Vol. 4 Issue 14 by The Runner

THE VOL. 04 ISSUE 14 04.03.2012 NEWS AND CULTURE FOR THE STUDENTS OF KWANTLEN

POLYTECHNIC UNIVERSITY

CLICHÉ

RAPPER FOCUSES ON EDUCATION PAGE 12

ENVIRONMENT

BUDGET

FASHION

CANADA: A YEAR IN REVIEW PAGE 4

FEDS FORGET STUDENTS PAGE 5

PROFILE OF KWANTLEN’S TRENDIEST PAGE 8 - 9

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The Runner is student owned and operated by Kwantlen Polytechnic University students, published under Polytechnic Ink Publishing Society. Arbutus 3710/3720 12666 72 Ave. Surrey, B.C. V3W 2M8 www.runnermag.ca 778-565-3801

Vol. 4, Issue no. 14 April 03, 2012 ISSN# 1916-8241

EDITORIAL DIVISION: Co-ordinating Editor / Jeff Groat editor@runnerrag.ca / 778-565-3803 Culture Editor / Kristi Alexandra culture@runnerrag.ca / 778-565-3804 News Editor / Matt DiMera news@runnerrag.ca / 778-565-3805 Production Editor / Antonio Su production@runnerrag.ca / 778-565-3806 Media Editor / Matt Law media@runnerrag.ca / 778-565-3806 SENIOR WRITERS: Senior Culture Writer / Chris Yee

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NEWS

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vol. 4 issue 14 | April 03 2012 | page three

CAMPUS NEWS

The Runner Roundup A brief run around the latest news from the world of Kwantlen and beyond.

Richmond library ﬁnally completed Kwantlen played host to local politicians showcasing the completion of the Richmond Library expansion and renovation on March 16. Alice Wong, Minister of State for Seniors and MP for Richmond, Linda Reid, MLA Richmond East, John Yap, MLA Richmond Steveston, and Rob Howard, MLA Richmond Centre were all in attendance. The project, funded by contributions from the federal and provincial governments of $656,000 and $559,000 respectively, renovated and expanded the Richmond campus library. The new space creates a larger, student-friendly environment that is being billed as more functional to meet the needs of students in a polytechnic university environment. The expanded study space, learning commons and computer lab make the library a more effective learning and study environment for everyone. All renovations were completed on time and on budget.

“The funding allowed us at Kwantlen to renovate and expand the library at our Richmond campus. This created a larger, more vibrant space to better provide for the needs our students”.Kwantlen’s president and vice chancellor, John McKendry said “We are proud to be part of the Knowledge Infrastructure Program which is a twoyear, $2 billion economic stimulus measure to support infrastructure enhancement at post-secondary institutions across Canada. The program not only generates economic benefits and supports job creation, but enhances research capacity, supports the attraction of new students and provides a better educational experience for the skilled workers of tomorrow.” The event at Kwantlen was an opportunity to open the doors and showcase the Library Project to members of the community and also thank government partners for their investment in Kwantlen Polytechnic University. PHOTO COURTESY OF KWANTLEN

Advanced Ed. minister gets hands-on Advanced Education Minister Naomi Yamamoto tried her hand at welding when she toured Kwantlen’s Cloverdale trades and technology campus in late March. Kwantlen instructors and students demonstrated their newly honed industrial welding skills, some of which may be applied to B.C.’s growing shipbuilding industry. The minister had a hands-on experience cutting a piece of metal with assistance from students. “We are about to experience the most rapid growth in demand for skilled workers since the post war boom. Major resource sector growth is PHOTO COURTESY OF KWANTLEN

striking just as baby boomers are retiring. There are significant career opportunities in the trades,” said Wayne Tebb, Kwantlen’s dean of trades and technology. Kwantlen Polytechnic University’s welding program provides students with the necessary training to become proficient welders upon successful completion of all the welding courses in each level. Students will develop the skill and knowledge to work safely and effectively in the modern industrial environment.

OPINION

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ENVIRONMENT

The environment: A year in review The planet’s green new year happened last week and it’s time to look back at the top happenings and mishaps in the eco world.

CATHERINE THOMPSON CONTRIBUTOR

Another year has come and gone and for those of us who chart a full year not by the arrival of Jan. 1 but by the arrival of Earth Day. In honour of Earth Day, which happened on March 31, here are the past year’s top happenings and mishaps in the eco-world.

Oliver has no love for eco-minded Canadian minister of Natural Resources, Joe Oliver, penned an open-letter warning fellow Canadians of the impending doom and terror posed by “environmental groups and other radicals.” Needless to

say, eco-chic radicals everywhere were offended by such remarks and were quick to defend their shocking and radical behaviour which include a myriad of terroristlike activities such as peaceful protests, sign-making and wearing hemp t-shirts. No doubt about it, Joe, we better keep a close watch on those shit-disturbing tree huggers.

Elizabeth and a new political era During the 2011 elections, Elizabeth May, the Green Party’s impassioned and fearless leader, secured a seat in parliament, for the first time in Canadian history.

Canada is a no-go on Kyoto

Despite all the initial promise and hype, the Kyoto Protocol has become one of Canada’s major environmental fails. This was further cemented in December 2011 when Canada’s Environment Minister, Peter Kent, announced that Canada would be withdrawing its participation in Kyoto, which set out to lower greenhouse gas emission targets. Kent claimed, “the Kyoto Protocol does not represent the path forward for Canada.” One must wonder: where is this other “path forward” that Kent speaks so fondly of?

Northern Gateway Project sparks flames of fury Canadian energy company Enbridge

began eyeing pristine acres of land stretching from Kitimat, B.C. to Bruderheim, Alta. and said: “Hey, let’s build a giant pipeline to transport a bunch of toxic oil through that fragile ecosystem!.What a brilliant idea.” Since its initial proposal in 2009, the Northern Gateway Project has been met with much backlash. In 2011, the battle heated up with First Nations groups, environmental NGOs and celebrities banding together to oppose pipeline progress. In 2012, the future of the project remains uncertain as groups on either side of the debate take cheap shots at one another while in the sandbox. Come on guys, play time is over.

PHOTO COURTESY OF PUBLICDOMAINIMAGES

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NEWS

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EDUCATION

Students largely left out of federal budget Despite focus on research and innovation, no new student aid initiatives announced in budget 2012.

EMMA GODMERE CUP NATIONAL BUREAU CHIEF

OTTAWA (CUP) — Higher education in the context of research and innovation stole much of the spotlight in the Conservative government’s 2012 budget delivered March 29, but students and youth seeking greater financial aid were otherwise left in the dark. Apart from a heavy focus on industryrelated research and additional funding for one particular youth employment program, Canadian post-secondary students were largely missing from the 2012 budget. “The plan’s measures focus on the drivers of growth: innovation, business investment, people’s education and skills that will fuel the new wave of job creation,” Finance Minister Jim Flaherty told reporters in advance of the budget’s unveiling in the House of Commons. The Conservatives placed a clear emphasis on partnerships between businesses and universities when it came to research funding: among their plans, they intend to dedicate $14 million over two years to double the Industrial Research and Development Internship Program, which currently supports 1,000 graduate students in conducting research at private-sector firms. The Conservatives also plan to send $6.5 million over three years to McMaster University for a health care research project, and will dedicate $500 million over five years to support modernization of research infrastructure on campuses through the Canada Foundation for Innovation, starting in 2014–15. Reflecting similar numbers mentioned in the 2011 budget, federal funding to the tune of $37 million annually was earmarked for Canada’s three research granting councils, set to begin in 2012–13. Nevertheless, the document noted that “granting councils will be pursuing operational efficiencies and reallocation of funding from lower-priority programs to generate savings,” and that the government would “fully reinvest 2012–13 savings in priority areas of the granting councils, particularly in industry-academic partnerships.” Living up to rumours that have swirled in the media over the past few days, the

government cut funding to Katimavik, a popular youth program that supported young Canadians traveling the country to participate in volunteer projects. In the budget, the government announced its intentions to continue to invest in “affordable, effective programming” and that Canadian Heritage would pledge over $105 million in youth initiatives, though few details were provided. In the area of job creation specifically for youth, the Conservatives only announced they would add another $50 million over two years to the existing Youth Employment Strategy, which, according to the government, connected nearly 70,000 youth with work experience and skills training last year. And while the government re-affirmed their plan to forgive student loans of up to $40,000 for new doctors and $20,000 for new nurses and nurse practitioners who plan to work in rural and aboriginal communities, starting in 2012–13, this plan had already

been announced in last year’s budget. The 2012 budget is also considered the final report of the stimulus phase of the government’s economic action plan, launched in 2009. This signifies the end of the Knowledge Infrastructure Program, which provided nearly $2 billion over two years for construction projects at university and college campuses across the country. Budget 2012 reported that a total of 515 projects were completed under the program, and while five have yet to be completed, no further federal funding will be provided for those unfinished projects. The Conservatives, as expected, will also reduce government employment by 4.8 per cent, or 19,200 jobs, though details surrounding which departments or programs will be affected — such as the federal public service student employment program — have yet to be shared. The Conservatives also laid out additional departmental cuts to Human Resources and Social Development (HRSDC),

noting that some changes will “transform the administration of grants and contributions to enhance online delivery and reduce red tape and the paper burden for applicants and recipients.” Cuts to HRSDC in the 2012 budget start at $6.3 million in 2012–13 and jump to $183.2 million by 2014–15. No details were given as to the potential effect these cuts could have on the Canada Student Loans Program. Additionally, the government announced its plans to eliminate the penny. Pennies will no longer be produced and distributed to financial institutions starting in fall 2012, though the coins will still be allowed to be used in cash transactions. Cuts to the CBC were also laid out in the document, starting with $27.8 million in savings in 2012–13 and rising to $115 million in 2014–15. Similar to the 2011 budget, the Conservatives are aiming to lower the deficit to 1.3 billion by 2014–15 and achieve a 3.4 billion surplus by 2015–16.

PHOTO COURTESY ALEX SMYTH/CUP)

OPINION

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The Runner | www.runnermag.ca

SLACKTIVISM

Click to share, or more will perish! How “Kony 2012” slacktivism changed my life and little else.

PHOTO COURTESTY OF KONY2012.COM

BRADY TIGHE THE NAVIGATOR (VANCOUVER ISLAND U.)

NANAIMO, B.C. (CUP) — Slacktivism is now a threat to my sanity. It’s probably the first time those who take part in it have ever affected anything, so I guess some congratulations are in order. Who knows? If they keep up their annoying online snobbish trash, I might organize a counteractivism group to protest the shitty, lazy activism that’s driving me up the wall. So, what is “slacktivism?” It’s the behaviour of those who act involved in the protest or championing of a certain issue, but do little or nothing to actually change said issue. Here’s a stepby-step guide to being a slacktivist. Think of any kind of tragedy gripping the world right now; it can be starving children, ethnic genocide, financial ruin in other countries, or a domestic issue that

is somehow comparable to those foreign tragedies. Post to Facebook about the issue. Write that everyone should rally together and do more about it, and act all pissed off and offended that everyone isn’t aware of this issue. You’ve now done fuck-all to fix the world, but feel like you’re a tried and true activist, and that you’ve done your part to raise awareness — Ghandi with an internet connection. Congrats! You’ve just participated in slacktivism. Do me a favour: go to Africa, find a starving child, then take that kid’s picture with your cellphone and say, “Dude, don’t worry. I’m tweeting the shit out of this.” See if he feels any better. Sure, you’ll feel better, confident that you’ve done “what you could,” but you’ve really done nothing. It seems like I’m stating the obvious, but this is what is happening all over the

internet. One glance at Facebook shows an outpouring of can-do attitude for any number of global problems; however, all those people had to do to act like they were participating was string together a sentence beginning with, “this is really serious, guys,” and then click the share button. This is bullshit. Sharing a YouTube video, putting a sticker on the back of your car, making a poster, tweeting, telling your friends or writing long diatribes on your blog will do nothing to save anyone. It only succeeds in making you feel better about yourself, knowing that you somehow contributed to something that needs real solutions. Even if you go and talk to your local politicians, you’re still doing nothing. Of course these government officials say, “Something like this cannot go on,” and “We the government will do everything in

our power to make sure that we do what we can.” What do you expect them to say? “No, we’re going to do nothing, because we’re busy doing other things, and we don’t really give a shit.” People have donated billions of dollars to help solve certain problems, and those problems still exist. Your Facebook status/ online campaign is ineffective, and it’s a Western idea of how to fix problems people in the developed world can’t begin to understand with their fancy Internet machines and bullshit self-righteousness. Chances are, sharing and viewing the living hell out of the YouTube videos these campaigns fire out does nothing but stuff advertising dollars into the pockets of those who made the videos. That goes beyond slacktivism — that’s profiting off tragedy, and all you needed to do was edit sad images to sad music.

EDITORIAL

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FROM THE EDITOR

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We’re having a baby! Remember when this happened? Introducing the first issue of Pulp magazine, Kwantlen’s first and only fine arts and literary journal, produced by and for Kwantlen students.

CLAIRE MATTHEWS MANAGING EDITOR, PULP

Pulp mag is one of those stories that starts off with, “I knew somebody, who knew somebody, who knew more people.” Meetings started in the summer of 2011 and haven’t stopped. The idea was to create a platform to display student work in the form of artwork and literary content. Students from the fine arts and creative writing departments, in particular, had expressed the need for representation and a way to get their voices heard while maintaining complete creative control. Our pitch to Polytechnic Ink Publishing Society (PIPS), the university’s the KPU student owned and operated publishing house that produces The Runner, came at the beginning of August and the excitement from the board of directors was the first real sign that this magazine could actually happen. And now we’re here: seven editors, four standing committee members with an amazing product to show for ourselves as well as the students of Kwantlen Polytechnic University. We’re this university’s first literary and arts magazine for students and by students. Our mandate is to show-

Write for The Runner

case the quality of creative works happening right here. When you see those students drawing in the hallway, you might see that drawing as a painting in our magazine. When you see posters about readings and creative writing guild meetings, you might find those works in Pulp. This is an opportunity for arts students as well as some who consider themselves hobbyists to put their work out there and generate discussion. Pulp has the privilege of being the vehicle for the fine arts and creative writing departments. All of the editors are incredibly thankful for the amount of support from the respective faculties and the students of the universities. Our racks on Surrey campus have been empty for almost a week — a big sign that our hard work is paying off. We’re always interested in suggestions and input from students, and we’re looking forward to the future and seeing what the students at Kwantlen have to offer. Yours in creative endeavours, Claire. If you’re interested in contributing your own original work to Pulp, send submissions or enquiries to submissions@pulpmag.ca, and check pulpmag.ca for submission guidelines.

editor@runnerrag.ca

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FEAT

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FASHION FILE

Kwantlen fashionistas get ready to la Three up and coming Kwantlen fashion grads gave us the lowdown on their niche fashion lines, their experience at Kwantlen and advice for other the River Rock Show Theatre on April 3. Shows are at 12:30 p.m., 3:30 p.m. and 7 p.m.

What do you know now that you didn’t know four years ago? A whole lot more. I’ve learned a lot about people and how the fashion industry shapes people and the world. A world that seems to have become smaller. Everyone knows everyone who knows something. That whole six degrees of separation thing should actually be four degrees.

What w Kwantle I attribu and its through marily distribu ogy, I ha and ind are prim and phy tions, G garmen

What wisdom would you impart to students thinking of going to fashion? Stay positive. A positive, hard working attitude of optimism will take you wherever you want to go in life. Nothing is ever impossible, and think of minutes and hours instead of days. 24 hours to complete something seems a lot more plausible than one day.

Who are you? Kristy Coghill

Who are you? Meagan Therese Squire

What is your niche line/brand name? “ADAPTURE” - A line of adaptive, sustainable, growing apparel for adventurous toddler boys

What is your niche line/brand name? Archetype Who is your audience? For my final collection I created a lifestyle company, providing clothing for the city man 35+. Bridging the gap between white-and blue-collar work wear, I combined high-quality design with carefully selected technical and sustainable fabrics. The philosophy is to create product that is technologically innovative, durable, sophisticated and comfortable.

Who is your audience? Healthy, environmentally focused parents who live in outdoor-focused communities. What is your individual esthetic? Inspired by the West Coast, outdoor environment. Very relaxed and casual with attention to small details.

What is your individual esthetic? My global travels have influenced my individual esthetic as a designer and as a consumer. I am inspired by brights, prints, and innovative textiles. My closet consists of a collection of flashy heels, vintage furs and pieces I have gathered over the years.

What made you fall in love with fashion? A love for clothing, and I took a high school textile class where I had the opportunity to experience a bit of pattern drafting as well. I loved the challenge of drafting. What wisdom are you taking with you from the Kwantlen fashion program? What wisdom am I not taking? I have learned so much from this program. I have been challenged on all spectrums and have experienced a lot of personal growth in this program. I remember a teacher said on one of my first days of classes in the program that, “Common sense is not so common anymore.”

What made you fall in love with fashion? I love the freedom of fashion. Each day is an opportunity to create a new persona or attitude, and fashion is the optimal means of expression. I love having the freedom to wear all black everything one day, and a pink tutu the next. Adapture focuses on toddlers with outdoorsy family lives. Photo submitted by designer.

This me and sop Archetyp

TURE

vol. 4 issue 14 | April 03 2012 | page nine

unch their lines at The Show aspiring fashion students. See them show off the goods at The Show, at

wisdom are you taking with you from the en fashion program? ute all of my technical skill to Kwantlen s technical instructors. Many programs hout Canada and North America focus prion design. By attending a program that utes its focus between design and technolave become a more well rounded designer dividual. Our grad collections themselves me examples of taking a conseptual idea ysically transforming it into Adobe IllustraGerber CAD programs, and finally into the nts that you see on the runway.

en’s outﬁt reﬂects the innovative, durable phisticated philosophy of Squires niche line, pe. Photo submitted by designer.

What do you know now that you didn’t know four years ago? When I first entered the program, I had no idea what I was getting myself into. Throughout my experience at Kwantlen University I have learned every step of the fashion design process. It starts with the initial conception and finishes with selling the product to the

end consumer. What wisdom would you impart to students thinking of going to fashion? If you love fashion, then go for it. You will work harder than you ever knew you could, but it is definitely worth it in the end.

Who are you? Emily Jo Heaps What is your niche line/brand name? Aprais Ski Apparel Who is your audience? Although my collection appeals to a range of women, the target audience is athletic baby boomer women who are intermediate to advanced skiers. What is your individual esthetic? Clean design lines, luxurious textiles and fitted silhouettes What made you fall in love with fashion? I was first attracted to the fashion industry when I was younger because it was hard to find aesthetically pleasing clothes that fit my body type. I started sewing when I was 10-years-old and was wearing my creations to school shortly afterwards. Although that ignited my passion, I am now much more interested in the design process than the end product. What wisdom are you taking with you from the Kwantlen fashion program? Kwantlen University changed my entire thought process; I constantly find myself analyzing everyhing around me.

The Aprais Ski Apparel line appeals to a range of women who are intermediate to advanced skiiers. Photo submitted by designer.

CULTURE

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vol. 4 issue 14 | April 03 2012 | page ten

QUIPS

The culture roundup A few musings on current popular culture

“

You piqued my interest so I peeked you”

CHRIS YEE SENIOR CULTURE EDITOR

A month from its Feb. 15 launch at UBC, online personals site Peeked Interest has already attracted a small amount of controversy. Peeked Interest, the brainchild of University of Victoria (UVic) international business grad Darryl McIvor, bills itself as “a breakthrough new service that allows us to capture everyday moments, share them with the world and make connections with people who we may never have been able to meet.” What “everyday moments” do Peeked

Interest users share with the world? Candid photographs of potential paramours, complete with personal messages. The photos’ subjects can then log on to Peeked Interest and either “report” the photo and have it removed from the site, or confirm the photo as being of themselves by clicking “this is Mm,” after which the photo taker can see the subject’s profile picture, real name, and school email address. Targeting universities for the time being, Peeked Interest has expanded to UVic, with plans to expand to SFU in the future, according to a March 11 Ubyssey article. McIvor told the Ubyssey about what inspired him to create the site.

“I see and fall in love with five girls a day, but I would never have a shot at just going up to them at eight in the morning on the bus. How responsive are they going to be ... why can’t it be sometime a little later when they might be more responsive?” Peeked Interest’s premise has spawned a small amount of media comment in recent weeks, including a March 20 Vancouver Sun video piece on a student who found herself on the site after “friends spotted her online,” a sarcastic March 22 Ubyssey op-ed on “PeekBux”, and interviews in The Province and on Global TV. Photos like this one end up on Peeked Interest by seemingly-innocent voyeurs with big crushes. CRAIGCLOUTER/FLICKR.

rhino magic is bunk I ALEXANDRA HAWLEY

Museums across Europe have recently been warned to tighten security around unusual artifacts. Stuffed rhinoceros heads are either having their horns sawed off by the thieves, or entire 200-pound stuffed heads are taken away — probably all because of a rumour that the use of the rhinoceros horn as a medicinal ingredient can cure cancer. Malcolm Weatherston, director of development at Mountain View Conservation in Langley, assures that this is not true and that “all stories of animal parts with magical properties are complete bunk.” The conservation centre does not have any rhinos now, but did house one — Ivan — not long ago. Weatherston also said that people assume the horns are bone and so it must be special. In reality, rhino horns are made out of keratin, the same substance your hair and fingernails are made out of.

Poaching was a huge problem even before the rumors gained momentum, and is most likely worse for the endangered animal. There is no way to tell for sure since statistics on poaching are difficult to find, as it is illegal and unregulated. Horns are estimated to sell for nearly £50,000, and when price inflates, the number of people willing to sell seems to rise. Museums have now been advised to either install fake heads or to simply remove them from public view until the threat has passed. A Belgium museum opted to hide theirs and post a sign informing visitors that the heads have been removed “due to human stupidity.”

MACINATE/FLICKR.

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CULTURE

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THEATRE

Final act for Playhouse a blow to theatre scene

The stage for theatre students has gotten even smaller with the disappearance of this local playhouse. RADIOBREAD/FLICKR.

The stage for Vancouver theatre students has gotten just a little bit smaller. The closing of the Vancouver Playhouse Theatre Company means one less large theatre able to provide roles for local actors. “Actors got paid more to work at the Playhouse than they did anywhere else [in the city],” said Jerry Wasserman, head of the theatre and film department at UBC. “So the closing of the Playhouse means that professional actors who hardly make any money at all to begin with in Vancouver, are going to make a lot less money now because even if they’re working all the time, they’re going to be working in smaller houses where the equity rate is lower.” However, Wasserman said that graduates from local theatre programs won’t immediately feel the pinch. “Generally what happens when a student graduates a theatre program, they kind of work their way up the system,” he said. “They get their first professional jobs in smaller theatres, in children’s theatre and it takes a while to establish a reputation. And once you establish a reputation, then larger theatres start to look at you.” Only one person from last year’s graduating class performed with the Vancouver Playhouse Theatre Company —

Jameson Parker had a small role in Death of a Salesman. But UBC theatre graduate Maryanne Renzetti said the closure of the Playhouse sends a signal to young actors in Vancouver to look elsewhere for opportunities. “A lot of my friends are leaving the city and trying to make it elsewhere like Ontario and Calgary where they support their arts a lot more than we do in Vancouver, and that makes me sad,” she said. Despite the closure, Wasserman said that Vancouver’s theatre scene has never been stronger. “There have never been more theatre companies in Vancouver than there are now,” he said. “There have never been larger audience for the Arts Club, for Bard on the Beach, for the Fringe Festival, for the Push festival, for the Talking Sticks festival, for the Chutzpah festival.” With such an open reception to the arts, Wasserman is optimistic that a solution could be found. “There are a lot of people in the theatre community that are working really hard to try to revive the playhouse,” he said. “Everyone who cares about theatre in this city has their fingers crossed that this isn’t really the end. It may just be Act four [and] there may be a fifth act yet.” But Renzetti, who participated in a costumed demonstration on Sunday to bring attention to the Playhouse’s closure, isn’t as hopeful. “I think it would take a pretty big miracle for it to come back,” she said.

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page twelve | April 03 2012 | vol. 4 issue 14

CULTURE

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LOCAL MUSIC

Local rapper Cliché shows he’s anything but a cliché Kwantlen business student and rapper Aijaaz Gazdar is passionate about his music, his education and bringing his craft back to his roots.

KRISTI ALEXANDRA CULTURE EDITOR

Local rapper, producer and scholar Cliché –– probably better to known to his professors as Aijaaz Gazdar, or AJ –– has a certain philosophy about following your dreams and getting an education. The 28-year-old Kwantlen business student, who is also one-half of the No Regrets Music team, changed his perspective on education after getting into the music game. “I do music full time and I’m at school part-time right now,” he says. “I feel like everyone should continue their education and get some kind of degree or something under their belt, not only for a back up plan but you can definitely use business in music because music involves a lot of business. When it comes down to the nitty gritty and you wanna take it to the next level you gotta know business.” That, admittedly, wasn’t always his take on education. “At first I had a different mindset, I was like ‘I don’t need education, I don’t need to go to school’ but at the end of the day, it’s something that you just gotta do,” Cliché says. Among his ambitions, many of which he has successfully achieved, is bringing his music back to his roots in India. Cliché was born in Mumbai but moved to Canada at a young age, getting his start in music in the Lower Mainland. His following is mainly based in Vancouver, but he’s picked up a few fans in America’s south, where his No Regrets partner, Scooter (also known under the moniker of Audacious), is from. With the help of his new video “Kolaveri Di remix”, a hip-hop take on a Tamil song featuring James Ferguson of indie-folk band, Gypsy Ray, Cliché has already appealed to his larger, multi-cultural audience. “‘Kolaveri Di’ is made by Tamil artists from India, it went big — it went global. They’re almost at 50 million hits now. It caught on with so many people that I had to do a hip hop version of it,” he enthuses. “It’s something that people just caught onto, really, and I thought, ‘Man, this is from my culture so I might as well just try this out.’”

Cliché makes clear that education and music are his greatest passions. MATT LAW/THE RUNNER

His own music video for “Kolaveri Di”, meanwhile, already has over 54,000 hits on YouTube, so chances that an audience in Mumbai will soon pick up on Cliché and No Regrets are on the rise. “I wanna take my music back home, because people want to take their craft back to

where they came from at the end of the day. So, that would be something I’d like to do as a personal goal,” he says. His upcoming solo album will be a mix of Hindi and English songs, and will be released under the No Regrets brand. His audience is not limited to the Low-

er Mainland or even to Mumbai –– Cliché wants his music to reach on a global level. “My music is global,” he says. “If a kid from Ireland can relate to it then, hey, so be it. Music is universal.” Cliché’s music can be heard at noregretsmusic.com.

www.runnermag.ca | The Runner

CULTURE

FASHION

vol. 4 issue 14 | April 03 2012 | page thirteen

FASHION

The iconic boyfriend blazer Take a twist on the trench I

LAURA COLLINS CONTRIBUTOR

Its versatility is unmistakable. If you don’t own a boyfriend blazer then, honey, you need help. Men have been sporting them for years, and recently women have moved them from his side of the closet to theirs. They’ve slimmed down the shoulders, narrowed in the waist and switched the buttoning side. The longer length of a men’s blazer has been cherished. The boyfriend blazer didn’t struggle to be accepted, and is now a staple in every women’s closet, as it should be. Black, grey, cotton or velvet, everyone should own at least one. Pairing it is easy. You won’t come across much that a blazer doesn’t compliment. But you should know what structure to look for. Yes, shoulders pads are okay. The late ‘80s and ‘90s may have scared you away from them, but they can add a

nice shape to your shoulder frame. Don’t get pointy ones, and make sure they’re not super thick. They should be just large enough to even out your shoulders and hips, giving you an hourglass frame. Look for blazers that are tailored near your natural waistline, not your hips. This way, when you have the blazer worn open, it will still taper in, helping with that model-esque frame. Longer blazers embrace more of a men’s style. But if you are shorter, don’t buy a blazer that goes past the middle of your bum, because you’ll look like you’re drowning in fabric. You can’t go wrong with a black blazer, but colour is adventurous. A bright royal blue, a rich red or an emerald green will add some excitement to your outfit. If you’re up for it, try one of this spring’s “it” colours and look for a bright fuchsia or florescent yellow blazer. Take this men’s jacket and make it your own, mixing in scarves, jewelry and colour to feminize the look.

LAURA COLLINS CONTRIBUTOR

The trench coat has always been a great spring piece. Maybe a tan one is hanging in your coat closet right now. But this spring, it’s time to think bold and take a turn on a classic. Look for pattern, choosing anything from floral to plaid. Because the trench is a larger clothing item, stick with bigger prints. Opt for larger flowers, instead if a bunch of tiny clusters, so that you don’t get dizzy when wearing the coat. Try out different fabrics to give this classic a new look. Leather can be a great alternative, but veer away from black. It can look too harsh in the spring. Try lighter browns, or an army green to lighten up the heavier fabric. Denim is fun to play with. There are many different denim washes out there, but you don’t have to pick just one. If you’re willing to go a little further, look for a trench coat that has incorporated two washes, adding an edge to the jacket. Colour is always a big deal for spring. You can finally get out of those dark purples and blues and wrap yourself in some

Don’t let the ‘80s scare you. Shoulder pads are okay with this bad boy blazer. MITCH THOMPSON/THE RUNNER.

brighter pieces. This spring, the colour trends are all over the place. There is fuchsia, teal, florescent yellow or pastels such as orange or blush pink. There are closets full of options, so find which one that suits your skin tone and personality best. When the weather warms up, it means less fabric. Try a trench coat with threequarter length or short sleeves. This simple detail will add some character to your coat. But be warned, a coat with shorter sleeves is less versatile when it comes to the length of shirt you can wear underneath it. This makes the cropped-sleeve trench a great option for warmer days, but you’ll need to make sure you have other options when your look includes a wrist-length shirt. Spring in the Lower Mainland can sometimes mean a lot of rain. Be prepared for the weather by purchasing a rain repellent trench coat. The spring version of this jacket usually doesn’t have a thick liner, so you may need to wear a warmer shirt underneath. But if you’re caught in the rain, you’ll be sure to keep dry and stylish. The trench coat is an iconic spring staple. This season, use your imagination to add a different twist on this classic piece.

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CULTURE

The Runner | www.runnermag.ca

OUTDOORS

Quiksilver Showdown over the city got gnarly

Pro snowboarders took to Grouse Mountain Friday and Saturday for the ﬁfth-annual Quiksilver Showdown Over the City. JACOB ZINN/THE RUNNER.

Quiksilver gave out $10,000 in prize money: $5,000 for ﬁrst place (Jon Versteeg), $3,000 for second place (Darcy Sharpe) and $2,000 for third place (Craig McMorris). JACOB ZINN/THE RUNNER.

Friday’s event featured the DC Rail Jam while Saturday showcased the pro ﬁnals competition which saw competitors launch off two gnarly jumps down The Cut on Grouse Mountain. JACOB ZINN/THE RUNNER.

TRAVEL

Toﬁno is a multi-terrain for activity seekers

A kite boarder catches close to nine metres of air during a stormy day off Long Beach, B.C. Spring storms on the West Coast offer exciting weather for people wanting a thrill. MATT LAW/ THE RUNNER

If you can pull yourself away from the beauty of Toﬁno’s beaches, trails through lush temperate rainforest provide hours of serene hiking. MATT LAW/THE RUNNER

PROCRASTINATION

www.runnermag.ca | The Runner

vol. 4 issue 14 | April 03 2012 | page ﬁfteen

ON THE ROOF

HOROSCOPES

ARIES March 21 - April 19

LIBRA Sept. 24 - Oct. 23

Learn to appreciate the wonders of a well made sandwich.

Practice safe sex but don’t even think about practicing safe sweater.

TAURUS April 20 - May 20

Make tacos for dinner tonight.

GEMINI May 21 - June 20

SCORPIO Oct. 24 - Nov. 22

One day you will reach your goal of being in a tampon commercial.

ANDREW MCLACHLAN – THE PEAK

SMART ZONE

SAGITTARIUS Nov. 23 - Dec. 21

Make today a special day. Throw your shoe at someone.

You may be distracted by boobies today. Embrace the distraction.

CANCER June 21 - July 23

You may have a hankering for some roasted unsalted blanched nuts.

CAPRICORN Dec. 22 - Jan. 20

Give yourself a day or two to relax. Then you can resume being a total dick.

(CUP) — Puzzles provided by BestCrosswords.com. Used with permission.

LEO July 24 - Aug. 23

AQUARIUS Jan. 21 - Feb 19

Enlist the help of others to help with your problems — try to ﬁnd someone with mob connections.

VIRGO Aug. 24 - Sept. 23

The mistake you make will be trying to impress someone with a lazy eye.

Avoid tarantulas and babies this month, especially if they are baby tarantulas.

PISCES Feb. 20 - March 20

Consider your past goals ... now feel sad that you never achieved any of them.

Across 1- _ well...; 5- Muscat native; 10- Bed support; 14- Falsehoods; 15- Aired again; 16- Gap; 17Bard’s river; 18- Cadge; 19- Fit to _ ; 20- Equinox mo.; 21- Dejected; 23- Journey; 25- Toward the mouth; 26- Vigorous; 29- Artiﬁcial; 33- _ Ababa; 35Large wading bird; 37- Bikini part; 38- Hollow grass; 39- Belt site; 40- Uncle Remus title; 41- Young _ ; 42- Trio; 43- Precipice; 44- Exam taker; 46- Climbed; 48- Bailiwick; 50- Lives in rented rooms; 53- French national holiday; 58- Floor covering; 59- Assist, often in a criminal act; 60- Breakfast fruit; 61- Cancun coin; 62- Carbonized fuel; 63- Maker of Pong; 64- “Only Time” singer; 65- Household; 66- Grannies; 67- Rat- _ ;

Down 1- As _ resort; 2- Alcohol processor; 3- Female spotted cat; 4- Nine-digit ID; 5- Alloy of copper and zinc; 6- Cat call; 7- “East of Eden” brother; 8- Tortilla topped with cheese; 9- Innate; 10- Broken fragments; 11- Trent of the Senate; 12- “Hard _ !” (sailor’s yell); 13- Ticked (off); 21- Ball belles; 22- Bern’s river; 24- Empty; 27- Sign of injury; 28Attempts; 30- Curtailment; 31- Not kosher; 32- Middle Eastern coffee holder; 33- Stuck in _ ; 34- Sand hill by the sea; 36- Just _ !; 39- Helmsman; 40- Ran, as colors; 42- Actress Garr; 43- Satiate; 45- Gossip; 47- Singer Morissette; 49- Prince Valiant’s wife; 51- Gut course; 52- Brown ermine; 53- “Goldberg Variations” composer; 54- Peek follower; 55- Thin stratum; 56- Brio; 57- “David Copperﬁeld” wife; 61Green shade;

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The Runner | www.runnermag.ca

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Campus Representatives

Polling

Wednesday, April 11, 2012, 9 AM – 7 PM

Surrey - Main Atrium Corridor Langley - Bookstore Hallway Richmond - Rotunda

Polling

Thursday, April 12, 2012, 9 AM – 7 PM Surrey - Main Atrium Corridor Langley - Bookstore Hallway Richmond - Rotunda

Thursday, April 12, 2012, 10 AM – 4 PM Cloverdale - Main Hallway

Polling

Friday, April 13, 2012, 10 AM – 4 PM Cloverdale - Main Hallway

Ballot Counting

Friday, April 13, 2012, 6 PM – completed President’s Boardroom Sides A and B, Cedar Building, Room 2110, Surrey Campus

Chief Returning Officer | Corey Van’t Haaff

(total 4 to be elected) • • • •

Cloverdale (1) Langley (1) Richmond (1) Surrey (1)

Constituency Representatives (total 7 to be elected) • • • • • • •

Aboriginal Students (1) International Students (1) Mature Students (1) Queer Students (1) Students of Colour (1) Students with Disabilities (1) Women (1)

Faculty Representatives (total 14 to be elected)

• Academic and Career Advancement (2) • Arts (4) (formerly the Faculties of Humanities and of Social Sciences) • Business (3) • Community and Health (1) • Design (1) • Science and Horticulture (2) • Trades and Technology (1) For more information on the KSA general election, visit

www.kusa.ca/elections

Kwantlen Student Association | Cell: 778.388.7725 | Email: kwantlencro@gmail.com