Superhero
SPOKE
wannabes Nerdy Gamer gives Ultimate Alliance 2 a mixed review.
A
Page 6
ON DAY. OCTOBER
5.
puppy love Organization gives
rescue animals a second chance.
LEARNING NEWSROOM FOR JOURNALISM STUDENTS
CONESTOGA
2009
Adorable
Page 11
wMiKKusS
nTaSritffii
PHOTO BY STACEY FALCONER Conestoga students and their friends danced the night away at CSI’s
pub night of the year. For more Toga Party pictures, see Page
first official
7.
CSI toga party rocks the Sanctuary By DANE BRASON
On
Sept.
Conestoga
24,
Students Inc. transformed the Sanctuary into a site from ancient Rome, at Toga Party.
its
annual
As students streamed
in,
each dressed in a toga, the atmosphere became more and more electric. With the music blasting and people dancing,
quickly,” said
event
Tera Herriot, the
co-ordinator
Conestoga
Students
for
Inc.
The toga party is one of CSI’s most popular events of the year and is the first of many pub nights at the college. This
260,000-square-foot campus in Cambridge Sept. 25.
A groundbreaking ceremony was held that day with Cambridge
MP
Gary
Goodyear, minister of state for science and technology, among the many federal, provincial
and
local leaders
in attendance.
The new campus will be located
directly
across Highway 401 from the Doon campus.
The
college
purchased 54
hectares of land from the City of Cambridge in October 2008, for $5.7 million.
We
are very proud to have
former student changing some of
the pub nights compared to
year they gave away a New Year’s Eve trip for two to Montreal, courtesy of
If the Toga Party is a sign of the changes, then Conestoga students are in for a great year
really well,
layout.”
Breakaway Tours.
of
it
sold out really
community
Cambridge,” Conestoga College officially construction of a
a
am
everyone in the room was having a good time. “Yes, I think it went over
a
began
I
“Everyone, I believe, had a really good time, now that the Sanctuary has a overall impressive atmosphere and
Cambridge campus construction By CHRIS BATT
“Being myself,
college
said
in
Doug
munications
for
through
safety,
The
Additionally, house the
will
Institute
Food Processing Technology, which will focus on
budget.
management.
“The idea that we could attain federal funds was a huge breakthrough,” said
are the second largest engine in the Craig said province,” Richardson, president of Grand River Foods. “It’s crit-
Tibbits, president of Conestoga College. “It could only happen with a lot of
partnerships.”
The new campus
will
house
the School of Engineering and Information Technology,
which focuses on training in robotics, manufacturing renewable energy, telecom-
begins
the campus
new
Knowledge Program and Ontario’s 2009
John
officially
events.
and informa-
training in food process automation, electrical systems, refrigeration technology and plant
the federal Infrastructure
pub
tion technology.
mayor of Cambridge. college will receive a total of $72 million from both federal and provincial levels of government, Craig,
last year,” said Herriot.
skills
“We
economic
that we have highly trained people on our processing floor.” With the construction of
ical
new campus, Conestoga College will now have six
this
campuses
located southern Ontario.
across
Local officials broke ground for Conestoga’s new Cambridge campus on Sept. 25, which will be built on 54 hectares of land across
Highway 401. Participating were, from left, Doug Craig, mayor of Cambridge; Ken Seiling, Waterloo regional chair; Leeanna Pandergast, MPP Kitchener-Conestoga; Gary Goodyear, minister of
and technology; John Tibbits, president of Conestoga and Sheena Sonser, president of Conestoga Students Inc.
state for science College;
NEWS
SPOKE
Page 2
Monday, October 5, 2009
Now deep thoughts ...
with Conestoga College
Random If
questions answered by
random students
you were stranded on a desert
island
and could only take one book,
one CD and one movie, what would they be? “New Moon by Stephanie Meyer. Colbie CaillatBreakthrough. Love You Man.” I
Lisa Phillips, first-year
visual
merchandising
PHOTO BY SARAH MACINTOSH Kyle Boland, a first-year general arts
getting things
done ahead
and science student
at Conestoga, stays on top of his studies by
of time.
“A dictionary.
Michael Jackson
Beat
-
It.
Getting the hang of things
Lord of the Rings.”
Russell Zhang, first-year
recreation
Students adjusting to college
and
life
leisure
By SARAH MACINTOSH “The Host by Stephanie Meyer. A random mix CD with everything from country to techno. The Parent Trap.”
Laura Vansickle, second-year
accounting
day of attending college is like the first day of attending high school. Students don’t know what to expect and they don’t know where their classes are. Two big fears are getting lost and meeting new people. Yet first
everyone’s in the
same
situa-
tion.
I’m ultimately enjoying
“A personal journal to write
The
in.
being a student again.
Anything Leona Lewis. Seven Pounds.”
Whitney
-
Kathryn Koch
Bell,
and science, has adapted to the college life reasonably well in the past few weeks. “The major changes for me were getting adjusted to the new schedules and learning-
how Koch
Derek Mashinter, a firstyear student in construction engineering, is enjoying the
nursing
said.
After two weeks students
A memory
stick with U2,
Bowie and Hendrix. The Professional.”
Cameron Lourenco, third-year
management studies
around
The major change
was going from a
for
me
full-time
job back to the student
- Kyle
life.
Boland
“I’m ultimately enjoying being a student again,” said Koch.
You are invited to
start of his college experience.
“The Bible.
time,”
able with finding their way and getting more acquainted with the school. They are meeting people in class and are atartin^r to aao familiar faces in hallways.
There are also many services and activities around school to get students involved and introduce them to new people. “I live in residence and I really get along with my roommate. She introduced me to a few people, I met some people in class and I’m also trying to get involved with more volunteer services within the Conestoga campus,”
Koch
fourth-year
my
to manage said.
have become more comfort-
“The biggest change for me would be the workload difference since it’s a lot more than in high school and also living on my own, it’s like a new lifestyle,” Mashinter said. Kyle Boland, a first-year student in general arts and science, took roughly two years off after high school before coming to Conestoga
Femfest
2009
Thursday, November I
College.
“The Sun Also Rises by Earnest Hemingway.
was going from
Sonata Arctica Dark Knight.”
back to the student Boland said.
-
Unia.
David Agotesku, fourth-year
computer programmer analyst
Smile Conestoga, you could be our next respondent!
“The major change
for
me
a full-time job life,”
Students who move out on own also experience changes unrelated to school. Most have to get used to cooking, laundry and time management. Kathryn Koch, a first-year student taking general arts
at the
Schwaben (lub
in
Kitchener
their
This fundraiser
is ii
of fret pampering
celebration of
women. Come
and do some shopping
in
our
for
on evening
silent auction.
Check out wwwjosrwr.org for ticket and event
details.
Monday, October
5,
NEWS
2009
SPOKE
Page 3
Get Involved! By NICOLE FRANK
outside organizations
Start the day off right and get involved. On Sept. 24, Conestoga College hosted its annual Get which at Involved Fair,
life
munity displayed ways
fun.
for
Commons, Conestoga multicultural club, the recreation centre
and
Student
Life.
Community
PHOTO BY NICOLE FRANK Respect Campaign at Conestoga hands out information to students. Representatives from the Respect Campaign
A member
of the
were among over 40 school clubs and outside organizations Get Involved Fair on Sept. 24.
at the
organizations also set up tables, including Children and Family Services of Waterloo Region and the YMCA. with involved Getting Conestoga College or with
building and architect contracts By JANELLE SCHEIFELE 12.000-
build up to square feet.
The board of governors approved two contracts in their meeting on Sept. 21.
large shops for programs such as welding and industrial
The first granted the building contract for the new roofing square-foot the at training centre
two-storey research labs, multiple 800to 1,000-square-foot classrooms, as well as temporary
to campus Waterloo Cambridge-based Collaborate
food services, library and student services facilities. The most esthetic areas of the building will be viewed from the front, with the less visually appealing areas facing the parking lots at the back.
Structures Ltd.
The
second
awarded
a $l-million contract to Stantec Architecture Ltd., to design the new 75,000-square-foot addition to the E-wing of the Doon campus for health and 260.000life sciences.
Also at the meeting, Kevin Mullan, vice-president of corporate services, presented architectural drawings for the new Cambridge campus. The first phase will be square feet, with the college hoping to eventually
Conestoga, said
it is
so
at
much
“It is a great way to meet students who are in different programs.” Cressman said volunteering at Conestoga College also helps students learn leadership skills. The multicultural club is one group that would be great
to join.
The
of people
college is
from
all
made up over the
world and it is a wonderful opportunity for students to
meet these people and learn from one another. Charlotte Heath is a member of the multicultural club and she said that this year their main focus is to “fill the gap.”
“We want to bring international and local students together,” Heath said. Children’s Family and Services of Waterloo Region also needs help from students, specifically with mentoring, driving children to appointments and helping in the office. If you missed the fair it is not too late to get involved. Visit the Student Life Centre or contact Ryan Connell, stu-
dent
life
programmer, at
ext.
2373.
of governors have fun
despite dealing with serious issues
one-million-
phase
first
programmer
Members of board
Board of governors approves
The
tunity to learn new skills. Elissa Cressman, a student
groups and organizations from the school and the comstudents to get involved. Those who participated Learning the included
makes
student life more fun and Volunteering meaningful. looks great on a resume and also gives students the oppor-
will
By JANELLE SCHEIFELE
house
maintenance,
The natural areas along Fountain Street will be left alone, and the campus will be very transit friendly. “We are not going to change any of the natural vegetation along Fountain Street,” said Mullan. A groundbreaking event took place on Sept. 25.
Passage of time should reduce
fruit
and drinking tea and
coffee.
Members of the Conestoga College board of governors are not a stuffy or formal bunch, but rather welcoming and really quite funny. The board of governors meets monthly and is made up of outside community members, college staff and the president. They are responsible for providing leadership and establishing the goals, objectives and direction of the institution. Members review and approve the school budget, business plan, annual and financial reports, and also approve any contracts that the school enters into. The first meeting of the year was held Sept. 21, and
members greeted one another with first names and shared stories about their summer while snacking on sandwiches, squares and
members, new Three Martha Gedrge, Helen Jowett and Craig Richardson, were introduced and immediately
made
welcome. “These are very strategic (member) appointments that will help us move forward,” said Conestoga College president John Tibbits. These new members bring knowledge and experience in the construction, commerce and food processing industries. These are areas that Conestoga is currently lookto feel
president of Arjune and Engineering Manufacturing Inc. Arjune lightened the atmosphere when he asked if the
and
trees
in
the
architectural
drawings projecting the new
campus
Cambridge
were
already in place. He also delivered a very unusual chair’s report about his golf
game
earlier that day. “That’s probably one of the most exciting chair reports,” said Tibbits. The board of governors meet again on Oct. 26 at 5:30
p.m.
ing to expand and offer future
programs of study. Although the subject matter requiring serious, approval of new programs
was
and lucrative building projects, the atmosphere was often interrupted with laughter, especially with joking from the new chair, Dave
Arjune, a Conestoga graduate
CLASSIFIEDS Volunteers Needed Volunteer with a child at their school
improve
and help
their self-
esteem and
confi-
dence. 1-3 hours a week com-
major paridng lot problems
mitment. By JANELLE SCHEIFELE First-year enrolment is up over 21 per cent which has translated into major parking problems, board of governor members were told at a
meeting. College officials expected the problems to be sorted out by Sept. 25, when timetable scheduling kicked in and passes were Sept.
21
sorted out.
been approved. Conestoga was awarded $3.3 million through the fedgovernment’s eral Adjustment Community
Fund
to
Canadian Mental
Call
Health
744-7645 X314
develop a campus
with studies in the power cluster, such as power line
The
technicians and forklift train-
needs volunteers
be about 57 programs offered and the school already has a “cherry picking” truck to be used for
provide confidential,
ing.
There
will
During the meeting, members received breaking news
studies.
that the land site for the new Ingersoll campus, near the CAMI plant, had just
are currently only available Cambrian College in at
Courses of study in this area
Sudbury.
Distress Centre to
supportive listening on
our Crisis PHOTO BY JANELLE SCHEIFELE Tessa Dueck takes a break from helping students
at the informa-
desk in the LRC. First-year enrolment is up over 21 per cent, which Dueck says means more hustle and bustle in the library.
tion
lines.
&
Distress
Complete
training
provided. Call
300
519 744-7645 x
Page 4
COMMENTARY
SPOKE
GRT falls By GILLIAN
Monday, October
5,
2009
short
WEBBER
Parking at the Doon campus has been the subject of since the beginning of school and so far the discussion has overlooked what might be one of the most effective ways to reduce the number of vehi-
much grumbling
cles:
public transit.
Perhaps the reason why no one
is proposing this as a partial solution is simply that the bus routes to the
secluded main campus are not good enough to be a valid option for most students. A student travelling to Doon campus from Waterloo on Grand River Transit’s iXpress and 110 Express routes (advertised as the fastest routes available) still has a journey of close to an hour and a half, assuming there is no wait time between transferring from one bus to the other. Many of these students also take a third bus just to meet up with the iXpress route, pushing their commute time to around two hours. It is not hard to imagine why many of these students would rather pay to own a car than leave the house at 6 a.m. to arrive at school for an 8 a.m. class. Does it not seem strange that it is faster to drive to Fanshawe College in London or take a Greyhound bus
Taking a bus to Conestoga College shouldn't take two hours
Impatient drivers cause chaos
Toronto than it is to bus from Waterloo to Doon? ride for students from Kitchener may not be as lengthy, but there are still major flaws in the 10 and 110 routes connecting Fairview Mall to the college. Too few of the buses on these routes arrive at times that are not excessively early, but still allow students enough time to get to their classes. Due to the high demand for a seat on these buses, operators are often forced to drive past waiting students because the bus is already full. Some improvement was made last year when new routes were introduced to shuttle passengers from Cambridge to Doon. Unfortunately, students from the north side of Highway 401 have continued to be neglected. Grand River Transit should implement a route for Conestoga College similar to the many “school special” routes that cater to several of the individual high schools throughout Waterloo Region. A bus that ran from Conestoga Mall, made stops at a few transit hub areas and then arrived at the college in time for morning classes might make more students leave their cars at home. Conestoga has a bright future ahead with a new campus and a larger student population. We must also try to make our school’s future greener by urging Grand River Transit to improve its routes to and from our campus. to
The
So, I’m driving down Highway 8 coming to school,
and I’m approaching a merging lane to my right. Even though I’m leaving lots of space in front of me for the other drivers to merge safely, I’m preparing for the inevitable.
Sure enough, after I’ve driven to the end of the lane, a self-centred and clueless driver pulls up alongside of me at the last minute, expecting me to move over. Little does he know, I’m more likely to shove him off the end of the road than let
him push
The views herein represent the position of the newspa-
lished
editor. Letters
than
500 words.
Spoke reserves the
should be
right to
signed and include the
edit any letter
name and telephone
for publication.
number of the
Address correspon-
Writers
will
writer.
dence
be contact-
The
ed for verification.
No unsigned
letters will
Doon
be
published. Letters should be no longer
in front of
an
article titled
McGuinty
to:
Editor,
est mistake?
Spoke, 299
I have no problem with others going a bit over the speed limit. But regardless of how
Valley Dr.,
Room 1C30, N2G 4M4
says.”
Well duh. That’s an understatement. I’m not a perfect driver. I go 10 to 20 km/h over the limit on highways. I’ve run a stop sign and a red light before. But where do you draw the line between being ignorant and making an hon-
welcome
letters to the
way
“Reckless driving must be stopped by drivers themselves,
Spoke welcomes
his
everyone else to shave a few seconds off his trip. On June 19, 2007, the Waterloo Region Record pub-
per, not necessarily the author.
Letters are
while heading south on Martin Grove Road past Steeles Avenue in Toronto on July 16. What would possess anybody to go that fast? They need to slow down so Mario Andretti can actually pass them.
Kitchener, Ont.,
fast you’re going,
you need
to
give the other drivers the
space they deserve. You’ll also see women doing their makeup and hair in the rearview mirror. Here’s a
message queens:
for these
prom
Makeup and
can wait!
I
don’t care
driver could
body.
It
be any-
could be your
hair
teacher, or the student
if
you’re going to be late, I don’t want to get hit. Kudos to the car companies who have gotten smart and put hands-free devices in the cars. This eliminates the
sitting next to you.
On March
handset, making it more like a conversation than a call. The hand-held device just had too big of a dark side. Put away your lightsabre Mr. Skywalker, this has nothing to do with you. A bad driver could be anybody. It could be your teacher. It could be the student sitting next to you. But don’t worry, they’re not hiding in wait for you. They generally make their presence known by doing something stupid. Take these two for
Two
drivers were nabbed doing speeds of 200 km/h through a 50 km/h zone instance:
A bad
3,
a
man was
caught by OPP allegedly doing 250 km/h in an Infinity G35. That was said to have set a new OPP record for the highest speed anybody has ever been caught doing. So if you want to go from Toronto to London in 45 minutes, go as fast as the G35. If you want to live and keep everyone else safe, get your hands on the wheel, your phone out of your ear, lipstick away from your face and the pedal off the floor. The road belongs to the people of
Ontario. If you
want
to drive
your driveway, go ahead, make your day, but don’t make mine.
like that in
SPOKE IS
PUBLISHED AND PRODUCED WEEKLY BY THE JOURNALISM STUDENTS OF
Editor: Greg Cowan Advertising Managers:
Production Managers: Sarah Chris Batt and
Dane
Brason
Spoke Online
Editors: Alex Cooke and Janelle
Scheifele
The views and opinions expressed
0NEST0GA COLLEGE
Stacey Falconer and Freeman Carter
Phone: 519-748-5220, ext 3691, 3692, 3693,
Bucher, Mitch Muir and Nicole Frank.
Faculty Supervisor and Adviser:
3694
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E-mail: spoke@conestogac.on.ca
Photo Editors: Heather Muir, Gillian
in this
C
newspaper do not necessarily
Macintosh, Lisa
Nicole Hannusch,
Webber, Michelle Sommer, Justine
reflect the views of
subject to acceptance or rejection and should be clearly written or typed; a
Reist,
Conestoga College. Spoke
MS Word file would
be
helpful. Letters
shall not
Spoke’s address
is
Kitchener, Ontario,
be
liable for
must not contain any
299 Doon Valley N2G 4M4.
Dr.,
any damages arising out of errors
libellous statements.
Room 1C30,
in
Fax:
519-748-3534
Website: www.conestogac.on.ca/spoke
advertising beyond the
amount paid
for the space. Letters to the editor are
NEWS
Monday, October 5, 2009
SPOKE
Conestoga’s CJIQ not just
Page 5
Demonstrating for peace gram
By ALEX COOKE
in 1981.
Another event that was
Imagine a world without
a college radio station
violence.
This is the inspiration Roger directors behind Albrecht and his brother Matt Albrecht. The brothers, both from Kitchener, are also the driving force behind a
By ALEX COOKE
For eight years Conestoga College’s
own
local non-violence festival.
radio station,
Sept. 21
CJIQ, has been broadcasting from the Doon campus. Not only does the station reach from Mount Forest, it is also a second-year radio broadcast students hungry to get on the airwaves. Mike Thurnell, recently appointed program director
for
and co-ordinator
Bureau for Broadcast Measuring (BBM). the
a research agency BBM whose membership includes radio stations, television stations and advertisers across is
PHOTO BY ALEX COOKE Second-year radio broadcast students, Kate Cardy and Jeremy Ross, discuss the week’s classes in one of three radio studios at Conestoga College.
Carrie Humphries volunteers every Friday night, from 7-9, hosting the indie rock
invasion show (I.R.I.S). She first got a taste of broadcasting when she was in her first year of the broadcast radio and television program in 2002. Although she didn’t have the opportunity to finish the second and third years of the program, she did remain working at her co-op with
Rogers Television.
amazing,” was Humphries said. Humphries enjoys being a “It
part of CJIQ, the largest
col-
lege station in Canada. The station is dedicated to excellent programming, and is
earning a reputation for being a breeding ground for future radio personalities. “It’s a privilege to be includfamily this in ed said broadcasters,” of Humphries. “CJIQ is well-
tallying.
part of the team.”
now
over 15,000 every week, triphng over the last couple of years,” Thurnell said with a
“There are
CJIQ
listeners
proud smile. ‘We even get feedback from as far
away
as Erie, Penn.”
located
and form a human
known and I
feel special
being
Monday through Friday
the rock influenced, featuring such groups as Kings of Leon, Three Doors Down and Nirvana. On the weekends, however, there are shows such as Rhythmic
programming
is
Saturdays, featuring reggae, hip hop and club music. Sunday starts with multicultural shows, featuring Polish, Serbian and Spanish music. Sunday afternoons are lighter and Stage, On with Thurnell’s own Songs From a Quiet Place, featuring anything from Celtic to light jazz and even classical music. Although some of the shows do stream to the Internet, the station as a whole does not. The station is regulated by SOCAN, the society of composers, authors and music publishers of Canada, which collects licence fees
and
royal-
musicians played. “It would be nice if the stathe (to streamed tion Internet) but it will cost money for the royalties,” Thurnell said. Jeremy Ross, a second-year student in the radio broadcast program, is considering extra optional courses such as sales available to second-year students. He also liked the opportunity to meet Dave
ties for the
The demonstrators used and tambourines drums, chanted a tribal beat that slowly got faster and faster,
By JUSTINE REIST
made available on the LRC webpage to students who
The school year has started and tests are coming your
have completed at least two
to
find the
textbooks and the proper notes and to figure out the best way to study. But, do we all need to study the same correct
way? David Smiderle and Trish Green, full-time instructors in the business department,
want
to find out.
Starting today, a link will be
semesters in a business or hospitality program. “We want to centre the survey for now and then hopefully we can make it available to said programs,” other Smiderle. The survey focuses on students’ study habits when preparing for tests and
Smiderle hopes
exams. narrow down the best study to
habits for different types of
Mountains
Andes
in
Argentina. For the first time in world history, marchers across the globe will circle the planet. At the same time organizers will have activities in over 100 countries, such as exhibits, concerts and social, athletic, and educational cultural events to raise awareness for the need for peace. “This (march around the world) has never been done before,”
The
Roger
said.
while their volunteer photographer, Colin Yeardly, was hoisted into the air on a fire truck ladder to take a picture. While precariously perched atop the swaying ladder, Yeardly had a moment of
step in getting involved with the group is to non-violence at endorse
panic.
ties as the
“There was a second when I thought it wouldn’t descend
dow n,” Yeardly said with a smile. Operating on a 100 per cent volunteer basis, the Albrechts have a group that meets at back
r
the Queen Street Commons Cafe every Tuesday at 7 p.m. to discuss their five yearly events to promote non-violent strategies.
“We promote a rejection of violence in all forms,” said Roger, a Conestoga College graduate himself.
He graduated from lege’s
film
the
col-
production pro-
first
www.worldmarch.ca. Thousands have added their names to the endorsement including such celebriDalai Lama, Lou Reed, Yoko Ono and David Suzuki. The second step, said Roger, is to get involved, help organize events and spread aware-
list,
your
ness
to friends.
family
and
many people come to me me what should be done,” Roger said. “My plate “So
and
tell
you think something should be done, then, you know, do it.” For more information on how to join the march, or any other non-violence demonis full, if
strations,
visit
www.the-
worldmarch.org.
Schneider, program director
Kool FM and KFUN. CJIQ is on air all week at 88.3 FM. Staff can be contact-
A small group
ed at www.cjiq.fm.
ing a peace sign with their bodies at Victoria Park.
for
of
PHOTO BY ALEX COOKE peace demonstrators chant and drum while mak-
Business and hospitality program students asked to
way again. You scramble
in
peace sign.
Canada. They measure ratand feedback with thousands of volunteers keeping a paper diary of their listening habits and mailing their results back to the agency for
ings
Park,
peace,
tion, said all
radio industry. “We have relevant courses, in an interactive atmosphere,” Rock said in between on-air segments at the station. In fact, it’s during weekdays when the station receives its highest ratings, according to
Victoria
At 7 p.m., 35 to 40 people gathered in front of the clock tower to demonstrate for
of the sta-
second-year students are involved in the daily running of CJIQ. “The station serves as a lab for the students, they rotate through all the different positions here,” Thurnell said. George Rock, a second-year radio broadcast student, was most impressed with the preparation students received in courses such as broadcast operations, writing, announcing and programming, from teachers who work in the
their third in
demonstration
downtown Kitchener, which was also the International Day of Peace.
Ont. to Port Dover,
classroom
marked
annual
held recently was the world march for peace and non-violence that began Oct. 2, Gandhi’s birthday. The march wraps up on Jan. 2, 2010. The march started in Wellington, New Zealand, and will end at the foot of the
students. “We are interested if those who do well on exams use all, some or none of the best practices as identified by teachers, learning and library experts,” said Smiderle. Green said, “Nobody studies
the same. What might be good for one student might not work for another.” “There are a lot of benefits said research,” the to Smiderle. “Including giving us, instructors, better insight as to what we should or
fill
out survey
should not be encouraging our students to do in order to prepare for exams. Example, do we really need to use a
really help other students.”
textbook?”
will
The Research Ethics Board, which
is
new
to the college,
be reviewing the survey in order to maintain that none of the students are at risk of being identified based on their information or answers to the questions. ‘We will be relying on honesty here,” said Smiderle. “This has the potential to will
The survey, which takes approximately 10 to 15 minutes, has 18 questions and run until Oct.
30.
After filling out the survey you will be able to fill out a ballot
win one of including an
to
many
iPod Touch, Food Services gift certificates or a bookstore gift prizes
certificate.
“This is something new for the college,” said Smiderle. “We’re really excited to be doing it.”
Page 6
*
ENTERTAINMENT
SPOKE
Monday, October 5, 2009
Choose your side The Nerdy Gamer reviews: Marvel Ultimate Alliance 2 omic books and video games. 1999’s atrocity simply as known Superman 64 seemed to prove that those two nerdy pastimes could never mix. Five years later, a beacon of light shone from the abyss of comic book video games;
C
Finally, Spider-Man 2. gamers could play as a super-
hero the way they wanted. Wall-crawl your way toward your next boss fight with an
Spider-Man villain, or some time webswinging around New York,
iconic
just
kill
stopping petty crimes. It took another five years before we would get not one, but two superhero games that did justice to their nameOrigins: X-Men sakes. Wolverine let Wolverine do what he does best, and what he does isn’t very nice. But it was certainly nice-looking.
Dismembering falling
soldiers, free-
from helicopters
(after
them in mid-air of and watching your
destroying course),
organs grow back after getting shot at point-blank all felt very Wolverine-like.
Batman: Arkham Asylum came out in late August to rave reviews. Stealth and combat actually work together, as you the Joker’s plans yet again. If you are a Batman fan, you owe it to yourself to at least try the demo of it. It IS actually as good as they say. Believe the hype. This ut I digress. foil
B
review is for Marvel Ultimate Alliance 2. Could the gaming industry really give us three fantastic superhero games in such a short time span? To try and keep the comic book nerd separate from the video gamer, let’s give the nerd his own style ( like Deadpool and his brain).
The game
you off conmore iconic Marvel characters; Captain America, Iron Man, SpiderMan and Wolverine. Just like starts
trolling four of the
the comics,
Wolverine
is
in
everything. After a brief tutorial level, you get the option to choose between most of the 24 characters (25 if you preordered from EB Games), and customize your team. But most of the “good” characters are locked out, and for good rea-
Jean Grey, Green Goblin and the Hulk are all unlocked near the end of the son. Thor,
game, which at least forces you to try out some of the less powerful characters first.
By the end of the game, I found myself with three characters always making the cut for the four-man roster; Thor, Green Goblin and Deadpool. As the God of Thunder, Thor lays the beatdown with his mighty hammer Mjolnir, easily defeating most enemies, and even bosses in a matter of seconds. Green Goblin is a speed gamer’s dream come true. Once he hops onto his glider, the bad guys might as well just lie down and fake their deaths, since he rains
machine gun
fire from above zipping around the screen (although there is a
while
nice sense of satisfaction
when
you scatter pumpkin bombs around you). Deadpool (or The Merc with a Mouth for us comic book fans); for those of you who
him in the newest Wolverine movie (before they completely butchered him near the end of the film, but let’s not start that discussion right now), Deadpool is what didn’t catch
would happen if Peter Parker was the Punisher, and knew that he was a comic book character. Some of the best lines in this game come out of his mouth, especially when he starts talking to the player. He is well aware that he is in a video game, even going so far as to argue with one of the
game developers during
the
ending credits. Sadly, once you realize that this is just another “hack and slash” game, even playing as your favourite group of Marvel characters can’t save it from becoming a bore. Find the attack that works best for any given hero, and mash said button.
and you
Rinse,
INTERNET GRAPHICS
Marvel Ultimate Alliance focuses on the Civil War storyline, where you must choose to either support the Superhuman Registration Act with Iron Man, or rebel against it with Captain America.
have a couple of nights to it is rental worthy for sure. Rating: 2.5 out of 7 Hold up, hold up. That rating is way too low. In what other game can you team Spider-Man up with Venom, Green Goblin and, umm, the Juggernaut? That’s what I Playing as the thought. Juggernaut also causes an urge to yell out “Don’t you
just
kill,
know who
the final boss without too
much work. Adding some other players only causes the screen to get more crowded, and you have to do less (one of my friends actually fell asleep while playing, and we couldn’t tell until he kept running into a wall). If you are a fan of the hack and slash style of game, or
am?
I’m
the
NOT
get old while playdoes ing at one in the morning. If
you know the difference
between a Skrull and a Kree, can rattle off more than 10 XMen in 30 seconds, or just want to spend time buttonmashing your way through hordes of bad guys as your
Deadpool, the Merc with the Mouth, and Thor, God of Thunder,
become
will
team as soon as they are unlocked, but for different reasons. Thor can vanquish most foes in one swing, while Deadpool just runs his mouth at everyone, including the player. staples of any
favourite Marvel character, this game is for you. Not as Wolverine or strong as Batman, but still worth your time. Rating: 5.5 out of 7
OOO
repeat,
will find yourself at
I
Juggernaut b****!” as you clear out a whole room of bad guys with one body slam. This
Freeman Carter
is a selfprofessed nerd first, and a second-year print journalism student second, who is always looking for some-
one
to talk nerdy with. If there is a game you want to see reviewed, or you just
want to complain about something he said, send him an email at fcartercc@conestogac.on.ca
Green Goblin, the sometimes Spider-Man foe (and new leader of H.A.M.M.E.R.), destroys anything and everything in his way as he flies around on his Goblin Glider.
STUDENT LIFE
Monday, October 5, 2009
SPOKE
moh
•hsimz
Conestoga students and guests danced the night away at the annual Toga Party. It was held in the Sanctuary by Conestoga Students Inc. on
Sept. 24.
Togas were worn in every colour imaginable and students did not
fail to
get creative.
PHOTOS BY STACEY FALCONER
FALL IS HERE
At
IN
EVERY FORM AND COLOUR
left: Fall is
making
its first
appearance in the form of a colchicum. The cooler temperatures are producing bright
colours on the
autumn bloom-
ing flowers.
PHOTO BY MICHELLE SOMMER
right: The summer is over and the sun is disappearing earlier. With less sun in our presence, winter is just around
At
the corner.
PHOTO BY JUSTINE REIST
Page 7
NEWS
SPOKE
Page 8
Monday, October 5, 2009
Word on the Street defies foul
weather
By NICK PASKO
Classroom in Guelph, started by Stewart 10 years ago.
Jennifer Stewart was one of the many vendors at Kitchener’s Word on the Street festival who was carefully watching the sky all
After three years of teaching, she felt there was a need to get “this medium into the hands of young readers.”
day on Sept. 27. one-day annual The national book and magazine family festival celebrates literacy and the written arts. It was held in Victoria Park in Kitchener, as well as in and Toronto Halifax,
Vancouver.
Thousands
ON-CAMPUS CHIROPRACTOR Covered by CSI Health Plan
Many children took home volumes of what were once know as “funny
HEALTH SERVICES
books.
748-5220
of readers of all ages flocked to
the festival, which featured various vendors as well as tents where graphic novel-
and traditional novelists Margaret readings. did Atwood did a reading in a related event the day before at the Kitchener Public ists
Library. Stewart’s booth
was devot-
ed to comic books and graphic all of which were aimed at younger readers. She was the only vendor who appealed to them with this
novels,
particular genre.
Stewart runs a business the in Comics
called
Ext.
3679
She describes the current relationship between educators and graphic novels as an “if you build it they will come, situation.” As she covered and uncovered her wares with plastic due to the intermittent showers, many children took home volumes of what were once known as “funny books.” Chris Johnson, 7, was one happy customer, who was overjoyed to have the final book in the Bone series to add
*
t’tlCH'Ti
.
tnv©\*
to his bookshelf.
felpout with organizing our Annual Unite) Kay Day and join us in planning some grea fundraising events to support
wjL
the United Way!
BHlop your leadership skills and build ew ones! Wkrn more about how our Tri-City pmmunitiesare supported through the tip of the United Way! Build your
communication, organization
nd networking l/lake
skills!
new friendships and hauta blast!
e Infoerajti
PHOTO BY NICK DASKO in Victoria Park on Street the Word on at shops The Johnson family Sept. 27. The annual book festival has been going on for more than two decades
and Vancouver.
in cities
including Kitchener, Halifax, Toronto
ktionf^n
z))))
Unibed Way
NEWS
Monday, October 5, 2009
Making sense By ALEX COOKE
What does to
hospitality
mean
you?
Is
it
inviting
someone
to
your home, and then placing conditions
and
them? Come
restrictions
on
for dinner,
but
don’t use the good china
and
you have to leave by
six.
This conditional hospitality enters our everyday lives without us even knowing it. That is why Dr. Mark Zlomislic, who teaches courses such as quest for meaning, postmodto introduction
ernism and principals of ethical reasoning, wrote his book Jacques Derrida’s Aporetic
Ethics in 2007. Derrida, the deconstruction,
founder of was born in 1930 and passed away in 2004, publishing 90 books in his career. According to the Stanford encyclopedia of philosophy website
(www.plato.stanford.edu), deconstruction is an attempt to re-conceive the difference
that divides self-reflection, prevent the worst violence and render justice. Zlomislic elaborated adding that deconstruction deals with the singularity of each person in This their uniqueness.
uniqueness can’t be controlled or diminished by an
SPOKE
of philosophy
administrative structure. studied with Zlomislic 20th century Derrida, a French philosopher, at L’Ecole des Hautes Etudes (the School for higher learning) in Paris, France. Dr. David Goicoechea, who studied with Zlomislic at Brock University in St. Catharines, reviewed Zlomislic’s book and over a year organized a three-day international conference delving into the importance of
Wolves, Snakes and Rogues: Reading the Aporias of Sovereignty and Hospitality with Franciscans, Derrida and D.H. Lawrence. In lay-
and politics. The conference was held at Brock University and started
to live
ethics,
religion
Sept. 17.
keynote
Zlomislic gave the
address
titled
—
man’s terms his talk was on society’s need to change
what we
don’t like or under-
stand for our
own conven-
ience and profit. “I’m in an overwhelming position of having to say
something
important,”
Zlomislic admitted before his talk. “It’s
up
an honour
I’ll
have
to.”
Zlomislic first got the idea book while telling his son, six-year-old Noah, the
Aesop - The Dog and the Wolf. In the fable, a hungry wolf meets a healthy dog fable of
suggests to the wolf that
he come home with him, to get food and shelter. While walking together, the wolf noticed a rough patch on the dog’s neck, where his collar is
worn
at night.
When
the wolf learns that there is a price for the master’s hospitality, that he must be owned and tamed, he turns and tells the dog, “I refuse to
touch one bite of your fine swill. For even a treasure, that price would be too high for me.” The point of the fable, Zlomislic suggests in his book, and the other stories
and scripture he referred to
in
man is the how many wolves
his address, is that
but enslave their own species, and cannot respect his otherness and individuality?
wolf,
“Zlomislic not only gives an excellent introduction to
Derrida,
but
answers the critics and in
objections of several cases reveals misunderstandings of Derrida’s arguments,” Giocoechea said in his review in July 2008.
Another fable Zlomislic dismantles is The Wolf of Gubbio, in which St. Francis is asked by the villagers of Gubbio to save them from an evil
Conestoga! Join the Respect Student Committee! at
•
Develop your leadership skills and build new ones! Make a difference in your college community!
•
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•
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•
portfolio builder!
more by
Student Life Office! Room 2A101»2, Student Life Centre
visiting the
Located
in
Thank You
for
wolf,
hand
fed until
Being the Difference
StudOflt inspire
inform- tnvoM;
its
death.
Usually the story of the Wolf of Gubbio is regarded as an example of peacemaking, but Zlomislic suggests in his book that it is actually a story
with the villagers in peace, or as St. Francis suggested, it is “worthy of being hanged like a robber and a murderer.” This is the definition of con-
—
live ditional hospitality with us in peace, shed your identity, or be killed, or put
away from
CONESTOGA
resi-
tames the which from then on lived
The wolf was given the option of living
Pick up a Respect student committee application form or find out
wolf that devours
dents. St. Francis
of great violence.
friends by getting involved!
|
.£
jrP
Mark
Zlomislic
for his
who
Be the Difference
Page 9
us.
Wolves have been used as a symbol for evil which need to
be tamed. However, when the wolf is finally tamed, is he still a wolf, or has his wolfishness been forced out of him? Snakes have also been used as a symbol of evil, as in the D.H. by Snake, story Lawrence. In the story, a farmer found a snake drinking from his well. The farmer’s first reaction is to kil l it, for that is his education. The farmer threw a stick and scared the snake back into his hole. Once the farmer realizes that he has denied a living creature the right to
drink water when thirsty, he himself revolts against lamenting, “And immediately I regretted it. I thought how paltry, how vulgar, what a mean act! I despised myself and the voices of my accursed
human
education.”
The rogue
is
one who cannot
accept the injustices of condihe is an tional sovereignty outlaw, an outcast and has no
—
home. “Derrida’s concern is to explore how sovereignty can
become democratic and
when
just,
contains non-demoZlomislic cratic features,” said in his address. Sovereignty allows a state to have control of borders, using force to protect itself and is under the idea that strength is power. The best example that Zlomislic can use, so we can understand the rogue to be, is the lone protester holding his grocery bags in front of a tank at Tiananmen Square. By that understanding, Zlomislic suggests that the sovereign state is the shepherd to the people, who are the lambs. The shepherd is also a man, who will slaughter and eat the lambs. it
What
it
all boils
down
to,
Derrida’s postmodernism, teachings, and the examples given by Zlomislic is, the world doesn’t have to be what
we
are told it is, it can be whatever we perceive it to be. If we want to change the world, we first need to change
how we
see
it.
-
Page 10
ENTERTAINMENT
SPOKE
Monday, October 5, 2009
Band Blast rocks on Libra
By NICOLE
September 23 October 22
HANNUSCH
-
On
Sept.
26,
Park
Pioneer
the Doon Community
You
become
a tremendous fan of “nerdcore” music. Resist will
the urge to get an tattoo.
A poster for your wall
would be
a
much
-
wiser use of
your funds.
Taurus April 20
“M.C. Chris”
Scorpio
May 20
October 23
November At some point
this
week you
get into a street fight with an off-
duty police
officer.
Consider pur-
chasing a fast car that is large enough that it can be comfortably
-
21
why
This weekend you will leam it is
a
bad idea
to
spend an entire
concert next to the speakers.
would be wise
to consult a hear-
used as sleeping quarters.
H=F
u§
At some point
your couch has a wet spot that smells like
will find that
large
mispronounce the in
urine. Resist the urge to use
bleach or mess.
fire to
\
will
my presence.
the
Cancer June 22
have a song
-
that
pronounced “bay-gull,”
you
This
all
tires.
where you are going. Leave extra early for your appoint-
ments since you will be doing a lot of tire changes.
IST
be struck by
A seagull
Check
your shoulder
that
your insurance covers this. If you do not have insurance, get some. Remember that everyone exaggerates values insurance claims.
when
filing
a raincoat
Some
this
whenever
from Winnipeg, Quebec, Hamilton and Toronto. Unfortunately, the weather this year forced the bands
be a sign of coming luck. There is no such thing as luck and a bird pooped on you.
February 19
March 20
gym
instead of outside where the rain had taken over. Despite the weather causing lower attendance than previous years, local band
Kitchener 10 Manltou Dr 519.895.1228
Community
Centre
The Cobrahawks frontman Christian Ventura was happy
Waterloo
to be playing the event.
these kids are here to see their first show,” said Ventura about the mainly high school and younger crowd. As the night progressed the
King St. N 19.885.4500
lot of
r
crowd aged slightly, with some older support showing up for local bands Clear Point and Breaching Vista. Other bands that played throughout the event include Trap Tiger, Crisis Jane, These Silent Waves, Kayla MacLachlan, Lost Innocence
and The Fall
of Spring.
think the rain kind of affected how many of us came which sucks today, out because it’s a really good second-year said show,” Conestoga advertising student Alisha Popowich, who caught some of the later bands. “I
www.stagshop.com
COUNSELLOR’S CORNER: Mature Students is a journey of exploration; one that stretches comfort zones and embraces diverse ways of thinking and doing. Returning to school after
Post-secondary education
the workplace or raising a family can be intimidating, exhilaratchallenging, and sometimes unsettling. Here are a few observations about mature
years of being out ing,
in
students that might ease some of the uncertainties about returning to learning:
KNOW THAT MOST ADULTS FEEL APPREHENSIVE ABOUT RETURNING TO LEARNING. The truth is, that most adults do very well if not better than they did before, and they actually enjoy
it.
You
week
will
CD.
diapers.
another copy.
it
on to a new
disc. If not,
buy
what
is
important to you and how
it will
best
fit
is
a second-year
journalism student holding in the
palm of
his
you find
fate
your
life
circumstances and
goals.
MAKE YOUR WELL BEING A PRIORITY.
Don't compromise on the things that
keep you physically, emotionally, and spiritually
Nick Dasko
if
WHAT
wear out your
Yes, this is possible. If you nip this in the bud, you may be able to safely copy favourite
Don't be surprised
reasons other than the ones you had anticipated to continue your learning. IS RIGHT FOR YOU. There is no right way to do this. Think about DO
you will wet the bed. A rubber bed pad would be a wise investment, as would some adult
that
Kitchener
playing in the Doon
THINK ABOUT WHY YOU ARE RETURNING.
have nightmares so
vivid and terrifying this
sti
30 King St. E 519.593.2303
possible.
people consider this to
\m will
on week. Wear
will defecate
September 22
You
-
week you will get six flat You really should look
181 will
this a
December 22
H lightning this week.
Consider
iW'iW Capricorn
week. This will teach you to stop going to crappy dance clubs. Invest in a used Led Zeppelin CD set.
Your residence
is
July 22
despise stuck in your head
week you will word “bagel”
warning. Please note that the
word
fjgjip
You
remove
this
for
everyone, with live music from the early afternoon into the evening, as well as a free barbecue and rides and face painting for the younger set. The event featured several local talents, as well as bands
“A
On Wednesday morning you
of
The day promised fun
inside,
It
ing specialist.
1
the
^ yog
summer back with 2009 Band Blast event.
little bit
scare
will
Association tried to bring a This week you will participate in an intervention for a close friend and/or relative. It would be a wise decision to pick up a large supply of facial tissues and non-alcoholic beverages.
into
well.
Make sure you
build
them
your schedule.
DISCUSS YOUR PLANS.
Think about how others
in
your
life
might support you.
hand. Counselling Services can help. Contact
them
in
Room 1A101.
NEWS
Monday, October 5, 2009
SPOKE Page 11
Rescued dog gets a second chance SOMMER
nine-month-old Maltese
that heals all the dogs and cats at the shelter. Shari Jones, daughter of Blancher, helps out as much as she can. She says the best part of her job is the satisfaction of saving the rescues and finding them a better home.
poodle, Gracie appears to be the healthiest of puppies, but looks can be deceiving. She
in on a daily basis from people wanting to re-home their pets
By MICHELLE
An energetic little bundle of darts Gracie fur, white around the grass, occasionally jumping up to get a pat on the head.
A
actually has a heart murmur that almost cost her her life. It was not the murmur that nearly killed her, but rather a
breeder who was going to end her life because he did not believe she would make it. Heather Blancher, owner of
Companion Animal Rescue thought otherwise. Blancher took in Gracie, who is still living today, thanks to a strict diet and constant Oxford,
care.
Blancher says, “Calls come
for various reasons.”
Some
to another home, not having enough time, allergies and more. Blancher takes care of all
their needs, including regular trips to the vet. The cost of an adoption
depends on the incurred expenses for the pet such as health and food costs. For a dog that has been fully vetted, the average cost is
The
$325.
a
of the reasons include
moving
cost
also
varies
depending on the age of the rescue.
Calls
come
in
on a daily
basis from people wanting to
re-home
their pets for
various reasons.
-
Heather Blancher
w The heart murmur
is seri-
ous, but Blancher says they
are giving her all the time they can and never regrets having kept her. It is this kind of attitude
Although some of the dogs are older it is important they receive the same care as a puppy would. “Every dog will still need constant socialization with other dogs and humans after adoption so an adopter needs to be prepared to spend many quality hours with their new companion,” says Blancher. Some of the rescues play an important role in the lives of their owners after they are adopted.
Blancher recalls the time
Gracie, a nine-month-old Maltese poodle,
murmur and would have been Gracie can only be adopted
By GREG
not your everyday puppy.
PHOTO BY MICHELLE SOMMER Grade was born with a heart
had Companion Animal Rescue Oxford not taken new owner agrees to pay for heart surgery.
killed
the
that a little dog they’d received spent only a short period of time in the shelter before finding his own rescue. An elderly gentleman, who was diagnosed with cancer, was searching for a compan-
Crowded weight room for
if
is
ion that could during his treatments.
When finally
accompany him chemotherapy
the man and puppy met, they became
her
in.
Today,
Even if the rescues never find a home, the shelter has a “no kill” policy and will continue to house and feed them.
“We
immediate friends and have been inseparable ever since.
life,”
HEART & STROKE
FATS,
believe in quality of says Blancher.
set
a needed expansion
COWAN
Conestoga College
is
hoping
avoid the recreation centre weight room becoming the recreation centre wait room. An increase in the student population at the college this year has caused problems in the parking lots and hallways and it seems only a matter of time before it will affect the to
gym. “It seems to be a natural progression to expand the weight room, not only the weight room but the whole recreational centre,” said Paul Osborne, director of the recreation centre and athlet-
“The facility was built in 1980 with a school population of about 2,500 and now, with
ics.
the population rising to 8,000, the expansion is inevitable.”
because the school is busy with the opening of the new Cambridge campus. He did state that the school is becoming more thought forward toward health and wellness and the expansion plans should come soon. Currently, the weight room is only crowded during certain periods of the day, most noticeably in the early afternoons. While there is a good number of stationary bikes and free weights, some students think the gym could
use
more
equipment
and
space. “I just think it is a little crowded,” said second-year financial planning student Jade Perron. “If there was a bigger space and one or two
more
bench
presses
that
Osborne said there are no
would be beneficial,” Some Conestoga students
concrete plans as of now to expand the recreation centre
may be surprised to know that every full-time student
pays a recreation and athletic fee of $61.32 per semester, according to the school’s website.
The payment
is
an
inci-
dental fee for full-time programs included in the student’s tuition.
This system
may
ideal for students
not be
who
don’t
work out or have a private gym membership with a club in town, but for others
it is
a
convenience.
how
is in our you can just use it whenever you feel like it, ’’said first-year nursing student Casey Macdonald. “You don’t have to sign up for a program or membership you might not use. You don’t see the money.” So for now, gym regulars may need to exercise a little while shrinking patience down. At least until the recreation centre is ready to
“I
like
it
tuition because
expand.
FOUNDATION
TRANS
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IN
PEACE.
Form
Trans
fat
laden foods are almost everywhere, clogging arteries
and drastically increasing your risk for developing heart disease and stroke. That’s why we're fighting to make trans fats in processed foods history.
THIS
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To
learn more, visit heartandstroke.ca.
WHAT HAPPENS WHEN YOU PUT YOUR HEART INTO
IT."
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Page 12
SPOKE
Monday, October 5, 2009
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