November 28, 2018

Ω OMEGA

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THE

T H O M P S O N R I V E R S U N I V E R S I T Y ' S I N D E P E N D E N T S T U D E N T N E W S PA P E R

VOLUME 28 · ISSUE 13 · NOVEMBER 28, 2018

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IS IT TOO EARLY FOR CHRISTMAS?

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RECYCLE YOUR OLD CLOTHES TODAY!

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SRP REFERENDUM FAILS TO MEET QUORUM

TRU students stand in solidarity against Quebec's unpaid internships Morgan Hunter CONTRIBUTORΩ Students from across campus gathered outside A&E on Nov. 21 to stand in solidarity with their Quebec counterparts over unpaid internships and to protest the province's regulations on the matter itself.

The participating students were, in spirit, gathered alongside 54,000 students in Quebec who walked out of

classes and boycotted their internships to press the view that even if placements might help their future careers, their labour should not be free. A throng of students demonstrated in Montreal on Wednesday to make their opinions heard.

Students chanted that they wanted change and used posters stating there should be “work for pay, not pay for work.” Multiple speakers joined together to talk about the matter at hand.

“Unpaid internships are the norm with people 50 hours or more and are for nothing,” some of the students shouted at the protest.

“We get experience, we acknowledge that yet we’re struggling and are here to stop the struggle,” others yelled.

See STUDENTS WALK OUT Page 5

TRU students, standing in solidarity with protesting students in Quebec, joined together against unpaid practicums, stressing that student work should not be unpaid. (Aidan Grether/The Omega)

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NEWS

NOVEMBER 28, 2018

TRU announces it’s new and now furthest parking lot Breaking ground in December, Lot XT will be a new addition to the economy lot grouping Justin Moore STAFF WRITER Ω Step aside Lot N, there is a further, more distant parking lot on campus now. Just announced last Thursday, construction will begin in December on a new temporary lot located on the corner of University Drive and McGill in the former Canadian Freightways lot.

Including the overflow lot at Upper College Heights that TRU purchased this year this will be TRU’s fourth economy lot and available for parking at the start of January.

TRU purchased the land back in 2015, claiming that it supports the needs of an expanding community on campus or in this case, covers for a rapid decline in parking options on campus with the construction of the Reach and the new nursing building.

Outlined in the 2014 Campus Master Guidelines, existing parking space numbers were to stay fixed across campus and as new developments took over old lots, alternatives were to be found. This is the case for this new XT lot and the recently paved Lot NT but not before students, staff and faculty have raised concerns over the sheer lack of parking at TRU. These two new lots also delay the need for TRU to begin developing more structured lots, such as a parkade or an underground parking structure.

According to a January 2018 memo addressed to the Budget Committee of Senate regarding parking recommendations

The newest economy lot, XT, will be located at the entrance to the campus' west gate, just south of Lot T1 and the Animal Health and Technology building. (TRU) provided by TRUSU, Glenn Read, executive director Athletics, Recreation & Ancillary Services, parking structures aren’t an affordable solution at the current time.

It is unknown if this temporary lot, providing over 245 new stalls, will become a permanent

parking lot down the road, but for now, the campus now has over 2,850 parking spaces. This conforms with the Campus Master Plan of maintaining roughly 2,481 stalls, with this new lot creating over 1,100 economy stalls in total.

As for the distance of the

lot, a close walking distance to Walmart and the TCC rather than buildings such as Arts and Education or the Clock Tower, vice-president Administration and Finance Matt Milovick wrote in an email to students that this new lot "envisions a sustainable,

community-oriented walkable university village with property in the campus core preserved for new buildings."

With parking rates at a pause for the 2018/2019 year, semester-long economy lot permits will still be priced at $200, with a half day rate of $4.

Assessing the media’s impact through Marshall McLuhan’s prophecies Professor Blair McDonald explores the media mogul’s legacy and his timely predictions of the evolution of media Farrah Johnson CONTRIBUTOR Ω The semester’s final session of the Arts Colloquium Series featured Blair McDonald, a professor of journalism, communication and new media, who presented on the influence of Marshall McLuhan.

Faculty members and students gathered in TRUSU’s Board Room on Nov. 21 to listen to McDonald present on the topic: Extending Legacies: Reappraisals of McLuhan’s Understanding Media.

Examining a few of McLuhan’s prophetic claims, McDonald discussed different ways in which McLuhan’s teachings could possibly influence future artists, researchers and critics, who now exist in a digital world.

McDonald also made reference to McLuhan’s 1964 book entitled, Understanding Media: The Extensions of Man on the future of media.

Displaying one of his former reading lists from when he was a student at Trent University, he

Blair McDonald, a TRU professor in the JCNM program delivered a special lecture on the Canadian media icon Marshall McLuhan. (Aidan Grether/Ω) explained it was from a class where they explored one of McLuhan’s most famous quotes, “the medium is the message.”

McDonald acknowledged that the phrase has generated confusion from the time it was conceptualized and admitted that even today in his own classroom, McLuhan’s quote

“reads rather cryptically with a new generation of students.”

“The medium is the message can be understood as a remarkable shift in media studies away from content analysis– so particular entertainment and media shows– into a discussion of media forms,” he said.

He explained that this incorporates

everything from print to telephone, to television and radio. Moreover, he added that “how these forms themselves forever change the local landscape of mass communication and the people using them,” must also be taken into consideration.

Clarifying some of McLuhan’s ideas on technological determinism, McDonald talked about how technology can shape changes in culture.

“Technology shapes cultural change and then cultural changes are primarily caused by changes in communication, so we see that interconnectedness,” McDonald said.

He also mentioned that an example of this, which he teaches in his second-year Media History class, shows that the printing press made the creation of books possible.

McDonald explained that as a result, mass literacy was then considered an essential component of survival within that particular culture.

“It kind of removes the world of literacy and reading information as something which only elites can have

and opens it up to the mass public,” McDonald elaborated.

McDonald also asserted that reading McLuhan’s work feels as if the media theorist is filling his brain with “new tracks.”

“He’s really unlike any kind of thinker that I have encountered in terms of his scope for the history of media and its effects on civilization,” said McDonald. “For the general public, McLuhan is one of the few intellectuals of the twentieth century who became a household name around the world.”

The Arts Colloquium Series is an event that allows faculty members to share their research and works in progress.

"It is a series that has been going for about five or six years now that is organized by some arts faculty members and it’s to encourage and nurture a collegial environment and culture of research amongst faculty members across campus,” stated Lisa Cook, one of the organizers and an associate professor of anthropology at TRU.

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OPINION

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Christmas time is almost The Christmas season lasts much too long to be enjoyable near so let us spread some Christmas cheer Haylee Miller

GUEST OPINION Ω

Christian Varty NEWS EDITOR Ω It can be wood fires in a ski lodge nestled away in the mountains or it's fresh snow lining the city streets. Cookies baking in the oven or chestnuts roasting on the fire. However you spend your Christmas, surely it's the best holiday of the year.

Many people are bogged down in the hustle and bustle of the modern world and don't get to spend time with the most important people in their lives. Christmas time is a much needed break from that.

People get busy, they move or we simply fall out of contact. The couple days of festivities encourages people to slow down a little and catch up with family and friends.

It's a perfect excuse to get back together with friends you haven't seen for a while or pack the family up in the van and go visit extended family.

Detractors may say the holiday has become materialistic and too indulgent with gifts. If that indeed is the case, then good. It's a celebration of affluence across our shared culture. A way for us to acknowledge our society's relative economic success and revel in it.

During the middle of winter when the sun has been setting at 4 p.m. and the cold has begun to seep into your bones, Christmas time offers a peppermint flavoured refuge of optimism joy.

Not even solely on Christmas Eve or morning, rather the whole month of December radiates Christmas spirit.

Neighbours hanging lights, stores donning decorations and media beginning to move more and more towards Christmas centric content. Without this barrage, December would be a cold and unforgiving month.

Furthermore it's the flavours and scents of the season that can hit most viscerally. Cinnamon and cardamom, peppermint and fir needles, eggnog and chocolates are always a mainstay and can warm even the iciest of hearts.

If you don't like this wonderful time of the year, I implore you spend the holiday with any young family you may have.

Nieces, nephews or little cousins it doesn't matter. They will be so excited and joyous about the whole occasion that I'm sure you'll have a hard time not catching a bit of residual joy.

Not to mention you'll be helping them share some of their fondest memories of growing up, surely.

The whole holiday is a jovial indulgence into the finer things in life. That includes friends and family, a big Christmas dinner and the Christmas baking that comes along with it, and the giving of special presents to the people that matter the most.

Now don’t get me wrong, I love Christmas– the time devoted to family and the relatives that travel long distances to see you and the delicious treats your mother slaves over the oven to make you, but I must admit that in this day and age, Christmas doesn’t mean or maintain the wholesome values it once did. Nowadays, I would argue that Christmas has gotten entirely materialistic, greedy, monotonous and downright inconvenient.

I once loved Christmas time and now I absolutely dread it. Everything goes on sale which means that people have an excuse to run one another over because an item is 50 per cent off– it's ridiculous! There is a heavy pressure to spend money and be overwhelmingly happy, which is all fine and dandy as long as you have the funds to maintain it. If you are say, going to college and working an entry level job to get through school, you can’t help but feel bad you don’t have enough money to buy all the special people in your life gifts.

Or how about the ones that you cannot spend Christmas with? Long lost loved ones who made the season bright– for myself in particular, death seems to come around in November and December. If Christmas was just a few days long, as it should be, it wouldn’t be so bad. But as it is, Christmas

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spans from, offensively, before Remembrance Day to late January. A whopping two and a half months of societal pressure, repetitive music and every man and his dog with their palms out. For those without families, Christmas can be particularly hard.

If you ask me, helping others should be a daily part of a person’s life. Helping people when you can and making sure to take the time to appreciate those in your life. Year after year, I watch children ask for all the latest toys only to neglect 60 per cent of them within a few months. What is the point of making an already tight financial belt tighter simply because it is December?

Longer line-ups, seemingly grouchier people and advertisements for everything from negligee to glow in the dark silly putty, Christmas has lost sight of its family-oriented roots and become a feeding frenzy for money hungry corporations looking to profit off people over the holidays. I am not a religious person and so I do not celebrate the significance of Christ’s birthday, but I find myself under pressure to buy presents and partake in a holiday that I don’t observe.

Furthermore, how uncomfortable it must be to people of different faiths. I completely respect religious freedom but much like sexuality and economic status, don’t shove it in my face. I have yet to be repetitively hit over the head with other religious holiday music quite like with what Christmas does.

To atheists and people of differing religions, Christmas can be quite overwhelming.

I’m not saying we need to stop Christmas but how about dialling it down? Stop wasting energy and contributing to light pollution simply because “it’s Christmas!”

Let’s go back to taking a few days to enjoy statutory holidays to appreciate the loved ones in our life, making homemade gifts and genuinely enjoying one another’s company.

THE OMEGA STUDENT NEWSPAPER • PUBLISHED SINCE NOVEMBER 27,1991

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Letters Policy

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.

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If you’re ready to get started, just email one of our section editors and pitch your story: News: news@truomega.ca Arts: arts@truomega.ca Sports: sports@truomega.ca Or write the editor at: editor@truomega.ca

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NOVEMBER 28, 2018

NEWS

Campus club encourages students to reuse with clothing swap TRUSU Eco Club holds second annual clothing swap to combat unnecessary waste Cailyn Mocci ARTS EDITOR Ω Do you have a few articles of clothing sitting in your closet collecting dust? Are you looking to update your wardrobe with a few new pieces just in time for the chilly change of seasons? The TRUSU Eco Club is holding their second annual Clothing Swap for the TRU community.

Not only is this annual event conscious of the often lighter wallets of students around this season but also plays a role in eliminating the mountains of waste that travel to the landfill each year.

TRUSU Eco Club member Hanna Martens, who is helping make this year's event a reality, expressed concern for this society's inclination for fast fashion.

"We have a problem in our world with lots and lots of clothing and fast-fashion that ends up in the landfill," Martens said.

Fast-fashion is the kind of cost-effective, often on-trend styles

that are not likely to last longer than a season. These styles are also not made to last, thus ending up in the trash, destined to a life buried in a landfill.

"We used to make things that would last but now new styles come out all the time and we're trying to quickly buy new clothing to keep up with that," said Martens on fast-fashion in today's society. "The clothes that are made now are not meant to last either."

This is where the Eco Club comes into play with the second annual Clothing Swap. By donating clothing, the clothing swap is hoping to encourage students to reuse first before tossing in the trash before it's time.

TRU students and faculty members are invited to take or leave lightly used clothing freely from the swap. All articles of clothing donated should be lightly worn and clean, being mindful of the new owner.

This year's clothing swap is 100 per cent free for the TRU community, with the hopes of encouraging more people to adopt a more eco-friendly

lifestyle and reuse instead of waste.

All clothing that remains after the swap will not reach any trash bins nearby but instead travel to the local Thrift City for further donation.

Thrift City is a local community treasure that has worked hard to support some of the most vulnerable community members in Kamloops.

As a branch of the New Life Community, Thrift City operates as a crucial touch point for those entering back into society and the workforce after rehabilitation. Purchases made at Thrift City go right back into their Outreach and Rehabilitation Centre programs.

While this is their second clothing swap, Martens hopes that hosting the event mid-day gives students a greater opportunity to participate between classes while on campus instead of an evening event like last year.

Martens expressed great optimism for the outcome of this event and future events to come, stating that she has seen high success rates come from other universities.

CFBX TOP 30 CFBX 92.5 FM, 350 Watts Kamloops, BC Music Director: Steve Marlow Charts to November 22, 2018 * indicates Canadian Content ** indicates a local artist Artist - Album (Label) 1) Metric* - Art of Doubt (Crystal Math) 2) J.Alpinist* - Offerings (AlpineHaus) 3) Jenie Thai* - Night on Fire (Independent) 4) Kat Danser* - Goin' Gone (Independent) 5) Jo-Jo O' and the Woods* - Moonchild (Big City) 6) Kenny “Blues Boss” Wayne* - Inspired by the Blues (Stony Plain) 7) We Hunt Buffalo* - Head Smashed In (New Damage) 8) Colin James* - Miles to Go (True North) 9) Kandle* - Holy Smoke (Sleepless) 10) Screamin' Deal* - Neato Mosquito! (Independent) 11) John Pittman* - Kinship (Slammin) 12) Tiki Collective* - Muse (Independent) 13) Carolyn Fe* - Sugat Ko (Independent) 14) Night Club - Scary World (Gato Blanco) 15) Dilly Dally* - Heaven (Dine Alone) 16) Brian Bouthillier** - Where I Have Walked (Independent) 17) Jim Bryson* - Tired of Waiting (Coax) 18) Black Suit Devil* - The Freedom Sessions (Crazy Catman) 19) Snake River* - Tread On to the Unknown You (Independent) 20) Gareth Inkster* - Last Year (Independent) 21) Carmen Toth* - Safety Net (Independent) 22) Shari Puorto Band - Live at Bogie's (Independent) 23) Gina Sicilia - Heard the Lie (Blue Elan) 24) Various Artists - Ska Around the World (Putumayo) 25) Freak Dream* - Into the Sun (Artoffact) 26) Ouri* - We Share Our Blood (Make it Rain) 27) Lindsay May** - Acoustic 4.0 (Independent) 28) Howlite - Reasons (Independent) 29) Madeleine Roger* - Cottonwood (Independent) 30) Monster Truck* - True Rockers (Dine Alone)

"I think a university setting really lends itself to this, because of all the people moving through the university during the day," said Martens.

The TRUSU Eco Club is has been working to open the eyes of students to easy steps towards living a more sustainable lifestyle, with the Clothing Swap being one of their more interactive events.

The TRUSU Eco Club hopes to continue this event each year. Martens expressed gratitude towards all the support they have gotten not only this year but last year as well.

Stop by the TRUSU Lecture Hall on Nov. 28 from 9:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m to pick up a few new pieces to add to your wardrobe or leave something for someone else to fall in love with.

Going green never goes out of style! Recycled clothing can go a long way, especially during winter and help those less fortunate. (FILE PHOTO)

Proposed plan for outdoor skating rink still frozen— awaiting city approval

The Kamloops Outdoor Skating Association is eagerly awaiting an end-of-year report on development of their outdoor community rink

Justin Moore STAFF WRITER Ω After three years of research, design and discussion, the Kamloops Outdoor Skating Association (KOSA) is still waiting on a final decision whether or not their proposed outdoor rink will see development.

"We're cautiously optimistic," said James Gordon, one of the three members of KOSA. The plan to develop a centralized community-oriented outdoor rink has been a conversation in the community for a few years now. KOSA believes the project would be a great way for the community to come together through free public skating and ice hockey.

After a $50,000 research project was launched in February, the city of Kamloops has been looking into the logistics of such a project, including its potential location, which the city has narrowed down to the North Shore or the South Shore at Riverside Park.

The speculated Riverside Park development could be a part of a future overhaul that is in the early stages of planning for the park. City parks manager Jeff Putnam has called for improvements on flood control, raised sidewalks, better food truck

accommodation and widened pathways for greater accessibility.

Putnam also named dropped the outdoor rink as a potential development for Riverside, which tells KOSA members that city is thinking about them.

Even though there was no set decision as to if the rink would be built, Gordon shared his dream for what the rink would look like, referencing public input of a warming hut, change rooms, music and lighting that came from a suggestion board at a downtown event in the spring of 2018. Gordon stressed the importance of planning such a rink in phase-like fashions, leaving the possibility for expansion open and inviting.

"We have the opportunity to make a fabulous rink, let's make it an attraction,” Gordon said.

“Visitors are going to come to it, spend a night in a hotel, locals are going to love it. Let's make it something special."

The City of Kamloops has told KOSA that'd they'd see a final report by the end of the year, which would include a cost for the proposed refrigerated rink.

Gordon told The Omega that if the City opens the discussion to the public, he'd like to see more people come out and express their thoughts and support to make something great for Kamloops.

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NEWS

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Students walk out in solidarity with Quebec students boycotting their unpaid labour CONTINUED (COVER) Some of the other themes addressed alongside unpaid internships were the stigma that came with disabled people not being accepted for paid practicums, the overworking of healthcare practicum students in particular and the problem of women being rejected for paid internships compared to men.

“It is mostly women-dominated and gender-marginalized fields, so we are here to protest for the sheer injustice of not getting paid for our work,” said Jacqueline Ohayon, from McGill University’s Social Work Student Association.

Now in British Columbia, unpaid internships are illegal unless the internship falls under one of the two narrow exceptions listed in B.C.’s Employment Standards Act. Exceptions are internships that provide “handson” training as part of a formal educational program (called a “practicum” in the Act); or internships that provide

training for certain professions (e.g. architecture, law, engineering or real estate).

“The issue is a problem across Canada,” said William Webb, executive director of the Canadian Intern Association. “Unpaid internships effectively favour students from better-off families who can afford to work for no wages. You’re paying the educational institution for the privilege to work for free.”

However, there are many who do support unpaid internships, such as Helena Rozman, who is an employment associate for Dentons.

“The aim of unpaid internships is to give individuals exposure to an industry in which they may wish to work, without the responsibility of filling an official position,” Rozman said.

“When competition for employment is strong, a period of unpaid internship may give an individual the edge when it comes to them later applying for a paid role.”

Waving colourful signs bearing different slogans, TRU students joined together to stand in solidarity and protest the unpaid practicum system which allows students to work for experience without any pay. (Aidan Grether/Ω)

Coyote Project unites TRU in Indigenization Two-year project, funded $165,000 a year, helps nine faculties, TRU World and Open Learning with Indigenization Wade Tomko EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Ω The Secwépemc people of the B.C. Interior tell a story about Coyote, who is known for being a powerful transformer. That story, Coyote Brings Food from the Upper World, tells how Coyote brought to Earth the plants that the Secwépemc use for food and medicine and how animals and fish got their special shape and features.

Coyote Brings Food from the Upper World ends with Coyote bringing together all the people and reminding them to enjoy and share the environment that they are in and to not ruin or destroy it.

"It is your job to care for the land and to protect all living things. You are its caretaker," Coyote tells the Secwépemc people in the story.

The Coyote Project here at TRU is a two-year pan-institutional program meant to accelerate the process of Indigenization on campus. Funded $165,000 a year, the Coyote Project unites nine faculties, TRU World and Open Learning under the banner of Indigenization.

While TRU has been working steadily to Indigenize campus for almost a decade, the Coyote Project, in name and function, came into existence shortly after Justice Murray Sinclair, the head of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission, visited TRU in October of 2015. Shortly after, Airini, Dean of Social Work and Education, applied for strategic priority funds from TRU to help the university further its Indigenization goals.

Executive Director of Aboriginal

Affairs, Paul Michel, hopes to achieve this through a multi-faceted approach.

“Each faculty is to come up with a target of how they are going to transform change on Indigenization,” Michel said. “So they’re initiatives need to start addressing that, they can do community-wide events, it’s a broad base of how each faculty wants to take on this challenge. Some have included it in coursework, some have improved their coursework.

“When you look at our campus right now, Indigenous are consistently 10-11 per cent of the student body, meaning there are 2600-2800 Indigenous students,” Michel said.

“We already have a solid base, but you look at the potential, the Indigenous population is the fastest rising population for our demographics. As much as we have ten per cent, which almost matches the Indigenous population surrounding Thompson Rivers University, we can do better.”

think 2010, where we’ve put together a spinoff of what we do with the ERUeKA! science camps,” said Tom Dickinson, TRU’s Dean of Science. “It lasts for a week, we bring in students from all around the province, they are students of Indigenous ancestry, we introduce them to the university.

They live with chaperones in the residence for a week to see what the campus environment is like.”

Though the summer camps have helped increase the number of Indig-

The coyote, a sculpture created by artist John McEwen, watches atop TRU's House of Learning. (Aidan Grether/Ω) It is broad-based and wide and that is the ultimate goal of the Coyote Project.”

While each of the nine faculties and two departments have different targets and goals, such as creating new courses and programs, altering course content or curriculum or expanding research, the overall objective of the Coyote Project will be to address recruitment, retention and completion issues for Indigenous students.

While increasing recruitment, retention and completion rates is the main goal of the project, how the various faculties and departments achieve these goals are up to them.

Over at TRU’s Faculty of Science, camps specifically for Indigenous students and run by Indigenous mentors are held over the summer.

There, they are given the opportunity to learn about science as well as traditional medicinal plants.

“We’ve had a summer camp since I

enous students in certain programs, such as natural resource science, Dickinson acknowledges that in certain programs, such as respiratory therapy, the rates are much lower.

“One of my goals is to try and make sure we have a good representation and that’s not for artificial reasons. So that means two things, getting out in communities and providing the counselling necessary to make sure the students who have an interest in solving problems and

designing solutions to problems,” Dickinson said. “That’s going to be the future of all of us and the more diverse group of people learning this the better because progress and innovation comes from having a bunch of people with different backgrounds.”

The Faculty of Science isn’t the only department on campus with interesting ideas of how to reach Indigenous students. TRU’s Faculty of Adventure, Culinary Arts and Tourism is currently supporting two initiatives relating to the Coyote Project.

One involves students working with the Simpcw First Nation near Barriere in developing mountain bike trails. The second project connects Indigenous youth with cultural aspects of fishing, canoeing and other activities during a daylong field course at an area lake.

Yet for professor Courtney Mason, who’s been heading the Indigenization efforts in the Faculty of Adventure, Culinary Arts and Tourism, Indigenization isn’t simply about outreach projects but changing the curriculum as well. “[Fundamental to the Coyote Project] is having curriculum that has some entry point where Indigenous students and non-Indigenous students can come together and have a dialogue about some of the issues that Indigenous students face,” Mason said. “But it’s also about what are the ways we can move forward, build the relationships we need to build and educate non-Indigenous students as well about these issues so that when the leave our programs that they aren’t naive to the issues in our industries.”

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NEWS

NOVEMBER 28, 2018

StatsCan announces plan to access Canadians banking info Program that would allow Statistics Canada to obtain banking info put on hold by Privacy Commissioner of Canada’s office Christian Varty NEWS EDITOR Ω Statistics Canada has begun the process of a new randomized financial audit of Canadian citizens in an attempt to better understand the financial makeup of the country.

The program would see 500,000 Canadians randomly and anonymously selected to have their banking information reviewed and assessed by Statistics Canada in order to analyze fiscal trends in Canadians. The information given to StatsCan would include both transactions as well as bank statements.

“No data has been collected by Statistics Canada as it pertains to this pilot project,” Anil Arora chief statistician of Statistics Canada said to the standing House of Commons committee on industry, science and technology. “This project will not proceed until we have addressed the privacy concerns of Canadians and the privacy commissioner has done his work.”

On Oct. 31 the Privacy Commissioner of Canada’s office

announced that they would be investigating StatsCan. “The Office of the Privacy Commissioner of Canada has received complaints related to Statistics Canada and its collection of personal information from private sector organizations and has opened an investigation,” the Privacy Commissioner's office said in an announcement.

Arora has put forward that StatsCan, like many other modern statistics bureaus, is modernizing their informational system to keep up with the technological evolution and to maintain StatsCan as a world leader in statistics.

“Statistics have far-reaching implications for all Canadians,” Arora said. “Estimates of household spending are used in part to derive the consumer price index.

The CPI is in turn used to index pensions and old age security, directly impacting the income of seniors.”

The new project proposed

by StatsCan follows the recent unearthing of StatsCan’s procurement of both personal information and credit information from Canadian citizens from

American-based credit bureau, TransUnion. StatsCan was legally able to obtain names, social insurance numbers, credit ratings and debt information from Canadians without notifying that this information was available to them.

“Selected households would receive an anonymized statistical number developed by Statistics Canada,” Arora explained regarding the privacy of the new program. “The current design proposes that the institution creates two files. One file would contain the anonymized statistical number and the personal information and a second file would contain the anonymized statistical number and the financial information without the personal information.”

During a House of Commons committee hearing, Minister of Innovation Navdeep Bains told the committee that his ministry had not heard of the project proposal until it was in later stages of development.

“The specifics of where those [bank] requests were being made and for whom, I did not know until it was made available in the

media,” Bains said.

“We’ll start the rigorous work to determine whether Statistics Canada and the way they are setting up this program are complying with the law or not.

We have not reached any conclusion on these questions,” Daniel

Therrien Privacy Commissioner of Canada said regarding the investigation his organization is taking on.

Arora has said that program is on hold until the Privacy Commissioner's office has reached a conclusion.

Are drones the new future of ranching or hi-tech interference?

TRU professor researching whether or not drones are a viable alternative to manual labour in ranching Cassandra Elonen CONTRIBUTOR Ω Nearly three years ago John Church, an associate professor in the natural resource science department of Thompson Rivers University in Kamloops B.C., announced his revolutionary idea of modernizing traditional cattle ranching to the public eye. By combining technology with pioneering visions a business opportunity arose in John’s mind.

Currently 90 per cent of B.C.

ranchers use Crown land and 80 to 85 per cent of the cows know how to find their way home, however, there is always 15 per cent that get lost which leads to ranchers spending a lot of their time searching for missing cattle come fall seasons.

Usually, ranchers seek the huge acres in the blindspots or even hire helicopters to search the perimeters, which costs from anywhere $1000 1500 per hour when looking for stray cattle. Using drones instead will save both time and money, compared to one cowboy’s manual labour.

Whilst the research project is coming to an end and is estimated to be finished in March 2019, drones specifically designed for cattle search are already available on the market for purchase.

“In this particular project, we have used the model called Phantom 4, which is a well-known drone for the cost of $1500. I prefer DJI drones because they are a reliable brand and remarkably cheap today compared to when I first started my work in 2013 and spent $30,000 on similar drones that didn’t fly nearly as far,” Church

John Church believes that drones could save both time and labour on many of B.C.'s ranches. (Cassandra Elonen/Ω)

mentioned.

Ralph Michell, the owner of Jocko Creek Ranch was raised and born into the lifestyle of ranching, practically able to tie and throw a lasso before he learned how to crawl. Being the fourth generation on his family farm, Michell is supportive of drones yet concerned basic knowledge has been lost in the frenzy of having the latest devices, reminiscing a time when hi-tech robotics was not invented yet.

“When my great-grandfather first bought the 160 acres ranch in 1903 the trapper he bought it from did not trust so-called ‘paper money’, so great grandaddy had to pay the trapper in 500 silver dollars,” Michell said.

“When asking today’s average kid where eggs come from, most of them will answer the store. They have no idea it actually comes from a chicken's butt,” Michell added followed by a contagious laugh.

While Michell is sceptical toward a drones capability to handle variable weather changes, he remains optimistic for the potential future services drones hold, especially the use of mapping flights creating visual images of the pastures.

In addition to the main purpose of finding lost cattle, drones can also detect sick animals and monitor pasture conditions using a thermal camera. While Church admits drones have a short battery life, lasting about 25 to 30 minutes, the professor has discovered multiple effective uses of drones that can be beneficial for the ranching occupation.

“We are very close to track animal

ID through RFID ear tags and find out the exact GPS location for each cow.

Imagine being able to use the drone as an antenna and read specifically where cow number 43 is from a distance. Currently, we have an ear tag prototype under development which is tested on solar power and can track a range from three up to five miles.

The challenge we are facing right now is that the ear tag runs on 9.05 frequency megahertz, which can’t see trees. The goal is to have a read reach up to 10 miles,” Church informed.

Yet the future possibilities of drones doesn’t end there. Research shows that one of the reasons for climate change is that the protein content of the grass is declining.

Using drones Church is confident plant identification is feasible.

Another possibility is using drones to find out which cattle are more heat tolerant by adapting current research from heat stress and looking at the potential impacts of wildfire smoke.

By measuring the surface temperature with infrared and comparing it with the internal temperature of a cow, even detecting breeds or cattle within the same breed that are better able to cope with heat stress should be possible.

“When I first started this project I heard a prediction that one in four ranchers will own a drone and I thought for sure this is craziness, but then I got to fly one myself and noticed how fun and truly beneficial drones can be, which is why I now envision this to be true in the near future,” Church anticipated.

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NEWS

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Venture Kamloops hosts third-annual LinkUp event

A business development summit for local and provincial entrepreneurs Juan Cabrejo BUSINESS EDITOR Ω The third-annual Venture Kamloops LinkUp event was held last Thursday, Nov. 22, at the Coast Hotel Conference Centre, allowing exclusive access to resources and organizations that aren’t often accessible to business owners and entrepreneurs.

The day-long summit featured

various panels from local entrepreneurs, representatives from business plus government support services, business coaches, along with a networking trade show. Jim Anderson, Executive Director of Venture Kamloops, shared a few words on the value of the event for local entrepreneurs.

“I think for us [Venture Kamloops], LinkUp is tremendously valuable because [at Venture

Kamloops] we will see 250 to 300 entrepreneurs in a year one-onone; LinkUp in one day brings together 225,” he said. “It gives us a chance first of all to at least introduce what’s available to them and give them the sense that they’re not alone in this, that organizations are willing to help with programs and in some cases, there is money that's available.”

The summit opened with a welcome from Anderson and

The third-annual LinkUp event brought together business experts and entrepreneurs from across B.C. (Juan Cabrejo/Ω)

Mayor Ken Christian, shortly followed by a panel from Kamloops Innovation featuring local entrepreneurs. Jonathan Bowers, founder of the software company Two Story Robot, Matt Thurber, founder of Traqspera Technologies Inc. and Stacey Krolow, a wedding photographer who’s in the process of launching Pepper, a business administration outsourcing company for creative entrepreneurs, shared some of the life lessons they’ve learnt in the process of starting their business and the importance of consulting with customers.

The following “Power-Up” panels featured representatives from local, provincial and federal organizations. The Kamloops Chamber of Commerce, Community Futures Central Interior First Nations, All Nations Trust Company, Business Development of Commerce, Ministry of International Trade and Canadian Trade Commissioner Service were some of the many organizations in attendance.

The keynote speaker of the event was Isabelle Hamptonstone, an Olympic performance consultant who demonstrated some of the techniques she teaches athletes to increase confidence and self-control that are equally effective for young entrepreneurs. Business coach Cindy Piva also provided some insight into the importance

of organizational systems.

Approaching the end of the event, the economic development supporters of the Start Here 3.0 had their panel promoting the versatility of their collaborative resource program brought forth

by Community Futures Thompson Country (CFTC), Open Door Group and Venture Kamloops. Their representatives, Devon Mah of Open Door Group, Shelagh Pemberton of CFTC and Clark Grieve of Venture Kamloops shared how their organizations can facilitate access to local business resources tailored to individual business needs. Whether that be business registration services, employment services, or merely initial market research tools, local entrepreneurs can make their first point of contact at either of these three organizations. Jim Anderson also added his remarks on the collaborative program.

“We all have a clear understanding of what each of us is offering and how we can work together, he said. Start Here 3.0 is a classic example of that, Community Futures Thompson Country, Open Door Group and Venture Kamloops all work in the same sphere, yet we all offer distinct services.

The evening was concluded with a performance from edgy comedian, Tim Nutt, who was named a semi-finalist for SiriusXM's Canada's Top Comic 2018.

Student refugee program referendum fails to meet quorum Last week's SRP referendum failed to meet quorum by 4.7 per cent Robert Wisla CONTRIBUTOR Ω From Nov. 21- 23 students went to the polls and voted on a referendum to increase fees by 85 cents per credit to pay for the World University Service of Canada (WUSC) Student Refugee Program (SRP). The program would establish the funds for a refugee student to attend Thompson Rivers University with tuition, food and housing paid for. The fees collected for SRP would have totalled $100,000 per year and would be used to bring in one refugee from impoverished, poor and at war nations from across the world.

Although 82 per cent of students voted in favour of the program only 15.3 per cent of students came out to the polls meaning the student referendum failed to pass the 20 per cent threshold.

TRUSU's equity committee was leading the charge to make the fee increase a reality with vice-president of equity Sierra Rae running the three-monthlong campaign. Rae told The Omega that this was a successful

vote even though the bar wasn’t reached.

“Honestly, I think we were pretty successful with getting students out to vote, TRUSU gets some of the highest student participation in the province,” she said. “We set a really high bar for participation and didn’t meet it. Reaching quorum is a measure of participation not of support.

The only way we can tell support is by the ballot count with 82 per cent of people voting yes.”

In addition to this, the future of WUSC on campus remains up in the air.

“WUSC as a club dissolved last December and they were hoping we would be able to run this program through the Students' Union because they were doing all their work through fundraising,” Rae said. “Currently we haven’t had discussions on the future of WUSC.” WUSC previously sponsored one student refugee on campus through donations.

Andrew Sahaydak of the No Fee Alliance, the group that organized the “vote no” side said that getting the low voter turnout percentage was inevitable as their group’s posters, which were put up on campus last Friday and

Saturday and sponsored by the TRUSU Conservative Club, were torn down by someone.

“I think whoever did remove our posters threatened the result of the referendum as we did not reach a quorum of students,” he said. “The fact remains that we must strive to protect our democracy and by removing whatever kind of campaign material we threaten the very existence of it on campus.”

Sahaydak went on to say the results were likely due to the time of year and the fact that it was a paper ballot that didn’t use modern technology to make it easier to vote.

“While both sides ran a good campaign, I believe the apathy came down to the time of year, being so close to campus, as well as many students who normally travel to campus barely find a spot to park and get to class on time let alone walk over to the CAC to vote,” Sahaydak said.

“An online system like those done with the Senate and Board of Governors races would be a welcome addition here.”

While Rae hadn’t heard anything about the posters, she was simply happy people came out and voted.

Andrew Sahadyak, leader of the No Fee Alliance, says that many of their posters were torn down before the referendum. (Robert Wisla/The Omega) “I don’t know anything about the posters but overall the equity committee and TRUSU were

excited about getting people out to vote no matter how they voted,” she said.

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NOVEMBER 28, 2018

Looking for a winter adventure? Try Marble Canyon Marble Canyon Provincial Park; a hidden treasure and all-year-round adventure for any explorer Cassandra Elonen CONTRIBUTOR Ω In need of an escape to an exciting, almost secret and magical destination? Want to disconnect from city life and get back to nature’s roots for a weekend? Whether the goal is to unwind by going off the grid or experience adrenaline rushes on an outdoor adventure, this unique B.C. paradise has it all.

Activities such as scuba diving,

rock climbing, hiking, fishing and hot springs are all available at this fairly unexplored destination. The best part is that Marble Canyon Provincial Park is open all-year-round and wallet-friendly for students.

3 Winter Park Amusements: • Ice fishing: While rainbow trout fishing is possible during the summer, ice fishing is popular in all three lakes that are part of the park (Pavilion, Turquoise and

•

•

Crown) in the winter season.

Rock climbing: Is also appreciated in all seasons but the exceptional pleasure is to check out the icefalls by Pavilion Mountain Range in the winter since they are one of the best and easiest accessed in the region.

Sightseeing: Visit nearby historic town Lillooet.

It’s rich in First Nation heritage, gold rush and

Travelling around and seeing the beauty British Columbia has to offer shouldn't just be for the summer, get out and explore this winter. You can check out hellobc.com for more great ideas for how to have some winter fun. (Submitted)

mining history.

3 Summer Park Amusements: • Hike: Discover the Turquoise Lake Waterfall while hiking a scenic route by the limestone walls. The name of the lake is an indication of the stunning view and nature that will be provided.

• Camp: In-between Turquoise and Crown lakes an intimate and quiet campground is situated.

Picnic by the limestone rock is a hot tip, whether you are hungry or not, a visit to the geological phenomenon is a rare and memorable opportunity.

• Spot wildlife: Black bears and cougars are frequently seen in the area, while this is fascinating be bear-aware and practice proper safety procedures.

As thrilling as above activities are, the scuba diving experience outshines them all and is where Marble Canyon Provincial Park triumphs. Evidence suggests that there is a connection between the harsh environment in Pavilion Lake and on the moon. Therefore, NASA recently finished a research project at Pavilion Lake, exploring the freshwater microbialites in hopes of extracting how humans will conduct scientific exploration

on the moon. Marine species and plants already occur in the lake and if the same environment exists on the moon, theoretically living organisms should also be able to adapt to the moon. For more information regarding the research project visit pavilionlake.com. For diving excursions check out innerspacewatersports.com.

If desired, a more comfortable and relaxing get-away at a remote and upscale cabin is possible. Situated along the Lillooet River is Skookumchuck Hot Springs. While the atmosphere is rustic it is hard to beat the charming and authentic experience of enjoying your own personal hot spring, which is lit by candlelight after night falls.

For an extra quirky adventure bring a tent and stay the night.

Perhaps a relaxing bath is enough and sleeping arrangements best suited at a luxurious lodge with a private dock are more within your league? Wake up well rested and head off to Marble Canyon Provincial Park where the real pleasure begins.

Stay at: Pavilion Lake Waterfront Spacious cabin with a breathtaking view over Pavilion Lake, located in the heart of the park.

Wine and dine at: Fort Berens Estate Winery Award winning vineyard in Lillooet, a nearby town of Marble Canyon Provincial Park.

TRU actors bring to life iconic Canadian Artist

Mixing mysticism and biography, The Magnificent Voyage of Emily Carr sheds light on West Coast icon Cailyn Mocci ARTS EDITOR Ω TRU's Actors Workshop Theatre presents yet another amazing show, demonstrating the great breadth of the young actors of TRU. Currently playing at the Blackbox Theatre, The Magnificent Voyage of Emily Carr.

Directed by TRU theatre faculty member Wesley Eccleston, the company takes on the wonderfully rebellious life of Canadian art icon Emily Carr. The Magnificent Voyage of Emily Carr was originally written in French by Jovette Marchessault in 1990 and later translated to English by Linda Gaboriau in 1992.

The AWT took on the iconic Canadian artist in a depiction that floated between the real and the spiritual world. This fine line between realms falls perfectly in line with the immense appreciation Carr had for Indigenous cultures in Canada and more specifically, the West Coast of B.C. Zenila Philander brought to life the rebellious yet gentle nature of Emily Carr in motion and voice. Philander was perfectly suited to play Carr as she showed with great passion the trials and tribulations of Carr's success.

The Magnificent Voyage of Emily Carr took place later in her life as

she was nearing 50 and breaking ground with beautiful depictions of West Coast nature and spirituality.

She placed specific emphasis on the Indigenous population who took her under their wings and held her in high regards.

Carr's work was not fully appreciated until later in life as her style was seen as against the norms and amateurish as showcased in several interactions Carr had with peers throughout the performance.

Eventually, Carr did receive full acknowledgment for her work along with Canadian icons the Group of Seven. The support was magnified by artist Lawren Harris, played by Cole Horvat, who was one of the major supporters in revolutionizing Canadian art.

The performance was the perfect mix of biography and mysticism, with the true to life events stated by Carr herself sandwiching the spiritual nature of her life.

Taking place in her House of All Sorts, a magical place christened by Carr as a wonderland of kindness.

While the role of Emily Carr was the centre-stage to the production, the audience was also introduced to many different characters, sometimes conflicting yet more often than not, complimenting the kind nature of Carr.

Catch the Magnificent Voyage of Emily Carr at the Actors Workshop Theatre between Nov. 29 and Dec. 1. (Submitted) Alexa Rood took on the role of Lizzie Carr, the older sister of Emily Carr and the epitome of Victorian poise. Rood brought to life the stubbornly proper sister, showing the opposing image to her sister perfectly.

While not understanding of Emily's beliefs and avoidance of mainstream settler culture, Rood brought to life the compassion Lizzie had for her sister through all the disagreement.

Taking on the far more mystic side

of the production and dancing on the line of reality, characters such as the Soul Tuner (Caleb Oman) and the D'Sonoqua (Laura Saul) brought to life Carr’s spirituality.

The Magnificent Voyage depicted the life of Emily Carr and her battle to be noticed and understood among her artist peers while simultaneously presenting the award-winning works of Carr herself, projected on the walls behind the stage for the audience to

connect with.

This performance was like travelling back in time to our own West Coast history and reliving how the great artists we learned about in high school history became who they are today.

The Magnificent Voyage of Emily Carr will be playing at the Blackbox Theatre in Old Main Nov. 29 to Dec. 1.

Tickets can be purchased at the box office or online at tru.ca/awt.

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Movie review: Overlord Killing Nazis and Nazi zombies = fun!

Morgan Hunter CONTRIBUTOR Ω Overlord is an unexpectedly entertaining film that has many aspects about it that leaves it memorable in the production and so cheesy in its execution that it feels like it came straight from the ‘90s.

The film is set in the Second World War where a group of American soldiers needs to take over a church in a small French town and end up encountering a variety of horrors on their journey.

The first things that people should know is that this isn’t a zombie film. The fact that it was both advertised as that with the synopsis even stating this, to begin with, is very misleading.

Zombies are not prominent in the film except for the last act and a few seconds in the middle act.

The zombies in the movie are well designed and do add to the film, yet to claim them as such an integral part of the film is false marketing

on the film’s behalf.

The next thing that needs to be addressed is the amount of cheese that is in this film. If a movie about a group of Americans killing Nazis and eventually the supernatural seems attractive to you, you’ll love Overlord. And that’s all right, sometimes an art piece that is mindless can be done well and in this film, it is.

The action does hold a viewers attention right from the start, with the opening scene, in particular, being quite jarring. As well, the effects of some of the scenes are well crafted, leaving a majority of people unsettled. There are multiple scenes where it can be utterly disturbing and does deserve to be recognized.

When gore is used correctly, it can convey a sense of reality to the situation that most audiences don’t witness quite that often and can place someone in such a feeling of uneasiness that it becomes memorable. Sometimes, this is done for the better, with films such as this

one or the first three Saw movies and sometimes it doesn’t add much, like in Saw IV, V and VI or The Human Centipede.

The failures of the film, however; are in the writing, where there is nothing about the characters that is interesting. The only way of identifying anyone in the film are their traits, where the main character is a pacifist, the sergeant is the leader and then there’s the one who is scared of war, etc. The show isn’t bad due to these factors, it just adds to the cheesiness of it all, which is noticeable while watching. The pacing is also a bit rough with such a great start to be riddled down by a slower middle to then finally pick up when it gets to the end.

A decent film doesn’t need to have such big philosophies or giant premises attached to it for it to be enjoyable. And what Overlord does well is that it shows scenes that can both separate itself from any mediocre action film and yet still be contained enough to be enjoyable for most audiences.

Album review: Reject by A Rat Problem A Rat Problem’s most recent eclectic release varies both in style and in quality Christian Varty NEWS EDITOR Ω Nothing opens with the haunting melody of a piano being played down pitched and backwards soon ushering in the low rumble of a crunchy sub bass paired with Jackson Adrian’s, the man behind A Rat Problem's monotone vocal utterances. The track plods and progresses at a lethargic pace with the occasional rat-a-tat snare fill made possible by a pre-packaged off the shelf drum machine.

The blasé attitude A Rat Problem takes with his spoken word delivery paired with the sluggish instrumental is emblematic of the lyrical content he espouses on the track. Thematically the song is equal parts lethargic indulgence, “I’m going to do nothing today” and the mournful pondering of loss, “I don’t know why you went away.”

The opener is a definitive middle ground in terms of the quality of music on the EP.

The second track, Polygraph is bogged down in a cacophony of poor mixing and comes off amateurish.

Adrian brings forward a barrage of overcompressed electropoppy cascades of arpeggiated synthesizer and organ that come off as unintentionally abrasive. ive been late w/ Scribbles is a lacklustre segue that bridges Adrian’s vocal performances with the jazzy low fidelity beats that characterize the remainder of the release.

The best capitalization of this jazz-laden hip-hop blend is the following instrumental track, Colours.

While this is the shortest track on the EP, less than two minutes long, it’s the most authentic song we hear.

The composition consists of gentle guitar noodling and piano chords.

This style of hip-hop is oversaturated in the modern music scene but Adrian captures the sentimentality of ambivalent longing and second-rate melancholy that characterizes the genre aptly with this song. The

drums naturally fit into the mix more here than on any other track, resulting in a song that presents serenity and sincerity, nearly feeling out of place with the electronic experimentation that dominates the rest of the release.

Everything, the closing track contrasts the opener, Nothing in name and in style. It’s a marriage between

the instrumental jazz-influenced preceding tracks with the spirit and emboldened attitude of Polygraph resulting in an upbeat and relatively quick paced song primarily driven by the chopped and screwed lead vocal sample. The piano riff in this song is the same one first used on Nothing, au natural. Whether intended or not, this track embodies the ethos of the

entire EP. Left field experimentation while embracing the conventional standards of sub-mainstream appeal.

While it’s evident that Adrian dons the bedroom producer aesthetic, he manages to use it to his advantage on this release. Mostly.

7.4/10 - Finding a great shirt at the second-hand store

Public Notification and invitation for third party comments regarding an upcoming full-scale comprehensive evaluation

Thompson Rivers University (TRU) is seeking institutional accreditation with the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities (NWCCU), based in Washington State. On June 22, 2016, TRU was approved as a Candidate for Accreditation at the associate, baccalaureate and master’s degree levels by the NWCCU. This status was reaffirmed by the Commission on January 31, 2018. Candidacy for Accreditation is a status of affiliation with the Commission which indicates that the institution has achieved initial recognition and is progressing toward accreditation.

Institutional accreditation provides a framework for ongoing evaluation and self-analysis that ensures that the policies, procedures and practices of an institution are consistent with its claims and with accepted standards of quality. It serves as an important means of assuring the quality of higher education through rigorous peer-review and evaluation.

The NWCCU will perform a comprehensive accreditation evaluation visit at TRU on April 1–3, 2019. The evaluation team, led by a number of university faculty and staff from peer institutions, will meet with campus students, faculty and staff to evaluate TRU’s candidacy for accreditation, in conjunction with TRU’s Interim Candidacy Report.

To learn more about the process, please visit the TRU accreditation website: tru.ca/vpacademic/accreditation In preparation for the April visit, TRU invites members of the TRU community, as well as members of the general public, to provide comments regarding TRU’s qualifications for institutional accreditation.

Comments are accepted only when they are signed with an original signature, submitted in writing to the Commission, and received no later than March 1, 2019. Comments will be forwarded as received to the institution, the evaluation committee and the Commission.

Comments should be sent directly to: Pamela Goad, Senior Vice President Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities 8060 165th Avenue N.E., Suite 100 Redmond, WA 98052 To obtain a copy of Commission Policy A-5, Public Notification and Third Party Comments Regarding Full-Scale Evaluations (either via the Standards and Policies and then Operational Policies, go to the links on the Commission’s website nwccu.org), or contact the Commission office at +1-425-558-4224.

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YOUR COMIC HERE WE’RE ALWAYS LOOKING FOR STUDENT CARTOONISTS. WHY NOT GIVE IT A SHOT? EMAIL EDITOR@TRUOMEGA.CA

NOVEMBER 28, 2018

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SPORTS

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Women's basketball win back-to-back games WolfPack women won back-to-back games for the first time this season against the struggling UBCO Heat Alvin Mutandiro SPORTS EDITOR Ω It has been a tough old season for the TRU women’s basketball team but these past two weeks the team has taken steps in the right direction, first they beat UBC and now they have swept the UBCO heat.

Despite being the more dominant team, TRU was pushed to overtime as they beat the UBCO Heat 69-65 on Nov .23, on the Warner Rentals Court.

TRU led 19-10 at the end of the first quarter and then led 29-23 at the halftime break.

The atmosphere was lively and spirited as most of the School District 73’s elementary school students were in attendance for the game.

Every time the ’Pack scored, the crowd came unglued and when the Heat scored, drop-dead silence filled the air.

It felt like a real contest and it helped to create an environment that is rarely seen at TRU games.

UBCO, clearly motivated by being behind on the scoreboard, came out strong in the third quarter and outscored TRU 15-10 and then 18-17 in the fourth quarter.

The game was tied at 56-all at the end of regulation time. Early in the extra period, UBCO scored early and built some momentum which forced TRU to call a timeout.

TRU regrouped and came back

to outscore the Heat 13-9 to win the game.

Michelle Bos was immense in overtime and scored two key baskets that helped secure the result. She ended the game with 21 points and six rebounds.

Leilani Carney also had a strong performance with 18 points, eight rebounds, one assist and two blocks and Kanesha Reeves had 11 points, seven defensive rebounds and three assists.

“It was a great game,” said assistant head coach Chuck Ferguson, commending the support that his ladies received from all those in attendance and acknowledging it helped motivate the team to perform better.

“The support had a huge impact, nice to have a big crowd base like that, they were certainly vocal and very active, definitely they were the sixth man on the floor,” he said.

Ferguson also acknowledged that in the extra period his team had to adjust to get the win.

“We made some adjustments and changed some of our matchups and tried to force them into some outside looks,” he said.

He explained that the game plan on offence was just to get the ball to the senior players which TRU managed to do and fortunately for them they came up big.

Despite the previous game going to overtime, TRU trounced the Heat 87-61 on Nov. 24, on the Warner

(TRU Athletics/Andrew Snucins)

Rentals Court.

The first quarter was very tight with TRU only having a two-point lead, the score was 17-15.

Emily Vilac scored five points in the second quarter which helped TRU get a 39-25 lead going into the break.

The key quarter in the game was the third as TRU completely dismantled the Heat by scoring 30 points.

The Heat outscored TRU in the fourth but by that point all baskets scored were just consolation for a side that remains winless at 0-10 and was thoroughly outplayed.

Michelle Bos had a big game and managed to get a double of 19 points and 10 rebounds.

Leilani Carney was good once again with 14 points, four defensive rebounds and four assists.

Ferguson had nothing but positive things to say about his team and their recent turnaround, there are some key areas that he believes have made a difference.

“I think locking down our defence has been huge,” he said. “Really putting an emphasis on working the glass and taking care of the rock has made a difference for us, we didn’t

turn over the ball a ton this weekend which was great.”

Ferguson was very effusive about Michelle Bos as well.

“No Michelle Bos and we probably don’t win this weekend, she was that good, she has had back to back doubles,” he said. “She is definitely the heartbeat of the team.”

The ’Pack are now 3-5 and will be looking to keep the good times rolling as they take on Alberta before the Christmas break, one can only hope that the pack get an early Christmas gift of going into the break with a big upset win over Alberta.

WolfPack women's volleyball trade a win for a loss

'Pack lost a close three setter and ground out a tough five-set win against McEwan Alvin Mutandiro SPORTS EDITOR Ω The women’s volleyball games are always interesting, the atmosphere is lively and the camaraderie between the players is evident.

Against McEwan all that was evident and more, the crowd was lucky enough to see a very competitive contest between two evenly matched sides.

TRU lost to the MacEwan Griffins

25-23, 25-22, 25-23 on Nov. 23, on the Warner Rentals Court.

Despite losing in straight sets TRU had their chances, both teams were equally matched with various lead changes throughout the contest.

The Griffins got to the technical timeout leading 16-10 in the first set.

TRU managed to tie the game at 18 after Abby Spratt displayed some fantastic serving.

TRU then took the lead at 19-18, MacEwan fought back though to tie the game at 21.

MacEwan capitalized on the momentum and won 25-23.

TRU led 16-13 halfway through the second set but the Griffins bounced back and won three straight points to tie the set at 16 going into the technical timeout.

TRU regrouped during the timeout and scored three points to take a 19-16 lead.

Despite the good play from TRU MacEwan showed character and heart to take a 20-19 lead and eventually closed the set out at 25-22.

(TRU Athletics/Andrew Snucins)

TRU once again led early in the third set but were unable to play with enough consistency. They lost the final set 25-23 to hand MacEwan the victory.

Olga Savenchuk was the top performer for the ’Pack with ten kills on 41 chances, seven digs and three block assists.

TRU head coach Chad Grimm was honest and made no excuses for his team’s display.

“Our first contact was terrible, we couldn’t pass the ball,” he said. “We couldn’t pass consistently, so we gave up runs, we would have a lead, have momentum and then our passing was poor and then our attacking became poor for most of the night.”

Grimm acknowledged that it was a close game that could have gone either way and stated that his team had chances to win in every set.

After a bad performance the ’Pack managed to bounce back and win the second game in a tough five-set contest, TRU won 29-27,25-23,1425,23-25,15-7 on Nov. 24.

The game was tied at 15 in the first set but MacEwan managed to serve an ace to take a 16-15 lead.

The set was extremely competitive with the game being tied at 27 before Abby Spratt helped her team win it with 11 assists, the final score was 29-27 TRU. The 'Pack showed toughness winning the second set after being

down 16-12 halfway through, TRU won 25-23 to take a two-set lead.

MacEwan led 9-4 early on in the third and went into the technical timeout leading 16-10. The Griffins won the set 25-14.

The Griffins were able to keep the momentum going into the fourth and won a close set 25-23 to take the game to five sets.

TRU led 4-0 and 7-0 early on in the fifth set but unlike previous sets played between these two teams the ’Pack kept control and got the victory with a 15-7 win.

Kendra Finch was player of the game and the top performer with 22 kills in 54 swings, 20 digs and two service aces. Abby Spratt had a good game with 46 assists three service aces and 11 digs.

“It wasn’t perfect tonight. We switched personnel and some people came in at different stints and did a great job,” said Grimm.

Grimm was also impressed with Finch’s performance.

“She was great,” he said. “Another errorless match. She had one last weekend against Winnipeg and I said she would never do that again, she proved me wrong. I think the veteran players were disappointed about last night. Happy we came out on the positive end of that grind.”

The ’Pack are now 4-6 and will be looking for some consistency to help secure a playoff spot.

12

NEWS

NOVEMBER 28, 2018