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March 16th, 2017
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Solutions to complex issues:
U of S EWB hosts multidisciplinary case competition TEEVIN FOURNIER In many cases, finding solutions to complex problems requires an ability to see all sides of the bigger picture. The Multidisciplinary Case Competition, held by the University of Saskatchewan Engineers Without Borders on Mar. 11, aimed to do just that by bringing together students from different disciplines. EWB, a Canadian organization with chapters in universities across the country, aims to create global change by targeting root causes of inequality and poverty and by investing in local initiatives. This approach to social justice is part of a growing movement focused on empowering partners in international communities, standing in solidarity with these partners and working on sustainable change. Tackling problems such as these requires creativity and a multi-faceted approach.
Curtis Theoret, a recent graduate in environmental engineering and computer science, has been a part of the U of S EWB chapter for several years and explained the approach that the organization takes to solving global issues. “EWB is all about empowering local leaders in developing communities. Instead of coming in saying, ‘We have all the solutions, here’s some water wells and we’ll just do stuff for you’ … No, [EWB plays] a support role to people who are already doing great work in their own countries,” Theoret said. The U of S EWB chapter’s case competition aimed to bring together students from multiple disciplines to collaborate in groups and come up with solutions to a complex scenario. Each group had one week to come up with a solution for the case study, which involved oil transportation, a scenario that reflects real-life projects where conflicting interests
are unavoidable, much like the recent issues of a proposed carbon tax or the Dakota pipeline. Participating students were asked to come up with creative, critically thoughtout solutions that addressed various aspects of the issue, such as stakeholder needs, long-term impacts, social impacts and the environment. According to Theoret, a complex problem requires a solution that considers all aspects. “The whole idea behind EWB is that it takes a multidisciplinary approach to understand complex issues like poverty,” Theoret said. In the past, the U of S chapter has held an annual gala with a supper and presentations from leaders in different industries, but this year they wanted to take a new approach. “This year we decided to do something a little different, [something] that engages the undergraduate student body
better, so we decided to do a case competition [where] we wrote up a case and had a couple workshops for the participants,” Theoret said. The change also aimed to encourage students from other disciplines to participate. “Engineers Without Borders is a deceptive name. It’s got the word engineer in the title so everyone assumes it’s for engineers, but actually, if you look nationally, it’s only about 60 per cent engineers,” Theoret said. The winning team of the case competition was Prairie Thunder Consulting, whose members included students in renewable resource management, environmental engineering and chemical engineering. “The winning team had the most diverse background and this played to their advantage. They utilized their diverse skill set to generate a solution to the case study that covered the environmental, social, technical and
economic aspects,” Theoret said, in an email to the Sheaf following the day of competition. The campus chapter of EWB is open to all students at the U of S, and Theoret encourages students from all disciplines to check out the chapter. “If things like trying to look at [a problem from] a systemic level — [for example] how do we eradicate poverty globally — if you’re interested in that, please come join EWB. We want you,” Theoret said. He explains that EWB is constantly evolving and searching for the best possible way to accomplish their goals, and that this aspect of the organization has made him want to stay involved. “The reason I’ve stuck with EWB for so long is because I love the philosophy of the organization. It’s very about, ‘Okay, we’re going to go do our best, learn from our mistakes and just iterate that continually.”
All photos by: Jeremy Britz / Photo Editor Three teams participated in the EWB case competition. Team Prairie Thunder Consulting, pictured on the left, took home the prize, competing against Team Environmentally Clean Systems and Consulting and Team Design MFKI.
Photography Editor: Jeremy Britz, photo@thesheaf.com
Copy Editor: Larissa Kurz, copy@thesheaf.com
Graphics Editor: Lesia Karalash, graphics@thesheaf.com
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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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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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corrections There were no errors brought to our attention in our last issue. If you spot any errors in this issue, please email them to: copy@thesheaf.com
march 16, 2017
PAGENEWS TYPE
Regional and urban planning conference
spurs on community building ADRIAN AQUINO As students of the University of Saskatchewan work hard to earn their degrees and become leaders in the community, some believe there is no reason to wait for a diploma to start making a change. To that end, on Mar. 10, urban planners of all disciplines gathered for the Momentum conference to discuss and organize programs aimed at constructing a more positive community. Momentum 2017, an annual conference centred on regional, urban and community planning, aimed to provide students, academics and professionals the opportunity to participate in community development. In addition to raising awareness for community building, the conference allows those skilled in different disciplines to work together in creative ways to promote a healthy community. Jamie Honsberger, fourthyear regional and urban planning major and conference co-chair, was optimistic about this year’s turnout. “Momentum was able to significantly increase the number of attendees and was able to provide a wider range of presentations, catering to a variety of different topics that aligned with planning healthy communities,” Honsberger said, in an email to the Sheaf. This year, the conference, fully titled Momentum 2017: Planning Healthy Communities, Connecting the Pieces, was designed with the grand objective of providing central Canada with more developmental opportunities. The event began with a keynote speech discussing the close relationship between urban planning and public health. This was followed by speeches throughout the day dealing with transportation, crime prevention and sustainable agriculture. Honsberger believes that the conference is not merely for urban planners or those interested in the subject, but that all students at the U of S have much to gain from attending the conference and taking a more active part in building the community. “People would be more aware of the components march 16, 2017
that are associated with planning and should feel inspired to get involved with planning healthy communities. It also introduces and brings more awareness to the profession of planning for those who may not be familiar with the profession or have never heard of it — and hopefully spark some interest in those individuals,” Honsberger said. Thus, in order to contribute to creating a well-rounded community, organizers of the conference placed great emphasis on bringing in participants from disciplines other than urban planning. “The interdisciplinary nature of urban planning is a necessity, as it promotes the idea that more professions other than urban, regional, rural planners can contribute to planning healthy communities. The interdisciplinary nature also opens up the conference to a variety of professions and students studying other academics … To take a comprehensive approach to community health, it is necessary to consider all aspects,” Honsberger said. The speakers at the conference attest to the diversity of disciplines that Momentum promotes. Sessions dealt with a broad range of topics, all geared towards discussing new and innovative ways to better develop the community. Adrian Werner, an Urban Agriculture Program Manager at the Saskatoon Food Bank & Learning Centre, spoke about the importance of food security and nutrition education, and how these factors affect community health. In another session, Cora Janzen, a kinesiologist, discussed the close relationship between community health and physical health. She argues that factors such as affordable housing, reliable transportation services and a complete neighbourhood all contribute to a person’s well-being. As Honsberger explains, Momentum’s primary aim is to connect and provide support for those community members with the will to help but who lack the resources to do so. Simply, the conference allows like-minded individuals to gather strength in numbers and act co-operatively.
“Momentum was an enlightening discussion between professionals and students to generate new ideas, and students can take these ideas to their school work [and] early careers and provide new ideas for professionals,” Honsberger said. Honsberger hopes that students are able to use what they have learned at the conference to become architects of their communities. “We hope that individuals who attend our conference take initiatives from what they’ve learned at the conference and apply themselves in everyday settings.”
Tuition. Budgets. Building projects. Policies.
Lesia Karalash / Graphics Editor
Meet the people who make the university’s financial decisions—your Board of Governors. Join the board members for an informal reception for your opportunity to chat with your board members one-on-one.
LOUIS’ LOFT MONDAY, MARCH 20 4 – 6 PM
INTRODUCTIONS AT 4:30 PM
EVERYONE IS WELCOME. A COMPLIMENTARY REFRESHMENT AND LIGHT SNACKS WILL BE SERVED.
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NEWSTYPE PAGE
The Sheaf presents:
VP Academic Affairs
Your
2017-18
USSU “
Jessica Quan
fourth-year political studies
election candidates
LYNDSAY AFSETH All Photos by: Jeremy Britz / Photo Editor
The school year is nearly finished and the University of Saskatchewan Students’ Union is gearing up for their elections with a campaign featuring nine candidates. Students can vote between 9 a.m. on Mar. 22 and 4 p.m. Mar. 23 through their PAWS account. In anticipation of this event, the Sheaf asked all of the candidates two questions: what are their major concerns for the 2017-18 school year and what they hope to accomplish during their year in office.
What would you do if you won a million dollars? “I’d buy a house by a lake, and I would never leave it. I would learn how to paint.”
There lacks a unified student body with a unified mandate that we all want to work for collectively, so you see things like tuition rising and how we all agree that it’s not a good thing, but we need something that will unify us and push us forward in the future.” “I’m going to establish a commission on tuition. It would be a formal and legitimate body that assists to keep funding bodies accountable, as well as being accountable to students. I also want to double the amount of open textbooks that we have on campus, because I don’t think learning resources should be a barrier to getting an education. I also want to push for nonacademic transcripts and also promote the services that are available on campus.”
VP Student Affairs
- Emmanauel Barker
“I would pay off my student fees first, and then I think I would invest it and just use what I need.”
- Stephanie Deptuch
“I would probably buy a piece of land and start a wiener dog ranch and just live there with my dogs.”
- Jessica Quan
“I would set up a scholarship in my name, to either the U of S or my high school, for students who have spirit and enthusiasm about what they do.”
- Crystal Lau
“Probably give it to friends and family or donate it. I would also pay for my tuition.” - Mackenzie Paradzik
What animal would you like to be? “Definitely a mantis shrimp. They have incredibly powerful mandibles that create mini implosions in the ocean when they’re attacking other fish.” - David D’Eon
“An eagle because they have freedom to fly around and see the world.” - Sajid Kabir
“I’d be a panda because a panda has different colours, which represents diversity, which is one of our strengths on campus.” - Kosy Ugo-Okeke
“A llama for sure. They are a really sassy but personable animal.”
- Deena Kapacila
Crystal Lau
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fifth-year arts & science
A lot of students don’t know their rights on campus, so my main goal is to work with students and student groups and advocate for student bodies so that their concerns are heard.” “As Help Centre co-ordinator, I started a project for free menstrual products, so I am hoping to expand that for the whole university. I also want to make sure that students have a choice to either pay for their parking tickets or work hours towards the amount owed. I also want to make sure that winter is not as dragging for students and to have a more active Welcome Week in January.”
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Mackenzie Paradzik
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third-year political studies
[The major issues are] things like housing, decolonizing the campus and curriculum, student engagement and more student involvement with the USSU. Indigenization is a huge issue on campus right now that I think should be engaged with.” “[I want to focus on] decolonizing campus and curriculum, housing and residency issues, mental health advocacy and sustainability on campus. I would like to engage in initiatives to help the U of S’s standing in Canada. Mostly, I hope to be able to reach out and work with students and strengthen relationships between the USSU and groups on campus. I think change starts with students.” march 16, 2017
PAGENEWS TYPE
President
David D’Eon
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third-year economics
I think it’s important to make sure that the tuition rates that are set next year remain accessible to students. The other issues I’ll be talking about are housing and student wellness.” “I would like to reform the Saskatchewan Students’ Coalition. I would like the USSU to make an effort to get input from all the colleges. I would like to create a permanent housing committee and pursue new on-campus residences that are more equipped towards Indigenous people coming off reserves and [for] single parents. I would also like to establish a fund that would be towards student initiatives aimed at improving overall wellness, targeting things such as nutrition, exercise, educating people about mental health issues and crisis situations.”
Emmanauel Barker
Sajid Kabir
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final-year international studies
third-year economics
The main thing is finance. I would like to reduce costs in terms of textbooks and other related costs.” “I would like to focus on unity among students. I would like to focus on student groups and making them better by creating a friendlier environment on campus. I would like to throw professional events where students would get the chance to meet with employers before graduating. Connections you make as a student will help you in the future. I would also like to increase student group financing by having the co-hosting of similar events.”
I believe that there is a huge space for consolidation within the unions, the campuses and student representation. There’s a lot more room for student groups and for the campuses to all start working together. I also believe that the international student differential is quite high.” “I want to re-establish the connection between the U of S and the northern campuses. There is provision for the executive to work alongside the campuses that I want to improve on. I want to lobby to make sure that the international student differential is closer to that of the graduate students. I want to work with the Graduate Students’ Association to make sure that the graduate students are represented. I also want to make sure that this year’s new executive works closely with students regarding new policies.”
VP Operations & Finance
Kosy Ugo-Okeke
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second-year economics
At the U of S, there’s a lot of opportunity for the university to make student life more lively, interactive and timeless.” “The first thing is to increase funding to the student body. The second thing is to promote intercultural events. Thirdly, I would like to see more student opinions on matters that concern them. Before any decision is made, like tuition increases and infrastructural development, I would like the students to be engaged in that conversation.”
march 16, 2017
Deena Kapacila
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Stephanie Deptuch
third-year political studies
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fourth-year business
We’re probably going to get an austerity budget from the provincial government, so it’s really important to be managing students’ money efficiently.” “I want to set up a database [that] will use students’ preferences to be able to search campus clubs and what they are doing that students would be interested in. I also have a team from Edwards [School of Business] working on a marketing plan for Louis’ so that it can start making a little bit more money. I want to bring more vendors onto campus and I want them to be local businesses and to employ students.”
[My main concern is] presenting to a council because I know that it’s very structured and sometimes decisions take a long time, which is not ideal.” “I want to build on the relationship with [Saskatoon] Transit and possibly put together a plan to change routes so that transit is more accessible for students. I want to make sure that campus groups have the information and knowledge that they need. I want to have workshops and information sessions for students to start groups. I would like to have something set in place so that student groups can partner together and have shared events.”
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SPORTS & HEALTH PAGE TYPE
Don’t let your workout take a vacation while travelling
Jeremy Britz / Photo Editor Exercising while on vacation can be a balancing act.
KIM MABEE Although vacations are supposed to be relaxing,
it can be very beneficial to keep up a fitness routine throughout your holiday. Falling out of a fitness routine can make it that much
harder to get back into it once you return home. For one thing, on vacation you usually have endless amounts of free time, so it’s never a bad idea to mix in a workout and take your time to enjoy it as well. Usually, time spent in the airport can drag on for long periods of time and be very boring, so a way to pass the time and get in some exercise is walking a few laps around the airport while waiting for your flight. A lot of people tend to get restless during flights, so walking around and stretching your legs before getting on the plane is a good way to combat that. Also, when you’re walking around the airport, try taking the stairs instead of the escalator. It doesn’t sound like much, but it really adds up in the end. Once arriving at a vacation destination, you may be tired after travelling. A good way to deal with this can be to start your first day by walking or running around your resort, the beach or the new city you’re in or even by checking out the hotel gym. It’s
always a great idea to start your day with a workout, as you’ll feel more awake and ready for the day. On vacation, however, it can also be a good way to recover from jet lag, and it’s always a nice treat to check out a new atmosphere in a different gym. Almost anywhere you go on vacation there will be somewhere to go swimming, whether it be a pool or the ocean, so it could be beneficial to try out a new cardio workout and swim some laps! Many resorts also offer different kinds of watersports, ranging from surfing to paddle boarding to kayaking. All are great ways to get some exercise and try a new activity at the same time. At a lot of resorts in tropical areas, the staff may offer various kinds of fun fitness classes, like dancing or yoga lessons. Learning something new in a new country is always worth trying. You can even go on vacations specifically to take part in an activity, like a hiking tour or yoga retreat. If you’re taking any kind of tour on your vacation, try
to find a walking tour if you can. Whether it be a tour around a European city or a tropical resort, it’s always a good idea to try to get a few extra steps in throughout the day. This is also a great way to explore the terrain of your destination. For vacations like this, remember to wear comfortable shoes and drink lots of water to keep yourself in peak condition. People who are on vacation also tend to indulge in new food that may not always be the most nutritious. Of course, you’re on vacation and it’s totally okay to treat yourself to some new eats, but within moderation. This makes it even more important to get some exercise in whenever you’re able to — to help counterbalance your new holiday diet. It’s always important to maintain a healthy and fit lifestyle, and being on vacation is no exception to that. With the suggestions above, it should be relatively easy to stay fit and relaxed on any vacation. You’ll come home feeling rested and recharged — both in mind and body!
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march 16, 2017
TYPE SPORTSPAGE & HEALTH
Rugby: A top sport from down under LOGAN HUARD Sitting down with a beer to watch the thrill of the Stanley Cup playoffs is one of the most exciting times for Canadian sports fans. However, as exciting as we find hockey, there is a sport that we are not giving enough attention to, one that our Australian friends down under enjoy more frequently: rugby. Australia has a rich sports culture that spans many different sports. The continent has an extensive cricket culture, plays Australian football and hosts the Australian Open for tennis. Australia even has success in winter sports, regardless of most of the country being sub-tropical. However, the sport most associated with Australia might be rugby. To provide a quick overview of rugby for those who are not familiar with the sport, it is a fast-paced, full-contact field sport in which seven- or 15-player
teams try to move a ball to the opposite end of the pitch by either running, kicking or passing the ball. The player tossing the ball throws it between two rows of players, one from each team. The people in the rows lift up players to scoop the ball back to their team in a similar action to a jump ball in basketball. The game is won by the team who scores the most tries, which are similar to touchdowns in football, or through points scored by kicking the ball through the uprights. The history of rugby in Australia dates back to 1864, when the first rugby club was created. Australia claims to have four elite football codes, two of which are rugby. The sport has since become so ingrained into the region’s culture that in 2003, when the Australians hosted and won the World Cup of Rugby, the event was the fourth largest sporting event in the world, beaten by only the Olympics, the FIFA World Cup and the World Athletics
Championships. The Wallabies, the Australian football team, are one of only four teams to have ever won the men’s World Cup of Rugby. Although the sport arguably has the most popularity in Australia and the South Pacific, other places such as Great Britain, Japan, Argentina and South Africa have been significant forces in global rugby competitions. North America has had its own levels of success
in the world of rugby. In 2014, Canada’s women’s team claimed second place to England at the Women’s Rugby World Cup. The next women’s World Cup will be held in Ireland in four months. The men’s team has had a decent rivalry with the American team as Canada defeated them in order to qualify for the 2015 World Cup. In the 2011 World Cup, Canada pulled off an upset, beating Tonga and tieing
with Japan. Saskatchewan itself has a fairly active rugby culture. Every once and awhile a team will be stationed in the Arts Tunnel, which is a great way to get involved. There are both men and women’s leagues in the city, as well as Rookie Rugby and Mini Rugby for kids. With nine teams through two divisions in the province, there is no shortage of opportunities to get into the exciting game.
Shamille Sarcuga
The Body Mass Index: Easy to use, but of little use FLORENCE SCHEEPERS Body mass index is a measurement of your weight relative to your height calculated in order to assess body fat. Adults who have a BMI of 18.5 or lower are considered underweight, over 25 is considered overweight and over 30 is considered obese. BMI is in almost every health screen assessment used by health professionals, sport coaches and trainers. Some insurance companies are even using it as a determinant of your coverage rate. However, BMI’s validity to assess health, or even obesity, is questionable. Although it’s known as a measure of body fat, it was not created for that purpose. The BMI was created in 1830 by Lambert Quetelet, an astronomer and mathematician but not a medical doctor. Quetelet came up with the formula of a person’s weight in kilograms divided by their height in meters squared to quantify the average growth curve of our height and weight. It is now 2017, and we are still using this formula as a way march 16, 2017
to screen and measure obesity, not growth. The World Health Organization has standardized obesity as having body fat comprise above 25 per cent of your weight for men and 35 per cent for women. However, weight is not always an accurate indication of one’s body fat percentage or even one’s health. The number on a bathroom scale tells the weight of your total body mass — including the weight of your bones, muscles, water, tissues and organs, in addition to fat. It’s not uncommon for muscular athletes and even average, recreational weight lifters to be considered obese on the BMI scale, despite having a lower body fat percentage than someone who has a lower BMI. Weight also differs between sexes and ethnicities, not to mention that a person’s weight can fluctuate within a day due to gain and loss of water. One study comparing BMI results across different sexes and ethnic groups found that, in comparison to body fat measuring devices, the BMI gave false positives up
to 50 per cent of the time — meaning half of those labelled as “obese” based on BMI were actually not obese. Despite these issues, BMI is still viewed as the most common test to see whether someone is at a healthy weight. From a health standpoint, having a high bone and muscle mass is protective to your health, but having a high percentage of fat can negatively affect your health. A person with low bone and muscle mass with a high fat percentage can be at risk for heart disease and diabetes but have a “healthy” BMI. This is apparent in older adults who go through muscle and bone loss in response to aging, which can be a valid indicator of mortality risk. Even, surprisingly, those in the “overweight” category have been found to live longer than those in the “healthy” weight category. Frankly, your BMI is just an arbitrary number that doesn’t give an accurate reading of fat mass and tells you nothing about health. Even government health websites, such as Canada’s
Diabetes Association, lay out the serious flaws with the scale and deem it inappropriate to use to measure athletes, children and older adults. Yet it is still being used and taught as a vital health-screening tool. Why? Maybe because it is easy to do, it has been used since 1830 or it requires no fancy equipment. Knowing that BMI is essentially pointless and that other devices have a high degree of error, can we just ditch the scale and measure health in oth-
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er ways? Making changes such as reducing body fat through a caloric deficit diet and building muscle through strength training improve both appearance and health in a drastic way, yet sometimes these benefits are not revealed on the BMI scale. Body weight or body fat is just one measurement of dozens that can give some clue as to whether or not someone is at risk of chronic disease. Throw that scale away and start living healthier.
Lesia Karalash / Graphics Editor
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SPORTS & HEALTH
nyayahealth / Flickr Studying abroad allows students to gain a global perspective.
Broaden your horizons:
Study abroad options in health sciences EMILY KLATT Sports & Health Editor
On now through April 30, 2017 Get your game on! Explore the video game evolution - past, present and future. Try your hand at a super size Nintendo controller, play the giant Game Boy or test your knowledge of retro gaming music! Developed and produced by
Tour managed by
Thank you to
306-931-1910
|
2610 LORNE AVENUE
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WDM.CA
Although studying abroad is a concept usually associated with the fine arts and humanities, the University of Saskatchewan also provides several travel options for students in the health sciences. International study at the U of S is co-ordinated by the International Student and Study Abroad Centre. Staff at ISSAC can help you discuss your options and help figure out which ones are best for you. Certain colleges also offer program-specific study abroad options. Studying abroad is a unique way to enhance both your academic and personal life. Students who study abroad have the opportunity to enrich their academic knowledge, develop their independence and gain valuable skills for their future career. For the health sciences, specifically, studying abroad can provide the opportunity to learn about health care from a global perspective — leading to more comprehensive health-care strategies. Most students at the U of S are eligible to participate in an exchange program with a partner university in another country. You spend one or two terms attending a partner university, while still paying U of S tuition
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rates and earning credits towards your degree. Students are able to choose from over 136 universities in 40 different countries. In order to be eligible to participate in an exchange program, most students must have completed or be in the process of completing 60 credit units and maintain an overall average of 70 per cent or higher. The requirements are more lenient for students in the College of Arts and Science, where only 30 credits and a 65 per cent average are required. Students from the College of Kinesiology can attend 115 partner universities around the world. These options range from the relatively close, like the University of Alaska in Anchorage or the University of Guadalajara in Mexico to the far flung, like the University of Oslo in Norway or the University of Queensland in Australia. Making the Links Certificate in Global Health is an accredited program offered to first-year medical students at the U of S. This unique certificate prepares students for future careers serving marginalized populations, both at home and abroad. Making the Links takes two years to complete and includes a six-week placement in a developing country. Students work under close supervision to gain a greater understanding of global health and the strategies needed for creating a healthier world. In the past, the College
of Nursing has offered an international study abroad option to students in the final year of their degree. As part of the bachelor of science degree in nursing, students are required to complete hands-on training components called practicums. Instead of completing their practicum in the local community, nursing students could choose to work in a variety of countries, including Australia, Tanzania and Finland. Unfortunately, the program is currently undergoing review and students are unable to take part at this time. If none of these options seem like the right fit for you, students also have the ability to co-ordinate an independent study abroad program with the help of an academic advisor. Keep in mind that any credits you earn abroad may not transfer over to the U of S unless approved by your college, and you will have to pay international tuition rates instead of U of S rates. Studying abroad isn’t for everyone. It can be a significant financial commitment. Students are responsible for organizing all of their own travel and accommodation arrangements. Credits do not always transfer easily. However, the benefits can often outweigh the sacrifices. If you’re willing to take the risk, studying in another country can broaden your horizons and change your life for the better. march 16, 2017
PAGE TYPE CULTURE
Jeremy Britz / Photo Editor
Food for thought: An activist's journey to sustainable food sourcing in Saskatoon TANNER BAYNE For local activist Nadja Smith-Hanson, viable food sources and food sustainability needs to be more than just a table-top discussion. She plans to make this happen with one simple thing — fridges. Since December 2016,
Smith-Hanson has taken it upon herself to make free food more accessible in Saskatoon by installing communal fridges, or what she calls freedges, in key neighbourhoods. Currently, Smith-Hanson has placed two freedges, one at The Better Good on Broadway Avenue, and the other at AKA Artist-Run Gallery on 20th Street. In the future,
she hopes to see freedges in libraries and even on campus. The inspiration and direction for the freedge project came to Smith-Hanson in the summer of 2016, while she was travelling in Montreal and saw how fridges were being used. “The thing that struck my interest was a guy in a suit who went to the fridge and took some buns from it, and then a guy who had been begging on the street went and grabbed a container of something. It was interesting to see who was using the fridge,” Smith-Hanson said. The foundational idea behind Smith-Hanson’s project is that the food provided should be accessible to anyone who needs it, without judgement. The level of accessibility of the freedges effectively sets this venture apart from other food collection sources, like the Saskatoon Food Bank & Learning Centre, where one is required to show proof of residency within the city and can only take food out once every two weeks. Moreover, since the food is refrigerated, an assortment of perishable food items, such as fruits and vegetables, are available too. Smith-Hanson’s motivation for the project is simple in nature.
“I like to eat and I want other people to eat. We should all be able to eat,” Smith-Hanson said. Smith-Hanson has ensured that both freedges are safe and up to health standards. In January, she held an event called Creating a More Sustainable Saskatoon at D’Lish by Tish Café, where she had Saskatoon Health Region representative Michael Newell, among other guests, vouch for the freedges’ safety and legitimacy. Despite her considerable accomplishments in regards to sustainable food sourcing within Saskatoon, Smith-Hanson realizes that she can’t transform the city alone. “A community movement like this needs to have a bigger following than just me,” Smith-Hanson said. For Smith-Hanson, this extra support doesn’t necessarily have to come in the form of freedges, but in a host of other endeavours striving for sustainability in the city. The first thing that people can do, in her mind, is to compost. “It’s a visual of what we throw out. It makes food less like garbage and puts it in a different category. You’re also more aware of
what you’re throwing out,” Smith-Hanson said. For Smith-Hanson, changing the conception that food is disposable is crucial for Saskatoon to become a more sustainable city. In order to supplement the good of composting, she believes dumpster diving is a good option too. Smith-Hanson has recently updated Saskatoon’s dumpster diving page on Facebook, where she and a group of dedicated divers let one another know when and where good food can be found. However, Smith-Hanson believes that the most important thing a person can do to develop a sustainable relationship with food is to think critically. Whether it’s making a conscious effort to eat local or thinking about what you actually need from the store, Smith-Hanson wants people to be more mindful about their relationship with food. Smith-Hanson hopes the people of Saskatoon can acknowledge the role that food has in our lives, respect it and eat in the best way possible. “Food is something that is so intertwined in all of our lives; we all need to eat,” Smith-Hanson said.
Travelling solo: 14 tips for the beginner SYDNEY BOULTON The chance to explore a new — or familiar — city at your own pace is liberating, but it can also be intimidating. Whether your concerns are safety, meeting new people or how not to get bored, these tips will help you. If you are a beginner solo traveller looking for some advice for your first time, these
Shamille Sarcuga
march 16, 2017
tips are for you! 1. Start with a weekend trip: even one night alone in a new city will help you determine if solo travel is for you and if you want to try a longer trip in the future. 2. Try an organized tour around the city: although organized tours may not be the most exciting way to see a city, they are a very safe and easy way to get oriented in your
new location and allow you to connect with other travellers and locals alike. 3. Do your research: familiarize yourself with the destination as much as you can, on things such as unsafe areas and local customs. This will help you avoid travel disturbances and will allow you to make the most of your trip. Learning simple phrases in the local language will also help you communicate in an emergency. 4. Book accommodations ahead of time: don’t wait until you get to your destination to book accommodations. Although the freedom to come and go as you please may be appealing, having accommodations booked will prevent you from having nowhere to stay. 5. Stay at a hostel: hostels can be a very inexpensive and safe way to travel. As long as you do your research — and read reviews, not just rates — hostels allow you to meet new people from around the world wherever you go. 6. Take a game with
you: card games are loved around the world, so packing a deck of cards will allow you to connect with lots of different people and make friends along the way! 7. Go to the local market: by checking out the local market, you can learn a lot about the local culture, cuisine, agriculture and language. 8. Make a travel portfolio: in your travel portfolio, include booking confirmations, itinerary details and any other important information you may need to keep your travelling rolling smoothly. 9. Make copies of your important documents and identification: if your passport or boarding passes get stolen, having a copy can make the process of getting back home a lot easier. 10. Check reviews of your accommodations: some places seem great online, but checking reviews from past travellers will give you the best idea of what to expect. 11. Avoid ride shares or cabs that don’t look safe:
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if you are uncomfortable getting into a cab or ride share, trust your gut and don’t get in. It is better to get back to your accommodation a little later, than get into an unsafe car. This also will help you avoid any potential scams. 12. Know local emergency numbers: in the case of an emergency, knowing the right number to call can be extremely helpful — especially if there is a language barrier between you and the locals. 13. Leave your valuables at home: although you may want to bring your phone and camera, leave valuable items, such as your laptop and jewelry, at home where they won’t get stolen — unless, of course, you absolutely need them. 14. Share your itinerary: make sure your family or friends at home know where you are going and when you are supposed to come home. Keep in contact with them every few days so they know you are safe and where to contact you if anything comes up.
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FEATURE
Community Square in Copenhagen, Denmark.
An inside look at a student studying abroad: My year in England PHOTOS AND TEXT BY MICHAEL BERGEN
“
I knew that I wanted to go on exchange after my first semester at the University of Saskatchewan. One of my roommates in the Seager Wheeler residence was an exchange student from Sweden, and he introduced me to a number of other international students. I ended up making many friends from amazing places, which was a prime motivator to experience an exchange for myself.
Amsterdam, Reijksmuseum
Selfie in Copenhagen.
10 the sheaf publishing society ∙ www.thesheaf.com
International Friendsgiving: featuring friends from Australia, Canada, China and the US.
march 16, 2017
PAGE TYPE FEATURE Norrebro, Copenhagen.
Lacrosse Team at the University of Essex.
Amsterdam, Netherlands, near Central Station.
Originally, I planned to go in my second year, but I decided to wait until my third — choosing the University of Essex in England as my destination of choice. The U of S’s International Student and Study Abroad Centre made the process of applying very easy. Although I will admit that at times, communication was slower than I would have liked, I never experienced any major issues with applying for my program of choice. Logistically speaking, the biggest hurdle to study abroad is the financial costs. Your choice of destination will be the prime factor in calculating the total cost to get there and sustain yourself. Travelling to the UK is not cheap, and living in the UK with our exchange rate is very expensive. You must also plan to have an updated passport, travel and health insurance, and depending on your destination, a visa may be required. This is good to know well in advance, as visas can be quite expensive, and you can often find deals if you purchase them ahead of time. Generally speaking, the academic requirements are attainable to the average student — depending on your department. For example,
I needed a minimum 65 average to be eligible as an arts and science student. There are a few more registration requirements you will need to complete before you depart, but the ISSAC office is very good at walking you through the process. So if it’s such a financial burden and the registration process is so long, why bother studying abroad? My answer: the people you meet. I have had the opportunity to meet people from every continent, making lifelong friends along the way. Apart from having a couch to crash on — an added incentive to travel to new places — what’s so great about knowing people in different countries? It makes the world a smaller place. As you listen to the stories of people from different cultures and societies, you begin to learn that despite our different upbringings and backgrounds, we are all very similar at a fundamental level. We all have hopes, fears and desires. Differences only lie in the details, of which are shaped by our past. When we come together across vast distances and share with one another, we have the opportunity to become more empathetic through opening up our minds to newfound perspectives.
My trip began in September 2016, when I arrived in Amsterdam, Netherlands one month before the move-in date at the U of E. After a week in Amsterdam travelling around, I made my way to Sweden and Denmark, where I had the chance to visit some old friends who had initially piqued my interest in the exchange program. In addition to reuniting with old friends, I also made several new ones along the way. The experiences I’ve shared with the friends I’ve made has pushed me out of my comfort zone in such a way that has given me no other option but to grow as an individual. Before arriving in England, I naturally had some preconceptions but I tried to limit my expectations as much as possible. I wanted to approach the experience with a blank slate and often sought out opportunities to be pushed out of my comfort zone. After being here for six months, I can honestly say that I am a different person from the one who arrived in Europe last September. I’ve caught myself in moments doing things I never thought I’d see myself doing, and with each day comes the excitement of not knowing what’s going to happen next.
Rayleigh Tower, my home. One of six residency towers at the University of Essex.
Copenhagen.
march 16, 2017
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CULTURE
Satisfy your wanderlust: Where to travel in Canada LAUREN KLASSEN
ateabutnoe / Flickr Fernie, B.C., is a small town great for students who enjoy outdoor activities such as skiing, camping and hiking.
WORKING TOGETHER TO SOLVE SASKATCHEWAN’S HEALTH-RELATED PROBLEMS
If you are entering the fourth year of an honours program in 2017-18, this is your chance to work together with other U of S students to solve complex, health-related problems that are relevant to Saskatchewan.
UG-ICARE
Join us on March 25! During the three-hour session, students will form interdisciplinary teams. Once your team chooses a complex health issue, you and your teammates will analyze different aspects of the larger problem from the viewpoint of your respective disciplines. To help you with your in-depth analysis, you will be paired up with a mentor from your chosen field. Based on your analysis, you will be able to complete a research project or essay/seminar in your chosen field of specialization. Through collaborative problem solving, UG-ICaRE’s goal is to uncover creative solutions to the province’s health issues. At the same time, the program helps you to fulfil the requirements of your academic program. UG-ICaRE is open to all incoming fourth-year honours students in BA, BSc, BASc, and BSA programs at the University of Saskatchewan.
PLANNING SESSION 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. Saturday, March 25, 2017 Room 2102, Western College of Veterinary Medicine Continental breakfast provided
UNDERGRADUATE INTERGRATED COLLABORATIVE RESEARCH ENTERPRISE
A U of S One Health Initiative and Undergraduate Research Initiative partnership FOR MORE INFORMATION OR TO REGISTER, CONTACT: University of Saskatchewan One Health Initiative Vikram Misra vikram.misra@usask.ca 306-966-7218 Kara Loy kara.loy@usask.ca 306-966-7127
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With summer fast approaching, travel may be an option students want to pursue. Although travel is a desirable way to escape work, school and Saskatoon, one doesn’t have to leave the country to embrace culture and a change of scenery. Here are three Canadian destinations worth checking out! Clear Lake, Man.: this is an absolutely beautiful lake in Riding Mountain National Park, otherwise known as Wasagaming. Clear Lake is perfect for outdoor enthusiasts, as there are diverse activities in the park during all four seasons. Throughout the summer months, Wasagaming is an oasis of nature and beauty. There are many ways to embrace the beauty in Clear Lake, like going on a scenic drive, canoeing on the lake or water activities such as paddle boarding. To experience the national park fully, there is also wildlife viewing, hiking and biking. During the winter, Clear Lake is just as beautiful as in the summer. For those who love to make the most of the winter months, you can enjoy activities such as great snowshoeing, skating and cross-country skiing. If you want to indulge your wild side, there is a bay near the lake called Deep Bay, which is a popular spot for skinny dipping. St. John’s, N.L.: this is a beautiful coastal city that will give University of Saskatchewan students a change in scenery, from the prairies to the ocean. St. John’s has a vibrant art community that showcases different art forms, from music to dance to film, and is sure to entertain viewers from all across Canada. The art scene in St. John’s doesn’t stop at live performance — there are numerous art galleries located all throughout St. John’s that range from commercial to not-forprofit. When in St. John’s, one must try the seafood. Along with the rich flavours of seafood, students can enjoy the ocean by whale watching on the coast, as there are 22 different species of whales for watchers to see.
St. John’s has houses with vibrant colors, which provide a great contrast from many of the prairie homes we’re used to. For those seeking the colors of St. John’s, Jellybean Row is the place to go. Fernie, B.C.: this is a quiet town of about 5,000 people that is in the middle of the mountains. This mountain village is known for its ski slopes, but during the summer when it’s off-season, the outdoor activities can include kayaking, canoeing and fishing in many nearby lakes. For accommodations in Fernie, travellers can stay in either a hotel or they can embrace the great outdoors by staying at one of Fernie’s campsites, which are closely located by some of the amazing hiking trails. If students want hiking trails that are longer than a day trip, Heiko’s Trail or the Three Sisters Mountain are the ones for you. If students would rather stay away from outdoor activities but still enjoy the mountain scenery, there is a vibrant community in Fernie to enjoy. Out of the many things to do, one thing you must check out are the local farmers’ markets throughout the week, with locally grown food and hand-crafted items to browse through. There are live performances at The Arts Station every week during the summer by local bands, and local artists displaying their work at galleries in the town. If students are looking for a place to stay that is worth the cost, the Lizard Creek Lodge is a great place. This hotel has character, with quirky decorations that may remind you a lot of grandma’s house. Lizard Creek Lodge is reasonably priced when splitting the bill with a group of friends, so it is great for students travelling together on a budget. While in Fernie, make sure to visit Big Bang Bagels located downtown — you won’t be disappointed! While making plans to travel this summer, consider looking in your own backyard. Canada has lots to share, especially for its 150th birthday celebration this year! march 16, 2017
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upcoming events • Art Battle Saskatoon! at the Capitol Music Club • First day of Usask Improv’s Good Vibes Improv Festival in the St. Thomas More Auditorium • Goitse at the Bassment • Tanya Tagaq at the Broadway Theatre • Vinyl DJs & Ping Pong at Vangelis
Thursday
friday
Laura Underwood / Layout Manager
Make the dream affordable:
Travelling on a student budget JACK THOMPSON Staff Writer
Students with wanderlust tend to hold themselves back from travelling due to financial situations, and while travel may be generally very expensive, it doesn’t have to be this way. From the way you get to your destination to the services you use during your stay, there are always ways of increasing the affordability of a trip. While travelling will always be something that can only be done by those who have the funds, this monetary obstacle can be cut down in size by spending money in smart ways. How much money you spend getting to your destination can often be the defining expense of the trip. For those truly worried about their financial security, domestic travel is a great option. Canada is a very diverse country with many sights to see, and travelling within one's own country not only cuts out a lot of border hassles but can also save money in the process. Whether you travel by your own personal vehicle, bussing or flying, travelling shorter distances tends to save money. Therefore, staying closer to home is a much more affordable idea than travelling overseas or march 16, 2017
any great distance. On the plus side, there is plenty to see and do in Canada, such as the Rocky Mountains, either of the coasts or experiencing the diverse cultures and landscapes found in mainland Canada. For those dead-set on leaving the country, don’t worry — there are still ways to save money. Sales through airlines happen all the time, so checking flight prices for your dream destination often is always a good idea. Additionally, it is a common practice for airlines to up prices closer to departure dates, so booking flights well in advance is an excellent method for getting the most economic option. While at your destination, one of the biggest expenses is most certainly going to be putting a roof over your head. Five-star hotels may be luxurious, but this luxury comes with a hefty price tag. Hostels are generally regarded as the cheapest option while staying abroad, and although staying in one may put you in a shared room with fellow travellers and a lack of privacy, it comes with a lighter bill at the end of your stay and new friends. Not having a room to yourself may be daunting to some, but most of your stay will be spent out and about at your destination anyways, and having that extra bit of motivation to get out there may move you
to seeing parts of the region you may not have gotten to otherwise. With this being said, the third expense to look out for is everything you spend money on while on escapades outside your room. This can mean anything from the food you eat to the transportation you use while seeing the sights. Planning ahead is crucial, as is knowing what sort of services are provided in the area you are in. If the place you are staying at offers free breakfast, then that’s a fairly obvious way to cut down on the money you spend on meals. If you have access to some sort of storage and or cookware of any sort, going out and buying groceries is an excellent idea. Although this may not be your idea of a fun vacation, it will save you money in the long run, as groceries are generally cheaper than always eating out. In regards to transportation, look for what sort of options you have. Compare these options and see if taking public transit or renting a bike is available, as these tend to be fairly economically friendly. In the end however, nothing beats the free use of your own two feet. In the end, travelling will cost you money — there’s no doubt about that — but through the use of extensive planning and research, you can most certainly make your trip affordable.
saturday
• Five Alarm Funk with Clara Lessa at the Capitol Music Club • James Gordon & Jory Nash at the Bassment • Last day of Pro-Choice Awareness Week in the Arts Tunnel • St. Paddy’s Day Covers Show: Hashwind, Hole and SSIK at Vangelis • St. Patrick’s Day featuring The Pxrtals, Black Zebra, Man Meat, Me The Guts and Emily Only at Amigos
• Andrea Superstein at the Bassment • Dumb Angel, Waitress and The Sips at Vangelis • Last day of Usask Improv’s Good Vibes Improv Festival in the St. Thomas More Auditorium • Good Vibes Improv Festival Afterparty at the Capitol Music Club • STRFKR with Psychic Twin at Louis’ Pub • The Courtneys with The Garrys at Amigos
• Ness Creek 2017 March Auditions at the Capitol Music Club • The Tea Party at O’Brians
sunday
• Lady Bits Improv Comedy Collective at Amigos • Petunia & Eliza Doyle at the Bassment • Sheaf Annual General Meeting in Arts 217 • First day of Think Indigenous Education Conference 2017 at the Saskatoon Inn & Conference Centre
monday
• Martyn Joseph at the Bassment • YWiB Presents: StrengthsFinder at Louis’ Loft
tuesday
• Randy McAllister at the Bassment
wednesday
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OPINIONS
Paige Sutherland
The Sheaf survival guide
to travelling with your partner KAY-LYNNE COLLIER Travelling can be a stressful thing on its own, but when you add in a romantic partner, perhaps someone you are trying to impress or someone you’ve grown comfortable with, it can get a little trickier. So how do you satisfy your mutual wanderlust urges without being at each other’s throats the whole trip? I have personally travelled with my partner of six years quite a bit. That being said, we have never travelled together outside of the country and the furthest we have
gone together is Ottawa, Ont. So, while I have a substantial amount of experience in domestic travel, my tips for international travel are going to be limited. The first piece of advice I have is to really consider your budget. What kind of trip can each of you afford? How will you split the costs? This can vary a lot by couple, but the most important thing to keep in mind is that each person in the relationship has to be content with the results. Don’t make any assumptions about what the other person is paying for and be realistic about what you
can afford. Otherwise, you won’t be on the same page, and your trip and your relationship will suffer because of it. This also ties into choosing a location that each of you is interested in travelling to. While your opinion also matters, be flexible and make compromises for your partner when you can. Communication and respecting each other’s viewpoints is paramount at this point in planning. If this is your first time travelling together and you have not lived together yet, I would suggest avoiding trips where you will be forced to be in close vicinity for long periods of time and in uncomfortable situations — such as camping — unless you feel that you can handle it. The first time I went on a trip with my partner, we went to a music festival together and stayed in the same tent. We were literally on the verge of breaking up the entire time. This was not because we were unhappy with our relationship, but we realized that we weren’t used to having so little personal space. We made it through to the
other side, despite several arguments. Now that we live together and sleep in the same bed every night, things are a lot different and we are fully comfortable with the inseparability that sometimes comes with camping. That being said, definitely do not be afraid to say that you need a bit of space from your partner. Getting a bit of fresh air and some reflective alone time can be really beneficial for avoiding arguments and not feeling claustrophobic. Something that definitely can exacerbate vacation arguments and inflate them into something bigger than they need to be is alcohol. Now, I’m not going to tell you not to drink on your vacation. This is something that a large majority of adults partake in when they go on vacation, especially to more tropical venues. Just try not to go overboard. Not only can this create tension between you and your partner, but it can cause you to be too hungover to participate in the activities that you and your partner had planned on, which can create even more tension. Don’t let alcohol
dictate what happens in your vacation. My last words of travel wisdom come from a place of retrospection. On all of the trips that I have taken with my partner, we’ve realized that there were probably a few things that we could have done differently in order to make our vacation more comfortable for the both of us, so we could have fun without worrying about much of anything. So when we got home, we made a list of all of the successes and things to improve on. That way when we went to plan our next vacation, we could see what went wrong and what went right. It is very important to learn from your past travel experiences to make your vacations the best that they can possibly be in the future. Travelling can be a great way to get to know your partner better and see what the world has to offer you. It can also be a great test of the strength of a relationship. I hope that your life takes you on many adventures with the love of your life and that you realize that home is not where you are, it is who you are with.
Russian hacking theories expose the flawed “alt-center” COLE CHRETIEN The Democratic National Committee was hacked because of a typo. I choose to open with this piece of information to illustrate a point: whoever hacked the DNC was not exactly a genius. After encountering a suspicious looking email, Hillary Clinton’s campaign manager John Podesta sought the advice of aide Charles Delavan. Delavan responded by saying the link was legitimate, meaning to say “illegitimate.” By clicking the link, Podesta opened the DNC’s email servers to hackers and caused one of the biggest media stories of 2016. This wasn’t a professional, planned infiltration of the Democratic Party’s technological infrastructure. It was a simple phishing scam that worked because of a series of incompetent actions within the DNC. Any importance assigned to the DNC hackers is the byproduct of speculation and the media. Since Wikileaks published the DNC e-mails in July 2016, conspiracy theories
about Russia’s involvement instances of collusion be- brands around pushing Rusin the 2016 American pres- tween the Trump team and sia conspiracy theories. idential election have run the Russian state should be The term “alt-center” was rampant, including hacked more alarming to the public coined by political essayist voting machines and Don- than the allegations of Rus- Sam Kriss to describe this ald Trump being a puppet of sian hacking. contingent of centrist conVladimir Putin. spiracy theorists. The Further contributing term first appeared to this culture of parain a Slate article noia and conspiracy critiquing Eric Garwas a torrent of unland’s bizarre “Game verifiable documents, Theory” tweetstorm, the most famous of in which Garland which was the dossier claims that for the released by Buzzfeed, past 10 years Russia which claimed that has been participatRussia had compromising in psychological ing material that they warfare against the had used to blackmail United States. Trump. Kriss argues that More recently, memGarland’s erratic 127 bers of Trump’s cabitweet-long rant is net have faced controemblematic of the versy for meeting with current lack of diRussian diplomats. On rection of the DemFeb. 13, Trump’s seocratic Party. These curity advisor Michael narratives allow for Flynn resigned after it establishment demcame to light that he ocrats and their supKathrine Fedoroff had lied to the FBI and This isn’t the real hacker, but you get the idea. porters to ignore the vice-president Mike Pence These events have been shortcomings of the Clinton about phone calls with Rus- incorporated into a larger campaign and deflect blame sian diplomat Sergey Kis- conspiracy narrative pushed onto an outside disruptive lyak. by a handful of centrist pun- force. Attorney general Jeff Ses- dits. Popular centrist demIf these allegations end up sions has also faced back- ocrat personalities such being true, the Democratic lash for meeting with a Rus- as Sarah Kendzior, Kurt Party won’t have to rethink sian ambassador during his Eichenwald and Eric Gar- their failed policies or their time in the Senate. These land have all built personal weak rust belt ground game
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because they didn’t lose the election — Russia just stole it from them. The people pushing these theories are ready to deal with the consequences of a Trump impeachment but are unwilling to deal with the larger implications of what these hacks say about the state of America’s institutions. If the 2016 election was rigged by the Russian state, that speaks volumes about the health of America’s democratic institutions. At this point, the Democratic establishment is much more interested in smiting Trump than upholding faith in American democracy. Maybe the Democrats will eventually be able to tie all this Russia stuff back to Trump in a meaningful way, but for now, many of these stories are completely unverifiable. Considering how surreal the Trump presidency has been so far, it’s not inconceivable that there is a kernel of truth in these reports, but right now, allegations of Russian hacking are being used as a deflection for the failures of the Democratic Party. march 16, 2017
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Literally just nine weird places
you could visit on vacation ZACH TENNENT
Opinions Editor
If you’re anything like me, that means you love to travel — but who needs Disneyland? Here are nine great, offbeat sites and landmarks to consider checking out on your next trip. 1. Aoshima, Japan: perhaps better known — or at least more accurately described — as Cat Island, this small space is home to a cat population that outnumbers humans six-fold. While this absolutely sounds like a nightmare to me, if you’re a fan of felines, Aoshima is seeing increased tourist traffic in recent years. 2. Prada Marfa, Valentino, Texas: this is the only Prada store in all of Texas. However, it’s a bit of a no-frills experience for the shopper, as the store is little more than a fake storefront and a door that is permanently locked. In truth, Prada Marfa is an art installation by Michael Elmgreen and Ingar Dragset. I’m sure it makes some great big important statement about something, but if nothing else it’s one of the fakest storefronts you’ll find this side of North Korea. 3. Soviet Bunker, Nemenčinė, Lithuania: simply tell the driver to drop you off at the “Naujasodes Kaimas” and live the authentic Soviet citizen experience in this converted forest bunker that dates back to the days of communist rule. In-character tour guides show you around and apparently can be pretty hard on you if they suspect you of being a spy. Think — the tunnels of Moose Jaw meets Alcatraz but also frightening. Sounds fun! 4. Carhenge, Alliance, Nebraska: it’s Stonehenge but with cars — no funny business here. Celebrating its 30th year nestled in the Nebraska topsoil, Carhenge will also be in the direct path of Aug. 21, 2017’s total solar eclipse. Sounds like this is the year to finally check it out. 5. Great Pacific Garbage Patch, North Pacific march 16, 2017
Ocean: this one is a little more difficult to visit, as it’s not so easy to access the patch and in all likeliness it cannot be stood on. Regardless, this gigantic pile of floating, wet garbage pays tribute to humanity’s contempt for the planet. It’s also one of the largest man-made monuments in the world. It would be a shame not to stop by and pay your respects sometime. 6. Popeye Village, Anchor Village, Malta: if you’ve seen Robert Altman’s 1980 film adaptation of Popeye — yup, the sailor man himself — you know it’s a tad underwhelming. However, nearly 40 years after shooting, the set village that was built exclusively for the film remains intact as a popular yet quaint tourist stop. Since August 2014, the sun-kissed village has also served as an unofficial memorial for its star, Robin Williams. 7. Isla de las Muñecas, Mexico City, Mexico: translated to “Island of the Dolls” for us humble anglophones, this place has conflicting histories. It may or may not be a tribute to a little girl who died under tragic and mysterious circumstances. What isn’t up for debate, however, is that it is an island of mutilated and deteriorating baby dolls and it looks fucking horrific. Looking at pictures of Isla de las Muñecas made me think Cat Island wouldn’t be so bad after all. 8. Momofuku Ando Instant Ramen Museum, Ikeda-shi, Osaka, Japan: ramen — you know and love it. At this museum, you can learn a little about the life of Momofuku Ando — the inventor of instant noodles — and even see the shed where he did his groundbreaking work. With free admission, it’s almost as cheap as ramen! 9. The Big Nickel, Sudbury, Ont.: What do you do when you have no claim to fame? Do something dumb and get a Guinness World Record, of course. In recognition of its nickel output, Sudbury has the world’s largest coin on display. The rear side of the coin is the most respected and honoured nickel back in the country.
Photographic Illustration by: Lesia Karalash / Graphics Editor Photo: MasaHufromPixaby / Flickr
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u o Y Were .
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Montreal Ch Naomi Zurevi
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COMING EVENTS follow us
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Jeff Burton
Reading & Signing
The Adventures of Auroraman Saturday, March 18, 7 pm
SaSkatchewan Book awardS ShortliSt readingS i Friday, March 24, 7 pm
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PAGE LENS TYPE CAMPUS Times Square, NYC Naomi Zurevinski
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∙ the sheaf publishing society 17
OPINIONS
Downtown grocery stores
struggling to find hold JACK THOMPSON Staff Writer
Jeremy Britz / Photo Editor Those living downtown can have a hard time getting access to grocery stores.
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With many downtown Saskatoon grocery stores struggling to keep their doors open, there has been a hole left in the downtown landscape. A grocery store downtown would benefit not only those who live in the area, but also the downtown district as a whole. It would come as a huge benefit to those living there, not only for the convenience of it, but also for increased food security for those finding themselves without transportation around the city or those with mobility issues. Filling this gap in the downtown would also make the area a more viable place for one to get all of their shopping done at once and would likely attract business to the stores in the area. Those looking for residence in Saskatoon could then begin to see downtown as a much more positive option if they do not have to commute to a grocery store. Students living in the downtown area could also reap the benefits from a grocery store. Many students do not have access to a personal vehicle, making longer distance traveling a very prominent detractor from wanting to live downtown. However, a major problem that grocery stores in downtown Saskatoon have faced in the past is the lack of patronage compared to stores in the suburbs. While it could be argued that if more people lived in the downtown area, these grocery stores would see more success, many make the counter-argument that it would take a grocery store to get more people to live there in order to even make the grocery store financially feasible. This is the major barrier to a grocery store opening up downtown and the paradoxical situation is a
tricky one to figure out. No major grocery store chain would want to open a location in a place where the demographic they need to succeed just isn’t perceived to be there. Another problem with this scenario is that, due to the higher rent in the downtown area, grocery stores either need to have a large customer base or raise their prices. Thus with the demographic just not being there yet, these stores are forced to raise their prices, which can drive customers to shopping in the suburbs where rent — and the price of food — is cheaper. However, initiatives to bring increased food supply to the downtown area are still attempting to gain headway. The City Park Community Association has expressed the possibility of co-operatively owning a grocery store with residents, which would not only allow for residents to have access to food closer to home, but due to the nature of a co-operative venture, they would also have some say in the running of the grocery store. Saskatoon City Council is also looking into the issue and has begun a market sounding for the area in order to gauge the viability of a grocery store. The findings of this sounding will be reported back to City Council by the end of May 2017. With 15,000 new residents expected to move into downtown Saskatoon over the next 20 years, it also may just be a matter of time before a major grocery store is seen in the downtown area. New residents would solve the lack of profitability that many grocers have faced in that area and would lend to the profitability of such a business. Overall, a downtown grocery store seems to be almost inevitable. With expansion on the horizon and the gap that exists in food availability for residents of the area, it is expected that eventually a grocery store could come to fruition. march 16, 2017
PAGE TYPE DISTRACTIONS campus chat
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What is a talent you wish you had?
“Better time management.” Mack Gill
“Semester going great,” Booze reports While the term is heating up for many students, academic advisor Lawrence Booze assures the Sheaf that from what he has seen, University of Saskatchewan students are doing a fine and healthy job of handling the stress and rigours of group projects and term papers. “I haven’t seen a problem at all,” Booze said. “Sure, students are turning to me for support a lot more, but that’s to be expected. From where I stand, if
they feel the need to lean on me to get through it all, so be it.” Booze insists that students depending on him at this time of year is a perfectly normal cycle and it shouldn’t concern students or those close to them. “What can I say, people know that turning to Booze is a reliable and viable solution to the majority of their problems,” Booze said. Throughout his tenure at the U of
S, Booze has been subject to criticism that he takes too close of a role in the lives of students, and some have suggested that severing ties with Booze has improved their lives. However, Booze argues that the intimate relationships he has with students are just evidence of the support he provides. “I don’t come to the students — the students come to me,” Booze said. “I’m just here giving them the support they feel is necessary.”
EATMOREBIKES.TUMBLR.COM
“Playing slap-bass guitar.” David D’Eon
XKCD.COM
“I wish I could swim.” Kortina Abrams HARKAVAGRANT.COM
Heartworms by The Shins EMILY MIGCHELS
If you’re pining for a throwback to 2010 angsty indie dramas, fear not, The Shins are back. Heartworms, the band’s first LP in five years, doesn’t stray too far from the jangly quirkiness on which the band was founded. It’s a step back into a world you thought you left behind when you stopped watching Michael Cera movies. march 16, 2017
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∙ the sheaf publishing society 19
BACKPAGE PAGE TYPE
ELECTIONS
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VOTE ON PAWS MARCH 22 & 23 FOR CANDIDATE VIDEOS AND PROFILES VISIT:
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20 the sheaf publishing society ∙ www.thesheaf.com
march 16, 2017