March 30, 2017

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March 30, 2017

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Your University of Saskatchewan student newspaper since 1912.

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Budget cuts to university

present challenges for new school year LYNDSAY AFSETH The provincial government’s new budget was released on Mar. 22, and with it came cuts in funding to services all across the province in order to reach the Saskatchewan Party’s goal of balancing the budget in three years.

The University of Saskatchewan’s provincial funding has been cut by 5.6 per cent, the largest funding cut that the U of S has ever seen. With this announcement, both the staff and students are wondering what the results of the provincial budget will mean for them.

While many students are concerned about a potential rise in tuition, U of S president Peter Stoicheff says that this will not be a concern for the next school year.

“The tuition rates for this coming year have already been approved by the board of governors. We are always careful to set our tuition rates before the budget comes out so that we’re not waiting for a budget and then determining how high tuition should be as a result of the budget,” Stoicheff said.

Cuts to programing may also be a concern for students, but there are no ma-

jor programs that will be cut as of now, according to Stoicheff.

“We’re looking at this differentially, based on what is really important to the university, based on what students need and the different colleges’ financial capacity,” Stoicheff said. “Different colleges and different administrative units will be asked to absorb different levels of cuts.”

Stoicheff believes that one year’s budget will not have a significant impact on the U of S’s contributions to the province. “[The U of S has] a significant economic impact on the province and the province would be poorer if it did not have the university,” Stoicheff said. “We will make sure that we stay true to who we are and just as we’re going to try to lessen the impact on students, we are going to try to lessen the impact on the province.”

Len Findlay, a professor in the U of S English department, believes that this is an opportunity for students to collectively have their voices heard by the provincial government.

“The upside for students is collective political mobilization in the name of unfairness, government expediency and mismanagement, and what amounts to a broken social contract

with young people in, or new to, Saskatchewan,” Findlay said, in an email to the Sheaf.

Although Stoicheff and the senior administration will be forced to make some tough decisions, Findlay feels it is important to put the responsibility on the provincial government rather than university administration.

“The damage inflicted will be the responsibility of government, not our president or any sector or sectors of the campus community,” Findlay said.

Stoicheff remains confident that the university will continue to prosper despite this year’s large budget cut, but he is concerned about what will happen if the provincial government cuts additional funding in the future.

“A one-year tough budget — we’re going to handle that. If this was a signal that we’re going to continue to get cut year after year, and if it’s a signal that the government doesn’t value our contribution to the province, there’s a whole different answer,” Stoicheff said.

Although this budget is unprecedented for the university, Stoicheff emphasizes that the impact on students will remain as minimal as possible.

“We’ve never seen a bud-

Photography Editor: Jeremy Britz, photo@thesheaf.com

Copy Editor: Larissa Kurz, copy@thesheaf.com

Graphics Editor: Lesia Karalash, graphics@thesheaf.com

Web Editor: Nicholas Kindrachuk, web@thesheaf.com

Editor-in-Chief: Naomi Zurevinski, editor@thesheaf.com

Culture Editor: Bridget Morrison, culture@thesheaf.com

Outreach Director: Sophie Kokott, outreach@thesheaf.com

Layout Manager: Laura Underwood, layout@thesheaf.com

Sports & Health Editor: Staff Writer: Emily Klatt, Jack Thompson, sportshealth@thesheaf.com staffwriter@thesheaf.com

News Editor: Jessica Klaassen-Wright, news@thesheaf.com

Opinions Editor: Zach Tennent, opinions@thesheaf.com

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get like this one before, but I’m trying to reassure people that we are really intent on staying true to the mission and the vision of the university and this budget will not define or redefine who we are and change us from the kind of university that we are,” Stoicheff said.

Despite Stoicheff’s reassurance that the budget will not define the university, Findlay urges students to unite with other, take action and speak out about the cuts.

“Each of us should seriously consider doing two things: doing what we were already committed to doing with undiminished enthusiasm and resolve, and speaking truth to power,” Findlay said. “A student body and leadership that realizes its own power and popular support does not have to sit meekly by while events and policies turn against their best interests and reasonable expectations.”

- U of S president Peter Stoicheff

Lesia Karalash / Graphics Editor

Board of Directors: Ata Merat, Katherine Fedoroff, Kyra Mazer, Chennoa Tracey, Hasith Andrahennadi Cover Graphic: Lesia Karalash, Graphics Editor Advertising 306.966.8688 Editorial 306.966.8689

Ad & Business Manager: Shantelle Hrytsak, ads@thesheaf.com

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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“

...We are really intent on staying true to the mission and the vision of the university and this budget will not define or redefine who we are and change us from the kind of university that we are,”

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

@thesheaf1912 /thesheaf1912 @thesheaf1912

If you would like to contribute to the Sheaf, email editor@thesheaf.com for more information.

corrections

In last week’s issue, the feature “The U of S music scene as explained by student musicians” noted that the photo in the centre was supplied by Von Jumbo. This photo was taken by Curtis Matwishyn.

We apologize for this omission.

march 30, 2017

PAGENEWS TYPE

Indigenization at the U of S: Promoting Indigenous knowledge in the education system RONALD TRAN The 2016-17 academic term at the University of Saskatchewan has included a large movement for Indigenization at all institutional levels. March has been particularly busy, conclud-

“

When we talk about Indigenization, we’ve got to talk about the tools that were used to strip that away from us in the first place, and the biggest tool that was used was education.”

- Chris Scribe, the conference chair and director of ITEP

ing with a conference that provided a broader look at Indigenous knowledge and reconciliation.

From Mar. 20-22, the Indian Teacher Education Program at the College of Education held their third annual conference, titled “Think Indigenous: Inspiring change through Indigenous education practices

march 30, 2017

and knowledges,” at the Education Building and Saskatoon Inn & Conference Centre. The conference drew educators, students and delegates from Canada, the United States and Germany.

Chris Scribe, the conference chair and director of ITEP, explains the goals of the conference.

“The goal of Think Indigenous is to inspire change in the education system to include Indigenous knowledge, Indigenous thought, Indigenous ways of knowing and also to inspire … reconciliation,” Scribe said.

ITEP is one of the only First Nations specific teaching programs in North America, with a high graduation rate of more than 90 per cent and an average of 80 to 100 students graduating each year. As of the fall term of 2016-17, the U of S is home to 2,409 self-declared Aboriginal students seeking out an education, and Scribe believes that any discussion of Indigenization must begin with an examination of the history of education in Canada.

“When we talk about Indigenization, we’ve got to talk about the tools that were used to strip that away from us in the first place, and the biggest tool that was used was education,” Scribe said. “Because that was a tool of cultural genocide towards First Nations and Indigenous and Métis people,

because of that we feel that education is also the tool in order to rectify that.”

Following multiple events focused on Indigenization on campus, including the Building Reconciliation Forum held on Mar. 7 and the Defining Indigenization event on Mar. 8, this conference aligns with the larger movement towards Indigenization at the U of S. Scribe emphasizes that Indigenous voices must be prominent in this movement.

“We talk about the buzzwords of reconciliation and Indigenization. It’s important that we start to think and look through the lens of Indigenous people to find solutions, because if we don’t do that, then we are incapable of reconciling [and] Indigenizing anything.

So, this conference is not intended to be the answer.

There is no one-stop-shop for anything. This conference is only meant to inspire people to be able to think differently about how they are approaching situations, how they approach their classrooms and celebrate the beauty of Indigenous knowledge,” Scribe said.

He relates that the conference played an important role in supporting Indigenization and the solidarity of Indigenous people.

“The first reason [for holding the conference] is that it showcases how amaz-

Lesia Karalash / Graphics Editor

ing Indigenous people are, … the brilliance that Indigenous people have possessed and have retained … We are more than what’s portrayed of us in the media … The second thing it does, it inspires us and gives us the courage to try things differently, to know that we’re not alone in work that we’re doing … It’s really easy to break a single person, but when you have a group standing together, it’s very difficult in order to break that,” Scribe said.

According to Scribe, students can support Indigenization at the U of S by being open to new learning and bringing forward questions in classes.

“All students can say, I want to learn more about

www.thesheaf.com

Indigenous content in this course, and challenge their faculty [and] departments and colleges, as a group.

It’s not only the Indigenous people that should be doing that, it should be the non-Indigenous people saying, why don’t I know about residential schools? Why are we not talking about Indigenous knowledge here in chemistry, why are we not talking about it in medicine, why are we not talking about it in this English class? …

Students have such a powerful voice and they have such a hopeful mind in terms of reconciliation, in terms of Indigenization … that they would be able to challenge and make those tough conversations.”

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Passionate pirates for ocular melanoma:

U of S student builds awareness of rare disease GABRIEL SIRIANY LINARES When students read about cancer as a leading cause of death in Canada, they may first think about breast cancer, lung cancer and skin cancer. Ocular cancer, a much less common form of the disease, is likely far from their minds. One University of Saskatchewan student hopes to raise awareness about this rare disease.

Ocular melanoma is a disease that involves the abnormal growth of cells in the eye that destroys nearby tissue.

Ocular melanoma first develops in melanocytes, cells responsible for the colour of the eyes, and it can affect the eyeball, the conjunctiva, the eyelid and the eye socket. The disease can also spread to other body parts.

According to its most recent statistics, the Canadian Cancer Society estimates that in 2012, 54 Canadians died from ocular melanoma.

Carissa McGuin, a second-year physiology and pharmacology student, addresses the challenge that a diagnosis of such an uncommon disease can present.

“Because [ocular melanoma] is so rare, I think it only affects six in a million people in a year. There is not a lot of information out there … It can be intimidating to be diagnosed with something and then not have any access to information,” McGuin said.

In 2010, 370 Canadians were diagnosed with ocular melanoma. There is currently no cure for ocular cancer, but only treatments such as surgery, radiation therapy and chemotherapy. On average, Canadians diagnosed with ocular cancer are 77 per cent as likely to live at least five years after their diagnosis as people in the general population.

McGuin tells the story of her mother, Cindy Gaetz, and her battle with ocular melanoma.

“My mom was diagnosed with ocular melanoma in the fall of 2013. It first started, I remember, on New Year’s Day of 2013. She experienced some flashing and shadows in her vision so we went and got her eye looked at,” McGuin said.

Because ocular melanoma is so uncommon, Gaetz could not receive a diagnosis or treatment in Saskatche-

wan. Instead, she traveled frequently to the Margaret Princess Cancer Centre in Toronto, one of two centres in Canada equipped to treat such a disease.

McGuin further explains the treatments that her mother underwent, including stereotactic radiation and brachytherapy.

“In 2015, she had to have her eye removed because they couldn’t control the growth of the tumour. So, for a year and a half, she had worn an eyepatch,” McGuin said. “Last April [2016], she passed away after participating in different clinical trials to treat metastatic ocular melanoma.”

McGuin was incredibly shocked and saddened by her mother’s passing and she believes that reliable resources will increase understanding of risks and treatments.

“I really thought that it was something that would be fairly easily treatable. I didn’t realize that there are not really treatment options for it, that it’s all experimental right now because there is no information. I had no idea that my mom was going to pass away,” McGuin said.

McGuin has represented

EmBODYing Empowerment: Student led exhibit promotes body diversity and self-love NATASHA HAUSERMANN On Apr. 3, the International Women’s Movement student group plans to shine a light on body diversity at the University of Saskatchewan. The event features a photo and sculpture series of U of S students to promote body diversity, positivity and self-love.

The IWM group brings together a community of students to connect the diverse cultures and religions at the U of S and strives to create a comfortable atmosphere for women to empower one another and contribute to the greater community.

Jessica Quan, fourth-year political studies major and president of the IWM, has been with the group for two years. She explains how the EmBODYing Empowerment event will allow students to support and uplift one another.

“Students will be able to be empowered through solidarity. [The exhibit] promotes a conversation about self-love where we can support and uplift one another. It will contribute to an evolving mindset that breaks past barriers of what body standards are considered to be,” Quan said, in an email to the Sheaf.

The event will be held in Upper Place Riel and then move to Louis’ Loft at 7 p.m. for a night of celebration. EmBODYing Empowerment has free admission and the IWM encourages students to bring donations of menstrual products, with all proceeds going to northern Saskatchewan communities.

Quan notes that the media largely impacts how students see themselves and that the EmBODYing Empowerment event aims to change this negativity. Quan states that changing this ideal will allow students to better connect

with one another.

“Societal expectations and portrayals of bodies in the media have negatively impacted most of us, and we want to highlight the stories of how individuals have grown to love their body,” Quan said.

“Media standards portray a very specific image. However, this exhibit will reflect what is, in fact, the reality of [what] our bodies truly are.”

Anastasia Sylvestre, firstyear arts and science student in the Aboriginal Student Achievement Program and a volunteer of the IWM, speaks more on what students can expect to see at the event.

“In this event, we will have talks from different community leaders, poetry from some kick-ass artists, an open mic and a gallery of body casts and photos,” Sylvestre said, in an email to the Sheaf.

Sylvestre hopes that stu-

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Carissa McGuin / Supplied Carissa McGuin, her mother, her sister and her aunt hold ocular melanoma necklaces.

Saskatchewan at the Miss Canada Petite in Toronto, and this July, she will represent Canada at the Miss Tourism Intercontinental in the Dominican Republic with an Ocular Melanoma Awareness platform. With her family, McGuin has organized various fundraisers for ocular melanoma research, raising over $10,700 for the Princess Margaret Cancer Centre.

“We hold a pub crawl called Pirate Pub Crawl for a Cure. We did a Relay for Life team in 2014 and I think the name was Cindy’s Passionate Pirates for ocular melanoma. We always do a lot of pirates-themed things because of the eyepatch,” McGuin said.

She explains that May is Melanoma Awareness Month, of which one important day is dedicated to raising awareness about ocular melanoma: National Eyepatch Day for Ocular Melanoma.

To help McGuin’s cause, students can inform others and participate in fundraisers. McGuin assures those who share her experience that they are not alone.

“If anyone has family members who are going through something like that or going through something themselves, where they don’t really feel like they have a support group, know that there are so many people around that always willing to help out.”

dents use this event to realize that self-love is important and empowering, especially for those students in minority groups.

“Self-love and body positivity is so important, especially [for] women, LGBTQ people, and those of us who fall under the minority category,” Sylvestre said. “This event will hopefully help students see that loving yourself is super

Kirsten Samson, a secondyear political studies major and a general member within the IWM, explains how this event will try to connect students and the larger community, as body image is an issue that everyone could face.

“Although the event will be on campus, we are hoping to appeal to the larger community,” Samson said, in an email to the Sheaf. “University is ever challenging — between exams, papers and the inevitable stress, we can sometimes engage in behaviours and thought patterns that are body-negative. It’s so important that students can come together and see that they aren’t alone in their struggles.”

Samson emphasizes that all students need support and that students should attend the event and connect with other students.

“The pressures we face are real and they can be harmful. This event is designed to reach out and tell students that insecurities with our bodies are normal. But we have the strength to change these dialogues and engage in body-positive discussions and discourse.”

Lesia Karalash / Graphics Editor

important, help students network with really cool people and maybe be a useful break from March madness.”

march 30, 2017

SPORTSPAGE & HEALTH TYPE

Huskie Athletics launches new Athlete Allies program COLE CHRETIEN LGBTQ2 athletes often face barriers when competing in sports, but a campus program at the University of Saskatchewan hopes to change that.

Athlete Allies is a program that seeks to promote a more positive and inclusive atmosphere for LGBTQ2identified athletes in sports.

The program, started by U of S medical student Josh Butcher, seeks to do this by raising awareness about the barriers that keep LGBTQ2 athletes from participating or succeeding.

The program is similar to sports based gay-straightalliance programs on college campuses in the United States. However, Athlete Allies is notable for being the first program of its kind at a Canadian university.

Butcher, in addition to being a medical student, has been a Huskies football player at the U of S for the past five years. Butcher has advocated for LGBTQ2 issues in sports well before founding Athlete Allies, having attended the Break-

ing the Silence conference and helping to develop the U of S Huskies You Can Play video campaign, both of which focus on LGBTQ2 issues in sport.

Athlete Allies is dedicated to raising awareness about the different issues faced by athletes across the spectrums of gender and sexuality.

“Even within the LGBTQ2 community, and the whole spectrum really, different people are going to face different problems. For example, a gay athlete on a football team is going to face different problems than a transgender athlete trying to work their way into a sport,” Butcher said.

With the program, Butcher hopes to implement sensitivity training for athletes on campus by planning information sessions designed to encourage an inclusive team culture.

“At the beginning of each season, we want to implement a half-hour session for each team on why certain language is hurtful and the use of proper language in locker rooms,” Butcher said.

With these talks, Butcher

also hopes to focus on giving athletes the tools they need to feel empowered to stand up to their peers.

“We want to give our athletes ways that they can be accountable for their teammates’ words and actions so they can speak up if they’re doing something wrong,” Butcher said. “Just like how you’d speak up to one of your teammates when they’re not going to the gym and they’re not getting their lifts in. If you hear a guy saying something he shouldn’t be saying, speak up and tell him.”

The program hopes to facilitate similar talks for high school athletes as well.

For Butcher, spreading the Athlete Allies message to younger players is an important part of fighting homophobia and transphobia.

“I’d like to get some of our athletes potentially going out to high schools and speaking to kids and showing them why this is the right thing to do, hopefully starting to kind of nip this problem at its roots.” Butcher said.

The Athlete Allies program only succeeds if it has

support from the players.

Butcher has worked to get players involved in the program with the goal of creating change from the grassroots.

“I tried to look for athletes whose teammates respected them, whose teammates looked up to them and whose teammates would listen to them,” Butcher said.

“You start to work your way down and infiltrate the system from the highest age level down.”

Athlete Allies hopes to expand its reach to universities across the country in the near future. Butcher has

Jeremy Britz / Photo Editor Despite our differences, Athlete Allies proves we’re all on the same team.

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reached out to universities that participated in the You Can Play video campaign, with the goal of creating new chapters across the country.

Butcher hopes to continue recruiting new members and encouraging athletes to be open to the message of the program.

“For any athlete, I would say to be open to the idea of Athlete Allies and just know that the end goal is to make your team more competitive and more successful by creating better chemistry within your team and in your locker room.”

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SPORTS & HEALTH PAGE TYPE

Huskies men’s hockey team

defeated by UNB in national final JACK THOMPSON Staff Writer

The University of New Brunswick Varsity Reds men’s hockey team won the 2017 U Sports Cavendish Farms University Cup on Mar. 19, beating out the University of Saskatchewan Huskies for the title.

The Varsity Reds outscored the Huskies 5-3 to take the final. The Huskies managed 21 shots on net throughout the game and the Varsity Reds took 36 shots. This loss came after the blowout game the Huskies played against the St. Francis Xavier X-men, in which the Huskies kept the X-men from scoring while putting eight goals on the board and themselves into the final.

Looking back to 2016, it was against the X-men in the semi-final that the Huskies lost out in the tournament.

That game, which went into triple overtime before the X-men scored, was a taxing experience on the Huskies men’s squad. Nothing of the sort was to be seen in the game that sent the Hus-

kies to the final, however, as the Huskies demolished the X-men.

Going into the tournament, the Varsity Reds were seeded at fifth, being Atlantic University Sport finalists, and the Huskies at sixth, being Canada West Finalists. Both teams faced an uphill battle going into the tournament but managed to play their way to the final.

Scoring started at just over four minutes in, with Varsity Reds player Cam Braes getting his first of many goals in a scramble in front of the net. Huskies forward Connor Gay caught his team up with a goal off the shoulder of UNB goalie Etienne Marcoux almost seven minutes later.

UNB’s Mark Simpson scored just over a minute later, leaving his team a lead going into the second.

Braes scored again early on in the second period and again three minutes later off a power play. The Huskies were not to be shut out in the second, however, as Jordan Fransoo placed a shot in the net to cut the Varsity Reds down to a two-goal lead.

The third period saw a goal each for both the Huskies and the Varsity Reds. Braes rounded his goal count out

to four, while the Huskies’ Kohl Bauml scored his first in the game. The game ended with the Varsity Reds having maintained their two goal lead and the Huskies ending their season with silver in the 2017 U Sports Cavendish Farms University Cup. Despite losing the national final, the Huskies have managed an excellent season overall, ending off with a 21 and seven record and averaging 3.79 goals per game.

Throughout their season, the Huskies scored 106 goals and

had only 60 goals against.

The Huskies men’s hockey team played against Mount Royal University Cougars in February in the CanWest semi-finals. Winning the first two games and thus the series, the Huskies then tookon University of Alberta Golden Bears in the final in early March.

After losing the first game in the series to the Golden Bears, the Huskies came back to take the second game of the series in a decisive 2-0 victory. The third game, and

the title, was then taken by the Golden Bears in a 6-3 loss for the Huskies.

While the Huskies may not be ending the season with a gold medal from either the CanWest or national championships, their season can easily be described as successful.

The end goal for any sports team is ultimately to win it all, but being a contender on the national stage is a feat in and of itself. The Huskies will be returning next fall to make another attempt at making it all the way to gold.

James West U Sports / Supplied The Huskies faced off against rival teams in the U SPORTS championship.

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march 30, 2017

TYPE SPORTSPAGE & HEALTH

Caffeine addict goes caffeine-free JACK THOMPSON Staff Writer

If you’re like many university students, you’ve probably been drinking a cup of coffee or two a day since high school. But what happens when you give up caffeine entirely?

To give some backstory on my personal relationship with caffeine, I have been drinking coffee regularly since the beginning of grade 12. I quickly found myself consuming an entire pot of coffee a day, mostly due to my erratic sleep schedule at the time. Add in a summer job with free coffee and you might as well have started calling me Java Jack.

Now, I find myself finishing my second year of university and while I have lowered my caffeine intake a little, I still find myself drinking anywhere between two to four cups of coffee a day. With this in mind, I decided to take a day off in order to gauge the effects this heavy consumption has had.

Last Thursday, I woke up feeling groggy and far from well rested, mostly due to not having got to sleep until around 2 a.m. Remembering that I couldn’t have my morning coffee was definitely the worst part of the morning.

The biggest effect I felt was the disruption in routine. Normally, I would be going to campus to grab a coffee or bringing a homemade cup in my thermos.

Unable to do either, I was at a loss. There was nothing to drink to get me going as I sat in my first class. I wasn’t having severe caffeine withdrawal symptoms — I just craved a damn fine cup of coffee.

It wasn’t until 2 p.m. that the full extent of what I had done came upon me. The little energy I had accumulated through sleep was gone and I crashed — hard.

A headache plagued me, and what was meant to be an afternoon of catching up on schoolwork became laying on my bed watching YouTube videos and doing the bare minimum to continue to exist.

Distraught and devoid of

almost all motivation, I decided that perhaps a quick workout at the gym would perk me up. Due to the exhausted state I was in, my workout consisted of some light treadmill jogging and lasted only around 45 minutes.

A little while into this, I started to feel a bit better and my headache lessened a bit, but as the night wore on I got incredibly tired and generally felt awful. By the end of the night, I was exhausted, and I went to sleep well before I usually do.

An earlier night was probably the only upside to cutting out caffeine, as far as a day-to-day effect goes. Going to bed earlier allowed me to have a longer and better sleep than I’d had in weeks.

By morning, I was feeling refreshed and ready to head out to campus to start my day — and immediately went and bought a cup of coffee. While I could certainly see the benefit of going caffeine-free, it’s just too close to finals to start working on my caffeine addiction just yet.

However, I did come away

with one added tidbit of knowledge that may seem glaringly obvious to many.

If I avoid consuming caffeine too late in the day, I sleep much better. Test-

ing this out by having only a small amount of coffee in the morning and then avoiding caffeine later on, I found that I slept much better.

Laura Underwood / Layout Manager

Dysfunction: Navigating university with high-functioning depression EMILY KLATT Sports & Health Editor

Depression is one of the most common mental disorders, with approximately eight per cent of Canadian adults experiencing major depression at some point within their lifetime. But there are ways in which depression affects individuals that can vary greatly from person to person.

Depressive disorders are

usually divided into two major categories, with smaller subtypes within them. Major depression is characterized by symptoms so severe that they drastically interfere with an individual’s ability to sleep, eat, work, study and generally partake in life. Symptoms can take place in a single episode, or in multiple episodes over one’s lifetime.

This is the kind of thing we think of when we think of “depression:” major, life-altering and extremely noticeable. But for some, depression doesn’t come in episodes; rather, it

Kelsey Philipchuk

march 30, 2017

comfortably settles into the background for the long haul, like the drone of a 24-hour news channel that someone forgot to turn off.

This is what psychiatrists call persistent depressive disorder, or dysthymia. Those with persistent depressive disorder can be affected by many of the same symptoms as those with major depression — fatigue, loss of interest, lack of concentration, changes in appetite, feeling hopeless, and so on — but with less intensity and greater duration. Persistent depressive disorder is characterized by mild depression symptoms that continue for two years or longer.

There was never exactly a time where I would call myself “depressed.” It wasn’t a label that seemed to fit, personally or practically. My symptoms were never bad enough that I couldn’t keep up with school, hold down a job or maintain basic levels of self care. Other mental health issues like anxiety? Sure. But depression? No. On the outside, I look like a pretty successful — albeit tired and somewhat scattered

— human being. Behind the scenes, it’s a bit of a different story. Some days, I’m so tired that I can barely get out of bed — but I almost always do.

I never stop eating entirely, but sometimes I forget to eat or replace meals with coffee.

I’ve never had to withdraw from university or quit a job, but I do have trouble managing workloads and deadlines.

I’ve never felt entirely hopeless, but I do wonder why I rarely seem to be happy with what I have.

You just get used to feeling like crap most of the time and writing it off as normal, because that’s how you always feel. High-functioning depression becomes your normal, and you find ways to live with it or work around it.

Papers still get written, even if they’re not proof-read and turned in late. You still volunteer for a million things but leave feeling drained instead of fulfilled. You date people but get very good at hiding the shitty version of yourself from others.

For a long time, I figured that my shortcomings came from just being too lazy to do better. I just needed to

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plan more, stay up later, work harder and things would be easier. The solution to my problems was just to work harder. Duh. When my therapist first raised the idea of persistent depressive disorder to me, I was confused. Again, I never felt like I fit within the regular definition of depression. But the more she talked about it, the more it made sense with the patterns that I’d noticed in my life and the things I’d been feeling.

Living with highfunctioning depression, dysthymia, persistent depressive disorder — whatever you want to call it — brings it’s own set of unique challenges. Like any mental health issue, it never really goes away. But now I have a name for it, and that makes a difference. Abstracts are scary, but if you can name something and identify it, then you can finally start figuring out how to move forward.

And I am moving forward.

Still high-functioning, still depressed, but equipped with ways to reconcile those ideas and make my life better.

∙ the sheaf publishing society 7

FEATURE

08 feature

When the going gets tough,

the tough get voting?

USSU executive elected amidst budget cuts JESSICA KLAASSENWRIGHT News Editor

F

rom Mar. 22-23, undergraduate students at the University of Saskatchewan took part in the annual U of S Students’ Union elections, voting in an entirely new executive team. While a portion of the campus community expressed excitement and support for the election, voting parallelled the budget announcement in Regina from the Saskatchewan provincial government, and student morale was low.

Compared to last year’s 23.9 per cent voter turnout, only 3,240, or 18.6 per cent, of the eligible 17,381 undergraduate students took part in the election, the lowest percentage the USSU has seen since the 2012 election, when 16 per cent of undergraduates voted.

The 2017 voter turnout is also low in comparison to neighbouring institutions, such as the Students’ Legislative Council of the Students’ Union at the University of Calgary — with 25.2 per cent — and to the University of Alberta Students’ Union — with 29.5 per cent. However, more students at the U of S voted for the incoming executive than at the University of Victoria, the Canadian post-secondary institution with the closest comparable amount of eligible voters: 17,361, only 20 less than the U of S. Of these eligible students, 15 per cent voted in the UVic Students’ Society elections.

On Mar.23 students elected a brand new USSU executive.

“

I think that the funding cuts are devastating. I don’t think that can be understated.”

“

Trying to unite all of the colleges in solidarity against tuition increases is our plan and to be as vocal about that as possible.”

“

The first priority right now is myself, along with the executive, responding to the budget cuts and finding a way to be accountable to students.”

“

All Photos By: Jiem Carlo Narag

What I can do is to gather as much free stuff, free workshops, free access to things, mentors [and] opportunities for our students.”

–David D’Eon

–Deena Kapacila

–Jessica Quan

–Crystal Lau

Just over an hour after the polls closed, the election results were announced in the North Concourse of Upper Place Riel, under the supervision of the chief returning officer Gillian Gough.

In a close race, David D’Eon secured the role of president, with 38.9 per cent of the vote, compared to Emmanauel Barker’s 36.7 per cent and Sajid Kabir’s 10.6 per cent.

With the recent announcement from the provincial government, the 5.6 per cent budget cut to the U of S will be of primary concern for the incoming USSU executive, a concern that D’Eon responds to.

“I think that the funding cuts are devastating. I don’t think that can be understated,” D’Eon said. “The most important responsibility of the USSU is going to be … reaching out to the

colleges and reaching out to the Indigenous Students’ Council, as well. That’s a relationship, I cannot stress enough, that is going to be essential to getting us through this. There’s a lot of work that we have done in terms of Indigenization and reconciliation, and there’s a lot of work that needs to be done. I will not allow those conversations to die off. Those are not things that we can drop

now that things are going to be difficult.”

Deena Kapacila, attributing her success to her dedicated campaign team, took the position of vice-president operations and finance with 40.3 per cent of the vote, followed

by Kosy Ugo-Okeke at 30.9 per cent and Stephanie Deptuch at 14.76 per cent.

Like D’Eon, Kapacila is concerned about the budget cuts.

www.thesheaf.com

T

09 feature

hey’re incredibly difficult,” Kapacila said.

“Being very active within the labour movement, I know that a lot of people are very upset. As a student, I’m very upset … trying to unite all of the colleges in solidarity against tuition increases is our plan and to be as vocal about that as possible.”

Running unopposed, Jessica Quan was named vice-president academic affairs, with a vote of confidence of 70.3 per cent.

Quan’s approach to the budget cuts is similar to Kapacila’s, and she plans to address them as soon as she takes office.

“The first priority right now is myself, along with the executive, responding to the budget cuts and finding a way to be accountable to students, to let students know what’s going on, because this is the biggest budget cut the university has ever faced. So, we want to mobilize and get our efforts co-ordinated right away.”

With 43.1 per cent of the vote, Crystal Lau won the position of vice-president student affairs, overtaking fellow candidate Mackenzie Paradzik, who garnered a close 38.4 per cent. Lau hopes that by promoting free services on campus and focusing on her equal-access campaign for menstrual products, she can alleviate some of the strain caused by the budget cuts.

“I can’t do anything to change that budget cut or to change … tuition, but what I can do is to gather as much free stuff, free workshops, free access to things, mentors [and] opportunities for our students,” Lau said. “We have peer supports here, so promoting those events, workshops and services to make up for it.”

As the term draws to a close, D’Eon hopes that students will continue to discuss the cuts so that momentum for change is not lost.

“This is a conversation that needs to keep on happening during the summer and I think that would be my priority, is making sure that when everyone goes home from school, this doesn’t drop off of their minds.”

PAGE TYPE FEATURE

– the sheaf publishing society march 30, 2017

David D’Eon

Jessica Quan

One word to describe the U of S: “Proud. I’d say that when I talk with students across the campuses, they’re very proud of this institution …

There’s an understanding of the position we’re in and an understanding of where our province is at, and that it’s going to be difficult, but that [students] have faith in this university to see it through and to continue to be a place where students can thrive.”

One word to describe the U of S: “Innovative. The U of S is always very responsive to new developments … We’re becoming more literate in technology and finding ways to integrate it into our classrooms … We always find ways to be responsive to students, and we always find ways to overcome different barriers or challenges. Even with the budget cuts, I know that it will be difficult, but we will find a way to innovate and … work towards something better.”

incoming president

Message to students: “Don’t stop talking. I think that’s important, that we don’t stop talking about this. When you go home for the summer, keep on talking about this institution.

Keep on talking about the difficulties that we’re going to face, because my concern is that this conversation is going to peter out over the summer, and it can’t.”

Songs on the soundtrack to your life: “‘Kid A’ by Radiohead, ‘Confusion’ by Vic Chesnutt and ‘Lore’ by Elder. I was worried that, during the campaign, I would have to confess to everyone that I’m a metal head.”

incoming vice-president academic affairs

Message to students: “Don’t give up. Keep pushing and keep trying, because if you truly believe in what you want to do and if you’re truly passionate about it, despite any potential failures you might have or discouragement you might have, just let your passion shine through your work and let it motivate you, and you will end up where you want to be.”

Songs on the soundtrack to your life: “‘Mr. Brightside’ by the Killers. There’d be a lot of Beyoncé on there too … Yeah, just an entirely Beyoncé soundtrack with ‘Mr. Brightside’ in the middle of it.”

Deena Kapacila

Crystal Lau

One word to describe the U of S: “Sanctuary. The U of S has given me the opportunity to actually be who I am, and I am forever grateful to this institution for allowing me to do that.”

One word to describe the U of S: “Community. It is my community now that once nurtured me to be who I am today, and so now is my time to give back to this community and work for the people in this community.”

incoming vice-president operations and finance

Message to students: “If [students] have any concerns at all, bring them to [the USSU], and we’re going to be as open as possible … We do genuinely care about all [students’] issues and share those same stresses and those same issues.”

Songs on the soundtrack to your life: “‘Locked in the Trunk of a Car’ by the Tragically Hip … I think the whole thing would basically be a re-creation of several tracks of the Tragically Hip that I really like.”

incoming vice-president student affairs

Message to students: “Don’t be shy to reach out. If you need help, you gotta reach out, and there are lots of services here for you, lots of people that want to help you. I am available if you want to ask for anything ... Know your rights, know what is out there for you.”

Songs on the soundtrack to your life: “‘Don’t Rain on My Parade,’ the Glee version. That’s my theme song … Every single time I get discouraged or upset … I gotta listen to it. It bounces me back, right back.”

CULTURE

Healthy body, healthy mind: University classes for those 55 and up KEZIA FOURIE

Lesia Karalash / Graphics Editor

10 the sheaf publishing society ∙ www.thesheaf.com

As one grows older, the saying “healthy body, healthy mind” becomes increasingly important.

Keeping your mind active can lead to improved memory and quality of life — an easy way to do this is to take advantage of classes right here on campus.

Saskatoon Seniors Continued Learning and the College of Arts and Science have come together to offer non-degree classes to individuals 55 and over.

The classes are as stressfree as possible, with no textbooks, exams, essays or pre-requisites. They are an excellent way to gain knowledge about the world for its own sake.

Signing up for classes is simple — all you need to do is fill out a short registration form from the Saskatoon Seniors Continued Learning section on the Arts and Science Non-Credit Courses website. Along with a small enrollment fee for each class, mail in your registration package and you’re good to go.

In most cases, classes are held on campus for two hours once a week for eight weeks. Classes can be taken in either the spring, fall or winter terms.

The classes cover a wide variety of subjects, including political science, history, physics and music — a summary of some of these courses is outlined below.

The Cosmic Mystery: Discovering the Universe from Heraclitus to Hawking: this lecture series is an exploration of how we came to arrive at our current understanding of science.

The class follows the history of science, from its birth to the discovery of the expansion of the universe. In almost two months, several thousand years of knowledge will be studied and explored. This class allows your inner nerd to shine.

Morality and Justice in World Affairs: this class examines the effects of law, religion and philosophy in an international context.

This course will explore current topics such as terrorism, bombing and economic sanctions, among others. Class discussion is a major focus, allowing for the examination of many different viewpoints.

Europe, 1914-1924: Of War, Revolution and Counter-Revolution: from revolutions to a world war, this class will look at a decade packed with moments that changed the course of history forever.

The spotlight will not only shine on international affairs but also on some topics closer to home, such as the rise of opposing ideologies in politics. This is an intense class, but a highly enlightening one.

Aesthetics in Music: this class does not focus on music notation but instead on the style and aesthetics of music.

A variety of styles will be studied in this course, such as jazz, opera, classical and folk. With each genre, students will learn about its value within music culture, as well as how to get the most out of the experience when listening to different styles of tunes.

A unique aspect of this class is that students will have different instructors, including Dean McNeill, head of the University of Saskatchewan music department, and Eric Paetkau, the Saskatoon Symphony Orchestra artistic director and conductor.

Learning is something that should not cease at the end of your formal education or career. With a vast history and important current events, there is much to be learned about the world. Saskatoon Seniors Continued Learning is an opportunity that is not one to be missed.

If you know anybody who would be interested in courses like these, be sure to let them know about it.

Although registration for the spring term has closed, this is a great time to start searching for classes to take in the fall.

This is a great way to enjoy campus life and academia without the stress of due dates and exams — so take advantage of it! march 30, 2017

PAGE TYPE CULTURE

30 31 The great outdoors: 01 02 03 04 05 Thursday

friday

Lesia Karalash / Graphics Editor

Unique hikes in Saskatchewan BRIDGET MORRISON Culture Editor

Whether you are an outdoor enthusiast or not, Saskatchewan has various hiking trails that will leave everyone in awe! The Sheaf has put together a list of some of the best trails for beginners or experts to check out in our beautiful province.

Grey Owl Trail: located in northern Saskatchewan in Prince Albert National Park, this hike is known for its unique history.

Like me, you may have studied Grey Owl — or Archibald Belaney — in high school history class. Long story short, Grey Owl was a famous Indigenous author and personality in Canada. The only thing was, he wasn’t Indigenous and he wasn’t Canadian.

Born in England in 1888 as Archibald, he moved to Canada at the age of 17 and adopted a life as a Canadian Indigenous trapper and continued to build his life for years, without anyone knowing who he really was.

This hike is an intermediate 40-kilometre trail that takes you along the eastern shoreline of Kingsmere Lake, where hikers can make their way to Grey Owl’s cabin and burial site. march 30, 2017

70 Mile Butte: located in Grasslands National Park in southern Saskatchewan, this trail is best for experienced hikers — or those up for a challenge.

This 5-kilometre trail leads up to the highest point in the park, so it’s best to go in the early morning or evening to catch the sunrise or sunset. This hike is located in the West Block of the park, accessible through the town of Val Marie, which is about 90 minutes outside of Swift Current. You may even get to see some buffalo!

Saskatoon East Bank Trails: this hike is great for those who want to enjoy the outdoors within the city of Saskatoon.

With a collection of trails that all follow the entire length of the South Saskatchewan River, this is a good option for beginners.

You can enter the trail at the foot of any bridge within the city, but the recommended place to start is either at the Circle South Bridge or the Circle North Bridge.

Scissors Creek Hike: located in southeast Saskatchewan, this 22-kilometre trail runs between Rocanville and Tantallon, following the abandoned Canadian Pacific Railroad bed.

This trail provides the hiker with various terrain, from floodplain into pasture to forest. As hikers enter

into the forest part of the trail, they may come across different wildlife, including deer, geese, coyotes and even bears.

Nut Point Trail: located in northern Saskatchewan in Lac La Ronge Provincial Park, this 30-kilometre trail allows hikers to explore the Canadian Shield.

This hike is doable in one day, but it’s recommended that you take gear to spend the night. With some strenuous terrain — marshes, rocks and slippery moss — this trail is best for intermediates.

Packed with blueberry bushes, this trail is best visited in mid-August, when the blueberries are in season. Fresh fruit as a snack on the trail is a definite plus!

Gem Lakes Trail: located in northern Saskatchewan in Narrow Hills Provincial Park, this 5.5-kilometre loop is intertwined with the Gem Lakes.

The seven Gem Lakes were formed by the last ice age and are separated from each other with no rivers running between them. Not only is this trail great exercise, but it’s full of natural beauty, too. Just be careful with your food when hiking and camping, as there are lots of bears in this area.

The prairies are filled with beauty and just waiting to be explored, so round up your friends, pack up your gear and hit the trails!

saturday

upcoming events • First day of the Canadian Light Source Innovation150 Tours at the Canadian Light Source • Jenn Grant at The Bassment • Outdoor School Alumni 20th Anniversary Events at Amigos • The Lumineers at the SaskTel Centre • Ten Minute Detour with BOOMLag at the Capitol Music Club

• Don’t Call it a Comeback: Another 90’s Dance Party at Amigos • Last day of USSU Transgender Awareness Week • Omni, Owners, Girls Girls Girls and Spacemints at Vangelis • SmallTown DJ’s, Erika Dee, The Gaff and Mr. Fudge at the Capitol Music Club • The Lonesome Ace Stringband at The Bassment

• David Buchbinder’s Odessa/Havana at The Bassment • Last day of Greystone Theatre’s Cabaret at the John Mitchell Building • Rockin’ and Rollin’ The Guts featuring: Autopilot, Oscar’s Hollow and the M.A.D. Trio at Amigos • Soft Cotton with Solhounds and the Sips at the Capitol Music Club • STM Banquet and Ball at St. Thomas More College

• Salt N Pepa and Vanilla Ice at the SaskTel Centre • The Pass System Documentary Screening at The Broadway Theatre

sunday

• EmBODYing Empowerment: An Exhibition on Radical Self-Love at Louis’ Loft • Last day of the Canadian Light Source Innovation150 Tours at the Canadian Light Source

monday

• Daniel Champagne at The Bassment • Mac Lethal with Kap Kallous at Amigos • The Radiation Flowers with Hush Pup and Yullow Teef at Vangelis

tuesday

wednesday

• First day of The View From Here Exhibition by Laurel Schenstead-Smith at Collector’s Choice Art Gallery • How to Build an International Career From YXE at 417, 21st St. E • The Sheaf’s Volunteer Appreciation Night at Louis’ Pub

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∙ the sheaf publishing society 11

CULTURE

Politics, love and dance: Greystone Theatre presents Cabaret

Cabaret / Supplied Cabaret is a story of political unrest that is still relevent to today’s audiences.

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LAUREN KLASSEN Greystone Theatre presents its final production of the year, Cabaret, a musical based on a book by Christopher Isherwood about love during the Nazi’s rise to power in 1929.

Taking place in Berlin, Germany at the Kit Kat Klub, the musical speaks to the political revolution through characters such as Sally Bowles, who is a young, vivacious British singer with an utterly lost soul.

Sally Bowles is played by Rachelle Block, a fourthyear drama student who sat down with the Sheaf to talk about her role in the production.

“I often refer to playing Sally as a balancing act. Sally constantly seeks validation, love and security. Yet, she masks her true feelings by convincing everyone around her that her life is ‘perfectly marvelous.’ It’s a huge challenge to balance Sally’s vulnerability and false confidence through singing, dancing and acting,” Block said.

Sally’s role reflects the behaviour of those who shy away from the harsh realities of political unrest by distancing themselves through performance.

“The show takes place during the fall of the Weimar Republic and the rise of the Nazi Party, yet Sally keeps her eyes shut to the changes in the world she is living in. It’s difficult, as an actor, to submerge myself into the political unrest and horrors Germany experienced in the early 1930s and play a character who is not concerned and is naive to it all,” Block said.

A unique aspect of the show is its interaction with the audience, which can be seen when the cast dances with audience members. The play was choreographed by Megan Zong and Jackie Block, who hope to make audience members feel as though they are ac-

tually in the Kit Kat Klub by breaking the fourth wall.

Block notes that this Greystone Theatre play has challenged those involved in the production by pushing actors beyond their comfort zone.

“Not only were we all asked to be triple-threat performers, but confident triple-threat performers prancing around in their underpants. The cast and crew are really close and supportive, which made a safe environment for everyone to make bold choices with confidence,” Block said.

Director Julia Jamison, a drama professor at the University of Saskatchewan, also played a key role in supporting the actors, helping them achieve their full potential for the performance. “[Jamison] really helped the cast bring humanity and value to this show. With her direction, we were able to take risks to tell a story people need to hear and hold up a mirror to reflect the realities — both good and bad — of our society,” Block said.

Block encourages U of S students to check out this play, because the story is still relevant to today’s society, as it serves to remind students that they need to speak out on issues surrounding them as active members of their community.

“The decisions governments make impact all citizens. There is a massive irresponsibility in being politically disengaged and thinking that what is happening in the world, no matter where, doesn’t affect you when you are a part of an interdependent society,” Block said.

Cabaret runs from Mar. 22 to Apr. 1 in the John Mitchell Building, beginning at 8 p.m. each night. Tickets for students are $17 and can be purchased at the door or at the daytime box office in the John Mitchell Building.

L arge selection of used paperbacks!

Regular Hours: Monday to Friday, 11am to 5 pm Serving Students for over 40 years!

12 the sheaf publishing society ∙ www.thesheaf.com

march 30, 2017

PAGE TYPE OPINIONS

Accio Potterheads: A case for a Harry Potter course at the U of S PAIGE SUTHERLAND In recent years, postsecondary institutions around the world have been adding Harry Potterthemed courses to their curriculums. Fear not, University of Saskatchewan Potterheads — this idea might not be so far off at our own humble Hogwarts.

In 1997, author J.K. Rowling published the first Harry Potter book, sending the world into mass hysteria and launching one of the fastest-growing and most persistent fan bases ever seen. Fast-forward two decades, and those once beady-eyed kids wearing their school robes made of bed sheets are now university-age adults bumbling around the U of S campus.

Most of us are probably still holding on to the belief that one day our Hogwarts letter will arrive in the mail.

Although you sadly won’t be taking Transfiguration with Professor McGonagall or Herbology with Professor Sprout, the chance to study Harry Potter while still receiving university credits could neverthe-

less become a reality that most have only dreamed of. Imagine attending a class where you’re encouraged to discover your Patronus, or applauded if you can binge-watch all seven movies in a few days. That is a world I want to live in.

For some skeptics out there who think the series is too juvenile, or possibly too hyped up, I argue that the stories are actually highly complex and deserving of a spot in academia. Every Potterhead will tell you there are subtexts that run deeper than just a fantastical world of “make-believe,” including friendship, forgiveness and loyalty — for the fans out there reading this, please pause now to wipe that tear from your eye.

Potter fan and professor Neil Randall of the University of Waterloo pitched his “Popular Potter” course in May 2016 in an attempt to make the English department more, well, popular. When questioned about the course, Randall reported to CBC News, "What I want to do is empower students who grew up with Harry Potter to not have to hide this as be-

Jeremy Britz / Photo Editor Some USSU executive candidates had their posters defaced.

USSU posters vandalized:

How would you like it if

we wrote on your face?

EMILY MIGCHELS Whether malicious or not, writing on people’s stuff is never cool. Uncreative poster vandalism is a staple during University of Saskatchewan Students’ Union elections, and in light of the most recent spree, it’s starting to feel like a good time to hang up those Sharpies. march 30, 2017

We get it, vandals: you’re sick of these gosh darn student politics. A USSU election is just a bunch of idealist kids putting themselves out there and asking people to respect them as leaders or something. Putting posters on the walls of colleges?

How dare they? You consider yourself above these antics — too cool for school — or maybe you just think you’re funny.

ing something they loved.

That there's actual value to it.”

It makes sense that institutions like Swathmore College and Ohio State University have integrated the series into their English classes to teach literary themes like good versus evil, but the series extends even further into other unexpected disciplines as well.

A course at Yale University examines the books alongside Christian theology. The creator of the class uses it to discuss ideas in the books like salvation and grace, and even the presence of godlike figures. A philosophy class at Bridgewater State College assesses the series ethics next to the Nicomachean Ethics by Aristotle to understand themes like morality and justice.

Frostburg State University has gone so far as to curate a science class based on Harry Potter. Ever wondered the physics behind Quidditch or the genetics of magical creatures? Of course you haven’t — me neither. Still, if science is your thing, they’ve found a way to give you university

credits just because you’re a fan of the boy who lived.

In truth, it’s not surprising that the U of S hasn’t jumped aboard the Hogwarts Express quite yet.

However, as the times change, updating course offerings to include relevant material is a good way to get and keep your students engaged. Just because the U of S is over 100 years old, the course material shouldn’t be. If the Harry Potter books can

provide valuable content, why not give the people what they want?

Given that Harry Potter fans are pretty hardcore, it’s safe to say that attendance and lively in-class discussion would be unparalleled to most other classes. There’s also a guarantee of generation after generation of students with a profound love for Harry Potter who will continue to flow through the U of S.

So you decide to walk the halls — I’m assuming when it’s late at night and when you’re dressed in all black — and carefully contemplate what sort of haiku or quick doodle you can pen on one or all of your least favourite posters, like so many vandals before you.

I feel almost inclined to thank you for your efforts, as you’ve clearly put in a lot of work — but I won’t.

Why? You’re just not that funny.

This year’s vandalism included “JessWeCan’t,” “How old do I look?” and “What! No clevage!?!” — yes, it was misspelled — which seems as though comedy vigilantes are seriously half-assing their work.

Let me say it again: you’re not funny.

It’s a tough world out there — we know that — and you don’t have to make it worse. Here’s the facts: the candidates in the USSU election probably don’t feel good about plastering their faces around campus, but they’re doing it to pursue something meaningful and it’s brave of them to try.

It’s an even tougher world out there for those womanidentifying individuals.

They know you’ve been itching to draw something phallic near their faces, comment on their bodies or attack their femininity while they push to be included in leadership roles.

No amount of preparation will make it comfortable for them when you do it.

“There goes the male vote” was one critique on a woman-identifying candidate’s colorful poster, because she wore a sweater in her photo. Were they calling her out for not using her sexuality as a selling point, or were they trying to insinuate that she somehow picked the sweater as she got dressed that morning as a strategic act of defiance against the male gaze — perhaps demonizing her for being a feminist?

Give it a rest, please. More candidates’ posters were met with anti-semitic symbols, phallic drawings and bad multiple choice questions. Whatever the reasoning, these jokes are juvenile and just plain mean.

Anonymity is not a

suitable shield in this.

You might be avoiding a semi-damning reputation, but at the end of the day, you didn’t better yourself by writing on someone’s poster. Regardless of your feelings, we all know it doesn’t take a lot of guts to write something mean when no one can hold you accountable for it.

It’s true that we’ll likely never catch the poster bandits — and even if someone did, I’m not sure there are any formal consequences for putting a pen to poster paper. It’s true that even my own complaints about the issue will likely fall on deaf ears. I’m quite sure that the individuals responsible for this year’s scribbles, when reading this article — if they do — will have a good laugh, but that doesn’t matter. Writing mean stuff on people’s faces is still mean, and there’s a whole lot of people who agree.

My only hope is that maybe, just maybe, the next time these ink aficionados stop in front of some poor hopeful candidate’s poster, they can at least come up with some better burns.

Paige Sutherland

www.thesheaf.com

∙ the sheaf publishing society 13

OPINIONS

Responding to 5 Days for the Homeless NAOMI ZUREVINSKI

Editor-in-Chief

Jeremy Britz / Photo Editor 5 Days for the Homeless raises eyebrows.

From Mar. 13-17, five University of Saskatchewan students participated in the 5 Days for the Homeless campaign, raising money, material donations and awareness about homelessness in Saskatoon. While working to reduce homelessness is a noble cause, the methods used by this campaign to raise awareness are both insensitive and concerning.

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2005 at the University of Alberta’s School of Business, 5 Days for the Homeless is a Canada-wide campaign that currently has over 20 participating institutions. As of 2016, the campaign has raised a total of $1,893,525 from all institutions combined in the past 11 years — which is undoubtedly a positive thing. The U of S campaign specifically donates its proceeds to Egadz, a nonprofit organization that works with children, youth and families in Saskatoon.

According to The Homeless Hub’s latest statistics on Saskatoon, as of 2012 there were a total of 74 people living on the streets and 278 people living in emergency shelters, motels or transitional housing. Since these statistics are five years old already, it is likely that these numbers are currently higher.

Clearly, combating homelessness is a worthy cause. I am fully in support of working to decrease the amount of homelessness in Saskatoon, but I do not agree with how this campaign aims to achieve that goal.

The rules of the campaign are as follows: participants remain on campus with no income, no food or drink unless received through donation, have only a pillow and sleeping bag, have no access to showers, sleep outside, must still attend all classes and must avoid personal communication unless to promote the campaign or blog about their experience.

They are to remain under these regulations for five days. However, prior to going into this experience, it is important to note that all participants are generally well-fed, wellrested and healthy and have also had the opportunity to prepare for their homelessness experience.

Plus, at the end of their five days, they again have access to food, a warm bed, shelter and bathing facilities — all things not afforded to those who are truly homeless.

Participants also have access to the Internet — either via a computer or other mobile device — to promote the campaign and blog about their experiences. Again, access to the Internet, even in a limit-

ed form, is not something that truly represents what it’s like to be homeless.

The experience for these five students is essentially a modified homelessness simulation.

In a recap video posted on the 5 Days for the Homeless Saskatoon Facebook page on Mar. 21, a short segment shows an individual talking to this year’s participants before their five days began. The individual says they are “so excited that you guys chose to do this,” and hopes it is “a life-changing experience.”

The issue is that the five participants’ homelessness is a choice, unlike those who are actually homeless. By likening their experience to something life-changing, the focus is on what the individual participant can personally learn and gain from five days out in the cold. The participants are regarded as brave and congratulated for stepping outside of their comfort zones to pretend to belong to a marginalized group.

My main question is, in what world is it okay to pretend to be part of a marginalized group in the name of raising awareness? Hypothetically, if students participated in a similar campaign where they pretended to be a racial, sexual, religious or other minority for five days to raise awareness, and then blogged about their experiences, you can guarantee there would be massive backlash — and rightly so.

Perhaps the reason there is no backlash to this campaign from homeless people is because there aren’t many — if any — homeless students on campus. After searching the 5 Days for the Homeless website and Facebook page for Saskatoon, it also seems that here are no homeless people involved in the campaign at all.

Homelessness needs to be addressed, yes. But can we go about this without having five students imitate being homeless? Surely there are ways to create a campaign that has the same results, without actions that simultaneously serve to further solidify the privilege that many of us with homes experience. march 30, 2017

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U of S budget includes decision to shut down STM Amidst fervent protest and backlash, the University of Saskatchewan’s 2017-18 budget — released last week — announced the shutdown of St. Thomas More College on campus. The decision to shut down the 81-year-old college has erupted in controversy, with many students who use STM speaking out.

“I think it’s insane, frankly,” Martha Eichner told the Sheaf. “There

are hundreds of people on campus — many of whom are old and enfeebled — who rely on STM everyday. I understand we at the university are facing a deficit but I don’t see why the U of S administration should be targeting and punishing this college in an effort to fix their uh-oh.”

Another student, fourth-year philosophy major Everett Otterbein told the Sheaf that STM shutting

down will jeopardize his future.

“I take 21st Century Ethical Dilemmas in STM three days a week,” Otterbein said. “How am I going to access my education once this is taken away from me? It’s not just people taking classes either. From church services to nutritious soups, all sorts of people are dependent on STM’s services to live and work.

Just because no one in the U of S

Damage and Joy

administration has ever had to rely on STM, that doesn’t mean that real, everyday students and faculty don’t need it. Last time I checked, their duty was to represent our best interests and this is just a slap in the face.”

An online petition to save STM has already garnered over 19,000 signatures and a rally is scheduled to take place on Apr. 1 in the Bowl.

XKCD.COM

by The Jesus and Mary Chain EMILY MIGCHELS You might not know it, but we’ve been waiting for this album since 1998. It’s not easy for a decade-defined band to come back into the modern world, but The Jesus and Mary Chain are not going to let you down. They’re still moody, broody and pumping out that cool-kid sound. The album also features stellar cameos by Isobel Campbell and Sky Ferreira.

DIESELSWEETIES.COM

march 30, 2017

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