Confluence The
YOUR OFFICIAL COLLEGE NEWSPAPER
SEPT 09, 2014
GETTING EDUCATED
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E-Cigarettes: The future of cool?
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STILL NO WORD ON TRAVIS LULAY’S RETURN!
Orientation ‘14
LOCAL 13 Harman Dandiwal Communications Officer, CNC Students’ Union
Congratulations on your admission to the College of New Caledonia! Fall Orientation will be held on Tuesday, September 2, as we welcome you as a student at the College of New Caledonia. The event will help to jumpstart your semester as you learn about campus, discover how to make your time pursuing your education more rewarding, and have a great time too! Your students’ union is always here to help and support you in every possible way. College of New Caledonia Students’ Union forms the Local 13 of Canadian Federation of Students. As our proud member, you are offered various student services including our college newspaper “The Confluence”. There is always something happening on campus, so make sure to check with us regularly if you wish to get involved, volunteer etc. Keep an eye on notice boards for various offers and events.
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We’ll be running various CFS national campaigns at our college this semester like “Squash the Squeeze” in order to fight back against the increasing tuition fees and student debts. You’ve made a wonderful choice for your post-secondary education and training needs. You are sure to have questions about the various aspects of student life. To help answer those questions and get you familiar with the many services and advantages, kindly visit us at our office or go to CNCSU.CA
Welcome Back Ryan White Editor-In-Chief The Confluence Was it just me, or did this summer seem ridiculously short? This of course is a rhetorical question that no student would dare say yes to; at least, that’s what I want to believe. All feelings of loss aside, I would like to welcome back all the former students, instructors, and staff who make the College of New Caledonia possible. The Student Union team would also like to give their welcome to any new students, instructors, and staff stepping through the College of New Caledonia doors for the first time. For those of you who are seasoned veterans at this institution, be sure to help the freshman by giving sound advice when needed. Be sure to come check out the Students Union Office located across from the fountain if you have any questions in regards to the coming school year, your rights as a student, and to receive your bus pass. It is also at the Student Unions Office where you can pick up free contraceptives, basic toiletries, and various canned and preserved goods while quantities last. Also, for those of you who are under your parents or guardians healthcare plan, be sure to familiarize yourself with the College of New Caledonia’s opt out program to ensure you save yourself over two hundred dollars. All you require is some form of proof that you are under your parents plan. Refunds can be assessed at the Student Union Office and be sure to do so before the September 26th, 2014 cutoff date. As per usual, The Confluence is seeking submissions for articles, news, photography, and various other forms of print media that could earn you money. Each published submission as a whole will net you twenty dollars and you will be somewhat immortalized in the magazine format. Hope you all have a good month.
EVENTS AT A GLANCE Orientation Day Potluck in the A.R.C. 12-1pm
Pop Up Yoga 11am-2pm
Club Day
Take Back the Night 9am-4pm
AIDS Walk for Life
Night Walk @ City Hall 6pm
The Confluence is produced biweekly at the CNCSU office on CNC’s Prince George campus by Ryan White and Harman Dandiwal. Submissions, inquiries and requests can be made to news@cncsu.ca, in person at the CNCSU room 1-303, or mailed to “The Confluence c/o CNCSU 3330-22nd Ave. Prince George, BC V2N1P8. All submissions are welcome, the authors of edited works used in the confluence receive a $20 cheque upon publication. Advertisement rates are available upon request. Ryan Urban White
Harman Dandiwal
Editor-in-Chief, The Confluence
Production Editor, The Confluence Communications Officer, CNCSU
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Health and Dental OptOut Deadline
GETTING EDUCATED
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by : Sabrina Mandziuk
My days can be reduced To blood shot eyes And coffee cup rings Staining every surface The sounds of the outside world Heard only through the brief opening of doors I watch the seasons change Through a sheet of often frosted glass Welcome to the life of a student We work and work and work Till we can’t go on anymore So one day we have a chance to truly live
The best years of our lives Wasted on a promise of a better life one day But we’ll always find time for day dreams And therapeutic doodles on all of our notes
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This can’t be it. There has to be more to life Than these endless hours These days spent stressing over papers and grades
E-CIGARETTES: THE FUTURE OF COOL?
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by : Shane Darroch
Although there’s no official sales data available in Canada, there’s no denying that electronic cigarettes are growing in popularity. E-cigarettes exist in a regulatory gray area; currently there is no control of product quality/safety, age restrictions, or indoor ban. To further complicate the issue, Health Canada has declared that e-cigarette models containing nicotine have not been approved for sale or importation in Canada. To this effect, Health Canada has sent numerous cease and desist orders to vendors selling such products. However, without any regulations, it remains uncertain what Health Canada can do to enforce compliance. In fact, several businesses openly and proudly flaunt the cease and desist order.
Consequently, several businesses have taken advantage of this. Vape Vision Café, in Moncton New Brunswick, provides a location where people can sample, buy, and use electronic cigarettes. This business and others like it have sparked a debate as to whether indoor smoking bans should extend to e-cigarettes. Although there is no official ban on indoor use of electronic cigarettes, many places are quick to tell you that “you can’t do that in here.” Thus, the e-cigarettes have given businesses the ability to choose whether or not they allow smoking on their premises. Another “cool” aspect of the e-cigarette is its potential as a replacement for traditional cigarettes. Once again there is no official data on how many people have switched, but there are many antidotal stories about people who have tried e-cigarettes and never went back. Although it is possible to remain skeptical about how many people actually quit, it’s important to note that e-cigarettes are a very new option within a long line of quitting smoking products. Furthermore, it’s the only quitting tool that appeals to all the five senses. Since e-cigarettes allow you to customize your smoking experience, can be used indoors and possible allow you to quit smoking traditional cigarettes, I feel that they are indeed “the future of cool.”
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Additionally, the majority of anti-smoking groups have been quick to denounce e-cigarettes on the grounds that it is unproven to be a better alternative to traditional cigarettes and that it is appealing to children. Despite this, e-cigarettes have the potential to be an important harm reduction tool and can slash into the sales of big tobacco; thus, I feel with a few regulations that e-cigarettes can be the “future of cool.” E-cigarettes come in many different models and are accompanied with a wide range of accessories. After seeing the variety of fruit flavored liquid, leopard print caring cases, and spaceship tips, I can sympathize with the people who feel that electronic cigarettes are appealing to children. On the other hand, an age restriction slapped on these products is probably the easiest regulation in argue in favor for. I don’t think that even big tobacco could come up with a reason why we should make these products available to children. Although the accessories provide an opportunity to customize your smoking experience, perhaps the “coolest” part of this new trend is the businesses that openly flaunt Health Canada’s cease and desist orders. Health Canada has sent out many letters to businesses who sell e-cigarette liquid that contains nicotine; however, without any official regulations, it is impossible to force vendors to comply.
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Still No Word Yet on Travis Lulay’s Return!
On Thursday August 22nd, Travis Lulay played his last game of the 2013 regular season for the BC Lions during a match against the Montreal Alouettes. The reason as to why Travis Lulay never played another game during the regular season was because he suffered a dislocated shoulder which sidelined him, and it was uncertain if Lulay would ever play another game in the CFL for the BC Lions again. Later on in the season Lulay continued to rehabilitate the injured shoulder and was ready to take the field against the Saskatchewan Roughriders in the western semifinal game in Regina, which saw the Lions fall by a final score of 29-25. After the 2013 season was over Travis Lulay underwent shoulder surgery, followed by more rehabilitation. He would make a full recovery. Lulay was very pleased with his recovery and said he was in game shape and ready to play come the 2014 season,
but then there were some setbacks in his return to the BC Lions. Before the Lions home opener Vs the Edmonton Eskimos, Lulay was placed on the six game injured list. This meant he could not take part in team practices or workout with the team. Now he was wondering when he would be able to practice with the Lions or get back playing again. Thankfully during the off season, the Lions had signed veteran quarterback Kevin Glenn from the Ottawa Redblacks. The Lions lost their first two home games with Kevin Glenn as there starting Q.B, but rebounded back with a big win over the Saskatchewan Roughriders. They then returned home to play the Montreal Alouettes which saw the Lions win 41-5. In week 5 VS the Winnipeg Blue Bombers, the Lions lost 23-6. The Lions were now 2-3 heading to Calgary with Travis Lulay unable to play, so Kevin Glenn got the start for the Lions against Calgary and won a close game at 26-25. The Lions were even with a 3-3 record with no clue of when Travis Lulay would return. This uncertainty would change as the Lions only recently received some positive news on Travis Lulay. He was now medically cleared to practice with the team and was taken off the six game injury list. Lulay dressed last weekend VS the Hamilton Tiger Cats but did not play in the game. Lulay still remains positive he will still get to play this season. For the latest news and updates on Travis Lulay’s recovery and progress visit bclions.com
by : Ryan Fournier
September 17th: Clubs Day
We have had a large influx of people coming into the Students Union office to ask various members of the CNCSU staff and executives what clubs are available at CNC. To be honest, that is a hard question to answer because CNC has so many clubs, so the CNCSU is proud to present the College of New Caledonia clubs day. Come on down to the atrium and check out all the clubs CNC has to offer. If you’re not happy about what the current student-run clubs are proposing, feel free to come down to the CNCSU office before or after the event and request forms and information to start your own club.
September 19th: Take Back the Night Walk
September 26th: Health and Dental Opt-out
Before September 26th, if you have been charged for health and dental but have third party coverage you can come to the Students Union office so that we can issue and process paperwork for refunds. All that is required from you is your student identification card and proof of third party coverage, such as a Manulife or Blue Cross card. If you do not have proof of third party coverage, we will not be able to process the paperwork required for a refund and we cannot extend the opt-out date.
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The Take Back the Night Foundation’s Campaign Walk has taken place in Prince George for twenty-two years and it will continue for many years to come. Join the ranks of men, women, and children who will be starting the walk at city hall on September 19th at 6:00PM. The overall theme of the night is to make the general public aware of sexual abuse and to campaign for the end of all forms of sexual abuse, particularly those imposed upon women.
SECRETS OF THE GREAT WAR 10 THECONFLUENCE
by : Josh Strang
Various institutions, businesses, and governmental organization around Prince George are commemorating the hundredth anniversary of Canada’s involvement in World War I which also known as “the Great War”. The Great War was one of the bloodiest skirmishes in all of recorded history due to the increase in technological warfare, but despite all the documented statistics and facts, Canada’s involvement in the Great War contains various curiosities and influence. For one, the term “the Great War” was believed to first be used by the popular Canadian magazine publication, MacLean’s, in their October 1914 edition. This discovery came to light during a project lead by the Oxford English Dictionary which tracks and identifies the origins or words, terms, and phrases. According to Katherine Martin, head of Oxford’s U.S. dictionaries program, World War I had been referenced as “great,” by various publications and officials, but the Maclean’s “Great War” reference is “the earliest found that is clearly intended to be a name for the war, rather than a description of it.” Martin later went on to explain that “the author had posterity in mind.”their office hours to explain your situation. Another tidbit of controversy is the historical claims that Anglo-Canada emerged from the allied victory and grown disillusioned by the commonwealth and British nationalism. Phillip Buckner, a Great War historian, explains that most English-speaking Canadians “continued to believe that Canada was, and should continue to be, a ‘British’ nation and that it should cooperate with the other members of the British family in the British Commonwealth of Nations.” FrancoCanadians however never believed this in the first place, so it wasn’t always about Canadian nationalism.
as “men’s work.” The Canadian women during the Great War did everything from sewing socks and canning fish to riveting aircrafts and packing munitions. Although they were paid less than the men for their services, their accomplishments were a huge stepping stone for women’s rights in Canada. It doesn’t matter how you cut it, the Great War showed the best and worst moments of the world at large. Perhaps it is best to leave with the quote painted on pilot Eugene Bullard’s aircraft, “all blood runs red.”
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Certainly there is more to learn from Canada’s history during the war than phrasing and claims of national identity. After digging through historical journals, I found that a large majority of the secrecy in regards to Canada’s involvement in the Great War surrounded government and army injustices towards its own peoples. For example, the British Columbian government has a sketchy history in terms of accepting the Japanese, AfroCanadian, and First Nations who wished to fight for the coasts and mainland’s they too called home. At the beginning of the war, those who were not Englishspeaking white Canadians were turned away. This was not only the case in British Columbia. Government documentation of the scene In Nova Scotia tells how Afro-Canadian’s who attempted to join the war were told by the recruiting department that, “this is not for you fellows, this is a white man’s war.” Those who were turned away because of their race eventually fought in the war, and in most cases, they were very successful during their campaigns. However, the fact still remains that their original dismissal by the government was due to prejudice and racial fears. Surely there were those who were capable of transcending ignorant attitudes in some shape or form? On the opposite side of the discrimination spectrum came the opportunity for the women at home to prove what they had already known, that they were fully capable at excelling in positions that were labelled by the patriarchal Canadian society
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Wish to get your articles published and paid? Here is a golden oppurtunity for you to get your articles published in THE CONFLUENCE. If you think you have a great idea or an awesome article that may benefit the life of CNC students somewhere somehow, feel free to share it with us and get paid $20 upon approval. Send us your IDEA/ARTICLE/POEM/INTERVIEW/RECENT ADVENTURE/BOOK REVIEW/PRODUCT REVIEW etc. alongwith your name and photograph to NEWS@CNCSU.COM or stop by the Students’ Union for more info.