February 29, 2012

VOLUME 21 ISSUE 21 FEBRUARY 29, 2012

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Chief Justice of Canada speaks

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Miller saga continues

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TRU hosts National Championship 13

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IMAGE BY DAVIES/KERGIN

TRU’s Independent Student Newspaper

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February 29, 2012

News

UVic anti-abortion club loses public space privileges Board votes to censure and suspend group’s booking privileges for public spaces following contentious demonstration

Brandon Rosario The Martlet (UVic)

VICTORIA (CUP) — After more than three months of committee deliberation, the University of Victoria Students’ Society (UVSS) has passed a motion disciplining UVic’s anti-abortion club Youth Protecting Youth (YPY) for hosting a contentious demonstration on campus in November.

The “Choice Chain” demonstration featured club members standing in the quad holding large pictures of purportedly aborted fetuses with the word “choice?” overtop.

During a well-attended UVSS board meeting on Feb. 6 that saw a heated debate over interpretation of the Society’s harassment policies, directors voted in favour of the complaints committee’s recommendations, which included a censure and a suspension of the club’s booking privileges for public spaces until spring 2013.

“I’m disappointed with the decision,” said YPY vice-president Catherine Shenton.

“As much as I recognize that people are very upset with our actions, I believe that freedom of speech is more important than feelings.”

Director of student affairs Jenn Bowie, who chaired the complaints committee that recommended the disciplinary action, made it clear that the decision was made as a result of policy violation, saying arguments surrounding the suppression of free speech did not excuse YPY from publicly harassing students with graphic images of abortion.

“When your freedom of speech violates the rights of others and you engage your freedom in a way that causes harassment on a non-consensual basis, then it’s no longer freedom of speech,” said Bowie.

“To censure somebody is to publicly express disapproval of an action, and the committee feels that the actions [YPY] took during the Choice Chain event were actions of which we can’t in good [conscience] approve of.”

The motion, which passed with 15 votes in favour, two abstentions and one opposed, did not revoke YPY’s club status or funding.

The group will continue to receive booking privileges for Clubs Days and its meetings, but has been ordered “not to repeat the Violations and, in particular, not to organize or conduct ‘Choice’ Chain or similar events,” according to the meeting agenda.

The abstentions belonged to directors-at-large Charles Freund and Lucia Orser.

Orser is a member of the club Students for Reproductive Justice (SRJ) who filed a complaint about “Choice Chain.”

Director-at-large Gabrielle Sutherland, who was formerly a member of YPY, submitted a letter of resignation from the club at the start of the board meeting and was the only director to oppose the motion.

Sutherland was vocally supportive of the club’s assertion that it was not guilty of harassment, calling the policy in question “out of order and in sad need of being redrafted.”

“It takes away burden of proof from the accuser and removes any presumption of innocence, particularly when you couple it with harassment being a feeling,” she said.

“How do I defend myself if I’m accused of harassing somebody based on their feelings? I can’t because to do so would require my ability to read your mind and say you don’t feel a certain way.”

The motion included a specific violation of Section F 2.d of the UVSS Clubs Harassment policy, which identified YPY’s use of graphic images as “[c]ommunicat-

ing with another person or group of persons by verbal, electronic, telephonic, written or visual means in a manner that harasses.”

Sutherland was scheduled to propose a motion that would strike the harassment section of Clubs Policy and send it to policy development to redraft. However the meeting was adjourned early due to the tense atmosphere and her proposal was not deliberated.

Before the board voted on the motion, members of the gallery — which included the YPY executive and several representatives from other concerned groups including SRJ — were given the opportunity to speak to the issue.

Marie Clipperton, one of the students who filed a complaint against YPY after its “Choice” Chain event, said that any concessions the UVSS made to a group that violated harassment policy would send out signals indicating that the board is willing to be bullied.

“No university or student society should grant permission to organizations to hold an event on campus that breaks their very own harassment policy,” said Clipperton. “[YPY] needs to be held accountable just like any other club or person would be.”

Brittany Bernard, a member of SRJ, said she had to assist three distressed women during the “Choice Chain” demonstration who felt targeted and humiliated by the graphic images being displayed by YPY. Other women found they were unable to attend campus until the demonstration was over.

“The ‘Choice’ Chain demonstration was a tool used to discriminate against individuals based on family status,” said Bernard, adding that the positioning of YPY in the quad made it almost impossible for students to avoid viewing the images.

YPY vice-president Cameron

Youth Protecting Youth vice-president Cameron Cote makes a presentation at the Feb. 6 UVSS meeting.

—PHOTO BY BRANDON ROSARIO

Cote denied the allegations of discrimination, saying that the use of graphic signage was not an attempt to communicate a moral message, but rather an effort to encourage the consideration of alternative views — something he says is integral to the promotion of cultural and intellectual diversity on campus.

“How can a picture in and of itself harass someone?

“The pictures were simply pictures, they were simply facts,

they don’t pass judgement on people and they say nothing about the morality of abortion,” he said.

YPY indicated they have no intention of defying the Board’s decision, though they plan on holding a meeting to re-evaluate and discuss their situation.

Bowie explained that in the case of noncompliance with a UVSS mandate, further disciplinary action would be considered in another complaints committee.

But what if you’re harassed at TRU? Taylor Rocca Ω Roving Editor

Whether we choose to admit it or not, harassment occurs in every area of life. At school, at work or at home, harassment can be present.

According to Hugh MacInnes, TRU’s Human Resources Officer (HRO), harassment is defined as any unwanted physical or verbal conduct that offends, humiliates or interferes with the ability to learn, perform a job or obtain a service.

MacInnes oversees the Respectful Workplace and Harassment Prevention (RWHP) policy, which lays out the guidelines for dealing with harassment at TRU. He is the go-to for formal harassment complaints on campus.

Harassment can come in many different forms. Threats, intimidation, remarks about things such as race, gender, religion, disability or age, sexually suggestive remarks or inappropriate contact are all examples of harassment, according to MacInnes.

While it is important to be aware of what harassment is, it is also important to know what it isn’t. Mutual flirtation, dislike for another person, compliments on physical appearance between friends and legitimate rules

such as dress codes are things that groups. TRUSU does not have its cInnes moves on to the second step, where solving the conflict becomes do not fall under the definition of ha- own separate harassment policy.

The Respectful Workplace and the primary focus of the process. rassment.

“I see if there is an informal way The second part of MacInnes’ role Harassment Prevention policy was as HRO is educating people about ha- approved and implemented on May to sort things out. If an informal so28, 2009. It is a 12-page document lution isn’t appropriate or it doesn’t rassment.

“Not educating in the sense of an that not only outlines what consti- work, then the [next] step is a mediainstructional program,” MacInnes tutes harassment, but also the pro- tion between the parties.

“Most of the complaints that I’ve said. “I present, I go to meetings, I do cedure that takes place when a comdealt with are resolved through the some seminars and there is a train- plaint is filed. informal process.” ing program that is being If the issue however developed.” can’t be resolved this As much as it is imway, MacInnes goes on portant for victims of to stage three. harassment to report any “[I] bring in an inincidents, it is just as imvestigator who does a portant for witnesses to step forward.

—Hugh MacInnes deeper investigation and assessment of the facts “To best prevent haand comes up with a derassment, everybody Within his role MacInnes oversees termination.” plays a role,” MacInnes said. “If a Confidentiality is crucial in order student sees another student being a three-step process to resolving haharassed, sometimes it is up to the rassment issues brought to his atten- to make the process work. In order to make it as smooth and fair as posobserver to do something to help out tion.

First he must determine if harass- sible, MacInnes often needs to walk the victim.

“Everybody has some responsibil- ment occurred in the situation that a fine line when communicating between complainants, victims and alhas been presented. ity.”

“If I determine that there is harass- leged harassers.

TRU has an extensive harassment MacInnes says that the RWHP polpolicy in place to help prevent harass- ment going on, I will pin down what ment and deal with it in the case of an the complaint is,” MacInnes said. icy is based on the harassment policy “Then if it is appropriate, I take the created by Simon Fraser University occurrence. in 1997.

This policy governs over all of complaint to the alleged harasser.”

SFU experienced a widely-pubIf after speaking with the harasser campus, including any TRU Students’ Union (TRUSU) clubs and it still seems there’s a problem, Ma- licized harassment case in 1996-97.

“Everybody has some responsibility.”

The case involved sexual harassment complaints filed by both a faculty member and a student. The interesting thing about the case is that each complainant filed his or her complaints against the other. The case resulted in the staff member losing his job. He was later re-hired. The student received $12,000 in compensation for a lost scholarship, lost employment and emotional damage.

TRU has not had any harassment issues so public as the SFU or UVic (above story) ones. While complaints still occur, MacInnes says he does not receive them frequently. “[They’re] very irregular,” MacInnes said.

On some occasions, harassment complaints don’t even make it to MacInnes. Often students and faculty members work together to resolve any issues before the official process is needed.

MacInnes is an in-house contract lawyer practicing in Kamloops.

He can be contacted at hmacinnes@tru.ca for any questions or concerns about the RWHP policy.

The policy is available in full online by visiting www.tru.ca and searching “Respectful Workplace and Harassment Prevention.”

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The Omega · Volume 21, Issue 21

THE

MEGA

www.theomega.ca

February 29, 2012

Volume 21, Issue 21

Published since November 27, 1991

editorialstaff EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Mike Davies

Editorial Where’s the line?

Freedom of speech versus harassment

editorofomega@gmail.com/250-372-1272 BUSINESS MANAGER Natasha Slack

managerofomega@gmail.com 250-372-1272 ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT EDITOR

Cory Hope

SPORTS EDITOR

Nathan Crosby Copy Editor

Larkin Schmiedl Photo Editor

Cory Hope News Editor

Brendan Kergin Roving Editor

Taylor Rocca Promotions Coordinator/Adsales

Amrita Pannu

omegacontributors Brandon Rosario, Brian Platt, Amy Berard, Piper Whelan, Matt Law, Samantha Garvey, Devan C. Tasa, Jean Oliver, Cavelle Layes, Alexandra Moulton, Nikola Grozdanovic, Mercedes Mueller, Julia Pankova, Tim O’Brien, Marc Legace, Fraser Nelund

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EDITOR-IN-CHIEF * Mike Davies BUSINESS MGR * Natasha Slack INDUSTRY REP * Mike Youds FACULTY REP * Charles Hays STUDENT REP* Sadie Cox

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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 the Letters & Opinion section 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 Who gets to decide what is offensive?

The story out of the University of Victoria (opposite page) about the anti-abortion group that had its booking privileges revoked got me thinking.

And then I read it again to try to figure out why I was so offended.

And then I found the sentence that did it.

“How do I defend myself if I’m accused of harassing somebody based on their feelings? I can’t because to do so would require my ability to read your mind and say you don’t feel a certain way,” former club member and UVSS director-at-large Gabrielle Sutherland said.

And that’s the crux of the problem.

Someone gets to decide for everyone what they should (or very well could) be offended by, and gets to restrict people from engaging in displaying or speaking about such topics in public.

Is there a master list somewhere of topics that offend? Because I’d very much like to see that list.

I doubt that one exists, so I propose we make one.

We take recommendations from everyone about what offends them, put it on the list, and tell people that they can’t discuss those topics in public because there are people that will be offended if they do — we’d hate to offend anyone, right?

Maybe I’m offended by the New Democratic Party’s policies.

Their leadership candidates that come through town on their publicity tour would no longer be able to make public appearances or speeches on campus.

I’d have to grant equal treatment to people who dislike the Liberal Party, the Conservatives and every other party, though — so no more public appearances by politicians.

Maybe I’m offended by the concept of religion in general.

I’m afraid you’ll have to take

down all your posters around campus, religious clubs and organizations — they offend someone, and offending someone’s sensibilities is harassment.

They can’t help it that they feel that way so you need to take their feelings into account.

There are topics that offend people.

There will always be topics that offend people.

But most often, these are the same topics that need to be discussed in order to further ourselves as people and as a society.

If you can think of a topic that no one finds the least bit offensive, is it even worth discussing?

It doesn’t add anything to society to gather in public spaces holding signs with pictures of puppies and say, “Honk if you think puppies are cute!”

Wait — are there people who don’t think puppies are cute?

Did I offend them just now?

Are we not attending post-secondary educational institutions?

Should we not be having open dialogues about issues that may be sensitive in order to develop as academics and, in fact, as people?

Don’t tell me what I’m offended by.

It offends me.

And that’s harassment. editorofomega@gmail.com

Mental health challenges

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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 2012.

Cariboo Student Newspaper Society (Publisher of The Omega) TRU Campus House #4 Box 3010, Kamloops, B.C. V2C 5N3 Phone: (250)372-1272 E-mail: editorofomega@gmail.com Ad Enquiries: managerofomega@gmail.com

(Correspondence not intended for publication should be labelled as such.)

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Know Your Community Amy Berard

Headaches, fatigue, body aches and pains can be common problems for students during midterm week. Yet these are also potential symptoms of depression or anxiety.

According to Christine Adam, dean of students, 20 per cent of the population will experience a mental illness sometime during their life. 75 per cent of these people will exhibit their first symptoms before the age of 24. It is likely then that while you study at TRU, you could potentially experience the first signs of a mental health problem.

Depression and anxiety share many of the same symptoms and are often diagnosed together. With depression however you must be symptomatic for a minimum period of two weeks to be formally diagnosed whereas with anxiety it takes six months. The main difference is that anxiety is often described as an intense state of worry and with depression you often feel a loss of self worth that can lead to thoughts of suicide.

The TRU Wellness Centre in Old Main is just one of the many places students can get help with mental health.

—PHOTO BY MIKE DAVIES

Since most of us are usually worried about one thing or another during the semester, how do you know when your level of anxiety might actually be something more serious? As soon as these emotions begin to affect your daily lifestyle, it’s time to reach out and talk to someone about it.

A major concern with youth mental health, particularly in a campus environment, is the choice to self-medicate with drugs or alcohol. Instead of doing this, there are many options to combine for treatment, like medication, cognitive behavioural therapy, nutrition or sleep.

According to Christa HaywoodFarmer of the Canadian Mental Health Association, the most important message in discussing mental health is the choice to talk about it openly and remove the stigma it often carries. The TRU Wellness Centre, counselling office or a local doctor’s office are all great places to start if you recognize the mentioned symptoms and need to talk.

Campus wellness is becoming a common theme at universities across our country and TRU is no exception.

The faculty of student development is currently co-ordinating a six-step mental health framework to use as a reference in campus planning. By creating a healthy education environment that focuses on a culture of caring and strong communication lines between all groups, TRU can work towards changing the stigma.

Our campus community should be supportive and resilient in helping our peers face mental health challenges while they study or work here at TRU. In a strong community, no one individual should be afraid of talking about the problems they face, regardless of whether they are physical or mental.

Amy Berard is a TRU business student and the campus liaison for United Way. To get connected with the community, email her at youth@unitedwaytnc.ca.

A student union-run microbrewery?

Brian Platt

The Ubyssey (UBC) VANCOUVER (CUP) — The University of British Columbia’s Alma Mater Society (AMS) has made national headlines over the past few weeks, including stories in the Toronto Star, The Huffington Post and The Province. Considering the AMS’s history, this would normally mean I’d be writing a column that recaps a hilarious and embarrassing scandal that has swamped the student union.

But this time the buzz is good: the AMS is planning a microbrewery for the new Student Union Building (SUB). According to president Jeremy McElroy and vice-president finance Elin Tayyar, it would be the first brewery operated by a student union anywhere in the world.

If we are to believe the feasibility report that the AMS commissioned, the brewery would potentially make an annual profit of between $500,000 and $1 million. It would also provide students with a cheaper source of alcohol at the AMS’s bars and possibly give beer gardens a local source for their kegs.

This all seems too good to be true, and to a certain extent, it probably is.

I’ll be surprised if the brewery ever makes that much profit. But when examined within the larger context of the AMS’s ambitions, it doesn’t really matter whether the brewery makes wads of cash, breaks even or is a modest money-loser.

The AMS plans to form a company to manage all of the society’s business operations. That company would have a more stable and knowledgeable (but still student-controlled) board of directors, and would focus on making the AMS’s businesses as efficient and profitable as possible. Those profits would then flow back to the AMS to be put into student services.

The main reasons for this plan are practical. The AMS’s business profits have been falling for years, and the society has also received unwelcome attention from the Canada Revenue Agency for being a non-profit society with high levels of business income.

But think for a moment about the path the AMS is embarking on. In a few years, it will have a brand new $103-million building: that means new facilities for all of its businesses. Its bars, which currently sit empty on most nights, will likely be much fuller and will now be selling pitcher after pitcher of AMS-produced beer. This is growing into quite the commercial empire.

A decade from now, when these business profits are combined with the interest produced from the AMS’s endowment fund, a substantial portion of the AMS budget will be independent from student fees. The AMS will be able to keep its student fees among the lowest in Canada while increasing student service levels. It’s brilliant.

The real question is: why are no other student unions doing this? One reason is that they tend to be suspicious of relinquishing control over their business operations; the result is that student politicians with little business sense maintain their food outlets as poorly-run money pits.

The AMS has always been smartly focused on giving elected students the final word on business operations, but mostly letting professional staff take care of the details.

The other reason, though, is that other student unions simply haven’t dreamt as ambitiously about what they’re capable of with a bit of longterm planning. For this, the AMS deserves a lot of credit.

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February 29, 2012

News KSA signs deal with New food source impeached former directors coming soon to TRU KSA agrees to pay Dhaliwal and Sandhu’s court costs, signs confidentiality agreement

Starting in September local organic produce will be available on campus

Matt DiMera

Ω Copy Editor

The Runner (Kwantlen) SURREY, B.C. (CUP) — The interim board of the Kwantlen Student Association (KSA) has reached an out-of-court settlement with impeached former director Balninna “Nina” Sandhu and student Gary Dhaliwal, and agreed to pay their court costs.

A mutual consent order was filed in B.C. Supreme Court Feb. 16, upholding the Nov. 30 special general meeting (SGM) and declaring the impeachments of 13 former directors as valid.

In addition, the order upheld the new KSA bylaws adopted at that same meeting.

The consent order also overturned the placing in bad standing of 26 current and former students and staff members. Members in bad standing would not have been allowed to run for office in the KSA or vote in KSA elections.

Sandhu, the KSA’s former director of finance, and student Gary Singh Dhaliwal had filed a petition Jan. 10 in B.C. Supreme Court claiming that the SGM was invalid and sought a court order to reinstate the impeached directors and to place 14 other current and former students and staff members back in good standing as KSA members.

According to a petition filed with the court in January, Gary Dhaliwal had intended to run for office in the next KSA election.

However, in a joint statement issued Feb. 16 by the KSA and Sandhu and Dhaliwal, the 26 have “voluntarily agreed not to participate in the affairs of the KSA in any manner for the next three years, including seeking office as directors of the society.”

The KSA has also agreed that “the former directors, current directors, and other individuals named in the special resolutions at the SGM have agreed not to engage in further litigation regarding past events relating to the society.”

Both of those agreements are not included in the consent order filed with the court.

When asked by The Runner if there were other conditions or terms in that agreement that have not been made public, the current chairperson of the KSA executive board Christopher Girodat declined to answer.

“The student association has agreed not to discuss the settlement

Interim Kwantlen Student Association directors Arzo Ansary and Christopher Girodat at a Feb. 17 executive board meeting.

—PHOTO BY MATT LAW

beyond what’s in the common statement,” said Girodat.

“The parties agreed to a desire to resolve all outstanding issues from the past,” he said, when asked if all cash advances had been repaid and if all KSA electronic equipment had been returned by the former directors.

According to the statement, “the parties and individuals involved in this matter have agreed to maintain confidentiality over the outof-court resolution and discussions leading to the out-of-court resolution and, therefore, will not be making further statements regarding the out-of-court resolution or discussions that led up to the out-ofcourt resolution.”

Girodat was unable to say how much Sandhu and Dhaliwal’s legal fees will cost the KSA, but he assured students that the amount will be made public as soon as it is available.

Jonathan Tweedale, lawyer for Sandhu and Dhaliwal, also declined to comment about the settlement, citing the confidentiality agreement. Sandhu did not respond to an email request for an interview before deadline.

With the civil lawsuit ended, the KSA board is no longer prevented from bargaining with their staff’s union, from signing or changing contracts, or from calling an election.

Those restrictions had been agreed to by the KSA’s legal counsel David Borins, after Sandhu ap-

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plied for a temporary injunction to stop the board from making any major decisions.

Current and former students posted their discontent with the news of the settlement on a Facebook group called Concerned Students of Kwantlen.

“People can dress it up all they want, however the bottom line is this whole saga goes to team Takhar, in the end,” wrote longtime former KSA board member Ken McIntyre in a lengthy post.

Former KSA executive member Steve Lee also expressed his disappointment on the Facebook group.

“It just means there is no justice here, no precedent set for people in the future,” wrote Lee. “It sends the message that it is okay to try this stuff cause in the end you will get away with it.”

According to Girodat, the decision to settle will allow the KSA to start the process of rebuilding, including hiring a general manager.

“Now that the dispute over the SGM has been put to rest, the Kwantlen Student Association can move on to hold elections... we can resume working toward a collective agreement with our staff, which has been ongoing for 10 months now,” said Girodat in a Feb. 17 interview.

“We can now commit the KSA’s time and resources back to student services, advocacy, and student representation, under a more accountable set of bylaws designed to put the power back in the hands of students.”

Larkin Schmiedl A new source of food will be coming to students on campus at Thompson Rivers University this September.

The students’ union (TRUSU) is looking to start providing a “good food box,” coming hopefully from local organic producer Thistle Farm, for students who’d like to buy local and organic right on campus throughout the school year.

Food boxes are a common way local organic food is distributed throughout communities, as a convenient alternative to the farmer’s market and grocery stores. The boxes are usually delivered to a customer’s home or to a central pickup location.

TRUSU would like campus to become that location.

Nathan Lane, executive director of TRUSU, said TRUSU is looking at installing refrigeration facilities in order to store the food, and per-

haps to store fresh food like carrots for the food bank as well.

The food boxes would be sold at cost.

Lane said the students’ union is set on providing food boxes starting in September, and the only contingency is confirmation of a contract with Thistle Farm, who currently provides weekly boxes to around 100 customers locally, and an additional 50 bi-weekly.

The boxes come in different sizes with the small providing enough produce and fruit for one person for a week.

Deb Kellogg, co-owner of Thistle Farm, said the boxes contain 100 per cent locally-grown organic vegetables in the summer, alongside some fruit from the Okanagan and some imported tropical fruit. In the winter, the boxes are one-third locally grown.

Customers can choose whether they want a box of produce, fruit, or a mix of the two.

A small box sells for $20.

Reading comprehension proves to be difficult for some university students Piper Whelan

The Gateway (U of A) EDMONTON (CU P) — Have you ever read a chapter f rom your textbook and been unable to remember a single thing? A Universit y of Alber ta researcher may be able to tell you why.

George Georgiou, director of the U of A’s Reading Research Lab, has identif ied cog nitive development issues that cause some st udents to st r uggle with reading comprehension — though their abilit y to read may be perfectly f ine.

By st udying a sample of roughly 500 U of A st udents, Georgiou found that a small percentage had an undetected reading diff icult y k now n as a specif ic reading comprehension def icit. This def icit occu rs when working memor y doesn’t allow for f ull comprehension of a text, even if a st udent can easily read it.

“These st udents do not have a problem reading accu rately and f luently. The problem is how to understand what they are read-

ing,” Georgiou said.

Georgiou began the st udy in 2011 to see if the estimated rate of th ree to f ive per cent who deal with this reading comprehension def icit could be found in a sample of universit y st udents.

The other goal of the st udy was to identif y the causes of this reading diff icult y. Georgiou noted that when it comes to research on reading diff iculties, exper ts tend to focus on the early years of education.

“We k now much more about reading diff iculties in younger child ren, and not as much about reading diff iculties in older st udents.”

Af ter receiving a Cor nerstone Grant f rom the K illam Research Fund, which suppor ts in novations that advance scholarship, Georgiou and colleag ue J.P. Das tested st udents in large classes on t wo adultappropr iate reading comprehension tasks.

SEE READING p. 9

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The Omega · Volume 21, Issue 21

News Problems with campus posterboards

Brendan Kergin Ω News Editor

The poster boards on campus have become something of a chaotic scene lately. With notices piled up four deep and a somewhat irregular cleaning schedule it hasn’t always been the most effective of communication methods, though students may find a wide variety of products, services and events posted.

Of note, recently students brought forth concerns about the TRUSU AGM pertaining to lack of advertising of the meeting. TRUSU pointed out that they had posted many posters around campus, but often the posters were covered up by others.

Sarah Graham, Student Services co-ordinator, is TRU responsible for monitoring the posters, among other duties. She also has a workstudy student who works with her on a multitude of tasks, including monitoring the poster boards.

“We do monitoring every week but we do big cleans [at] those [posted] times,” she said.

The posted times are Feb. 15, Apr. 30, Oct. 30 and Dec. 20. When Omega looked at a wide variety of poster boards on campus there were many that did not appear to have been removed on time, including some advertising Econ 361, a fall course, and info sessions which occurred Oct. 21.

Other posters also broke a variety of poster board guidelines. While investigating these The Omega also found two areas that weren’t poster boards but were being used as poster boards, and a variety of infringements of the poster board policy set by the administration. These included posters for private businesses like Avon or Manulife, posters on doors and windows, multiple posters advertising on one board for the same event and posters posted more than 25 times across campus.

The poster board policy is a set of 11 guidelines the school has set for anyone wishing to post notices around campus on general boards. Some campus groups have purchased their own boards for their own use and aren’t beholden to these guidelines. Often, these private boards are much less chaotic.

While the TRUSU has its own boards, with at least one in each building, they do use the general ones on occasion.

“We have no direct involvement with poster boards,” said VP internal Duncan McIntyre.

McIntyre did say that there have been issues with the poster boards reported, however.

“We’ve heard from our members, complaints about poster boards, how they’re not functioning properly and how they’re not used appropriately,” he said.

However neither organization has spoken to the other recently, but both groups are interested in talking with each other about the current situation.

“If Student Services in the future want to do something with TRUSU, improve that service, we’re more than willing to sit down with them and create perhaps a partnership or create more functionality out of the poster boards,” said McIntyre.

However, TRUSU has not initiated contact. Graham also said that TRUSU had not contacted her about any complaints or issues relating to the poster boards recently.

“We have not approached Student Services with that [partnership idea],” said McIntyre.

The current system looks for accessibility for students and the community.

“The Poster Board Procedures Policy is designed to provide access to TRU poster board space for members of the Thompson Rivers University (TRU) community,” [sic] states the description of the policy section ADM 01-3.

Graham agrees and believes the current system is providing that.

“One of the challenges is providing good access for students and for the student community and the community at large,” she said.

There used to be a system where stamps were used to approve posters and control what went up and for how long. Similar systems are used at many other post-secondary institutions in the province.

“The stamp doesn’t preclude someone from putting it up on the boards,” said Graham. “The monitoring to watch someone put [the posters] on the boards is something that we’re always striving for. The policy is an attempt to create a space for communication with the TRU community. The more monitoring comes with challenges.”

McIntyre said TRUSU’s boards are taken care of by council on a regular basis. The general boards, of which there are many more, are taken care of just by Graham and her workstudy student employee, said Graham.

With this system the accessibility

allows for some abuse of the boards.

“If you want to put a poster up you can put it up on top of someone else’s,” said Graham.

If someone is breaking the regulations, Graham will endeavour to phone them about the problem and take down the offending poster. So far there has been no need for anything further than that.

“It’s expensive for them to advertise when we’re ripping them down, so I contact them personally. I’ve done that several times,” she said.

McIntyre said that TRUSU has discussed the issue.

“There’s a few things we’ve talked about before. One of them being that someone needs to be the poster board police essentially,” he said.

While the AGM has come and gone the poster boards will continue to be a vital piece of the schools’ communication infrastructure.

Between the writing and the publication of this piece, the campus posterboards have been cleaned and reorganized.

This is what they should look like, so let’s all do our best to keep them this way. Report any and all misuse of the campus boards to Sarah Graham at sgraham@tru.ca.

—PHOTO BY MIKE DAVIES

That’s what you said For this week’s issue, we patrolled the grounds looking for your answers to this question:

Do you read the posterboards around campus? Why or why not?

Elon Newstrom

Katie Kallhood

Geordyn Forsythe

“Sometimes.

“They’re a mess.

“It’s unfortunate. They used to be looked after; it would be nice to see that again.”

“Yeah, I do. I think they’re really handy.

“You can use them for used books and people can post things that they’re selling, like vehicles.

“It’s fun to go through them.”

“Yeah, I do, actually.

“I, usually before class, come early, go around and look at all the stuff that’s up there. They’re good.

“Some of the stuff is a little outdated at times.”

Interdisciplinary Studies

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6

News In case you missed it, Kergin’s got you covered:

Things you probably didn’t see happening around you last week

Brendan Kergin Ω News Editor

Global

February 29, 2012

29

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• Cities for students A British-based research group has recently released its list of what it calls the best student cities of the world.

If it weren’t for the fact that the researchers only took into account cities with populations of 250,000 and more, Kamloops might have made the top ten.

Top honours went to Paris, followed by London and Boston.

Montreal took tenth, as the highest-ranked Canadian city. Toronto and Vancouver also placed, at 26th and 31st respectively.

Read more at topuniversities. com.

• Somalia situation A major conference looking at the future of what may be the world’s worst failed state took place in London.

Leaders from around the world including the US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, English Prime Minister David Cameron and UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon met to discuss the situation in the east African nation of Somalia.

Troops from around the world are posted there as part of the UN peacekeeping forces, the African Union. On the same day the UN announced an additional 5,000 troops to be added to the 12,000 already there, a bomb exploded in a city recently taken by African Union forces.

A variety of militant groups occupy areas of the country.

Most notable is al-Shabab, an ally of al-Qaeda.

Read more at bbc.co.uk/news.

National • Tweet moot?

Law students from across the country got together online to try something that may have never been done before: a Twitter Moot (#twtmoot).

A moot is a legal debate, gener-

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ture in Vancouver wrote a press ally held in a courtroom setting.

Provincial release saying B.C. is, and will This one was unique as it took stay, last in arts funding. place on Twitter, with participants • Provincial budget A continued freeze to funding and judges from law schools across the country. B.C. was represented The big news in B.C. this week of public schools has aggravated already poor relations with the by students from UVic DOCKET/AD#: and UBC.11-HRB-047-BW-SP-E-1 was the release of the provincial NEWSPAPERS: B.C. Teachers Federation, and Two students from York Univer- budget. sity debate.

The NEWSPAPER event was- ENGLISHMany groups have outlined the province’s representative for JOBwon NAME:the TS ‘12 YOUNG ADULT hosted by the organization West their thoughts on how it SCANNER will af- children and youth Mary Ellen DATE STARTED: Jan 11 LIVE AREA: – MEDIUM Turpel-Lafond believes the budCoast Environmental Law. fect the province.

ARTIST: CS TYPE SAFETY: – Read more at wcel.org.

For post-secondary education get will be rough on struggling REV#: 0 TRIM: 8" X 10"there isn’t really much news, other families.

LASER %: BLEED: – While most taxes will stay low, • OAS changes than a reduction of about one per DISKED: BW cent of funding according to Fi- there are some rising. Of note are medical premiums, which will be Old Age COPY Security is going to PROD. nance Minister Falcon.

ART DIRECTOR WRITER CREATIVE DIR. PRINT STUDIO MGR. ACCT.Kevin MGMT. change...eventually.

The reduction is aimed at ad- rising for everyone.

On the up side, trade organizaThat’s the general narrative that ministrators, executives and travthe federal government has been el budgets. None of it is to come tions and many chambers of computting forth as of late. out of classrooms, though critics merce are supporting the budget The current system is bound to aren’t sure an expected $20 mil- as being what the province needs put a burden on taxpayers in the lion or more can be found in travel in these troubling economic times. next five to 10 years as demograph- budgets.

Read more at vancouversun. ics shift with the baby boomers.

While this shouldn’t add to stuWhile no clear moves have been dents’ financial burdens, there com. made and there aren’t any official was also no sign of a grants syschanges, the government is warn- tem that TRUSU, the Canadian Local ing young Canadians to start sav- Federation of Students and huning for their senior years earlier. dreds of other students protested • Nash in town Perhaps right after we’re done pay- for across the province. ing off our student loans.

Unions and arts groups have Another NDP leadership canspoken against the budget. didate swung through KamRead more at thestar.com.

The Alliance for Arts and Cul- loops while TRU students were

on reading break.

Peggy Nash is an MP from Toronto and up until the leadership campaign was the f inance critic for the par ty. She spoke on local Radio NL’s Jim Har rison Show and met with people downtown.

• Miller saga continues Controversial TRU student senator and member of the Board of Gover nors Adrian Miller continues to have legal issues.

However this time it’s based not at school but at home. Miller has been evicted from his home and was told by a cour t that he wasn’t to retur n to the suite without the accompaniment of a peace off icer.

He’s been charged with multiple counts including theft under $5000, all relating to items allegedly belonging to Miller’s landlord.

Miller will retur n to cour t in March.

Read more on page 9.

7

The Omega · Volume 21, Issue 21

Life & Community TRU students lose Peer Support Centre

Program suspended while Student Services looks for improvements

Samantha Garvey Ω Contributor

TRU students have lost the services of the Peer Support Centre which has been shut down for the 2011-2012 school year while the co-ordinators examine the program.

The centre provided a safe, comfortable space where people could come anytime to talk with a volunteer. Volunteers were mostly students trained to listen in a non-judgmental manner and to know where to redirect a student toward services like the counselling, disability or employment centres. Confidentiality was a priority.

Because it may not have been appropriate to request funds from Canadian University Enhancement Fund while the program was being re-evaluated, said Christine Adam, dean of students, the Peer Support Centre will not be available for this school year.

Not only is the centre lost to those who used the service, but also to the volunteers who gained from the experience.

Sandra Vermeulen, a professor and former chair of the psychology department at TRU said that the Peer Support Centre was good volunteer experience.

“I think it was very valuable,” said Vermeulen. It was a good place for students to get a letter of reference.

According to the Peer Support Team webpage, there were 18 volunteers last year who offered two hours a week each.

Katrina Onysko volunteered with the centre from 2007 to 2009 before

Devan C. Tasa Ω Contributor

The Peer Support Center just off Student Street in Old Main will be closed until the fall. Students will have to find support (and volunteer opportunities) elsewhere.

—PHOTO BY MIKE DAVIES

she graduated from the psychology program at TRU. “It was an awesome experience,” Onysko said, “I can’t say enough about it.”

She said she learned valuable skills, met awesome people, had access to workshops and training, and attended a peer support conference in 2008.

Onysako said she saw changes to the service in the past that made improvements to the centre. Specifically, renovations made the physical space more welcoming and unique from the rest of campus.

“Having this year off will hopefully improve the services and motivate people to apply to volunteer next year,” she said.

First-year Bachelor of Science student Zuzana Magdolen said, “I’ve never heard of it, but it sounds like a great idea. I would use it if it were offered.”

Christine Adam mentioned looking at other options away from a centralized support system. Working in cohorts would be more effective, such as a support network for each program, she said.

Adam suggested that there are other services available to students who want to volunteer.

“The leadership program has similar training to what was offered at the Peer Support Centre,” she said.

For more information visit: http:// www.tru.ca/studentservices/pst.html.

Nothing smart about phones in school Devices — and the students who love them — have no place in class

Jean Oliver

Nexus (Camosun) VICTORIA (CUP) — Lately, I’ve been thinking that the only way I will be able to finish my degree is online.

Ironically, there, I’d be free from endless smartphone- and Internet-related classroom distractions.

It boggles my mind that students can be so cavalier about their access to their teachers. Many people would gladly take a seat in the classroom if they had even half the chances many students seem to take for granted. Ignoring teachers and staying focused on phones is not a smart use of anyone’s time.

But why do so many instructors do nothing to stop this distracting behaviour? Many teachers I’ve watched are intimidated and unable to enforce their expectations of students paying attention.

It’s uncomfortable when a teacher resorts to the old-fashioned guilt trip by publicly shaming an individual over Internet or phone use.

Students say they need to stay connected to what’s going on. They say smartphone use is a habit. They say there’s an element of risk involved in texting during class. Some justify it to themselves by saying the class is boring.

Well, I say you’re in the wrong class. In my book, boredom is the result of a resistance to learning.

The desire to stay connected can be overwhelming, but we shouldn’t confuse a need with a want. If students truly need to check on a friend or be available for an email about a job, they have no business being in class.

I’m not just talking about etiquette here. The brain can only take so much

TRUSU not specific about lobbying plans for improved transit TRUSU is looking at participating in the City of Kamloops’ budget consultation meetings to encourage city council to accept B.C. Transit’s offer for more bus service, but its big transit lobbying effort took place last year during consultations to create a local transit plan, says TRUSU VP external Jordan Harris “The way we look at it is that we took a large active role last year in the consultation process,” Harris said. “We did take a big step last year on lobbying on trying to create a better service.”

B.C. Transit has offered the city 8,197 additional service hours for the 2012-2013 year, 5,697 more hours than the city originally planned to add. The extra hours would cost the city $880,000.

The city would use the extra hours to add evening and Sunday bus service, then focus on making improvements to the Gleneagles, Bachelor Heights, Juniper Ridge and Tranquille/Parkcrest routes.

All of these improvements were suggested by the transit plan.

At the Feb. 7 meeting of Kamloops city council, many councillors expressed concern about the city’s ability to pay for the increased hours. Council chose to make its final decision during its budget talks.

Harris says that TRUSU is looking at participating in the city’s public budget consultations.

“We can look into going to these consultations and expressing how [we] feel and how the students

Community Calendar Thursday, Mar. 1 • Sociology and Anthropology Open Research Social 7 p.m. OM 1487

Friday, Mar. 2 • Bangers & Mash at Cactus Jacks $5 cover

Image by Jessica Tai/Nexus stress before it leaks illness out into the physical body. Turning off the Internet for a two-hour class may be more than good manners: it might just save you from a heart attack or ulcer down the road.

The problem is getting worse. One of my recent classes was so noisy the instructor was barely able to convey com-

plex ideas over the din of crosstalk.

Add into that the strobe lights of flickering Facebook images and the dance of nodding heads over cell phones and, well, focusing in class becomes about as easy as hearing someone give a lecture in a night club.

Now, that would be boring.

feel,” Harris said. “That’s something we are going to have to approach once we learn more about when the consultations are.”

The budget consultation meetings began Feb. 14. Other meetings are booked for Feb. 28, Mar. 6 and Mar. 13.

Councillors Arjun Singh and Donovan Cavers say that they haven’t been contacted by TRUSU about the transit issue.

“It would be interesting to hear their perspective,” said Cavers.

Harris says that TRUSU hadn’t thought about setting up meetings with councillors at that point in time.

Other student unions deal with transit issues in a different manner. The Northern Undergraduate Student Society at the University of Northern B.C. has a committee that discusses students’ concerns and suggestions about the local bus system. One of the committee’s members has to be a transit analyst working at the city of Prince George.

“We do not have a specific committee like that set up, but we try to keep up,” Harris said. “We want to always be expressing the issues of students when it comes to transit.”

Harris says that such a committee is something that TRUSU could look into for the future.

If the city does choose to improve the bus service in Kamloops, TRU students won’t have to worry about higher U-Pass rates.

“The U-Pass is set to CPI [inflation] and will not change if more hours and services are added,” Harris said via email.

HOPE YOU RELAXED A BIT ON YOUR WEEK OFF! TIME TO GET BACK AT IT, BUT REMEBER TO RELAX A BIT NOW, TOO. Know of upcoming events the student body should be aware of?

Saturday, Mar. 3

Get them in the calendar for free!

Contact: editorofomega@gmail.com

• Popsicle Stick Bridge Contest 2012 9:30 a.m to 3 p.m.

Trades Building Plumbing Lab

“Community calendar” in the subject line will help ensure they get to the campus community.

8

February 29, 2012

News “Access to justice is a basic right”

Chief Justice of Canada speaks on how “our justice system has failed our middle class” here in Canada.

By international standards our Ω Editor-in-Chief judiciary system is held among the highest in the world, and for In front of approximately 200 good reason, she claimed — but students (admittedly mostly she had some scathing words for from the faculty of law), Kamit as well. loops city councillors and mem“Our justice system has, I bebers of the B.C. law community, lieve, failed many middle class The Right Honourable Beverley families.

McLachlin, P.C., Chief Justice “It has failed the thousands of of Canada, gave a talk entitled, people who can’t afford to sue “Legal Education and the Chalthe perpetrator of a personal inlenges of Access to Justice,” in jury complaint or a contractor Thompson Rivers University’s who has failed to meet a routine Irving K. Barber Centre on Feb obligation in a home renovation.

27.

“It has failed thousands of CaFor about a half-hour, she disnadians who don’t have a legal cussed the aspects of the Canawill, simply because they do not dian legal system that work and have the money to hire a lawyer those that don’t, all with a breath to draft one or are so afraid that of sincere honesty that some what it will cost will bankrupt would think unusual from somethem,” she said. one in her position.

A 2010 study in Ontario indiShe didn’t make it about policated one in seven Ontarians extics or policy (though she did periencing a civil legal problem touch on a few of those ideas). recognized the need for She made it about peoassistance but did not ple. seek any, and the overShe talked not about whelming reason cited law, but about justice. was cost of legal counsel.

She talked about jusAnd for good reason, tice in terms of it beaccording to McLachlin. ing a right rather than The Toronto Star rea luxury that can be ported a few years ago enjoyed by those with that the average cost of deep enough pockets to a three-day civil trial at afford it.

—Right Honourable Beverley McLachlin the time of the report And she talked honexceeded $60,000 — an estly about how it isn’t “A right like food, or shelter amount that exceeded the averthere yet.

“You have all experienced or adequate medical care, which age Canadian family’s annual yourselves or know someone a civilized society should pro- income by $2,000.

Just to get a lawyer to do a few who has experienced a problem vide to all of its members,” she with access to justice,” she said. charged onward, clearly pas- hours research on a noisy neighbour and perhaps right a couple “Perhaps it was a landlord who sionate about the issue.

She continued to explain how of letters might cost $5,000. wouldn’t make the necessary reAnd the worry is that people pairs to an apartment. Perhaps an accessible justice system is it was a speeding ticket that you the hallmark of a stable society, aren’t even sure that after they were sure was undeserved. Or and of a society that promotes pay these seemingly exorbitant maybe it was an application for and fosters social equality — a costs, that they will, in fact, rea student loan that was denied…. society that we claim to enjoy ceive justice.

Mike Davies

“You, or the person you know who experienced these things, were experiencing a problem of access to justice.”

She talked about how there are “potholes” in your way along the road to justice — things that slow you down on your way to receiving justice — and how sometimes there are walls that stop you that seem to have been placed there instead.

“In England, in the civil courts,” she said, “the view has been taken that justice is a pay your own way approach…which means that only the corporations or the very wealthy are using the courts.

“Is that justice?” she asked rhetorically. “That’s one vision of justice.”

She said that in Canada, she’d like to think that we take the view of justice being a basic right instead of a privilege.

“Without access to lawyers there can be no access to justice.”

Chief Justice of Canada, the Right Honourable Beverley McLachlin, spoke to a group of about 200 law students, city counsil members and visiting judges, including members of the Supreme Court of British Columbia on Feb. 27 in the Irving K. Barber Centre.

—PHOTO BY MIKE DAVIES

She spoke of the problem of self-represented litigants that arises due to these fears, and how that problem leads to further problems in the judiciary systems.

She concluded her passionate monologue by talking about the ways that law schools help the

Environmental Achievement Award Are you passionate about improving the environment or do you know someone who is? The Department of Environment and Sustainability is recognizing individuals within the Thompson Rivers University community that have made or are making substantial positive contributions to environmental sustainability.

Eligibility: The award is based upon an outstanding contribution to environment and sustainability. It will be based upon a single identifiable contribution.

The Honouree must be an employee or alumnus of Thompson Rivers University.

Note: In exceptional circumstances a member of the broader community may be nominated, provided the reason for the nomination is directly related to TRU.

To apply for this award or nominate a candidate, please contact: Kaitlin Boyd at kboyd@tru.ca Environment & Sustainability – Facilities Building

Deadline: Applications must be submitted before Friday, March 30th, 2012

promote access to justice here in Canada — by making lawyers, creating hubs of legal awareness within the communities in which they are situated and by fostering legal innovation and reform.

“We can’t have proper access to justice without lawyers, and it’s been well documented that we have shortages [in practicing lawyers], particularly in rural areas and smaller cities,” she said, citing that each year Canadian law schools churn out approximately 2,000 graduates, but because only about 20 per cent of lawyers practice outside major metropolitan centres, there is a huge shortage outside those regions.

The creation of law schools outside those areas — like the new one here at Thompson Rivers University — are expected to help that situation by keeping more graduating lawyers in these smaller communities.

“Law schools don’t necessarily make cases proceed through the courts faster, or make lawyers more affordable, but a community centred on the law is one that will make its justice system and access to that justice system a priority,” she said.

It’s pretty clear that access to justice is a priority that we can all get behind — at least it likely is for everyone who attended the Chief Justice’s fervent talk at Canada’s newest law school this winter.

The Chief Justice’s talk was available via live online stream provided by TRU. More and more often these are available to be watched without going, and The Omega encourages you to get involved in them even if you can’t make it to the event itself.

9

The Omega · Volume 21, Issue 21

News Student representative in custody

Adrian Miller swearing-in ceremony postponed due to detainment Cavelle Layes Ω Contributor

TRU student representative Adrian Miller spent the weekend in jail due to another apparent breach of the conditions of his probation. His detainment caused the board of governors to postpone his official swearing-in ceremony Friday afternoon.

Miller was elected to the Senate and board in December by TRU students but wasn’t supposed to be officially sworn in until Feb. 24.

However due to his current detainment, TRU’s board of governors decided by vote earlier that day to postpone the ceremony.

Fiona Chan stated that the concern for student and faculty safety was at the root of this decision.

Adrian Miller was picked up by police on Feb. 23 after allegedly lying about his address, which would violate the conditions of his probation which had been set in place on Feb. 17 by Judge Stephen Harrison after he threw out Millers appeal to re-enter an apartment he had been previously been evicted from.

Harrison stated that Miller was not allowed within 100 metres of the Pineview Valley home and that he must provide his probation officer with the address he would be staying at.

Miller was also told that if he was to move he must first provide his probation officer with the new address at least one day before relocating.

Despite acknowledging these conditions with his parole officer, Miller was arrested on Feb. 23 after it became apparent that the McGill road address that he provided did not exist.

Miller’s lawyer, Sheldon Tate, told the court on Feb. 24 that Miller had given the wrong ad-

“Miller would make a bed out of the chairs in the lab.”

“Security is frustrated because they feel they cannot keep the property secure,” said Elliot.

“All this came from [Miller] being kicked out of his home,” according to Miller’s lawyer.

Tate continued to say how Miller simply had no place to go.

Miller claims that he was only napping in the labs not sleeping in them.

He continued to describe how the three people he was staying with would stay up until 2am and then leave for work at 9am, at which time he would go to school.

This, according to Miller, left him extremely tired.

“I may have [fallen] asleep at some point,” said Miller.

Elliot also provided the court with reports from Miller’s probation officer who described him as being, “deceptive and evasive and non-cooperative. “ The probation officer explained how Miller would refuse to answer his questions and would instead ask him what authority he had for asking such —Catriona Elliot, Crown prosecutor questions.

Elliot says the questions were just those friend’s house but after he ad- standard of the process.

The officer felt that Miller conmitted to being unsure of their names he stated that they were tinually made it difficult for him to properly perform his job and actually “a friend of a friend.”

The Crown prosecutor, Catrio- said he constantly lied.

“He would say black was white na Elliott, read a letter provided

by Duane Seibel, TRU’s manager and white was black,” said Elliot.

Elliot explained how Miller’s of student and judicial affairs, on probation officer also stated Feb. 23.

The letter stated that Miller that he believes Miller may have had been found sleeping in the some, “psychiatric problems.”

Miller had told the officer that TRU computer labs on a number he was privately seeing a psyof occasions.

Miller would be seen in the chologist on regular basis, but labs late at night and would still when the officer checked into be in there when classes would these claims the doctor said Millarrive in the morning, according er had not been there since August. to the letter.

“It is 100 per cent fact that I According to security reports, dress by mistake.

Tate explained that after Google-searching the address Miller provided, he found that there was a similar address close by.

Tate continued to suggest that Miller may not have made up a non-existent residence, but simply mistaken a single digit.

“What does Miller have to gain [from lying]?” asked Tate.

Judge Harrison acknowledged that mistakes can be made and if it was simply an error of a single digit it could be over looked.

“However I have some concerns if it is something else,” said Harrison.

Miller admitted that it was not a simple mistaking of a number, but denied trying to mislead his parole officer on this occasion or on any other occasion.

Miller originally claimed to have been couch surfing at a

“He would say black was white and white was black.”

READING...from p. 4 They contacted the students who showed signs of a reading comprehension diff iculty to come in to the Reading Research Lab for further testing on other areas of reading ability, before focusing on comprehension.

About three to f ive per cent of the total sample of students showed signs of this specif ic reading comprehension def icit, matching up with the rate going into the study.

The cause of this def icit, Georgiou said, lies in cognitive development.

These students lack the working memor y to process, store and understand what they read, particularly if the text is long and contains complex ideas.

“We administered measures of working memor y, simultaneous and successive processing, planning and attention,” Georgiou explained.

“Out of all these measures, working memor y stands out as a ver y important factor.”

The reason this def icit often

goes undetected is that strategies to identify reading diff iculties prior to post-secondar y education deal mostly with areas of reading ability rather than comprehension.

The study is ongoing, and the next step is to help the students in the study deal with their reading comprehension diff iculty through a number of simple strategies.

“There are no easy solutions, but there are some steps we can take to help them improve their reading comprehension,” Georgiou said.

“You will see that when some of these students were completing these comprehension tasks, they would highlight the whole text, which is a ver y poor strategy.”

Georgiou suggests tackling the text paragraph by paragraph, f inding the main ideas before moving on to the next, and making connections between paragraphs.

Creating a concept map of the text’s main themes and making summarizing notes in the margins are also useful strategies for working to understand what you’re reading.

You may notice that TRU computer labs, like this one in Old Main, have been under tougher scrutiny by campus security lately.

—PHOTO BY CAVELLE LAYES

was seeing a psychologist,” said Miller, claiming he even had an appointment for that day.

Miller denied the claims made by his probation officer, stating, “[the officer] is just upset and angry that I requested another probation officer.”

Elliot urged the court Friday not to grant Miller bail, stating that he has had a long history of not complying with his probation conditions.

“To release him will lead to more breaches and more offending,” said Elliot.

Miller said that while he did not know the exact address of the house in which he was staying,

he did have the cell phone numbers of at least one of the people.

However, Miller was unable to provide these numbers because his phone battery had died.

Judge Harrison told Miller that he would not release him from jail until he was certain his story was indeed true.

Editor’s note: As of press time, the bail hearing for Mr. Miller has been postponed, but we will update the story on www.theomega.ca as it continues to unfold over the coming days and weeks.

Aenean a magna vel pede vestibulum rhoncus. Nulla cursus orci quis tortor.

The Omega: TRU’s Student Newspaper presents….

[Date]

Cover: $5!

10

February 29, 2012

Arts & Entertainment

Bombay Bicycle Club bounces The Blue Grotto Brendan Kergin Ω News Editor

Kamloops might be a regular stop for many Canadian Indie bands, but for Brits it’s a little more rare.

Even less frequent is the city scoring a band that normally plays venues of thousands in the relatively small Blue Grotto.

The Bombay Bicycle Club, with its vote as “Best New Band 2010” from the New Musical Express (better known as NME magazine), and regular festival appearances in England, might not be the biggest name in North America, but on the British Isles they’ve got some pull.

At the Blue Grotto they shared a much more intimate performance that English fans would pay good money for. Kamloops, you got a high-end Indie band for a pittance — and you proved a worthy crowd.

The band is adept at creating an Indie sound without being pinned down too specifically. It’s catchy, poppy, danceable and British.

The show started off with the soon to be released “How Can You Swallow So Much Sleep,” a more melodic piece of perfectly agreeable Indie pop.

While they may not be the most unique band, they’ve nailed the style.

The crowd responded with an hour of bopping along to songs which seemed to brush other more identifiable sounds, with the Mumford and Sons-ish Ivy and Gold or the late 80s Paul Simonesque Lights Out, Words Gone.

Who is James Struthers?

Meet the man who played The Art We Are last week because you’ll hear more of him soon Alexandra Moulton Ω Contributor

Bombay Bicycle Club plays an acoustic set at Nottingham University in 2010. Kamloops caught a gem this winter.

—PHOTO COURTESY WIKIMEDIA COMMONS

Lead singer Jack Steadman seemed lost in his own lyrics for most of the night as he crooned and called in to the centre stage mic, glancing occasionally out into the crowd, nodding approvingly at the most often bouncing group of earlyto-mid-20-year-olds in front of him.

While he could have given them a bit more of his Northern London accent, the constant string of songs kept the energy high.

To top it all off, the band jammed an extra song on the end. Steadman called the audience his favourite crowd so far on this tour, and rewarded the whooping mass with an extra piece to close the night out.

Opener Lucy Rose started the night off quietly with a soft, acoustic performance.

With just a guitar she was pleas-

ant, but a bit of a mislead to where the evening was headed — though she was certainly a welcome addition when she joined The Bombay Bicycle Club onstage for the majority of their set, with backing vocals and some keyboarding.

Torontonians The Darcys took the night in a more energized direction with fast guitars laying a bed down while their drummer planted his foot down and went for it.

The soaring electric guitars contrasted well with the melodic vocals on top, giving them that glazed, shoe-gazer appeal.

Definitely a band to watch for when they come back on their own tour someday.

Finally, a note to the Blue Grotto: your floor really sags in the middle when 50-odd people jump in unison.

When I asked James Struthers what sort of Transformer he would like to be he didn’t hesitate for a second.

He would be a 1964 Aston Martin DB4.

This is understandable coming from the singer of a song called You, Me and Optimus Prime, a sunny song about embracing the inner child.

When asked whether he would rather be in The Beatles or go to Hogwarts, he readily chose The Beatles.

“The hardest part about being a musician is just knowing every day you wake up [that you’re] just never going to be as good as The Beatles, ever,” said Struthers.

When I met Struthers, the first thing he did was give me a hug.

He is a hugger, not a handshaker.

Kindness and warmth emanated from him, and when he was onstage his natural charisma was amplified.

He interacted with the audience with a f lirtatious ease, telling us with a grin when we failed horribly at singing along that we shouldn’t worry, we did great.

Some have compared Str uthers to John Mayer and while that comparison has some merit, I am more inclined to compare him to the laid-back ease of Jack Johnson.

His music tends to deal with matters of the heart but it does so with positivity, humour, and even at times with a ukulele.

I saw him play live at Joe’s Apartment, a venue in Vancouver on the Granville strip, on Feb. 24.

He played a set with Kamloops’ own Kate Morgan, whom he’s toured with twice.

They each played a few solo songs as well as a couple of songs together. The song Speed on Home was my favorite.

Featuring lines like, “I miss you like a fat kid misses cake,” or “like superman misses his cape,” brought humour to the challenges of a long-distance relationship.

His song with Kate Morgan, Perfect, is a funny song about finding love.

You can find their music under the name James and Kate.

He shows a romantic bent through his taste in music, and not only through his own songs.

Struthers says he wishes he could say he had written Aerosmith’s I Don’t Want To Miss a Thing, These Eyes by The Guess Who, and Your Song by Elton John.

At the University of Manitoba, Struthers hosts a radio show on UMFM playing everything from hip hop and indie rock to electronica.

He calls Winnipeg home.

Struthers is definitely a Canadian talent to watch and has potential for mainstream success.

11

The Omega · Volume 21, Issue 21

Arts & Entertainment

TRU Actors Workshop Theatre It’s all about sex presents: Death of a Salesman Decline of the American Empire less about politics, more about doin’ it

Cory Hope

Ω Arts and Entertainment Editor In March the TRU Actors Workshop Theatre will be perfor ming Ar thur Miller’s 1949 classic Death of a Salesman.

As usual, the production will have its own unique twist. Director Jim Hoffman has put together an expressionist interpretation that sticks tr ue to the stor y while infusing it with his own f lare.

Death of a Salesman, for those of you who might need a quick refresher, is the stor y of Willy Loman (played by Andrew Alfred), a travelling salesman who has been showing symptoms of aging and depression.

Between car accidents and possible suicide attempts, the possible end of his career and his fr ustration at his son Biff having not yet made anything of his life, the play explores Willy’s mental degeneration.

I was for tunate enough to be invited to sit in on a star tand-stop rehearsal at the TRU Actors Workshop Theatre last week, where the cast and crew were f ine-tuning their performances under the direction of Jim Hoffman.

During a break between scenes, I was able to talk to some of the cast about what we have to look for ward to.

Hoffman has set the entire play inside the mind of Willy Loman. It’s beautifully represented by the craftsmanship of the stage, designed by Mark Anderson.

Originally titled “Willy’s Nightmare” according to Jared Raschke, who plays Charley (Loman’s neighbour), the stage represents Willy’s nightmare.

Inside the mind of Loman,

Nikola Grozdanovic The Link (Concordia)

Actors rehearse a scene from Death of a Salesman. The performance will run Mar. 1 to 3 and Mar. 8 to 10.

the people in his life are everpresent, and even when he’s not talking to them, they are in the back of his mind, yelling at him.

This constant bar rage on Loman from within his own mind has been orchestrated by having the entire cast onstage at all times.

The closest any of the cast gets to having a break during the perfor mance is being in the background, where they continue to act, sometimes as a group and other times individually.

These background interactions and lines called out in unison are all representative of Loman’s mental state.

The cast did their f irst r unthrough of the script on the f irst school day after winter break, and have been working the last few months on the production.

Without the nor mal breaks that would be given between scenes, it’s been an intensive

—PHOTO BY CORY HOPE endeavor, but all the cast members I spoke to feel conf ident it has been wor thwhile, and that it will show in the f inal product.

Matt Hardy, who plays Howard, Loman’s boss, said there are many strong scenes in this production.

The continual theme is time ticking away in Loman’s life, and many clock metaphors are present.

This is another inter pretation of Hoffman’s, according to Hardy.

Opening night for Death of a Salesman is Mar. 1, with performances r unning from Mar. 1 to 3, and the following week Mar. 8 to 10.

All perfor mances r un from 8 to 10 p.m., with an added matinee perfor mance on Friday, Mar. 9, at 11:30 a.m.

Tickets are $12 and can be purchased at the box off ice beside Tim Hor ton’s in Old Main.

Cactus Jacks becomes Jersey Shore for a night Cavelle Layes Ω Contributor

Hundreds of Jersey Shore fans packed into Cactus Jacks Feb. 17 to see their favourite blown-out Guido “beat that beat up.”

The inside of Cactus Jacks could very well have been mistaken for a scene from Jersey Shore.

Everywhere you looked there were guys looking “fresh to death” with their oversized muscles and freshly pressed T-shirts.

Orange-skinned gorillas made their way through the crowd and a countless number of Snookis stumbled by.

There was a Ronnie or two, and definitely a Vinny, but my favourite had to be the guy who appeared to think he really was The Situation.

Tanned to the max and wearing a skin-tight T-shirt, he continually lingered on the side lines, looking over his sunglasses to find his next target.

Fans of the Jersey Shore know this move, and it didn’t look any less douchey in person.

The crowd was well lubricated by the time Pauly D’s opening DJ stepped up to the plate (or laptop).

His music wasn’t bad and while the dance f loor was already packed by this point even more people made their way in.

However entering the dance f loor was more akin to entering a mosh pit.

Each girl was ready to fight for a chance that THE Pauly D might notice her.

As a result, elbows were f lying in every direction and at one point a guy was punched in the face by a girl in front of him and was completely laid out.

At the stroke of midnight, Pauly D stepped out to the piercing screams of every girl in the building.

He of course, was looking “fresh to death” with his white T-shirt, blow-out and that smile that never seems to leave.

For the last f ive seasons audiences have been watching Pauly D brag endlessly about his mad DJing skills and this was his chance to prove his abilit y to Kamloops.

He immediately got down to business and began mixing out some beats on his signature Italian-f lag laptop and headphones.

The music itself was great, however I expected more.

The music did do its job though, with everyone up and dancing. It kept the energy at high for the rest of the night.

So what was wrong with it?

The problem wasn’t really the music but the fact that there wasn’t really anything that set Pauly D apar t from the guy opening for him, except the occasional, “yeahhhhhhh buddy,” he would shout out through the mike.

It was as though Pauly D could slip out back and have the other guy take over and no one would even know.

The show ended, the lights came on, and Pauly D quickly disappeared.

The night in all was well wor th the $50 ticket. While the music was great the enter tainment was even better.

I for one can’t wait for episode two of the Jersey Shore, Kamloops style.

MONTREAL (CUP) — Cinema du Parc is currently showcasing the filmography of one of the most (to many, the number one) internationally renowned Quebecois directors, Denys Arcand.

With three Oscar nominations to his name, he is arguably mostly known for directing the 2003 Oscar-winning film Les Invasions Barbares.

Many, however, believe that his international fame got kick-started by the 1986 film that got the first Oscar nomination, The Decline of the American Empire.

You hear that title and I bet sex is the last thing on your mind.

Not so for Arcand.

It’s one of those conversational films where dialogue is the core strength of the whole piece.

However, there are splurges of brilliance apart from the raunchy, crisp and cutting-edge dialogue in which characters find themselves.

For example, the opening credit sequence features a long steady-cam shot in the bowels of a university building while a theme by Handel roars through the speakers. It’s a sequence Kubrick would have agreed with.

But it is Arcand’s script that holds the key here.

The film is divided into three parts: before, during and after a dinner.

A group of university professors gather to discuss intellectual subjects for dinner but the meat of the film, the before part, shows the women at the gym and the men preparing the meal, an ingeniously flipped stereotype if there ever was one.

Sex is the only thing on these people’s minds when not confronted by their respective spouse, partner or opposite sex counterpart.

The cast of characters is as colorful as you’d expect this type of film to have in order to keep our attention: Louise the faithful wife, Dominique the older of the femme fatales, Diane the younger of the two and Danielle the innocent girlfriend, in the gym.

For the men: Pierre the middle-aged

boyfriend, Remy the unfaithful husband, Claude the homosexual and Alain the teenage novice, preparing the meal.

There is no real plot to grab on to and follow here.

From start to end we are engaged in the conversations of these characters and the wit of Arcand’s pen.

“Age leads to vice” is one of the many quotable quips from Pierre and the rest of the boys and girls, and could also stand as a tag line for the whole movie.

This is essentially a film about middleaged intellectuals whose youth has flown by leaving them starving for lust, desire and passion in their lives.

At one point Remy proudly says, “I may cheat on Louise, but I know she’s the one for me,” and laughs.

It’s hard to sympathize with someone like that, which leads to the biggest problem here: you can’t really sympathize with anybody in this film.

Everyone’s true colors are shown as depraved humans devoid of real emotions, while the most innocent characters (Louise and Danielle) are either too blind or indifferent to the goings on around them.

But maybe Arcand did not want to us to sympathize with these adults.

It is after all how he ties in the whole theme of perversion and lust to the decline of a country’s empire.

The epilogue has a narrator tell us that the youth is doomed for having “no models to live by. Our own existence is being eroded.” With men talking about STDs like they can’t wait to get them and hide them from their wives, and women giving relationship advice to their girlfriends while sleeping with their husbands on the side, you kind of get what Arcand is saying.

The Decline of the American Empire is a very clever and entertaining exposure of a specific version of adulthood.

A little cold and detached, with some characters being quite detestable apart from their sense of humor, it’s a film that many won’t be able to relate to completely; those who still believe in the sanctity of marriage, for example.

But as the empire continues its steady decline, this deliciously decadent tale feels as contemporary as ever.

And that’s the biggest turn-on here.

Image courtesy M&M and National Film Board of Canada

12

February 29, 2012

Feature

Supply and demand: the economics of accessibility in post-secondary education Mercedes Mueller

The Fulcrum (U of Ottawa) OTTAWA (CUP) — As the population ages and the demand for highly skilled workers increases, investment in post-secondary education (PSE) is becoming more and more necessary for economic growth. Equal opportunity for high-school students to go to college or university also matters. Most Canadians believe those who have the desire and academic merit to attend a post-secondary institution should be able to.

From an economic and social justice standpoint, there’s a need for government intervention when it comes to opening up the PSE system for those groups traditionally under-represented in college and university classrooms. So who comprises these groups, and why aren’t they making it to school?

ary education.

“To go forward — to bring groups of students that are not currently attending college or university into the system — we’re going to have to go beyond those traditional measures,” he says.

Parents and the PSE culture More detailed data sets on youth participation in PSE have unveiled a number of factors that affect a student’s decision to enter college or university, many of which are unrelated to family income.

Finnie notes the importance of parental education on a child’s PSE choices.

“There’s a very strong correlation between parental education and who goes to university — and once you look at that, the income effect goes way down,” he explains. “So the interpretation is that it’s not about money.”

Parental education can shape a child’s aspirations or attitudes toward higher education through many channels. Parents who have attended a PSE institution are more likely to communicate positive thoughts about that experience; students may also be less intimidated by the idea of going to school if their parents have gone.

“There are various avenues through which these things get communicated, whether it’s those discussions around the kitchen table or letting your kid know you’ve started saving for their education,” adds Andrew Wismer, researcher at EPRI, who also worked on the Measuring the Effectiveness of Student Aid (MESA) Project. “Say you are a 13-year-

parents haven’t had that experience to relate. Emily Hamilton, another recent U of O grad, remembers learning about her options after high school at a university fair in Grade 9 — making it to university was left largely up to her.

“We never spoke about it,” she says, when asked how her parents talked about university with her. “I always felt I had more of an inner drive to push myself into higher education.”

What else matters?

A recent paper by EPRI looked at access to PSE among under-represented and minority groups, citing parental education, disability, Aboriginal status, attending a rural high school, and coming from a low-income family as the most important determinants in whether a high-school student makes it to university. Interestingly enough, these groups are over-represented at the college level.

One of the most prevalent patterns in Money isn’t everything PSE participation is related to gender: Since the early 1990s, the percentage of Over the last two decades, the steady women attending university has been rise of tuition fees and student debt, in adgreater than that of men. As of 2003, 38.8 dition to a decline in education spending per cent of 19-year-old women had atby the government, has many student-intended university, compared to 25.7 per terest groups, politicians, and policymakcent of their male counterparts. ers focused on financial barriers to PSE. Although one could chalk these numIn 1991–92, the average full-time underImage by Julia Pankova/The Fulcrum bers up to males not wanting to go to graduate student in Canada was paying “At schools, there’s sunk costs that have university as much as females do, Tor- tended university themselves. $1,706 for one year’s tuition, while the “When my parents came to Canada, already been paid,” adds Wismer. “Getting ben Drewes, professor of economics at average student in 2009–10 paid $4,917 Trent University, asks the question: What they didn’t have anything,” she says. kids together, well, they’re already together — a 188 per cent increase alongside a 38 if both males and females want to go to “Education was a huge thing, because in a class. Having someone to speak to per cent rise in the cost of living. they didn’t have the opportunity to have them? OK, there’s a teacher already there.

PSE in equal numbers?

Despite the higher costs associated There’s certain costs that are already cov“High-school averages among boys that kind of education back home.” with getting a university education, the Although her parents wouldn’t have ered.” are a little bit lower on avernumber of university graduates “It’s just a new message,” Finnie interage than girls,” he explains. been disappointed if she chose not to go has increased by 24 per cent “So when universities apply university, Hoang says they were in the jects. “Adding in to the curriculum.” since 2001. That’s not to imply Some schools across the country have a gender-blind admission back of her mind while she completed her money doesn’t matter when implemented early intervention programs standard of, say, 80 per cent, studies. talking about access to PSE; it “They would be more disappointed if that focus on counselling, academic enand if both genders apply in does. But as Ross Finnie, assoequal proportions — we’d I didn’t do anything with my life, but ob- richment, parental involvement, and menciate professor in the Graduate get the observed gender gap.” viously they knew [PSE] would give me toring designed to increase PSE access School of Public and InternaSome of the discrepancy that extra boost to get a job,” she explains. for under-represented youth, most notably tional Affairs at the University in grades can be explained “I felt I needed to work a bit harder, but the Future to Discover program in New of Ottawa and director of the by differences in effort when just because of my parents. They paid for Brunswick and Manitoba. The creation Education Policy Research Initiative (EPRI), explains, the

—Richard Mueller is comes to school work, but it and worked hard; I didn’t want to do of web-based initiatives is also popular in targeting the newest generation on the path by using data on work effort badly in school.” financial barriers to education — or not — to the PSE system. Finnie is and grades in high school, have largely been dealt with. critical of approaches like these that “One of the things that the govern- old kid and your father tells you, ‘I just Drewes found boys still rely on students to reach out. ments have done over time is make sure started saving for your education — if fall short when it comes to “I feel pretty strongly that you that there’s probably enough money in you decide you want to go.’ [That gets getting the grades — even have to be more proactive than when they work hard. place for students who want to go to col- students] thinking about their grades.” that — you can’t just wait for the “Boys don’t work as A briefing released by the MESA Projlege and university to do so,” he says in a students to come forward, because video interview sponsored by the Higher ect in 2010 reported low-income students hard as girls do, but if you’ll get those who were already Education Quality Council of Ontario whose parents never attended college or even they did, they’d going in that direction,” he explains.

(HEQCO). “The whole affordability bar- university — “first-generation” educa- still have grades that are rier — that’s probably been dealt with by tion students — are much less likely to lower than girls,” he says.

“You need to have programs that say they always knew they would attend “Somehow, boys are not good public policy.” proactively get to everyone.

Many groups are fixated on reduc- PSE and have parents who saved for their able to translate their work “Information is part of it, but also ing the costs of PSE as a solution to the education compared to those with par- efforts into higher high —Ross Finnie how that information is presented.” perceived financial barriers to higher ents who who attended college or univer- school averages — or at education. The Canadian Federation of sity. They also tend to have lower grade least at the same rate that Looking ahead Communication is key girls are.”

Students’ National Day of Action on Feb. point averages in school.

Alternatively, some segments of the For Laurel Hogan, recent graduate of 1 highlighted rising tuition and student Although the body of literature on acSo if these cultural barriers matter to cess to PSE is rich and ever-expanding, debt — and it’s not just student-interest the U of O, her parents always encour- population will attend university irregroups advocating for lower fees. Earlier aged her and her sister to pursue higher spective of family income, parental edu- PSE accessibility, how can we change the researchers still have a long way to go in this year, the Liberal Party of Ontario im- education. Her mother holds a bachelor’s cation, and other aforementioned charac- way they affect education outcomes? Al- terms of understanding the causes and plemented their 30 per cent tuition grant degree, and her father has a bachelor of teristics. One MESA briefing reported though the idea of substituting for paren- effects of what’s determining who goes visible minorities and children from im- tal education or geographic location may to colleges and universities. Nonetheless, to reduce the financial burden faced by science and two master’s degrees.

“It was always presumed that I would migrant families are more likely to go to seem abstract or costly, Finnie asserts the they remain optimistic, both about the fustudents, a move lamented not only by go to university and I never questioned university, study more hours per week, solution can be as simple as getting the ture of their work and the Canadian PSE the student population.

“This is an example of extremely poor it,” she recalls. “When it came time to ac- and cite parental pressure as a reason to message about the benefits of attending system. public policy and the triumph of politics tually decide whether and where to apply persist through their degrees when com- college and university to students in their “There has been a shift in thinking in over reasoned public policy,” says Rich- at the end of Grade 11, I was already very pared to non-visible minorities or natural early teens. policy circles who appear, in the last few “What we have to do is — somehow — years, to be very receptive,” says Finnie. ard Mueller, associate professor of eco- comfortable with the idea because I’d born citizens.

“The Chinese students go to univer- get the idea of going on to PSE into their “There is a shift going on, and that franknomics at the University of Lethbridge, been introduced to it practically before I sity,” says Finnie of the cultural phenom- heads when they’re young so they’re think- ly, for us, is inspiring. We see our work in an email to the Fulcrum, noting the could even remember.”

For Hogan, her parents played a signif- enon, noting the children of Chinese im- ing in that direction and they’re preparing and others as maybe having an effect.” marginal number of students the policy will bring into schools. “Given the huge icant role in her choice to go to university. migrants have a 90 per cent attendance for that possibility down the road,” he says.

Mueller agreed, stating he is confident Getting school-aged children excited in Canada’s higher education system — “Through the way they raised me, and rate at PSE institutions. “It doesn’t matter cost of the program, these resources could have been better directed at other leading by example, they made it clear how low family income is, there’s almost about university can be as simple as taking despite the growing pains it has endured a field trip to a local university and show- in the past two or three decades. that PSE was an extremely worthwhile no income effect — they just go.” programs and policies.”

Lai Hoang, recent U of O graduate ing them around campus, or talking to Although the disconnect between real- investment of time and money,” she says.

“We have to better use our resources, ity and policy is stark, Mueller explained “They gave me the facts, encouragement currently applying for master’s pro- them about the benefits and opportunities and this doesn’t mean that everyone the obsession with money as a barrier to and support, and let me decide for my- grams in economics, is a Chinese-born associated with PSE while they’re in high needs or deserves a university educaCanadian whose parents immigrated school. The key is relaying the message in tion,” he writes. “We would like to see education is rooted in a basic economic self.”

Finnie notes it is more difficult for here with very little formal education. a way that speaks to kids — and that’s also the best students succeed at university, concept: When the price of a good goes up, the demand goes down. According to students to get those positive messages She explains her parents played a signif- the challenge. but they have to come in the first place — “The communication of ideas doesn’t this is what myself and others are trying Finnie, however, this is an outdated way about both the university experience and icant role in her decision to go to school, of looking at accessibility to post-second- the value of getting a degree when their not unlike those whose parents have at- cost that much,” Finnie explains. to achieve through our research.”

“This is an example of extremely poor public policy....”

“We see our work and others as maybe having an effect.”

13

The Omega · Volume 21, Issue 21

Sports Badminton team continues to grow Kamloops to host CCAA National Championships March 1 to 4

Nathan Crosby Ω Sports Editor

Badminton players from across the country will descend into Kamloops this weekend for the CCAA Nationals at the TCC, despite zero Wolf Pack presence.

Top players from colleges and universities from coast to coast will play for the podium starting Mar. 1. It will be the second major badminton tournament the Wolf Pack will host this year, after TRU welcomed the PACWEST Championships in midFebruary.

It was at that tournament that TRU won three bronze medals: in women’s singles, women’s doubles and men’s singles.

Despite the great effort, there will be no TRU players to cheer for at Nationals. The top two of each provincial category qualified for Nationals and the ‘Pack were unable to get in.

Even though the host school won’t be competing, the weekend promises to showcase amazing talent from the nation’s best.

“It’s important to make the community aware that badminton is more than a backyard sport,” Wolf Pack badminton head coach Brad Pape said.

“It’s very rare that we would have this calibre of badminton in Kamloops.”

Douglas College is expected to be a favourite at Nationals after capturing three gold and two silvers at Provincials.

They will be led by Logan Campbell, who was named the PACWEST male player of the year after capturing gold in mixed doubles with teammate Charmagne Yeung.

Their coach, Arif Mawani, has been in his position for over 20 years and said this year’s team

is one of the most special he has coached.

Langara’s Luke Couture, who won men’s gold at Provincials, will be in contention for a men’s singles title. His teammate, Alisa Young, will be a dark horse in the women’s singles pool after winning silver at Provincials.

The Wolf Pack finished fifth out of six as a team in the PACWEST. Fourth-year Kia Lidster won bronze in women’s singles with a 3-2 record. In women’s doubles, Anica Arduini and Marlee Mertens won bronze.

Mertens, who’s in her final year of eligibility, finished her career on a strong note after a season of focus.

“I tried to get out as much as possible and train,” she said.

Mertens started her college badminton career with a fourthplace finish at Nationals in doubles and is looking forward to her school hosting two big tournaments in her final year.

“I’m stoked. I’m so excited,” she said.

TRU’s Joey Chu went 3-2 as well and captured a bronze after beating VIU’s Bryan Cassels.

He said he was excited to play in front of the home crowd.

Chu put in a rigorous training schedule this season and will be a favourite for next year’s Provincials after coming up shy this year.

“I’ve been practicing pretty hard; I’d say five times a week,” he said.

Head coach Pape thought his team would win at least three medals at Provincials and was overall happy with his team’s focus, saying they were as prepared as they could be.

The Nationals run throughout the weekend with the finals played on Sunday at the TCC.

TRU badminton team members competed hard at the provincial championships over the weekend of Feb. 18 and 19, but despite their efforts, the nationals will be hosted without anyone from TRU competing. The Omega congratulate the team on their season, and look forward to watching their development next year.

—PHOTOS BY DAVIES/HOPE

Women’s basketball season ends with first round exit Nathan Crosby Ω Sports Editor

The Wolf Pack’s record-setting season came to a bittersweet end on the last weekend in February.

In their first-ever CIS playoff games, TRU went to Saskatoon and lost the best-of-three series to the Saskatchewan Huskies 2-0.

“I think it had something to do with their experience and they were able to pull through our lack of experience,” Wolf Pack guard Kaitlyn Widsten said.

“It was upsetting.”

WolfPack post Dianne Schuetze (Photo courtesy of TRU Athletics)

Widsten, with teammates Michelle Dimond and Kailey Colonna, played their final games with the Wolf Pack after five years of growing together with the young TRU program.

The team returned to Kamloops on Feb. 27 (their f lights were scheduled for the Monday since the possible third game would have been played on the Sunday) and now have under eight months to prepare for a season where expectations will be even higher.

The ‘Pack’s 9-9 record was a school record for any TRU basketball team, including men and women.

Widsten, who was admittedly disappointed from the results in Saskatchewan, acknowledged the great season her team had.

“Coming from my first year when we won one game and then in fifth year making playoffs, it was a nice progression,” she said.

“It was good to see the program move so far and I was happy to make it.”

The ‘Pack put in a gutsy effort in game one on Feb. 24 in Saskatoon.

The team steered the game for three quar ters, leading 3328 going into halftime. Saskatchewan won the game 66-59 after reclaiming the lead in the

four th quar ter.

The Wolf Pack committed 21 personal fouls and the Huskies committed 10.

The ‘Pack shot well from the field, going 43 per cent, while the Huskies shot 39 per cent. Unfortunately for the young TRU team,

WolfPack senior Kailey Colonna (Photo courtesy of TRU Athletics)

Saskatchewan’s veteran experience hindered any TRU upset.

Scoring leader Diane Schuetze finished the night with 14 points and ten rebounds.

Forward Tracy Kocs, who had some brilliant games throughout

the regular season, was a huge factor finishing the night with 11 points. Kaitlyn Widsten had 12 points.

“Friday night’s game went really well, we played well as a team and were up for most of it but couldn’t quite pull through, they’re a tough team,” Widsten said.

Things got worse for the ‘Pack in the next game on Feb. 25.

TRU came out f lat in the first half and Saskatchewan took advantage. The ‘Pack shot 27 per cent from the field and the Huskies shot 33 per cent, and Saskatchewan’s veteran experience hindered any TRU upset.

“Everything was falling for them on the Saturday game; they missed more shots than they would have on Friday,” Widsten said.

“They shot well and we did not.”

The Huskies defence stepped up in game two, containing Canada West’s leading scorer, Diane Schuetze, to six points. Jen Ju of the Wolf Pack also struggled offensively, scoring three points.

On a night when the shots weren’t going in, the veterans prevailed.

Saskatchewan won game two 56-43 and will move to the final

WolfPack rookie Jade Montgomery (Photo courtesy of TRU Athletics)

four of the Canada West, hosting UBC this weekend.

Widsten was professional, speaking rationally when asked about the weekend, even though it must have been tough to say goodbye after a great season ended in a loss.

Despite this, the women’s accomplishment won’t be forgotten. Widsten, Colonna and Dimond will have fond memories of TRU and how the young program was able to mature into a playoff team during their time wearing black and orange.

14

February 29, 2012

Science & Technology Google’s new privacy policy What does Google’s new mandatory privacy policy mean for internet anonymity?

Tim O’Brien

The Muse (Memorial) ST JOHN’S (CUP) — Late last month, Google announced its plans to amalgamate their many privacy policies into one unified document starting Mar. 1. The new policy changes are presented as a take-itor-leave-it option from Google.

“If you continue to use Google services after Mar. 1, you’ll be doing so under the new Privacy Policy and Terms of Service. If you’d prefer to close your Google Account, you can follow the instructions in our help center,” reads Google’s FAQ page.

The new policy will replace 60 existing product-specifying privacy documents for Google services such as Gmail, YouTube and Docs.

According to Google, the terms of the new policy will provide better search results and ads that are more likely to be of interest to users.

Google will have more data to work with by combining users’ history across all Google products.

Previously, and until Mar. 1, data that Google collects about you when you use YouTube, for instance, is separated from other Google products you use. Google could use the data collected from YouTube to improve users’ YouTube experience, but couldn’t use the data to improve and customize user experience on other Google products.

Similarly, Google search data had been kept separate from other products. The corporation has previously promised not to share information gathered about users’ search history when customizing their other products.

The new policy removes the present separation between YouTube, Google products, and its search engine.

“The new policy reflects our efforts to create one beautifully simple, intuitive user experience across Google. It makes clear that, if you have a Google Account and are signed in, we may combine information you’ve provided from one service with information from other services. In short, we can

treat you as a single user across all our products,” reads Google’s FAQ page.

The new policy, however, doesn’t eliminate users’ ability to set up different accounts under different names.

“We may use the name you provide for your Google Profile across all of the services we offer that require a Google Account. In addition, we may replace past names associated with your Google Account so that you are represented consistently across all our services,” according to Google.

A Google+ account requires a real name from its users, while a YouTube account does not.

As of Mar. 1, your real name could appear across all Google’s products.

To see what information Google has about you, login to Google, go to “Account Settings,” select “Products,” and then “Login to Dashboard.”

There you will find a list of Google products you use and your most recent activity for each.

It shoots, it scores

U of M home to what may be world’s first hockey-playing robot

Marc Lagace and Fraser Nelund

Puzzle of the Week #16 – The Library Great Uncle Henry died and left you his books and a container for them (called a mansion). In one of the mansion’s many comfy libraries are books on many subjects.

There are 54 books on birds, 75 on abucuses, 15 on automobile repair, 19 on linguistics, 14 on linguini, 28 on etiquette, 89 on drawing, 32 on fire, 108 on Scotland, 65 on French dialects, 25 on law, 38 on swimming, 12 on diving, 32 on agriculture, 13 on triskaidekaphobia, 42 on rocketry, 3 on wishes, 5 on teddy bears, 17 on U.S. customs, 12 on U.S. Customs, 6 on lakes, 15 on rivers, 78 on computer science, 42 on organic chemistry, 77 on inorganic chemistry, 15 on windup toys, 15 on games, 6 on planets, 63 on vegetarianism, 65 on cats, 32 on dollies (toys), 16 on dollies (handcarts), 4 on libraries, 31 on history, 12 on plush toys, 19 on rolltop desks, 58 on German dialects, 42 on tourism, 75 on business, 23 on sailboats, 9 on credit cards, 14 on fireplaces, 34 on fire suppression systems, 23 on vampires, 17 on werewolves, 29 on castles, 43 on woodworking, 17 on lawns, 22 on duplication, 7 on number theory, 14 on abstract algebra, and 42 cheap, bodice-ripper romances.

The Manitoban (U of M) WINNIPEG (CUP) — Programmers working at the Autonomous Agents Laboratory at the University of Manitoba may have developed the world’s first humanoid-robot ice-hockey player.

Chris Iverach-Brereton, a computer science graduate student at the U of M, has been programming Jennifer — a DARwin open platform named after Canadian hockey player Jennifer Botterill — for less than a month.

Thus far the robot is capable of taking a shot, stick handling and taking r udimentar y st r ides on some makeshif t skates. She makes her moves with a miniat u re Bison hockey stick.

Jack y Baltes, professor in the depar t ment of computer science and Iverach-Brereton’s super visor, got his st udent working on prog ram ming the multi-spor t capable robot to take on Canada’s game mere weeks ago.

Math Puzzle of the week

Jennifer doesn’t have her own skates yet.

Iverach-Brereton told the Manitoban that a customized set of blades was on the way, but had been delayed by a few days.

Jennifer has six motors in each leg and three in each arm. Iverach-Brereton is looking forward to the addition of new motors in the robot’s arms, which will serve to increase range of motion.

Her practice arena is the Duckworth Quadrangle. She, Baltes

—PHOTO BY MARC LEGACE and Iverach-Brereton have prepared a video entry to the 2012 DARwin-OP Humanoid Appliance Challenge, a competition to reward the most innovative uses of the platform.

“We don’t know anyone else that has tried doing it,” said Iverach-Brereton. “There [are] other people who’ve worked on aspects of hockey. There [are] robots that make slapshots and stuff.

“I haven’t actually seen a humanoid robot try to do all of it...

Go Canada!”

Each book has at least one subject. Assume that each subject is independent of the others. For example, a book on linguistics is not necessarily a book on French dialects and vice versa. If a book can have no more than three subjects, what is the minimum number of books in this library?

Solving the above would involve a lot of work. You possibly do not have time to run through the millions of millions of possibilities, so the puzzle is actually: How would you go about solving this problem reasonably efficiently?

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 next Wednesday to Gene Wirchenko <genew@ocis.net>. Submissions by others are also welcome. The solution will be posted the Wednesday after that in the Math Centre (HL210A). Come visit: we are friendly.

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The Omega · Volume 21, Issue 21

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1. Aug. follower 5. Some Olympians, nowadays 9. Foreword, for short 14. “Aquarius” musical 15. Hair colorer 16. Apple gizmo 17. Blame unjustly 20. Clipped 21. “Felicity” star, familiarly 22. “What are the ___?”

23. Islam’s global gathering 25. Inner: Prefix 27. Seth’s father 30. Georgian, for one 33. Lots 37. ___ Strip 38. Flowering shrubs 40. ___ grass 41. Arrogant and inflexible 44. Moisten flax 45. Eurasian grass 46. Freshman, probably 47. Guru’s pad 49. “To Autumn,” e.g.

50. Home of Vigeland Park 51. Arabic for “commander” 53. Bro’s sib 55. Pinocchio, at times 58. It’s super, in the sky 61. “Beat it!”

65. Noiseless

68. Squarely 69. Cash in Denmark 70. Eating disorder 71. Porridge ingredient 72. Handwoven rugs 73. “Idylls of the King” character Down 1. Word with “up” or “out” 2. “___ on Down the Road” 3. Dock 4. Collector of detritus 5. School grp.

6. Classic board game 7. Fraction of thrice 8. Gawk 9. “Rocks” 10. Shot 11. Put one’s foot down?

12. Go through 13. Crumbs 18. Caribbean, e.g.

19. 40-point melds 24. Kentucky county 26. Brit’s “Baloney!”

27. Ancient assembly area 28. Copenhageners 29. Alchemical solvent 31. Essen basin 32. Kind of group, in chemistry 34. Traditions 35. Atelier item

36. Court figure 39. Ancient 42. ___ cheese 43. Medical device 48. Nickelodeon staples 52. Chopper blade 54. An end to sex?

55. Arctic native 56. “Cast Away” setting 57. Band with the hit “Barbie Girl” 59. Be different 60. Fishing, perhaps 62. Archaeological site 63. Fungal spore sacs 64. “Beowulf” beverage 66. Mamie’s man 67. Balaam’s mount

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LAST WEEK’S ANSWERS

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Notice anything wrong with The Omega? Bring it to our attention and win a prize. We may have done it on purpose just to keep you on your toes...or you might just be helping us get better. Either way... you win!

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February 29, 2012

TRUSU Membership Advisory Students for Sustainability

GET INVOLVED IN MAKING YOUR CAMPUS GREENER! Email info@trusu.ca to join the Students for Sustainability Campaign

Miss

n o i t a t n e s e R p e R Film Screening

International Women’s Day March 8th 7pm - Clock Tower Free Admission

Story Teller's Gala Grand Hall • March 12 • 10am-2:30pm Join the TRUSU Aboriginal Collective for the Story Teller’s Gala. Lunch will be provided. RSVP to guichon@trusu.ca Workshops include: • Pine-Needle Basket Weaving • Post-Secondary Student Support Program • Performers TRUSU ABORIGINAL • Keynote Speaker Pamela Palmater

Post-Secondary Education Fact: A post-secondary graduate will contribute $159,000 more in taxes - more than 3x the cost of providing a postsecondary education

This Week: • Opening Night of “Death of a Salesman” • Council Meeting • Volunteer Registry Event Check out the Events Calendar at trusu.ca for details!

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