December 3, 2015

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SPORTS

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NEWS

USSU hears out students at AGM KEIGHLAGH DONOVAN News Editor

With quorum met, the University of Saskatchewan Students’ Union sat down with students in the Neatby-Timlin Theatre on Nov. 26 to recap notable progress that has been made since the last Annual General Meeting and to address current student concerns and proposed amendments.

Jack Saddleback, USSU president, opened the evening with a reading of the President’s Report which made note of several significant initiatives already in progress, followed up by the agenda for this year’s AGM, which included 18 official amendments.

Jeff Toppings, a member of the University Student Council representing the College of Engineering, proposed one amendment to the fourth section of bylaw 11 regarding the current quorum requirement.

“My feelings on this is that this number, currently 0.25 per cent of all students, is a number which is not representative of the whole student body,” Toppings said.

He proposed that quorum for a general meeting be changed from the original 50 students and 15 councillors to two per cent of the student population, and 15 councillors. That works

out to just over 300 students in total, not including the members of student council.

Quorum is the number of students and councillors required for a meeting to move forward.

All undergraduate students are eligible to vote on proposed amendments to the USSU bylaws, which are reviewed by the USSU’s lawyer to ensure that the proposed amendments adhere to the spirit and intent of the bylaw.

Despite Toppings’ concerns, Gabe Senecal, USSU vicepresident academic affairs, voiced his own concerns toward the proposed amendment.

“I definitely agree with the spirit of the motion, but it’s just a matter of feasibility. There are about 60 or 70 of us here tonight, and we’ve been promoting for a considerable amount

of time, and it’s just not a possibility to get 300 or so students out here for an AGM. It’s been pretty consistent throughout the years, so there’s no reason to feel that it would easily fluctuate much,” Senecal said.

Kehan Fu, USSU vicepresident student affairs, agreed with Senecal, though he expressed appreciation for Toppings’s democratic engagement.

“It’s important to note that the individuals here, that you guys are not the norm for students. You are the exceptions.

And I’m not saying that you guys should be the exceptions.

In a perfect world, students would be as engaged as possible. But there’s a lot of factors that play into engagement, but there’s a reason why the limitation exists as it is,” Fu said.

Although the amendment

was defeated, the USSU extended an invitation to all of the student body about this matter and encourages students to share their ideas on how the USSU can continue to engage the campus community and increase attendance for future AGMs. The last notable amendment of the evening came later in the meeting and drew attention to the way in which the USSU executive carry out their election campaigns.

U of S student Luke Brossard proposed an amendment to include a section in the USSU bylaws entitled “Slates and Candidate Alliances,” whereby “slate” is defined as any informal or formal collaboration between candidates for executive positions in which the goal is to increase the odds of the participants of becoming elected.

Saddleback speaks to the im-

Caitlin Taylor / Photo Editor The USSU executive engaged with U of S students at the 2015 Annual General Meeting.

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portance of this amendment to U of S culture.

“Slates do happen in student unions but slates are not necessarily something that the USSU has taken part in. There have been instances where slates have taken place but for the most part, our university culture is different and U of S students feel that it is important that slates are not necessarily something that should be enforced at an executive level,” Saddleback said.

Because Brossard was not in attendance, the USSU had to speculate what the intent was behind this amendment.

“Slates are not democratic in nature for the USSU’s election system and by having executives run as independent people, you are going to be able to get the cream of the crop,” Saddleback said.

This was Saddleback’s third year attending the AGM and he encourages students to consider the impact they can make on campus policies and democracy moving forward.

“This is your USSU, and you have the freedom to be able to change the USSU in whatever regard that you would like to see going forward. Partake in and propose amendments. It is not out of anyone’s realm to put forth an amendment, and if there are any questions that folks have, they can definitely contact any of the executive or the USSU to be able to help them if they would like to put forward an amendment.”

The mission of the Sheaf is to inform and entertain students by addressing those issues that are relevant to life on campus, in the city, or in the province. The newspaper serves as a forum for discussion on a wide range of issues that concern students. Written for students by students, the staff of editors, photographers, and artists collaborate with volunteers as studentjournalists to produce a product with relevance to the university community. With each composition, the Sheaf stays in touch with students on the U of S campus. It provides unique insight to university issues through a student perspective. @thesheaf1912 If you would like to contribute to the Sheaf, email editor@thesheaf.com for more information.

corrections

The Sheaf is a non-profit, incorporated and student-body funded partially by way of a direct levy paid by all part and full-time undergraduate students at the University of Saskatchewan (U of S). The remainder of the revenue is generated through advertising. The financial affairs are governed by a Board of Directors, most of whom are students. Membership in the Society is open to undergraduate students at the U of S who are encouraged to contribute to the newspaper. Opinions expressed in the Sheaf do not necessarily reflect those of the Sheaf Publishing Society Inc. The Sheaf reserves the right to refuse to accept or print any material deemed unfit for publication, as determined by the Editor-in-Chief. The Editor-in-Chief has the right to veto any submission deemed unfit for the Society newspaper. In determining this, the Editor-in-Chief will decide if the article or artwork would be of interest to a significant portion of the Society and benefit the welfare of Sheaf readers. The Sheaf will not publish any racist, sexist, homophobic or libelous material. The Sheaf is published weekly during the academic year and monthly from May through August.

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In our Nov. 26 issue, the article “A campus off to war: U of S involvement in the First World War,” has a grammatical mistake in a quote from Keith Carlson, located at the bottom of the fourth column. The last sentence should read: “It would have been hard for them when after the war, all of these male students came back.”

If you spot any errors in this issue, please email them to: copy@thesheaf.com

december 3, 2015

NEWS

Indigenous students create Christmas on campus JALINE BROQUEZA With Christmas just around the corner, the University of Saskatchewan Indigenous Students’ Council is helping fellow students who may require a little more than comfort and joy to get them through the holiday season by bringing Christmas to their doors.

The U of S ISC is an assembly of students whose aim and purpose is to unify the Aboriginal students on campus through cultural, recreational and academic activities. During the month of December, the ISC is giving out Christmas hampers to self-declared Aboriginal students at the U of S who demonstrate financial need.

Breanna Doucette-Garr, second-year arts and science student and the ISC vice-president finance, is an active contributor to the Christmas hamper initiative and speaks to how the program got its start.

“We see that there is food insecurity on campus, especially for Aboriginal students, and it makes sense because being a student doesn’t really guarantee having a

large salary to be able to have a good nutritious diet, especially around Christmas time — you’re worried about finals, trying to feed your family and trying to study,” Doucette-Garr said.

Based on a 2013 study that was conducted at the university, it was estimated that approximately eight per cent of U of S students, undergraduate and graduate, are parenting. Moreover, this fall, official enrolment numbers confirm that 2,236 students at the U of S self-declare as Aboriginal, the highest yet for the university.

The ISC’s Christmas hampers will not only benefit Aboriginal students, but the initiative also provides an opportunity for all students to give back to the campus community and extend their helping hands with the joy of giving this holiday season.

“Food insecurity basically means that you aren’t able to have an adequate diet or even think that you can have an adequate diet. It’s a problem that really needs to be addressed — not being able to even afford a good meal. It shouldn’t be a problem, especially in such a rich country as Canada,” she said.

Donations may come in many forms, including non-perishable food items such as canned soups, hygiene products such as new toothbrushes or soaps, various household items and toys for children.

The majority of students who receive the hampers have children, and DoucetteGarr speaks to how rewarding it is to be able to help these families during the holidays.

“My experience has been really good. The students that do receive the hampers are so thankful for the hampers, cause not only do we put food that can go towards their Christmas dinners, we put gift cards in there, we put toys, we put anything, any donation that we can get to help us students to basically live,” she said.

Additionally, DoucetteGarr explains that several other Indigenous studentled initiatives allow the council to fill the hampers with more than just the basics.

“We do donate $50 gift cards to each hamper. We do a lot of fundraising throughout the year just to be able to do these kinds of projects to give back to students.”

This year’s application deadline to acquire a Christmas hamper is Dec. 4. Students can apply by filling out an application form online or by visiting the Aboriginal Students’ Centre. Since there is a limited number of hampers, the ISC prioritizes the students who demonstrate the greatest financial need.

Students and faculty alike are encouraged to drop off donations for the Christmas hampers in the donation box located at the Aboriginal Students' Centre in Marquis Hall.

“We are still looking for donations and it is going to a great cause because Aboriginal students, we do need that support and this is a great way to give your support to

your community and to Indigenous people on campus,” Doucette-Garr said.

The ISC is collecting donations until Dec. 13 and Doucette-Garr encourages students to get involved while they still can and start off the holiday season by helping out their peers.

“Because a lot of students don't get to spend a lot of time with their family during the term, never mind trying to make extra money for Christmas — although, I know there are students who do both — these hampers are likely to help incredibly hard-working students that are not able to have a side job during the school year and are seeking support this holiday.”

Caitlin Taylor / Photo Editor Donations await appreciatiave Aboriginal students in need this holiday season.

Bring in, or email your ow n digital artwor k or image !

CUSTOM APPAREL FOR YOUR FAVOURITE ELF CUSTOM APPAREL FOR YOUR TUITION PAYING PARENT ACROSS FROM THE CAMPUS

december 3, 2015

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NEWS

Micro-courses offer students a unique opportunity JACK THOMPSON In an increasingly fastpaced world, the culture of being "too busy" is one that can lead students to withdraw from courses or activities due to lack of time and energy.

However, the University of Saskatchewan Interdisciplinary Centre for Culture and Creativity is aiming to counteract this issue by providing students with a less demand-

ing option to fulfill their education goals.

Established in 2014, the concept of the micro-course is a way for students to experiment with various areas of study without overwhelming their schedule with a full course load. Currently, these courses pertain exclusively to the arts and are only being offered through the ICCC. Each class is worth one credit unit, compared to the regular three credit course,

Jeremy Britz / Graphics Editor

and the workload is reflective of that. In total, there are only 12 hours of class time and while students are still expected to work in these classes, the required readings and assignments are toned down and feel more like a workshop.

According to Jeanette Lynes, U of S English professor and co-ordinator of the masters of fine arts in writing, the ICCC is home to several programs that have been “enormously beneficial” to U of S students, and the micro-courses are yet another way to continue this positive trend.

Lynes made contributions to the new programming, along with other ICCC staff who she credits as key players to the innovative approach.

"Sabrina Kehoe at the ICCC was instrumental in establishing the micro-courses. I liked the idea right away. Sometimes it's fun to sample a subject in a shorter format," Lynes said in an email to the Sheaf.

While the micro-courses offer students a manageable way to experiment with new ideas in a relaxed environment, faculty and graduate students alike also reap the benefits of

teaching these courses to students they may not have otherwise had the opportunity to work with.

One such MFA student, Patrick O’Reilly, designed two of the micro-courses being offered in the 2016 winter term and speaks to the appeal of the courses for students at all levels of study.

“It’s sort of a pressure-free zone I think. You’ve only got one credit so nobody is expecting you to go home and spend hours a night studying.

For the courses I designed, it’s more of an exploration than anything else. So you’ll do some reading, but it’s all going to be readings that are available online. You don’t have to buy books. Maybe you’ll do a couple hours of reading a week, if that,” O’Reilly said.

Another benefit for students who register in the microcourses is that there are no exams and no required textbooks to purchase.

Some of the micro-courses available to students include "The How of Poetry" and "Fiction in a Flash," both designed

by O'Reilly, who applied his experience in teaching work-

shops to the development of the one-credit courses.

“It was very exciting for me because I’d just finished my undergrad; I’d done a lot of workshops, I’d done a lot of volunteer work in middle schools and elementary schools teaching kids to write there,” O’Reilly said.

This work, among the work of others who designed courses such as “Spoken Word and Other Forms,” “Emerging Creative Minds” and “Designing for Print and Screen,” culminates into a unique opportunity for students.

Along with the creative course content, the microcourses, when taken in threes, also fulfill a standard arts requirement, and Lynes insists that this option is a fun way for students to experience the diversity of post-secondary education without the stress of a heavier workload.

“These courses offer students a non-traditional way to study, intensive and short-term and offer a sampler of a subject area.

Students receive a wider range of teaching styles with the micro-courses.”

Western Inter-University Geoscience Conference rocks the U of S EMILY KLATT Staff Writer

Students concerned with the study of the earth may be excited to know that the new year signals a return of the Western Inter-University Geoscience Conference to the University of Saskatchewan for the first time in over a decade.

From Jan. 6–9, the 52nd annual WIUGC will be hosted by the U of S. Rotating between different Canadian universities each year, the student-run conference focuses on the latest research and developments within the geological sciences. The conference aims to bring students, professors and industry professionals together through a common interest in the scientific study of the earth.

Kyle Snarr, third-year geology student at the U of S, is the treasurer and fundraising coordinator for this year’s WIUGC and speaks to the relevance of the conference to the campus community.

“The main purpose of the conference is to meet other stu-

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dents from across Canada, network with them and industry professionals, present research and attend talks about geology pertaining to Saskatchewan,” Snarr said in an email to the Sheaf.

The U of S is no stranger to hosting WIUGC however, as the first one was held in Saskatoon in 1964.

WIUGC offers several different opportunities for students to enrich their knowledge of the geosciences. Since geoscience includes geological engineering, geophysics and even environmental science, there are topics that may interest a wide variety of students.

Conference attendees will partake in a variety of educational experiences. Several geoscience professionals will be giving talks and there will also be students presenting their own research.

Field trips will be taken to the PotashCorp Mine and the Canadian Light Source Synchrotron, among other relevant places, and the conference will end with a banquet held at the Radisson Hotel in downtown Saskatoon.

While geoscience is no doubt of worldly interest, much of the

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conference focuses on geological concepts that are unique to Saskatchewan.

“Topics include hydrogeology, mining techniques, paleontology — that’s right, dinosaurs — and of course resource-based presentations on petroleum and mineral exploration,” Snarr said.

Despite the geoscience theme, Snarr emphasizes that WIUGC is for more than just those who study geology.

“Any U of S student, regardless of their college and year, is allowed to attend the conference. We currently have doubled numbers from last year, so if you are interested in any aspect of the geosciences we highly recommend checking out the website,” Snarr said.

As geoscience is a diverse field, it translates to a variety of disciplines and even applies to everyday life.

“The geosciences are related to the larger community in ways that are both expected and

unexpected. Resource-based careers such as those in potash are a prime example, but the geosciences are also involved in flood control, earthquakes and identifying minerals that have health hazards, such as some of the asbestos species,” Snarr said.

For those that do study geology and other sciences, Snarr describes the importance of being involved with the latest research and other developments.

“In the science discipline, research is constantly being updated in academics but students are sheltered from relevant information related to industry related topics,” Snarr said. “It is important to attend these industry events so you can better understand what your career work will actually look like.”

Ultimately, WIUGC is about more than just rocks and dinosaur bones. It is also about forging connections between different groups of people.

“It is important to interact with other students at other universities because when we actually finish our degrees — fingers crossed — these are the people who you will be working for and with in the industry. It is good to know people,” Snarr said. “Not to mention get a little crazy at the many social events being held each night.”

If attending WIUGC gets students hooked on the geosciences, Snarr offers up this information: “If you are starting to be like, ‘Damn, geology sounds pretty darn neat,’ come by the Ore Gangue [the U of S Geology Students Society] in the Geology Building on the second floor and we can show you rocks and answer any questions you may have.”

Jeremy Britz / Graphics Editor

december 3, 2015

SPORTS

D g Watch: Garrett Saxton CURTIS FONTAINE “Nobody Outworks The Dogs” is what you’ll see lining the walls in the Rutherford Rink at the University of Saskatchewan.

This is a statement deep-rooted in hard work, dedication and determination. For Garrett Saxton, this couldn’t ring more true.

Saxton is a third-year student trainer, the veteran and leader of a four person, student-based medical staff looking after the Huskies men’s hockey team, who are currently number one in the Canadian Interuniversity Sport rankings.

Huskie Athletics offers a unique student trainer program to those exploring a career in sport medicine. Matt Kelley, Jeremy Campbell and Jory Meyer round out the Dogs’ training staff, along with Saxton, as they work under the watchful eye of Rhonda Shishkin, the head therapist for Huskie Athletics.

Enrolled in the College of Kinesiology, Saxton says working with the hockey team is more hands on than anything he learns in the classroom.

“Being a part of the Huskie student trainer program takes what you’ve learned in school

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and allows you to apply it to a real world setting. You learn how to apply your biomechanics, how to apply your anatomy, how to apply your physiology, whether it’s through exercise programming and training or injury assessment and management,” Saxton said.

Saxton and the rest of the medical team attend all practices and games. They are responsible for medical care and equipment, which means long hours at the rink running morn-

ing workouts, doing laundry, sharpening skates and taking care of injuries — all while studying kinesiology full time.

The most memorable moment for Saxton came last season, when he helped rehab a player’s dislocated shoulder. “[The player] had eight weeks of rehab and I was with him pretty much every step of the way, and his first game back, he scored a goal on his first shot. When he came back to the bench, the smile on his face —

he was grinning ear to ear. He gave me a hug when he came off. That meant a lot to me,” Saxton said.

This goes to show the program offers not just professional development, but also life experience. Nothing left more of an impact on Saxton than the passing of Cody Smuk, a member of the Dogs who lost his battle with cancer in June 2015 .

“When you watch that guy play hockey, you think about how he’s not the most skilled

Kayle Neis Sharpening skates is just one of many duties for Garrett Saxton, the head student trainer for the Huskies men’s hockey team.

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guy on the ice by any means, but he’s making the biggest plays. I mean, I kinda take that into my life — I don’t think I’m the smartest guy ever, but I’m gonna be out there making the biggest plays,” Saxton said, fighting back tears.

Rookie student trainer Matt Kelley, speaks to the contributions that Saxton has made to their team.

“He puts in more hours than all the boys — which is a lot — and it doesn’t go unnoticed, so I hope he knows that. When a guy works that hard, it sets the tone for the rest of the crew, especially me, coming in as a rookie, to see what kind of work you’ve got to put in and what you’ll get out of it,” Kelley said.

Saxton’s character is clearly rubbing off, which is a testament to the hard work, dedication and determination he’s put in with the Dogs. As a graduating student, his future looks bright as he pursues a career in physiotherapy, but for now it’s all about getting the best product on the ice so the Huskies can keep rolling after the Christmas break.

The walls in Rutherford tell it all — nobody outworks the Dogs.

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SPORTS

Benefits of braving the cold: A case for winter biking CAITLIN TAYLOR

Photo Editor Believe it or not, there are benefits to biking in the winter. Yes, it’s cold, windy and the lack of sunlight is depressing at the best of times. Even though old man winter makes it tempting to close the blinds and turn up the heat, I encourage you step outside, mount your bike and ride off into the 3:30 p.m. sunset.

This year will be my third winter on two wheels. I started out as a fair-weather cyclist but when the snow rolled around, I was encouraged by some friends to give winter biking a try. I haven’t looked back since.

Sure, there have been difficult moments — like wading through three-foot high snow drifts, wiping out in front of dozens of people and uncontrollable helmet hair, but I assure you that the advantages of winter cycling outweigh all of these minor challenges. While it may seem like there are more reasons to send your bike into hibernation for the winter,

consider these five benefits to braving the cold and cycling year-round.

1. Exercise is the easiest selling-feature of winter cycling. For me, biking at a speed of 20 kilometers per hour for 20 minutes burns 163 calories, according to bicycling.com. While this doesn’t seem like much, keep in mind that this calculator does not take into account many of the factors that come into play when good old winter is involved.

For example, wind resistance, increased air density caused by cold temperatures, tire resistance on snow and ice and the weight of your bike and possible cargo — such as a backpack full of textbooks — all affect the amount of energy required to pedal from point A to point B. All of these elements make for a more physically demanding, but rewarding, commute.

2. This increased energy output has one major benefit: energy input. With the holiday season just around the corner, winter cyclists can eat two, maybe three helpings of their favourite dish without worrying about when they’re going

Caitlin Taylor / Photo Editor Photo editor Caitlin Taylor is all bundled up on her bike for a winter ride.

to find time between dinner parties and shopping to hit the gym. Why yes, I would love another sugar cookie, thank you.

3. Biking in the winter is a great way to combine your 20-minute cardio routine with your 20-minute commute. Not only are you saving workout time, you can save on travel time, too. Many people who bike in the winter will agree that it takes more time to wait for the bus, ride the bus and walk to your destination from the bus stop than it does to hop on your bike. Let’s not forget that your bike is always ready to go. There is no need to worry about scheduling for the last departure from Place Riel when you have your trusty bike to take you home.

4. Winter biking is also a great way to save money. When biking replaces driving, you save money on parking costs on campus and throughout the city. Not surprisingly, you also save gas money when you don’t use your car! For those who decide to go all-out and sell their cars in favour of yearround biking, they save on the initial purchasing costs, insurance, oil changes and general maintenance. ­­As anyone who

owns a car will tell you, these expenses can add up.

5. And finally, biking is good for your mental health! When winter infiltrates our lives and the lack of light gets me down, biking is the number one way to lift my spirits. Staying active is the best medicine when stress and sadness start to creep in. When the strain of assignments and exams hits, it is especially important to focus on self-esteem. When I bike to school in the winter, I feel a sense of accomplishment when I reach my destination.

The day has barely begun, but I’ve already crossed something challenging off my list. It’s a great feeling.

Now that I’m in the habit of biking during the winter, it doesn’t feel like a chore. I look forward to my 20-minute commute as a time when I can prepare for the day ahead or unwind after a busy day of classes and work.

So get out there and give it a try. Even if you ride your bike once this winter, that is something to be proud of. Be warned, once you get a taste of the benefits of cycling year round — you won’t want to stop!

NFL Picks week 13: Panthers look to stay perfect AUSTIN ARVAY / SPORTS EDITOR Green Bay Packers (7–4) vs. Detroit Lions (4–7) With their stunning loss last week against Chicago, the Packers find themselves in second place in the division — a rarity this late in the season. Reigning Most Valuable Player Aaron Rodgers hasn’t looked his sharpest in recent weeks and after losing to the Lions a few weeks back, he should be on top of his game come Dec. 3. Detroit is playing some solid football as of late and their resurging passing attack could be tough on the Green Bay secondary.

Take: Green Bay Atlanta Falcons (6–5) vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (5–6) After a red-hot start that saw the Falcons at 5–0, they’ve been free-falling lately and have dropped five of their last six contests. Shaky offensive outings riddled with turnovers have Atlanta suddenly on the outside looking in at the playoff picture. Taking care of the ball versus an opportunistic Bucs defence will be crucial for Atlanta. On the other side, rookie Jameis Winston and the Bucs are making a late season playoff push and this will be a pivotal game for both teams in the standings.

Take: Atlanta Kansas City Chiefs (6–5) vs. Oakland Raiders (5–6) When star running back Jamaal Charles went down with injury, many critics wrote off the Chiefs. Yet, they are in the thick of the playoff race thanks to a five-game winning streak.

Quarterback Alex Smith hasn’t thrown an interception since week three and if you combine his hot play with a solid defence — that’s a winning recipe. Oakland has been led by a young offence to this point, but that may be their downfall against a stingy Kansas City defence this week. How will sophomore Derek Carr perform in a pressure packed game?

Take: Kansas City

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Seattle Seahawks (6–5) vs. Minnesota Vikings (8–3) Running back Adrian Peterson is looking like his former self, boasting a touchdown in five straight games and leading the NFL in rushing yards. Using a top 10 defence and a balanced offensive attack, the Vikings are sitting at 8–3.

Seattle will be a tough test, however, as the defending NFC champs have won four of their last five games. In a battle of two top-end defences, I would take the offence that makes less mistakes.

Take: Seattle New York Jets (6–5) vs. New York Giants (5–6) In an exciting New York–New York match-up, both teams are salivating for a win. Although they share a stadium, the Giants will be considered the “home team” and will look to shut down receiver Brandon Marshall and the rest of the Jets offence. Superstar Odell Beckham Jr. made another ridiculous catch last week, but he will be in for a long afternoon matched up against Darrelle Revis.

Take: New York Jets Carolina Panthers (11–0) vs. New Orleans Saints (4–7) Carolina keeps on rolling and after a 33–14 drubbing of the Cowboys, they have to be feeling good. Operating very efficiently on offence, the Panthers face an easy match-up with a lacklustre Saints defence. Drew Brees and his struggling Saints will look to hand the Panthers their first loss, but going up against a top defence in the league is no small feat. In a divisional game on the road for Carolina, it will be a lot closer than people think.

Take: Carolina

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Indianapolis Colts (6–5) vs. Pittsburgh Steelers (6–5) As both teams battle for their playoff lives — with an identical record and injuries plaguing both teams — this has the makings of one of the more exciting games of the week. Led by the undefeated and ageless Matt Hasselbeck, the Colts will look to exploit a weak secondary and keep pace in the AFC South. Pittsburgh’s running game isn’t the same without the injured Le’veon Bell, but Deangelo Williams has done an admirable job filling in. Antonio Brown could have a monster game against a lower-tier pass defence.

Take: Pittsburgh Dallas Cowboys (3–8) vs. Washington Redskins (5–6) Losing quarterback Tony Romo for the season after a second broken collarbone injury this year has all but sunk the Cowboys’ season. Though they only sit two games back of the division-leading Redskins, Dallas has struggled to find traction on offence without Romo. Washington, on the other hand, is turning it on at the right time and has won three of their last five games. Quarterback Kirk Cousins is hoping to continue his stellar play, albeit he’s up against a tough Cowboys defence. With a win, the Cowboys can drastically improve their playoff chances, but can they perform with Matt Cassel under center?

Take: Washington Other games: Houston Chicago Cincinnati Miami Arizona Jacksonville Denver New England

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SPORTS AUSTIN ARVAY / SPORTS EDITOR

Basketball teams pull off double sweep

MEN’S BASKETBALL: HUSKIES 97, SPARTANS 86

HUSKIES 78, SPARTANS 77 After picking up just their second win of the season the night before, the Huskies kept up their hot play and knocked off the Trinity Western Spartans 78–77, thanks to a buzzer-beating threepointer by Jonathan Karwacki.

Although they trailed by nine points at halftime, the Dogs showed resilience and battled back hard in the second half. A big third quarter — where they outscored the Spartans 20–12 — set up an exciting fourth, with the teams sep-

arated by just a single point. Trailing by two with no time left, Karwacki banged home a three and helped the Huskies pull off the sweep, running their record to 3–5.

The Huskies defence kept them in it, forcing 21 Spartans turnovers. Evan Ostertag and Jauquin Bennett-Boire led the way with 17 points each, while freshmen Chan De Ciman filled the stat sheet with 13 points, five rebounds, five assists and four steals in the victory.

WOMEN’S BASKETBALL: HUSKIES 70, SPARTANS 48

HUSKIES 71, SPARTANS 53 The top ranked team in the nation continued to roll, as they picked up a pair of convincing wins over the Trinity Western Spartans for their fourth consecutive sweep to begin the season. On Nov. 27, the Huskies used a massive first quarter to jump out front and never looked back for their eighth win of the year.

Using a 26–10 advantage after 10 minutes, the Huskies breezed through the rest of the game and rested the majority of their starters in the final

frame. The Dogs’ tenacious defence throughout the game was the difference, holding TWU to just 30 per cent shooting. Their 55 points allowed per game ranks 11th in the Canadian Interuniversity Sport and third in the Canada West.

Kelsey Trulsrud had a team-high 16 points, while Dalyce Emmerson, Desarae Hogberg and Sabine Dukate all recorded double figures in points.

Senior Taya Keujer had a solid game off the bench, tallying eight rebounds.

MEN’S VOLLEYBALL: WESMEN 3, HUSKIES 0

HUSKIES 3, WESMEN 2 Looking to get back to .500 on the year after a loss on Nov. 27, the Huskies were successful as they outlasted the Wesmen in a five-set 3–2 (25–15, 22–25, 25–20, 23–25, 15–13) thriller, to close out the first half of their season.

After a great opening set that saw the Dogs win big, thanks to plenty of Bison errors, the teams tightened up and turned it into a closely contested match. The Huskies maintained a high hitting percentage all game and limited their errors — in what was a solid per-

formance all around. The teams traded sets and were tied 10–10 in the decisive fifth set, when heavy hitter Jordan Nowakowski and Andrew Nelson both hammered home points to put the Huskies up for good.

Rookie setter C.J. Gavlas seems to have adjusted nicely to his new role, recording 30 assists and two digs, while Nowakowski and Nelson tallied 17 and 13 kills, respectively. Heading into the break, the squad sits in seventh place with a 6–6 record.

WOMEN’S HOCKEY: COUGARS 2, HUSKIES 1

HUSKIES 2, COUGARS 1 With game one of the weekend series going in favour of the Mount Royal Cougars on Nov. 27, the Huskies put forth a gutsy effort in game two and pulled out a satisfying 2–1 victory, snapping the Cougars’ four-game winning streak.

After a back-and-forth first period where neither team could find the back of the net, it didn’t take long into the second period before the Dogs opened the scoring. Just 19 seconds in, fifthyear Marley Ervine scored her sixth goal of the season to draw first blood for the

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Huskies in their final game of the first semester. Late in the second, speedster Kaitlin Willoughby found a loose puck and put it in the empty net with just 29 seconds left in the middle period, giving the Huskies a huge 2–0 lead in the only category that matters.

Cassidy Hendricks had one of her best games of the year, making 26 saves in the victory. The win means Saskatchewan will head into the December break with a 9–5–2 record, good enough for fourth in the conference.

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MEN’S HOCKEY: COUGARS 5, HUSKIES 3

HUSKIES 4, COUGARS 2 Losing just their third contest of the season the night before on Nov. 27, the Huskies came back hard in game two of the weekend series with a 4–2 victory over Mount Royal and got back into the win column before the December break.

Saskatchewan — the number one ranked team in the country — got off to a fast start, scoring three goals in the opening period of action. Logan

Mcveigh, Kohl Bauml and Cameron Blair all scored in the first 20 minutes, en route to the victory. The Cougars did their best to make it a game, as they clawed back to within a goal in the third period, but forward Levi Cable sealed the win with an empty net goal.

With the weekend split, the Dogs remain atop the CanWest standings with a 13–3 record heading into the December break.

WOMEN’S VOLLEYBALL: HUSKIES 3, WESMEN 0

HUSKIES 3, WESMEN 1 With a weekend sweep, the Huskies made it four straight victories as they improved their record to 6–6 heading into the break. Emmalyn Copping continued her strong play on Nov. 28, as she slammed 19 kills in the 3–1 (25– 19, 21–25, 25–23, 25–12) victory.

The teams traded the first two sets before an intense third set, which set the tone for the rest of the match. The green and white trailed 14–9 before

Copping gave the Huskies life, spiking three straight past the Wesmen to spark a run which the Huskies used to take the third set. In the fourth and final set, the Huskies took a commanding lead at 13–6 before winning the set 25–12.

This is the first time since 1998 that the women’s team has been .500 or better at the break and they currently sit in fifth place in the CanWest.

CANADA WEST STANDINGS WOMEN’S HOCKEY:

W-L-T Alberta 9-6-1 Manitoba 9-6-1 UBC 8-6-2 Saskatchewan 8-5-3 Regina 8-5-3 Mount Royal 8-7-1 Lethbridge 8-7-1 Calgary 3-9-4

MEN’S HOCKEY:

W-L-T Saskatchewan 13-3 Alberta 12-3-1 Mount Royal 9-5-2 UBC 8-5-3 Manitoba 7-7-2 Lethbridge 6-9-1 Calgary 5-8-3 Regina

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WOMEN’S VOLLEYBALL: W-L-T Trinity Western 12-0 UBC 11-1 UBC Okanagan 11-1 Alberta 10-0 Saskatchewan 6-6 Thompson Rivers 5-7 Mount Royal 5-7 Calgary 4-8 Brandon 3-7 MacEwan 3-9 Winnipeg 3-9 Manitoba 2-10 Regina 1-11

MEN’S VOLLEYBALL: W-T-L Alberta 10-0 Manitoba 10-2 Calgary 9-3 Trinity Western 8-4 UBC 8-4 Winnipeg 7-5 Saskatchewan 6-6 Mount Royal 5-7 Brandon 4-6 Thompson Rivers 4-8 UBC Okanagan 3-9 Regina 1-11 MacEwan 1-11

WOMEN’S BASKETBALL:

W-L Saskatchewan 8-0 Alberta 7-1 Calgary 7-1 Regina 5-1 Brandon 4-2 Trinity Western 3-3 Victoria 3-5 UBC 2-6 Winnipeg 1-5 Lethbridge 0-6 Manitoba 0-6

MEN’S BASKETBALL:

W-L Lethbridge 5-1 Manitoba 6-2 UBC 6-2 Calgary 5-3 Victoria 5-3 Alberta 4-4 Regina 3-3 Winnipeg 3-3 Saskatchewan 3-5 Brandon 0-6 Trinity Western 0-8

december 3, 2015

CULTURE

Student Kitchen: Cut costs, not flavour with holiday sweets KEZIA FOURIE

PEPPERMINT BARK

PHOTOS BY KEZIA FOURIE

Baking during the holiday season can be costly with buying all the ingredients!

However, that doesn’t mean that you should forgo baking

in order to save your wallet. These recipes are easy, cost-effective, tasty and will leave you feeling like a baking pro.

CHRISTMAS ROCKY ROAD SLAB recipe adapted from taste.com.au

There are some people out there who just don’t like the taste of peppermint. Luckily, those people don’t have to forgo chocolate bark entirely! Enjoy this twist on the classic peppermint bark.

Ingredients: 100 grams milk chocolate 100 grams white chocolate 1 cup mini Oreos ½ cups mini marshmallows (or large ones chopped) ¼ cups maraschino cherries (or any jelly-like candy) Directions: 1. Melt the two types of chocolate individually. Meanwhile, break the Oreos in half and cut the cherries into quarters.

2. Pour the melted chocolate onto a cookie sheet lined with baking paper. If you are feeling extra creative, swirl the two colours of chocolate by using a toothpick. Immediately put the Oreo pieces, marshmallows and cherries on top of the chocolate, spreading evenly.

3. You can either leave the chocolate slab out at room temperature to set or leave it in the freezer for about an hour. Once the chocolate is hardened, break it up into pieces and it’s ready to go!

The total cost for this recipe was $6.62, which may change depending on your candy choices.

december 3, 2015

This has to be one of my favourite treats of the season. Candy canes are one of those things you can only find during the holidays, making them extra special.

Of all these three recipes, this one is by far the easiest to make — bonus!

Ingredients: 4 regular candy canes 200 grams milk chocolate 200 grams white chocolate Directions: 1. Melt the two types of chocolate individually. Meanwhile, line a cookie sheet with baking paper. Crush the candy canes into small pieces, but not too fine.

You can do this with a rolling pin, beer bottle or any other hard-bottomed glass if you are careful.

2. Once the chocolate is ready, pour it onto the cookie sheet, making creative patterns if you wish — a favourite of mine is a checkerboard style! Directly after, sprinkle the crushed candy canes and then leave to set, either at room temperature or in the freezer — the timing will depend on how thick the chocolate layer is. Once it has set, break up the bark and enjoy!

The total cost for this recipe was $9.50.

Considering the amount of ingredients, this is a little pricey. However, I was quite generous with how much chocolate I used so the cost could certainly be adjusted.

CHOCOLATE PEANUT BUTTER CARAMEL BALLS recipe from lifesambrosia.com

To me, peanut butter is something you either love or hate — and I happen to love it.

Pair it with chocolate and caramel and it gets even better. For all you peanut butter lovers out there, this is the treat for you. However, fair warning: these are incredibly sweet. More than one of these will have you downing a glass of water in no time.

Ingredients: 1 cup creamy peanut butter ¼ cup unsalted butter, slightly softened 1 cup powdered sugar 1 cup dulce de leche (basically caramel, find it next to condensed milk in grocery stores) ½ cup semi-sweet chocolate chips ½ cup white chocolate chips 1 tbsp coconut oil Directions: 1. In a mixer, combine the peanut butter, butter, powdered sugar and half of the caramel. Add more caramel or peanut butter to taste. The texture should be similar to a stiff cookie dough. Begin to form the mixture into balls with your hands, then place them on a cookie sheet and freeze for at least an hour.

2. When the balls are frozen, melt the two kinds of chocolate separately adding an additional ½ tablespoon of coconut oil to each. Next, dip the frozen peanut butter balls into the chocolate. This is your time to get creative! Make some of them solid white or chocolate, or make others half-white, halfmilk chocolate. When the chocolate has set, they’re ready to eat!

The total cost for this recipe was $10.35, half of which was the dulce de leche — definitely worth it. Yield varies depending on your size choice for the balls.

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FEATURE

All you need is love:

WHAT THE WINTER BREAK MEANS TO U OF S STUDENTS

CHELSEA POWRIE Culture Editor

PHOTOS BY CAITLIN TAYLOR / PHOTO EDITOR

Anticipation is in the air at the University of Saskatchewan — the end of first term classes is approaching, exam season is just over the horizon and, at last, the winter break is within reach.

Though the lure of lazy days and sleeping in sounds very attractive, it seems there’s one thing about the break many U of S students agree is better: spending time with family.

The U of S is a very diverse university, with a large population of students from communities in Saskatchewan, both Aboriginal and otherwise, as well as a prominent group of students from abroad. China, Vietnam, Ec-

uador and Brazil are especially well represented, since the U of S maintains relationships with scholarship groups aimed at students from those countries. There are students from all over the world on campus and they bring with them their unique cultures.

Religious diversity is also strong at the U of S. There are religious student groups like the Muslim Students’ Association, a recognized Hillel — an international Jewish organization for the enhancement of Jewish student experience — campus presence and affiliated Christian theological colleges like the College of Emmanuel

and St. Chad, to name just a few examples. Plus, there are students, such as myself, who are not religious.

With all these cultural and religious backgrounds — not to mention different age groups, areas of interest and academic programs — it’s hard to believe that U of S students can agree what is most important about the winter break.

The following 10 students were randomly selected and shared their thoughts on the upcoming break. While their plans vary, their memories of past holidays differ and although many do mention sleep, one word pops up most frequently by far: family.

What does the winter break mean to you?

A time to spend with my family and not be worrying about school.

LIGHTNING WAPASS

The College of Arts and Science, Aboriginal public administration, first year.

What does the winter break mean to you?

Time off and easy days.

Do you have any holiday season traditions?

We started a family extravaganza. It’s just a big get-together of family we don’t see very often.

What’s the best gift you’ve ever received?

Family being there.

What’s your favourite part about the holiday season?

The snow!

Do you have any Christmas traditions?

One entire side of our family gets together, including aunts and uncles and cousins, it’s a really big thing.

What’s the best gift you’ve ever received?

Going to Mexico last year!

TARALYN DONOHUE

The College of Arts and Science, second year.

What’s your favourite part about the holidays?

Everyone’s spirit just changes. Everyone’s more positive. It’s nice.

What does the winter break mean to you?

Basically it’s like summer! Because basically you don’t do anything. A lot of family, friends.

CHRISTIN PARTIN

The College of Engineering, first year.

What does the winter break mean to you?

It means time to spend with my family and friends.

Where’s home, and what are your holiday season plans?

I’m from Saskatoon. We don’t celebrate Christmas, but we put a tree out though!

Where’s home, and what are your holiday season plans?

I’m originally from Kindersley, Sask. I’m probably going to stay in Saskatoon because I have family in Saskatoon.

What’s the best gift you’ve ever received?

My mom bought me a GoPro last year.

What’s your favorite part about the holiday season?

Family.

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AMIRALI OSTAD MOHAMMAD NAZARI The College of Medicine, physiotherapy and pharmacology, second year.

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Do you have any holiday season traditions?

Not really, besides the normal stuff. Get a tree, lights and decorations.

What’s the best gift you’ve ever received?

The best is when someone visits. That’s the best to me. december 3, 2015

FEATURE What does the winter break mean to you?

It’s a time to relax, get my mind off school, my everyday responsibilities. Running away from life and just enjoying the break.

Where’s home, and what are your holiday season plans?

My family lives in Brazil, so it is too expensive. So, I’ll be going to Victoria instead. I’m going with a couple of friends. It’s an adventure!

PRISCILA-TYNA FERREIRA DA SILVA

The College of Arts and Science, Indigenous studies and social work, third year.

What’s the best gift you’ve ever received?

My exchange program. When I was 16, my parents sent me to study abroad here for grade 11 and it was really good experience. I liked it, so I decided to come back.

PARKER DAWSON

What does the winter break mean to you?

More time to make some money! Also, spending time with family. My family lives here, so I’ll spend the time in the city.

The College of Arts and Science, second year.

What does the winter break mean to you?

I get to see a lot of family, I visit my grandparents. I usually go snowboarding, usually at Table Mountain but I might go on a trip to Montana this year.

Do you have any Christmas traditions?

My family every Christmas always makes a [lot] of appetizers and we just eat appetizers all night. My mom makes a birthday cake for Jesus, which I think is cute.

Do you celebrate Christmas, either religiously or not?

A little bit. Mostly the cultural parts.

What’s the best gift you’ve ever received?

When I was a child, I got a giant dollhouse so that was pretty exciting. I think that’s the last time I really freaked out over a gift.

What’s your favourite part about the holiday season?

It’s nice to have some time off. I like the atmosphere, and how people get more familyoriented and happier, most of the time.

What’s the best gift you’ve ever received?

My girlfriend gave me a scrapbook of basically my entire life.

SAMANTHA WATERS

The College of Education, second year.

What are you most looking forward to during the break?

Sleeping in! No school, and I really want to do some snowboarding.

What does the winter break mean to you?

It’s the only time to, you know, study, do what I didn’t get done. I’m thinking of traveling, maybe going to Winnipeg to meet my relatives.

Do you have any holiday season traditions?

Yes. I celebrate the birth of Jesus every December, so it has become a tradition for me to go to church on Christmas Day. Is there anything general you’d like to say about the holiday season?

I’d like to tell students to celebrate it within certain limits. New Year’s [Eve] is more important than Christmas, because you are in a different year and you can do things that are different from last year. It’s more important than Christmas in terms of celebrating and having fun.

JAMES KYR

The College of Arts and Science, psychology, third year.

BRYN HAWKINS

The College of Arts and Science, first year.

What does the winter break mean to you?

Family.

Do you have any holiday season traditions?

We always go to my grandma’s house.

What’s the best gift you’ve ever received?

A trip to Disneyworld when I was 12!

What’s the best part of the holiday season?

Seeing family from all over the province. december 3, 2015

What does the winter break mean to you?

It means, you know, the end of classes, then just having time to relax with family and friends.

Do you have any Christmas traditions?

For Christmas, [my family] all comes together in one single place. We rent a place and just spend time together, exchanging gifts.

What’s the best gift you’ve ever received?

It was probably when I got new rollerblades. I think I was 15.

What’s your favourite part about the holiday season?

It’s my favorite time of year. I like going to the different stores and seeing all the Christmas decorations. Also, the smell of cookies and all those kinds of Christmas foods.

GABRIEL SIRIAMY LINARES

The College of Arts and Science, third year.

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11

CULTURE

The joy of giving homemade gifts NAOMI ZUREVINSKI

Editor-in-Chief Being a student can sometimes mean that budgets for holiday gifts are stingy at best. A poor financial situation, however, can be an opportunity to bring out your creative side with some homemade gifts for friends and family — and after all, it’s the thought that counts, right?

The easiest way to save cash is to make something yourself by buying minimal supplies or using what you have on hand already. Some of these ideas do require putting in a little extra time, but what you spend in time you will save in money this holiday season!

1. Baking: this is one of the easiest homemade gifts, and who doesn’t love a tin of holiday treats? Simple and yummy recipes to make include caramel corn, chocolate truffles, butter tarts or sugar cookies in fun shapes like snowmen, Santa or Christmas trees. If you

want to get really creative, try making a gingerbread house — from scratch or otherwise — and decorating it with the person’s favorite candies and chocolates.

These types of gifts are delicious and you can put the treats in a holiday-themed container and wrap it with ribbons and a bow.

2. Speaking of goodies: if you don’t want to bake something yourself, another gift to make is “do it yourself” baking jars. Take a large mason jar and gather all the dry ingredients together for your recipe of choice and then layer the ingredients in the jar. Attach a note with the recipe, including instructions to add the wet ingredients — milk, eggs, vanilla extract — and then the receiver is one step ahead for the next time they bake! Some ideas include cookie recipes, muffins or a brownie mix.

3. While we’re on the topic of food, another idea is to make a large batch of salsa, jam or your favorite preserve, and then gift that to a number of people. Even a large batch of homemade soup can make a good op-

tion, and friends and family can then enjoy your gift after the holiday season, as these options will keep longer.

4. Depending on your creative abilities, knitting or sewing a variety of gifts can be a simple way to bring some holiday cheer. If you can knit, now’s the time to supply your friends and fam-

Jeremy Britz / Graphics Editor

ily with mitts, toques and scarves. If you know how to sew, try a pattern for a homemade apron or tea towels. Many people appreciate these types of handmade products that are also practical.

5. If you have a family member or friend who appreciates sentimental gifts, now’s the perfect opportunity to put together a photo album of all your favorite memories. Since many people store their photos digitally nowadays, having a photo album with developed pictures can be a unique and treasured gift.

Spice it up by writing funny or special memories and notes in the margins.

6. Making handmade cards is something that might not be a gift replacement, but can definitely be a way to add a special touch to a present. This is especially useful if you are going the route of gift certificates for Christmas; putting a gift certificate in a personalized card will go a long way. Grab some cardstock paper and holiday stickers and get crafty!

7. If you’re not artisticallyinclined, consider regifting any items you may already have that are not particularly used. Some good items include a favorite book or DVD, unused beauty products or clothing items you never use — shirts, scarves, a backpack. It’s an easy way to give a gift but also de-clutter at the same time.

8. Another option is to plan an activity or new experience to share with someone. Take your friend to that play they wanted to see, cook a meal for your significant other or spend the day at a used book store with your dad. Whatever it is, the person will likely be happy to just spend some time with you, and if you put extra thought into how that time is spent, it won’t go unnoticed.

For more homemade gift ideas, the Internet has a plethora of suggestions. The holidays can be stressful for students with cramming for exams, leaving little time to think about presents for friends and family. Gifts don’t have to be another stressor however, and taking some time to make homemade presents this year might just be easier than you think.

Graphic by Jeremy Britz / Graphics Editor Flickr / Manningcentre

December 26 - 31, in Regina, SK. For ages 15 to 21 Store Hours: Mon to Wed 10-6, Thurs 10-9, Fri & Sat 10-6, Sun 12-5

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and

· Debate current political issues in the Chamber of the Legislature. · Have dinner with Her Honour, the Lieutenant Governor. · 6 nights at the Travelodge Hotel with waterslides · Evening activities such as Karaoke and dances ALL of this and more for $100!

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For more details, www.facebook.com/saskatchewanyp or visit www.saskyouthparliament.squarespace.com

december 3, 2015

CULTURE

Keep your mind sharp:

Documentaries for the winter break BRIDGET MORRISON After first term and finals, many students find that all they want to do for winter break is relax — trust me, I’m one of them. Luckily, there is one easy way to keep your mind from turning to mush while slumping around, and that is to watch documentaries. Here are a few to get you started!

The first documentary I recommend is Citizenfour. Released in 2014 and directed by Laura Poitras, the film follows Edward Snowden and the United States National Security Agency spying scandal. To make a long story short, Edward Snowden is a computer genius who formerly worked for the Central Intelligence Agency and the NSA before going rogue.

In 2013, Snowden turned over thousands of classified NSA and Government Communications Headquarters documents to a number of journalists, revealing numerous global surveillance programs and private information. Citizenfour won the Academy Award for best documentary in 2015. This is a must watch. Find it on DVD or rent a digital copy through ITunes.

Next, I recommend the Israeli war documentary, Waltz With Bashir. Directed by Ari

Forman, Waltz With Bashir differs from most other documentaries in a very unique way: it is animated. Released in 2008, the film follows Forman interviewing fellow veterans of the 1982 invasion of Lebanon.

Through these interviews, Forman attempts to reconstruct his memories of the war and deal with the emotions that arise with recalling these events. While watching this documentary, think about the significance of the animation and spend some time in reflection. An interesting fact about this documentary is that it is banned in Lebanon.

Waltz With Bashir is available on DVD and on ITunes.

My third recommendation is Jiro Dreams of Sushi. This documentary was released in 2011 and was directed by David Gelb. The film follows Jiro Ono, who at the time of filming was 85. He is a sushi master and the owner of Sukiyabashi Jiro, a Michelin three-star restaurant in Tokyo. If you are a lover of sushi, this is a must.

The film also covers his two sons, both of whom are also sushi chefs. The main focus is their professional lives, mentioning very little of their personal lives and leaving the viewer wondering. Jiro Dreams of Sushi is available on Netflix.

Number four on the list is

Living on One Dollar. This is an American documentary that was released in 2013. The full cast and crew are mostly just the four men that the story follows: Ryan Christofferson, Zach Ingrasci, Sean Leonard and Chris Temple.

The film follows these four friends as they live on just $1 a day for two months in rural Guatemala. Along the way, they meet Rosa and Chino, who help them and give them hope as they battle hunger and parasites. Living on One Dollar is available on Netflix.

My final recommendation isn’t a film — it’s a TV series called Departures. This is a Canadian show that follows two old high school friends, Scott Wilson and Justin Lucack, as they travel around the world. There are three seasons of the show so far.

Not only do you get to vicariously explore the world while watching this series, you get to do it alongside these two dorky friends. This show may not be as intellectually stimulating at the other documentaries listed, but it certainly is fun to watch. You can find Departures on Netflix.

These are only a few of the many great documentaries out there, but it’s definitely a start. You won’t even notice that you’re giving your brain a little exercise. So cozy up this break and start watching!

Happy learning!

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upcoming events • Drew Tofin Big Band live at Louis’ Pub • Social Innovation YXE launch at The Two Twenty

Thursday • (Fake) Christmas Day at STM room 102 • Poor Nameless Boy with The Law and Prospects at the Broadway Theatre • VASU’s Silence! at the Gordon Snelgrove Gallery

friday

• Art Passport YXE video pub trivia and dance party at Amigos • Close Talker with Susan and Dagan Harding at the Capitol Music Club • The Nutcracker Meets Duke Ellington at TCU Place

saturday • CP Holiday Train at the CP Railway overpass on 7th Avenue North • Industry Xmas Party featuring Dragonette at O’Brians • The Santa Cycle at the Saskatoon Farmer’s Market

sunday

monday

• Bill Durst at Vangelis • Symphony Holiday Gospel Spectacular at TCU Place • The Pistolwhips at Amigos • USURJ launch celebration at the Murray Library room 102

• Sheaf Santa photos in the Arts Tunnel • SYPE Annual Christmas Mixer at The Grazing Goat •This Week in Poetry at the Broadway Theatre

tuesday

Caitlin Taylor / Photo Editor Winter vacation doesn’t have to be a break for your brain — documentaries are the perfect way to stay engaged this holiday.

december 3, 2015

• Cancer Bats with Lord Dying at the Capitol Music Club • Currents Swell at The Bassment • Winter Wonderland Watercolor Art Card Class at Twig & Squirrel’s Wild Goods

wednesday

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CULTURE

U of S style: How to shine this holiday season LYNDALL MACK

PHOTOS BY CAITLIN TAYLOR / PHOTO EDITOR

Even with final exams looming, it’s never too early to start looking forward to some well-deserved rest and relaxation and to celebrate the holiday season in style. The holidays offer a bevy of festivities, so why not honour the end of exams with a little bit of holiday glitz and glamour?

Though it’s impossible to go wrong with a little black dress or a timeless suit, adding a

pop of colour can undercut the monotony and do wonders for your outfit. Sequins, gold, silver and deep reds and greens are all classic go-tos that can guide you in making the perfect festive ensemble.

These University of Saskatchewan students share their tips for creating the perfect holiday look, which will hopefully spark some inspiration for your own.

Dave Alport. Age 26.

The College of Dentistry, fourth year.

Tell us about your outfit.

The suit is Hugo Boss from their outlet in Calgary. My shirt is also Hugo Boss from my dad’s closet in the late 90s — a good shirt never goes out of style. My shoes are from Steve Madden.

What are your favourite holiday trends?

Peacoats and scarves, wool pants and suits when you’re dressing up and can I say rum and eggnog? Is that a fashion trend?

What are some of your favorite places to shop for the holidays?

My go-to now is The Bay — they rebranded a while ago and are hitting 20–30 somethings for really good prices, but find a tailor first. Anthony’s Fashion for Men on Second Avenue. Caswell’s if you just got a paycheque — there are also a lot of good custom companies now like EPH apparel or Indochino that are student-budget friendly.

Chloe Guillou. Age 20.

Why is dressing well important to you?

It comes with the job. No one wants a dentist in a Huskies hoodie and sweats putting a needle in their mouth. Having said that, I’ve always tried to dress nice — it portrays confidence, which is something you want your dentist to have if you’re going to trust him. In any job where you’re dealing with people, you should try and look professional.

The College of Arts and Science, linguistics, second year.

What are your favourite holiday trends?

My favourite holiday trends this year are knitted sweaters, patterned leggings and over-the-top holiday dresses!

What are your favourite places to shop for the holidays?

In [Saskatoon] they are Tonic, Frakas and Winners. My outfit came from Tonic!

Why is dressing well important to you?

To me, dressing well is important because it’s a way to express myself. My mood changes every day and my style changes along with it.

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december 3, 2015

CULTURE Brad Ross. Age 23.

Edwards School of Business, second year.

Tell us about your outfit.

My suit is from Banjo Outpost, by Premium. The shirt is from Ultimo Euromoda and my tie and pocket square are both from Sprezzabox.com.

What are your top three must-haves for this holiday season?

I think a wool peacoat in grey or black, a big thick sweater or cardigan and dress shoes or boots with a rubber sole to handle our weather. Do not wear leather-soled shoes in the snow!

What advice can you give to students on how to dress for the holiday party season?

Keep it simple; a good shirt and tie with a sweater will go a long way when you’re sucking up to grandma to buy your textbooks next semester. Only wear the tacky sweaters, ties and other novelty items if that is the point of the party. If it’s a truly formal event, a navy suit or grey suit paired with softer colours will stand out without being outrageous like your uncle’s Rudolph tie — the one that lights up and sings at you.

Nicole Lee. Age 25.

The College of Nursing, fourth year.

Tell us about your outfit.

I bought my dress online at LuLus.com. My shoes are from Steve Madden and my bracelet is Kate Spade purchased at The Bay. I also bought my necklace online at Forever21.com.

What part of holiday fashion do you look forward to the most?

I love going to Christmas parties and seeing what outfits or dresses the other girls are wearing. It’s great to see what jewelry or shoes other girls pair with a dress that you may have something similar to. I also must admit, I love a guy in a nice suit, so seeing the guys dress up for the holiday season is an added bonus.

What is some advice for students on dressing for the holiday party season?

Living on a student budget can be difficult, so keeping an eye out for sales or promotional deals is always important. Black Friday, Cyber Monday and Boxing Day are three days during the holiday season where you can almost always find great deals for shopping. december 3, 2015

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OPINIONS

You’re not a Scrooge, you’re a student EMILY MIGCHELS Gift-giving etiquette for students is something of a mixed bag. More and more, students are looking to participate in the year-end festivities without opening their wallets. This can be done and, perhaps, should be done more often than not.

The holidays are fast approaching and you’re probably broke. Many of us are wondering what we can do to limit the amount of dough we spend on our loved ones and when we can get away with not giving gifts.

Under normal circumstances, it is generally accepted that the proper response to a gift is to give another of equal value in return. The work-around for students is that gifts don’t have to cost a lot to be valuable. It’s the thought that counts — and thoughts are free.

Not buying gifts for your family is relatively easy to deal with, as heading home for the holidays empty-handed is not taboo when you’re a student. Everyone in your family knows you’ve

been living off of noodles and breakfast cereal. Your parents might have even bailed you out of debt already because you forgot to budget for Starbucks.

Chances are, nobody's expecting anything from you. Refraining from giving gifts might feel a little indecent, but at the end of the day, your family will forgive you for being the holiday freeloader.

When it comes to gifts for friends, if you absolutely must give something, just steer clear of the traditional one-on-one exchange. Buying a metric tonne of trinkets for multiple friends only to receive the same number, slightly personalized, in return, is not a worthwhile endeavour.

There are a plethora of ways to dodge those awkward gift transactions with your friends.

Go the secret Santa route or arrange a white elephant gift exchange where you each provide one gift and then compete with each other to see who gets what.

Whatever you do, make it explicitly clear to them that you are not interested in buy-

ing gifts for everybody. This is much easier than saying that all of their presents got lost in the mail.

When it comes to your significant other, talk and make a plan to progress your mutual spending caps in a way that is realistic and doable for the both of you. As with anything, communication is key. You don’t have to spoil the surprise, but it might be a good idea to set some guidelines and limitations to avoid any disappointment or conflict.

Most holiday movies have a common denominator: there is an underlying message that the reason for the season is love, hope and togetherness. You can use this to justify your complete lack of material offerings in any relationship or as a defense for haphazard homemade gifts.

Homemade stuff gets a bad rap, but at the very least, no one decent is going to turn something down. In fact, most people will genuinely appreciate the fact that you put a little thought and effort into your yuletide contribution — keep in mind,

they’ll know you’re broke too.

Use the holidays as an opportunity to hone in on your talents. Draw a picture, write a poem or bake some cookies with whatever ingredients you have left in your pantry. Getting creative is also a healthy way to de-stress. You’re basically guaranteed warm, fuzzy feelings of accomplishment and the fulfillment that comes with giving someone something you made with your own competent hands.

Gift giving over the holidays

is a prime opportunity to evaluate all of your relationships, from grandpa to your significant other, to that one bus driver who sometimes doesn’t suck.

When you have a very limited amount of money to spend, you’re forced to consider other ways to show that you care about your loved ones. Saving your cash this holiday season doesn’t make you colder than Frosty the Snowman. You can be cheap without remorse, as long as you give all the love that you can.

Jiem Carlo Narag Students on a budget, have no fear. You can be frugal and still spread holiday cheer.

My war on Christmas ZACH TENNENT

Opinions Editor Christmas is right around the corner, except not really.

Still, the Christmas season has somehow been beating us over the head for an entire month already. It really is time someone put this rampant Christmas addiction in check.

They say, "Christmas comes

but once a year," and within the most literal confines of this statement, it's true. However, when people are busting out the coloured lights and Mariah Carey Christmas album before the leaves have even finished turning, you’d never know it.

The rampant consumerism of Christmas doesn’t even play a role in my dislike. The way I see it, materialism is like the wind: it blows, but there’s not much you can do about it. So I try not to get too riled up over it.

What does gut me is the ve-

Jeremy Britz / Graphics Editor

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the sheaf publishing society

neer of sentimental yuletide fluff on everything I encounter.

People just love to deck your halls whenever they can, so much so that when they don’t get the Christmas cheer fix they feel entitled to, they flip.

When Starbucks took the holiday imagery off of their beloved red cups in November, it caused a social media firestorm — almost as if you can’t enjoy coffee or Christmas if the cup doesn’t bombard you with season’s greetings.

Similarly, Saskatoon has become centre to an annual debate about whether city buses should read “Merry Christmas” or “Happy Holidays.” For my money, the best solution seems to be not having the buses read anything.

The reason for my bitterness is that I don't need a bus to tell me how to feel. By that same token, if my coffee doesn’t remind me that it’s the most wonderful time of the year, I’m not going to lose my sense of time or feel robbed of the holiday spirit.

The season just drags on forever too. When two whole months of the year — about 17 per cent or so — is treated as

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the Christmas season, it’s actually not a special time of year whatsoever.

We’ve all got that one friend who makes their birthday into a week long hooplah. It’s terrible.

Christmas is even more insufferable than that. I mean think about it: up until you finish grade 12, two months is your whole summer vacation. It’s a hell of a long time — too long to spend worshipping at the throne of Santa Claus.

It’s not an original basis for criticism, but when Christmas With the Kranks is on TV before you’ve even had a chance to get your poppy for Remembrance Day, more than one thing in the universe has gone horribly wrong.

What a hellish two months it is too. From home to school to work, Christmas imagery stalks you wherever you go.

You can’t set foot in a store without hearing Michael Bublé or someone equally as gag-inducing belting out some holly jolly garbage, you can’t turn on a TV or open a newspaper without getting swallowed into a void of Christmas advertisements — and God help you if you don’t

like peppermint.

You can call me Scrooge or the Grinch all you want, because I am. I really, really am.

I think we would all do well to pump the brakes a bit on our feverish worship of all things Christmas themed.

To be fair, there are obviously a number of other holidays in the month of December, so it doesn’t have to be all Christmas’ fault, but Coca-Cola doesn’t decorate their cans with dreidels and menorahs and your workplace hasn’t been droning on and on with Kwanzaa music since two days after Halloween.

On that point, it’s also worth noting that my gripes with Christmas have no basis in religious convictions either. Still though, for a holiday that many now view as being detached from its Christian origins, a lot of people sure seem to treat Christmas like it’s a religion in itself.

While I am almost certain to get a lump of coal in my stocking this year, it’s worth it for getting all this off my chest — and who knows? Maybe this will be the year Santa finally brings me a heart. december 3, 2015

OPINIONS

Family, that other “F word” PATTY HAILS I love the holidays, when exam stress gives way to that ever-elusive break. But before you can say “easy, Santa,” family rolls into town and obligation plants itself on your shoulders. Fear not — there are alternatives.

It’s snowing and you’re playing your favourite Christmas track — maybe it’s “Fairytale of New York” or Mariah Carey’s “All I Want for Christmas.” I’m not here to judge you, we all have our stuff.

You’re belting out the bridge — and killing it, quite frankly — when your sister calls. She says it’s time to come over for a rousing game of Trivial Pursuit. You say no, not tonight, but then she ups the ante.

“I flew here from Europe, but I guess you can’t make the 10 minute trip to mom’s house.” You feel your temples begin to throb. Your eye twitches. You wish for the

hundredth time that you had your therapist’s cell phone number.

Ever the people-pleaser, you feel compelled to comply. However, there are certain ways to make spending time with your family a little more survivable.

Those of you who already know this, please bear with me. For some of us, this is some revolutionary shit.

First things first: bring a pie. If you show up with a storebought pie, no matter how much anyone complains about the work they did, you know you did your part.

You brought a pie; you fed people. Whether you spent $5 or five hours on it is entirely beside the point.

After dinner, you can offer to help clean or wash dishes. More helping means less talking, which is sometimes ideal. It also makes

5

UNIVERSITY STUDENT DISCOUNT $ Present your valid student card and receive

you look good — win-win.

When it comes to distracting yourself, there are plenty of options. Ask for a book as a gift, and then read said gift.

More reading means — you guessed it — less talking.

Most students are presumably millennials with smart phones. Take out your electronic devices and play with them. Text your best friend in Halifax. Don’t look up.

Even try it during dinner if you’re feeling devilish. You go with your bad self.

Another option is to leave for a while. Even if it’s just for a moment to get a coffee, making an escape can be a lifesaver.

Make sure to set boundaries. If your redneck uncle corners you and is insistent that you talk about the controversial news item of the week, don’t engage.

I mean, you can. You can tell your redneck uncle to fuck off and come armed with facts, but be prepared to have those facts fall on deaf ears.

If your family is anything like mine, first of all, I’m sorry. Second, there might be a lot of fighting, pettiness and drama. It’s common that siblings hate each other. In fact, I think that Jeremy Britz / Graphics Editor few families have

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it together.

That said, based on what there is to see on many reality TV shows and the popularity of websites like ashleymadison.com, relatively speaking, it seems that things could always be worse.

However, if these tips don’t seem to work, there is still one final option. While this time of year has always mattered to me, and I’ve only ever missed one Christmas with my family before — against my own wishes — things change and people change. So this year, I’m getting away.

I write two finals on Dec. 22, pack and sleep on the 23rd, and fly to Maui, Hawaii on the 24th where my wife and I will be spending three blissful family-free days on a beach. So in short, if the opportunity presents itself, I suggest you get away from it all at least once.

The holidays might be a time for family, but they’re also definitely a time for yourself.

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DISTRACTIONS

gar

photo of the week

SU

e S piC and

campus chat

“

”

Is it okay to have sex on Christmas and why?

Q: How can I make time for myself over finals while still studying? I am finding it really hard to balance both schoolwork and the rest of my life. — Drew

Katherine Fedoroff

Sugar: I find that brief study breaks are most effective!

If you can’t find the time to take an extended break from your schoolwork, consider instead taking a moment here and there to treat yourself. Do something fun that doesn’t take long, like reading some Garfield comics or masturbating a bit — something to take your mind off your problems for a second before you have to get back to work. Happy studying!

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Q: What are some tips for surviving winter in Saskatchewan? I’m new and I’m struggling to adjust.

— Marcus

Sure. I don’t know why.

Matthew Sokolan

Sugar: Climatizing yourself is hard — especially in Saskatchewan. My advice is to bundle up! Balaclavas, mittens, scarfs, ski pants and those heavy-duty minus 40 degree Sorel boots will definitely keep you warm.

Spice: I hear the new Justin Bieber song is a real heater.

Maybe that’ll help.

Want advice from Sugar and Spice? Submit your questions online at thesheaf.com.

Need something to smile about before finals?

Yes. Any day of the year works.

Johnny MacGowan

Come to Choices @ STM (corner of College & Bottomley) Tuesday, December 10th (10:30 -1:30pm)

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december 3, 2015

DISTRACTIONS

Twas the night before finals Extra points when you rhyme.

Twas the night before finals, and all through my dorm, not a _______ was stirring, not even a noun

_______. My tube sock was flung on the _______ with care, in hopes that _______ would just noun

noun

person

leave it there. I’d had a _______ week, as I’d struggled to study. My brain was all _______ and adjective

adjective

my _______ was all _______. When out in the Bowl, there arose such a _______. I _______ out body part

adjective

noun

past tense verb

of bed just to see what it was. What I saw with my wandering eye left me stressed. It was the afternoon sun; I’d slept through my test.

Letter to the editor

Christina thoen

Response to Nov. 19 article: “No seriously, we should be mad as hell over library fines” called. Students writing papers often work with short timelines and need research materials quickly — that need drives the recall process.

The fine on overdue recalled items is to encourage their timely return.

The library continually reviews its procedures with the goal of reducing barriers while meeting the needs of all clients — this often involves balancing competing in-

terests. As we adapt and respond, please tell us your experiences, concerns and suggestions: tellus@library.usask.ca http://library.usask.ca/contactus/ tellus.php Rachel Sarjeant-Jenkins Interim Associate Dean (Client Services)

©

UPCOMING EVENTS

The University Library works to improve access to our facilities, collections and services. Among recent changes, the library introduced email reminder notices, increased loan periods for most materials to 30 days and removed the processing fee for damaged or lost items.

In 2014, we instituted a no fines policy on regular library materials except when the book has been re-

Launching Life... Create Your Own Masterpiece Friday, December 4, 7 pm

••• Gail Vaz-oxlade

Speaking & Signing Money Talks: When To Say Yes And How To Say No Tuesday, January 12, 7 pm

Letters to the editor can be sent in using the online form at thesheaf.com/contact or by sending an email to editor@thesheaf.com.

HAPPY HOLIDAYS FROM THE SHEAF STAFF!

sheaf dec 3 to jan 6, 2015.indd 1

11/25/2015 11:43:26 AM

Caitlin Taylor / Photo Editor

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University of Saskatchewan Students’ Union

UNDERGRADUATE PROJECT

SYMPOSIUM January 20, 2016 - 10am - 2pm North Concourse, Place Riel

Submission deadline December 18, 2015 For more information visit ussu.ca Prize money awarded to top presentations!

Gwenna Moss Centre

USSU PRESENTS:

QUESTION PERIOD Bring us your comments, concerns, or questions about your student experience.

December 1, 2015

Upper Place Riel 10am to 2pm

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