she needn't have wasted her life that way. We can respect the angst-ridden artist that takes his or her life, but abhor the idea that somebody might actually die tor their convictions. Our common understanding of deeply-held convictions does not extend past some rowdy logging protesters who might actually spend a night in jail, or a bunch of PETA protesters marching up and down In front of their latest 'project' in their leather Doc Martins, or WTO protesters looting downtown Seattle. Understandably, we have no context in which we can relate to a story like Cassia's, To most of us it is perhaps just a senseless and tragic waste of life. It depends on what you believe. And that may be exactly my point: what do we believe, if anything at all? Do we have convictions as a people, as a nation? How do we define ourselves. April marks the celebration of many faiths. It is a time of renewal. Hopefully it can also be a tirne of spiritual renewal for some of us, whether we be Jewish, Christian, Bahai, or otherwise. We're good at feeding our faces and satisfying our physical cravings but not always as quick to satisfy any spiritual longings we may have. It might be a crazy idea, but perhaps April is a good time for rediscovering the contemplative aspect of life. Perhaps it is also a good time to figure out or remind your• self why you are doing all this. Why are we here, and what is our purpose? A little purpose in life never hurt anyone (much).

Welcome to the Dark Side

By Adam Kraszlany

For as long as it has existed, music has influenced man. Despite this, a lot of people tend to ignore the whole pie• ture. By this, I mean that most people find a single style or genre they like and continue to listen to it to the exclu• sion of all others. However, people who do this don't give themselves a chance to expand their musical horizons. For example, a lot of people hear the words ''Heavy Metal" or "Dark Music" and immediately dismiss these genres without first giving the a listen. Because a lot of the issues that these artists address are highly controversial, and their language abusive and hurtful, peoples' lni• tlal the music is understandable. But there are many "Dark'' artists out there who have something valuable to say for those of us who care to listen. Many of these artists use their own hardships, ad how they overcame then, as material for their songs. Some of them also write about current controversial issues, while others exercise political activism through both their lyrics and their lifestyle.

"Heavy Metal" and "Dark" music chiefly attract an audi• ence of younger listeners- a generation of individuals who feel that "Dark" and "Metal'' artists are more sensitive to their mind set and issues. They relate to the music and it gets their "adrenaline pumping." "Dark'' music is also criticized for they way it leads people to alter their appearance. Some fans sport spiked collars, dark or black cloth· ing, and occasionally, makeup as a result of the way the artists themselves dress.

Although it can be a touchy issue, the point I want to get across is that a little diversification in what you listen to is important. Personally, I like "Dark Music," although I still listen to other genres in order to get a feel for the whole musical spectrum. A few influential ''Dark" musicians that I admire are Trent Reznor from Nine Inch Nails, Maynard James Keenan from Tool and A Perteet Circle. I also like Deftones, Rage Against the Machine, and others.

Dark music Is not just for dark people; limiting oneself to this mindset does not give a person a compete view of the world of music.

April'l7 1 2001

THE CASCADE 7 The Spark Neglected Burns the House

By Kyle Webb

The academic year is over, summer approaches, and optimism Is in the air. Is this a coincidence? I think not! So what can I say? Things are looking up; looks like the work of this pessimist Is over for yet another year. What can I leave my fellow students with for this off-sea• son then? I feel the need to impart to you some sort of understanding in my own particular idiom. I hope that until now, some of you have read and understood what I was trying to say In these past issues of the Cascade this semester. For those of you who haven't read, or haven't Industry and the American Government. The internal combustion engine and the use of fossil fuels are the basis of the current world economy. Most of us know it has to be changed; it's just a question of when, and will it be too late? The Liberals will be our next provincial government, but that does not mean we should vote for them. If the Feds are any indication of what provincial Liberals will be like-this being the first time EVER the Libs have been the government in BC--then, my friends and fellow citizens, we are in for it. The regime of corporate and wealthy tax cuts, and cutting in social spending will be the order of the day, and we will be much worse off for it all. "The NOP Is horrible'' you say. Yeah, they're so corrupt and evil because they try to save the environment from the logging companies. At least they care about spending on environment, education and healthcare - which is in tatters not because of the provinces but because of the

understood where I was coming from, I will here attempt to share with you some of the The World accord in things I stand for and why they are important. I leave it to you to decide if they matter to you on some level as well. What did 1 talk about? Through my research and rather limited involvement in SE2 - compared to many Other more dedicated and caring citizens of this great city - 1 have learned that the power against us Is great. SE2 and its parent company NESCO, who are backed by the enormous oil industry (which means Shell, BP, Chevron. and ARCO to name a few), and the Bush administration in Washington are all agaihst us in one way or another. Just today "Oubya" approved his new budget for the fiscal year which included boosting the military budget by $14 billion US to $31 O billion US, meanwhile slashing the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) budget by $500 million US to a paltry $7.3 billion in comparison. Did you double take on that? I should hope so. That means that the environment gets 2.3% of the funding that the military does in the US. This is a country that created 60 per cent of the world's pollution and denies that global warming even exists. This is a president that, as governor of Texas, managed to get the city of Houston smoggier than Los Angeles. This ignorance of the environment is now what we face just across the border in Iii' ol' Sumas. We stand to lose immensely from SE2. The beneficiaries are the power companies and the oil companies-I'm not even so' sure anymore about US consumers benefit· ing from this. The losers are the Fraser Valley and Whatcorn County, and the world as a whole. The stand against fossil fuels which is taking place here in Abbotsford is part of an enormous struggle against the most powerful forces in the world: Big Oil, the Automobile

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1 ----·' •··· ~•\½-.,-.....A A ~,.., lendly but Feds' transfer payment cuts - and at least they try to improve OUR lot by spending OUR money on what we need. The Liberal government rejects increased social spending in the belief that wealthy individuals and big companies will make more money and pay more taxes. The reality Is that they do make more money with less regulation, but they don't put it back in the pockets of workers - rather they concentrate on expanding their operations through takeovers and Investment and whatnot. The environment and the well-being of the people is not high on the priority list for business and their short term profits; they HAVE TO BE FORCED to comply with the long term good. The NOP does this and the Liberals don't, from my experience. I talked about regionalism and nationalism as very important attributes that we need, Which the current "global" regime is attacking and undermining. Borders are superfluous impediments to the flow of their products and labour, and environmental standards are anathema to their bottom line. Regional differences only slow down "progress," they say. Ethnic, linguistic, and cultural differences are odd curiosities that are good to market and sell, but rather unimportant and an impediment to the betterment of humanity. Who are they? It is certainly not the Madagascarians that are beating down our door trying to sell us SUVs, Soap Operas, and the XFL. It's not the Russians or the Chinese that are any threat to our environment, our way of life, and our national sovereignty. It's not the French or the German languages that are taking over the world by any stretch of the imagination - note that the spell check on your computer is usually based on American-English, not Canadian, spelling and grammar. It's not the Soviets that won the Cold War. It's not the Japanese who dropped the bomb. It's not the Mexicans who come out on top from NAFTA, or the Brazilians who will benefit most from FTAA. It's not the people who the police are protecting in Quebec City in a couple weeks. You can start by changing yourselves, and doing what you know is good. Stop buy· ing things made in third world countries where, chances are, workers are being exploited: stop buying gas from Big Oil, at least buy from PetroCan or Husky or Mohawk which are Canadian and reflect our more progressive, environmentally conscious values. Stop ec1ting fast food, which is not only bad for your health, but bad for the teenagers who get paid squat to work there; stop being a consumer, and start being a citizen of your community. Think when you feel too lazy or too cool to put something in a garbage can, and think about what you put in your garbage. These are a few simple and easy things we can do to make things better in our lives and in many others·. We will all have to stop this and turn things around. Someday we will have to change the system or reform it considerably. This point is coming soon: Quebec City is another major battle in the war. SE2 is another battle in that same war if you see the connection. Shell, Walmart, Nike, and McDonald's are symbols of just a few of the forces gathering inside the walls of Quebec City in order to determine our future; they are lining up on the other side of that border to force their ways on us. They try to stop the tides of history and mold us into their conception of what they see as right and proper. They always have, they always will. And we will always rebel against their ignorance and their denial and their coercion.

Pyramidal vs. Bipolar Authority

By Jon Besler

On the evening of Monday April 9, Brian Donohue graced the halls of the UCFV Abbotsford campus to deliver a speech on the Canadian Constitution as part of the President's Lecture Series. Mr. Donohue has studied at the University of Sudbury College in Ontario. He has a background in Business, Law and Philosophy, and has taught at Laurentian University for 16 years. Donohue started off his lecture by explaining why the American media was so aggressive and sensational in their coverage of a story. It was not just because they are in such a competitive market, but because "they can get away with it." The First Amendment right to free speech, as upheld by the Sullivan Rule, means that the media can say anything they want to about a loosely defined public figure without fear of retribution unless the individual can prove that a damaging falsehood was offered out of malice or reckless disregard of the facts. This leaves the press virtually unaccountable: an example is when form~r President Clinton was accused of murder. Canada, 1n contrast. has libel laws that help restrict such sensationalism in the media. This is an example of the differences between Canadian and American philosophy. In the US, individual liberty is held as the ultimate benefit of a free and just society; In Canada it is respect and civility in the well-ordered group that provide the liberty of the free society. Donohue then went on to differentiate between the models of pyramidal and polar authority. Under pyramidal authority, there is an acknowledged ulti· mate authority empowered with the final say in the medl· ation of disputes. Plato said that, as a father is to his child, so the state is to the people. In the US this authority constitutes the Supreme Court, and in Britain it is the Parliament's House of Commons. The difference is that the Supreme Court upholds the Constitutionally guaranteed rights of the people whereas British Parliament, with its lack of Constitution, restricts those freedoms that are deemed harmful to society. These restrictions must be justified in the speeches made during parliamentary debate. Donohue took e1<ception to Ronald Dwarkin's supremacist review of R. V. Butler by stating that he was trying to compare the apples of this system to the oranges of ours. In the Canadian system of bipolar authority, specifically and similarly in the multi-polar system of the EU, a system of checks and balances has been put into place. Both the courts and the legislature share authority in the production and enforcement of the law and Constitution. The legislature restricts the rights of the individual to protect the fundamental values of society and the courts ensure the rights of the people are not unnecessan.·1y limited or otherwise eliminated by parliamentary acts. The two organizations work together to promote a tree society. This allows for a reciprocal review of the other's decisions, and means that their rulings are not set in stone. This can be compared to the concept of 'due diligence' as practiced by executives of a joint stock company. This holds members personally responsible for failing to prevent a foreseeable problem to the best of their abilities, even if that means firing their general manager. When asked how our Charter compares to the American Bill of Rights as being a great document, Donohue said, "Wh~ all the hyperbole Is removed, I believe the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms is as great a document as the Bill of Rights and one of which we should be proud." Donohue was also asked how free trade issues might affect our values, if we would be overrun by the pyramid system of the US. He answered that due to the born• bardment of violence in the media and its reported emulation by youth, the Americans seem to be moving away from their pyramid system. Canadians may be able to export their values to form a multi-polar system as is done by the EU nations. This would provide a basis for equitable negotiations in which each member nation would be liable for Human Rights violations, environmental and social concerns if it did not do everything in its power to prevent them.