NOVEMBER 01, 2018
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YOUR UNI VE R S I T Y O F SAS K ATC H E WA N ST UDE NT NE WS PA P E R S I N C E 1 9 1 2 The University of Saskatchewan’s main campus is situated on Treaty 6 Territory and the Homeland of the Métis.
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Discussing the state of the Let’s talk burning Humanities out
MERLIS BELSHER GRAND OPENING page 4
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Peer Health exhibit looks at art as therapy
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Breakthrough concussion research at the U of S
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EDITOR-IN-CHIEF | Emily Migchels
editor@thesheaf.com NEWS EDITOR
CULTURE EDITOR
Tanner Bayne
Cole Chretien
news@thesheaf.com
culture@thesheaf.com
SPORTS & HEALTH EDITOR
OPINIONS EDITOR
Jack Thompson sportshealth@thesheaf.com
Erin Matthews opinions@thesheaf.com
STAFF WRITER
Ana Cristina Camacho staffwriter@thesheaf.com COPY EDITOR | Amanda Slinger copy@thesheaf.com LAYOUT MANAGER | Kaitlin Wong layout@thesheaf.com PHOTOGRAPHY EDITOR | Riley Deacon photo@thesheaf.com GRAPHICS EDITOR | Jaymie Stachyruk graphics@thesheaf.com WEB EDITOR | Nykole King web@thesheaf.com OUTREACH DIRECTOR | J.C. Balicanta Narag outreach@thesheaf.com AD & BUSINESS MANAGER | Shantelle Hrytsak ads@thesheaf.com COVER IMAGE
Riley Deacon BOARD OF DIRECTORS Jeremy Britz Lyndsay Afseth Matthew Taylor Kayle Neis Emily Klatt Heywood Yu
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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 into 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.
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Young Women in Business strives for an inclusive approach on their third anniversary YWiB USask wants to give university women access to a diverse networking community.
on board [who] want to champion women, especially in politics. That’s really important.” Furthermore, Kachur says that the club is not limited to people in business; its focus is on workpl a c e - rel ate d skills more widely. Going forward, she hopes for more diversity in the fields of study of the group members. “Our main goal this year is connecting with more audiences — women from different fields,” Kachur said. “We don’t want the name ‘Women in Business’ to scare people off because they’re not in business. Everyone will be in the workforce at Supplied / Young Women in Business some point.” Members of Young Women in Business posed in front of the Thorvadson Building. Kachur describes the workforce, and she hopes club events, which ANA CRISTINA CAMACHO that the club’s events can pro- include social nights, STAFF WRITER vide students who identify as de-stressors and speed netwomen with tools and con- working, as “relaxed events Three years ago, a Young nections to help them over- for members to meet memWomen in Business chapter come these barriers. bers.” A yearly membership was formed at the Universi“We need organizations fee of $10 grants access to all ty of Saskatchewan to pro- like [YWiB] because women events and a discount to the vide business resources for are at a disadvantage. A lot of annual YWiB Beyond Constudents who are women. the opportunities men have ference in Vancouver. This month, the club is cele- women don’t have because On Nov. 16, YWiB USask brating its third anniversary we are socialized to think we is celebrating three years as and hopes to include a wider can’t do it,” Kachur said. a chapter at the U of S and range of identities among its Another goal at YWiB US- 10 years as a national entity members. ask, Kachur says, is to make with an event held at Le ReYWiB is nationwide orga- the club more intersectional. lais from 7 p.m. to 10 p.m. nization with 10 chapters in “As president, I want to Kachur says the event will total. Initially conceived of listen to the voices that ha- highlight successful women as a network and conference ven’t been heard and make who will share their expericommunity for young wom- sure that I am advocating ences as speakers. en in business, the group for them,” Kachur said. “The anniversary is going addresses the unique needs “Basically, I don’t want the to be not only a celebration and interests of female en- group to be middle-class of the organization but also trepreneurs. Jenna Kachur, white women saying ‘this is a celebration of women sucfourth-year marketing stu- what feminism is.’” cesses in multiple industries,” dent in Edwards School of As part of this interest in Kachur said. “The main takeBusiness, has been part of intersectionality, Kachur away would be what you the YWiB USask team for says that the club is also learn from [the speakers] two years, first as photogra- open to men. — but also the feeling of emphy co-ordinator and now as “It’s not necessarily for powerment and connectivipresident. men, but it’s for everyone — ty. Even though these are all Kachur says that she has kind of like feminism is for women from different induswitnessed first-hand the dif- everyone,” Kachur said. “A tries, a lot of our issues are ficulties that women face in big part of it is getting men pretty much the exact same.”
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Saskatoon’s first student-run emergency dental clinic opens its doors Dentistry students have opened Saskatoon’s first student-run emergency dental clinic in Riversdale. NAFISA ISLAM
A new initiative led by a group of University of Saskatchewan students aims to fill the gaps in dental care for students by providing dental care to individuals who are unable to access it due to financial barriers. DIRECT Dental is an enterprise undertaken by four fourth-year students in the doctor of dental medicine program at the U of S: Christopher Bertsch, Kristen Kezar, Christy MacPherson and Mary Tait. The students aim to provide emergency dental-pain relief for patients who do not have the means to afford dental care and present them with an alternative to going to the emergency room. Bertsch says the clinic was partly inspired by the Dental Day YXE event and the SHINE Youth Clinic in Edmonton. Bertsch says that he and his co-founders were intrigued by
the student-run structures of these clinics and that they had observed that there was a demand for these services in the Saskatoon community. DIRECT Dental is composed of an all-volunteer staff formed by dentistry students, local dentists, dental assistants, dental hygienists and dental therapists who provide professional services free of charge. The clinic also allows dentistry students who are approaching the end of their training to gain clinical experience. Bertsch says that the clinic provides dentistry students with an excellent learning opportunity, especially in terms of dealing with patients. “It’s just so much more clinical experience, and there’s also the mentorship component where you’re basically working one-on-one with a dentist and learning in a face-to-face environment,” Bertsch said. “They’re also seeing how the clinic func-
tions, from the patient walking in to patient walking out.” The scope of the services provided by the clinic includes fillings, extractions, root-canal therapy and cleanings, which can give patients relief from periodontal issues. The clinic also provides educational information regarding the maintenance of oral hygiene and services in the community where patients can obtain treatment and other types of help within their means. Similar to a walk-in clinic, patients are treated on a firstcome-first-serve basis, as DIRECT Dental does not require any appointments. Since it is a student-run facility that is open for a limited number of days, DIRECT Dental is not able to provide complex dental treatments. DIRECT Dental’s first day of operations was on Oct. 20. Bertsch says that the response to the clinic has been overwhelm-
Riley Deacon / Photo Editor DIRECT Dental founders pose for a photograph on Oct. 27.
ingly positive, both from students and the greater Saskatoon community. “People have been emailing and asking questions. I know that … we weren’t able to see [everyone] at the clinic on Saturday due to the demand. We were able to provide them with information regarding services available at the college at reduced rates,” Bertsch said. “The volunteering has also increased. [Students] have been wanting to volunteer for shifts since they have been hearing about how much experience it can give them.” Bertsch says that, since the
Pouring one out: The Sutherland Bar sings its siren song
current operators of the clinic are in their fourth year, he hopes that other students can carry on with DIRECT Dental in the future. “All of the organizers are fourth-years, so hopefully, the students keep it going,” Bertsch said. “I hope it becomes something that the community can rely on.” DIRECT Dental operates out of the College of Dentistry’s Saskatoon West Dental Clinic. lt will be open on select Saturday afternoons between October and March of the 201819 academic year. For more information on clinic hours and dates of operation, visit www.directdentalclinic.ca.
The general manager of the Scuzz says that student support helped the bar stay afloat in later years. TANNER BAYNE NEWS EDITOR
One of Saskatoon’s oldest and most beloved watering holes has turned off its taps for good. The Sutherland Bar, commonly referred to as the Scuzz, served Saskatonians for more than a century and prioritized the patronage of University of Saskatchewan students in its later years. The bar’s closure was first announced in July when Trevor Mawson, sole proprietor since 1986, said that ownership of the establishment would be transferred to Rayner Agencies following the club’s closing on Oct. 30, citing personal reasons for his decision to sell. Joining the likes of the distinguished Broadway drinkery Lydia’s Pub, which was demolished in 2015, the Sutherland Bar will be converted into office space. Aurielle Bleau has worked at the Sutherland Bar for nearly four years, first as office manager and later as general manager of the establishment. Bleau says that she was involved in Mawson’s decision to sell the establishment. “It was a hard decision for him.
He worked here his entire adult life. His dad bought it in the 80s, and he took over in 1986,” Bleau said. “This has been his bread and butter, and to say goodbye to that is not an easy thing, especially to have to say goodbye in a downturn economy where this industry isn’t doing the greatest. We wish it were different.” Beyond Mawson’s personal reasons, Bleau says that changes in drinking culture in the city, competition with downtown clubs and the zero-tolerance driving laws that were introduced in January 2017 were all factors that were considered in the decision to close the doors for good. For Bleau, the decision to close the bar especially impacts the staff. “It was a very fun job, especially when it was busy and everyone was having a good time. I’m going to miss that,” Bleau said. “For the staff, a lot of them are losing their jobs… They all really liked working here. Everyone was really disappointed when I gave them the news. A couple people quit, and some were angry. Some people have worked here for over 10 years.” Although the bar employed around 25 core staff members
COMING EVENTS follow us
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Ted Barris
Discussing & Signing
Dam Busters
Canadian Airmen and the Secret Raid Against Nazi Germany Monday, November 5, 7 pm
Riley Deacon / Photo Editor The Sutherland Bar sign on 810 Central Avenue, Saskatoon.
that oversaw the day-to-day workings, Bleau says that the number of total employees swelled to 75 for their final event. On Oct. 27 and 28, the Sutherland Bar held their last event, The Final Destination: Drink the Scuzz Dry. While it was the symbolic last call for the drinkery, the Halloween-themed party kept the mood light with a costume contest and student-only specials. For Bleau, the student focus of the event was important, as the bar survived off the patronage of students in its last years. “[Students] have carried the Sutherland Bar for a solid decade, if not from the early 90s to 2015,” Bleau said. “They are what generated income here and were our priority here, and that’s why I
wanted to do a big party for university students. If it wasn’t for them, we wouldn’t be as successful as we were.” Ultimately, Bleau says that the legacy of the Sutherland Bar will be remembered through its affectionate, if slightly disparaging, nickname. “It’s going to be remembered as the Scuzz, hands down. My boss hates that word, but it’s true. It’s not that it’s scuzzy in there… I think it’s more the attitude. Back in the 90s and early 2000s, people would come and get so drunk, and that’s where the word came from,” Bleau said. “It’s an old wooden hotel, and it’s dark, but it’s clean and maintained — but people will always remember the bar as the Scuzz.”
COMING UP dr. dave Williams Defying Limits
Sunday, November 4, 2 pm
rick mercer Rick Mercer Final Report
Monday, November 12, 7 pm
deBBie Travis Designing Your Next Chapter Monday, December 3, 7 pm
sheaf nov 1 to nov 7, 2018.indd 1
NEWS 3 AM 10/23/2018 / 10:35:55
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Let the games begin: U of S hosts grand-opening weekend for Merlis Belsher Place Official occupancy for Merlis Belsher Place began on Oct. 1, three months ahead of schedule. TEEVIN FOURNIER
On Oct. 26 and 27, the University of Saskatchewan held a grand-opening weekend for Merlis Belsher Place. The new facility aims to offer a first-class athlete experience and is expected to bring many event opportunities to both the university and the city of Saskatoon. Construction began on the $51 million multi-purpose facility in May 2017, with completion targeted for January 2019. However, official Huskie occupancy of the building began on Oct. 1, three months ahead of schedule. Funding for the facility was a group effort, with contributions from the city, the university, alumni and other donors. Shawn Burt, Huskies chief athletics officer, says the grand opening emphasized community involvement by offering opportunities to try out sledge hockey and skate with Howler. “It’s important that people understand that this is a partnership between the university and the city, [that they] see everything that the donors, [the] university and
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our community were able to execute together,” Burt said. “It’s important that people know they have access to [Merlis Belsher Place] not just as a ticketed event. This is a dynamic facility, and it’s ours, and we are excited to share in it with everyone.” For Burt, the community’s reception of the facility has been positive. “It’s been overwhelmingly positive. It’s one of those things that everybody is talking about. We’ve had six games in the facility, and the rumour mill is going pretty strong,” Burt said. "When people come in and experience it for the first time, I think their expectations are being exceeded. I think that says everything [that] needs to be said about this kind of facility.” Burt says that Merlis Belsher Place provides a state-of-the-art facility for teams to play in. He expects that the facility will be an asset to both the university and Saskatoon and that it will demonstrate the dedication of the university’s athletics department to providing one of the best post-secondary student-athlete experiences.
Thomas Garchinski U of S Men’s Huskies hockey players gathered on the blue line during the opening ceremony at Merlis Belsher Place on Oct. 26.
The sports facility will offer a number of student job opportunities, including ushers and retail positions. Burt says that his team is working to include a student-centred management team for the more than 500 seats in the student-seating section, although it has not yet been decided if positions on this team will be paid or not. “We will be looking for a president and two vice-presidents and people underneath to oversee it — from getting students [to the games] to in-game experience, be it chants or theme nights,” said Burt. “We are
going to be actively posting and looking for people to oversee that section within Merlis Belsher Place, and it will be 100 per cent focused on students.” With the new facility now in use, Burt says that the U of S will soon begin to decommission the Rutherford Rink, the previous home for Huskies hockey. “Effectively, Rutherford is in its retirement stage. The university has been taking care of the facility and managing it through the transition,” Burt said. “I don’t know the specifics, but they will slowly begin to turn off the ice plant, take certain
assets out that the university might want to keep and start to plan for the demolition of the facility. I believe that will happen in the spring or summer of next year.” Ultimately, Burt says that Merlis Belsher Place is going to garner attention from across the province. “We see [Merlis Belsher Place] as a Saskatoon — potentially provincial — asset within the university campus,” Burt said. “This facility is going to bring in all kinds of events spanning different sports, and it’s going to become a destination point for many people in the city and across the province.”
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SPORTS&HEALTH
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SPORTS&HEALTH
Huskies basketball teams split the weekend at UBC After the first weekend of regular-season play, both basketball teams are sitting at 1-1.
Recipe:
Study-break power bowl SHILOH NAOMI
Serves: 2-3 Ingredients for bowl: 18 large shrimp, peeled and deveined 1 tbsp. each of avocado or olive oil, lime juice and melted butter 1 tsp. paprika ¼ tsp. each of salt, pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, thyme and oregano 1 pinch red pepper flakes ½ cup organic quinoa 1 cup vegetable stock 1 large bell pepper 20 small grape tomatoes 2 cloves garlic, peeled 3 cups romaine hearts, chopped 3 tbsp. red onions 2 scallions 1 avocado Ingredients for dressing: 4 tbsp. mayonnaise 4 tbsp. greek yogurt 2 tbsp. lime juice ¼ tsp. each of cumin and chili powder Pinch of salt and pepper
Supplied / Elizabeth Wang, The Ubyssey U of S Huskies guard Lawrence Moore dribbles down the court during a match against the UBC Thunderbirds.
JACK THOMPSON
SPORTS & HEALTH EDITOR
After a trip to the University of British Columbia over the weekend, the men’s and women’s Huskies basketball teams have officially started regular-season play. Each team lost their first game but gathered their strength for a second outing, where both were victorious over the University of British Columbia Thunderbirds. All four games had score differences of ten points or less — making for a fairly tense weekend for both the University of Saskatchewan and UBC teams. On the women’s side of things, Sabine Dukate and Libby Epoch stood out in scoring — with Dukate having the highest scoring of her teammates in the first game and Epoch making this achievement in the second. Dukate shared her thoughts on the exhibition games that the team has played this year, as well as the season ahead. “It’s still early to say. [The] season is so long, and everything might happen,” Dukate said. “We played [a] good team in exhibition and learned lessons from these games. The team overall is good. We gained two good
players — Ashley De Sousa Martins and Carly Ahlstrom — that will be big help in this season.” De Sousa Martins, firstyear arts and science student and Huskie, had an excellent weekend as she opened up her U Sports career and spoke to her goals this season. “One of my goals this season is to be a defensive threat, being up on the ball and defending both perimeter and post players,” De Sousa Martins said. “On offence, I want to be aggressive when attacking the rim and going after the offensive boards.” Dukate discusses the two games of the weekend and how they made up for the earlier loss with a win on Oct. 27. “[The] start of the season is always challenging and [does] not always start on great note. Sometimes, things do not go our way, and then we need to adjust and make the changes,” Dukate said. “We tried to come back after the halftime Friday, but we ran out of time for that. We made changes for the Saturday game, and a lot of other players stepped up and showed what they are capable of.” The men’s team saw some standout players as well. Lawrence Moore held the
position of top scorer for the Huskies in the first game with 33 points to his name, while Chan De Ciman brought in the most points — at 33 points also — during the second game. Joseph Barker, a fifth-year Huskie and kinesiology student, captured 14 rebounds in the team’s Oct. 27 victory game. Barker explains how he’s feeling going into his final season. “I’m very excited for this season. We have a really good group of guys, and I think we can make some noise in the conference this year,” Barker said. As a fifth-year, this will be Barker’s final year of eligibility. Barker talks about the season ahead and his time with the Huskies as a whole. “I’m very excited for this season. We have a really solid group of guys, and everyone is clicking really good,” Barker said. “My last five years have gone by extremely fast, but I loved every minute of it. It’s a grind at times, but I like it… I’m excited for this season — [I] am excited for the season to get on the way.” The Huskies men’s and women’s basketball teams will be making their home-game debuts for the season on Nov. 2 and 3, when they take on the University of the Fraser Valley Cascades.
Whisk together oil, butter, lime and seasonings in a small glass bowl. Add shrimp, mix thoroughly to coat, and then set aside. Next, rinse quinoa and add to medium saucepan with stock — adding a dab of butter and a pinch of salt. Cover and cook for 15-18 minutes until light and fluffy, then remove from heat and let stand. While the quinoa is cooking, thinly slice the bell pepper and garlic and cut the grape tomatoes in half. Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat, and add the peppers and garlic, sautéing for 3-5 minutes. Add the tomatoes and cook for another two minutes. Transfer these veggies to a glass bowl, and add salt and pepper to taste. Add shrimp to hot skillet, and cook over medium heat until firm and pink — about 4-5 minutes — being careful not to overcook them. Divide the quinoa between two or three bowls. Top with chopped romaine and red onions, sautéed veggies, shrimp and avocado. Whisk together mayonnaise, yogurt, lime juice and the seasonings for the dressing. Drizzle evenly over top of power bowl ingredients, and sprinkle with chopped scallions.
Shiloh Naomi
SPORTS & HEALTH / 5
SPORTS&HEALTH
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From the battlefield to the boardroom: The struggle to diagnose concussions Concussions have impacted the lives of people throughout history — and the U of S is home to some innovative research on the subject. GEORGE-PAUL O’BYRNE
The University of Saskatchewan is home to a lot of interesting research, but much of it goes unnoticed by students as they go through their day-to-day lives. One researcher, however, is making great strides in the field of traumatic-brain-injury detection. Once, in high school, I attended a basketball team pep rally. The gym was packed, Kanye blared from the speakers, and a few hundred people were squeezed into the bleachers. We watched as 25 lanky, acne-ridden but athletic teenagers bounded up and down the court, showing off their dunking skills. I vividly remember one kid — gangly, mop-headed and last in line — who happened to begin his dunk just as the music ended. The first half of the dunk was immaculate. He lept into the air like some sort of gazelle, guiding the ball delicately into the hoop. He absolutely butchered the landing, though. His high tops couldn’t quite grip the floor,
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and his feet were thrown into the air in front of him, which was followed by the crack of his head hitting the ground and the ominous hiss of the entire crowd sucking in air through gritted teeth. He was okay — possibly concussed — but he walked it off, so no harm done, right? Well, modern research doesn’t really agree. Concussions are now referred to as traumatic brain injuries, which sounds far more sinister, and for good reason. We’ve found that any impact forceful enough to cause a concussion — say, a dirty football tackle, a diving-board mishap or whiplash from a car accident — can lead to profound changes in the functioning of the brain. A concussion happens when an impact or sudden violent movement of the head causes the brain to slosh around inside the skull, which is not good for such a delicate organ. Imagine scrambling an egg without cracking the shell. Dr. Changiz Taghibiglou is a researcher and professor in the physiology and pharmacology department at the
Yashica Bither U of R Cougars defenceman Nikki Watters-Matthes lays on the ice after a collision with U of S Huskies forward Kara Kondrat.
University of Saskatchewan. Early on in his career, Dr. Taghibiglou worked as a medical officer at a field hospital in Iran, where he saw many soldiers who had been admitted for “blast-wave concussions.” Despite the force they’d been exposed to, there were often no visible signs of injury.
Dr. Taghibiglou was faced with a challenge — how do you diagnose a TBI if there are no visible signs you can look for? There were no broken bones to X-ray, no blood tests he could order and no MRI machines. The soldiers would be kept in observation for a few days and then discharged. According to Dr. Taghibiglou, “a large percentage of these soldiers went on to develop psychiatric issues later in life” — something that is also seen in athletes who play contact sports like football, hockey and wrestling. “In order to develop a simple blood test, which could be used to diagnose TBI, you need to figure out what the ‘biomarkers’ of brain trauma are,” Taghibiglou said. Biomarkers are molecules that can be measured in a person’s blood that tell you something about their health. For example, someone with abnormally high blood sugar might have diabetes. By studying Huskies athletes, Dr. Taghibiglou and the students in his lab successfully identified two biomarkers that are elevated after a TBI. One of the molecules, called cellular prion protein or PrPC, likes to hang out on the surface of
cells in the brain. “During head trauma,” Taghibiglou said, “PrPC is knocked off those cells, making its way into the bloodstream,” where it can be detected by a blood test. Dr. Taghibiglou’s concussion study was funded by the Department of National Defence, but he needs more funding to be able to bring his biomarkers into the public eye. Dr. Taghibiglou notes that, when it comes to securing research grants, the U of S is at a slight disadvantage. “Smaller universities like the U of S are not as competitive as bigger institutions like McMaster or UBC,” Taghibiglou said. Often, the U of S is forced to rely on philanthropic donations or crowd-based funding, so it’s worth remembering that, the more people donate, the better off you are next time you take a spill on the ice, fall off of a grain bin or get into a fender-bender on Cumberland. Despite our small size, there is a huge amount of potential here at the U of S. We have some very talented researchers, who will no doubt make potent contributions to the world of medicine.
CULTURE
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CULTURE
The Roxy Theatre hosts a new take on the works of Georges Méliès Jean-François Alcoléa offers greater insight into the third installment of the 2018 Riversdale Silent Classics Series.
EVENTS T H U R S
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BUILDING BRIDGES: MOVIE NIGHT — DISNEY’S COCO @ GORDON OAKES RED BEAR STUDENT CENTRE, 5:00 P.M.
NEW MENU LAUNCH WITH PERFORMANCE BY KATHLEEN MCGEE @ CAPITOL MUSIC CLUB, 6:00 P.M.
MANA BAR TRIVIA — BROOKLYN NINE-NINE @ MANA BAR, 7:00 P.M.
KARAOKE THURSDAY @ AMIGOS CANTINA, 9:00 P.M.
F R I
02
LATIN SOCIETY PARTY AND MEET THE PROFS NIGHT @ LOUIS’ PUB, 5:00 P.M.
DUMB ANGEL BROKEN GLASS VINYL LAUNCH @ THE ROXY THEATRE, 8:00 P.M.
FIRESTARTER, WITCHKNIFE, FAMINE, KNAR AND DEPROGRAMMER @ CAPITOL MUSIC CLUB, 9:00 P.M.
B.A. JOHNSTON, SHOTGUN JIMMIE AND MYLES AND THE BLANKS @ AMIGOS CANTINA, 10:00 P.M.
S A T
03
AMIGOS 30TH ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION KICKOFF @ AMIGOS CANTINA, 11:30 A.M.
CORALINE @ REMAI MODERN, 1:00 P.M. PRAIRIE POURS CRAFT BEER SHOW @ THE GLEN AT CROSSMOUNT, 6:00 P.M.
MATT REMENDA WITH LEFTMYHANDS AND THE NUTANA SONGWRITERS @ THE ACADEMY, 8:00 P.M.
S U N
Thomas Garchinski
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A long exposure photograph of the Roxy Theatre in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan.
NICK HAWRISHOK
Hailing from France, production company Alcoléa & cie will be presenting En plein dans l’oeil, or “Right in the Eye,” on Nov. 8 as a cinéconcert featuring the cinematic works of illusionist and cinematic pioneer Georges Méliès, paired with an original score. Considered the father of modern cinema by the Lumière Brothers, Méliès left an indelible legacy in the world of film. According to JeanFrançois Alcoléa, the composer and creator of the live show, Méliès was attracted to cinema for the possibilities it presented in his work as an illusionist. “Méliès was present at the world’s very [first] screening, in Paris in 1895, by the Lumière Brothers. That was a light for him. He saw film as a way to further his magic tricks. His films in the cinema, however, were really important because he was the one who created special effects,” Alcoléa said. “He was the first one to build a film studio [and] to develop all the things that brought us cinema as we know it today.” Though Alcoléa says he was not too familiar with Méliès’s
films before working on En plein dans l’oeil, he viewed over 500 of Méliès’s films in his research. In narrowing such a massive filmography down to just 11 films, Alcoléa says he sought to represent the breadth of the filmmaker’s creative genius. “Méliès’s films are different types of creations. There is comedy, science fiction, documentary — but there is also really a strong poetic element,” Alcoléa said. Alcoléa & cie will present a soundtrack for each of the 11 films incorporated into the show. Together with the films, Alcoléa & cie’s music and lights combine for an experience that seeks to be more than a typical musical accompaniment to a film. Still, Alcoléa says he has striven to maintain the true spirit of Méliès’s original work. “Here, and with my other projects, the film accompanies the music more than the music accompanies the film. Maybe you can be taken by the film, but you can also be taken by what we are doing on stage. It’s a way of syncing music and film together, and with the lights, [the show is] really close to the telos of the film — the desire and ends of
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the film,” Alcoléa said. One of the ways through which Alcoléa tries to capture the true spirit of the films is through the show’s unique instrumentation. From the strange and haunting sounds of the theremin, aquaphone and musical saw to everyday objects such as plastic plates and old washing machine parts, the music is sure to complement the playful and often fantastic cinematic world of Méliès. When asked why he chose to use such obscure instruments and unlikely objects, rather than a synthesizer that could produce similar sounds, Alcoléa stresses the importance of authenticity. “I have always used real, analogic sound, not synthetic. I prefer the sound of real instruments because you have something physical, something living. To me, the sound from the synthesizer is not really living. In the show, what you have is something spectacular that you don’t get from just pushing a key. Also, the unique instrumentation mirrors Melies’s films.” Tickets for En plein dans l’oeil are available at The Roxy Theatre in advance for $30 and at the door for $35.
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FEATURE
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A CASE FOR HUMANITIES: Seeking paths for greater connection and interdisciplinary studies
There are a lot more opportunities on the road to a humanities career than you’d think — and it starts in your undergrad. COLE CHRETIEN CULTURE EDITOR
“How are you going to get a job with that?” If you study the humanities or the social sciences you’ve probably heard some variation of this question before from your parents, your friends or a genuinely concerned relative. In my own experience, I came to the humanities and the social sciences through my love of writing and textual analysis. I’m in the middle of a political science and philosophy double major, and I still have no idea what I’ll be doing when I’m done. It’s an odd feeling knowing that the one thing you’re good at is basically a non-factor in the private-sector job market. In order to get a better understanding of the perceptions of the liberal arts at the University of Saskatchewan, I spoke to as many people as I could about the current state of the humanities at the university. Rather than a comprehensive study, I sought focused perspectives to serve as a jumping point for further discussions about the liberal arts. Contributing to the canon of humanities research may seem daunting, especially in an undergraduate program, but many universities across North America host undergraduate-research conferences in order to encourage undergraduate students to begin thinking about
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their research earlier in their careers. Sheldon Alderton, a philosophy and political studies major at the U of S, has presented at conferences like this at both Bridgewater State University in Massachusetts and Thompson Rivers University in British Columbia. Alderton has presented a total of three papers across the two conferences he has attended. He credits his experiences at these conferences for his recent interest in academia as a potential career,
and further research on things you’re passionate about at the undergraduate level,” Alderton said. For the Thompson Rivers University conference, Alderton was approved for funding from both the International Student and Study Abroad Centre and the U of S department of philosophy. For his second trip, however, as he had already used his annual allotment through ISAAC, Alderton was only able to secure funding from the political
“The phrase ‘liberating arts’ sounds to me like a defence against the dark arts, which is more of what I’m thinking — [defending against] mindlessness and being able to defend against people who would deceive us.” — Dr. Derek Postnikoff something that he says came as a surprise to him. Alderton also views the conference circuit as beneficial for students who want to enhance their academic output, even if they don’t see themselves in academic careers in the future. “It’s just such a rewarding and fun experience and a way to enhance your coursework. Rather than just writing papers to get a grade, you can go on and do extra work on these things
studies department. Despite the overall positive experience, Alderton notes that funding was difficult to find on campus. Through his own experience in soliciting funds, he hopes to work to make the process more transparent and accessible for other students who want to attend conferences. “Letting students know that what you do in class can carry over into opportunities like this is a really good
starting point,” Alderton said. “It’s [about] those frameworks that are there, like the ISAAC travel award.” On a smaller, local scale at the U of S, student groups such as the Philosophy Students’ Society have been holding student colloquiums to generate interest around undergraduate research and encourage students to present their work to an audience. Jory Chometsky, a computer science major with a minor in philosophy, recently presented a paper at one of these colloquiums. Chometsky presented a paper on German existentialist philosopher Martin Heidegger’s Being and Time. The paper analyzed Heidegger’s concept of “being for others” and offered an authentic way of being under a Heideggerian framework. Chometsky describes the experience of presenting the paper as being useful in a variety of ways “I think it was valuable in a few different ways. The first thing I [learned] was how to make my paper available to a wider audience, and the thing that’s more obvious is just the act of presentation itself,” Chometsky said. Conferences and colloquiums may help those who are already sold on the humanities as an area of study, but what about improving outside perceptions towards research in the humanities? Dr. Derek Postnikoff is an interdisciplinary professor who recently gave a talk on the history and potential
“If we’re moving into a more knowledgebased economy, the humanities are going to play a massive part in that.” — Sheldon Alderton
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and astronomy. He envisions a future where both liberating and vocational educational methods intertwine and inform each other. Dr. Postnikoff says that he would ideally like to see more of a historical and philosophical component to the trades and the sciences, but he hopes that the humanities also strive to include more marketable skills. “There’s a certain tendency for people to think of the humanities as being pure. As soon as they have something to do with vocations or being applied, then they failed in some way, but on the other hand, you don’t want to reduce it to that either. You don’t want to be painting the Mona Lisa for an ad campaign,” Dr. Postnikoff said. While Dr. Postnikoff argues for applicable communication skills such as math, logic and programming to make their way into humanities degrees, he also believes that a degree in the humanities should be as intrinsically rewarding as it is applicable. For Brendan Swalm, a U of S alumnus who holds master’s degrees in both English literature and science in digital humanities, the practical skills found in applying digital research methods to the humanities have proven to be marketable, but he also believes that humanities research should be interpretive at its core. “I’m very skeptical of the vocationalization of humanities educations, especially in English literature,” Swalm said. “It might be easy to push it too hard and say ‘you need these [programming] skills to be a good humanist.’ They help, but it’s supple-
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future of the liberal arts. As an interdisciplinary professor, Dr. Postnikoff says that he is aware of the academic rift between the more professional and vocational areas of study and the humanities. Dr. Postnikoff sees this rift as being caused, in part, by a perception of utility but also by language and politics. In his talk, he advocates for a simple rhetorical change — changing the liberal arts to the “liberating arts.” The purpose of this change is twofold, Dr. Postnikoff says. First, the political connotations of the word “liberal” may deter people with alternative political views from humanist areas of study, and second, the idea of “liberation” includes other areas of study that also encourage and facilitate the development of free thinking, such as math and logic. “Not only does it move away from the partisan political term, but somehow, the phrase ‘liberating arts’ sounds to me like a defence against the dark arts, which is more of what I’m thinking — [defending against] mindlessness and being able to defend against people who would deceive us, con us or manipulate us,” Dr. Postnikoff said. Outside of these rhetorical changes, Dr. Postnikoff also believes that media may be the key to communicating complex humanist ideas. “The Matrix was a big influence on a lot of people, and it doesn’t give the full details of some of the philosophical theories, but it asks ‘what if?’ These ‘what if?’ type questions in science fiction, and that kind of hypothetical and counterfactual reasoning, is a big part of the liberation I have in mind,” Dr. Postnikoff said. Dr. Postnikoff believes that the liberating arts should be understood as closer to the way the liberal arts were during ancient and early modern times, when the definition of liberal arts included geometry, music
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mental to a good humanities education. I don’t think it’s necessary to be a digital humanist if you’re a humanist.” Before completing his master’s in digital humanities, Swalm worked on a research project at the U of S Digital Research Centre, using digital qualitative research methods to mark up and analyze The Canterbury Tales by Geoffrey Chaucer. For his second master’s degree, Swalm chose to create a digital version of an Icelandic short story, complete with the original manuscript and translation notes that are usually only available to researchers. According to Swalm, these types of resources are mostly useful for other humanities scholars, but many people interact with the digital humanities in other ways. “People engage with a lot of digital humanities-adjacent stuff like digital literature and new media or video games. They all kind of brush up against this stuff, but when you think about digital humanities, it’s still very
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much a part of the academy,” Swalm said. Swalm also speaks of the benefits that his digital humanities background has provided him with. “The way I see that education, for me, is it helped me become a better humanist and a more well-rounded professional,” Swalm said. With regards to the future, the type of skills that come with degrees in the humanities may become more coveted by employers. Alderton is optimistic about this possibility. “If we’re moving into a more knowledge-based economy, the humanities are going to play a massive part in that,” Alderton said. Regardless of whether humanistic research is going to provide sought-after skills in a changing economy for those who study the humanities — whether as their main area of expertise or as part of an interdisciplinary education — the act of research and study is itself a rewarding experience.
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Art in Mind examines mental health through artistic expression A Peer Health Usask exhibit displays impressionistic student works relating to mental health. AMANDA SLINGER COPY EDITOR
The Art in Mind exhibit by Peer Health Usask was a beautiful and striking way to improve mental-health awareness and mental well-being on campus. The display consisted of a multimedia array of artwork, including everything from collage and cartooning to poetry and prose to painting and sculpture.
This year, in honour of M e n t a l - H e a l t h Aw a r e ness Week, which ran from Oct. 15 to 19, Peer Health co-ordinated an art exhibit in the North Concourse of Place Riel to raise mental-health awareness on campus. The Art in Mind exhibit was displayed from Oct. 22 to 24. Varied and alluring, this collection of artwork illuminated the wonder of the creative human brain. My personal favourites were the vibrant acrylic
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paintings and evocative poetic meanderings on the topic of living with mental illness. Admittedly, I do say that with some bias as an acrylic painter who was herself featured in the show, but bias aside, the depth of emotion, personal nature and sheer vibrancy of the work really impressed me. It takes so much bravery and fortitude of spirit to put this kind of deeply personal art and writing on display for the entire campus to see. Three of the most striking visual works were Etiology by Katie Castellarin, Self Portrait as a Conduit by Annie Bérubé and Untitled by C.M. Woloschuk. Ranging from supernatural to metaphorical to abstract, each of these works provided an emotive snapshot into the mental world of the artist. To get an idea of some of the specific things that those of us with mental illness struggle with, one need only read the poems on display. For example, “Untitled” by Heidi Fischer describes a “girl who cries and sleeps too much,” while the speaker in the poem “Anxiety Attack” by Aaron Nepoose explains, “I feel too much. All the time.” While the written work included in the display was striking, I firmly believe this exhibit was beneficial even to those who did not take the time to read the poetry, as even a cursory glance at the show revealed so much colour and contrast — so much energy and creative fire. Art in Mind was co-ordinated by Elizabeth Waslen of Peer Health, and for this exhibit, Waslen asked participants to write up a brief explanation of how their artwork related to mental health. Many of the artists on display, myself included, expressed sentiments of art as therapy, art as play, and art as not only creation but also self-exploration and self-healing. Art is a vehicle through which we can communicate complicated and difficult emotions that are otherwise difficult to convey. This makes an art show a uniquely wonderful way to spread awareness of something as deeply personal as
Amanda Jean Slinger / Copy Editor Untitled by C.M. Woloschuk was displayed for the Art in Mind exhibit in the North Concourse of Place Riel.
Amanda Jean Slinger / Copy Editor Etiology by Katie Castellarin was display for the Art in Mind exhibit in the North Concourse of Place Riel.
mental health. I can’t begin to imagine how many people were touched in some way by the collective efforts of this initiative, but I know it was far more than a scream into the void. I wrote my first draft of this article sitting across from the exhibit because I wanted to soak up the energy of the artwork. I hoped to imbue some of the beauty and conflict of the work into my writing. While I observed the exhibit, I witnessed several people stop to experience the artwork — some people stopped and stood as if struck in front of specific visual images, while others paused to consume each line of poetry presented to them. As an added dimension of the exhibit, Peer Health also displayed a vast array of informational and self-help pamphlets and posters about various topics related to mental illness and mental health. These informational documents illuminated everything from such basic facets of wellness as sleep, time management and positive self-talk to more challenging topics
like substance use and bodyfocused repetitive behaviours. To all those who suffer the trials and tribulations of mental illness, know most of all that you are not alone. Whatever your particular concern is, Student Wellness and Peer Health are here to help — and they’ve probably heard it a hundred times before, so don’t let fear hold you back. For those among us who are struggling with their mental health, keep these four simple tips from Peer Health in mind: (1) take care of your body, (2) connect with others, (3) take breaks throughout the day, and (4) cultivate compassion for yourself and others. When we talk about mental health, we often focus on mental illness rather than mental wellness. This is why it’s so important to celebrate mental health with something beautiful and creative, like art. The Art in Mind exhibit communicated to viewers on so many levels that art matters, words matter and mental health matters. To me, it almost seemed like a call to battle: “Hear the call, feel the energy, and go forth to create.”
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Separating the art from the artist: Should Harry Potter fans continue to support J.K. Rowling? What should you do when your problematic fave becomes just plain-old problematic? AMBER ADRIAN JACKSON
It has become increasingly common for our favourite celebrities and artists to let us down, and in the case of J.K. Rowling’s recent responses to controversies surrounding Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them: The Crimes of Grindelwald, the author’s conduct might actually be damaging to the fictional universe she created. Like many, I have been a devoted Harry Potter fan since I was a small child. As a gift for graduating high school, my aunt sent me on a trip to the Wizarding World of Harry Potter in Orlando, where I cried many happy tears. I love the franchise. I was ecstatic to discover that there would be a spin-off of the original books in the form of a prequel film series: Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them. The second of five anticipated installments of Fantastic Beasts will premier on Nov. 16, but some of its canon-bending elements have already been points of contention for fans. Lately, it feels like the behaviour of J.K. Rowling, the author of the life-shaping series, has become increasingly ignorant. Two particular examples have stuck out to fans: First is Rowling’s mishandling of the canonical details of her own characters. Second is her continued support for actor Johnny Depp, despite recent allegations against him.
In 2007, J.K. Rowling announced that Professor Dumbledore was gay. However, now that there is a spin-off franchise in which young Dumbledore will play a major role, the controversy surrounding his sexuality has since been exacerbated. Considering that Rowling herself has said that Dumbledore was in love with Gellert Grindelwald, the last serious threat to the wizarding world before Lord Voldemort, and this next installment centres heavily around Grindelwald, it seems that this relationship should be a plot focus of the finished film. It feels as though Rowling only decided to announce that Dumbledore was gay in the first place to score credibility with the diverse fandom of the series. Dumbledore is the only canonically queer character in the series, and he really isn’t, as his sexuality isn’t mentioned in any of the books or movies released to date. It is as if Rowling wants the diversity points but does not want to actually have this detail present in the text of her work. Perhaps Rowling’s most egregious action of late is her continued support of actor Johnny Depp. In 2016, a video and text messages came out suggesting that Depp exhibited abusive behaviour towards his then-wife Amber Heard. Later that year, the first Fantastic Beasts movie came out, and many fans were shocked to see that Depp still made an appearance.
In the coming sequel, Depp will play a much bigger role, and many fans have called for his character to be recast. Rowling has stood by the decision to keep him and has continued to defend him since the backlash began. It is certainly disquieting to see a man caught on camera showing such behaviour and still facing no repercussions. It is also disappointing to see this defence coming from a woman who helped shape the lives of so many young people. As a Harry Potter fan, I feel conflicted about the upcoming Fantastic Beasts sequel. It really forces viewers to ask themselves whether we should separate the art from the artist. I almost always say no because artists directly benefit when their art is consumed. But as a lifelong Harry Potter fan, it almost feels like giving up a part of my childhood
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or betraying something that has been a constant throughout my life. And the rest of the cast didn’t do anything wrong, after all. But then again, aren’t they complicit? I would recommend finding some other way to watch the movie besides paying for
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it in theatres. To watch the rest of this franchise with a clear conscience, it seems that fans must be able to separate the story from the artists. However, if people continue to do this, artists will continue to profit regardless of their behaviour.
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Books and brews: The hope and despair edition A pairing of words and beer to keep your demons at bay during this dark time of year.
Yashica Bither
ERIN MATTHEWS OPINIONS EDITOR
Late autumn has settled in, and the sluggish sun leaves darkness to creep in around the edges. With the bare branches of the trees creaking as the cool breeze blows through their boughs, it is the perfect time to pick up a book, grab a pint and seek a little solace from the season. Stoner by John Williams pairs well with the Cobblestone Nitro Stout from Mill Street Brewery. The New Yorker describes Stoner as “the greatest American novel you’ve never heard of ” — it’s an obscure book from a little-known writer that sold a meager 2,000 copies before going out of print the year after it
was first published. I was never aware of its existence until a friend of mine handed it off to me this past spring, stating it was one of his favourites — it quickly became one of mine. Stoner is a beautifully written and incredibly moving book about a poor farm boy who attends university to learn more about agriculture. Instead, he falls in love with literature and leaves the farm to become entrenched in academia, becoming a professor at a small university. His life is quite unremarkable and filled with sadness, but there is a bittersweet beauty to it all. He loves so deeply, and yet, melancholy follows him around his entire life — even through his more joyous moments — like a silent character watching from the
corner of the room. An academic novel is best paired with a standard pub brew like a good stout. The Cobblestone Nitro Stout from Mill Street Brewery is a deep, malty beer with warm, smoky tones. The nitrogen carbonation gives it a uniquely creamy taste. It’s the perfect brew to knock back while reading this novel well into a cold, dark night. White Noise by Don DeLillo pairs well with the Legendary Oddity from Muskoka Brewery. Technically another academic novel, Delillo’s White Noise is a lovely, absurd satire that follows a professor of Hitler studies and his unusual yet enduring blended family through what is referred to as an airborne toxic event. It is a novel about the all-encompassing fear of death and the consuming nature of consumerism. The more technology we get, the deeper our superstition grows
and the greater our fears become. DeLillo is a master of character monologues, and they will burrow deep into your brain. It is a book you’ll savour, taking time to let the chatter and noise from its characters sink into your skin. Legendary Oddity from Muskoka Brewery is an equally bizarre ale. This golden-coloured beer is spicy yet citrusy — a brew with a taste that you can’t quite pin down. Its strangeness is the perfect compliment to the eccentric story that is revealed in the pages of this novel. Hope: A tragedy by Shalom Auslander pairs well with the Winter Kettle Sour from Nokomis Craft Ales. This little novel from Auslander is a beautiful black comedy that oscillates between hope and despair. Following the move of a family to a small town — which a bumper sticker claims is “the birthplace of nothing” —
Kugel and his wife, young child and delusional mother find that they are not alone in their new farm house. It appears that there is something, or someone, tapping from the attic. Hope: A tragedy is a harsh, fearful novel that is heavy handed in both its neurotic tendencies and its creative use of the word “fuck.” It is delightfully unsettling and introspective, capturing the optimistic pessimism that many of us know well. Nokomis Craft Ales from small-town Saskatchewan recently released their Winter Kettle Sour — a strange, unsettling beer that leaves you wanting more. This brew is dark in colour with a sour start and a chocolatey finish, peppered with a hints of nutmeg and spice. The beer grows on you, much like the novel, and in no time, you will find yourself at the end of a chapter and the bottom of a pint glass.
Is it better to burn out than fade away? Student burnout is a problematic phenomena How to approach your workload so that you can avoid exhaustion. JONAH EGAN-PIMBLETT
As we approach the end of midterm season, we can look forward to the November break as a brief respite from the stress of school. Students often find themselves toeing a fine line between overworking and falling behind on coursework, and as the term progresses, many of us burn out trying to keep up. Burning out occurs when a person doesn’t have a healthy work-life balance — when they aren’t getting enough sleep, are working too much, aren’t getting enough exercise, don’t feel like they are being recognized for the work they do or lack the support of close friends. Students become increasingly susceptible to crumbling under pressure during midterm season. The phenomena of burning out can make a person overly cynical or cause them to lose their motivation to work.
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So here are a couple prevention methods that I have found helpful. First of all, make sure you are getting enough sleep. It can be tempting to cut back on a few hours of sleep here and there to put the finishing touches on that essay or finish up the readings for class, but it is equally important to make sure you are well rested. Studies have shown that lack of sleep not only negatively impacts our ability to concentrate but also hinders our ability to regulate emotions. So getting a good night’s rest will help you cope with the stress of school. Think about hitting the gym, despite how hard it can be to justify squeezing in a workout here and there. Studies have shown that regular exercise improves cognitive function — so you will be more productive with the time you devote to working on school work — and allows us to better handle the
stress when our assignments are fast approaching. A healthy body makes for a healthy mind. Getting involved in a student group on campus gives you an opportunity to be active in a community of like-minded individuals who are likely going through an equally harrowing experience. Suffering through it together reminds you that you are not alone, and you can always ask your peers for help. When it comes to workload, try to reframe the work that still has to get done and celebrate your successes. Often, I find it difficult to get started on a project when I look at what the end result should be. I will usually break a project into multiple smaller tasks, so I can more easily recognize the progress I’m making on any given day. That way, I can feel good about the work I complete without feeling bogged down by the amount of work that is
still to come. Treat a project like a recipe, and focus on completing each individual step. Before you know it, you’ll be well on your way to finishing an otherwise daunting task. Always pace yourself. Self-care is important, and making some time for yourself at the end of the day is critical. However, too much time off can also be a bad thing. You have to strike a balance between relaxing and ensuring that there is enough time to get everything done in a manner that you can feel good about. Sometimes, self-care means taking a bath at the end of the day, but it can also mean giving yourself enough time to get
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through your weekly readings without feeling rushed. As we approach the end of midterms and look forward to the break, remember to take it easy on yourself. However, you should also try to chisel away at some school work once you are re-energized — finals are just around the corner.
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The aftermath of a whirlwind campaign: Did you know there was a by-election? The Sheaf asks students for their take on USSU presidential politics. J.C. BALICANTA NARAG OUTREACH DIRECTOR
The by-election for the University of Saskatchewan Students’ Union president came and went, leaving a miniscule mark in the hearts of the students. In my opinion, it was a bitter-butnot-so-sweet election considering that 2,762 out of 18,175 undergraduate students voted. In this by-election, over 500 more students cast their votes than in the general election in March. Considering this marginal increase in voters, students express their skepticism in the platforms of the candidates. Nadia Ristau, a first-year arts and science student, says that, while she didn’t perceive any particular platform to be a standout, a lack of preparedness seemed like a consequence of the brief nature of the by-election. “I felt like most of the candidates were trying very hard to people please with their platforms… Given the time frame, it is understandable though,” Ristau said. However, David Hartman, a second-year Edwards School of Business student, points out that, although the campaigning period was fast, many of the platforms presented by the candidates, Hartman argues, were connected to the events of the last election. “While I recognize that they did not have a lot of time to prepare these platforms, a lot of them were reactionary to the last year’s events during the previous election,” Hartman said. “I feel like more effort needed to be put into establishing devices in why their points are important to the students of the U of S.” Some of the candidates’ platform points were about finding different measures to help survivors of sexual assault, violence and harassment. Aqsa Hussain, a second-year political studies student, says that she didn’t think all of the candidates were informed on the situations at hand, although they continued to
speak about it anyway. “There were a lot of people bringing up sexual assault without actually understanding what it was or how to deal with it,” Hussain said. Yashica Bither, a second-year physiology and pharmacology student, says that, even with the USSU, there are students or student groups that are under-represented, such as international students. “[International students] may not be here very long, … but they are still part of our university, even if it is for a short amount of time, … and I don’t know what the USSU has in mind for something like that,” Bither said. The platforms presented by each candidate for the by-election, which included items such as sexual-assault prevention and mental-health awareness, were already part of Rose Wu’s responsibilities as this year’s USSU vice-president student affairs. “I’m not sure what kind of debriefing they got about the position, but I felt that some of the candidates didn’t understand the roles and responsibilities of the positions,” Ristau said. The campaigning period was a meagre three days long — in an institution of more than 18,000 undergraduate students, this was not enough time for everyone to partake in the voting. The news of the by-election did not even reach some students. Jade Allard, a third-year environmental engineering student, was unaware that a by-election took place place. “Oh, damn,” Allard said. “That was a thing that happened?” Further, Allard says that the reason she may have missed out is because of her lack of interest in USSU affairs entirely. “Maybe if I had another four years at the university, I would care more about what happens with student politics,” Allard said. Allard might not be alone in this apathy — personally, the by-election was an anticlimactic event. Campaigning was already at a
disadvantage due to time constraints, something that was certainly noticeable in the haphazard platforms. After speaking with other students, I have come to realize that a core problem was the candidates’ lack of understanding surrounding the role of the USSU. Unfortunately, the candidates may have favoured buzzwords over substance and failed to listen to the demands of students, leaving many voters disinterested.
David Hartman 2018 USSU presidential candidates answer questions at a Q&A hosted by the Sheaf Publishing Soceity on Oct. 17.
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The bus rides that I’ll never forget Uncomfortably close quarters, strange smells and ways to make bus rides a little easier.
Yashica Bither
AQSA HUSSAIN
The common city bus can be a site for weird occurrences and somewhat traumatizing experiences alike. As a lifelong public-transit user, I have my share of stories — as I’m sure many do. Buckle up while I reveal some of the bizarre experiences I’ve had on the bus. Public transit is a necessity for many university students because parking is too expensive and many residence students don’t have their own cars. This does not mean every ride is as smooth as you’d like. Ishita Zaman, a second-year arts and science student, recalls the long wait times and the length of the bus rides. She notes a specific experience in which her outing lasted a lot longer than she had anticipated. “It was supposed to be a four-hour trip. It ended up taking, like, I think six hours,” Zaman said.
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Alongside lengthy trips, there’s also the potential for many unpleasant experiences on the bus. From drunk people not realizing that they’re yelling to people smoking weed or vaping on the bus, I have had my share of uncomfortable moments. In addition to strange events, there is also the awkwardness of being near strangers, which can provoke a visit from many people’s good old friend: social anxiety. You have to give up some of your personal space in order to use public transit. This can be as simple as having to sit beside someone or as uncomfortable as people stepping on your feet, grazing your hand or hitting you in the face with a backpack. In fact, the worst of my bus experiences is so ingrained into my head that I remember every little detail. It was a very cold morning as I waited for the bus. At 7:34 a.m., the wind was so strong
that the snow was stabbing like needles on my exposed face. Thankfully, the warm bus arrived, and I took a seat on one of the blue plastic seats near the back. I was sitting by my friend listening to a cover of “Where is My Mind” by FMLYBND when I realized that the bus had been stopped for far too long. I then picked up the strange scent of buttered popcorn. I watched as the bus driver hopped out of his seat and brought a small garbage bin to the back of the bus. The origin of the smell — some poor guy who didn’t quite have his public transit legs under him — grabbed the bin and ran out. We got to switch buses, but the smell of buttered popcorn continues to me haunt me to this day. I imagine it was an even worse experience for the puker. While many of these incidents are accidental and probably brought embarrassment or discomfort to
both parties, bus drivers have to deal with the worst of it. As someone who likes to put on my headphones and zone out, I can’t imagine the stress of having to deal with so many people while you are behind the wheel navigating the city. Yet, there are good moments that can occur on the bus as well — like seeing a little toddler smiling at you or a group of people switching seats so a family can sit together. And there are also some simple things that we can do to make the bus experience better for fellow passengers and drivers alike. We can all do our part to try not to wear strong scents that can bother those with sensitivities on the bus, to control our own volume and to take off our backpacks to make more room when standing on a crowded bus. It also doesn’t hurt to say thanks to your bus driver every once in a while.
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‘Punk Debate’ viewing party misadvertised, organizers just going with it PLACE RIEL — Some attendees of the Students for Subculture debate on Friday may be in for a surprise due to a misfortunate typo on the event’s official poster, which implies connection to a contentious political debate of a similar name occuring on the same day. Organizers of the event — Students for Subculture group members — have expressed online that there is no correlation between their “Punk Debates: The Rise of Mosh Mentality” event and the national debate event set to occur at Roy Thomson Hall in Toronto, Ont., between former Trump campaign adviser Steve Bannon and editor of The Atlantic David Frum. However, printed media advertising the event does suggest otherwise. David Scotts — second-year philosophy student and Students for Subculture group critic, which is an annually elected position on the club’s executive team — says the oversight was negligent but may prove beneficial for the event’s overall turnout. “Tom’s a shitty graphic designer. We should never have appointed him, but we thought
the man at least could proof his work,” Scotts said, referring to his co-team-member Thomas Schlitzberg. “Hopefully, people don’t walk out and leave, but at least it’ll bring more [of them] through the door.” The Students for Subculture campus group has been a ratified organization at the University of Saskatchewan since 1988. Initially emerging as a Glenn Danzig fan club, the group has since developed into a broader grassroots organizing space for students with an interest in punk culture. The “Punk Debates: The Rise of Mosh Mentality” viewing party is set to take place in Place Riel North Concourse at 4 p.m. on Nov. 2. Scotts describes the event as a livestreamed discussion between members of prominent hardcore-punk bands about the observed shift in crowd behaviour over the years and how live-audience reception impacts tonal exploration within the genre.
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Songwriters are no strangers to loneliness. While some create soundscapes to seek solace from isolation, fewer choose to immerse themselves in it. With his new album, Highway Dancer, Edmonton-raised Calvin Love embraces the void and encourages listeners to do the same. Like a deep-space desperado on a lonesome interstellar journey, Love hitches classic conceits in country music to spacey and sprawling arrangements as he sets his sonic sights on themes of love, imperfection and loneliness. And for the most part, this musical marksman’s aim stays true. If you’ve been gunning to go on an extraterrestrial expedition of your own, join Love by listening to the album’s title track.
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GENERAL MEETING NOVEMBER 22, 2018 6:00 P.M ROOM 143 ARTS BRING YOUR STUDENT CARD PIZZA & POP WILL BE PROVIDED ALL BYLAW AMENDMENTS MUST BE EMAILED TO GM@USSU.CA, BY 4:30 P.M. NOVEMBER 2, 2018
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