Frosh2015

A GUIDE FOR FIRST-YEAR STUDENTS

HELLO THERE A brief introduction

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ello there. If you are reading this, then you have decided to pick up the Gauntlet’s 2015 Frosh supplement.

Maybe you’re a new student, and you are looking for advice on how to survive your first year. Maybe you’re a returning student, wondering if you might see something mentioned in here you’ve never heard of before. Or maybe you’re a curious crow who happened to see this magazine abandoned on a park bench.

If you’re the latter, then let us be the first to say: congratulations on being able to read! That’s very impressive. But sadly, this magazine isn’t for you. This is a guide for students at the University of Calgary — both new and old — where we have attempted to put to print the wisdom we have amassed throughout our combined near-decade

Surviving residence pg 4

Food on campus pg 24

Welcome to Calgary pg 29 2

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of experience at this school.

In this magazine you’ll find all of the information and advice we wish we had when we first started at the U of C, presented in a way that hopefully won’t bore the shit out of you. Stuff like how to get your textbooks for cheap, where to work out on campus and which places in MacHall won’t give you food poisoning. Things you need to know, but might not figure out until its too late.

We hope this guide will make your university experience a little bit easier, but whether or not you enjoy your time here is ultimately up to you. So get out there, make some friends and experience new things. You’ll be glad you did.

Contributors Michael Grondin Jason Herring Riley Hill Kate Jacobson Samantha Lucy Emilie Medland-Marchen Dawn Muenchrath Clara Sadler Louie Villanueva Curtis Wolff Melanie Woods

Sonny Sachdeva Sean Willett Frosh 2015 Editors

Welcome messages How to textbook The Students’ Union University bigshots A message from our MLA How to deal with the man A guide to campus vices U of C map Fitness on campus The Dinos Health services Tri-media Diversity resources People you find in lecture Calgary neighbourhoods Entertainment Real study tips Gauntlet editorial board

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WELCOME H

ello! You’re going to be welcomed to the University of Calgary by a lot of people this week, and we’re all going to tell you more or less the same thing.

My first piece of advice is to resign yourself to the fact that you’ll be mumbling through awkward icebreakers and making uncomfortable small talk with people in your classes for the next couple weeks. Don’t worry. Small talk eventually turns into real conversation and awkward icebreakers turn into inside jokes. Everyone else feels just as uncomfortable as you do, until suddenly, one day in a couple months, you won’t.

University is an incredible luxury.

You’ve been given four or more years of your life to discover who you are and what you’re interested in. The time you have at the U of C is yours, so take ownership of it.

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elcome to the University of Calgary! My name is Levi Nilson and I am your Students’ Union President.

I was elected by students to represent you and empower you to make sure that your time on campus is the best you’ll have. I’m here to represent you and to take your concerns and ideas and help turn them into action.

The SU provides a ton of services on campus — we operate one of the best campus bars in Canada with the Den and offer a ton of opportunities to give back to the community with the Volunteer Centre. We run MacHall, the heart of student life on campus, where you’ll find a large amount of the services and programs we offer.

In a nutshell, that’s what the SU does. But that doesn’t mean it’s all we

High school shows you only a small fraction of the opportunities that exist for you. If you do it right, going to university will expand your world.

You’ll probably fall head-over-heels in love with something you didn’t even know existed before you started going to school here.

This magazine has our best advice and our worst jokes. We’ve all been here for a couple of years or more, and we promise we won’t just tell you to “work hard and have fun.”

University is difficult. It’s a new, scary experience. But for what it’s worth, there’s a very good chance you’re up to the challenge.

And if you’re ever bored, come volunteer at the Gauntlet . Wait two years, and we might even let you run the whole thing.

Kate Jacobson, Editor-in-Chief

do. Almost every single service, program, or advocacy objective we have came from the mind of a student.

The SU is always willing to help you put your ideas into action. We want to make sure that when we are advocating to your dean, the university president or the premier that the student voice is being heard. If you have ideas on how to make this a better school, we can help make it a reality.

At the end of the day, your SU is here as a base of support. I encourage you to engage with the SU during your time here. It’s a great way to give back to this great community we have at the U of C. After all, we are all Dinos!

Enjoy your O-week, and I hope to see you around!

Levi Nilson, SU President GAUNTLET FROSH 2015

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RESIDENCE: LIKE WET HOT AMERICAN SUMMER But not wet, not hot, not American and not in the summer Melanie Woods

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or most students, moving into residence marks the first tentative steps out of their parents’ home and into the real world. It’s like purgatory — not the heaven of living rent free with a fridge full of food, but also not the hell of paying electric bills and deciding if a Costco membership is worth it. But it’s still a transition, and incoming students will inevitably have some adjusting to do.

Every year on move-in day, residence services does everything they can to make residence as appealing as possible. Incoming students get a fancy drawstring bag full of coupons, a bus ride to Bed Bath and Beyond to purchase discounted shower caddies, the promise of frequent floor events and dozens of Residence Students Association (RSA) members spouting words like “community” and “family.”

They make it seem like residence is a summer camp that never ends.

In many ways, that’s true. Residence is a place where, if you want to party, there is probably a room full of dudebros doing vodka shots and attempting to illegally play beer pong on two milkcrates and an engineering presentation poster. They’ll greet you with a raucous cheer and invite you to join in. Everyone is everyone’s friend at a first-year rez party, especially if you bring booze.

For when you aren’t busy drinking, food is available at your fingertips.

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Nobody knows too much about Aramark, the new food provider, but they’re guaranteed to provide something resembling a meal. The dining centre, while expensive and bland, at least has vegetables. As tempting as it may be to live off of Reese’s Peanut Butter pops and cup-a-noodles, man cannot live on junk food alone. Take advantage of the the thousands of dollars you were

“They make it seem like residence is a summer camp that never ends.” forced to pump into your meal plan.

There will come a time during your stay in residence when the appeal starts to slip. When you find yourself complaining about how overpriced rent is (which is incredibly overpriced) or how loud your neighbour’s party is (which is incredibly loud) or how tiny your twin bed is (which is incredibly tiny), remember that residence is a transition point built on convenience. You won’t be here forever.

I’ll admit that two years and four different buildings after my first move-in day at University of Calgary, most of the lustre of that first day is gone. I don’t know any of my current neighbours. I haven’t been to a floor event since my

first year. The only alcohol in my fridge is a half case of Mike’s Hard Lemonades left over from a staff party three months ago. My shower caddy was purchased at full price on my own time. But I still choose to live in residence.

This is a place where I can roll out of bed at 7:50 a.m. and still make it to my 8 a.m. critical literary theory lecture. And as shitty as some of the services are, residence is somewhere I don’t have to worry about setting up Wi-Fi or fixing a broken sink because maintenance is always on call.

There are a few tips I can impart upon you to maximize residence’s convenience. Learn nearby transit routes — the circle route and the 9 will be your new best friends. Keep a first-aid kit in your room. Invest in your own shot glasses. Know your neighbours. Never date on your own floor. Buy groceries and use your fridge for more than just Jägermeister — your body will thank you. Find excuses to get off campus.

For kicks, you can always laugh at the poor suckers who have to commute on the train for an hour and a half every morning.

You might spend only eight months here, or five years and every summer in between. You might become an active member of the RSA or a jaded recluse.

Regardless, you will make it through this, unless the Aramark food kills you first. And if you ever get duct-taped inside of a dorm room, well, it happens to the best of us. Good luck.

“Residence is a place where I can roll out of bed at 7:50 a.m. and still make it to my 8 a.m. critical literary theory lecture.�

“Can you spot the difference between the eighth and ninth editions of a textbook?

Me neither.�

HOW TO TEXTBOOK Curtis Wolff

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uying textbooks is the most crooked market this side of the subprime mortgage crisis. Since the consumer — that’s you — doesn’t get to choose the product, textbook publishers can set disproportionately high prices. These are the alternatives to buying new textbooks that keep your coffers full for other university activities, like drinking at the Den, drinking in residence and drinking in public.

Buy used at the U of C Bookstore

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his is the easiest alternative to buying new. Reach a few feet over from those shiny new editions to the less pretty and less expensive — but equally informative — used copies. Used copies at the U of C Bookstore are around 20 per cent cheaper than the new ones.

Try to find one that someone has marked up with a highlighter. This means they’ve done some work for you, and if they’ve made it past the first few chapters, they probably knew what they were doing.

Buy used at Bound & Copied

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ake a stroll down the hall from the U of C Bookstore to the Students’ Union-run Bound & Copied.

They sell used textbooks via consignment and are normally cheaper than the used copies at the bookstore. More money in your pocket, some other student’s pocket and the SU’s pocket. You can even sell your textbooks back at the end of the semester and keep the scheme going. Taking a slice of profit away from our university and publisher overlords — Marx would be proud.

Buy used on the Facebook group

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f you want to ditch the middleman altogether, there’s a Facebook

group called Used Textbooks for Sale (University of Calgary). It’s a fairly active forum for both buyers and sellers. Either post what you’re looking to buy or browse through the past few months worth of posts. I’m trying to sell some textbooks on there right now, so not only is it a great way to buy cheap books but also a great place to meet cool people. Seriously though, I’ve been trying to sell this global politics textbook on there for years. Help a brother out.

Buy an old edition online

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an you spot the difference between the eighth and ninth editions of a textbook? Me neither. Hop on Amazon and buy an old edition, as long as you don’t mind navigating through the different page numbers.

If you’re lucky, some professors will even provide page numbers for different versions of the textbook to help smart shoppers like yourself.

Reserved section of the library

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he library keeps many popular textbooks on reserve and you can book them for a couple hours at a time, which is all the time you’ll need to catch up on the last few weeks of reading. If you’re unsure how often you’ll actually use the textbook, but are anxious about not having access to it at all, this option is for you. This is the most overlap you’re going to get between free and legal.

Steal them from the Internet

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ou kids with your “torrents” and your “memes” and your “Internet.” I don’t know how any of that shit works. But your buddy’s weird roommate who’s majoring in computer science probably does. Check your morals at the door and see if they can hook you up on the “down-load.”

Your mileage may vary depending on your major, as most arts students aren’t planning on scanning and uploading entire books out of spite. Math and computer science students will have far more luck.

Actually just steal them

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ou wouldn’t steal a car. You wouldn’t steal a handbag. You wouldn’t steal a — oh wait, you would?

Perfect. Stealing things online is for nerds. Try stealing your textbook in person. Mind those theft-sensing devices at the door and remember that it’s only a crime if you get caught.

Don’t read them at all

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ou know what else is for nerds?

Reading. You may consider buying those textbooks, but you’re not actually going to read them. I sure didn’t. You’ll be just fine. My global politics textbook is one of the exceptions. You should definitely buy it.

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THE STUDENTS’ UNION Sean Willett

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hether you like it or not, the Students’ Union is going to play a big part in your university experience. They run MacHall, lobby the government on behalf of students and cover the campus in campaign posters for their annual elections.

A small portion of your fees each year go towards the SU, and many of the programs and awards you hear about are funded by them.

You can’t really escape them, and it’s pretty hard to ignore them — but that isn’t necessarily a bad thing. Your SU representatives can be a great resource. And if you put your back into it, you may just end up becoming one yourself.

President — Levi Nilson

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he head honcho, the big cheese, the man at the top — all phrases that have probably never been used to describe this position. Nevertheless, the SU president is the one who calls most of the shots in the organization, and is responsible for the big picture

problems they face throughout the year. Realistically, you will probably never have any reason to talk to this guy, but if you see Nilson walking around MacHall you should give him a thumbs up or something. He’ll appreciate it!

VP External — Romy Garrido

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he vice-president external has your back. When it seems like every level of government has it out for you, it’s the VP external who is lobbying on your behalf. Garrido is the SU executive who meets with leaders from outside the university on behalf

VP Op-Fi — Sarah Pousette

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he vice-president operations and finance is the one in charge of the SU’s impressively large coffers. Our students’ union is one of the biggest in Canada, mostly because of their ownership of MacHall, which they rent out to other businesses. Pousette makes sure

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all of your fees are directed to the right place, whether that’s student awards, sustainability initiatives or your humble, hard-working student press. If you have any issues about how the SU spends its cash, she is the first person to talk to.

of students throughout the country, and will probably be the executive you see popping up on the news the most. If you have any questions about how to get involved in student lobbying, Garrido can point you in the right direction.

VP Student Life — Kirsty McGowan

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ften known as “VP Party,” the vice-president student life is in charge of all of the most fun parts of the SU’s operations. Parties, events and clubs are all under McGowen’s domain, but she’s also in charge of mental health and student well-being

initiatives. It’s thanks to these initiatives that we have puppy rooms before exams and will have nap rooms later this year. You probably won’t need to talk to McGowan, unless you have a suggestion for some other kind of wacky room.

VP Academic — Stephan Guscott

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he SU needs someone to sit on its committees, and that person is the vice-president academic. Guscott is the one that manages the SU’s relationships with faculty on campus.

He also heads the Teaching Excellence Awards and the Undergraduate

Research Symposium, though you probably won’t need to worry about the latter until your third or fourth year.

Unless you have a huge problem with the U of C’s faculty — or you’re caught cheating — you probably won’t be booking any appointments with him.

Faculty Representatives

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ow these are the people you’ll probably end up talking to. While they differ from faculty to faculty, their job remains constant: ensuring the students in their faculty have the best university experience possible. If your faculty has a hiring fair, a students

association or a student lounge, you have your faculty reps to thank. If you have any problems with your teachers or classes, or an idea on how to improve the lives of students in your faculty, then track one of these people down.

They’ll be more than happy to help.

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UNIVERSITY BIGSHOTS Riley Hill

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dministration looms over all activities on campus, like a dark, inescapable shadow. Most of it is a bureaucratic mess, so here are the basics if you’re interested in understanding the mechanics of the university.

Board of Governers

President

Ombuds Office

The big cheese. Elizabeth Cannon is the University of Calgary’s current president. Usually when the president is brought up in conversation, it’s about how much money she makes or the $150,000 staircase she had installed a couple of years ago. But the president is the top executive on campus and the public face of the university. You probably sat through a speech of her’s during orientation week.

If you’re in trouble, the ombuds is your saviour. They act as a neutral party to give you sound advice if you have a problem with administration or faculty and don’t know who to turn to. Everything you talk about with them is private, though they can only offer advice regarding the inner workings of the university, not legal advice or counselling.

This is where the big decisions are made. The board includes the university president and provost as voting members, and several vice-provosts as non-voting members. Students have two representatives — the president of the Student’s Union and a student-at-large. The rest of the board is almost exclusively rich executives that work for massive corporations.

This is the most important governing body on campus.

The senate is a large 62-member governing body that tries to link the university’s goals to the broader community, including fundraising and public relations. The senate also keeps the university accountable to public interests. Two student representatives are elected each year to sit on the senate.

Deans

Chancellor

Deans are the head of their respective faculties. Think of them as upper middle-management that represent their faculties to the university’s governing bodies. Unless you’re caught cheating, you probably won’t need to deal with them.

The chancellor is the ceremonial head of the university. Last July, administration hired former astronaut Robert Thirsk for the job. His main purpose is entertaining rich people at fancy dinner parties. If you are lucky, he might invite you to his special club!

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Senate

Vice-Provosts Vice-provosts are senior administrators with broad mandates. The U of C has a lot of them. Don’t bother learning their names.

A MESSAGE FROM STEPHANIE MCLEAN Calgary-Varsity MLA welcomes students to the University of Calgary

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elcome, incoming students, to the University of Calgary! My name is Stephanie McLean and I am your MLA for Calgary-Varsity. As a U of C alumna, I am honoured to represent our campus in the Alberta Legislature and look forward to connecting with you throughout the academic year.

Accessible quality education is essential to Alberta’s success, and I am happy to share with you some important investments from the provincial government that aim to save students and their families from an increased debt load. Market modifiers, which were planned for implementation this fall in the faculties of law, engineering and MBA programs, have been cancelled by our government in order to save students from increased costs.

Tuition for most programs has also been frozen to 2014/15 levels for a two year period. Mandatory non-instructional fees have also been rolled back to 2014/15 levels. I am proud of our government’s commitment to prioritize and invest in Alberta’s future — Alberta’s students.

My constituency office is located at 101, 5403 Crowchild Trail NW. I would love to connect with you, so please contact my office at 403-216-5436 or e-mail calgary.varsity@assembly.ab.ca.

Additionally, if there are any events you would like me to know about or attend, please contact me.

All the best to you as you start your exciting journey at the University of Calgary.

Sincerely, Stephanie McLean, B.A., J.D. MLA for Calgary-Varsity Deputy Government Whip GAUNTLET FROSH 2015

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DEALING WITH THE MAN A student’s guide to all levels of government Kate Jacobson

Municipal government

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unicipal politics are the level of government most likely to have an effect on your life. This is a shame, because municipal politics are also the level of government most likely to make you feel sure that hell is real, and is also a place on earth.

The City of Calgary controls things like public transportation, bike lanes and secondary suites. Unfortunately for us, these are also the issues city councillors like to grandstand meaninglessly on, leaving city council in a constant deadlock.

The federal government recently

committed to funding the new Green Line of the CTrain, but construction won’t be completed until 2024.

There is currently a bike lane pilot project in the downtown core, if you get around by bike. It’s a fast and healthy way to move around the city if you live in the river valley, but be prepared to constantly hear partisans herald them as either the demise of our society or the cure for all social ills.

Living off-campus is difficult because the city has one of lowest vacancy rates in Canada. Secondary suites — where homeowners rent out parts

of their homes — are still illegal in Calgary, despite large amounts of pressure from the mayor. We’re the only major city in Canada without them, but that doesn’t stop the city council from endlessly debating their merits.

Secondary suite legalization is one of the big advocacy projects the Students’ Union does, but there hasn’t been progress on the issue for years.

Unless you like watching a bunch of adults squabble about public policy like children, I’d skip this debate until the next municipal election rolls around in 2017.

Provincial government

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his year changed everything in Alberta’s provincial politics. We went from being one of Canada’s most reliably conservative provinces to the socialist hellscape of the People’s Republic of Albertastan.

Most people believed that, despite widespread populist resentment against them, the Progressive Conservative party would probably pull another majority government out of their ass. For students, this would likely have meant cancelled programs, short-staffed faculties and rising tuition.

The PCs were the longest serving oneparty government in Canadian history.

The alternatives were the right-wing Wildrose Party, whose fringe views on social issues alienated voters in Calgary and Edmonton, or the Liberals and the NDP, both of whom had fewer than six seats in the provincial legislature.

Today, Premier Rachel Notley leads a majority NDP government. The PCs, who reigned for nearly 44 years, have become the legislature’s third party.

No matter your political stripe, an NDP government will probably save you some money as you attend university.

They’ve already rolled back the degreespecific fee hikes known as market modifiers, restored the 1.4 per cent cut

tabled by the PCs shortly before the spring election and froze tuition and mandatory non-instructional fees for the next two years. The government also plans to reintroduce the Summer Temporary Employment Program, which incentivizes employers to hire summer students.

The best part of all this is that provincial politics in Alberta is finally interesting again. A new government means people are paying more attention to the decisions they’re making. And because we just voted these guys in, people aren’t resigned to the decisions the government makes before they even become laws.

large election issue. Regardless, politicians will try to schmooze you into voting for them by talking about how we’re the future of this country.

That might be true, but ask candidates to prove that to you before you give them your vote. Make sure both the candidate and their party have plans in place to address the issues

that will shape your life until the next election — student debt, the rental market, minimum wage legislation and Canada’s economic prospects.

If a candidate in the federal election wants your vote, don’t give it to them based on some vague handwaving and trendy catchphrases.

Make them earn it.

Federal government

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ederal politics are about as interesting as Canadian politics get. But while marijuana legalization might be a captivating issue, federal politics don’t tend to matter too much for students.

The federal government does control the student loan program, but it isn’t shaping up to be a particularly 12

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Getting involved

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ith a new Albertan government and a federal election this fall, now is a great time to get involved with your favourite political party. You’ll spend a lot of time knocking on doors, folding fliers and getting drunk with other students doing the same thing, but it’s good experience if you plan on a future in politics.

Reading student press is one of the best ways to stay informed on any level of government. The Gauntlet covers municipal, provincial and federal politics with a student-focused lens. In town, the Calgary Herald covers postsecondary education when something big happens, alongside provincial and federal politics with a Calgarian angle.

Whatever you do, don’t forget to vote!

VICES Sara Albright

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ike most students, I like to pretend that I wake up at the crack of dawn to meditate and drink green tea. In reality, I’m more likely to stumble into my first lecture chugging an espresso. Hey, none of us are perfect. If you’re looking to indulge, we’ve got your back. As always, be safe and keep your head on straight. Learn to walk the line between having a good time and being stupid.

Alcohol There are only two places to grab a beer on campus, and The Last Defense Lounge, whose clientele is mostly graduate students and professors, is definitely the better of the two.

They have standard pub food and a pool table that’s free to use. The bar is often quiet enough to hold a conversation and the beer selection isn’t bad. The other option

is the Den. It’s mostly students who have come straight from class to have a beer, so the atmosphere is relaxed. Upstairs, the Black Lounge serves food on plates you have to wash, but is a little quieter. On Thursday the drinks are cheap and the line is long. Thursden is a campus tradition so you’ll probably end up there at some point in your university career. Happy drinking!

Drugs Listen up gang. There are drugs on campus and the police have better things to do than worry about college kids sparking a joint. If you moderate your use, you’ll have a fun time smoking weed in college.

This isn’t an endorsement, but there are definitely things you can do to minimize the risks and have more fun. Avoid bringing drugs on campus. They’re better in non-stressful situations around people you trust. If you didn’t experiment with drugs 14

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in high school and you’re trying something for the first time, remember that you don’t know what your reaction will be. Don’t try to keep up with experienced users. Use in a safe place where you can crash on a buddy’s couch if need be.

Never take a drug dealer on their word.

Chemical drugs like MDMA are notoriously impure.

Don’t take unnecessary risks and be smart when indulging.

Wasting Time Having somewhere to crash on campus is vital. The University of Calgary is a commuter school and spending long days with nowhere to unwind but the library is draining.

There are couches in MacHall, but it’s difficult to relax with all the noise. Department clubs usually have rooms of their own with couches and microwaves, so check to see if

your department has a space you can use.

The Arts Lounge was recently upgraded and is conveniently located on the first floor of Social Sciences. EEEL or Scurfield Hall have less traffic and offer a good place to relax. The Gauntlet also has some couches if you don’t mind copy editing or listening to the diatribes of our staff.

Sex Having sex on campus is a poor choice all around. The best idea is to wait until you can get somewhere private with a door that locks.

There’s no reason to get a motel room unless you’re a criminal or you’ve hired a prostitute. But if you absolutely must have sex on campus, there are private washrooms with doors that lock. After hours,

offices with limited access are almost acceptable. And no matter what you believe in the moment, it’s certainly not worth having sex in a quiet hallway or empty classroom.

Remember the basics. Campus security will not be impressed if they catch you in the act. Verbal consent is mandatory. Free condoms can be found at the SU desk, so use them.

Coffee The coffee on campus isn’t too exciting, but it’s caffeinated and in abundant supply. Fuel for Gold, found in the MacHall food court, has short lines, and it’s probably the only coffee on campus that holds its own when brewed black. Everything else needs cream and sugar to make it palatable.

The coffee shop in Social Sciences,

called Made, is empty when classes are in session, but completely mobbed in between. Time your visit well.

Tim Hortons is exactly what you’d expect it to be — cheap, dependable and ultimately mediocre. But there are four locations on campus, so it’s at least easy to find if you are in dire need of a quick cup.

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THE GAUNTLET’S MAP OF THE U OF C Engineering and the Taylor Institute Two of the University of Calgary’s long-term construction projects are nearing completion.

They feature the characteristic floor-to-ceiling windows and weird colour scheme of most of the university’s recent developments.

The Last Defence Lounge A more tame spot than the Den with arguably better food, the LDL is officially operated by the Graduate Students’ Association, but anyone with a UCID is welcome. They regularly host trivia nights and video game competitions.

The Gauntlet Office The most important spot on campus, the Gauntlet office is where you will find your friendly neighbourhood newspaper folk hard at work. Also, we play a lot of Super Smash Brothers.

University Station Connect with the CTrain as it heads north towards the suburban wasteland of northwest Calgary, or south to the downtown core and far beyond.

The Den and Black Lounge The U of C’s official campus bar is the ideal spot to get wild on Thursden or grab a pint between classes. The Den was freshly renovated this summer, so enjoy it before it inevitably gets gross again.

McMahon Stadium The Taylor Family Digital Library From thousands of books to six floors of study space to 3D printing and everything in between, the TFDL is arguably the most valuable building on campus for students. Thankfully, the giant windows face west and the views are great.

Home of both the Calgary Stampeders and the U of C Dinos football teams, McMahon stadium is the go-to site for cheerings alongside thousands of your fellow sports fans.

FITNESS Emilie Medland-Marchen

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our first year of university is all about adjustment. It’s hard to find balance after the dramatic change of moving from high school to university, but maintaining an active lifestyle can help. Physical activity is one of the best ways to regain your concentration during the stressful moments of your first year. Sometimes all you need to get back on track is 30 minutes of immuneboosting, adrenaline-pumping physical activity. There are lots of ways to get that on campus — here are a few of the best ones.

Weightlifting

Skating

Outdoor Centre

The University of Calgary’s Fitness Centre is located in Kinesiology A and is free for all students. Splitting up your study sessions with strength and cardio workouts is a good way to avoid burning out during exam time. But if you want to use the main weight room for lifting, make sure to pay attention to the busiest times of day so you can slip in when it’s less packed. Early morning and mid-afternoon are usually the slowest. Head up to the second floor of the Fitness Centre if you want to avoid the crowds all together. You can get in some cardio on the track, put together a strength circuit on the machines or grab a mat for some core conditioning.

The Olympic Oval boasts a high-performance training facility that includes the fastest ice in the world. The Oval is used regularly by some of the world’s top speed skaters, but U of C students have the opportunity to use the facilities for free.

Public skating is offered almost every night — the schedules can be found online. If you’re itching for something with a little more speed, try renting a pair of speed skates at the Oval skate shop and race your friends on the 400m straightaways. The Oval also has a two-lane running track around the outside of the ice surface, which gives you a nice air-conditioned space to run on hotter days.

The Outdoor Centre offers equipment for those looking to escape campus on a weekend wilderness getaway. If it’s still warm outside, rent a canoe or kayak and go rafting along the Bow River. And if you’re feeling especially adventurous, rent some gear and head out to one of the lakes near Banff or Canmore. In the winter, you can go snowshoeing or hiking in the mountains to get in some cardio while seeing the best that Alberta has to offer. There’s plenty to see in Calgary’s surrounding area, so talk to the folks at the Outdoor Centre and break out your explorer side.

Running

Intramural Sports Racquet Centre

If you’re looking for a good spot to get in a run on campus, your best bet is the track in the Fitness Centre. There are also some nice routes off-campus nearby. There are a few footpaths for a short loop behind the Children’s Hospital. For something a little longer and more challenging, try heading down the hill to Edworthy Park, where the pine paths provide gentle footing for runners looking to prevent injury. A run down to Edworthy and back serves as a nice 40- to 50-minute option.

Join one of the U of C’s intramural teams for a more social workout experience.

Some of the available options include hockey, flag football, volleyball, basketball, soccer, dodgeball and even quidditch. Games are often once or twice a week and include a playoff format. You can sign up with friends as a whole team or register as an individual if you’re looking to meet new people. Take a look at the Active Living website to browse some of the other programs offered like jiu jitsu, kendo, akido and fencing.

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If you have a friend who’s willing to join you for a quick game of squash, head down to the Racquet Centre located in the Kinesiology building in the same hallway as the Aquatic Centre. Courts have to be booked in advance at the kinesiology client services desk, but use of the centre is free for U of C students. You can opt for a quick game or a longer session when you book your times, and the client services desk has equipment available to rent if you don’t have your own.

Yoga Another option available to students is the yoga class offered in That Empty Space, located on the lower level of MacHall.

Remember to go early and bring a mat to save your spot. For a more intense session, try heading off campus and hooking up with a studio close to one of the CTrain stations. There are plenty in the northwest and most offer student discounts.

Swimming Using the Aquatic Centre is free for U of C students. Check out the public swim schedule online or look at the weekly schedule posted outside the Kinesiology B locker rooms. Hit the pool for a few laps in the morning or try out the kickboards. You can freshen up in the locker rooms before class starts, or use an evening swim to get in some low-impact cardio after classes finish up.

Red & Gold Gym Gymnastics

Climbing

If you just want a quick pick-up game between classes, check out the schedule for the Red, Gold and Jack Simpson Gyms. There are open drop-in times almost every day. There’s also free equipment available if you want to get a game going with some friends.

Check in with the client services desk and they’ll set you up with everything you need to play ball hockey, basketball, soccer or badminton.

Head down the stairs to the basement of Kinesiology B. Take a right after the gymnastics centre, and you’ll find one of the U of C’s best kept secrets — a lone bouldering wall. If you want to test your skills or just see if climbing is something you’re interested in, give the bouldering wall a try. If you’re hooked, the Outdoor Centre also offers an introductory session that gives you access to the tall climbing wall, though you have to pay for a certificate.

Tucked away in the bowels of Kinesiology B lies the university’s Gymnastics Centre. There are drop-in times available for students in the evenings, allowing you to blow off some steam by jumping in the foam pit or practicing your back flips on the trampolines.

If you’re looking for a more unique workout, the Gymnastics Centre is great way to work on improving balance, flexibility and agility.

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THE DINOS U of C’s athletic program is one of the finest in Canada Sonny Sachdeva

C

heering on your varsity team is one of the most storied hallmarks of university life, and the University of Calgary gives you plenty of opportunities to experience this. The U of C is home to a number of talented athletes who compete for various Dinos teams.

The Dinos’ varsity program includes competition in 10 sports — basketball, field hockey, football, ice hockey, rugby, soccer, swimming, track & field/crosscountry, volleyball and wrestling.

Since the program’s inception in 1964, the Dinos have racked up 45 national championships and 147 division titles, all while housing 63 CIS athletes of the year and 312 CIS All-Canadians.

Checking out a Dinos game is a great way to immerse yourself in the campus community. A good place to start would be one of the Dinos’ three annual marquee events, 20

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which bring their fans together for a festival-like atmosphere and a thrilling game against one of the U of C’s main rivals.

The first of these is Kickoff, an annual tradition that concludes Orientation Week and marks the beginning of the Dinos football season. Held at McMahon Stadium, Kickoff is about more than just the game.

“Dinos athletes have gone on to careers in the NHL, CFL, NFL and NBA.” Join your U of C brethren at the Tailgate for free food and Kickoff carnival games.

In January, the Dinos hockey teams take on the Mount Royal Cougars, their biggest rival, in the annual Crowchild Classic at

the Scotiabank Saddledome. With Dinos and Cougars fans separated on either side of the arena to maximize the chirping, the event is a raucous affair that’s sure to have you loudly repping the red and gold.

The Dinos basketball team hosts Pack the Jack at the U of C’s Jack Simpson Gym each year, bringing together nearly 2,000 Dinos fans on campus. Come early for the chance to win some merch before watching the men’s and women’s teams battle it out against one of their provincial rivals.

But you don’t have to wait for one of these events to catch the Dinos. The teams compete every week at McMahon, on campus and at the nearby Father David Bauer Arena. Dinos athletes have gone on to professional careers in the NHL, CFL, NFL and NBA, and our athletes have competed at both the summer and winter Olympic Games dating back to 1984. Don’t miss your chance to see these future stars in action.

HEALTH SERVICES Don’t let stress get the best of your first year Sonny Sachdeva

T

he beginning of your university career will bring a fair amount of fantastic experiences, but also more than a few stressful situations. The University of Calgary has plenty of options for those in need of assistance during particularly hectic times, so don’t let the stress get you down.

The Students’ Union Wellness Centre on the third floor of MacHall offers 10 free confidential counselling sessions to all U of C students. The Wellness Centre also offers health services like chiropractic care, massage, walk-in medical care and nutrition consultation — all of which are partially covered by your Student Health and Dental Plan.

The Wellness Centre is also a great resource for those that are feeling just fine. They offer a variety of useful workshops — covering everything

from improving your social skills to managing your finances — and various support programs.

Also located on the third floor of MacHall is the U of C’s Faith and Spirituality Centre (FSC). Open to all religious, spiritual and secular backgrounds, the FSC is there for anyone needing guidance on issues of faith.

If you want to learn more about either your own faith or the beliefs of others, the FSC is ready and willing to help you.

The centre’s chaplains offer spiritual and religious counselling alongside services like crisis support. They also manage on-campus spaces that can be used for prayer, reflection and meditation.

Be sure to take a glance at the SU’s Wellness Guide, which can be found on the Wellness Centre’s website (ucalgary.ca/wellnesscentre). Organized into seven categories — Physical, Academic & Career, Emotional

& Psychological, Financial, Social & Cultural, Environmental and Spiritual — the Wellness Guide is essential for those struggling to navigate university life. It will help you combat some of the most common issues facing students by providing you with key information and guiding you to both on- and off-campus resources.

“The FSC is there for anyone needing guidance on issues of faith.”

Don’t let stress ruin the first year of your university experience. Take advantage of all of the excellent resources offered by the Wellness Centre and FSC and you’ll be able to balance your life and enjoy your new campus community.

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TRI-MEDIA ALLIANCE Sean Willett

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ike most schools worth their salt, the University of Calgary has a handful of media outlets. All of them have volunteer, training and employment opportunities for students. We’re collectively known as the Tri-Media Alliance, which sounds more ominous than it really is. You can find us on the third floor of MacHall next to the ballroom.

CJSW 90.0 FM

NUTV

The Gauntlet

The most famous of the three is undoubtedly CJSW 90.9 FM, the U of C’s community radio station. The largest of its kind in Canada, CJSW has been an important supporter of the city’s independent music scene for decades. It’s hard to go to a festival and not see a CJSW booth with smiling faces.

Their programming definitely differs from the norm, spanning many genres and cultures, with a few locally produced spoken word programs thrown into the mix. Take a look at their programming guide and we guarantee you’ll find at least one show you’ll love. If you’re interested in volunteering for CJSW, there are opportunities to learn sound engineering, audio production and more.

Dedicated volunteers can even nab a spot on-air.

If you prefer working with a camera, NUTV may be a better place to hone your media skills. They call themselves a television station, but this is a bit of a misnomer, as their focus is on hosting live shows and creating web content. They also run the screens in MacHall, which feature club advertisements, cooking shows and bus schedules.

NUTV prides itself on being a learning environment. If you’re interested in learning how to shoot, edit or direct video, you won’t be disappointed. A yearly membership is $10 and gives you access to their workshops and training sessions. There are also opportunities for acting and writing, as well as several different film challenges and festivals put on throughout the year.

Hopefully you’ve already heard of the third — and the loosest — member of the TriMedia outlets, the Gauntlet. We’re a weekly newspaper that covers news, entertainment, sports, opinions, photography and humour. Our content also goes online when we publish breaking news throughout the week.

Now look, I know what you’re thinking: “This Gauntlet Frosh supplement is so interesting and beautifully designed, how can I possibly meet their stringent standards?!?” Well, we try not to be too snobby and we would love to show you how it’s done.

We teach volunteers how to write news, snag interviews, edit copy, layout pages, take photos and everything in-between.

All you have to do is ask. Come on in — the door will be open.

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DIVERSITY RESOURCES Kate Jacobson

LGBTQ Community The Students’ Union runs the Q Centre for Sexual and Gender Diversity, a safe space for LGBTQ students, located on the second floor of MacHall. They offer community resources, peer support and volunteer opportunities. The Q Centre also runs the Outlet Project, an anonymous peer support service that can be contacted at outlet@su.ucalgary.ca.

Queers on Campus is a student-run club that organizes education and social events like the popular Gender Bender night at the Den.

Women The Women’s Resource Centre (WRC) is located on the fourth floor of MacHall, and is a great place to study and hang out for more feminist-minded folks. They have a kitchen with coffee and tea, a small library and comfy chairs. The WRC also has an extensive volunteer program and accepts applications in early September.

There are a few campus clubs that focus on women’s issues: the Women’s Studies and Feminist Club (WSF), the Consent Awareness and Sexual Education club (CASE) and Women in Leadership (WIL). WSF is closely associated with the Women’s Studies program on campus and provides academic support for WMST classes.

CASE primarily runs awareness campaigns about sexual assault on campus, while WIL is more of a professional development organization that hosts discussion nights and networking dinners.

Indigenous Peoples The Native Centre is located on the third floor of MacHall, and functions as a safe space for First Nations, Inuit and Métis students. It has a variety of useful resources, including peer mentorship and career programs. The Centre has a computer lab, a student lounge, a shared study space and a room used for ceremonial purposes. They also provide cultural and personal advising.

Religious Communities The Faith and Spirituality Centre (FSC) has plenty of Christian chaplains to choose from — Anglican, Catholic, Christian Reformed, Baptist, Lutheran, Pentecostal or Presbyterian — and a Muslim and Buddhist chaplain. There are two prayer rooms on campus, both located on the third floor of MacHall, although new prayer rooms are set to open in the Dining Centre this fall. And if your religious holidays don’t match up with the university calendar, the FSC can give you information on requesting a deferral of term work or exams.

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FOOD ON CAMPUS T

he University of Calgary campus isn’t short on places to find something good for lunch, but you have to know where to look if you want something healthy and cheap, or if just don’t want to wait in line for an hour. After years of perusing the options, the Gauntlet staff have become veritable campus connoisseurs. We picked our top food spots at the U of C to help you avoid any issues when looking for a good meal.

Bake Chef When it comes to value, Bake Chef is a frontrunner at the U of C. They have Vietnamese subs for $7, and they’re so big you can easily split them over two meals. It’s a far tastier option than your basic Subway sandwich, and the price is better. They also sell cheap and delicious pastries made fresh everyday.

Jason Herring

Brew & Blendz Whether you’re an athlete or a rez kid looking to burn meal-plan money, Brew & Blendz is the perfect spot for coffee, breakfast and smoothies, served with love from the world’s kindest staff. You can find it in the Kinesiology building, and there’s even another location in Scurfield Hall for all you business folk.

Melanie Woods

Kobe Beef All of the food in MacHall is fairly terrible, and you’re definitely better off bringing a lunch from home. But if you’re too tired to pack a real lunch, Kobe Beef offers steaming bowls of ramen or udon for around $6. The amount of meat is generous, the soup is hot and the line is never too long.

They’re a dependable, tasty option.

Kate Jacobson 24

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Fuel for Gold Fuel for Gold is the vendor of choice for athletes on campus. They have healthy, filling meals and are the only ones serving halfdecent coffee (Phil and Sebastian). Treat yourself to the Fuel breakfast of golden hasbrowns, turkey bacon and two eggs. Then complete your meal with a beautifully made chai latte, mocha or cappuccino.

Emilie Medland-Marchen

Stรถr While on the surface it may seem little more than a simple convenience shop, Stรถr actually offers a lot of lunch options. Tucked away in the back are a variety of healthy, cheap wraps and salads prepared by the Den kitchens, along with standard convenience store-fare like cups of ramen and pizza pops.

Sean Willett

Umi Sushi Umi Sushi offers your average sushi with run-of-the-mill drinks and side dishes.

The crux, however, is their bento and mini bento boxes. The choice of beef, chicken or tempura shrimp on top of brown or white rice goes nicely with the tempura sweet potato or vegetables.

They also have flavoured bubble tea.

Louie Villanueva GAUNTLET FROSH 2015

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PEOPLE YOU’LL MEET IN FIRST-YEAR LECTURES Melanie Woods

The Rabble-Rouser Remember the kid in your 12th grade social studies class who suggested that Hitler maybe wasn’t such a bad dude?

He’s back, and he’s evolved. The Rabble-Rouser will purposefully ask the most provocative questions possible in order to derail the lecture and prompt a 40-minute group discussion on the

morality of eugenics. A close relative of the Guy-Who-Calls-Out-GrammaticalMistakes-On-The-Professor’s-Powerpoint-Presentations, the Rabble-Rouser gains strength from people’s outrage.

Don’t placate him by starting an argument. Pretend he and his bad opinions don’t exist, and hopefully he’ll go away.

The Multi-Tasker This student can be heard frantically typing away at their keyboard even during the lulls of a lecture as they finish a seven-page research paper for another class while putting books on hold through the library website for yet another paper. Meanwhile, they’re listening to a

The Seat Hog They waltz into the best row in the theatre every day and lay their coat and backpack on the two seats beside them.

Maybe they have friends coming, you think, applauding the person’s kindness in saving seats for their late friends. But five minutes into the lecture you watch 26

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them leisurely lean back and stretch out across an entire row of seats, feet up and hands behind their head like they’re on some sort of fucking vacation in the Bahamas or something. Subspecies include the Loud Snackster and the PersonWho-Can-Sleep-Through-Anything.

podcast of a seminar they missed, eating a Subway sandwich, chugging an energy drink and are constantly on the verge of sneaking out of the lecture theatre early to make it to some meeting or another. You don’t know what drug they’re on, but it’s something strong.

The Gamer Closely related to the hockey-streaming fan, this kid comes to class every day and sits in the very front row, but is obviously playing Hearthstone the entire time. He doesn’t even care who sees. When called on by the professor, he usually emits a lengthy sigh and dramatically hits the pause button, making everyone around him aware that

this is of the utmost inconvenience to his gaming life and that he had to give up on summoning Ragnaros the Firelord in order to answer the professor’s question. Somehow, he still manages to pass the class, so you can look forward to him getting really into League of Legends during ECON 203 next semester.

The Absentee They came to class on the first day to get the syllabus and haven’t been heard from in months. Yet their contributions to your group project show up on time and perfectly edited in the shared Google

Doc and they pass every exam with flying colours. Who is this enigma and how do they survive? Where did they come from? Where did they go? How can you learn their secrets?

The Cheapskate Remember the feeling of walking out of the bookstore $600 poorer with a stack of over-priced books on economic policy? This person doesn’t, because they refused to spend a single dime on any required course materials.

They are usually found cautiously tapping you on the shoulder in the middle of lecture as they apologetically ask to read off your book — every single week. You simultaneously hate and admire their money-saving moxie.

The Professor’s Best Friend This person unnecessarily blurs the line between professor and friend. They sit in the middle of the front row, refer to the instructor exclusively by their first name and laugh way too boisterously at every bad joke the prof tries to slip in.

Your lecture likely started five minutes late because this person was having an in-depth discussion with the prof at the front of the room about their personal life. As much as they try, the prof still doesn’t know their name.

The Gauntlet Volunteer A strapping young subject, the Gauntlet volunteer always wears a casual smile that seems to say “I’m attractive and popular, and you could be too.”

They show up to class perfectly on time with stories of free pizza on Tuesday nights, sick concerts they got

free tickets to or the craziest game of Settlers of Catan that just went down.

They tell great jokes and are incredibly charming, while still dorky enough to not be intimidating.

You want to be them, and you know what? You can be.

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ESSENTIAL SITES Dawn Muencrath To successfully navigate your way through your first year, you’ll need to rely on a handful of essential websites. They’ll help you set your semesters up properly and keep things rolling smoothly throughout the year. Here are the most important ones:

MyUofC

UofC Library

UniCard

(my.ucalgary.ca)

(library.ucalgary.ca)

(ucalgary.ca/unicard)

This is the most important URL of your undergraduate career, so bookmark it.

The homepage that appears when you log into myUofC is called the Student Centre, where you can add, drop and swap courses, pay your student fees, apply for a change of program and view your transfer credits.

Your student library account gives you access to the university’s massive database of print and online resources. On the library website, you can search and download PDFs of journal articles and e-books, as well as place holds on any hard-copy books you need.

This site allows you to manage your student ID, also called your Unicard. The link for checking your balance is especially handy for students with a meal plan. You can also use a credit card to load money onto your Unicard for books, food and printing services.

Desire2Learn

Degree Navigator Students’ Union

(d2l.ucalgary.ca)

(degnav.ucalgary.ca)

(su.ucalgary.ca)

Desire2Learn is the online portal for U of C courses. The website has information about most of the courses you’re registered in. You will inevitably encounter a luddite professor who refuses to use the site, but for most courses, D2L provides links to course outlines, important dates and an assignment drop box. You can also find your grades here.

Accessible via a link on myUofC, Degree Navigator is a degree-planning tool. You can search any major or minor and view the program’s course requirements. Degree Navigator will fill your chosen program profile with both courses you are currently taking and courses you’ve completed, calculate your GPA and notify you of any other course restrictions or limitations.

The Students’ Union website has information about employment and volunteer opportunities on campus, the consignment bookstore, campus clubs, locker rentals, study space and a calendar of upcoming SU events. You can also use the website to read about the university’s student government, including your current elected representatives.

Rate My Professor Webmail

Success Centre

(ratemyprofessors.com)

(outlook.office365.com)

(success.ucalgary.ca)

If you’re anxious to find a good professor, especially for GPA boosting elective courses, this site tells you who’s good, bad and easy. Although the consensus is usually accurate, remember to take these ratings with a grain of salt. Students with an extreme opinion — good or bad — are most likely to post. You can also check out the Universal Student Ratings of Instruction on your Student Centre before choosing your class.

This is your official University of Calgary email account. You can keep another primary email, but this account gives you access to all the public computers on campus and a library account. You also have free access to Microsoft Office Suite and one terabyte of file space on a Microsoft cloud storage site called OneDrive. To set up your email, if you haven’t already, visit ucalgary.ca/it.

The Student Success Centre lets you book academic advising. The arts offices are in Social Sciences 102 and the science offices are in EEEL 445. You can use the Student Success Centre to book writing support appointments, get advice on changing your major, or sign up for academic workshops and events at the Student Success Centre, located on the third floor of the Taylor Family Digital Library.

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WELCOME TO CALGARY What to see, do and eat in the heart of the new west Jason Herring

C

algary is a city filled with exciting events, arts and culture — if you know where to look. Since you won’t want to spend the entire school year on campus, it’s worthwhile to get off campus and discover what the city has to offer. There are plenty of options, which means you’ll need to know where to look to find exactly what you’re seeking. Here are some useful tips.

Getting around and saving money

W

hen you decide to explore the city, learning to make use of public transit is a must. Luckily, a transit pass is included in your tuition if you’re a full-time student. After you’ve picked up your Unicard from the Dining Centre, you can head over to the Campus Ticket Centre in MacHall and pick up your transit pass.

Calgary’s primary transit infrastructure is the CTrain. The train stops at University Station about once every 10 minutes, so it’s easy to access. During rush hour the train is jam-packed — the CTrain is the busiest light-rail system in North America — so it’s not always the most comfortable ride, but it can get you where you need to go.

The city also has an extensive bus system. The university has a few bus terminals and it can be a better way of getting around, depending on where you’re going. Buses are less reliable than the CTrain, so use the Calgary Transit app to get real-time information about bus routes. Otherwise, schedules for buses that stop at the university are on display at Taylor Family Digital Library, and route pamphlets are free to pick up at the Campus Ticket Centre in MacHall.

Public transit can help you get around, but plan ahead if you’re staying out late. Most bus routes stop running by midnight, and you can’t catch a train past 1:00 a.m. Go home early or be prepared to pay an expensive cab fare.

Cycling is also a good way to get around campus and the city. There’s a decent bike lane system in place downtown, but don’t bother trying to take your bike with you on transit during rush hour.

If you didn’t get your hands on a CJSW Friends Card during O-Week, head up to their office on the third floor of MacHall and pick one up. It gives you good deals at a bunch of local businesses, and is a cheaper way to explore some of the cool stores and restaurants around Calgary.

Another way to save money is by keeping a lookout for student prices.

Lots of attractions around the city offer lower rates to students, so it pays to keep your Unicard on you.

Discover the great things hiding in Calgary. If you go to the right places with the right people, exploring the city will be the most fun you have this semester.

GAUNTLET FROSH 2015

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Beltline

L

ocated just south of the downtown core, the Beltline is the best place to spend a night out in Calgary. 17th Ave is the life of the community, containing endless blocks of trendy bars, restaurants and stores. It’s a 15 minute walk south from any of the downtown CTrain stations, making it easy to get to.

The Ship & Anchor (534 17th Ave SW) is the most popular bar in the area, with cheap pints, delicious food and an awesome patio. If you’re looking to hook up with a stranger, you’ll do much better here than at any of the cowboythemed nightclubs around the city.

There’s a few divey places to get a late-night meal when you’re drunkenly staggering home. Shawarma Knight (1512 14 St SW) offers some of the best donairs in the city and Clive Burger

(736 17 Ave SW) serves up delicious fast-food fare late into the night. The most popular spot for a late-night meal is Tubby Dog (1022 17 Ave SW). Their absurd hot dogs aren’t particularly good, but eating there is a Calgarian rite of passage worth trying once.

If you’re into collecting vinyl records, Sloth Records (736 17 Ave SW) has a good selection of albums at cheaper prices than many stores in the city. There’s also a wide variety of odd shops and boutiques to explore on a rainy day.

During hockey season, 17th Ave transforms into the Red Mile as it’s flooded with excited and inebriated Calgary Flames fans. Even if you don’t love hockey, it’s exciting to see the city come together and celebrate.

Downtown

T

he centre of downtown Calgary is 8th Ave, more commonly known as Stephen Avenue. During the day, the street houses artisan vendors, food trucks, street performers and cultural festivals. It’s a great place for peoplewatching and you never know what you’re going to see.

There’s also some good spots to spend a night out downtown. The most fun is Broken City (613 11 Ave SW), a bar that hosts weekly events ranging from the Tuesday Quiz Night to

Sunday afternoon’s Magic: The Gathering brunch competitions. They also have a great rooftop patio that’s less crowded than the city’s more popular spots.

Another potential date spot is Prince’s Island Park, a beautiful urban park located in the north end of downtown. The park features lovely bike paths along the Bow River that make for a relaxing ride. You can also stop by the already-iconic Peace Bridge and snap some Instagram-worthy pictures.

Bridgeland

B

ridgeland is located on the north side of the Bow River, northeast of downtown. It’s a more placid community than many of Calgary’s hot spots, but it’s a good place to spend a quiet Sunday afternoon.

Most of Calgary’s great breakfast joints are in Bridgeland. The Blue Star Diner (801 1st Ave NE) and OEB Breakfast (824 Edmonton Trail NE) both offer a delicious respite from on-campus breakfasts and are just a short walk from the Bridgeland CTrain station.

After you’ve eaten your weight in hashbrowns, check out Lukes Drug Mart (112 4th St NE), a family-run general store. They sell better coffee, vinyl records and fresh produce than any store in the city that specializes in selling these things.

There are two great date spots in Bridgeland, both of which offer student rates and are accessible from the Calgary Zoo Station. The first of these is the Calgary Zoo. They recently brought in an awesome penguin exhibit, and if you’re there on a busy day, they have a beautiful walking path next to the Bow River in the Canadian Wilds section of the Zoo that’s much quieter than the rest of the park.

Right next to the zoo is Telus Spark, our local science centre. They hold an adultsonly night on the second Thursday of every month, exploring topics ranging from giant animatronic dinosaurs to the reallife possibilities of science-fiction. It’s an alcohol-licensed event, and a cool chance to explore the building without worrying about kids wandering around.

Kensington

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ocated northwest of downtown, Kensington is filled with some of Calgary’s most quirky stores and is easy to access via transit from the Sunnyside station.

For those interested in comic books, Another Dimension Comics (424 10 St NW) has a great selection with friendly and knowledgeable staff. For traditional paperbacks and offbeat local zines, Pages Books (1135 Kensington Rd NW) offers an eclectic range of unique books you can’t find at any Chapters.

For slightly less family-oriented fare, Grassroots Hemp Store (112 10 St NW) is one of the most trustworthy head shops in town if you’re looking into buying a bong or vaporizer, and the sex store A Little More Interesting (1121 Kensington Rd NW) is a safe and supportive place to find items to indulge your kinks.

Kensington also houses Riley Park, a popular green space. It’s a short walk from the shopping district, and a great place to stop for a picnic on a warm afternoon.

ENTERTAINMENT Music

N

o matter what kind of music you like, it’s easy to find live shows in Calgary. If you’re looking for electronic jams, check out Commonwealth Bar & Stage or HiFi Club, both located on 10th Ave downtown. If you like heavy punk rock, The Palomino on 7th Ave is the place to be. For garage punk, drone and noise music, Tubby Dog on 17th Ave hosts free shows a few times a month. And for jazz and blues, the Ironwood Stage & Grill in Inglewood offers live music nightly.

In the summer, Calgary is a great place to hear some new music, as the city plays

host to several notable music festivals.

People from around the world flock to the city for Sled Island, an alternative music and arts festival held at multiple venues throughout downtown Calgary every June.

Another popular music festival is the Calgary Folk Music Festival, a relaxing showcase of folk music that takes place in Prince’s Island Park at the end of July.

But Calgary’s festival scene isn’t over quite yet. Other popular events include the hip-hop festival One Love and the alternative-rock X-Fest, both of which are held at the beginning of September.

Art

T

here are a few places in Calgary to catch movies beyond typical widerelease films. The most popular alternative theatres are the Globe Cinema on 8th Ave and the Plaza Theatre in Kensington. Both are independently-run theatres showcasing films that don’t usually make it to most theatres.

There are a couple great film festivals in Calgary too. The Calgary International Film Festival features compelling movies and runs in late September, while the GIRAF Animation Festival showcases impressive animated experiments each November.

The Glenbow Museum on 8th Ave features a wide array of contemporary visual art from both local and international artists. A combination of your student I.D. and CJSW Friends Card makes it a cheap and fun way to spend a couple hours.

Contemporary Calgary also hosts an 32

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art gallery a few blocks away from the Glenbow. They’re currently hosting an exhibit focusing on minimalist art.

The Nickle Galleries at the University of Calgary also does contemporary art. They’re located on the main floor of the Taylor Family Digital Library, and they change up their exhibits every few months.

Beakerhead, a mashup of engineering, science and art, is just around the corner. The festival features street art and experiments that vary widely from year to year, but it’s always a spectacle to behold. Beakerhead takes place from September 12–20, and is a great introduction to Calgary’s festival scene.

There’s lots of other neat festivals and events to check out in Calgary that we don’t have space to talk about here.

Read the Gauntlet to keep up with some of the cool happenings around the city!

Food

S

ometimes it’s worth getting off campus with a friend just to eat some food that isn’t from MacHall or the Dining Centre.

Food trucks are trendy in Calgary, and you’ll see them at almost every event in the city. Their food can be a little expensive, but it’s almost always great. Perogy Boyz and Taiko Taco are particularly good. You can see where they are in the city on the Calgary Street Food App. Food trucks also stop by the university once a month for a few hours, so look out for them.

If you’re looking for good pub food, The Palomino on 7th Ave has some amazing BBQ, and the Regal Beagle in Kensington offers cheap, tasty wings three nights a week.

The best vegetarian option in the city is The Coup, a tasty but pricey vegan restaurant on 17th Ave. A cheaper option is Community Natural Foods, a health food store that also sells pre-made meals.

A good first-date restaurant is Una Pizza + Wine, a thin-crust pizza restaurant with a great atmosphere. Other good spots include Open Sesame, an Asian spot with make-your-own stir fry, and Globefish Sushi in Kensington.

REAL STUDY TIPS These study tips are real, and good • Coffee? Red Bull? That’s baby shit. Take the pills • After you’re done reading a chapter of your textthat weirdo in the library keeps trying to sell you. But book, write a summary and tattoo it onto your body. be careful! If you take too many, you’ll die.

The pain will serve as a reminder of what is to come.

• Positive reinforcement works wonders. Hire an • Need some peace and quiet? Book a private study assassin that will kill you if you do poorly on your test. room in the library where you can scream as loud as That way, you will have something to work towards! you want without anyone calling the cops.

• Have a question during class, but it doesn’t have anything to do with the current topic? Ask it anyway! Everyone wants to hear your dumbass ramblings about how you’re an anarcho-libertarian or whatever. Your professor will give you bonus marks if you mention Hitler more than twice.

• Don’t forget to get some exercise every now and then! It helps keep the blood flowing to your brain, but don’t for a second think it will help you escape the Black Adder when he descends upon you in the night.

• Eat a balanced breakfast on the day of your exam.

• All-nighters are not good for your health. Instead of Enjoy the taste of food. It is such a simple joy in life, spending the night studying, spend it staring out of and you may never have the opportunity again. your window thinking about how it’s too late to stop the assassin you hired from completing his dark task. • Colour-code your notes!!!

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Take workshops in camera operation, sound recording, lighting, editing, screenwriting, social media and directing!

Have fun!

Sign up at www.nutv.ca/wanna-make-tv Visit our booth at Clubs Week September 14-18, 2015 Check out the NUTV Studio!

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