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WEEKLY NEWSPAPER OF THE SAIT STUDENTS’ ASSOCIATION SEPTEMBER 28, 2015
EVERY MONDAY THEWEAL.COM
VOLUME 90, ISSUE 03
SET FIRE TO THE FEST PAGE 7
ROLLIN' IN THE SUITES
PAGE 3
HOMETOWN DERBY
PAGE 9
CHASING BEANS
PAGE 10
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September 28, 2015 | theWeal.com NEWS EDITOR Jeff Wiehler
NEWS WRITER Stephanie Joe
A&E EDITOR Nikki Celis
A&E WRITER
News
What’s happening in your community
It’s the time of year to test for radon Radon is the second leading cause of lung cancer, and it is preventable
AV Anderson
LIFESTYLE EDITOR
Jeff Wiehler News Editor
Lambie J. Carruthers
LIFESTYLE WRITER Claire McMillan
OPINIONS EDITOR Chelsea Lees
OPINIONS WRITER Position Available
SPORTS EDITOR Kyle Meller
It is well known that smoking is the leading cause of lung cancer, but the second leading cause is nothing to ignore. Individuals in basement suites or with basement bedrooms should take special note about radon, a gas that naturally seeps up from rocks in the ground and can collect in basements.
“We hate to scare people, but it is something people have to be aware of,” said Jeff Cummings, media specialist for The Lung Association of Alberta and Northwest Territories. “Ever y home has some concentration of radon, the question is how much?” Radon is a naturally occurring gas that is colourless and odourless, and it is created through the
radioactive decay of uranium in rocks. The gas usually seeps to the surface and into the atmosphere, where the concentration of the gas does not lead to substantive health effects. However, radon can collect in high concentrations in buildings and can lead to increased risk of lung cancer. “That’s why it is really important to get radon tested,” said Cummings.
Radon testing kits are available through The Lung Association for $40 or at home improvement stores, and tests can take months to complete. The best time to test for radon is in the winter months because indoor radon concentration peaks when windows are closed and less outdoor air circulates inside. Since radon is heavier than atmospheric air, it tends to collect in base-
SPORTS WRITER
FAST FACTS ABOUT RADON
Jordan Johnson
PHOTO EDITOR Ryan Wellicome
STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER Adam Dullum
STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER Andy Maxwell Mawji
ILLUSTRATIONS EDITOR Wingz Siu
WEB MASTER Andrew Pittman
LAYOUT EDITOR Hayley Banyard
LAYOUT ASSISTANT
COVER PHOTOS Ryan Wellicome
8.1%:
Dwellings in Calgary Health Region that are above Health Canada’s guidelines for indoor radon concentration
1 in 10: Risk of lung cancer for lifetime smoker
1 in 3: Risk of lung cancer for lifetime smoker with exposure to radon
16%: Lung cancer deaths related to radon exposure
CONTRIBUTORS Kaitlyn Magee Kimmi Nguyen
Direct letters, questions and concerns to:
MANAGING EDITOR Brent Calver ph. 284-8458 / fax 210-4216
ADVERTISING INQUIRIES
Brent Calver, Publications Manager ph. 284-8077 / fax 210-4216 Advertising deadlines Bookings Monday @ noon Published every Monday during the academic year by SAITSA (SAIT Students’ Association). The Weal V219, 1301-16 Ave. N.W. Calgary, Alberta T2M 0L4 Fax: 403-210-4216 The Weal serves the SAIT community by promoting student activities, presenting news of interest to its members, and by fostering a learning environment in which members may participate; the newspaper is supported by student fees. The Weal is a member of the Associated Collegiate Press and the Canadian University Press. Contents do not reflect the views of SAIT or SAITSA. Printed direct-to-plate Adobe Acrobat International Web exPress.
Canadian University Press
DUTY CALLS September 17 Theft (Private Property) At approximately 5:01 p.m., campus security received a call from a Wellness Centre staff member repor ting a locker break in at the Wellness Centre in the Campus Centre. At approximately 5:04 p.m., security was onsite and met with a SAIT student. The student repor ted that he had placed his belongings into a locker in the WC at approximately 4 p.m. and when he returned his belongings were missing. September 18 Theft (Private Property) At approximately 12:40 p.m., a SAIT student attended the security office to repor t that his bicycle had been stolen. The student repor ted that he had locked his bicycle to a bicycle rack near the E.H.
Crandell south exterior at approximately 6 p.m. on Sept. 15, and when he returned on Sept. 18, he found the lock cut and the bicycle missing. The student was also advised to repor t the theft to Calgar y Police Ser vice. September 19 Disorderly Conduct/ Disturbance At approximately 12:06 a.m., security received a repor t of an altercation that had just taken place in the Begin Tower Residence. At approximately 12:08 a.m., security was onsite and was directed by a residence staff member to a SAIT student/resident (student A) that had been involved in the altercation. Security met with student A, who repor ted he had asked a guest to leave his suite as the guest was intoxicated and had become aggressive. Student
A repor ted that the guest attempted to re-enter student A’s suite before finally being escor ted offcampus by an unidentified individual. During a review of CCTV in the area, security was able to determine that another student/ resident (student B) got into a physical altercation with the guest at approximately 12:01 a.m. but the altercation was broken up by a number of unidentified individuals. Following the altercation, the guest
ANDY MAXWELL MAWJI PHOTO
and another individual were then obser ved being escor ted out by student A and two other unidentified individuals. September 21 Property Damage At approximately 11:32 a.m. during patrol, campus security obser ved graffiti on the men’s fieldhouse washroom near the east exterior of the Campus Center. The graffiti consisted of crayon drawings of people and writing. Security photographed the graffiti.
ments. For individuals living in basement suites or sleeping in the basements, testing is vital. If radon is present in high concentrations, mitigation methods include drilling ventilation holes into foundations to redirect the gas outside. Cummings noted fixes are “fairly pricey,” and mitigation is a particular barrier for tenants in secondar y suites. The Health Canada guideline for interior radon concentration is below 200 Bq/m³, however there are no legal requirements for homeowners or landlords to fix buildings that exceed the guideline. For tenants in rental suites, Cummings recommended having a conversation with the landlord about radon and getting a test kit if the suite has not been recently tested. The Lung Association is preparing for Lung Month in November, and Cummings said they are tr ying to connect people with testing kits and spread the word about the dangers of radon. “We have really been focusing heavily on our radon campaign because people are aware of smoking, but not a lot of people are aware of radon,” said Cummings. “We are really tr ying to get the word out.”
From the logs of paladin security
theWeal.com | September 28, 2015
3
More can be done to implement aboriginal studies into SAIT’s curriculum
RYAN WEILLICOME PHOTO
Stephanie Joe News Writer Coordinator of SAIT’s Chinook Lodge, Angela Grier, said there could be more done in the institution to accommodate aboriginal customs and traditions. Grier spoke with a panel that was held in SAIT’s Chinook Lodge on Friday, Sept. 18, 2015. The panel talked about issues put forth by the Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC). Grier felt that SAIT could be doing more to implement aboriginal ideologies. “This particular campus is very challenging to indigenize,” said Grier. “There’s a reason behind that, and it’s because we’re a polytechnic. But does that mean there is no space for an indigenous or a diverse perspective in the classrooms?”
Grier’s perception is that just because SAIT is based on rigorous standardized teachings and methodologies, it does not mean aboriginal culture does not fit into the curriculum. “I have a hard time saying it can’t be done,” said Grier. “Yet, when I look at the curriculum and the programming here at the school there is a huge absence of indigenous perspective and foundation. "This is not acceptable.” Mardi Edmunds, articling student at Maurice Law, spoke on the panel that was held on Friday. Her experience mirrors what Grier has mentioned. “I went through an entire university degree, not ever hearing anything about indigenous perspective and residential schools,” said Edmunds.
“It seems very wrong that you can do a quick month here and there [in aboriginal history] in your first year and never touch it again.” She believes there is a solution to this issue and it involves making native studies mandatory in all programs. “I think that people should know and care, but that’s not the reality,” she said. “I think that once people are educated on the issues, they do care because they start to see how important it is and that we have had this huge chunk of history hidden from us. "I definitely think it needs to be implemented on all levels of education.” Racquel Fraser, an associate at Maurice Law, was another speaker on the TRC talk on Friday. Fraser said there needs to be awareness training for students and staff,
especially in the media and journalism programs. “In the past, I think indigenous people have been portrayed as the savages and the violent,” said Fraser. "Or that we’re completely helpless.” She doesn’t always agree with the way the media portrays the indigenous, but Fraser thinks that with sympathy and understanding, a happy medium can be reached. “I think in changing some of the ways that we, not only just in photograph but also in print, the way that certain people are being captured, needs to be more respectful,” said Fraser. “I think that’s something that can be taught to broaden people’s world view and be able to report more wholesome and more balanced accounts of different events that are happening in the world.”
Secondary suites still a priority Despite the rejection of inner city secondary suites at city hall, hopes for legalization persist Jeff Wiehler News Editor A motion for widespread legislation and regulation of secondar y suites was not approved last June by Calgar y city council, but that is not stopping suppor ters at city hall and on campus. Councillor Druh Farrell, whose ward encompasses the SAIT campus, has been a strong proponent of secondar y suites and the rejection last June is not stopping her push to promote safer and more affordable suites.
“It’s a priority,” said Carol Armes, executive assistant to Farrell, but noted that “it hasn’t gone all that well” at Calgar y city hall. On June 29, a notice of motion that would have permitted and regulated secondar y suites in Wards 7, 8, 9 and 11 was rejected by a vote of 9-6. A secondar y suite is an additional unit in a single-detached house (such as a basement suite). In Calgar y they are only permitted in specific zoning districts and are regulated to include separate entrances and utili-
ties, meaning many secondar y suites in the city are illegal. “The administration is still tr ying to do some things to make sure suites that aren’t safe are brought into code,” said Armes. At the end of this past summer, the process to apply for secondar y suite permits was eased. Armes said updating suites instead of closing them down is preferable to ensure there is enough affordable housing, in addition to safe housing. “Of course, safety is a priority.”
Joshua Bettle, vice president external of SAIT students’ association, echoed Armes concerns of safety and said secondar y suite regulation helps tenants “have the law beside them.” With recent changes to the rental market, Bettle said city hall might be less interested in secondar y suite reform. “I don’t think it will be as pressing this year,” said Bettle, considering the rise of vacancy rates. Bettle is still ready to advocate for secondar y suites if students express concern. “I still want it to be on our radar.”
New SAITSA app sets bar high 4
September 28, 2015 | theWeal.com
Stephanie Joe News Writer SAITSA released a new mobile app this semester, and the makers of the app have been impressed with how fast students are downloading it and making connections. Shona Sutherland is the communications coordinator for SAITSA, and said OOHLALA Mobile, a Montreal-based company that is behind the app, was blown away by how well the app was doing in regards to downloads. “We are so happy with the numbers and the activity on there,” said Sutherland. “We seem to be really amazing [OOHLALA Mobile] with the amount of registered users.” “I guess that’s the most they’ve seen on any school they’ve started.” Sutherland was pleased with how many social connections were made through the app. “People are able to have a conversation on [the app’s] wall. So having that social part of it really helped,” said Sutherland. This app is not the first mobile platform used by SAITSA. Last year they released a CampusQuad app, but going with OOHLALA Mobile allowed the app to be SAITSA specific. The SAITSA app has the ability for SAITSA staff to update news, events, student groups, campus deals, student information, and it also features an extensive message board for discussions, ride sharing, housing, lost and found, and a marketplace.
SAIT student Israel Maya, second year of the business administration program, felt the app is great for helping people find things and for recruiting people to join clubs. “I like to help people,” said Maya. “Sometimes, when they’re asking [a question], if I happen to know the answer, I reply.” Maya’s overall opinion of the app is positive. “It’s really useful and addictive.” Maya would like to see the app more accommodating towards individual classes, and being able to talk to your classmates, personally. “It could be a little easier on the chat part and being able to contact your classmates,” says Maya. “I’m guessing all people have not added their classes.” Alyrah Lobo, first year business administration student, found the student feed entertaining, but she would like to see the app be more schedule friendly. “I hoped it would link my schedule directly on that app,” said Lobo. Other than that, Lobo is pleased with a platform to promote her club. “I guess I’m going to use the app to promote the international student club,” said Lobo. “Because, I am one of the executives of the international student club.” Her overall opinion of the app remained clear. “It’s very positive. Very. It’s excellent.”
SAITSA President Brigitte Matheson shows off the new SAITSA app in Campus Centre on Friday, Sept. 18, 2015.
ANDY MAXWELL MAWJI PHOTOS
theWeal.com | September 28, 2015
Lifestyle
5
Your life outside of the classroom
Up-cycled clothing Claire McMillan Lifestyles Writer Old clothes can make a person feel brand new when they have been refashioned into unique fashion forward pieces. Local up-cycled clothing businesses design pieces for individuals looking for clothing at a reasonable cost. Kelly Trueman, manager at Urban Thrift, a consignment store, said refashioning clothing is now trendier than ever before and the younger generation is specifically interested in these pieces. “It’s the new trend that’s starting with the hipsters,” she said. “They are more conscious of the environment." Urban Thrift has been in business for more than ten years and sees no sign of slowing down even in
a slow economy, said the 23-year-old. The store is located in the city’s northeast and carries a variety of sizes from small to plus size, including popular vintage retro pieces. Prices for up-cycled ladies tops vary between $5-$12 apiece. Inventory includes clothing items for all ages. Recently, a variety of multi-cultural items have come into the store such as saris, traditional wedding garments, Muslim and African pieces, said Trueman. “We have a wide range of prices and items,” said Trueman. Their most popular items include ladies tops. Some are fancy and some are for everyday wear that is more casual, she said. Carol-Lynn Jackson is a designer at another local
up-cycling store, The Thrifty Princess, and has been refashioning clothing for the past three years. The local artist took an interest in refashioning clothing three years ago when she wanted to redirect her art to a better market. “I look at them as art and collages,” said Jackson. She began designing jewellery and making fabric collages. She then started refashioning jean jackets, her specialty, and experimenting with different things. “Everybody wants a jean jacket." By using vintage fabrics, lace, and words, she sews materials onto her creations. Another look she is going for is the unfinished look, where pieces are not completely finished for desired effect. “I like things that are deconstructed,” said Jackson.
sentences is her chosen way of studying. However, the convenience of function keys and software has its advantages Rudiger said. “Using command F is really handy when I need to find something over having to flip through 1,200 pages.” A recent study held Stavanger University in Norway, suggested that people who read ebooks recall less than when they read from paper, according to Anne Mangen, lead researcher on the study. The study was based on 50 readers who were given a short story to read, with half using a Kindle and the other half in a paperback. The readers were later given a questionnaire asking them to recall aspects of the story such as characters, settings and plot. The results were roughly the same except when it came to questions about when events occurred and arranging plot points, in the story, in which the digital readers scored half as well as the paperback readers.
Mangen chaired another European research project that studied the effects of digitization on text reading. “Research shows that the amount of time spent reading long-form texts is in decline, due to digitization, reading is becoming more intermittent and fragmented,” according to the study. The study included empirical evidence indicating that affordances of screen devices might negatively impact cognitive and emotional aspects of reading. Mangen concluded that, “the haptic and tactile feedback of a Kindle does not provide the same support for mental reconstruction of a story as a print pocketbook does.” Since the human brain was not designed for reading, but adapted to understand letters and text, reading is possible by constructing a mental representation of the text by placing the word on the page, according to “Constructing structure maps of multiple on-line texts” published in the
HAYLEY BANYARD ILLUSTRATION
Since all of her items are original, nothing she makes will look like anything else. “If somebody likes my aesthetic, they are going to like my clothes.” she said. However, artistic creation isn’t the only reason people have an interest in up-cycling clothes. In a slow economy, people don’t want to over spend on clothing. Trueman also suggests
that by recycling clothing they support workers in third world countries that have unhealthy working conditions. “They use thousands of gallons of water (making clothes) each day,” she said. “We want to lessen the impact.” The younger generation seems particularly interested in making environmentally sound choices. This includes fashion.
“They are more conscious of the environment,” said Trueman. Additionally, Urban Thrift uses quality control. The store only sells items of high quality. “We try to keep things fresh and use quality control." “I can only see this trend going up,” said Trueman. “It’s a popular thing to do.”
International Journal of Human-Computer Studies. Mangen hypothesizes the difference between paperback readers and digital readers might have something to do with the tactile experience the paperback lends itself to. She explained how it might have something to do with the fact that the
fixity of text on paper and the gradual unfolding of the paper through the story has a kind of sensory offload, supporting the visual sense of progress during reading. A study conducted in Cambridge by Kenton O’Hara and Abigail Sellen on the comparison of reading paper and online docu-
ments supports the idea that “reading paper supports annotation while reading, quick navigation, and flexibility of special layout.” The article concludes that reading paper allows readers to understand the content on a deeper level and grasp a deeper sense of its structure.
Unearthing a new bookworm Lambie J. Carruthers Lifestyles Editor Since the first Kindle came out in 2007, there has been debate over whether ebooks have the same psychological effect as a traditional paperback. Andrea Rudiger, a second-year architecture technician student at SAIT, said she prefers reading paper to ebooks. “I like holding something tangible and the feel of flipping through the pages,” she said, adding by the end of a long day of working on a computer screen she’s had enough. The Kobo that Rudiger owns hasn’t been used since the battery died two years ago. “Maybe I’m old fashioned, but I just keep buying books instead of replacing the battery,” she said. When it comes to class work and note taking, Rudiger explained that it depends on the situation. For annotation and note taking, printing off notes and highlighting
Facing an unplanned pregnancy? Let’s talk options... Talk 403.270.8228
Text 403.519.7927
THE ‘88 LEGACY FUND CAN HELP YOU REACH YOUR GOALS Attention to All Student and Staff Do you require Funding for a Special Project? Any project that will benefit the SAIT Community will be considered for funding by the ‘88 Legacy Committee. The Committee meets annually to hear funding proposals and to determine which proposals can be funded from the interest income from SAIT’s Olympic Legacy fund.
This year there will be $48,000 to award to projects that will benefit the SAIT Community. The next ‘88 Legacy meeting is Monday, December 1, 2014. Please submit your proposal to Melissa Hanley electronically, or to MA323, Office of the CFO & Senior VP, by Friday, October 31, 2014.
Individuals or groups that are part of or associated with the SAIT community are eligible to submit proposals.
E-mail melissa.hanley@sait.ca or call 403-774-4691 for an ‘88 Legacy Fund application template.
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September 28, 2015 | theWeal.com
Arts & Entertainment
Culture for the SAIT community
Equinox Vigil ushers a secular, creative space to mourn for recently dead Nikki Celis Photos by Brent Calver A&E Editor Union Cemeter y, Saturday, was alit with lanterns and music as visitors mourned the loss of loved ones during the four th annual Equinox Vigil. The vigil, held from 6:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m., commemorated the deceased—particularly Michael Greene and Richard McDowell, founding members of One Yellow Rabbit theatre-company—with an inclusive, non-religious ceremony intended to pay respect to the dead and “ref lect the natural cycle of life and death itself,” according to founder Sharon Stevens in a press release. Without being tied down with ritual or tradition, visitors were given an inventive and creative space that featured an intersection of music, ar t, and dance—most notably with dancer and choreographer Kr ysten Blair’s two-par t piece, Rico.Blair, dedicated to Greene and McDowell. Jenna Swift, a volunteer of the event
as well as a former par ticipant of the vigil two years ago with her installation Every thing that Dies Turns to Paper, said the event “invites and validates so many different peoples’ traditions and personal approaches to grief and loss.” The event is especially per tinent to the non-religious as it offers a space for them to grieve without the need of a par ticular faith. “This is my own experience, but a number of people probably find that the notion of prayer comes with a cer tain amount of baggage,” Swift said. “What is approved by a script lacks meaning for those who have inherited it. “[The vigil] is an incredible invitation [for those people] to write their own script. “I know how meaningful this is for my family,” she said. “It’s become kind of a pole—a mile marker that we wait for its approach ever y year “I can’t recommend it enough for ever yone to experience this kind of magic.”
“
It’s become kind of a pole—a mile marker that we wait for its approach every year
”
FROM TOP TO BOTTOM RIGHT: Dancers from the School Of Alberta Ballet hold a performance honouring the lives of Richard McDowell and Michael Green. The setting sun shines through a stone cross during the Equinox Vigil. A light-hearted memorial to the penny sits among headstones of the event aimed at reducing the stigma around death. Rayne-Anne Latchford gives a historic account of some of the Calgarians interred at the Union Cemetery. BRENT CALVER PHOTOS
theWeal.com | September 28, 2015
Film festival offers bridge to both audience and filmmakers Kaitlyn Magee Weal Writer Audience members and filmmakers alike will have the chance to catch local and internationally directed films with this year’s Calgary International Film Festival (CIFF). Running from Sept. 23 to Oct. 4, the festival is held annually in multiple downtown locations and presents a unique opportunity for international and local talent to be brought together. The festival features a diverse and far-flung billing. Films such Shim Sung-Bo’s Sea Fog (2014), and Gabriele Salvatore’s Invisible Boy (2014), hail from Korea and Italy, respectively. With such a varied selection, Steve Schroeder, executive director of CIFF, said bringing both international and local filmmakers together “allows for local talent to see how their story compares in a wider context.”
It can also inspire filmmakers and has, in the past, presented opportunities for film collaborations. Thomas Robert Lee, director of the film Empyrean, said it is important for “us as a species, we need to come together, challenge each other and continue to raise the bar.” “You can’t separate how the audience benefits and how the filmmakers benefit,” said Schroeder. “Unlike movies coming out of Hollywood or coming to the big screen, audience members can actually interact with the filmmakers and ask them questions.” Schroeder said CIFF works as a bridge for the filmmakers and viewers, assisting artists with f inding t heir
audience—and if they can connect the two, they consider their mission fulfilled. Lee had attended the festival for nearly a decade before he participated as a filmmaker and said the whole festival has a positive vibe around it. He’s honoured to be a part of CIFF. The arts also have something to gain from the festival by bringing in new cultures, perspectives, and ideas through film. The festival also brings new and emerging filmmakers to the attention of the general audience.
Lee claims all the festivals including CIFF work together to enrich Calgary culturally and said that every year the festival gets bigger, expressing that the festival is a great way to see films you may not get to see normally. “In a society, it’s important to have artists because the artist expresses the society's voice,” Schroeder said.
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“For Calgary to be known in the world we must have artists.” Tickets are available at w w w.calga ry film. com.
ELIZABETH CAMERON PHOTO
September 28, 2015 | theWeal.com
HAPPENING
what's
Gathered by Nikki Celis
OCTOBER 3 VAN GINKEL ART GALLERY Calgary International Flamenco Festival’s Flamenco Exhibition 12 p.m.
OCTOBER 3 THE PALOMINO Wreckless Eric w/ The Fags, The Tontos 9 p.m. $12 Advance OCTOBER 2 THE NITEOWL Transit w/ The Velveteins, The Wisers 8:30 p.m. $15 Doors OCTOBER 2 BROKEN CITY The Lad Mags (Final Show!) w/ Crystal Eyes, Forever 9 p.m. $11 OCTOBER 1 BROKEN CITY Crosss w/ Set, Bog Bodies 9 p.m. $9
OCTOBER 1 GOOD LUCK BAR Astro Travellin Thursdays 9 p.m. SEPT. 28-OCT. 18 VERTIGO THEATRE I’ll Be Back Before Midnight 7 p.m. $40 Adult / $28 Student
SEPTEMBER 30 CHURCH OF THE REDEEMER Calgary International Flamenco Festival’ s Flamenco At Noon 12 p.m.
SEPT. 30-OCT. 4 BIG SECRET THEATRE ARTS COMMONS Letters: Striving Through Connection Wed.-Fri. 7:30 p.m. Sat.-Sun. 2 p.m. $30 door
SEPTEMBER 29 COMMONWEALTH BAR & STAGE Braids w/ Guests 8 p.m. $20 doors
SEPT. 28-OCT. 3 LUNCHBOX THEATRE What Gives? 12 p.m. $25 Adult / $20 Student
SEPTEMBER 30 COMMONWEALTH BAR & STAGE Divepool w/ Slee Pkit, Melted Mirror 9 p.m. Tickets at door
SEPT. 28-30 WALLACE GALLERIES Shi Le: Stream of Light
SEPTEMBER 29 NITE OWL Nite Owl Presents: Jupiter Comedy 8 p.m. SEPT. 23-OCT. 4 VARIOUS LOCATIONS Calgary International Film Festival
weekly
8
MONDAY BROKEN CITY Stand-up Comedy 7 p.m. SATURDAY BROKEN CITY Old School Hip-Hop 9 p.m. WEDNESDAY THE PLAZA THEATRE Late Night at the Plaza 10 p.m.
By Levin C. Handy (per http://hdl.loc.gov/loc.pnp/cwpbh.04326) [Public domain], via Wikimedia Commons
You don’t have to sit in school to stand among greatness. › Thomas Edison: Relentless Inventiveness Failure is no biggie. Just ask Edison. If he stopped at failure, he would never have moved on to invent a little thing called the light bulb. So if you’ve failed a class somewhere else, or have a scheduling conflict, come on over. You can catch up with our world-recognized online courses, then move on to bigger successes. Talk about a light bulb moment.
open. online. everywhere. go.athabascau.ca/online-courses
theWeal.com | September 28, 2015
Sports
9
Sports news and views for the SAIT community
Making strides for men's roller derby This ain't your mama's roller derby Kyle Meller Sports Editor Laces tight, Jim Bourne looks around the room as he and his fellow teammates get ready to go out for another roller derby game. It’s very rare that there’s a stigma about men playing a sport of any kind, and yet the Glenmore Reservoir Dogs sit as Calgary’s only men’s roller derby team. Their outfits—a t-shirt resembling a suit and tie—and black shorts are very apropos to the team name. A simple team motto sets the tone, “Rule number one: No real names.” And it’s definitely not a serious bunch with names like “Poppa Chubby,” whose number is seven and a half, and “Flustercluck.” A quick look online at the Calgary Roller Derby Association website yields little luck for the dudes looking to join in on the fun. Chinook City Roller Derby club offers the co-ed option, which team member Brangwyn Jones sought, after he moved here from Fredericton, N.B. back in 2012. “The fast paced activity just had an appeal to me. Jones said in an AMA on the website Reddit, "Years of being in the military had me used to being a part of a team yet I had never really played team sports. "I had never learned how to actually play hockey, so that sport was out of reach for me.” Bourne has been playing since he was invited to a game in Victoria, BC, back in 2009. However, he started out as a referee, and then quickly made the transition to a player. “It’s really easy to get caught up in playing the game.”
Bourne had made the large roster for Canada’s national team in 2014 for the world cup, but six weeks before competition he broke his left ankle. For the 2016 world cup, here in Calgary, Bourne said confidently, “I’ll be on the team.” The training regimen is similar to those athletes who play in the CFL or even Canada’s national rugby team. Bourne is in the gym five days a week, partakes in three practices and is always on his quads (fancy term for those two row skates) whenever he gets the chance. Roller Derby, as it currently is played, has only been around since 2004 when the Women’s Flat Track Derby Association
was founded; now, it currently stands at 315 member leagues. “It star ted as a way to empower women through spor t.” Bourne said roller derby is the fastest growing spor t in the world. For those uninitiated to the spor t, what was once a rowdy affair has become a game of “strategy and defense.” “It’s not the spor t it used to be.” Two teams of five enter the f lat oval track for 30-minute halves with the winner being the team with the most points at the end of the competition. In layman’s terms, scoring is done when the Jammer (a position on the
team), successfully laps the other remaining teammates (the blockers and pivot). These scoring sessions, called jams, can last for up to two minutes with the total possible score for each team being five per successful team lap. Bourne said the game now hinges around defense. As with most up and coming spor ts, marketing is a huge problem. “Marketing costs money,” Bourne laughs. In five years, the hope is to get 2-3 men’s teams in Calgar y to practice with in the off-season. “This is definitely the most fun I’ve had on skates.”
Jim Bourne and teammates The Dogs attempt to keep opposing players from crossing the line. Saturday, Sept. 19, 2015.
ADAM F. DULLUM PHOTO
Cross country team treats season like a marathon Jordan Johnston Sports Writer SAIT Trojan’s cross-country team is aiming for success; they are hoping to finish within the top three at championships. “It’ll be tough this year,” said one of the team’s coaches, Bre Langley. “I think we can definitely achieve it.” The track team is aiming to finish in the top three in both men's and women's. Langley said they’re currently working on getting back into the swing of things and getting to know the team. Sean Hickey, the team veteran said they have a pretty good team with the returning and new athletes. “Everyone is working hard together,” said Hickey. “I think that’s what makes the team stronger.” According to Hickey, SAIT is one of the bigger schools in Alberta Colleges Athletic Conference (ACAC), so it gives them a bit of an advantage having a bigger team. Not every athlete has to compete every weekend and it gives him or her a bit of a break. Although Langley said the team is struggling to get enough women, she is confident that they will pull through. “Our goal is to be as prepared as we can for Championships this year on October 31,” she said. Track is still new to ACAC said Hickey; it has only been recognized by ACAC for four years.
“There’s still a lot of years to grow it,” said Hickey. “Records are still constantly being broken; it’s definitely exciting because it’s so new.” Langley said her favourite part about being a coach is getting to see the athletes grow and improve. She also liked how everybody is excited to be at practice and train. “It’s great being a part of their successes,” she said. “It’s a great feeling, like you had something to do with it.” Hickey said Langley and assistant coach Ryan Edgar do a good job coaching together. “They work well together and have a great dyamic between the two of them,” said Hickey. He said Edgar has been a great asset to the team because he brings experience to the team having formerly been a sprinter with the U of C team. “He’s good at keeping everyone motivated and creating a good team atmosphere,” said Hickey. “I’ve had a lot of good experience being with the Trojans.” Hickey said when he first came to SAIT he wasn’t here to play sports, he came for the business administration program. “I am happy I joined the team because of the experiences and the people I’ve met and the friends that I’ve made,” he said. “ It’s a lot of work to play at that level of competition, but it’s great to be part of a group like that.”
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September 28, 2015 | theWeal.com
Opinions
Your student government working for you
SAIT's new central perk Chelsea Lees Opinions Editor Recent switch to Phil and Sebastians coffee supply at SAIT’s favourite Odyssey Coffeehouse has left some coffee drinkers with a different taste in their mouths and less money in their pockets. Only a few months ago did our beloved coffee shop undergo a reorganization of management, but already coffee drinkers can expect big changes from its local watering hole. We aren’t just talking our afternoon cup of tea—which we discussed last week as being a vast improvement. We are talking the liquid gold that helps you commit to your day. “[We have] taken a huge step from what it used to be like,” said Becky Russell, Odyssey barista for the past two and a half years. Russell has been working at the café for longer than any of her coworkers, and subsequently finds herself impressed by the recent changes. Local coffee roaster to Calgary, Phil and Sebastian’s has a reputation for providing a different taste that appeals to a narrower audience. Some find the brew to be a little more acidic than the run-of-the-mill Tim Horton’s. Drinkers committed to the bean have even discussed this bitterness in forums online, some even demonstrating re-roasting to decrease acidity using Phil and Sebastian’s as the example bean. To enhance the coffee drinking experience of her fellow students, Phil and Sebastian’s sent Russell and her co-workers on a rather intensive training course. This caffeinated workshop taught them everything from brewing correctly to latte art—that cute design on the foam of your frothy beverage. Phil and Sebastian even sent their own coffee experts to calibrate the espresso machines, so as not to throw any of their pickier drinkers. Russell said she for one likes the Phil and Sebastian coffee change, and is quite on board with the new commitment to a locally roasted, prouder tasting coffee. While local is always a better option, the new brew is evoking indifferent reac-
tions despite immense efforts to please the connoisseurs. What was once a large cup for $2.00, is now $2.25. But what is a few extra cents in a coffee pot brimming with expert brew and calibrated quality? Enzo Garcia, who works the Odyssey during the morning rush, said there seemed to be little comment on the change. Garcia also mentioned that people who know and love coffee like the change, as it is a step up from the coffee that was being offered up last year. The Odyssey’s previous coffee vendor was Mother Parkers, who also supplies chains such as McDonald’s.
Let’s face it, the two best things about the coffee from before the management change is that it was reliably cheap and caffeinated. Don’t fear $1.25 refills are still available, but if you forget your travel mug you will have to pay a little extra. Jocelyn Colaiezzi, SAIT student’s association operations manager, comments that the price change was necessary, and not a result of the fancier brew. The student market is certainly a less obvious target for Phil and Sebastian, though, when you think about it. A student budget is typically non-discriminatory to the quality of a cup of coffee, as long as it gets the job done.
It’s kind of like being forced a fine wine (a very dry fine wine), when all you are trying to do is get drunk. It also seems unlikely that anyone is going to complain about the poor calibration of an espresso machine. Still, they are clearly charging us f or the distinction. Maybe the objective is to educate a whole generation of impressionable coffee drinkers about the finer side of their favourite morning liquid. Perhaps Phil and Sebastian’s coffee is right in line with SAIT’s agenda after all— making the world a better place through eye opening experience and refinement - one cup of coffee at a time.
Campus Comment
Journalism student Ryan Wellicome asks "What's your take on bike lanes?"
"I think it's a healthy option.
"Fine, because there's not
"I think they are a great idea,
"I don't bike much, but it's not
"I think they're useful to an
On one hand they are perfect
one on every street. In winter
but just not the right city for it."
good for major roads."
extent, but I don't see many
transportation, but in the winter
opening up the lane again for
it's useless."
cars might be good."
"I love them"
people using them."
Victoria Suprun
Cameron Collins
Connor Mctavish
Alicia Schmaltz
Matthew Hopp
Ryan Calina
Medical Laboratory Technology
Heavy Equipment Operation
Mechanical Engineering
Library Information Technology
Automotive Service Technology
Automotive Service Technology
Apprentice
Technology
First-year
Second-year
Second-year
First-year
First year
First year
Executive Corner
theWeal.com | September 28, 2015
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Your student government working for you
It’s not the grades you make, it’s the hands you shake one will be successful in the long term—the contacts you build though, can make all the difference. Here are two reasons you should get to know your instructor:
1. They help you understand the things you don’t get
I like to think that most instructors choose to teach because they’re passionate about what they do and want to share their knowledge. The material might be boring, but a good instructor can make learning it interesting and fun. However, everybody has a different learning style. When you find yourself stuck on a particular concept, ask your instructor if they can reframe it for you. Leverage this into making it work for your personal learning style— if you’re a visual learner, perhaps the instructor can clarify the concept with a drawing or chart. And for goodness sake, don’t take advantage of this kindness—you’re asking for clarification, not for your instructor to re-teach everything to you. However, if you do find yourself constantly struggling with course material, please consider speaking with someone in Accessibility Services. Adults who struggle with school and work may have undiagnosed learning disabilities, but there is help available. For more information or to book an appointment, call 403-774-5093 or visit the Lamb Learner Success Centre. MIKAELA MACKENZIE PHOTO
Kimmi Nguyen SAITSA VP Academic As students, it’s in our best interest to get to know our instructors. They are knowledgeable and have real world experience in industry but even more than that—they oversee our grades. But grades only play a small part in student success. Having amazing grades doesn’t always mean that
2. They know what it takes to succeed
I took a course this past summer where I studied primarily from the textbook. I got good marks on my assignments. I thought everything was going to plan. But when it came to the midterm, I could not figure it out and I ended up bombing the test. I was very upset at myself. What I thought I was doing right clearly wasn’t, so I emailed my instructor the day after I received my test grade. I briefly explained how I prepared for the midterm and admitted that it didn’t work. I asked for advice on a better study strategy so that I could improve my
mark. He suggested I focus on the course notes and online discussions instead of the textbook. It wasn’t easy to ask for help but I’m glad I did, because I aced the final. Here at SAIT, we are a community of learners. In the classroom, students and instructors play different roles in the activity of learning. It’s important to realize that instructors have been in this learning game a lot longer than we have. They were once students themselves, and although they could be doing anything else right now, they instead chose to be here to teach. That means something. What I often hear from instructors is despite how much they are willing to help their students, for some weird reason, the students seem to go out of their way to avoid dealing with them. Sure, you can be that student if you really want to. But don’t expect an instructor to give advice to someone who is a complete stranger. Instructors don’t just teach course material. They are professional individuals with an extensive network. Say hello, make an appointment to see them in their office even if you don’t have a problem, and ask questions. You will be surprised to find out your instructor can teach you things such as how to start your own business, how to land that important job interview, and maybe even introduce you to that one key person who ends up launching your career. I provide assistance to students with resolving problems or concerns by advising on student rights, responsibilities and resources. I work with other members of the institution to facilitate effective communication discussions between students and faculty. Follow me on the SAITSA app or visit: http://saitsa.com/student-services/appeals-complaints/
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September 28, 2015 | theWeal.com