Digital Edition - May 20, 1997 by SPOKENewspaper

AT"S INSIDE News Sports Skills

Canada

Entertainment

29th Year

Conestoga College, Kitchener

— No. 15 Best foot forward

at residence By Craig Vallbacka Rodeway

Suites will implement

a policy in September that will require students to get their

phone

want

line if they

own

to use the

Internet at the residence.

Paul Holowaty, general manager of Rodeway Suites, said the policy was a “band-aid” solution to an

ongoing problem. In March, Tara Squire, a student living at

Rodeway

Suites, injured

herself while working on a class project.

When the

injury occurred,

phone lines in the residence were busy and while one friend all

treated her injury, another ran to a

pay phone

in the lobby to call for

assistance.

Rodeway

Suites only has

8 res-

and at the time of Squire’s injury, all were in use. “The problem seems to be stemming from cheap Internet access,” Holowaty said. “What happens is,

•*1^ dface.lbrahima -

cuts RN Ken MacDonald’s toenails Owing Doon'a One-day basic foot care course held May 8 for f®SL and RPNs The course was offered through the Health said program, education continuing Scieriices (photo by Lynne Thompson) instructor Florence Norman

because there is unlimited access, people dial up and they just stay online.”

dents

of confidence in computers,” It also gives proof

Schelling said.

Conestoga College is training workers that were laid off from the J. M. Schneider’s meat packing plant in Kitchener, said

manager

and development training Sandra Schelling. Training and development, the division of Conestoga which provides corporate training, has been contracted to work with the J. M. Schneider’s action centre, an organization run by former Schneider’s employees to help those who were

laid off find jobs.

Two

groups of 12 workers are 40-hour computer literacy for Windows course May 12, said Schelling. This adds to two similar groups that started on April starting a

28.

People who were let go from the Schneider’s plant need computer skills in today’s job market, said Schelling.

“From Mr. Lube to any type of manufacturing company requires ^^jnderstanding of the keyboard basic computer concepts.”

The former Schneider’s employwill work with Windows, Microsoft Word and Excel, said

ees

Schelling.

well, workers will

be trained on surfing the Internet so that they can use it as a jobsearch tool. “It’s just

an introduction to tweak and give them a little

their interest

computer skills they gained which they can show to any potential employer, she added. They can also, at that point, move on to intermediate

the

tie-up

phone

lines.

that,”

said.

“And

no one

18 peo-

else can use

the phone.”

offered to laid off workers bit

staying online, resi-

ple are online,

skills training

By Bob Puersten

“Theoretically, only 18 people can

Computer

lines

the

Holowaty said although there are peak times when it is difficult to get a line out, the problem had response

the

many

ties to

solve the problem.

different possibili-

problem,

Holowaty said the residence has

the Internet.

“The

said

one solution would be to install more phone lines. However, he said, “All it means is if we added six more phone lines, six more people could go online. And, theoretically, 24 peo-

cost of installing

new phone

would have probably cost dents of

Rodeway

$25 or $30 a

will be mailed to them before they ever pay us any money. It’s not going to be sprung on them.”

Holowaty said some of the problem may be alleviated by the college

establishing Internet access in September and it may

lines

become redundant for students have access at Rodeway Suites

the resi-

Suites another

year.

Although

policies going right into the

student guest agreement that each student signs,” he said, “and that

ple could then shut out the rest of the building.” Holowaty said the

well.

An Internet option which Holowaty said he was very interested in was “The Wave” from Roger’s cable. Although “The

doesn’t sound like much, he said being a student it is expensive

enough.

The new policy is something which Holowaty said he thinks is

Wave”

currently

its

trial

don’t think the Early Childhood Education (ECE) student who doesn’t use a computer at all and would probably never or rarely get on the Internet, should have to pay an increased phone charge because I had to install

phase, Holowaty said he attempt-

more phone

into

“I

ed to establish Rodeway Suites as one of the test area’s. He said the Roger’s service is in 42 homes in Kitchener for the trial, but that Roger’s does not have the technol-

ogy available yet

lines.”

people

groups

Suites.

However, he said Roger’s is planning a “major roll-out” of the September or technology in December of 1998 and if the

who want Internet access, own phone lines Bell.” By doing this,

to install their witli

to incorporate

multi-user

Rodeway

“What we’re going make it mandatory for

So, he said, to

Holowaty said it will return the status of the phone lines to where they were last year or the year

technology exists then to

before, with problems only occur-

look

ring during peak times.

said, “We would have to be able to provide it to our customers at a decent price and it has to work.”

Holowaty added they

never occurred before. In

as of Sept. ’97

looked

fair.

phone

ident

change

Internet policy will

Rodeway

Suites,

install it

would be

something he would definitely into.

But he

will

able to determine if people are using the hotel lines to access

Manitoba flood relief

training.

the

Presently,

intermediate

courses have not been fully devel-

oped, said Schelling, but work is well under way to have them complete in time for the expected

demand. Also, 15 advanced users are getting personalized training through the department, said Schelling.

Schelling, According to Conestoga is the certified trainer in the Wellington, Waterloo, and Grey-Bruce counties area in a number of software packages including Microsoft, Novell and

CAD. “We can

money,” said Schelling. Schelling uses the model of a doctor giving a prescription it

comes

who

Unions representing Conestoga College employees are encouraging

members

to assist residents

when

working with the peo-

are taking advanced corn-

outer training.

focused on the career goal, the type of job that they want “It’s all

vhen they go out into their next job and what skills they are lacking from the Schneider’s lay-off.” said Schelling.

tioas are expected to be brought to

cult for peqple to drop off items at

Forces from Ancastec has agreed to pick them iip and ship them out * ''' West. The drop-off locations at the

tions at the various campuses,

from

May

12-23.

Wallace, president of the support staff union Local 237, said union executives and

mem-

Public Service Employees’ Union for school faculty

flood victims,” Wallace said. “Everytliing

needed”, Wallace

are actively

endorsing the plan to assist the flood victims.

Wallace said there was talk of some of the organizers of the flood relief campaign saying there were enough donations and asking people to not send any more. ‘We decided to continue with ihe drive because the Salvation Amy, which is co-ordinating the drive, said there is still a need for the donations,!’ Wallace said.

The

items

that

are

needed

include adult, as well as children’s clothing, for all seasons, furniture

and appliances, cleaning supplies, kitchen and bathroom supplies, bedding, toys, games and puzzles

and supplies for babies. “It

Doon campus

Chadian Armed

are: the registrar’s

Employee Services Donna McKenna’s

office in the

building;

in the "Early Childhood Education (ECE) building; room

office

said.

Ann

the college, the

the regulaa: drop-off locations.

!‘We felt if we could facilitate Winnipeg and southern Manitoba areas in their recovery V the goodwill c^paign at the col^ lege it would' be a help for the from the flood by bringing donations to designated drop-off loca-

She said because so many dc^tf

She said diere are 5(K) employDoon campus and more at the other campuses. ICs diffi*

ees at the

the-

bers of Local 238 of the Ontario

customize the training to fit everybody’s specific needs they’re not wasting so that

ple

By Colleen Cassidy

seems strange to be asking

for winter clothing

when summer

so close”, Wallace said, “but these people have lost everything is

will need winter clothing next year. Winnipeg winters are

and they cold.”

Wallace said the donations will be picked up and taken to a central location and sent to Manitoba.

2A42

in the

main

building.

There will be a pick-up for contributions at the Waterloo campus on the morning of May 22 and in the afternoon of the same day at the Guelph campus. Wallace said there are no arrangements to handle cash at the college and advised people to make them at a bank that has an account set up to assist the flood victims.

To make arrangements

have

large items picked up, such as

appliances or furniture, contact at extension 734 or Walter Boettger at extension 518.

Ann Wallace

Health care changes

DSA

by revamped be to plan drug Student B

By Tim

Kylie

Doon (DSA)

Student

members

for students receiving reimbursement cheques.

Association

unanimously

passed three motions dealing with students' prescription-drug plan at

an executive meeting May 6. Under the first motion, students with alternative coverage were given less time to "option-out" of the service.

The opt-out dates for the drug plan were changed to Sept. 15,

said because final enrolment

decided by could send all

for the fall semester

Sept. 15, the

DSA

of the necessary information the Insurance next day to

RWAM

Administrators Inc., the

1997, Jan. 17, 1998 and Feb. 14, 1998 to correspond with the colprolege's refund deadlines for

come back."

gram withdrawal for the fall and winter semesters and for the

have

February nursing intake.

opt-out date. He said students

The previous opt-out date fall semester was Sept. 30.

for the

Gerry Cleaves, vice-president of student affairs, said the new deadprocess line line would speed up the

company

handling the new drug plan. "If we extend the date to the 30th, then we have to wait an extra 15 days. The longer we wait, the longer the opt-out cheques take to Steve assistant,

Harris,

said

entertainment

the

DSA

would

to "advertise the hell out of new that date," in reference to the

and

dents,

decided with

its

sec-

The final motion concerning die drug plan overturned a decision made by the previous DSA execu-

to issue

its

own

tive to

black, bold letters."

The

DSA

ond motion not

reimbursement cheques leave

responsibility

the

students.

In 1996-97, Doon students used prescriptheir student cards to buy

cards.

In an

"We're trying to separate our-

from this plan. Having RWAM cheques will say, 'Well, selves

scriptions

company.'"

cards.

mistake on

DSA

allow the DSA to negotiate a cheaper rate for students because would be spared the

filling their pre-

RWAM

student

their

using

expense of issuing new health

attributed the

She

will reduce the role of

phone number to answer questions

DSA

enced problems

you're dealing with the insurance

deadline until it was too late. u.c aggression all the avoid au "Just to avoiu

using drug-plan stickers on stu-^A dent cards. He said using stickers might

letter to students in

open

Spoke last January, former president April Dawn Blackwell said some students had experi-

DSA.

the

instead of student cards. Cleaves suggested a new option,

had been issued separate health

RWAM

plained in past years that they didknow about the opt-out n't

com-

plan with RWAM, the former executive decided to return to a system of using health cards

they tion drugs. Previous to that,

Cleaves said approving the motion would help students understand that the drug plan is being and not the provided by

by mailing reimbursement cheques directly to students' home addresses, he added. RWAM

have

information had been lost. After arranging the new drug

have health cards issued to

but

RWAM.

RWAM

ohar student data to pharmathey found students some but cies, were unable to use their cards at a pharmacy counter because their

tr^Kiitino tributing

about the plan.

get from stushould put this in big,

stuff that

problem

the part of

cards.

to a

Becky Boertien,

Plus,

dent

company that supplied health cards to the DSA's then insurance

the

would

family coverage.

cards

be issued for students purchase to choose

still

who

brokers Seaboard Life. Plus was responsible for dis-

will also provide a toll-free tele-

director of stu-

separate

said

life,

‘97 receives pins and awards of class Nursina W By Tim ’

Award

recurring theme kept coming up in the congratulatory messages made to nursing graduates at the

health sciences awards and pin-

ning presentation in Doon campus's blue cafeteria. May 9. Bill Jeffrey, dean of health sci-

Lois Gaspar, chair-

ences, and woman of health sciences, spoke in their opening remarks about the challenge of an evolving work field for this year's graduates.

the students

They both said overcome initial classes

their

had

insecurities with

and

abilities

for general proficiency in

nursing.

how

Award

Auxiliary

Committee Award for postdiploma studies in memory of Billie Ziegler; Keri Dietrich Kitchener-Waterloo the for

Award

Hospital

Patricia

Solik

Foundation

Jeannie Borg, Class of ‘97

emerge as excellent candidates for health-care employment. Gaspar welcomed graduates as colleagues and peers. Ronald Langel, who presented Foundation schol-

psychiatric

nursing,

commented on another

recurring

theme.

"Keep educating yourself," he said, "it's really important."

Nine awards were won by graduates.

Claire

Newton won

the

for

of Health Sciences Management

to learn.”

RNAO

Award, the School

Chapter

have

arship

Christine

the

for

Committee McGilvray

Homewood

post-

for

studies;

know and how much we

the

highest

for

Lisa achievement; academic Mutrie Robert the for Smith Education lODE Chapter

Wellington

little

Myrtle

the

for

Caswell Snider Beside Nursing for Garcia Jaylene Award; the Guelph General Hospital

McGeachy taught us

Phaijith

Other winners were:

Pathoumthong

graduate

“Our education has

Proficien Proficiency

General

Halliwell

iTwiio Kylie

Mary-Jo

Award; the

for

Karyn

Homewood in

Scholarship

psychiatric nursing; and Jeannie

Borg for the Tara Storer Memorial Award. Class pins were given to each graduate. Gaspar said registered nurses are identified around the

world by their unique class of which they can be proud.

pins,

Borg, valedictorian for the class of '97, said Tara Storef s death was a difficult hardship for the class, but through her death they "survived and grew closer together." She closed her remarks by saying, "Our education has taught us how little we know and how much

we have

to learn."

Faculty conference to be held in June By Bob Puersten The

start

associate faculty confer-

ence is going to be held June 7. Usually held in September, the conference provides professional

development workshops for

part-time

class pin at the health sciences Phaijith Pathoumthong's excitement is clear as she receives her May 9. Presenting the pin to cafeteria blue campus’s Doon in awards and pinning ceremony who earlier won the Myrtle Caswell Snider bedside nursing award, is Jane

Pathoumthong, McDonald.

associate

faculty,

up of

classes and details of

preparing the winter continuing education catalogue, Stewart said. "It

that we almost (the conference) of

was so busy

didn't get

the ground last September," sai

Stewart.

He added

that changing

well as recognizing the efforts of teachers and co-ordinators, said

the scheduling of the conference to June 7 dovetails it on the end

continuing education

manager Dave Stewart. The conference was moved to

of the Excellence in Education program, a similar conference which is taking place June 4-6

June because of the busy schedule in September, including the

and recognizes Conestoga's time faculty.

full-

SPOKE, May 20,

4,500 expected to lose OSAP By Corey Jubenville

investments

now

will

also

included in assessing how much aid a student is eligible to receive. In addition, students

dents at Ontario colleges and uni-

least

who apply for the Ontario Student Assistance Plan (OSAP). The changes will affect close to all

receive further assistance.

students who relv on the assisj||ance plan, but the group that will ^Bpel the changes most are part-

^^me students. Under

new

the

must be enrolled

rules

students

in at least

60 per

cent of a full course load to quali-

OSAP

must pass 60 per cent of their courses

One change happy

may be

students

hear about is the increase in allowance for the cost of living. Students will now be eligible to to

more money

receive

for living

expenses while parental contributions required will be reduced. Another break is a provision for

who cannot

students

fina

work

unless they have a

after graduation. If a student can-

physical disability. Previously, stu-

not find a full-time job after graduation or becomes sick, he or she

fy for

dents had to be enrolled in 40 per cent of a full course load.

According to an article in the Globe and Mail, 4,500 part-time students are expected to lose their eligibility for

OSAP

because of

can apply for up to 30 more months of interest relief. The changes to OSAP eligibility bring the financial aid plan into line with changes the federal gov-

this.

ernment made

Conestoga College’s financial aid officer Carol Walsh said few people at Conestoga would be affected because most students

plan two years ago. Walsh said Ontario was the last province to adopt the changes and harmonize provincial

attend

ments.

full-time.

Students

who will be affected who switch to part-time from full-time. They may

Conestoga

HE’S

“All other provinces harmonized

status

next year

ous ramifications for people who budget for a higher amount of

money and then find out the new rules mean they will be getting less.

Students awarded more than they are eligible to receive will have the extra amount deducted from any further assistance they receive.

Other changes to the student assisttmce plan which provides loans to over 217,000 students include having to report any earnings above $600. This includes awards, bursaries, scholarships and other earnings. Previously students did not have to report earnings under $1,700.

Cars, mutual funds and other

Critics of the

were motivated by financial concerns of the Tory government in Ontario. Earlier this year the government raised the ceiling on the loan forgiveness plan up to $7,000 from $6,000. This translates into an estimated saving of $42-million for the government. The processing of the forms is also changing this year. In years college

the

them

students

OSAP

completed

their

who

to the ministry.

gave forms

then

sent

This year loan documents will be processed electronically.

“whether it’s a one-day seminar or a 36-hour course.” •The new technology fee on continuing education courses

the

lar

students at

ing in September. lege’s effort to raise funds to

(CESA) committee April

30,

said

simi-

which full-time Conestoga will be payfee

This decision was made by the Continuing Education Students’

meeting

“Campaign Conestoga technology available)

(the col-

keep

view.

with the remaining $2.3 million from within the college.” The CESA and DSA technology fees

meeting it was suggested that there be a limit to the number of courses per semester which a technology fee could be levied on. However, the logistics of implementing such a limit

made

impractical,

said

B^lso

discussed at the

March 6

meeting was identifying a minimum number of hours a course needed to be before the technology fee was implemented. At the meeting April 30, however, there was no such limit imposed, said Stewart. “It’s

any course,” said Stewart,

McLean. “The program

The Doon Student Association’s new entertainment manager, who

Conestoga.

it,

was

ested in the position,

over the position on submitted her resignation at the end of April. It was accepted by the DSA executive on May 6. Tanya Maclean, who was hired by members of the DSA, said she applied for the position of entertainment manager because she set to take 1

loves to entertain.

She said she was a class representative on the board of directors last year and decided she would be

Though she continues

inter-

McLean

said

that aflter seriously considering

really

the

itself is

wanted

but after talking to it myself, I realized I just couldn’t do it.” McLean said she is also sick

what would be required of her, she became concerned about the demands that would be placed on

with mononucleosis right now, which would prevent her

her time. As a third-year broadcasting student, McLean said she realized she wouldn’t be able to put the neces-

meetings for the next month or

sary effort into the position.

“With the demands of my program, it wasn’t realistic,” said

from attending

DSA

executive

so.

DSA

president Chris Kroeker

few ideas on a replacement for McLean, but no firm decisions have yet been made. said the executive has a

DSA Used Textbook Sale August 25

Do you have textbooks to sell? You could have them sold at the

DSA Used Textbook Sale

are focusing to raise $4.1

fulfil that

The is

requirement.

CESA

technology fee alone projected to raise $876,000 over

Textbook Drop

off Dates

Drop off your textbooks to the DSA Office April 28 to August 15

the next five years.

Stewart says he sees the technolfees, in some form or another,

as being part of the student finan-

No books

will

be accepted after August 15

cial landscape over the long term. it would be unrealistic magic dollar bill is going be pulled out of somebody’s

“I think that the

pocket,” said Stewart. “I think

we’re going to have to be realistic in learning how to generate our

own funds.”

More information available the

do faculty and to

thinking about

million from the private sector,

ogy

^^wart.

DSA

full-time job.

May

an asset to the

looking to

“They

CESA

computenn

by Lynne TI;^pson)

raise $6.4 million,” said Stewart.

Conestoga’s continuing education manager Dave Stewart in an inter-

During a March 6

th^

12.

The ministry

take.

Association

May

executive as well as to the student population at

for continuing education Continuing education students at Conestoga College will be paying a technology fee of $4, starting this fall, on every course that they

reopening on

then processed the information and put it into their computers.

$4 tech fee approved By Bob Puersten

its

By Lynne Thompson

new rules have said

the changes

— Cones:oga employee Jamie McAlis

Entertainment manager resigns

“The aim for one loan document. I

think that’s the agenda.”

said this could have seri-

GOT THE CURE

literacy lab in anticipation of

and federal require-

in 1995,” said Walsh.

Walsh

assistance

its

are those

lose their tax-exempt status.

Page 3

Computer doctor

The Ontario government is changing some conditions for stuversities

1997

DSA Office or call 748-5131

;

SPOKE

perspective

MuchMusic

of the he early 1980s saw the dawn music-video age. From that point on,

tions

U.S. and

the

MuchMusic

of the is the visual representation threatening to bury true musical tal-

Canada, artist

u Consider, for example, the new Britishlyrics Their Girls. pop sensation the Spice being repeated are simplistic at best, while

become annoying, like in their “Wannabe.” The listener must hear

first hit

the line “Tell

me what you

want, what you

30 times. really, really want” about has released group the videos In the two You’ll Be There, thus far. Wannabe and Say clad, dance the five members, scantilly finding it around on camera. Maybe they’re occupapast their hard to break free from and (one having been an exotic dancer

who make

It offers all sorts

world, overrun with new bands and

likes

and a sore also popular in the early 1990’s

ing videos.

industry. spot for the North American music top- 10 of number a had too they Though played over and hits, and videos that were were again, it was discovered that they

over nothing more outstanding than glorified syncers. It

lip-

seems

Do Not

she kept for her second album, resultI Have Not Got, and the

Want What

tions

another a soft-core pom star). Nevertheless, their music does not warrant one chart, their top- 10 ranking on more than spot on one number the having held

former model who arrived on the music scene in the mid-1980’s. Upon the release the of her debut album. The Lion and look a head, her shaved O’Connor Cobra,

that the quality of a video

and die

frequency of air-time, and not necessarily group, has the musical talent of the artist or

Supposedly, her rationale for the bold (or was should I say bald) fashion statement listen to her that she didn’t want people to but because they liked the way she looked, for her talent instead. But maybe the glitz and glamor of the again that

is revealing once strategies are suckers for good marketing packaging. trendy attractive, and

music video

had one of the most mortify-

ing experiences of

The apartment where

life.

live is in

a woeful-

ly neglected building in the university dis-

rent helps validate the

apologies for

living

arrangements. There’s a certain amount of social stigma to contend with when you live in what many would describe as a slum. Generally speaking, I don’t let this stigma bother me. I figure, people so easily blinded

their

own

stereotyping are not

worth

the boy’s father explain time and again how ended up alone in the hallway of his

building in the middle of the night. I saw his anger and frustration mount as they accused

However, when

tions life

powerful organiza-

and thereby impacts on my life and the of my friends and neighbors, I get

routinely

hell.

In the end

babysitting

with

lock

was agreed:

there

was no a better

returned to his parents the next morning.

downstairs neighbors. She brings their son upstairs, lays him on a mattress set up at the

a happy ending and

It sounds like profoundly thankful that child was safe. But, when I look a little deeper and with a more critical eye I believe more of us could have been spared this grief if more of the

bed and they go out for the evening. In the morning I give him breakfast, he plays with my son and I walk him down the stairs to his home. In return, she watches my son when I have

foot of

on anyone’s part and I need on my front door. The boy was

neglect trade

held the

grief and knowing also that this agency could make their lives, and mine, a living

judgement of

incensed. I

boy’s sobbing mother in my arms knowing there was nothing I could do to ease her

that stereotyping inter-

representatives from

neglect and abandonment.

to run errands or go to work. It’s a great arrangement that has worked well for over a year now. That is, until last week when their little sleepwalker left my apartment in the middle

address

With all the damage that the Tories have'^ done with Their tough plans in the last| budget, these new benefits are a way of s putting

them

in a

favorable light

What everyone must remember

is that

these tough plans that were set in motion ^ ^ will are still going through the system and / be in place. ^ They can go easy oh the taxpayers with^i a' gentler budget because the damage has^^

already been done. The main reason they were able to

a kinder, gentler budget

indeed, gone.

Canadian economy has been good

Yet, rather than ask themselves where he could have come from, in his bare feet and

them.

made

pyjamas

a.m., they

Honestly, no five-year-old child, no matter well trained, takes the time to lock a door and pull it closed behind him before

running next door sobbing. I wonder, if this had been a middle class neighborhood with bungalows and Toyotas, would these people have been so quick to reach the same assumption?

Or would

they

make J

police could confirm that the parents were

that

the^|

Canada has one of

the highest ^6wth‘:

Finance minister Ernie Eves no doubt wants the voters and the taxpayers to believe this turn-about

solely their

The public shouldn’t believe it. The truth is, Ontario is on a nation-wide economic growth

that is actually

beyond

the Harris government.

a sour note,

compared

to the U.S.,

where the unemployment rate has recently dropped to 4.9 per cent, Canada should still

be doing

better.

The current economic growth now makes important tasks like reducing the

care?

allowing

The

actions of the authorities that night are

testament to the fact that they are sometimes blinded by stereotypes that prevent them from acting in the best interests of the peo-

whom

ple with

they are involved.

Those of us who were there that night have been humbled and humiliated by the experience. Our competence and integrity have been called into question and we hav« felt

;

have gone to the trouble of touring the neighborhood, looking for an open door before removing him from his neighbor’s

deficit

and the cost of government, and

money

be directed to real ser-

vice instead of overhead costs a lot easier to deal with.

These tasks must be dealt with because an economic boom is usually followed by a recession.

government doesn’t accomplish it wilt be back in the some financial mess that happened a few If the

these goals,

years ago.

powerless.

can take solace in knowing that the cause problem is easily solved by installing a $5-lock. Maybe I can even convince my I

right questions had been asked. One thing that would have been immediately obvious to the police when they arrived was that this child was locked out of

his apartment. The building superintendent had to be called to unlock the door so the

clusions

landlord to foot the

bill.

to their hasty conhowever, have far

The people who jumped that

night,

bigger problems.

SPOKE is published and produced weekly by the journalism students of Conestoga College. H61^ne Beaulieu; Editor: Ellen Douglas; Photo editor: Tony Kobilnyk and Pat Craton; Production manager: Jankowski Andrew Frank and Jerry supervisors: Faculty Jackson; Lynn Advertising manager: SPOKE’S

w^ mainly the

realized

his son

him of

was paid

cutting, slashing and downsizing that has already taken place by other budgets last

how

the implications of their involvement. watched I was terrified for my friends as I

time anyway. feres with the professional

price that

responsibility.

when

The

come

ture.

was

short lived, however,

a high price.

in the

rush over me. He was safe. He was custody of children’s services. That relief

when people come visit I make countless

Unfortunately, these benefits have at

work.

painfully aware

welcome

many.

calmly sleeping at another neighbor’s home. A simple tour of the building would have led them to my apartment where the door, left ajar, gave evidence of his recent depar-

that

relief to

tax revenues rising and social welfare rates dropping as more people go back to

justified

has

staying there.

that these benefits are not a

assumption that he had been abandoned and they had him removed from where he was

When I looked at the note that had been tacked to their door I felt a wave of relief

income

for

rates in the industrialized world, with the

the

Gone, gone, gone.

limited

more money

school construction. No one will argue

the quick

walking back down

name. Worse yet is hallway to your room, with calm assurance saying, “No, no, of course he’s asleep right here.” And then finding your charge gone.

trict of Waterloo. It’s cold in winter, hot in summer but the cheap

squalor and

of the night without my knowledge. There’s nothing like being jolted out of a deep sleep at 3 a.m. by a man standing in the doorway of your home, calling out your

raises,

take years to fully

Poor survive despite social stigma R ecently,

no more

for a new fund for college students and a little

a group

Such an example

new tax money

for real talent.

Take, for example, Sinead O’Coimor, a

It IS.

benefits such as

tuition

artists,

truth IS,

there’s nothing wrong with using every advantage, but image shouldn’t be mistaken

use of musical talent Milli Vanilli

get.

The

of those that’s not even their own. is

list

with more praise than it really deserves, gentler budIt has been called a kinder,

its sexual content, and Erotica, harmed for content. sexual sado-masochism and Of course, in today’s competitive music

staying power.

But the music scene has also seen the

Her

he recent budget released from the Harris government has been receivet^^

for its ing crosses. Justify My Love, harmed

which reached extraordinary popularity in now? the early 1990’s, where are they little In the music world, little talent equals

so often they

when she became

explicit videos.

based on their above-average appearances, at the group met with enormous success, least for a couple of years. None of the members played any instruments and their vocal talents were almost average at very best - but they looked good get them a in the videos. It was enough to number of top- 10 hits. But for the group

ent?

notorious for of banned videos burnincludes. Like a Prayer, banned for its

1990’s

the Block?

Having been recruited and thrown together

sta-

Although Madonna has been a name in the music scene for almost two decades, her popularity was heightened in the early

this is not the first

Remember the New Kids on

proportions, with help

applause

artist.

charts.

since exploded to great

MTV

unworthy

popularity of the a significant impact on the

more than a couple of

time pretty faces with questionable talent have topped the

But

But as the popularity of the music video has

for

weeks.

could express artists their musical style and message through both audio and visual means.

from such music

new

lack real musical talent

Videos T

Soft-heartea

299 Doon Valley Dr., Room 4B 15, Kitchener, Ontario, Phone: 748-5366 Fax: 748-5971.

N2G 4M4.

mainly funded from September to Doon Student Association (DSA). The views and opinions expressed in this new" paper do not necessarily reflect the views* Conestoga College or the DSA. Advertisers SPOKE are not endorsed by the DSA unl( their advertisements contain the DSA logo. SPOKE shall not be liable for any damages arising out of errors in advertising b^ond the

SPOKE

May by

the

amount paid for the space. Unsolicitea submissions must be sent to the editor by 9:30 a.m. Monday. Submissions are subject to acceptance or rejection and should be clearly written or

Word file would be typed; a WordPerfect or helpful. Submissions must not contain any libellous statements and may be accompanied by an illustration (such as a photograph).

sports

Recreation Centre keeps busy during By Rebecca Eby with thf» o concert the association are a

in the

The

Kenneth

summer on some

promote the usage of

Riverworks, in early September,

something

James

but

start

the centre.

One change

between

tionship

be a closer rela-

will

Doon

the

Student Association

(DSA) and

the college’s athletics

and recre-

“The benefit

“We’re both here for the

how we see it,” said the director of the recreation cenIan James.

“We that we

said,

resources

have a lot of can share which

would reduce costs.” The most obvious results of co-operation

apparent until the

Among

fall

activities

their

term.

being planned

Hockey

sports teams are running because too few students are on campus.

they pay for,” he said. In their fees, full-time students

during the

Those who are outdoor

James

Camps the

the

summer weeks

gymnasium and on

gym and

But the

to prefer

said the recreation centre

“We need nity

the fields.

said he

summer’s highlight as the hockey

such

schools, the Kitchener Parks and

on weekends,

Recreation

softball tournament and the summer camps will act as

book more commu-

activities

good advertisements for the recreation facility and will give it the increased recognition it needs.

craft

“Our

hoping to open the

convinced the will be used

centre

said the

activities

shows, auctions, those types of - to keep it open,” he said of the whole recreation centre.

remain

more this year than last summer because of all the community activities that have been already been booked.

activities

weekends. fields will

program

inexpensive

said.

recreation

said James.

has never been very busy in the summer so the gymnasium and weight room will be closed on

sports lounge

are not heavily used

activities.

The arena and

such

relatively

James said he

for children also run

throughout the

Conestoga

summer seem

schools,

“It’s

Kitchener Rangers Hockey School in early August, use the ice for full weeks at a time.

same level.” But through the summer, no intramural programs or varsity

across to the athletic and recreation area and see what’s available to them that

pay for membership to the centre. They are allowed access to the weight room, the ice pad and equipment for activities such as basketball, badminton and squash. James also said the centre is try-

become

not

will

come

sports lounge for private rental

Saturdays. rent the sports lounge, and we have all the tools you would need,”

A youth hockey league uses the arena on Saturdays, and an adult hockey league uses it on Sundays.

“It’s

been happening,

the

to students is that

they will at least

stu-

dents, that’s

tre

to the recre-

ation centre.

ation department.

that’s

don’t think that a lot of students and faculty are aware that that opportunity exists to share on

more students not only

Roost but also

groups.

not new,” he said.

“It’s

said he hopes these activities

to the

adult volleyball

league.

said.

will attract

open and the sports lounge will close Saturdays but open Sundays to accommodate community

extramural activities such as the

Wednesday night

this

Sept.l

and a couple of events at the Condor Roost with a disc jockey and a local acoustic band,

Hunter

Recreation Centre staff will

working changes

gymnasium around

summer

ing to organize intramural and

our

fields,

facilities,

our

name

will be published out there

to the

community,” he

said.

He shoots, he scores

Condors have By Andrea Baiiey

their

own Mark Messier

Neely and Mark Messier of the

NHL. While some fans may think of

him

21 -year-old

aggressive,

Conestoga graduate Trevor Uhrig says his in-your-face style of hockey adds to the success of his game. Last season, which was his first a Condor, Uhrig had eight points and went from being a as

fourth line left winger to a powerforward. Because of the

don’t have their scoring touch,” says Uhrig. “but I try to put myself in the action and grind “I

them.

“I’m a very different person off am on the ice. In life I’m easy going and laid back. Nothing really gets to me. On the ice, I tend to get worked up easier. I get a game-face and a mean the ice than I

play

streak that I take onto the ice with

improvement in his game, he was given the Coach’s Award for men’s ice hockey at the Athletic Awards banquet in April. “The improvement happened

me.”

through attending practices regularly and proving myself by play-

rarely misses his games.

ing against high-calibre players

from other teams,” says Uhrig. “I put in a lot of dedication and tried to prove to the coach he had not made a mistake in moving me up the lines.”

The former civil engineering

stu-

dent says he plays whole-heartedly to help his team succeed, a trait he models after his idols Cam

Though

influence

are

idols

a local

man who

“My

dad

has always supported me and has always been there for me through my years in hockey. It’s something I

really appreciate.”

Uhrig says he has played hockey for as long as he can remember. Picking up the fundamentals in kindergarten, he says the interest and determination he had for the game propelled him on to a midget team and, from there, a junior

Conestoga By Andrea Bailey

NHL

his

famous names in the world of hockey, Uhrig says his greatest

winning the gold medal is who were

to prove herself to those

honor. This self-assessed, life-long

journey

is in its final

third-year

“When

student

know what

This summer, Rempel says she hopes to win a gold medal in figa feat which

has never been accomplished by a

female in Canada. And to think if she had her way over a decade ago, Rempel would not have become the talent she is today.

“When I was 11 years ^mom wanted me to pick

old, it

(roller

abili-

ty-

taught by

accounting

ures roller skating

once sceptical of her skating

stages for

Stephanie Rempel.

was younger,

who

coaches

was

didn’t

they were doing,” says

Rempel. “They would tell me to do something and I would end up falling down, but it wasn’t my fault. It was because I wasn’t taught the right way,” she says. “It really

brought

down my

her

coach,

Bobby Woods,

between three and four years.

skated for at least six months, she would get me a dog. Well, I got

all

my dog

have not quit skat-

Growing up

in the outskirts of

and

ing.”

Waterloo, the current resident of Kitchener says her main motiva-

“He has made my

didn’t happen,” says Uhrig.

As much as hockey has meant to him growing up, Uhrig says a professional career in the sport will

remain a distant dream. But he says he will keep up with his physical

conditioning in the off-season

through landscaping and working out at a gym. He says both activities will keep him in shape and prepare him for the dropping of the puck in the

wrong

this age,

industrial league.”

says he

may even

return to

the Condors next season, depend-

ing on if he is accepted to a postdiploma environmental engineering program at the college. “As far as it goes right now, everything is up in the air.” If Uhrig does return, so will the excitement he brings with his

grinding style of play.

“An example of focus and

disci-

heard about recently involved Tiger Woods, the 21year-old who won the Masters golf event in the United States. He said his father always made him focus on his game and told him to be responsible for his mistakes, even I

things the

other

easy thing to do.” Rempel says Woods has also taught her the meaning of discipline something she says she lost without.

for national

came

two

years

“Stick with

long

enough

you can do anything

and go as

far

as you

She says she recommends sound financial support to those

hosted the North American cham-

lessons, serious effort and strict

pionships for roller skating.

discipline are also essential quali-

skating.

She says she

looking upon this

most satisfying yet. She is practising between 15 and 20 hours a week at

owns

was someone else who distracted him during a shot. “My coach is the same way. He

and he wants me to be responsible and learn from my

Burlington,” says Rempel. “That

helps pay for a lot of

mistakes.”

along with

very

strict

Rempel says she list

attributes her

of successes in the last few

her

coach

Burlington. “I also teach kids to skate

and

my skating, my job at Canada Trust

some

Phoenix.

structured

complete, Rempel says she plans to become a coach and eventually a judge in the sport. These would be only part-time careers though, as she hopes to

become a

char-

tered accountant.

as her

rink

says

petitive roller skating are almost

competed against the American champion and emerged victorious

summer moment

She

roller

Since her learning days in com-

United States was involved in the tournament and was expected to win the championship. Rempel

Stephanie Rempel

fications.

the

satisfying feelings.”

if it

are

interested

match-up. “That felt very good. It had to be one of the most

third-year accounting

who

competitive

Waterloo’s Phoenix Rollersport, the rink Rempel’s parents own,

in the

want.”

not an easy

its

thing to do.”

when

ago

medal

ing myself and

years to her coach - a list which has grown significantly. One of her proudest moments

The top contender from

for

unlearn

Trevor Uhrig, left-winger for the Condors, practises a slapshot at (Photo by Andrea Bailey) Kitchener Memorial Auditorium.

competes

pline

anct

coaches taught me. That’s not an

would be

fall.

you’ve either made it in hockey or you haven’t,” says Uhrig. “I’m still going to play competitively, possibly in an

“At

skating a lot

better and has helped

the

C team, but it just

self-

esteem to mess up in front of people and know they were saying little things behind my back. Now I want to show them I’ve made it.” Rempel says she has been with

up again,” says Rempel. “The thing was I really wanted a dog at the time. My mom said if I

jbkating)

play for a junior

rollerskater

tion for

You never know when a childhood hobby can lead to a national

development team in Ayr, Ont. “I had the opportunity to go on

weekends

am completely

the

support-

“The overall advice I have for upcoming skaters is to come see

me or my

coach,” says Rempel.

“There are a roller skating

lot

gurus

of so-called

who

teach the

most basic moves wrong. Make sure you get a good coach who knows what they’re doing so you can learn a lot from them .’’She adds, “Stick with it long enough and you can do anything and go as far as you want.”

Demo Day winners announced

Project By

lan S.

Two

awarded

contacted Scott. “We met with them and determined what was needed. We did

$350 each were computer program-

mer analyst program’s 14th annual

Demo Day College on May 7.

Project

modules and coding separately and everything else was done as a group. I loved doing it, though I wouldn’t want to do it again, but

the

Conestoga

The demonstrations were put on students

graduating

who

three-year program

knew

about the project assignment and

prizes of at the

said the organization

Duke

Palmer

of the designed

took three

years of knowledge to create it.” He added thanks to Scott for his advisory help throughout the pro-

computer software programs for local businesses during their final semester. John Scott, a faculty

the program, said 250 sent to area busiwere invitations nesses which could be potential

and said

ject

member of

would have been

impossible to do without it. The winners of the prize donated

were Cory Stark and Shan Plourde. They created a time analysis study which allows the

Rogers

employers. Thirteen software programs were displayed for interested onlookers, that also included students,

great experience.

it is

Doug

former

Cablesystems

Russell,

students and faculty members. Scott said the judging was done

user to enter instructions in sentence form into the computer,

two days prior to the event when students were asked to set up their computers and answer questions

where they are transferred into time codes and values which tell the user how long a specific manu-

asked by three independent judges.

facturing

were

said there

Sharratt, a

competition.

year’s

this

six entries in

program faculty mem-

judge the competition as they have no

ber, said three professionals

task

September and gave program to anybody would be interested

wasn’t like the assignments we’re used to doing in class.” College Conestoga Former

know the students well.” He said that way personal feelings couldn’t

see

judg-

ing.

The winners of one prize, donated by the Canadian Information Processing Society, were Gary Feirerabend, Eileen Atfield and Robert Duke.

They combined on a scheduling

teers

Doon

keep track of staff and volun-

Heritage

Cross-

the details for the

him

doing it. “I’m very happy with it. nomenal what it can do.

pheIt gives the time it takes to do a task within five per cent and is correct 95 per cent of the time.”

Trip to

It’s

Gordon said the program will be implemented by three companies in the

summer

to validate

its

accu-

racy.

Russell said

was an enjoyable

project even though

took a

lot

and night-time and

debugging,

roads.

—

broadcasting: radio and television student Rick Rothwell, who presented the award on behalf of Rogers Cablesystems, said he was

a first-time visitor to demonstra-

L.A. Livingston

tion day. “I think the projects are

amazing,

especially the fact they are all

English language studies

are being offered to international

Members of Conestoga College’s

Rogers Cable sent a camera crew to the demonstrations and aired a segment on it the following day on their Plugged In program.

international education travelled to

program

Asia recently to meet

with representatives

who work on

the college’s behalf in Asia.

Larry Rechsteiner, director of Conestoga’s planning and international education, said he took part in a visit to Thailand,

China

and Japan to meet with representatives of the college in Asia, and to review changes to the college’s programs with those representatives.

“One of

the

main things

is that

you continue to contact these representatives or agents,” he said. “If you don’t, many of these representatives

work

for

many differmany

ent colleges or schools, different sight, out

countries,

out

of mind.”

Associate director of internation-

Brookman accompanied Rechsteiner on the

education Joseph

trip,

but he spent his time in

Hong

Kong and Korea, as well as China, Rechsteiner said. New changes are being made to the

program

at the college,

said,

The college

the groups

eration

in beginning advanced, September. Up to this point, the program has only been available at the intermediate and advanced levels, which has presented problems for some students, he said. Regular post-secondary pro-

Hydro,

all levels,

cultural

and

experience in an English language setting that focuses on daily living and using English.”

There will also be two or three groups from electrical colleges in different parts of China who will be visiting the college to learn curriculum design, Rechsteiner

recreational

pro-

Bangkok and managers of the World Bank and the Asian Development Bank prowith

people

Beijing

who

rent projects.

number

Ontario

Rechsteiner said he also met

“Take a Study Break” programs and short term “study tours” offered by the col-

and

grams, he said.

lihood

and study tours are in place for this coming summer, he said. “We have three groups of English language teachers from China who will be comming to the college this summer for a three-week

More than

half of the students

tracking report released

Data

will be project

an update on the likethe college being shortlisted for certain parts of curof

The World Bank and the Asian Development Bank are large

money Canada and

organizations that receive

from countries

number of

stu-

the United States for projects in

developing countries, he said. The

banks will give loans or grants to those developing countries to undertake projects for improvement. A typical project endorsed by the banks and pursued by Conestoga College is in the vocational technical field, he said. A project might be started to upgrade the polytechnics of vocational schools in those countries.

with their current

accommodations Out of 306 stu-

them

learning

with

disabilities

an additional 36 which are not confirmed by any relevant assessment data.

ordinator Marian

certainly realize

Mainland

increase

be an

the

number

of students. That

special needs.

vices.

each This

to in

past

students

were only

pro-

entitled

$634 each.

“We

certainly

realize that there is

special needs office in

a potential that

increase

number dents.

ed three mobility impaired, 1 deaf or hard of hearing, three blind or visually impaired, 30 with medical conditions, seven with multiple impairments and 92 others. These figures do not include new to

entitled

year,

we can

special-needs ser-

the report includ-

coming

article,

Rick Casey, there will be an

being given out by

entries

Spoke

$1,231

on what services we can provide and

1997

17,

were

always has an impact

two groups combined what extent receive 547 of the total 990 current vide them.” accommodations

Feb.

1992-93 specialneeds students

These

Other students

co-

cial-needs

“We

124 of that there will have con-

firmed

student, we have an in-service, because maybe its the first time they (the teacher) have had to deal wito such a situation.” Depending on the number of new students special needs will assist, there may be a further decrease in the amount of money allotted to each individual. According to spe-

dents with special

needs,

can,

what

like with a blind student or a deaf

May

Special-Needs

listed the

dis-

The annual report called the College Committee on Special Needs,

up and informed

are

statistical

depart-

ment are those with learning according to a

that all the

players, to the best that

coming,” said Casey. “If there is direct impact in the classroom,

special-needs

College’s

which

as well as to participate in

jects, to get

of the study breaks

new accommodations. “We try to make sure

By Greg Bisch

dents getting special needs along

will arrange for

facilities

the representatives, Rechsteiner

lege.

majority of

Ministry of Education (MOE). It was comprised of information

to visit electricity-gen-

grams available to international students were also reviewed with said, as well as the

make up

Collection was released to the

from basic

students at

Learning disabled

abilities,

practical applications.”

Asia maintains said.

(Photo by lan Palmer)

receiving services from Conestoga

high profile for Conestoga By

Eileen Atfield receive their prize from

Co-winners Gary Feierabend, Robert Duke and From left Ron Stepier of the Canadian Information Processing Society.

weekend hours to create. “It was really different doing the program from start to finish. It

to Scott in

program designed all events booked,

similar

the idea previously in Lotus. Gordon said he made a proposal

would be hard for faculty members to do the judging as we “It

tlte

other

The program was done for Ian Gordon, a materials management faculty member, who developed

ties to the entrants.

inadvertently creep into

tasks should take.

Conestoga

the

stu-

That

always has an impact on what services we can provide and to what extent we can provide them,” Casey said. “It sort of puts us in a bit of a bind because we have an obligation to accommodate.”

Due

human

to the

right code,

September, said special-needs advisor Rick Casey in a recent

special needs can’t use financial

interview.

delivering services.

Between

May

15 and Sept.

special needs will be kept busy

processing 80 per cent of the new intakes. This includes setting up

hardship as an excuse for not

Casey said

that in the past this

has meant finding more creative and efficient ways of giving their services.

student speaks at Ontario

Tibbits

He said in the 50s and 60s, Canadian hockey teams just had to show up to win. However now, athletes have to train hard to compete. Similarly, businesses also have to

Canadians need to counter the devaluation of skilled trades and applied technology that has been ccurring over the last 20 or 30 bars, Conestoga College presient John Tibbits said at the Competitions Skills Ontario

work harder to succeed. Rapid technological change and

globalization are also factors in

school year and more remedial work for elementary school stu-

“Not getting a degree

apprenticeship

Canadians have the skills necessary to compete in an increasingly competitive global economy. “People are very hungry both figuratively and literally in Europe

quality of

life;

learning.”

services,

education,

and Asia,” he

expectations in numeracy and

stage,”

“The competitive environment

eracy in elementary school stu-

dents so that they can learn

very tough.”

illustrate his point.

LRC By

Ian S.

making

Palmer

During the summer, Conestoga

it’s

business as usual at

Learning Resource Centre (LRC). Jill Douglas, co-ordinator of the LRC, said operating hours are the

shortened during the summer, as only a few programs are offered. The hours of business during

June are, Monday, Wednesday and Friday, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. and 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Tuesday and Thursday. She said the hours vary slightly,

May and

as the

LRC

tries to

“We

Tibbits said students should have

more opportunity

for apprentice-

longer

and applied technology programs.

for “A

a seven-days-a-week

faculty representative

each program will come to the library and suggest books to order. We try to keep up on current

available.

issues.”

of maintenance equipment. Though books

She said the

and August the hours are 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday to Friday. Unlike the rest of the year the LRC will not be open on Sundays during the summer. The LRC will, however, be offering students and faculty something new in September, said Douglas, as it will be opening on Saturdays,

“Some

^;are

two

to three

weeks

was to where

link the curricula into areas

fields

much

people

advanced

can

get

including

training,

receives

its

members bring and leave them

are

examined

inventory-taking

see

out for students to take home. The LRC is staffed by 13 full-

time and four part-time employees.

-The part-time positions are held by Conestoga students. Students work evenings and September from weekends

tries to

mer hours

to April.

the budget allows.

will affect lar-for-dollar

ByTony KobWnyk

student finances

rather than

7 and then invested. The interest on the investment is

will be mostly

distributed to students tlirough bursaries. 7

extended

th|G£'<

directly to students.

year,

un^r

this pre

fcolleges and univmities coi ^^doWmentfunefe. ^ -r Tliese hands w^te matcheo

because

;

been a priority for the federal government for about three years,

more have they collecting endow-

meats, ”, The Ontario rcati

help

tie

graduation. integrated approach is

also

fund

OSAP loan

repayment into the students’ income after

would

7\The new

to^

students

;

colleges

targeted to be implemented September, 1998.

home

Upper Canada

insurance seminar clients to

By Colleen Cassidy

On May 5, 174 members of the Law Society of Upper Canada spent the day at Conestoga. Carolyn Thomas, a Kitchener

spokesperson for the

lawyer and

said the lawyers were attending a televised closed-circuit seminar that was being pre-

group,

sented

Toronto,

insurance

He said the new plan, which has

Colleges argued that universities had more success in the program

ha^

7 Lai

March

repayment.

il,1998.

He said the Ontario Stid^ Opportunities Trust Funds been*xpandcd for colleges.'

attends

the

the said Mullan working with the federal government to develop a new program for Ontario Student Assistance Plan (OSAP) loan-

province

programs allocate funds which

college will receive funding for this program or if the money will go directly to students to acquire Finally,

but most of

j 7 gram lasl??i^ar., ^i|^stoga College, Kfell an^^^l items in the bi^’^ S went to uESyersities. Ae province get perim^l to colleges w^; lil^'Said "

impact tlie students rather kthe college itself since the

said.

the services they need.

fintoce

”

by tlie recent Ontario Coaservatwe brudget according to vice-president of[r Kevin

affected

and universities, Mullan However, he di^ hot know

the government,

(Photo by lan S. Palmer)

the LRC.

Law Society

Budget

value, because they aren’t

getting a degree.”

updated, said Douglas. The old books are usually left

requests for books by students and faculty and will order if

“Students aren’t going into these because they don’t feel as

solution, Tibbits suggested,

which ones should be replaced due to deterioration or need to be

later but

LRC

The LRC’s books during

fulfil the

them

said.

One

for students to use.”

dictable.

Douglas said the

trades and applied technology,” he

in reserve at the circulation desk

delivery dates are unpre-

many

LRC

faculty

books to the

delivered to the college as quickly as

a specific degree level. “Once that starts to happen, there will be more credibility given to

the shelf.

house for community e^lleges. She said books are Sometimes

During July

applied learning,” he said.

by acknowledging the program meets a standard that is at

Textbooks for programs being taught are rarely ordered, she said, as they would probably never see

best suited for them.”

“Not getting a degree may impede people from going into apprenticeship fields and more

said industry could certify

degrees

faculty reps.

of the LRC’s book fardering also occurs in the sumiriser to ensure their delivery by September, said Douglas. The books ;are ordered through the Biblio Cqntre, under Toronto, Centennial College which is set up as qn ordering

talk to

areas.

most important, which is determined after discussions with the

ordered throughout the year; the majority

members of programs that are still here to determine what hours are

he said. According to Tibbits, colleges should be allowed to offer applied degrees in a limited number of

budget in the summer and then orders the books that are deemed

audio-visual

are

can’t get into univer-

they feel like they’ve failed,”

from

She said the weekend hours will be from 1-4 p.m. but there will be no reference services Douglas said students will hopefully benefit from the new hours on Saturdays as many bus services don’t run on Sundays. Douglas said the quieter months give the staff an opportunity to catch up on chores such as inventory and the cleaning and regular

many people

summer

operation.

accommodate

the students’ needs.

system,

school

high

the

ship, skill trades

suggested

also

shortens hours

College may often resemble a ghost town from an old western, or an episode of the Twilight Zone. But other than reduced sum-

mer hours,

how to

learn.

hockey analogy to

lit-

“I think there’s been an overemphasis on university and when

many companies

ly skilled people.

President John Tibbits

world higher

encouraged

said

having problems hiring technical-

said.

Tibbits

said.

in a

empha-

applied technologies.

suffer

will

we can compete

said less

because excellent opportunities exist at colleges in skill trades and

degrees.

sity,

should be placed on attending school after high university

may impede people from and more applied

unless

integration

sis

fields

health care, social

more seamless

work place. But Tibbits also

must address, Tibbits said. “We have to realize that our

sary in the school system to ensure

said the system should pro-

the

into

Tibbits said changes are neces-

vide a

of curricula which links high school programs to colleges and

dents.

going

Tibbits used a

technology training

skills,

competition Canadian businesses

(OSC) VIP luncheon.

— Page 7

luncheon

Skills

Students need more By Tony Kobilnyk

SPOKE, May 20, 1997

life

company.

by a U.S. Title

Plus

Insurance.

Thomas said the company home buyers against problems that may arise if the title to insures

the property they are planning on purchasing is not clear.

She

said

the

lawyers

were

attending the seminar to determine whether the insurance would

be a good thing to advise their

home

buy when they purchase

or piece of property.

Currently there for

tection

no such pro-

home

buyers

Canada, and lawyers are insured only for negligence. As well as losing the home they wanted to buy, the prospective

home there

buyers lose financially, if a problem with the prop-

title, Thomas said. “A home is the largest

erty

invest-

ment most people will make, so it makes sense to have this kind of protection”, she said.

She said the insurance policy will protect the

long as they

Thomas

own

home

buyers as

the property.

said lawyers in

London

and Hamilton, as well as Toronto same the seeing were televised seminar.

Page 8

— SPOKE, May

Canada

Skills

20, 1997

642 participate

Ontario Skiiis Competition

By Tony Kobilnyk Hundreds of students from high and colleges all over

schools

in Kitchener 1997 Ontario Skills Competition (OSC). The event, which has been held

Ontario gathered May 6-7 for the

annually since 1989, was hosted this year for the first time by the City of Kitchener and Conestoga College.

Students from 55 school boards and 16 colleges competed in 39 categories of contests which showcase technological and trade skills that will be part of their future careers. In total, 642 students took part.

Kitchener The Memorial Auditorium Complex and Conestoga College both provided facilities for contests and ceremonies for the event. Gail Smyth, chairwoman of the 1997 OSC, said the competition is held to increase awareness of the technological and skilled trade strategies in the workplace. She said the competition also tries to enhance student interest to continue studying technology and trade areas in high school and college. Smyth, who is also the co-op

The Ontario

woodworking

advisor for robotics,

Paragon Engineering sponsored the Conestoga team at the provincial-level competition and will continue to sponsor them at the

role in bringing the competition to

Kitchener.

She spearheaded

from Hamilton to Kitchener for 1997 and 1998.

Smyth

wonderful to see the

and

it’s

exciting to

national level. Smyth said she will be going to

the

community involvement

said a pro-

fessional proposal

and

__________ “It’s

Competition took place at the Kitchener Memorial Auditorium,

the principal sponsor.

and food and beverage management at Conestoga, played a key

the bid to bring the competition

Skills

Manulife Financial also supported the event, donating $30,000 as

national

competition as an adviser for

see

winners

the

the students do so well.”

from

positive

Conestoga. The

Canadian Skills chairwoman Competitions will be held in

Gail Smyth,

city contributed to

the

change

venue.

Richard

1997

Mayor Christy,

“

Red Deer, the

Kitchener

Chamber of Commerce, Waterloo County Board of Education, Waterloo County Separate School Board and the media all pledged their complete support for the event.

OSC

Alta,

tives to the comp>etition to see if

she said.

it’s

do so

exciting to see the students

well.

“I

feel

thanking

when people

are

me, they’re actually hundreds of people.

Because we just me,”she

all

put

together, not

said.

Smyth said she hopes to see the number of events continue to grow. She would also like to see the number of competitors still

to July 11.

the events. I

just love

She

some school boards and

colleges

passion.

who do

not participate in

Gail Smyth,

shows her

said people

still

chairwoman

of the

The

1997 Ontario Skills Competition (OSC) may have been named Hot! Hot! Hot!, but Bob Bauer said commercial photography almost fizzled. Bauer, technical committee chair of the commercial photography competition, said he ran into considerable difficulty securing facili-

host the competition. didn’t

think

Conestoga

fourth floor of the

main building.

OAC

student

from

Lakeshore Collegiate Etobicoke placed first, winning a gold medal. Alison Lawler-Dean from Toronto won silver and Katherine Klepacka Institute in

“We

didn’t think

Conestoga would have a photo

lab.”

looked in the course calender and there was no photography program.”

Ontario Skills Competition

Bauer said it was January before he was able to confirm that the

from the Dufferin Peel separate

college’s labs could be used.

board

Bauer who with Gail Smyth, chair of the 1997 competition, found the labs while wandering around the school. Twelve students from across contest,” said

Ontario competed in the event held at the Doon campus on the

reflection develop them without

error, provide two contact sheets and make two, eight-inch-by- 10-inch

enlargements of their best theme shots within the next four hours. This year the themes were shapes

and

reflections.

write a half-hour multiple choice test.

almost had to cancel the

Competition

Canada

Students also had to submit two mounted exhibition prints completed prior to the contest and

(College) would have a photo lab.

“We

Skills

(Photo by Tony Kobilnyk)

Sara Johnston, an

“We

from

aren’t fully

By H^l^ne Beaulieu

ties to

1997 Ontario

certificate of appreciation

Photography contestants capture shape an6

Sara Johnston of Lakeshore collegiate high school in Etobicoke examines her eight by 10-inch prints to see if she needs to make last minute changes for the Ontario Skills Competition’s commercial photography contest at Doon campus. May 7. Johnston won the gold medal for her entry. (Photo by Tim Kyiie)

year,”

nizing this year’s competition.

Switzerland this year from June 27

following

the

builds confidence

increase as well. Currently there

petitors

and self-esteem so much for them. It’s nice to see them acknowledged for their skills and fine work.” Smyth was presented with an appreciation award at the gala awards celebration on May 7 for all the work she has done in orga-

are

“This

Filevski)

and

event

taking place in St. Gallen,

(Photo by Anita

would be worthwhile for their students. “They usually send com-

from May 29-31. She will also attend the international competitions as an observer. The bi-annual is

aware of the benefits of the OSC to their students. But she says school boards do send representa-

thanking

reaction from the

May

Smyth said about her involvement in the OSC. “It’s wonderful to see the community involvement it,”

Bob

Bauer,

Bauer, a retired photography teacher from Northern secondary school in Toronto, said he also had trouble getting prizes for the participants.

won

bronze.

The students were judged on their efforts in interpreting two pictorial themes chosen at random the morning of the competition and capturing them on film. Each competitor had to shoot two, 24exposure rolls of film within three hours.

They were then required

“These prizes should be value^^ $500 for first, $300 for secon^B and $100 for third,” said Baue/^ at

who says he plans to walk door-todoor looking for stores to donate prizes next year.

Working with journalism instrucRoger Young, Bauer described the facilities as very good to excellent when compared with those used in Hamilton in 1996. tor

Skills

First flight for

Canada

SPOKE, May 20,

Conestoga aviation

gains gold in competition

In association with the

By Ross Bragg

Canada-Ontario

competition the WaterlooWellington Flight Centre

A graduating student from Conestoga’s woodworking program won a gold medal in cabinet-making for his construction of a small table at the Ontario

up an attention-grab-

set

increase

bing booth to of awareness

aviation

career opportunities.

The

Skills

aged

front part of an

Competition Wednesday

May 7.

Cessna airplane, as well as video demonstration a were part of the booth on floor of the the top

Damien Stokholm will soon be representing Ontario as he heads

Red Deer, Alta, at the end of May to compete with college and high school students from

off to

Memorial

Kitchener Auditorium.

other provinces at the Skills Canada Competition 1997.

Four members from the flight centre were present to answer questions asked by curious attendants. They distributed information on the many courses and programs offered in

‘There are no points finishing early but

Twenty-five

hours of flying instruction, and five hours of solo flying can get one a

The

commercial one-on-one

pilot training,

ground

Hache and

the

others

were also promoting the link between Conestoga College and the flight cen-

course, night flying, multirat-

ing courses.

tre.

The

“A lot of people don’t know about the link,” Hache said, “but we have

centre uses small planes and a simulator to train prospective pilots.

was

Conestoga

instructor.

instruction, a private pilot

(left) and Danny DoSouto, students from Queen Elizabeth Park plane displayed by the Waterloo Wellington flight centre.

Mark DoSouto partial

offers

engine and instrument

had a

the first time the

fair

amount of-questoday.”

centre involved themselves with Skills Canada, said

tions about

Denis Hache, the flight

Waterloo- Wellington Centre Flight

The

flying

chief

centre’s

link

between the and

the aviation

option of the General Arts and Science program. allows option This students to gain a general

diploma while qualifying as a commercial multi-

tificate.

instrument

rated at

the flight centre.

air

training

before they graduate, said

was

ested in the program and currently there is one

ground and

inside the

sit

(Photo by Lisa Kloepfer)

he said. Admission to the program is dependent upon

Students are required to in 200 hours spend

engine

Oakville

has grown, since

in grades student’s a English and mathematics, and the acquisition of a Department of Transportation Medical Cer-

pilot through training

Hache. As of January 1997, there were 10 to 12 students involved with the program,

Interest in the

women

said

become

first j

Hache.

offered, said

can become licensed by the Ontario government and may go on to work in Canadian aviation the industry.

gears up

against

students

awards celebration the evening of the event. Shawn Burnside, in his second year of a three-year

various

woodworking program, built the wooden podium that Stokholm and 39 other medal winners stood on to receive their awards. Two, three-tiered wooden podiums (painted with red maple leafs) were centre stage for the award ceremony at

•

Ontario.

The competitors were expected to participate in four different skill-testing, automotive- service tech-

nology

tests.

Dave Harvey, a judge at

the

nostic tools.

In one of the rounds, a fleet of Nissan cars with placed deliberately

mechanical problems were used for the tests. The competitors were required to trouble shoot,

use the car’s parts manuals, identify car compothe use and nents diagnostic tools available

Rosanne

are

judged on their proficienautomotive using cy testers, manuals, and diag-

Conestoga’s recreation centre.

competition, said

competitors

20 other students was a

Stokholm literally shared the podium with a fellow Conestoga woodworking student at the

compe-

secondary or post-secacross schools ondary

at the

competition.

Kitchener Memorial Auditorium. The students were wintheir

did.”

very close and tight one. He said he wished there were more people from that competition with him at OSC to raise the level of

the

college earlier during the school year. He said the competition

nology participated in the Canada-Ontario Skills competition on May 7 at

titions

for finishing early but

wiiming a similar contest

skilled in automotive tech-

ners of automotive

and closeness to blueprints. StokJiolm and otlier cabinet makeis were given seven hours to construct tJie tnble from raw materials using only hand tools. Stokholm, who finished in five hours said, “'ITiere are no points

Stokholm was chosen to represent Conestoga at OSC after

By Lisa Kloepfer six

Stokholm. In the cabinet-making contest, tables were judged on technical criteria such as joints, neatness

have

increasingly inter-

female enrolled. Students who graduate from the program option

program

Interest in automotive technology Thirty

Stokholm said the woodworkprogram at Conestoga helped him do well in tlie timed competition. “TTie program really gears you to industrial thinking and productivity,” said ing

permit

also

centre

”

training,

recreational pilot’s

did

gold medal winner.

hours

for

Damien Stokholm,

aviation.

simulated

— Page 9

Woodworker

By Lisa Kloepfer Skills

1997

&em.

After reviewing the problem, and using the tools.

take a look at a motor displayed the competitors completed

number of assignments

and questions.

The competitor with

the

highest marks in each round wins the competi-

Harvey. To achieve high marks, the competitors were required to demonstrate high

tion, said

For^

the automotive area of the

and physical dexterity and assembly skills.

The automotive technology competition has been part of Skills Canada for years

eight

said

Gerry

Bender, committee chair-

man.

said interest in the

automotive

aspects

Various members of the automotive industry cooperate to develop the scenarios and organize the competition.

The

competition

has

been sponsored by Snapon Tools for three years, and Nissan has been involved as a sponsor for

mation theory, precision interand measuring

in the last three years. It took six months for the

pretation, electrical diag-

various scenarios in each

the public

levels

nostics, hydraulic

auto-

system

design and construction.

Skills

Canada has

skill testing

round

developed, he said.

tripled

including

and

exposed

the event,

propped-up engine,

students

^ph^tn Kioeofen by Lisa Kloepfer) (Photo hv

competition

skills

two years. Snap-on and Nissan Tools set up displays -for

skill

District

and Michelle Hauwerriruce^^^

The gala celebration for 640 competitors from across Ontario included a dinner and a keynote

sport utility truck, and a sedan hooked up to diag-

address by Canada’s world rowing champions Colleen Miller

nostic tools.

and Wendy Wiebe. winning his For Stokholm received a

These displays attracted a lot of attention. Many of the visitors stopped to look under the hoods of the cars,

peek

and exposed

at the truck,

investigate

the

engine.

Representatives

from

were companies present to answer the

both

public’s

questions about

the competition and the displays.

woodworking

effort,

set

tools provided

Stanley Tools. Stokholm said that within a

few days he will be moving to Seattle, Wash, where he has found a job as a woodworker in a small cabinet shop. Stokholm will return to Canada for the Canada Competition Skills 1997.

Page 10

— SPOKE, May

Conestoga hosts By Anita Skills

Canada

on a mission, A

development.

Conestoga will be the host col-

mission possible, that is.

The

national non-profit organi-

of educators, students, employers, labor groups and government wants to help make skilled trades and technological occupations a first-choice option zation

for post-secondaiy students.

lege

for

Ontario

the

two year^

Skills Ontario next

And Conestoga College will continue to play a part in this

FilevskI

Canada

Skills

20, 1997

Skills

Competition (OSC) for the next two years, said Susan Takacs, who ran the Conestoga information booth at the Kitchener Memorial Auditorium May 7 during the Careers 2002 Showcase,

For the last three years, the combeen held at Copps Colliseum in Hamilton. petition has

Takacs, along Sheila

with exhibitor

MacLeod, were

offering

general information to students on the

programs

available

Conestoga.

about part-time courses and training and development

“A

lot

inquiries made by students interested in the college, especially

years, said

OSC this year,

as well as a

number of visitors.

She said approximately 5,800

came out

students exhibits

OSC for eight

see

MacLeod.

In those eight years, Conestoga

Takacs said there was a record number of competitors involved record

Takacs said there were a

of people from the public

are asking as well,” said Takacs.

in the

Conestoga students have been pMticipating in the

has

won medals

well as in other areas, Takacs said.

Gold medal wirmers will comCanada compe-

pete at the Skills

be held .Red Deer,

tition to

the

May 7.

woodworking,

making and welding, as

cabinet

Alta,,

May29-3L

Student hairdressers create new hairstyles at cosmetology booth By Greg Bisch Style, fashion and appeal stood out among the other talent at Ontario Skills Competition (OSC)

the Kitchener Memorial Auditorium as aspiring hairstylers at the cosmetology booth competed May 7. According to Henry Hlady, chair of cosmetology, some 23 students from 18 school districts across Ontario cut, curled, and teased their model’s hair trying to beat at

out their opposition for the medal.

OSC

High school students blocked

the

hallway as they gathered around to watch as a number of modem hairstyles were performed. Most other booths at the event didn’t draw a crowd. The cosmetology competition consisted of four requirements for the students to perform while a panel of judges evaluated. The first requirement was a long-hair design to be set up in a bridal fashion.

used for

this

Mannequins were

segment.

“The reason bridal fashions are used is because it is the most frequent skill related to long hair,” said Hlady. Second, there was a short-haircut test where the students used their

own models and gave them

fashionable haircut.

was usually a

friend

The model of the com-

petitor.

After

this,

a fashionable style

was performed on the short-haired model. “For this segment the judges look if the style is suitable for the model. Then they look at the finishing quality of the style as well as

its

appeal,” said Hlady.

Lastly, tested

the

orally

competitors were with a general

knowledge question. Winning first place meant the Student would get recognition from those in the hairstyling profession said Hlady.

top

three

competitors

well, the

were

receive gift packages comprised of professional tools like scissors,

combs, and blow dryers. The first place gift package had a retail

value of $300 and second place had a value of $250. Third place had a value of $150. The winner would also compete in next year’s aimual Canada-wide cosmetology competition. The wiiuier of the national event goes to the international competition

held every two years.

“At the international level, our (Canadian) competitors attitude

seems If

be Tf

we do

well, great.

don’t do well, no big deal,”’

said Hlady.“This attitude has to change if we are ever to be recog-

nized in the field.” In fact, at the last international

competition in Taipei, Taiwan, out of 49 countries, Canada was close to the

bottom of the

list.

Hlady

said the reason for this is higher pressure to win in other countries. “In the Asian countries, the

competition can

bre^ them

for

make them

their entire pro-

fessional career,” said Hlady. “ For them, it makes the differ-

ence of being internationally sucor working in a comer-store shop.” cessful

competitor prepares cream puffs during the baking competiat Skills Canada, May 7, at the Kitchener Memorial Auditorium. Competitors remained anonymous until winners tion

were announced

at the

awards ceremony.

(Photo by Anita Fiievski)

Baking tempts palates By Anita

Fiievski

liness

The “Are you giving out any food?” “No, it has to be judged.” This was the common conversation heard around the baking area of the Ontario Skills Competition

(OSC)

at the

Kitchener Memorial

Auditorium May 7. Baking is part of the service skills area of the competition, alongside culinary arts and cosmetology.

Harry Fong, baking chairman, the competitors were required to complete a number of tasks to qualify as medal winners for the national competition in said

Red Deer,

Alta.

“The students are reponsible for bread and rolls, pies, choux paste and sponge cake,” Fong said. “They are also judged on their measuring skills, mixing, make up skills, baking and the final product.”

The final product also involves some decorating, Fong said. But that’s not all. Students are also judged on procedure, clean-

and

safety,

three judges,

said. all

from the

baking industry, mark the final products on their internal and external appearances and finally, taste.

Eleven secondary students and two post-secondary students participated in the competition, Fong said.

The students are identified by numbers during the competition and remain anonymous until the winners are announced at the awards ceremony.

To be

eligible for the competi-

should be in a baking program, Fong said, but this is not always necessary. He added students should have prior experience with baking and must earn their entrance to the tion, participants

competition.

Medal winners must achieve

minimum of 60

per cent in the

competition, Fong said.

Gold medal winners pete

nationally

Canada competition Alta.,

May

29-31.

will

the

in in

comSkills

Red Deer,

Cora Wilkens models her new hairdo styled by Maria Munoz at the cosmotology booth of the Skills Ontario competition on May 7. Both women are students at General Wolfe High School in Oakville (Photo by Greg Bisch)

Canada

Skills

SPOKE, May 20,

1997

— Page 11

Snobelen recognizes need for development _

•

important,” he

By Tony Kobiinyk

“It

said.

recognizes the

development to the importance of future of the province of Ontario and it celebrates the skills that our young people skills

Ontario’s Education and Training Minister John Snobelen managed to forgo govern-

ment business

for a short time to attend the

gala awards celebration of the Ontario Skills Competition. The minister spoke briefly to about 1 ,200 who attended the event in people

Conestoga’s Kenneth E. Hunter Recreation

Complex.

said although

he was unable to attend

the competition because of budget issues, he did want to attend the awards ceremony for

two reasons. Snobelen first acknowledged the contributions of Conestoga’s Gail Smyth, chairwoman of the 1997 Ontario Skills also thanked the City of Kitchener,

Conestoga College, the local school boards and Manulife Financial, the principal sponsor of the competition.

commitment

referred to a three-year

announced earlier this year by the Ontario government to help further develop the

speaks

annual competition. --competiton We .... think the skills r

(Photo byiony Kobiinyk)

luiiici Recreation Centre. i_. Hunter Kenneth E. ine rxBiMicm at the celebration ai ceieDrauun 1

the gala adwards

Snobelen said the Ontario government talked about initiatives in its budget which will help students, such as additional fund-

ing for summer employment, internships, and continuing the Ontario Student Opportunity Trust Funds program for another year for colleges.

The second reason Snobelen said he wantto speak was to deliver what he called “a

pretty simple message.”

government recognizes the skill development and that Ontario’s future will depend on the types of

very

demonstrated at the competition.

The energy, vitality and expertise demonstrated by the competitors is important to the future of Ontario, he said. “I want to congratulate all of you for being winners,” he said. “And particularly to extend my congratulations on behalf of the

government to those of you who won today.

The is

said the

importance of skills

Competition.

have.”

future

province

this

great hands.’'

Women encouraged to enter technical fields ___

Ontario Skills Competition (OSC) held in Kitchener May 6-7. Events such as masonry, carpenand auto service had no try,

women finalists, while broadbased construction and small-powered equipment had only one or two according to

offi-

“There should be more women,”

Don

Attfield, technical

com-

mittee chair in the brick masonry

“We encourage women to come and try the trade.

competition.

Considering the

low numbers,

and several other judges

Attfield

the opportunity is there.” McClelland said he understands

which may discourage women, such as male employers who make up there are traditional barriers

weak

excuses to justify their fail-

involved in the competition said more women should become

hastily

jump

right

in,

said

tion or discouragement in their

technical training.

gory.

are making up for all those past years, and are trying to catch up,” said Alison Laulei-dean,

The competition did see strong female representation in those areas traditionally associated with women, such as cosmetology, baking, culinary arts, and prepared

“Women

17, of Toronto,

Laurence.

who was compet-

ered non-traditional is often the result of previous exposure and

because of the guidance. Despite their low numbers, women finalists at the event said they never really considered them-

said

a problem,

John Viets, a judge in the

car-

“The

familiarity.

“Socialization plays a big role,”

rather

macho and resist instruction, while women listen more and do better

becoming more equal in terms of gender, particularly in photogra-

women outnumber the

success

speech, said a Skills

Canada repre-

sentative.

According to a winter 1997 artiCanadian Vocational Journal, women make up 44 per cent of the labor force, but fewer

cle in the

than 10 per cent are technicians

of 18, Armstrong, Sherry Toronto, also said she felt the number of women involved is slowly increasing and that one’s is

ists in

determined by effort

and technologists.

The

article

also

said

that

1989, only six per cent of graduates

from college career programs

technology

engineering

were women.

not gender.

said.

these areas

Opening ceremonies

a disadvantage for

the industry. “It’s

unfortunate because they

give a different slant to

ing their worth.

approach and reach for the manual he said, but they also make fewer mistakes. Men, on the other hand, tend to have the attitude that they know the correct answer and first,

QKp \x/5»c filial women finalone of two WOTTien was nTiP She a group of 34 competing in the broadbased construction cate-

1 ^ rinA selves at a disadvantage and had not experienced any discrimina-

phy where men.

women in their male-dom-

inated workplace

committee chair in the small-powered equipment competition, said the lack of female participation in

auto service technology competition, said stronger female involvement is a matter of women breaking into the system and prov-

women worked differently. He said men tend to be

include

because they do an excellent job. Dave McClelland, a judge in the

technical

workplace is slow to change and be accepting,” he said. Viets said he thought a woman’s decision to pursue training consid-

ure to hire women. Resistance by employers

Donald Laurence, the technical

tend to have a slower

ing in the photography competition held at Conestoga College. She said she thinks the technical classes at her high school are

fields

involved

Women

“There are serious problems we have with the male ego,” he said. Roger Young, a teacher at Conestoga College who assisted with the photography competition, also said he thought men and

pentry competition.

cials.

said

there,”

said. “If the ladies are interested,

Only a handful of women made up the finalists in trades traditionally dominated by men at the 1997

women finalists,

room out

“There’s

By Sarah Smith

it,"

said.

Conestoga leads way in skills By Anita

•

competition

Fllevski

Conestoga was the top post secondary school winner at the 1997 Competition Skills Ontario (OSC) held May 7, announced Conestoga’s public affairs office

'May

Conestoga was one of 16 community colleges competing and came away with seven medals.

Medal winners are currently wmting to find out which of theni will represent the college in the 'national ^competition in Red

Deer, Alta. May 29-31. Gold medalists include Corey DeBruyn, of Brantford, for residential wiring; Jason Gerrard, architecfor Waterloo, computer-aided design; Elmvale, of Pottage, Jim

tural

and

New

Johannes Dundee,

ironies

Damien

Richert, for

mecha-

Stokholin, of

Burlington, for cabinet making. Silver medalists include Greg

Hitchcock, of Waterloo, for elecAdam Hurlburt, of tronics; Kitchener, for mechanical puter-aided design.

com-

Skills

Canada-Ontario, John J'bbits and

oresident of the board of directors of signifying the Financial prepare to cut the ribbon Manulife of Sinclair competition.

Anne Cool

Page 12

— SPOKE, May

entertainment

20, 1997

Movie Review

Rolling Along

Cult film director gets serious monogamous

After Clerks,

Smith reveals a

deliver his popular culture brand of sarcasm.

mature side with

Adams, Affleck and Lee appeared

some

you’ll catch

From

the

got

references to

Smith’s other films.

critically

Smith’s

and if you pay close attention in Chasing Amy,

Filevski

“Everyone’s Everyone.”

agenda.

acclaimed

low-budget Clerks, to the

less-

than-well received Mallrats, writ-

Kevin Smith continues examination of social his latest flick. Chasing

er-director

Like when Adams’s character refers to an old friend who had sex with a dead guy in the bathroom of a convenience store (Clerks). Or when Lee’s character mentions high school friends Brandi Svenning and Rick Darris

his clever

(Mallrats).

roles in

sance-makers Jay (Jason Mewes) and Silent Bob (Smith) pop in and out of crucial scenes. This, along with such Smithspeak as Jay’s “snootchie

Amy. The movie

stars

Ben Affleck

the reactions, thoughts and feelings Holden, Alyssa and Banky

Holden MacNeil, co-creator of the successful comic book Bluntman and Chronic, along with his best friend Banky, played by Jason ' Lee.

Everything is perfect in their world of comics and girl chasing, until Holden meets fellow comic book artist Alyssa Jones (Joey Lauren Adams) and instantly falls in love with her, forgetting about his best friend.

There’s only one problem: Alyssa’s gay. The rest of the movie attempts to examine whether a lesbian and a heterosexual male can have a

Or when

bootchies”,

recurring nui-

makes Smith’s film a

enjoyable,

reference-rich

experience for fans, while allowing newcomers a chance to laugh at the jokes.

Yet apart from

seems

to be

this.

on a

Chasing Amy

slightly

mature level than Smith’s previous work. There is no convenience store backdrop filled with eccentric characters here. There is no mall foodcourt characters can run to

when

have about hetero-and homosexuality, and how community standards have shaped their respective ideas of what a relationship should consist of.

And

all

effort Mallrats,

Chasing Amy. By Anita

One

won’t be easy.

If most of the cast is familiar, don’t worry. Smith is quite fond of working with people he knows can

Mallrats, Kevin

relationship.

thing’s for sure:

sity,

of course, there’s always a

humor

little

to interrupt the inten-

usually courtesy of

was also

quick-witted slacker Brody.

However, some movie-goers may be a little uncomfortable with Chasing Amy’s subject matter, and especially,

Lee’s

Although Banky

character.

sarcastically to

the point, at times he is a little rough with his comments and doesn’t seem to care that he sounds homophobic while he’s

trashing

his

best

friend’s

girl-

friend.

But this can be explained by the movie’s constant emphasis on the realities of life. Some people are

more open

just

new

ideas and

experiences than others - a quality that earned Smith a standing ova-

Sundance Film Festival. Chasing Amy is more than a movie about two best friends tion at the

breaking up a 20-year relationship over a girl. It’s

ery

about more than the discovof that one person who,

It’s

do when you get

By Shelley

Bird

This upbeat, country/bluesy portrayal of lessons in love

and

life

are

uniquely expressed by Canada’s newest rising country star.

Julian Austin, a Saint John, N.B. native, uses simple lyrics to help

one contemplate the love and

reality of

life.

The songs on What My Heart Already Knows keep you moving and grooving with sounds of the new-country style. you are an inspiring line dancer, you may want to grab a If

partner and try

some of those fancy twirls they show on The Nashville Network (TNN). The upbeat tunes would work well. Little

or Kisses,

the first track

from the CD is Austin’s first and differs somewhat from traditional country. Its honky-tonk dance tune inspires one to move on from a release

love-gone-wrong with lyrics like, “So I don’t need your little of kisses/ 1 don’t need your little of lies/ I don’t need your little oT promises/ Breakin’

little

heart

twice.”

Since his music comes from a levs understandable that he get o vent about past loves, whici the main subject area of his - idng for this particpersonal

;

CD. Even though Austin’s name may

ular

rising

not be familiar, he has spent a little over 10 years in cover bands playing everything from Ronnie

country star He

has the potential to reach all audiences with his music, lyrics and vocals and the messages in

those feelings.

tions of others.

and

lyrically,

and that reflects a personal level which is associated with his music.

his

music are

real

and meaning-

ful.

People can relate to his music because he sings of what he knows and the situations he uses are real which adds to the camaraderie.

His style will grab audiences of

young and old and perhaps make a few people aware of this thing called

new country music.

If they are not

Austin’s music

ment clear. It would lead

By Lynne Thompson Gavin Fitzpatrick has

listeners.

aware of new country, they may be more aware of their emotions and the emo-

Austin expresses his feelings

makes

this state-

standing of each other as well as of ourselves.

Fitzpatrick said that because he in the entertainment

had worked

said Fitzpatrick.

industry for several years before taking the position on the DSA, he

As for a negative side to the job, Fitzpatrick said that when things

knew what to expect from the job and therefore encountered few

go wrong, such as an entertainer not showing up, the job can be surprises. somewhat diffiBecause he spent cult. Problems time on the DSA “Hearing people talking such as these, said helping with activities, such as creating a DSA web page, which were not part of his job

is difficult

evi-

manages

to unite strong melodies with the stories he creates. His music follows the style of Dwight Yokam but there is more

music; it’s more perky. Austin follows the contemporary style of country music and

REVIEW GUIDE

life to his

his style

which

will

therefore

more mature

keep older audiences

interested as well as invite

new

tive.

feeling.

something goes wrong and you can get it out of the way and no one notices, it’s a “If

Students get stressed

dict

hours

the

required

out about school and

to pre-

for

the

However, he estimates that on average he put about 10 hours a week

don’t stray

you a good

into

his

it’s

nice to give

them a

good Looking

Gavin

Fitzpatrick,

believes

DSA

entertainment manager

______ also got a

Good

planning

lounge,” he said.

— Poor

Garbage

for

the

coming school year, Fitzpatrick said abouf20 hours a week is necessary.

Fitzpatrick said his time as enter-

tainment manager was a positive experience.

“Seeing people enjoying a show

the

was

as the

entertain-

ment manager. “I would consider

Excellent

Fair

back,

Fitzpatrick

former DSA successful

duties.

activities

feeling,”

said Fitzpatrick.

break.

During the summer, when the entertainment manager must begin the

are

not always nega-

tainment manager.

the traditional country style.

Yet his new-country style

Fitzpatrick,

about a show gives

description,

break, but they

dent with his catchy lyrics and he

people enjoy something. Students can get stressed out about school and it’s nice to give them a break,”

recently resigned.

position of enter-

still

com-

manager on the DSA, the position from which Tanya McLean

Fitzpatrick said to a better under-

just

was really rewarding. The Torture King got a lot of reaction. Walking down the hall and hearing people talking about a show gives you a good feeling. It’s neat to make

pleted his term as entertainment

The slower songs are a little sappier and are usually about heartfrom

Kris Wiltshire

Golf, May 9. (Photo by Colleen Cassidy)

Former entertainment manager found no surprises in the job

Milsap to Aerosmith. The album was recorded at Wellesely Sound and Outcast in Toronto with Daniel LeBlanc producing the project. His music has that Johnny Cash influence and you often wonder if you can really relate to the music only to find yourself thinking about the past and what maybe could have been. So, the emotional aspect is appealing because listeners want to be reassured when it comes to feelings and his music is provokes

well, both vocally

and

Doon

there.

Smith concentrates on

Canada’s

replace sod on the golf greens at

about emotional maturity and

what

Music Review

Austin*

City of Kitchener workers Paul Prince

frighteningly enough, “gets” you.

they’re feeling bad.

Instead,

Lee who

brilliant in Mallrats as

shows an accomplishment.

new PA system

for

We^B the^^

As a recent graduate of Conestoga’s marketing program, Fitzpatrick

now

in the process

of looking for a job. It will not, however, be in the entertainment field because, said Fitzpatrick, there’s not a lot of money there.