Rename the cafe Winner will receive $100 dining card. Page 3 Monday, September 22, 2014
SPOKE
A l e a r n i n g n e w s r o o m f o r j o u r n a l i sm s t u d e n t s
Conestoga College, Kitchener, Ont.
www.SPOKEONLINE.COM
Big bash, big fun CSI event has free food and activities. Page 7 45TH Year — No. 16
Soccer team looks to rebound Men’s team off to rough start; women’s team more successful By JORDAN JOHNSTONE
The Conestoga Condors’ men’s varsity soccer team battled against St. Clair in the home opener at Woodside Park in Kitchener on Sept. 6. The Condors got off to a great start, striking first in the seventh minute of play. After great defensive play by the Condors, Conestoga looked primed to take the lead into the second half until St. Clair scored in the 42nd minute to tie the game. A hard fought second half ensued, with Conestoga retaking the lead in the 75th minute with a goal by rookie midfielder Yalcin Uyar. After this the match became rough and yellow cards were assessed to each team. After another yellow card was handed out to the Condors, St. Clair scored on the resulting penalty kick to tie the match. In the 82nd minute heartbreak occurred when St. Clair scored a goal that deflected off of several players and the post, completing the comeback. In the second game of the season, Conestoga took on Lambton on Sept. 11. It was an exciting first half in which both teams had plenty of chances and exchanged goals. In a close second half, Lambton scored the only
goal, securing the victory. The Condors played Niagara in their first road game of the season on Sept. 13. With some key injuries to a couple of players, Conestoga fell behind 3-0 going into the second half. “We started off slow,” said rookie forward Josh Deming. “We had a weak first half and had two injuries.” However, the Condors would not go quietly and stormed back in the second half with two goals of their own. But, heartbreak was again in store for the Condors after a missed penalty kick stalled the comeback and sealed the 3-2 victory for Niagara. The men’s team also played games Sept. 17 and 20, and have three games left this season to turn their playoff fortunes around. “The quality of teams is a lot better than last year,” said Aldo Krajcar, head coach of both men’s and women’s varsity soccer teams, about the opponents this season. The last home game the Condors have is Sept. 30 at Woodside Park in Kitchener. The Condors’ women’s soccer team has had a more successful start to the season. After playing to a 1-1 draw against St. Clair, the women have won two straight beating Lambton 3-1 and Niagara
PHOTO BY Jordan Johnstone
Rookie midfielder Joel Vazquez Prada crosses the ball during a men’s varsity soccer game against St. Clair at Woodside Park in Kitchener Sept. 6. The Condors lost 3-2. 2-0. They are sitting with seven points in the standings. “I think we’re going to make
playoffs. It would be nice to finish first or second so we don’t have to play Algonquin
College. They’re practising six or seven times a week,” said Krajcar.
Get ready to evacuate as fire drill coming soon BY CARSON DESHEVY-RENOUF
Conestoga College – being an establishment as large and constantly growing as it is – has many working parts; many systems and programs that ensure everything runs smoothly no matter what happens. One of the most important programs within the college is the fire safety program. Susete Araujo-Vizinho, a Security Services staff member, is responsible for the fire safety program within the school. She oversees the testing of the fire alarms and speakers that occurs each
month. She is also responsible for the fire drills and monitoring the fire warden program – a part of the fire safety program that involves volunteer faculty action during a fire. Each year the college performs two fire drills, one in late September or early October depending on weather, and one in April. These drills ensure that students and faculty can safely and quickly evacuate the school in the event of an actual fire. According to Araujo-Vizinho, the most recent drills saw full evacuations in three minutes, a minute faster than previous drills.
Special precautions are taken during evacuations for those with disabilities. There are assigned “safe zones” on each floor that those with disabilities can go to in the event of a fire or fire drill. There are cameras monitoring the safe zones and phones within them so that it can be easily determined if anyone is occupying them. Alongside the precautions taken for people with disabilities, there are also measures taken to ensure that no one is left behind. As part of the fire warden program, faculty around the school have volunteered to don fire protec-
tive gear and sweep assigned sectors for anyone who either can’t evacuate, or refuses to in the event of a fire. Once fire wardens complete the task of sweeping their area, they report to the chief fire warden, another volunteer, who gathers all the information and passes it on to Security Services and the fire department. Fire safety is taken seriously and anyone caught pulling a fire alarm as a prank will face a disciplinary hearing with the vice-president of student affairs. On top of that, the local fire departments could get involved
because they respond to fire alarms coming from the college. As the school is undergoing development, so are the safety programs. Conestoga has been involving the fire departments in the area to help evaluate the quality of the college’s fire safety programs. They have been brought in to find flaws and suggest any improvements that could be made to the current systems in place. “We are always looking to improve, it is an ongoing program that is constantly changing,” Araujo-Vizinho said.
NEWs
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Now deep thoughts ... With Conestoga College Random questions answered by random students
If I gave you $10,000, what would you spend it on? “A vacation.”
Taylor Schweitzer, first-year journalism - print
“Half to charity and save the other half for the future.” Michelle Stevers, second-year practical nursing
Monday, September 22, 2014
Have too many people taken a bite out of Apple? BY MARYSSA MCFADDEN
Lately it’s been a hot topic. Hackers have accessed dozens of personal iCloud accounts and distributed the private pictures and information. People everywhere are now discussing whether or not Apple products are still safe to use; iPhones are popular with young adults which has some college students scared. One Conestoga College student worries about what would happen to her information if she was to switch to Apple. “I would feel violated, annoyed and worry about future hacks and going through identity theft,” said Sara Stankovic, a first-year
biotechnology student. When some students and faculty at Conestoga College were asked their opinions on Apple devices most answered that they’ve recently heard a lot of rumours about Apple security and for some they are basing their opinions on these rumors. “I am not with any Apple devices and do not use the Cloud because I understand how these systems and devices work,” said Jarret Hagen, a Conestoga College IT service desk technician. “Because of these rumours I will never use an Apple device, even if it is for no cost.” Stankovic, however, did not believe the product was entirely to blame.
“There will always be hackers and it just takes a little time for them to find a crack in secure programs, especially if it is new,” she said. Hagen showed concern about the young adults who currently use Apple devices. “I weep for the new generation,” he said. “I would advise consumers to do their due diligence and not purchase vulnerable devices such as Apple.” Although Hagen is concerned about Apple’s security features, the iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 plus were released last Friday and if the popularity of the previous models are any indication, millions of people will soon have their hands on the new smartphone.
“School.”
Olivia Cladwell, first-year accounting, auditing and information technology
“A nicer car.” Cody Lussier, second-year software engineering technology
PHOTO BY Maryssa McFadden
Jessie D’Uva, a second-year broadcast - television student, uses her iPhone in Conestoga College’s cafeteria. She is not concerned about Apple’s security features.
“Buy stuff for my daughter.”
Marisol Florez, second-year early childhood education
“Helping family and friends and get them out of debt. Get myself out of debt as well.” Jason Stone, second-year practical nursing
Smile Conestoga, you could be our next respondent!
NEWs
Monday, September 22, 2014
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Food industry research a new college initiative By NATALEIGH MCCALLUM
Advancing innovation in the food processing industry is an important initiative at Conestoga College. It is also important to the Ontario food processing industry as a whole, as they must continually innovate to compete in the global marketplace. At a Conestoga Board of Governors meeting Sept. 15, members were updated on the initiative, and were told the college is looking to create a research arm with help from Canada’s Technology for Food. The initiative is important to the college because its Institute of Food Processing Technology (IFPT), which opened in November 2012, trains students for the food and beverage industry, the largest manufacturing sec-
tor in Canada. According to the IFPT’s website, there are more than 3,000 such companies in Ontario alone. At the institute, students receive multi-faceted training, including millwright, electrical and welding training, and learn how to operate bakery, fresh vegetables and beverage production line equipment. According to the institute’s website, as part of the everincreasing need to remain competitive, the IFPT undertook an Advancing Innovation in the Food Processing Industry project, which was funded by the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs. There were three main objectives to the project: 1. Understanding the innovation mechanisms currently in place in the industry. 2. Developing a gap analy-
sis that would identify what is needed (e.g. technical resources, funding) to encourage industry (in Ontario) to adopt an increased level of innovation. 3. Deliver a workshop to industry, government and academia that explained how a system of open innovation works and how a model food cluster encourages such a system. (The workshop was held in 2012.) At the Board of Governors meeting, Barbara Fennessy, executive dean of entrepreneurship and applied research at Conestoga, said, “Currently we have a number of food processing educational programs and we’re adding new ones, some significant new ones. But in addition to that, we will expand and do research through the Institute of Food Processing.” Canada’s Technology for
Food (CTFF) was created in partnership with the City of Waterloo and the Accelerator Centre. The program’s goal, according to the CTFF’s website, is to help food industry manufacturers who have “real opportunities and challenges” collaborate with providers of knowledge, technical skills and commercialization expertise in information and communication technology. Some of the research will look into the development of equipment for the food processing industry. “Most of it is currently produced in Europe,” Fennessy said. “And there is an opportunity to potentially develop that gear in Canada, so that is something we will be exploring in the food industry, along with implementing automated and productive
equipment.” The college will also look at things such as food safety, food security and the opportunities they can offer. With food safety they are looking at educating workforces. With food security they plan to look at what is actually in the food people are consuming. “There is a potential project out of the University of Guelph that has developed testing capability to map the genomics of various kinds of lamb, beef, pork and others,” said Marlene Raasok, executive dean of the School of Health and Life Sciences and Community Services. “We really see this opportunity as a living lab for our bachelor of environmental public health.” Fennessy said, “Ultimately we want to create an institute of culinary research and culinary technology.”
conestoga TRAFFIC JAMS STRIKE AGAIN
PHOTO BY JACK PARKINSON PHOTO BY josh kennedy
Traffic at Conestoga is often congested in the afternoon, especially from 4 to 5:30 p.m. Above, drivers struggle to get out to the main road on Sept. 11.
Jennifer Bruder, food service director for Chartwells, is hoping a “name the cafeteria” contest will encourage students to come up with an exciting new name. A $100 dining card will be awarded to the winner.
Rename the cafeteria By JOSH KENNEDY
Students who have a tight budget may want to enter a contest to rename the main cafeteria. A $100 dining card will be awarded to the winning entrant. Jennifer Bruder, the food service director for Chartwells, which manages all the food services on campus including the main cafeteria and the eatery in the Sanctuary, came up with the idea for the contest after seeing the current name for the cafeteria, the Main Cafe, and finding it to be quite boring. “We decided to let the students pick the name because one of the big engagements
at this school is the student body,” Bruder said. Students can enter the contest by writing down their name idea on a piece of paper, along with their own name, phone number and email address, and placing it in the ballot box that is located next to the cash registers in the main cafeteria. The contest runs until Sept. 30 giving students plenty of time to come up with names. So far, about 25 to 30 students have put suggested names into the ballot box. “I think this is a great idea,” said cafeteria worker Ute Ottman. “We get to see how creative the students can get.”
conestoga offers many services Sarah Rowsell, a rec and leisure student, educates herself on the many services that Conestoga College offers. If you would like to learn about these services, watch the video on www.spokeonline. com. PHOTO BY cassie tulecki
COMMENTARY
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Monday, September 22, 2014
We urge faculty to vote yes by Nataleigh mccallum
Students can breathe a sigh of relief, as management and the union representing college faculty have reached a tentative agreement. The agreement between the faculty of all 24 Ontario community colleges and the Ontario Public Service Employees Union (OPSEU) will be voted on tomorrow. The new agreement proposes a 37-month contract and includes a salary increase for all faculty members. It also proposed a 1.2 per cent increase in the first year, a 1.5 per cent increase in the second year and a 1.8 per cent increase in the third. It may not seem like much but Martin Hare, the vicepresident of Local 237, which represents faculty at Conestoga, said with the current economic condition it’s better than nothing. “It sounds like it was a very tough round of bargaining on both sides,” he said. “You have to have a look at the whole big picture. The public service unions are essentially government workers. And certainly the provincial government, the whole of the country, is struggling with this 2008 subprime mortgage problem that has rippled right around the world and it’s caused a lot of hardship with a lot of people and slowed a lot of economies down. Ontario and Canada are doing better than most.” He added, “Recognizing that Ontario has run out of money, just getting even these very small increases is something.” Hare is right; we do need to look at the big picture. But we also need to look at the quality of education being offered. Hare said maintaining a system of quality education is very important. “What I’ve experienced in the last 10 years is a real nosedive in quality education in the province and I do worry about it,” he said. “For me personally, education is absolutely critical to both the future of Ontario and the future of Canada. We are becoming more and more a global economy and the only thing that is going to separate Canada and protect our costs of living is going to be our brainpower and our ingenuity. Educating the current generations, which I’ve done for over 25 years, is absolutely critical.” Debra Marshall, executive director of Human Resources at Conestoga College, was pleased with the proposed settlement and found that it was bringing stability back. “It’s positive for the college and students,” Marshall said. We agree. This tentative agreement, if approved, will bring labour peace for three more years and will allow faculty to concentrate on what they do best – which is teach. To our faculty members we say, vote yes. The views herein represent the position of the newspaper, not necessarily the author.
Letters are welcome Spoke welcomes letters to the editor. Letters should be signed and include the name and telephone number of the writer. Writers will be contacted for verification. No unsigned letters will be published. Letters should be no longer
than 500 words. Spoke reserves the right to edit any letter for publication. Email letters to: www.spokeonline.com with the subject line “Letter to the Editor,” or bring them to Room 1C30 at the Doon campus.
“We’re sometimes on time”
GRT’s service lacking at Conestoga
There is a problem around Conestoga College. Not with the campus itself, or with the student body, or with the administration. The problem lies with the buses serving Conestoga, which is all the worse because the buses are out of the school’s control. But we don’t want to get ahead of ourselves, so first, let’s see what the problem actually is. To put it simply, the bus service at Conestoga is not good enough. Grand River Transit often has trouble accommodating the number of students who have to use the buses for transit in the afternoons and evenings. The morning commute is tolerable, as many students live different distances away from the Doon campus and can board different buses along the same route. Trying to get a spot on a bus in the afternoon is far more difficult than it needs to be. If you walk out Door 3 any day of the week between 3:30 and 5 p.m., you’ll find the stop packed with students. When a bus comes down the road, specifically Route 10 or 110, dozens of students will board. Space is often standing room only
Jack Parkinson Opinion
and these conditions will not improve with the winter. A lot of people attend Conestoga, thousands at the Doon campus alone. Students who live farther away from campus than Fairview Mall will need to take Route 10 or 110 buses twice a day every day they have classes at Doon. On a good day, Route 10 takes about 30 minutes and Route 110 about half that.
“
To put it simply, the bus service at Conestoga is not good enough
”
But if the buses are overloaded with students (and, in the case of the 10, must stop often), the trip takes longer. This should not be the norm. There is a second side to the problem: money. The Kitchener-Waterloo area is home to a number of
post-secondary institutions. At Wilfrid Laurier University or University of Waterloo, a student’s student card functions as a bus pass. The cost for a bus pass for a semester is heavily discounted (less than $100) and included in the tuition. At Conestoga it is different. There is a discounted pass available for Conestoga students but it costs $218, more than twice the price of a university pass. Last year during the Conestoga Students Inc. board of directors elections, the outgoing and incoming CSI presidents spoke to a journalism class about their positions and the experience they had. One of them mentioned he had been talking to GRT about a more discounted bus pass for Conestoga and was making progress, until one day when GRT suddenly ended the negotiations and stopped returning the president’s calls. There is no conspiracy against Conestoga or its students. But there is an overworked, overpriced bus system which will only be more stressed come winter. Conestoga students deserve better.
Spoke
i s p u b l i s h ed a nd prod u ced weekl y b y t h e jo u rn a l i sm st u dents o f C onestog a C ollege Editor: Beth Crouse Assignment Editors: Alex Riese, Maryssa McFadden Advertising Managers: Jack Parkinson, Jordan Johnstone Spoke Online Editors: Carson Deshevy-Renouf, Cody Mudge, Ian McBride
Production Managers: Cassie Tulecki, Carmen Ponciano Photo Editors (print): Nathan Brown, Kali Caudle, Justin Ford Photo Editors (online): Josh Kennedy, Nicole Nemeth, Heather Stanley
Social Media Editor: Nataleigh McCallum, Matt Howell Circulation Manager: Rachel Roy Faculty Supervisor and Adviser: Christina Jonas
Spoke’s address is 299 Doon Valley Dr., Room 1C30, Kitchener, Ontario, N2G 4M4. Phone: 519-748-5220, ext. 3691, 3692, 3693, 3694 Fax: 519-748-3534 Email: spoke@conestogac.on.ca Website: www.spokeonline.com
The views and opinions expressed in this newspaper do not necessarily reflect the views of Conestoga College. Spoke shall not be liable for any damages arising out of errors in advertising beyond the amount paid for the space. Letters to the editor are subject to acceptance or rejection and should be clearly written or typed; a MS Word file would be helpful. Letters must not contain any libellous statements.
NEWS
Monday, September 22, 2014
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Applied research program receives $2.3m By JUSTIN FORD
Conestoga College’s applied research program is set to receive $2.3 million over the next five years from Canada’s Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council, (NSERC). The applied research department applied for the grant so students could reap the benefits of new state-ofthe-art labs. The money will also pay for existing ones. The grant will also help establish the new Centre for Smart Manufacturing at Conestoga. “It’s important to have our students have state-of-theart equipment,” said Barbara Fennessy, executive dean of entrepreneurship and applied research. Conestoga’s applied research program is dedicated to finding enhanced solutions. The program investigates ways to get answers to problems more efficiently. It does so in health, data management, business and mechanical fields. The $2.3 million Conestoga received is the maximum amount that NSERC grants to applied research. It is the first NSERC grant the college has received, and is an extremely prestigious one. This fiscal year, NSERC gave out $47.5 million to colleges across Canada.
PHOTO BY JUSTIN FORD
Alex Busman, an electronic systems engineering graduate (left to right), Cynthia Charlebois, a thirdyear mechanical systems engineering student, Jim Kendall, creator of the Gold Sniffer, and Mark Mahony, a fourth-year electronic systems engineering student, proudly display Kendall’s creation that was partially funded by a NSERC grant on Sept. 15 at Conestoga College. “These grants support applied research and collaborations that facilitate commercialization, as well as technology transfer, adaptation and adoption of new technologies,” said Kasia Majewski, manager of external relations for NSERC. “Colleges can request up to $2.3 million for a fiveyear grant.” It wasn’t just a matter of “ask and you shall receive.” Conestoga’s applied research program had to prove they had the capacity, resources, quality researchers, relevant programs and the knowledge to fully utilize the grant by being able to create opportu-
nities to make their students more employable. “The new Centre for Smart Manufacturing will also provide our students with additional opportunities to develop the advanced skills that today’s employers are seeking as they propel their businesses forward,” said Conestoga President John Tibbits in a press release. According to the applied research department, the CSM will serve as a focal point for industry, faculty, students and academic institutions, as well as government and community partners. The CSM will focus on
high-performance manufacturing and information and communication technology. The grant won’t just help the applied research program financially, it will also help put Conestoga on the map. The facilities will be recognized and sought after as a destination for future engineering and trades students according to Fennessy. The new facilities are almost complete. Conestoga received the grant back in April, and immediately began the planning and construction. “We’ll be opening up the labs over the next few months,” Fennessy said.
In the new applied research facilities is a 3D printing lab. 3D printers can construct things as simple as a fork, to things as complex as tools for aerospace technology. “To me, it’s not just a lab here, or a teacher there,” Fennessy said. “It’s about a way in which a centre in excellence enables us to bring many resources together, collaboratively.” The financial aid will ultimately help Conestoga’s faculty get an inside look into the work-world, help make Conestoga competitive and recognized, maximize students’ employability and integrate all these aspects in a collaborative way to put Conestoga at the forefront of what’s going on in the industry today and in the future. Fennessy said over 30 letters of support were sent to NSERC to positively reinforce that they deserved the $2.3-million grant. Letters were sent from government officials, the industry and other universities. “This couldn’t have happened without the faculty team and the support of the administration,” Fennessy said. Applied research is about finding enhanced solutions, and the department will undoubtedly be able to do so in a more efficient way with this grant.
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s e m o lc e w h lp e u G e g e ll o C Conestoga . a ri te fe a c e th to n io it d d a t s the late
t u o t i Check teria e f a C e in th
Monday, September 22, 2014
feature
Monday, September 22, 2014
Jorden Sash, a first-year environmental - civil engineering technology student, shoots at a hoop during an Outdoor Bash held at the Cambridge campus on Sept. 4.
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Aaron Brady (left), a first-year mechanical systems engineering student, gets a burger from CSI communications and media producer, Tom Orendi.
Burgers, balls and BeaverTails, oh my! BY KALI CAUDLE
Success comes with a large price tag. Conestoga Students Inc. staff members were seen all over Doon as well as the satellite campuses the first week of school working hard to prepare for the Outdoor Bash event, just one of many being planned for this school year. “This year was the first time we’ve done a barbecue at all satellite campuses,” said CSI president Jeff Scherer. Cambridge campus celebrated its Outdoor Bash on Sept. 4, which featured free pizza, a barbecue, BeaverTails, a 100foot inflatable obstacle course, a bungee run and gladiator
jousting. However, not many students participated in the activities. Scherer said there wasn’t much different at this year’s event compared to last year’s, except that the Cambridge campus had BeaverTails at their party. “I liked the BeaverTails … it was my first time having one,” said Rachel Winger, a Conestoga second-year business administration – financial planning student. The only issue CSI had at the Cambridge campus was getting the students involved in the activities, but they found a solution to the problem. “Students like free food so
… if you feed them, they’ll come,” Scherer said. Each CSI-hosted event cost a different amount, depending on the activities offered. Cambridge put more money toward food and inflatable activities, at an approximate total cost of $9,000, while at Doon, they also featured live bands at an estimated total cost of $7,000. “… We never really do a barbecue because it’s a lot of work and there aren’t usually a ton of students, but it was pretty successful this year,” Scherer said. For more information about upcoming CSI activities check out their events calendar at www.conestogastudents.com.
Photos by Kali Caudle
Sarah Le (left) and Rachel Winger, both second-year business administration - financial planning students, show off their BeaverTails.
Hayden Nichol, a first-year environmental - civil engineering technology student, falls on the inflatable obstacle course.
Queran McMurray (left), a first-year mechanical engineering technology student, takes a swing at Chris Boland, a first-year architecture student, in the gladiator jousting arena.
NEWs
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Monday, September 22, 2014
Construction as far as the eye can see By Beth Crouse
Improvements to University Avenue starting at the Highway 85 westbound ramp to Weber Street are causing a traffic nightmare for motorists, but especially for students trying to enter and exit Conestoga College’s Waterloo campus parking lots. Normal working hours for this construction project are Monday to Friday from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Lane reductions have left University Avenue in front of the Waterloo campus with only one lane going in each direction. Road closures as a result of the construction project have made it increasingly difficult to access the campus parking lots, and a headache for anyone trying to pull out. “Trying to pull out is a nightmare,” said Jeremy Mifusd, a first-year culinary management student. “It takes half an hour to turn left.”
“You have to figure a way around to avoid closed roads,” said Stephanie Kenter, a first-year culinary skills chef training student. However, not all students find the ongoing construction to be a problem. Adam Sulkers and Mike Smyth, both first-year culinary management students, said because they walk to school, the construction hasn’t impacted their commute, but Smyth admitted that the construction does make it hard to drive to school. The Waterloo campus students received an email advising them that there was going to be construction going on when they returned to classes, but other than posted signs indicating that construction will be completed sometime in late November, they have no idea as to when the construction will actually be finished. Chad Hall, a first-year construction techniques (carpen-
PHOTO BY BETH CROUSE
Chad Hall, a first-year construction techiques (carpentry) student at Conestoga College’s Waterloo campus, looks at the ongoing construction on University Avenue on Sept. 12. try) student, summed up the general feeling of Conestoga’s
Waterloo campus students by saying, “It’s terrible, I have to
go in a complete square to get to the parking lot.”
POND PARTY A ROCKIN’ GOOD TIME
PHOTOS BY NataLeigh McCallum
Free BeaverTails drew a crowd at Conestoga Students Inc.’s Pond Party on Sept. 3. In photo left, Chris Mosey, a second-year information technology student, shows off his arm in the football toss.
NEWS
Monday, September 22, 2014
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Poetry slams into your heart
By MATT HOWELL
Walking into the backroom of the Candy Funhouse Sept. 13, I was instantly taken aback by the turnout. The Preston part of Cambridge has always been a hub for artists, but having a place to showcase their art has always been an issue, especially for a poetry slam that hadn’t been attempted there before. I paid my $5 and took a seat next to a couple and their little boy. He was more interested in the game he was playing on dad’s cellphone, but the parents were entrenched in the poet who was behind the microphone. I stared around the room and saw that all eyes were set upon a young girl expressing hardships through words charged with emotion. I found out quickly that instead of claps and yells that happen at a music concert, when a slam poet says something you agree with you snap your fingers and quietly
shout things like “say it poet.” The topics covered by all the poets I had the pleasure of seeing was as diverse as the people saying them. Sexual assault, fear, death, loss and an angry letter from mother earth were all discussed in great detail with concentrated rage and passion. You could look at anyone in the crowd and see that the feelings and opinions being presented had been thought or experienced by the audience as well. Heads were nodding in agreement as the poets told their stories in their own unique ways. Some of them had to use the microphone due to a low and soft speech style, but the words they used and the sentiment behind those words made up for that entirely. Others roared like lions as they spoke of pass indignities done to them, and done around them. During a quick break, I was lucky enough to get to listen
PHOTO BY matt howell
Fannon Holland is emotionally charged as he recites his piece at a poetry slam that took place on Sept. 13 at the Candy Funhouse in Cambridge. to them talk to each other outside. There were words of endearment and hugs being thrown around with complete authenticity. I spoke to one young man named Jeff Guichelaar who told me that this was only his second time
performing in a slam, but that he had been writing for over two years. “The turnout was bigger at the first slam I went to, but that was in Kitchener which has a bigger scene,” Guichelaar said. I found out more about poetry slams in one evening than I ever knew before. Did you know that there are poetry slam nationals? Poetry slam teams compete around the country in front of massive crowds. It appears to be a much bigger scene than I could of ever imagined. And thanks to people like Moe Hejazi, owner of Candy Funhouse, this scene is now once again in Cambridge. “There was a scene in Cambridge before but the place shut down where they used to have it,” Hejazi said. “To be a part of a slam team you have to compete once a month for quite awhile. I’m hoping to be able to give them a place to do that,” Hejazi
said. Poetry slams have been going on for years. There was a term, beatniks, that was used years ago to describe these patrons of words, but I like to call them verbal warriors. It takes a lot of inner strength to get up in front of a crowd of strangers and tell your extremely personal story. The people who took part in this evening of laughs and tears seemed almost reborn after they spoke. After I left the slam I felt compelled to grab a pen and pad to jot down some potential ideas of self-expression. I think we could all use a platform to get things off of our soul’s chest. Everyone has complications in life and attending a slam could help you realize that you are not alone in those struggles. So next time you’re looking to have your heartstrings tugged or you want to be the one doing the tugging, check out a poetry slam.
CHECK OUT SPOKE ONLINE FOR THIS WEEK’S VIDEOS
PHOTO BY carmen ponciano
Technology has rapidly progressed into a modern, basic necessity. At Conestoga College, technology has helped students in different ways. For more on this check out the video at www.spokeonline.com.
PHOTO BY rachel roy
You can have it your way and always fresh because Burger King and Tim Hortons have become business partners. For video, see www.spokeonline.com.
PHOTO BY heather stanley
This fire bucket challenge nominee is about to get splashed with icy water for ALS awareness in Elmira. For video, see www.spokeonline.com.
NEWS
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Monday, September 22, 2014
Breathing slowly can reduce stress by Cody Mudge
Breathing is an autonomous bodily function, that is to say, we have to go out of our way to stop our lungs from doing what they’re there to do. The average adult takes about 12 to 20 breathes per minute according to Ganong’s Review of Medical Physiology. Spending 10 to 15 minutes a day slowing your breathing down to about four breathes per minute can have surprising health benefits. Deep breathing has been scientifically linked to reduced stress levels, improved blood flow and circulation, increased alertness, heightened memory accessibility and faster recall. The process of deep breathing is popularly referred to as mindfulness meditation. It has been the focus of Dr. Shiv Talwar since he retired from Conestoga College as a civil engineering instructor in 1996. “If I ask my brain to utilize the thinking part, my cerebral cortex, during an autonomous function, then I am able to be more thoughtful about everything. I am engaging a part of the brain that learns, thinks and remembers things. When we teach mindfulness, we’re really teaching you how to learn,” Talwar said. Breathing is the only autonomous function over which we can exert control relative-
ly easily. Right now you are able to take a deep, ponderous breath or suck in air quickly to imitate a body at work. By manipulating this function and focusing on it we are able to access a level of the brain that we normally don’t use for simple functions. The limbic system controls the body’s systems and emotions. When the nervous information highway runs up the spine to the brain the first thing that it hits is the limbic system. This is why we react with emotions faster than with a rational thought. By practising deep breathing we are forcing ourselves to use our cerebral cortex, a relatively new adaptation in the evolution of life on this planet. The cerebral cortex is what allows us to have rational thoughts, to be self-aware, to learn languages, to access memories and to pay attention. When we use this part of the brain to run a function that is normally handled by the limbic system we’re gaining access to processes we don’t usually use for something as simple as taking in, and letting out, breath. Talwar said all of this and more is essential information that he provides to his pupils in order to explain what is happening to them physiologically when they practise deep breathing. Talwar became interested in
New bus routes come to Conestoga
PHOTO BY Cody Mudge
Shiv Talwar, founder of the Spiritual Heritage Education Network, teaches deep breathing techniques in downtown Kitchener. deep breathing and mindfulness meditation long before he founded Spiritual Heritage Education Network (SHEN) in Kitchener. For years he watched as his home country of India and neighbouring Pakistan were deadly intolerant of each other. Most startling of all was the apparent incompatibility of different religions to coexist.
PHOTO BY Nathan Brown
in dealing with misconceptions about the amount of science there is to back up the practice of mindfulness. Talwar also acknowledges the antagonistic role organized religion plays in preventing people from pursuing a more thoughtful life. “Faith knows that if your brain is engaged then you are lost to them. You are lost to being controlled.”
Mindfulness for Mental Health project seeks to de-stress students with ASD BY NATHAN BROWN
Grand River Transit’s Route 203 has been recently added to the routes that go to Conestoga College. It heads to and departs from Sportsworld, just off of King Street East, Kitchener.
“People were being killed for believing in the wrong religion. I can’t think of a more unreasonable thing to be killed over,” he said. In his pursuit to live a more reasonable life the former engineering instructor started SHEN and now teaches others about how to become more thoughtful through deep breathing. Part of the battle is
Conestoga College’s mental health initiative has been granted $122,000 to help students with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) adjust to postsecondary education. The Ministry of Training, Colleges and Universities’ Mental Health Innovation Fund (MHIF) awarded the college the grant for its Mindfulness for Mental Health project. “Ultimately this grant is to run this program and to evaluate it, to see if it’s effective,” said Leanne Gosse, the project manager. Janos Botschner, chair, Community Safety, in the School of Health and Life Sciences and Community Services, got the grant and brought the project to life. The majority of the grant is going toward supporting trainers, materials, development and evaluation. The project, only offered at Conestoga College’s Doon campus, focuses on students with ASD, a disorder that causes difficulty with transi-
tions and focusing. Gosse said students with ASD are “more likely than the general population to have more concerns going to college,” due to the difficulties with transitioning.
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Mindfulness training can potentially reduce negative thoughts... — Leanne Gosse
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“Mindfulness training can potentially reduce negative thoughts and ruminations,” Gosse said. “It may decrease the likelihood that individuals with ASD may struggle with anxiety and depression.” Mindfulness training attempts to teach students to be in the present, to help them focus and identify what they are experiencing. “Mindfulness teaches people how to learn to deal with their emotions and thoughts in the
present moment, and accept them as they are,” said Sandy Lozano, a fourth-year student in the community and criminal justice degree program, who cooped with Gosse this past summer as a research assistant. The Centre for Mindfulness in Toronto has had past successes in using mindfulness training for those with anxiety, depression and addiction problems. The centre is working with Conestoga to develop the program. The college also met with accessibility and counselling services, which are going to help with recruitment of students for the project. Conestoga Students Inc. will also be helping out by promoting the initiative. Sessions begin Oct. 20, with one two-hour session running once a week for eight weeks. Students can email mindfulnessMH@conestogac.on.ca to register. Registation closes on Sept. 29, but if the group doesn’t fill up right away, the project will still accept applications.
fun & games
Monday, September 22, 2014
SPOKE s Page 11
Useless Facts
Oh Cliff!
Horoscope Week of September 22, 2014
Aries
City with the most Roll Royces per capita: Hong Kong.
Libra
March 21 April 19
The past tense of the English word “dare” is “durst.”
September 23 October 22
It’s the beginning of the school year Aries, your enthusiasm will be greatly appreciated in the days to come.
Almonds are a member of the peach family.
Your indecisiveness will doom you if you don’t make up your mind, Libra! Try looking at your problems in a different way. It may bring you peace.
Humans use a total of 72 different muscles in speech. In every episode of Seinfeld there is a Superman somewhere.
Scorpio
Taurus
October 23 November 21
April 20 May 20
Taurus, the new school year may seem unimportant but overcome that pessimistic thought and continue being patient and persistent.
Being jealous won’t get you anywhere at this point; change your tactic, be passionate and observant and your questions will gain answers.
Bees have 5 eyes. There are 3 small eyes on the top of a bee’s head and 2 larger ones in front.
Sudoku Puzzle
Sagittarius
Gemini
November 22 December 21
May 21 June 21
Welcome back Gemini! Your energy and imagination will help you this week with your projects, but don’t be too impulsive; make sure you think your choices through.
Cancer
Fill in the grid with digits in such a manner that every row, every column and every 3x3 box accommodates the digits 1-9, without repeating any.
You’re going on an adventure! Be sure to keep your eyes and ears open for opportunities.
Capricorn
June 22 July 22
December 22 January 19
The cold weather will make you feel moody and extra clingy Cancer. Try and focus your thoughts on a project you are working on. Go and see an old friend.
Your patience has been most helpful this week Capricorn, continue looking forward and you will gain great results.
Aquarius
Leo
January 20 February 18
July 23 August 22 Your confidence is shining brightly this week Leo. Your happiness will encourage others to be optimistic but don’t let that go to your head!
Virgo
Your original ideas have paid off Aquarius but don’t be so stubborn and miss out on someone else’s ideas! Keep an open mind and open heart this week.
Pisces
August 23 September 22
February 19 March 20
Be observant this week Virgo. Maybe you’ll see somethings in your life in a different light.
Your laziness will be bad for you this week, Pisces. Start going outside even if you don’t want to; you might get some new and exciting ideas for the future.
Whispering Waters wishes you waves of fortune.
Word Search
Page 12 s SPOKE
Monday, September 22, 2014
Did you know that CSI hosts in-house
Chiropractic & Registered Massage Therapy
CSI Health Plan Office Room 2A100 (Doon) 519-748-5131 x3585 csihealthplan@conestogac.on.ca
Chiropractor Monday:....................10:00am–3:00pm Tuesday:.....................2:30pm–4:30pm Thursday:....................2:30pm–4:30pm
Prices: Initial Visit: $60 ($12 with CSI Health Plan) Follow-ups: $35 ($7 with CSI Health Plan)
Registered Massage Therapy Monday: .....................9:00am–4:00pm Tuesday:..................... 9:00pm–4:00pm Wednesday:.................9:00am–4:00pm Thursday:....................9:00am–4:00pm
Prices: 30min: $55 ($11 with CSI Health Plan) 45min: $65 ($13 with CSI Health Plan) 60min: $85 ($17 with CSI Health Plan)
Tickets on sale now! Buy yours at the Service Hub
NOVEMBER 8–9 // BINGEMANS CONFERENCE CENTRE // PROFESSIONAL AND INTERACTIVE LEARNING EXPERIENCE