October 2, 2013

Longboarders to get a new venue from city

The Omega Pages 1, 2

Editorial & Opinion Page 3

Volume 23, Issue 5 October 2, 2013

Ω

Thompson Rivers University’s Independent Student Newspaper

News

Pg. 8

Life & Community

Arts & Entertainment

Sports

Pages 5, 8

Page s 6, 7

Page 11

Pop-up yoga brings breast cancer awareness to TRU students Ashley Wadhwani Ω Contributor

said “They were a lot of fun, I have never done yoga before.”

If students didn’t want to participate in yoga, they could spin the True or False Breast Cancer Wheel and learn the truth behind common breast cancer myths.

Amanda McNally, community relations specialist for the Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation and the coordinator of the pop-up yoga event, worked the information booth passing out pamphlets, pink pens, pins and fingernail files.

McNally said that the event is intended to inform women 18 to 25 about how they can reduce their risk and help them understand what they should be looking for to spot breast cancer early.

One of the essential ways of reducing risk of breast cancer is early detection. McNally recommended that women check themselves once a month and

have their doctors do exams once a year. She also said that once women are of-age, they should participate in regular screening mammography.

The Wellness Centre, located in room 1462 in Old Main, offers one-on-one health and wellness planning and education sessions that can be scheduled through Chelsea Corsi, TRU wellness coordinator.

“If a student does find something suspicious, they can go see the doctor on campus, all they need is their health care card,” Corsi said.

Health Services is also located in Old Main room 1461, and further information can be found on TRU’s website.

“We are hoping to do it [again] next year,” McNally said, “We have seen really great success so far.”

For more information about the “Don’t Forget to Check” campaign visit www.dontforgettocheck.ca

TRU students grabbed a yoga mat and released some stress at TRU safety officer Gordon Maurits monitors students exiting the a pop-up yoga event on Friday library during a fire drill on Sept. 26. TRU is planning an active Sept. 17 as part of an awareness campaign put on by the Canadian shooter exercise similar to fire drills and is considering using a zombie apocalypse scenario to practice emergency response. Breast Cancer Foundation.

The pop-up yoga event is a new

( Jessica Klymchuk/ The Omega) addition to the “Don’t Forget to Check” campaign and has been held at 16 of 22 planned campuses throughout B.C. Due to rainy weather, the event took place inside Old Main at Student Street.

Students were welcomed to pick an empty yoga mat and participate in two 30-minute yoga sessions instructed by Tracey Mourre, a local yoga instructor from The Yoga Loft.

Samantha Baker, a second-year Jessica Klymchuk were a year ago,” she said. nursing student, participated in Another initiative includes the Run, both yoga sessions. When asked Ω News Editor Hide, Fight program, which aims to how she liked the classes, Baker The TRU Alert system is only one prepare students for a shooter on campus. aspect of TRU’s growing safety plan. It includes educating the community on Evacuation drills and active shooter emergency preparedness and response, drills are among the university’s plans but will also include exercising those for keeping students prepared. skills.

The TRU Alert system was “Everyone is worried about ‘what implemented in May 2013. The if there is a shooter on campus?’” said emergency notification system is a Jyrkkanen, adding that there are many combination of desktop and mobile things to consider during such an event. alerts meant to relay key information to Jyrkkanen is in the beginning students and staff during an emergency. stages of planning an active shooter Alerts can be set up to reach mobile exercise, which many other universities devices through text messages, emails have done. The exercise is currently or phone calls. Desktops connected planned for May 2015. The RCMP to the TRU network, digital signage, and Emergency Management BC TRU’s Facebook and Twitter account are also being consulted to decide and the TRU website will also relay what the exercise will look like. It is messages. currently planned to include reactions The system’s first test in May went by emergency response teams and may out to the 524 people who had signed also involve Royal Inland Hospital. up for mobile alerts. More have signed Because of all the components up since then, with 1,259 people set to involved and the seriousness of this receive the mobile alerts. exercise, the TRU community will be “That’s low,” said health and safety thoroughly notified in advance. manager Stacey Jyrkkanen. “It’s double In the end, Jyrkkanen said the what it was in May but I had hoped that education, preparation and exercise we would be higher than that.” should educate students on proper The decision was made over the responses during any number of summer to make the mobile system emergencies or evacuation drills. compulsory, since desktop alerts can “You have to keep exercising it, you only reach a minority of the TRU can’t just have one big one and that’s it,” community. Right now the safety she said. “So, what I’d like to do is two department is just trying to educate years down the road from [the active people about the system, but in the shooter exercise] we’ll do the zombie future singing up will go hand-in- apocalypse. It’s practicing those same hand with registration according to skills but on a lighter tone.”

Jyrkkanen.

To sign up for TRU Alerts go to Tammy Forsyth, Samantha Baker and others copy instructor Tracey Mourre in low lunge pose.

(Ashley Wadhwani/ The Omega) “We’re further ahead today than we www.tru.ca/alerts.html

TRU Alerts only one part of safety plan University prepares for evacuations, active shooters and even the zombie apocalypse

News

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October 2, 2013

University president names committee members Jessica Klymchuk Ω News Editor From more than 130 nominees, 35 people have been selected to sit on the strategic priorities advisory committee. TRU president Alan Shaver announced the members on Sept. 24 in a letter addressed to the TRU community.

Forming the committee was the first step in developing TRU’s strategic priorities for the next five years. The goal is for the priorities to reflect and anticipate the needs of the university.

Students and faculty members hold the majority on the committee, while alumni and the surrounding community are also represented.

“We have asked each member of the committee to see herself or himself not as a representative or advocate for particular program, faculty or concept but instead as an advocate for Thompson Rivers University as a whole,” the letter said.

Earlier in September, TRU president Alan Shaver said he expected many of the nominees would be members of the student forum.

TRUSU president Dylan Robinson said it was important for students to participate in the university’s decisions regarding top priorities. Robinson has since been selected for the committee.

Along with Robinson, TRUSU Aboriginal representative Liz Whiting was also selected. Whiting has a history in student governance and has sat on committees such as the comprehensive university enhancement fund committee and the budget committee of senate, both of which she has reapplied for.

Job action has no effect on international student enrolment Jessica Klymchuk Ω News Editor

TRUSU Aboriginal representative Liz Whiting is one of 11 students selected for the strategic priorities advisory committee.

( Jessica Klymchuk/ The Omega) “This is going to be a very important committee to sit on,” she said. “You can see it many times that it’s the big heads of the university that are making the decisions, and these big plans need to have a student’s voice as well since we are the ones who are paying for it.”

While she’s happy to see representatives of the student union on the committee, she said she will bring an individual voice and not necessarily one of a student union representative. Whiting identifies as an Aboriginal student as well as someone with a disability, and said she will bring those perspectives into place when considering priorities for the next few years.

In addition to the 11 voices that will be representing students, at least

one of the 11 faculty members will also be putting student needs into consideration.

Committee member Nancy Bepple works in the career education department and said she wants to ensure the academic plan considers what the students do after university in their careers.

“Universities don’t just give skills, they help build somebody’s network out into the wider world,” she said.

Connecting students to the work force and experiential learning will be among Bepple’s considerations when contemplating the university’s five-year plan.

The committee will meet throughout the fall semester and start looking at the operational perspective of the priorities in January 2014.

Community corner The Omega believes strongly that, as a society, we need to look out for each other and help those around us whenever possible. It is only through cooperation and coaction that we build and retain strength as a whole.

It is with this in mind that we will be offering a

“Community Corner” in the upcoming publishing year, where we will advertise one fundraising or other community effort each week.

Email editor@truomega.ca with your event or cause and our editorial staff will choose one group to feature each week.

Despite worries that they might not even make it into the country, international student enrolment is up.

The Professional Association of Foreign Service Workers union and Citizen and Immigration Canada went on strike last April and TRU was immediately worried that international students would have trouble getting their visas. However, there are over 1700 international students registered this term, up about 6 per cent from last year.

“We were concerned right from day one,” said Adrian Conradi, associate director of international student services.

Although TRU began to prepare for trouble, Conradi said they believed the strike would be short-lived.

“We figured the Canadian government would be very concerned about the impact, not only on post-secondary institutions but on [kindergarten to grade 12] schools as well, and the tourist industry because many countries require a visa just to come for a visit to Canada,” he said.

TRU’s first response was to contact select embassies, such as Beijing and Shanghai, and notify them that TRU would be accepting international students up until the last day to add or drop classes, Sept. 17, rather than the beginning of the semester. It also notified them not to reject late visas because those students would be deferred to January.

B.C. government seeks sober new thinking on liquor policy Patrick Vaillancourt The Other Press (Douglas College)

Undergraduate Research Experience Program workshops October 7 and 8 Did you know that you could receive a $4500 scholarship, plus up to $1000 for expenses, to complete your own research project? UREAP awards are available to undergraduate students in all faculties.

Come to a UREAP workshop and find out more:

Monday, October 7, 1:30 – 2:20 in S373 Tuesday, October 8, 10:30 – 11:20 in AE262 More about the UREAP program: http://www.tru.ca/research/undergraduate/ureap.html

“In other words, we would honour all our admissions,” Conradi said. “Those were the things we communicated to the select embassies and it seemed to work very well.”

The students who were affected the most were the in-bound exchange students Conradi said. Those students come from Europe or Australia and don’t need a study-permit to come for one term, but do need it if they stay for more than six months.

He also noted that those students were stressed because they were unsure if they would be able to get visas and stay for their full planned year.

Despite the job action, things went as smooth as any other year, with the least amount of visa rejections ever and no notable increase in late arrivals.

Conradi attributes the success to TRU World’s efforts in training its network of agents to prevent students from making errors on applications.

The number of returning international students is also very high, which adds to a higher total overall.

Conradi sends praise all over campus to those who work towards student retention, such as international student advisory, international student admissions, career education and student services in general.

“There are people all over campus that contribute to the student engagement and student support aspect, which definitely plays a role,” Conradi said.

VANCOUVER (CUP) — The B.C. government is proactively looking for public input on how to reform outdated liquor policies.

The province’s liquor policy review is the consultation process, taking place primarily online. The government is soliciting thoughts from people across the province on how to “improve consumer convenience” while growing the economy and maintaining public safety. Beer and liquor sales account for approximately $1 billion in provincial tax revenues every year.

According to provincial government data, “British Columbians consume approximately 34 million cases of beer, 6.7 million cases of wine, 2.7 million cases of spirits and 3.5 million cases of ciders and coolers” every year.

Reform in this area is so critical to the newly re-elected BC Liberals that it warrants a parliamentary secretary for liquor policy reform, a portfolio currently overseen by Richmond-Steveston MLA John Yap. Since the BC Liberals took office in 2001, there have been several changes to laws and regulations surrounding liquor control. The last major consultative process on liquor laws occurred in 1999, and the government admits that British Columbia is due for a look at the entire system.

“It’s not that there haven’t been changes here and there, but there is a

feeling from lots of people that we should take a comprehensive look,” Yap said in an interview with the Richmond News earlier this month. “So, we are meeting with as many people as we can and looking for their ideas and opinions.”

One unique element about the online advisory process is that suggestions and ideas on provincial liquor laws can be submitted by anyone — not only those over 19 years of age who are legally allowed to consume alcohol. It also enables the process to be enjoyed by a greater number of people, especially youth and student demographics who may feel more comfortable submitting ideas online as opposed to attending town hall meetings.

The public has until Oct. 31 to submit thoughts on the liquor policy review website. The submissions will then be presented to Suzanne Anton, B.C.’s attorney general, for additional review and legislation drafting. The changes proposed by this consultation could come into effect as early as next spring.

Some popular changes already proposed in the consultation include the introduction of happy hours (British Columbia is the only Canadian province which prohibits happy hours) and the selling of alcohol in grocery stores, a policy currently enjoyed by those in Quebec.

Those interested in submitting their thoughts for the provincial government can do so in a variety of ways. For more information on how you can participate, visit engage.gov.bc.ca and follow the “liquor policy review” links.

Editorial & Opinion

The Omega · Volume 23, Issue 5

The Omega www.truomega.ca

October 2, 2013 Volume 23, Issue 5

What does “soon” mean?

No more vague language about timeframes should be accepted

Published since November 27, 1991

editorialstaff EDITOR-IN-CHIEF

Mike Davies

editor@truomega.ca

250-828-5069

@PaperguyDavies NEWS EDITOR

Jessica Klymchuk news@truomega.ca @jjklym

ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT EDITOR

Courtney Dickson arts@truomega.ca @dicksoncourtney SPORTS EDITOR

Adam Williams

sports@truomega.ca @AdamWilliams87 ROVING EDITOR

Karla Karcioglu

roving@truomega.ca @dicksoncourtney SCIENCE & TECH EDITOR

Mark Hendricks

sci-tech@truomega.ca @MarkHendicks5 COPY/WEB EDITOR

Sean Brady

copy@truomega.ca @iamseanbrady

omegacontributors Ashley Wadhwani, Carli Berry, Mason Buettner, Nicolaus Waddell

publishingboard EDITOR-IN-CHIEF * Mike Davies INDUSTRY REP* Sylvie Paillard FACULTY REP* Charles Hays STUDENT REP* Sadie Cox STUDENT REP* Adam Williams

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Literary and visual submissions are welcomed. All submissions are subject to editing for brevity, taste and legality. The Omega will attempt to publish each letter received, barring time and space constraints. The editor will take care not to change the intention or tone of submissions, but will not publish material deemed to exhibit sexism, racism or homophobia. Letters for publication must include the writer’s name (for publication) and contact details (not for publication). The Omega reserves the right not to publish any letter or submitted material. Opinions expressed in any section with an “Opinion” label do not represent those of The Omega, the Cariboo Student Newspaper Society, its Board of Directors or its staff. Opinions belong only to those who have signed them.

Editor’s Note Mike Davies Ω Editor-in-Chief When you see a sign that says, “coming soon,” what do you assume?

“Soon” is a term with no fixed meaning. Sure, it has a “definition,” but that’s not really a “meaning.”

The Oxford Canadian Dictionary — the guide we use as journalists in this country, by the way — defines soon as “within a short period of time,” but that really doesn’t mean anything, because who is to say what a short period if time is?

I’d say it depends on the context.

“Coming soon,” in regards to a multi-million dollar skyscraper in downtown New York City definitely has a different perceived meaning than someone texting you about how long they’ll be when they’re

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estimate (“I’m about 20 minutes away”) but “soon” or “almost there” shouldn’t be considered an acceptable answer.

And when your university tells you that they are “considering” something and that a report on a subject should be available “soon,” you shouldn’t stand for that.

This is a multi-million dollar corporation (make no mistake, this is a corporation — a subject for another time), and you are funding it, but you are also its shareholders. To allow them to use vague terms like “soon” and “many” and “a few” in regards to the services they offer to those who support their continuing existence and pay their salaries does us all an injustice and allows them to continue their self-sustaining public narrative rather than provide you with actual useful information.

I’d personally rather have them admit that they don’t know an answer than get an answer that is meaningless, wouldn’t you?

We need to hold them to account. When they say things like “Ready for students in Fall 2013” we need to say, “Fall is four months long! Be more specific!” so that we can point at them and call them liars when they willfully mislead us as they have in the past and continue to do so.

Any classes happening on the third f loor of Old Main yet, by the way? editor@truomega.ca

Eligibility for free HPV vaccine expands, but is it enough?

All material in this publication is copyright The Omega and may not be reproduced without the expressed consent of the publisher. All unsolicited submissions become copyright Omega 2013.

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late to pick you up for class on their carpool day, for example.

One automatically knows that the skyscraper is not going to be built by next week — but one also doesn’t expect the carpool driver to be more than about 15 minutes away. Yet both of these timeframes are labeled “soon.”

Our university is fantastic about manipulating this vagueness in their choice of language.

Starbucks in Old Main is a prime example. They closed the Tim Horton’s and boarded up the whole area for renovations, causing students to travel to the Brown Family House of Learning for their coffees and snacks (in order to avoid the atrocity that is revvup), but we shrugged it off knowing that the Starbucks was “coming soon,” according to the signage.

Then reports from our very own investigations showed conf licts between the university’s expected date of completion and the contractor’s view of the remaining work required.

But, hey, they all fall within a range that could be considered “soon,” right?

And so I propose the following for everyone to consider: Let us not use vague language anymore in regards to timeframes, nor accept it from others.

When someone asks you how long you’re going to be, tell them in minutes. I’m not saying you can’t be wrong, or use an

Wellness Matters Courtney Dickson Ω Wellness Columnist In 2008, the British Columbia Centre for Disease Control (BCCDC) began providing the human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine to girls in grade six at no cost, hoping to decrease future cases of cervical cancer. This program expanded to girls in grade nine, and last year a vaccine became available for women born in 1991, 1992 and 1993. This program has just recently expanded once again so that women up to age 26 qualify for the free HPV vaccine.

HPV is so common that the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) in the U.S. says that nearly every sexually active male and female will contract the virus at some

point during their lives, whether they are aware of it or not.

The expansion of the free vaccine program in B.C. is great for a couple of reasons: HPV is the leading cause of cervical cancer and the most common sexually transmitted infection, according to the CDC. The fact that such a prominent disease is preventable, and that the BCCDC is giving that method of prevention away is pretty great, really.

The typical age group for university students (18 to 26) is perhaps the most vulnerable to HPV. According to a study done by the Public Health Agency of Canada, HPV is most prevalent in people 25 years of age and under. In January 2010 a study was published in the journal Sexually Transmitted Diseases, showing 56 per cent of university-aged people in a new sexual relationship tested positive for HPV. Though this expansion of an important program is of course a positive one, there is another group of people who need to be eligible for this vaccine: males. Though men don’t run the risk of developing cervical cancer caused by HPV, they can still be carriers of the virus, which puts their partners at risk.

Though it’s not as common, HPV has also been linked to cancers men can get, including genital cancer and oropharyngeal cancer (cancer at

the back of the throat). Also, genital warts caused by HPV can affect both sexes, so it wouldn’t be a bad thing for males to get in on these free vaccines.

There are two HPV vaccines in Canada: Gardasil and Cervarix. B.C. is providing Cervarix to its female residents, which is the vaccine that protects against two strains of the virus. Gardasil, which is not being offered for free, protects against four strains of the virus, including the strain that causes genital warts.

Cervarix has not been approved for males in Canada, however Gardasil has.

For those hesitant about receiving the vaccine, there are other methods of prevention (not elimination) against the virus. The CDC says the use of condoms during any sexual activity may lower the risk of contracting HPV, therefore also lowering the risk of health problems caused by HPV. The CDC also recommends that people limit the number of sexual partners they have in order to lower the risk of contracting the virus.

Though getting the vaccine does not eradicate the chances of catching HPV, it significantly decreases the possibility.

Those who are eligible for the free vaccination should be a least consider going to see a doctor about getting a prescription, if not to protect themselves, to protect others. arts@truomega.ca

Why are you studying what you’re studying?

Tell us in a few-hundred words and you could be featured in the paper and win a prize for your effort.

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English: A degree for the curious Gloria Mellesmoen The Peak (SFU) English majors are often at the heart of jokes culminating in the word “barista” and accompanied by smug laughter. Though I acknowledge the job market may be harder to navigate with a degree not funneling straight into a high paying profession, I will never give in to the belief that a degree in English is not worthwhile. While I might get some respect for my ability to write or edit with more ease than my peers in more “practical” fields, I did not pick my major for these skills. I declared a major in English because I really love — and see the value of — reading.

Sometimes I tell people I study English because I am an academic nomad. When you study something with a more concrete set of rules and figures (such as chemistry or statistics), there are fewer opportunities to truly interact with the curriculum. Literature allows one the freedom to walk among sights that have been seen and studied for hundreds of years while possessing an opinion that matters. I savour the ability to move between eras, authors and genres with only the weight of my own experiences to bear upon my adventure.

Along the way, there are many relics left in the form of critiques and responses from those who have previously explored each piece.

Literature is a conversation that spans many years and is host to a variety of different voices from all walks of life.

With that said, reading texts from any era is not simply about engaging with a story and forming an opinion on it. The stories comprising fictional literature are only a small part of what an English major studies; books are vessels carrying information from different fields that beg analysis on many levels.

The roots of our modern academic fields can be found within literature.

Literature is written by people, for people, and is most often about people.

Stepping away from the conventions of mere plot, there are many layers of economic, linguistic, historical, psychological, scientific and social depth that are conveyed in a text. In order to provide a strong analysis of a literary work, one must consider all the contextual factors stemming from the time period and the author’s life.

Reading literature is reading society and learning through the observation of the many interacting factors affecting human life.

Literature is relevant, regardless of the era in which it was written, because written expressions of fact and fiction are records. They detail everything from social movements to political and religious reformations, and therefore provide information about the world as it was at different periods of time.

The roots of all our modern academic fields can be found within the pages of literature. The way we do things is a product of our history, something documented through writings that describe the mundane activities along with the societal fears and dreams of a culture. Though a plot itself may not appear to serve anything other than enjoyment, it is actually riddled with facts and lessons. A degree in English is a thing for the curious, and for those who love learning. It is because I want to study everything that I study literature.

While I respect the work my peers do in the more employable fields, I stand by my choice to do an English major.

Though I have learned to write and edit in the process, the real gain is in my knowledge of the world and the people who inhabit it.

Science & Technology

4

October 2, 2013

Kai Chan talks ecosystem services Environmental science seminar series begins at TRU and is open and free to students Ashley Wadhwani Ω Contributor Guest speaker Kai Chan spoke on the cultural and non-material values of decision making late Thursday afternoon in room 203 of the sciences building.

Ecosystem services are the resources and processes from the world’s ecosystems that we as humans benefit from.

Chan, associate professor in the Institute for Resources, Environment and Sustainability at UBC, and Canada research chair (tier two) gave a presentation on how to value the products and services of the ecological environment. During his presentation he touched on the political, cultural and economic factors that greatly affect ecosystem services.

The presentation began with Chan posing the fundamental question of whether ecosystem services research can improve decision-making. The 30 student attendees listened avidly to Chan touch briefly on the hope and reality of the present-day situation of ecosystem services research and how to incorporate the cultural aspects of ecosystems into all provisions of ecosystem services.

The cultural aspects are the nonmaterial contributions that are a

part of human well-being such as recreation, identity, heritage values and place values.

It is the hope of ecosystem services that they can infuse the cultural aspects of ecosystems into their research and approach decisionmakers to help them identify ecological factors that will affect or be affected by possible decisions.

However, Chan explained that there is difficulty translating cultural values that are ultimately intangible into a value system that humans can understand, like money.

The idea that if people can profit while doing something good to the environment and to society is another aspect of ecological services that Chan presented. How can you promote the idea of using ecological services in decision-making to an audience who act within the system of capitalism and believe in the principles and values of capitalism without losing the opportunity to fight the big fights of protecting our ecosystems? Chan posed that this is the battle for ecological services.

The reality then, is that these intangible considerations are included in decision-making but are often distorted and implicit, and are currently not connected to ecosystem services. The challenge is converging two different value systems, cultural

Kai Chan speaks to the crowd in the first environmental science seminar of the year.

ecology and capitalism, into a more universal value system.

Chan also presented a potential framework for ecosystem services research to factor in cultural values and better engage with decision making. The presentation closed with a discussion and question period.

This week in science Brain functions turned into sounds, we’re causing global warming after all, and are we getting lightsabres soon?

Mark Hendricks Ω Science & Tech Editor

Turning light into matter Scientists at Harvard and MIT have found a way to bind light particles together in such a way that they interact as if they were matter.

Photonic molecules, as they are called, are something previously regarded as only theoretically possible.

However, according to a paper published in the Sept. 25 issue of Nature, this is no longer the case.

Photons, the particles that make up light, are traditionally massless and therefore don’t interact with other matter. This new procedure causes photons to bind together in such a way that they act as if they do have mass and will interact with other matter.

International panel declares global warming almost certainly caused by man International panel declares global warming almost certainly caused by man An international panel in Stockholm has released a 2,000-page report in which they upgraded the likelihood of global warming being man-made from “very likely” to “extremely likely.”

This change means that scientists are now 95 per cent certain (up from

90 per cent) that global warming has, in the vast majority, been caused by humans and their actions. This represents a doubling in confidence on the part of remaining scientists, changing from 10 per cent uncertain, to five per cent uncertain.

According to the report, the main source of greenhouse gas emission, one of the contributing factors of climate change, is China and other emerging countries.

Find out more: www.cbc.ca

Find out more: www.sciencedaily.com

The sound of epilepsy Researchers at Stanford developed a tool to turn brain activity into music, but soon found out that the tool helped determine brain patterns during a seizure.

The device does not currently work with real-time brain activity, but that is the hope and where researchers would like the device to go.

The intention behind the project is that it will perform as an earlywarning tool to those suffering from epilepsy. It will serve as a way to audibly tell if a person is about to have a seizure for those who aren’t trained in reading EEGs. Find out more: news.stanford. edu

Scientists have decided that global warming is now almost certainly being caused by the actions of humans.

(Photo courtesy Eric Schmuttenmaer)

The seminar series will be taking place over the course of the fall 2013 Semester with different speakers presenting different environmentalscience topics.

The next seminar will be taking place Thursday Oct. 10th in room 203 of the sciences building with

(Ashley Wadhwani/ The Omega)

guest speaker Scott Wilson sharing a presentation on change and stability in arctic ecosystems.

To view the schedule of the future seminars including the guest speakers and topics they will be presenting, visit www.tru.ca/science/ programs/msces/mscseminar.

Stand Up For Science rally draws hundreds in Ottawa Daniel LeRoy The Fulcrum (U of Ottawa) OTTAWA (CUP) —Hundreds of federal science employees, students and supporters in Canada came together Sept. 16 in protest of the alleged muzzling of scientists by the Harper government that has occurred in recent years.

Gary Corbett is the president of the Professional Institute of the Public Service of Canada, a union that represents roughly 20,000 Canadian scientists working for various governmental research institutions. He said new government policies have resulted in cuts to many important scientific organizations and laboratories, such as the experimental lakes.

“We have seen a dismantling of science programs over the last number of years,” Corbett said.

“These actions include removing funding to go to conferences and a dismantling of programs.”

“This affects many of our members’ jobs and even more importantly, it eliminates strong organizations which are there to inform decision-makers on what is really going on.”

Corbett said there have been a growing number of cases of federally employed scientists publishing papers on controversial issues before having them removed by the government.

He said this information is kept from the public in order to protect the industries that benefit from having researchers silenced.

Jean-Philippe Ouellette, a student at the University of Ottawa, attended the protest to emphasize the importance of open dialogue in scientific study.

“When you start muzzling scientists, there is a problem,” Ouellette said, waving a large red flag.

University of Ottawa graduate Katie Gibbs organized the Parliament Hill rally, which drew in hundreds of protesters. Upon finishing her thesis for her degree in conservation biology last fall, she started Evidence for Democracy, the group behind the rally.

As a U of O student, Gibbs was inspired by the idea of standing up against the government when it cut the mandatory long-form census in 2011.

“Anybody who has a basic stats course under his or her belt understands that changing it from an obligatory to a voluntary longform census is even worse than not doing a census at all, due to the augmentation of bias,” she said. “That was really frustrating as they didn’t listen to any statisticians or scientists on why abolishing the mandatory census was a problem.”

Gibbs said more than 18 universities across the country have become engaged with Evidence for Democracy to lobby the government for more scientific freedom. She said getting involved in manifestations becomes increasingly essential as the Harper government changes the societal opinion of the science profession, and scientists are no longer respected as they used to be.

“Students should be active as what it means to be scientists becomes redefined,” Gibbs said.

“The next generation of scientists includes doing things like this, speaking out about its importance, as opposed to just submitting research.”

The Omega · Volume 23, Issue 5

Life & Community

5

Higher education meets modern technology TRU’s director of innovation has lofty goals for the future of the university, and technology plays a major role Mark Hendricks Ω Science & Tech Editor Director of innovation is a vague title, one which doesn’t do much to explain what the role of such a person would be. Brian Lamb holds the position at TRU, and in large part has great say over the direction of TRU’s technological progress.

“Unless it’s an official document, I tend to call myself the ‘re-director of innovation.’ It would be really limiting to think that one person can come in and have the innovation vision for an entire institution,” Lamb said. “I’m actually a little embarrassed by the title.”

Lamb’s primary role at TRU is to help assist with the integration of technology and online learning in classrooms.

“Technological change is happening very rapidly, and institutions often struggle with [figuring out] is this new thing a big deal, should we be using this? If you make a bad technology choice it can be extremely expensive,” Lamb said.

Technology isn’t the only thing that’s changing. Lamb envisions the role of the university also changing in the future.

“I think the role of the university is really being challenged right now, and I think we need to be more flexible, more participatory,” Lamb said. “I think we need to understand that the university has this role of fostering inquiry and research and knowledge building, but not just for the people who are enrolled right now.”

Lamb is currently working on a project that TRU students could see

very soon. It’s a university-wide wiki website, the same type that UBC has, which Lamb also developed.

“I’m hoping we’ll be quietly rolling that out to users this fall. It’s the same software that runs Wikipedia but it has a few features that I think make it more useful for educators,” Lamb said.

The wiki is a powerful tool at UBC which can be used to find anything from course material to campus bars.

Lamb is hoping that the TRU wiki will be even better, as there are things about the UBC program he wishes he could fix in hindsight.

Lamb is also a big advocate of using Wikipedia in every way. He said it can be used as a constructive outlet for the work that students are doing in class.

“I worked with a professor at UBC who said the Wikipedia entries in his discipline, Latin American literature, were really bad. So instead of giving [the students] term papers, their assignment was to create really good Wikipedia entries on the topics they were studying.

“The students were working collaboratively, they were using an online technology, they created really good articles. Three of them did reach featured status, which at the time there were only 1,000 featured articles. But not only that, they’re being challenged from all directions to make sure their stuff is really well sourced and that they’re using neutral tone.

“We’re writing anyway, we’re researching anyway, why not put something that isn’t garbage on the web. The idea that you’re not pretending to be a researcher, you

Brian Lamb is the director of innovation at TRU. Fittingly, his office has a wide array of technology scattered around.

(Mark Hendricks/ The Omega)

are a researcher, that you’re not pretending to be a writer, you are a writer, that your work is being read by people … it’s a powerful idea,” Lamb said.

Another potential idea for students at TRU is the use of open source free textbooks.

These books can be localized, modified, adapted and distributed to students free of charge.

Lamb has been very active in pushing this subject but says that he needs examples of professors at TRU using them before the idea will really catch on.

“I’m not suggesting open textbooks

are an ideal fit for every course, but if there is a comparable resource that’s just as good as what you’d get if you’re paying, I think that’s something we need to look at,” Lamb said.

A major obstacle in the way of progress is the unwillingness of the university to change, according to Lamb.

Lamb cited an aversion to change as a major obstacle preventing progress.

“I think a lot of what’s really preventing people from engaging their potential is fear. When you’re afraid, you tend to stick with what you know because it won’t get you in

trouble. Fear of criticism, losing their job ... even a tenured professor needs to get that next grant.

“The best educational technology implementations I’ve seen usually involve a certain amount of relinquishing control on the part of the instructor,” said Lamb.

The future could see some even more radical changes at TRU that will have students working with their hands to create something real.

“I am collaborating with our research department and IT to set up some sort of makerspace,” Lamb said. “We’re looking at 3D printers, for example.”

Tourism faculty voice concerns over Ajax How might the Ajax mine affect Kamloops tourism?

Karla Karcioglu Ω Roving Editor Robert Hood, TRU professor and chair of the department of tourism management, decided that among the many discussions being held on Ajax mine, little was being said about potential impacts to tourism. He decided to change that.

On Sunday Sept. 27, Hood and his coworker John Hall, a tourism management professor, spoke to a group of over 100 community members, and a handful of TRU students. The presentation was titled “Tourism and the proposed Ajax mine: Undermining the true vision of Kamloops?”

The presentation focused on explaining how tourism plays an important role in a diverse economy in Kamloops and across B.C. The Thompson-Okanagan region is the second-most visited region in the province, creating $1.75 billion in annual revenue and employing 15,000 people, according to research by the Thompson Okanagan Tourism Association.

Kamloops sees over one million overnight visitors, Hood said, citing research done by Venture Kamloops.

Hall said the city is comparable to other major tourist destinations and that “super, natural B.C.” is often compared to New Zealand and Iceland, countries which also market their pristine, natural landscapes.

According to Hall, of the many people passing through Kamloops, those who decide to stay do so because of the allure of the scenic grasslands. But he is concerned about whether people will still decide to stop and stay if they see a large

open pit mine instead.

Tourism’s overall economic contribution to Kamloops is $167-million per year, according to Hall.

Hood said he can appreciate mining’s role in the economy, but he has concerns about the size, scale and proximity of Ajax mine.

Hood has spent the last 13 years of his life in Kamloops and has experience in both the mining industry, as a land surveyor, and tourism.

Hall has experience in the private sector of tourism. Previously a professor in Auckland, New Zealand, he had two job offers when he moved to Canada, to teach at either the University of Waterloo or Thompson Rivers University.

Hall said Kamloops’ brand, the “tournament capital centre,” was what made him decide to move to Kamloops, knowing that it could provide him a quality of life Ontario could not.

Kamloops has invested over $60 million into the tournament capital program, and it sees an annual revenue of $11 million according to Hood.

Hood said that tourism isn’t just about taking money from tourists during their brief stay, and that if they like what they see they may stay and become residents, and that they may even bring business with them.

His concern is whether the Ajax mine will have a negative effect on the image that Kamloops has been working to achieve, an image both Hall and Hood believe is starting to get some global attention.

“Kamloops is a small town with interesting amenities found in big cities,” Hood said.

He’s also concerned about social and cultural impacts the mine may have.

“What does it do to a community?”

Hood asked before the event, pointing to the divisions the Ajax mine has created within the community.

Hood and Hall recommend an evaluation of the impact Ajax may pose on students’ choice to study at TRU, a visual impact study for leisure tourism’s stop and stay visits and a cost/benefit assessment of mining and tourism.

Hall made note that tourism was only addressed once in KGHM’s assessment process.

Robert Hood (left) and John Hall (right), both professors of tourism management at TRU, explain the role tourism plays in the economy and potential impacts of the Ajax mine on the tourism industry.

(Karla Karcioglu/ The Omega)

What you had to say What have all these discussions about Ajax mine done for the community?

Brooklen Lockwood

Becky Walter

Kate Dolgova

Second-year bachelor of arts

Second-year tourism management

Post-bac tourism management

“The fact that the discussions are happening is bringing the community together, but it’s not the right age group.”

“It’s raising awareness and providing a forum for discussion.”

“It helps people know what’s going on and set up their own positions.”

6

Arts & Entertainment

October 2, 2013

Kamloops first stop on Victoria bands’ western tour Courtney Dickson Ω Arts & Entertainment Editor Current Swell and their close friends (and fellow Victorians) Jon and Roy cruised through Kamloops on Sept. 26, the first night of their short tour through B.C. and Alberta.

The evening started off a little slow, as a local Kamloops group Nouveau tried to entertain early arrivals with their folky bluegrass sound. One of them tried to make a joke by storming off the stage, but returned shortly after with a harmonica.

The crowd was unresponsive and didn’t seem to get it. Though Nouveau was not as energizing as fans might’ve hoped, at least there was that one really drunk guy tearing up the dance f loor, which made for some kind of entertainment nonetheless.

Jon and Roy graced fans with their talents following the Kamloops locals. The only word to describe that trio is “Victoria.”

From their sound, to their style, to their calm demeanour onstage, they fit the Victoria hippie stereotype perfectly.

They had never played in Kamloops before, so they were eager to play some new songs for the audience.

For those unaware of the relationship Jon and Roy shares with Current Swell, the two have played together a number of times and are quite vocal about their friendship, something lead vocalist Jon Middleton alluded to several times that night.

“They’re our best friends in the whole world,” Middleton said shortly before Current Swell’s trombone player, Dave St. Jean, accompanied them on-stage for their spunky track “Let it Go.” Not surprisingly, as Current Swell took the stage, the previously-empty venue filled right up.

As the most fiery act of the night, they managed to play some of their more popular stuff, including the carefree “Young and Able.”

Because the group is working on a new album that they hope to be finished by December, the audience heard a couple of new songs, including “Man of Maps,” which they performed live for the first time ever.

There were a few hiccups along the way, but nothing the guys couldn’t recover from. A little bit of feedback caused issues for the group, but they made a joke of it by asking “sound-guy Greg” what happened, afterwards thanking him for his efforts. They were also a little out of tune on one song, but they acknowledged it, laughed it off and carried on.

St. Jean seemingly stole the show and his trombone solos were always welcomed by the crowd.

In fact, he disappeared from the stage brief ly and the audience realized he was suddenly amongst the crowd, busting out some tunes in the middle of the dance f loor.

After the encore, the band wasn’t quite done with their pesky remarks, as they poked fun at Cactus Jacks by saying they had to leave so the bar could play some rave music for the regulars.

Current Swell put on an incredibly energetic performance for an enthusiastic crowd that was happy to be there.

They have a lot of work ahead of them over the next few months, but here’s hoping they have time to stop by Kamloops again soon.

Top right: Bass player Ghosty Boy rocks out during the first night of Current Swell’s Western Canada tour.

Above left: Victoria’s musical darlings Jon and Roy kept the crowd happy while fans waited for the headlining act to take the stage.

Above right: Lead singer Scott Stanton plays lap slide for an excited audience.

(All photos

by Mason Buettner/ The Omega)

Front-line feminists hosted by TRUSU Burlesque dancers entertain while talking feminist issues at TRU Karla Karcioglu Ω Roving Editor TRUSU’s women’s representative, Olivia Skagos, hoped to pique the interests of a large diversity of students with the TRUSU Women’s Collective burlesque workshop held on Thursday Sept. 26.

Burlesque dancers Coco Creme and Annaphylactic Shock lead a participatory discussion about the art of burlesque dancing.

They explored the act’s satirical history, the elements of theatre and important issues of sexuality, feminism, cultural norms and objectification that surround such risqué performance art.

Approximately 20 TRU students attended the event, which was filled with laughter, dancing and serious discussion.

Coco Creme, who has a background in belly dancing, said her experience with burlesque was “very powerful” in a way she didn’t expect.

The two explained how burlesque is more about showing your personality by telling a story, and not simply taking off your clothes and letting others see you naked. They refute the notion that the act objectifies women.

Coco said that the intent behind the performance is the dividing factor between burlesque and stripping.

“Like any other art, it’s what you make of it,” Coco said, adding that the act is a personal experience and not everyone will feel the same way.

After the discussion, students were taught some burlesque dance moves by the professional hosts.

Coco said she was surprised by the invite because she and Annaphylactic Shock aren’t typical speakers for feminist issues, even though they feel they’re often on the front line for many of the issues.

Kim Worthy, a TRU law and business master’s student, said she has always had an interest in burlesque, and the dancers raised issues that she wouldn’t have otherwise realized go together.

Worthy enjoyed the event and would recommend it to others.

“I was really happy with the amount of discussion and hearing people’s feelings,” Coco said. She was also happy that men chose to attend the event as well.

Skagos was happy with the positive tone of the event and said that TRUSU would consider hosting it in the future.

Coco Creme demonstrates some beginner burlesque moves.

(Karla Karcioglu/ The Omega)

The Omega · Volume 23, Issue 5

Arts & Entertainment

7

Breakthrough pop star appears in Kamloops Disney-princess turned musician Jessica Lee plays an intimate show at Bailey’s Pub Carli Berry Ω Contributor Ottawa-native Jessica Lee performed an intimate free show at Bailey’s Pub on Tuesday, Sept 24. Lee made the trip to Kamloops from Vancouver, where she has been living for the past year.

Known for her collaboration with Marianas Trench on their song “Good to You,” Lee recently released her own record, Carried Away, in May. The concert was entirely acoustic and covered Lee’s main hits that listeners may recognize from mainstream radio. Lee proudly told the audience that her hit “Beautiful” was used for a breast cancer fundraising campaign.

Lee was full of spunk and showed no fear or hesitation

towards the near-full pub.

She even sang a song from Disney’s The Little Mermaid and shared stories of how, earlier in her career, she would dress up as a Disney princess and sing at children’s birthday parties.

What set off her career, however, was an innocent joke entry to a contest to win the chance to perform with Canada’s pop-rockers Marianas Trench, as well as a guest appearance in one of their music videos.

After winning the contest and being on stage for the first time “I just couldn’t go back,” Lee told the audience.

She said she was “a science nerd” before she got into music and her parents just wanted her to get good grades and do well in school. But when the music started playing, one could have never guessed that she had previously attended university

to study biology.

Her interaction with the crowd really impacted the intimate feeling of the evening. She appeared comfortable with her surroundings and often cracked jokes between songs. Lee got a laugh from the audience after noting that her song “Wrecking Ball” had nothing in common with Miley Cyrus’ latest work.

She was unafraid to hit those high notes when they came around during the set, and transitioned from piece to piece with ease.

Although her music typically appeals to a younger audience, Lee truly succeeded in holding the attention and enthusiasm of the adult crowd – not bad for her first performance, even with a more mature group.

Kudos to Lee for visiting Kamloops and putting on a show worth attending.

Jessica Lee, who broke into the Canadian music scene after winning a contest and getting the chance to play with Marianas Trench, plays a free show at Bailey’s Pub sponsored by The River on Sept. 24.

(Nicolaus Waddell/ The Omega)

Off-campus resources on-hand to help out

Kamloops Museum and Archives home to local history, culture and more Courtney Dickson Ω Arts & Entertainment Editor

While the local museum is often a great place to get familiarized with the traditional culture and history of the community, there’s more these places have to offer. The Kamloops Museum and Archives is a neglected but great resource for students to gather research for projects and papers.

Archivist Robb Gilbert is onhand to help anyone looking to access the archives. If the museum and archives doesn’t have what someone is looking for, Gilbert is able to find bettersuited resources for whatever information is sought.

Gilbert recommends using memorybc.ca to access brief descriptions of archival holdings. Students (or anyone) can visit the archives between 1:15 and 4 p.m. from Tuesday to Friday, or make an appointment

to meet with Gilbert.

Admission is entirely by donation, so whatever you can afford is what you pay to get in, as it is their mandate to make the museum accessible to all members of the community.

Those looking for a more relaxed visit can currently explore the second f loor’s War of 1812 exhibit. The second f loor they host three to four temporary exhibits per year that are generally more globally focused. Though these exhibits are meant to bring in knowledge about outside areas, the museum curator always tries to find a local connection.

“We really encourage the community to share their history,” said Melissa Baker, museum educator.

The third f loor is dedicated to the history of the Kamloops area, starting with the Secwepemc (Shuswap) peoples. The British Columbia Fly Fishing Gallery and the Sid and Rhona Baker

Mineral Collection are also located on this f loor.

The first f loor is designed for children to be able to participate in a variety of activities that will educate them about the history of Kamloops and the surrounding area. Baker said that not only do young families enjoy seeing their children having fun and learning new things, but it also gives them a space to interact with other members of the community and do something different.

“We have something for everyone,” Baker said.

They also do walking tours, including a haunted walking tour coming up at the end of October. If you’re interested in participating, reserve your spot soon, as Baker said these tours are selling out fast.

Baker also mentioned they have adult-only walking tours, and they are labelled so because they talk about “women of the night.”

(Kevin Skrepnek/ The Omega)

8

Life & Community

October 2, 2013

Kamloops approves longboarding facility Longboarders raised their voices and the City of Kamloops listened Ω Roving Editor The City of Kamloops has approved the construction of a longboarding facility thanks to the input of a group of Kamloops longboarders.

The group attended a May 2012 open house discussing the future development of West Highlands Park (previously the Aberdeen Highlands golf course) and the City of Kamloops approved the construction of a longboarding facility on Sept. 24.

Mike Doll, Kamloops parks planning supervisor, said the city heard the group “loud and clear.”

Patrick Mutrie, a TRU alumnus, and Matt Gosse, a current TRU student, are both members of the Kamloops Longboarding Club.

They organized the group that attended the open house and have been working with the city to plan the facility.

Mutrie said that the longboarding

facility will be outdoors, and plans for it to have three run types: beginner, intermediate and expert. Though it will be designed for longboarders, it will be open to anyone.

The facility will be built to the south of Pacific Way Elementary according to Doll. There is currently no timeline for the project.

Gosse said it’s critical that the city gets input from longboarders because there are many factors unique to longboarding that need to be considered, such as path width and steepness.

As far as Mutrie and Gosse know, this will be a one-of-a-kind facility. They hope that it will serve as a model for other cities and an attraction for longboarding events in the future.

Second-year business student Ben Peacock said he’s amazed the City of Kamloops is spending public money on a longboard facility and that his experience in his hometown Langley was very

different.

Mutrie called the city “a golden shining beacon on a pedestal” with regards to how it has treated longboarders.

Mutrie, Gosse and Peacock said they have never had a problem with the Kamloops authorities when longboarding. Mutrie added that the majority of Kamloops longboarders are good people who respect the rules.

“We know people will still ride on the streets,” Doll said, “But now [with the new facility] they will have an alternative.”

Mutrie, Gosse and close friends formed the Kamloops Longboarding Club in 2008 and it has steadily grown, with 343 Facebook members as of Sept.

27. They meet once or twice a week to ride around and welcome beginners and kids, who they help learn the basics.

TRU students recently formed a smaller division of the club on campus called the TRUSU Longboarding Club.

truomega.ca

Karla Karcioglu

Patrick Mutrie tears down Boundary Rd. near the west end of Battle St. in Kamloops on Sept. 26.

(Sean Brady/ The Omega)

The Omega · Volume 23, Issue 5

Education Issues

9

Textbooks are free and online for some common courses Laura Rodgers CUP B.C. Bureau Chief VANCOUVER (CUP) — Fifteen free university textbooks have been put online by the B.C. government — but so far, only a handful of classes are using them.

The “open textbook” project, announced by the Ministry of Advanced Education in 2012, aims to make free, non-copyright-restricted online textbooks available for the 40 most popular post-secondary courses in the province. They’ve budgeted $1 million for the plan. The fifteen books, put online on Sept. 3, were previously available for free elsewhere on the Internet, but now they’ve been reviewed for quality by B.C. professors.

“Because reviews of the open textbooks were not due until September 3, there was not enough time for most instructors to incorporate open textbooks for this semester’s courses,” wrote ministry spokesperson Dan Gilmore in a statement.

“Nevertheless, we know that some instructors involved in the reviews are using the open textbooks for their courses this semester – including the physics textbook at Kwantlen Polytechnic University and Langara College, as well as the marketing

textbook at Northwest Community College and collaborative stats at the Justice Institute.”

According to Gilmore, there probably won’t be existing textbooks available for all 40 target courses — which include first- and second-year level courses in subjects from biology to visual arts. To fill in the gaps, new textbooks will be commissioned from B.C. post-secondary faculty.

Similar projects are underway in California and Washington state as well.

The ministry is optimistic about the project, though it has its critics — Todd Pettigrew, an English professor at Cape Breton University, wrote a Maclean’s On Campus column denouncing the idea of governmentcommissioned textbooks to be written “by committee.”

A representative from BCCampus, the nonprofit organization charged with running the project, fired back with a reply saying the faculty reviewing the books would ensure their quality.

The ministry and BCCampus aren’t directly involved in trying to get instructors to use the free books.

But BCCampus has organized workshops about open textbooks at various schools to try and raise awareness of the project.

Organizations rally to eliminate textbook tarriffs Jane Lytvynenko CUP Ottawa Bureau Chief OTTAWA (CUP) — Since 1999 Chris Tabor and a handful of advocates have been fighting to eliminate a tariff on textbook prices imposed by the Canadian Copyright Act. There is currently a 10 per cent tariff on books, including textbooks, imported from other countries.

This tariff is paid directly to the publishers and was originally put in place to support them. However, the extra money made off the 10 per cent does not go to the Canadian publishing industry — which is too small to have its own textbook market — and does not benefit anyone but the distributor.

“It’s flawed policy, “ said Tabor who spoke to CUP representing Campus Stores Canada, an association advocating to lower prices by eliminating the 10 per cent tariff. “We can bring relief [to students] with no cost to government.

“It’s not unusual to see a $200 textbook, and the 10 per cent could buy a lot of KD,” he said. “Because it doesn’t go on this side of the Canadian border, we’re baffled why not change the regulation so that 10 per cent goes back into the pockets of Canadian students.”

The Canadian Alliance of Student Associations (CASA) joined Campus Stores Canada in calling for the elimination of the 10 per cent fee. Jonathan Champagne,

the national director for CASA, said artificially inflated textbook costs should not be something students have to worry about on top of tuition and living costs. Champagne said the approximate cost of textbooks is $800 ­­­– $1000 per year.

“This is one of the areas where students can see savings, and these are federal regulations that keep the textbook costs high,” Champagne said, adding that they can be easily eliminated.

Earlier this year, the Senate finance committee published a report recommending scrapping the tariff. Last February, Heritage Canada agreed to examine the case following the report and has already engaged in consultations on the issue — something CASA and Campus Stores Canada are considering progress.

According to Tabor, there’s no real purpose for the tariff, which was put forward in 1999.

Although the Act was revised in 2012, the issue of the 10 per cent increase was left untouched.

Tabor — who runs a bookstore at Queen’s University in Kingston, Ont. — says students are finding other creative ways to save some cash on textbooks in the meanwhile. Many rent them out or find them online, but according to Tabor the most common method of cutting spending is to buy used and resell once the class is done.

Tabor estimates students could save $25-million per year if the tariff was eliminated.

What did you pay for textbooks this semester? Do you feel you’re getting value from them? email editor@truomega.ca and share your opinion

They also hope faculty reviewers — who are given a $250 honorarium per review — will spread information about the books at their schools.

At Kwantlen, physics professor Takashi Sato was already considering an open-access physics textbook for use in a first-year class before he learned of the government project.

“I’m very lucky to work in an environment where my department colleagues support each other in trying out new things,” Sato said.

“When I first heard that the books are free, I was curious but a little bit skeptical, because I thought anything free can’t be good. [But] I had a look at it, and the quality is up there with anything you’d buy on the market.” He said the previous book his class used cost each student over $180.

Sato said he’s “one of the first” academics he knows of to use an open textbook, but it’s something he’ll recommend to others. “If the other books for other disciplines are like this one, I’d encourage people to check them out,” he said.

The ministry hopes all 40 textbooks will be available online

by September 2014.

The cost of textbooks really adds up. Some organizations (left and below left) are trying to help.

(Karla Karcioglu/ The Omega)

Study projects tuition to increase faster than inflation Jane Lytvynenko CUP Ottawa Bureau Chief OTTAWA (CUP) — A new study by the Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives (CCPA) projects a 13 per cent increase in tuition over the next four years. Coming on the heels of Statistics Canada releasing the 2013-14 tuition prices, the report shows tuition fees across the country rising faster than the rate of inflation.

“Canadian full-time students in undergraduate programs paid 3.3 per cent more on average in tuition fees for the 2013-2014 academic year this fall than they did a year earlier,” reads the Statistics Canada report. “This follows a 4.2 per cent increase in 20122013.”

Nigel Wordich, a university student and contributor to the CCPA report, said the provinces are investing less into post secondary education, passing the cost onto students. According to Wordich, the fiscal strain of recent years is one of the reasons for decreased funding.

The CCPA says most relief for university costs come in form of grants and rebates rather than direct funding — something Wordich says is problematic. This form of aid doesn’t support all students and bars those coming from low-income backgrounds from entering college or university.

Dan Harris, the NDP postsecondary education critic, says this increase is a continuation of a long-term, 20-year trend. Harris said the steady hike in costs puts

the “affordability of education out of reach.”

“Direct funding to education has a multiplying effect,” he added.

“It’s going to lead to greater economic success and better revenues for the government. The money is going to come back.”

Direct funding is one of the primary recommendations of the CCPA report. They cite the example of Germany, where participation and student retention

education has a collective benefit for all of society and for that reason it should be collectively funded.”

Harris said with the current $20,000 average debt upon graduation and youth at double the unemployment rate of the rest of the country, students who finish school can’t get on with their life and contribute to the economy. With the $15-billion borrowing ceiling removed by the Conservative government, the graduation debt is only increasing.

“It’s a really frightening prospect for young people today,” Harris said.

“When we’re told time and time again that this is the first generation that’s going to get less than what their parents had, that’s when we have to strive to do more and be better, we have to demand more.”

Wordich, who is a third-year —Dan Harris student at the University of NDP Post-Secondary Education Critic Ottawa, said “the discussion on tuition rates is are high as a result of publicly hitting critical masses.” He points funded education. Wordich said to Quebec, where the student while Canadian tuition rates are protests last spring made national lower than in the United States, we news in demanding lower tuition need to look elsewhere for post- fees. secondary education models.

Harris said students need to get “Oftentimes we compare active and engaged, adding they Canada to the U.S., but if we look should make their voices heard in at European, North American the 2015 election. and Asian countries in general, “We need to make sure students Canadian provinces have some of that come from all backgrounds the highest tuition rates,” he said. have an equal opportunity,” “Public education and tertiary Wordich said.

“

Direct funding to education has a multiplying effect.

It’s going to lead to greater economic success and

better revenues for the government.”

Coffee Break

8 5

“D.C. Destinations”

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3 6

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3 2 8

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sudokuhard

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crossword

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Across

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1

Puzzle of the week Puzzle of the Week #4 – Puppies!

Oh, look! A box full of puppies. Since puppies are generally bigger than kittens, there are only eight of them. All of them are at least one colour of black, white, and tan. Five are black, five are white, and five are tan.

What is the maximum number of the seven colour combinations that could occur? What is the minimum number of the seven colour combinations that could occur?

This contest is sponsored by the Mathematics and Statistics department. The full-time student with the best score at the end of the year will win a prize. Please submit your solution (not just the answer but also why) by noon the second-tonext Wednesday to Gene Wirchenko <genew@telus.net>. Submissions by others are also welcome. The solution will be posted the Wednesday after that in my blog (http://genew.ca/) and in the Math Centre (HL210A). Come visit: we are friendly.

1. Craving 5. Parsley bit 10. Annul 14. “Mi chiamano Mimi,” e.g.

15. France’s longest river 16. Escape, in a way 17. It was redone in ‘04 20. Agnolotti, e.g.

21. Saint Petersburg, once 22. Whimsical 24. Exploit 25. Tend to, as a bad lawn 29. Quip 31. Mozart’s “L’___ del Cairo” 34. At any time 35. “Agreed!”

37. Snake or mathematician, at times 39. William Thornton designed it 42. Nice goodbye?

43. Persuaded 44. Mercury, for one 45. ___ soup 46. Rimbaud, for one 48. Early word form 50. Money in Moldova 51. Costa Rican peninsula 52. Shortcomings 57. Mediterranean evergreen 62. The Temple of Zeus was its model

64. Healthy berry 65. Upload ___ 66. Manhattan eatery 67. Boxing prize 68. Case type 69. Case type Down 1. Arctic native 2. Water-soluble compound 3. Some are deadly 4. Red arachnid 5. Arch 6. Tom’s aunt 7. Bank of Paris 8. Persia, now 9. Einstein, e.g.

10. Grammar topic 11. Warm, so to speak 12. Hindu god 13. Kind of column 18. Thief’s obstacle 19. Set up (var.)

23. Variety of taro 25. Go over 26. Get around 27. Artist’s hue 28. Port city 29. Cascade of ruffles 30. Jewish month 31. Disgrace 32. Literary work

33. About 1% of the atmosphere 36. Besides 38. June 6, 1944 40. City where Elvis was born 41. Bad day for Caesar 47. Nix 49. ___ Bell 50. Allowed 51. Buddhist lecturer, Tendzin, and others 52. Middle-age scourge 53. Houston university 54. Cancer kind 55. Details 56. Eastern prince 58. Spirited horse 59. Stir, with “up” 60. They may be sown 61. Smudge 63. Fulfilled S H U T

E A S E

P I E R

T R A S H A D A M G A Z A O N O N R E T A S H R E L I A R A S Q U P L U N P E A S

P R O S T I N T S A S C A E K E R A J E E R A S U M A E S H I G D A R N E O D A M M I R N O V A I E T A S K O R E R Y A E

I N T R C O R E P E G O A I O D D N T O O O D L E C S O A H H O R S L T E E E O S L S I S S C R A A M O U S S P I C S E N I

O R T S S T E N O M E A D

LAST ISSUE’S ANSWERS

sudokueasy

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October 2, 2013

MYLES MELLOR AND SALLY YORK

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RANDOM JOKE! Husband and wife are waiting at the bus stop with their nine children. A blind man joins them after a few minutes. When the bus arrives, they find it overloaded and only the wife and the nine kids are able to fit onto the bus.

So the husband and the blind man decide to walk. After a while, the husband gets irritated by the ticking of the stick of the blind man as he taps it on the sidewalk, and says to him, “Why don’t you put a piece of rubber at the end of your stick? That ticking sound is driving me crazy.”

The blind man replies, “If you would’ve put a rubber at the end of YOUR stick, we’d be riding the bus ... so shut up.”

Got a better joke? Got a comic? Send ‘em in and we might run ‘em.

editor@truomega.ca

Sports

The Omega · Volume 23, Issue 5

WolfPack men’s volleyball starts season with two wins and a tie Adam Williams Ω Sports Editor The Wolf Pack men’s volleyball team played what felt like two home exhibition matches on the weekend, even though one took place in Prince George.

The men defeated the UBCOkanagan Heat on Thursday at the Tournament Capital Centre (25-20, 25-17, 22-25, 25-22), before heading out on the road and winning in Prince George (25-14, 25-16, 25-21) Friday.

They also played in Quesnel on Sunday, but were unable to get in a full match as travel restraints forced them to leave early; that match ended 2-2.

Despite Thursday’s match being the only one that took place on the Wolf Pack’s home court, TRU’s abundance of Prince George-born players made for what felt like a home crowd.

“I started four of the Prince George guys, so Spencer Reed, Colin Carson, Nic Balazs and Jordan Foot all started, and we won 3-0,” head coach Pat Hennelly said Sunday. “It was really good volleyball in the third set and they had 1,400 fans there and 95 per cent of them were cheering for us.

“People are out cheering for the guys they know so it’s exactly what I want [the exhibition tour] to do, is to get some of these young kids exposed to high-level volleyball and for our hometown guys to play in front of their fans.”

Hennelly went on to say that next year there are plans to add stops on the Sunshine Coast and

in Courtenay for the same reason.

One of the Wolf Pack’s early standouts has been Brad Gunter, Hennelly said. Gunter spent part of his summer playing for Canada in the Fédération Internationale de Volleyball World Championship in Izmir, Turkey and had twelve kills Friday.

“You can certainly tell there’s some confidence, which always helps, and he’s developed better shot-making abilities,” Hennelly said, adding that Gunter expanded his repertoire of hits over the summer. “We’re going to give Brad 40 to 60 per cent of our offence, it’s nice to have some different shots.”

The weekend was the first opportunity the Wolf Pack has had to play against a fellow member of the Canadian West Universities Athletic Association.

It was a good measuring stick for the ’Pack, who could be fighting with the Heat for a playoff spot throughout the regular season, which begins on Oct. 25 in Kelowna, against UBC-O. “I really see third through ninth as being a really close race,” Hennelly said. “I think if we can get over nerves and the disappointment of not making [the playoffs] last year and not having that experience, I think we can be quite successful.

“The pieces are all there, how it plays out, I think the first two weekends will be a strong indicator because we’re playing two teams that weren’t in the playoffs last year, along with ourselves. Ourselves, UBC-O and Calgary are all looking at each other saying, ‘This is a team we have to beat to be successful this year.’”

Measuring impact in head injuries Mike Bourgeois The Brunswickan (UNB) FREDERICTON (CUP) – Sport is constantly changing, and so must safety technology to keep up with it.

Players are becoming bigger, stronger, faster and are taking hits equally as strong. Padding, guards and most importantly helmets are also becoming stronger to compensate for the increase in physicality.

University of New Brunswick (UNB) centre for the Red Bombers football team, Kyle Wilson, has seen his fair share of hits on the line of scrimmage.

“As a centre, [I’d] say 80 per cent of the contact is to my head,” Wilson said.

Wilson is in his first year with the Bombers, as previous head injuries and a history of concussion sidelined the centre from a year of varsity sport.

“It was summer football, during team New Brunswick tryouts. During a drill, a player would run at me to practice a block, and I went down very hard,” he said. “[I] went back in line, did the drill again and it began to take me a while to get back up.”

Former hockey players Gerry Luliano and Paul Walker created a device that will monitor each and every head impact. They named the impact-tracking device “gForce.”

Head injuries occur in every level of sport, with no limit on severity. What makes these brain-jarring injuries so risky, if not frightening, isn’t the smack to the head, it’s the unknown severity that lies within the impact.

Luliano and Walker hope to use the gForce helmet, which fits like a small flash drive inside the helmet, to read every impact to the head, giving readings, statistics and accurate information on the severity of the hit. gForce has created a network for which information from the devices can be shared to doctors, scientists and trainers. While beneficial to an individual, this network can be beneficial to the knowledge of head injuries as a whole.

“The scariest thing was how long it takes for your thinking process to go back to normal,” Wilson said.

“For a while, and even sometimes now, I notice my brain almost needs to take an extra step when I’m thinking.”

Luliano and Walker are aware of the severity of concussions and continual knocks to the head, and the impact it can have on an athlete.

Their vision coincides with this realization and states, “Thousands of athletes receive blows to the head each and every day. This activity goes untracked, unreported, and data that would have been invaluable to researchers is wasted. The sooner we can help medical experts understand the causes of head injury in sports, the sooner we can protect our athletes.”

Their statement can mean a lot to athletes like Wilson, who live with the injury and still play, but also for the many yet to experience this life altering injury.

This different direction in sport safety equipment may lead to a safer generation of sport because the mystery of head injuries has been revealed.

11

Wet weather results in cancellations and postponements Adam Williams Ω Sports Editor

Libero Blake Majcher of the WolfPack makes a pass in Friday’s match against the UBC-Okanagan Heat at the Tournament Capital Centre.

(Photo by Allen Douglas)

Typical fall weather on the coast resulted in the cancellation of both a men’s soccer game and the third tournament of the Pacific Western Athletic Association golf season on the weekend of Sept. 28.

The WolfPack men’s soccer team saw its Saturday match against the Capilano University Blues postponed due to unplayable fields and Camosun College’s golf tournament at Bear Mountain Resort and Spa in Victoria was rained out; the golf season will now be shortened to three events.

Both the men’s and women’s soccer teams also were forced to spend the night in Nanaimo, after the ferry back to the mainland was cancelled due to inclement weather.

The women’s soccer team managed to play both of its games, despite the wet weather, defeating the Blues 5-2 and shutting out the Victoria Island University Mariners 2-0. Head coach Tom McManus said the conditions for the Capilano match were the worst he’s seen in a long time, with grounds crews mopping up water at midfield and carrying it away in buckets.

The men’s soccer team was able to play its Saturday match, defeating the men’s Mariners, 2-1.

Both the men’s and the women’s soccer teams will return to Hillside Stadium on Oct. 6 to face the UBCOkanagan Heat.

The WolfPack golf team will head to its final tournament of the season in Chilliwack.

WolfPack Bites The WolfPack hockey team has two victories under its belt, following the opening weekend of the B.C. Intercollegiate Hockey League regular season at the Ian Stewart Complex in Victoria.

TRU defeated the University of Victoria Vikes, 6-1, on Friday, with Josh MacDonald scoring five goals for the ’Pack. Daniel Higgs also had a goal and Stephen Wolff stopped 21 of 22 shots.

On Sunday, the WolfPack recovered from a 3-1 deficit, with goals from Blake Moynes and Brandon Watson, with two.

Josh MacDonald, Tyler Jackson and Ben Bula also had goals. Chris Solecki stopped 30 of 35 shots for the win.

The WolfPack will return to Memorial Arena in Kamloops on Friday, Oct. 4, at 8:30 p.m., to play the Trinity Western University Spartans.

Faryn Brown, Alesha Miller and Rolena Debruyn all had top ten finishes this weekend as the WolfPack cross country team travelled to Kelowna to compete against UBC-Okanagan.

Brown was the top TRU finisher in the four-kilometre race, coming in third with a time of fifteen minutes and 17 seconds. Miller was seventh (16:07) and team captain Debruyn was ninth (16:33).

Megan Crawley (17:37), Kendra Schmidt (17:46), Christa Miller (17:55), Tiffany Adams (17:56), Emily Townend (18:11), Jacky Hiscoe (19:21), Kristen Carmichael (19:39), Lexi Thorne (19:43) and Jennifer Revel (24:59) were among TRU’s other racers.

On the men’s side, only four TRU racers competed, two of which finished in the top five.

Connor McKay was third overall in the 6km race (20:32) and Conlan Sprickerhoff finished fifth (21:13).

Isreal Mesfin (24:35) and Sunny Dulay (25:56) also competed.

The WolfPack’s next meet will be the B.C. Cross Country Championships on Oct. 26 in Abbotsford, two weeks before the Canadian Collegiate Athletic Association National Championships in Toronto.

Interested in covering WolfPack sports for us?

Contact Adam at sports@truomega.ca to get involved

12

October 2, 2013

TRUSU Membership Advisory Join the Campaign for a

SWEATSHOP FREE CAMPUS Drop by the Members’ Services Desk for more info

Are you interested in serving on the TRUSU Council?

Nominations for the TRUSU By-Election are now open!

The deadline to submit nomination packages is OCTOBER 8TH at 4:00PM Nomination packages can be picked up and submitted at the Members’ Services Desk in the Students’ Union Building Contact the Electoral Committee for more info by emailing elections@trusu.ca

Post-Secondary Education Fact: 180 Universities and colleges in North America have already joined the Workers Rights Consortium

This Week: • Sisters in Spirit Vigil • Nominations Close for TRUSU ByElection • Council Meeting Check out the Events Calendar at trusu.ca for details!

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