February 4, 2016 by The Sheaf

OPINIONS

INDIGENOUS CONTENT

TRACK AND FIELD

BE A JERK

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SPORTS

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NEWS

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February 4, 2016

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NEWS

The Interaction Lab: Innovation in computer-human relations JESSICA KLAASSEN-WRIGHT In a world where technology is continually and rapidly advancing, the HumanComputer Interaction Lab, a research facility at the University of Saskatchewan in the department of computer science, is seeking to navigate and understand the ever-changing relationship between humans and technology. The Interaction Lab researches everything from computer games to next generation interfaces, such as 3-D displays. New technology, particularly computer games, is becoming increasingly popular. Most people spend more on video games than on music and movies combined. According to the Entertainment Software Association of Canada, 19 million Canadians are gamers, comprising 54 per cent of the population. Regan Mandryk, associate professor of computer science and senior faculty at the Interaction Lab, specializes in research and development of video games. “It’s not just the stereotypical young teenage boy in his basement playing Call of Duty anymore. There’s more female gamers over the age of 50 than there are boys under the age of 16 … the demographics have changed completely. The average gamer is in their mid-thirties and people of all ages play,”

Mandryk said. The Interaction Lab is not only a space for experienced researchers like Mandryk, but also presents many opportunities for undergraduate and graduate students at the U of S. Professors provide students with an enriched learning experience by bringing cutting-edge research from the lab into the classroom. In addition, the Interaction Lab hires undergraduate interns each summer and provides a critical mass of researchers and peers for graduate students. “We offer a chance for undergraduate students to actually build up their CV in computer science, practice the skills that they are learning and be exposed to research

all in one go,” Mandryk said. Human-computer interaction is the most important part of computer science for Mandryk. “Computer science offers a lot of opportunities for problem solving, for analytic thinking and also for creative thinking,” she said. “For me, it’s the touchy-feely side of computer science. It’s bringing in the human element to our use of technology.” Mandryk has specifically studied the effects of social exclusion in multi-player computer games. She also tests and develops exergames, video games that include exercise, to increase physical fitness, conducting studies with children, university students and the elderly.

“I think there are two main ways that we can leverage the motivational power of games to increase exercise. One is by integrating exercise into the game itself,” she said. “The other way to do it would be to give people game-based rewards for exercising [out of game].” By studying the integrated exercise option with a graduate student, Mandryk has discovered real benefits of exer-games. “[Exer-games are] just as good as exercising on a treadmill in terms of the cardiovascular benefits and the target heart rate that people reached,” she said. Dylan Fafard, a fourthyear undergraduate student in computer science, began working at the Interaction

Caitlin Taylor / Photo Editor Rodrigo Vicencio-Moreira uses aim assistance techniques to balance play between people of disparate skill in first-person shooter games.

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Lab in September as a project for a research course for honours students. Fafard works in the lab to create software for 3-D displays, such as a five-sided cube, which will be used primarily in a medical setting. He expects that this technology will be ready for use within the next five years and says that 3-D displays will be used alongside the 2-D imaging that medical professionals already work with. “I think it would be used in conjunction, you know, just throw in a scan into the 3-D display and see it and maybe you could determine, ‘Hey, I actually want to look at this area a little bit more in detail,’ and you could put that on a regular screen,” Fafard said. These displays function with a headset, body tracking tools such as Microsoft Connect, or wireless technology, the most accurate method. Fafard especially appreciates how he can apply the math that he learned in high school and university to his work within the Interaction Lab. “I definitely enjoy getting to solve problems and kind of see my work unfold right in front of me.” Mandryk shares Fafard’s enthusiasm, insisting that video games have positive benefits and that they can “satisfy the basic needs of humans, whether that be good health or relatedness with others or feeling like [we’re] mastering challenges.”

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.

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february 4, 2016

NEWS

Indigenous content to be implemented in all U of S degree programs PATTY HAILS On Jan. 21, 2016, just 10 days before a call-to-action deadline set by the University of Saskatchewan Students’ Union, the University Council formally responded in favour of a motion calling on the institution to implement Indigenous content in all degree programs. The University Students’ Council supported this commitment unanimously during a vote in November 2015. Indigenous Students’ Council president Feather Pewapisconias began work on the initiative a couple of years ago before sitting down with the USSU to discuss the next steps. After the motion passed in

Jeremy Britz / Graphics Editor

November, the work of lobbying the university administration and its council began — a task USSU president Jack Saddleback credits to Gabe Senecal, vice-president academic affairs, as instrumental in accomplishing. While there was no severe pushback, Saddleback admits there were challenges. “I think there’s a hesitation in regards to how this can be implemented, but all in all, you know, we’re very confident that the U of S can pave the way to be able to show the rest of Canada this is how you can do it.” In accordance with the Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s calls to action that pertain to post-secondary institutions, incorporating Indigenous knowledge and teaching methods is a powerful means of righting past-and-current wrongs. As the antithesis of the abusive and genocidal residential school system, this is a significant step toward reconciliation with Indigenous students that Saddleback says might

also equip non-Indigenous students with an appropriate framework for understanding. “We have huge benefits in this regard. When you look at just getting the real history of Canada, it’s going to be able to start to break down the stereotypes, the stigmas [and] discrimination that are faced by Indigenous peoples here in our country. We’re going to see some social change actually happening,” Saddleback said. “We’re honestly going to see a better outlook for our future because at the end of the day, when we have graduates leaving the university here, we not only want to send out good students, we want to send out good citizens.” Patti McDougall, viceprovost teaching and learning and University Council member at the U of S, builds on Saddleback’s sentiment, citing a need for historical and cultural understanding when students enter the workforce. “Those working as health care professionals need to have a comprehensive knowledge of the health needs of the Aboriginal people of Can-

ada, with a focus on understanding such things as the history and legacy of residential schools. In response to [the TRC’s] calls to action, the U of S has a role to play and a responsibility in building reconciliation. This responsibility will be a driver in bringing about changes in academic programming,” McDougall said in an email to the Sheaf. The U of S is among the first in Canada to work on implementing such measures, which Saddleback considers a point of pride for the university. “We’re very confident that we’re going to be a leader in regards to Indigenous content and just recognizing our Indigenous peoples of this area and of this nation. And we have a spotlight on us as a university with the Building Reconciliation conference,” he said. Building Reconciliation was a national forum hosted by the U of S from Nov. 18– 19, 2015. Moreover, Saddleback points to the co-operative nature throughout this ini-

tiative as a reason for its success. “We’ve had a lot of support from inside the organization, and from outside the organization as well. The student body is stepping up and making the change and we’re looking forward to the future.” McDougall acknowledges that the initiative under development by the U of S is different from other universities that simply require each student to take an Indigenous studies class. “The U of S is far too big and far too diverse for this approach to work for us. Each college will need to implement an approach that fits for their programs,” she said. As reconciliation catches on across the country, Saddleback voices what he believes many are likely thinking. “There’s a new understanding of just the actual respecting of Indigenous rights, and it’s fantastic to know that all of this change is taking place, and … we’re just more than grateful to be a part of that change.”

Aboriginal Achievement Week focuses on tradition JALINE BROQUEZA With over 20 events lined up, the University of Saskatchewan community will celebrate Aboriginal Achievement Week from Feb. 8–12 with a series of activities ranging from ceremonies, speeches, dance and musical performances and an arts festival, among others. Aboriginal Achievement Week, which started 15 years ago, was originally a studentrun event wherein Aboriginal students, staff and faculty shared their successes and contributions to the public. The week highlights the accomplishments of Aboriginal peoples not only within the university, but also Aboriginal contributions to Saskatoon, and Saskatchewan as a whole, through academic achievement, research, education, community engagement and leadership. Feather Pewapisconias, Indigenous Students’ Council president at the U of S, explains why students should get involved in the event and celebrate the achievements of their Aboriginal peers. “Aboriginal Achievement Week showcases the beauty february 4, 2016

and importance of Indigenous culture in all aspects in reference to art, education, careers, tradition and history. It gives a chance to explore Indigenous culture in a safe and welcoming environment. Students can learn about Indigenous people and Indigenous ways of knowing and recognize Indigenous success across our own campus,” Pewapisconias said in an email to the Sheaf. The Aboriginal Student Centre plays a coordination role in planning the week, collaborating with colleges, student groups, units and departments across the institution to offer a variety of events. The U of S currently has over 2,000 self-declared Aboriginal students and approximately 15 per cent of the overall population of Saskatchewan is Aboriginal. According to a 2015 Statistics Canada population projection, it is estimated that by 2036, the population of First Nations, Métis and Inuit people will increase to 25 per cent in the province. Graeme Joseph, team leader of First Nations, Métis and Inuit student success, talks about how different departments are working together to make the week a success.

“We have people right across the campus helping us in organizing this event. It’s really good that way in terms of thinking about how it’s just not one department that’s carrying the load and doing this. It’s really the whole community that is involved and everybody has something to contribute which is really great,” Joseph said. With leadership as last year’s theme, Indigenous students from different committees decided that this year, they would like to share their accomplishments by focusing on traditions. “The reason this [theme] was chosen was we seem to have lost a bit of a connection from tradition and it's important we recognize all aspects of tradition with our First Nation, Métis and Inuit relations,” Pewapisconias said. The week's events include the ASC’s Aboriginal Student Awards Ceremony, where nearly 50 awards will be distributed to students who have excelled academically, undertaken unique research and demonstrated community engagement and leadership. Following the awards ceremony, there will be a gala, which is a private event by tick-

et purchase for students, faculty and the general public. The gala will be a celebration of the Indigenous achievements across campus and will honour those individuals who received an award prior to the occasion. The ISC will also host the Aboriginal Arts Festival, which will showcase Indigenous talent including mainstream poets, musicians, artists and traditional performances. The week will conclude with a feast and round dance in the College of Education Gymnasium.

Joseph encourages everyone to take part in the celebration by looking through the schedule on the university’s website and familiarizing themselves with all that Aboriginal Achievement Week has to offer. “This is something that our entire campus can take pride in, seeing what the contributions are by Aboriginal people to this institution, city and province ... It’s also a celebration. We want people to come out. We want people to have fun ... We have a really good selection this year. We just hope people take advantage of it.”

Jeremy Britz / Graphics Editor

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NEWS

U of S puts forth school of architecture initiative NAOMI ZUREVINSKI

Editor-in-Chief Although the University of Saskatchewan is home to a large number of programs, one thing missing is a school for aspiring architects. The Saskatchewan School of Architecture Initiative is working towards ensuring this gap becomes a thing of the past. The initiative began in 2008 when community members, students, faculty and architects in the facilities management division at the U of S came together, recognizing a need for an architecture program in Saskatchewan. Since then, the idea has grown and is now being brought before the public for input. Ryan Walker, associate professor of regional and urban planning at the U of S and member of the Oversight Committee for the initiative, acknowledges the demand for this type of program in the province.

“The need for it is driven a lot by student interest, as well as by the needs of the profession and also by the benefits that accrue to communities and provinces that have schools of architecture,” Walker said. According to Walker, a school of architecture would have a positive impact on both students and the province as a whole. By providing an architecture program, students would not have to go out-ofprovince to study in the field, which would in turn benefit the Saskatchewan economy, industry and provide creative solutions to building or community problems. In 2009, one of Walker’s colleagues led a study of 29 Saskatchewan high schools to see how many students expressed interest in pursuing architecture as a post-secondary option. “They found that there was a lot [of high school students], and they found that they were having to look basically outside of the province, and what we know about university students is that when our creative, talented, young minds leave the province, they’re most likely not going to return to live and

work,” Walker said. Beyond Saskatchewan students, Walker insists a program of this kind would have a positive impact on a national level as well. “On the flip side, there are a lot of students from outside Saskatchewan who want to pursue an architecture education and the applicant to student ratio in architecture programs across the country is at slightly more than 10 applicants per space available, so it also provides an opportunity to bring students from across Canada and internationally into our province,” he said. Walker mentioned another benefit to the community is that architecture students and faculty tend to take an integrative

approach to problem-solving, which includes everything from affordable housing issues, approaches to environmental sustainability and designing public spaces. Additionally, an architecture program would be of value to the Saskatchewan economy. “Our research has also shown us in this architecture initiative that because architects are often project managers for multi-disciplinary projects, they tend to use a network of local suppliers and contractors as well,” Walker said. “So there’s often an economic spin-off for suppliers and contractors in Saskatchewan as well.” Despite the excitement of the initiative, Walker notes that there will be challenges ahead,

Jeremy Britz / Graphics Editor

especially in terms of the U of S’ priorities. “It does become complex in an institution that is trying to balance a number of priorities and each one of those is costly and there’s decision-making as well as support from the provincial government, which is always a key stakeholder in post-secondary,” he said. The next step is gaining community input, and students, faculty and staff are invited to attend an open house on Feb. 4 at 2 p.m. at the Gordon Snelgrove Gallery. Walker and others involved in the initiative are hoping to learn what people feel the mission and mandate of such a school should be, as it will be specific to the needs of Saskatchewan and its citizens. “Being in a province with a lot of winter communities, winter cities, rural towns and cold-climate communities, is one possibility for an area of focus. Another is our strong and powerful Indigenous sense of place and Indigenous cultures all throughout Saskatchewan, and the influence that can have on structuring a program on architecture here.”

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february 4, 2016

SPORTS

D g Watch: Scott Cyr EMILY KLATT Staff Writer

Although much of the focus of university athletics is centered around the players, University of Saskatchewan students are also making important contributions from behind the scenes. One such example is physiotherapy graduate student Scott Cyr. Born and raised in Saskatoon, Cyr graduated from the U of S in 2014 with a degree in kinesiology. During his time as an undergraduate student, Cyr was active within the university sports community. He worked as an equipment manager for the men’s hockey team, as well as volunteering as a student trainer for five years. “I knew all along that I wanted to work in sports and knew that I wanted to be in sports in some capacity,” Cyr said. “Growing up as a player, I wasn’t near-

ly good enough to excel at a professional level and make a living off of it, but knew all along that I wanted something to do with that.” Sports have always played an important role in Cyr’s life. He started as a stick boy for the Huskies men’s hockey team when he was six years old. He also played hockey as a child, and later began working part time at Olympia Sports alongside his father. In summer 2015, Cyr was given a unique opportunity to work with the Canadian Women’s National Development team, comprised of the best female hockey players aged 22 and under. He eventually accompanied the team to Germany, where they competed at the Nations Cup. “We ended up playing the Swedish National Team, the Russian National Team and we played Finland in the final, and ended up winning gold there, which was awesome,” Cyr said. “It’s all the top girls, ages 22 and under, and we’re playing against

other nations’ Olympic teams. To see the success of a really young team against other nations’ Olympic teams was pretty cool.” Over the years, Cyr’s been lucky enough to have a few life changing experiences through his involvement in sports. Although he has a hard time narrowing it down, he points to one moment in particular as his most memorable. “Something that’s pretty tough to beat is hanging up my first national team jersey. I would compare it to the similar feeling of a player putting it on for the first time. Hanging that up for the first time in a player’s stall was a pretty special moment for me and it was pretty surreal thinking that a lot of hard work has paid off and I’ve reached a pretty high level,” Cyr said. Cyr is currently enrolled in the physiotherapy program at the U of S. His field of study is rigorous, condensing the work of a four-year degree into only two years. Cyr hopes to contin-

ue working within sports once he has completed his degree. There are many things that Cyr loves about sports but ultimately, it’s the variety of the job that he likes best. “You don’t work a day in your life if you love what you do, and I certainly love being around there and hanging out. [I] always find a challenge there, and that’s what really keeps me coming back — it’s not the same thing every day,” Cyr said. For those that are interested in pursuing a career in sports — on or off the ice — Cyr cites the importance of putting yourself out there and getting involved

in as many ways as you can. “You never know until you ask, you never know until you try, and the more people you ask and the more things you do — it’s networking, right? It can lead to more doors opening and eventually more experiences,” Cyr said. If Cyr’s success is any indication, his advice is valuable to those even outside the world of university athletics. “Just get involved with as much as you can and just ask to be involved, and once you are, work hard and make sure you do your job and have fun along the way.”

Jiem Carlo Narag Physiotherapy student Scott Cyr represented the U of S on Canada’s National Development team.

Track team hits the ground running AUSTIN ARVAY Sports Editor

In their second official meet of the track and field season, the University of Saskatchewan Huskies team had a great performance in Edmonton, Alta. at the Golden Bear Open. After opening up the season at home at the Sled Dog Open — where the team captured 12 medals, with six being gold — the Huskies one-upped themselves with seven golds and 12 overall medals in the meet that took place on Jan. 29 and 30. One of the top performances of the weekend belonged to the 4x200-metre relay team, consisting of Adam Paslawski, Jared Olson, Graham Black and Garrett Peters. The squad took home the gold medal in the event, posting a time of 1:27.77 — which broke the meet record, the Alberta indoor track record and a Huskies program record for the fastest time ever posted in the event. Olson, a business major in his fifth and final season on february 4, 2016

the track team, says the record- with a time of 8.45 seconds. On the women’s side, Olebreaking run is his favourite Black also had a good weekend na Olenick took home the gold moment in his entire track haul, adding a second gold in the in weight throw. Her winning career to this point. 300-metre dash event, finishing throw was 17.01 metres and “This is my final year here with a time of 34.14. Cole Digel she is looking to build off of her and it’s definitely the highlight. also claimed individual gold Canadian Interuniversity Sport We’ve never ran that fast — the with a dominant showing in the silver medal from last season. Huskies have never ran that heptathlon — a combination of Astrid Nyame cruised to a gold fast. I don’t think I’ve personal- 10 track and field events — with medal in the pentathlon, winly ever ran that fast in that kind a score of 4716 to easily take ning by over 500 points with of atmosphere before,” Olson first place. a score of 3706. Rounding out said. the gold medal winning Olson, Peters and Black performances was the have been running to4x800-metre relay team gether for a couple seawho finished with a time sons and are now makof 9:18.89. Julianne Laing waves in the Canada bach, Sophia Zemlak, West track scene. Olson Mackenzie Chartier and hopes this meet can be Tye Buttner were the winthe springboard for plenning runners on the team. ty more of success for the With a strong showing team. to begin the season, the “It really puts all of men’s team is currently our work we’ve done in ranked seventh in the CIS, the past few years — it while the women’s team just shows what we have is ranked eighth. After a done. That was definitely disappointing result at the best race we’ve ever the past CanWest chamhad and it’s something to pionships, both teams build off of the rest of the will look for a better reyear,” Olson said. sult this year. The Huskies Not stopping there, will host the conference Olson also snagged championships on Feb. 26 another gold medal in the and 27. Katherine Fedoroff 60-metre hurdles event, With both the men’s Monique Coutu is one of many track athletes working crossing the finish line hard to prepare for hosting the CanWest championships. and women’s teams are www.thesheaf.com

off to hot starts, Olson is hoping it’s the start of something big for the track and field teams this year. “It’s definitely a big confidence booster for the whole team, especially since on paper we have a good enough points score to win the championship. So we’re hoping to complete that at home and bring the banner back.” At the CanWest championships, every athlete will be competing for a spot at the CIS championships in March, which will take place at York University, in Toronto. Finishing in the top two in an event, meeting the standard time or score or placing top 12 in the CIS allows you to qualify for the national meet. With the conference and national championship still in the distant future, Olson will be telling his team to take it one day at a time and making sure they get better every day. “We have to keep a level-head and stay healthy and to not get ahead of ourselves,” Olson said. “There’s still a lot of season left and if we really want to go for that ring, then we have to do all we can to make sure we’re at our best come March.”

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SPORTS

HUSKIES

HUSKIES SCOREBOARD

FAST FACTS

MEN’S HOCKEY:

HUSKIES 5 BISONS 2

Andrew Johnson: 2 G Jordon Cooke: W, 23 saves

Kohl Bauml: 1 G, 1 A Andrew Johnson 1 G, 2 A

WOMEN’S HOCKEY

BISONS 3 HUSKIES 0

Lauren Zary: 1 G Cassidy Hendricks: W, 22 saves

Kaitlin Willoughby: 5 shots Cassidy Hendricks: L, 16 saves

MEN’S BASKETBALL:

HUSKIES 72 WESMEN 81

HUSKIES 77 WESMEN 81 Chan de Ciman: 18 pts, 4 ast Shane Osayande: 12 pts, 9 rebs

Shawn Lathan: 19 pts, 5 rebs Evan Ostertag: 14 pts, 6 ast

HUSKIES 66 WESMEN 48

Sabine Dukate: 19 pts, 2 ast Dalyce Emmerson: 12 pts, 11 rebs

Laura Dally: 13 pts, 8 rebs, 5 ast Dalyce Emmerson: 6 pts, 12 rebs

MEN’S VOLLEYBALL

GRIFFINS 0 HUSKIES 3

GRIFFINS 1 HUSKIES 3

(25–14, 23–25, 25–17, 25–23)

(25–16, 25–17, 25–12)

Jordan Nowakowski: 14 kills, 7 digs Tyler Epp: 14 kills, 3 blocks, 2 aces

Andrew Nelson: 13 kills, 5 digs C.J. Gavlas: 35 ast, 2 kills, 2 aces

WOMEN’S VOLLEYBALL

GRIFFINS 1 HUSKIES 3

GRIFFINS 3 HUSKIES 1

(21–25, 25–21, 25–22, 25–20)

(16–25, 25–20, 25–13, 25–21)

Emmalyn Copping: 14 kills, 11 digs Taylor Annala: 12 kills, 11 digs, 2 aces

Taylor Annala: 13 kills, 12 digs, Jina Barker: 33 ast, 10 digs, 2 aces

UPCOMING GAMES Women’s hockey: Feb. 5 vs. Alberta Pandas @ 7:00 p.m. Feb. 6 vs. Alberta Pandas @ 7:00 p.m.

- Home Game

Men’s hockey: • Feb. 5 at Alberta Golden Bears @ 8:00 p.m. • Feb. 6 at Alberta Golden Bears @ 7:00 p.m. Men’s volleyball: Bye week Women’s volleyball: Bye week Men’s basketball: Feb. 5 vs. Brandon Bobcats @ 8:00 p.m. Feb. 6 vs. Brandon Bobcats @ 8:00 p.m. Women’s basketball: Feb. 5 vs. Brandon Bobcats @ 6:15 p.m. Feb. 6 vs. Brandon Bobcats @ 6:15 p.m.

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in goals with 15. • Kohl Bauml (MHKY) extended his point streak to five games, with 14 points in that stretch. • Emmalyn Copping (WVB) sits third in the conference with 248 kills.

MEN’S HOCKEY

The number one ranked Huskies continued to roll as they swept the Manitoba Bisons for their eighth and ninth straight victories. Jordon Cooke tied the Huskies’ record for wins in a

WOMEN’S BASKETBALL

Using another solid weekend of team-oriented basketball, the Dogs made it 14 straight victories and kept their top spot in the Canadian Interuniversity Sport rankings.

MEN’S VOLLEYBALL

WOMEN’S BASKETBALL:

HUSKIES 90 WESMEN 48

BY AUSTIN ARVAY / SPORTS EDITOR

CIS TOP 10

• Levi Cable (MHKY) leads the CanWest

HUSKIES 8 BISONS 3

BISONS 1 HUSKIES 3

AT A GLANCE

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The Huskies picked up a big weekend sweep over the MacEwan Griffins and moved that much closer to clinching a CanWest playoff spot. The wins improved the squad to

Women’s basketball Men’s hockey Women’s wrestling Men’s wrestling Men’s T & F Women’s T & F

CIS RANK #1 #1 #2 #5 #7 #8

LAST WEEK (1) (1) (2) (5) (4) (9)

season by a goaltender with 18, as the Huskies clinched a playoff spot in the Canada West. The Dogs are closing in on the first seed in playoffs, needing just two wins in their final six games. Dalyce Emmerson was a monster on the glass and Laura Dally ran the offence well, as the seniors paced the team to a seventh consecutive sweep. 11–9, good enough for sixth in the conference. Fifth-year Andrew Nelson was the Huskies’ top performer of the weekend, amassing 26 kills in the matches.

CANADA WEST STANDINGS WOMEN’S HOCKEY: W-L-OTW-T UBC 11-7-4-2 Regina 11-8-4-1 Alberta 13-8-0-3 Saskatchewan 9-9-3-3 Manitoba 11-11-0-2 Lethbridge 9-11-2-2 Mount Royal 7-12-3-2 Calgary 6-11-3-4

MEN’S HOCKEY: W-L-T Saskatchewan 21-3 Mount Royal 15-6-3 Alberta 15-7-2 Calgary 11-9-4 Manitoba 10-12-2 UBC 9-11-4 Lethbridge 10-13-1 Regina 5-19

WOMEN’S VOLLEYBALL: W-L-T Trinity Western 17-1 UBC Okanagan 17-1 Alberta 16-4 UBC 12-6 Thompson Rivers 11-9 Mount Royal 9-9 Calgary 9-11 Brandon 9-9 Saskatchewan 8-12 Winnipeg 6-12 MacEwan 5-13 Manitoba 2-16 Regina 1-19

MEN’S VOLLEYBALL: W-T-L Alberta 20-0 Calgary 17-3 Manitoba 14-4 Winnipeg 13-5 UBC 12-6 Saskatchewan 11-9 Trinity Western 9-9 Mount Royal 8-10 Thompson Rivers 8-12 Brandon 5-13 UBC Okanagan 3-15 MacEwan 1-17 Regina 1-19

WOMEN’S BASKETBALL: W-L Saskatchewan 14-0 Alberta 14-1 Regina 13-1 Calgary 11-4 Victoria 7-9 UBC 6-8 Brandon 6-8 Winnipeg 4-10 Trinity Western 4-10 Lethbridge 1-13 Manitoba 1-15

MEN’S BASKETBALL: W-L Calgary 12-3 UBC 12-4 Manitoba 11-5 Lethbridge 9-5 Winnipeg 9-5 Regina 8-6 Alberta 7-8 Victoria 7-9 Saskatchewan 4-10 Brandon 1-13 Trinity Western 1-13

february 4, 2016

CULTURE

Best study spots: Off-campus edition

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upcoming events • Inhabit: A Permaculture Perspective screening at the Frances Morrison Library • Roberta Bondar at Convocation Hall • 15th Annual King of Kovbasa at Prairieland Park

Thursday

friday

Ashley Britz

PATTY HAILS When life presents distractions at home or school, situating ourselves in that perfect off-campus study spot can be a key ingredient to student success and sanity. Just in time for reading week, I explored some of Saskatoon’s best spots so you know just where to go. City Perks City Perks is a City Park treasure. Its casual and unassuming exterior gives way to a room full of calming ambiance. It feels like home, only better. I snacked on a muffin and sipped an americano, both of which tasted as though they were made specifically for my palette — and I’m a picky eater. Consistent with the neighbourhood, the decor at City Perks is suitably eclectic. A single exposed brick column in the centre of the room appears to support an adjoining wall and vaulted ceiling. I counted at least six different styles of light fixtures from the table where I sat and they all worked together perfectly. The place is always crowded with friends, couples and people working or studying alone and it’s still easy — pleasant, even — to hear yourself think. Food and beverages are both delicious and reasonably priced. There is also beer and wine behind the counter — a perfect reward for having completed your evening studies. D’Lish by Tish Cafe D’Lish sits in the middle february 4, 2016

of a residential Nutana intersection, as if someone dropped it there by accident and allowed it to grow spontaneously. Filled with character, one room is painted blue and the other yellow, while mismatched artwork lines the walls and complements the eclectic light fixtures. Variety is the theme. The soft and comfortable furniture clearly originated in the living room of someone’s mom in the 1970s or 1980s. I sipped a sweet, smooth and affordable mocha and ate the world’s chewiest gingersnap cookie. To my left sat a world map with a sign above it that aptly reads “Been there, rocked that.” On my right were paintings of mountains, chemicals, trees, what looked like a San Francisco street and, next to it, paintings depicting a prairie field and a rooster, respectively. I was in the blue room, but the yellow room has a painting of a tipi at sunset and across from it a beach, both beautifully textured in acrylic — plenty of variety to get creative juices flowing. Calm and relaxed tunes played quietly in the background. I was inspired and ready to work. Plus, once again, there was the tantalizing reward of wine behind the counter. Collective Coffee I chose Riversdale’s Collective Coffee as my last stop on this expedition. While the previous two spots are calming to the senses, Collective Coffee differs in its modern, clean lines and relatively co-

hesive, deliberate decor. The drawings that line the wall near the front of the building are all connected in style and subject matter. The room I worked in had no artwork. None. I have always appreciated modern structures in their perfect simplicity, yet having sat in the previous two cafes’ character-filled buildings with their mismatched charm earlier in the week, these bare walls were a disappointment — however, the blank slate may appeal to students who are easily distracted. The music was pleasant, as were the patrons who filled the space. Collective Coffee offers free WiFi and they advertise that when you log in, they will send you a coupon for a free beverage. I waited for mine for quite a while as it hovered at an undisclosed location in cyberspace, but still, I love the principle. Unfortunately, however, electrical outlets are difficult to come by at Collective. Also, the acoustics are such that when the place really fills up, it is difficult to hear oneself think. The company operates on a sustainable model, however, and that is to be commended. When the libraries are closed or your apartment is feeling too cramped, try out some of these spots for your next study session. This expedition proved to be a welcome departure from my comfort zone. My list of places to study — and hopefully yours — just became a whole lot more interesting.

saturday

• Last day to nominate a professor for the USSU’s Teaching Excellence Awards • LB5Q presents White Out at the Sutherland Bar • The Simpsons Trivia Night at Louis’ Pub • First day of the 47th Annual Legal Follies Variety Show at the Broadway Theatre

• Bros of the Snow Tour at Louis’ Pub • Kory Istace vs. the Time Pirates with guests at The Capitol Music Club • The Hi-Strung Downers with The Hook Up at Amigos • USUSA presents Zabava: Fundraiser for Ukraine at the Ukrainian Orthodox Auditorium

• Last day of A Call for Justice: Fighting for Japanese Canadian Redress at the Diefenbaker Canada Centre • Last day of Shadows of a Dancing Moon at Studio 914

sunday

• Act of Defiance with Untimely Demise at Amigos • Corb Lund with guests at O’Brians • First day of Johnny Reid at TCU Place

monday

• Mardi Gras at Louis’ Pub

tuesday

• CFCR’s Collective Voice live at Castle Theatre

wednesday

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∙ the sheaf publishing society 7

FEATURE

YES, ALL PEOPLE

Student stories show eating disorders don't discriminate

UP T

MEN

NEARLY 90% OF PEOPLE SUFFERING FROM ANOREXIA AND BULIMIA ARE WOMEN.

O W 4% OF

IN C A NA DA HAVE ST RU G G LE D WITH ANOREXIA OR ANOREXIA-LIKE SYMPTOMS. 8

the sheaf publishing society

∙ www.thesheaf.com

EMILY KLATT Staff Writer

Infographs by Stephanie Mah / Layout Manager

Taking care of one's self often becomes low on the list of priorities for university students. But neglecting mental and physical health can be dangerous, especially when it comes to eating disorders — and University of Saskatchewan students are no exception. Feb. 1–5 is Eating Disorder Awareness Week at the U of S. Eating disorders, which are often stereotyped, are part of the messy and complicated web that is student mental health. Discourse at the U of S surrounding more common mental illnesses such as anxiety and depression has improved over the last several years, but those who suffer from eating disorders are still getting lost in the crowd. What do you picture when you think about someone who has an eating disorder? The first image that comes to mind for many is that of a thin, pale teenage girl with protruding ribs, hovering over a scale. Include selfinduced vomiting for a bulimia variation. Despite the commonality of this image, eating disorders are far more complicated than just avoiding food. They encompass a wide range of symptoms and sufferers, both of which can be difficult to recognize. The three most prevalent eating disorders are anorexia, bulimia and binge eating disorder. Anorexia pertains to the severe restriction of food in order to lose weight or avoid weight gain. Bulimia is marked by periods of binging — consuming a large amount of food in a relatively short time — and purging, often by vomiting, in order to get rid of calories consumed. BED involves the binging aspect of bulimia, but not the purging. Any behaviour that doesn’t fit into one of these three categories is labeled as an Otherwise Specified Feeding and Eating Disorder. There are certain factors about a university environment that make young peo-

ple particularly vulnerable to the development of eating disorders. According to the Canadian Mental Health Association, the vast majority of eating disorder sufferers begin to struggle during the transitional time between adolescence and adulthood. Emma*, a fourth-year arts and science student at the U of S, is among the up to four per cent of women in Canada who have struggled with anorexia or anorexia-like symptoms. She can trace the beginnings of her eating disorder back to her time as a high school student. “I would have been in grade 11 when it sort of started. I was kind of — not overweight, but definitely a little bit chubbier growing up. I just really liked food,” Emma said. Unhappy with the way her body was, Emma sought a way to change her appearance — a quest that began innocently enough. “I just wanted to do something about it. I also danced, and had gained a bunch of weight from eating fast food and was not happy about it. So I decided that I would go on a diet, lose a few pounds and then go off of it. But that didn’t end up happening. I didn’t really notice at first, but it just sort of escalated from that point,” Emma said. She soon began to restrict both the amount and the type of food that she consumed. Using a vegan diet as a mask, Emma was able to cut out most foods except fruits and vegetables. She also used laxatives as a way to compensate for what she ate. Unsurprisingly, Emma lost a lot of weight. This unhealthy pattern continued throughout the rest of high school, but it was when she entered her first year of university that things really began to spiral out of control. “I would say that I was very obsessive about it, like keeping a daily journal and also starting obsessively exercising,” Emma said. “I wasn’t really obsessively exercising

in the beginning but when I started university, the exercise also became a factor. I was doing these super intense cardio workouts every day for like, an hour, but also hardly eating anything, so trying to have no caloric intake at all.” What exactly is it about the university environment that can cause or worsen eating disorders in students? Starting university is usually a time of massive change in one’s life. Many students change cities, move out of their parents’ homes or find

“

I decided that I would go on a diet, lose a few pounds and then go off of it. But that didn’t end up happening. I didn’t really notice at first, but it just sort of escalated from that point.” —Emma, fourth-year arts and science student themselves without structured meals and someone to hold them accountable for their actions. This newfound freedom can allow students to grow in a number of positive ways. However, it can also contribute to the development of an eating disorder. “The first year was just sort of a lonely experience. You’re doing way more things by yourself. I went through high school with the same group of girlfriends that I’d had since elementary school and I’m still friends with, but [going] from seeing each other every day to not seeing each other [as much] was a huge shock for me,” Emma said. Eating disorders are not a problem to be taken lightly. According to the National Eating Disorder Information Centre, roughly 10 per cent of anorexia sufferers will eventually die from the disease. This makes it the psychiatric disorder with the highest mortality rate. february 4, 2016

FEATURE Even for those that live, all types of eating disorders can cause significant long and short-term health risks, ranging from heart problems to vocal cord damage to osteoporosis. One of the hardest parts of having an eating disorder is not being able to recognize just how sick you really are. The illness distorts reality, making it difficult for eating disorder sufferers to seek out help, even when that help is readily available. The U of S currently offers counselling through Student Health Services. To be eligible, students must be registered in at least one course during the current term. It is also possible to access a dietitian and a psychiatrist upon the recommendation of a general physician. All of these services are free to students through their tuition fees. There used to be a student group run specifically for those who have eating disorders at the U of S, called the Usask Eating Disorder Support Group. However, according to the group’s Facebook page, they have shut down their services due to low attendance. Those struggling with eating disorders must now look elsewhere for specialized support. This begs the question, why are students with eating disorders so reluctant to seek out treatment? Part of it is certainly that the illness itself makes the sufferer unaware of their problem, but there are other factors at play. It may be that some stu-

counselling was free. I went to inquire about it, because I thought maybe it was reduced rates, but then found out it was free and got in that way,” Emma said. “Other than that, I did see something about the eating disorder support group, but I was also in a state of denial [where I thought] ‘I don’t have an eating disorder’... so I did not seek that out at all.” Luckily, Emma was able to see both a counselor and a dietitian through Student Health Services. Recovery isn’t a straightforward process, but she feels as though she now has a good understanding of what behaviour to watch for in herself and how to prevent a relapse. “I think that it comes back in moments with lots of change, or where there’s lots of new stuff happening or I’m feeling really anxious about things … I would say that maybe it’s not completely gone, but it’s not affecting me on a daily basis,” Emma said. Emma represents what’s often considered to be the textbook version of an eating disorder — a teenage girl who, unhappy with her weight and striving for perfection, developed an eating disorder as a manifestation of deeper issues. After all, nearly 90 percent of people suffering from anorexia and bulimia are women. However, not all eating disorder sufferers look like Emma. Eating disorders can be experienced by anyone regardless of race, gender, religion or physical or mental ability. Max*, also a fourthyear arts and science student, is a young man silently coping with an eating disorder while attending the U of S. Brought upon by a severe bout of depression in high school, his illness continues to affect him in every area of his life. “I would say that it’s close to something like anorexia, but I don’t know if that’s exactly what it is. But I’ll do what I can some days to go as long as I can without eating or without having anything, and then other days are just terrible, but I haven’t had a straight week of eating regular meals in years,” Max said. Max has never talked about his eating disorder with anyone — not his friends, his fam-

“It is a nondiscriminatory disorder. It’s not something that picks and chooses, and anyone can be affected, so I think it’s important for people to understand that better. —Max, fourth-year arts and science student

dents aren’t informed about what services are available to them. It wasn’t until a friend guided Emma towards student counselling that she was able to talk about her problems. “I didn’t even know that the february 4, 2016

”

ily or even his girlfriend. “[I haven’t said anything] because I’m still living, because I don’t feel like it’s that bad. If I felt that it was something that was causing serious damage to my health, then I would probably be more concerned, but for now it’s more of a long term functional issue,” Max said. Despite the isolation he feels because of this unspoken issue, Max knows that he isn’t alone. However, the idea of eating disorders as a “female issue” has created a stigma around men that may suffer from them. “I am not the only guy that I know who has these problems,” Max said. “I find that they’re actually pretty common among my friends, but we feel that we have no grounds to actually discuss that, or that we are made to feel like that’s a problem we’re allowed to have or an issue that we could possibly have to deal with.” Max continues to deal with his eating disorder on a daily basis and it affects every aspect of his life. “I’d say [I’m in] a prolonged state of misery. It’s something that’s on my mind if not all the time, certainly every day. It affects what I do, where I want to be, who I want to be with. It makes me uncomfortable around cameras a lot of the time — things like that,” he said. Max and Emma are two different pieces of a complicated puzzle. Eating disorders are both a personal and political issue. The individuals are the ones that suffer, but they are all a part of larger culture that is disordered itself. We live in a culture that actively supports disordered eating. Fad diets, extreme fitness and social media all fuel a dangerous world that is built upon lies. Perhaps that’s why it’s so important to tell the real stories of those who have lived, and are living, with eating disorders — so that we can see the truth and maybe do something about it. Max may have said it best when he explained why he finally decided to break his silence. “That’s why I wanted to talk to [the Sheaf], because it is a nondiscriminatory disorder. It’s not something that picks and chooses and anyone can be affected, so I think it’s important for people to understand that better.” * To respect the privacy of the individuals interviewed, their names have been changed.

ROUGLY 10% OF ANOREXIA SUFFERERS WILL EVENTUALLY DIE FROM THE DISEASE.

THE THREE MOST PREVALENT EATING DISORDERS ARE ANOREXIA, BULIMIA AND BINGE EATING DISORDER. www.thesheaf.com

∙ the sheaf publishing society 9

CULTURE

Rural treasure hunt: A reading week road trip JACK THOMPSON Reading week is an excellent time to get away from classes and de-stress — what better way than to go on a road trip? This off-beat route is perfect for University of Saskatchewan students wanting to discover a side of the province far different than Saskatoon. That side, of course, is small town Saskatchewan, where the culture varies wildly from that of the city. This province was built off of the small town model, and to get a true look at what Saskatchewan is about as a whole, start with the basics. Of course, every good road trip needs a

DAY 1:

near-arbitrary reason for embarking on the journey in the first place. For this road trip, the goal is to visit as many small town big statues as possible within the span of reading week. Many small towns in Saskatchewan have some sort of oversized statue or monument which serves as a tourist draw or point of local pride. These range from having historical significance to simply displaying an important part of the culture found there, and each has it’s own story. We aren’t going to spill the secrets, though — these stories are yours to discover during this true Saskatchewan road trip.

six hours 46 minutes driving time, 540 kilometres.

Starting from Saskatoon, this leg begins by travelling out to Warman to see their huge train sign — yes, exactly what it sounds like. Next, move on to Osler to spot a vintage car sitting atop a pole. From there, make your way to Waldheim, where the town got really creative. Partially buried trucks sticking out of the ground is your first go-to sight, but don’t miss their land-locked dolphin fountain either. The path then leads to Middle Lake, where they have replicas of the Flintstone and Rubble family vehicles from the popular

cartoon The Flintstones. Which one will you choose to sit in to snap the perfect picture? Then, travel to Tisdale and find yourself at the site of a large honeybee statue. Also while you’re in Tisdale, you might as well stop for snacks at the largest 7-Eleven in Canada! Once you’re fully equipped with enough beef jerky to feed a small army, drive to Porcupine Plain to see the aptly named Quilly Willy, a porcupine statue. The final destination of this leg of the journey is Sturgis to see their statues of a cowboy on a horse and two park patrol members on a motorcycle.

DAY 2: six hours 29 minutes total driving time, 599 kilometres. Leaving from Sturgis, the second day of this trip begins with The Doors to Opportunity and Misguided Miss-All, both strange statues in Yorkton. Moving on from there, the next stop is Langenburg, where you can stretch your legs at Goliath, the World’s Highest Swing, and while it’s likely not recommended, you could probably break some childhood records by having a contest to see who can travel the furthest by jumping off the swing. Next up is Tantallon to see their statue of a whitetail deer. Then, found in Rocanville is the World’s Largest Oil Can and a large diamond statue. Is this because the town is rich in diamonds? The site of a famous heist? You’ll have to visit to find out.

The next stop after that has quite the story behind it. Kipling is home to a giant red paperclip statue which commemorates a Saskatchewan news story about how one man did something that made people province-wide take a second look at their mortgage. Then, find a challenger to Saskatoon’s title of “Paris of the prairies” in Montmartre, which houses an Eiffel Tower replica — which of course could be used to fool your Instagram followers into thinking you spent reading week in France. Finally, end the day in Avonlea, where Roughriders fans can rejoice to find a Gainer the gopher statue, as well as a large arrowhead and lily.

Jeremy Britz / Graphics Editor

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∙ www.thesheaf.com

Caitlin Taylor / Photo Editor Take a break from school to discover new Saskatchewan treasures.

DAY 3:

seven hours two minutes total driving time, 545 kilometres.

The first stop today, while not necessarily a small town, is home to quite a few statues. In Moose Jaw you can find two large statues, one known as Mac the Moose and the other simply as Bob, as well as the Sukanen ship. Why is the statue named Bob? Why did somebody build a houseboat in landlocked Saskatchewan? All great questions you’ll need to use your sleuthing skills to answer! Then, visible from the highway is Mortlach’s town sign, made notable by the large fiddle it features. Next, experience some nature that is certainly larger than life in Chaplin, where they have not one but two oversized bird statues, specifically a piping plover and an American avocet — but the hashtag “#superbigbirds” will suffice. The next stop also features animals, with the metal buffalo and whale in Tugaske. At this point, it’s probably time to stop for a cup of joe, so why not do so in Davidson, where a coffee pot and cup statue can be found. Also featured in Davidson is a statue of a Métis fiddler and an oxcart, sans the ox. The penultimate stop on this trip is in Watrous where there is a statue of railway men. Last but not least, the final stop is

Allan, where there is a combine placed upon a structure holding it high in the air. Thus, you have completed your road trip scavenger hunt and can return to Saskatoon with enough Saskatchewan trivia to impress all your friends with — plus more than enough quirky pictures for a great new Facebook profile picture. According to Google Maps, this course will take 19 hours and 18 minutes of solid driving and spans 1606 kilometres. Not too ambitious for reading break, but definitely not a quick day trip. Also worth noting is that this path does not even come close to visiting every large statue in Saskatchewan — it doesn’t even cover the world’s largest turtle statue in Turtleford! Throughout this road trip you will be exposed to one of the more perplexing aspects of small town Saskatchewan, and seeing the various quirky statues each small town erected will likely beg the question as to why they were built. While you could certainly Google everything on this list to find out why it’s there, wouldn’t it be more fun to hit the road and find the wise old shopkeeper instead to get an authentic recounting of the events? Happy hunting! february 4, 2016

february 4, 2016

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OPINIONS

I'll hold the door open for myself, man GEORGE-PAUL O’BYRNE Growing up, we were always told to treat others with kindness. Basic courtesy for your fellow human provides a strong foundation for society to function upon, right? Well, what if you can't be bothered? There's plenty of selfishness and cruelty in the world, but if you're going to do something, why not go all out? People need to be worse, and it can start with you. You hear it all the time. Society is slowly breaking down. Youth have no morals anymore. Narcissism and materialism and all the other “isms” are running rampant among people. Except humanity has remained intact, and it's honestly really boring. Where's the harsh reality of survival in a cruel, damaged society? Someone paid for my Tim Hortons this morning because I was short a few cents, and he wasn't even a cannibal or anything! He just wanted to be nice. How are we ever going to meet our end-of-the-world quota if we're treating other

people with basic decency and kindness? It's all in the little things, those everyday opportunities for kindness, when you can just see God giving you a sly wink and saying, “Hey! Now's your chance to impress me, buddy!” Imagine how you would want someone to treat you in a situation, then do the exact opposite because hey, they're not you! Next time someone sends you one of those class-wide emails asking for notes, ignore it. Or, better yet, give them false hope. Reply with a smug message and then attach a picture of you enjoying a beer, because you have free time, because you kept up with your notes. Oh you missed a biology lecture? Listen mate, I can only produce so much Adenosine triphosphate, and if you went to the lecture, you'd understand that I'm probably going to need it to metab-

olize all the alcohol I plan on ingesting this weekend. Strongly imply that you're better than them as a person, because you don't let understandable circumstances completely out of your control stop you from achieving the noble goals of higher education. You got in a car accident? Defensive driving, man. Diagnosed with an incurable genetic disorder? Hey, those are your chromosomes, not mine. If someone holds a door

open for you, use a different one, especially if it's out of your way. Make sure to glare at the Good Samaritan the entire time. You want to nick this person's inner being in a way that stays with them for the rest of the day. You want to drive a sort of emotional-splinter into this person for daring to imply that you can't open a door for yourself. If you're in the opposite situation, try and hold a door open for somebody who is slightly too far away, so they have to run-walk to get there in time. When they do get there, slam the door shut, because you're a busy person and your time is actually valuable. Another good way to dance on chivalry's grave is to never listen to anyone — ever. Don't even listen to this article. You're not allowed to. I once read that Jeremy Britz / Graphics Editor every little noise

you hear minutely damages the inner ear, degrading your hearing. If it's true, then it's physically detrimental to listen to people's problems. It's not that I don't want to hear about your break-up, Craig. I just have this feeling that someday I'll be able to afford the only copy of that new Wu-Tang Clan album, and I want to be able to fully appreciate the work of Ghostface Killah and company. I shouldn't even have to mention the Arts Tunnel goblins — I know they're just doing their jobs, but I'm trying to be 15 minutes late for class and I don't have time to hear about something that’ll actually benefit me in the future. Try and be rude to these people, so they know that you're too important to be interrupted, but don't go too far. I would never actively encourage physical assault on anyone, even Bank of Montreal representatives in the Tunnel. Your goal is to annoy our entire society into breaking down. People won't like you for it, but be the change you want to see in the world.

Social media standards: A guide to online professionalism JESSICA QUAN The Internet is essentially an anarchic and chaotic freefor-all. Given the nature of the online world, how do you know when to set limits in terms of the things you post online? In the age of digital communication, the phrase “anything you post online is there forever” holds a degree of truth when accounting for numerous social media platforms and the way individ-

uals’ identities are shaped through the online sphere. It is not uncommon for individuals of varying professions to get heat for the content they upload online. Individuals who post material that is offensive or scandalous are at risk of leaving an online imprint on their reputation. Whether or not these posts are recent or from several years ago is besides the point — they exist and they’re public. With the increasing relevance of social media be-

Michael Bergen Social media gaffes are an easy way to lose credibility and respect. Be careful what you tweet.

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ing utilized by multiple age groups, it has become typical of employers to screen potential and current workers to make sure their social media accounts are free of any content that could potentially damage their company’s reputation. Although there may be some grey areas in terms of what is deemed acceptable, there are also very clear lines. Obscene images of partying, drinking and drug use or extremely discriminatory or bigoted comments, for example, are sure to leave a lasting impression on anyone who views them, especially employers. The line becomes a little fuzzy when politics, religion and other personal views and convictions come into play. While abstaining from any of this content and expressing strictly non-partisan and neutral views would be ideal, it is inevitable that for many, social media is used as an outlet for expression. There is no filter for posting online, leaving you with a large amount of discretion. Here’s a general rule of thumb that I typically use when I’m on the fence about the appro-

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priateness of a post. Ask yourself, “Would I say this to someone in person?” Keep in mind your prospective audience. Chances are if you wouldn’t say it to your boss or in a professional environment, you shouldn’t be saying it at all. Also, if you’re se condguessing whether or not to post something, chances are you probably shouldn’t. Generally, the same rule applies for photos as well. A photo is a direct, visual representation of yourself. The only difference is that your face is being represented by pixels rather than in person. For example, a photo of you and a few friends out for a glass of wine will not impose significant collateral harm. However, think within reasonable limits. If you’re in a professional position where drinking is frowned upon or prohibited in your job description, then don’t do it. It’s common to be linked to co-workers through social media, but adding your boss on Facebook may not necessarily be a great idea. Then again, this is all discretionary. You might have a more per-

sonal relationship with your boss, but it is generally advisable to keep your work life and personal life separate. To play it safe, changing your privacy settings to prevent onlookers from browsing your profile grants you a degree of security. But in terms of your overall reputation, it is better to maintain a consistent image towards the general public, not just for the sake of your job. Think about how you want others to view your online presence, including family, friends and colleagues. Even if your privacy settings are at top-notch levels of security, your virtual self does not exist in a bubble. There are other ways for employers to track your online presence, such as photos of you posted by others. It is ultimately up to you to decide how you want your professional image to appear to others. I advise you to avoid blatantly offensive or obscene content on social media, but I encourage you to think hypercritically of where you want to be professionally, and make informed judgement calls around your personal circumstances. february 4, 2016

OPINIONS

Open textbooks can free us from our woes LARISSA KURZ Copy Editor

With tuition once again on the rise, university students are dragging their feet to the bookstore to empty their wallets on textbooks, with seemingly no salvation in sight — except maybe the development of an online textbook source. Standing in a ridiculously long line at the bookstore really makes a person contemplate a solution to the expensive textbook plague — the most common suggestion being, of course, that textbooks should just be free. I mean, we already pay tuition and student fees, so why not? We all know free textbooks will never happen. The markets are too big; corporations are too greedy. So the next best solution is the open textbooks system, in which textbooks are available to

february 4, 2016

students and instructors through a preferably free online database. This system is already being used in universities across British Columbia and is gaining momentum at the University of Calgary, among others. I can already hear the complaints: why does everything have to be on the Internet? Who’s going to put together this database? What about copyright laws? What about us, as students? The open textbook model would be less expensive than purchasing physical copies of textbooks, more ecologically friendly and just altogether convenient for so many people. There are already a large number of textbooks available digitally with the purchase of certain access codes — Pearson knows where it’s at — and that stack of old textbooks on your shelf that you can’t seem to sell would no longer be a problem. There are also these things called open copyright licenses, which means that all

copyright holders have to do is select how their text is allowed to be used and boom — a vast digital library of resources available to both students and professors alike is born. Yes, you heard me: open textbooks would benefit instructors as well. While the possibility of having to restructure a course around a new online textbook sounds annoying, the ability to expand a course’s horizons and include new material with no cost to students has a freeing appeal. Also, those students would be more likely to actually read the assigned text — probably with less bitching about it.

Courtney Ritchie Open textbooks offer many solutions with few drawbacks.

Although a database funded through the University of Saskatchewan is not yet in existence, there’s already a number of prototypes on the market. The BCcampus Open Textbook Project is the closest to home, but there’s also Open Textbook Library and Open Learning Initiative, to name a few. The U of S is actually using OLI for a first-year biology course, and Eric Micheels, a professor from the College of Agriculture and Bioresources, is using an online textbook for his Agriculture 113 course. It’s about time we made this thing campus-wide and universal. The USSU opened the conversation with their hashtag campaign, #TextbookBrokeSK, in January with a huge focus on the cash aspect — and rightly so. I know I’ve mentioned it, but let me reiterate: open textbooks would be way less expensive for us students. Seriously, does anyone actually enjoy dropping obscene amounts of cash on books

every semester? The cost of textbooks in Canada has risen over 800 per cent since our parents went to school, and it probably isn’t going to drop anytime soon. Reducing this extra expense could make a serious difference in lowering the economic barriers of post-secondary education. It could also help reduce financial stress and lead to improvements in program completion rates as well as student retention rates. As students, most of us have access to a computer or tablet, making online resources a feasible option. For those who don’t, paper textbooks aren’t going to become extinct. University students have been finding ways to avoid paying full price for textbooks for as long as anyone can remember, and those skills will never die out. We need to break up with expensive textbooks and start a new, open relationship with something more loving and supportive of us — and of our wallets.

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DISTRACTIONS

HOROSCOPES Aquarius

r g a U S

Jan. 21 – Feb. 18

While you may feel confident in your skills, Drops of Jupiter suggest that you still need additional Train-ing.

e pC and

Pisces Feb. 19 – Mar. 20 You have a tendency to be a hypochondriac

S i

when it comes to your health, but fear not. This time you have a right to panic.

Aries

Mar. 21 – Apr. 19

If the stain still isn’t coming out, club soda may be your last resort.

Taurus

Apr. 20 – May 20

Your love life has been in a rut — just an observation.

Gemini

May 21–June 20

The moon will eclipse Venus today, just like your sister’s engagement will eclipse the fact that you adopted a shelter dog.

Cancer

June 21–July 22

Uranus is fully visible right now.

Leo

July 23 – Aug. 23

Do you ever watch that show Frasier? It’s pretty funny. I like the dog on it. Anyways, someone you love is going to die today.

Q: I am desperately in need of some food. I am starving and all my money was just spent on tuition. Where can I get food/what are some ways I can eat without begging other people? — Garfunkel Sugar: While not technically food, paper is surprisingly filling and the Murray Library is practically a six floor buffet of books! I recommend you start with the works of Isaac Asimov — that’ll give you something to chew on! Spice: The old busboy-imposter racket is always reliable. Just put on a grease stained black polo and help yourself to as many unfinished plates as you can at your local Denny’s. Q: The Arts Students’ Society puts on this free model drawing session for university students, and I’ve been thinking about modeling for it, but I can’t decide if I want to, and if I do, whether I should go full nude or not. What should I do? — Jessie Sugar: I believe it was Shakespeare who said: “Your body is a wonderland.” You can share it with whoever you see fit without shame, as long as it’s something you choose to do. Spice: University is no time to have delusions of modesty. You just got out of high school where you had to stand in a circle facing each other and shower. Give nude modelling a shot. Grab life by your balls and get out there. Want advice from Sugar and Spice? Submit your questions online at thesheaf.com.

Virgo

Aug. 24 – Sept. 22

Libra

Sep. 23 – Oct. 22

Scorpio

Oct. 23 – Nov. 22

Your significant other is cheating on you with a Libra.

They’re on their way home — quick, get dressed!

J.R. BRayshaw

I’m not telling you your horoscope. You know what you did.

Sagittarius

UPCOMING EVENTS

Nov. 23 – Dec. 21

You’ll meet actor David Schwimmer, but be underwhelmed by his candour.

Capricorn

Dec. 22 – Jan. 20

Not many have the courage to fuck with Wu Tang Clan, but the alignment of the stars dictates that they’re currently at their weakest should you feel up to the challenge.

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∙ www.thesheaf.com

Launching YouTopia

What If YOU Were King of the World?

Thursday, February 11, 7 pm

••• Tom BaBin

Speaking & Signing Frostbike

The Joy, Pain and Numbness of Winter Cycling

Friday, February 26, 7 pm

XKCD.COM

sheaf feb 4, 2016.indd 1

february 4, 2016

1/27/2016 12:43:05 PM

DISTRACTIONS

ASTRO alert

Your Saskatoon sky news for Feb. 4 — Feb. 17

The first two weeks of February are all about planets. Many University of Saskatchewan students vaguely remember their elementary school science lessons, memorising the nine planets of our solar system — now eight, of course, thanks to Pluto’s demotion to dwarf planet. Seeing them in the sky, however, and realizing that bright “star” is actually an entire world makes the scale of our solar system seem real. Take a look at some easy-to-spot planets this month and think about what’s really behind that spot of light — it will blow your mind, I promise.

campus chat

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How many hours of sleep do you get per night?

There’s a reason that the planet Jupiter, largest in our solar system, was named for the king of the Roman gods. Jupiter rises ever earlier this month until it reigns supreme above the horizon at sunset around Feb. 10, remaining the brightest “star” in the sky all night long. Look east in the early evening to pick Jupiter out, then watch it trace an arc across the sky until morning — once you know how bright it is, you’ll never have trouble recognizing it again. Six. Breanna Northrup

For an even more jaw-dropping sight, head to the telescope at the U of S Observatory on a Saturday evening for their free public viewing nights and see Jupiter’s striped surface up close. The stripes are actually bands of clouds, some higher in Jupiter’s atmosphere than others due to their density. You may just get to see the famous red spot, too — a giant storm system that could swallow an entire Earth. Early in the morning on Feb. 7, Mercury, the smallest planet in our system, reaches its greatest western elongation. This term describes the farthest point above our horizon from the Sun that Mercury ever reaches. Because it is closer to the Sun than Earth is, we never see Mercury travel across our whole sky at night — it is only visible close to dawn or dusk, or hidden by daylight entirely. On Feb. 7, though, catch Mercury around due east just above the horizon, noticeable as a piercingly bright, though small, dot while the sky grows light. Mercury is a barren, rocky world of extreme temperatures, sometimes varying from 427 to minus 173 degrees Celsius from day to night — something Saskatonians are sure to sympathize with.

None. Regan Misponas

photo of the week

Eight. Winston Van Staveren

At least seven. Dylan Cooper

Caitlin Taylor

YOUR QUESTIONS: WILL YOU THINK MY T-SHIRT IDEA IS DUMB/RIDICULOUS?

CUSTOM T-SHIRTS & ACCESSORIES 1402 College Drive Saskatoon, SK.

february 4, 2016

WILL PEERS LIKE MY D&D, HEDGEHOG, DANK MEME T-SHIRT? IS THERE A DISCOUNT FOR ORDERING MORE THAN FIVE?

Maybe six. Kyra Mazer

NO YES OUR ANSWERS: NO! WE WEAR T-SHIRTS NO ONE ✔ “GETS” TOO.

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YES! BUT IF NO, ROCK IT WITH THE CONFIDENCE OF ONE WHO ♥ HEDGEHOGS! YES! WEʼRE HERE FOR ALL YOUR TEAMʼS, PUB CRAWL, AND ORGANIZATIONʼS NEEDS.

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Recognize Professors or Teaching Assistants who demonstrate teaching excellence at the U of S.

Nominations close February 5, 2016 ussu.ca for nominations

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february 4, 2016