Are you a vegan? There are places for you to eat in the K-W area. Page 12 Monday, August 25, 2014
SPOKE
A jolt of java Our tips will help you get it faster. Page 2
A learning newsroom for journalism students
Conestoga College, Kitchener, Ont.
www.SPOKEONLINE.COM
45TH Year — No. 15
Rec centre getting $16m makeover
Conestoga’s recreation centre will soon be one of the premier athletic facilities in Ontario, thanks to a $16-million upgrade. The new centre will include a triple gym, larger fitness facilities and multi-purpose space, a 200-metre indoor running track and a lounge area where students can socialize. One casualty of the project is the ice rink, which is being removed because less than two per cent of the student population used it and it required extensive repairs. Paul Osborne, Conestoga’s associate vice-president of marketing, enrolment management and athletics, said the centre opened in 1980 when the college had 2,500 students and now it has more than 11,000. “It was time for a refresh,” he said. “It’s disappointing to have to close the rink but if we kept it, it was going to cost between $3 million and $7 million in upgrades.” continued on Page 3
Paul Osborne, Conestoga’s associate vice-president of marketing, enrolment management and athletics, holds an artist’s rendering of what the new recreation centre will look like after a $16-million renovation. It is expected to be completed by September 2015.
PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE
Get involved with the college community
Welcome to the 2014-2015 academic year. Whether you’re returning to Conestoga to resume your studies, or joining us for the first time, I hope that you will find your experience here to be positive and rewarding. You will notice many changes over the next few months as the college continues to grow and improve to meet the needs of our students and our community. A new Welcome Centre at Doon provides a front door to Conestoga programs and services.
Construction on a new recreation centre is now underway, with a scheduled completion date of fall 2015. Tibbits M o r e expansion plans are currently in development. There will also be significant growth in programming, with more career-focused degrees and pathway opportunities for students to access the education
and training that will open doors to meaningful careers and successful futures. Growth and change are important for institutions: they’re important for individuals as well, as you strive to be the best that you can be and prepare for an exciting future. During 2014-15, I encourage you to commit to personal achievement. Your ability to learn, to develop new skills, and to embrace new challenges will be the keys to your success in our rapidly changing world. Get involved with our col-
lege community through the many activities and events provided through Conestoga Students Inc., Student Life, on-campus clubs and groups, and the professional associations linked to many Conestoga programs. These opportunities will enrich your formal learning, lead to lifelong friendships and connections, and help sustain our vibrant community. Your success matters. If you have questions, or need some support as you progress through your academic jour-
ney, there are many services available to meet your needs. On behalf of Conestoga, I am delighted to welcome you to the 2014-15 academic year. Work hard to achieve your goals, make the most of your time here, and enjoy the many benefits a college education provides. Success awaits you. Best wishes for a great year. Sincerely, John Tibbits President, Conestoga College
On Monday, Sept. 22
the second print edition of Spoke will be coming to a rack or box near you, and then every Monday thereafter! Or check us out online at www.spokeonline.com where you can also install our web app.
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Now deep thoughts ... with Conestoga College Random questions answered by random students
What advice would you give first-year students?
“Always attend class.”
David Sej, graduate of general arts and science
“Manage your time and manage your groups that you go into for class projects.” Hendrik Hobbelink, second-year police foundations
“Manage your time and get into a work habit.”
Norbert Giron-Godoy, second-year recreation and leisure
“Always try and manage your money and don’t go on a spending spree.” Jessica Heartwell, second-year broadcast - television
“Don’t procrastinate.” Emily Arnold, second-year community and criminal justice
“Manage your beer money.” Bobbi Ellins, second-year community and criminal justice Smile Conestoga, you could be our next respondent!
Monday, August 25, 2014
These Timmies tips will help you avoid lineups BY KATRINA EDLEFSEN
Well, it’s official, you are now a college student. Do you know what you deserve? How about your first sip of students’ energy drink of choice, a Tim Hortons’ coffee. However, if you plan on enjoying your Tim’s time here at Conestoga, there are a few things you need to learn. Currently the school has only one Tim Hortons located in the B-wing as soon as you enter the school from Door 6. That’s right. One Tims for the whole Doon campus and most students, such as second-year graphic design student Brandon Taylor, believe that one is just not enough for the school’s coffee-crazed masses. “We really need another one,” Taylor said. “Having one makes the lines way too long!” Ah yes, the lines. On a good day the lineup remains inside Timmies but on a bad day, or any regular lunch hour, the line stretches right to Door 6. But what if you need that Tim’s fix and have only a
five-minute break? Then what do you do? Well, according to second-year graphic design student Misha Sgro, you need to learn when to go and when to not even bother. “I find that the best time to go is on the half-hour or so, avoiding the hours between 9:45 and 12:45,” Sgro said. “Also having the camera is very good too, especially if you have computers at your desk.” What was that comment – something about a camera? If you go onto the Conestoga homepage and type ‘Timmy’s cam’ in the search box you will be taken to the school’s worst kept secret – a camera placed strategically right
in front of the Tim Horton’s entrance so you can see how long the line is. However, according to thirdyear computer programmer/ analyst student Steve Nagel, the camera is kind of a double-edge sword. “It’s reliable. The only problem is that it doesn’t show you how big the lineup around the corner is.” For students with cars, like third-year software engineering technology student Sean Jellicoe, sometimes it’s best to just skip the camera and the lines and take a quick drive. “If you have a car it’s usually faster to just go and drive to the one across the highway and back in the morning,” Jellicoe said. However, for some students, like recent graduate of the accounting, audit and information technology program Josh Peters, when it comes to their coffee they don’t care how long the lineup is. “I always go when I’m hungry, thirsty or in need of coffee,” Peters said. “Regardless of the time.”
Start the year off right. Get your vital information now at a
Heart Rate, Blood Pressure, Weight Clinic Friday, Sept. 5, 2014 7:30 am – Noon College Rec. Centre No booking required. No waiting. Just come right in!
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Gym and fitness centre remain open
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Osborne said the metal arches have to be sandblasted and repainted and the wood is all rotted and needs replacing. “We had to ask ourselves, should we do a major renovation of the existing facility or are we better to put that money into new facilities that will be used more by the students.” Conestoga Students Inc., the association that represents students at all campuses, is funding the entire project. An initial, one-time donation of $500,000 will be paid from a $945,000 budget surplus that was accrued over previous years, and then a $55.60 per semester student development fee that was first put in place to pay for the new Student Life Centre will be redirected to pay for the rec centre. According to Osborne, the Student Life Centre is pretty close to being paid for. “It (the fee) will go up 8 per cent over time to about $62 to pay for the mortgage on the rec centre.” In addition, CSI will pay to furnish the centre with all new equipment and furniture and will set money aside to replace these items as needed. Jeff Scherer, CSI president, said he is excited about the project. “The space inside was concerning. We needed more gym space, a larger fitness space and general use space as well,” he said. “This project is more than meeting those needs. “Plus, the rec centre is the first thing everyone sees when coming to the campus. Having a new building presents a good image.” Scherer said a few students have told him they aren’t happy that the ice rink is being removed, but it is a small price to pay for the addition of three gyms. “Results from two student surveys we did tell us we are making the right move. It looks spectacular. I can’t wait for construction to start so we can see the finished product.”
Twenty-two architect firms bid on the project, with MacLennan Jaunkalns Miller Architects being the unanimous choice. Osborne said the company is one of the leading firms for sports facilities. In addition to going from two gyms to five, the new rec centre will have a state-of-theart, 8,500-square-foot fitness/ workout facility, more than doubling the size of the current 3,500-square-foot facility, and a 5,000-square-foot multi-purpose room which will be able to accommodate 250 people. Movable walls are being installed so the large room can be sectioned off into smaller ones. As well, the centre will feature a 4,500-square-foot wellness area with offices for the massage therapist and chiropractor who are currently located in the Student Life Centre, and for the athletic therapist who works with Conestoga’s varsity athletes. The triple gym will have a hardwood sprung floor instead of the rubber multipurpose floor in the double gym, which, according to Osborne, is safer and enhances athletic performance. More gym space was one of the main goals of the project, as students pay a recreation/ athletics fee of $66.60 per semester but currently have limited access to the gyms. “Students in the fire, paramedic and police programs use the gyms as part of their academics from approximately 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. every day, and then varsity practices take place after that,” Osborne said. “So, with just two gyms currently, there is not a lot of time for intramurals and our varsity teams practise half as much as other colleges. “By adding three gyms, one gym will always be open for drop-in, and intramurals can be offered earlier in the day. And, once construction is complete, a fitness elective may be offered which students in all programs could take. The course would have classes on proper diet and fitness as well
A new triple gym, shown in this rendering, will feature a hardwood sprung floor. After renovations are complete, basketball will be added to the varsity program. as a gym component.” In addition, basketball will be added to the varsity program, although it will take several years to get it up and running. Osborne predicted women’s and men’s teams will be playing games in 2016 but won’t be official OCAA teams until 2017. Construction on the project began this summer, with parts of the rink and an overhead walkway from the E-wing to the rec centre being removed. The bulk of the work gets underway in the next few weeks, with the rink’s interior being stripped to the girders. All that will remain are the cement floor which was found to be in good shape, and the arches because the two sets support and architecturally complement each other, and they are unique in their design. The project, which is expected to be completed by September 2015, will also feature a large glass wall facing Homer Watson Boulevard, allowing natural light to stream in, and a similar wall
FAST FACTS The bridge from E-wing to the rec centre was knocked down earlier this summer. Getting into the centre will become much easier, thanks to a card swipe system. Locker rooms will double in size. The second floor will be social space for students and will feature a food vendor offering healthy choices. The centre will not feature a pub nor alcohol. The two squash courts are staying. Once the new fitness centre opens, the old one will be used by the School of Health and Life Sciences and Community Services. Initial plans are to use the space as a classroom with fitness equipment in it. No sports fields will be impacted by the project. Future plans include a retrofit of the old gym. on the opposite side, behind which will be the fitness facility. The main entrance will be moved so it faces the E-wing instead of Homer Watson, and a covered walkway will extend out from the main campus building to the road in front of the rec centre. During construction the old gym and fitness centre will
remain open. However, the rec centre doors facing the E-wing will be closed, forcing students to walk around the building to gain access. “It will be a little bit of a pain but the outcome will be pretty spectacular,” Osborne said. “It will be a beautiful social space – bright and airy. It will be one of the nicest places on campus.”
The main entrance will be moved so it faces the E-wing instead of Homer Watson Boulevard, and a covered walkway will extend from the campus building to the road.
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Co-curricular record launches at Conestoga New initiative changes the way students get involved on campus
The co-curricular record (CCR) is set to launch in September 2014. The CCR connects students to on-campus opportunities through an online search engine, and also records and recognizes students for their involvement in approved co-curricular experiences (i.e. oncampus volunteer positions, workshops, clubs, teams, training modules and committees, etc.). Upon completion of the experience, students have the opportunity to reflect on the learning achieved through their participation. This reflection is useful to showcase their skills to potential employers. As the CCR will complement students’ academic transcripts, it makes for a valuable addition to résumés and portfolios. “I really didn’t know how well volunteer experiences could be utilized on a résumé or in an interview,” said Steve Frangakis, a secondyear public relations student. “It makes sense that employers would want to know how
those experiences taught you something that would make you a better employee.” Research has shown that employers value not just what students learn inside the classroom, but outside of it as well. “We know that employers are looking to hire wellrounded people who have strong leadership skills; at Conestoga, we’re providing students with the ability to become just that,” said Michael Dinning, vice-president of Student Affairs. “The CCR provides students with the ability to find and participate in activities that relate to their interests and provide them with learning that builds their skills. We value student-centred learning, and we see co-curricular experiences as an important part of holistic student development.” Conestoga has long recognized the value of co-curricular experiences, and the CCR helps students in linking their experiences with learning and skills. Amy Baird of the Student Life department
The Student Life Team of Janina Robinson, right to left, Ian Kearney, Kaylee Taylor, Amy Baird, Laura Black, Jenni Bauer and Matthew Maguire, is excited about the launch of the co-curricular record. is the lead administrator for the CCR, and is excited about its launch. “The purpose of the CCR is to provide an intentional and guided process for a student
to become connected in meaningful co-curricular experiences,” she said. Students can access the co-curricular record by logging into the Student Portal
and clicking on “CCR” under the Services tab. For more information, they can contact Amy Baird in the Student Life department at abaird@ conestogac.on.ca.
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App helps students find Get career planning help available computers BY DEVON HAYES
BY TASHA LUNNY
Your assignment is due in an hour and you need to find a computer lab on campus to work on it. You have no idea where to find that information and your deadline is quickly approaching. To help you out, Conestoga has produced a new mobile app dedicated to a problem just like this. “Conestoga Lab Search” helps students find available computer space on all campuses using only their phone. Andrew McGivery, who works in Conestoga College’s systems integration and innovation department, said the app aims to make it as easy as possible to not only find open computer space, but also certain software packages and locations. “It allows them to search through different ways, like you can say that you want to search for computers specifically on Doon campus, or you can say specific software packages like Photoshop,” McGivery said. The app also allows students to distinctly choose common landmarks on campus such as the bookstore or Tim Hortons to help them pinpoint comput-
ers close to their location. This is helpful for any student who may not be familiar with the school. The app was created after the department received student feedback that said finding available computer lab space was a common problem. McGivery said multiple parties identified that the college needed to do more IT work to make life easier for students. “… So we kind of try and have a focus on projects like that.” Conestoga Lab Search may just be the beginning of tech improvements for the Conestoga student body. The department is currently researching other ways to help make students time on campus as stress-free as possible. “I think pretty much every student goes through the experience of being brand new and not knowing where their classes are, how to get to them, if they need to work on homework what labs they can go to or if they are even allowed to go in certain labs,” McGivery said. “There are all kinds of issues that we are looking at how to solve and make things easier for students.”
It’s that time of year again – summer is coming to an end and Conestoga College is getting ready to welcome their next batch of students, all of whom are excited to make new friends and maybe even live away from home. When students start at colleges and universities, work experience and long-term future plans may not always be on their minds, even though they should be. Conestoga’s Co-op and Career Services is available to students throughout the school year to help them find work, whether it be for co-op or for work after graduation. The most important aspect in finding employment, however, is experience. Not just in the classroom, but hands-on, placement experience. Many programs, from accounting to mechanical engineering, have co-op components, which are a great tool for students to get their foot in the employment door. “We have about 52 co-op programs currently,” Craig Black said. Black, who is the marketing and events co-ordinator for Co-op and Career Services, said students are generally in better shape for moulding their future because they know what they want to do, and know what to expect in their future career. “If you take a general stream marketing student into the work world, they get a picture of the gamut of possibilities available,” Black said, “whereas a co-op student will learn so much, and they go out and they apply it. They get a chance to see some of the specializations. “They’re exposed to that networking and
PHOTO BY DEVON HAYES
Co-op and Career Services has a wide variety of resources available to help students with career- and employment-related research and planning. really looking ahead to the work world when they graduate, and are a little bit more finetuned as far as what’s out there and where they want to be.” Black said he finds students graduate with unrealistic expectations of entry level jobs, adding finding management positions as an entry-level employee is not likely. Co-op and Career Services provides many opportunities for students including visits to job and career fairs, one-on-one appointments with advisers and attending workshops. Students also have access to the MyCareer website, which can be accessed from the Conestoga College website as well as from their student portal account. Co-op and Career Services is located in the Student and Client Services Building at the Doon campus.
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Hungry or need some new clothes? Head to the on-campus bookstore By Brandon Hommel
When you think of the word, bookstore, the smell of grotesque old books comes to mind, or the slightly overpriced, crisp spines of novels at the retailers Chapters or Coles. Conestoga’s Bookstore isn’t musty not does it sell just books. Of course, all of the books and materials students need for their program can be purchased there. At the Doon campus it is located in the A-Wing, just inside Door 1. Getting there early is essential if you want to avoid the sometimes massive line near the end of the school day. Also, knowing what you’re looking for will help you in the long run. Don’t know what you’re getting yet? That’s fine. On the first day of classes your professors will tell you what books you will need. Already know what books are required and want to get ahead? You’re in luck. By logging into the student portal with your college ID number and password, all of the books you need for your program can be ordered online. They
PHOTO BY brandon hommel
Vi Friend, a Conestoga bookstore clerk, stands with new dorm pyjama pants, just one of the many different items they sell. can be shipped to your house, residence, and even back to the bookstore. Can’t find the book you’re looking for? You can ask one of the many bookstore employees to help you find it and maybe even hear about a listing of second-hand books for sale. While there, you can check
out the tons of other products that will help your school year cruise by. These include laptops, tech accessories (headphones, computer mice, styli and even speakers), candies and snacks, postage stamps, Grand River bus tickets and official Conestoga College crested clothing and gifts. “The Bookstore helped me a lot actually,” said secondyear business administration student, Anastasia Dao. “The employees showed me where my books were and how to properly find them for next time. During my first couple of weeks at Conestoga, I used to always come to the Bookstore to buy something small to eat in class.” Nathan Bowern a secondyear business foundations student, said, “It was probably one of the easiest rooms to find in the college, for me anyway. There are so many cool things to buy there too like a laptop, which is crazy.” The Bookstore is open 8 a.m. to 8 p.m., Monday to Thursday, and 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Fridays. For further information, contact the Bookstore at 519748-5220, ext. 3241.
PHOTO BY josh bury
Honey returned to the CSI Sanctuary cafe as a result, in part, of the actions of student Zoey Ross.
Stay engaged, Conestoga
Political activity makes sure student voices are heard
When a school’s population goes from apathetic to engaged, there are bound to be some growing pains. That’s exactly what happened last year at Conestoga College. While the 2012-2013 academic year was one of passive non-participation, 2013-2014 saw a record number of candidates and voters for all Conestoga Students Inc. elections and selection processes. The board of directors election is probably the best example. Last year, there were 15 candidates running for the eight positions. Competition was close — the final seat on the board was won by one vote. A record number of students cast ballots. Despite the record-breaking numbers, the election had issues. Some eligible voters didn’t get the e-mail to vote initially, or received it at a college work email account. Given how close the race was, this was an issue. One vote could literally have made a difference. But the year before that, there weren’t even enough candidates to form a board, and CSI was forced to recruit additional directors in order to have enough to satisfy their own bylaws. As a result, no students could cast a ballot. Regardless of the bugs, I’d rather have the former than the latter. The progress that students have made this year is important, and that’s why I’m urging everyone at the school to continue it. When students are politically engaged, they reap the benefits directly. The board of directors is largely responsible for determining how the budget will be spent, so students can
Josh Bury
Opinion elect the directors who represent their interests to affect the budget indirectly. But beyond voting, students can bring their issues directly to CSI at any of their board meetings, which are open to the public. Last year, they were held on the last Wednesday of every month. One general arts and sciences student, Zoey Ross, did just that last year when he presented a proposal to get honey back as a condiment option in the Doon campus cafeterias. Some might argue that’s a minor issue, but Ross got results for students by bringing it to CSI’s attention. Honey is now available at the Doon campus’s Sanctuary cafe. Finally, following politics has one other positive sideeffect: it keeps those who wield power honest. CSI has a multimillion-dollar budget that is paid for by students, and there needs to be interest in how it is spent. In addition, bringing attention to the internal workings of CSI can only make the whole operation more transparent. When discussing an organization that had projected expenditures of over $6 million last year, transparency is important. Not only that, but many of the board members elected for this year included transparency as part of their platforms. It’s not unreasonable to hold them to that standard.
FEATURE
Monday, August 25, 2014
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Clubs for one, clubs for all
BY TONY MCLELLAN
For a first-year student arriving at Conestoga College, the experience as a whole can be quite daunting. College is a big leap from high school or the working world, and the college mindset is one that takes time to properly acquire. From homework to classes to the massive facility, arrival at Conestoga College is slightly overwhelming for some, and terrifying for others. To make the transfer to postsecondary education easier, first-year students should try to integrate themselves into the social fabric that makes up the gigantic human-made quilt that is Conestoga. One of the best possible ways to do this is to join one of the many clubs and societies that Conestoga Students Inc. (CSI) plays host to. Or, you can start your own. As a CSI club or society, you will receive start-up funds, fundraising support, website promotion and a poster printing account. Without looking too far, chances are good that you will find a club, or multiple clubs, that pique your interest. Currently, there are around 27 clubs spread between the Guelph, Cambridge and Doon campuses, each specializing in a unique and interesting area. From the Conestoga College Accounting Association to the DJ Club, there is something
for everyone. The following are three particularly interesting clubs. The Conestoga Gamers Club is one of the longest continuously running clubs at Doon campus, having been started over three years ago. “Our main focus is essentially to provide a place where people can come to relax and talk about gaming,” Shawn Olson, the club’s leader, said. “It’s also a competitive environment for those wanting to get better at games, or to find something new to try.” The club is quite large by normal club standards, with over 55 regular members. More have joined via the club’s Facebook page, “Conestoga Gamers.” Members meet daily at 4 p.m. in The Den, the upstairs portion of the college’s Sanctuary cafeteria. As with most clubs, the Conestoga Gamers Club sometimes hosts special events involving prizes. The Gamers Club does this through 24-hour-long LAN parties. These events involve linking up multiple gaming consoles for maximum player capacity, increasing the fun that can be had by the students attending. “We normally hold these events after final exams or mid-terms,” Olson said. “All the money we make goes to charity, so we really try and promote the events when they happen.”
PHOTO BY TONY MCLELLAN
Shayne Noel is the president of the Conestoga Photographer’s Club. He invites all students with an interest in photography to join. The Magic Club is another interesting club, which has 15 individuals dedicated to trading, meeting and playing as fans of the Magic: The Gathering card game. The group is sponsored by Wizards of the Coast, one of the largest card game publishing companies in North America, which provides prizes for the win-
ners of the tri-weekly tournaments the club hosts. “If you play Magic or are interested in learning how to, this is the club for you,” said Nathan Cerone, leader of the club. “We have a bunch of friendly, experienced players who can teach you the game or help you improve your existing skills.” The club currently meets every Thursday in Room 3A505 at 5:30 p.m., although the location may change from time to time. Cerone suggests that potential members join the Conestoga College MTG Club, the group’s Facebook page, for exact details. Another interesting club is the Conestoga College Photographer’s Club. It was founded last October and is made up of a small, dedicated group of students who love the art of photography. The club has a very open, relaxed structure to it, allowing members to designate their own meeting times, places and
styles, as many of the members within the club have rather hectic school schedules. The experienced photographers within the group are more than willing to give potential photographers a helping hand. “As long as you are dedicated to what you do in the world of photography, we want you,” said Shayne Noel, one of the club’s founding members. “If you want to have your work presented anywhere, or you want to make crucial connections with the professional world, this club is for you.” You can contact them via their Facebook group, Conestoga College Photographer’s Club. The complete list of clubs that Conestoga has to offer can be found on the CSI website at www.conestogastudents.com. A list of guidelines can also be found for students wishing to create their own clubs. You can also call CSI at 519-7485131 for more information.
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Monday, August 25, 2014
PHOTO ILLUSTRATION BY LAURIE SNELL
Being a vegan in the K-W area is difficult, but doable.
Vegan options available BY LAURIE SNELL
There’s a rare breed of students out there who will avoid the $2 pizza at the Sanctuary, cringe at the burgers in the cafeteria and be constantly craving something healthy. But vegans rejoice. There are options. While Conestoga College doesn’t have a lot of choices – there certainly are a few on campus and around the city. Before jumping into the 5W’s of what’s good for healthy eating, it’s important to remember that the Freshman 15 can hit hard. Eating everything in moderation and slowing down on the booze will keep your mind, wallet and waistline happy. It’s tricky being a vegan in this city. Reading the labels in the store, asking servers or chefs to rack their brains for ingredients that seem insignificant, or asking the employee at a sandwich shop to change their gloves because they’ve just handled meat and cheese, are all behaviour vegans are used to, but carnivores are not. The good news is that there are plant-based, hidden gems where staff don’t mind any of this. The restaurant Jane Bond on King Street in Waterloo is not strictly vegan, but they are well known for having great soups and sandwiches. That city is also home to several vegetarian or vegan options. Holy Guacamole on University Avenue and Raintree Café on King Street have many vegetarian options – give or take holding the cheese. However, for some students Waterloo is a bit too far for a quick bite to eat. In the heart of downtown Kitchener (and more accessible for public transit users) is the Duke Street Muse as well as Café Pyrus – a mostly vegan café with cool beats, a laid-back vibe and fresh, fun local food concoctions every day. With sweets and hot eats, coffee and sandwiches, this place is a favourite of vegans. “I love this place because
there isn’t anything quite like it anywhere,” Kitchener resident Kevin Price said. “They really try to keep things fresh – and I don’t just mean food. While it’s a cool place to eat, they have live music a few times per month and they are always shaking things up.” The other strictly vegan option in the city is Thrive Juice Bar – which actually offers a full service menu – and is just below the Bauer Lofts area on King Street in Waterloo. With handcrafted falafel, salads, green juices and a raw vegan pad Thai, Thrive is a bit more expensive and caters to a more sophisticated crowd. But don’t count them out just yet. Save up a little bit and try Thrive when you’re feeling particularly in need of a good veggie burger or homemade soup. If you are bothered by the idea of a food preparer handling animal products and then your vegan meal, Subway, Pita Factories, Chinese food restaurants or even Shwarma restaurants have many options available. Recent Conestoga College graduate Amary Nicolau has been vegan for five years and prepares food at home to snack on during the long days at school. “In the KitchenerWaterloo area there is not too many options of vegan restaurants. My favourite is Thrive Juice bar. They have a nice menu of vegan and raw food (and it) is really delicious. (But) unfortunately it is not open for dinner. Beside the fact that there is very good food, I like this place because I can eat without worrying if my food got in contact with milk, eggs or meat. It’s all vegan. I don’t buy food on campus,” she said. While the cafeteria has few options, Nicolau warns, “People are careless. For example, they might cut my vegan sandwich with the same knife they used to cut a meat sandwich and I don’t want my food in contact with meat, eggs or milk.”