The Gauntlet — Frosh supplement by GauntletUofC

FROSH |

2016

A G U I D E F O R F I R S T-Y E A R S T U D E N T S

HELLO THERE A brief introduction

ello, and welcome to campus! Let us be the first to say — congratulations on surviving high school! You did it! Welcome to the days of napping in public, crippling debt and the “Freshman 15” — it’s real. University will be some of the best days of your life. You will be faced with stress you never thought you could handle, but somehow still survive. You will never feel as smart or as stupid as you will sitting in your first 8:00 a.m. lecture. You’ll also never drink as much coffee in your life. After four years, you’ll have a flimsy piece of paper to be proud of, and it will be the most expensive piece of paper you’ll ever own. But don’t let that scare you. We’re here for you. The Gauntlet believes in you. You’re gonna go far, kid. Let Frosh 2016 be your guide to all the important things. We’ve made

it this far, and we have some candid advice. Orientation Week is filled with a lot of fluff and pep, but we hope to provide some real-life tips and tricks that will make you feel a little less unprepared than you feel right now. All the things we’ve learned during our time at the U of C can be found within these sweet, sweet pages. You’re welcome. In all seriousness, enjoy your first year. If we could do it again, we would cherish the drinking that turns into attending lecture still drunk and the introductory classes that don’t actually matter in four years. Figure out what is important to you, and do it. And make sure you read the Gauntlet. We care. Good luck. Emilie Medland-Marchen and Rachel Woodward, Frosh 2016 editors

Table of Contents Welcome messages Residence How to textbook The skinny The Students’ Union University administration Welcome from government Dealing with the man Vices U of C map Staying active The Dinos

03 04 06 07 08 10 11 12 14 16 18 20

Health services What to eat Diversity resources Tri-media Essential sites Social media Dos and Don’ts Entertainment Places to visit Real study tips The Gauntlet editorial board

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Contributors

Sara Albright//Derek Baker//Jason Herring//Kate Jacobson//Samantha Lucy Emily Macphail//Dawn Muenchrath//Tina Shaygan//Scott Strasser Louie Villanueva//Sean Willett//Curtis Wolff//Melanie Woods 02

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WELCOME O

h hey there! Welcome to the University of Calgary. Starting university is overwhelming. In the first week, you’re hit by 300 clubs, a million free pairs of plastic sunglasses and the crushing existential weight of your academic future. It can be a lot to handle. But rest assured, things have a wonderful way of sorting themselves out, especially if you let them. Be open to new things. For only a short period of your life, you get to be a young adult with little responsibility and a fair amount of free time. Take advantage of it. Travel. Try new foods. Read lots of books. Fall in love — with people, with ideas and with moments you never want to end. Learn who you are and who you want to be. Sure, you’re in university to get a degree, but you’re also here to figure out who you are. Take every opportunity thrown at you to do that. This magazine offers our humble advice along with a few tips and tricks we

elcome to the University of Calgary! I’m Stephan Guscott, your Students’ Union president. It’s my job to do everything I can to make your experience here transformational. For some, that may be through all the new best friends you’ll make at one of the best campus bars in the country: the Den and Black Lounge. For others, you can get an instant connection to other students by joining an SU club — there’s over 300 of them — or give back by signing up for a volunteer opportunity at SU Volunteer Services. Your SU exists to empower you to change this campus by putting your ideas to action and I can guarantee you will love your time and the people you meet along your journey if you take the opportunity to do just that. We are also your voice when the important decisions are made.

all wish we’d known in our first year. But the simplest advice I have to give is to find your people. Your people might be the Students’ Union, the gardening club or that one professor who makes going to class worthwhile. They might be your astronomy study group, the friendly lady at Tim Hortons or your floormates in your residence building. Your people are what make university worthwhile. They’re the ones who support and shape you. And at the end of the day, degrees be damned, they’re probably the best thing you’re going to take out of this place. Don’t stress — you’ll know them when you find them. Maybe, like me, you find your people at the Gauntlet. And from my experience, when you find those people, it’s like you’re coming home. Best of luck as you enter the U of C. And if you’re ever looking for something to do, come help us make a newspaper. I’m sure it’ll be swell. Melanie Woods, Editor-in-Chief

Whether it’s your dean, the university president, the mayor or the premier, your SU will be in the room making sure your voice is heard. Your SU listens acutely to your feedback and ideas: every single program, service or advocacy effort we work on once started as a student idea. A prime example: MacHall. This hub of student life once started as a student idea in the 1950s and continues to be run by your SU today, with programs and services tailored to your needs. It’s our vision for you to have the best university experience possible and to be your support base along the way. I may represent over 25,000 students, but I will always make time for you. Send me a text at 403-390-8576, an email to supres@ucalgary.ca or come introduce yourself in person, especially if you run into me on a Thursday night! Stephan Guscott, SU president GAUNTLET FROSH 2016

RESIDENCE A place to call home

Melanie Woods

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 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. 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 thousands of dollars you were 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

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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 three 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 Lemonade 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 8:00 a.m. critical 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. Keep a firstaid 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.

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HOW TO TEXTBOOK Curtis Wolff

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

This 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 University of Calgary 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

Take a stroll down the hall from the U of C Bookstore to the Students’ Unionrun Bound & Copied. They sell used textbooks via consignment and are normally cheaper than the used copies at the bookstore. That means 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. 06

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Buy used on the Facebook group

If 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.

Look for an older edition online

Can 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 at the library

The 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

You 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

You 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 theftsensing devices at the door and remember that it’s only a crime if you get caught.

Don’t read them

You 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.

THE SKINNY

What everyone’s talking about at the U of C Melanie Woods

he first few weeks of university can be overwhelming. From finding your classes to figuring out exactly how much coffee a single human can ingest, there’s a lot going on. As you start talking to people around campus, you may have some questions. We compiled a brief overview of the University of Calgary’s hot-button issues so you can sound smart with your friends and have a witty retort when someone talks about the $150,000 staircase.

Energize Eyes High The U of C’s motto is “Mo Shùile Togam Suas”, which translates from Gaelic to “I will lift up mine eyes.” This phrase served as inspiration for the U of C’s 2010 Eyes High strategy. A major goal of Eyes High was to have the U of C rank as one of Canada’s top five research universities by our 50th anniversary in 2016. While Eyes High has concluded and we still aren’t in the top five, administration hasn’t taken their foot off the gas. The latest campaign, Energize: The Campaign for Eyes High, looks to raise over $1.3 billion in donations for the university.

The MacHall Debate The U of C and its Students’ Union have debated a new lease agreement on our campus student centre for years with little progress. Last fall however, the SU shook things up by serving the university with a very public and very aggressive lawsuit for majority ownership of the building. While going to a university where students are suing administration might sound super exciting, the actual process is incredibly bland. The two parties spent most of last year locked in unproductive closed-door mediation, before returning to court when a deal couldn’t be reached. The actual lawsuit hasn’t even begun yet — the court recently spent all spring and summer debating an injunction to allow the SU to retain operation of the building for the duration of the lawsuit. After the injunction, it’s on to the actual lawsuit. Don’t expect that to end any time soon though — at this rate, you and I will both be long gone from this university by the time things are sorted out. To catch up on all of the twists and turns and many, many delays of the dispute, head to www.thegauntlet.ca to check out all of our online coverage.

Enbridge and other scandals U of C administration has faced a number of scandals in recent years. A few years ago, senior administration came under fire for $8-million administrative office renovations, including a much talked about $150,000 glass staircase. Last year, a CBC report unveiled questionable relations between the U of C and corporate oil. In particularly, president Elizabeth Cannon’s role on the board of Enbridge came under harsh scrutiny when critics suggested it compromised academic integrity. Alongside the MacHall lawsuit, the Enbridge scandal prompted a lot of questioning of administration from students and faculty. This came to a climax at a November town hall where students publicly called for Cannon’s resignation as U of C president. Cannon didn’t resign and an independent review board cleared her of wrongdoing. But the scandals haven’t stopped, as another CBC report in May brought to light $90,000 spent by U of C admin processing a freedom of information request. In an institution as large as the U of C, there are bound to be more scandals yet to come.

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THE STUDENTS’ UNION Scott Strasser

he Students’ Union can either play a big role in your university experience or be something you barely know exists. The SU’s job is to represent student interests and make our university experience better. A portion of our student fees go towards supporting the SU, and their mandate is to go headto-head with government officials and university administration, manage student programs, plan events and operate MacHall. The union’s members are elected

by the student body every year. In February, the SU’s annual election campaign will be in full swing. Walls will be plastered with posters and costumed candidates will run around campus begging for your vote. Almost everyone hates this time of year — you will too. A popular complaint is that the SU doesn’t do anything. If you don’t follow closely, it’s easy to adopt that mindset. Like most politicians, SU representatives sometimes make outlandish cam-

paign promises that are never fulfilled or inch along at a snail’s pace for several months. But if you want to know what your elected officials are really up to, swing by the council chambers in MacHall on a Tuesday night when the union has it’s weekly Students’ Legislative Council meetings. Oh, and fun fact — the SU is currently in an ongoing lawsuit with U of C administration over the ownership of MacHall. You’ll probably see a Gauntlet article about it every now and then.

President — Stephan Guscott The 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 public face of the organization and manages the big picture. Guscott’s role is to steer the ship, so to speak. If you see him walking around MacHall, give him a thumbs up or something — he’ll appreciate it.

VP External — Tristan Bray The vice-president external is the position that liaises with leaders from outside the university on behalf of students. Bray probably spends more time than any other executive jetting around the country, wearing suits and shaking hands with politicians. He’ll likely pop up in the news every few months. If you’re interested in student lobbying or how student life and politics intermingle, Bray’s your guy.

VP Op-Fi — Branden Cave

The vice-president operations and finance is in charge of the SU’s internal operations. Cave manages the SU’s budget — one of the largest of any student unions in the country — and oversees the management of the union’s various businesses like Stör, La Taqueria and the Den. His job is to make sure all of your fees are directed to the right place. If you’re concerned with how the SU earns or spends its cash, Cave is the one to talk to. 08

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VP Student Life — Patrick Ma Party on, dudes! Often called, “VP party,” the vice-president student life handles the fun side of student politics like student clubs, events and other initiatives. Ma is in charge of the SU’s most popular annual events, such as Frost Bite, Clubs Week and Bermuda Shorts Day. But it’s not all balloons and pizza days — mental health initiatives and overall student well-being play a big role in Ma’s portfolio.

VP Academic — Alicia Lunz The vice-president academic manages the SU’s relationship with the university. Lunz represents the SU on several of the university’s committees and ensures students’ academic concerns are covered. Lunz also heads the Teaching Excellence Awards and the Undergraduate Research Symposium Committees. By the end of her term, she’ll probably know more U of C faculty members by first name than any other student at the U of C.

Faculty representatives Every faculty has one or more student representatives in the SU, depending on the size of that faculty. Their role is less involved than the executives, but they’re still responsible for ensuring the students in their academic field have the best university experience possible. If your faculty has a hiring fair or students’ lounge, you probably have some former reps to thank for it. If you have any minor problems with your department or ideas on how to improve the lives of your fellow classmates, track your rep(s) down. They’re happy to help.

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UNIVERSITY BIGSHOTS Melanie Woods

ou may never meet these people, but they will loom large over your academic career at the University of Calgary. Sometimes it can be hard to keep track of the difference between vice-provosts and vice-presidents, senate members and governors. To help you wade through the sea of bureaucracy, here’s a brief overview of all of the U of C’s big cheeses.

President The bearer of both the successes and scandals at the U of C, the president is the public face of our university and gives many big speeches. The current president of the U of C is Elizabeth Cannon, who has held the role since 2010. While Cannon has faced scrutiny in recent years for everything from questionable relations with oil companies to a $150,000 glass staircase, she’s weathered the storm and continues to remind our campus to keep our “eyes high.” Oh yeah, get used to that phrase — you’ll hear it a lot.

Vice-presidents Just below the president sit many vice-presidents, vice-provosts and powerful people with titles you’ll never remember. With portfolios 10

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ranging from “facilities” to “risk” to “academic” and everything in between, the average student won’t likely interact with any of these folks. You’ll probably see them quoted in formal statements to the Gauntlet.

Chancellor The chancellor is the ceremonial head of the university. Besides getting to wear the most bedazzled robe at convocation, the chancellor’s main role is entertaining rich donors through parties and speeches. Our current chancellor is former astronaut Robert Thirsk, who makes Ottawa his fulltime home and flies to Calgary once a month to fulfill his chancellor duties. He also heads a Chancellor’s Club that meets three times a year to pump money into the university and scholarships for undergraduate students.

Senate As the average student, your relationship with the senate will be virtually non-existent. The senate is a 62-member community body that solicits money and goodwill for the U of C from the broader community. They have a lot of fancy parties and interact with a lot of rich people. Two student representatives to the senate are elected in the Students’

Union elections every year.

Board of Governors These are the folks that make the real decisions. The board sets the university budget, approves major decisions and essentially steers the direction of the institution. Of its eighteen members, three represent students — the Graduate Students’ Association president, SU president and an elected student-at-large. The rest are assorted U of C bureaucrats and corporate executives. You’ll never talk to most of these people, but they hold your future in their hands.

Deans At the top of their respective fields, deans represent various faculties within upper-level administration. Unlike a lot of other university bigshots, their focus rests largely on academics instead of finances. They usually have offices in the best location of their respective area of campus — the dean of arts has a sick pad on the 13th floor of the Social Sciences building. Like most of the people on this list, you likely won’t interact with them unless something goes wrong or really, really right.

WELCOME FROM THE GOVERNMENT W

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. Education is one of the single most important investments you can make, but we know for some Albertans, accessing college or university can be difficult. By keeping our promise on year two of the tuition freeze, we’re helping to make education more accessible and affordable for Alberta students. We’ve kept our commitment of stable, predictable funding to post-secondary institutions, including a two per cent increase in operating grants in Budget 2016. Our government is proud to make critical investments in infrastructure and maintenance on Alberta campuses — $449 million this year alone. Projects include $17 million over two years to plan long-overdue redevelopment of the MacKimmie Complex. We’re also pleased Budget 2016 provides roughly $3 million to extend student mental health initiatives on Alberta campuses. Promoting and supporting mental wellness builds a more resilient community — and ensures students remain healthy and successful in their studies. These commitments set a stable foundation to help U of C students put their best foot forward. 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 at 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. Stephanie McLean Member of the Legislative Assembly for Calgary-Varsity Minister of Service Alberta and the Status of Women

elcome to Calgary Confederation. Congratulations! Congratulations on your acceptance to study at the University of Calgary! The coming years will shape you in the most unimaginable ways and will be the foundation for the rest of your lives. Yes, you need to study and you need to do your work, but take time for yourself too. Discover new friends, new experiences and new places. Most importantly, get involved! Get involved in something, anything! It will open your mind, your heart and your imagination. It will provide you with skills and experience, but it will also provide you with insight and inspiration. You can get involved in sports, campus clubs, service clubs, or any one of hundreds of volunteering opportunities. You could even get involved in politics! When you walk across that stage at graduation, make sure you leave with more than just a piece of paper. It’s up to you to determine what else you leave university with, but make sure you leave with a broader knowledge of the world around you and the people in it. Leave more than you take, and leave knowing you made a difference in lives other than your own. Len Webber Member of Parliament for Calgary Confederation GAUNTLET FROSH 2016

DEALING WITH THE MAN

A student’s guide to all levels of government Scott Strasser

Municipal government

he City of Calgary controls things like public transportation and secondary suites. As students, these are two issues that will probably impact your life over the next few years. Fortunately, if you’re a full-time student, you qualify for a UPass — a discounted Calgary Transit pass good for any bus or train in the city. The city has two LRT lines and many buses seem to run on completely arbitrary schedules. But considering you can’t opt out of the $130 per semester fee, you might as well get some use out of the UPass.

Calgary Transit regularly approves incremental fee increases, so expect some small price adjustments for the pass throughout the next four years. By 2019, it’s slated to cost $151 per semester. Living in residence can be expensive and living with your parents can be terrible, so keeping an eye on Calgary’s rental market is worthwhile. By second or third year, many students eventually try to rent or lease somewhere in the city. Especially now with increased vacancies and rental incentives, living off campus is pretty appealing.

Secondary suites are another option, but the conditions of their legality in Calgary are extensive. Every one of the city’s secondary suites currently goes through a lengthy application process by City Hall. Individual property owners have to stand before city council and argue their case, which takes up a tremendous chunk of time in council meetings. It’s something that councillors and the mayor have been continuously bickering over for years, and will probably bicker over for a long while yet.

Provincial government

he Progressive Conservative party governed Alberta for more than 40 years. Their dynasty came to an end in 2015 in an election shocker, when Rachel Notley and her New Democratic Party were voted in as the province’s majority government. The NDP have gotten a lot of backlash from Albertans since then due to a growing deficit budget — which now hovers somewhere around $10 billion. But however you feel about the province’s spending, there’s no denying that it’s saved U of C students

some money. The NDP rolled back the degree-specific tuition fee hikes known as market modifiers and restored a 1.4 per cent cut to postsecondary education tabled by the PCs shortly before their party was ousted. The NDP also froze the cost of tuition for two years and reinstated the Summer Temporary Employment Program, which partially subsidizes wages for university students working in the summer. However, keep in mind that this has all been done at a massive financial cost.

The hot button issue at the moment for provincial politics is the “Unite the Right” initiative. The province’s right-leaning parties — the PCs and the Wildrose Party — want to team up as a single, unified party. Their plan is to outnumber NDP’s voters and get them out of office in the 2019 election. PC leadership hopeful Jason Kenney is currently running with that as his main platform point, but he still has to win leadership and convince the Wildrose to get on board.

debates among the party leaders. Even though they’re pretty interesting, federal politics don’t play a huge role in the daily lives of U of C students, unless you think marijuana legalization is a big deal. But the federal government does control the student loan program, which affects student finances in a major way. Calgary is a pretty conservative city and former Prime Minister Stephen

Harper is a U of C alumni, so expect some conservative sentiments when you’re conversing with most people around the city. Harper will step down from his role as Member of Parliament soon, and it wouldn’t be surprising if he ends up with some sort of ceremonial role at the U of C in a couple of years with a cozy little office and a few guest lectures every now and then.

Federal government

ou probably already know that the Liberal Party took over from the Conservatives as Canada’s government and Justin Trudeau became the country’s new Prime Minister last fall. The federal campaign last year was the longest in recent Canadian history and was a lot of fun to follow in the media, with outlandish accusations and frequent 12

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eading 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 post-secondary education when something big happens, alongside provincial and federal politics with a Calgarian angle.

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VICES

If you’re going to do it anyway... Sara Albright

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.

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 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. Fentanyll is on the rise in Calgary, so make sure you check with your friends first to find a dealer you can trust. Don’t take unnecessary risks and be smart when indulging. 14

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Alcohol

Sex

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 the same food, 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!

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.

Wasting time

Coffee

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 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

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 is 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 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’re in dire need of a quick cup.

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THE GAUNTLET ’S MAP OF THE U OF C THE DEN PATIO

THE OLYMPIC OVAL

Home to the fastest ice in the world, skating at the Olympic Oval is an ideal weekend get-together. Admission to public skating is free for students — just remember to bring your own skates and a helmet to avoid paying for rentals.

LAST DEFENSE LOUNGE

You will most likely go on a few shitty dates here over the course of your university degree. The LDL has improved their menu a lot over the years, so it’s a good place to grab dinner on campus. Remember to tip your waiter.

A great place to hang with friends in between classes or drink before your exams. You’ll probably do both at some point in your degree.

TAYLOR FAMILY DIGITAL LIBRARY

Any time other than exam week is a good time to visit this expensive, window-filled building. Levels of the library get quieter as you go up, so be prepared to hush up. Make sure you return your books on time or you’ll be shelling out precious dollars in late fees.

THE GAUNTLET OFFICE

Arguably the best place on campus. This office is full of hard-working keeners who play a lot of Mario Kart and spend too much time at school. Come hang with us.

THE UNIVERSITY CTRAIN

This busy commuter zone is a central area to get almost anywhere in the city. The CTrain is a student-friendly way to quickly get around Calgary and explore.

THE BUS LOOP

If you commute via bus, this is a spot you will become familiar with very quickly. A lot of time will be spent running here so you can get home in time to watch The Bachelorette.

STAYING ACTIVE Emilie Medland-Marchen

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 more stressful moments in first year. Sometimes all you need to get back on track is 30 minutes of immune boosting, adrenaline pumping physical activity. There are lots of ways to get that on campus — here are a few of the best ones.

Weightlifting 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 the gym is 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 core conditioning. 18

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Skating

Outdoor Centre

The Olympic Oval boasts a highperformance 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 also have the opportunity to utilize 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 400-metre ice surface. The Oval also has a two-lane running track which provides a nice air-conditioned space to jog on hotter days.

The Outdoor Centre offers equipment for those looking to head to the mountains for a weekend 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 to tap into your exploratory side.

Running

Intramural sports

If you’re looking for a good spot to get a run in on campus, your best bet is the track in the Fitness Centre. There are also some nice routes around campus. Head behind the Children’s Hospital for paved footpaths and a short loop. For something more challenging, try going 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 quidditch. Games are often once or twice a week and include a playoff format, and you can name your own team to draw fear into the hearts of your opponents. Sign up with friends as a whole team or register as an individual if you’re looking to meet new people.

Racquet Centre 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 Kinesiology B. 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 finishing up a long day of classes.

Red & Gold Gym

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 dropin times almost every day, and free equipment available if you want to get a game going with 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.

crets — 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 climbing wall, but you must pay for a certificate.

Gymnastics

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 a great way to work on improving balance, flexibility and agility.

Climbing

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 se-

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THE DINOS

Home to some of the finest athletes in Canada Emilie Medland-Marchen

he University of Calgary Dinos program features some of the strongest athletes and coaching staff in the country. Varsity athletics are a major part of the student experience, especially on a commuter campus like the U of C. There are few events that bring students, faculty and staff together in one place to cheer on the U of C like a major Dinos game. The Dinos varsity program includes competition in 10 different sports — basketball, field hockey, football, ice hockey, rugby, soccer, swimming, track and field and cross country, volleyball and wrestling. The Dinos compete in the Canada West conference against other varsity programs from British Columbia, Alberta, Saskatchewan and Manitoba. Towards the end of the regular season, the top programs in the conference will compete against one another for a spot in the CIS (Canadian Interuniversity Sport) national championships. Here, competition expands to include the OUA (Ontario University Athletics), the AUS (Atlantic University Sports) and the Réseau du sport étudiant du Québec (RSEQ) conferences. The top teams in the country will then battle for a chance to be crowned CIS champions. Dinos teams play regular home games throughout the season that are always free for students to attend. But there are three marquee games each year that have higher attendance rates and are some of the most exciting events at the university. Kickoff marks the first home game of the Dinos football season. The game takes place early in September at McMahon stadium and is included 20

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in Orientation Week festivities. Beer gardens are located outside of the stadium. Kickoff often boasts free food and carnival games, making it one of the rowdiest and most exciting Dinos events of the year. This year the Dinos will take on the University of British Columbia Thunderbirds Sept. 9. In January, the Dinos hockey teams compete against cross-town rivals Mount Royal in a thrilling match at the Scotiabank Saddledome. The annual Crowchild Classic always sees Dinos and Cougars fans parted on two sides of the arena to maximize heckling. The sea of red and blue makes the event an exciting display of home town rivalries and will have you proudly repping the U of C. Every winter the Dinos basketball team hosts their Pack the Jack event, which brings thousands of students from across campus together to cheer on the Dinos at the Jack Simpson Gym. If you show up early, you’re bound to get some free Dinos swag out of the event. Last year the men’s basketball team made it all the way to the CIS conference championships, so this year’s Pack the Jack is bound to have some of Canada’s top varsity basketball on display. Kickoff, the Crowchild Classic and Pack the Jack are some of the most highly attended and exciting games all season, but you don’t have to wait to catch the Dinos in action. Teams play most weeks on campus at the Jack Simpson Gym, Father David Bauer Arena and McMahon Stadium. Take a break from studying on a weeknight and come out to watch your fellow university students battle for the top title in the Canada West — you won’t be disappointed.

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HEALTH SERVICES

Don’t let stress get the best of your first year Emily Macphail

hether or not you’ve crossed the “official adult” line when you start university, the beginning of postsecondary is a point in your life when you need to begin taking responsibility for your own health. But it can be tricky to prioritize your well-being and know where to get support. The Students’ Union Wellness Centre is your main resource for taking care of your physical health while on campus. Open from 9:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. Monday to Friday, this is where you can see a physician, get vaccinations and access chiropractic, massage or nutrition services. If you’re new to Calgary or don’t have a family doctor, take advantage of the on-campus convenience. Remember that even if you’re embarrassed about something, it’s nothing your health care providers haven’t seen before, so it’s better to be proactive and make an appointment. If you end up with a prescription, you can fill it at the Varsity Pharmacy in MacHall before leaving the building. For those of you not lucky enough to be under a parent’s healthcare plan, make sure to familiarize yourself with the health coverage provided by Gallivan & Associates via the SU and find out if part of that massage is covered. Dental services are also partially insured under your student health plan. 22

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Note that your coverage is restricted to certain dentists, but one of them is right next to the Wellness Centre — no more excuses for missing that cleaning. Equally important to your physical well-being is your mental health. The university has plenty of support for you in this regard. Along with a psychiatrist, the Wellness Centre has psychologists and social workers who offer students 10 free counselling sessions per degree.

For instant anonymous support, there are two 24-hour options. Health advice and information is available via Health Link at 811 and mental health support is available through the Distress Centre at 403-266-HELP (4357). The first year of university is challenging on many levels. It’s important to take care of all aspects of your health to ensure that when you’re missing class it’s not because you’re ill or run-down, but because you’re off making lifelong memories.

SU Wellness Centre WE ALL HAVE A ROLE TO PLAY IN

CREATING A HEALTHY CAMPUS COMMUNITY Health Services

Family Medicine, Walk-in Medical Clinic, Chiropractic, Massage Therapy, Psychiatry, Nutrition and Travel Medicine Clinic.

Counselling

Personal, academic and career development.

Student Support & Outreach

Mental health information, outreach, community referrals, Student-at-Risk.

Events & Programs

Training, wellness programs, workshops and the Wellness & Health Awareness Team.

MacEwan Student Centre, Room 370

403.210.9355 ucalgary.ca/wellnesscentre

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 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

On a long day when I don’t have time to pack food, I usually head over to Bake Chef, where I can grab a beef satay sub for $7.50. Bake Chef’s Vietnamese subs are super tasty, reasonably priced, completely customizable and all-around better than what you’d get at the Subway downstairs. Also, they have delicious pastries and pizza buns. I’m salivating just writing this. Jason Herring

Fuel for Gold

Fuel for Gold is one of the healthier vendors on campus. They serve Phil & Sebastian coffee which can be a great alternative to Tim Hortons or Starbucks. Their $6 breakfast — which includes eggs, turkey bacon, and hashbrowns — is great for a proper breakfast. While on the more expensive side, they provide plenty of options for healthy food on the go. Tina Shaygan

Noodle Grill Express Any place where the small combo is the perfect size and the large combo is too big to finish in one sitting already has my vote. Noodle Grill Express might not rank high in Calgary amongst quality Vietnamese food, but it gets the job done between classes. Plus, if you order the combo B with grilled chicken, it's actually pretty healthy. Scott Strasser

Umi Sushi Umi Sushi is a great place to get a variety of tasty eats on campus. Located in the heart of MacHall, this treasure is a personal favourite of mine and never fails to bring joy to my heart. The most important feature of this food spot is the mini bento — chicken or beef on your choice of rice, yam fries and spicy mayo for a go-to lunch. Don’t forget the bubble tea. Rachel Woodward

Dairy Queen Located at the corner of MacHall, Dairy Queen usually has a short line, making it a great place to grab a quick meal between classes. If you’re someone who doesn’t eat much in one sitting, the Snack Melts are a perfect and cheap way to satisfy a small craving. A Blizzard is a classic way to treat yourself after a long day — and trust me, you’ll have a lot of those. Derek Baker GAUNTLET FROSH 2016

DIVERSITY RESOURCES Tina Shaygan

The Q Centre

he SU Centre for Sexual and Gender Diversity, better known at the Q Centre, is located on the main floor of MacHall and offers community and peer support, volunteer opportunities as well as other programs and events for the LGTBQ community on campus and in Calgary. The Q Centre also has a great library and lounge where students can study or socialize. Students are welcome to initiate ideas or proposals to the Q Centre for collaborative improvements of the student experience. The Q Centre’s list of upcoming events can be found on the SU website.

Women’s Resource Centre

he Women’s Resources Centre is located on the fourth floor of MacHall and offers a variety of resources such as workshops, peer support and professionals to speak with. The WRC is also a cool spot for students to hang out and study. They have worked with other university groups like the Consent and Sexual Education Awareness Club (CASE) to initiate programs and events to help foster a culture of consent and sexual awareness on campus. They offer plenty of volunteer opportunities for students and are closely tied to the Women Studies program in the faculty of arts.

Native Centre

he Native Centre is located on the third floor of MacHall above Dairy Queen. It offers a large variety of resources to help support educational success and improve the experience of First Nations, Métis and Inuit students. They offer a variety of leadership training as well as scholarships and funding. The Native Centre also works to design post-secondary research regarding indigenous people and their communities. The Native Centre has a ceremonial room for smudging and their list of events can be found on their online calendar.

Faith and Spirituality Centre

he Faith and Spirituality Centre offers Christian, Muslim and Buddhist chapels as well as two prayer rooms on campus. Besides offering community support, the FSC helps students of all faiths with work and exam deferrals for religious holidays or other religious accommodations. The FSC also hosts the Pluralism and Religious Diversity Week, along with their weekly offerings, found on their website.

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TRI-MEDIA ALLIANCE Jason Herring

he University of Calgary is home to three media outlets — including the one that made this nifty little booklet. All have opportunities for student volunteering, training and employment and are always open to visits. If you want to stop by, we’re all on the third floor of MacHall above the Black Lounge. None of these services could run without the help of volunteers, and all three are funded by a student levy. They’re valuable resources for learning, as well as great sources of entertainment and information. Here’s a little bit on each of the outlets.

CJSW 90.0 FM If you’re involved in Calgary’s music scene, chances are you’re familiar with CJSW 90.9 FM, the U of C’s community radio station. CJSW supports the city’s independent arts scene by broadcasting music, spoken word and multicultural programming directed towards members of the U of C and the larger Calgary community. They’re

NUTV

If you’ve walked through MacHall before, you’ve probably seen part of what NUTV does on the screens all around the building. NUTV runs those TVs, and they also produce web content and host industry training in their studio. NUTV is an exceptional training ground for those interested in various

also mainstays at events like Sled Island and the Calgary Folk Music Festival. Like most independent radio stations, CJSW’s programming is eclectic. While it’s unlikely you’ll enjoy everything on the station, with content ranging from metal to classical to hip-hop, you’re sure to find something

you like. And finding new tunes is easy now that CJSW has launched a spiffy new website. Volunteers at CJSW learn about audio production, sound engineering, maintaining music libraries, writing for radio and more. Long-time volunteers even have the opportunity to get some air-time of their own.

aspects of visual media, both in front of and behind the camera. The studio often brings industry professionals to their offices to run workshops and teach lessons from sound mixing to directing and editing video. Access to NUTV training sessions comes with a $10 yearly membership. Add on the

studio’s acting and writing opportunities, and you’ve got a creative avenue for anything you want to do. The station also hosts several film festivals and competitions throughout the year, with screenings usually happening on campus. It’s a great way to see what students are creating.

This supplement is a small part of what we do, but it illustrates our main focus which is creating content that is unique and relevant to university students. We cover everything from Students’ Union politics to local music festivals to administrative scandals and Dinos athletics. If student journalism appeals to you, we’re always looking for more voices from around campus to contribute to our

paper. We teach volunteers how to write stories, conduct interviews, take printgrade photos, edit copy and more. We hold volunteer orientations at 5:00 p.m. on Tuesday nights — come on in to learn how a newspaper runs and eat free pizza. You can pick up our print issues on stands around campus or go to www.thegauntlet.ca for all of our stories around campus.

The Gauntlet If you’re reading this, you’ve probably heard about the Gauntlet, the third — and undoubtedly the loosest — member of the Tri-media alliance. We’re an independant newspaper that publishes in print on Thursdays weekly during the school year, covering news, opinions, entertainment, sports, humour and photography. We also put breaking news stories online throughout the week.

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ESSENTIAL SITES Dawn Muenchrath

o 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 (my.ucalgary.ca)

UniCard

UofC Library

(ucalgary.ca/unicard)

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.

Degree Navigator

Students’ Union

(degnav.ucalgary.ca)

(su.ucalgary.ca)

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.

Outlook

Success Centre

(library.ucalgary.ca) 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.

Desire2Learn (d2l.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, unfortunately.

Rate My Professor

(outlook.office365.com)

(ratemyprofessors.com) 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. 26

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(success.ucalgary.ca) This is your official U of C 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. Since the IT department ended autoforwarding, this one’s important.

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.

SOCIAL MEDIA

Rachel Woodward and Emilie Medland-Marchen

o successfully navigate your way through your first year, you’ll need to rely on a handful of shitty social media apps. They’ll help you hook-up and find some easy A’s. You’ll need them — it’s a jungle out there.

@UCalgary

@UofCRec

Your Class

The super-super official University of Calgary Twitter account is a decent resource for students and other bored internet-goers to find info on research the university is doing or read some pretty bland campus news from UToday. But mostly it’s just a breeding ground for a lot of shameless selfpromotion. Like, a lot. #clickbait

Active Living’s twitter account provides an inside look into physical activity services offered on campus. Follow them and their extensive offerings of fitness classes are sure to inspire you to sign up and get moving. Seriously, stop being a lazy fuck and go to the gym. You’ll feel better, or so I’ve been told by many doctors and my mother.

It’s worth checking out Facebook to see if a specific group has been made for the classes you’re taking each semester. If one hasn’t been made yet — take the initiative. It’s a great way to connect with fellow students to make study groups, ask about homework and — if you’re taking an online course — just straight up getting answers for D2L tests. We’re all in this together, gang.

U of C Confessions

MyUCalgary Instagram

Gauntlet Snapchat

These Facebook pages are full of anonymous love, hate and garbage. People seem to mostly use them to connect to the infamous “ sexy brunette at the gym with the septum piercing.” Sometimes people try to leave inspirational messages during exam season, but I promise they don’t help. If you’re trying to find your one true love or laugh at campus losers, check it out and spread the love — anonymously, of course.

The @myUCalgary Instagram account is great for looking at pictures of the same campus you spend every day of your life looking at. It’s packed full of “throwback thursdays,” meme attempts and photos of all the campus rabbits you see on the way to your 8:00 a.m. intro to Shakespeare course. But it’s pretty good overall. Aren’t we lucky to have such hip social media?

The gauntletUofC Snapchat provides some of the most exciting news on campus. We can neither confirm nor deny that DJ Khaled himself gets Snapchat tips from us. Follow us for near-constant witty anecdotes and a look into the soul-sucking jobs of students who put together a newspaper every week. Just kidding, we love our jobs. Come volunteer for us. Please? It’s lonely up here.

Chitter

YikYak

/r/UCalgary

This relatively new app is something people seem to be excited about, and is also a combination of all the social media you’re already using. It’s similar to Twitter in that you share your thoughts on a public forum. It’s similar to Facebook in that if you comment, people can see who you are. It’s similar to Tinder in that you can chat with people who connect with you and it’s similar to Reddit because we don’t know what it is or how to use it.

Like Chitter, but instead of a username you can sign your messages with colourful and mysterious icons. Even better, it’s totally anonymous. Lots of users frequent this app to tell juicy secrets about their friends to total strangers. It is also like Chitter because what the hell is it? Seriously? Yik-Yak is great until you end up getting called a douche-canoe by an unidentified brown shovel. What has your life become?

The U of C subreddit is the watering hole for libertarians on campus. Favourite pastimes include yelling about whatever the SU decides to spend their money on, asking alumni which 200-level option will be the best GPA booster and discussing where the best places are on campus to poop in privacy. Some people just want to watch the world burn. And those people can usually be found using this bizarre site. GAUNTLET FROSH 2016

DOS AND DON’TS OF YOUR FIRST YEAR Derek Baker

ntering university can be pretty overwhelming. No matter where you’re coming from, be it right out of high school or after taking a break from academia, starting at the University of Calgary is an intimidating task. Anxieties can rise as the people in your life bombard you with well-meant, albeit excessive advice. With that in mind, here are eight tips to make the transition into university life as smooth as possible.

Don’t be “that” student

It’s important to be an attentive student, but remember to remain courteous to your peers. Asking questions can help clarify a concept, but if your class hasn’t moved past slide three by the end of the lecture, there’s a problem. More importantly, if you already know the answer to the question you’re about to ask, don’t interrupt lecture just to appear smart to the professor by asking a “good question.” People see

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right through that and will begin to collectively cringe when they see your hand fly up. Likewise, don’t take an opposing stance in a class debate simply to play devil’s advocate. The reason why no one is choosing to support this side is because the argument is shitty and problematic.

Do order from Tim Hortons properly This tip will save your life, so pay attention. As with most students, coffee will become an essential component of your diet. The U of C has many caffeination stations, the busiest usually being the Tim Hortons trifecta in MacHall. In order to ensure you are not taken out by a cranky mob of sleep-deprived students, line up in the correct place. The empty space between the cashiers and the line is for people to pass through, not for you to waltz right up and ignore the queue behind the pillar. Yes, the line is that long — accept it now. Get in, get your double-double and get out.

Do find a way to get to class while staying inside Calgary can get pretty fucking cold. However, the -40 C weather is never an excuse to not show up in this work-obsessed city. After making it through the perils of Calgary’s snowy roads while commuting to school, do yourself a favour and stay warm by navigating the tunnel and +15 system. You too can make it from Engineering Block F to Murray Fraser Hall without forming snotsicles in 10 minutes — if you run.

Don’t be late for lab

Science students, listen up. It’s not the end of the world to miss the occasional lecture or two, but skipping lab is blasphemous. When they say lab begins at 8:00 a.m., be ready and prepared in class 7:50 a.m. at the latest. Your weekly schedule will revolve around doing experiments and writing lengthy reports. Your lab skills are probably garbage, but that’s okay — just make sure you leave lots of space in the “sources of error” portion of your writeup. The last thing you want is for your report to be marked late or not marked at all because you couldn’t make it on time.

Don’t spin the Zipper if you’re in engineering

by many students across faculties during exam break. Furthermore, though it shouldn’t have to be said, don’t stick your arm through it while it’s spinning.

Don’t be afraid to find your niche There are a lot of students here at the U of C. There are probably a number of other people who like the same weird things as you do. If you don’t know what you like yet, now is a great time to try different clubs. Heck, you don’t even need to commit to the club to sign up — we’ve all joined the ski club just to get the membership card with discounts around town, even if we don’t ski. Nevertheless, clubs are one of the best ways to meet like-minded people that you actually will want to hang out with.

Do sell your soul to the Gauntlet Gauntlet volunteers are the coolest and most remarkable students at the U of C. They are the most attractive individuals and without a doubt will become the most successful people post-graduation. A Gauntlet volunteer receives deliciously nutritious pizza Tuesday nights and participates in our witty banter and debauchery while copyediting. They are perfectly poised to tackle any challenge the first year of university can throw at them. At least, this is what we told ourselves.

Do enjoy your time in university Many people take longer than four years to finish their degree, and that’s okay. University shouldn’t be a race to get out. Though academics are important, they shouldn’t be the be-all end-all. Take a moment to enjoy where you’re at right now. Life is about balance. Find your balance of sleepless nights spent studying or getting plastered if that’s what you’re into. After all, the world’s a pretty scary place. It’s much less daunting to avoid real adulting by hiding in school. But hey, if you do manage to finish your degree in four years, maybe you and I can cross the stage together!

A staple of U of C lore, the metal statue between the lecture halls in Science Theatres holds magical powers, granting students good luck when spun before exams — except for engineers. Apparently, you guys thought it’d be funny to take it apart, but you couldn’t manage to put it back together again and the original artist had to fly out and fix it. It might be just a campus legend, but the Zipper is still worshiped GAUNTLET FROSH 2016

ENTERTAINMENT Jason Herring and Rachel Woodward

Music

o matter what kind of music you’re into, it’s easy to find live shows in Calgary. If you’re looking for electronic jams, check out Commonwealth Bar & Stage or the 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 all-ages 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 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 every June. Another popular music festival is the Calgary Folk Music Festival, which showcases a wide spectrum of folk music and takes place at Prince’s Island Park at the end of July. Other popular events include the hip-hop festival One Love and alternative-rock X-Fest, both held at the beginning of September.

Comedy

he comedy world is growing. Even though touring comedians make infrequent stops in our humble town, there are many laughs to be found from amateur comedians here in Calgary. Open-mic nights run rampant if you know where to look. Comedy Monday Night is a great place for first-time comedians to try their luck at a set in front of an audience. This open-mic takes place at Broken City and is the longest running weekly open-mic in Western Canada. Another comedy staple is Jupiter Comedy. This openmic takes place at Nite Owl and Oak Tree Tavern on Tuesday and Wednesday nights throughout the year. Vern’s Tavern also hosts Crash Test Comedy on Tuesdays at 8 p.m. Calgary’s comedy scene is relatively new, but it’s full of potential and lots of laughs. Go give it a whirl.

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Theatre

algary’s theatre scene is as vibrant as ever. With companies like Theatre Calgary, Lunchbox Theatre and One Yellow Rabbit, there’s always new and innovative theatre stages available in our own backyard. Theatre Junction GRAND is always a great place to check out weird and innovative new theatre techniques, while Shakespeare by the Bow is a Calgary summer staple. Festivals like the High Performance Rodeo and the Calgary Fringe Festival are excellent opportunities to check out some underground and experimental theatrical talent in the city. And, of course, the School of Creative and Performing Arts at the University of Calgary boasts impressive talent from our campus. It pays off to check out the work they do. As a student, you’ll almost always be eligible for student ticket pricing, so make sure to capitalize on that while you can.

Art

here are a few places in Calgary to catch movies beyond blockbusters. The most popular alternative theatres are the Globe Cinema on 8th Ave and the Plaza Theatre in Kensington. Both are independent theatres showcasing films that don’t usually make it to most theatres. There are many 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, and is open free to the public the first Thursday of the

month. A combination of your student ID and CJSW Friends Card makes it a cheap and fun way to spend a few hours. Contemporary Calgary also hosts a gallery a few blocks away from the Glenbow, and the Nickle Galleries at the U of C host contemporary art on campus. They’re located on the main floor of the Taylor Family Digital Library and admission is always free. Beakerhead — a multi-disciplinary mash-up 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 14–18 and is a great introduction to Calgary’s festival scene.

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PLACES TO VISIT

Derek Baker

Lower Beltline (17th Ave.).

algary’s entertainment district on 17th Ave. has great restaurants, pubs and stores and is walkable from the train. For lunch, grab a burger at Clive Burger (736 17 Ave. SW) and sit down in Tomkins Park. Or try Una (618 17 Ave. SW) for the best — though slightly pricey — pizza in the city. If owning music on vinyl is your thing, Sloth Records (736 17 Ave. SW) sells a variety of albums. Tubby Dog (1022 17 Ave. SW) makes a mean hotdog and is the venue for some great all-ages concerts. The Ship & Anchor Pub (534 17 Ave. SW) is a local favourite and hosts Punk Rock Bingo on Tuesday nights. If the Calgary Flames make the playoffs, the bars fill and the road is blocked off to facilitate safe shenanigans, turning the avenue into the infamous “Red Mile.”

Inglewood

eyond Fort Calgary and across the Elbow River lies Inglewood. Its distance from the CTrain line makes Inglewood somewhat harder to get to than it’s sister-street Kensington, but you won’t regret going out of your way to visit. Here you’ll find petite shops and cozy hideaways that reflect a locally-focused philosophy. A good bet is to head to the top of 9th Ave. and work your way down the street and back up again on the other side, wandering into vintage shops at your leisure. One notable location is Fair’s Fair (907 9 Ave. SE), a used bookstore in an older building that houses every book you could dream of. This is the go-to spot for English majors and rare book collectors — I’ve hunted down many a first-edition copy of Stephen King here, and the service is impeccable. Schedule a stop at Gravity (909 10 St. SE) for the best coffee shop experience in town. This cozy café features rustic vibes and live music in the evenings, so make sure you check out their website beforehand to catch the best indie and folk acts Calgary has to offer. For a fine dining experience, try Rouge (1240 8 Ave. SE), one of Calgary’s top restaurants located within a converted 1890’s house. It’s pricey for a meal, but the restaurant's garden and support of local producers makes their fresh dishes worth every penny. 32

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Upper Beltline (10 Ave. to 12 Ave. SW)

hough the part just below the downtown core is mostly home to Calgary’s nightlife, there are still a few restaurants to grab a bite at and stores to splurge in during the day. Brunch at the Beltliner (243 12 Ave. SW) is always a good choice. If you have a chance to go explore the great outdoors, Mountain Equipment Coop (830 10 Ave. SW) will supply most outdoor equipment needs. But the area really wakes up at night. The close proximity of Craft Beer Market (345 10 Ave. SW), National on 10th (341 10 Ave. SW) and the Hifi Club (219 10 Ave. SW) make it a common crawl. If you want to dance, Commonwealth Bar & Stage (733 10 Ave. SW) boasts two separate floors — the upper usually spins more contemporary bangers, while the lower floor has a smoother vibe. Catch a live show at Broken City (613 11 Ave. SW) or enjoy their comedy night on Monday evenings. The number of hubs make this area perfect for a night out.

Kensington

onveniently situated by the CTrain off Sunnyside station, Kensington — one of Calgary’s most vibrant communities — deserves a full day of urban exploration. The area is home to many eating establishments and shops that cater to a more alternative scene. Grab some friends and go for brunch at the newspaper-themed diner The Daily (1126 Kensington Rd. NW), then read a comic from Another Dimension in Riley Park (424 10 St. NW). Other notable favourites include Oolong Tea House (110 10 St NW) and the most popular coffee shop in Calgary, Higher Ground (also 1126 Kensington Rd NW). As the evening hits, stop by the quaint Kensington Pub (207 10a St. NW). If you’re up for something really peculiar, try Julio’s Barrio (1110 Memorial Drive NW) — the food is mediocre, but drinking a Bulldog in the famously-bastardized Mexican ambiance is a critical first-year experience you should not miss out on.

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REAL STUDY TIPS These study tips are real, and good Sean Willett

• Coffee? Red Bull? That’s baby shit. Take the pills that weirdo in the library keeps trying to sell you. But be careful! If you take too many, you’ll die. • Positive reinforcement works wonders. Hire an assassin that will kill you if you do poorly on your test. That way, you will have something to work towards! • 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. • All-nighters are not good for your health. Instead of spending the night studying, spend it staring out of your window thinking about how it’s too late to stop the assassin you hired from completing his dark task.

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• After you’re done reading a chapter of your textbook, write a summary and tattoo it onto your body. The excruciating pain will serve as a reminder of what is to come. • Need some peace and quiet? Book a private study room in the library where you can scream as loud as you want without anyone calling the cops. • 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. Enjoy the taste of food. It is such a simple joy in life, and you may never have the opportunity again. • Colour-code your notes!!!

THE GAUNTLET Editorial Staff Melanie Woods Editor-in-Chief eic@thegauntlet.ca 403-391-8138

Tina Shaygan

Scott Strasser News Editor news@thegauntlet.ca 403-988-4068

Rachel Woodward

Opinions Editor opinions@thegauntlet.ca

Entertainment Editor entertainment@thegauntlet.ca

Emilie MedlandMarchen

Derek Baker

Sports Editor sports@thegauntlet.ca

Jason Herring Online Editor online@thegauntlet.ca

Humour Editor humour@thegauntlet.ca

Emily Macphail Volunteer Coordinator volunteer@thegauntlet.ca

GAUNTLET FROSH 2016

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