The Weal September 2019 by The Weal, SAITSA's student run publication

D A O L N W O D EY S S Y E OD

P P A E CAF

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Publications Coordinator

Sheldon Smith

Layout Editor

Spring Nguyen

Photo Editor

Hello SAIT students,

Jesse Boily

My name is Sheldon Smith. I am Saitsa’s Publications Coordinator and I would like News Editor

Mark Wiseman

to welcome each of you to SAIT Polytechnic for the 2019-2020 academic year! You are about to begin one of the most exciting times of your life, and everyone at Saitsa and SAIT wants to help make your time here as rewarding and fun as can be.

A&E Editor

Devin Gaynor

SAIT is a special place, filled with character, diversity, traditions, and a neverending commitment to academic excellence, complete with the best views of the Calgary skyline.

Lifestyle Editor

Jesse Heinrichs

Opinions Editor

Amanda McColl

Over the summer, both Saitsa with their rebrand, and the Weal with our new logo, experienced significant changes. Our new logo provides a modern look and artistic flair, while the famous Weal red is an ode to our exemplary history. In April, as is Weal tradition, we hired a new staff of first-year students to take over for the graduating students. This enthusiastic staff of exciting journalists,

Sports Editor

Nokwethemba Moyo

photographers, and graphic designers will be all over campus. The previous academic year was also the first year of transitioning from a newspaper of over 90 years to the challenging task of becoming a monthly magazine.

Web Editor

Terry Fru

This year, the Weal will have a much different look and feel, complete with puzzles, and a back-page photo of a secret location on campus, where the answer can be found on our website.

Graphic Designer

Kendra Marshall

The Weal and Saitsa are excited for this year and all it will offer! If you’re interested in getting your work published, whether through the written voice, photography, or

Graphic Designer

Brandon Wong

graphic design, we encourage you to come to our weekly pitch meetings, every Monday at 12 p.m. in V219 of the Campus Centre. We’re located near the hockey rink.

Staff Writer

Amber Sugai

Staff Photographer

Rorie Stannard

Cover illustration Spring Nguyen

Direct letters, questions ADVERTISING INQUIRIES For rates, available sizes, and and concerns to:

SHELDON SMITH Staff Photographer

Lexa Chambers

Staff Photographer

Kira McDonald

sheldon.smith@edu.sait.ca

deadlines, visit: https://theweal.com/advertise-with-us/

For inquiries, contact: Sheldon Smith The Weal Publications Coordinator V219, 1301-16 Ave. N.W. the.weal@edu.sait.ca Calgary, Alberta, T2M 0L4 ph. 403-284-8558

FEATURES 20

SAIT welcomesl students with new rainbow crosswalk

Calgary City Council takes hit with new arena deal

SAITSA Executive Council members introducethemselves

CONTENT SEPTEMBER 2019 OPINIONS 04 Calgary City Council takes hit with new arena deal 06 Student parents need to find a balance

20 SAIT welcomes students with rainbow crosswalk 22 Saitsa Executive Council members introduce themselves

SPORTS 09 Athlete’s Routine

ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT

LIFESTYLE

28 PUP ‘Morbid Stuff’ Album Review 29 Falling in love with Stampede

10 New school year - New backpack 14 Welcome Week Activities

NEWS 16 10 reasons to run for the Board of Directors

31 September - Weal Wordsearch 32 WTF is this?

A DISCUSSION WITH CANDIDATES OF CALGARYCONFEDERATION What Each Federal Party is Offering Students in Upcoming Election

To read more about the candidates, head to theweal.com

CALGARY CITY A HIT COUNCIL TAKES WITH THE NEW ARENA DEAL Calgarians question the cityâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s budget cuts 4

theWeal.com | September 2019

ByAmandaMcColl

algary City Council’s push to approve the new arena deal doesn’t engender much confidence from some Calgarians. With talk of budget cuts and stricter budgeting practices being put to essential services, many Calgarians are questioning the legitimacy of so much public money going to the arena. Council member Peter Demong told the Calgary Herald as much in a press conference on July 19. “It’s all about the optics, and the optics of this are not looking good,” Demong said. Calvin Long, a former paramedic, said he felt it was in bad taste to fund the arena in light of the budget cuts. “It’s like going out and getting a new car when you can’t make rent,” Long said in an interview on Aug. 1. “Maybe it’ll make more money down the road, but what about now?” With little transparency from City Council on a timeline for these cuts, and a rushed-through proposal for the arena and entertainment centre, Calgarians feel they are being left out of the loop. “It’s all so rushed, you have to wonder what they’re hiding?” SAIT student, Brian Harmon said, in an on campus

interview on Aug. 2. “Maybe it’s nothing, but we don’t get the time to find out it’s nothing.” With budget cuts taking $9.3 million fromthepublictransitbudget,including $2.4 million from specialized transit services that provide accessibility to Calgarians in need, it’s likely the effects will be felt there long before shovels dig into the new arena project in 2021. In 2018, there were reportedly 105.3 million trips taken on Calgary public transit. On top of transit cuts, the new budget proposal cuts $7 million from the police and $7.6 from emergency response, which, again, puts those most in need of help at higher risk. Many think the $275 million the city is putting toward the new arena deal could lessen the sting of these cuts. “Why are millionaires getting this money instead of EMTs and the green line?” Harmon asked. The prioritization of a big project over day-to-day needs of the city also does not bode well for City Council. “It doesn’t look like they care what happens to a lot of us,” Long said. “Maybe some folks won’t notice, but if you call for an ambulance, it’s going to be clear pretty fast.”

What’s happening in your community | Opinions Opinions5 5

Jaesung Lee with his children Seoyoon (left) and Gijoon, at their home in Calgary on Saturday, Aug. 17, 2019.

STUDENT PARENTS NEED TO FIND A BALANCE 6

theWeal.com | September 2019

oing back to school as a parent presents unique challenges and stresses, and without support, those stresses can

become overwhelming. Amanda Metcalfe has been upgrading at SAIT, and is looking forward to entering the Diagnostic Medical Sonography program in the future. She also has two daughters, ages 6 and 8. “When I do find more time for the kids, my schoolwork takes a dive. I haven’t found a successful balance yet,” she said in an interview. Aiofe Freeman-Cruz, a psychologist with SAIT Student Development and Counselling Services, said student parents face similar problems to their childless classmates, but those problems can be more extreme. “If you’re used to being a worker and parent, but now you’re a worker and parent and student, it’s just adding another complexity,” Freeman-Cruz adds. That complexity can affect, not only school work, but relationships with fellow students, due to different priorities at different stages of life. “You have an added element of chaos in your life,” said Freeman-Cruz.

ByAmandaMcColl-PhotobyJesseBoily

Metcalfe agreed, but saw that different perspective as a positive. This is her second time

Coming back to school when you have

attending post-secondary and her motivation and

kids can be more complicated than

focus has changed. “I have two reasons walking

most people think.

around, to remind me to do my best every day.”

What’s happening in your community | Opinions7

There are challenges specific to attending

without supports, it becomes difficult to balance

SAIT as a parent. When asked what supports are

all the demands that come with being a student

available on campus, Freeman-Cruz’s answer was

and a parent.

simple. “There’s not much.”

Freeman-Cruz has advice for both student

The lack of child-care on campus has been an

parents and childless students, who want to help

issue for many years, even though studies have

their classmates find that balance. “Try to be

been done and progress made, showing that

empathetic,” she said. “Taking care of yourself is

students and faculty support the initiative.

first priority.”

Saitsa President, Ryan Morstad, notes challenges to getting on-campus child-care are not always simple to fix. “The main one, is the space. SAIT tells us they don’t have enough room for offices, and child care requires a lot of space,” he said in an interview. “It just doesn’t seem to exist right now.” Saitsa is proposing an early childhood learning centre model, like the one used at Bow Valley College. In 2003, research from the Campus Childcare Centre Society showed child-care on campus would require 3,600 square feet and 18 staff members to support 75 children. Morstad also sees child-care as a recruitment tool. “If you’re a parent and you see a school has a daycare, you’re probably going to choose that school.” That is the issue for many parents. We want to be involved and excel at school but

theWeal.com | September 2019

“Taking care of yourself is first priority” -Freeman-Cruz, phycologist

ATHLETE’S ROUTINE Through the summer

to the semester

By Nokwethemba Moyo - Illustration by Brandon Wong Summer break is a time for people to kick back. We hear from Victoria Nylander, third-year nursing student at U of C on how she keeps on top of her game. “When I row, my day starts at 4:30 a.m,” explains Victoria Nylander, a third-year nursing student at the University of Calgary (U of C). During the summer, Nylander’s routine consists of working part-time at a retail store, and rowing practices. “I didn’t compete this summer, I’m still a novice.” “When I row, my day starts at 4:30 a.m.” She explains during the summer break she attends practices four times a week from 5:15 a.m. until 7:15 a.m., but practices aren’t the only requirement. She also does strength training. “We’re supposed to do land training on the rowing machine twice a week,” she said. Rowing training goes for 30 minutes. “WhenI hadschoolinthewinterIusually was able to make them because school started at 8 a.m.” During summer break practices are earlier than her work schedule, which is why she is able to make them. “I am going into my third year, which is the heaviest course load for the program, with classes starting at 8 a.m. three times a week and practices 6 a.m. twice a week,”sheadded.Nylanderexplainssheunfortunately won’t be able to go to the practices for the U of C rowing team, which means she won’t be able to be on

JULY Train

Train

the school year, but she will be joining her school’s recreational club. “In the fall, rowing practices are held at the Calgary Rowing Club not on campus from 7 a.m. until 9 a.m.,” explained Nylander. “I will be joining the recreational club because they have practices on weekends and there’s no competitions.”

What’shappeninginyourcommunity|Sports 9

NEW SCHOOL YEAR NEW BACKPACK Finding the right pack for your needs By Jesse Heinrichs

Finding a slick new backpack for the school year can be a daunting task. Odds are, once you get one, you’ll be stuck with it for the majority of your schooling. Buying another one for the start of next year is a nice idea in theory, but eventually, the old student loan catches up to people. Buying a new bookbag is a commitment long enough to have legal implications. Here at The Weal, we’ve carefully compiled a list of possible options suited to whatever niche you’re a part of. Also included are locations where these bags can be seen worn in real time.

Cinch Bag/Duffle Bag

hesearebothpracticalpiecesofequipment.Theduffle bag has more pockets than a billiards table and the cinch bag is easily the speediest bag on the market.

They can be found strapped on shoulders of people wielding protein shakers and pre-workout.

theWeal.com | September 2019

Shoulder Bag

he shoulder bag is a modern-day briefcase. They’re sleek, professional, and trendy. They can be seen draped over the shoulders of spry, Steve Madden wearing, business and accounting students. This bag is best paired with business-casual clothing and a profound thirst for mimosas.

Fanny Pack

anny packs come in all different shapes and flavours. They can range from the standard ‘around the waist’ fanny packs, or the new ‘over the shoulder’ fanny packs.

Fanny packs are usually seen on the train platform worn by commuting AUA students. With only enough room for a couple of pencils and a pack of Next blues, these are definitely the most stylish carrying device on the market.

Trekking Pack

he trekking backpack is the perfect bag for letting the world know you’re an adventurer. Trekking packs are great for overly ambitious people that like to bike through the winter even though the C-Train goes right by their house. The odds of seeing one on campus are slim, as the students who own one are probably already on an exchange.

What’s happening in your community | Lifestyle 11

SAIT Camera Bag

his is a special bag given to journalism students on the first day of classes. The contents of these bags usually contain, approximately, the net worth of each individual student. These bags can be seen strewn about the ground on a sunny day while their human counterparts gather in large flocks, taking photos of the same exact thing and pestering passersby with political questions.

Overpacked Standard Backpack

he overpacked standard backpack can be any average, two strapped backpack that is completely bursting at the seams. These bags are usually seen on the backs of health and medical students, running down the NR Wing of the Senator Burns Building at Mach chicken. Contents usually include a dirty set of scrubs and a library’s worth of textbooks.

“The Carry”

he option of not using a backpack can also be a noble one. There are two ways this usually goes down, though. The first is to rent a locker and grab the appropriate notebook before each class. The second way is to just use a single disorganized notebook for every class. People who use this method can frequently be found at The Gateway, enjoying a cold beverage and skipping out on lectures.

theWeal.com | September 2019

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Resource Centre

MC107 Stan Grad Monday - Friday 8:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.

hile the first week of school can be hard, SAIT holds activities for students in the first week to get students out of their comfort zone, and make new friends.

Here are some fun activities taking place during Welcome Week:

By Amber Sugai Illustration by Spring Nguyen

A to-do list of activities happening on SAIT campus

Welcome Week Activities 14

theWeal.com | September 2019

3 4

unch will be provided, along with free swag. Activate your study skills takes place on Wednesday, Sept. 4, 2019 from 12 p.m. – 1 p.m. located in the Stan Grad Centre in room MC209. Activate your study skills helps new and returning students practice great studying habits, with helpful tips to stay focused in their task. Tuesday - Sept. 3, 2019 (11 a.m. – 1 p.m.)

Aero Centre Visit

ocated at the Atrium in the Stan Grad Centre. Saitsa is also holding their Wingo on Sept. 4, 2019 starting at 5 p.m. – 8 p.m. located at The Gateway in the Campus Centre.

SAIT’s Service Expo

Wednesday - Sept. 4, 2019 (10 a.m. – 2 p.m.)

SAIT’s Block Party

SAIT’s Block Party is taking place at the Atrium in the Stan Grad Centre on Thursday, Sept. 5, 2019 from 11 a.m. – 2 p.m. The Block Party provides lunch, games, and a chance to mingle with students. grandson will be performing with special guest BAD CHILD at The Gateway, on Thursday, Sept. 5, 2019; the show starts at 8:30 p.m. – 12 a.m. Thursday, Sept. 5, 2019 (11 a.m. – 1 p.m.)

Freebie Friday

AIT’s third annual used book sale takes place on Friday, Sept. 6, 2019 from 9 a.m. – 2 p.m. at the Irene Lewis Atrium in Stan Grad Centre. All proceeds made from the book sale will support student engagement initiatives on campus.

Friday - Sept. 6, 2019 (9 a.m. – 2 p.m.)

What’s happening in your community | Lifestyle15

10 REASO

TO RUN FOR THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS Tanyaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Responses 1. How has your Board experience prepared you for your professional career? It gave me leadership, communication, and strategic thinking experience. Before the BOD I would not voice my opinion often or concerns much, but then I realized the importance of advocacy and voicing my opinion for the greater good of all students.

2. What did you find most enjoyable about being on the Board? What was most challenging for you? The most enjoyable part about being a part of the BOD was acting as Chair of the Governance Committee for a few months. The most challenging thing for me was figuring out how to ask strategic questions and think strategically. 16

theWeal.com | September 2019

3. If you have any advice for students who want to be a Director, what would you tell them? Go to at least one BOD meeting to understand “Robert’s Rules of Order” and how decisions are made. I would encourage those thinking about being a Director to go on the Saitsa website (www.saitsa.com) and do your research on what Saitsa is all about. As well, start to think about at least two goals you would like to see during your term as a Director and start developing strategic thinking skills through volunteer or job opportunities.

4. What advice would you give to a new Director on the Board? Read over guides on “Robert’s Rules of Order”, so you understand how meetings are run and how decisions are made. I would suggest to start making connections with key stakeholders within Saitsa and our main stakeholders (students). As a Director, you want to make sure your time is worthwhile, so if you’re passionate about doing something a different way or starting something from scratch, start planning and doing the research. It is important as a Director you attend BOD orientation and training sessions, if anything I would say that is mandatory for new Directors.

5. What’s next for you? How do you see your Board experience helping you in the future? What’s next for me is developing my HR career. The BOD has given me the human skills I needed and the confidence to run for Saitsa VP Academic. Now, whenever I go for interviews and the interviewer asks about this experience I can tell them about all the leadership, strategic thinking, and communication skills I gained from it.

6. If you could do it all over again, what would you do differently?future? If I could do it all again, I would review “Robert’s Rules of Order” prior to being elected on the Board. As well, I would have started to engage in areas that would have strengthened my strategic thinking and decision-making skills.

Bekah’s Responses 1. How has your Board experience prepared you for your professional career? The experience you get from working on the board is different from what you learn in the classroom. As a director you are the decisions makers, and you gain experience in things you might not have been able to before. The board is the highest governing body of Saitsa, which means you participate in discussions around high-level decisions. I would have never had the opportunity to discuss budgets, risk, strategy, or so many other things if I would not have ran for a position on the BOD. I feel prepared going into the workforce because I can comment on things not a lot of other students have had experience it, it really helps you stand out.

What’shappeninginyourcommunity|News 17

2. What did you find most enjoyable about being on the Board? What was most challenging for you? I always like to learn and grow, or try new things, so that was probably my favourite part. I joined a few committees, each unique and I got to participate in important conversations. My major was human resources, and as a part of one committee, I got to review and approve job descriptions. This is something relevant to my schooling, but before being on the board I never had the opportunity to include that experience on my resume. The most challenging part was learning and following the “Robert’s rules of Order” book the BOD uses and several other organizations use. It’s really fun once you get the hang of it, and super beneficial for the future, but it can be a bit difficult to figure out at times.

3. If you have any advice for students who want to be a Director, what would you tell them? RUN! I know that getting signatures, and talking to people can be a bit intimidating, but honestly, this is the best part! The BOD provides a great opportunity to meet new people you might not have met. There were several people I now consider my friends because of the board. Set up a campaign team and you might receive some really great insight from those students, with excellent ideas to bring back to the board.

4. What advice would you give to a new Director on the Board? Don’t be afraid to bring things up you’re passionate about! Voice your opinions and push yourself out of your comfort zone. Whether that means run for a position as chair or vicechair, or joining more committees, you can do it. Speak to your peers about things they are passionate about as well. The board is a great place to discuss all things that matter to students.

5. What’s next for you? How do you see your Board experience helping you in the future? I learned so much from being on the board, I don’t see how it couldn’t help me in the future. I can say I am confident being in a leadership role, and I have found an interest in working with non-profit organizations. I’m now working for Saitsa as the volunteer coordinator, and I’m so glad to continue working with an organization and with students, in a way I am so passionate about.

6. If you could do it all over again, what would you do differently? I didn’t run for the board my first year, and I really wish I would have! It would have been great to have even more experience, and further my understanding. I just wish I would have been more involved right away!

theWeal.com | September 2019

Ryan’s Responses 1. How has your Board experience prepared you for your professional career? My board experience has prepared me for my career in so many ways. I can now say I have provided oversight to staff, hiring, policy, finance, budgets, risk, and strategy for a multimillion-dollar organization. There is no student job that better prepares you for a successful career. Also learning firsthand how to run effective meetings is a key part to success in the business world and you cannot learn that better than in student government. Class is great but the actual applied experience you get from working with the BOD has prepared me more for my career than most of my classes have.

2. What did you find most enjoyable about being on the Board? What was most challenging for you? My most enjoyable experience on the Board was the amount of mentorship I received from our professional staff. There are so many wonderful people to help guide you through your experience, I felt like I grew as an individual in my first year as a board member exponentially more than I had in my first three years at university. The most challenging and also rewarding part was learning “Robert’s Rules of Order” book, the method the government uses for conducting business.

3. If you have any advice for students who want to be a Director, what would you tell them? Do it! The election process is definitely a bit intimidating but the experience you get once elected is amazing.

4. What advice would you give to a new Director on the Board? Read the “Robert’s Rules of Order”, join as many committees as you can, and do not be afraid to voice your Ideas at the board or to any member of the Executive Council. You are the HIGHEST officials of the student’s association, and you set its whole direction. If you have concerns or ideas, bring them forward. Your voice will be heard as a director on the BOD.

5. What’s next for you? How do you see your Board experience helping you in the future? My Board experience has opened my eyes to the world of management and now I am able to help set strategy. I hope to now be involved in a management capacity of any organization I work with in the future. I actually ran for the BOD at the Hillhurst Sunnyside Community Association and am continuing on with my board experience and helping my community there!

6. If you could do it all over again, what would you do differently? Voice my concerns more. I would make sure I always brought my ideas to the Executive Council whenever I had them. You bring the ideas; the Executives do the work! What’shappeninginyourcommunity|News 19

SAIT WELCOMES ALL STUDENTS WITH NEW RAINBOW CROSSWALK SAIT Shows its Pride

ByMarkWiseman-PhotobyKiraMcDonald

theWeal.com | September 2019

fter a year’s worth of collaborative efforts between several SAIT departments and stakeholders, SAIT painted a permanent rainbow crosswalk on campus to show solidarity for the LGBTQ2+ community. The pride crosswalk is located on the north side of campus, located between the Aldred Centre and Begin Tower Residence building. “It came about a year ago, and initially we talked about doing a temporary crosswalk,” said Jaclyn Damboise, Building and Grounds Coordinator at SAIT. According to Damboise, the project was initially contemplated as a collaboration between SAIT and ACAD (now AU Arts).

“Our campus has to reflect the demographics of the people we serve,” said John Partington, CoChair of the SAIT GSIC. The GSIC has been in existence at SAIT for over two years, working to make SAIT a more inclusive place to work and study. “We see there is gap at this institution when it comes to this kind of work,” said Partington, who believes the crosswalk is important because it’s not only a symbolic gesture, but a structural gesture of support as well.

“Our campus has to reflect the demographics of the people we serve”

Last year’s temporary crosswalk painting received approval from SAIT, but unfortunately building services wasn’t able to get the appropriate source materials for the temporary crosswalk painting in time for pride week last year. Instead, SAIT and ACAD opted to paint the LRT tunnel between the two schools for pride week.

SAIT and its collaborators, Saitsa and the SAIT Gender and Sexuality Inclusion Committee (GSIC), continued work on this initiative through the new year, and got this project to the finish line this summer. An official ribbon cutting event for the crosswalk was held on Aug. 29 during orientation week, featuring speakers and rainbow treats for participants.

“If people feel like they belong, there is a direct link to more academic success when it comes to grades, but those individuals also feel more personal success,” said Partington. The GSIC and the Saitsa Pride Club have a number of activities and events for planned for Calgary Pride this September.

They had a booth set up during orientation week for new students, and both groups marched in the Calgary Pride Parade on Sunday, Sept. 1. Partington stresses that orientation week is useful for new students looking to get connected with the LGBTQ2+ community at SAIT. “Orientation, participating in that, is important,” said Partington, “that’s the best way to get connected to resources.” If students aren’t comfortable connecting with on-campus LGBTQ2+ organizations, Partington suggests students can also approach Calgary Outlink, Calgary Pride, and the Centre for Sexuality.

What’shappeninginyourcommunity|News 21

SAITSA EXECUTIVE COUNCIL MEMBERS INTRODUCE THEMSELVES Challenges and Opportunities Abound

By Mark Wiseman - Photo by Rorie Stannard

In August, The Weal sat down for a roundtable discussion with the Saitsa Executive Council (EC). Each member of the EC introduced themselves, talked about their priorities for the upcoming academic year, updated the Weal’s readers on last year’s initiatives, and gave tips for student success at SAIT.

theWeal.com | September 2019

Ryan Morstad (left-right), Jess Beddow, Garrett Koehler, andTanya Pittis all serveontheexectuivecouncilwithinSaitsaatSAITPolytechnic.Eachmember oversees specific needs within the trade schoolâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s operations.

Whatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;shappeninginyourcommunity|News 23

Ryan Morstad

(Saitsa President)

orstad was elected in March 2019 to the role of Saitsa President, but he’s been involved in Saitsa in various capacities for the past three years. “My job is oversight of the whole organization,” said Morstad.

Prior to being elected as Saitsa President, he was initially a club president, on Saitsa’s Board of Directors, and Chair of the Saitsa Board of Directors. His focus this academic year is to figure out what SAIT students want and care about by collecting hard data on a variety of initiatives like gym fees, fall reading week, campus daycare, and cannabis consumption on campus. “My goals for the year encompass figuring out what the priority issues are for students,” said Morstad.

ittis was re-elected to her second term as Saitsa VP Academic in 2019. Her role is to provide support, guidance, and advice for students regarding academic concerns. She is also charged with the role of sitting on a number of SAIT academic committees and being the voice for students at these committees. “If a student is ever unsure about SAIT policy, I would be the one to appropriately tell them exactly what it means in plain language,” said Pittis.

“Don’t be afraid to talk to talk to your instructor, they’re there to help you” 24

theWeal.com | September 2019

For this upcoming academic year Pittis is working on a monthly “tips for success” campaign for students. Each month, a new theme will be rolled out with a number of tips and tricks for students to help them get through the month. September’s theme is financial support, and will include tips for financial assistance, government registered plans, and finding tuition payment plans in case students fall short financially in September. She has a number of other initiatives running this academic year,

One of his election platforms from the EC election was to explore the possibility of a fall reading week at SAIT. SAIT is one of only three post-secondary institutions in Alberta that currently don’t have a fall reading week. While the EC is currently waiting for SAIT to study the proposal, Morstad hopes to begin a pilot program as soon as fall 2020, and campuswide implementation in 2021. Morstad has also been looking into creating legal cannabis consumption sites on SAIT campus.

“My goals for the year encompass figuring out what the priority issues are for students”

“This is not necessarily something we want to see implemented, this is something we want to see if students want implemented,” said Morstad. He plans to have a town hall meeting this year to collect student feedback on the issue. Morstad believes one of the paths to student success at SAIT is to get involved in the number of leadership and oversight opportunities at Saitsa. “My one recommendation to make your life, future life, and professional life better is to get involved with the student’s association,” said Morstad.

Tanya Pittis

(Saitsa VP Academic)

including helping students be more engaged in instructor excellence award nominations, and working on getting more Open Educational Resources (OER) to help students pay less for textbooks. Last spring, she worked on a how-to-guide for students who are dealing with complaints or misconduct. That project has been completed, and can be found on the new Saitsa website. Pittis believes students should make the most of their time at SAIT by taking advantage of the people and programs provided by SAIT to help one succeed. “Don’t be afraid to talk to your instructor, they’re there to help you, same with academic chairs and deans.” She also encourages students to take advantage of the Lamb Learner Success Centre, because it’s there to ensure student success at SAIT. What’shappeninginyourcommunity|News 25

Garrett Koehler

“My main job is to be the voice towards government bodies that deal with SAIT students, so that’s the municipal, provincial, and federal governments”

( S a i t s a

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ike Pittis, Koehler was also re-elected to his second term in his role as Saitsa VP External this past March. “My main job is to be the voice towards government bodies that deal with SAIT students, so that’s the municipal, provincial, and federal governments,” said Koehler. “We actively lobby them [governments] to increase accessibility, affordability, and the quality of post-secondary education for SAIT students,” said Koehler. His role requires him to interact regularly with all three levels of government and advocate for SAIT student Issues. Koehler is also on the board of directors for two major student lobby groups. He is Chair of the Board of Directors of the Alberta Student Executive Council (ASEC), and the Director-at-Large, membership for the Canadian Alliance of Student

eddow was first elected as the Saitsa VP Student Life position in 2018, and also retained her position after the March 2019 EC election. “My role is to help enhance the student experience outside of academic studies,” said Beddow.

Beddow works as member of several organizations within SAIT, including the Gender and Sexuality Inclusion Committee (GSIC) and the SAIT Sustainability Steering Committee. Beddow will be spearheading several student life events like the Saitsa’s Amazing Race and the Hike for Hope. Due to her involvement as VP Student Life and in the GSIC, Beddow was heavily involved in the newly painted rainbow crosswalk between the Aldred Centre and the Begin Tower Residence Building. “It’s important because it’s showing a more inclusive campus feel. We accept everyone, and we’re here to 26

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Associations (CASA). Koehler will be spending much of his academic year working on a number of initiatives regarding the upcoming federal election on Oct. 21, including the Get Out the Vote (GOTV) campaign. “Saitsa is looking to engage with voters, as the millennial voting block is one of the biggest in Canada,” said Koehler. Koehler is also continuing his work from last year, advocating for increased sexual violence support and prevention on campus. He is speaking with the provincial government to implement 10 costeffective policies to achieve this aim. Koehler’s biggest tip for SAIT students this fall is to cast their vote in the aforementioned upcoming federal election. “Students at SAIT and students around the country have been given an amazing opportunity to pick up a pencil and mark a ballot,” said Koehler, “There’s a reason why older generations don’t listen to us, and that’s because we’re not putting in our ballots.”

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show love and colour, and I think that’s great,” said Beddow. According to Beddow, the best way for students to get the most out of their SAIT experience is to get involved with student government and clubs outside of academic studies. “Being a club member or a club exec looks great on a resume, and gives you so many other opportunities,” said Beddow.

“It’s important because it’s showing a more inclusive campus feel, we accept everyone, and we’re here to show love and colour, and I think that’s great” What’shappeninginyourcommunity|News 27

PUP ‘MORBID STUFF’ Canada’s Punk Rockers Deliver One of the Year’s Best Albums By Mark Wiseman - Illustration by Kendra Marshall

omething is afoot with the already excellent Canadian punk band PUP.

up decision to offset one’s self-destructive lifestyle with mediation and organic food.

Fresh off playing a European tour, the band is riding a wave of buzz that has seen them performing all over the world, and returning to Cow Town in the fall to headline the much bigger venue of MacEwan Hall on Friday, Oct. 11.

Morbid Stuff’s second track ‘Kids’ is another standout, which sounds like the missing link between The Descendent’s youthful piss-and-vinegar punk rock, and the wise party anthems of The Hold Steady.

It makes sense after hearing the band’s third album Morbid Stuff, and oh baby, there’s no denying these boys from Toronto are having a moment. On this latest outing, PUP hones its craft to a level where they could be destined for much bigger things. Morbid Stuff is the follow up to 2016’s Polaris Prize shortlisted The Dream is Over, and is PUP’s most accessible album to date, and I mean that in the best possible way. The album sees the band walk the line perfectly between its trademark combination of fist-pumping anthems and crushing punk attack without ever overstepping. Take for example ‘See You At Your Funeral’ a story of sour love and making the grown-

theWeal.com | September 2019

Perhaps the track ‘Scorpion Hill’ best reflects the spirit of the album, with the lyrics “I’ve been having some pretty dark thoughts, I like them a lot.” Morbid Stuff was undoubtedly used as a soundtrack for this summer’s most important moments like pre-drinking, backyard BBQ’s, or shouting your frustrations into a pillow as Jason Kenney’s “Summer of Repeal” unfolds. PUP reaches dizzying new heights with Morbid Stuff and manages to sound exactly like a quarter-life crisis, complete with the coinciding cathartic relief of Friday night drinks. So, pour yourself a double and give this one a spin, if you haven’t already, because you’re an adult now and you’ll need something a little stiffer to get by.

FALLING IN LOVE WITH STAMPEDE Experiencing Stampede for the first time

Whatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s happening in your community | Arts & Entertainments 29

By Terry Fru

Telling anyone I recently moved to Calgary, the first question I am asked is “have you been to the Calgary Stampede?” and my answer obviously being no, their response is always “you are in for a treat.”

he Calgary Stampede is a 10-day annual festival every July, and is characterized by rodeos, exhibitions, and extravagant stage shows.

I bought tickets for the rides, and found it difficult to pick a ride as I went with my friends. We were all confused about what ride we would go on.

The Stampede is an exhibition complete with eccentric midway food, and to me, has amusement park vibes as there were many rides, and games to play.

Finally, we picked the Fireball. This ride sees you strapped in a seat, and then it spins moving back and forth, and even upside-down.

Although you could dress however you want for Stampede, you can see people dressed in jeans, plaid shirts, cowboy boots and hats, and bandanas, which emits it is the dress code of the festival. The festival began the first weekend of July and ended on July 14. One thing I loved were all the Stampede breakfasts every morning all across the city. I went to the Stampede on two different occasions, and honestly, I don’t think I experienced the whole festival because two days is not enough. My first time, I put on jeans, sneakers, plaid shirt, and a bandana to blend in with the Stampede crowd.

theWeal.com | September 2019

Another fun thing I experienced at Stampede was the acrobatic dunk, and free style soccer. After watching these events, I was tired and hungry, I had a lot of corn dogs and lemonade, and went home wondering when I would go to the Stampede again. The second and last time I went to the Stampede was for the Lil Nas concert, which was a blast because I love Lil Nas. It was fun seeing the crowd blast to his hit song ‘Old Town Road.’ Overall, my first-time experience of the Calgary Stampede was so much fun, and I look forward to it next year, especially watching the end of the festival grandstand show, and fireworks.

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ODYSSEY CUSTOM ROAST COFFEE Direct Trade and Ethically Sourced Available in-store by the cup or 340g bag of beans

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