Issue 19, Vol 145, The Brunswickan

Volume 145 · Issue 19 • February 1, 2012

the

www.thebruns.ca

bruns canada’s oldest official student publication.

Sandy Chase / The Brunswickan

brunswickannews

2 • Feb. 1, 2012 • Issue 19 • Volume 145

UNB researchers investigate deadly bat fungus Damira Davletyarova The Brunswickan Researchers, including the faculty of biology at the University of New Brunswick, are searching for a way to explain and stop a phenomenon that has killed nearly seven million little brown bats in just six years, pushing the species to the verge of extinction.

In 2006, scientists in New York State noticed a decrease in the bat population.

After surveying some caves, they discovered some hibernating bats had white spots on their muzzles and wings. The fungus has been aptly named white-nose syndrome.

In 2010, Graham Forbes, a professor of biology at UNB and director of the N.B. Cooperative Fish Wildlife Research Unit, and his team, also decided to check local caves to see whether the infection had spread to New Brunswick.

“It was new species [fungus] and nobody knew where it came from, in part because

nobody has done research on what type of fungus is already in caves or on bats. So we wanted to find out; maybe it was already here and no one looked for it,” Forbes said.

The team surveyed several caves and found no evidence of white-nose syndrome among hibernating bats. They have also collected data from several bats to determine what types of fungi reside on the bats.

Last winter, when researchers returned, they found symptoms of white-nose syndrome on little brown bats - one of only two types of bats besides the northern longeared bats that are common to the province.

In one of the biggest caves, the researchers counted 6,000 hibernating bats, including the infected.

Karen Vanderwolf, a graduate student at UNB, has been working with professor Forbes in conjunction with the New Brunswick Museum, surveying the sites and probing the microclimate of the fungi.

“We confirmed from the research that it [white-nose syndrome] wasn’t here until

2011 and we also wanted to find out what sort of fungus community was normally on the bats.”

This winter, Forbes and his team did not have to enter the same site to see a different picture - flying bats outside of the cave, dead bodies on the snow.

“Most of them died right at the entrance, thousands of dead bats on the ground,” Forbes said.

The scientists counted only 300 bats in that cave - a 95 per cent drop in one winter.

Professor Forbes and Vanderwolf described how they are conducting their research.

They keep a close look on nine bat sites that mostly stretch from the Bay of Fundy to Moncton. Some of the caves are open and easy to get into; others so narrow that researchers have to crawl.

They also have to be extra careful not to transmit the syndrome from the infected bats to healthy ones. The scientists wear special clothing, use clean equipment and

spend less than an hour in each cave.

“It spreads on contact, either on the walls or the bats, and because they are [hibernating] in groups - one gets and spreads to the other ones,” Forbes explained. And because New Brunswick doesn’t have many caves, bats fly hundreds of kilometres across the province, gathering in one cave, transmitting the disease even faster.

Once in the cave, the team counts the bats, which is sometimes hard - even impossible - because of the high ceilings of the cave. Sometimes the researchers take a picture and estimate the number of species.

Then, they carefully isolate one hibernating bat from the group and rub its fungus on a special plate - agar plate - and hang the bat back. They take the agar plates to the labs for further studying. The researchers also measure and monitor temperature and humidity in the caves.

Cold and wet caves are an ideal environment for the fungus to thrive, Forbes explained. Fungus attaches to the bodies of hibernating bats and starts growing into the skin tissue. As a result, the mammals wakeup from itching and irritation in the middle of the winter, instead of April.

“To wake-up [in winter], they have to raise their body temperature and they have

to burn their fat reserve,” Forbes explained.

“And they are either hungry or thirsty or both; they look for water, for food - it takes them outside. There is no food and it’s minus 10 - they are going to die pretty soon.”

Starvation and dehydration also decreases the immune system of the little brown bats and their ability to fight away infection.

Meanwhile, the white-nose syndrome is spreading fast - it is estimated to spread from 200 to 400 kilometres per year. In just six years, the syndrome spread across 19 U.S. states and four Canadian provinces; it is expected that the infection will expand all over Canada.

The loss of major pest predators will affect flora and fauna, and even humans, as the abundance of bugs and mosquitoes increases risks of transmission of different diseases.

Now UNB researches roughly estimate the population of bats in New Brunswick - that was not abundant in the first place shrank from 10,000 to 3,000 species.

“For Eastern America, one of the most abundant mammals are essentially gone in five-ten years,” Forbes said.

“It’s one of the biggest, catastrophic losses of mammal species that we know of.”

Some New Brunswick little brown bats in a cave. Submitted.

brunswickannews

Feb. 1, 2012 • Issue 19 • Volume 145 • 3

Taking the plunge Scan QR code to see the Polar Dip video or visit thebruns.ca

Christopher Cameron Editor-in-Chief Although participants were tearing it up with crazy jumps at Saturday’s Bridges House Polar Dip, there was one tear that almost cancelled the event.

“This year our lining tore while we were filing it up, so that’s why the tarp is there,” said Bridges president Corey McMillan. “It was a big scare.

Gary (don of Bridges) came in my room and said no Polar Dip. Luckily we fixed it last minute and were able to continue on with the event and raise money.”

In total there were 63 people who jumped for the annual Polar Dip. With money raised by the participants and sales from their canteen set up outside Bridges, there was over $2,000 raised for the IWK Children’s Hospital in Halifax.

“We had a great turnout and I think it was colder than last year,” McMillan said. “We raised a bunch of money and we had the barbeque going all day and had a great DJ here.

Overall it was a great turnout and I’m really happy with it.”

Although the event was so successful, McMillan said there was some panic about hosting it before the snow came.

“We were thinking about moving it (Polar Dip) to March because that’s

when we have our 50th (anniversary) week,” he said. “We figured we’d keep it on the set date and two days before we get the rain and snow. Luckily the past couple days have been cold and we got some snow we were looking for.”

The biggest difference that he saw as a ‘negative’ from prior years was the lack of snow pushed up around the pool (due to a lack of snow), which normally allows participants, MCs, and bystanders to be closer to the action.

Although it was different for bystanders this year, participants were still as into it as in previous years, dressing up in costumes or ridiculous clothing.

There was a Superman, Borat, some hockey players, and a large number of jumpers wearing florescent 70s spandex with headbands, to name a few. Katie McCarthy, a first-year student and resident of Bridges House, chose to dress up in the 70s attire.

Although she was involved for the first time, McCarthy has wanted to jump since hearing about the event from her brother, a Bridges alumnus.

“I jumped because it is a great cause and a great tradition and my brother did it,” she said. “I really wanted to do Polar Dip. I heard about it from my brother and knew it would be great fun.”

Allison Downe, also a first-year student in Bridges, took the plunge dressed in retro attire.

“The water was really cold, but not as cold as I thought it was going to be, from what I had heard from people from Bridges,” she said. “It was a really good turnout and I thought we made a lot of money for a really great charity.”

Both students paid the requested $25 to jump in the event.

Brian Beaudette, don of Harrison House, participated for the third time this year. He raised $52 with another Harrison jumper.

“I hadn’t heard much about it this year other than through one of my proctors who was in Bridges last year, so I wasn’t expecting a lot of people to be there, but the attendance was really great,” he said. “In the past I found it to be a lot warmer than this year. This year was frigid.”

“This is probably something - I mean it is an annual event and once you get in it, it’s not something you can say no to very easily - it’s something you always come back to and realize you’re getting out and showing in the community that you support this cause.”

Although the Polar Dip is once a year, the house raises money throughout the year with money raised from house dinners and all bottle recycling funds going to the IWK.

Blurring arts boundaries Hilary Paige Smith News Editor

Discussing the arts. Tim Lingley / The Brunswickan

What is a rebel?

Attend the upcoming Associated Arts Societies Colloquium and you’ll find out.

This is the first year for the conference, taking place on Feb. 11 on campus.

The seminars will be happening in Tilley 5, running from 10:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.

The theme for the conference is rebellion, a topical throwback to the tumultuous 2011 year.

A group of organizers, including Dr. Jeffrey Brown from the history department and student Grant Peters, sat down with the Brunswickan to discuss the upcoming event.

“We pick themes broad enough so that people from all disciplines will have things to say abot them. It also shows how diverse and multi-faceted the faculty is, because we have lots of different perspectives,” Brown said.

They won’t just be looking at rebellion in the politcal sense - the topic will encompass art, culture and psychology.

The speakers are all UNB professors from different departments within the arts faculty.

This is the first time for this conference, however the event has evolved from the arts honours retreat that was exclusively for honours students in the faculty.

Brown said they hope to make the event an annual thing, “an important event on the calendar every winter.”

The professor also stressed that speakers will not be talking “at” students, it will be more of an interactive experience.

The event will close with a banquet at the Garrison District Ale House downtown. The conference is free, with the exception of the banquet. The cost will be determined at a later date.

For more information, or to register, email jsbrown@unb.ca or the History Society hist@unb.ca.

brunswickannews

4 • Feb. 1, 2012 • Issue 19 • Volume 145

Finance minister’s remarks irk students at budget consultation Cherise Letson The Brunswickan Finance Minister Blaine Higgs disappointed some concerned New Brunswick students last Tuesday at a budget consultation that took place at the Maritime Forestry Complex.

Students expressed their concerns about tuition hikes, retention programs and student employment, among other issues during the question and answer portion of the meeting.

Many students who went said they were not impressed with how the minister received their concerns. Students were also not impressed about a remark Higgs made about receiving an e-mail from a student, saying that they “didn’t know how they were going to afford the taxes of alcohol and cigarettes along with tuition.”

Students Alexandra Cole and Sarah Hunt, creators of the Occupy Tuition group, said they were not impressed with the Minister’s reaction and remarks.

“I’m quite displeased with it, because it seemed like he brushed off every concern that the students themselves had right off. He didn’t really pay much mind to it,” Cole said.

“I think he should be ashamed of himself, the way he responded. He didn’t treat us as if we were being serious,” Hunt said.

University of New Brunswick Student

Union president Jordan Thompson’s reaction was no different.

“I was a bit disappointed with how he handled them,” Thompson said.

“He did make a remark about cigarettes and alcohol, which is not the situation.

Students can’t afford education. There is a large amount of unmet need among many students, and it’s not frivolous spending that gets us there. It’s lack of support from government and other sources,” Thompson said.

Thompson said he doesn’t feel optimistic that student opinions and concerns expressed that evening will be taken into consideration.

“I don’t necessarily get the feeling that it was taken seriously, or as seriously as we would have liked, and that’s a definite concern going into this budget process, as Mr. Higgs is writing the budget. So I hope our concerns do get taken seriously.

Maybe I misread, I hope I did. But I’m not optimistic, let’s put it that way,” Thompson said.

Higgs said the “alcohol and cigarettes” comment did come from an actual email he received from a student after the budget last year and that it was the student who made the analogy. However, he said that it is not a stereotype he has for students, but that he does expect that some young people, students or not, do spend a lot of the money they get from a loan in this way.

Blaine Higgs at an open consultation last budget period. Andrew Meade / The Brunswickan “So it’s not any more of a student who is going to university or a student goes in right out of schooling into a job. It’s you know, the money coming in on loans can be attractive, and I think it’s reasonable to expect that sometimes you can spend what you have,” Higgs said.

Higgs wouldn’t say whether or not tuition would be raised next year. He

did say the province does want to be competitive in terms on tuition, as well as in employment opportunities when students graduate, thus keeping graduates in the province.

“What the opportunity there is to build a better connection between the educational program and the job opportunities that are available and what we want to try

to strategically focus on,” Higgs said.

Higgs said the government will focus on whether or not the incentive programs currently offered to students work, and if not, try to put programs in that do.

“That’s something we want to try to correct and say ‘well let’s put programs in that mean something’,” Higgs said.

UNBSU general election kicks off Feb. 3 Alanah Duffy News Reporter Nominations are opening on Friday for a number of positions with the University of New Brunswick Student Union for the 2012-2013 academic year.

Students interested in getting involved with the UNBSU can pick up nomination forms in the Welcome Centre beginning at 8:30 a.m. on Friday. After picking up the form, each student must gather 25 signatures of other students who feel comfortable nominating him or her.

The nomination period is open from Feb. 3 to 10.

“There will be a mandatory candidates meeting on the day that nominations close, where I give them all the information that they need about regulations and running their campaign,” said Cassie MacKinlay, Chief Returning Officer for the UNBSU. Nominations will close at noon on Friday, Feb. 10; the candidates meeting will be held at 4 p.m. that afternoon. After the candidates meeting, campaigning is

allowed to begin.

Students can run for a variety of positions, including the executive positions of president, vice-president external, vicepresident internal, vice-president finance and operations, and vice-president student services. There is one student position available on each of the Board of Governors and the Senate.

There are also 20 faculty councillor positions available: three seats for the arts, business, and engineering faculties; two seats for the kinesiology, nursing, and science faculties; and, one seat available for the computer science, education, forestry, law, and Renaissance College faculties.

As well, there are nine positions available as non-faculty councillors: Aboriginal student representative, accessibility representative, international student representative, LGBTQ student representative, off-campus student representative, residence student representative, women’s representative, and two students at large.

The students at large positions are new this year. MacKinlay explained that these

positions were added in order to reach more students.

“They’re not associated with a specific role, as far as faculty goes. They’ll give students another avenue of questioning or information,” she said.

“It’s the idea that if a student goes to a faculty rep and feels that this rep is too focused on what’s going on concerning their faculty, the student will have someone else who’s not focused on something.”

Another change this year is in terminology; student representatives were previously listed as liaisons. MacKinlay explained that liaisons didn’t have voting rights and couldn’t bring motions to council. By changing the name, everyone on council will have voting rights.

After two weeks of campaigning by candidates, voting opens on Feb. 27 and closes on March 2. Voting is done online, through e-services.

Last year’s voter turnout was only 7.9 per cent of the student body. The student union has budgeted $1,000 toward advertising to try to increase student interest in

The CRO wants YOU to run in the upcoming election.

Tim Lingley / The Brunswickan the elections.

MacKinlay said that she would love to see an increase in the number of voters in this general election.

“Even to me - this seems low - but even a 10 per cent increase,” she said. “Any type of increase without getting my expectations

too high. My goal would be a minimum of 10 per cent, but I would love to see it higher than that.”

To learn more about the student union and view descriptions of the positions available, please visit http://www.unbsu.ca/election/.

looking to inform students of what’s e-mail: news@thebruns.ca going on campus?

Winter Adventure Weekend February 4-5, 2012 Are classes and midterms stressing you out?

Is winter feeling long and boring?

How about a weekend getaway to break up the term?

Enter the UNB/STU Winter Adventure Weekend, a once-in-a-lifetime weekend of winter fun open to all university students aged between 18 and 26, organized by the UNB/STU Rovers. We invite you to get active, have fun, and explore Canada's greatest asset: the great outdoors. Come experience the true excitement of high adventure in a Canadian winter!

Exciting activities include:

Dog sledding (tentative), cross country skiing, snowshoeing, sledding, broomball, outdoor skills (survival, snow shelters etc.) socializing – and lots more!

$20 per student. Space is limited! Book your spot before Thursday, Feb 2 at 5pm by registering online.

For more information, and to register, check out: rovers.scoutsrivorton.org/adventure

brunswickannews

Feb. 1, 2012 • Issue 19 • Volume 145 • 5

Erasing Blackboard at UNB

(Left to right) Nancy Fizpatrick, John Born, Sabeer Zaman, and Kevin Cormier are members of the team responsible for helping make the transition to the Desire2Learn software. Andrew Meade / The Brunswickan Alanah Duffy News Reporter Mansoureh Nasserchian is one of almost 900 students testing teaching and learning software the University of New Brunswick will be implementing for all students this summer.

The software, called Desire2Learn, will replace Blackboard.

“Change is not easy. At first, it was a big challenge to adjust to the new applications,” Nasserchian said, an adult education student. “But after the first week, it became very easy.”

Nasserchian is participating in the pilot project as part of an online class called Introduction to Distance Learning in Adult Education, taught by Kathy Waugh.

Waugh said the content of the course was a good fit for the introduction of Desire2Learn.

“It added to the course in more ways than one, which is why I took it on. I’m teaching about distance learning and this new platform is all about distance learn-

ing,” she said.

The university decided to switch from Blackboard to Desire2Learn in September, after researching it and other online learning applications. Their contract with Blackboard (whom they had been working with since 1996) is due to expire in August of 2012.

Ken Reimer, director of the Centre for Enhanced Teaching and Learning (CETL), set up a committee comprised of professors, students, CETL employees, and Information Technology Services (ITS) employees. In August, this committee tested out different learning platforms and ultimately decided on Desire2Learn.

Reimer said that a different version of Blackboard was available, but the committee felt that Desire2Learn had more applications and offered better software.

“There was a strong feeling that this is going to be a positive change,” Reimer told the Brunswickan. “It is a learning curve in terms of the transition, but the end result is going to be something better for teaching and learning at UNB.”

After deciding to contract Desire2Learn, UNB spent the first semester of this academic year working to implement the new system.

At the beginning of January, 13 instructors on the Fredericton campus and 10 instructors at UNB Saint John became part of the pilot project. Almost 900 students are currently using the software. It will become the default teaching and learning software when intersession begins in May. Reimer said a formal survey on Desire2Learn hasn’t been conducted yet, but he’s generally heard positive things. He added that some things still have to be worked on, such as mobile applications.

Nasserchian and Waugh both said that discussions in Desire2Learn were a bit complicated to get used to.

“It was clearer in Blackboard; we could see who responded to whom and we didn’t need to go through everything,” Nasserchian said, motioning toward her computer screen. “But, I’m using both Desire2Learn and Blackboard this semester, and when I compare both, Blackboard seems old.”

Reimer said that the university has signed a 10-year contract with Desire2Learn. It costs $100,000 a year to operate. He said that Desire2Learn costs slightly more than Blackboard because UNB is paying extra for Desire2Learn to host the software instead of having UNB host it.

“The decision wasn’t about cost savings, rather it was about getting the best system to facilitate teaching and learning at UNB,” Reimer said.

The yearly fee is taken from the budget that UNB allocates for systems management each year.

“It’s not a cheap thing. It used to be that people thought of it as an extra – but it’s not,” Reimer said. “It’s part of our infrastructure, and I think that if you took it away, it would hurt the teaching and learning for students at UNB. It’s just as important as classrooms are.”

Rights, campus, action Stephen Hargreaves The Lance (University of Windsor) WINDSOR (CUP) — University students across the country are mobilizing in opposition to the underfunding of post-secondary education as part of a National Day of Action on Feb. 1.

“The National Day of Action is part of a nation-wide campaign called Education is a Right,” said Roxanne Dubois, national chairperson for the Canadian Federation of Students. “The main goal is to fight for an acceptable, well-funded system of post-secondary education in Canada.”

Dubois points to the underfunding of education and rising tuition costs as major factors in educational inequity in Canada.

“We not only need to educate people about the importance of post-secondary education, but also the importance of fair access to post-secondary education.”

“Universities have been under-funded since the 1990s,” said University of Windsor event co-organizer Vajo Stajic, the education and advocacy co-ordinator for the university’s Organization of Part-time University Students. “We need to pressure both the provincial and federal governments to make education a priority. Students can no longer stand by and let tuition fees rise and rise. Postsecondary education needs to be accessible for all.”

According to the CFS, only 34 per cent of university and college students are eligible for the Ontario Tuition Rebate launched this month. Not covered by the Liberal campaign promise grant are part-time students, mature students, international students, students in a second entry program, including law, medicine and teachers college, and students whose parent or parents make over $160,000 annually.

“This is a lot of money to create a program which is very complicated and expensive to administer,” said Dubois. “It doesn’t increase access to post-secondary education, though it does give some students some help, which is important.

The campaign promise was a tuition fee reduction of 30 per cent. That is not what this is.”

At the time the grant was announced, Minister of Training Colleges and Universities, Glen Murray told The Lance, “By giving a grant to students it reduces the cost to students but does not deny important revenue universities need to produce a high quality education.”

When asked about the omission of assistance for many students Murray said, “While we celebrate today, I am rolling up my sleeves.”

According to calculations by Dubois, if the $450 million assigned to the Ontario Tuition Rebate were applied universally to all students, it would equal a 13 per cent tuition fee reduction across Ontario.

“Students are calling on the Ontario government to turn their rebate into an across-the-board tuition fee cut for all students,” said Stajic. “The students being excluded by the rebate are those who are most financially at risk.”

Locally, Univeristy of Windsor students will march in solidarity with students across the country in favour of affordable and equitable education.

The University of Windsor Senate has granted academic amnesty to participating students, meaning students missing classes will not face academic penalty for being absent in order to attend the day of action.

Other events are being organized by students at individual schools and nationally by the CFS. For more information, visit educationisaright.ca.

brunswickanopinion

Feb. 1, 2012 • Issue 19 • Volume 145 • 6

editor@thebruns.ca

Response to “The real Battle of the Hill” In the midst of a revolution A student’s first hand account of Nigeria’s revolution

Tomi Gbeleyi The Brunswickan

UNB students, although it may be believed to be true, do not constantly wear sweatpants to cope with having to walk a significant distance between classes. Andrew Meade / The Brunswickan Also, law students at UNB actually attend seminars on how to dress professionally and most of them get To the Point into the groove of this right off the Christopher bat, in first year law. You won’t see Cameron sweatpants at Ludlow Hall.

The author of the Aquinian article also commented on architecture on After reading the Aquinian’s cen- the two campuses. When it comes to trespread last week and discussing the architecture, I must agree that with multiple UNB students, both STU has esthetically pleasing buildpast and present, it is hard not to say ings and more importantly, all buildanything. ings are wheelchair accessible. That The STU paper printed a two-page being said UNB is 226 years old and spread comparing STU and UNB, has 125 years on STU. That means the writer claiming to have a unique UNB has to improve old buildings perspective because of his studies on to make them fully accessible. both campuses.

Looking further at architecture, we I happen to have experience on ran a story earlier this year by Damira both campuses as well so I thought Davletyarova on the first person in a it would be appropriate to respond wheelchair to graduate from UNB. to this article.

Joanne McLeod graduated in the 60s.

The author categorized his article At that point UNB did not accept with “shared experiences”, comparing any students in wheelchairs. Regarddress code, architecture, Tim Hor- less, McLeod pushed the UNB Board tons, the online experience, and park- of Directors and she was admitted to ing problems on the two campuses. the school. The point of her story is I spent my first two years of uni- that people do choose schools parversity at UNB, living in MacKenzie tially based on architecture, but more House in my first year and moved off importantly, they choose where they campus after that. are going because of the education In my first year I learned that STU they will receive. is STUpid and all the other pokes at I’ve been in engineering and the the cross-campus rival. building is the most confusing on After spending two years at UNB campus, I believe, but that did not full-time, where the majority of stu- take away from the fact that I chose dents in my classes DID NOT wear to come to UNB initially to study sweatpants (contrary to what the engineering, not to look at the walls. article said about UNB students), Tim Hortons. The Aquinian article I moved up the hill to St. Thomas read “Now the SUB has one,” as if it because they offered programs that were new. Tim Hortons has been in UNB did not. the Student Union Building for more In fact, I felt underdressed in than 10 years. That’s all I’m saying. It some of my engineering and business doesn’t matter, but at least get it right. classes by just wearing a t-shirt and When looking at the online exjeans. Those in the business program perience between the schools, UNB are there because they want to pursue phased out WebAdvisor in my first a career where they most likely will year, which was five years ago. have to dress up for work every day U N B has not changed much and they take it that seriously in their since, but in my time at STU they undergraduate classes by dressing to (St. Thomas) has moved to Moodle, the nines. which is no Blackboard. It does do

the brunswickan

About Us 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.

The Brunswickan, in its 145th year of publication, is Canada’s Oldest Official Student Publication.

We are an autonomous student newspaper owned and operated by Brunswickan Publishing Inc., a non-profit, independent body.

We are a founding member of the Canadian University Press, and love it so.

We publish weekly during the academic year with a circulation of 6,000.

Letters Must be submitted by e-mail including your name. Letters with pseudonymns will not be printed. Letters must be 400 words at maximum.

Deadline for letters is Friday at 5 p.m. before each issue.

Editorial Policy While we endeavour to provide an open forum for a variety of viewpoints 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.

All editorial content appearing in The Brunswickan or on thebruns.ca is the property of Brunswickan Publishing Inc. Stories, photographs, and artwork contained herein cannot be reproduced without the express, written permission of the Editor-in-Chief.

the job though.

The only problem I’ve had with STU moving over to Moodle is that it was cheaper than WebCT. I don’t think any student has noticed any savings in their tuition, which might be something STU students should look into since most every student is concerned about tuition prices.

Aside from comparing the new with the old and what UNB has and STU doesn’t, UNB is in the process of creating a mobile app, which will allow students to do everything they can do through their e-services right now, plus or minus a few things, on their mobile devices.

This isn’t STU’s fault though.

UNB has more resources, which allow it to do things of this magnitude.

When it comes to the parking issue, that it is one of the “shared experiences” between campuses, I would argue the biggest problem is not the number of spaces or that STU has an advantage being close to the Aitken Centre parking lot.

At UNB, faculty and staff have spots close to all academic buildings, while the number of student spots close to academic buildings is not as high. The argument can also be made that NBCC is not helping the parking situation on either campus.

This is obviously true, but NBCC did put some funds into parking on campus, such as paving new lots.

I think that the distribution of spots in close proximity to academic buildings needs to be more even between students and faculty and staff.

Instead the majority (not all) of spots are allocated to faculty and staff.

If any UNB students have not read it, try to take a look at the Aquinian’s centrespread from last week and let us know what you think.

Christopher Cameron is the Editorin-Chief of The Brunswickan and can be reached at editor@thebruns.ca or in SUB room 35 throughout the work week.

Prior to my recent visit back to my hometown of Lagos, Nigeria I viewed the Occupy Movement, particularly the movements in Canada, as a trend and poor imitation of the Arab Springs. I honestly had little empathy for the North Americans joining in the protests mainly because I felt that people of developing nations represent the true 99 percent and are the people most affected by capitalism and neo-liberal values.

It was difficult for me to empathize with Canadian youths who joined the movement because as a citizen of a developing nation, I perceive Canada as an affluent nation. Quality and affordable healthcare, good education, constant electricity, running water, and good roads are luxuries for the average person in Nigeria, but are amenities readily available to the average Canadian. In light of this, I had little interest in the movement and did not see it as a worthwhile or credible venture.

It took a nationwide strike and the possibility of not being able to return to school to completely change my views on the Occupy Movement. Sweating profusely at the Murtala Mohammed Airport, Lagos and trying to make all efforts to find a new flight to Canada after numerous flights were cancelled, I realized just how influential the Occupy Movement had become.

The movement that I had openly and privately ridiculed was successfully adopted in my country by Nigerians protesting the sudden increase in fuel prices from 65 naira per litre to 140 naira per litre on the first day of the New Year. I initially tried to disassociate the fuel price hike protests from the Occupy Wall Street Movement, but the numerous social network images, t-shirts and local news reports made it clear; Nigerian protesters took their cue from the Occupy Movement whether I cared to admit it or not.

I was extremely proud of the solidarity Nigerians expressed in reaction to the fuel price hike. Typically jam-packed Lagos streets were completely deserted in compliance with the strike and many Nigerians took to Facebook and Twitter to express

The Occupy Wall Steet Movement had a significant influence on a similar movement in Nigeria. lumierefl / Flickr CC

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their dissatisfaction not only with the increase in prices but also with the flagrant corruption in the Nigerian government.

This widespread activism is an uncommon thing for Nigerians. Phrases such as “E go better” (it will be well) are commonly expressed by the Nigerian populace in harsh times. The late pioneer of Afrobeat music, Fela Kuti coined the song “Suffering and Smiling” to describe how Nigerians tend to hope for the best rather than revolt in trying times.

The strikes literally shut down the nation, as it affected international flights. Many airlines repeatedly cancelled flights, particularly after operations of certain airlines were disrupted by labour officials.

Being at the airport with fellow stranded passengers demonstrated the extent to which these protests paralysed the nation.

Some of the stranded passengers were university students like me trying to get back to class on time; others were workers trying to meet up with deadlines. A man I spoke with said he was worried he might lose his job for returning so late after the Christmas break.

The situation at the airport was tense and many passengers were desperate.

When a flight did leave, the check-in lines were horrendous as many people who had missed previous flights all tried to get on.

Fights broke out on check-in lines and a particular woman behind me who kept instigating fights nearly had a suitcase thrown at her. Airline officials were completely overwhelmed with the crowd, but did their best to maintain order.

I was completely stressed by the situation and almost fainted when I thought I had lost my passport in the chaos.

Although some Nigerians are already questioning the outcomes of the Occupy Nigeria movements and the Boko Haram extremist group has continued bombings in Northern Nigeria after the strike, I realized something important from the movements; everyone has a right to express their displeasure with government or economic practices they perceive to be unjust, whether they live in a developed nation or not. Every citizen has a right to contest for a better tomorrow.

Contributors Cherise Letson, Josh Fleck, Haley Ryan, Sean O’Neill, Alanah Duffy, Nick Murray, Tova Payne, Colin McPhail, Jennifer Bishop, Sarah Vannier, Bronté James, Damira Davletyarova, Amy MacKenzie, Luke Perrin, Lee Thomas, Susanna Chow, Ben Jacobs, Sarah Cambell, Brandon Hicks, Heather Uhl, Adam Melanson, Derek Ness, Lindsey Edney, Brad McKinney, Patrick McCullough, Leonardo Camejo, Tim Lingley

brunswickanopinion

Student

Viewpoint.

Feb. 1, 2012 • Issue 19 • Volume 145 • 7

What are the differences, if any, between UNB and STU students?

Let everyone know what’s on your mind.

Brad Poirier

Joey O’Kane

Matthew Edwards

Abhishek ‘ABK’ Kar

“There are a lot more girls at STU.”

“UNB is better in every facet.”

“They have their own specialties.”

“UNB students are more theoretical, STU students are more practical.”

Matty Lamey

Elizabeth MacDonald

Mike Tabor

Desiree Leaman

“UNB is more scientific.”

“There is no difference, we’re all students.”

“They have different academic focuses and specialties.”

“STU is more laid back.”

brunswickanarts The potter next door arts@thebruns.ca

Feb. 1, 2012 • Issue 19 • Volume 145 • 8

Haley Ryan Arts Reporter Jessica Kelly likes making history.

You might have even noticed some of her work last weekend at the Farmer’s Market.

No, you say? There were no grand paintings or controversial art pieces hidden among the mushrooms and fresh fish?

Perhaps not. But Kelly’s pots and mugs will survive the march of time better than any other art form.

“It lasts forever, you know, out of all civilizations,” Kelly said as she poured herself a mug of blueberry tea in a downtown café. “It seems very permanent and it’s very functional too.”

A few years ago, Kelly moved from the small village of Petitcodiac to Fredericton to attend St. Thomas University to study English Literature. She said she enjoyed STU, but after a year there she made the switch to the New Brunswick College of Craft and Design, and never looked back.

Although you can explore a few different mediums at NBCCD, Kelly joked that she’s too scatterbrained to focus on more than one thing at a time, so during her program she immersed herself in pottery classes.

She’s proud that during her final year at college, she made enough money from her mugs, pots and vases to get by without a “regular” job.

That changed this year, since she’s on her own and paying back student loans, but Kelly says she loves selling her work at the Farmer’s Market and is building up some regular clients.

The intricate designs in her pottery catch the eye immediately, which are almost tribal looking. The shapes of her pieces are beautiful, and no two mugs or cream pots are exactly the same. When you look closely, some are quite whimsical.

“I make little bubble jars that look like, well what I describe as little kids in fat snowsuits,” Kelly said, laughing. “It’s a very, very round jar and they have little arms ... my playfulness definitely comes out in my pottery.”

Although it can take up to three

Jessica Kelly sells her pottery at the Fredericton Boyce Farmers Market Saturday mornings. Andrew Meade / The Brunswickan days to completely finish a piece, from moulding it on the potter’s wheel her dad built for her, to firing it in a huge kiln, Kelly has some company.

She shares a studio space with three other potters she met in college, and says working with friends is great because there’s always someone to get feedback from, and you don’t

need to worry about hurting anyone’s feelings.

On an average day in the studio, Kelly said she listens to music and chats away because she is so used to the routine of moulding and creating her pieces (also called “throwing,” if you use potter lingo), but sometimes she does enjoy being completely

absorbed by her work and shuts everything out.

“You can read your mood from the mug you throw one day to the next.

Just by the way you touch it ... it’s just like your signature,” Kelly said.

In the long term, Kelly said she hopes to be able to support herself with her work and maybe one day

see British Columbia; they’re known for supporting the arts and Kelly said “there are a lot of lovely potters there.”

For now, keep an eye out for Kelly’s booth at the Farmer’s Market on Saturday mornings, and just make sure your don’t throw anything.

That’s her job.

The curtain comes up on Bonjour, La, Bonjour Kevin Lemieux The Brunswickan Theatre UNB will soon be lighting up the stage with its newest production entitled Bonjour, La, Bonjour.

Directed by Len Falkenstein, the show is performed by UNB’s advanced acting class. The small but energetic cast has been working hard for a total of six weeks to piece this show together.

Bonjour, La, Bonjour was written by famous Québécois dramatist Michel Tremblay in 1974. UNB Drama will perform John Van Burek and Bill Glassco’s English translation of Tremblay’s classic play.

Len explained, despite having directed 47 plays, he has always wanted to do a Michel Tremblay play and he really admires his work.

“I saw this play about 15 years ago and it has always stuck in my head since then,” he explained.

Falkenstein said the show doesn’t necessarily have a plot.

“Tremblay says that he never really writes his plays with a plot,” he said.

The play tells the story of Serge, a 25-year-old man who has returned home after three months of soul-

searching in Paris. He returns to Montreal and plans to get away from his four needy sisters and two aunts who take care of his father. He hopes to get in contact with his emotionally distant father.

Serge is played by second-year student Alex Donovan. Donovan says that Serge is the quiet, listener type.

“He spends most of his time listening, which would be his biggest feature. All of his family are just talking to him. This doesn’t necessarily mean he likes it.”

Donovan said he’s happy to be the lead in this production.

“It’s pretty cool to see your face everywhere on campus. But this show is more of an ensemble piece, giving each character a time to shine”.

All of the scenes take place on stage, at the same time. Serge can be having a conversation with one person at one time then seconds later, he is talking to someone else in a new location and time.

The set is expanded off of the main stage at Memorial Hall. The audience will be sitting a little bit everywhere, giving the show an upclose and personal vibe.

The energy that this cast puts into

Alex Donovan (right) plays the lead character of Serge in Bonjour, La, Bonjour.

Tim Lingley / The Brunswickan their show will blow you away. This show has something for everyone to enjoy.

When asked what the show meant to him, Falkenstein said the show had many universal themes.

“It’s about a need for love and

connection. It’s also about failure to communicate, as Serge is trying to connect with his father who hasn’t really been there for him in his life and who is now nearing death. It’s a profoundly beautiful play with very real characters”.

Bonjour, La, Bonjour will begin it’s run at Memorial Hall on Feb.1 and ends on Feb. 4. The show runs nightly at 8 p.m.

Tickets are regularly priced at $10 and $6 for students and are available at the door.

brunswickanarts

Feb. 1, 2012 • Issue 19 • Volume 145 • 9

Cheap Freddy: Dates on a budget

Alex Kress Arts Editor If you’re anything like me, you’re not a big fan of the winter. I much prefer the more temperate seasons when I can smell flowers, and grass, and soil. I long for a balmy breeze instead of a bitter wind, and for consistent weather for which I don’t have to dress like a six-year-old bundled up for recess in order to feel comfortable outdoors. I tend to fall victim to a bit of winter depression, and all I want to do is stay in my apartment (which is often also freezing), drink and eat to excess, and curse, well... everything.

It’s not healthy, it doesn’t make me pleasant to be around, and it can be avoided by some creative winter diversion.

The other issue I have though, is that it’s second semester and money’s tight. I’m sure I’m not alone there. So, here’s a list of thrifty date ideas for winter in a quaint city lacking an abundance of things to do (which, to be honest, is likely for the better because it means I’m not out several times a week throwing my dwindling student funds all around town).

And, to be clear, when I say “date ideas” I don’t mean to exclude singles; to me, dates are for everyone – couples, friends or just for you, if you like.

1. Kingswood Bowling $3.99/one rounds $7.98/two rounds $11.98/three rounds $1.99/shoes Moosehead Beer $4.75/glass $15/pitcher It’s classic, often forgotten, and not just for your 10th birthday party. Bowling is fantastic because unless you’re a knob who takes it really seriously, it’s a great way to poke fun at yourself and others. It’s also a good opportunity to get competitive with your date(s) and therefore look ridiculous doing so in hideous multi-coloured bowling shoes that have been worn by a million other people. If you’re concerned about your level of sexiness skyrocketing on a Friday night, this is not the place for you.

2. Brunch at The Palate All dishes range between $8 and $9/plate I go to The Palate every Saturday morning for brunch with my boyfriend; it’s our favourite spot by far, and we always order the same thing. I think the servers think we’re wieners (usually the same three work the brunch shift each weekend) and are just humouring us by bringing us menus and asking what we’d like, because we never venture from our staple orders: he gets the Omelette with Chorizo sausage, tomatoes and spinach ($8) and I get the amazing Smoked Salmon Benedict ($9) on a toasted baguette with capered cream cheese (it makes the benny). Both dishes aren’t overwhelming in size, and are served with a sweet potato hash and a good helping of fresh fruit. The Omelette comes with homemade toasted bread and homemade strawberry jam.

“Oh... you’re writing about sluts!”

3. Cheap Night at Empire Theatres All movies are $5.99 on Tuesdays Cheap Night in Fredericton has been quite successful in driving in business early in the week after the regular weekend crowd gets back into the grind of the work week.

It’s a great incentive to go and see a movie on a Tuesday because it’s essentially half the price of any other day, and for a couple of hours you’re tricked into believing it’s the weekend. This is ideal for any kind of date: the solo; the first, second or 43rd with your significant other; or a group outing.

It breaks up the week nicely and it’s an excuse to eat a small poutine (at a modest 710 calories) or some TCBY frozen yogurt (perhaps the lighter fare of the two at about 200 calories). It’s an especially nice choice for those of us who work weekends consistently. Don’t focus on the cheap bastard stereotype – concentrate on the spontaneity factor. Even if you’ve planned to go to the Tuesday night movie for two weeks, you can still pretend you’re an unpredictable badass for seeing a late movie on a Tuesday.

4. Cinema Politica Documentary Screenings Documentary screenings are FREE, although donations are encouraged Cinema Politica screenings are a Fredericton staple for anyone who doesn’t want to get loaded before 7 p.m. on Friday nights – or, at least they want to try to engage themselves in a film about topical, pressing social/political/environmental issues before getting silly for the evening. It’s a great way to spend a couple of hours before heading out on the town for some uninhibited fun; the docs are always well chosen and make you think critically about major causes being advocated, and they often tell stories from the perspective of underrepresented, marginalized people. The films are shown at Conserver House at 180 St. John St., and while they do have a nice projection screen, the seating is limited and it isn’t tiered, so make sure to arrive a little bit early. If you’re feeling inspired or outraged or just chatty in general, stick around for a group discussion about the film after it’s over.

5. Student Nights at The Capital Admission is FREE for students with valid I.D. on Wednesdays and Thursdays; FREE cover for everyone before 11 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays The Capital only recently started this awesome promotion, likely because the spot wasn’t getting hot until after midnight and they wanted to draw an earlier, more loyal crowd. It’s a brilliant idea, especially if you happen to show up for a casual drink and there’s a band playing that you’re not too interested in paying cover for. That’s not to say we shouldn’t be supporting local live music as much as we can, but The Capital is sympathetic to students with limited or no funds to be dropping $5 or more just to get in, on top of having a couple of jolly beer.

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In class, and again in the textbook, the study – in my opinion – failed to properly account for the social stigma that would accompany a woman who went home with a random person, which is probably the more compelling factor in these females’ decisions.

Examples of our cultural discrimination against sexually liberated women can be found in countless instances in the media.

For example, in the television sitcom “How I Met Your Mother,” Barney Stinson shows his “bro”-ness by sleeping with more than 200 women, most of whom are misled into thinking it’s the beginning of a committed relationship.

partners are seen as admirable and manly.

If you ask someone about a man’s morals, you’re likely to hear about his honesty or reliability; if you inquire into Imagine you’re in the SUB, and a moda woman’s morals, you’re most likely to erately attractive individual of the opposite hear about who she sleeps with and under sex approaches you. They tell you they’ve what circumstances. I am far from being noticed you around, think you’re cute, and the first to notice this, but the particular ask if you would like to perhaps go home concern for me lies in the fact that everyone with them. acknowledges this inequality as a reality, This is the scenario – a variation of a real not an issue. experiment portrayed in my introductory As one guy relayed it to me, “If a key psychology class. Here comes the punch line: opens many locks, it’s a good key. If a lock “In the real experiment, zero per cent of opens for many keys, it’s a terrible lock.” We women said yes,” my professor explained. live in the 21st century; why is sex still being The class chuckled. seen as something that must be taken from “75 per cent of men said yes.” female by the male, rather The class howled.

As one guy relayed it to me, ‘If a key opens the than an experience shared by The example is supposed to illustrate “parental investment many locks, it’s a good key. If a lock opens for two individuals? This patriarchal viewpoint of male domination theory,” the evolutionary psychmany keys, it’s a terrible lock.’ and female subordination conology concept that the parent who The sexually aggressive females – such as strains men and women alike in so many makes the smaller investment – in terms of time and physical effort – is likely to seek guest star Mandy Moore in “How I Met areas, including and beyond sexuality and Your Mother” and Judy Greer in “The Big sexual roles. out more casual partners.

Lest this be a rant against the oppression The conclusion being drawn here is that Bang Theory” – are portrayed as being of males, complete with bra-burning and men tend to seek out multiple partners who batshit crazy.

In “Friends,” the falsely described shaving boycotts; I’d like to point out that are more youthful and attractive, since their required investment is smaller, while ‘female-empowerment’ book the girls read this viewpoint is held widely by girls and women will seek out more committed condemns Monica for sleeping with ‘Paul, guys alike. When I told my (female) friend I partners with good social and financial the Wine Guy’ on the first date, but no such was writing an article about the stigmatizastanding – the better to care for her and judgement is reserved for Joey Tribbiani and tion of sexually active females she nodded his philandering ways. and said, “Oh, you’re writing about sluts!” her offspring.

But perhaps far more common and disI don’t have a solution, and I don’t seek I laughed along with the rest of the class, but there was something that bothered me turbing are the real-life examples. Sexually to offer one, but I strongly believe that by ... and it was more than just my friend who active or aggressive females are portrayed being aware of these sorts of underlying nudged me and whispered, “Zero percent? as being indiscriminate, without standard, social values, we can seek to change them or without class, whereas males with many – for men, for women, and for the better.

They clearly didn’t ask you.”

Lee Thomas The Brunswickan

“

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brunswickanarts

10 • Feb. 1, 2012 • Issue 19 • Volume 145

Confessions of a Big Foot Yeti McLongToes The Brunswickan The setting sun cast shadows through the courtyard as we walked back from the cafeteria. It was warm when you stepped into pools of light, but cool enough that fall day to wear boots.

My friend Alorah and I were chatting about classes as we neared our residence, when we passed a couple of young men.

One was perhaps more notable than the other.

He had long, shaggy hair, deep brown eyes and a tanned, beautiful face I wanted to stare at forever. I wiggled my eyebrows and grinned at Alorah as I passed within a few feet of this perfect man.

I was reminding myself to breathe normally again, when I heard someone shout for us to “hang on a second.”

My stomach jumped up into my ribcage as I turned slowly and saw that the guys had stopped behind us, and Mr. Perfect’s bearded friend was coming to talk to me.

“Hi, I’m sorry if this is kind of weird,” he said, scratching the dark fur on his jaw, “but my friend wanted to ask you something and he’s really shy.”

He gestured to Mr. Perfect awkwardly, scuffing his foot on the ground a few meters away.

Oh. My. God. A million hypothetical questions went through my head in two seconds.

Does he want my number? Does he want to marry me? Maybe he wants to plan how we’ll run into each others’ arms in slow-motion, his friend throwing rose petals?

Not quite.

“So, my friend is going as Link from the Zelda video games for Halloween, and your boots are perfect! He wanted to know where you bought them,” Mr. Beard beamed.

I looked down at my brown leather riding boots with the silver buckles on each ankle. Goddamn my apparent subconscious love for elven footwear.

Blushing, I stammered out that I had bought them at a store in Nova Scotia, and didn’t think there were any outlets in Fredericton.

Mr. Beard frowned, but nodded and thanked me anyway. He started to walk back towards the man of my dreams, who was awash with the last golden rays of the day.

I was taken by a sudden urge to get their attention once more.

“Wait!” I shouted at the bearded friend,

who turned to look at me. To this day I don’t know if Mr. Perfect heard me too, although I’m sure Mr. Beard told him.

“I have really big feet!”

He raised a bushy eyebrow, nodded ... and continued walking away.

I stood there for a minute in horror, trying to grasp what had just happened.

Alorah came up beside me and I stared at her with wild eyes.

“I meant to tell him I have a big shoe size, so his hot friend could just borrow my boots,” I said with a note of hysteria.

“That was really weird, wasn’t it?”

Alorah looked at me sympathetically, but the corner of her mouth twitched.

“I have really big feet!” Andrew Meade / The Brunswickan

brunswickanarts

Feb. 1, 2012 • Issue 19 • Volume 145 • 11

Where are all the queers? capita who have never read a book on gay history, who think that the epitome of gay culture is Ellen DeGeneres or “Will & Grace.” In fact, “Will & Grace” depicts the perfect analogy to describe gay life in Fredericton. The show stars a gay man named Will who, for almost the entire series, never dates, kisses or has sex with another gay man (okay, maybe one or two dates – but no sex).

Instead, his primary relationship is with a heterosexual woman, Grace.

For her part, Grace has little more than a short, disastrously failed marriage with a straight man. Grace’s predominant relationship is with Will, her gay boyfriend. In Fredericton, a heterosexual woman who has

bunch.

On the other hand, Fredericton also has one of the largest populaAn article by Lucie Lawless in The tions of artists per capita. I’ve heard Brunswickan published Nov. 23, from many artists in town, “What’s 2011 asked the one question about wrong with the gay community the gay community in Fredericton here?” that everyone asks: “Where are all Artists from elsewhere connect gay the Gays?” people with a diverse, creative, visible Here are some choice quotes. queer culture. They don’t underOn gay-friend ly Fredericton: stand why gay people in Fredericton “Fredericton may arguably be the are so closeted, straight-acting, and most gay-friendly city in New Brunsso afraid to be different. For their wick, but that’s like telling your part, closeted gays in Fredericton parents that you failed the least in have rejected the notion that they your class.” are different and have abandoned On Boom Nightclub as the only any connection with a gay culture place in town where you can find that really makes them different. gay people: “Once you get through But there is one more point to make. the glitter and the ecstasy high of Don’t confuse being “out” with bethe average Boom-goer, ing “queer.” Plenty of gay there tends not to be a Why is it so critical for the gay commun- people in Fredericton are lot there.” but the lifestyle and ity to have a gay culture? Because without “out,” On the lack of gay visipersonal demeanour they bility in Fredericton: “Where a distinct gay culture, there is virtually no espouse looks in every detail are the drag queens for Chris- difference between gay and straight exactly like their straight sakes?” counterparts. You simply people that is worth talking about.

On Fredericton Pride: “We can’t tell them apart. as a community should take Why not? Because there’s time to be proud more than one day a gay boyfriend is called a ‘bisexual.’ a difference between being ‘out’ and or week a year.” All of these are valid Those are the kind of ‘gay’ relation- being ‘queer.’ The real question to points that have been made by just ships you are likely to find here. ask is “Where are all the Queers?” about every gay person who has come Gay marriage is legal here in New Queer is that visible gay essence from elsewhere to live here. It’s been Brunswick, as it is everywhere else that you are looking for on the much publicized that Fredericton in Canada; he’s gay, she’s a lesbian, street when you are looking for ‘gay’ ranks at the top for cities in North and they’re married to each other; people. Drag queens are queer, dykes America with the highest number of oh, and they have two kids. Being who dress in leather and piercings are gay people per capita. (There’s even a excessively closeted, there is no vis- queer, gay men who are flamingly beer marketed to the gay community ible gay culture in Fredericton. Why femme or brashly bearish are queer. in Fredericton called Per Capita.) is it so critical for the gay communThey’re not interested in fitting Correction: Fredericton has the ity to have a gay culture? Because into the heterosexual norm that prehighest number of CLOSETED gay without a distinct gay culture, there vails in this town. In fact, they quite people per capita in North America. is virtually no difference between enjoy being flamboyantly, flagrantly Yes, there are lots of gay people here, gay and straight people that is worth queer, talking, walking, and acting but there is no gay culture and no gay talking about. queer. They know their queer history visibility on the streets of our quaint That’s why when you walk down and culture, and quite frequently, town. The only place where you can King and Queen Streets in Frederic- they are the creators and promoters find anything that laughably passes ton, you don’t see any gay people of queer culture. It’s the queer eleas ‘gay life’ is at the one ‘alternative —because they look and act just ment that’s missing from Fredericton lifestyles’ bar. Purple Night anyone? like heterosexuals. And the straights which makes one beg the question, Fredericton probably also has the that run this town are generally a “Where are all the Gays?” highest number of gay people per particularly prudish and uptight Shaun Bartone The Brunswickan

“

”

Tune In. Turn On. Get Off: Sex technology The New Position Sarah Vannier Last week, the Internet was abuzz with talk about the latest innovation in the sex-meets-tech market, the iPad compatible Fleshlight.

In case you aren’t already familiar with this bestselling sex toy, the Fleshlight is a male masturbator (aka: thing you can put your penis into) that comes in a case and resembles an oversized flashlight.

Although the makers of the Fleshlight already offer all sorts of customization options to meet your masturbating needs, they have stepped up their game with the release of plans for a Fleshlight you can attach to your iPad. That’s right, gentlemen! Soon you’ll be able to strap your Fleshlight to the underside of your iPad, download a few sexy pictures or videos to play on the screen, and thrust away to your heart’s content!

This latest addition to the sex-meetstech market is just one of the many ways technology is working its way into our pants.

Have you ever heard the term “teledildonics”? It’s an absolutely awful word, but a pretty cool concept. The idea behind teledildonics (also known as cyberdildonics) is that you use a sex toy that is connected to a computer, and controlled by either a computer program, or another person, over the Internet.

One of the leaders in the field of teledildonics is an American company called RealTouch. They have developed a male masturbator similar to the Fleshlight but with a few bonus features. The RealTouch device has moving parts on the inside (that get warm and selflubricate) so you don’t actually have to do any of the work yourself.

And, to make it even more impressive, it can be hooked up to your computer via USB and synchronized with porn videos available on the RealTouch website.

This means that all of the movement happening inside the device matches what is happening on the screen. The company promises that “you feel as if you are a part of the movie instead of just watching it.”

Now, I can hear all of you ladies asking “What about me?” Well, can I interest you in a vibrator that picks up the beat of your favourite music?

The OhMiBod series is a line of vibrators that vibrate based on sound.

The company offers a wide range of different styles, some of which are small enough, and discrete enough, to wear out in public. I don’t know about you guys, but next time I see a girl on the dance floor at iRock looking like she is having a little too much fun, I’m going to be suspicious.

But, if music isn’t really your thing, you can download the OhMiBod app that lets you (or some lucky person) control the speed and intensity of the vibrations using an iPhone. And, on top of that, you can save your favourite patterns to use again and again. Seriously … what can’t you do with an iPhone!!? (Side note: This might explain why Blackberry users always look so serious …)

And last but not least, these developers aren’t just trying to corner the sex market, they’re also desperately trying (with mixed results) to figure out how to put the love back into sex technology.

Some concepts that are under development include a remotely controlled t-shirt that hugs the wearer, a phone that can transmit the movements of a kiss, and a light you hang above your bed that simulates a long-distance partner’s touch. Unfortunately, none of these products have made it to the market yet.

As the Telus slogan goes, “The Future is Friendly.” Now if you’ll excuse me, I have to go recharge my iPhone.

brunswickansports

Feb. 1, 2012 • Issue 19 • Volume 145 • 12

sports@thebruns.ca

Reds make it back to top of AUS on “Pink in the Rink” weekend

K. Bryannah James Sports Editor This past Friday, the Varsity Reds men’s hockey team had “Pink in the Rink,” a night where they helped raise money and awareness for breast cancer research.

The night started off with two cancer survivors opening the evening with the ceremonial puck drop. The Reds, all of whom had on pink socks and laces and some of whom had pink tape on their sticks, took to the ice against the Acadia Axemen.

After two back-to-back losses last weekend against UPEI and UdeM, the Varsity Reds were ready for a win in their home games.

“It was just a quiet confidence in the room,” said UNB captain Kyle Bailey in reference to the team’s pre-game mentality before their start against Acadia.

UNB goalie Travis Fullerton returned to goal - after being out with a knee injury - with a vengeance. The fourth-year keeper was one of, if not the, star of the evening as he helped the Reds secure their 7-1 victory over the Axemen.

“The guys played unbelievably, it was almost a perfect game,” Fullerton said. “I feel 100 per cent when I’m playing.”

The first five of the goals were found in the first period, the first going to UNB’s Dane Todd at 2:16, with assists from Tyler Carroll and Geordie Wudrick.

The Reds continued to push the Axemen, and at 19:59 Antoine Houde-Caron scored the second goal of the night, finding the back of the net with help from Chris Culligan and Matt Fillier.

Carroll scored the third on the power play. Acadia pushed back at 11:45 to score

Varsity Red Shayne Wiebe tries to get the puck past Acadia’s goalie Evan Mosher during Friday night action at the Aitken Centre.

Andrew Meade / The Brunswickan its first and only goal of the evening, with Andrew Clark putting one past Fullerton.

“I just try to stay in there and keep the goals against down, and I mean the guys did unbelievable tonight,” Fullerton said.

Acadia’s goal was short-lived as V-Red Bailey came back to shovel another puck

V-Red Prospects Dylan, Nathan, Blake and JD show their support Saturday night at the game. Sandy Chase/ The Brunswickan

the panel voice your opinion

in Acadia’s net at 12:12. The would finish the first period with a 4-1 lead over the Axemen.

“I was hollering at him to let him know I was there [Nesbitt] and he gives me a saucer pass,” Bailey said. “So I’m going, holy smokes. All I’m thinking about is trying to coral it. It kind of handcuffed me a little bit, and then I just threw it at the net and got lucky.”

Although the game has a higher ratio of goals on the UNB side, it was a battle all the way to the end. Both teams fought for the win, but it was clear to see on ice that UNB was dominating the play.

The second period didn’t see any goal for either team, but the third saw the final three goals UNB would take away from the evening.

Nesbitt claimed the fifth goal for the Reds with assists from MacNeil and Culligan. With a pass from Shayne Wiebe, Culligan would also help assist Bailey on his second goal of the night at 11:07 on the power play, giving the Reds a 6-1 cushion against Acadia.

“It was good just to see everyone play

well, play as a team, and do the little things right,” Culligan said.

“As a team we just played smarter, played better, played harder.”

The final goal of the night went to Wudrick, to close the game with a 7-1 victory.

“It was just good to get a win, especially my first game back,” Fullerton said.

The evening didn’t end when the third period buzzer rang-out; it ended after Jonathan Harty – after a year of growing out his hair - sat at centre ice and had two crowdwinners shave his head for breast cancer.

“Growing up I’ve been relatively unaffected by cancer, and just the past couple of years, friends, family, you know have been hammered on by this terrible disease,” Harty said. “And it just felt like something I could do in my position to help raise what I can.”

The next night saw a sold-out crowd with “School Day,” with more than 3000 people in the stands to watch the Reds take on the Dalhousie Tigers.

The Varsity Red Prospects, yelled and cheered on their favourite V-Reds during the game, excited to “Meet the Reds,”

SEE HOCKEY PAGE 14

Do you think the UNB women’s volleyball team will be able to get a win during their home game this weekend against UdeM?

K. Bryannah James

Christopher Cameron

Josh Fleck

I would like to think the home-court advantage will help the women’s volleyball team this weekend, and for their sake I hope it digs them out of the slump they’ve been in. However, that being said, I think they’ll see a struggle in the first two sets and push UdeM to a fifth set to win. I don’t see this being a three set win .

Four set win. Good ol’ JR is sick of losing and this week I think he will work on what his team dropped the ball on last weekend. We will see another win out of this young squad this weekend. They may as well pick up some wins and get some positives out of the end of the season. Unfortunately if you finish last in the AUS you don’t get first pick in a draft.

I think the girls will come away with their first win at home this season on the weekend. Paige Paulsen is facing her former team, the Universite de Moncton Aigles Bleues, who are 1-5 on the road this season. Coach Richard will have the ladies fired-up for this special weekend. Hopefully there is a packed Currie Center for them.

Sports Editor

after the game.

The game against Dal started off as quickly and as fiercely as the previous night’s game against Acadia, but saw a closer match than the 7-1 victory.

Wiebe, at 4:50 with assists from Carroll and Culligan, gave the Reds a 1-0 lead, and the first goal of the night.

“Wiebe is a great addition. I’m not the fastest guy but I can get going when I get up there. So it’s nice to play with two fast guys and we seem to find each other pretty good and it’s working out so far,” Carroll said, in reference to his linemates.

The second goal was by the Tigers, who clawed their way past Fullerton at 17:13 in the second, as David MacDonald scored Dal’s first goal of the evening to even the score.

The Reds came back in the third period as Carroll buried one in the back of the Tigers net, with an assist from Harty and Culligan.

Dalhousie’s Brendon MacDonald

EIC

Sports Writer

Heather Uhl Sports Writer

If the girls can get their game together, and keep it together, they stand a shot. The girls have been putting forth a good effort against teams high in the AUS standings and have the ability to beat Moncton at least.

Or they might crumble under pressure.

brunswickansports

Feb. 1, 2012 • Issue 19 • Volume 145 • 13

Dion Campbell: “I couldn’t not stay.”

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Dion Campbell has learned a lot about hockey and life in his time spent with the Varsity Reds, but has learned even more from the New Brunswick Special Olympic team he began coaching last semester.

Andrew Meade / The Brunswickan K. Bryannah James Sports Editor He’s leaning against a wall in the gym he and his teammates train in at the Aitken Centre. His arms are crossed over his chest, with an easy-going air, as he takes a break from working-out to talk about a team that means a lot to him.

A team that he’s come to love and respect, evident in the smile that breaks -not even a half-second- across his face when asked about the team.

“Everything is so fun to them, they enjoy it so much, they just have a passion for hockey.”

If you hear the name Dion Campbell, at UNB you think of CIS championship hockey player or Varsity Red. If you’re a member of the New Brunswick Special Olympics floor hockey team, words such as coach, hockey player, Varsity Red and most importantly, friend come to mind.

“I guess the best thing I enjoy is probably how it makes me feel when I see their faces light-up every day,” said Campbell.

Campbell, a first-line forward for the Varsity Reds and graduating player, began volunteering with the floor hockey team as part of a school assignment.

“I got involved because [of] the disability awareness course through UNB,” said Campbell, “We had to do a certain amount of hours for community service to get involved.”

After looking through a list of different community with which to get involved, this floor hockey team stood-out for Campbell. As he says, it’s something he knew he could help with.

After completing his course requirements, Campbell decided to stay on with the team and continue his involvement as an assistant coach.

“I couldn’t not stay.”

One of the most notable things about this floor hockey team is the camaraderie of each player and genu-

ine happiness and pleasure they take from playing floor hockey.

“When their teammates score it’s like they score. They’re so supportive of each other,” said Campbell.

“There’s no jealousy, there’s no hate in their hearts, it’s just pure enjoyment and love. It’s just amazing to see and it’s something I think everyone should get to see.”

Every Monday from 6:30-8:30 at Carleton Church, Campbell, along with other coaches, helps the team improve their skill-set during practice with various hockey drills which range from passing to face-offs.

Campbell also brings his knowledge and drills from his practices as a V-Red to the court as well.

One memory, which stands out for Campbell during his time as an assistant coach, was recently, as a team underdog shown on the court.

“There’s one guy, his name’s Keith, he’s about 50 years old and you know, Keith he’s, I don’t want to say [one of the] weaker ones but he’s one of the guys who struggles to get offense going,” said Campbell, “And he got a goal the other night, just in practice.

Geez, he was the happiest guy I’ve ever seen. It’s like he just won a big award or something.

“He was jumping up and down and he came running up to me, gave me a big hug. I was so happy, that was just probably one of the best things I’ve ever seen in someone.”

However, Campbell’s relationship with the f loor hockey team goes beyond the court. He’s developed a friendship with his team, and makes an effort to visit them.

“A few of them work at Wal-Mart, another couple of them work at Superstore. So when I’m there I’ll make sure I go track them down and say hello and bug them a bit and see how they’re doing in their day.”

Campbell also says he plans on getting together with the floor hockey team outside of practice and drills, and will continue his on-going in-

volvement with the team.

“They bring the best out of you.

You get to see a different side of things, that’s for sure. And it opens your eyes in a lot of ways.”

“It’s such a good feeling.”

The team, just before Campbell’s involvement, won a provincial tournament, which secured them a spot at the Special Olympics Nationals in Edmonton, Alberta in February.

“We’re just practicing to get them ready,” said Campbell.

In a bitter-sweet turn of events.

Campbell will be unable to travel with the team to Edmonton because he’ll be training and competing with the Varsity Reds in hopes of securing another AUS championship, and hopefully keeping their CIS championship title.

Although he will be unable to accompany them, he’s encouraged the team to take from the tournament everything they can and to enjoy their time away.

“I just tell them to enjoy every moment of it and have so much fun in every part of it. Not just the game [but] your experience out west, your experience at the hotels, and the banquets,” said Campbell.

There’s also a dance during nationals of which, according to Campbell, many of the athletes are excited to par-take in.

“I tell them, enjoy every moment and bring back the gold.”

There will be roughly nine teams competing at Nationals, New Brunswick’s team being the sole Atlantic province representative.

One of the things Campbell hopes to do in preparation for the team’s competition in Edmonton, is to bring some of his Varsity Red teammates out to play a game against them. “[They] just have a passion for life that’s so contagious and every time I leave there I take it away with me.

I just bring it out with me and I just love it. It’s just an unbelievably passion they have.”

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14 • Feb. 1, 2012 • Issue 19 • Volume 145

brunswickansports

Varsity Reds clip Sea-Hawks’ wings Heather Uhl Staff Writer

The Varsity Reds men’s volleyball team beat the MUN Sea-Hawks in both games this past weekend. Andrew Meade / The Brunswickan

Dr. T. Wayne Lenehan Dr. M. Michele Leger

F P

L P E D

2 3 4

E D F C Z P

6

T O Z

P E C F D 5 F E L O P Z D D E F P O T E C L E F O D P C T

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The Varsity Reds men’s volleyball team defeated the Memorial Seahawks in both home games last weekend.

The first match on Saturday saw the V-Reds take a 3-0 (25-12, 2515, 25-20) win over the Sea-Hawks.

“We’re happy with a 3-0 win,” coach Dan McMorran said following Saturday’s match. “We played very well in the first two sets. I thought our execution was great today.”

The first two sets saw the Reds hit the ground running, outplaying the Sea-Hawks both offensively and defensively. Julio Fernandez brought home 11 kills for the team while player of the match Jonathan Tower delivered eight kills.

The third set nearly had a change in the tide in MUN’s favour though, with the Seahawks going point-forpoint with the Varsity Reds.

Fortunately UNB’s defence prevented MUN from taking the set, but it could have easily become a four-set match.

“We had a bit of a stumbling block

in the third set; I think we got a little too complacent,” McMorran said. “I think we got a little too comfortable with a 2-0 lead against Memorial and consequently we were not executing like we were in the first two sets. Guys were trying to take bigger risks in the third set that just didn’t pan out.”

On Sunday, the Varsity Reds had a similar game against MUN, with two strong first sets and a very close third. In the end, the men won 3-0 again (25-19, 25-15, 25-23). Marc ‘Wonderboy’ White was UNB’s player of the match.

The first set saw the Varsity Reds score some nice kills while keeping up their defence. MUN rose to the challenge with vigor and played better than their previous match.

As the set went on, UNB began to outcompete the Sea-Hawks. The Sea-Hawks attempted comeback but it wasn’t enough to win the set.

The second set had the Varsity Reds in their groove and MUN scrambling to keep up.

The last set of the match was almost a repeat of the previous day.

The V-Reds were too comfort-

able with their solid lead over the Seahawks and this led to a game of ping-pong, as the teams went pointfor-point.

The trend of complacency was noted by McMorran.

“It’s hard not to slip into that complacency when you’re playing against a team you kind of should be doing well against - and we did a bit in the third set, but we were lucky we came out with it.”

The Varsity Reds’ next matches before the Atlantic championships is in two weeks time. The V-Reds will play the Dalhousie Tigers in Halifax.

McMorran hopes to cement UNB for first place in the conference and as host for the championships.

“We’re trying to host the Atlantic championships,” McMorran said.

“We had to win both [matches] this weekend and if we split in two weeks’ time against Dalhousie in the last two regular season games we’ll secure first place, but we don’t want to be looking for splits. We want to do what we did last year.”

“R ight now, we got to f lick a switch in our minds and go into playoff mode right now.”

Women’s volleyball takes another hit

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Coach Richard trying to pump-up the team during their games this weekend.

Andrew Meade / The Brunswickan Heather Uhl Staff Writer The Varsity Reds women’s volleyball team was unable to shake its losing streak last weekend, losing 3-1 to the CBU Capers and 3-1 to the StFX X-Women last weekend.

Saturday’s game was a 3-1 (25-21, 2125, 22-25, 21-25) loss to the Capers. The V-Reds won the first set of the match after a slow start, eventually going point-for-point with the Capers later on in the set.

Celina Abba gave the Varsity Reds reasonable defence while Emma Hunt delivered the kills.

“Well, I thought it was one of out better efforts of the year,” coach John Richard said. “That’s (the Capers) probably the third best team in our league, so I thought we had a chance to win all four sets. It’s just a few mistakes you make late and not being disciplined enough defensively and a girl getting caught in a position we’re just not good enough to fight through.”

“But overall I was proud of our team. If

we keep on battling like that, we’re going to get a win one of these times. We just need a break and we’re not getting it.”

The following three sets had the Capers finding their own groove and working hard against the Reds. Though UNB managed a comeback in the second set, it wasn’t enough to win it.

The last two sets had the V-Reds going point-for-point with the Capers, but they were unable to pull ahead. Capers took the match.

While coach Richard was proud of his team’s performance on Saturday, the women’s performance on Sunday was a different case all together.

StFX won 3-1 (25-21, 27-25, 18-25, 25-15).

StFX took the first set by charging straight out of the gate and leaving UNB to fight back. The teams went point-for-point before the X-Women pulled ahead. In the second set the V-Reds were clearly in the lead before stumbling, allowing StFX to come from behind and close the gap to win the set.

“I mean we were winning 23-18, 2421 in the second set,” coach Richard said.

“You have control of the match and, you know if you win that second set, I think we had all the momentum and I think we could’ve gotten out of here with a victory.

Once we’ve blown that 24-21 lead, we just weren’t as aggressive as we were earlier in the match.”

“Credit to our girls for winning the third one; after we collapsed in that second one I didn’t know if there was much of a match left.”

Despite winning the third set, the girls completely fell apart by the fourth. The Reds could not get past playing catch-up to the X-Women.

Regardless of the outcome, the game saw several impressively long rallies between the two teams that had the audience applauding regardless of who won the point.

UNB’s next game will be during the Think Pink Week, where the women host Moncton at the Currie Center on the Feb. 4. The game starts at 7 p.m.

Reds win back-to-back on weekend FROM HOCKEY PAGE 12 would come back at 2:54 to tie the game 2-2, which pushed game into overtime.

However, the Tigers hopes of an overtime win was in vain, as Carroll scored UNB’s third and final goal, winning 3-2.

“I just threw it on net. I could tell you a big story, where I was going to bank it off but I just threw it at the net,” Carroll said.

However, like Friday night’s game, the evening didn’t end on ice. Instead, it ended in the locker-room as more than 20 Varsity Red Prospects and fans were introduced and got autographs from their favourite V-Reds.

Three fans included Dylan MacDonald, JD Pollett and Blake Pollett, all a part of the UNB Varsity Red Prospects program, and avid Varsity Red fans.

They were decked-out in tinsel-top silver

wigs, had letters painted on their chests and were rocking face paint in support of their UNB hockey heroes.

Dylan said his favourite thing about the Varsity Reds was their sportsmanship and Travis Fullerton was his favourite player.

JD, an Oromocto Green Hornet, and left-winter liked Ryan Seymore and his brother Blake, who plays defence, said the Varsity Reds were his favourite hockey team, and all were his favorite player.

brunswickansports Varsity Red men’s basketball get monkey off their back while on the road

Feb. 1, 2012 • Issue 19 • Volume 145 • 15

Sean O’Neill The Brunswickan

UNB will be home this weekend at the Richard J. Currie Center to take on the StFX X-Men. Tim Lingley / The Brunswickan

All season the UNB Varsity Reds men’s basketball team’s itinerary looked the same. Get on the bus, drive at least five hours, sometimes as many as nine to their destination, get off the bus, play the game, get smoked on the court, head back to Fredericton.

Going into last weekend’s trip to Cape Breton, the Reds played four AUS road games, losing all four by an average score of 90-64. This is in stark contrast to its 3-3 home record where the team lost on average 83-77.

The incredible thing is, the Reds could very easily have won both games.

In the first game against CBU last Friday, after a first quarter tie, the Reds scored one - you read that correctly point in the second, which essentially made the difference in the game. The Capers won 83-73. An average quarter

by UNB would have meant the extra points to make up the difference.

“We went in the crapper for that second quarter,” said head coach Brent Baker about the period from hell.

“We’re a team that lets our ineffective offence translate to the defensive end and you can’t do that. They scored some and we didn’t score. You gotta have a certain amount of maturity on the defensive end at all times and you

can’t lose that.”

CBU all-star Jimmy Dorsey returned to the lineup after what was rumoured to be a suspension last weekend, and dominated the sheet with 27 points on 9-18 from the field, with nine assists and four rebounds and three steals.

Julien Smith also scored 25 for the Capers on 50 per cent shooting. Alex DesRoches continued his all-star-level play for the Reds with 20 points and eight rebounds.

Will McFee had his best game since returning from Australia with 13 points off the bench, and rookie point guard Matt Daley shot 5-10 with 12 points.

That was McFee’s best game until the next day, and the Reds’ most impressive win of the season went hand-in-hand.

UNB beat CBU 90-88.

“We were down 16 at one point, came all the way back,” Baker said. “[The] Guys just kept grinding. We were down nine or 10 in the third quarter and Quirion hit three threes.

“The last few minutes was crazy. I thought we had three or four calls go against us, but the guys fought through.

They didn’t make their free throws; we did. That was the difference in the game.”

McFee led the team with 23 points, including going 8-9 from the charity stripe, and Dan Quirion returned to the starting lineup after his ankle injury and

had a monster 19 points and 12 assists.

Dorsey and Al Alilovic led CBU with 22 points a pop.

With only seven games left in the season and currently residing outside of the sixth and final playoff spot, it’s time for the V-Reds to start scoreboardwatching. UNB finally returns to the Currie Center this week against Baker’s alma matter StFX. After losing long-time starters Will Silver and Christian Upshaw, X still sits in the top-half of the AUS standings because of other key players like Jeremy Dunn and Terrance Thomas.

“It’s pick your poison with that team,” Baker said on how to defend the X-Men. “The one game we limited them a bunch in transition, they banged a bunch of threes. The next day we stopped their three-point shooting and they killed us in transition.”

“We have to dictate tempo against these guys to be successful.”

The two points picked up against the Capers could make the difference down the stretch. After the two games against the X-Men, the Reds finish their season off with four games against Dalhousie and a crucial four-point home game against Saint Mary’s.

The games start at 8 p.m. on Friday and 3 p.m. on Saturday.

Women’s hoops drop two more Sean O’Neill The Brunswickan If the AUS women’s basketball season ended today, UNB wouldn’t make the playoffs. If you looked at the standings, the Reds reside in sixth place. But if this were the men’s standings then the sixth spot would be the cut-off line.

With StFX hosting the AUS tournament at the Oland Centre, the X-Women automatically gained a berth in the tournament before a ball was tipped this season, which leaves the Reds in a tough spot, but a place they can recover from.

Now, if the team is to do that, efforts like this weekend against Cape Breton will have to become a thing of the past.

“We didn’t do anything well on Saturday and they probably played about as well as they could play,” head coach Jeff Speedy said, reflecting after his team’s losses 86-78 on Friday and 100-59 on Saturday.

“They’re healthy and they’re firing on all cylinders and they have two or three of the best players offensively in the conference.”

In both games, two players Speedy

would not have put in said category were players who scored the most points, especially fifth-year centre Stephanie Toxopeus.

In the first game she had 19 points, 14 rebounds and 28 points in the second.

Cassie Cooke came off the bench to score 32 points in the first game - 18 of which came from three-point land - and 18 in the second.

Toxopeus was part of the Reds’ game plan because they felt letting her get the ball would be the best chance for the team to win, instead of allowing Jessica Steed, Tanira McClurkin or Jahlica Kirnon to control the rock.

“We thought she was the best person we had a chance of stopping and she was fantastic, so hats off to her,” Speedy said.

When asked if they had the size to stop a player in the post, Speedy said, “one-onone we don’t. They’re so potent on the perimeter so we didn’t want to double her because, I mean Cassie Cooke hit six threepointers in the first half (on Saturday), so if you double her, they (Steed or McClurkin) are gonna drain threes on your head.”

During UNB’s games in Antigonish

- which the two teams split - StFX missed Kristen Jones from the lineup, who is healthy and will play this weekend when UNB hosts the X-Women at the Currie Center.

Two victories against StFX will go a long way to determining if the Reds make or miss the postseason.

But if the results don’t go their way, they can look forward to the next weekend’s doubleheader against Dalhousie. The Varsity and the Tigers are currently locked at 12 points for the final playoff spot.

Dal destroyed the X-Women last weekend 71-42, and play a four-point game at last-place UPEI this weekend. If the Tigers pick up those points, which they should do, it makes the games against StFX and the next weekend more imperative.

When the crucial games against Dalhousie were mentioned, Speedy quickly said, “Not even thinking about that. I haven’t looked at one second of tape of Dal, I have to focus on X and on us.”

“We just lost by 40 so I should be thinking about us.”

Games are 6 p.m. Friday and 1 p.m.

Saturday.

UNB Varsity Reds women’s basketball is trying to stay in a playoff position. Andrew Meade / The Brunswickan

thebruns.ca

16 • Feb. 1, 2012 • Issue 19 • Volume 145

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