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Volume 147 · September 11 , 2013 · Issue 02
brunswickan canada’s oldest official student publication.
GAME ON. Men’s soccer team open season ranked sixth in the country. | p. 17 Alex Walsh / The Brunswickan
2 • September 11, 2013 • Issue 02 • Volume 147
BRUNSWICKANNEWS
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September 11, 2013 • Issue 02 • Volume 147 • 3
THE BRUNS
NEWS news@thebruns.ca
Consistent support needed in the ISAO
Associate vice president academic says new position will provide more resources.
The following ratios show the number of support staff to international students among ten Atlantic universities.
1:674 SMU 1:549 UNBF 1:546 Dal 1:450 CBU 1:300 UNBSJ 1:270 MTA
This research was conducted by UNB Student Union vice president internal Jenn Connolly. It shows the support positions offered to international students at 10 universities in Atlantic Canada, including UNB Fredericton. She conducted the research by going on each of the universities’ websites and noting support positions each school had. Connolly said she made a point not to include any positions involving exchanges, unless they played a dual role, which is the case at UNB Saint John.
1:214 Mun 1:213 UPEI 1:125 Acadia 1:57 MSVU
UNB Fredericton has 1 support staff for every 549 international students
** However, this will change to 1 staff for every 274 students in October when the cross-cultural coordinator and transition coordinator are hired.
Cherise Letson News Editor The International Student Advisor Office (ISAO) needs to have more constancy, said UNB Student Union vice president internal Jenn Connolly. Currently there are only two employees working in the ISAO and over 1000 international students at UNB Fredericton. However, the university is in the process of hiring a cross-cultural coordinator, which is an eight-month position. Connolly said she has concerns about how effective the position will be since it’s only for less than a year. “It’s great that they’re having this position added, but the time that it takes to get this person trained, it takes a while for them and to create bonds with international students to where international students feel comfortable confiding in them and then creating programs that would be beneficial to international students, it all takes time,” Connolly said. “For that position to not be constant, it really takes away time that could be spent each year if it was constant, focusing on programs that we know are going to work and continuing those relationships that are already established.” Due to reallocation of the onetime funding the ISAO received this year, services such as the airport pickup, the international student welcome party, the international mentorship program, the holiday connections program and others were cut. Since the university’s strategic plan wants to increase international enrolment to 20 per cent, Connolly said that there needs to consistency in the programs offered to students. “I understand that they are under tight budget restraints and that things are difficult right now. But it needs to be something constant. It needs to be always considered that international students are an important part of our university, our experience. They add to the diversity of the campus,” she said. One of the main reasons for the reallocation of the ISAO’s one-time funding was the need to train one of the staff members in immigration advising due to new regulations by Citizenship and Immigration Canada. Canada’s foreign service workers are currently on strike. Though Connolly said having a staff member trained is crucial, there still needs to be consistency in what the ISAO is offering students. “That’s the bottom line. It needs
to be some set amount that will always be allocated so they always know ‘this is what we’re getting, this is what you can look forward to, so this is what we’ll be offering for sure.’ ” Shirley Cleave, associate vice president academic at UNB, said the university understands that one-time funding isn’t ideal. “It’s the situation in many places on campus because of the current fiscal situation, we can find money for one-time but not for ongoing commitments,” Cleave said. “But we are moving forward in the international student advisors area and have made a three-year commitment to another staff member which increases the staffing by 50 per cent.” She said this this year the university will be hiring a transition coordinator. It’s a three-year position and will be filled near the end of October. “They will be responsible for working with students before they arrive and then helping them succeed while they are here,” Cleave said. “They will communicate, send arrival information . . . then they’ll work on developing programs and providing assistance for them while they’re here.” This year the transition coordinator will be working alongside the cross-cultural coordinator, the international student advisor and international resource coordinator. This will then make four employees working at the ISAO as opposed to two. After the cross-cultural coordinator’s eight-month term is up, there will then be three. Cleave said having the three-year transition coordinator position will give consistency to programs and services the ISAO offers. “Obviously, we would like to do more program planning earlier and with the three-year position in place, that will happen,” she said. “The university has made a commitment to increase the resources, because mostly what’s need in that office are people resources.” Cleave said she doesn’t see any more service cuts in the ISAO next year and some of the services cut this year may return. “I don’t imagine that services will be cut next year. We will have three staff members in place and that’s one of the driving factors on programs and some of the programs weren’t offered this year were only offered last year because we had one-time funding,” she said. “Now that we will have a cross-cultural [coordinator] in place, some of those services and programs will be reinstated.”
4 • September 11, 2013 • Issue 02 • Volume 147 Cherise Letson CUP Atlantic Bureau Chief FR EDER ICTON (CUP) — A n Instagram video showing about 400 Saint Mary’s University (SMU) students chanting a sexist cheer is an example of a culture campuses need to change, said StudentsNS executive director, Jonathan Williams. The video, shot on Monday, Sept. 2, shows the students of the Halifax university chanting “Y is for your sister, O is for ‘oh so tight,’ U is for underage, N is for no consent, G is for grab that ass – Saint Mary’s boys we like them young.” “We’re shocked that this took place. It’s very disappointing. It’s completely unacceptable to have this kind of thing occur on one of our campuses,” said Jonathan Williams, executive director of StudentsNS, an advocacy group made up of student unions. Williams said StudentsNS was not aware of the chant. He said it was remarkable that the chant, which has been used for years according to some SMU students, could have carried on for so long. He said the incident is an example of a passive culture on campuses. “I think it speaks to a culture where we don’t intervene when we hear things that are unacceptable which is a problem and that’s a culture that needs to change,” Williams said. On Aug. 28, StudentsNS announced a $46,156 partnership with the Nova Scotia provincial government to help prevent sexual assault on campuses. The initiative will include two separate reviews of student union policies around alcohol and sexual assault prevention and will help student unions implement changes. There will also be an awareness campaign. Williams said the projects will help prevent such situations from happening again. “That’s all about giving student unions expert advice on what they can do, to having activities that are safe as possible and promoting a healthy culture,” Williams said. “[To create] a culture on our campuses where people are looking to help each other out if they’re in danger or could be at risk and certainly this [chant] is not supportive of that.”
Nova Scotia isn’t the only province that’s been aiming to prevent sexual assault on campuses. The Fredericton Sexual Assault Crisis Centre also started a project on the University of New Brunswick, St. Thomas University and New Brunswick Community College campuses with the same goal. Maggie Crain, the project’s coordinator, said SMU’s chant is not an isolated incident. “For me, it’s not about SMU. It’s about all universities and colleges. A lot of other colleges and universities have been reprimanded for similar things like this. Unfortunately, my first response to that was not surprised,” Crain said. Though rape culture is existent on many campuses, Crain said the fact someone pointed the chant out this time around is sign things may be changing. “We must be making some headway, some movement that if this chant has been around for so long that finally someone stepping up and saying ‘This is not right. We need to change this and hold those accountable,’ ” she said. Crain said in order to change the culture on campuses, there needs to be an open dialogue about it that engages everyone. “That’s part of what [we’re] doing on campus . . . we’ve been striving over the past year and will continue for this coming year to bring awareness to campus about the issue and try to open discussion and break that silence and hopefully bringing this issue out to light,” Crain said. She said the incident at SMU is something campuses need to reflect on moving forward. “This isn’t about Saint Mary’s University, this is about culture and how we look at this issue now from this perspective with this incident,” Crain said, “to address it as a culture and as a society and be able to talk about this issue in a more wide way with more awareness.”
BRUNSWICKANNEWS
IT’S NOT JUST SMU “...it’s not about SMU. It’s about all universities and colleges. A lot of other colleges
and universities have been reprimanded for similar things like this.”
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BRUNSWICKANNEWS
September 11, 2013 • Issue 02 • Volume 147 • 5
FSACC recalls condoms Cherise Letson News Editor
Students who picked up a “Consent is Sexy” condom from the corn boil last week are being asked to throw them out. Some of the condoms, which where handed out by the Fredericton Sexual Assault Crisis Centre (FSACC), were contaminated due to staples going through the air pocket of the condom. “What was happening is, we have wrappers that say ‘Consent is Sexy’ that we put condoms in and we were stapling the very edges of them. But for some of them, the staple went through the air pocket the condom sits in,” said Maggie Crain of FSACC. “The air contaminates the condom in a way that loses the sterility. So basically those condoms would be ineffective. So we’re trying to send the message that people should at first, absolutely always check all your condoms. Make sure they’re still viable, still air in them, the expiration date is still good. If there is a hole in the air pocket, then throw it out.” The University was notified about
the issues with the condoms the same day and students were immediately notified via social media and email. The University referred all questions about the incident to FSACC. Crain said not all the condoms given out were affected. “Not even half of the condoms that went out probably were like that,” she said. “So it was an unfortunate mistake, because the message that we want to be sending is the actual ‘consent’ on the outside of the wrapper.” She said all the contaminated condoms have been thrown out and the incident won’t happen again. She said she hopes the incident doesn’t hurt student’s engagement with the centre’s “Consent is Sexy” campaign. “We don’t want the campaign to be tainted by that,” Crain said. “We have 2000 more [condoms] that we will also hand out, non-punctured ones, in the future. So hopefully people will still be open to them and the campaign.”
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LBR adopts new house charity Cherise Letson News Editor Lady Beaverbrook Residence (LBR) is connecting with Dots. The residence has chosen Dots NB as its new house charity. Dots NB is a non-profit organization committed to excellence in kids’ mental health in New Brunswick through youth, family and community empowerment. The residence’s last charity was ALS Canada, however, Christy Stephenson, a proctor at LBR, said the house decided to switch charities because they wanted to choose a cause that hit closer to home with students. “We found in the past that it was pretty hard to get people involved and interested because as much as ALS is a really worthy charity, it’s not something that had personally touched a lot of people in the house,” Stephenson said. “So we brought up the idea of switching charities and we thought of mental health because we know it’s something widespread on campus and especially in our own house, it seems to be a really big deal.”
Stephenson said they chose Dots NB because of their focus on youth. “We met with a couple different charities . . . and we chose Dots NB just because they are focused on youth mental health, so it’s our demographic specifically and [they] are more likely to help friends of people we know and people in residence too,” she said. In previous years, LBR raised money for their house charity with a several small events, such as a weekly loonie draw. However, they never had one big house charity event. “Most houses have a big event every year, which we don’t have. We’ve just had smaller ideas, so we’re working towards doing that,” said Sarah Rouse, one of LBR’s charity representatives. “One thing we’ve been thinking of doing is a charity poker thing for all of campus or a dance.” Rouse said the goal is to create an event that will become a tradition. “Mental health is such a big thing, and the Student Union has also been working a lot towards it. So I think with their publicity, we’ll definitely be able to accomplish a big event that can become a yearly thing,” Rouse said.
“ We act ua l ly want something that will carry on after we’re gone.” Another idea for a big event is an allnighter, similar to Relay for Life. “It just k i nd of brings you all together and you know that you’re making a difference in a certain way, it’s not just a monetary thing,” Rouse said. “I think it will really bring the house together.” Rouse said bringing youth mental health to the forefront will help create an open dialogue about it. “It’s so hard to tell. It’s such a faceless disease, but if they know that everyone in their house is supporting this, they might feel more comfortable talking about it,” she said.
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From left: LBR proctors Chirsty Stephenson, charity representative Sarah Rouse and proctor Ashley Stuart. Alex Walsh / The Brunswickan
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BRUNSWICKANNEWS
6 • September 11, 2013 • Issue 02 • Volume 147
UNB to become Bulk Purchasing distribution centre Emma McPhee News Reporter Students will no longer need to choose between healthy and affordable when it comes to food. UNB is about to become a distribution centre for a city-wide service called the Bulk Purchasing Program, an initiative that aims to put affordable, locally-grown produce in the hands of Frederictonians – especially those who otherwise wouldn’t be able to afford it. “We recognize the need for getting as much produce as possible into the hands of those who have food insecurity and be able to do that in a very economical way by looking at offering it community-wide,” said Aimée Foreman, executive director of the Fredericton Community Kitchen. The program works on the concept of buying large quantities at once, therefore receiving better value. The food is also purchased directly from the wholesaler which saves more money by cutting the middle man, such as grocery stores, out of the process. While the program is open to everyone, it aims to target groups of people who may not have the means to buy healthy food such as students. “I think it’s really exciting,” said Marc Gauvin, UNBSU vice president of finance and operations.
“What this really means for students is, where every penny counts, the ability to get fresh, local food isn’t something they can always do. So just making that affordable for students and really giving them access to it is really going to be beneficial.” For $15 per month students, and anyone else in Fredericton, will be able to purchase a bag of fresh produce valued at $30. To participate, there is a $10 membership fee that goes towards operating costs but the Student Union is investigating how they can sponsor it. “If the interest is there then it’s something we’ll look into for sure,” Gauvin said. UNB is one of ten distribution hubs located around Fredericton. The Student Union Building will be the pickup location. “We’ll be handling people from UNB, STU and anyone in the area,” Gauvin said. Another goal of the program is to have as much locally-sourced food as possible. “Not only are we providing the community with fresh produce at affordable rates, we’re also supporting local farmers and sustainable farming practices,” said Jessica Hughes, director of community development at United Way. As an added bonus, each box of produce will be accompanied with
Students will be able to purchase affordable local produce starting in October. Alex Walsh / The Brunswickan recipes, nutritional information and instructions on how to prepare the various food elements that were developed by local dietitians. “I know a lot of people don’t know how to cook and it’s something I think everyone should learn,” Gauvin said. “I think people should really take advantage of it.”
Other programs like the Bulk Purchasing already exist in Fredericton but they are only open to food bank clients. “Our [program] is accessible to everybody. It doesn’t matter your income level – anyone can qualify,” Hughes said. “It’s a great service for the university to provide for its
students.” Students will be able to register for the program at the end of the month at the Student Union Building. The first payment of $15 will be due by Oct. 3 and the produce will be ready for pickup on Oct. 10.
Fredericton Terry Fox Run seeks student participation
St.Thomas University Students taking part in a previous Terry Fox Run Michèle Legendre / The Brunswickan Andrew Martel Managing Editor Even more than 30 years after his death and the creation of this national fundraising event, the Terry Fox Run continues strong in many cities across Canada, including Fredericton. The Fredericton Terry Fox Run, happening on Sept. 15, is an annual event allowing individuals and teams to walk, jog, bike, rollerblade or run in memory of Terry Fox. The event is also a way to raise money for the Terry Fox Foundation – providing
funds to research a cure for cancer. Derek Ness, a member of the organizing committee for the Fredericton Terry Fox Run, said he is looking forward to another successful year. “There are no goals set in stone; however, we aim to achieve or surpass the previous years’ numbers for money raised and participants,” said Ness. Last year, the Fredericton Run raised more than $17,000 and had around 300 participants. Over the years, the Terry Fox Run and Terry Fox Foundation have raised more
than $600 million worldwide for cancer research in Terry’s name. “We’ve had the Fredericton Run since 1981, the year of the first Terry Fox Run, and we even have members who have participated in every Fredericton Run since the beginning”, said Ness. “However, we are also hoping to get more youth out to the event, to continue the tradition and to keep Terry Fox’s work with the Marathon of Hope known.” David Ackerson, a f ifth year computer science student at UNB, is excited to be participating in the
Fredericton Run this year. “I participated in a couple Terry Fox Runs in high school and I’m looking forward to running 5 kilometres,” Ackerson said. “The main reason I’m doing the Terry Fox Run is actually for the running itself. If I can raise money for a good cause while running, I’m all for it.” Ackerson said he believes for those participating and volunteering for the Terry Fox Run, it is more than just a fundraiser. “I think that the Terry Fox Run not only helps to raise awareness
for cancer research, but also keeps alive a piece of Canadian history for Fredericton.” To register for the Fredericton Terry Fox Run, head downtown to the lighthouse at 1 p.m. on Sept. 15. There will be a barbecue, Terry Fox merchandise for sale and live music on site. The event does not require you to be on a team, and there is no minimum donation or entrance fee. For more details, visit Terryfox. org or the Facebook event “Terry Fox Run 2013 – Fredericton.”
BRUNSWICKANNEWS
September 11, 2013 • Issue 02 • Volume 147 • 7
New mental health support group offers alternative for dealing with mental illness
The new support group will provide a place where any student can come and talk about their issues without judgement. Alex Walsh / The Brunswickan Emma McPhee News Reporter A new support group at UNB is hoping to start a conversation on mental health. The group, intended as a year-long program, was initiated by second-year arts student Danielle Donnelly, as an alternative coping method for students with mental illness. “It’s pretty much just a group of students helping students to be able to better cope and realize the actual potential of university,” Donnelly said. “There is a social aspect [to university] but not everybody can experience that, especially comfortably.” Donnelly said she was drawn to the idea of the support group because of her own experience with anxiety and how it prevented her from participating in various activities last year. “I figured that if I took what I couldn’t do and turned it into something that could help others actually be able to [get involved] then it would be the best thing,” she said. A discussion has already been started with ResLife and the UNB Student Union.
The Student Union especially has made student mental health a priority this year. “We’re kind of just in the early stages of talking with [Donnelly] but mental health specifically is a focus this year,” said Ben Whitney, president of the Student Union. No meeting place has been chosen yet, but the SUB and an empty classroom have been considered as options. “This is something pretty new that we’re starting so we’re still trying to figure out how it’s going to look and what we’re going to do,” Whitney said. Donnelly intends for the group to be a place where anyone can come and discuss their hardships with the support of their friends and without the fear of judgement. “Absolutely anyone [is welcome]. It’s an open group because some people are more comfortable going somewhere to talk about things with someone they know instead of just going by themselves,” Donnelly said. “It also eliminates the need for someone to have a diagnosis because not everybody goes to see a therapist or a doctor.” Many students at UNB are affected
by mental illness. A 2012 survey from Statistics Canada found the percentage of people with mental illness in New Brunswick to be higher than the national average. “Students are stressed out; they’re suffering from anxiety, depression, feeling hopeless. All these things are rampant on campus so encouraging people to seek help when they need it is important to me,” Whitney said. Whitney sees the support group as a means to raise awareness and end the stigma of mental illness on campus. “It’s about educating people,” he said. “We’re really looking forward to [being involved].” Donnelly’s main goal is to help ease students into the university experience. “I really hope it brings them an entire new outlook on university and a new realization that it doesn’t just have to be any other part of your life. It can also literally be the best time of your life. You experience things that you wouldn’t usually experience and it’s nice for people to actually be able to do that if they can.” The group’s first meeting is planned for sometime this month.
Periodical Elements 101 Periodical Elements Shane Rockland Fowler UNB sends information to the Mars rover on a daily basis. The tech for Google Street View was developed here eight years before Google ever touched it. 3-D printers are crafting prosthetic hands that grip and flex based on your brain’s electrical signals. These are only three of the hundreds of science projects happening on this campus. But as awesome as they are, for some reason, they can be easy to miss. The robots that patrol the halls of E Level in the computer science building are sometimes easy to spot, but the giant, black, humming computer that
constantly monitors space weather – sending the forecast to airlines – is a tad out of the way in the physics building. The purpose of this column is to try and collect these incredible achievements and projects and house them in one spot. A weekly show-and-tell of sorts. It’s hard enough to keep tabs on what is going on in the lab next door, let alone the department across the campus. Maybe the X-ray machine at the bottom the hill being designed to look through buildings could make that easier. But just as important as the science is the men and women behind it. Profiling the profs and doctors dedicating their lives to things like putting human cancer cells into zebra fish, or shooting dead birds into new airplane armour is the real treat. Some of them started here at UNB. Some of them left to count dead bugs at the
bottoms of lakes in New Zealand, but they all have this campus to thank, so Periodical Elements will try and share their stories and contributions to human knowledge. Don’t worry, there will still be space for random science facts as well. People are still talking about last year’s discovery that female hyenas lack a vagina and how they have a giant pseudo-penis instead. Yeah . . . Wikipedia that! Science rocks! So if you’ve got a project that you’d like to share, or think that your lab could benefit from a little exposure, or maybe your flying drones are stuck in the trees on the quad again, let me know. You can reach me at Shane. Fowler@unb.ca. Unless it’s the group that jams their fists, up to their shoulders, into the rear ends of cows. You know . . . for science. I really don’t have to stomach for that experiment again.
The Anglican Church of Canada PARISH OF ST. MARY (YORK) 780 McEvoy Street
Welcomes Students, Faculty & Staff to the Celebration of
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SUNDAYS: 9:00 and 10:30 a. m. WEDNESDAYS: 7:00 p.m. Sunday School: 9:45 a. m. “Reverence for the Past; Faith in the Present; Hope for the Future” http://www.stmarysfredericton.ca/
Spet. 11, 2013 • Issue 02 • Volume 146 • 8
THE BRUNS OPINION editor@thebruns.ca
THE WEST-EAST PIPELINE
Another disaster waiting to happen
Richard Kemick Opinions Columnist If Rob Ford has taught me one thing, it is that just because something comes out of a pipe doesn’t make it good. This past summer, TransCanada corp. launched a plan to build a west-east pipeline that will span from Hardisty, Alberta to Saint John, New Brunswick. Alberta Premier Allison Redford (peace be upon her) did in no way overreact when almost immediately after TransCanada’s announcement she called the proposed pipeline “truly a nation-building project.”
rent environmental science, however, is that we are now all more or less on the same page. If people are for the pipeline, it is likely that they are for it not because of an absence of environmental facts but in spite of them. But there are other reasons that we should think twice about the pipeline. Reasons like the economy. This province will centre its entire economy on something that we have no control over. New Brunswick, do you really think Alberta gives a shit about you? I’m from Alberta, I’ll tell you: No. No, we do not. When it comes to oil, Alberta doesn’t even give a shit about Albertans. On the
He is getting that pipeline shaft all oily and lubed up, just waiting for that greasy goodness to spill all over his face so he can buy himself a nice pearl necklace. Perhaps I am being a bit (pardon the pun) crude. But Alward’s actions surrounding the pipeline have been salacious to say the least. He has already released a three-year plan for the province to bolster its workforce to ready itself for the pipeline: an economic action plan in which Alward admits that he does not know how much it will cost. It can also be assumed that Alward then also admitted that he also does not understand irony.
thing that we actually want to do? Yes, there will undoubtedly be a short-term economic gain. People in this city might even start going back to that ghost town Brookside Mall. Though an economy built on environmental degradation, environmental arguments aside, will undoubtedly falter. In a 2005 European Unioncommissioned economic report on the link between unemployment and the environment, strong environmental policies were revealed not to be the economic boogeyman that we all thought them to be. In fact,
one of the greenest nations on the planet. Canada, on the other hand, ranks as the seventh worst polluter. Norway, according to the UN Human Development Index, ranks as the best place in the world to live. Canada comes in at eleventh. To put an eleventh place spot in perspective, do you know who finished 11th place in Maclean’s 2013 university rankings for undergraduate institutions? St. Thomas. Saint fucking Thomas! Didn’t everyone used to fish out here? Wasn’t that one of the industries which this entire province built itself upon? How’d that work out for
The proposed pipeline will transport 1.1 million barrels of oil per day from Alberta, to the Irving Oil refinery in Saint John, N.B. Submitted Nation-building. The pipeline will be Canada’s 21st century Canadian Pacific Railroad, spanning east to west. The pipeline, when completed in 2018, will be a steely economic hug, embracing our entire nation – save for the territories, three of the four Atlantic provinces, and British Columbia, who has made life extremely difficult for an Alberta-BC pipeline because of the economic and environmental shit-bag British Columbians would be forced to hold. But us nation-builders need BC like we need 15% HST. I am against the pipeline. And yes, it is primarily for environmental reasons. The good thing about cur-
traditional territory of the the Lubicon Cree, oil wells now outnumber Lubicon people by over five to one. The Alberta government has made an incredible amount of money off this oil. The Lubicon live without running water. In 2011, a section of the 24,000 km pipeline spilt an estimated 28,000 barrels of crude oil into adjacent wetlands, making it one of the largest spills in Albertan history. No adequate reparation has been made for this spill. You can hold hands, sing Kumbaya, and talk about nation building all you want, but when oil is found, all bets are off. New Brunswick Premier, David Alward, is just raring to go, however.
The pipeline, however, is still not approved. If Alward actually cared what the environmental review of the project said, he would wait until the National Energy Board gave it the go-ahead before he stripped down and got an I LOVE JOBS trampstamp. The man has the self-control of a bull moose after a long winter. How much oil do we, as a nation, need to produce? Just because you can do something doesn’t mean you should do it. (Once again, thank you Rob Ford for the life lesson.) Yes, we could manufacture a pipeline that allows Alberta to produce more oil that we will sell almost exclusively to foreign nations. But is that some-
the report found, “There is a clear positive link between environmental policies and the quality of jobs.” Furthermore, “Environment policy is not a job-killer overall but instead has a neutral or even mildly positive impact on the overall number of jobs . . . Promotion of environmental technologies should contribute to more and better jobs.” Therefore, it is no real surprise that some of the worst polluters in the world, such as the United States of America, still have dismal unemployment rates. Norway is the world’s third largest exporter of oil and the sixth largest producer of natural gas. Yet the country consistently ranks among
you? It turns out that an environmental resource is not a Whack-AMole, where no matter how many times you beat the living hell out it, it’ll keep coming back. There is no safe way to transport oil. For the love of Christ, I spilled my vegetable oil this morning when I reached for the potatoes. I know it is tempting to take a hit of that sweet, sweet Albertan gold, but New Brunswick is entering into a deal that they can not, should not, and will not be able to handle. Premier Alward, do what is best for your province: put down the pipe.
BRUNSWICKANOPINION
September 11, 2013 • Issue 02 • Volume 147 • 9
PRIDE AND PREJUDICE Rachel Braeuer The Peak (Simon Fraser University) BURNABY, B.C. (CUP) — Over drinks last week, a friend was shocked to hear that I’d experienced homophobia in Vancouver, a city that’s been hailed as being gay-friendly. She was even more shocked to hear that it wasn’t an isolated incident. I don’t know whether to chalk this up to well-meaning NIMBYism (Not In My Backyard) or the fact that I have some pretty sweet straight friends; either way, I’m here to be the killjoy and inform you that yes, homophobia does still exist, even in Canada and even in fair Vancouver. You no doubt heard about the kids in Sullivan, Indiana last year, who tried to have a “traditional” prom. This one kills me. If you live in a town that’s so backwoods it feels the need to try to have a no-gays-allowed dance, then just have your regular prom. I’m sure the number of intolerant assholes in attendance will be sufficient to keep the gays at home. There’s a reason Valentine’s Day queer prom nights like the People’s Prom are so popular; a lot of LGBT teens didn’t feel comfortable going to their proms. Now as adults, they revel in the opportunity to dress up as they would have liked, get bad pictures taken in front of a Hawaiian sunset backdrop, and drink legally spiked punch. This story has long died down and some students defended their high school, saying that the group organizing this is a fringe group of fundamentalists. They have continued to affirm how accepting their school is, even as a neighbouring school’s specialed teacher, Diana Medley, has publicly stated that she doesn’t think gay people have a purpose in life, compared being gay to being disabled, and then said that LGBT kids attending prom is “offensive.” Dave Springer, the no-gays-at-prom
Even in a marketably queer-friendly city like Vancouver, people are still sipping the gay haterade. Mark Burnham / The Peak
the brunswickan
Editorial Board
Editor-in-Chief • Nick Murray Business Manager • Andrew Martel News • Cherise Letson Arts • Lee Thomas Sports • Bronté James Art Director • Alex Walsh Copy • Sarah Dominie Multimedia • Gordon Mihan Web Developer • David F. Stewart Staff Advertising Sales Rep • Bill Traer Delivery • Dan Gallagher Arts Reporter • Tess Allen News Reporter • Emma McPhee Staff Photographer • Karsten Saunders Opinions Columnist • Richard Kemick Videographer • Lance Blakney
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Nikki Lee Chapman, Johnny Cullen, Shane Fowler, ScottHems, Kevin Lemieux, Billy Mann, Sebastian Maynard, Arielle Rechnitzer, Jacie Targett, Lindsey Weidhass. The Brunswickan relies primarily on a volunteer base to produce its issues every week. Volunteers can drop by room 35 of the SUB at any time to find out how they can get involved.
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The Brunswickan, in its 147th year of publication as Canada’s Oldest Official Student Publication. We are an autonomous student newspaper owned and operated by Brunswickan Publishing Inc., a non-
group’s school’s principal said “a girl could go [to their prom] with another girl if they didn’t have a date or that was their choice.” The rhetoric here of “choice” and Springer’s initial hope that this hypothetical girl is just a sad loser that would rather go with a girlfriend than a real live choice-making queer negate his attempt at acceptance. I know for these small-town kids that’s about as good as they can realistically hope for, but for the love of rainbows, they deserve better and shouldn’t have to settle for disdainful tolerance from their mentors. Looking into the highly-publicized future across the globe next year, Sochi, Russia, will be hosting a cast of queer athletes for the 2014 Olympics who will have to do their best to keep their sexuality under wraps. Despite my general feelings surrounding the 2010 Vancouver Olympics, I will admit that the Pride House they had for queer athletes was a definite high note, showcasing the need for and normalizing acceptance in sports. There won’t be any of these pride houses in Sochi, unless jails count (where Pussy Riot plays every night!). Maybe the kids from Sullivan should have a destination prom in Russia (though everyone knows that Communists are worse than gays!). In an issue that hits closer to home, The Owl, the University of Regina’s pub, came under fire last fall when a trivia host saw fit to use homophobic slurs. A student wrote an op-ed piece in the student newspaper, The Carillon, and then received backlash for saying that the host’s use of the word “faggot” made him feel isolated and afraid. Vancouver hardly has a clean rap sheet when it comes to hate crimes. In 2009, Shawn Woodward left Ritchie Dowrey permanently brain damaged because he hit on Woodward — while at a gay bar. “He deserved it. The faggot touched me,” Woodward said after sucker-punching Dowrey in the back of the head on his way out of The Fountainhead, a cornerstone of
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and ideas, we may refuse any submission considered by the editorial board to be racist, sexist, libellous, or in any way discriminatory. The opinions and views expressed in this newspaper are those of the individual writers, and do not necessarily reflect the views of The Brunswickan, its Editorial Board, or its Board of Directors.
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Vancouver’s gay bar scene. Woodward was convicted of a hate crime, but after serving a year and a half is now out on day-parole, living in a North Vancouver halfway house. The year before, Michael Kandola had broken Jordan Smith’s jaw in three places after he hurled homophobic slurs and punches at his face. Smith was walking down Davie Street – Vancouver’s centre of pride – holding another man’s hand, which prompted the attack. “Why are you faggots holding hands?” Kandola rhetorically asked during the attack. Kandola’s 2010 trial was a landmark case for the LGBT community: it is one of the first times an attack was deemed a hate crime in a court of law, despite the Vancouver Police Department (VPD) treating numerous previous attacks as hate crimes. I remember feeling a hollow victory when I read the news. Yes, we’d gotten the hate crime designation which established a legal precedent, but how excited can you be over a gay bashing? The statistics on sexual-orientation based hate crimes are pretty dismal in Vancouver. In 2010, we topped the charts, accounting for 26 per cent of the sexual orientation-motivated hate crimes committed. The VPD has stated that these hate crimes have been on the decline since 2010 with 2012 being an all-time low, but some question the reliability of statistics. The transit police force, for example, had no reported gay bashings on file as of September of last year, despite reported attacks. Hesitation to label something homophobic or hateful seems to be gaining popularity. It took a Twitter outrage last year for Aaron Poirier to be taken seriously when he was harassed for being a “fag” by another YMCA patron in the locker room. Despite the fact that the man threatened to punch Poirier and then harassed Poirier and his partner on a second occasion, the
SEE PRIDE PAGE 21
W E I V OINT P
on What’s YOUR s week? i h t d n i m
What is your favourite thing about being back at school?
Alex Landine
Emma Davis
John Jang
Kody Carlson
Maggie MacAulay
“Getting into a routine.”
“Weirding people out.”
“Freedom!”
“The people here are really friggin’ hot.”
“I just started!”
Megan Acheson
Natasha Dhayagude
Rafëlle Bouchard
Sydney Bedard
Zack Piazza
“Hanging out with friends again.”
“I love school supply shopping.”
“Have a life. I worked too much.”
“Having trees around.”
“Feeling better than people who aren’t going to school.”
September 11, 2013 • Issue 02 • Volume 147 • 11
THE BRUNS
ARTS arts@thebruns.ca
Tess Allen Arts Reporter When most people think of a conventional scrapbooker, the image that comes to mind is not usually that of a vibrant, energetic and dynamic indie rock sensation bounding across a stage in a snowstorm of confetti. Yet East Coast pop DJ R ich Aucoin has, in fact, mastered the craft – of musical scrapbooking, that is. Aucoin’s 2011 album, We’re All Dying To Live, is a collaboration between over 500 Canadian musicians, friends and fans that the Halifax native plans to showcase this Friday at the Harvest Jazz & Blues Festival, along with several sneak peeks of his upcoming album, Ephemeral. “I really kind of tried the best I
could to document the Canadian music scene that I was a part of, and the people that I knew. I was recording in every city across the country and so in a lot of ways it sounds like the tones and voices of people from every genre,” said Aucoin. “There are a lot of people on the record that will never cross paths ever again because some make avant-garde minimalist experimental music and others make bluegrass and another makes folk-pop. It has lots of different elements of orchestral and electronic and rock influences as well.” While one might think a R ich Aucoin concert gets a bit crowded with all those musical presences onstage, Aucoin said it’s just the opposite; in fact, a great portion of the performance comes from the audience itself.
“I just have my normal band with me [on stage], just us four. The big thing is that all the choruses are meant to be sung by a lot of people instead of one, so we have the words up on the screen and we leave it to the audience to sing along. I call it ‘crowd karaoke,’ ” said Aucoin. “I’m really interested in creating a communal environment where the show is as much about the audience as it is about watching the performer up on stage.” The three-time Har vest Jazz & Blues veteran, whose video for “Brian Wilson is A.L.I.V.E.” recently earned him the inaugural Prism Prize, says his concerts have developed a reputation for their use of eclectic video clips, mesmerizing light and sound shows and balloons, confetti and streamers. “My idea is to bring a lot of energy with it, whether it’s a big festival or a small campus bar – it’s a pretty high energy crowd at my shows, all yelling and sweating on one another.” “[A Rich Aucoin concert] is for those who are up for a big sing-along dance party covered in confetti, at which parachutes may or may not be involved.” Aucoin’s performance on Friday will include elements of his upcoming album, set to be released “as soon as possible.” Ephemeral will be Aucoin’s third musical endeavour, following in the footsteps of his 2007 debut release Personal Publication and 2011’s We’re All Dying To Live. Aucoin will perform at the Galaxie Barracks Tent on Friday, September 13 at 11:59 p.m. Tickets for the allages show cost $15.
Aucoin’s concerts attract and encourage a “pretty high energy” crowd. Luke Perin / The Brunswickan
RICH AUCOIN Galaxie Barracks Tent Friday, September 13 11:59 p.m./$15
BRUNSWICKANARTS
12 • September 11, 2013 • Issue 02 • Volume 147
Bringing sexy back Billy Mann The Brunswickan Secure your headboards and replace those creaky mattresses, because after reading this, your roommates are going to hate you otherwise. Music is something that is part of our daily lives and we use it for an infinite number of purposes. Some use it to help work out and remain energized, others use it to study . . . but have you ever used it to change up your sex routine? Whatever genres of music you enjoy, there are ways to incorporate it in the bedroom. Whether you like wild, fast, earthquake-inducing sex
or slow, passionate, soul-quivering sex, there is a perfect song for you. Just please don’t use remakes from Glee; it might prove uncomfortable to have high school students sing to you as you climax. Think about it: music is all about the rhythm, beat and tempo. Dancers utilize all of these components to choreograph a synchronized performance. The rhythm, beat and tempo of the music, combined with the perfect moves from the dancer, create something mind-blowing. Who’s to say that you can’t combine those musical components with thrusting and riding, resulting in the most synchronized and powerful
orgasm of your life? You might be asking yourself if you should use music with lyrics, or wordless music. Well, there are advantages to both, and I hope that you test them out after reading this. Music with lyrics is a great way to communicate to your partner without saying the words yourself. Focus on songs with positive lyrics that allow them to feel and understand that the message emanates from you. Songs that praise beauty are always a great idea. Songs about overcoming insecurities are cute, but they have the potential to draw attention to their insecurities, distracting them from the euphoric experience. What
I’m saying is, don’t play Little Things by One Direction. Music without lyrics allows for no distractions; it’s just the two of you and the music. I prefer using house music, as it allows for sections that are soft and sensual, while other sections are hard and rough. You know that feeling you get before your favorite part of a song? Well, combine that feeling while having sex, and it can result in hypnotic pleasure. My recommendation is Drowning by Armin Van Buuren ft Laura V (Avicii remix). That being said, hopefully a three minute song isn’t all you need to do the deed. I suggest making a playlist
that allows for lots of sexy time. Even if you aren’t using music to enhance your sexual performance, it’s considerate to crank up the volume to block out the sounds of moaning, so that other home or residence dwellers can’t hear you and wallow in envy. Pretty soon, you might be turning on the stereo to indicate to your partner that it is time to get down and dirty. Even if you decide not to shake up your sexytime tunes, remember to keep being safe while engaging in sex. Don’t be a fool, wrap your tool!
From classical instrumentals to EDM beats, the right tunes can really help to set the mood. Karsten Saunders / The Brunswickan
Harvest brings the good feels Tess Allen Arts Reporter For more than two decades, Fredericton’s annual Harvest Jazz & Blues Festival has dazzled musiclovers from coast to coast with its eclectic slate of world-class performers. Today, the ever-expanding festival boasts 400 musicians, 150 performances and 27 stages, all spanning over six city blocks and six dynamic days. But what about the festival within the festival? On Saturday, Sept. 14, the festival’s Galaxie Barracks Tent will come alive w it h ja m sessions, banner
painting and even a crop of circus performers with the second annual Feels Good Art in the Barracks, an event organized by Fredericton art collective Feels Good Inc. Co-organizer Paul McAllister calls this year’s Feels Good Art in the Barracks “a hands-on celebration of arts and culture.” “We take over the Barracks for the afternoon and have a small visual-arts-focused festival. It’s like a mini-festival within the festival, just a really fun, interactive afternoon,” said McAllister. “We’re reusing old banners from Harvest [festivals of the past]. We have different artists set up to lead the charge and we invite people to come and get some hands-on experience with some painting themselves. Every year, some turn out fantastic and go up in the Barracks as decoration.” Artists will flock from art collectives across the Maritimes to participate in this portion of the event. “ We h ave a l a rge number of artists in our collective who a re a l l rea l ly great working w it h
people. We usually have a couple [of artists] from Moncton, a number here in Fredericton and hopefully an artist coming from Toronto,” he said, adding that each banner is typically painted to correspond with a “harvest” theme. Feels Good Inc. vice chair Mallory Driscoll will be on hand at this year’s event to “guide people through the creative process.” “Live art is always a fun thing to see – it’s just like a music performance,” said Driscoll, adding that this kind of workshop offers “more approachability to art and our collective.” “I encourage people to come on out and see the creative process in a different way, through the fine arts as opposed to music.” But painting is by no means the only creative outlet available at this action-packed afternoon event, assures McAllister. “There will be different kinds of workshops, including juggling with circus performers from all over. We will also have jam circles led by musicians, so if you want to pick up an instrument and get involved in that aspect, you’re more than welcome to,” he said. Co-organizer Mike Humble – or Mumble, as he is more commonly known – couldn’t be more excited to show juggling virgins the ropes at Saturday’s event.
“To me, [juggling] is about coordination and just doing something with my hands. I’m that guy who’s jittery and I always have to be doing something, so juggling lends its hands pretty well,” said Humble, whose Fredericton band Gordon Gets Lost will rock The Capital Complex on Thursday. Humble adds that he and fellow circus performers will present – and teach – everything from juggling to hula hoop tricks at this year’s event. “I love teaching people how to juggle; it’s really fun and once people get it, it’s like an addiction. Kids really gravitate toward that and adults don’t realize they can do it. It’s not that hard,” he said. “It’s not going to be like a scheduled performance. It’s just going to be us doing what we do, which is playing and fooling around and teaching and learning.” McAllister hopes this year’s event will help to break down the barriers between performer and audience. “It’s nice to go check out a concert and be in the crowd but sometimes getting a little bit more hands-on is just as much fun – if not more,” he said. This year’s Feels Good Art in the Barracks will run from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday, and is completely free to the public.
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September 11, 2013 • Issue 02 • Volume 147 • 13
Album of the week. Volcano Choir - Repave Listen To: “Byegone”
WEDNESDAY, SEPT 11 The Brunswickan Issue 2 is on newsstands! Harvest continues. See Harvestjazzadblues.com for show times and ticket information.
THURSDAY, SEPT 12 Harvest continues. Harvest Jazz & Blues Week begins at the Capital. Visit thecapitalcomplex.com for more information.
FRIDAY, SEPT 13 Harvest continues. Cinema Politica: L’Acadie?!? L’Acadie. FREE, but donations encouraged. Show starts at 7 p.m. at the Conserver House, 180 St. John St. Valhalla Pub hosted by the UNB undergrad History Society, 2p.m. to 5 p.m. in Tilley 124
SATURDAY, SEPT 14 Harvest continues. Boyce Farmer’s Market 6 a.m. – 1 p.m.
SUNDAY, SEPT 15 Last day of Harvest Flea Market at King’s Place, 10 a.m. – 2:30 p.m.
MONDAY, SEPT 16 Jean Rooney–HEYDAY and Paul MathiesonNotes from a Visual Song and Dance Man run from Sept. 16 - Oct .11 at Memorial Hall on the UNB campus$26.55 at the Playhouse 7:30 p.m.
TUESDAY, SEPT 17 Christmas @theplayhouse auditions at 6:30 p.m. at The Playhouse. For more information, email valerie@theplayhouse.ca
WEDNESDAY, SEPT 18 The Brunswickan Issue 3 is on newsstands!
Have an evenT that you’d like added to the Arts Calendar? Email arts@thebruns.ca or call the office at 506.447.3388
Given the success of For Emma, Forever Ago, Bon Iver’s debut album, it would have been understandable if Justin Vernon continued making acoustic, mellow music. But he didn’t, and on the follow up album, Vernon added an entire band to his repertoire. Horns, drums and strings that had not been heard on the first record were added, and were a pleasant surprise. The album could have been viewed as a concept album, one exploring different sounds, but that is not the case either: the experimentation is left to Vernon’s other band, Volcano Choir. The band’s second album, Repave, starts with an organ playing a few simple notes, before an acoustic guitar gets added, and then Vernon’s falsetto voice and a steady thump from a bass drum come in. The sounds continue to build, layer upon layer, until the song is crashing like the waves on the album cover. The other members of Volcano Choir come from a Wisconsin-based band called Collections of Colonies of Bees, and after listening to them, it is easy to see that Volcano Choir is not just Vernon’s side project, but theirs as well. The guitars and musical arrangements compare more to Collections than they do to Bon Iver, and even though Vernon is the biggest name in the band, he is just another piece of the musical puzzle. When asked whether he’d be releasing another Bon Iver record anytime soon, Vernon said, “The last Bon Iver record was a very “sitting down with a guitar and writing” kind of record . . . I really have to be in a specific headspace to even begin to illuminate an idea that would create another Bon Iver record, and I’m just not there.” Volcano Choir plans on touring to promote the new album, and with no new music from Bon Iver or Collection of the Colonies of Bees on the horizon, this is the perfect way to keep fans content.
BRUNSWICKANARTS
14 • September 11, 2013 • Issue 02 • Volume 147 only stage of your courtship. Fredericton is a phenomenal little city for dates. From charming little cafes like the M&T Deli, to the Beaverbrook Art Gallery, to Clay Café (don’t knock it!), to bowling and laser tag at Kingswood, very many simple and inexpensive options are just a walk or a cab ride away from campus. Think up engaging queries for your date, but let the conversation take its natural course. Be attentive, be interested, and don’t get too braggy! Now, go ahead and get yourself a rad rendezvous!
Dear
Ari.
If you have a question for Dear Ari, email arts@thebruns.ca or tweet her @AskDearAri
Affectionately, Ari
Dear Ari – University first date ideas? Please help! Sincerely, Dateless Dave Dear Dateless— Contrary to popular belief, a movie date isn’t a great first date idea — unless, that is, you want to prolong that awkward small-talk-
Dear Ari – There’s a guy in my residence who I think is really cute and we get along incredibly well. I’ve never felt like this about someone before. I know “housecest” is frowned upon, but I don’t want to miss out on an opportunity like this! What should I do? Sincerely, Hallway Hailey Dear Hallway— First of all, “housecest” is not a positive term and should probably cease to be encouraged. Nobody should have to feel ashamed to form a relationship with someone! That being said, if you wish to pursue a fellow resident in that kind of way, there are some very important things to keep in mind. As I’m sure you’ve heard many times before, this is life in the fishbowl. People are always watching, and always talking. Take steps to ensure that your privacy is maintained as best as possible. More importantly, imagine yourself post-breakup with this person. Could you look them in the eye? Could you speak to them as naturally as you did before? Will it cause rifts in friend circles? Unfortunately, in residence, it is hard for a relationship to be about two people exclusively. You are living in such close quarters that ripple effects happen repeatedly. If you still feel like this is something you want, then go for it, but don’t undervalue the gift of a good friendship, which is what you already seem to have. Affectionately, Ari
BRONY UP Laura Mooney Over the Edge (UNBC) PRINCE GEORGE (CUP) — Who would have thought that a show targeted at girls under ten, with colorful horses teaching tolerance and love would find its home amongst boys and men? My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic seems to have filled this once untapped niche quite nicely. In fact, contemporary viewers of the show have even coined their own title: “Bronies.” Although first created in the early 1990s, the My Little Pony being aired today was rebooted in 2010 with a new image to appeal to the next generations. Ponies like Twilight Sparkle, Rainbow Dash, and Fluttershy aim to teach lessons about friendship, acceptance, tolerance, and standing up for what you believe in. On August 25th, Richmond, B.C. saw the first annual Brony convention – aptly named BronyCAN – which celebrated all things associated with the successful television show. BronyCAN featured musical artists, special guests, and even action figures exclusively designed for the convention. Hundreds of costumed fans gathered, many of them men and self-proclaimed “Bronies,” to declare their allegiance to the show and express their support. Those of the Brony community who attended the convention are aware that their odd obsession is usually met with trepidation. “You have to see it for yourself,” shrug most of the men in response. In order to fully understand the hypnotic pull of the ponies, I regressed into childhood, wrapped in my fuzzy blanket. In “Griffon the Brush-Off,” the ponies figure out the course of action when you not only don’t get along with your own best friend’s BFF, but when the said BFF is – to quote Pinky Pie verbatim – “a big mean grumpy mean meanie pants.” As the end credits began to roll, I couldn’t help but feel a sense of emptiness, as if there was something
they had left out. Then it hit me: while most television shows – children’s TV included – revolve around a central conflict, here was this little cartoon with no devious villain, no fighting, and no troubles. Essentially the only conflict in the show was resolved through calm discussions and was usually dealt with within seconds of the conflict arising. Yet, by the end of the episode, these hooved creatures had managed to teach me valuable life lessons: knowing when a joke has gone too far, what to do when you see someone commit a crime, and how to stand up to your friends when necessary. What I had just experienced was a calm, tender show about how friendship and unity can solve even the largest of problems. Suddenly the world didn’t seem so dreary, the biggest problems didn’t seem so big, and I knew that with the power of friendship I could do anything. Maybe the show really is hypnotic. I need to go play some Grand Theft Auto. So, although this show is a hit with the younger crowd, the question still remains: why do grown men willingly watch it, even flocking to conventions to celebrate it? Perhaps it is the flashing bright colors and simple animation that draws them in like moths to a flame. Or maybe the quirkiness of the characters tickles the funny bones of men in particular. Or perhaps it is just nice to watch a show where people (or ponies) are genuinely nice to one another.
September 11, 2013 • Issue 02 • Volume 147 • 15
THE BRUNS
SPORTS sports@thebruns.ca
Brianna Ford, 11, scored UNB’s lone goal in a 1-1 draw against St. Francis Xavier University on Sunday at BMO Centre. Bronté James / The Brunswickan
Déjà Vu | Women’s team open season with back-to-back ties Bronté James Sports Editor The Varsity Reds women’s soccer team took two ties this weekend against the University of Prince Edward Island (UPEI) and St. Francis Xavier (StFX) University. Their game Saturday ended with a 0-0 score, starting their regular season off with only one point. The women then took on the StFX team on Sunday and tied 1-1. Brianna Ford scored the only goal for UNB in the 40th minute off a direct kick. The women were unable
to hold the lead and StFX’s forward, Logan Lee-Knight, scored at 80:46. “I thought we worked really hard and deserved a lot better than what we did,” said veteran mid-fielder Brianna Ford. “It’s almost worse than a loss, really. We’re producing goals and then to fight back and then tie it’s frustrating.” With eight ties in the last 15 games, head coach Jon Crossland is frustrated with the results with only two points taken this weekend out of a possible six. “I think that was their only chance in the game, and that’s our
PANEL
They know what’s up
margin right there,” said Crossland. “We created a lot of chances, didn’t finish them, and they get one and they score.” Despite the results, two ties with one goal scored between the two games, Crossland said it was a good performance by the whole group. Brianna Ford, a veteran on the team and only goal scorer this weekend, played a consistent game against StFX. Crossland sees Ford as a dominant player on the team who helps bring the ties to wins. “She gets herself in a good spot and gets lots of shots . . . she’s strong,
she’s fast, she’s physical, she’s one of the toughest in this lead to mark, now we just need to get that final piece of her, that goal to go in,” said Crossland. With a 0-0 tie and a 1-1 tie, defence is not the issue. Crossland said the backline is strong but they need a stronger forward lineup to score more goals. “We played two games and gave up one goal, didn’t give up a ton of opportunities, so now I think the focus of the week is going to be in that offensive third,” he said. “It’s definitely something we can
develop.” Crossland said this is a team they should have beaten, and in future games are a team they should be taking victories against. “If we want to get into that top four we need to start winning, because these are the teams we are going to be competing against for the top four spot.” The women take on the Mount Allison Mounties on Saturday and finish the weekend with another home game against l’Université de Moncton on Sunday.
Do you agree with people boycotting the Olympics? cellarpub.ca
Bronté James
Nick Murray
If the Olympics were to be boycotted, and no athletes were to compete, the anti-gay law would gain momentum. Athletes, gay and straight, should compete, place and show they will not sit back; they have as much of a right to be there as any other athlete.
Boycotting the Olympics is not the way to go about this. In sports, the way to get back at someone is to get them on the scoreboard. The best way for gay athletes to beat the antigay law is to win – then have a Russian diplomat shake their hand. Period.
Sports Editor
Editor-in-Chief
Andrew Martel Business Manager
The Olympics have always been a stage for political views on an international scale. However, Olympic athletes and supporters need to stand strong and compete/cheer for their country and teams like any other Olympic year. Sochi likes girls, no need to be Russian to conclusions and Stalin the Olympics. That’s just my way of Putin’ it.
Peter Ryan Sports Writer
Athletes thinking about boycotting the Olympic Games need to do a full re-evaluation. In my opinion, they need to be bigger than the people who oppress them. They need to show up to the Olympics, be stoic in the controversy that surrounds them, compete like any other athlete at the games, and prove the critics wrong.
BRUNSWICKANSPORTS
16 • September 11, 2013 • Issue 02 • Volume 147 Bronté James Sports Editor Marcus Lees doesn’t let the title “rookie” dictate his play. The 20-year-old mid-fielder from Barrie, Ont., came out strong in his second game on the Varsity Red men’s soccer team and scored his first goal with the team against the St. Francis Xavier X-Men. Coming out wide and receiving the ball, he looked forward and played it to fellow teammate Robbie Park. He came back out wide and swung the ball into the net. His celebration said it all. “I was really happy when that happened, and so I was kind of tired with all the running around I had done, but happy that it went and the play was really nice,” he said. Lees started playing soccer when he was five years old, but it was watching his older brother Curtis every chance he could after school that got him interested in the sport. At 7 p.m. he would grab his soccer ball and run to the field, and soon his
running took place on the field. After playing for the Toronto Football Club (FC) Academy he flew overseas and began playing with Fluminense FC, in Rio de Janeiro. Lees then returned for four more years. “What brought me back was I was young, I was 15 at the time, so family and I had an offer with Toronto FC, which kept me home instead of going back for another year,” he said. After several universities offered him a spot on their team, including Cape Breton University, Lees chose UNB based on its soccer program and hosting Canadian University Sport Nationals, but his main selling point was head coach Miles Pinsent. Pinsent’s style of play, the system he runs and his communication helped Lees decide on UNB. “Miles had a lot to do with it. He was a great influence for me just the way he communicates to the team, and his knowledge of the game,” he said. “I liked his style and the system that he runs is really good, and he is a good person to have around.” Pinsent complimented Lees on his
personality as well, saying “He is just a super nice guy, and a heck of a player as well,” and looks forward to a season with one of the newest rookies. Having travelled to Brazil and living on his own helped get rid of the things most rookies struggle with: missing home and living on their own for the first time. “That experience before, being alone by myself, really improves this experience because I’ve had the opportunity to spend time alone and now I have it now where I’m prepared for the university experience,” said Lees. “And I can perform not being homesick, or having those other negative effects.” Soccer for Lees is a game, a lifestyle and a coping method. “It makes me calm, makes me happy, it’s the best positive in my life right now.” He says he can sum up his first year with the team in one word: “Success.”
Rookie Marcus Lees is making a name for himself
Lees scored the second goal for UNB Sunday against St. Francis Xavier University. Bronté James / The Brunswickan
BRUNSWICKANSPORTS
September 11, 2013 • Issue 02 • Volume 147 • 17
Men’s soccer come out of weekend with four points
Bronté James Sports Editor After tying the University of Prince Edward Island Panthers 1-1 on Saturday, the men’s soccer team got its first win of the year at home Sunday afternoon, shutting out the St. Francis Xavier University X-Men 3-0 at BMO Field. Yousuf Mohammad scored the lone goal against UPEI. “Saturday’s game we felt we deserved a couple more balls going in,” said head coach Miles Pinsent. “It was a really windy day so the ball wasn’t really sitting right, and the boys could have been a little bit more composed with that final link going to goal, but we did really possess the ball well all weekend and created numerous chances.” Victor Karson scored the first goal against the X-Men less than three minutes in, off a corner kick into the top left corner, taking an early lead. Marcus Lees stretched the lead in the 48th minute with his first goal as a Varsity Red. “[In yesterday’s game] we stuck to our system but [were] disappointed with the result, we wanted more than a tie . . . and today’s game we got the results we wanted,” said Lees. “So we’re happy about that, and we played well, got our goals, and the result was ours.” Lees said an early goal is good, it sets a tone for the game, but the most important goal is the second one to help get the intensity going. “[A 1-0 lead] is good, but you feel safer when you have another one in
there just to back it up,” he said. Lees wasn’t the only rookie to score their first goal as a Varsity Red as Robbie Park scored seven minutes later, scoring the third and final goal of the game. Although the score reflects an easy win for the Reds it was a far from easy game. The cold temperatures and occasional rainfall added to the already physical game. St. Francis Xavier’s Everett Cockell was helped off the field after a collision with Oliver Jones resulted in a knee injury. Soon after, UNB rookie Kenneth Van Aarle took a hit to the head and was helped off the field. Pinsent says he only required a few stitches. Seven of the men’s rookies took the field this weekend, helping fill in the gaps on missing players such as Will Allen who missed the last two games with a minor shoulder injury, Jason Rouse with an infected foot, and Yousuf Mohammed out with a minor injury. “Kind of last minute we had to change our plans and the players that needed to fill those roles went in and did extremely well, so this is all very promising for us,” said Pinsent. “They’ve been able to step in and contribute right away and be able to make the adjustment to this level, so that was positive to see.” The men take on the Mount Allison Mounties at home on Saturday, before the Université de Moncton on Sunday. Victor Karosan, 11, scored off a corner kick three minutes in, while keeper Aaron McMurray earned a clean sheet against St. Francis Xavier University on Sunday. Alex Walsh / The Brunswickan
BRUNSWICKANSPORTS
FEAR THE RED 18 • September 11, 2013 • Issue 02 • Volume 147
Loudest fans in Fredericton back for another season
Johnny Cullen The Brunswickan They’re loud, proud, and when it comes to school spirit, they’re not taking any shortcuts. UNB’s Red Brigade is a student-run organization with a simple goal: to provide a solid fanbase for UNB’s various sports teams. “We boast ourselves as a fan club. We encourage going to as many games as possible, all different sports,” said copresident Jill Pilgrim. The group of approximately 400 students aims to be an energetic, supportive core of fans for each team. They recognize that school spirit is important and can make the difference between a win and a loss in a tight game. The club ran its first season in 2011. Students Patrick Troy, Jason Cress and Jeff Paradis are the founders of the Red Brigade. They realized sports teams and sports fans compliment each other – athletes love fan support, and fans love cheering. By giving fans the opportunity to display their school spirit and passion to the appreciative athletes, they create a win-win situation. “It’s fun, and especially now since we have a Twitter and Facebook page and a lot of the athletes are starting to notice us at the games,” said Pilgrim. And the organization’s success is snowballing. More members are joining each season. Athletes are beginning to recognize the fans, and last season, one of the biggest achievements for the Red Brigade to date took place. “Actually, the coolest thing was last year when we had pictures from the University Cup in Saskatoon, and there were people there wearing our shirts,” said Pilgrim with a laugh. “It was a highlight last year for us.” In Pilgrim’s first year as a Red Brigadier, UNB hosted the CIS National hockey championships. The executives of the organization got tickets to the games and each picked a member of the Red Brigade to bring with them. Jill was selected, and reminisces about a point in one of the games that stands out in her mind. “We were so loud – it was insane. We didn’t even win that year, but it was such a good atmosphere.”
The Red Brigade have their vocal chords ready for another season here at UNB. Andrew Meade / The Brunswickan Which is what it’s all about for the Brigadiers. The atmosphere they create when they start up a cheer gives them a rush, and makes the game that much more enjoyable. However, there are certain sports that are difficult to create such an atmosphere, as they don’t draw in as many fans. Football, for example,
being a club sport, doesn’t seem to bring in the same amount of fans as a hockey game. “It’s hard to get people out for soccer and I’m hoping that’ll change this year, where we’re hosting CIS nationals,” said Pilgrim. The Brigade hopes to have adequate fans for each sport in years to come. As UNB has many varsity teams, it is dif-
ficult for fans to make it to each game. Pilgrim is optimistic that the Brigade will become more successful with each new season. The group entails a collection of fans that donate their time and effort to UNB’s multiple sports teams. They give everything they have at each opportunity – even if that means waking up with a hoarse voice
the next day. “I just love going to sports games. There’s a lot of diehard sports fans out there, and we want to give them something that they can associate with,” Pilgrim said. “Why do you have to be on the team to have a team mentality?”
BRUNSWICKANSPORTS
September 11, 2013 • Issue 02 • Volume 147 • 19
Losing weight, one step at a time Keeping Checked In Scott Hems
School, homework, the gym. We’ve all been here . . . it seems impossible to get back into the swing of things. The fact that summer’s over is nothing short of aggravating, and we’re all feeling a little low about the upcoming months. Some of us fall victim to the “freshman 15,” and some of us just don’t have time to work out. Sadly it usually leads to low self-esteem or lack of confidence, and I was there a few years ago when I weighed about 320 pounds. So how do we feel better and find
this time? How do we conquer this image inside our heads that we aren’t as thin, sexy, fit, or awesome as we perhaps want to be? For starters, tell yourself you can do it. This 320-pound kid who was dubbed “too fat to play AAA hockey,” and “an embarrassment to sports,” eventually refereed at national rugby championships all over Canada – all expenses paid – and lost up to 114 pounds at one point. Not to mention running cross-country, and finishing a full 42.2-kilometre marathon. Is this for everyone? No. Do I expect everyone to run a marathon just to feel good about themselves? No. Do I believe everyone has the potential to do something incredible? Undoubtedly. Athleticism is not genetic, but can
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be approached with the same advice as life: it’s how you deal with adversity. I chose to run because it was how I dealt with my depression and obesity. I saw running as I saw life, and told myself not to ever give up, which helped because I felt good about myself when the weight came off. I loved people not recognizing me and looking shocked when they saw me. But proving someone wrong after they said I was pathetic was what I loved most. How do you get to this phase? Well, the first run is always the toughest. At the end you are sore, tired, and feeling like you can conquer the world. The distances will eventually increase. Even if it’s only a few inches, you are doing more than those sitting on a couch. When you take things one step
at a time, you move towards something you want, no matter how fast you move forward. You may not have the time but you find a way to make it happen, even if it means you’re running through midnight blackness on a Wednesday night. There’s a fire in each of us that will never die out. It’s our potential to be amazing. Surely we always have an option to quit, but with that option is the opportunity of greatness. We’re all hurting to get back into this, but I promise, just take it one step at a time and you’ll be fine. One day there is a long road ahead of you, but some day down the road, you’ll remember the footsteps. Take it one step at a time. “The journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step,” - Lau Tzu.
Karsten Saunders / The Brunswickan
BRUNSWICKANSPORTS
thebruns.ca
September 11, 2013 • Issue 02 • Volume 147 • 20
Ironmen take down cross-campus rivals
The UNB Ironmen take on the STU Tommies in their first game of the season. Karsten Saunders / The Brunswickan
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Johnny Cullen The Brunswickan The UNB Ironmen opened their season with a 23-0 shutout over the St. Thomas Tommies Sunday afternoon. The rugby match was hard-fought by both sides, and remained scoreless until late in the first half when the Ironmen took advantage of a STU defensive lapse, and three missed tackles later, were up 5-0 on the Tommies. Alex Peppard, a winger for the Ironmen, felt that teamwork was the name of the game. “Things really just came together. It was a forward’s game today, and they really stepped up.” Peppard felt the success from the Ironmen came off of tight-knit team play. As the conditions were wet, the ball was slippery and UNB realized keeping the ball in the forwards was a
better style of play. Ironmen hooker Cruise Goddard also felt the win could be attributed to the forwards’ hard work, but the real contributor to the win was the Ironmen’s execution of set pieces. “Winning scrums and lineouts was something that helped us significantly. We stole the ball from STU in their scrums and lineouts, giving us possession and more opportunities to score,” said Cruise. The drive from STU’s scrum was ill-timed on many accounts, and as a result of this, the Ironmen were able to capitalize. In the second half, the UNB side displayed a less confident performance and the possession of the ball remained in STU’s hands for much of the half. Communication errors within the Tommies’ defense, however led to three line-breaks by UNB strike runners,
resulting in three tries. “It was a wet day, so it was hard to handle the ball,” said STU fullback Mike Irvine. “There were a lot of turnovers, I think that was one of our main issues.” Irvine also expressed he was pleased with the hard play displayed by the STU side, noting it was a huge improvement from last season. Both teams agreed moving forward, getting commitment from the players and getting numbers out to practice is essential to build on the result from Sunday’s game. Next weekend UNB will travel to Sackville to face off against Mount Allison. A hard week’s practice lies ahead for the Ironmen, as they hope to build on their record and have another successful season.
Mental preparation: the key ingredient Bronté James Sports Editor Athletes can push, pull, kick, hit and shove their way through a game, but the physicality can only take them so far. Mental preparation before a game is a key element some people forget about. “The things that we think about, the ways that we feel, all influence us on a daily basis,” said assistant professor in psychology and sports consultant Ryan Hamilton. “Whether it’s we believe that we hate Mondays and Mondays suck, to whether we believe we can’t hit a free throw or serve the ball, the things that we believe about ourselves, we end up looking for evidence that it’s true and so we need to have the right beliefs.” Hamilton has been working with the varsity athletes, and other organizations outside the university, for over thirteen years and works with teams to develop their mental skills alongside their physical ones. The V-Reds men’s hockey, men and women’s soccer, women’s volleyball, wrestling and cross-country runners benefit from Hamilton’s expertise and meet with him on an almost-weekly basis.
The longevity of the season directly affects how often teams meet with a sports consultant. The soccer season, being shorter than other varsity teams, requires more consultations and pregame sessions. Men’s hockey, however, being a longer season, meet with Hamilton less frequently. Other variables included in the mix are how successful or unsuccessful the teams are. “It took a while to build into a program that’s as successful as it is now. It’s changed, and it’s evolved over time, and one of the things that we work on a lot now is just being comfortable with the idea of winning,” said Hamilton. A winning streak does not necessarily lead to a winning mentality. In fact, Hamilton says it can be a hindrance on a player, or team, as they become focused on the outcome. Part of his job is to ensure the outcome is set aside and athletes focus on the game. “We’re not anticipating how it’s going to feel – positive or negative – we’re not planning a celebration, and we’re not planning to drown our sorrows,” he said. “We’re not planning for the outcomes, we’re just really involved with the process it’s going to produce them.”
Another roadblock for Hamilton is “physical caps.” Height, talent, lung capacity and other physical attributes contribute to how far one can push themselves. Sports Consultants helps athletes with expressing their capabilities and not pushing themselves to further these “caps.” Anxiety, low confidence, and other mental blocks are also major factors. “[I] free the athlete to express how good they are – how much they’ve done to prepare more than anything else – rather than trick them into having an extreme performance that’s outside anything they’ve ever done before,” he said. “I think if you’re chasing that dream you’re setting yourself up for failure.” The mental preparation is not just for the field, court or rink. Meeting with players outside their training is a main part of Hamilton’s job. “There have been personal disappointments and injuries, and lots of athletes come and sit in that chair you’re sitting in right now and cry, and are devastated, and dealing with all sorts of issues that not one fan would ever know about.” “It’s challenging, but it’s also special, you know?”
BRUNSWICKANOPINION
September 11, 2013 • Issue 02 • Volume 147 • 21
FROM PRIDE PAGE 9 local Y was happy to allow the harasser to maintain his membership based on a second-chance protocol. “We view this as an opportunity to teach the individual in question about appropriate behaviour and acceptance of all people regardless of their sexual orientation,” a spokesperson said initially. After pressure from the community, however, the YMCA offered an official apology and will be undergoing queer competency training. This is a sad example of one of the problems that I see as reinforcing homophobia. There isn’t a lot of room for straight people to ask genuine questions to LGBT people about all things LGBT without being told they’re assholes simply for asking. I feel for you, straight people. I know you mean well while you’re asking those questionable questions; I can see you working up the nerve to ask them for weeks before you do, asking them in your head first in those awkward silences in our conversations. In defence of those who refuse to answer your questions, the first time someone asked me, “How did you know?” the conversation devolved into “So you’ve been with men? You’ve had sex with men? Oh, well, then you’re not really gay.” When a former boss asked me, “How do your parents feel about this?” (for the record, they were more phased by me losing my keys one night than by my coming out) she concluded the conversation with, “Well. If it was my child I’d have a big problem with it.” You can imagine the derisive look that accompanied that last bit. While you might not be a raging homophobe, we can’t always tell that. Many of us don’t want to answer your questions in case they’re a smokescreen for disapproval. But then again, if you can’t ask questions, how are you supposed to learn? In the Y’s case, Qmunity offered their services, but unfortunately there isn’t always someone willing to slog through howto-not-be-a-homophobe-101 with the commoners. I’ll throw you a freebie: stop saying “gay” (and calling people faggots or a variation of that). I know many think of this as queers and libbers being overly PC. “I don’t mean ‘gay’ like ‘homo,’ I mean it like ‘bad,’ ” some defend. Guess what, idiots: that’s not how homophones work; that’s how homophobia works. “Gay” used colloquially like that stems directly from a conception of queerness as bad, other, and generally unacceptable. You might support queer rights, but if you’re still dropping gay bombs like you’re House of Pain, you’re creating a space where queers, like me, feel like they can’t go. We can’t tell you mean “gay bad” (again, that’s not a thing) and not “gay don’t-act-like-that-around-me-or-I’llbreak-your-jaw.” All it indicates to us is that the space you’re occupying when you talk like that is somewhere we might get bashed for being ourselves. It’s the Fountainhead in 2009, it’s the YMCA last year. It’s somewhere I nurse my one standard drink all night long, sit stiffly, and leave as early as I can, vaguely concerned someone might decide it’s a good night to rape me straight. Fortunately I’ve never been physically harmed for being queer, which isn’t all that surprising. I don’t necessarily read as queer, so I’ve had it pretty easy.
Mark Burnham / The Peak I have hair long enough to pull back in a ponytail, I prefer dresses as formal wear, and if I’m not feeling too lazy I’ll schlep on some make-up before I leave the house. Still, I’m unfortunately no stranger to getting harassed, usually as a result of the company I keep. I don’t really like holding hands with my partners in public anymore. Nothing takes the joy out of being in love and holding hands on a crisp autumn day like being stuck walking downtown during crawling rush hour traffic and having an SUV full of men screaming “DYKES!” at you and your girlfriend. You can’t physically remove yourself from the situation without running away while someone screams hateful epithets and onlookers gawk silently at you; yeah, you’ll want to scream back, but what do you even say? And if you do fight back, what next? I didn’t want to end up the lesbian Jordan Smith so I did nothing. Thinking about this still makes me furious. Transit at night is another fun one. It’s easy enough for “straight”-looking me to navigate, but I’ve received far too many text messages along the lines of “some guy on the bus is threatening to ‘kick my tranny faggot ass’ and it’s all I can do not to drag him off the bus and beat the hell out of him,” from my ex-girlfriend, who got referred to as “sir” more often than “miss” or “lady” in public. On the bus one day, I encountered a drunk guy getting on the bus. The first thing he did was warn some other dude on the bus not to suck his dick. He continued on like this for a while: treading on the precipice of incoherence, making jokes about various riders being “butt-fucking fags,” asking who wanted to suck his dick, until his
trailing eyes locked on my visibly queer female companion who had responded, “Yeah, buddy. I’ll suck your dick for sure.” “Look at this guy, what the fuck even are you — man no,” he gestured to someone we couldn’t see. “Look at this fag. No shit you’ll suck my dick. Gross!” Around this point the bus driver told him to sit down and shut up, and he more or less did, and then stumbled off a few blocks later. While anti-climactic, I can’t forget this. I was sure this was the night I was either getting gay-bashed while intervening or going to be screaming helpless while my ex got her face beaten
in. At the time I thought it would never end. In reality this all played out in five minutes. It was early enough that some guy was with his eight-year-old son on the bus. There were only a handful of empty seats. No one said or did anything to this guy. We all just let it happen. What is going through people’s heads when they scream homophobic slurs in public? I can’t say I’ve ever had a chat with someone who’s done this, so I don’t have an answer, only more questions. Do they hate queers? Do they think it’s a joke? You know what’s never fucking funny? I don’t know what
motivates people to act or be homophobic, and I don’t feel like we are any closer to figuring any of this out. What is obvious is that there is a disconnect between what’s legally and socially acceptable and how people view their words and actions within this paradigm of permissibility. While Vancouver is certainly leaps and bounds ahead of some places, we aren’t without fault. Just because you aren’t a bigot, it doesn’t mean they don’t exist in droves, and a see-no-evil, hear-no-evil, speakno-evil approach is sadly missing its fourth tenet: do no evil. I really hope we come up with more solutions soon, because I really miss holding hands.
BRUNSWICKANBIOS
Hi. I’m a Newfoundlander and a third year civil engineering student. As the copy editor, it’s my job to check the whole paper for spelling, grammar, punctuation and other errors (but if I miss some let’s agree that it’s still Nick’s fault). I’m a huge Barenaked Ladies fan and finally saw them live at this year’s George Street Festival. I play French horn in the Fredericton Chamber Orchestra and Fredericton Concert and Marching Band, and am currently knitting a pair of TARDIS socks. I spent my summer working for ExxonMobil by day and working on sewing projects by night. In high school, I made a thousand paper cranes. My skills include playing minesweeper, making the perfect cuppa, and usually not starting kitchen fires.
Good day, Freddy Beach! My name is Andrew Martel, the new and less hipster business manager. For returning students, you may (or may not) remember me as last year’s Student Union President. For new students, you may recognize me as the Orientation leader who was hosting the Orientation game show, or possibly from the Orientation dance where I was dancing wildly on stage. On my days off, I enjoy curling, tennis, a good book and an even better beer. I’m looking forward to an amazing year with an amazing team! This is a whole new medium for me: student newspapers. My goal this year, aside from making sure we don’t go bankrupt or get sued, is to get more students involved. This can take shape in either volunteer writing or simply having more stories about you, your friends and your campus. Not to mention have a bunch of kick-ass contests to give swag, pizza and other cool stuff to all of you! Look for us around campus and keep on keepin’ on! Cheers, Andrew
ANDREW MARTEL
Hey UNB, it’s me again. In case you don’t remember, my name is Cherise Letson and I’m going to be your news editor again this year! I’m also in my fourth year at St. Thomas University’s journalism program. **cue STU jokes** Now that we’re past that, I’m also the Atlanic Bureau Chief of the Canadian University Press this year. Basically that means I’m a post-secondary news hound. I’m really excited to bring you another jam-packed year of news, providing you the stories and information you need to know. When I’m not trying to emulate Lois Lane, I like going out to see live music. Sometimes the bands occasionally do keg stands in my kitchen. I also really like Bob Dylan, Sons of Anarchy and sour keys. If you know of any events, stories or cool things happening you want people to know about, shoot me an email! Want to write news and be cool? You know what to do: News@thebruns.ca
CHERISE LETSON
Salveté! I’m a second year arts student here at UNB hoping to major in archaeology. (Before you ask, no I do not own a fedora or a bull whip . . . I only wish I did.) Last year I was a volunteer for the Bruns. I liked it so much that I came back for more, only this time with the title of news reporter. Needless to say, I’m really looking forward to working with everyone this year! A little more about me: my favourite word is quidnunc, I like classical music and my idea of a good time is any moment spent with a good book. And finally, I don’t drink alcohol or coffee. Pray that they don’t corrupt me.
EMMA MCPHEE
Hey guys! My name is Tess Allen. I’m a third year journalism student at St. Thomas University with a penchant for cats, Indian food and electric scooters – the cool European ones, mind you, not those used by 12-year-old girls, seniors or the morbidly obese. I am also this year’s arts reporter for The Brunswickan, and while this may indeed be my first venture with Canada’s oldest official student newspaper, I have been writing in some capacity for the Moncton Times & Transcript in Moncton, N.B. for the last decade. I also consider myself to be quite the feline enthusiast (fancy code for crazy cat lady) as well as The Bruns’s resident expert on “creepy-crawlies” – although, as the proud co-owner of more than a couple ball pythons, I’m not sure who else would have a shot at the title. I’m currently living right in the heart of Fredericton’s downtown and can’t wait to start delving into the city’s vibrant arts and culture scene this year as your arts reporter.
TESS ALLEN
GORDON MIHAN
I’m a fourth year business student with a concentration in marketing. I wrote for the Brunswickan last year and am now focusing on multimedia for the paper this year. This is a picture of me.
SARAH DOMINIE
22 • Sept. 11, 2013 • Issue 02 • Volume 146
BRUNSWICKANBIOS
I am originally from Calgary, A.B., having graduated from the University of British Columbia. I currently study English at UNB. My email address is richard.kemick@thebruns.ca. Free Tibet.
RICHARD KEMICK
Hello UNB, it’s your sports editor here! The last few years, well, I traded in my weekends for games and my social life for a recorder and notebook. If I wasn’t on the turf, court or rink I was locked away in the office writing stories. I even got the “Do you even have a home?” award. I hung it on my wall. Proudly, I might add. A few things you need to know about me is I am passionate about sports, I’m that person who silently corrects grammar, and one day hope to cover sports professionally – be it Canada, Europe, wherever! If you see me wandering around campus, feel free to stop and chit-chat; I am always up for a good sports debate. I look forward to covering our UNB Varsity Reds this season, and can’t wait for the season to start!
BRONTE JAMES
Well Hello UNB, good to have you here! And glad this copy of the Brunswickan made it into your hands. My name is Alex Walsh. I’m a fourth-year media arts and cultures student here at UNB and this year’s art director at the Brunswickan. Some of you might be asking “Hey! What exactly is the Art Director?” Well it is the position at the paper which oversees the overall aesthetics of the paper. My typical day generally includes fighting dragons, helping elderly cross the street, eating a well-balanced breakfast, afternoon tea with Jay-Z, Barack Obama and Carrot-Top, and occasionally taking a few photos for the Bruns. In my spare time I’m a proctor in the mighty Harrison House, an EDM DJ, graphic designer, videographer and avid skier among other things. I enjoy countless hours at the Cellar and maybe a night or two at the Social Club (You gotta support your campus bars right?!). If you ever want to shoot some wicked photos to be printed in the Bruns, email me at Production@thebruns.ca.
ALEX WALSH
What’s up cats and kittens! Lee Thomas here, for another rad year of Brunswickan Arts stuff. This year we’re going to be writing about shows you’ll want to see, reviewing shows you saw but don’t remember ‘cause you were too drunk, and pretty much anything that I think will interest you. We cover music, art, culture, entertainment, sexsexsexsexsex, movies, video games, lifestyle, fashion – you name it! Oh, also: I’m from Whitecourt, Alberta, a proctor at Harrison House (Huskies rule!), a third year polisci/English honours student, and an arts faculty peer mentor. I love wine, tattoos and dinosaurs – not necessarily in that order. If you like what you see in the paper, tell us on twitter @Brunswickan, on Facebook or at thebruns.ca. If you want to get involved, shoot me an email at arts@thebruns.ca. Or if you think I’m way out of line about something, gimme a shout at @leenyree or come find me at the Cellar and maybe I’ll buy you a beer while we discuss.
LEE THOMAS
There’s something sad about a photographer trying to write. So, I apologize as I try to drag this out to my 225-word goal without casualties. My name is Karsten, and I’m the staff photographer this year! Though I’ve been volunteering for a while, this is my first time on staff. Talk about moving up in the world! Basically, I take a bunch of the pictures that will be in the paper this year. I hope you like them! However, I can’t be everywhere, so we’re always looking for volunteers. Don’t let a lack of experience scare you, because I’m eager to help you grow as a photographer! Also, I avoid sports activities, because ain’t no one got time for that kinda B.O. So I generally take arts assignments from my beautiful friend, Lee Thomas. I guess I’m avoiding talking about myself . . . basically I’m a really tall (no, I do not play basketball, so don’t ask) sassbucket who enjoys reading, playing piano and FERTERGRAPHEE. Canon > Nikon, before anyone asks me. I’m going into my third year of a joint honours in anthropology and psychology. As a shameless self-promotion, I am always willing to do private work for anyone willing to dish out a bit of money to this broke artist. Srsly, call me maybe?
KARSTEN SAUNDERS
NICK MURRAY
If you missed my letter on our website last week, this may come as a shock, but I’m a proud fourth-year St. Thomas journalism student – thought I’d get that out of the way right away. After volunteering for the Bruns for the past two years, I’m super pumped to be EIC! But aside from my work with the Bruns, I’ve also freelanced for the Daily Gleaner since May 2012, having just come off a four-month internship, and I’m an assistant sports information director for the Varsity Reds. I also do play-by-play for the V-Reds hockey team on CHSR and I’m a freelancer for CBC radio. I promised I’d let you guys know about contests throughout the year, and here’s one of them: pitch us a story to Editor@thebruns.ca and if we run it, you’ll be entered into a monthly draw for a $20 Cellar gift card. It’s that simple! Be sure to follow us on Twitter at @Brunswickan for more contests through the year, and my personal account at @NickMurray91. Cheers.
Feb. 26, 2013 • Issue 22 • Volume 146 • 23