July, 2012

VOLUME 21 ISSUE 31 JULY, 2012

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Collaborative research conference 2

Snow White and the Huntsman reviewed

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WolfPack recruiting news 6

Another cultural celebration in Kamloops!

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PHOTO BY MIKE DAVIES

TRU’s Independent Student Newspaper

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July, 2012

Feature

TRU hosts another informative conference Second annual International Research Institute examines language, culture and community

Mike Davies

as well — and considering the current turmoil in the public Ω Editor-in-Chief education system here in B.C. It would be impossible to pass it is hard to see his presentation along everything that was pre- opening the conference as coinsented or discussed at a weekend cidental.

According to Mentz, ten years conference, and the International Research Institute’s Language, ago the entire education system Culture and Community Confer- of South Africa was restructured ence held July 6 to 9 at TRU is because it was dysfunctional, no exception, but there are a few but he admits that they are still things that stood out as espe- well behind where they should cially pertinent to a broad range be — mainly because of a lack of post-secondary students, and of “accountability culture.”

“Accountability,” said Mentz, The Omega is happy to help pass “especially accountability in those things on.

The conference opened, as public education, is a multiconferences do, with a welcome dimensional and multi-faceted — or rather a series of welcomes. idea.”

Mentz said that in order for the Doreen Kenoras, elder of the public educaSecwepemc tion system to Nation and improve, their TRU Aborigistudies sugnal Centre gest that roles welcomed atwithin that tendees to system need their land with to be claria traditional fied, the status welcome song. of teaching as Dr. Terry a profession Sullivan, Suneeds to be perintendent elevated and of School Disthe partners trict #73 (Kain the delivery mloops) welof education comed all, and need to be able highlighted to trust each the relationother, “beship between cause all serthe school vices are dedistrict and —Dr. Yaying Zhang livered jointly the university, (through partparticularly nerships) the their partnership in the Leadership Develop- nature of the partnership will ment Program — which runs in determine the quality and relconjunction with TRU Master of evance of the service being deEducational program — which livered.”

He also said that even though as he said, “is designed to create the future municipal and region- teachers unions are not a bad thing, giving them too much al leaders in our communities.”

Dr. Will Garrett-Petts, the power is. In South Africa, one “newly minted” (as he put it) of the main teachers union is acassociate vice president of re- tually a part of the government, search and graduate studies, ex- and the result is “what the union plained how the conference was wants becomes policy,” whether designed “to encourage the com- or not it’s what’s best for those ing together of established and learning from the teachers. emerging scholars…including Assessment issues in education the scholarship of teaching.”

“Linguistic

bigotry is the last acceptable form of persecution in our society.”

Accountability culture?

The opening keynote, Enhancing Public Accountability in Public Schooling in South Africa, given by professor Kobus Mentz, director of the School of Education at the North-West University in Potchefstroom, South Africa, was a perfect example of Garrett-Petts’ assertion.

Though the presentation was based on studying his home country’s public education system, Mentz aptly pointed out that the research was applicable to other regions and countries,

“Assessment” was a frequently used word over the weekend, as it tends to be one of the more contentious topics in education.

As Dr. Charles Webber’s July 7 presentation showed, there is a great divide between how people view assessment in education. Teachers, administrators, students and parents have very different views on not only how children should be assessed, but also how they currently are being assessed.

Based on a study involving 3,312 students, educators, parents, department of education personnel, teachers’ association,

ON THE COVER: Members of the SFU Pipe Band tune up before their performance at the opening ceremonies of the 2012 Kamloops Higland Games, held July 14 at Albert McGowan Park.

See more photos on page 8.

school council members, school trustees, professional developers and university faculty, Webber and his team have some recommendations for ways to improve the current education assessment systems.

According to Webber, the current methods of assessment in education, “have detrimental consequences within the educational system, and although any undue hardship is fully unintended, some students who typically are struggling to fit into existing structures may experience challenges that need to be addressed.”

Especially enlightening was the section of the study that asked teachers, students and parents to agree or disagree by varying degrees (a standard survey system) with statements about the assessment of students.

The huge separation in the results between the groups shows the perception of implemented assessment methods. For example, in the study, 32.6 per cent of teachers say late work is penalized, while 77.3 per cent of students say it is.

Webber says that he doesn’t penalize late assignments. In fact, he doesn’t assign deadlines at all.

“I tell my students, when I give them the course outline at the beginning of the semester, ‘You hand in stuff when you can, here are the times it would be most advantageous for you to receive feedback on these things…. This is when I’m supposed to have the marks in, so if you get everything in to me by such-and-such a date, your marks will go in.

But, oh, by the way, if you hand absolutely every assignment in to me the day before those marks need to go in, I’m not going to be able to give your assignments the time and attention that you deserve.’”

He feels that by penalizing late assignments a teacher is not assessing the knowledge of the student.

Adjusting marks for any reason other than the actual academic content of the assignment is not proper assessment, according to Webber, because though it may be attempting to teach dedication, diligence, time management and other life skills, that is not what teachers are supposed to be assessing.

Less Canadian?

Dr. Yaying Zhang has been studying the multiculturalism of Canada through the lens of Chinese immigrants and their linguistic struggles, particularly the outside perception of them as “less Canadian” because of their accents.

Dr. Diane Purvey, co-editor of the International Journal for Leadership in Learning (IJLL), discusses aspects of research with a conference attendee over lunch on July 7. The IJLL is a project that began in the mid-1990’s and has recently been revitalized. Dr. Purvey and her co-editor Dr. Patricia Neufeld are accepting submitted manuscripts for publication in the journal. Those interested can contact Purvey at dpurvey@tru. ca or Neufeld at pneufeld@tru.ca.

—PHOTO BY MIKE DAVIES

“Linguistic bigotry is the last acceptable form of persecution in our society,” said Zhang, assistant professor of English at TRU and author of Language and Identity: Perspectives from New Canadians.

Her study suggests that people correcting their linguistic errors and asking seemingly innocent questions like “Where are you from” constantly relegate immigrants emotionally from “Canadian” to “immigrant” status.

“It’s embarrassing to be corrected, especially considering that in correcting them, you are acknowledging that you have understood the content of what was being said,” according to Zhang, which is basically the same as saying, Don’t worry, I’ ll tell you how to say what you mean.

This “symbolic domination,” as Zhang puts it, puts emotional strain on the citizens because they are being constantly reminded that f luent English speakers consider them “less Canadian,” and said that they feel that they are perceived as less intelligent as well.

Zhang cited being asked by numerous students in her English class to confirm the course when they walk in the first day and see her standing at the front of the room and hear her speak as an example of this bigotry.

For more information on the conference, as well as ways to get involved in future events, go to www.tru.ca and follow the links to “Conferences.”

Summer Contest!

Design an Omega (Ω) symbol that we can call our own!

Email your designs to editorofomega@gmail.com and be a part of TRU history by having your design featured in the paper. Great Prizes, too!

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The Omega · Volume 21, Issue 31

THE

MEGA

www.theomega.ca

July, 2012

Volume 21, Issue 31

Published since November 27, 1991

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Editorial/Opinions Assessing assessment

Following instructions counts as learning the class content

EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Mike Davies

editorofomega@gmail.com/250-372-1272 BUSINESS MANAGER Natasha Slack

managerofomega@gmail.com 250-372-1272 ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT EDITOR

Will resume fall 2012 SPORTS EDITOR

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Editor’s Note

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Mike Davies Ω Editor-in-Chief

Will resume fall 2012 Will resume fall 2012

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Do it.

Seriously.

According to Dr. Charles Webber, professor and dean of the TRU faculty of human, social and educational development, educational assessment needs adjusting (see article opposite page).

He says that assessment — that is, assigning marks to students for their work — should be based solely on the content of their work, because otherwise you’re not assessing their knowledge, but their diligence, dedication, time management skills, etc.

I tend to agree with this, but I do see some problems with that assertion, as well.

I’ve always loved when my professors have open-ended deadlines for assignments.

“Whenever you get them to me as long as I can get my marks in to the school by the time I need to,” is al-

ways my favourite deadline. It gives students a chance to truly show their teacher what they know about the subject rather than demonstrate their ability to regurgitate information onto paper in an allotted amount of time.

And I completely agree that deducting marks for late work is not assessing the student’s knowledge, but instead assessing their time-management skills — the assessment of which is not the job of a statistics (or pretty much any other) professor.

The problem I see with this assertion that the content and nothing else should be what is assessed is this: Where does “content” end and “anything else” begin?

For example, if it’s not an English class that you’re doing an assignment for, should you be able to hand in your assignment in any language you want? Your teacher isn’t supposed to be judging you on your English ability, after all.

Or if you do choose English as the language you use for your paper, should you be required to use proper English sentence structure and punctuation? As long as you’re showing that you have understood the topic you’re discussing, it shouldn’t matter unless it’s for a composition or grammar course, right?

Okay, this is stretching it a bit — but that’s the point. Where’s the line?

I’ve never been a fan of conforming to citation rules (MLA, CPA, etc) when writing papers.

I think as long as it’s clear who I’m referencing and where that reference

Letter to the editor:

can be found, what does it matter if the periods are in the right places in the bibliographical entry, or I italicize the proper part of my “works cited” list?

Because following directions is part of the assignment, that’s why.

Following directions is part of the “required learning” of the course.

If the description of the assignment is, “Show me what you’ve learned this semester,” and that’s all it says, then by all means, make a collage out of magazine clippings and fingerpaint if you want — assuming that’s what you think will show your teacher what you’ve learned in their class.

They can’t penalize you for handing it in late, or not using proper citations, or using white glue and crayons if they haven’t told you what they expect the assignment to contain.

Which is why assignment descriptions generally say things like “I expect you to use proper English structure and grammar, proper citation style according to MLA guidelines…” and they don’t just say, “Do whatever you want.”

Which is why I don’t complain if the syllabus for a class says, “all late assignments will be penalized at a rate of 5 per cent per day.”

They’ve told me the rules, and part of the “content” of the class that I need to show I’ve learned is that I read the instructions.

Of course, I also know that I probably won’t take another class taught by that professor. editorofomega@gmail.com

Re: What does the Québec student protest have to do with us?

Dear Editor,

I have read your editorial comments several times, trying to discover what you had in mind. There seems no indication of a broad view of the protest agenda and strategy.

Are you unaware that tens of thousands walked the streets of Montreal, to occupy public spaces and express their concern for the future of education peacefully? These large assemblies of concerned citizens may have included incidents of rowdiness and hooliganism, but the vast majority of representation was respectful of personal and property rights.

Why did you feel it necessary to resort to a stereotypical presentation of the protest? To characterize the protests as violent and destructive seems to bias your position hard against any alternative interpretation of the student position, relative to the policy determinations of Quebec’s presiding government. From where you sit, is it at all possible that the protesting students are motivated by dedicated critical concern with the trajectory of Democracy?

In particular, can you speak to the problem of indebtedness, which has become, with increasing momentum, the defining characteristic of post secondary education in Canada?

This seems an adequate reason for students everywhere to express critical concern, with passivity amounting to capitulation before the encroachments of capital interest and control of campuses across the land.

George.

Dear George,

I didn’t mean to stereotype the protests by portraying them in the way that I did.

I was certainly emphasizing the violence and “incidents of rowdiness and hooliganism,” but I was using that aspect of the movement to illustrate what I feel is wrong with their methods, not to say that I don’t respect their goals or recognize the many who are doing it right.

My June column was an attempt to show that despite what many in the West think, the Québec protests (and the results of them) could (and should) affect us, and as such we should be paying attention.

I think there is altogether too much apathy and “passivity” as you say, but I also feel that the violence and destruction engaged in by many participants hurts the process of expressing discontent, as it taints public opinion (with good reason) and helps the other side.

Moreover, the failure by the peaceful and organized protestors to condemn these actions is no different than the passivity or inaction of many lending silent support to the current state and direction of the system, or “passivity amounting to capitulation,” as you are right to say.

I have seen or read more than a few interviews or releases from those “organizing” the protests, or heads of large organizations involved in or “in solidarity” with the dissenters, where they basically say, “people are pissed off, what do you expect?” rather than coming out and condemning the vio-

lence, or asking their people to stop engaging in it.

I think this hurts their cridibility and I think it hurts the chances of any sort of democratic reform that they might be pursuing.

If someone blows up an oil pipeline in protest of corporate interests influencing the political process, and the many who hold the same values, but protest peacefully, say, “Well, that’s not how we do it, but we get it,” rather than condemning the action (or better yet, attempting to stop it from happening) everyone fighting that fight loses credibility, don’t they?

I believe many systems in our society need to change, and that we need to be actively pursuing those changes.

My column was an attempt to show that no matter how the protests in Québec end up, it’s long past time for us to get “pissed off” and take action rather than being passive, but that violence should not be seen as an appropriate response to express that displeasure, nor should it be applauded.

So as I said in the column, if they’re successful it should piss us off because these methods worked, and if they’re not, we should be pissed off because it almost looks like nothing will.

I thank you for your response. I wish more people would participate in discussions as intelligently and thoughtfully as you’ve done.

You can read the original column at www.theomega.ca.

We welcome feedback, and you can comment on the articles on the website or email us directly.

The good and bad of a really bad interview Adam Williams Ω Contributor

It’s not hard to see why the public perception of hockey players is what it is, simply because of the physical nature of the game they play. But despite the stereotype that has them missing teeth, covered from head to toe in scars and throwing their bodies in harm’s way, NHL players are incredibly modest and well-mannered as far as athletes go.

Many come from humble beginnings and solid upbringings, are highly educated, loyal members of their community and are involved in a number of charitable efforts both at home and on the road.

The NHL, for all its rough and tumble play, is actually one of the more progressive leagues in professional sports and it has taken a number of player-led initiatives like the “You Can Play Project” to slowly change the public perception.

The NHL is quickly becoming a league that fans and players can be proud of — which is what makes New Jersey Devils forward Cam Janssen’s behaviour on a St. Louis based radio show last week all the more unfortunate.

For those who didn’t catch the uncensored interview, Janssen weighed in on a number of topics from around the NHL, including his recent run through the playoffs.

Throughout the show Janssen made a few questionable comments, and when asked about ‘chirping’ opponents things really crossed the line.

At the encouragement of the show’s host, Janssen spoke about how a homosexual player would be received on the ice. For obvious reasons the full quote can’t be written here, but take my word for it when I say things went too far.

So now, in the fallout of this interview, we in the sports world are left to analyze what sorts of repercussions there will be.

If you ask me, I think there will be some good and some bad in the wake of this incident.

The Good Janssen’s behaviour was foolish to say the least and the public apology he released is evidence of the public chastising he was taking. Homophobia is not something that will be tolerated in the public eye and with support for LGBT athletes from the NHL steadily increasing lately, Janssen could not have had worse timing.

I have no doubt that Janssen, and from around the league who have followed this incident, has learned his lesson about intolerance towards the LGBT community; that can only be a good thing.

The Bad I want to make it abundantly clear that I am in no way supporting what Janssen said, but the lambasting that he’s taken in the media is precisely why athletes - particularly hockey players - give some of the most boring and cliched interviews imaginable; they’re afraid of saying anything wrong.

As a journalist and a fan I know this will be just another incident that further degrades the quality of pre-game (and post-game, and in-game) media coverage, and scares players away from showing any personality in their interviews; that is a bad thing.

It’s encouraging to see the reaction that a homophobic comment elicited from the general public in present times; it’s a sign that things are changing. Now, it’s time for everyone to move on and allow Janssen to move on with his life as well. The league has come too far to be beyond forgiving a short-sighted comment.

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July, 2012

Life & Community City to administer homelessness funding

New delivery system aimed to reduce wait-times for projects and give control to the community Samantha Garvey Mike Davies

and

Jennifer Casorso, City of Kamloops Recreation Supervisor, said fewer layers of government apΩ Contributor and Editor-in-Chief proval will make getting projects approved and implemented a more Less time spent on government efficient process. approval is the reason cited for the “In the past, agreements had to change in who will administer $1 go to Ottawa for approval. There million in funding towards endwas significant lag in getting reing homelessness. At the Tournasponses back to the community,” ment Capital Centre on June 28, she said.

MP Cathy McLeod announced Another benefit is close comthat the city will take over the job munication between the source of of administering funds towards funding and those receiving it. homelessness-related projects.

According to TRU political The Homelessness Partnerscience professor ing Strategy (HPS) Terry Kading, there is the program are advantages to through which the this system of defederal governlivery, however he ment will make feels it works betthese investments. ter in larger centres It has existed for 12 where they have years and runs on “established social three-year cycles. planning and housPrevious to the aning divisions.” nouncement, the “There has defiHPS was work —Jennifer Casorso nitely been a probing under a Shared lem with smaller Delivery system, In addition to the Interior Indi- cities and towns being able build in which the federal government would administer the funding an Friendship Society, the federal the capacity and resources necestowards local projects. Now the government has six other con- sary to play a leadership role on program will be a Community tracts with organizations in Ka- homelessness and access funds,” Entity, controlled by the City of mloops: Canadian Mental Health, he said, but pointed out that KaKamloops & District Seniors mloops seems to be moving in Kamloops.

The Kamloops Working Group Outreach, Interior Community the right direction, and this anon Homelessness (KWGH) is Services, Door-to-Roof Society, nouncement should help, but made up of 19 people representing New Life Mission and the White adds that much depends on variorganizations that ref lect differ- Buffalo Aboriginal Health Soci- ous governments’ commitment to funding going forward. ent demographics of the homeless ety and Resource Centre “I recognize the advantages, “I don’t think it’s ever enough or people at risk of homelessness.

The KWGH calls for, reviews and funding,” said Chris Rose, mem- such as creating programs and approves project proposals for ber of the KWGH representing St. housing appropriate for the particular needs of the local homeless funding. The group also gives Paul’s Cathedral.

“Until we can get enough population, and supporting gaps feedback and recommendations.

The amount of money received shelter to cope with the popula- in available programs and housing through the program will still be a tion, it cer tainly is not enough. in order to maximize the benefits responsibility of the Government We don’t have enough beds — of federal and local spending,” he long-ter m beds [to provide] on a said. of Canada.

“The problem that has emerged According to Louise Richards, regular basis.” chair of the KWGH, $1 million is on par with funding from previous cycles. “[Funding] has been invested in some good projects and has made positive change,” Richards said.

She said the Indian Interior Friendship Society is a good example of positive results through HPS. The long-standing program has received funding for more than one cycle and employs staff who help people find housing in the community and also provide life-skills training.

“There was significant lag in getting responses back to the community.”

with

to where Kamloops was at six years ago, there has been a big change, and

Dr. Terry Kading engages his audience at the International Research Institute’s Language, Culture and Community Conference July 7. His presentation, Promoting ‘Community Leadership and Learning’ on Social Challenges in the Small City: An Assessment of Canadian Government Homelessness Initiatives examined the role of community and government in administering funding.

—PHOTO BY MIKE DAVIES

this model is that it is not clear that the partners — the federal and provincial governments — share the same goals as the local level to end homelessness due to the potential costs involved — an issue that needs to be addressed when existing provincial and federal funding programs are renewed in some form in 2014,” he said.

He is hopeful that it will continue to progress.

“It is a slow process, but compared

the expectation is that in the near future there will be affordable and appropriate housing being constructed to address these needs.”

Richards agrees, saying that progress continues to be made, and that now the community can “take more ownership of how things go [and] shorten up response times for inquiries.”

However, she also said that from the perspective of the homeless in Kamloops, the change “won’t be very apparent to them.”

Christy Clark unveils new B.C. student loan repayment assistance plan

Hundreds march in Vancouver’s second annual SlutWalk

Critics say the plan doesn’t address the major problems

The Ubyssey (UBC)

Laura Rodgers

The Ubyssey (UBC) VANCOUVER (CUP) — The B.C. government has unveiled a new “repayment assistance program” to help university graduates repay their student loans.

Student loan payments can now be partially relieved for people whose incomes are above the thresholds of the existing student loan interest relief program. B.C. Premier Christy Clark announced the new assistance plan as part of her “families first” agenda.

“Eligibility is determined based on income, student loan debt and family size,” said Ministry of Advanced Education spokesperson Baljinder Jacques in an email.

According to Jacques, the repayment assistance program ensures that those paying back student loans will not need to give more than 20 per cent of their monthly income toward provincial student loan repayment.

The program is an adjustment to a previously existing provin-

cial student loan relief plan. Under the new plan, those unable to repay their loans can apply for what is called Stage 1 relief, in which the province will pay a portion of the borrower’s interest.

After five years on interest relief — or if someone has been repaying their loans for 10 years in total — they can apply for Stage 2, at which point the government can pay down some of the principal on the loan. If the full amount of the loan is not paid off after 15 years, the government will relieve what remains.

But B.C. NDP post-secondary education critic Michelle Mungall doesn’t think the new repayment options go far enough.

“It’s just the reannouncement of an existing program that’s had a few changes to align with the federal government program,” said Mungall. “It’s not substantive. It’s not addressing the major issues around student debt and affordability for post-secondary education.”

Mungall said her party would prefer to see more money go to-

ward grants that students can apply for while they’re still in school, rather than student loan relief after they’re finished.

“B.C. still has the highest interest rate for student loans in the country,” she said. “This program doesn’t address any of that.”

After graduating from UBC this May, Justin Dirk hopes that the new program will keep him from being overburdened with debt.

“I guess it would help me. I plan on traveling and gaining some life experience before I decide what I want to do with my life. I may go to grad school and rack up more debt, in which the relaxed [payment] load would help.”

Dirk continued, “Going into your adult life with more debt is never a good thing. I would prefer lower tuition so that coming out of university, especially in Vancouver, with high living costs, I would be able to have the means to live here and not worry about more debt and debt payments.”

Grayson Reim

VANCOUVER (CUP) — On June 30, more than 200 people gathered at the Vancouver Art Gallery for Vancouver’s second annual SlutWalk.

Click here for the original story from The Ubyssey “This is a march to end slutshaming and end victim-blaming, and it’s a movement that’s happening across the world,” said Rachel Malek, one of the organizers of this year’s Vancouver event. “We are going to be doing this year after year now to raise awareness and end victim-blaming everywhere.”

The movement began in Toronto last year, in response to a comment by a Toronto police officer that a woman should “not dress like a slut” in order to avoid sexual assault. SlutWalks have since been held around the world, attracting media attention in part because of the provocative name.

Signs seen at the event held slogans such as “Slut Pride” and “I’m not asking for it until I ask you for it.”

“We should have the freedom to dress how we wish without [it] being considered being an invitation to sexual assault,” said participant Lysse Dahl.

There was much debate prior to this year’s event over the appropriateness of the word “slut.” In the movement’s beginnings, it advocated for reclaiming the word “slut” as an empowering term rather than a negative or violent one.

However, critics raised concerns that some groups of women, including racial minorities, didn’t consider reclaiming the word “slut” to be empowering. They suggested changing the name to make the movement less likely to exclude those who find the word uninviting.

Local organizers decided to put the name to an online vote. Voters were asked to choose between four possible names: “SlutWalk,” “Yes Means Yes,” “End the Shame” and “Shame Stop.” The original name stood, receiving 53 per cent of votes, and the event was billed as SlutWalk for another year.

This year’s organizers sought to make the event more equitable in other ways: they shortened the route to accommodate physically disabled participants. Last year, the route was a two-hour trek through Gastown, while this year it only went down Granville to Davie Street and back to the Vancouver Art Gallery.

The organizers plan to continue the movement with another annual event next summer.

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The Omega · Volume 21, Issue 31

Arts & Entertainment Film Review: Snow White and the Huntsman

Lack of a decent script tries to negate a decent Stewart performance and great special effects

Erica Tippe Ω Contributor

I walked into the Cineplex around 10 p.m. on a Tuesday night — because it’s “cheap night.” (did you know tickets to the movies are half price on Tuesdays?)

The joy of going to the late show: short lines. I line up behind the one person between myself working at the till, buy my ticket and make my way into the theatre.

There were open seats right at the top and it was a fairly empty room — just how I like it.

I arrive just in time for the movie previews — and here’s where my movie viewing night begins to go downhill...

There were way too many trailers! When the movie finally started I said to myself, “Wow, I almost forgot what we were watching!” But as the show began, I got pulled right in.

Snow White and the Huntsman starts strong and does not hold back.

At first I was a little hesitant to watch the movie, as one of my least favourite actresses, Kristen Stewart, plays the lead role of Snow White. I thought she was going to be a little too... “Bella.”

You know what I mean — the vacant expressions (if you can

call them expressions) and the depressed attitude that she seems to have in most movies she has been in.

To my surprise, she did a decent job. She managed to put some expression on her face! My goodness, Kristen Stewart does have emotion!

Unfortunately, despite her decent acting, she was stuck with a horrible script.

Snow White’s speech to her people was very hard to understand (maybe the acting, I guess, but it just didn’t make much sense), and her final words to the evil Queen — the last words of the movie — were terribly disappointing.

“You can’t have my heart.”

What is that? I thought she would say something cool that made her sound brave and courageous, not like a little girl who was scared.

The final battle was also a disappointment. It was short and anti-climactic. Maybe I’m just used to the epic battles of Lord of the Rings, but this battle sucked.

As for the evil queen, she was great. She was very dramatic, maybe a bit over dramatic at times and screamed too much, but she definitely pulled off “evil” very well. The only thing about her that I really thought was messed up was her somewhat

incestuous relationship with her brother. It wasn’t normal, that’s for sure. And her brother’s haircut was atrocious.

Then there was the Huntsman.

Apparently the writers couldn’t take five minutes to come up with a suitable name for a main character so they just got everyone in the film to call him “Huntsman.”

That was silly.

Also I didn’t like that the actor was the guy who played Thor (editor’s note: Chris Hemsworth).

I don’t really like him, even if he’s a good actor — he just bothers me for some reason. I also did not like that Snow fell for him rather than her long-lost childhood sweetheart William (played

by Sam Claf lin).

But bonus points for the movie: the graphics were amazing and the scenery was very well done.

You start off in the dark forest with black powder that makes you trip out on everything in there. There is everything from trees that grab you, to mud that tries to drown you, to trolls under the bridge.

But if you are anything like me and like bright colours and green places and were just hoping there would be an escape from the evil dark of the woods, it does come — you just need to be patient.

When we are finally introduced to these lovely green

—IMAGE COURTESY UNIVERSAL PICTURES

woods we see everything from moss-covered turtles to fairies.

It is a true fantasy forest. I loved it. Honestly, I think this was my favourite part of the film. It was just so magical and exciting.

So overall I am giving this movie a three out of five. It had good action, decent acting, excellent graphics and special effects,

but lacked a script.

I think I may also be rating it higher than I would because the song for the end credits was Florence and The Machine (my favourite band).

But overall the movie is worth seeing. Maybe it could play for one of the TRU Movie Nights this year, TRUSU?

Brent Butt, Saskatchewan’s favorite comedian, hits the road for stand-up comedy tour

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Jacquelin Gregoire The Gateway (U of A)

EDMONTON (CUP) — While most are more familiar with Brent Butt’s work on TV series such as Corner Gas and Hiccups, Butt himself is more accustomed to life as a “struggling nightclub comic.”

With both shows behind him now, Butt is returning to the familiar art of stand-up, with plans to build on his artistic ability through new projects that present fresh challenges but stay true to his comedic persona.

With years of writing comedy under his belt, Butt has no trouble coming up with funny material. Despite the contrast between the mediums of television and stand-up comedy, his experience as a lone stand-up writer helped strengthen his skills as a collaborative scriptwriter down the road.

“You develop a sense of what’s funny and what people are going to laugh at because you have to rely on that when you’re writing the show,” Butt said.

“You’re writing the jokes and hoping they’re funny because there is no audience.”

When all else fails, Butt resorts to the strategy that got his career rolling in the first place: simply being himself.

Since generating stand-up material is derived largely from inner thoughts and personality quirks, Butt used his own natural timing and sense of humour to come up with material for his Corner Gas character, Brent Leroy. In fact, the sole distinguishing characteristic between him and his Corner Gas counterpart is the shape of their timepieces.

“The interesting thing about my character from Corner Gas is that he’s basically identical to me,” Butt said.

“I didn’t know how good of an actor

I was so I thought I’d better make this character as close to me as possible — that way I’d know how to react to situations. I always said the biggest difference between Brent Butt and Brent Leroy was that he wears the square watch and I wear a round watch.”

The fact that he relates so closely to his television character is why Butt doesn’t mind being known for the show, even years after its cancellation. But content with its six-year run and the resulting legacy, Butt now prefers to look ahead his future endeavours.

“I had a certain fanbase before Corner Gas and I have a much bigger fanbase now because of the show. I still feel blessed about having the chance to do it; it changed my life completely, so I’m all good with it,” Butt said.

With his higher profile to fall back on, Butt plans to take full advantage by tackling his biggest project yet. A fan of detective movies, he’s now attempting to merge his passion for comedy and mystery into a feature film.

“It is a comedy, but I intentionally wrote it and we’re going to shoot it in a very realistic way so that if it wasn’t funny, it would still work as a mystery and a thriller,” Butt explained. “But a movie’s a big, visual feast and you really have to know what you’re doing, so I thought it was best that I don’t direct.”

Whether the film is successful or not, Butt’s creative side will push him to continue moving forward with his comedy in one form or another. For now, he’s just hoping the audience will be willing to come along for the ride.

“I think if you concentrate on making a good product, that’s all you can really control,” Butt said.

“So that’s all I concern myself with: making sure that I’m happy and that I think it’s funny, then cross my fingers and hope people like it.”

6

July, 2012

Sports

Recruits signed, expectations high

WolfPack teams look to improve over a few disappointing seasons last year

Adam Williams Ω Contributor

With another school year less than two months away, recruitment for TRU’s Wolf Pack sports teams has gone into overdrive.

Since The Omega’s last recruitment update, three hockey players, two women’s soccer players, and a baseball player have all signed commitment sheets to play for TRU next season. With what is likely to be the brunt of the recruitment effort behind them, the focus will soon shift to training camps and the season ahead.

It’s shaping up to be another great sports year in Canada’s tournament capital.

Baseball Nothing is more important to the success of a baseball team than solid pitching; it’s the foundation that championship teams are built upon. With that in mind, the Wolf Pack have signed their first recruit of the off-season.

WolfPack baseball recruit Brendan Miller (Photo courtesy of TRU Athletics)

Brendan Miller is a recent graduate of Vancouver Island’s Lambrick Park Secondary.

The 6’4” hurler will be competing for a spot on the Wolf Pack’s starting rotation this fall and he certainly has the statistics to support his bid. In his 42.2 innings pitched in the 2011 season Miller

had a 2.95 ERA and a WHIP of 1.57, to go along with 19 strikeouts.

His numbers steadily improved as the season went on, a characteristic that no doubt attracted the Wolf Pack’s management.

“My main strengths are being able to effectively keep hitters off balance,” said Miller, in a press release from TRU Athletics.

“I think I also stay composed on the mound throughout the game.

I’m hoping as a freshman, I can earn enough innings through my performance and help the team win ball games.”

The Wolf Pack will have big shoes to fill in the pitching rotation this summer, none more so than those of graduate Denver Wynn, the team’s ace last season. While Miller’s signing is by no means with an eye to replace Wynn, he will bolster the depth of the Wolf Pack’s pitching staff.

that you can practice or go into games with at least two goalies.

“Adrien brings a wealth of experience to our program and will push our two returning goalies.

It’s all part of healthy competition and building for the future.

Adrien will be a big part of our succession plan for this position.

He’ll add an international aspect to our dressing room and I’m sure some unique insights. I am most pleased that Adrien has committed to us and is our first international player.”

Since goaltending isn’t the only piece of the puzzle in terms of keeping the opposition from scoring, the ‘Pack has also added

Hockey Chris Hans and his team have been very busy in the last few months and have managed to lock up three more recruits for the upcoming BCIHL season.

Defencemen Ben Bula and Scott Bollefer, as well as French goaltender Adrien Hervillard have recently committed to the ‘Pack for the 2012-2013 season.

Bula and Bollefer are characterized as defensive-minded Defencemen who will help the Wolf Pack to shore up their play in their own end, while Hervillard is coming off an all-star season in the Greater Metro Junior Hockey League and becomes the first international athlete to commit to playing hockey for TRU. While the Wolf Pack hockey program is still young, it’s clear that it is growing each season and is attracting better and better talent.

“I am pleased to have a third accomplished goalie as part of the Wolf Pack,” said head coach Don Schultz in an interview with TRU Athletics.

“At this level, injuries, sickness and school commitments occur and it is always nice to know

WolfPack hockey recruit Adrien Hervillard (Photo courtesy of TRU Athletics)

“a level of grit and toughness to the blue line,” Shultz said in a media release.

“Scott [Bollefer] is a welcome addition to our D corps. He has a wealth of experience, has demonstrated defensive prowess and presence. Scott is similar to Ben Bula; they can both be used against other team’s top six forwards.”

Shultz said Bollefer and Bula are expected to shore up a defence which coaches and management see as a deficiency.

“I’m really happy that Scott has committed to us and I expect him to provide contributions on and off the ice.”

The Wolf Pack will be looking to improve on last season’s re-

cord of 12-8-4, which was good for a third-place finish heading into the playoffs.

With high-scoring teams like Simon Fraser University and Okanagan College in the league, team success this season may hinge more on the Wolf Pack’s ability to keep the puck out of their net than their goal scoring prowess — which is what makes the addition of all three of these players so important.

There’s an old adage in sports that defence wins championships; it’s nice to see that the Wolf Pack are building their program with that in mind.

from their championship run and have brought a number of new names into the fold.

No doubt some very tough decisions will have to be made when it comes time to figure out the roster in September.

Women’s Soccer The Wolf Pack women’s soccer team will head into camp this September as defending PACWEST champions, a moniker that will no doubt put a target on their backs around the league.

But with the growth and success of the women’s soccer program also comes a number of benefits, and as Wolf Pack management has seen this summer one such benefit is in their recruitment of experienced talent.

Recently, the Wolf Pack have locked up midfielder/striker Marlie Rittinger of Ashcroft, BC and midfielder/striker Jennifer Mayson of Calgary, AB. Both athletes bring with them a wealth of experience, Rittinger played last season with SFU and Mayson was a regular on a team in Oklahoma. Both are excited to be coming to Kamloops next season and it will be a bit of a coming home party for Rittinger: “I’m very excited to be home and to play before my friends and family on a regular basis,” Rittinger said, in a press release from TRU Athletics.

“I went away last year and it wasn’t what I expected, I can’t wait to play for TRU — it’s a place I wanted to go to school and play for since I was young.”

For Head Coach Tom McManus, it will be an interesting training camp.

The Wolf Pack managed to retain all but one of their athletes

WolfPack soccer recruit Marlie Rittinger (Photo courtesy of TRU Athletics)

“We have so many quality girls coming in. My wife, Pat said to me that she doesn’t envy me come training camp. And she is right.

“We have some amazing girls coming to camp,” McManus said of the expected competition for available positions.

“Being the provincial champions, a future berth in CIS and a number of girls in this age group (18-23) being very strong all factor in.

“Players want to come in and see what we have got. They know that no one is guaranteed a spot on this team.

“Everyone has to come in and give it their best effort. What you did for me last year doesn’t hold any weight—its what are you going to do this year.”

Moving forward it’s hard to believe that the team will have anything other than another banner year on the pitch, but it will be important for the team to avoid complacency. Rittinger already has her eye on the prize.

“I hope we can go to the Provincials and go to the Nationals,” she said.

Laurier star Shamawd Chambers drafted into the CFL, but dreaming of the NFL Justin Fauteux

The Cord (Wilfred Laurier) WATERLOO (CUP) — It was ten minutes before the CFL draft, but Shamawd Chambers wasn’t glued to his TV. The star Wilfrid Laurier receiver and No. 3-ranked pre-draft prospect was somewhere he felt much more comfortable; outside, running routes and catching footballs.

When Chambers finally did come inside and join his mother to watch the draft in their Markham, Ont. home, he sat and watched as he slipped down, through the first five picks, eventually being taken off the board by the Edmonton Eskimos sixth overall — the highest a Laurier player has been taken since 2007.

“I was a little upset that I was sliding, I think anyone would be, but I wasn’t necessarily nervous,” said Chambers.

“It was a good experience, it was exciting, but at the same time I was relieved once it was all over with.”

The main reason Chambers dropped in the first round of the May 3 draft was the uncertainty surrounding his playing

future. A week after the draft, Chambers had a tryout with the Philadelphia Eagles, raising questions about whether or not he would be available for the start of the CFL season, which is just a month away.

Chambers didn’t win an NFL contract during his brief stint in Philadelphia, but he certainly doesn’t regret the experience. Nor is he giving up on his hopes of playing four-down football this fall.

“I think it was well worth going down to that tryout to see what the NFL is all about,” he said. “As of right now, the plan is to basically look at any options that come up. Obviously, I’m just trying to work out the situation with Edmonton, work out a contract, but if another option comes up, it comes up.”

Even Laurier head coach Gary Jeffries, a staunch supporter of the Canadian game is happy to see his former player getting a crack at the NFL. Even if it may mean another one of Canada’s brightest young stars heading south.

“I’m pulling for him to go as high as he can go and realize his dream. His dream is to get to the NFL, so I’m pull-

ing for that for him,” said Jeffries, who saw Chambers rack up 2068 receiving yards and catch 18 touchdowns in four years at Laurier.

“Sure I’d love to see him play [in Canada] and be able to see him all the time and that may happen yet, but number one: I’d like to see him reach his goal and achieve his dream.”

But while Chambers chases that dream south of border, contract talks with the Eskimos appear to be hitting a wall.

“I don’t really know what’s going on with the negotiation process. They’ve offered two contracts that I haven’t really felt comfortable taking,” said Chambers. “Rookie camp starts in two days, but as of right now I don’t think we’ve gotten far.”

While goal number one for Chambers appears to still be an NFL contract, he is excited at the prospect of playing in Edmonton.

“It’s a good spot, period,” he said.

“Edmonton’s a great city, it’s got the nickname the City of Champions; the fans are great, so I’d love to be able to go out there and perform for the city.

But the business side is what needs to get taken care of before anything else and unfortunately that’s the stuff that really slows everything down.”

With just 16 Canadians currently playing in the NFL — only four of which came through the Canadian university ranks — Chambers appears to be facing a tall order in his quest to break into the American game.

But at 6’3, 218lbs, Chambers possesses almost prototypical size for an NFL wide receiver. And the 4.42-second 40-yard dash he ran at the CFL scouting combine in February was not only tops in Canada, but it was the fastest in North America for a receiver of his size.

“He’s just scratching the surface,” said Jeffries of Chambers’ potential.

“It goes without saying, he’s a tremendous talent. But once he gets to that next level, with the talent that he has, getting professional coaching, it could take him to a whole different plane.”

While Chambers will no doubt continue putting in work on his physical abilities — such as catching over 200 passes a day as he did in the days lead-

ing up to the CFL draft and his tryout in Philadelphia — in his eyes, it will be his mind that will set him apart.

“I think what’s gotten me here has nothing to do with my ability to play football,” he said.

“I think what got me here was the intangibles. Physically, when you get to a certain level, everyone is capable of doing the exact same thing; it’s the mental side and the attitude that sets apart the elite athletes.”

Should Chambers make an NFL roster, he would join Nate Burleson of the Detroit Lions and Austin Collie of the Indianapolis Colts as the only Canadian wide receivers in the league.

However, of those three, Chambers would be the only one to come from a Canadian school. Should Chambers and the Eskimos be unable to reach a deal, and things don’t pan out in the NFL, the Golden Hawks could potentially get their star wideout back in 2012.

Chambers only used four of his five years of Canadian Interuniversity Sport eligibility and is, therefore, able to rejoin the Hawks for a fifth and final year.

7

The Omega · Volume 21, Issue 31

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1. Holy man 5. Annoyances 10. Like some columns 14. Baker’s need 15. Fancy tie 16. Stalactite site 17. Sandwich bread 18. Bathroom item 19. Hands 20. Indian restaurant fare 23. Coarse file 24. Disaster 25. Fragrant oil 28. Canal site 30. Bloodstream fluid 34. Start to like 36. Miss-named?

38. “___ Time transfigured me.”

- Yeats 39. Fine produce 43. Apply 44. Flatter, in a way 45. Building blocks 46. Fine thread 49. Polar worker 51. Idiotic 52. Gorbachev was its last leader (abbr.)

54. Floating, perhaps 56. Celebratory meal, probably 62. Basil, e.g.

63. Accustom 64. Enthusiasm 66. Advocate 67. One who makes dreams come true 68. Dead against 69. Rude person 70. Good point 71. Bit of choreography Down 1. Chop (off) 2. Tel ___ 3. Allot, with “out” 4. Word riddles 5. Yesteryears 6. Break 7. One who crosses the line?

8. No charge on the bridge?

9. It is best stainless 10. Absorb 11. Henry VIII’s last wife 12. Always 13. Wet, as morning grass 21. Third of nine 22. Newspaper div.

25. Bad 26. Foot bones 27. Genealogical diagrams 29. Sweetheart 31. Peach dessert 32. Dress up

33. Literature Nobelist Hermann 35. Lab eggs 37. Flight board abbr.

40. Table centerpieces 41. Bye word 42. Windfalls 47. Felled trees 48. Medium ability?

50. Imaginary land of supernatural beings 53. Goatlike antelope 55. Precipitation 56. Great Lakes fish 57. Deli sandwich 58. Jason’s ship 59. Women in habits 60. Tiny payment 61. Can’t take 65. Mouth piece R E F S

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LAST MONTH’S ANSWERS

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MYLES MELLOR

sudokueasy

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“Edible Arrangements”

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8

July, 2012

Photo Gallery

ABOVE LEFT: George Feenstra leads chants for a group of two dozen demonstrators outside the KGHM Environmental Workshop, held in Mountain View Room of the Campus Activity Centre, June 28.

ABOVE RIGHT: Demonstrators were denied entry to KGHM’s Environmental Workshop, despite the meeting having been advertised on the Thompson Environmental Network’s website to “engage the public in the assessment process and project design.” The website also asked participants to pre-register for the event.

—PHOTOS BY SAMANTHA GARVEY

BELOW: The 2012 Kamloops Highland Games, held July 14 at Albert McGowan Park, showcases various aspects Scottish culture, including Simon Fraser University’s world-renowned pipe band showing everyone how you can’t go from heroic and epic to anguish and sorrow and back again quite as effectively without bagpipes and drums. SFU’s Pipe Band is one of only four bands located outside of the United Kingdom that have won a Grade 1 World Pipe Band Championship, and has played Carnegie Hall, the Sydney Opera House and the Glasgow Royal Concert Hall.

—PHOTOS BY MIKE DAVIES