Issue 1 Sept 8 2015-16

UBCO’s Student Newspaper

September 8th, 2015 | Vol 28, Issue 1

In Cam we trust since 1989

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thephoenixnews.com

//In this issue

news

September food services p.3 Senate student caucus p.4 Standing with Nepal p.3

University Centre 3333 University Way Kelowna, BC, Canada V1Y 5N3 Office: UNC 132B Phone: 250-807-9296 thephoenixnews.com Cover by Alex Barberis & Maranda Wilson Masthead photo by Varenka Kim & Alex Barberis

life

Smaller spaces mean smaller budgets p.7 What’s in your swag bag: Your guide to CREATE p.10

arts

sports

Heatwave on campus p.13

It’s a fantasy-tastic time of year p.18

Sounds of Music p.14

Jays bound for glory p.19

Artlord goes solo p.12

Nate, Now p.17

Coordinating Editor Alex Barberis coordinating@thephoenixnews.com

Arts Editor Jacky Deng arts@thephoenixnews.com

Production Assistant Kelsi Brown production@thephoenixnews.com

Production Manager Sarah James artdirector@thephoenixnews.com

Sports Editor Grayson Burton Leahy sports@thephoenixnews.com

Copy Editor copy@thephoenixnews.com

Project Manager Maranda Wilson project@thephoenixnews.com

Life Reporter Maria Otto lifereporter@thephoenixnews.com

Web Editor Justin Kroeker web@thephoenixnews.com

Current Affairs Editor Mark Dreger current.affairs@thephoenixnews.com

Opinions Editor Brittni MacKenzie-Dale opinions@thephoenixnews.com

Photo Editor Maggie Wilson photo@thephoenixnews.com

News Editor Lyndon Duncan news@thephoenixnews.com

Visual Editor Varenka Kim visual@thephoenixnews.com

Contributors Flickr, Creative Commons: plain cut, Dante Roncamdo Silva Gutierrez, Tiffany-b, Wayne Moore Nishat Tasnim, Brodie MacKenzieDale, Erica Boyd, Tiffany Goodwein, Zoë McNair, Shira Sneg

opinions

The liberal political bias in social psychology p.15 Documentaries, discussion, and nonhuman animals p.16

The Phoenix is the UBCO students’ free press. Editorial content is separate from the University of British Columbia Student’s Union Okanagan (UBCSUO) and from the UBC institution at large.

The editorial staff encourages everyone to submit material to The Phoenix but reserves the right to withdraw submissions from publication for any reason.

“Any reason” could be material deemed to be sexist, racist, homophobic, or of poor taste or quality. The Phoenix will not publish materials which condone, promote, or express actions which are illegal under current laws. This does not include articles which provide an in-depth examination of both sides of a controversial subject (e.g. legalizing marijuana).

The Phoenix is published, in part, by the UBCSUO and is an active member of the Canadian University Press.

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September 8th 2015 | The Phoenix |news@thephoenixnews.com | News Editor: Lyndon Duncan

//News TRENDING

Bye, Bye Gupta.

Hello Martha

CREATE student orientation

UBC Celebrates 100

Student Move In

//Events

September 8th Create New Student Orientation

Campus / $0 / 8:30AM-8:00 PM New-to-UBC undergraduate and graduate students, don’t miss this one-day event that will help you transition to life at UBC’s Okanagan campus!

September 9th First Day of Classes September 12th Street Fest

Kerry Park & Downtown/ $0/ 3:00PM - 8:00PM Have some fun and explore downtown Kelowna at Street Fest, UBCO’s big, familyfriendly, community street party

September 13th-20th SPARK: Wellness Week

UBCO FOOD SERVICES GETS AN UPGRADE New to UBCO food service: Ethnic menu in the Sunshine Cafe, Subway in the ASC, expanded Flex Dollars, and the Farm Bound Program.

Zoë McNair Contributor Students returning from the summer can expect to see several changes to UBCO’s food services.

In August, the highly-anticipated Subway finally arrived. Located on the ground floor of the Arts and Sciences building, Subway will offer its usual array of sandwiches and wraps, which can be purchased on meal plan dollars.

In response to this addition, the Sunshine Café will be replacing its wrap and sandwich station with a station serving ethnic foods. The menu

//News Briefs Mark Dreger

Current Affairs Editor Read the full story at thephoenixnews.com/catagory/ news/

for this station will rotate throughout the semester.

Jessica Doiron, a student representative on the Food Advisory Committee, is particularly excited about efforts to improve options for vegetarians and vegans.

As of September, the Green Thread will feature a daily vegetarian or vegan special. All first-year students will also be receiving reusable food containers as a more sustainable alternative to the single-use containers currently offered in UBCO’s dining locations.

Perhaps the largest change to the campus’s food services is the addition of the Farm Bound program. Starting this year, students will be able to order boxes of organic and local food which could include fruits and vegetables, granola bars, pre-made meals, protein

“I think it’s a great opportunity for residence to get fresh local produce without having to leave campus”

-Mariah Morris 4th Year Human Kinetics Student

Photo by Alexandra Barberis

blends, and more. These boxes can be picked up right on campus each week and may be purchased on the student meal plan’s flex dollars. There are nine options to choose from, starting at $22/week. At pick-up times students will also be able to purchase individual food items. The Farm Bound program will be available to all students, not just campus residents.

“With the campus being somewhat isolated from the city, this will be a good way for students to pick up fresh, local food,” notes Gary Hartung, Ancillary Services Manager.

Students who wish to learn more about campus food services or to suggest possibilities for improvement are encouraged to visit the Facebook page: “UBCO Food”.

International

North and South Korea Deescalate Tensions The Korean conflict that saw North Korea’s leader, Kim Jong Un, threaten war with South Korea has come to a halt, for now. The conflict began when the South accused the North of crossing the military demarcation line and planting land mines on the southern side, which injured two southern soldiers and lead to the South broadcasting anti-DPRK propaganda through loudspeakers across the demilitarized zone. The North demanded the South stop the propaganda while the South would only do so if the North apologized for the landmine incident. The North denied having involvement with the landmines. On August 20th after the North and South exchanged missile fire, the North firing one shell and the South returning fire with 36, tensions grew and citizens began to evacuate near the border.

Photo Credit: The Republic of Korea/Creative Commons

Get involved in Campus Recreation, support your UBCO Heat athletics, and learn about campus resources that support your wellbeing.

September 18th UBCO Frosh Concert

Commons Field/ $30$65/ 6:00PM - You can’t party anymore Party with the UBCSUO. Blueprint, and MSA to Adventure Club and Big Data.

September 21st-27th SPARK: Involvement Week

Discover opportunities to get involved at UBC and in the community, learn about student clubs, and Find out about community service learning, Go Global international exchange programs, and employment resources.

September 22nd Withdrawl & Registration Dates

Last day for changes in registration and for withdrawal from most Winter Session Term 1 courses without withdrawal standing of W recorded on a student’s academic record, and to receive a 100% refund of tuition fees.

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@paviboi - “Off to Kelowna. To my friends, I love you all and want to thank you for the moments.

Im gonna miss delta. I will make y’all proud #UBCO”

News Editor: Lyndon Duncan |news@thephoenixnews.com | The Phoenix | September 8th 2015

@TheAshleyDelmar - “Big ambition s for this school year. Gonna get in shape, up my GPA, and acccomplish my goals! #fitness #UBCO #smartypants #animalwelfare”

@Basaran - “Welcome to all those arriving in #Kelowna to attend classes at #UBCO & #OC, especially the 1st year students! @UBCSUO @ OkanaganCollege #home”

GET TO KNOW YOUR STUDENT SENATE CAUCUS Get to know your student governance structure - starting with your Student Senate Caucus Shira Sneg Contributor If you were to ask any of UBCO’s 8000 students what the Student Senate Caucus is, you are likely to encounter a blank look. Few students are familiar with the student governance structures that exist on UBC’s younger campus, and even if they do, the Senate and the Student Senate Caucus remain in the shadows. The Senate is the academic governing body of our campus, making decisions on things such as curriculum, policies, admissions, and appeals. It is composed of senior administration, elected faculty represen-

//News Briefs Mark Dreger Current Affairs Editor

tatives, and students. In fact, students make for approximately 25% of Senate. Such a strong proportion means that the student senators can make a big impact on the way our University’s campus runs. To do that, student senators need to fill all seats that are allotted to them, communicate effectively, and make cohesive and informed decisions.

Considering the pace of institutional change and the one-year term most student senators serve, it can be difficult (but not impossible) to head any student-led initiative in the Senate. Historically, student senators went to meetings but did not actively participate in them too much. In the 2013-2014 academic year, Simon Bullock, then a returning senator and now a UBC alumnus, created the Student Senate Caucus. The Student Senate Caucus (UBCOSSC or SSC) is com-

posed of the 14 student senators elected in March, three of them which are elected as the Caucus’ Chair, Chief of Engagement Office, and Secretariat by the Caucus.

The Caucus meets on a monthly basis to discuss the progress in Senate’s Standing Committees and the upcoming agenda materials of the ordinary Senate meetings. However, that only fulfills a part of the SSC’s objectives.

The Caucus also aims to have students in the know when relevant issues come up, such as the debate on when the midterm break should be held. Ideally, if students know what the Senate is and are interested in its issues, all fourteen seats will be filled each year. That is not the case. Only 9 seats are currently filled, meaning that student voice is diminished. While by-elections are run through the Senate electronically in

the fall, it is much harder to get students engaged as candidates and as voters during that time. Another issue student senators are faced with is that there is no funding associated with the Caucus, as the Senate only recognizes it as an unofficial committee. This makes it much more difficult to get acknowledged by the student body, since it is a barely-known body with a Facebook page boasting 166 likes.

This year, the Student Senate Caucus is looking to pilot an Action & Advisory Board to promote further engagement with Senate matters and the SSC. The Action & Advisory Board would be stated as a student association under the UBCSUO, and so it is open to all students, although all fourteen of the student senators are ex-officio members (meaning they are automatically a part of the Board). This is to provide

the student body with the opportunity to interact with student senators on a close mentorship basis, keep students up to date with Senate matters, and lastly, to provide legitimacy to the Caucus by giving it financial autonomy. This would enable senators to hold informational events and use the funding for business cards, a website, informational tabling and media, and professional development activities. If the Board is successful, students will know what to expect when they are running, making them successful candidates who can ensure that the legacy of the Caucus and its student senators’ initiatives are carried on year after year.

National

Scientist Suspended for “Harperman” Protest Song Tony Turner, an environmental scientist for Environment Canada, has been suspended for his “Harperman” protest song.

Turner is under investigation for violating Environment Canada’s conflict-of-interest provisions in the code of values and ethics. The writing and performing of the song allegedly creates a conflict of interest between his private life and his environmental work because writing a folk song has no relevance to Turner’s work tracking migratory birds, despite

the video arguably being made on Turner’s own time without using any government resources.

The protest song “Harperman” attacks Stephan Harper’s actions and attitude as Prime Minister and contains the phrase, “Harperman it’s time for you to go,” several times throughout as well as “no more cons, cons, cons / we want you gone, gone gone.”

The song was published on Youtube in June, but Turner wasn’t suspended until the video became popular in August.

Photo Cred: Youtube Screenshot

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September 8th 2015 | The Phoenix | news@thephoenixnews.com | News Editor: Lyndon Duncan

@MarcgrafG - “Thats #symmetry tho - spent the afternoon all along here #university# UBCO #library #lines

@Not_Meghan - “#sisters #babysister #university #leavingtomorrow #UBCO #loverhersomuch

NEW INITIATIVE TO GIVE VOICE TO STUDENTS IN RESIDENCE. Changes to come to the adminstrative structure of Student Residence

Residence are now encouraged to be a Residence Ambassador and get involved in the administration of Residence Life Residence Ambassadors oversee 3 new programs - RezFunding, Awards, and Community Outreach Lyndon Duncan News Editor

“An exciting way to create a meaningful experience” said third year management student and current Residence Advisor, Suresh Kumar, when asked to describe the brand new “Residence Hall Association” that he, along with fellow students and Residence Advisor’s Solomon Kabyra and Jada Larkin, will be piloting this year in UBC Okanagan’s residence halls.

This initiative is not a new idea to university campuses, but will be the first of its kind at UBCO. Residence Hall Associations as a resident student body exists in nearly all other institutions across Canada, in fact our Vancouver campus has had a Residence Hall Association for the last 20 years.

The Residence Hall Association at UBCO will fill the missing link of engaging residents in the place they live

and will provide a forum to the voice of those in residence.

Starting in September, the Residence Hall Association will aim to find “Resident Ambassadors” from each of UBCO’s eight residence buildings in the hopes of filling a full committee, which will be responsible for overseeing the Residence Hall Association’s 3 programs – RezFunding, Awards & Recognition, and Community Outreach. The three programs under the Residence Hall Association will provide residents will provide a variety of opportunities to shape the place they live and have their concerns heard.

On top of these programs one of the major functions of the Residence Hall Association will be to hear and takes part in the Standards Appeals process when residents wish to appeal stan-

“The forum is really important because your opinions are yours alone and nobody else shares them. They are what make the building better.

Make them heard.”

-Reba Bauhuis 2nd Year Science Student

National

NDP Leads Federal Polls as PCs Fall to Third According to a The Forum Research poll published on August 27th, the NDP leads the national polls at 40% with the Liberals at 30% and Conservatives with 23%. The Bloc Quebecois and Green Party are in a distant fourth with 3% each.

The NDP are dominant in Quebec with a 35% lead over the Liberal’s 19%, and are leading in British Columbia, Saskatchewan, Manitoba, and Ontario. The Conservatives are strong in Alberta, leading the NDP by 10%, while the Liberals have a strong lead in Atlantic Canada with a 20% over the NDP..

The NDP’s primary demographic is voters under the age of

44, while the Liberals rely on seniors and the Conservatives attract the wealthy. 4-in-10 Canadians who voted Conservative in 2011 and 3-in-10 who voted Liberal plan to vote NDP in October. About 1-in-5 2011 NDP voters plan to vote Liberal this election, with only 8% of Canadians who voted against the Conservatives in 2011 planning to vote for them this year.

Photo Credit: Cottage Living/Creative Commons

dards infractions decision made by on of the three the Residence Life Managers.

The program will also serve as a vehicle to allow residents to have their concerns heard, have solutions discussed, and have those solutions recommended to Residence Life program.

Applications for the Residents Ambassador program can be found online and will be open from September 6th to the 20th. Further information can be found on the Residence Hall Association Facebook page – UBCO Residence Hall Association.

September 8th 2015 | The Phoenix |news@thephoenixnews.com | News Editor: Lyndon Duncan

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@a_pardo1 - “College is officially awesome so far #goodvibes #ubco”

@merrinolson - “my school is da bomb@UBCSUO #ubco”

@czeindler - “Excited to see students at #ubco!”

UBCO STUDENTS STANDING WITH NEPAL Students start campaign to provide Nepalese people iwth food, water, shelter, and medical supplies.

Sarah James Production Manager In light of the recent earthquakes devastating Nepal, there have been significant efforts made to raise money in order to help the Nepali people rebuild their lives. Stand with Nepal was first formed by UBCO student Riley Boudreau who, visited Nepal in 2014 where he and other students volunteered at an orphanage and worked alongside the Nepalese people. Boudreau, along with other UBCO students and volunteers in Nepal, have started this campaign to supply food, water, shelter and medical supplies,

while helping to rebuild damaged and destroyed buildings. This particular organization is focused on targeting their aid to areas that are not the primary focus of some of the larger humanitarian organizations, which have focused much of their resources in the highly populated areas of Kathmandu.

The entire Stand with Nepal team consists of three UBCO students Riley Boudreau, Aman Soin and Natasha Benson, and four Nepali men Krishna Raj Ahikari, Ravi Chaudhary, Ram Timalsina and Naren, a doctor tending to the people at ground zero.

These four Nepali men make up the ground team in Nepal who are using these donations to create a life saving reality for the people of Nepal. “Since the first night our project began these members have been working tirelessly

Europe Faces Migrant Crisis Hundreds of thousands of migrants from Africa and the Middle East have flooded into Europe with the hopes of a better life, with refugees swarming the Macedonian border to begin their journey to the European Union. Migrants that reach Europe from the Middle East walk through Macedonia and Serbia before walking north, many headed to Germany.

Most refugees are from war-torn Syria, Libya, and Iraq, but some have come as far as Bangladesh.

On August 20th, Macedonia declared a state of emergency at its borders to try to halt the excessive flow

Photo provided by Riley Boudreau

to help out their ‘brothers and sisters’.”

The Stand with Nepal website features their fundraising efforts and the different members that are involved with this cause. You can also visit their go fund me page to donate or if you would like more information email standwnepal@gmail.com. Their immediate goal is $10,000 and so far have raised roughly $6,000 according to Boudreau.

Although there are many other organizations devoted to raising money for this tragedy, this initiative is unlike many as 100% of the funds raised are sent to the team in Nepal who are devoted to helping the rebuilding efforts.

The current region they are focusing on is the community of Khari in the Dhading Region where they have helped to restore over 55 houses and 3 schools, while administering food

and medicine to an area of about 900 families in the high mountains. With the help of the ground team they have ensured that many of the villagers have proper mosquito nets (some 1,250 houses worth) and medication to safely survive the monsoon season. “Many houses have been built up to the point that they will withstand the monsoon, and we have rebuilt the school so that classes will begin on schedule for the village’s children’s education! Great steps have been taken in helping the villagers!”

The effort made by these students and individuals is inspiring and definitely a great cause to support. To follow the activities of this team and their organization you can visit their blog.

of migrants into the country, bringing in soldiers to its southern border with Greece. The Macedonian army closed the border and placed razor wire over rail tracks, but on the 21st the interior ministry allowed vulnerable migrants through, primarily families with children and pregnant women. With only some being allowed through, tensions rose from those not allowed to cross the border, as police fired tear gas and stun grenades to disperse the trapped migrants, many without food or water.

As migrants moved into Serbia, the Hungarian government worked to complete a 175km fence along its border with Serbia in a vain attempt to keep migrants out of the country. Hundreds of refugees used bolt cutters to

the wired fence while others draped their blankets overtop and jumped into the country, or simply walked through where the fence was not finished. Hungary plans to tighten their borders and send refugees back to Serbia.

“Since the first night our project began these members have been working tirelessly to help out their ‘brothers and sisters’.”

International

@lilkim_02 - “The back to college snap story is getting me hyped #UBCO”

Photo Credit: Irish Defence Forces/Creative Commons

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September 8th 2015 | The Phoenix | life@thephoenixnews.com | Interim Life Editor: Maranda Wilson

//Life TRENDING

Mommies and Daddies spotted on campus

Commuting to school will suck

So will parking on campus

SMALL SPACES AND EVEN SMALLER BUDGETS Former RA, Tiffany Goodwein, talks about decorating a single room dorm without breaking da bank

Tiffany Goodwein Contributor Styling a dorm room space can undoubtedly be a challenge as you are required to stuff all of your possessions in as little as 200-300 square feet. This, while trying to make the dorm room feel like home. Now, before you throw in the towel and accept that you will be living in a cramped cave of off-white walls, don’t panic. With a few simple tricks, you can easily create a stylish, yet functional, oasis that you will feel proud to call home for the school year.

In a small space, storage is key.

Luckily, there are a ton of easy and af-

//Editor Rooms We once endured the residence dorm room life, too.

fordable ways to add a little extra organization and storage to your room.

In my experience, one of the cheapest ways to add a little extra storage space to your room is to raise your bed. For maximum storage capacity, I suggest raising your bed to the first notch on the bed frame, as doing so will add much more extra space for your belongings. In order to raise your bed, you will only require a mallet and a few extra hands. Raising your bed is very labour intensive for one to endure, so be sure to do it on moving day when your parents are free to help.

With dorm room living, your room may be small, but there are ways to make it appear bigger. To create the illusion of a larger space, try adding some mirrors. Mirrors are great as they reflect light and color, which makes the room appear bigger. Another way

“Raising your bed is very labour intensive for one to endure, so be sure to do it on moving day when your parents are free to help.”

At least it’s not snowing... yet.

Transportation will all around suck

Images provided by Maranda Wilson and Tiffany Goodwein

to make your dorm room look bigger is to keep design patterns and color schemes simple. Too many crazy patterns and colors in your room can make the room look cramped and busy.

Also, clutter can perform the same effect, so make sure to frequently cleanse your room from any junk that is taking up too much space. Remember, less is more, especially with small spaces.

Sadly with dorm rooms, painting the walls is prohibited, but that doesn’t mean that you can’t get creative with color. To add a pop of color, try getting some storage bins in your favorite colour, or decorate your walls with a photo collage. If budget is an issue, a great way to get some unique and functional pieces is through thrifting. Thrift stores have a vast selection of jars and colorful flower pots, and with a little

TLC, they can serve as great containers to store your pencils, makeup brushes and much more. One simple way to turn an old flower pot or jar into something a little more stylish is to add colorful design tape. It takes less than a minute but easily transforms the look of the piece.

Living on your own provides the perfect time to discover your own personal design style. While styling a dorm room can pose its challenges, it is also an opportunity to express your personality, and let your creative juices flow.

September 8th 2015 | The Phoenix | life@thephoenixnews.com | Interim Life Editor: Maranda Wilson

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//WELCOME WEEK In case you’re ever tempted... don’t park in E lot with an H lot parking pass. Sincerely, a student with 6 parking tickets.

Akshay Sapra, 4th year Engineering

Don’t bring too much STUFF – that was my biggest mistake.

Like sporks, throw pillows, twinkly lights, a lamp, an iron, a vacuum... DONT BUY A VACUUM.

Know that what you think you are going to do may change from year to year.

The university life is never a straight line from A to B: there are heartbreaks, failures, and success. Stay true to yourself and become the best version of yourself no matter what you want to do for a job. Wake up wanting to go to school and don’t drift through it because it will correlate to your succeess in life.

Be humble, be kind and use failures to push yourself.

ADVICE FOR FIRST YEARS

Matt Hoogveld, Create Orientation Coordinator and 5th year Human Kinetics

I asked UBCO students and alumni for their tips, so you don’t have to

Maranda Wilson Life Editor

If this is your first year at UBC Okanagan, your new friends at The Phoenix extend our warmest welcome! As your resource for campus news, we thought what better way to introduce ourselves than to help acquaint you with our campus and the people who have helped shape the campus to what it is today.

So we talked to alumni and current students, and asked for their best university advice, but don’t fret, we won’t repeat what your parents and professors at orientation told you already (although going to class is very, very sound advice).

//Want More?

Read on here then head on over to our website for more

Join all of the residence groups on Facebook to get the hookups on free pancake nights and pizza parties. I had a “friend” who did that and it was the best decision ever!

Terry Zhang, 2nd year Engineering

“The real education is more often outside of the status quo and the classroom, but it won’t just come to you so look around and find something you can do only for yourself - things fall into place once you find that. It took me over 3 years to find mine, so don’t worry if it takes a while. Oh, and don’t be a dick.”

-- David Nixon, former Editor-in-Chief of The Phoenix “Turnitin is some serious shit..” -- Sarah James, Production Manager of The Phoenix and BFA ‘15

“Take courses that challenge you, surprise you, and aren’t just an easy A. This will make you a greater and more nuanced academic; increase your debating skills; introduce you to concepts you might otherwise have never discovered; and give you invaluable insight into other ways of thinking.” -- Brittni MacKenzie-Dale, BA Creative Writing ‘15

“Join clubs related to your interests. The main way I found friends was gathering with others that share your interests and goals, so walk around on club day and you’ll find others that love what you love.” -- Mark Dreger, English and Creative Writing major

Join UBCO Books Buy N Sell on Facebook. There’s nothing useful or glamorous about buying all your textbooks at the bookstore. --Himaini Sharma, 4th year Biochemistry

“Great stories never take place in class or alone in your room. It’s pretty hard to get bored in University so get out and do something you normally wouldn’t. Terrible life choices make for great life stories” -- Aman Soin, 5th year Psychology

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September 8th 2015 | The Phoenix | life@thephoenixnews.com | Interim Life Editor: Maranda Wilson

Like us on Facebook and follow us on Instagram @ubcophoenix Contests, free stuff, the latest UBCO news, and memes handpicked by our Life Editor. What more could you want?

Sasha Curry Phoenix editor alumni and BA Creative Writing ‘15.

I wish I knew (and really believed) that everybody struggles, and that we’re all winging it in some shape or form. There is something comforting in knowing that you are not alone in not having stuff figured out, and that it’s totally OK to seek out help in whatever form. After all, the supports we have on campus are meant to be used so get as much out of them as you can to reach your full potential. That’s why they are there!

Shira Sneg, UBCSUO Resource Centres Head Coordinator 5th year Psychology major, Anthropology minor

Tom Macauley, UBCSUO President and 6th year History major

One night I was up late studying in the UNC and I thought I had time to catch the last bus, but it turned out I missed it by an hour. I didn’t have money for a cab, so I went up to the 3rd floor of the UNC and tried to sleep on that little couch across from the food exchange bin they have next to the Health and Wellness Centre. I didn’t fit. Since I was hungry, I grabbed the two cans of beans that were in the bin and used my house key as a can opener. It took me a good 45 minutes to get it open, but those beans couldn’t have tasted better. I used a folded pamphlet as a spoon to eat the beans and then slept on the floor. I eventually caught the 6:30am bus and slept through my classes. So, my advice: always know when the last bus leaves and use the food exchange if you are broke and hungry.

Illustrations by Varenka Kim

PEER MENTOR AD

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September 8th 2015 | The Phoenix | life@thephoenixnews.com | Interim Life Editor: Maranda Wilson

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September 8th 2015 | The Phoenix | life@thephoenixnews.com | Interim Life Editor: Maranda Wilson

//WELCOME WEEK CONT’D WHAT’S IN YOUR NEW SWAG BAG (PLUS SOME OTHER THINGS WE FEEL SHOULD BE INCLUDED) Going to CREATE? Here’s your guide on what to expect, what you’ll get, and where to go for everything “free”.

Be on the lookout for the Red Frog team at Frosh. Their tent will have free water, freezies, and assistance to ensure everyone has a safe Frosh.

Stop buying school supplies! Don’t give the bookstore anymore money than you need to.

Office supplies such as pens, Post-it notes, and highlighters can be found for free at various student resource offices around campus (such as the Writing and Research Centre or Disability Resource Centre), and also at Create’s Showcase on Sept. 8.

Maranda Wilson Interim Life Editor Any swag bag you receive during your time at UBCO will include condoms. This is a fact.

If you find yourself needing more, visit Health and Wellness on the 2nd floor of the UNC where you can grab as many as you like -no judgement.

*

Meet the mascots: Scorch, (left) and retired fan favourite, Ogi Ogopogo (right)

Take advantage of all the coupons and discount cards you receive during the first week. Many businesses offer student pricing with a valid UBC card, so be sure to always ask!

For more substantial free swag (such as T-shirts and waterbottles), it requires some participation on your part. There are always contests on campus, such as the ones put on by The Phoenix *hint hint, or attending the Heat games.

The CREATE Low Down: •8:30 am: Meet your Orientation group (So don’t get be too hungover, people.)

•9:30 am: Kickoff event (Listen to your leaders shout UBC whaaaat? UBCOOoooo over and over again.)

•10:00 am: Meet the Dean (Shut up and listen to them preach about UBC.) •11:15 am: Campus Tour (You will likely lose your leader and your group. Make a friend and go explore.)

•Right after your tour: Aramark BBQ (TAKE EVERYTHING YOU POSSIBLY CAN. FREE FOOD. ‘Nuff said.)

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•12:30 pm: Showcase (Phoenix table. Meet you there.)

•3:00 pm: Comedian Garrett Clark

•Hangover remedies: If you’re going to party hard, you’re going to suffer hard. You’re not going to want to suffer in a half-unpacked dorm or run around a foreign campus looking for things like Advil or Gatorade.

•4:30 pm: Slip and Slide/ Outdoor Concert: DJ Invizible (The slip and slide is new this year)

•Medications and first aid supplies: Painkillers, cold meds, Pepto Bismol, band-aids, the works.

•4:40 pm: Bubble Ball

•Sunscreen: The Okanagan sun will burn you if it’s really hot and sunny outside.

•5:00 pm: UNICEF Water Fight

•Mints: Because you’re going to kiss a lot of weirdos, might as well keep it fresh.

•5:00 pm and onward: Okay, go forth and party. Make the best of your first week -- but make good choices.

A quick list of the contact info for helpful resources on campus Varenka Kim Visuals Editor

Aboriginal Centre UNC 212 Provides culturally appropriate services and support to First Nations, Metis and Inuit students.

an RA will let you back into your room for free, but the second time will cost you $$$.

Things not in the bag but you should ask your parents for:

•4:15 pm: Feed the Valley: Colour Me UBC (It stains and tastes bad, but it’s fun. Go do it.)

//Resources

QUICK TIP: If you lose your salto, the first time

•Ear Plugs: For when your roommate brings the weirdo home.

UBCO Security (250) 807 8111 First aid and emergency. security.ubco@ubc.ca

Equity and Inclusion Office (250) 807 9291 equity.ubco@ubc.ca www.ubc.ca/okanagan/ equity

UBCO Health & Wellness UNC 337 Medical needs, counselling, and other information.

Mon - Fri 9:00 - 4:00

SAFEWALK (250) 807 8076 24/7 service for students, staff, and faculty if they feel unsafe walking alone on campus.

UBCSUO Resources Centre UNC 109 The Centre is a safe space for all students regardless of orientation, gender, or identity.

• Peer Support Network • Women’s Resource Centre • Pride Resource Centre

UBCO SARA (Sexual Assault and Rape Awareness) UNC 325 Student-run campaign for advocacy around gender-based violence and reporting procedures on campus. sara.ubco@gmail.com

Ombudsperson Office (250) 807 9818 An advocate for fairness and provides information, advice, and support to students who need help in navigating difficult situations and challenges in their university life. ombuds.office.ok@ubc.ca

Math & Science Centre UNC 201 Free drop in tutoring five days per week.

Disability Resource Centre UNC 227

(250) 807 9263

Ensures educational equity for those who have a Spiritual/Multi-Faith Space disability, illness, or injury and experience barriers in UNC 328 Express your spirituallity and an educational setting. faith in a relaxed, private setting.

10

September 8th 2015 | The Phoenix | life@thephoenixnews.com | Interim Life Editor: Maranda Wilson

11

September 8th 2015 | The Phoenix | life@thephoenixnews.com | Interim Life Editor: Maranda Wilson

//WELCOME WEEK CONT’D WHAT’S IN YOUR NEW SWAG BAG (PLUS SOME OTHER THINGS WE FEEL SHOULD BE INCLUDED) Going to CREATE? Here’s your guide on what to expect, what you’ll get, and where to go for everything “free”.

Be on the lookout for the Red Frog team at Frosh. Their tent will have free water, freezies, and assistance to ensure everyone has a safe Frosh.

Stop buying school supplies! Don’t give the bookstore anymore money than you need to.

Office supplies such as pens, Post-it notes, and highlighters can be found for free at various student resource offices around campus (such as the Writing and Research Centre or Disability Resource Centre), and also at Create’s Showcase on Sept. 8.

Maranda Wilson Interim Life Editor Any swag bag you receive during your time at UBCO will include condoms. This is a fact.

If you find yourself needing more, visit Health and Wellness on the 2nd floor of the UNC where you can grab as many as you like -no judgement.

*

Meet the mascots: Scorch, (left) and retired fan favourite, Ogi Ogopogo (right)

Take advantage of all the coupons and discount cards you receive during the first week. Many businesses offer student pricing with a valid UBC card, so be sure to always ask!

For more substantial free swag (such as T-shirts and waterbottles), it requires some participation on your part. There are always contests on campus, such as the ones put on by The Phoenix *hint hint, or attending the Heat games.

The CREATE Low Down: •8:30 am: Meet your Orientation group (So don’t get be too hungover, people.)

•9:30 am: Kickoff event (Listen to your leaders shout UBC whaaaat? UBCOOoooo over and over again.)

•10:00 am: Meet the Dean (Shut up and listen to them preach about UBC.) •11:15 am: Campus Tour (You will likely lose your leader and your group. Make a friend and go explore.)

•Right after your tour: Aramark BBQ (TAKE EVERYTHING YOU POSSIBLY CAN. FREE FOOD. ‘Nuff said.)

*

•12:30 pm: Showcase (Phoenix table. Meet you there.)

•3:00 pm: Comedian Garrett Clark

•Hangover remedies: If you’re going to party hard, you’re going to suffer hard. You’re not going to want to suffer in a half-unpacked dorm or run around a foreign campus looking for things like Advil or Gatorade.

•4:30 pm: Slip and Slide/ Outdoor Concert: DJ Invizible (The slip and slide is new this year)

•Medications and first aid supplies: Painkillers, cold meds, Pepto Bismol, band-aids, the works.

•4:40 pm: Bubble Ball

•Sunscreen: The Okanagan sun will burn you if it’s really hot and sunny outside.

•5:00 pm: UNICEF Water Fight

•Mints: Because you’re going to kiss a lot of weirdos, might as well keep it fresh.

•5:00 pm and onward: Okay, go forth and party. Make the best of your first week -- but make good choices.

A quick list of the contact info for helpful resources on campus Varenka Kim Visuals Editor

Aboriginal Centre UNC 212 Provides culturally appropriate services and support to First Nations, Metis and Inuit students.

an RA will let you back into your room for free, but the second time will cost you $$$.

Things not in the bag but you should ask your parents for:

•4:15 pm: Feed the Valley: Colour Me UBC (It stains and tastes bad, but it’s fun. Go do it.)

//Resources

QUICK TIP: If you lose your salto, the first time

•Ear Plugs: For when your roommate brings the weirdo home.

UBCO Security (250) 807 8111 First aid and emergency. security.ubco@ubc.ca

Equity and Inclusion Office (250) 807 9291 equity.ubco@ubc.ca www.ubc.ca/okanagan/ equity

UBCO Health & Wellness UNC 337 Medical needs, counselling, and other information.

Mon - Fri 9:00 - 4:00

SAFEWALK (250) 807 8076 24/7 service for students, staff, and faculty if they feel unsafe walking alone on campus.

UBCSUO Resources Centre UNC 109 The Centre is a safe space for all students regardless of orientation, gender, or identity.

• Peer Support Network • Women’s Resource Centre • Pride Resource Centre

UBCO SARA (Sexual Assault and Rape Awareness) UNC 325 Student-run campaign for advocacy around gender-based violence and reporting procedures on campus. sara.ubco@gmail.com

Ombudsperson Office (250) 807 9818 An advocate for fairness and provides information, advice, and support to students who need help in navigating difficult situations and challenges in their university life. ombuds.office.ok@ubc.ca

Math & Science Centre UNC 201 Free drop in tutoring five days per week.

Disability Resource Centre UNC 227

(250) 807 9263

Ensures educational equity for those who have a Spiritual/Multi-Faith Space disability, illness, or injury and experience barriers in UNC 328 Express your spirituallity and an educational setting. faith in a relaxed, private setting.

September 8th 2015 | The Phoenix | arts@thephoenixnews.com | Arts Editor: Jacky Deng

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//Arts TRENDING

“Miley, What’s good?”

Street art, now widely celebrated...

Wildest Dreams

Sarah James Production Manager In 2014 Fraser Crowley graduated from the BFA program here at UBCO and is now an emerging Canadian/ American painter, sculptor and printmaker. Crowley or “ARTLORD” is continuing to produce new work and strive towards new achievements. His work revolves around the ever changing visuals of pop art, graffiti, colour and the unorthodox use of materials and different mediums. His current work is inspired by Andy Warhol, Jean-Michel Basquiat and Keith Haring, who are all inspiring and innova-

//Frosh Alex Barberis

Coordinating Editor

UBC What? UBC-time to party your pants off (not literally, please) at this year’s FROSH.

tive artists in their own right who bring new and interesting ideas to the table.

Currently practicing artists that have also been an influence on Fraser are, Alec Monopoly and The Most Famous Artist.

One of Crowley’s latest and first solo show in Vancouver on May 1st, 2015 was a chance for many people to view and be enlightened by Crowley’s social commentary on the entitlement of our generation.

The work in Crowley’s show featured hand cut stencils, bright colors, and recycled artworks. “I paint to visually entice the viewer, many of my paintings focus on the aesthetic side of artwork, but as of late I have been exploring a style of work that I can’t really describe any other way than ‘cheeky’.” Crowley sees art as a huge part of today’s society and has been

College Night, #leveled

Images provided by Sarah James and Fraser Crowley

ARTLORD GOES SOLO 2014 UBCO graduate Fraser Crowley a.k.a Artlord hosted his first solo art show in Vancouver May 1st

Frosh, Adventure Club & Big Data

scouring thrift stores, garage sales and basements looking for works by great artists that he is able to recycle to create new meanings and generate different perspectives on our understanding of the art world. “Money is power in many social circles, and so with my current work poking fun at art itself, the use of past legends ranging from the 17th-20th century painters such as Renior, Cezzanne, Marchetti, I can try to stand out by enraging the educated, and creating a false hype about myself as the ARTLORD.”

This year’s Frosh, brought to you by your UBCSUO, MSA, and Blueprint, will be held on September 18th at 6:30PM on the UBCO Commons Field. Tickets are on sale starting at $35 dollars and can be purchased at the UBCSUO and online through Eventbrite.

Headlining this year’s concert is electronic and EDM artists Adventure Club and Big Data –- a change from the rappers that dominated the previous two FROSH line-ups. “I wanted Adventure Club, I’d seen them so many times before and they always put on a good show.” Said VP Events, Layne Richardson. “They’re a personal favourite [of mine], and Big Data had the #1 alternative song for a long time – Dangerous. It’s a great line-up.”

For those of you who are familiar with the FROSH concerts and wondering what else the UBCSUO has planned – expect to see a lot more involvement from SARA (Sexual Assault and Rape Awareness) club.

This year SARA will have a tent at FROSH and will be handing out Drug awareness cards for partygoers to party responsibly. The cards will feature each party drug and list the possible side effects and how to consume drugs safely. This campaign is part of the “Let’s Get Consensual” campaign present at universities across Canada. “We’re not endorsing drug use”, said Richardson. “We just want to make sure everyone has a safe experience.”

Added to that safe experience are expanded security

measures and ambulance presence on the field the night of the concert.

Looking to make your FROSH an experience you’ll never forget? Grab your VIP tickets for an exclusive concert experience, corroborate the memories with FROSH swag being sold at the concert, and keep the party rolling at the Well after party – first come first served and $5 cover.

More details can be found at the UBCO Frosh Facebook Page.

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September 8th 2015 | The Phoenix | arts@thephoenixnews.com | Arts Editor: Jacky Deng

Alumnus Gregory Middleton, nominated for an Emmy for Game of Thrones Cinematography (“Unbowed, Unbent, Unbroken”).

Composite Images by Cameron Welch

HEATWAVE IS HERE An indepth conversation with members of UBCO’s own radio club

Jacky Deng Arts Editor

You’re sitting in a boardroom. The lights are dimmed, and Kanye West’s aggressive prose drones on in the background. Amidst the strange atmosphere, a friendly argument erupts between executives Sam Hunt, Easton Doran, and Ousainou Corr, the third one in the last fifteen minutes. Is Kanye a genius or a narcissist? Meanwhile, the perpetually charismatic Ahmed Dirad desperately tries to get the group back on track. Events. Merchandise. These are priorities, he exclaims, not Kanye.

Beside you sits Kevin Morrison, a pen-

//Movie Review 3 Summer movies you most definitely missed Jacky Deng Arts Editor

sive cauldron of thoughts waiting for his moment to speak. A couple jokes are thrown into the air, and the argument quickly ends. After an hour of this, you come to a conclusion: Heatwave Radio is the most exciting new place to be at UBC Okanagan.

What is Heatwave Radio and what are its goals?

AD: Heatwave Radio is UBCO’s newest media platform. Our goal is to stimulate local talent within the UBCO and Kelowna community by letting students create their own music, radio talk shows, and other audio content.

ED: We also want the UBCO and Kelowna community to be exposed to music and content they wouldn’t typically hear on a usual radio station.

Because Heatwave Radio is a university-funded club, we are much more

diverse, and we aren’t limited to any particular type of content.

Why is Heatwave Radio necessary with the Phoenix News and Class Magazine already present?

AD: Music is one of the biggest social conventions that we have, and audio podcasts have become a huge social commodity. We are literally the student voice.

KM: You can listen to it while you’re studying. While Phoenix and Class normally produce content on a biweekly to monthly basis, Heatwave is real-time and can immediately provide news to the student body.

OC: It’s a lot like school; certain types of media will appeal to different kinds of people. We’re filling a void that, to this point, has been left empty.

What should students expect in terms of content?

SH: The beauty of being so new is that we, the students, have to opportunity to create whatever we think people would be interested in listening to.

We’re open to ideas, and we’re trying to create as many different genres as we can think of.

What has changed over the summer?

SH: We faced a few challenges this summer with regards to bureaucracy and funding, but that isn’t going to limit us to what we’re going to be doing. Because we’ve had to overcome a couple hurdles, it’s allowed us to create longer-term goals, a more stable, realistic platform, and higher standards.

How much of an effect do you expect Heatwave to have in the Kelowna community?

SH: We aren’t broadcasting within the greater Kelowna community as of yet, but we will definitely be working with various musical artists from Kelowna, as well as people who support music in general.

ED: I know so many people who are incredible at what they do, but they don’t know how to be heard. The radio will provide people an avenue for that.

Describe Heatwave Radio in one sentence.

AD: A mosaic of talent.

Me and Earl and The Dying Girl

Tangerine

Who’s Starring?

Thomas Mann, Olivia Cooke, Jon Bernthal

Who’s Starring?

Kitana Kiki Rodriguez, Mya Taylor

Why Should I Care?

There’s Me, 17 year old Greg, his friend Earl, and a Dying Girl, cancer-patient Rachel. Sounds like every coming-ofage John Green novel, right? But what actually plays out will leave you in tears. Anchored by superb lead performances and subtle cinematography, Me & Earl is a breath of fresh air in a genre filled with clichés.

Why Should I Care?

A transwoman sex-worker tears through LA on Christmas Eve in search of the pimp who broke her heart. If that isn’t enough to hook you, maybe the fact that Tangerine was entirely shot on three iPhones and real LA sex-workers were cast in the lead roles will. Ever wanted to make a film, but you didn’t have the “proper” camera or “real” actors? Tangerine shows you that it really doesn’t matter.

September 8th 2015 | The Phoenix | arts@thephoenixnews.com | Arts Editor: Jacky Deng

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Images provided by Flickr/ Creative Commons Tiffany-b

SOUNDS OF MUSIC An indepth conversation with members of UBCO’s own radio club

Jacky Deng Arts Editor

This past summer, Festivals Kelowna adopted a summer trend that has, until recently, only been seen in larger cities, like Vancouver and New York – pianos in parks. With five pianos being placed in various Downtown locations, “Pianos in Parks” allowed both tourists and townsfolk to enjoy a rather unique Kelowna summer. Casual passersby were invited to use the pianos to harken back to forgotten piano lessons and play a couple scales, which many did. Others were a bit more apt; as the sun set rich and warm each evening,

virtuosic hands would dash across the keys, attracting reflective lovebirds, awe-inspired children, and nostalgic elderly to their musical produce. Suddenly the perfect night came with a free concert, and even Aerosmith’s Steven Tyler began to join in on the fun in mid-July.

their own pianos in their own parks, and even smaller towns, such as Vernon, began to participate in the ivory plague. In a city where music is so celebrated and respected, “Pianos in Parks” adds a new piece to the ever-growing Kelowna culture.

But the program did not come without issue: inconvenient weather and mischievous miscreants caused considerable damage to the pianos when left unchecked. Luckily, particular incidents were repaired by Keystone Music, and the song continued with missing a beat. Taking advantage of an already-strong social media presence laid out by Festivals Kelowna, “Pianos in Parks” became a local hit, and other cities were quick to follow suit. Seattle and San Francisco have already placed

Image of Steven Tyler playing one of the Kelwna pianos, photo by Wayne Moore

The Gift Who’s Starring?

Joel Edgerton, Rebecca Hall, Jason Bateman Why Should I Care?

Joel Edgerton directs, writes, and stars in “The Gift”, a psychological thriller that will leave you winded by the time it ends. Bateman and Hall are a married couple moving to the former’s hometown, and, while settling in, they meet Edgerton’s character, Gordo, a man from Bateman’s high school years who never got anywhere in life. What appears to be a standard thriller at first slowly develops into the most intelligent and thematically intriguing story I’ve seen all year. The

acting is perfect, particularly Bateman who, while generally known for his comedic work, delivers the performance of a lifetime. Go see this movie.

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September 8th 2015 | The Phoenix | opinions@thephoenixnews.com | Opinions Editor: Brittni Mackenzie-Dale

//Opinions

TRENDING

Religious freedom or discrimination?

Elections

Whitewashing?

Pride or prejudice?

THE LIBERAL POLITICAL BIAS IN SOCIAL PSYCHOLOGY In any field of social science, political biases inevitably influence research results

Do liberals tend to gravitate towards the field or are conservatives discriminated against?

Brodie MacKenzie-Dale

Contributor

In social psychology, there is a political bias: about 85% of social psychologists hold liberal views. In any field of science, objectivity and truth are ideally at the core of its values. There is good reason to believe that this stark liberal slant may impede on the fields’ ability to conduct as objective research as possible. After all, it is a science

//Aggregate Reviews on Art Brittni Mackenzie-Dale Opinions Editor

that is concerned with human behaviour and thought, and human beings are wrought with ideologies about the way humans should behave; yet, these deeply held beliefs may not always align with the way humans actually behave. Two well-established biases in psychology include the in-group vs. out-group bias and confirmation bias.

The first is our tendency to exhibit positives prejudices towards members of our same affiliation and negative prejudices to individuals of other affiliations. The other is confirmation bias: the tendency to seek and judge information more favorably if that information coincides with previously held beliefs and our tendency to judge it more negatively if it does not. Therefore, the left leaning values may consciously, or unconsciously, affect the interpretation of data and which research proposals

receive funding.

There has been speculation as to why we see this liberal bias. Do liberals tend to gravitate towards the field naturally?

Perhaps they are more intelligent? Are conservatives discriminated against?

In their paper, Political Diversity Will Improve Social Psychological Science, Jonathan Haidt and his colleagues explore this issue with great detail. They found that there is a tendency for liberals to self-select into the field but that is not the only contributing factor.

What they also discovered is that there is a hostile climate towards conservatives and their political views as well as active discrimination towards them.

When members of the SPSP discussion list were asked “do you feel there is a hostile climate towards your political beliefs in your field?” 82% of the conservatives responded “yes” while only

What do reviews mean for art? This question has undoubtedly been around since art has been created and people have been around to examine it. (So, pretty much forever.) But something interesting has happened with aggregate review sites like Rotten Tomatoes and Good Reads. We start relying on them a little too much to determine if we should go see the movie or shell out the $19.95 for a paperback. I know I’m the first person to pull up my RT or GR app: if it’s below a 70% or a 3, there

is no way I’m prepared to spend both my time and money on that piece of art. Typically, I don’t even glance at the individual reviews—and this is where the problem lies. If there is a particular critic I often side with, wouldn’t it be extraordinarily more useful to read her review in its entirety?

And what about those who don’t even read the text they’re reviewing?

This is the scariest aspect of everyone suddenly becoming a reviewer, RT and GR apps up and ready. I’ve had writing

“If we are to arrive at accurate scientific truth, it is important to value a wide variety of conflicting viewpoints, generating unique hypothesises and theories.”

7% of liberals responded “yes”. This is particularly salient in a university setting, where certain views may be heard more than others. Perhaps more concerning, is that when social psychologists were asked if they would hire an individual where the only difference amongst his competitor was that he

professors mock certain authors and later reveal that they haven’t read even a single piece of work by them (surely because of reviews they had read).

Suddenly, we begin passing around reviews—whether favorable or negative, although the latter is clearly more detrimental—that resembles one long, confusing round of that schoolhouse game Telephone, where the end result becomes not a garbled turn of phrase but a garbled (and perhaps unfounded) artistic opinion. I think it’s a fair de-

Flash-come-back?

had conservative political views, 82% openly admitted that they would hire the other. Haidt and his colleagues also demonstrated that research was evaluated more positively if it aligned with liberal values.

In order for psychology to progress as a science, it is important to become aware of the biases that may influence the field and to strive to correct them.

If we are to arrive at accurate scientific truth, it is important to value a wide variety of conflicting viewpoints, generating unique hypothesises and theories. I believe the field would benefit if the political slant was not drastically unbalanced. Of course, conservatives may also fall prey to their biases so all social scientists must be diligent in their efforts to be as objective as possible.

mand that before we bash something, we should at least read parts of it. Is that so much to ask?

To read the full version of these article visit thephoenixnews.com/ category/opinions/

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September 8th 2015 | The Phoenix | opinions@thephoenixnews.com | Opinions Editor: Brittni Mackenzie-Dale

Shortchanged at the parking meters?

Erica Boyd - Contributor Students might have noticed an alarming trend: feeding the parking meters around campus isn’t always predictable. That is no matter how much money they thought they put into the meter, that robotic parking attendant is conveniently flashing zero by the time they get back to their cars.

I was given a $30 ticket last year for a meter that I carefully paid for; I knew I would be in a lecture for an hour and a half, so I paid for two hours. I got out early and yet, there was my meter saying I was out of time and one of those stomach-dropping white tickets poking out of my windshield wipers. Irritating, to say the least.

Here’s a warning to new and future students: Don’t doubt yourself. Take a photo of your meter if you have to (with a time-stamp) and demand answers if you receive a ticket.

DOCUMENTARIES, DISCUSSION, AND NONHUMAN ANIMALS Course offered by Dr. Castricano sparked emotional discussion and deep moral examinations Nishat Tasnim - Contributor Have you ever thought about your relationship with nonhuman animals?

This past summer, a group of UBCO students took the initiative to start the discussion.

UBCO Thin(kin)ing is a studentlend group that branched from a Critical Animal Studies (CAS) course offered by Dr. Jodey Castricano. After a challenging and enlightening semester, CAS students realized there was much left to be explored after the end of the academic term. The discussion needed to be brought to the wider community.

//Upcoming Election Nishat Tasnim Contributor

This summer, the group organized free documentary screenings. A series of documentaries and lectures introduced controversial topics for discussion and debate, modeled after the “drive-by-debates” in the CAS course.

The first documentary screened was “Cowspiracy”. The film took a deeper look at animal agriculture and revealed the shocking environmental impact of the industry. Livestock covers 45% of Earth’s total land and their by-products account for a significant proportion of global greenhouse gas emissions.

For instance, 51% CO2 and 65% of nitrous oxide from global greenhouse gas emissions come from animal agriculture. The same trends follow for global water use and waste production. Faced with the numbers, the audience expressed gasps of shock throughout the screening. The discussion period that

“We discussed if caring for our planet is a moral obligation, and whether our choices and beliefs should be founded on these moral grounds. These aren’t easy questions to answer.”

Today, Canadian students are paying record tuition and rackling up crippling debts. Youth unemployment is double the national average, and the jobs that are being created are part time and precarious. As a student, I know that this makes it difficult to be that optimistic about the future. But this is all the result of our Prime Minister Stephen Harper’s policy choices, which have left young people behind.

Instead of reinvesting in colleges or universities or making life more affordable for students, Harper gave tax breaks to big business. He has no interest in investments that help young people get started in life, like education, housing and childcare.

followed was glum and somewhat melancholy, as is often the case with CAS discussion. We discussed if caring for our planet is a moral obligation, and whether our choices and beliefs should be founded on these moral grounds.

These aren’t easy questions to answer.

The next screening, documentary “Peaceable Kingdom”, was a tug at our heartstrings. Peaceable Kingdom features the stories of farmers who question their traditional lifestyle and the underlying assumptions of their way of life. The documentary was sometime painful to see, and sometimes heartwarming. Following the emotional screening, we asked: do you think animals feel emotions in a similar way that humans do? Why or why not?

The answers to the above discussion question was further examined during

the screening of Dr. Melanie Joy’s popular lecture “Carnism: the psychology of meat eating”. Here, the discussion veered into a theoretical realm. We talked about the gap in our consciousness as both a break and a trained distancing/lack of connection between us and those we consider edible. We also talked about carnistic defenses such as the 3 Ns (normal, natural and necessary). Still, the discussion was personal. Audience members discussed the invisible forces that shape beliefs drawing anecdotes from childhood.

UBCO Thin(kin)ing has a website, twitter and Facebook group. Look us up! The next discussion series will focus on the ethics and philosophy of conservation. Everyone (and their ideas) are welcome. See you at our next event!

The good news is that there’s an election around the corner where us students can vote for change. Positive change. I believe in a Canada where no one is left behind and where we look after the planet. Please check out people. norahbowman.ca for information on the NDP. Note from the editor: Do your research thoroughly and take an interest in politics. It doesn’t have to be as scary as you think. The Phoenix can’t tell you who to vote for, but we can give you starting points.

Left: Photo by Miller Center/ Creative Commons Right: Photo by Michael Pickard / Creative Commons

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September 8th 2015 | The Phoenix | sports@thephoenixnews.com | Sports Editor: Grayson Burton Leahy

//Sports TRENDING

Bluejays get ready for playoffs.

Pre-season over.

The HEAT, back on campus

Olympic trials, Canada lost a nail biter to Argentina

Images provided by the Heat flickr

NATE, NOW

A year into life without Heat volleyball, Nate Speijer sat down to look back, and talk about being a Graduate

Grayson Burton Leahy Sports Editor

Nate Speijer is one of the most successful athletes to ever make UBCO his home. During his five years with the Heat, Nate made himself one of the most recognizable faces in the University’s athletic community, if not the University as a whole. He spent his time on the court and in training sessions giving his all, and his time outside of volleyball making the most of it.

//The Foote Boys Grayson Burton Leahy Sports Editor

Move in day, the Heat helps out

Coming into my position with the Phoenix, I wanted to start off with a bit of a look back to my experience of UBCO sports during my time at the school so far. For the most part, that meant Nate. Nate and I arrived at the school at roughly the same time, and from early on my memories of Heat athletics were centred mostly around the guy I knew. Through the years that we were both at school, I was lucky enough to get to know Nate pretty well beyond the court. While he was a pillar of the volleyball community, he was also a fellow student, regular beer-andpool companion at The Well, and a friend. So I sat down with Nate to take a look back and talk about it all.

Nowadays Nate lives in Penticton, and works up north, making effective use of his degree. While he no lon-

ger competes officially, he continues to play beach volleyball which, due to the high level of talent amongst he and his friends, often becomes quite competitive. In much the same way, he remains connected to friends and former teammates in the Heat volleyball program. Asked if there are any plans for him to be a part of the program officially, he said, “No. I keep in touch, I mainly just talk to the players...we have the same friends, and we’re kind of in the same world.” With an eye toward his time with the program, Nate recalls his favourite memory, if forced to pick just one, “Winning Provincials was awesome. On home court, I got to serve on championship point. That was a lot of fun. Going out with the guys, especially because the girls won right before us.”

Being able to look back at a success-

Okanagan Sports

Former NHL Star’s Sons to Land in Kelowna In the Okanagan, sports have always seemed to come to us.

We’ve got very successful teams, and the bigger teams from around Canada seem to gravitate here be it for early training, to live during the offseason, or just to play golf. In recent years, though, especially in Kelowna, sports news has often been dominated for the Rockets. That hasn’t gone unnoticed amongst some pretty impressive circles.

One article printed recently in the Daily Courier, penned

by Larry Fisher, piqued my interest with regards to the Rock-

ful career with the Heat, the former Captain would offer two pieces of advice to incoming players. “Be ready to learn,” and “don’t lose sight of why you play the game. It doesn’t matter who you’re playing. The reason they’re on the court is the same as yours. They love the game and they wanna see how good they can get.”

Asked if he misses it, having been away from the game and the team for over a year now, his answer is thoughtful. “Honestly, it’s not so much that I miss it, but it’s the shock of going from knowing what you’re doing, having such a routine schedule and loving every minute of it. In my last game, when that last point dropped, it finally hit me.

That last ball hitting the ground sounded like a shotgun going off. It just rang in my head, like, ‘it’s over.’ That took me

ets. “Foote brothers have bright future with Rockets,” the article is titled. While I may never have been a fan of the Canucks’ rivals in Colorado, I was always impressed by the play of two-time Stanley Cup Champion Adam Foote. Knowing that he had such interest in arguably our cities’ favourite team makes me smile. Both of Adam’s sons have been drafted by the Rockets, with Cal (the elder of the two) likely to break onto the roster this coming season. Knowing that two young men, coming with such an impressive hockey pedigree, are coming to Kelowna definitely gives us as fans something to look forward to in the next couple of years.

a while to grasp, but then when I graduated and I walked across that stage, I just thought, ‘Ok. It’s done.’”

Asked what the best part of being graduated is for him, the answer was short and honest. “The sense of accomplishment, for sure. Not so much being able to get on with your life, but like the starting of a new stage.”

With Nate moved on to a new stage and many new successes, UBCO moves in to another exciting year of Heat athletics.

September 8th 2015 | The Phoenix | sports@thephoenixnews.com | Sportd Editor: Grayson Burton Leahy

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IT’S A FANTASY-TASTIC TIME OF YEAR September means two of our greatest annual beginnings: School and Fantasy Football

Grayson Burton Leahy Sports Editor With the beginning of another fall semester comes the start of something else as well, something arguably as exciting and important to many of us. Tuesday, September 8th may be the first day of classes, but at 8:30pm Eastern / 5:30 Pacific on Thursday, September 10th, 2015 the first game of the 2015 NFL season kicks off. For those of us who spend so much time on computers for school and classes, that computer doubles as the tool with which we work on our greatest distraction: Fantasy Football. The first

//2015-16 Recruits Newest members of the Heat Grayson Burton Leahy

Sports Editor

few days of classes will for many new and returning students include their fantasy drafts. Whether they’re in one league or twenty, fantasy football team owners have the same feelings for the first week of September that most kids have for Christmas.

The academic papers, studies, and reports start once school has gotten into full swing, but the research for fantasy football players started months ago. Some look at it as a way to pass the time over the summer until real football starts again, others justify it as simply a warm-up for the real research and analysis they’ll have to do once school starts.

That analysis and dedication leaves many of us dumbfounded again, with the recent injuries and suspensions.

Where we would have picked Jordy Nelson, we have to find a suitable 2nd

round replacement (I would go with T.Y. Hilton if you can get him). With Tom Brady out, someone’s going to have to settle for Joe Flacco or Jay Cutler. The predictions shift incessantly this time of year, but as a fantasy player you have to remember that it’s a marathon, not a sprint. The most important thing in fantasy football, as anyone in a good league will know, is carrying a team that can perform week in and week out against your friends so that you can make use of your highly-educated smack talk. With a huge number of drafts coming up, many are, like me, trying to find that one player that no one else in your league has heard of yet.

It’s an exciting time, but it can be scary.

Do your research, scour NFL.com’s rankings and projections, and read A LOT. I also highly recommend the NFL Fantasy Live podcast, for those

Whether they’re in one league or twenty, fantasy football team owners have the same feelings for the first week of September that most kids have for Christmas.

Men’s Basketball: - Patrick Dujmovik: Wing - Paulius Makulavicius: Guard - Randall Mosca: Point Guard - Bishop Grandin - Spencer Thomas: Guard Women’s Basketball: - Hannah Friesen: Forward - Jordan Korol: Forward - Emma Johnson: Point Guard/Shooting

who know what they’re looking for and want a serious (and as professional as you can get about fantasy football) opinion.

Knowing who to pick only gets you so far in fantasy football. The most important part, which I’ve noticed too many people seeming to forget, is that you put yourself in a league that allows you to interact with friends and competitors, and have fun with it.

Talk trash, give your teams ridiculous names, and make questionable trades, but sit down together and watch the games and make it the remarkable experience that it deserves to be.

However you choose to look at it, the beginning of September is a time for celebration of new beginnings and, dedication to both academic success and fantasy football prosperity.

- Chloe Kennedy: Forward Men’s Soccer: - Daimon Gill: Defender - Riley Gallant - Jeevin Kang: Defender - Kieran Large: Midfielder - Kyle Spears: Defender/Midfielder - Hamish Walde: Defender -LukeWarentin

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September 8th 2015 | The Phoenix | sports@thephoenixnews.com | Sports Editor: Grayson Burton Leahy

What’s your favourite team in the league? Let us know on twitter... @ubcophoenix

JAYS-TRAIN SEEMS BOUND FOR GLORY Toronto’s big-swinging ball team running on full steam into the home stretch Grayson Burton Leahy Sports Editor September means the push for the playoffs in Major League Baseball. For many of us, Canadian baseball means one thing above all else: the Toronto Blue Jays. With things as they stand, the Blue Jays are poised to win their division for the first time since their second of two back-to-back championship seasons in 1993. For those out there like me, this is an exciting time.

In my lifetime, I’ve never seen the Jays so close to a significant run into the playoffs. With only about a month and

change left before the season comes to an end, watching the Jays run wild is a nice change of pace, to say the least. Aside from the Blue Jays phone cases, pens, hats, jerseys, and other fan attire and miscellany, a sense of joy and maybe a little pride fills many a diehard Jays fan.

With Edwin Encarnacion on a tear (having just tied for 2nd on the franchise hit-streak record) and Jose Bautista and company swatting balls out of parks left and right, the train from One Blue Jays Way is for once not just chugging along to the end of the line; it’s barrelling toward October with coal a-burning and wheels spitting fire.

Just two seasons ago I sat in the dark listening to the World Series on the radio, for lack of a cable connection or reliable online stream. This time around, though, I’m optimistic that it might not be another ‘good for them’ feeling I have come the Fall Classic. I’m ready with head-to-toe Jays gear, even a beautiful Jays pen to write any celebratory material. Right about now, I’m ready to spend my September and October cheering for something the Jays haven’t been in far too long: a winner. Get excited.

Women’s Soccer: - Lindsey Berthelsen: Defender - Madelyn Ellis: Midfielder - Kaylin Ferguson: Midfielder - Anna Fuchsuber: Goal Keeper - Sarah George: Midfielder - Justine Hesch: Midfielder - Sarah Histed: Defender - Joella Koblischke: Goal Keeper Men’s Volleyball: - Devon Cote - Eli Risso

Women’s Volleyball - Katinka Krahn - Tessa Neil - Skye Thompson

Photo by Keith Allison/ Creative Commons