Vol. 23 Issue 32
December 2, 2015 to January 5, 2016
Coming once a year since 1993
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Opinion
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Volume 23 · Issue 32 Room S2111 33844 King Road Abbotsford, BC V2S 7M8 604.854.4529
UCM’s pancake breakfasts are no more, thanks to UFV admin and Fraser Health.
Christmas sweaters for life What’s the holiday season without ugly, kitschy sweaters? A soulless void.
Culture
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Arts in Review
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The Leftovers are far from stale
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www.ufvcascade.ca
The breaking of bread
A sexy rom-com with a local twist
Sports & Health
WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 2, 2015
Editor-in-Chief valerie@ufvcascade.ca Valerie Franklin (interim)
Check out what resident sexpert Xtina has to say about UFV professor Melanie Jones’ new film, FSM.
Managing Editor katie@ufvcascade.ca Katie Stobbart (interim)
Pankaj Sharma thinks HBO’s The Leftovers is a return to form for former Lost showrunner Damon Lindelof.
Business Manager jennifer@ufvcascade.ca Jennifer Trithardt-Tufts Production Manager brittany@ufvcascade.ca Brittany Cardinal
Sasquatches devoured alive by Wolfpack Aaron Levy tells you what’s up with the Cascades men’s and women’s basketball teams’ losses this weekend.
Editorial
SUS needs to improve its communication with the media Obstacles to obtaining information ultimately limit student engagement KATIE STOBBART MANAGING EDITOR
Organizations like The Cascade or the Student Union Society (SUS) can be considered microcosms of media and government beyond campus borders. But as students on the cusp of “the real world,” we are also in a unique position to change the way things are done. Media and government have a difficult balance to strike. The Cascade and SUS, for instance, have similar goals to engage and inform UFV students. SUS aims to offer opportunities and spaces for the student community to thrive. At The Cascade, one part of what we do is report on what SUS does, to hold them accountable to students. We appreciate opportunities to let students know when our student union is doing well, but SUS often does a fair job at communicating that themselves. More often, we are obliged to report on works in progress — on what’s working, and what’s not. If revenue from fees (including the society fee and fees for SUS-run services) meets budget projections, SUS will collect $2,296,412* directly from students — so, nearly $2.3 million. To be fair, SUS does a lot of great work with that money. But students have a right to know and comment on how our funds are spent and why. So when The Cascade has persistent difficulty getting answers from an organization with that much money and political power at its disposal, it’s a significant problem. In March 2014, SUS (then
with Shane Potter as president) amended its communications policy so that all interactions with media (with The Cascade) must go through the president. “Only the president is authorized to speak publicly on behalf of the society,” it reads, an edict that greatly limits our ability to provide varied perspectives and comprehensive details in our coverage. Despite attempts then and since to convey the drawbacks of such an arrangement, SUS has stuck to its resolution not to allow anyone beyond the executive to speak. Often, the results of this muffling are unfavourable to SUS as well as us. Minor errors (which we make every effort to correct and prevent in future) are used as an excuse to continue making communication difficult, creating a cycle that leaves ample room for further mistakes and gaps in the stories we cover. SUS’s communication policy also inhibits students trying to gain governance experience with SUS from practicing an essential political skill: communicating with the media and the public. At the paper, we try to train reporters to handle interactions with campus politicians positively but persistently, and to be mindful in their reportage of how information is delivered. But the policy means most of SUS’s elected representatives and staff are not similarly equipped. Outside the policy, there are further obstacles to communication with SUS. It’s not sufficient for us, as we would with almost any other interviewee, to simply schedule an interview about a specific topic; we are often asked
Copy Editor kat@ufvcascade.ca Kat Marusiak News Editor vanessa@ufvcascade.ca Vanessa Broadbent (interim) Opinion Editor alex@ufvcascade.ca Alex Rake Culture Editor glen@ufvcascade.ca Glen Ess Arts in Review Editor martin@ufvcascade.ca Martin Castro Sports Editor vanessa@ufvcascade.ca Vanessa Broadbent Webmaster brayden@ufvcascade.ca Brayden Buchner Video Editor mitch@ufvcascade.ca Mitch Huttema Production Assistants danielle@ufvcascade.ca Danielle Collins mitch@ufvcascade.ca Mitch Huttema (interim)
Image: Mitch Huttema
to provide either a list of questions or extremely detailed notes on what will be asked, which is against good journalistic practice. SUS officials have frequently expressed displeasure at aspects of our coverage and the way their quotes are integrated. Politicians disliking reportage on themselves is an old cliché that holds hands with a general public expectation that politicians hide information and act standoffishly with the media. As a new generation navigating a minute political sphere, it would be preferable to see us setting a new, more open standard, rather than falling into such bad habits. If we play out the cliché, we must get used to the frustrations of political reportage. SUS officials should get used to being covered in the media, and having people draw public conclusions about their actions that, sometimes, aren’t as well-in-
formed as they could be. Or, we could remember that despite our differing methods, we have the same interest in informing and engaging students in campus life, and act accordingly. We don’t take this kind of statement in the editorial space lightly, and would not do so if there was not a feeling that SUS’s attitude toward communicating with the paper (one mode of communicating with its membership) was inhibiting our ability to provide you with clear, accurate, and comprehensive coverage. But facing these long-term frustrations, it seems the only power of the press is in print, and it is my hope that a more public appeal may plant the seed for change, rather than perpetuating a cycle of communication struggles that, in the end, only keep students from getting the complete picture.
*Notes on the math: SUS budgeted $654,000 this year as revenue from its $30 society fee; so, they based that amount on having 21,800 fees paid (not 21,800 students, as the fee is charged each semester and may be paid more than once per year by a single student). The campus connector semesterly fee is $27.23; the UPass is $43.13, and the IT Services centre is $4.98. I did not include the SUS building or health and dental fees in this calculation, as those go toward the SUB mortgage and a third-party service provider, respectively. SUS did not provide rationale notes in its 2015-16 budget, but in the first-quarter budget report from July 2015, they noted that their budget for fees was based solely on the $30 society fee. SUS has not posted its budget report from the second quarter, which last year appeared in October; the third-quarter report, if consistent with last year, is due in January.
Advertising Representative ishpreet@ufvcascade.ca Ishpreet Anand Arts Writer jeffrey@ufvcascade.ca Jeffrey Trainor Staff Writer sonja@ufvcascade.ca Sonja Klotz Contributors Anthony Biondi, Aaron Levy, Miranda Louwerse, Pankaj Sharma, Terrill Smith, and Rachel Tait
Cover by Danielle Collins Printed by International Web exPress
The Cascade is UFV’s autonomous student newspaper. It provides a forum for UFV students to have their journalism published. It also acts as an alternative press for the Fraser Valley. The Cascade is funded with UFV student funds. The Cascade is published every Wednesday with a circulation of 1,500 and is distributed at UFV campuses and throughout Abbotsford, Chilliwack, and Mission. The Cascade follows the Canadian University Press ethical policy concerning material of a prejudicial or oppressive nature. Submissions are preferred in electronic format through e-mail. Please send submissions in “.txt” or “.doc” format only. Articles and letters to the editor must be typed. The Cascade reserves the right to edit submissions for clarity and length. The Cascade will not print any articles that contain racist, sexist, homophobic, or libellous content. The writer’s name and student number must be submitted with each submission. Letters to the editor must be under 250 words if intended for print. Only one letter to the editor per writer in any given edition. Opinions expressed do not necessarily reflect that of UFV, Cascade staff and collective, or associated members.
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NEWS
WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 2, 2015 www.ufvcascade.ca
UCM encounters obstacles offering free pancake breakfasts SONJA KLOTZ
NEWS
BRIEFS Canoe closed Nov 30 due to malfunction The Canoe, the Student Union Society’s (SUS) campus restaurant, closed unexpectedly on November 30 due to a problem with its oven. SUS president Thomas Davies explained that the oven has been repaired by a certified technician. “UFV was surprised we closed,” said Davies. “We closed out of an abundance of caution for everyone involved, and everything’s back and running at full operation.” The Canoe reopened the next day on Dec 1 for regular business hours.
UFV announced partnerships with Chinese universities UFV announced its new partnerships with Chinese universities during International Education Week. The partnerships focus on aviation, agriculture, criminology, social work, kinesiology, psychology, and continuing education programs. The partnering institutions include EasyFly Aviation (EFA) in Shanghai, Liaoning University (LU), Southwest University (SU), and Tsinghua University in Beijing, one of China’s top universities. UFV president Mark Evered has also been named honorary president of Xi’an Fanyi University (XFU). These partnerships include scholarships for UFV students to study in China, as well as Chinese students to study at UFV. — UFV Today
UFV hosts “Tuition Free Day” UFV hosted an event to thank their donors and supporters on November 26 at the Abbotsford campus. Local politicians including Chilliwack MLAs John Martin and Laurie Throness were present, as well as Chilliwack MP Mark Strahl. Speakers included Student Union Society president Thomas Davies, UFV director of advancement David Les, UFV alumnus Mike Welte, and Throness. UFV hosted the event to show their gratitude to their supporters in order to emphasize how important their donations are. Student tuition only accounts for 30 percent of the university’s operating costs, and along with government grants, research grants, and other external sources, donors are a valuable resource to UFV. — UFV Today
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THE CASCADE
About seven years ago, the university Christian ministries (UCM) club began serving free pancakes as a way to reach out to the UFV community. Every Thursday from 8:30 to 10 a.m., fresh pancakes were served in U-House. But as of the last week of November, UCM was asked by the university’s administration and Fraser Health to stop the pancake breakfasts. The tradition of serving pancake breakfasts to students started in U-House seven years ago. UCM president Corinna Fair noted that the location was a good fit for the breakfasts. “It was nice — we were out of the way,” says Fair. “Students would come, and it was just a relaxed atmosphere.” Student Life’s move from UHouse to the new Student Union Building (SUB) this year presented obstacles for UCM. There were many new policies and standards being developed, and they were told that they would not be able to serve breakfast at the same time as the Canoe restaurant or Fair Grounds coffee shop. UCM also needed to make sure the free pancake service would not interfere with Sodexo, the university’s primary food services provider. As for one part of the agreement for UCM to continue its breakfast tradition, “pancakes would stay in the Student Life area” to keep the crumbs at a minimum and prevent vermin. UCM launched the weekly pancake breakfast in midSeptember this year. Just three weeks shy of the end of semester, an email and a visit from Fraser Health resulted in the temporary suspension of the tradition. “We were just sent an email that said that Fraser Health had received either some calls or complaints or something regarding pancakes,” says Fair. “I had no idea who those were or where they’re from, they were anonymous. We have been given just two options: either get a temporary food permit, which we are kind of looking into, or to only serve to our club members.” Originally, UCM executives planned to work over the break to overcome this obstacle, but have since met with Kyle Baillie, UFV’s director of Student Life and development, to discuss the matter, and it looks like the breakfasts will continue in Jan-
Image: Facebook / Joy Elya Penner
UCM president Corinna Fair expects the breakfasts to resume in January. uary, with a few extra measures taken to ensure food safety. Martin Kelly, coordinator of student engagement at Student Life, spoke of UCM’s excellence of service, and said they are not to blame for the shut-down. “They are one of the most faithful providers of service,” Kelly said. “Every Thursday somebody’s always there at 7 [a.m.], setting up to do that and then cleaning up afterwards … At that time of day, it is very useful for students to keep UFV from becoming a food desert.” He added that until now, there have been no complaints or health issues brought to his attention, making this an unusual circumstance for both Student Life and UCM. “In the [past] years nothing
has ever crossed my desk,” said Kelly. “We used to do community dinners as well, and not one case of illness, not one visit by Fraser Health.” As with most large institutions, when providing food services Student Life took initiative to ensure that there was always one individual with a Food Safe certificate present while serving any type of food to their students. As an administrative coordinator for Student Life, Kelly sees this strictly as a bureaucratic problem, not a student club one, and he noted that planning for the SUB space included planning for food-sharing. “UCM has no blame in this whatsoever,” says Kelly. “We had been working on this, on the design phase, since June
2009 knowing that Aboriginal [Access] was going to be our neighbours,” said Kelly. “We knew that food commensality, sharing food together, was going to be very important if we wanted to make what UFV quoted as a ‘vibrant social hub.’” Overall, this procedural shutdown has come as a huge disappointment for students beyond UCM. “Students are not happy about this,” said Kelly. “If you want to create a sense of place and a sense of home, and you want the new SUB building to start feeling like home, sharing food is a vital part of that, and I hope that anybody involved can get that together.”
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NEWS
WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 2, 2015 www.ufvcascade.ca
Science on Purpose
Like they do on the Discovery Channel UFV’s Carin Bondar explains how the animal kingdom makes human sex look tame MIRANDA LOUWERSE CONTRIBUTOR
The dean of science’s seminar series continued last Thursday with a talk titled, “The Nature of Sex,” by adjunct professor of biology, Carin Bondar. Bondar has a PhD in biology from the University of British Columbia, and is internationally recognized for her studies of sex in the animal kingdom. She was a speaker at TED Global 2013 in Scotland, and has also been on Discovery Channel’s Outrageous Acts of Science and Stephen Hawking’s Brave New World. Bondar’s talk at UFV was well attended by members of the administration, faculty, students, and the community. Sex in the animal kingdom has none of the boundaries and limitations that society places on human sexual behaviours, making it a fascinating field of study. Some of the descriptions of animal sex that Bondar gave are simultaneously grotesque and intriguing. In one example, Bondar described the sexual process of bed bugs. The male bed bug stabs the female in the abdomen to inseminate her, leaving the female with a wound that is prone to infection. As this is a traumatic experience, female bed bugs have evolved a spermelege, an organ that helps them to heal more quickly. However, male and female bed bugs look similar, so male bed bugs are often mistaken for female and get stabbed by other males. As a result, male bed bugs also evolved a spermelege. The male spermelege looks different than the female one, as a signal to other males that the bug is actually a male and they shouldn’t stab them. The fascinating thing, Bondar says, is that females in turn have evolved so that their spermelege look more like the male one, thereby reducing reproductive trauma.
Image: Wikimedia Commons
From bed bugs to sea slugs, insect sex apparently involves a lot of stabbing. In another example, Bondar described the chemical warfare of sex between sea slugs. Sea slugs are hermaphrodites, meaning they have both male and female reproductive organs. Because of this, sea slugs are literally “at war with themselves,” Bondar describes. Since being female requires a sea slug to spend the energy to carry eggs, it is preferable for a slug to act as the male during sexual activities. So one slug will stab the other in the head, transferring chemicals that decrease the “maleness” of the other slug, allowing itself to be the male. Bondar also described how homosexual sex is prevalent in all species, and gave three types of homosexuality. The first type, sexual behaviour, is present in all species. The second, sexual preference, where animals would rather have homosexual sex but will also have heterosexual
sex, is very common. Bondar stated that sexual orientation, where the animal has
Birds that were abused as chicks were more likely to [sexually] abuse other chicks when they became adults. sex exclusively homosexually, is almost exclusive to humans. Bondar finished her talk by describing the difference in child care among species. While playing favourites with your children is frowned upon by human society, Bondar described that in the animal kingdom it makes biological sense. If a
mother sees one father as a better fit, she will give more resources and spend more energy on his offspring, neglecting children from other fathers. There are also many examples of infanticide and child abuse in the animal kingdom, especially with animals who live in groups. Meerkats live in small groups, and resources can be thin. It is very common for a mother to kill another mother’s children in order to get more resources for her own. There are also bird species where child abuse is common. While a chick’s parents are out finding food, another adult bird will come and peck at the chick, and sexually abuse it. Interestingly, biologists who study this see a cycle of abuse arise from it. Birds that were abused as chicks were more likely to abuse other chicks when they became adults. The grandmother hypothesis is an important aspect of childcare studied by biologists. Since childcare is such a highenergy process, many mothers will avoid having more children when they are raising the others. However, if there is a grandmother around to help with childcare, the mother will have more energy to reproduce again. Bondar gave the example of a whale pod, where the grandmother hypothesis is seen. The grandmother’s children stay with her, and when her daughter is ready, she leaves to become inseminated and then returns, where her mother will help to raise her child. Since this process takes much more energy for the grandmother, she tends to favour her male children. The male children will leave the pod to inseminate a female and then return, but with no extra baby in tow. In this way, the grandmother increases her biological fitness, but she doesn’t have to put in any extra energy. Bondar’s book on this topic, The Nature of Sex, will be available in the USA and Canada in 2016.
SUS discontinues app, promotes myCampusLife VANESSA BROADBENT THE CASCADE
Only two years into its existence, the Student Union Society (SUS) has decided to discontinue its app. “We made the decision early in the summer to wind down the app,” SUS president Thomas Davies said. “It is still live on the play store / app store, although that will be ending shortly.” Created by Oohlala, a platform dedicated to creating apps for universities, the app launched in the fall of 2013. It cost about $12,000 per year; to accommodate that cost, SUS discontinued its annual agendas which had been offered for years to students for free, and included information on campus life, events, and policies.
The app provided students with various services, including class schedules, textbook sales, campus events, and maps. But with over 800 downloads in its first year and a maximum of 2,000 uses per week, SUS has found that the app isn’t working as well as they expected. “We felt there were better ways to focus our efforts and connect with students more broadly than what the app could do,” Davies explained. “Unfortunately, not everything we initially thought it could do it was able to produce. That was some frustration on our part, and we felt that we could achieve more success with different avenues.” Some of these different avenues include working more closely with myCampusLife, UFV’s new online platform for students to connect and interact.
“The myCampusLife platform is relatively all-encompassing from a variety of student engagement platforms — we are working with Student Life on that project,” said Davies. “That also provides a central communication tool for all the clubs and associations in their groups, and more broadly; which was similar, but an expanded capacity to what the app could do.” SUS has not yet determined what they plan to do with the funds freed up by discontinuing the app. “That money will be available in the next budget cycle, and the budget committee will determine the best way to allocate that funding,” Davies said. Image: Wikipedia
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NEWS
WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 2, 2015 www.ufvcascade.ca
SUS board meeting addresses new health centre and resignation of VP internal VANESSA BROADBENT THE CASCADE
The Student Union Society (SUS) held its second-to-last board meeting of the calendar year on Friday, November 27 at Chilliwack’s CEP campus. At the meeting, VP internal Ricardo Coppola resigned from his position. Discussion also included the status of current SUS services and the potential of opening a new health centre on campus. VP internal steps down Coppola announced that he will be stepping down from his position as VP internal for personal reasons. “With all the pressure of everything that’s happening, I believe that I need to step back a bit,” Coppola said. “It doesn’t mean that I’m not going to be helping in any way that I can.” SUS’s bylaws don’t allow the society to hire a replacement for Coppola’s position, as all executive positions can only be determined by an election. Until SUS’s annual elections in the spring, Davies will be taking over the VP internal position on an in-
terim basis. “My position, although it will not be active — all my responsibilities ally to Thomas,” Coppola explained. “He’s obviously very familiar with the position because he was vice president internal last year.” Davies clarified that while the bylaw prohibits hiring a replacement, he is able to delegate VP internal duties, and possibly in the future hire a student to help with the workload. “It allows me to delegate the authority, which I fully intend to do,” he said. “Potentially, once we’re able to assess what we can adjust internally … it may require hiring [for] a student position on an interim basis to continue to assure the necessary work is completed.” Davies also noted that the VP internal wage will not be added to his. “That will be used to pay people for work that they’re doing as necessary,” he said. According to its Elections Policy, SUS may hold a by-election in the event of a vacancy on the board, but since SUS by-elections must last the same amount of
time as a regular election period, the board decided against it. “Even if we would call [a byelection] at the last meeting, we would be holding a by-election about two and a half weeks before the general election ... it would just be a mess trying to do that,” Davies said in a follow-up interview. There is no clear provision in SUS’s bylaws for interim fulfillment of duties in the event of a vacancy. SUS is making the distinction that while it may hire a student to assist with work and pay them from funds allocated to the VP internal wage, that person would not be given the title and associated authority of a vice president. Davies said in the same interview, “There’s actually nothing that technically says you can’t hire someone and call them the vice president ... but [that person hasn’t] been elected by students.” Board chair Zack Soderstrom ended the meeting by extending thanks on behalf of himself and the board for Coppola’s service. Services update SUS discussed how its services
are doing to date, including the new IT tech support centre, which opened in the new Student Union Building this fall after a service-specific fee was approved by referendum in the spring of 2015. Joshua Wilkie, a faculty of sciences representative who also works at the centre, noted that while he enjoys working there, it isn’t busy at all times. “It is a great learning experience, but we do have lulls,” he said. “Our team is really good, which is great, but it does mean that we get our work done really quickly.” Davies also touched on the success of the Canoe this year, and how it contrasts to business at Aftermath last year. “In previous years what happened was everyone went to Aftermath in September, and then no one went in October and November.” But this year has been different, and the Canoe has seen 50 to 60 more customers come through each day than Aftermath did last year.
Proposed SUS health centre SUS further discussed its proposed health centre. The centre will have open student positions including student nurses and clerks. These positions will be unpaid, but Davies specified that they are not simply volunteer positions, as the students taking them will be receiving course credit. Along with regular health care workers, Davies stated that SUS is looking into also having a part-time psychiatric nurse at the clinic. Although SUS does not yet have a concrete plan for how the health centre will operate, the tentative schedule includes it opening for four-hour shifts, two days a week. At this time, SUS is researching available funding options. “There are funding opportunities available both with external partners and grant funding to get this up off the ground,” Davies said. With files from Valerie Franklin and Katie Stobbart.
SUS plans to open rec centre at CEP campus VANESSA BROADBENT KATIE STOBBART THE CASCADE
The shooting range behind UFV’s Canada Education Park (CEP) campus was distracting, but after several years it looks like it may be replaced. The Student Union Society (SUS) announced that it, along with Athletics and Student Life, is looking into opening a recreational centre at the Chilliwack CEP campus as part of its UPass program. “The gun range [space] will be transferring to university space, and the plan is that it will be developed into a rec centre,” SUS president Thomas Davies explained. SUS’s UPass program currently includes access to community recreation centres in Abbotsford, Chilliwack, and Mission, but there has never been a precedent for using funds designated for the UPass to UFV capital development projects, which this would be. In March 2012, a referendum with a similar but more general aim was held jointly by SUS and UFV Athletics, which asked: “Do you support a student fee rated at three per cent of tuition [then, about $72], the proceeds of which will be earmarked for the sustainability of UFV varsity athletics, and the development of Intramural, Recreation, and Health & Wellness programs on campus?” In 2012, the rationale associated with the proposed student fee was along similar lines to today. UFV’s communications administrator in 2012, Jhim Burwell, told The Cascade, “The reason [the proposed fee] is being brought through SUS is that the Ministry of Education has put a hiatus on universities creating new fees” (“Sup-
porting UFV athletics could get costly” by Sean Evans in print March 14, 2012). This week, Davies also referred budget cuts and tuition caps resulting in the university’s inability to create new services as a factor in SUS’s decision to contribute to the project. That said, the university is at least partially able to contribute, as part of the project will be funded by UFV’s innovation fund. Although the 2012 referendum passed, no action was taken due to a technicality, but the proposal’s existence in the first place points to a distinction between community recreation centre access and developing UFV recreational offerings, or, in the current case, spaces. However, Davies says the creation of a new recreation centre at CEP could fit with the UPass program. When asked whether SUS would need to ask students before using funds from the UPass fee for this purpose, he said the answer was no. “It’s within the scope of the UPass program and it doesn’t result in any change of fees, so it’s within the scope of what our board has the authority to determine,” Davies said. In response to a question asking whether the costs of the centre should be UFV’s responsibility, he noted that while SUS would like the university to be able to support such projects on its own, he felt it fit within the kinds of initiatives a student union should be involved in. “We’re already involved in delivering recreation services in all of our local communities that the university resides [in], and we’re just kind of adjusting how that happens,” Davies said. As a smaller campus, the Chilliwack CEP campus is not the usual location for SUS projects, but Davies sees the rec cen-
tre as something that the campus needs. “Abbotsford already has some recreation capacity,” he said. “Do we want to see that increase long term? Absolutely. But right now, Chilliwack is where oncampus facilities and activities are lacking.” Davies also noted that the rec centre would work as a tool to improve student engagement. “We want to keep students on the campus and draw students back to campus as much as possible, and build a university community,” he said. But student engagement isn’t always easy to foster; Campus Recreation recently had to cancel many of its fitness classes at the CEP campus due to low attendance. “They worked with some large plans in 2014, and tried to run some classes as well, and they didn’t work for various reasons,” Davies explained. “But what they tried this year seemed to be the same thing that they tried last year, so it’s not particularly shocking that things didn’t change if there was no change of plans.” Davies explained that what SUS is planning for the rec centre will be different from Campus Recreation’s efforts, and will hopefully yield better results. “What we’re doing is completely changeable,” he said. “It’ll be a completely different style. It won’t just be, ‘We have a classroom, let’s do yoga.’ I’m not saying that shouldn’t happen, but it’ll be a much more big [sic] picture than that.” While SUS is not yet sure exactly what facilities the rec centre will have, some of their ideas include a climbing wall, a turf field, a soccer and field-hockey field, an indoor gym, and a fitness centre. “There’s so many things that we can do,
and we’re not just limited to a bit of classroom space to try and do something in,” added Davies. Although SUS’s UPass program already provides students with access to multiple recreational facilities in the Chilliwack area, Davies noted that SUS is not planning to discontinue those services. “We want to ensure that there still are a variety of services that are available,” he said. “Exactly what it’s going to look like with Chilliwack municipal services, [we’re] not one hundred percent sure yet, but we’re looking at a diversity of offerings for students in Chilliwack.” The program will also come at no current extra cost or fee increase to students, but it is not clear whether there will be effects on UPass-related offerings or if the UPass fee will be subject to future referenda. “What we would be doing is redirecting some of those funds that already exist into this opportunity,” Davies said. “Because we would be using some of our UPass funding for that, it would be included as part of the UPass programming, so any students who have paid for the UPass would be able to access these spaces and use whatever it may be.” Although SUS has begun the planning process, the rec centre won’t open until at least fall of next year. “We’re currently in the stage of working with the consultants hired by UFV’s innovation fund,” explained Davies. “If it all goes ahead, we’ll be looking at opening first stage in September 2016.” With files from Valerie Franklin.
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NEWS
WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 2, 2015 www.ufvcascade.ca
UFV receives $10,000 from Elections BC to offer politics course Course for credit will apply student minds to the problem of youth disengagement KATIE STOBBART THE CASCADE
Elections BC is giving UFV a $10,000 grant to offer a new course for the winter 2016 semester. The three-credit upperlevel course, Youth and Electoral Politics (IDS 400), will be taught by six professors from different disciplines to a maximum of 25 students, with professors alternating throughout the semester. According to the course outline, which was cited in an article written for the UFV Today blog but is not available in UFV’s course outlines directory online, the goal is for students to “make sense of why youth and young adults have disengaged from the electoral process [and] more importantly, to develop evidence-based recommendations and strategies to increase re-engagement.” Although the course will be funded entirely by the grant, with no funds contributed by the university, students who take it will be charged tuition as they would with any other for-credit course, which then goes into the university’s general revenue. The grant follows a 2012 pilot project between Elections BC and Emily Carr University (ECU), which resulted in a similar idea. With its $10,000 grant from Elections BC, ECU created a course called Designing for Democracy which focused on bringing students from multiple disciplines together to create a campaign for the 2013 provincial election that would encourage young adults (between 18 and 24) to vote. With the next provincial election tentatively scheduled for May 2017, this time Elections BC has approached
UFV and five other BC post-secondary institutions with a similar pitch. The course at UFV will be similarly interdisciplinary, and technically the first of its kind to be offered here. A free EDUC / PHIL 362 course offered last spring, which used the existing framework of a philosophy of education course to have students plan for the UFV 2025 initiative, was similar in that students from all disciplines were able to register, but differs primarily because it was funded internally from UFV’s 2025 visioning budget. It was also taught by a single instructor, whereas IDS 400 will be taught by six: Hamish Telford (political science); Rana Ahmad (philosophy); Sven van de Wetering (psychology); Sam Schechter (communications), who wrote the UFV Today blog post on the course; Rajnish Dhawan (English); and Amy Prevost (criminology). Ken Brealey, UFV’s associate dean of faculty, noted in an email that the six different faculty members are taking on the course on top of their regular duties. “[The] six different faculty … already have full course loads, in addition to their departmental scholarly and service obligations, and are delivering this course on an overload basis.” Hamish Telford explained that each professor will teach two classes sequentially and be paid on a prorated basis, with Telford, as the lead instructor, teaching the 13th class. All professors will come on the first day of class so students can meet them. As for the content and aims of the course, Telford says the focus is on not just solving a problem, but reaching out with a solution. “[It’s about] creating a message and
figuring out how to transmit it,” he said, admitting that although he is optimistic, it will be hard to say how successful the project will be at this stage. “It’s an experiment. I’ll be fully frank about that.” UFV’s course may also set a precedent for future multidisciplinary offerings at UFV. The IDS 400 course offering (unrelated to the Elections BC project) was initially created more than 20 years ago in 1994, but was dropped for unknown reasons and is only now being resurrected for the youth and electoral politics course. In the future, similar courses may follow. “Hopefully, [the course] will also serve as a model — both for what works and does not work — that may guide us forward in the development of similar teamtaught and multi-disciplinary opportunities,” said Brealey over email. Brealey noted UFV’s peace and conflict studies program as a somewhat comparable example of funded partnerships often established by universities. “Universities enter into funded partnerships on all kinds of initiatives, and most do come with expected deliverables. However, all partnerships must also respect the principles of scholarly independence and academic freedom,” Brealey wrote. That is to say that, as Telford corroborated, Elections BC will have no say in how the course content for IDS 400 is created or offered, beyond its approval of UFV’s proposal and offer of funding. The 2012 ECU course resulted in a campaign that Keith Archer, B.C.’s chief electoral officer, marks as a success. “[The course] was really successful,” Archer said on a Voice of BC video seg-
ment about Elections BC (July 10, 2014). “One of the messages that came back to us was that young people enjoy speaking with humour — they like a bit of levity, they don’t like to be lectured to … So we used that advice and a little bit of creative freedom in some of the messaging we went forward with in the election, because a target for us was young voters.” Archer went on to note that, while Elections BC’s attempts to encourage voters to participate in provincial elections are not the sole determinant in voter turnout, turnout did rise in the 2013 election. “It went up by about 160,000 voters and by about three percentage points, for the first time in 20 years that voter turnout went up in British Columbia.” One student who took part in the course at ECU, Gina Hetland, explained in a (separate) video about how the experience of taking the course prepared her practically for degrees post-graduation, citing the focus on collaboration as a significant asset. “Instead of being very solo in your practice, [you] really understand the group dynamic … Also, working with a client is very helpful. You get to know the limitations but also the amazing opportunities that are possible.” Another student in the course, Keiran Wallace, said in the video that taking it improved his own political engagement. “One of the most important things I’ve taken away from this class is now I’m [a] registered voter and I can vote,” he said. With files from Valerie Franklin.
SUS intends for plaques to enhance SUB aesthetic KATIE STOBBART THE CASCADE
This October, the Student Union Society (SUS) put up three marble slabs in the foyer of the new Student Union Building (SUB), with several spaces for plaques bearing the names of SUS presidents past, present, and future. The first plaque includes a statement recognizing those individuals’ contributions to: “Creating a strong unified student voice, providing innovative and valuable services and developmental opportunities to our members by advocating on behalf of and collaborating with the Student Body, UFV, and the wider community.” According to current SUS president Thomas Davies, the installation of the plaques is one way SUS hopes to promote student heritage on campus.
“There’s lots of different elements to [the building aesthetic]. Things from the different painting and artwork we have around the building, or the murals outside for the matter, doing creative things outside of Fair Grounds, the atrium music, furniture colours are actually a great one — we don’t just have bland colours over time as you can see. The plaque is part of that. That one touches on more building culture and tradition,” Davies said. As to the cost of the plaques, Davies said that because it was part of the overall project cost, he was not able to get a specific number very easily, so he did not provide one. He did estimate that it might have been as low as $100, but could not confirm that number. “I do know in the scope of this project, the cost is low. Rock is actually not as expensive as it seems sometimes. It’s not a significant cost in the ongoing, and putting up a new
name is minimal.” The ultimate goal for SUS with installing the plaques, Davies said, is to contribute to a particular building aesthetic. “It’s part of that overall look and feel we’re going for in a building. There’s lots of work that was placed into this, beyond just architecture is what it is. That hasn’t been able to change, but in recent years, we’ve done a lot just working on the look and feel, the feeling that people get in the building,” Davies explained. “We felt this was a good avenue that could work to show the history that SUS has come through, but more importantly, how that ties to the students and the people that have helped form the community here. It just creates that overall aesthetic feel of the building.” With files from Vanessa Broadbent. Image: Katie Stobbart
WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 2, 2015 www.ufvcascade.ca
7
NEWS
Please stand by: emergency broadcast notifications may come soon to university screens VALERIE FRANKLIN THE CASCADE / PHOTO
Anyone walking past the Facilities office in room B150 in recent weeks may have been surprised to see a bright red television screen warning them to evacuate the premises — and a paper sign taped to the screen, reassuring them that the screen is only a test. But similar screens may soon spread word to students in the case of campus emergencies or closures as an important step in improving the university’s safety and emergency preparedness. Mark Goudsblom, director of facilities management at UFV, explains that although the current screen is only a mock-up, these displays would allow for the broadcast of emergency notifications in situations such as inclement weather, fire, natural disasters, and safety drills, as well as giving students information about the nature of the emergency. “They would allow us to reach out to students in different buildings if activities occur in another,” says Goudsblom. “So if we have a fire in building B, the emergency signage could show that there’s a fire in building B [with a message saying] ‘Please evacuate,’ or ‘Do not access.’” Goudsblom explains that as part of its regular annual maintenance, the university receives money from the Ministry of Advanced Education to improve its infrastructure and systems as well as life safety and accessibility, based on reports about what needs to be renewed or replaced. Several years ago Facilities identified that the fire alarm system in UFV’s older buildings was due to be upgraded, and put a proposal forward to the Ministry to upgrade all of the fire alarm systems throughout the university, putting them on par with the fire alarm systems in newer buildings like the CEP campus or the Student Union Building. During that process other potential safety upgrades were also identified, such as enabling building access with cards. “We amalgamated all of that into a very large proposal and put that forward to the Ministry and got a three-year funding for the project, and we’re now into the second year of that project,” says Goudsblom. He explains that because the funding is yearto-year, there’s no guarantee the university will receive its third year of funding from the Ministry; however, if it does, the university will look at implementing this digital signage in key areas such as stairways, hallways, and the Alumni Hall. Many of the safety upgrades from the first two years of Ministry funding have been installed or will soon be complete. The first two phases of the upgrading project have focused on upgrading hardware such as locks, keys, doors, fobs, and alarms. This includes replacing the old red fire-alarm bells with speakers and strobe lights, which ensure that hearingimpaired individuals are alerted in an emergency. The plan to install emergency notification screens across the university will add another visual component to the warning system in addition to the strobe
lights, as well as potentially offering students instructions on how to proceed and where to go. However, since the Ministry hasn’t confirmed that UFV will receive its third year of funding, the details of what the notification system will broadcast have not yet been decided. As another part of the upgrading initiative, the university is in the process of implementing an auditory broadcast system throughout its campuses, which Goudsblom says will be complete by the end of March 2016. In the case of an emergency, this system will allow Security to pick up a microphone and make announcements throughout all buildings. “It would also allow for standardized notifications,” Goudsblom explains, “so you can actually push a button and it will have an audible sentence: ‘There’s a fire in your building, please evacuate,’ or, ‘This is a fire drill.’” He adds that there are currently 10 such pre-recorded messages in the system for a variety of situations including fire and earthquake scenarios. Brian Leonard, director of security and emergency management, says that the proposed emergency notification screens would also be compatible with the mobile UFV Alert app, which currently transmits similar messages about campus closures to students who have downloaded it. Making the emergency notification screens compatible with the UFV Alert app means that if a student were to miss an emergency broadcast over the announcement system, they would still catch it as a message on their phone. “There’s 1,300 people out there who have that kind of notification on their mobile device, and they could be in classrooms, they could be in hallways and corridors,” says Goudsblom. Considering there are about 15,000 students currently at UFV, this makes it almost one in 10 students in different classes and areas who have the ability to share emergency alerts and information with other people directly around them. “If we marry that with the digital screens and the overhead enunciation, and then combine that with some information that goes out through UFV Alert, and then the website, I think it makes for a very comprehensive response to any emergency situation,” he says. When not being used for emergency broadcasts, the digital notification screens could also broadcast different kinds of information depending on their locations. “If that screen was in Campus Card, all the students that would be lining up at the beginning of the year to get their cards could be seeing information on that digital screen that would be particular to the campus card — what they need to do, what they need to have ready,” says Goudsblom. “If we have one of those, for example, in the library, that screen, outside of being used for emergency notification, would then run information pertaining to what’s in the library.” Ideally, he adds, different departments and offices would be able to access the system and put their own information in it instead of
This emergency test screen has been on display in room B150 in recent weeks. having that done centrally. “Those are the wishlists — those are the things we want to work on as we get into the actuals,” explains Goudsblom. An important detail that Goudsblom and the other planners are considering is the potential connectivity of this notification system with existing systems and screens throughout the university. “The Student Union Society has put in some digital screens in their Student Union Building, and one of the things is that we could actually connect with their system and allow the emergency broadcast to be pushed out into their screens as well,” says Goudsblom. He suggests that the emergency screens could even find a use in the shuttle bus.
The proposed emergency notification screens would also be compatible with the mobile UFV Alert app, which currently transmits similar messages about campus closures to students who have downloaded it.
“A good example for that is if we have some kind of screen in the shuttle bus, say inclement weather hits Chilliwack first before Abbotsford, we would be able to say to people on the bus, ‘Don’t go to Chilliwack, Chilliwack campus is closing in a half an hour due to an incoming snowstorm,’” says Goudsblom. “So you’d be able to connect with people, in this case students, faculty, and staff, en route.” According to Leonard, similar notification systems are employed by BCIT and Kwantlen. He notes that while many people may envision the screens being used mainly for dramatic disaster scenarios such as a catastrophic earthquake or an intruder on campus, one of the main uses of the proposed screens will be sending messages about weather warnings and weather-related campus closures. “If we talk just about weather, [the
screens] will pay dividends with the ability to say, ‘In one hour, the campus is closing.’ Or even getting information from outside saying, ‘[Hwy 1] between A road and B road is closed,’” he says. He adds that weather has the greatest impact annually on the university in terms of business continuity. However, whether the emergency notification screens will become part of UFV’s emergency preparedness system all depends on whether the funding from the Ministry comes through for the third and final year of the project. Goudsblom says that if it does, a working group that includes Security, Facilities, Marketing and Communications, Information Technology Services, Educational Technology Services, and Campus Planning will come together and determine what the details of the system should look like. “Once the ministry gives us the final dollars, then we’re going to probably sit down as a working group again and move forward with putting out the RFI [a request for information from the industry about costs],” says Goudsblom. Then it’s a matter of determining which companies will provide the services, and how those expenses will fit into the budget from the Ministry. Thus far the university has received about 1.8 million dollars for life safety improvements, which Goudsblom says has gone towards improving accessibility and fire safety. Additionally, the university is required to make a financial contribution toward its own upgrades. When will the third phase of these security upgrades, such as the emergency notification screens, be implemented? That all depends on the money. “We’ve put in a request, we’re in the third year of the project; I’m very hopeful, I keep my fingers crossed, but ... it’s not entirely within our control,” says Goudsblom. “But we do all the work we can to prepare ourselves for having that money available.”
8
OPINION
WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 2, 2015 www.ufvcascade.ca
Humour
Keep your sweaters tacky, not sexy, this season DOMINGO FLORES
CONTRIBUTOR / FASHIONISTA
The holiday season is well and truly upon us, bringing with it a storm of sweaters — sweaters which bear upon them the most hideous of designs, from the almost sociopathic smile of a crocheted Santa Claus to the dead, red nose of Rudolph, and other miscellaneous mutilated masterpieces in the form of knitwear. And yet the sweaters are, without a doubt, the style of the season. To be without a tacky, holidaythemed sweater is to be without a soul, or at least to bear within oneself a soul lacking in the joy of a fashionable and stylish winter wonderland. Where would one be without the subtle-yet-strong silliness of a holiday sweater and all its misshapen lumps, like a deflated bouncy castle? Being able to look like such a disgustingly, decadently, dropdead gorgeous bunch of tackily arrayed wool is so much fun. To get into the festive spirit, get yourself into a tacky sweater and
own it. Project charisma and confidence while wearing what can only be described as the work of a mad granny crossed with a fingerless tailor who’s been forced to watch the Star Wars Holiday Special on repeat over the course of the entire year. But how tacky is too tacky? Is there perhaps some sort of line in the sand, an extreme tackiness that takes the tradition of tacky too far? Are there limits to tackiness? Yes, yes there are. A cursory glance at the web will show you horrors beyond imagining. And it’s even worse once you’ve logged out of Facebook. Sweaters that were tacky in the traditional style have since given way to a new breed of ugly; a new style of unstylish has been born, an extremism that pushes the boundaries of tacky-time from tonguein-cheek into a sledgehammer of blunt, brutal, eye-gougingly offensive. Instead of good ol’ silly Santas, we are being bombarded by a tidal wave of grotesquely sexu-
alized Santas. No, seriously. This is an actual thing. The expression of individuality has given way to deliberate antagonism. I long for a return to the days of yesteryear, where it was all inane puns and eye-watering silliness instead of this overly desperate attempt at grabbing attention through offence. Tacky sweaters in the traditional style, through annual donning and disparaging, foster a sense of community, of culture, of kinship. Wearing them is the fastest way to build bridges and construct a shared experience: fond memories and fast friendships formed through the suppression of one’s sense of style, in order to conform to the deliberate anti-conformity of tacky seasonal sweaters. Let’s take the time to enjoy them, and make sure that the disturbing trend of offensive seasonal sweaters is a blip on the historical record.
The beginning of December marks the advent of our first Christmas season in the new Student Union Building. It’s a tough time of year. As the great beast of a fall semester slouches toward its end, and thoughts of a winter semester, yet to be born, crystallize in the frigid air, students are more stressed than usual, and running out of money. It’s one impetus behind such warm-hearted initiatives as the Angel Tree program, which in past years was run by Student Life and this year is being operated by the Student Union Society (SUS). While the Angel Tree program is a noble cause, I’ll admit to being baffled at the size of the artificial Christmas tree dedicated to it in the SUB atrium, newly acquired by SUS, presumably with student funds. The program used to be featured on a more modest tree outside OReg in B building on the Abbotsford campus. This year, the blue tags representing children in need this Christmas take up only the lower segment of SUS’s new tree, and I have to wonder if funds could have been better spent to support students (and in this case, their young families) than for the purchase of the tree. Unrelated to SUS spending, it’s also a little discouraging to note that the United Christian Ministries’ free weekly pancake breakfasts in the SUB have been shut down until January after the intervention of Fraser Health, leaving students to fend for themselves early Thursday morning, or forego the meal. All that said, I encourage fellow students to find ways to be cheerful this season, to come together and support each other during stressful times, and to use your student space as a place of refuge from the already chilly weather. And please, if you are able, do participate in the Angel Tree program. As someone who was once a recipient of such a thoughtful gift, I can tell you how very much it is appreciated by kids and their struggling parents. — Katie Stobbart
9
OPINION
WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 2, 2015 www.ufvcascade.ca
SNAPSHOTS
Curtailed commentary on current conditions Images: Mitch Huttema, Kat Marusiak (“PC problems”)
I don’t care that it’s your birthday
CIVL “unsafe?”
PC problems
Miscarrying misconceptions
Jeffrey Trainor
Terrill Smith
Kat Marusiak
Mitch Huttema
I am on Facebook, your friends are on Facebook, and hell, your mom is probably on Facebook. Facebook is the main way people connect in our society today. I have nothing against Facebook as a whole, but what I can’t stand is when someone on my friends list has a birthday. I get notifications from Facebook reminding me to post a public birthday message for them, and I have the pleasure of seeing post after post of halfhearted happy birthdays like I was urged to do. Seriously, people, if you are good enough friends with someone to wish them a sincere happy birthday, surely you have their phone number or another, more personal and genuine means of passing along the sentiment. Is Facebook guilt-tripping us into wishing people happy birthday? I don’t know, but you certainly won’t see me posting happy birthday on your wall any time soon.
Several weeks ago, I read a comment on Facebook that has stuck with me. The comment referred to CIVL being unsafe for LGBT students because it has given radio shows to a couple of people who promote their views relating to traditional family values. Debates about the potency of the term “unsafe” aside, I have never understood the notion of being repelled by opposing ideas. We are fortunate enough to live in a country where freedom of speech is constitutionally protected as a fundamental freedom. As such, we should appreciate hearing opinions different from our own, for this highlights the invaluable freedoms that our country has afforded us. We should also be receptive to opposing ideas as a way of enriching ourselves and our own views. However, if hearing opposing opinions truly makes you feel unsafe, then perhaps think about starting an authoritarian regime, à la North Korea, where you can compel everyone to have the same mindset as you.
I fully support and promote kindness and consideration towards others, and that no one should be made to feel unsafe or discriminated against. But it seems we’re at a point where many people are becoming afraid to discuss almost anything openly for fear of unintentionally offending any sensitive soul who might feel “unsafe” simply because they have a differing opinion, or use a word they find inappropriate. I often hear that intention means nothing compared to impact; well of course impact is very important, and people should be conscientious of how their words may affect others. But when someone who obviously did not intend to hurt anyone does so accidentally, I think their intention should mean at least something. Attacking, berating, and belittling others is not the way we should go about promoting education, acceptance, and understanding.
It’s time for the mounds of bullshit to be swept aside. For some reason it’s still believed that common colds are caused by the cold weather, but it really just coincides with close contact due to winter. “No swimming after you eat” is a lie; food won’t cause your muscles to cramp. Sugar isn’t related to hyperactivity in children; they get sugar when they’re more likely to be hyper, like at parties, at Grandma’s, and around Halloween. The frightening notion that marijuana is worse than booze is the most absurd. A study done by the Independent Committee on Drugs (ISCD) ranked alcohol more dangerous than crack, and even heroin. It can destroy your life in ways that others cannot and it’s readily available and legal. All this serves as a warning: be sure to check your facts whenever an old wife spins you a tale.
Trudeau and the airstrikes: there is no easy decision RACHEL TAIT CONTRIBUTOR
Two days after the Paris attacks, France orchestrated an airstrike on Raqqa, Syria in retaliation. According to CNN News, ISIS claimed responsibility for the atrocities and, in response, French bomber jets were sent in and destroyed several ISIS buildings and key sites, including their headquarters. But ISIS claims that despite the enormous airstrike, there were no casualties, and that the targets were evacuated long before in anticipation of retaliation. Through the lens of the media, the Paris attacks were a clear act of war. But in a sense, France didn’t really get the vindication and justification it wanted for the innocent blood shed in Paris, as more civilian blood was undoubtedly shed during the many airstrikes in Syria. As a viewer of these events from afar, one cannot help but wonder how Justin Trudeau will respond. Airstrikes on Syria have continued since Prime Minister Trudeau
was sworn into office; the National Post reports that he plans to withdraw from the mission led by the United States against Syria and Iraq. According to the Ottawa Citizen, Trudeau has said very little about the Paris attacks or ISIS / ISIL; his only comment was when “he had spoken to the public safety Minister, Ralph Goodale, as well as police and security officials to ensure Canadians remain safe.” In the same article, Finance Minister Bill Morneau says Canada does “need to be part of the fight to degrade and destroy ISIL. We only question the way we should best do that.” In that regard, the Liberal government is faced with a very difficult decision, hopefully one that will protect its citizens. Ironically, Stephen Harper made it very clear during his federal election campaign that he thought Canada should continue to fight alongside their allies against terrorists like ISIS, and now it looks as if Trudeau might implement the same strategy for direct attack — there has been an escalation of airstrikes from Ca-
nadian CF-18 jets on ISIS in Syria despite Trudeau’s determination to cease participation, according to the National Post. On the other hand, Trudeau has been commendable in sticking with his promises to help the refugees when he could have reneged on his promises in the aftermath of the attacks, and it shows a respectable level of integrity. However, there needs to be a high level of alertness and careful screening of who is let in to the country. There is also the underlying fear that there will be similar threats of terrorism coming to Canada if the government should allow so many refugees through its doors. Not many refugees are secretly ISIS terrorists bent on destroying Canada, but it is frightening to think of the possibility of some kind of retaliation if Canada does go after ISIS. There is no easy choice; let’s hope Trudeau makes the right one.
Image: Wikimedia Commons
The man mak
A conversation with SEAMUS HEFFERNAN CONTRIBUTOR
It’s safe to say that if you’re lucky enough to land an interview with Santa Claus, he doesn’t come to you — you go to him. Which is how I have ended up in a mock castle in the middle of this shopping mall in St. John’s, trying hard to ignore the odd looks and sideward glances from lunchtime shoppers as I stare intently at this man’s beard and whiskers, trying to figure out if they’re fake. They are. It’s only fair to dismiss the illusions now, alas. The beard’s owner is Greg Power, a retired civil servant who has spent the last six Christmas shopping seasons hearing the wishes of children and the constant whirr of a digital camera immortalizing countless trips to this castle for eager parents. It’s not a lark, he makes clear, it’s a job, and it is one he takes very seriously.
“It’s very important. It’s more than what it appears from the outside. It’s all done with an effort to make it pleasant and enjoyable,” he says. “Experiences that are positive or negative stay with children throughout their life, you know. This shouldn’t be a negative experience and I certainly don’t want to do anything to contribute to that possibility.” Power, then, is not the mall-Santa-as-joke stereotype, leering at mothers and perhaps sneaking the odd tipple to pass the day quicker. He doesn’t even go to lunch or the bathroom when he works, apparently aware of how this could endanger the mystique he tries to create here. And as mystique goes, he pretty much nails it. Throughout our conversation he is still on the clock, so children come and go, some to register their lists, some trying to work up the nerve just to say “Hi.” He is smooth yet warm in his approach; little girls are princesses, little boys good young men, and parents’
concerns are met with patience and calm. Listening to the tape after we chat, I realize that I never called him his real name once. It was always “Santa.” That’s almost embarrassing. Surely it can’t be all so easy, I say. What about the cranky, the hysterical, or the belligerent? Has any child ever, say, thrown up on you? Bit you? Wet themselves on your lap? If any of this has happened, Power won’t be drawn into it. He’s reticent to give even one instance of naughty-list behaviour. “I have to think so hard to come up with an example,” he finally says when pressed. “Sometimes you have two siblings come to visit. One is very young, and one might be of an age where they think they’re too old to be with Santa. They’re pouting. So I ask them to help their mom and dad and try and smile.” The bad kid angle is clearly a no-go, so I ask about the motivations of the well-behaved: don’t they feel
kes the suit:
a real mall Santa they’ve earned some sort of commitment from you regarding their wish lists? “Santa never makes promises,” he says. “Well, 99 per cent of the time, I don’t. What I would generally say is that ‘Santa tries his best.’ But you have to get across what that means to the child. You ask if they’re trying their best to be a good big brother or a good student, and they’re saying ‘Yes, yes I am.’ Well then, Santa will try his best, I say, and you understand what trying your best means.” Of course, sometimes children ask for things beyond video game systems or Barbie dolls, I counter. What have you heard that would be truly difficult to deliver? His response was not what I expected. “One little girl a bit older, eleven or twelve, came to visit me once. And she said, ‘What I really want for Christmas is for my dad to leave the house.’ Well, I wasn’t expecting that,” he sighs. “So … what do you become then? Do you become a comforter? A consoler?
Pretend you didn’t hear it? I was really upset.” What did you say? “I said there are times when we are all going through difficulty, through unpleasant or difficult times. I told the child that hopefully, with time, things will change, and for the best. But for her to say it, and to mean it, whether she even believed in Santa … that was hard.” She obviously wanted to believe in something, I offer. “Yes, and she still wanted something from Santa,” he says, clearly still smarting from the experience. Santa Claus isn’t merely a tradition, he’s a myth we have crafted from several different stories, but unique in that it is a myth almost all of us have believed at some time — and indeed still want to hold on to, if only a little. I ask him if he ever thinks about his role in the myth and whether or not Santa is still needed. “It’s fuelling the seed of goodwill and joy and harmony and peace. It’s all of those things that are con-
trary to stress and strain and bad times. It’s fostering friendship. It’s a deep question, though. Do we need Santa? Is it because of the culture? That parents have gotten this from their parents and they want to pass it on and they don’t want to lose this? Do they feel compelled to do this … ?” Power is on a deconstructionist roll now, unsurprising for a man who has a lot of time to think about what this suit represents as he sits in his plastic and wood palace giving hundreds of children a thrill, a hope, a fright, a memory. Has he decided what it all means? “Yes — it’s a good thing. Of course it is,” he says, simply. Behind me, Santa’s photographer takes my picture.
This article was originally published on youlikewelike.com.
12
CULTURE
WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 2, 2015
Fourth annual Casino Royale brings out UFV’s best dressed
JEFFREY TRAINOR THE CASCADE / PHOTO
UFV’s fourth annual Casino Royale night was held in the new Student Union Building (SUB) within two sections of the Great Hall. The event brought out UFV’s bestdressed, as many students grasped the opportunity to dust off their formal suits and dresses from the back of their closets to fully embrace the “dress to impress”dress code. The event was the result of the biology and chemistry student association teaming up with the physics student association, the kinesiology and physical education student association, the mental
health awareness club, and the pre-med student alliance. The night’s primary feature was the casino games. There were four blackjack tables, two Texas hold-’em poker tables, and a roulette table. Although the gambling didn’t use real money, each attendee was given a $2,000 “credit” to spend at the tables, and the rest was up to a combination of luck and skill (but mostly luck). A huge positive was that the dealers at all the tables were very accommodating to those who stepped up to the table. No matter how much knowledge they had about the blackjack, poker, or roulette, they were always polite and willing to help those who did not know the rules through the finer
details of the games. Furthermore, many students who were playing at the tables were also very willing to help their tablemates through some difficult decisions, creating a very positive and supportive environment. Aside from the tables, the night featured a plethora of prizes that could be won by using credits accumulated from success at the tables. The prizes ranged from a Marvel messenger bag to Breaking Bad mugs, and there truly was something for everyone. Besides prizes, the room had a small food station that served mini samosas, chicken wings, and an assortment of vegetables along with a fully functioning bar to drown the sorrows of those losing big on the ta-
www.ufvcascade.ca
bles. Lastly, there was a photo booth where you could forever document your night at the casino, or simply prove to your mother you actually wore that tie she bought for you last Christmas. Though the room wasn’t packed at any point, there certainly was a buzz in the room, and those that were in attendance seemed to have a wonderful time learning the different casino games and gambling their fake currency away. Though it seemed in the end that the dealer did always win out, those in attendance got to experience the highest of highs and the lowest of lows that only gambling can provide — without spending a nickel.
ESports Valley fosters a sense of community in the digital age GLEN ESS THE CASCADE
Over the last few years, competitive gaming has grown massively. For example, the League of Legends 2015 World Championship was hosted in multiple cities in Europe, and the winners, SK Telecom T1, were awarded a prize of a million dollars. It was estimated that over 30 million people were streaming the final. Clearly e-sports have become a massive entertainment industry in the digital age. So, to learn more about the everexpanding new sporting realm, I sat down with Panku Sharma and Cam Stephens, president and vice president respectively of eSports Valley (ESV), UFV’s competitive gaming club. ESV, coming up on their third year, was formed in the summer of 2013 by Sharma, Stephens, and former president Eric Bates in response to the burgeoning shift in pop culture. “Nerd culture was getting progressively way more normal,” Sharma says. Stephens also notes that “League [of Legends] had just grown massively in popularity” around the time of the club’s in-
ception, and these factors led to them deciding to organize a UFV club based around gaming. “The specific games themselves don’t matter to the club,” says Sharma. While the club was founded with League of Legends as a centrepiece, they have branched out into games such as DOTA 2 and Super Smash Bros. These branches have grown in prominence since the club has grown, with the club hosting a monthly Smash Bros. tournament that usually attracts 100 attendees on average. However, it’s almost a stereotype that heavy gamers are distracted from school and work — a stereotype that ESV has very much tried to combat. As a club, they instituted a policy that requires any club executive or League of Legends team player to maintain a GPA of at least 2.0, firmly encouraging their members to maintain a balance between their lives as students and as competitive gamers. “Not all tournaments have a GPA requirement, but we, as a team, have decided if you’re below a 2.0, you obviously can’t balance your time and the game,” Sharma explains, adding that this
is meant to help ESV “better the image” of competitive gaming. “We want to show that these people can spend a lot of time on these games and get good at these games, but they can also still focus on their school and do well in school at the same time,” says Stephens. The ultimate goal of ESV as a club would appear to be providing more opportunities for students to casually game. It provides a welcoming place to hang out with friends and goof around on Rock Band, while also continuing to hone ESV’s competitive nature — and increasing their ability to compete with other teams from other universities in tournaments. They also hope to partner with other associations. “We’re looking to branch out more next semester, and doing a lot more casual events with other clubs,” says Sharma. As for the competitive aspect of ESV, he has high hopes: “In five years, we trounce UBC, we dominate BC — I just want to see UBC fall over. Quote me on that.”
Image: Fortune
ESV’s monthly Smash Bros. tournaments are getting pretty popular ... but not quite as popular as the 2015 League of Legends championship above.
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Fashion
Ugly sweaters: precious “vest”-iges of past Christmases MITCH HUTTEMA THE CASCADE
It’s the holidays once more, and this means that a brave few wintertime Don Cherrys will dig deep into their attics to find their fuzziest and ugliest inheritances: their dads’ old Christmas sweaters. This time-honoured tradition has roots in the sartorial stylings of of the now-infamous Bill Cosby, and even Chevy Chase in National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation. But the real roots of these furry, gaudy faux pas go back to the most familiar place for most, the original hipsters: your parents. Every year during this season there’s an array of holiday sweaters found floating around, featuring everything from brightly coloured reindeer collages to cuddly Christmas kittens. Many of these garments can be picked up at thrift stores or the closets of rel-
atives, but as of late they seem to be appearing in Walmarts across the land. Much like the novelty tees of our teen days, which were picked up from Walmart plastered with witty lines or lame jokes, these sweaters are the cheap knock-off of the real thing. Walmart holds true the adage, “See a need, fill a need with the cheapest possible and most profitable option.” There has been an upward trend in pop-culturally pertinent holiday garb. You can find Drake telling you he “knows when those sleigh bells ring, it can only mean one thing” and Vader wishing you a “Merry Sithmas,” not to forget Doctor Who, Breaking Bad, and every other franchise on the planet that’s getting in on the most profitable season of the year. While this might seem like a public service announcement for an exciting time to be alive, think twice before you buy. That costly,
culturally relevant cardigan may not be the best choice for the long run, and may just make it exceptionally clear that you are a sucker for clever marketing. The jokes may be jolly, the quips may be crafty, and it might be the best thing ever to make clear your love for Star Wars and Santa, but the sweater will last you a season and then never again. Don’t be that guy (any dad over 40) wearing the equivalent of a “Hawaii Trip 2008” shirt 10 years too late — it’s just not your look. If you really want to look like a dad, then go right to the source. Jack his most outdated and originally patterned pullover and claim it for your own. Be the prodigal son of the season and get your inheritance early. Keep the seasonal sweatshirt trend intact and attached to the memories that they a made from. Wear proudly the sweater that your pops donned on the third, fourth,
How do they weave the nostalgia into that wool blend? and fifth of your Christmases and recall those early mornings breaking open the boxes, sharing dinner with loved ones and passing out on the couch after too much egg nog. Walmart and every other business might do their best to
replicate those treasured turtlenecks, but they can never weave into the fabric the precious portents of past that make a holiday sweater what it is.
Below the Belt
New romantic comedy film gets up close and personal with UFV prof Melanie Jones XTINA SEXPERT
Last week I interviewed UFV’s very own rising star — sculpture professor and filmmaker Melanie Jones. Jones, who is a multi-talented artist, has released a handful of short films, and now her first feature is set to debut at the Whistler Film Festival on December 3 and 5. Titled FSM, an acronym for “female seeking male” as seen in personal ads, this notso-romantic comedy explores the Vancouver dating scene and the challenges therein. Vancouver has gotten a bad rap for years in regards to its slim romantic pickings. A 2013 article in the Huffington Post titled “Vancouver women are Canada’s pickiest” suggests it’s Vancouver’s ultra picky women responsible for the disconnect. Another theory says it’s because Vancouver men are too timid to hold their own with the exceptionally confident and successful Vancouver women. For Jones, it was likely the latter which inspired this story of relational epic fails. The story takes place in Vancouver, which allows for a fully realized and appreciated sense of place. Filmed in Jones’s favourite spots in the
Image: Wrapped Principal Photography / drawnonwardfilms.wordpress.com
FSM, a not-so-romantic comedy, explores the Vancouver dating scene. city, FSM not only exposes Vancouver for its dating downfalls but celebrates its accomplishments, including its scenic beauty, local celebrities, and of course its bumping underground music scene. Although FSM follows the lead female, Sam (played by up-andcomer Vanessa Crouch), searching for romantic connection, it was important to Jones that the film not hinge on Sam finding love in the end: “I didn’t want it to be like a typical romantic comedy where the movie doesn’t really end if she doesn’t get the guy,” she said. This, along with the raw and relatable story and talented
cast, was likely the reason for its selection for the Whistler Film Festival this year. Although the story started out somewhat autobiographical, through nine drafts, FSM became increasingly emancipated from Melanie’s own dating life and more about the struggles of lead character Sam. But finding Sam was easy. According to Jones, “casting is like dating.” And because the script called for nudity and simulated sex and drug use, she had a hard time finding a lead to fill the substantial role with her micro budget. Luckily, Crouch answered her prayers. “She is my soulmate,”
says Jones, explaining how finding the right lead is sometimes as difficult as finding “the one.” And with her adorably unique look, sheer talent, and team-player attitude, I’m sure audiences will agree with Jones’ casting choice. Jones was so dedicated to the success of FSM that she appeared as the body double for Vanessa during an ultra intimate moment in the film. She spoke about this choice, saying, “I wasn’t going to ask my cast to do something I wasn’t willing to do.” Ultimately Jones’ cameo meant she could include a particularly hilarious and significant moment in the film. Given that one of the cardinal
rules of filmmaking is “shoot for story,” and for comedy, “get the laugh, no matter what,” it was the clear choice. Still, putting herself into her work so literally is applause-worthy. It is not unprecedented for a director to make a cameo in their film, although not usually as a body double, and perhaps never for such an intimate scene. Hitchcock, for example, had a total of 37 self-referential cameos over the 50-year span of his career. Other well-known directors to get some screen time in their films include Ron Howard, who had cameo roles in Night Shift (1982), How the Grinch Stole Christmas (2000), and A Beautiful Mind (2001); Oliver Stone, who debuted as an officer in Platoon (1986); and, appearing in over a dozen of his own films from 1966 to present, Woody Allen. Although an intimidating list of directors to share a page with, Jones’s bold directing choices show she’s clearly on the right path to joining these cinematic giants on the Walk of Fame one day. Make sure you support our very own “director-in-residence” by getting up to Whistler this week or grabbing the blu-ray when it comes out!
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WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 2, 2015 www.ufvcascade.ca
A perfect game: three local bands hit all the right notes at new Brothers Bowling venue GLEN ESS
THE CASCADE
UPCOMING
EVENTS December 2
Art exhibitions and open house at UFV Wednesday (today!) sees UFV’s visual arts students showing off their hard work! Event runs from 5 to 7 p.m. in C Building on the Abbotsford campus.
December 7 Retirement dinner UFV will bid a fond farewell to 19 retiring employees. Event takes place at the Ramada from 6 to 9 p.m. Tickets can be bought from Human Resources for $25.
December 27 15th annual Christmas Confetti Masquerade Ball
Sunday, November 29 saw the local band the Sylvia Platters perform at Brothers Bowling and Billiards in Downtown Abbotsford, in support of their debut release, Make Glad The Day. The band was well-supported by opening acts Casinos and Saturdays, both of whom put up stellar performances that left the Platters with a high bar to clear. This was the first time I’d been to a show held at Brothers, and I’d say that, compared to other venues in Abbotsford, it probably offers the most well-rounded experience — not only is there food and drink aplenty, but it has a larger space which bands can work in. Having said that, the bar space where the performance was held was still small enough that it felt like drowning in a tidal wave of tunes. The music was loud and engrossing in the best way possible. Opening act Saturdays, formerly known as Wild Kingdom, put on an entertaining performance, cracking jokes and making quips in-between songs. Musically they
were on point, and I will always treasure the performance of Daniel Johnston’s “Speeding Motorcycle” which was fun, tongue in cheek, and was impossible to not burst into laughter at. In fact, to me, it was actually a more engrossing version of the song than the original. I’ve been an avowed admirer of Daniel Johnston for years, but this amped-up, adrenaline makeover of “Speeding Motorcycle” took me by storm. Saturdays were followed up by Casinos, who, if you were at this year’s Jam In Jubilee, are unmistakable from their sound: a popslanted style of early 2000s alternative and indie rock. At times during their performance they created comparisons in my mind to Toronto’s Tokyo Police Club, Phoenix, and Apartment. Their enthusiastic performance was engaging — Kier Christer Junos has an electric performing presence. Even in the face of a malfunctioning pedal board, he entertained the crowd while quickly working to fix it, before launching back into their set with gusto just a few minutes after the mishap. Probably the highlight of their performance
was Mitchell Trainor’s excellence on guitar during their rendition of “Do You Want To.” But as good as Casinos and Saturdays were, the night belonged to the headline act. The Sylvia Platters had performed live on CIVL 101.7 FM just a few days before this show, and having caught that performance, as well as their show earlier in the year in the Basement downtown (see The Cascade: “A Q&A with the Sylvia Platters, the Band with a short attention span,” October 7, 2015), what really stood out during their act on Sunday was their consistency. However, Sunday’s performance was also their first with Matt Tressel, who recorded saxophone and keyboard on the album. This final addition to their band meant that their act was as well-rounded as possible, with the sax jumping in and out when called for. The Platters were vibrant and endlessly entertaining, with Nick Ubels (vocals and guitarist) and his brother Tim (vocals and drums) all smiles as they traded lead singer responsibilities throughout the set. They never seemed shackled into seriousness, even playing sax-y
January 1 31st annual Resolution Run New Year’s Day is the perfect time to start working off the Christmas weight with a run around Mill Lake, with a bracing 10 a.m. start time.
Nick Ubels of the Sylvia Platters is a former editor-in-chief of The Cascade.
Pre-med program presentation by six UFV alumni piques interest GLEN ESS
THE CASCADE / PHOTO
Sunday, December 27 sees Suburban Swing celebrate the festive season with their swankiest celebration of the year. Come dressed to the nines for a fun night! Tickets range from $21 for early-bird student tickets to the full price of $36.75 (plus applicable fees), and can be found online at abbotsfordcentre.ca.
opening bars to Drake’s “Hotline Bling,” which had the audience doubled over in laughter when they caught on to it. It was the penultimate song (if you can call a joke opener a song?) before the Platters packed it in, and it was absolutely hilarious, highlighting just how confident the band were and how much they were enjoying themselves. Between the combination of performers, who rubbed shoulders with ease and clicked into place as a lineup, and the amenities provided by Brothers Bowling and Billiards, the night was an immensely satisfying one, demonstrating that when given the space and opportunity, local musicians can thrive and entertain to an astonishing degree. I for one had a tremendously enjoyable night and look forward to watching all three bands more in the future, as well catching more shows at Brothers.
On Thursday, November 26, UFV’s pre-med student alliance (PMSA) hosted a presentation by six UFV alumni who, upon reaching the end of their UFV studies, were accepted into UBC’s medical program. Over the course of an hour they covered a wide range of topics, from describing the (new) curriculum, to the application process, to just a general recapping of a regular day in the life of a med student. The presentation, an annual event for the PMSA, drew a crowd of about 50 students to B132 on UFV’s Abbotsford campus, filling it to capacity. Between the food and drink, and the casual, conversational tone taken by the presenters, it was an engrossing evening. According to both PMSA president Aneet Baines and vicepresident Vivienne Beard, the panel is usually the group’s most highly attended event. Beard has been involved in the past three iterations of the event, and said the event has seen steady growth. It was easy to see why. The pre-
“There’s no formula for getting into med-school.” senters, having only recently left UFV, could easily relate to the current class of UFV med-school hopefuls and engage with them as peers. Over the course of their group presentation, they stressed the fact that, with the determination and ambition to do so, anyone can make it to med school, but that grades alone wouldn’t be enough to grant them entry. As the presenters put it, “There’s no formula to getting into med
school,” and the wide variety of disciplines represented by the presenters and their UBC classmates is testament to this. Given that a medical profession is one that requires a tremendous amount of study and training, it’s easy to fall into the mindset that grades are the sole factor in deciding if a student is deserving of entry into medical school. This is an easy mistake, they reiterated, because extra-curricular activities are just
as important, both to med-school applications and to becoming a well-rounded individual. After firmly drilling home the importance of extra-curriculars and a rundown of the application process, they began to describe the way UBC’s medical program runs on four separate campuses, with an extreme dedication to providing students with handson experience; students are assigned to clinics all over the Lower Mainland to practice clinical skills, as well as being assigned a fake patient every week for diagnosis. They also went into extra detail on their daily schedule: eight-hour days full of challenging, time-intensive, large classes, and, to paraphase the presenters, “optional instructional sessions that you pretty much need to go to” — and little in the way of free time or extra sessions for studying. To summarize, med students are busy. Very busy. However, it seems that while med students are incredibly busy, they also find a great sense of fulfilment in what they do.
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WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 2, 2015 www.ufvcascade.ca
Podcast
Learning about language with Helen Zaltzman SONJA KLOTZ
THE CASCADE
CHARTS Sylvia Platters 1 The Make Glad the Day Vy 2 ElReturn to the Moon
3 Deerhunter Fading Frontier Vile 4 Kurt b’lieve i’m goin down Cloudz 5 Majical Are You Alone?
6 Grounders Grounders 7
Young Galaxy Falsework
Girls 8 U.S. Half Free Bowie 9 David Blackstar (single) Thug 10 Young Barter 6
11 VIXX Chained Up 12 Greys Repulsion Pepper and His 13 Gregory Problems
14 15
Chorus! Chorus! Chorus! Andy Mitchell She Was Simple Like Quantum Mechanics TV Freaks Bad Luck Charms
Impala 16 Tame Currents
17 Nylithia Hyperthermia Cliché 18 Nouveau Walking in My Shadow
Shuffle
DAVE CUSICK
PROGRAM DIRECTOR / THE PODFATHER
As we approach the shortest day of the year, the air grows cold, and our circadian rhythms tell us to hunker down. But finals, work, and holiday social schedules thwart what evolution would have us do. So let’s just put on some music, and try and forget.
Snow “Informer” There’s something irresistible about the audacity of a white, Canadian dude with wire-rimmed glasses who calls himself Snow performing reggae rap. There’s a good chance that if you’re reading this, you weren’t even born yet in 1993, but trust me, this was the jam (which is so embarrassing). Blitzen Trapper “Love Grow Cold” The Portland five-piece specializes in ‘70s-tinged Southern rock, the kind where you can almost feel the wood paneling on the walls surrounding you, the shag carpeting under your leather boots, the cold Labatt’s in your hand, the secondhand indoor Marlboro smoke in your lungs. Vanilla Ice “Ice Ice Baby” I really tried not to include this one on this list. “I’ve already got another early-’90s white guy doing poprap song from Snow,” I thought. “This is totally redundant.” But it’s inescapable. If there was a problem, yo, HE WILL SOLVE IT. Fleet Foxes “White Winter Hymnal” Formed in Seattle in 2006, Fleet Foxes have some of the most wellcrafted vocal harmonies since the Beach Boys. In a time where each song is competing to be the loudest one, their music cuts through the noise by having the courage to be quiet. Once your finals are done, find yourself a snowy cabin, wear fuzzy slippers by the window, and enjoy the precious few hours of daylight to their brief discography. Then, when you’re back in cellular range, tweet at them to reunite for a third album. The Weeknd “Dark Times” Mr. Tesfaye, would you say that these “Dark Times” are so cold, that you ... can’t feel your face?
The Allusionist: “Toki Pona” episode written and produced by Helen Zaltzman Once in a while I get bored of just listening to the same old podcasts that have been playing over the years. Although they have been successful and still produce unique and diverse content, it is always great to expand your horizons and open your mind to new ideas. That is exactly what I did when I approached a colleague of mine who I knew had a diverse repertoire of podcasts. They suggested I listen to a podcast series called The Allusionist, and so I did exactly that, and listened to the most recent episode that was aired on November 19, 2015, titled “Toki Pona. “ Little did I know that I was going to be listening to 20 minutes of a linguistic analysis of a new language called Toki Pona. I usually do not make it a habit to research a podcast series prior to listening to it, in order to avoid preconceived expectations or assumptions about the content itself. However, now that I have listened to it, I have allowed myself to delve into of the context of this unique series. Firstly, the series is written and produced by a very talented British woman known as Helen Zaltzman. After earning a degree in Old and Middle English, Zaltzman tried to pursue a career as an etymologist, but then discovered a more intriguing career as a podcaster. I didn’t think that someone would actually be so fascinated with the origin of words and their histories that they would make a radio show out of it. As I began listening to the first few seconds of this episode, I felt a bit uncertain as to what exactly I was listening to. It began with soft background music, and a woman’s voice saying, “This is The Allusionist, in which I, Helen Zaltzman, open up language to see a tiny plastic ballerina turning around and around.” You can imagine my perplexity about her opening statement, asking myself, “How can someone ‘open up language?’” Following her melodramatic introduction and outline of the episode’s agenda, she began to advertise for Oxford Games in the most casual and personal manner. This sales pitch almost convinced me that this was part
Who’d have thought a linguist could be so entertaining? of the episode itself, but imagine my surprise at finding out that I was not going to be hearing about Oxford Games for a half hour, but rather about the world’s tiniest language, consisting of only 123 words, five vowels, and nine consonants: Toki Pona. As soon as I heard that this was the actual topic of the episode I began to shudder a bit, knowing full well that as much as I enjoy learning new or dead languages, I would not enjoy listening to the details of these linguistic developments, especially in the limited spare time that I have. With that said, I did enjoy listening to the awkwardly selected soft music that was constantly played in the background as a way to accent the diverse dialogue that occurred between Zaltzman, Sonja Lang (a linguist, and creator of Toki Pona), and Nate Dimeo, who is a fellow podcaster in his own right with a sheer interest in language learning. At first I found the discussion to be highly academic, thinking that this kind of show would only appeal to a very select few linguist enthusiasts. I was surprised to find, as the background music transitioned from soft strings into “Eye of a Tiger” by Survivor, that I as a listener would experience Zaltzman’s and Dimeo’s personal journey of learning the language itself.
Melodramatic, perhaps, but just wait … Instead of feeling perplexed and discouraged about the content, and despite the awkward musical transition between classic rock and soft strings, I began laughing at the wit and satire that accompanied the hosts’ personal accounts of experiences with the language itself. Dare I say it, but not only did I learn about the world’s smallest language, I actually felt a part of the learning process. ... I liked it. After all, everyone speaks a language, so what is the harm in unlocking some of the mysteries that lie behind the words we speak? Zaltzman won my inner battle and has convinced me in her own satirical and wordy manner that learning new languages and understanding some of the linguistic structures within them is not just for language experts, but should be for everyone. As a listener you may shudder at the wordiness of the podcast, or at the sappy background music selection, but I urge you not to stop listening to the series or even just one of the episodes, because before you know it you will fall in love with your inner language nerd, and that is okay.
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S undBites
WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 2, 2015 www.ufvcascade.ca
Mini album review
THE CASCADE IS SEEKING AN EDITOR-INCHIEF PAY: $300 / ISSUE
The Editor-in-Chief (EIC) sets the editorial direction for the paper, is ultimately responsible for all published content, and writes the editorial for each issue of The Cascade. The EIC works with other executive staff, editors, and writers to produce the paper. The EIC is also the public representative of the paper. The position is paid an honorarium of $300 per issue, and the length of term is from January to August of 2016.
k-os
Can’t Fly Without Gravity In many ways the forerunner to Drake, a fellow Toronto-based artist who frequently branches from hip-hop to pop and reggaeinspired tracks, k-os has been an important figure in Canadian music for at least a decade. However, the promise that was shown in EXIT and Joyful Rebellion has been squandered for those fans that expected him to stick to just rapping, or to develop his content and message. Many of his albums in the past years have explored different sounds and styles from pop to rock, and while technically and sonically he is talented and adventurous, k-os often relies on tired and underdeveloped narra-
tives that pitch him as a saviour against the contemporary state of rap and hip-hop. Can’t Fly Without Gravity continues his tradition of defying genre and sound, but thankfully he has toned back the preaching and he seems to take himself less seriously. It’s hard to say whether this record as a whole will have any staying power, but it is a step in the right direction from his past few meandering projects. Standout tracks include “WiLD4TheNight (EgoLand),” and the “Northern Touch”-inspired posse cut, “Boyz II Men.” Pankaj Sharma
Applicants must: • be registered in at least one course for credit at UFV during the winter semester. • be available to work varying hours, and to maintvain an office presence for at least 25 hours per week, especially on Mondays and Tuesdays; applicants should be aware that job duties will likely require a greater time commitment. • be able to deal effectively with the Cascade Journalism Society, university staff, students, and the general public. • demonstrate strong literacy skills and excellent command of the English language. • have knowledge of all relevant laws and journalistic standards concerning libel. • be able and willing to work with a diverse group of volunteers, and to resolve conflicts when they arise. • have a strong vision for the future and editorial direction of The Cascade. To apply, send a cover letter, resume, and sample editorial to Katie Stobbart at katie@ufvcascade.ca by December 7 at 11:59 p.m. The editorial should be between 500 and 750 words, written specifically for this application, and directed at a student audience.
TV
The Leftovers impresses and entertains PANKAJ SHARMA
CONTRIBUTOR
Not many have been watching, but the second season of The Leftovers has been a triumph — a marvel in narrative and tone with jaw-dropping performances. That said, it might not be for everyone, as its strongest traits might also be keeping viewers from engaging with it. While most of us were invested in the character of Breaking Bad’s Walter White, as he spiralled downwards we were quick to keep our emotional distance — to appreciate him just as a character that would occasionally drop some bad-ass lines or move the plot forward. The Leftovers doesn’t allow for that distance. The atmosphere and themes of fear, loneliness, guilt, and depression are incredibly relatable — and the mysteries that showrunner Damon Lindelof became famous for on LOST are used responsibly, not as carrot-on-a-stick cliffhangers that go nowhere, but as mecha-
The Leftovers triumphs in focusing on the human aspect of drama, while avoiding the usual pitfalls. nisms (that are often explained, unlike his past work) that let the audience feel the same confusion, fear, and wonder as the characters. The Leftovers’ first season took place three years after the “Departure,” when two per cent of the world’s population (140 million people) disappeared. Not much
time is devoted to explaining how it happened or where they went; that isn’t the focus of the story. Instead, the story deals with those left behind, and how they handled their grief (or lack thereof). Many are drawn away from mainstream religion or science, which all fail to give sufficient explanation for the Departure,
and instead gather around heretics or cults such as “the Guilty Remnant,” chain-smoking mutes who wear all white and refuse to let people move on. The show follows Kevin Garvey Jr. (Justin Theroux), who by the second season is a former chief of police trying to resettle his family in Jarden, Texas. He struggles with his slip-
ping sanity and a loss of control, which are brilliantly captured by his performance and the show’s writing. You’ll find yourself losing your mind with him. His girlfriend Nora Durst (Carrie Coon), who had her entire family taken, is terrified it might happen again, and is that the impetus for the move to the town known as “Miracle,” because no departures took place there, as she clings to anything that will make her feel safe and rid her of the guilt of being left behind. One of the standout performances in the show comes from Christopher Eccleston as Matt Jaminson, a devout and convicted Episcopal reverend whose favourite book of the bible is Job. I don’t want to give away too much, but watch the show and it will become apparent why.
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ARTS IN REVIEW
WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 2, 2015 www.ufvcascade.ca
Album
Above Club’s beats bring it all together JEFFREY TRAINOR
THE CASCADE
Spanning only 25 minutes, the latest offering from Vancouver- (formerly Kelowna-) based art pop band We Are The City is a strong reminder of how the band was able to break out of the Okanagan and become a global touring act. Recently, We Are The City may best be known as the visionaries behind the film Violent, a Norwegian sci-fi film co-written by members of the band to accompany the release of their last album of the same title. I don’t know if this most recent release — titled Above Club — will spark another film project, but it surely makes a strong melodic statement. From the record’s opening track, “Take Your Picture With Me While You Still Can,” the band sets an experimental and vagrant tone. A complex mix of synths, pads, guitars, and drums lie beneath the strong and charismatic melodies of lead vocalist Cayne McKenzie, carrying almost a tribal feel with its strong and punchy
rhythm. The tracks that follow the “Take Your Picture With Me While You Still Can” formula of using a strong percussive rhythm to lock down the almost frantic array of guitars and synths are those that work best on Above Club. Some examples are “Heavy as a Brick,” “Keep On Dancing,” and “Kiss Me Honey,” which all fall under the prior formula. However, labelling all these songs as carbon copies is unjust, as each contains its own unique feel. “Heavy as a Brick” features punishing and pulsating synths, while “Keep On Dancing” treads on the lighter side, with more airy guitars and keyboards. “Keep On Dancing” is the definitive “radio-ready” track from the album, and I sense the band will gain a lot of new fans due to this track alone. Despite these positives, the album does suffer in some areas. The main problem with any We Are The City record tends to be lyrical content. Though the group possesses the ability to create strong vocal melodies that remain in your head for days, the lyrical depth usually leaves you
Although instrumentally impressive, Above Club’s lyricism leaves much to be desired. scratching your head. Lines such as “Sprawl / Sob / Resolve / To quit your job at the mall / Call card ran out / Pick you up at
Helen’s later,” and “I follow myself everywhere I go / Everywhere I go I follow myself / I think I know what I think I know”
leave you dissatisfied and work against the album as a whole. Furthermore, some tracks on the album sadly just don’t work, and given the album’s short length, this becomes a noticeable detriment. These tracks are “Club Music” and “Sign My Name Like QUEEN,” which have no set direction and end up killing the flow generated by the first three tracks. Together, they will probably stop some listeners from getting to the album’s final three tracks, which are just as stellar as the first three. “Art pop” is a term that has seen a rise in recent years, especially since Lady Gaga used it as a title for one of her records, but I feel the increased use has been to the genre’s detriment. Many more mainstream pop acts have been branded, at least partially, as art pop when it simply isn’t the case. Above Club is an album that firmly channels what art pop should be, and does it in such a matterof-fact way that hopefully it will help to sway the genre back to its correct categorization.
Album
Emilie & Ogden proves that harp music doesn’t just belong in romantic movie scenes MARTIN CASTRO THE CASCADE
There are many things we have musicians to thank for. I’d like to thank Emilie & Ogden for blessing me with the opportunity to go up to people and in all seriousness say, “Hey, check out this kick-ass harp record.” “Blame,” the first track on 10 000, is a perfect introduction to the rest of the album: a sweet, summery harp is plucked and strummed while Emilie Kahn sings a verse full of regret and doubt, which gradually becomes more sure of itself in both delivery and content. The way harp, piano, violin, and percussion are layered throughout the track to create a full soundscape from very bare-bones instrumentation is quite impressive. “Ten Thousand” starts with a simple backing on the harp and Kahn’s voice: “Far and wide I’ve searched for the coin in the mouth of a fish / And I have found nothing yet.” If the presence of a harp strikes you as gimmicky, “Ten Thousand” will convince you otherwise; Khan
uses the harp to highlight her own vocals, creating a kind of back-and-forth at times, which serves to integrate the harp into the record not as a quirky addon, but as its backbone. As far as soft ballads go, “Closer” is appealing in every sense. The track’s only drawback is that it lacks any one individual characteristic that separates it from the rest of the record. This said, it’s also a further development on Kahn’s delivery — although still meek at times, there’s more confidence in it. In other words, 10 000 isn’t the same song 10 times over. As a more down-to-earth response to “Closer,” “White Lies” sees Kahn’s delivery shift, grounded in bluesy tones during the chorus. She adds more bravado to her voice as the track progresses, ending on a more solid note than “Closer.” “Nothing New” is the shortest track on the record. At just over a minute long, it’s a clever highlight of Kahn’s tonal range wrapped up in a more concrete instrumentation, which gives way to “Babel.” “Babel” is perhaps most inter-
esting because of the way Kahn uses sudden shifts in rhythm and timing, creating a more impulsive aesthetic; first hopeful, then excitedly rushed, then more introspective, both in tone and lyrical content. “Long Gone” is one of the most impressive tracks lyrically. Kahn’s voice is at centre-stage throughout, aided by an always-present harp, and at times guitar and banjo. Although it’s structurally like “Nothing New,” there’s a more playful instrumentation present. “I’ll spend the next six months drinking, drinking / And I love no-one but my mother, my mother,” Kahn croons during “Go Home,” a track that seems tailored to be the soundtrack the world’s saddest slow dance. “You cannot count on me, stop counting / You better find your own way home / Go home.” There’s a defiant frailty present through much of the track, particularly in Kahn’s vocals, which quiver and tremble as she repeats: “I don’t love you.” Things pick up with “What Happened,” the most poppy track on the record. Acoustic
Ogden is the harp. The harp’s name is Ogden. How cute is that? guitar and Kahn’s harp play quietly in the background as Kahn delivers the best chorus on the entire record. For what it’s worth, 10 000 is one of the most inventive records I’ve heard in a long time. Where I hadn’t ever thought of
the harp as a pop instrument, I can completely appreciate its versatility now. So hey, in all seriousness, check out this kickass harp record.
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SPORTS & HEALTH
WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 2, 2015 www.ufvcascade.ca
Kayli Sartori on the myth of balancing life and basketball VANESSA BROADBENT
THE CASCADE
Kayli Sartori is beginning her fourth year with the Cascades women’s basketball team as a guard / forward. The agriculture student talks about her favourite moments playing with the Cascades, as well as being named Canada West’s third star of the week.
have balance. We try as much as we can to make sure we have those fun moments in our lives and time where we can work and make money, but the biggest thing is playing your sport, and that takes priority over everything.
“The biggest thing is
How did you start playing basketball? It was back in middle school. I was playing football at the time for the Abbotsford Falcons, and my mom knew that wouldn’t last forever, so she pretty much dragged me into basketball tryouts.
playing your sport, and
What do you like about basketball? To be honest, I’m just a super competitive person, and basketball is something I’ve always been good at. I love the competition, I love the girls, I love the atmosphere. It’s just something that I’ve always had in my life.
You were recently named the Canada West third star of the week and you’ve previously won CIS national all-star. How does it feel winning something like that? In the moment, it was all happening so fast. You don’t have time to even think about it, but thinking back at it now, I’m so blessed to have the team that I had, the girls around me that I had. You can’t win awards like that without having a support system. It’s not just one player, it’s everybody. I didn’t expect it so it was super exciting. It was really cool.
How do you find time to balance athletics and your courses? It’s funny, I feel like all athletes say you have to have a balance and you have to be organized, but a lot of the time the coaches don’t allow you to have balance during the season. It’s basketball, and you make sacrifices to play basketball. You’re not going to be able to hang out with your friends as much as you want; you’re not going to be able to work as much as you want. It just comes down to the love for it and the need to play. When we say we have balance, we’re totally lying. We don’t
that takes priority over everything.”
Are you planning on pursuing basketball professionally after you graduate? I wasn’t until recently. I’ve been talking with Al [Tuchscherer] a little more, and it is something that if the doors open and the timing’s right, I’ll take the opportunity if it comes.
Scoreboard
Image UFV Cascades
Kayle Sartori was named the Canada West third star of the week and is ranked 16th in the conference in rebounding. Do you play any other sports? Not anymore. I snowboard, but it’s all during basketball season so we’re not really allowed to get out on the mountains. I grew up playing football, volleyball. I was that kid that was on every sports team in middle school and high school, but now it’s just strictly basketball.
Do you have any favourite games or moments playing with the Cascades? Not this past season, but the season before that when we came third at nationals, that was a pretty surreal moment for all of us. I had received the all-star award at that tournament as well, which was something that just doesn’t
happen to everyone, and I was really humbled by it. It kind of gives you a taste of what can be, so you strive for a little more the next year. This interview has been edited for length and clarity.
Upcoming Games
Men’s Basketball Nov 27 UFV Cascades vs. TRU Wolfpack L 89-75 Nov 28 UFV Cascades vs. TRU Wolfpack L 96-66
Men’s Basketball Friday Jan 8 8:00 p.m. UFV Cascades vs. MRU Cougars (home) Saturday Jan 9 7:00.m. UFV Cascades vs. MRU Cougars (home)
Women’s Basketball Nov 27 UFV Cascades vs. TRU Wolfpack L 67-62 Nov 28 UFV Cascades vs. TRU Wolfpack L 80-59 Men’s Volleyball Nov 27 UFV Cascades vs. CAP Blues W 3-2 Nov 28 UFV Cascades vs. CAP Blues W 3-1
Women’s Basketball Tuesday Dec 29 1:00 p.m. UFV Cascades vs. Master’s College Mustangs (away) Wednesday Dec 30 5:30 p.m. UFV Cascades vs. Westmont College Warriors (away) Friday Jan 8 6:00 p.m. UFV Cascades vs. MRU Cougars (home) Saturday Jan 9 5:00 p.m. UFV Cascades vs. MRU Cougars (home)
Women’s Volleyball Nov 27 UFV Cascades vs. CAP Blues W 3-1 Nov 28 UFV Cascades vs. CAP Blues L 3-0
Men’s Volleyball Friday Jan 8 8:00 p.m. UFV Cascades vs. CAM Chargers (home) Saturday Jan 9 3:00 p.m. UFV Cascades vs. CAM Chargers (home) Women’s Volleyball Friday Jan 8 6:00 p.m. UFV Cascades vs. CAM Chargers (home) Saturday Jan 9 1:00 p.m. UFV Cascades vs. CAM Chargers (home)
www.ufvcascade.ca
Cascades lose four games in one weekend to the Wolfpack AARON LEVY
UPCOMING
EVENTS
November 27 to 28 Canadian Arenacross Championships Future West Moto is hosting the 2015 Canadian Arenacross Championships at Chilliwack Heritage Park this Friday and Saturday. The event begins nightly at 6 p.m. and ends at 10 p.m. For tickets and more information, visit www.futurewestmoto. ca.
Every Monday Hip-hop dancing The UFV hip-hop dance club welcomes students of all skills levels to participate in hip hop dancing. Classes are every Monday and Wednesday evenings from 6-7:30 p.m. in the Great Hall in the Student Union Building. More information can be found online at facebook. com/groups/ufvhiphop.
Every Wednesday Free yoga classes Join the UFV yoga club for free yoga every Wednesday. Classes are from 1 to 2 p.m. in the Great Hall in the Student Union Building. For more information visit the yoga club’s Facebook page at facebook.com/ ufvyogaclub.
Ongoing
19
SPORTS & HEALTH
WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 2, 2015
HONORARY CASCADIAN
2015-16 is the final regular season where we see the Canada West basketball Conference (BC through Manitoba) of Canadian Interuniversity Sport competition split into two age-appropriate divisions. The Explorers Division houses the six newest teams, in UFV, Thompson Rivers, UBCOkanagan, UNBC, Mount Royal, and Grant Macewan. Meanwhile, the Pioneers Division is home to the elder statesmen of CW Basketball, in Victoria, UBC, Saskatchewan, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Regina, TWU, Calgary, Alberta, Lethbridge, and Brandon. Needless to say, there’s some uneven scale-tipping taking place west of “On-terrible.” UFV’s Cascades men’s and women’s basketball programs had sent a team to the national final four in the last few prerealignment seasons, with the women bringing home a national bronze as recently as 2013-14, and the men coming in fourth place in the country for the 2011-12 season. Contrast that with playing the past two seasons in a division where only one of the other teams on each of the men’s and women’s sides had ever made the playoffs at this level (TRU Wolfpack in both cases). The 2014-15 season proved to be ample opportunity for coach Al Tuchscherer and the women’s Cascades to engage in the start of their rebuild, after losing all five starters (four to graduation) following their breakout bronze medal performance. Meanwhile, the men continued their regular season dominance, adding 15 straight wins to the 14 consecutive regular season victories they ended the previous campaign with, only to lose in their quarter-final matchup to a Victoria Vikes team that went on to a conference gold, and a national tournament berth. Coming into this season, missing finallygraduated centre Jasper Moedt,
as well as campus favourite and one-time perfect game shooter Kadeem Willis (40 points without a miss against Brock during last year’s pre-season in St. Catherine’s), the men from Abbotsford were expected to run away with the Explorers Division for the second year in a row. The women, on the other hand, looked ready to jump out of their single-season rebuild with a completely retooled and by all accounts fearsome lineup; National Tournament all-star Kayli Sartori, the lone non-graduating starter not to return from that bronze-medal season, made her triumphant return official at the end of the first Explorers Division season. Teaming her back up with fellow WJ Mouat standout, post star Katie Brink, as well as adding former Quest University stalwart Shayna Cameron, who had just raised a PacWest banner at the college level (CCAA), as well as welcoming 2013-14 Canada West Rookie of the Year, Syd Williams, the women’s Cascades looked ready to regain their perch atop Canada West, Pioneer / Explorer inclusive. That leads us to this past weekend, a trip to Kamloops, and a meeting with the aforementioned only other Explorers Division teams to reach the Canada West post-season before realignment. It would be difficult to make the case that both UFV men and women’s basketball programs were NOT the teams to beat in the Explorers Division, and at times, potentially even all of Canada West. In previous years, TRU coaches Scotts Clark and Reeves would have been making big mistakes not planning to build teams that could compete with, if not eclipse those of their southern mainland rivals. The TRU men literally played for their Canada West lives last year, seeking out a win on UFV’s senior night, after forcing the unstoppable Nate Brown into a fifth disqualification the previous night, rendering him
ineligible to play on the Saturday. The Wolfpack went on to graduate three huge parts of their attack, the Brett’s Parker and Roualt, and post Tallon Milne. On the women’s side, TRU ran away with the division on the power of would’ve-been-Cascade Michelle Bos, superstar shooting post Taysia Worsfold, and one of the tallest teams in CIS women’s basketball. UFV did make the playoffs last year, thanks to a record-shattering season by Sarah Wierks, in her only year without older sister Nicole, but hosting the Regina Cougars, only three years removed from an unbeaten season, proved more than enough to stop the Cascades from rolling further. But this year, with a retooled UFV women’s team, and a TRU men’s side that lost so many key pieces, the Cascades rolled into Kamloops looking for staunch competition. Four games and a 69-point differential later, it’s fair to say that TRU has asserted itself on top of the men’s and women’s basketball table in the Explorers Division of Canada West. Both Cascades teams were playing without their star centres; Nate Brown sustained injury earlier in the season, and is expected back for January, while Katie Brink has been questionable since the pre-season with a flurry of different health issues. Mark Johnson, who began this regular season with consecutive breakout performances against UBC-O, sustained a season ending injury not eight minutes into game three at home, leaving the men two posts short of a full roster heading into Kamloops. The women are also without the paint presence of Shayna Litman, who red-shirts this season after surgery last winter, while second-generation Cascade (brother Nate) Hailey Kendall made her season debut this past weekend after suffering a wrist injury, so shaking off the cobwebs is certainly a factor, and Kaitlyn McDonald hasn’t quite had
enough shots under her belt to get the three-point prowess she exhibited so well in pre-season going, as the TRU announcing team never failed to remind us. For coach Adam Friesen and the men, Superman Kevon Parchment was the main match-up in mind for a Wolfpack team that retained Boston Celtics’ Kelly Olynyk’s former high school teammate / lookalike Josh Wolfram, former Cascade Luke Morris, and point guard Reese my-older-brother-Kevin-was-agreat-guard-too Pribilsky. Add to this a veteran from the European leagues, Volodymyr Iegorov. Parchment had no room to work his magic on. With a paint presence composed of consistent, if not flashy, Nav Bains, and newcomer Matty Cooley, the experienced Wolfpack big men were free to spread out onto the perimeter and fetter the looks from UFV sharpshooters Manny Dulay and Vijay Dhillon, despite the latter scoring 26 points in 24 shots on Friday night. So it’s now the Wolfpack with an even more indelible mark on their backs, a state of being the Cascades know all too well over the past five years. Being the underdog hasn’t been something either of these teams know what to expect from, and being swept in four games between two teams over one weekend is something that hasn’t happened for years, and not at all, save at the hands of the UVic Vikes, one of the two most storied teams in this country’s post-secondary athletics history. UFV closes out their season at home, hosting the TRU Wolfpack once again this year, and with that, we will wave goodbye to the Explorers / Pioneers Division Canada West Conference alignment, and no one will say it came too soon. Stay tuned!
Organized drop-in sports Now that school is back in gear, drop in sports are beginning again. Stop by the Envision Athletics Centre to join in basketball, pickle ball / badminton, soccer, volleyball, rugby, or ball hockey games. No registration is required and anyone with a valid UFV campus card can participate. For more information and to see the full schedule visit ufvcascades.ca/ rec. Image UFV Cascades