OCTOBER 5, 2017
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The University of Saskatchewan’s main campus is situated on Treaty 6 Territory and the Homeland of the Métis.
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The New Pornographers talk about their new LP
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EDITOR-IN-CHIEF | Jessica Klaassen-Wright
editor@thesheaf.com NEWS EDITOR
CULTURE EDITOR
Nykole King
Tanner Bayne
news@thesheaf.com
culture@thesheaf.com
SPORTS & HEALTH EDITOR
OPINIONS EDITOR
Emily Migchels
Jack Thompson
opinions@thesheaf.com
sportshealth@thesheaf.com
STAFF WRITER
Lyndsay Afseth staffwriter@thesheaf.com COPY EDITOR
| Amanda Slinger
copy@thesheaf.com LAYOUT MANAGER
| Laura Underwood
layout@thesheaf.com PHOTO EDITOR
| J.C. Balicanta Narag
photo@thesheaf.com GRAPHICS EDITOR
| Lesia Karalash
graphics@thesheaf.com WEB EDITOR
| Jeremy Britz
web@thesheaf.com OUTREACH DIRECTOR
| Victoria Becker
outreach@thesheaf.com AD & BUSINESS MANAGER
| Shantelle Hrytsak
ads@thesheaf.com COVER IMAGE
Photographic Illustration by Laura Underwood / Layout Manager. Video still of Mary Sherman Morgan by George D. Morgan.
Women in Chemistry provides opportunities for gender minorities A new campus club, Women in Chemistry, recognizes a lack of gender representation in the field of science.
J.C. Balicanta Narag BOARD OF DIRECTORS Kyra Mazer Brent Kobes Emily Klatt Hasith Andrahennadi Momo Tanaka Liam Richards
ADVERTISING (306) 966 8688 EDITORIAL (306) 966 8689
Mission // 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, it provides unique insight to university issues through a student perspective. The staff of editors, photographers and artists collaborate with volunteers as student journalists to create a product relevant to students on the University of Saskatchewan campus. Legal // The Sheaf, published weekly during the academic year and periodically from May through August, is an incorporated non-profit that is, in part, student-body funded by way of a direct levy paid by all partand full-time undergraduate students at the 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 Sheaf Publishing Society is open to all undergraduate students at the U of S, who are encouraged to contribute to the newspaper. Absolutely no experience is required! The 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 libellous material. Land Acknowledgement // The Sheaf acknowledges that our office is built on Treaty Six Territory and the traditional homeland of the Métis. We pay our respects to the First Nations and Métis ancestors of this place and affirm both the importance of our relationship with Indigenous peoples and students at the U of S and our commitment to recognize and remain accountable for our collective history. corrections
In our Sept. 28 issue, we incorrectly spelled photo volunteer Katherine Fedoroff’s first name as Kathrine on page 6. Also in our Sept. 28 issue, the article “Waste on campus: Kick it to the curb” incorrectly listed 2015-16 as the baseline reported year and 2012-13 as the last reported year for the Sustainability Tracking, Assessment and Rating System at the U of S. The year 2012-13 was actually the baseline year, and 2015-16 was the last reported year. We apologize for these errors. If you spot any errors in this issue, please email them to: copy@thesheaf.com
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JENNA LEUNG
With the lack of female representation in the science departments, Elaheh Khozeimeh and Ingrid Pickering, two members of the chemistry department at the University of Saskatchewan, felt the need for a group focused on Women in Chemistry. Khozeimeh, a research fellow at the Eric Price Research Group, and Pickering, a U of S professor and Canada Research Chair of geology, were driven to action after four chemistry students heard about the idea for a group and expressed their interest. WIC is an initiative created by students, faculty and staff that aims to develop the capacity of gender minorities, not only in chemistry but in science as a whole. Bryden Hughton, a fourthyear chemistry student, explains the importance of inclusion in WIC, because she believes that everyone needs to be brought into the conversation on diversity. “I specifically hope that it’s not just women,” Hughton said. “It’s also gender minorities, as well as men, because the group isn’t about making sure women now have more chances than men, it’s about equalling the playing field.” WIC held their first meeting
on Sept. 25 as a way to introduce the new group and encourage involvement from any member of the campus community, regardless of their field of study. Monthly meetings will focus on specific topics and discussions in areas that affect women in the sciences. Interested students can contact WIC by email at womeninchemsask@gmail. com. Sydnie Gengler, a fourthyear chemistry student, explains that having a group of people who share her interests is beneficial for a future career in academics or industry. At her previous university, Gengler saw a group similar to this and felt that it could be a positive space at the U of S as well. “I think having a close network of other women — people in the same situation as you, going through school, going through graduate school, etc. — is really important for your individual success and your group’s success as well,” Gengler said. The welcome meeting consisted of an informal panel of faculty from geology, chemistry and the College of Pharmacy and Nutrition. The panelists reflected on social issues in the science world as well as the obstacles that they had to personally overcome to get to where they are today. Hughton feels that WIC of-
fers a space for empowerment and support, stemming from the interaction of professors and students, on a more personal level than a classroom environment can provide. “I really was interested in having a mentor and talking to someone about their experiences in chemistry — or even any career, really — just being a women that is a minority in their career field,” Hughton said. Andrea Wasylow, director of planning and projects at the College of Arts and Science, was in attendance at the first WIC meeting and presented on gender diversity, by showing the demographics of faculty at the U of S and exploring the specific struggles some people face when entering academia. Jenny Panchuk, a fourth-year chemistry student, discusses how WIC has helped her gain confidence as a women in science, even after encountering sexism from others. “I always wanted to pursue [graduate] studies for sure, but then I always doubted myself, because maybe, some [men] say some things to you and you get discouraged, but this group really helps me out,” Panchuk said. “Everyone’s here to support you, and they have great ideas to help you pursue things that I never thought I could have.”
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Retreat talks reconciliation with student leaders Students connected over reconciliation and leadership at a gathering held at Wanuskewin Heritage Park. NYKOLE KING NEWS EDITOR
A University of Saskatchewan Student Leadership Gathering at Wanuskewin Heritage Park took place on Sept. 30, bringing together a diverse group of students representing an assortment of campus groups, most of which have a cultural or international focus. Both international and domestic students had the opportunity to connect with Indigenous students’ associations and councils. At the end of the day-long retreat, the organizers announced that funding is available for any reconciliation initiatives on campus. Marie-Eve Presber, a first-year graduate student in Canadian history and one of the students representing the Indigenous Graduate Students’ Council, explains that many countries have been scarred by colonialism, which is why she believes that cross-cultural work is meaningful and impactful. “Canada is not the only country that is trying to reconcile with its Indigenous peoples. So, hearing that … the International Students’ [Association] and the Indigenous Students’ Council really collaborated together to make this event — it was wonderful, because it was the first step towards this collaboration and this global community, which is as important as this local community,” Presber said. The U of S has focused its attention in the past few years on commitments to Indigenize and internationalize the campus community, but rarely do these two
Photographic Illustration by Laura Underwood / Layout manager. Photo of Wanuskewin Heritage Park by Kevin M Klerks / Flickr
campaigns intersect. However, student leaders from both groups were invited to Wanuskewin to bridge these concepts in hopes of future partnership. The funding allotted for students to work on reconciliation events is meant to engage Indigenous and non-Indigenous groups together, said Graeme Joseph, the team leader First Nations, Métis and Inuit student success and manager of the Aboriginal Students’ Centre. Femi Yusuf, a seventh-year geology and environment and society student and president of the African Students’ Association, explains that the retreat was an opportunity for students of Indigenous and international groups to connect and find similarities. “All three groups [coming] together is really significant, because for so long, these groups on campus haven’t had their voices heard, so now … having them come together and recognize the strength in unity is really a stepping stone,” Yusuf said. The retreat began as an idea from
the Global Connections Network, a group of cultural student groups on the U of S campus, but it soon evolved beyond the original idea. The event grew into the Student Leadership Gathering at Wanuskewin, which was open to the wider campus community. The retreat opened with a smudging ceremony and an introduction by Elder Jake Sanderson, followed by addresses from U of S President Peter Stoicheff and Ernie Walker, a faculty member in archeology and anthropology, who presented on the history of Wanuskewin and how it came to exist. Students were able to network during lunch, the guided tour of the heritage park and the breakout sessions, which allowed for greater dialogue between student groups, Yusuf explains. “I think at the beginning, there, everybody didn’t really know each other that well. As the day gradually progressed, everybody [got] comfortable, and now, you can see that everybody is talking,” Yusuf said. “It’s been a beautiful day,
coming out here to see the nature, the valley. It’s made people more connected.” Students from different groups spent time with one another and were able to attend breakout sessions about the logistics of event planning or on the topic of leadership and resilience. Indigenous students’ associations and councils gathered during this time for their own breakout session. Betty Pewapsconias, a third-year drama student, discusses the importance of becoming involved in initiatives that open dialogues between Indigenous and non-Indigenous groups, like the student leadership retreat. “The term reconciliation, I feel like it applies to this space, too. It’s not just for the Truth and Reconciliation Commission. It is necessarily for us, as people, to understand each other and listen to each other,” Pewapsconias said. “I personally didn’t have these connections before today, so I really appreciate that the university put this on to bring this conversation together.”
My Korea Story
2017
Any topic related to Korea Sun, Oct 22 @ 11:59 PM koreanconsulateinvancouver@gmail.com for more details KoreanConsulateVancouver Consulate General of the Republic of Korea NEWS / 3
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Campus briefs NYKOLE KING NEWS EDITOR
Saskatchewan Student Coalition: Calling for Action rally A public rally, held in front of the Saskatchewan Cabinet office on the afternoon of Sept. 29, was hosted by the University of Saskatchewan Students’ Union president, David D’Eon, to call upon the Government of Saskatchewan to renew their support for post-secondary education. The provincial government introduced a 5.6 per cent cut to the base funding of post-secondary institutions in March 2017, at a time when the U of S tuition fees for the 201718 year had already been set. However, as a member of the Saskatchewan Student Coalition, the USSU is already preparing for an increase in tuition fees for the 2018-19 year. Although Calling for Action was held on Sept. 29, the due date for term one tuition payments, the rally only drew in 20 people, three of whom are members of Students’ Council.
J.C. Balicanta Narag / Photo Editor In the Bowl, Fuerza Mexico volunteers sell food and drinks at BBQ for a Cause on Sept. 27.
No statements were made by the provincial government about the event, although a few weeks prior to the event, the provincial government restored $20 million in funding to the College of Medicine to ensure the success of the accreditation review, which will begin at the end of October.
Mexico’s earthquake sends students into action
Calling for Action was also held in Regina and Prince Albert by other members of the SSC.
A movie screening, a barbecue and raffles are just some of the ways Fuerza Mexico is trying to raise money for earthquake relief.
Campus notification: Sexual assault reported An incident of sexual assault in the Pine Hall Residence Building occurred on Sept. 29 and was reported to Protective Services on Oct. 1. The incident involved two students who are known to each other. Protective Services has identified everyone involved and do not believe there is any threat to the campus community in relation to this incident. An email notification on the incident was sent to all students, faculty and staff by Patti McDougall, vice-provost teaching and learning, on Oct. 3.
Protective Services briefs* Arrest of bike thieves: Protective Services witnessed an attempted theft of a bicycle on the morning of Sept. 16. The two individuals were apprehended and handed over to the Saskatoon Police Service for processing. Intruder in residence: Protective Services received a call from a resident of the Charles F. Johnston Residence in St. Andrew’s College after the resident discovered an intruder in their room on Sept. 19. The room had been left unattended and unlocked for approximately 30 minutes. Protective Services reminds all residents to lock their doors at all times. Trespassing on research land: Protective Services were notified of a campfire on campus endowment lands on Sept. 20. The individual had set up a campsite for the purpose of squatting on the campus research land for an unknown amount of time. Protective Services officers assisted the individual in extinguishing the campfire and packing up their belongings. Panhandling and attempted theft: An individual harassed patrons of the Murray Library on Sept. 29. The individual was posing as deaf and holding a sign soliciting money and then attempted to use the sign as a distraction to steal another individual’s sunglasses. The theft was averted, and the individual was assisted off campus. *Briefs provided by Protective Services
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REVATHI NAIR
In the last few weeks, Mexico has been hit by numerous disasters affecting the capital and its surrounding cities. The devastation has left the survivors uncertain about recovery, and many students outside of Mexico want to help. Reports of the death toll reaching over 300 people and billions of dollars in property damage have pushed students at the University of Saskatchewan to start fundraising for the relief efforts currently underway in Mexico, by joining a coalition named Fuerza Mexico, which is a partnership of Mexican students and student groups like the Latin American Students’ Association. Maria Celeste Nuñez, a third-year student in environmental sciences and president of the LASA, explains the importance of student action in times of disaster, stating that the LASA was formed shortly after an earthquake that struck Ecuador in 2016. “[LASA] decided to become an association to support every single country in case of natural disaster or celebrations,” Nuñez said. “When I heard this [had] happened [in Mexico], I contacted all the Mexican students, and as the president of the LASA, I told them they had my entire support.” Many student groups have eagerly joined Fuerza Mexico for various funding efforts, such as a screening of the film Hecho en México on Sept. 25, a barbecue on Sept. 27 and a raffle of shirts showcasing the famous Mexican artist, Frida Kahlo. While Fuerza Mexico focuses on gathering funds for the Mexican Red Cross, Nuñez emphasizes that donating is not the only way students can contribute. “We understand that we are all students on a budget. If you cannot contribute monetarily, do it with your time. We will be hosting a lot of events, not only within the U of S but also around in the community, and we will require volunteers,” Nuñez said.
Aurora Lepe, a second-year student in biotechnology, microbiology and immunology and the co-founder of Fuerza Mexico, explains that students may be unaware of how to send donations, which is why Fuerza Mexico has set up a Go Fund Me page and is promoting various funding initiatives on campus. “[There are] a lot of ways. The only thing you have to do is Google it. Basically, what we are trying to do is to put those alternatives closer to the students,” Lepe said. Lepe goes on to explain that although this is a disaster happening in another country, students at the U of S should still work to develop a sense of empathy for the situation and for their fellow peers, who may be struggling with the effects. Students with family and friends in another country might not be able to communicate with loved ones to ensure their safety during a crisis, which often leads to high levels of psychological stress, Nuñez explains. “It’s really tough,” Nuñez said. “I think we should be aware that we are all citizens of the world, so we can and we need to support those countries that have those [needs] in that moment.” The next Fuerza Mexico event is Beats for Mexico, an electronic dance party featuring four DJs, including both local and Mexican artists, which will be held at 8 p.m. on Oct. 6 in Louis’ Loft. The cover fee is $5 or by donation, and all proceeds will be sent to those affected by the earthquake. Lepe describes how she and another Mexican student felt that they had a duty to organize themselves to gather and send relief back to their home country. “[We] were the first ones who started the idea of getting together with other Mexicans that also study in university to fundraise or [plan] whatever activity we could to help,” Lepe said. “We want to try to develop [an] awareness of [the] suffering and that, even though we are far away, we can still help in many different ways.”
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SPORTS&HEALTH
SPORTS&HEALTH
Meet the Huskies women's hockey 2017-18 recruiting class Why did you choose to become a Huskie? “I chose to become a Huskie, because they have a great program, both for school and hockey. Saskatoon just felt like the perfect fit for me.”
The Sheaf caught up with the newest recruits to the Huskies women’s hockey team.
Who has played the biggest role in getting you to where you are today in your hockey career? “My parents have always supported me and have spent countless hours driving me from rink to rink all across Canada throughout my childhood years. My hockey career wouldn’t exist without them.”
MATTHEW JOHNSON
The Huskies brought in seven players to join their program for this season, as they get set to begin their Canada West campaign at home on Oct. 6 against the Regina Cougars.
Chloe Smith
first-year education Forward - Swift Current, Sask.
Why did you choose to become a Huskie? “They’re an awesome organization — they have a great reputation around the league and a really good coaching staff.”
What can you bring to the Huskies? “I’m a hard worker, and I try my best every time I step onto the ice.” Why did you choose to become a Huskie? “When I got a tour here, I really liked the school. I think the coaches are great. They’ve got a strong program here.”
What do you believe is the biggest thing hockey has given you? “Friendship and life attributes. It’s given me a team and a family.” What’s one word to describe your play on the ice? “Tenacious.” Teagan Borbandy
third-year biochemistry Defence - Langdon, Alta.
Ava Thiessen Crosby or McDavid: McDavid, for sure Favourite TV show: Friends.
first-year arts and science undeclared Defence - De Winton, Alta.
What do you believe you can bring to the Huskies? “An outgoing spirit and my knowledge of hockey. I believe I have a good shot, not sure if anyone else thinks that, but that’s what I like to think.”
first-year kinesiology Defence - Estevan, Sask.
Chloe Marshall
second-year biology Goalie - Neilburg, Sask.
All photos supplied by GetMyPhoto.ca
Fun fact: I’m a twin. Biggest fear: Failure on the ice. Favourite NHL team: Montreal Canadiens.
Who got you to where you are today in your hockey career? “My dad. He’s the one that started me in hockey and bought me pink gloves, so I’d actually play.” Fun facts: My dad was drafted by the Pittsburgh Penguins [and] I speak three languages. What do you believe you can bring to the Huskies? “It’s my fourth year of eligibility, so I think I will bring a lot of experience.” Why did you choose to become a Huskie? “They play with a lot of speed and a lot of heart. I have some Saskatchewan roots, so it’s kind of like coming home.”
Who has played the biggest role in getting you to where you are today in your hockey career? “My dad. He always told me how to improve my game, and as much as he was a pain in the butt, he really helped me get to where I am. Madison Colbow
First thing you would buy if you won the lottery: A lakefront cabin in B.C. and a surf boat.
Chelsea Broadhead first-year education Forward - Keg River, Alta.
Who got you to where you are today in your hockey career? “My parents. I’ve played for three different universities already, and they’ve supported me throughout my whole career.” Favourite sport other than hockey: Fastball. Favourite NHL team: Calgary Flames.
What do you think is the most important thing hockey has given you? “I would say the lifelong friendships and the mindset to always give your best in everything you do and good things will come.”
Why did you choose to become a Huskie? “I’m from just outside of the city, and I’m a pretty home-based girl. I can stay close to my family, and the University of Saskatchewan is a really good school.”
How did you get roped into becoming a goalie? “When I was little, the team didn’t have a goalie, so one day my coach told me to strap on the pads… I loved every minute of it, and since then I’ve never [taken] them off.”
Who got you to where you are today in your hockey career? “My family. I always wanted to be better than my brothers, even though I never was.”
Dream job: Plastic surgeon. Favourite sport other than hockey: Lacrosse.
Abby Shirley
first-year arts and science undeclared Forward - Delisle, Sask.
Your brother is on the Huskies men’s hockey team. Which Shirley will score more goals this season? “Definitely not me.” Biggest pet peeve: When my socks get wet.
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Saskatchewan Rush
seeking revenge in 2017-18 season Despite many new players, the Saskatchewan Rush will begin this season with the same goal: to win the Champion’s Cup. MATTHEW JOHNSON
The Saskatchewan Rush enter the 2017-18 campaign with a few fresh faces after a busy off-season. No longer with the team is fan favourite and 2016 Champion’s Cup MVP, Aaron Bold, who was traded to New England. In return, the Rush received goaltender Evan Kirk. Kirk was the 2016 National Lacrosse League Goaltender of the Year and is two years younger than Bold. The trade will help Saskatchewan rebuild on the fly and remain a threat to the other teams hoping to win the Cup this season. The Rush also managed to land one of the most sought-after free agents in the 2017 class, Jeff Shattler. Shattler is fresh off a 71-point season with Calgary and will be counted on to replace Adam Jones, who was traded to the Toronto Rock. Ryan Dilks, the 2016 NLL Defensive Player of the Year, was also re-signed for a three-year deal and will be counted on to anchor the Rush defensive unit once again this season. Dilks speaks about the Rush
off-season and the new players arriving in Saskatchewan. “I definitely like the direction we’re going in … bringing in a guy like Evan Kirk, who won goalie of the year and is still young, [and] making us [defence] guys’ [lives] a little easier [by] bringing in a guy like Jeff Shattler,” Dilks said. The Rush recently announced their biggest partnership in team history with the Saskatchewan Co-op, who will be sponsoring the construction of a new floor at SaskTel Centre. The previous field was the oldest in the league and was something that could no longer be ignored.
Dilks speaks on behalf of the players about the new floor. “We have a championshipcalibre team, we have unbelievable coaches and management, we have the most passionate owner in the league with the best fans in the league, and we’re the toughest place to play. Now we have brand new turf that we can call home. Trust me when I say we are beyond excited for the season to start,” Dilks said. The Rush will play their first game on their new floor in a pre-season tune-up against the Georgia Swarm in a Champion’s Cup rematch on Nov. 18 at SaskTel Centre.
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Recipe: Three-ingredient breakfast cookies SARAH BAINS
With the school year well under way, nothing rings more true than the adage that breakfast is the most important meal of the day. Studies indicate that regularly eating breakfast improves memory, concentration, problem-solving skills, hand-eye co-ordination, heart function and weight control. If you, like 40 per cent of Canadians, regularly skip the morning meal, look no further than these three-ingredient breakfast cookies. The oats and bananas will boost your daily intake of fibre, vitamins and minerals. In 15 minutes or less, you can whip up a batch on the weekend and have breakfast prepared for the entire week. In addition to being packed with nutrients, these cookies are highly portable — toss them in your backpack before you head out for class, and reap the benefits of eating a healthy breakfast! Serves 8 Preparation time: 15 minutes 1 cup quick or old-fashioned oats 2 medium bananas Optional: additional ingredients of your choice, such as a peanut butter or a handful of chocolate chips, frozen berries, raisins, coconut flakes, slivered almonds or chopped walnuts Preheat oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit or 180 degrees Celsius. In a large mixing bowl, combine the oats and banana. Mash banana until well incorporated. Add additional ingredients, if desired. Bake for 12 minutes. Enjoy!
Lesia Karalash / Graphics Editor
How to stay active on your dates this fall Try out these fall date ideas to stay active this season. LYNDSAY AFSETH STAFF WRITER
Since winter is fast approaching, now is a good time to enjoy the nice weather while we still have it. The Sheaf has put together some fall activities for dates, hangouts or solo adventures to keep you active and out enjoying the weather. Walks by the river: One of the best things about living in Saskatoon is that we have the beautiful Saskatchewan River running through the city. This is great, because if you go deep enough into the trees in some areas along the river, you can almost forget that you are in the middle of the city. During the fall, when the coloured leaves are falling all around us, the river is the most beautiful. You can take advantage of this beautiful place by going for a long walk, bicycle ride, roller blade or run on the paths by the river. I recommend the university area or the River Heights area, but all the areas around the river are beautiful at this time of year. Scenic hike: If you are feeling a little bit more adventurous, you can plan
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a hike in a scenic area close to the city, like the Beaver Creek or Cranberry Flats conservation areas. Both places are just a short drive from the city and have trails to hike on. To make this a full day, you can bring a picnic lunch to enjoy the outdoors as well. Canoe or kayak rental: For couples looking to try something new while getting a workout in, renting a canoe or kayak to use on the river is a great idea. It costs around $40 to rent one for the day, and there are a few different places to rent in Saskatoon. Eb’s Source for Adventure and the CanoeSki Discovery Company both offer full-day rentals. All that paddling will give you a great workout, and it is a fun way to enjoy the outdoors while the weather is still good. Yoga in a park: Another good couples’ activity is yoga, and a great place to do yoga is outside! There are a few different organizations in Saskatoon that hold free yoga lessons in parks around the city, but you can also grab your mats and head to the park on a nice day to do your own yoga. This is a good way to stay active when you are on a budget, because all you need is your mat — and
if you don’t have one of those, you can always just practice on the grass or a towel. Frisbee: Take to one of the beautiful parks in Saskatoon to play Frisbee. You could add this activity to any date —
go for supper and then Frisbee, or stop during a walk to play Frisbee. If Frisbee is not your thing, you could play catch or kick a soccer ball around. I recommend Kinsmen Park or Gabriel Dumont Park, but you can find a park in the city!
Jaymie Stachyruk
CULTURE
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EVENTS
CULTURE
THE NEW PORNOGRAPHERS WITH BORN RUFFIANS @ O’BRIANS EVENT CENTRE
TEI SHI WITH DIZZY @ AMIGOS QUEER NIGHT @ USSU PRIDE CENTRE
LIBRARY VOICES WITH RAEBURN AND RITUAL RABBITS @ AMIGOS
NITTY GRITTY DIRT BAND @ TCU PLACE THE BROS. LANDRETH @ BROADWAY THEATRE
PARAB POET & THE HIP HOP HIPPIES WITH SOSO AND CRABSTYLE @ AMIGOS
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Lesia Karalash / Graphics Editor
Neo Yokio exploding:
PAINT NITE @ HUDSONS
Netflix’s newest anime aims for cult status
TONIGHT IT’S POETRY @ AMIGOS
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Vampire Weekend frontman Ezra Koenig critiques capitalism in his Netflix anime Neo Yokio. COLE CHRETIEN
Netflix’s colourful new anime series Neo Yokio transports viewers to a highly stratified aristocratic utopia under constant threat from both demonic forces and the possibility of revolution from the masses. This action-comedy series is the vision of Vampire Weekend’s lead singer, Ezra Koenig, and is brought to life by Japanese animators Studio Deen and Production I.G. and the South Korean studio MOI Animation. The series was originally commissioned for Fox’s short-lived and unfortunately named Animation Domination High-Def — or ADHD — before it was acquired by Netflix. Off the bat, Neo Yokio features an all-star cast of voice actors that includes Jaden Smith, Jude Law, Susan Sarandon, Steve Buscemi, Jason Schwartzman and Viceland’s Desus Nice and the Kid Mero. The show follows Smith’s character, Kaz Kaan, as he balances demon-hunting and the materialist excess that are rampant within the city of Neo Yokio. Kaz is a member of a nouveau-riche family of mages who joined Neo Yokio’s upper crust after a spree of demonic attacks. The shadow of indie-film auteur Wes Anderson looms large over the stylistic choices behind the se-
ries. The city of Neo Yokio itself is a love letter to ’60s-era New York, but the futurist touches — spread throughout the classic architecture and the commodities exported to Neo Yokio — are the real focal points for Koenig. Clothing, food, art and various other idiosyncratic accoutrements are all rendered with loving detail by the animators. Smith is surprisingly enjoyable as Kaz, affecting an ironically melancholic, monotone voice that makes even the simplest of lines into an absurd delight. Kaz’s proclamation that squid-ink fettucine ranks as “the most melancholy of pastas” is hilariously strange when Smith delivers the line, as is his self-absorbed preoccupation with visiting his own custom-made tomb in the Neo Yokio cemetery. Jude Law portrays Kaz’s robotic butler Charles, while Susan Sarandon’s Aunt Agatha serves as a constant reminder of Kaz’s demon-hunting responsibilities. Desus and Mero do a great job as Kaz’s friends Gottlieb and Lexy, channelling some of the improvisational magic that made them podcast and late-night-TV stars. The show is at it’s best when it mixes absurd world-building with situational humour. In one episode, Kaz fights a demonically possessed Damien Hirst installation in the Museum of Modern Art, while a later episode revolves around a
city-wide Formula One race with drivers from a rebuilt USSR and an independent Québec. The jokes land more than they miss, but the sheer insanity of the plot lines alone is enough to crack a smile. However, Koenig’s series isn’t just pretentious silliness. Koenig — a vocal Bernie Sanders supporter in the 2016 democratic primary — mounts his critique of Neo Yokio’s neo-liberal utopia in a season-wide subplot centred around Helena St. Tessero, a radical socialist and former fashion blogger voiced by Tavi Gevinson. Much of Neo Yokio focuses on how Kaz deals with Helena’s criticisms of esthetic-based lifestyles. Neo Yokio captures the essence of what it is like to live in a world filled with everything you could ever want only to find it paradoxically empty and boring — it’s a world that’s not entirely unlike our own. While the anti-capitalist rhetoric is mostly ironic, the larger theme of existential ennui in the face of economic prosperity is one that is bound to resonate with millennials. Neo Yokio is a flawed, funny and strange work propelled by a visionary creative individual operating in an unusual media form. With time, Neo Yokio will be sure to find an audience that embraces it’s off-kilter style and eclectic world view.
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The Physical Education pool in 1973.
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TAILS FROM THE PAST: A history of Huskies through the ages Much has changed since the first days of athletics at the University of Saskatchewan. JACK THOMPSON
SPORTS & HEALTH EDITOR
Throughout the long and storied history of sport at the University of Saskatchewan, there have been many changes and developments since the first-ever inter-university game was played. The Huskies of today present a stark contrast when compared to those of yesterday, with regards to both the athletes and the sports that they play. The first sport to participate in an inter-university competition at the U of S was men’s soccer in 1911, when the team took the train to the University of
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Alberta for a game. The U of S team started off inter-university sports for Saskatchewan with a 1-0 win against our neighbours to the west. The now wellknown brand of Huskie Athletics had not yet been established, but men’s soccer serves as the foundation for it. The men’s soccer team, or any U of S team, would not don the Huskies name until the 1920s. Men’s soccer would remain a constant, as it does today, continuing through both World Wars while other sports, such as football, were put on hold. Although many people know about Huskie Athletics, and some might have an understanding of the history, few have as much experience and knowledge
on the subject as Ross Wilson, who has had many points of contact with the Huskies over the years, as he explains. “Both my parents were graduates at the [U of S], and both of them played Huskie Athletics. I played Huskie Athletics men’s soccer. In those days, there was both senior and junior basketball, and I played on the junior basketball program. That’s going back to the late 1960s. [I] coached here in the late 1980s to the early ’90s, and then, when I became athletics director, I gave up the coaching,” Wilson said. As athletics director, Wilson oversaw 15 years of Huskies sports from the year 1991 to 2006. However, as Wilson is the middle member of a three-generation Huskies legacy, his involvement with the program runs much deeper than his professional experience with it. With such a long familiarity with the program, Wilson has experienced many of the changes that Huskie Athletics has undergone throughout the years. One such change comes in the number of sports offered by Huskie Athletics. Wilson explains that, during his time with the Huskies, the seasons were shorter and less intensive, allowing athletes to compete in a number of sports — sometimes up to five in a regular year of university. Wilson also explains that shorter seasons took less resources,
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allowing the university to offer more sports overall. “In those days, they had a golf team, a tennis team, a badminton team [and] a curling team. A lot of individual sport teams [existed] that are no longer a part of Huskie Athletics, but they used to be way back then. [For golf], in September, they would have a tournament for students here, and the winning four would represent them at a tournament for Western Canada three weeks later. The whole season was the month of September,” Wilson said. Wilson shares further that other sports, such as swimming and fencing, that have since been removed from the umbrella of Huskie Athletics were also conducted with shorter seasons compared to today. However, the decline of these shorter-season individual’s sports gave way to the growth of women’s sports, which increased substantially during Wilson’s time as athletics director. “Another predominant change over time has been the growth of women’s athletics. It wasn’t like it didn’t used to be there. My mom played women’s hockey, and that’s the early 1940s. There was women’s sport way back then, but when I started in 1991, we had nine men’s teams and five women’s teams,” Wilson said. By the time Wilson finished his tenure as athletics director, women’s sports had expanded to have a team for every sport offered, save football. While women’s football has seen recent growth in Saskatoon with the establishment of the Valkyries, there have been no moves to make it an official university sport as of yet. Women’s sports have had a presence at the U of S since as early as 1912, as Michael P.J. Kennedy’s book Dogs on Ice: A History of Hockey at University of Saskatchewan states. Kennedy, who gained fame for his class on hockey literature at the U of S, also writes that while women’s hockey on campus has early roots, it has not been constant. The largest gap in women’s hockey at the U of S was from 1955 to 1976, during
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which there was intramural hockey for women but no official team. Throughout the years of Huskie Athletics, large administrative changes have also been made, which Wilson explains. “What is now the College of Kinesiology used to be the College of Physical Education. It changed names quite a few years back, and before it was a college, it was a department of [the College of] Arts and Science,” Wilson said. Throughout these changes, which have resulted in the College of Kinesiology that we see today, Huskie Athletics remained under the administration of the college it belonged to rather than becoming its own official branch of the university. Historically, this relationship with academia has shaped Huskie Athletics in several ways, including the way coaches were hired and the duties they performed. “With coaching then, in the earliest years, people were hired to be faculty members in physical education and were assigned to coach a team as well. They were mostly teachers [and] researchers — they were the typical faculty [members] who also got assigned to coach,” Wilson said. Wilson also explains that, as time went on, there was a gradual shift towards the professional coaches that we see today in Huskie Athletics. “When I came along, late 1980s, most of the coaching faculty was fifty-fifty. You were hired to be a faculty for 50 per cent of your time, and you coached for 50 per cent of your time. In the ’70s and ’80s that was quite common, and in the late ’80s that began to phase out,” Wilson said. This change to full-time, professional coaching is a large part of what Huskie Athletics is today. Nicole Betker, the sports information director for Huskie Athletics, gives her take on the developments to the program that she has seen in her 10 years with the Huskies.
“In the last 10 years, I’ve seen Huskie Athletics’ teams grow in their competitiveness across Canada. Obviously, Saskatchewan is generally known for our football and hockey programs, and in my time here, basketball has really grown on the map. Women’s basketball has been to the national championship nine of my 10 years here. So, it’s been really thrilling to watch programs sort of turn themselves around,” Betker said. Turning her focus from the past to the future, Betker speaks on what recent changes mean for the program and the direction they will be headed as time goes on. “It’s almost an ever-changing unit, and it’s very exciting. Also, the largest changes have happened in the last year with our new board of trustees and our new structure, moving to [existing] under a university umbrella as opposed to within the College of Kinesiology. So, it’s really interesting and new and innovative for a university sports team in Canada,” Betker said. The formation of the board of trustees, and the organization’s new position under the university as a whole, rather than having its administration under the College of Kinesiology, will likely be a historical moment for Huskie Athletics, as many developments could stem from it in the future. Although the new structure may bring many changes, Betker believes that the core at the centre of Huskie Athletics is strong. “It’s the people. It’s the type of coaches we hire, the recruits we recruit, the athletes that play here — and then, they turn into alumni, and they turn into donors and sponsors… We really recruit people who embody the term ‘Huskie pride,’ and I know that sounds cheesy, but all of our teams believe in that Huskie pride. All of our teams have the hard-work ethic, the drive to be the best in athletics, academics and community.”
Students skating in Rutherford Rink in January 1964.
University of Saskatchewan , University Archives & Special Collections, Photograph Collection, A-4379.
The Physical Education Building on May 13, 1955.
A composite photo of the U of S Huskies Rugby team in 1933.
University of Saskatchewan , University Archives & Special Collections, Photograph Collection, A-440.
University of Saskatchewan , University Archives & Special Collections, P hotograph Collection, A-6007.
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New Pornographers bring a storm of Whiteout Conditions to Saskatoon Kathryn Calder talks revision, supergroup mythology and the New Pornographers’ new sounds. Jenny Jimenez / Supplied
EMILY MIGCHELS OPINIONS EDITOR
Hot on the trail of a cross-Canada tour — promoting their seventh studio album Whiteout Conditions — it seems like the New Pornographers just don’t stop. For a band that’s been around exactly as long as I’ve been alive, they don’t wear their age in showbiz years. Characterized by an ever-evolving discography and a champion collective of the very frontrunners of Canadian independent music, the New Pornographers embrace their new sound with ease. Kathryn Calder, a member of the group since 2005, says that the evolution of each song is hardly limited. “I remember that being so eye-opening for me, to hear the demo at the beginning and then to hear the finished song — it was entirely different always, because so much
happened along the way, and it changed so much. It was refined over and over and over again,” Calder said. Whiteout Conditions was subject to the same careful consideration, despite the fact that its contributors are displaced across the North American continent. Calder recorded mostly at her home studio in Victoria, B.C., an endeavour that she found newly empowering. “It was neat for me to be able to get the songs, record my own parts, and kind of, do whatever I wanted to it on my own — it was a big thing for me personally,” Calder said. As for the band’s collective creative process, Calder offers the following insights. “Organized chaos would be a pretty good way to describe it,” Calder said. The organization part comes from the band’s long-standing creative leader, Carl Newman. “What’s interesting about Carl as a songwriter — and cer-
tainly a trick that I’ve picked up from him — [is that] he is not precious about anything that he writes. Up until we’re basically finishing the record, he’s still taking chunks out of songs and reworking them,” Calder said. The album stands as the band’s first under their own label, Collected Works Records, which the group founded under the Concord Music family tree. Calder comments that this move was more symbolic than substantial. “Essentially, our record was released through Concord, but they were really awesome and let us set up our own little record label — it’s really just for us — as a way to maintain the identity of being an indie band. It feels like a way to have this big, great team behind us [while also] having our own identity within it, ” Calder said. That band identity, at first glance, seems especially crucial to the New Pornographers as a group of heavy-weight indi-
The New Pornographers stay creative with their seventh album.
vidual musicians, but Calder says that the supergroup thing doesn’t mean much to them. “I think when we started — at least I’m pretty sure — we weren’t a ‘supergroup.’ It was like, ‘Yeah, this is a collection of our friends in Vancouver,’ and
“It feels like a way to have this big, great team behind us [while also] having our own identity within it,” Calder said. somehow the supergroup actually came to be, and we all kind of went off and had a bunch of really successful projects within the group,” Calder said.
One such successful project removed long-time member Dan Bejar — who performs his solo work under the moniker Destroyer — from the Whiteout Conditions personnel, but the remaining New Pornographers offer little discussion on the subject beyond confirmation that he’s still in band. “[At each show], you can expect eight people on stage — no, seven people,” Calder said. The New Pornographers’ stop in Saskatoon on Oct. 5 is marked with positive nostalgia for Calder, as she’s always felt a warm reception from the city’s audiences. “It’s been awhile since we’ve done a full Canadian tour like this, and Saskatoon has always been a really great music town — I felt it in the early days, too, touring with my old band Immaculate Machine,” Calder said. “Saskatoon always felt like a relief.”
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Local artist Joseph Anderson focuses on hairy details in latest exhibit The latest display at the Gordon Snelgrove Gallery showed us some familiar faces. SARAH DAVIDSON
If you like looking at bodiless hairy faces, naked ladies, toque-headed hipsters and almost everything in between, then you would definitely enjoy The Saskatoon Portraits series by local artist Joseph Anderson. All of this and more graced the walls of the Gordon Snelgrove Gallery from Sept. 25 to 29. Anderson is not a new face in the art business — in fact, he has made quite the name for himself in the past nine years. Anderson studied painting at the University of Saskatchewan, convoking with a Master’s of Fine Arts in 2008, and earned his Bachelor’s of Fine Arts at the University of Lethbridge. In addition to being an alumnus, Anderson has also instructed courses on the foundations of drawing at the U of S. During Anderson’s artist talk at the Snelgrove Gallery on Sept. 27, Marcus Miller — the director of the Snelgrove Gallery — noted
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that Anderson has held exhibits across Canada and even in New York City at the Daniel Newburg Gallery. Anderson’s display at the Snelgrove was composed of three separate portrait series, exhibited under the title of The Saskatoon Portraits. At the talk, Anderson mentioned that, in the past, he has been careful to avoid painting his subjects as perfect, which he believes includes keeping them hairless, genderless and ageless. In The Saskatoon Portraits, he intentionally does the very opposite, catching each detail of his subject’s individuality within his watercolour paintings. “I attempt to capture the personality of the person I’m looking at,” Anderson said, during his presentation. When observing the Men with Beards portion of the exhibit, the only image you see in the middle of each canvas is a head, detached from any other body part. Anderson commented that, in order to keep the focus on the facial details and the characters themselves, he avoids painting any backgrounds or other body parts. Anderson shared that the intention of his Men with Beards series was to connect men from different backgrounds and groups with something they all
have in common: facial hair. In the other series displayed, the characters are more brightly painted and are less disembodied than the subjects in Men with Beards. Some even have elaborate clothing and jewellery, in keeping with his objective to capture the entire personality of the subject. Although the art is the main attraction, painting was only one part of the work that went into producing the exhibit. Anderson explained that he had to overcome his shyness in order to get photographs of complete strangers for his paintings. He noted that not every stranger was willing to be part of his exhibit, and for every participant, there were more than 10 refusals. Despite this, Anderson managed to find enough willing subjects to create the exhibit. The Saskatoon Portraits demonstrates a different use of Anderson’s talent. While he is known for his whimsical and unique take on watercolour art, seen at past exhibits in Lethbridge and even here at the Snelgrove, this exhibit uses a more mundane approach. Needless to say, The Saskatoon Portraits showed Anderson’s wide artistic range, and he produced an exhibit that was well worth the visit.
Shirley Charles
Shirley Charles
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Shirley Charles Joseph Anderson looked to friends and strangers alike for inspiration in his exhibit at the Gordon Snelgrove Gallery, entitled The Saskatoon Portraits.
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Why I support the WUSC levy The Student Refugee Program is seeking greater institutional support — here’s why you should care. J.C. BALICANTA NARAG PHOTO EDITOR
Paying tuition has always been a burden for students. I’ve cried looking at my outstanding balance, knowing how light my wallet will be in the end — but I constantly remind myself that there are others in the world who cannot afford to be in university. There are plenty of people who do not have the resources available to achieve the level of education they desire and others who are offered opportunities and cannot take them due to perilous circumstances. Education has always been important to my family, and I see why it is, but I never understood why they’re so passionate about it until recently. The student chapter of World University Services of Canada at the University of Saskatchewan strives to bring education
to people in the world who cannot otherwise afford to be in school through the Student Refugee Program. The SRP takes in refugees, who are living in fear and danger daily, and transfers them to Canada to achieve better education as well as a better life. I had the chance to hear a WUSC student share his experiences and gratitude for the organization at an event that I had attended to photograph. I could see the fear he felt in his face, as he told his story, and how relieved he was when he came here to Canada. For the first time, I understood why my parents have always pushed me to be in school. I was hit by the real significance of the man’s story — having gone from a life without the privilege of opportunities to living a life full of possibilities. That is when I decided to join WUSC U of S and help as much as I can, because their
vocation, though it may seem small to many, is humongous to those it affects. WUSC U of S recently made an appeal to the University Students’ Council to support their cause by securing more funding for the organization. This appeal requests a two-dollar increase in student fees across all colleges at the U of S, which will go towards the organization. The simple math? There were about 21,000 students enrolled in the 2016-17 school year. Assuming that number stays about the same, this increase to student fees would put an extra $42,000 towards WUSC initiatives. This money will help improve lives of refugees from Syria, South Sudan and Afghanistan — giving them more opportunities to learn and achieve credit through their relocation to Canada for university education. WUSC’s motto is “Educa-
Surian Soosay / Flickr
tion changes the world.” This statement can be taken in many ways. The way I see it, if you help change someone’s life through education, they will do the same for others in return. If more people know of and support this initiative, it will create a domino effect that can truly change the world for the better.
I will wholly support a two-dollar increase to our student fees, even though I am struggling myself, because now, whenever I see and pay my debts to this great institution, I can be proud that I am helping someone else achieve the education they too deserve.
Getting by with a little help from your pens When it’s this easy to help, students shouldn’t go without — that’s why you should be a DSS notetaker. KIRSTEN SAMSON
Students are determined to succeed in their academic pursuits in the classroom. But when getting to and being in the classroom becomes a struggle for members of our student body, how do we ensure that all students have an equal opportunity for success? To be frank, getting to class is a struggle for almost every student. It’s challenging to get out of bed after you stayed up until three in the morning, pouring
over your textbook, or to sit through class after scrambling to the bus stop and arriving late for a 50-minute lecture with your monotone professor. Getting to class can be tough, and being in the right mindset for notetaking can be even tougher. Although the reality described above impacts many students, there are added challenges for students with varying physical and mental abilities. For students registered with Disability Services for Students at the University of Saskatchewan, there are programs in
Michaela DeMong Notetaking is a great way to keep yourself accountable in class.
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place to help them achieve the same academic success as their peers. One of these services is DSS Notetaking. The service is straightforward: you take notes during class, and then you post them online to Blackboard. Those utilizing notetaking services will get a notification when the notes have been posted. The system leaves students anonymous, on both ends of the notetaking exchange, so that neither student has to share their identity if they do not want to. The process is straightforward, but it is often stressful for the student registered with DSS. It’s not uncommon for the process to take weeks of waiting for a student to sign up to be a DSS notetaker. Sometimes, no one in the class signs up to be a notetaker at all. There are also some common misunderstandings between students registered with DSS and students eligible to be notetakers. It is important to understand that students registered with DSS did not choose to have their disability. Furthermore, registering with DSS is not a selfish ploy for students to “steal notes” from their peers — students must have a diagnosed disability or injury to register with DSS. Finally, if you are a student who does not want to share your notes, because you take excellent notes that you would
prefer not to share with people who are “too lazy” to take notes — I have heard this in some of my classrooms — you should reconsider your thoughts on DSS. While you are taking notes, one of your peers may be experiencing a massive cramp in their hand, causing them overwhelming pain. While you are taking notes, one of your peers may be sitting on a washroom floor gasping for air because they are mid-panic attack. While you are taking notes, one of your peers may be unable to hear the professor’s voice over the deafening click of the person tapping their toe beside them. Although there are barriers for some students pursuing education on campus, you can help by signing up to be a DSS notetaker. You simply email dssnotetaking@usask.ca with your class name, class number and section number. At the end of the semester, and upon the completion of your notetaking, DSS will add the experience to your Co-Curricular Record. The CCR is a formal recognition of the university-approved activities you have partaken in at the U of S. When applying to other programs, a CCR can be submitted, and the experience of notetaking is an excellent addition to your future applications. Consider becoming a notetaker, because not all students face the same challenges.
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Edwards student revamps clothing line in time for college’s centennial Though you might not think you need those dress socks, the EBSS clothing line is a promising student initiative. LYNDSAY AFSETH STAFF WRITER
The Edwards Business Students’ Society has created a clothing line that includes dress socks and cardigans. On the surface, it may seem ridiculous, but I talked with the student behind the clothes and realized that student initiatives like this are what make the University of Saskatchewan awesome. Amber Hoffart, a third-year commerce student, took over as the sales and merchandise director of the EBSS this year, and her main project has been to revamp the college’s clothing line. Hoffart wants the clothing line to reflect the forward-thinking student body while also increasing pride in the college. She believes that by updating the ill-fitting, low-quality clothing the college previously offered and replacing it with trendy and modern options, she will achieve these goals.
The clothing available now was all chosen by Hoffart herself, who went around the city getting quotes and choosing the items that the EBSS would offer. Hoffart had a team to help with marketing, but the whole initiative was hers alone. The EBSS, as a non-profit organization, does not expect to make much profit off the clothes, but what they do earn will go back into student initiatives, Hoffart explains. This new EBSS clothing line comes in tandem with the Edwards School of Business alumni centennial clothing line, which features more vintage-style clothes to commemorate 100 years since the founding of the business college. These two different clothing lines collaborated to bring the students a clothing sale at the end of September. There will be another clothing sale from Jan. 8 to 12, and the clothes are all still available online. The alumni centennial clothing will be available until
the end of the year, but the EBSS clothing will only be available online until Oct. 8 — so if something catches your eye, make sure you order it right away. At first glance, I will admit, some of the clothes seemed a bit pretentious. “What kind of university student needs $15 dress socks?” I thought — but after talking with Hoffart and looking into it more, I decided that this is the kind of environment I want to be in — one full of students with ideas and the means to act on them. This is just a really cool project, and I think that university should be a place that can foster more creative initiatives like this. Not only will the students involved get practical experience in the field they are studying, but they are also offering a service that others in their college wouldn’t otherwise have. I think that the university would benefit from more initiatives like this, taken by students across the colleges.
Jina Bae
Please stop giving history a facelift Buildings with rich histories deserve to wear their age — renovations should keep preservation in mind. LIAM DELPARTE
The University of Saskatchewan’s main campus is a beautiful place — thanks to a coherent esthetic maintained throughout its 110 years. Unfortunately, the respect given to the campus’s exterior is not extended to its interior, where decades of shortsighted renovations have erased swaths of historical character. There are two distinctly different approaches that the university can take when it comes to aging and deteriorating spaces on campus — restoration or updating. As you walk through campus, it is easy to see examples of both. The Memorial Union Building opened in 1955 to become the hub of student life, moving disparate student organizations to a single building. Initially, the MUB served as home to the Sheaf, the student
union offices, a cafeteria on the main floor, a students’ lounge upstairs and the campus radio station CJUS-FM — now CFCR. The upper floor of the MUB, for example, demonstrates the effects of the updating approach. The current face of the upper floor, unveiled in 2013, is Louis’ Loft — an extensive $750,000 renovation that replaced the dated and dingy Browsers Café. When spaces are approached from the angle of updating them, an expensive cycle of renovation begins — spaces become dated relatively quickly and require total replacement. This also arguably removes the opportunity for a space to develop a soul. Yes, the Loft is a nice enough space, but it doesn’t really feel like there has been a student lounge up there for more than 60 years. I think some of that history is worth highlighting. In contrast to the MUB,
we have the Thorvaldson Building’s Airplane Room. A $140,000 restoration project undertaken in 2014 was done with respect for the room’s history and character. Upon entering the space and taking a seat in its terribly uncomfortable chairs, it is hard to ignore just how many people have been there before you. There are more tangible benefits to the restoration approach as well. Because the space has been allowed to age, it’s taken on a timeless quality. And while money still needs to be spent on repairs, the costs tend not to approach the magnitude of total replacement. Updating the interior design on campus is a move that I would call mostly shortsighted. In buildings like the MUB, once the cycle of renovation starts, it’s very difficult to stop. The space is already beginning to show it’s age and will only continue to do so, but it won’t take on the same quali-
ties displayed by the Airplane Room, because it’s now too removed from the history of the space. I’m not asking for a revert back to its harkened esthetic glory days — a restoration to its initial
state would be an expensive undertaking with a chance of falling flat — but I urge decisionmakers to exercise caution when approaching future renovations of the campus’s many dingy spaces.
Stephanie Witham Modernizing a space has to happen more than once.
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HOT TAKES: Is Kim Campbell a champion of women?
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EMILY MIGCHELS OPINIONS EDITOR
The University of Saskatchewan is currently showcasing a speaker series in line with Canada 150 celebrations — featuring former Prime Ministers Jean Chrétien, Paul Martin and Kim Campbell. The series is intended to create conversations about the Canadian political past and present and offers students a chance to bounce ideas off the prestigious guests. According to the event outline, Campbell, a guest on Oct. 4, speaks to women’s roles and involvement in the Canadian political sphere. Campbell served as Prime Minister from June to November 1993. Following party convention, Campbell was chosen to replace Brian Mulroney as leader of the Progressive Conservative Party. Her time as Canada’s figurehead was shortlived and arguably unremarkable — at the completion of her term, the Progressive Conservatives were dealt a devastating electoral loss. The contention here — and I don’t think I’m reaching to say it — is that Kim Campbell isn’t a women’s hero. Sure, she was our first and only female-identified prime minister, and sure she tweets a lot about Donald Trump, but she’s not the be-all and end-all of women in politics, and she’s certainly not the only voice on the matter. In fact, it’s quite interesting that, while Chrétien and Martin speak about heavyweight topics like Canada’s future and foreign policy, Campbell has been asked to speak about women in politics. Surely, she’s known for something more in her political career than just her gender. It kind of feels like one of those “hold on, let’s ask any living woman what she thinks, so it’s fair” kind of consolations, doesn’t it? What do you think? Drop a line at thesheaf.com, or tweet with the hashtag #sheafhottakes, and let’s talk.
14 / OPINIONS
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OC TOB E R 0 5 , 2 0 1 7
LOCAL WOMAN GOES HOME WITH OWN THRICE-USED CLOTHES FOLLOWING CLOTHING SWAP VARSITY VIEW — The popular sustainable party trend among young professionals has taken a turn for the worst in Saskatoon, and participants are looking to freshen up the used-garment circuit. Gill Briggs, a fourth-year undeclared student in the College of Arts and Science, reports that the change of seasons prompted her and her friends to organize a swap party. “You know, with the weather getting colder and all — and those three garbage bags of neglected knit sweaters in my closet from the last clothing
swap — it felt like a good time to get everyone out,” Briggs said. Briggs participates, on average, in about five clothing swaps per year. Though she has noticed that certain identical items have appeared more frequently in participants’ contributions, until now, she has chalked up the occurrence to pure coincidence. “I mean, yeah, Becky usually brings the same bag of tired graphic tees, but I wasn’t expecting to show up and sort through a pile of my own grade-school regrets,” Briggs said.
#albumoftheweek:
EMILY MIGCHELS
In Search of Lost Time
I don’t know what you’d generally expect from a lesbian punk duo in Sackville, N.B., but I can tell you that In Search of Lost Time will itch whatever you need scratched. The album is an endeavour of emotion: the surprisingly diverse tracks will work their way into the soundtrack of your queer day-today, and the skits scattered between songs provide interesting commentary in a throwback to the mixtapes of old.
by Partner
Briggs hypothesizes that perhaps the clothing-swap trend just needs some extra supplementation. “Maybe [the] next time we get together, everyone should go out and buy a few new things to bring for everyone else. That way, we won’t just be bringing the same bags of things no one wanted at the last swap,” Briggs said. Until a solution is agreed upon, Briggs reports that she and her friends will not host another clothing swap, but they’ll come to yours, if only to unload 30 pounds of the hottest trends of 2014.
AHREN KLAASSEN-WRIGHT
Do you feel the shiver down your spine? It’s spooky, scary skeleton time. Everyone has one friend or family member who becomes a pumpkin during the month of October. This meme showcases the tragic transformation and the metaphorical loss of loved ones into a squash-like form for 30 days. The meme also highlights the tendency of companies to shove pumpkin time down consumers’ throats until they have Stockholm syndrome. This is a mid-level, capitalist Tom HanksInstagram-Halloween meme. This meme gets 15 pumpkins out of the pumpkin bin at Superstore.
PHOTO OF THE WEEK
Sura j Kumar Singh
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