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October 21, 2013 | the Weal.com
NEWS EDITOR Crystal Schick
NEWS WRITER
More fees for those from overseas BY CRYSTAL SCHICK NEWS EDITOR
Sheldon Smith
A&E EDITOR Inonge Chimwaso
A&E WRITER Husson Zaman
LIFESTYLES EDITOR Yashica Anandani
LIFESTYLES WRITER Position available
OPINIONS EDITOR Monica Henderson
SPORTS EDITOR Steve Sucha
SPORTS WRITER Andrew Halipchuk
PHOTO EDITOR Brent Calver
STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER Leo Aragon
STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER Evan Buhler
ILLUSTRATIONS EDITOR Susan Kim
LAYOUT & GRAPHICS EDITOR Patricia Rye
LAYOUT & GRAPHICS EDITOR Alannah Pohran
SAIT’s International Centre has added a fee to a necessary service that was previously complimentary. International students were notified via email that beginning on Sept. 30, the issuing of ‘confirmation of enrolment’ letters — one of the main services they depend on from the International Centre — will now cost $5 for one or two letters and $10 for three to five letters. “We need those letters for everything,” said Felipe Soto, first-year petroleum engineering technology student. Such letters are needed “to apply for programs, study permits and temporary resident visas, to work at school...and to travel to our [home] country and come back to Canada,” he said. Some countries, such as Venezuela which uses different exchange rates for ‘non-essential’ and ‘essential’ goods such as education, even require these letters in order for students to change domestic currency to Canadian dollars. The International Centre stated in its Sept. 23 email notification to SAIT’s international students that this new policy is due to the increasing costs of producing, printing and paper supplies involved in producing
COVER ILLUSTRATION Susan Kim
CONTRIBUTORS
Amanda Siebert, Carys Richards, Amanda Hanna, Marcella Serink, Robyn Hertz, Krista Conrad, Clayton Seams, Jenn Sieppert Direct letters, questions and concerns to:
PUBLICATIONS EDITOR Giselle Wedemire ph. 284-8458 / fax 210-4216
ADVERTISING INQUIRIES
Heather Setka, Publications Manager ph. 284-8077 / fax 210-4216 Advertising deadlines Bookings Monday @ noon Published every Monday during the academic year by SAITSA (SAIT Students’ Association). The Weal V219, 1301-16 Ave. N.W. Calgary, Alberta T2M 0L4 Fax: 403-210-4216 The Weal serves the SAIT community by promoting student activities, presenting news of interest to its members, and by fostering a learning environment in which members may participate; the newspaper is supported by student fees. The Weal is a member of the Associated Collegiate Press and the Canadian University Press. Contents do not reflect the views of SAIT or SAITSA. Printed direct-to-plate Adobe Acrobat International Web exPress.
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Confirmation of enrolment letters for international students were previously a complimentary service. However, on Sept. 23, international students were notified of a $5 fee for every one or two letters.
BRENT CALVER PHOTO ILLUSTRATION
this fee was expanded to include all letters produced by the International Centre, instead of just specific letters. According to Soto, most international students need a minimum of one to two letters per semester, but the need differs based on a student’s country of origin. Thao Nguyen, a second-year marketing and business administration student from Vietnam, said that she will need three letters this year. For Nguyen, it is about principle, not money. “It is not a huge amount of money for those letters. However, it’s not fair for students to pay for a service that we are supposed to have [free],” she said. Nguyen said it doesn’t make
sense international students would have to pay a fee like this when they are already paying so much in tuition costs. International students in Alberta already pay up to three times the tuition amount as domestic students. According to Soto, international students are leery to raise their voices in opposition of this new fee for fear of upsetting the Centre, which they rely so heavily on for support and post-graduation assistance. “People are scared to talk… because we need these letters so much,” he said. “You can’t imagine how much.”
Alberta’s Student of the Year Goes to SAIT BY CRYSTAL SCHICK NEWS EDITOR
WEB MASTER Jennifer Poon
the letters. These costs are exacerbated by students who request letters, do not pick them up, then request for another new letter to be produced and printed. “There are different letters that are produced and each is customized, depending on the type required,” said International Centre director Enid Angelstad in an email correspondence with The Weal. “It is a very time-consuming process as the information required for each letter must be personally researched.” Soto and other international students created a list of cost solution ideas, which they hope the Centre will consider implementing in lieu of the fee. Suggestions included that the $5 be used as a deposit that will be returned when a student picks up their letter; that the letter be produced the same day – and time – it is requested, if possible; and emailing the students their letter, which will place the onus and cost of printing on individual students. “At this time, the fee is here to stay,” said Angelstad in an email. Angelstad also explained in the email that the fee “is not totally new” and the fee has been around for over a year. According to the International Centre’s Sept. 23 email sent to SAIT’s international students,
Despite his jam-packed schedule, SAIT student Daniel Kwagbenu squeezed in enough time to be named the Black Gold Awards’ 2013 College Student of the Year. A second-year management major in the business administration program, Kwagbenu was honoured at the inaugural Black
Gold Awards ceremony, which took place on Friday, Sept. 27 at Calgary’s Epcor Centre. In winning the award, he beat out two other nominees in his category. “I feel thankful, humbled and motivated to achieve more,” said Kwagbenu. The award’s website describes the juried award as recognizing students who have “demonstrated exceptional academic achievement, leadership ability,
and citizenship.” “I don’t know what set me apart [from the other nominees]. It was probably a combination of things.” This “combination of things” he referred to is a mixture of his work ethic and academic success. Kwagbenu is a high-achieving academic student, with a 4.0 grade point average who makes “it a point never to miss class, [and] I make sure to understand the material in class when it is being taught.” By doing this, he can minimize the amount of time he spends outside of class studying taught material and can help teach struggling classmates. In May, Kwagbenu also became the president of SAIT’s Enactus team, a volunteer-based social entrepreneurship group. Prior to becoming the group’s president, he served as a project manager from September 2012 to April 2013. Outside of academics, and in what little spare time he has, Kwagbenu volunteers. One of his main volunteering campaigns is his continued plasma donations to Canada Blood Services. Plasma donation he says, is a similar process to blood donation, but it allows him to donate more often. He attempts to donate twice per month, but has at times been donating on a weekly basis. Kwagbenu also volunteers at least once per month at the Calgary Drop-In Centre, where
he helps to cook for, and serve lunch to, those using the facility. “I guess another thing [that factored into my award] may be my leadership qualities, in the sense that in any setting I am in, I tend to stand out as a natural leader,” he said. By ‘leadership’ he is not referring to the ability to boss people around, but to his ability to motivate and help people. “I serve to lead and I lead by example.” Kwagbenu is chief financial officer of a financial service business he created with a business partner, called Rubix Group of Companies. “I am an entrepreneur at heart . . . in the sense that I can see opportunities in a different way, and capitalize on them,” he explained. This, and more, has all been accomplished in the short seven years that Kwagbenu has lived in Canada. He moved to Canada from Ghana, Africa, in 2006 to study computer science at the University of Alberta, but made his way to SAIT when he realized that program wasn’t what he wanted to do. The Black Gold Awards were created in an effort to recognize the great achievements of the African, Caribbean and Afro-Canadian in Alberta. Of the three nominees in the College Student of the Year Award category, two were from SAIT. Kwagbenu and also Zenas Bukasa, a business administration, automotive management student.
the Weal.com | October 21, 2013
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Drivetrain donation gets things in gear BY SHELDON SMITH NEWS WRITER
Japanese car manufacturing giant Subaru has donated the drivetrain of the previous generation Subaru Forester to SAIT, giving visitors and students a unique look into how a drivetrain is assembled. Subaru’s idea behind the donation was to use the drivetrain as a learning piece for automotive students, while also introducing a new generation of students to the benefits of Subaru’s symmetrical full-time all-wheel drive system. Subaru is known for equipping all of their vehicles with all-wheel drive. “Subaru is thrilled to support as many schools across the country as we can,” said Julie Lychak, assistant manager of public relations for Subaru Canada, Inc. The drivetrain display is mainly for visitors to see and is intended to be used as a learning tool for SAIT’s first-year automotive students, automotive apprenticeship students and automotive service technology students. Kim Ritter, marketing coordinator for SAIT’s school of transportation, said SAIT was thankful for the donation and
that the drivetrain is currently on display for visitors to see in the main west entrance of the Clayton Carroll Automotive Centre. “The drivetrain is unique because the entire body is removed. It’s a real display piece. We get a lot of vehicle donations and use them in the classrooms,” Ritter said. This isn’t the first time that Subaru has made donations to schools in Canada. Earlier in the summer, Subaru donated a drivetrain to the automotive business school of Canada at Georgian College, whose three main campuses are in Barrie, Orillia and Owen Sound, Ont. An engine display was also donated to the Centre de Formation in Rimouski, Que. Before reaching SAIT, Subaru’s drivetrain travelled across the country over the summer as part of the Canadian auto show circuit. The drivetrain was previously on display in Montreal, Toronto, Quebec City, Calgary, Vancouver and Edmonton. According to Ritter, Subaru got in touch with SAIT about the drivetrain when Subaru’s crosscountry tour was completed during the latter stages of the summer. “[Subaru] approached us and asked if we were interested in
the drivetrain. Subaru is an industry partner of ours. We did have another Subaru display, in the past, it was a cutaway Forester. Removing the Legacy and replacing it with the Forester took a lot of work,” said Ritter. “This tour illustrated the unique layout of the Subaru Boxer engine and Subaru’s all-wheel drive system of each car,” said Lychak, explaining how all of Subaru’s vehicles are equipped with all-wheel drive. In general, Subaru does all that they can when it comes to supporting schools across the country through their Graduate Reward Program. The program offers a $750 cash rebate to qualified recent college and university graduates who purchase new Subaru vehicles. “We’re thrilled in supporting schools and students across the country, and we hope to continue to do so in the future,” Lychak said. According to Ritter, General Motors, Ford, and Volkswagen have also donated vehicles to SAIT, and Lexus is in the process of making a donation to the school. “SAIT is always open to more donations in the future,” Ritter said.
The Clayton Carroll Automotive Centre boasts its new drivetrain donated by Subaru. The drivetrain is to be used as a learning tool and as a visitor display.
PHOTO BY CLAYTON SEAMS
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October 21, 2013 | the Weal.com
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The Executive Corner
Raising awareness round two
BY AMANDA HANNA SAITSA VP STUDENT LIFE
We’re almost halfway through the first semester—congrats! It’s been hectic, but winter break is just around the corner. I want to start off with a huge thank you to everyone who came out and experienced
SAITSA’s Mental Health Awareness Day on Oct. 10. SAITSA has never held an event like this before, but with your support and the amazing turnout two weeks ago, I don’t see why we wouldn’t make this a reoccurring event. We had free massages, yoga, Zumba, information booths, and a puppy room. All of this was in an effort to help promote the mental wellbeing of our students. School can be very demanding, and it is important to know and understand all of the different resources available to help you both prevent and cope with stress. I hope that by seeing the different ways you can care for your body, mind and soul— both on- and off-campus—it will help you and your stress levels through the rest of the school year.
We will be hosting another awareness day on Nov. 19, and this time we’re focusing on good ol’ finance. I know it’s not the most exciting topic, but as a student it is one of the most important things to have under control. We will have a couple of booths set up by different industry professionals in the Irene Lewis Atrium. They’ll be there, offering up information on different finance-related topics. There will also be two guest speakers who will help educate you on some key aspects of finance. I decided to have this follow the Mental Health Day because I know finances can be one of the main causes of stress—or is that just me? On a more exciting note, Movember is just around the corner! I, for one, am extremely
excited because the men, for the most part, start to look a little more handsome and we all get a chance to raise funds and awareness for an amazing cause. Movember is all about changing the face of men’s health and you can help by starting or joining a team. Visit SAITSA.com for more information on how you can get involved. Ladies, don’t feel discouraged: you’re as much a part of this movement as the men. We may not be growing moustaches, but we most definitely need to encourage the handsome Movember moustache growers —or Mo Bros—around campus. Women can offer moral support, raise funds in creative ways, and most importantly, raise awareness. We have a goal of raising $5,000 as an institu-
tion—let’s blow that out of the water! Last, but most definitely not least, the Student Support Centre will be opening on Nov. 20. We are extremely excited to have an official launch date and hope to see everyone come out to experience the new space.
The Executive Corner is a weekly column series written and submitted by members of the SAITSA Student Executive Council.
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the Weal.com | October 21, 2013
LIFESTYLE YOUR LIFE OUTSIDE THE CLASSROOM
Classroom Eating poses a distraction BY MARCELLA SERINK WEAL WRITER
With back-to-back classes and long lectures, some students can’t help but snack during class time, thus making way for possible distractions amongst fellow students and instructors. Alex Silver, second-year business administration student at SAIT, often eats in class because of her busy schedule, and Brenden Robak, third-year business administration student at University of Calgary, agreed that he occasionally takes food to class, but only if he’s been too busy to eat between classes. Both students agreed that when students eat in class, it’s important to bring in food that won’t disturb others. Silver brings food like yogurt or something small from Tim Hortons, while Robak said a quieter snack like a banana is a good choice. Robak mentioned that although he doesn’t mind others
Choose your classroom snacks wisely Hungry during class? Here is a list of some of the most and least distracting foods to eat in the classroom.
Most distracting eats snacking during lectures, when someone is opening a wrapper or eating chips in class it can cause a disturbance for him, mostly because of the noise. When asked what he does to stay focused, Robak said, “I just try to tune it out.” Judith Pond, business communications instructor at SAIT, said that she does not like students eating in the class. Not only is there equipment in classrooms that can be damaged, she said, but it changes the learning atmosphere. She said she once had a student open up a can of beans in her class and that was a problem for her. To nip this problem in the bud, Pond said she now tells students up front not to eat in her class, unless they have a medical need to do so. Brett Greiner, first-year graphics communications and print technology student at SAIT, said that most of SAIT’s classrooms have a ‘No Food or Drink’ sign on the doors and
wonders why students can’t adhere to these rules. “Teachers give us a 10-minute break every hour, so I don’t know why anyone has to eat in class,” he said. SAIT business instructor, Cameron Gall said he feels that breaks can be too short of time to order food and consume it, which is why he is okay with students eating in class. Gall said he doesn’t mind it as long as students are tidy and respectful of their peers. He understands that students have very heavy schedules involving school, work and family, and that they might need to eat in class as a result. For Pond, it’s an issue of respect for other people and the learning process, but also a sense of professionalism since she said the classrooms are a simulation of the work world students will one day enter. “You wouldn’t arrive on the job with a Big Mac and chow down at your desk,” she said.
Chips: Among those questioned, chips were considered the most distracting snack because of the crunch factor and the crackling of the bag. Crunchy veggies: Vegetables like celery and carrots are very distracting to students because they make a loud crunching noise when consumed. Foods packed in wrappers: Even if it is a quiet food to eat, the wrapper causes a disturbance in class simply from being handled. Smelly foods: Students and instructors agreed that any food with a strong odour, like fish, should be consumed outside of the classroom as it can cause a major distraction. Messy foods: Instructor Judith Pond said any messy food (like hamburgers, hot dogs, nachos, and fries with gravy) is distracting.
Least distracting eats Soft fruits: Fruits like bananas and oranges are quiet and easy to consume, causing little distraction to fellow students. Yogurt: A good choice for in-class snacking because it is easily handled and it causes little disturbance. Drinks: Although technically not a food, many of the sources interviewed agreed that smoothies and other beverages were okay to consume in class. As long as they are in a sealed container, students and instructors such as Gall do not mind them in the room. Sources: SAIT students Alex Silver and Brett Greiner, University of Calgary student Brenden Robak, and SAIT business instructors Cameron Gall and Judith Pond.
– MARCELLA SERINK
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October 21, 2013 | the Weal.com
Enhance your differences and celebrate diversity
BRENT CALVER ILLUSTRATION
BY YASHICA ANANDANI LIFESTYLE EDITOR
With October being Cultural Diversity Month, many SAIT students may feel an increased amount of pride in being part of our campus’ vast cultural community. For first-year medical laboratory technology student Henok Gebreyesus, being part of a school that is home to students of so many different ethnicities is nothing short of a beauty on its own. Having moved to Calgary three years ago from the African country of Eritrea, Gebreyesus believes that even though backgrounds, religions and languages may differ from
person to person, “no one is more superior or dominant than anyone, [they’re] only unique.” Stacey Barefoot, international student advisor at SAIT’s International Centre, said that SAIT has served students from 147 different countries worldwide. With international students making up about seven per cent of SAIT’s total student body, Barefoot said “most [students] adjust to the Canadian culture with ease”. Typically, with the advancements in technology and better opportunities to work and permanently reside in the city after graduating, Barefoot noted the decline
in homesickness and increase in adjustability among newly migrated students. First-year business administration student LouiseAnne Verzosa moved to Calgary from the Philippines four years ago, and has since found her niche in the city’s multifaceted community. Having cultural differences, she said, is what makes people curious about each other because “the more curious you are, the more attracted you will get to that person”. “I think Canada should continue to accept immigrants,” she said. “Diversity is good because it helps you learn different things about other countries.”
While most international students eventually tend to fit into the cultural mosaic of Canada, Barefoot said she often comes across the occasional student who shies away from activities and new cultures. For such students, the International Centre organizes special field trips and events to help ease them into their new Canadian lifestyles. A few weeks ago, Barefoot said the Centre took a group of international students to Banff where they hiked to the upper falls at Johnston Canyon, had lunch in the Banff town site, and spent the afternoon on Sulfur Mountain. According to Barefoot, events like these not only help students seek
out friends that originate from their own country or culture, but also help them experience other cultures in an informal setting. Aside from trips and events, the Centre also hosts a coffee break every second Friday of the month in room MB 201 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. The Centre sends out an email to all international students on its mailing list, and invites them to meet and chat with staff over free coffee, hot chocolate and snacks. For further information on upcoming events and celebrations, visit the International Centre in room MA206 of the Heritage Hall, or call them at 403-284-8852.
HOW TO WATCH TV AND STILL HAVE FRIENDS A GUIDE TO SPOILER ETIQUETTE Establish spoiler idea to try to mask specific tions usually rely on vital plot quarantine zones plot details using precise lan- information and character deBY KYLE DARBYSON THE FULCRUM (UNIVERSITY OF OTTAWA) IN INTERNET, OPINION, TELEVISION
OTTAWA (CUP) — Now that the fall television season is in full swing, it’s probably a good time to talk about a distasteful social phenomenon sweeping through university campuses everywhere: spoilers. Many have fallen victim to whispers of unwanted plot information regarding their favourite TV shows. Luckily, these kinds of spoilers are easily avoided if you remain cautious and vigilant. Here are five tips on how to establish clear-cut spoiler etiquette for the fall TV season.
If you are forced to talk about highly sensitive plot information in a public forum, it’s probably a good idea to quarantine your friends and yourself in a designated spoiler zone. These spoiler zones can be small rooms or other self-contained areas that have relatively impenetrable, soundproof walls. Ideally, these areas should only be accessible to those who are up to date on the topic of discussion and should exclude those who have fallen behind. The study rooms available in the library are good examples of effective spoiler zones.
guage. Speaking in general or ambiguous terms is key to creating a spoiler-free environment. For example, a statement of general enthusiasm like, “The third season of The Wire is amazing!” is perfectly acceptable. However, something along the lines of, “You won’t believe what (character A) does to (character B) at the end of season three of The Wire!” contains way too many plot details for the uninitiated viewer.
Be conscious of what you share via social media
There’s nothing wrong with Speak in ambiguous terms passing around funny memes If you feel compelled to talk about your favourite TV shows outside of these spoiler zones, it’s probably a good
or GIFs through social media sites, but before you post these humorous images, make sure to select your audience carefully. These fun distrac-
velopment as the meat of their humour, and this can easily constitute a spoiler for specific recipients. In any event, please be cautious of what you post and who is receiving it. At the very least, please issue some bright red “spoiler alert” text on your post if it’s going to be sent to the masses.
Beware of the Internet To expand on the last point, you should probably avoid the Internet altogether since it’s basically the Wild West in terms of unfiltered plot information. This is especially true for shows like Game of Thrones and The Walking Dead, which have been building up spoilery discussions online for several years because of their origins as a book and graphic novel. So, if you’re behind on your favourite show, the bottom line
is this: stay the hell away from Google.
Make sure you know the language of spoilers Unfortunately, not everybody chooses to adhere to this kind of spoiler etiquette. Thankfully, there are ways to intercept a potential spoiler in everyday conversation if you know how to anticipate specific trigger words or phrases. For example, when a careless friend says something like, “This detail isn’t important, so…” or, “This really isn’t a spoiler, but…” be sure to expect an incoming spoiler. To successfully defuse this situation, be sure to give your friend a good slap and then calmly escort them to the nearest designated spoiler quarantine zone.
the Weal.com | October 21, 2013
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arts & ENTERTAINMENT
CULTURE FOR THE SAIT COMMUNITY
Delhi 2 Dublin to The Gateway BY AMANDA SIEBERT WEAL WRITER
Though they hail from Vancouver, B.C., Delhi 2 Dublin’s signature sound is inspired by music from around the world. Sanjay Seran, Sara Fitzpartrick, Tarun Nayar, Andrew Kim and Ravi Binning make up the band, and as the band’s name suggests, each member brings to the table a unique cultural background that contributes to the their sound. Instruments range from traditional Indian drums like the dhol and tabla, to electric sitars and guitars, and even a traditional Irish fiddle. Delhi 2 Dublin (D2D) has played shows around the world, headlining festivals in North America and Europe and even playing shows in parts of Asia. On Oct. 26, they will be bringing their fusion of Bhangra and Celtic music to The Gateway. This week, The Weal spoke with lead singer Sanjay Seran to find out more about how this multicultural group came to be. The Weal: How did the five of you come together, and when did you play your first show? Sanjay Seran: We got together for a one-off collaboration performance for a club night during the Celtic Fest in Vancouver in 2006. TW: Your style has been described [by Snipe News] as “part Bollywood wedding, part Celtic kitchen party, and all electronic dance fest.” How do your different cultural influences play into writing music? Is it a five-person process? Seran: It can be a five-person process at times, but it varies track to track. We also work with external songwriters sometimes; we have a lot to learn from the pros. I think our different cultural influences play a huge part in the process. Everything we are as people comes out in our songs. TW: You have played on stages around the world. What have been some of the most exciting venues or performances for D2D? Seran: Playing the Bali Spirit Festival in Ubud, Indonesia was awesome. One of our favourite places to play is vin
California and we have been booked to play Earthdance (a music festival that promotes social awareness) many times. Playing for Canada Day on Parliament Hill in Ottawa twice has been a big honour, especially to represent Canada like that. Although I can see a novelty in booking a band like us, who better to represent Canada when programming needs to be as politically correct as possible?
Delhi 2 Dublin will be bringing its unique brand of multicultural music to The Gateway on Oct. 26.
TW: Your live shows have a reputation for being very energetic. The Gateway is a smaller and more intimate venue, so how will that impact your upcoming show? Seran: The Gateway is not as small as some of the places we end up at. When they are too small, I think the show suffers, as we are not free to move onstage. A lot of our own fun on stage is dependent on whether or not we can feel the music too. In the end, it all comes down to the audience. If they come ready, the energy of the night goes through the roof. TW: D2D plays upwards of 150 shows a year. When do you find time to write music together? Seran: We make time in creative ways. We try to meet up with writers or producers on the road, otherwise our downtime at home will be spent in the studio, so we never rest. TW: What can we expect from D2D’s upcoming music? Seran: Basically, a tighter sound. I think we have finally started to feel what it is we like to make and [exactly] what that sounds like. Doors open at 8 p.m., and tickets can be purchased for $20 at The Gateway or through www. ticketmaster.ca for $26.50.
PHOTO COURTESY OF DELHI 2 DUBLIN
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October 21, 2013 | the Weal.com
SAIT Student hopes to one day create waves in both radio and TV BY HUSSON ZAMAN A&E WRITER
Second-year radio, televsion and broadcasting news student and lead guitarist, Alex Reid, has high hopes for his newly formed band, Retlaw. After a few side projects that never materialized into anything official, Reid and vocalist Wilson MacDonald formed the band alongside two other members earlier this year. Reid explained that the name Retlaw served as homage to the band’s Albertan heritage. “Retlaw is a little ghost town near Taber, Alta., and it’s a name that shows our heritage and showcases Alberta,” he explained. The band has been busy since its inception this past April, and they have been performing at different pubs around the city. “I’ve been in so many bars this past year that I never even heard of before,” said Reid, whose band has performed at The Blind Beggar, Studio 82, Studio 37, Lord Nelson’s and The King’s Head to name a few. As much as Reid enjoys his performances in bars throughout Calgary, he has higher hopes for the band’s future. “Well, I’m hoping we’ll get to play bigger gigs, maybe get a little more well-known all over the place. I’d love to
make a career out of this,” he said. Twenty-year-old Reid took piano lessons for eight years of his childhood, and he started to play a “piece of junk guitar” according to Reid at the age of 11. Since then, he hasn’t looked back, as far as music goes. Reid has had aspirations to work in the TV business since childhood and is working towards making his dreams a reality through SAIT’s broadcasting program. Finding a balance between his two passions—music and broadcasting—has turned out to be fairly manageable, and he’s found a relationship between the two through education. “The band kind of just showed up and started taking up half of my life, but it’s actually starting to become more and more prevalent in my broadcasting because I can now mesh them together,” he explained. By ‘meshing them together’, Reid means he hopes that he can use his education to help Retlaw in its future by making music videos for the band. “We’re really trying to work on recordings right now so we can get good enough quality audio so we can start making music videos. We’ve got lots of ideas for what we want our music videos to be already,” he explained. Reid does, however, find his concentration focused more
Second-year radio, televsion and broadcasting news student Alex Reid is the lead guitarist of local rock band Retlaw. MIKAELA MACKENZIE PHOTO
on one of two passions. “One definitely helps the other, but for me, school does definitely take a little more from me.” Reid hopes to use his SAIT
education to eventually shoot for a TV show or work for a production company and eventually balance it with his music full-time. “I’d love to mix them both
and maybe open up a studio for both music and TV,” said Reid. Retlaw hopes to release its first studio-recorded album before the end of 2013.
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the Weal.com | October 21, 2013
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Get scared on a budget BY INONGE CHIMWASO A&E EDITOR
Halloween is arguably one of the most celebrated holidays in North America, and this year it will be no different. While kids will take to the streets in a hunt for some sugary treats, adults can also partake in a hair-raising night of terror. From haunted walks to eerie night parties, The Weal has compiled a list of activities that are sure to create quite a scare without leaving students’ wallets bare.
Calgary Ghost Tours Oct. 20-23/27-31 at 7 p.m. in the Inglewood city parking lot (11th St. and 9th Ave. S.E.) Admission: $15-$30 What better way to celebrate Halloween than to tour the streets of Inglewood while learning about its haunted past? This year, Calgary Ghost Tours will offer just that, as Calgarians will get a chance to hear true tales of local murder and mayhem during the Inglewood Ghost Walk. Those who can withstand a little more fear and are willing to fork out a little more money can partake in a 90-minute ghost-hunting session led by the co-founder of West Paranormal Research, Rob Seguin. Seguin will teach people a few tips on how to hunt for ghosts, while also teaching them what tools to use when partaking in such a mission. This session will begin at 8:30 p.m. To find out more about Calgary Ghost Tours or to purchase tickets, visit www. calgaryghosttours.com.
ScreamFest Oct. 25-27/31 at 7 p.m. at the Stampede Grounds (20 Roundup Way S.E.) Admission: $25 ScreamFest is Calgary’s only Halloween carnival that features a wide array of activities with the sole purpose of making people scream at the top of their lungs. But with ghosts, goblins, and creatures of the dead lurking around, “ScreamFest is more than just a haunted house,” said Mike Sheppard, founder of ScreamFest. Each night offers eight scary haunted houses, terrifying carnival games, bizarre freak shows, and gruesome eating contests. This year, the latest addition to this frightening event will be the Zombie Battle Bus.
Up to 30 people will be loaded onto the bus and driven around while shooting paintballs at the walking dead who are trying to attack from outside. And as if shooting zombies wasn’t enough, ScreamFest will also feature live performances from Edmonton-raised stuntman Ryan Stock and his contortionist wife, Amber Lynn. This duo will put on shocking performances that will leave audiences in disbelief four times each night.
Paranormal Activities heavy metal party
“We have people doing all sorts of weird things,” Sheppard said. To find out more about ScreamFest or to purchase tickets, visit www.screamfest.ca.
Thrill the World
Screamfest Thriller
Oct. 26 at 1 p.m. at Eau Claire Market (200 Barclay Parade S.W.) Admission: free Thrill the World will return to Eau Claire Market yet again for another Halloween, where unsuspecting shoppers will be taken by surprise as a flash mob performs Michael Jackson’s timeless ‘Thriller’ dance. This event will be put on by Thrill Calgary, a non-profit organization that encourages people to live an active lifestyle. This year, over 106 cities worldwide, including Calgary, will perform ‘Thriller’ at the same time in hopes of breaking the 2009 world record where 22,571 people from 33 nations simultaneously danced to ‘Thriller’. “Our zombies get to be part of a giant flash mob, and get on TV and in the paper. Maybe even get to be part of a world record too,” said TJ Madigan, event organizer at Thrill Calgary. In order to break the record, Calgarians are encouraged to participate by learning the dance moves, which can be found on Thrill Calgary’s website. Participants are also encouraged to channel their inner zombie and come dressed in their best zombie attire. “The key is that anyone can do it. It doesn’t matter whether you’re young, old, or have two left feet, and because it’s completely free to take part [in], income isn’t a factor,” said Madigan. While taking part in Thrill the World doesn’t cost anything, Calgarians are encouraged to bring a non-perishable food item that will be donated to the Calgary Inter-Faith Food Bank. To find out more about Thrill the World or to learn the dance, visit www.thrillcalgary.com. Registration will begin at 11 a.m. on Oct. 26.
PATRICIA RYE ILLUSTRATION
DIE Halloween Party Nov. 01 at 8 p.m. at 1816 26 Ave. S.W. Admission: free
The night will also feature acts from fellow Calgary metal band, Misused, which SAIT secondyear travel and tourism student and DIE drummer Chad Parrish said will create quite a riot.
Hosted by Calgary-based metal band DIE, this Halloween party promises to rock the souls of attendees with live performances from the band itself.
“My band, DIE, will blow the roof off and Misused will curse the walls, and everyone will just party as hard as humanly possible,” Parrish said.
In preparation for this Halloween festivity, Parrish advised that people “wear something that you can move in,” to this costumed event. While alcohol will be allowed on the premises, Parrish said no alcohol will be sold during this event. However, people are welcome to bring their own alcohol.
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October 21, 2013 | the Weal.com
LEST WE FORGET: KILLING TIME WITH TEEN SLASHER FILMS BY BILLY-RAY BELCOURT THE GATEWAY (UNIVERSITY OF ALBERTA) IN ARTS, FILM, OPINION
EDMONTON (CUP) — If the horror genre has taught us anything, it’s that our greatest fear is fear itself and that the human race is one deranged species. A terrifying combination of cannibalistic serial killers, teenage psychopaths, masked murderers and the iconic phrase “I see dead people” is deeply entrenched in the minds of any child who experienced the horror films of the ‘90s. Most lovers of scary movies will wholeheartedly appreciate the terror-inducing narratives that were crafted during this decade as the industry produced films in almost every genre imaginable including alien, zombie, supernatural and psychological. But most memorably, the popularity of the ‘90s horror film placed the teenage slasher amongst pop culture royalty, creating a legacy of film conventions that continue to this day. These movies are also prime procrastination tools for any student dying to escape from school work and the stresses of midterms. Despite the specificity of this genre, some of my favourite horror films were borne out of the notion that teenagers and young adults could mastermind vengeance-fuelled killing sprees. The intricate web of murders and the limited set of potential victims and perpetrators always generated suspense and anxiety. As someone easily startled by unsuspecting and dramatized “jumping out from behind the closed door” scenes, these slasher flicks always kept me tense and on the edge of my seat. Even if I know something is going to suddenly come hurdling into the frame I’ll still manage to make that awkward grunting noise when something surprises and scares you at the same time, which is why the slasher subgenre fuels my love of horror films. Considered one of the most successful films of the decade, Scream was able to ingeniously satirize the clichés of the horror genre through its characters who blatantly discuss the possible series of events based on classic horror flicks like Friday The 13th and Halloween. But most importantly, Scream left us perplexed about the origins of the
sudoku
killer. This created a new kind of movie watcher, one who shouted at the screen every five minutes trying to guess the murderer’s true identity. Ultimate glory for movie watchers wasn’t experienced until the credits rolled and the person who “called it” was crowned victorious. Scream situates us within a group of high school classmates, a police officer and a reporter as a masked murderer terrorizes the town with his revenge-fuelled rage. It effectively established a new storyline that proved to be both novel and interesting, paving the way for similar films. Released one year after Scream, I Know What You Did Last Summer took this teenage
A terrifying combination of cannibalistic serial killers, teenage psychopaths, masked murderers and the iconic phrase “I see dead people” is deeply entrenched in the minds of any child who experienced the horror films of the ‘90s. murderer trope to another level by depicting all of its central teenage characters as capable of committing murder and suppressing its consequences. Taking place one year after the protagonists cover up a car accident that left one man dead, the film takes viewers on a suspenseful ride as the group of older teens are stalked by an unknown killer. Incorporating much of the same conventions as Scream, the identity of the hook-wielding murder and his motives are hidden behind even more death and human depravity, leaving viewers emotionally invested in the film’s outcomes. Scream and I Know What You Did Last Summer will always be remembered as horror films that left viewers questioning the goodness of man and the hidden intentions of the pubescent population. But above all, these films are undeniably entertaining and deserve to be re-watched on Saturday nights, because let’s be honest, you weren’t actually going to do your readings anyways.
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the Weal.com | October 21, 2013
11
SPORTS
SPORTS NEWS AND VIEWS FOR THE SAIT COMMUNITY
BY STEVE SUCHA SPORTS EDITOR
SAIT’s Halloween Dodgeball Tournament is taking place on Oct. 31 and teams are gearing up and making last-minute costume adjustments for the ghoulishly fun festivities. The tournament can consist of up to 14 teams and, as of press time, six are registered, leaving limited slots for other teams to sign up on imleagues. com. SAIT and ACAD students are able to sign up for free and prizes will be given to the teams with the best costumes. Kodi Bowman, first-year environmental technology student and team captain of the Clubbin’ Baby Seals dodgeball team, said the tournament is mainly for fun, not for diehard competitors. “I don’t really see our team winning this tournament, we are honestly in [the tournament] to drink and have a good time.” Bowman says that his crew’s costumes for the tournament will have a little twist to them. “Well the name Clubbin’ Baby Seals is not exactly what you think it is. A couple of us will be dressing up as baby seals while one of the members of the team will be dressed as
For anyone looking to participate in either the tournament or the intramural league, The Weal has put together a small list of things to keep in mind while playing dodgeball. Unlike the movie of the same name, these tips do not consist of dodging, dipping, ducking, diving or…dodging.
Keep your head on a swivel: Remember, this is the most important thing you can do when you find yourself in a vicious game of dodgeball. People will be throwing balls at you, so keep your eyes open. Always be moving: If you are standing still, you’re going to get hit. Keep those feet moving, people, because a moving target is hard to hit.
SUSAN KIM ILLUSTRATION
a disco ball. Get it? Clubbin’ baby seals.” Bowman stated that his team would be in line for some hardware as he is optimistic about his team’s chance at winning the prize for best costume. Amanda Gill, marketing and programs coordinator for SAIT recreation said that while the tournament is for fun, the intramural dodgeball league that SAIT offers does tend to get a little more competitive.
“I have been out to a couple of the intermural games and some of those teams are really good,” she said. “Tempers do tend to flairup during intermural games but the key is to keep a level head,” said Bowman, whose other tips for future dodgeball stars include watching the “inspirational” film Dodgeball. “Just try to have fun,” he advised. “That’s why I play, at least.”
Be ready to catch: If you catch a ball that is thrown at you, the person that threw the ball is out. This a key component to victory in any dodgeball match, so be prepared to catch any balls headed your way. Control those balls: This is not what it sounds like. If you have a ball, don’t just throw it willy-nilly. Hold on to that sucker until you are sure your throw will hit its target. You can also use that ball to block other balls that have been thrown at you, which can improve your chances of outlasting the competition. Have fun, for crying out loud: It’s dodgeball, after all! No one is going to go pro, so ditch the pipe dreams and have a good time at the tournament. – STEVE SUCHA
If costumes and athletics are your kind of scene, SAIT’s Halloween Dodgeball Tournament (Oct. 31) may be for you. Participants are encouraged to dress up, and prizes will be given out to the teams with the best costumes. SUSAN KIM ILLUSTRATION
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October 21, 2013 | the Weal.com
Hardwood Heroes Set to go to Battle Men and Women of Troy Ready to start the New Season BY CARYS RICHARDS WEAL WRITER
Basketball season is poised to begin and the SAIT Trojans are looking forward to fresh starts when both the men’s and women’s teams face-off against Grand Prairie Wolves on Oct. 18. The women’s team, coached by Donovan Martin, will feature seven returning players and seven rookie players in their lineup. “It’s a totally new team,” said Martin, who has coached the women’s college ball team for the past seven years. Counted amongst last year’s graduates was veteran point guard and former two-time Canadian Collegiate Athletic Association All-Canadian athlete Rachel Caputo. “So now we have to replace what she brought,” said Martin. Leadership on the women’s squad will fall to the team’s two captains, Erin Tatson and last season’s Trojan of the Year, Katie Beard. The women’s team finished
with a record of 15 wins and five losses after the women of Troy were ousted in the playoffs last year. The women last won an Alberta Colleges Athletic Conference (ACAC) Championship title in 2009/10. Martin has high expectations for everyone on his team entering training camp. He said rebound control will be one of the aspects of their game which the women’s squad will look to improve. Fans can expect to see high tempo offence and pressure defence, and Martin hopes his team will be able to provide an exciting brand of basketball for viewers. Meanwhile, the men’s team looks to build off last year’s record of eight wins and 12 losses. Michael Stevens, who is in his seventh year of coaching the men’s team, compares his team to this year’s Calgary Flames, who are currently in a rebuilding season. There are only three returning Trojans on a team of 14, which, according to Stevens, will strive for wins through hard work and1 perseverance.
Jenelle Gieske looked for a pass against the St. Mary’s Lightning at the SAIT Campus Centre gym on Oct. 12. The Trojans won all three games in their pre-season tournament.
EVAN BUHLER PHOTO
“There are so many areas we could improve,” he said. However, he believes his team’s defensive capabilities are one of the squad’s greatest strengths. Some of the areas the men’s team looks to improve on are anticipating the play on de-
fense and generating a more potent offense. When asked what kind of games fans can expect to see, Stevens said they can anticipate a hard-working team with skill that can make plays at any speed.
Both teams will play 20 games this season. Nine will be at home, and the other 11 will be played on the road. Neither team will see action at home until Oct. 26 when the Augustana Vikings visit the Trojans at SAIT.
HALLOWEEN DODGEBALL TOURNAMENT
sait.ca/recreation
Thursday, October 31, 2013 Main Gym, Campus Centre Register at imleagues.com Registration deadline: October 28 PRIZES FOR BEST COSTUMES!
the Weal.com | October 21, 2013
13
SAIT grad living the dream at sportsnet BY ANDREW HALIPCHUK SPORTS WRITER
At the age of 20, former SAIT student Kyle Bukauskas is now living his dream by working as on-air personality at Sportsnet in Toronto. The radio, broadcasting and television news grad took the time to share how he was able to chase down his dream, and land a job with one of the biggest sports networks in Canada. The Weal: What was the process you had to go through to get hired by Sportsnet? Kyle Bukauskas: It’s a long one. Former Trojans marketing and communications coordinator, Lindsay English, approached me during my second year and told me her father, Mike English, was the sports director at Sportsnet. She had me send my sports demo [video] to her father and he was impressed. Soon after, I had received an email from Rogers Media President of Broadcasting, Scott Moore. He asked if I would like to fly out to Toronto for an interview and audition. Needless
to say, the audition went well and I was reassured that they wanted me to be part of the team, they just didn’t know in what capacity. I returned home to Campbell River, B.C. At the end of August, I had received another email [from] Mike English asking if I would like to be part of Sportsnet. I said ‘yes’ and moved out to Toronto on Sept. 30. TW: Is this your first job in the broadcasting industry? Bukauskas: Before Sportsnet, I was an intern at 99.7 The River, a radio station in Campbell River, B.C. I worked there between my first and second years at SAIT, and I had worked there after I had graduated. It wasn’t paid, but it definitely paid dividends for my career. TW: When did you realize that you wanted to pursue a career in sports broadcasting? Bukauskas: Right after I realized I wasn’t going to make it into the NHL. But I figured that broadcasting would be a great way for me to still be affiliated with the NHL. TW: Has sports always been a
big part of your life? Bukauskas: Absolutely. I played hockey in the winters, and during the summers I played baseball and soccer. I even played hockey intramurals during my two years at SAIT. TW: Is there someone in broadcasting that you look up to or emulate your style after? Bukauskas: I lean towards the direction of former TSN anchors Jay Onrait and Dan O’Toole. They had fun while they worked, and that is what sports is all about. I also look up to CBC’s Ron Maclean. He is always so prepared and his poise on screen is amazing. He seems to know everything there is to know about hockey, and knows how to back up his facts. Also, he has had to deal with Don Cherry all these years, so that’s an accomplishment all on its own. TW: The NHL season is now underway. Has it gone as you had expected? Bukauskas: For the most part, yeah. So far, Toronto has lived up to the hype they had coming
into the season, and top teams like Pittsburgh, Boston, Detroit, and Vancouver have been dominant as expected.
the Flames ever since. TW: Do you have an early Stanley Cup Finals prediction?
TW: Any big surprises? Bukauskas: I’d have to say the Calgary Flames. They entered the season on the bottom of most experts’ rankings lists, but so far, three games into the season, they have earned four points out of a possible six. Plus, they have led by multiple goals in each of their games, and have yet to lose in regulation posting a record of 3-0-2. Most panelists from Sportsnet and TSN had the Flames finishing last this season, so this start isn’t too bad for the ‘worst’ team in the league. TW: Who was your favourite NHL team growing up? Bukauskas: As a kid I loved the Anaheim Mighty Ducks, mostly because of the Disney movie franchise of the same name. Paul Kariya was my favourite player for the Ducks, but when he left in 2003 I was kind of in limbo for a year before hopping onto the Calgary Flames bandwagon during the 2004 playoff run. I have stuck with
Bukauskas: People will call this the easy answer, but for the Western Conference, I see the Chicago Blackhawks making it back to the finals. They have the offensive firepower, solid defence, and great character players. I’m curious to see if Hawks goaltender Corey Crawford is for real, or is he just a flash in the pan. Coming out of the Eastern Conference, I feel the Pittsburgh Penguins have the potential to get back into the finals. They definitely have the skill. TW: Do you have any words of wisdom you want to pass down to aspiring sports broadcasters or journalists reading this? Bukauskas: One thing would be to take advantage of opportunities presented to you. Build your resume and show that you are committed to the industry. Be involved, get noticed and sell yourself. Show that you want to be there. Employers notice that.
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October 21, 2013 | the Weal.com
(From left) Luqman Musse, second-year accounting; Matthew Brosseau, second-year travel and tourism; Kimmi Nguyen, second-year business admin; Harry Mand, second-year accounting; Adrian Garcia, second-year business administration; and Calgary Mayor Naheed Nenshi in the Irene Lewis Atrium Wednesday, Oct. 16. The students were volunteering on behalf of Nenshi's re-election campaign, as well as the drive to vote, regardless of choice. BRENT CALVER PHOTO
SAIT welding graduate Rodney Rutter (right) gorged on the face of Michele Sinclair, a SAIT film graduate, during the 2013 Calgary Zombie Walk on Saturday, Oct. 12. Sinclair was the artist who did Rutter’s makeup.
BRENT CALVER PHOTO
Second-year professional cooking student Brian Trinh browses the racks at the SAITSA Annual Free Clothes Event in the Irene Lewis Atrium on Wednesday, Oct. 16.
BRENT CALVER PHOTO
*ASK US ABOUT THE STUDENT NETWORK PLAN DR. JOHNNY CHUN # 170 1402 8th Ave NW Calgary, AB P: 403.262.3447 E: info@oradentalcalgary.com www.oradentalcalgary.com Located in the Riley Park Medical Centre (previously Grace Hospital) one block south of SAIT C-Train station.
Free reserved parking available for your visits. Located in the monthly lot. Look for ORA Dental signs facing south on 8th Ave.
WE LOOK FORWARD TO SEEING YOU SOON!
Left: The Trojans celebrate after scoring a goal against the Augustana Vikings at SAIT’s arena on Saturday, Oct. 12. The Trojans stormed back to tie it up 3–3 in the second period. Right: Matthew Weisensel of the SAIT Trojans upended Jeff Lorenz of the Augustana Vikings at the same game on Oct. 12. The Trojans eventually tied the Vikings 3–3. JENN SIEPPERT PHOTOS
The Weal is challenging you to grow a wicked ‘stache in honour of Movember! Tweet us (@TheWeal) a photo of your ‘stache for a chance to be featured in our Men’s issue and to win a pair of tickets to see a show at the Gateway. Contest ends Nov. 14
the Weal.com | October 21, 2013
Opinions
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Letters to the Editor www.theweal.com
OPINIONS, LETTERS AND COMMENTS
It’s a Halloween Toddler ‘Ho’-down Selling sexy costumes for children is just plain gross
SUSAN KIM ILLUSTRATION
BY KRISTA CONRAD WEAL WRITER
Walk into any Superstore, Walmart, or Target right now, and you will see row upon row of sexy, low-cut, and highly suggestive Halloween costumes. The problem is, they’re in the children’s section. This Halloween, shelves are stocked with many varieties of costumes geared toward young girls aged four to 14, labeled with words like ‘cute,’ ‘sweet,’ or ‘sassy’ to veil the obvious sex appeal of the outfits. For boys, it’s just a Google search away to find a pimp or gangster costume. While Halloween shopping with my three kids, steering my nine-year-old daughter away
from these costumes was a struggle. And unfortunately, this left her with very little to choose from. Take the classic witch costume, for example. Gone are the days of long black cloaks, tall hats, and green face paint. Nowadays, the outfit aimed at girls aged seven to 13 is the ‘Elegant Witch’ costume that includes a short miniskirt, corset top, and black choker all of which are vaguely reminiscent of S&M. And girls who want to dress like animals have the option to wear suits like ‘Kitty Cat Cutie,’ ‘Precious Leopard,’ and ‘Precious Zebra.’ Not one of these animal costumes looks like its namesake, and most are essentially a printed negligee with a
matching headband toting ears and, of course, let’s not forget that choker around the neck. Perhaps my favourite is the slutty, low-cut ‘Little Black Dress,’ sold in children’s sizes 4 – 14. Never mind the fact that most elementary schools will not, with good reason, allow these short skirts to be worn. Never mind the fact that we live in Alberta, and the chances of it being well below zero degrees on Halloween night are more likely than any forecast for pleasant weather. The bigger issue here is that we are sending our children the wrong message at an early age. Sexy children’s costumes are providing girls with the opportunities to wear provocative clothing from the age of four through
14. These are the years parents need to protect and guide their children the most. Manufacturers and retailers of Halloween costumes, however, have made this task difficult for parents of young girls. According to parenting expert Ann Douglas, author of The Mother of All Parenting Books, parents who allow their daughters, especially their very young daughters, to dress inappropriately at any age are failing to set boundaries for their children. “If you allow your daughter to dress in a costume that perpetuates sexist stereotypes about women, you’re condoning those stereotypes, even if it’s just for one night. Is that a message you really want to send to your daughter?” Douglas said in an
interview with Huffington Post Canada. The dangers of dressing young girls in these costumes could run further than just projecting social stereotypes. What about the sexual nature of these outfits, which most children cannot even comprehend? The world is littered with adults who objectify young girls already, and now these perverts are being handed the invitation to do so. And at the end of Halloween night, what have we really taught these little girls, who have dressed up in sexy and scanty costumes all night long and received candy for doing so? Simple: that sex sells, even if you’re four years old.
First-year journalism student Robyn Hertz asks the SAIT campus:
“Would you like to see the National Anthem changed?”
“I wouldn’t want to see the
“In the effort to change one
“Is there nothing to be said about
“Redo it all together, it’s old and
“It’s a part of our country, you
“Hockey Night in Canada is our
national anthem changed, but if
word, keep the tradition instead
history?”
dated.”
can’t change Canada, it’s in our
second national anthem.”
people were comfortable with it,
of changing one word.”
proud heritage.”
I would too.” Natalie Beaurivage, first-year environmental technology student
Jessie Bampfield, second-year
Tyson Gramlich, second-year
Kelvin Rolfe, third-year sheet
Jordan Beagle, first-year
Sean Marks, first-year hospitality
agriculture technology student
power engineering student
metal student
engineering design and drafting
management student
technology student