UBCO’s Student Newspaper
November 24th, 2014 | Vol 27, Issue 6
...back on campus since 1989
ADDERALL BEFORE EXAMS AND DRUG DEALS BETWEEN CLASSES THE WORLD OF STUDY DRUGS ON CAMPUS PAGE 12
UBCO’s PETITION TO LEAVE CFS: WHAT IS THE CFS AND WHAT HAPPENS WHEN YOU TRY TO LEAVE? PAGE 6
THE RISE OF MAN BUNS ON CAMPUS PAGE 8
ARTIST PROFILE: WRITER BRIANNA FERGUSON CREATES NARRATIVE IN A MEANINGLESS WORLD PAGE 16
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thephoenixnews.com
IN THIS ISSUE
With finals fast approaching, we look at how prescription medication has come to function in the university life. We talked to those students who need the drugs, those who take it up their study, those who sell their prescriptions, and the trend to use the drugs for pre-gaming. - 12 Corrections: In the last issue we published a line by one of our contributors that made an off-colour joke about the amount of people their lasagna could feed. We regret the insensitivity of publishing that line. The graphs in last issue’s feature were not adjusted to reflect the different amounts, correct graphs are on the website.
NEWS
LIFE
ARTS
SPORTS
OPINIONS
United Way Largest Dodgeball Game - 4
Look at that man bun - 8
Review of Lena Dunham’s memoir - 15
Peter Wylie - 20
John Hindle Dr. now open for cyclists - 5
Prep your rez room for the holidays - 11
Are we separating from the CFS? - 6
Is txting ruining language - 9
Short story by UBCO Schroeder - 18 Brianna Ferguson - 16
Season Review: Cross Country finish 5th & 7th - 23
Co-ordinating Editor Kelsi Barkved
coordinating@thephoenixnews.com
University Centre 3333 University Way Kelowna, BC, Canada V1Y 5N3 Phone: 250-807-9296 thephoenixnews.com Cover Image by Lynnette Oon Feature images by Lynnette Oon and Sarah James
Operations Manager Alex Eastman
managingeditor@thephoenixnews.com
News Editor Alex Barberis
news@thephoenixnews.com
Arts Editor Jeff Bulmer
arts@thephoenixnews.com
Sports Editor Kevin Ilomin
sports@thephoenixnews.com
Opinions Editor Kayti Barkved
opinions@thephoenixnews.com
Life Editor Maranda Wilson
Photo Editor Lynnette Oon
Features Editor Sasha Curry
Web Editor Justin Kroeker
life@thephoenixnews.com
features@thephoenixnews.com
photo@thephoenixnews.com
web@thephoenixnews.com
Heat men’s volleyball win after brutal early schedule - 23
Creative Director Cameron Welch
creative@thephoenixnews.com
Visuals Editor Sarah James
artdirector@thephoenixnews.com
Copy Editor Lauren Wintle
wintle@thephoenixnews.com
Contributors
Peter Wylie, Scott Crawford, Lauren Marshall, Torie Church, Anthony Labonte, Adam Lewis Schroeder, and Laura Sciarpelletti.
Professors need to change - 19 Ms. Wintle’s Campus Manners - 19
The Phoenix is the UBCO students’ free press. Editorial content is separate from the University of British Columbia Students’ 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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News Editor: Alexandra Barberis|news@thephoenixnews.com | The Phoenix | November 24th, 2014
NEWS Photo: Top - Random Dodgeballer Bottom - Landen LaCroix and Allyssa Costerton — Grant
Photo by Alex Barberis
UBC OKANAGAN UNITED WAY DODGEBALL GAME UBC Okanagan students gathered in The Furnace for a heated game of dodgeball in support of the United Way Campgain. Alex Barberis News Editor “If you can dodge a wrench, you can dodge a ball.” — Rip Torn, Dodgeball:A True Underdog Story. The plan? To have the largest dodgeball game in the Okanagan. “Ideally what it’ll look like is 300 hundred students, faculty, and staff throwing balls at each other…for charity!” said Allyssa Costerton-Grant, UBCO Faculty of Education Communications Specialist, and organizer of
NEWS BRIEFS Alex Barberis News Editor
the event. “We want to create an event where every year we do the same thing and we create that kind of legacy for the students to have.” The execution? 22 dedicated UBCO dodgeball players, but Allyssa Costerton-Grant wasn’t discouraged. She considers the event a successful steppingstone for future years to come. “We didn’t have as many players as we anticipated, but next year it’s happening again so we’re inviting all of our students, faculty, and staff to join us next year,” said Costerton–Grant. “It was so much fun – we’ll see you next year”. The event was molded after a similar style dodgeball game at the University of Alberta, which gathered roughly 600 participants. In order to participate, each player required a minimum $15 pledge. All the proceeds pledged to each indi-
vidual were contributed to the United Way Campaign, in which the dodgeball game was an isolated event. The United Way Campaign began on October 6, 2014 as the #myunselfie campaign, and has branched out to include the UBC Okanagan dodgeball game, and will conclude on December 15th at the closing date of the online United Way Campaign silent auction. To date, the United Way Okanagan campaign has collectively raised $30, 000 for the community. The goal for the entire campaign is to raise a total of $57, 000 dollars. Students participating in the event fought hard for the thousand dollar top prize. “We went down in the first few minutes unfortunately, but it was a hard fight,” said Justin Kroeker, member of The Phoenix staff playing in the tournament.
“We went down in the first few minutes unfortunately, but it was a hard fight.”
“They’re planning 10-man team events next year, so we have a chance to come back from the ashes and bring a different kind of Heat.” The last man standing in the event was the lucky Landen LaCroix who was awarded $1000 for winning the tournament. LaCroix was nothing but smiles when we asked him what he was going to do with his winnings. “I’m going to donate $250 to the United Way Campaign,” said LaCroix. “I’ll probably spend the rest of it celebrating the end of the semester.”
JUSTIN KROEKER DODGEBALL PARTICIPANT
University UBC alumni donates $7.5 million to computer science research Dr. David Cheriton, a professor of computer science at Stanford University, has donated $7 million to create a new chair in computer science and $535,800 to create a new firstyear course in computational thinking. Dr. Cheriton, a technology investor, business mentor, and
a founding investor in Google, is a repeat donor to UBC. In 2010, he donated $2 million to a science education initiative. “I have the deepest respect for David Cheriton, a scientist and philanthropist who supports the next generation of innovators,” says UBC President Arvind Gupta. “His generosity will bolster computer science research and help UBC lead in an exciting and rapidly changing field.” Photo: Flikr/Creative Commons
November 24th, 2014 | The Phoenix |news@thephoenixnews.com | News Editor: Alexandra Barberis 5 have any interest* Ifingyoustories or events from
Gupta was recently named #39 on * President MacLeans top 50 Canadians list, placing before
campus, send us an email at news@thephoenixnewscom!
Drake. Does that mean that UBC has more street cred than Drake?
EVENTS November 28th Last Day of Classes
December 1st Exam Jam
All Day/ FREE /Arts Building Join campus partners for our annual exam prep fest! Exam Jam provides faculty review sessions, Supplemental Learning reviews, tutoring, and much more.
December 2nd Exams Start
December 5th
Alterknowledge: Indigenous Pedagogies and Knowledges in the Public School System
Photo by Lynnette Oon
JOHN HINDLE DRIVE TO OPEN FOR CYCLISTS November 10th, 2014, the Government of Canada, the Province of BC, and the City of Kelowna announced the $11.6 million expansion of John Hindle Drive. This safe and efficient cycling route to UBCO is expected to be completed by the fall of 2017. Alex Barberis News Editor
The expansion on the final phase of John Hindle Drive will increase options for students, staff, and visitors wishing to access the UBC Okanagan campus. Phase one of the John Hindle Drive project was completed in early 2014,
and involved the extension of John Hindle Drive from Glenmore Road to the regional landfill site. The next phase of the John Hindle Drive project consists of a 1.6-kilometer two-lane roadway extension of the current John Hindle Drive. This roadway will connect Highway 97 to Glenmore Road and the UBCO campus. In addition to this project is the construction of a multi-use paved pathway for pedestrians and cyclists from Glenmore Road to the Hollywood Road roundabout at Highway 97 near UBCO. “This new route will help support students, faculty, and staff at UBCO and the Glenmore community, as well as relieve congestion and also contribute to the long-term economic growth of the region.” said Norm Letnick, MLA for Kelowna-Lake Country.
The Government of Canada is contributing $3.5 million dollars through the Building Canada Fund, the province of British Columbia is providing $3.5 million, and the City of Kelowna is investing $4.6 million towards the project. “The John Hindle Drive extension is a Council priority and has been in our long-term road network planning for many years.” said Kelowna Mayor, Walter Gray. “We acknowledge the collaborative effort of our partners, especially the provincial and federal governments. Our thanks also to the citizens and staff for creating something of great value for our community. Investment in multiple modes of transportation is so important to our continued community growth and quality of life.”
University
Gupta speaks at the Kelowna Chamber of Commerce UBC President Arvind Gupta addressed the Kelowna Chamber of Commerce on November 14, 2014. Gupta preached the importance of strong ties between UBC and the Okanagan. “We are turning UBC inside out, tearing down any remain-
ing walls between us and you, putting our resources – human, physical, and virtual – in service to the community,” said Gupta. Along with UBC’s commitment to the Okanagan community, Gupta promised to spend considerable time in the Okanagan listening to people, engaging partners, and building relationships. Photo: UBC Media Relations/Paul Marck
7:00 pm/ FREE /Alternator Centre (421 Cawston Ave.) Diane Campeau will initiate this discussion about the relevance of Indigenous pedagogy for the education of all children and youth, bringing to the discussion her experience working with schools in BC and in communities of the Algonquin Nation in Quebec.
December 10th Nobel Night
6:30 pm - 8:00 pm/FREE/ASC 140 UBC professors share what the winning research in physics, chemistry, physiology or medicine, literature, and peace means and how it is relevant.
January 5th
Winter Session Term 2 Begins
January 7th
Winter Session Term 2 Begins
Last day for payment of second instalment of fees for registration and course changes made before December 31st.
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News Editor: Alexandra Barberis|news@thephoenixnews.com | The Phoenix | November 24th, 2014 have any interesting people you’d like to see * Ifusyou interview, let us know!
Our impression of UBCO breaking up with the CFS Image by Lynnette Oon
UBCO SEEKS SEPARATION FROM THE CANADIAN FEDERATION OF STUDENTS (CFS) The UBC Students’ Union Okanagan has been circulating a petition amongst the student body in order to hold a referendum to leave the CFS Alex Barberis News Editor For the past three years, the Students’ Union has been making moves to distance itself from the CFS, since the defeat of the pro-CFS election slate S4S by campus-centric Students in ACTION. Current Vice-President External Shaman McLean has been spearheading the petition movement, after making
departure from the CFS a key platform point in both the 2013 and 2014 elections. “It’s an interesting organization for those that benefit from it,” said McLean. “For those that don’t, such as ourselves, it’s not the right fit.” What is the CFS? Founded in 1981, the CFS was established to provide students with a unified voice on both a provincial and national level. Its main goal is to serve as an external lobbying organization to the federal and provincial governments on behalf of students, particularly on topics like tuition fees and financial aid. The CFS currently represents 1.5 million students from 80 different university campuses, including our own. Each year, included in your UBCSUO student fees is a $17 student contribution to the CFS membership fee. This $17 goes towards general membership
fees – a portion to the provincial division and the rest to the national organization. With this membership, the UBCSUO maintains exclusive rights to purchase Students’ Union merchandise through the CFS’s bulk buying ethical purchasing network at a 20% discount. “Any student organization can order from that ethical purchasing network, however our membership gives us exclusive access, which is absurd, of course.” said McLean. “We are able to purchase all of our goods for our students at less cost than purchasing through that ethical network… Which is a noble initiative, but when it comes to student fees, students want us to maximize their benefit for their dollar.” Much of what the CFS provides is additional stability within the Students’ Union in the form of staff and election organization. Across Canada, many CFS staffers hold positions in Students’
Campus
The UBCSUO AGM Thursday November 20th 2014 at 2:00pm, the UBCSUO hosted their annual AGM in the UNC Theatre. Items of discussion during the AGM consisted of the approval of budget and the individual executive reports. Unlike previous AGMs, this years lasted for a total of 50 minutes and involved little to no opposition to presented motions. Items presented of noteworthy significance include: the delay in the production of Taco Del Mar to a January opening the increase in budget of the omnibud position, and changes coming to cinesnacks.
“The CFS has gone into many schools and implemented staff structure programs where they have their friends, they have their allies working in the Students’ Unions controlling electins... controlling health and dental so the CFS benifits.” SHAMAN MACLEAN
Unions, and promote CFS ideals within those unions. “The CFS has gone into many schools and implemented staff structure programs where they have their friends, they have their allies working in the Students’ Unions and controlling elections, and controlling how things work out, controlling health and dental so that the CFS benefits,” said McLean. “If you look to small community colleges, there’s just a lot of empty positions, there’s a lot of turnover. There are not a lot of students running. When you have the CFS there you have a CFS staff member.” McLean maintains that the CFS is not needed for stability within our Students’ Union, given our size and experience. “Students themselves will experience no change,” said McLean. “As for the Students’ Union, there’s the possibility
Campus
UBC Okanagan celebrates global diversity On November 5th UBCO celebrated Global Fest, an event focused on increasing international engagement and intercultural understanding. “We have over 80 countries represented at UBC, and we have a very diverse group of students from all over the world, and we were able to have 30 countries represented [at the event].” said Philipp Reichert, Coordinator at Immigration and Advising Services. Around 500 people participated in the cultural showcase to experience a variety of ethnic food and drinks, music, dance, and performances.
Novemebr 24th, 2014 | The Phoenix |news@thephoenixnews.com | News Editor: Alexandra Barberis 7 have any interest* Ifingyoustories or events from
to write for The Phoenix? Send a writing * Want sample and what topics you’re interested in writing
campus, send us an email at news@thephoenixnewscom!
about to news@thphoenixnews.com
In order to officially de-federate from the CFS and CFS-BC, the petition needs signatures from 20% of the student population, to be granted a referendum. McLean urges students looking for more information to come by the Students’ Union, or contact him via phone or online. Canadian Federation of Students Logo
of a lawsuit.” The CFS has a long and extensive history of lawsuits towards students and those Students’ Unions attempting to leave the federation. The Consequence of De-federation Few universities have accepted the challenge of separating from both the national and the provincial branches of the CFS. Capilano University attempted to separate from both the provincial and the federal branches of the CFS in 2013, and escaped relatively unscathed. The Capilano Student Association succeeded in collecting enough signatures to grant a referendum, and mailed the application to the CFS. According to Teresa Grant, spokesperson for the Dump the CFS campaign, the CFS initially denied receiving the petition, even though Canada Post confirmed delivery. About to launch an inquiry
into Canada Post, the CFS then realized they had received the petition. The Dump the CFS campaign also reportedly filed several alleged harassment claims on behalf of students against the CFS. In March 2014, the Capilano Student Association voted in a referendum to leave the CFS, with 77.6% of students voting in favour of the separation. Some universities weren’t lucky enough to make it to the referendum phase, attracting pre-emptive lawsuits from the CFS. Kwantlen Polytechnic University’s attempt to separate from the CFS began with the initial implementation of the petition in March 2008, and the battle of lawsuits, hearings, and court proceedings continued until the end of March 2008. The CFS sued the KSA (Kwantlen Student Association) claiming: (1) the ROC was responsible for determining the dates of the referendum; (2) as the ROC had
been unable to agree on a number of issues, including the text of the referendum question, the referendum had to be delayed; and (3) as the KSA had engaged in allegedly inaccurate “precampaigning,” the referendum would have to be delayed until the fall semester, so as to cleanse the malleable minds of the KSA membership from such “inaccurate” information. In the end, the Court rescheduled the referendum to take place three weeks later than originally scheduled, and asked the KSA’s Chief Returning Officer (CRO) to conduct the referendum. The CFS won the rescheduled referendum with 56% of the vote. So what awaits UBCO? Learning from the mistakes and successes from other student associations across BC, McLean acknowledges the very real possibility of a potential lawsuit. “We’re running a very clean peti-
Campus
The EME’s resident chick Ever wondered what that chicken painting is about on the wall of the EME? The Phoenix News starts asking questions about the only chick in the Engineering building. Our sources have told us the painting was donated as one of the projects from the Start an Evolution campaign, and partially donated by the famous New York artist who painted it. The estimated worth of the painting is said to be around $15,000.
tion, a very clear campaign the entire way through,” said McLean. “When we get approved for our referendum and the CRO is here, we will have to follow by their rules, regardless of how we feel about them.” How can you get involved? In order to officially de-federate from the CFS and CFS-BC, the petition needs signatures from 20% of the student population, to be granted a referendum. McLean urges students looking for more information to come by the Students’ Union, or contact him via phone or online. “There are positive sides to the CFS and there are nice people there, it’s just as an organization itself, it’s not a great fit for the UBCSUO. The entire board is solid on the deal that we need to leave and the entire executive is ready to work on this. It’s just a matter of time until we leave.”
The CFS has a long and extensive history of lawsuits towards students and those Students’ Unions attempting to leave the federation.
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Life Editor: Maranda Wilson | life@thephoenixnews.com | The Phoenix | November 24th, 2014
LIFE
do you feel about the man bun? Let us know *How at life@thephoenixnews.com
After scouring various tumblr and Facebook pages dedicated to all things man bun and feeling really bad for the guy who had his picture snapped while blowing his nose – c’mon, really? – I have compiled a list of what I think constitutes a good man bun:
1. Style
Whether it is hipster, hippie, rugged chic, lumberjack, or whatever new hybrid style, they must have a style, and they must do it well. A guy with bad taste will just be passed off as not knowing where his local Great Clips is. Similarly, it must be an appropriate style. Preppy guys, stick with the Justin Bieber sweep.
2. Jaw line
A strong, square jaw line is ideal.
3. Facial hair
Karsten Kennedy displays his ‘Man Bun’ Photo by Sarah James
Oh. My. Gosh. Look at his bun. Are you loving the man bun trend? Read on to find out why man buns aren’t for everybody. Maranda Wilson Life Editor Poor boy named Troy used to trim and rejoice, Hair short, neat, and bunless he was getting no points. Was unhappy with his flaw, but was up for a challenge Let it grow in longer for weeks, he was keeping his wildness Hair’s grown real, real, real (long) Gone is his curse, now he’s untamed, tressed to kill.
Celebrity
Man Buns Maranda Wilson - Life Editor
“Poor boy named Troy used to trim and rejoice, Hair short, neat, and bunless, he was getting no points.”
4. Hair texture
The ideal man bun is thick and textured. Thin or not enough hair makes the bun look small. Nobody likes small buns.
Don’t Want None Unless You Got Man Buns Girls got the thirst, he had them looking with the chills. Bun’s high as hell, lookin’ like a tree atop a hill He’s on some bun shiiiiit True story. I don’t know if man buns are here to stay, or if it’s just another trend that will mockingly be remembered of this generation like the 70s mullet, but man buns are toasty hot right now. Even though there are man bun h8ters out there, man buns have quite the fan club. Bun lovers talk about, obsess over, and stalk the man bun (I say stalk because of this: www.therealmanbunsofvancouver.tumblr.com) … but not necessarily the man under it. For those bun-thirsty people out there, any man with a bun will quench their thirst. For those people, a man bun is enough to make the bun-wearer “hot”, even if we all know that man bun
At least a little bit of scruff gives the man bun the rugged, manly look. No facial hair can make the man bun appear feminine.
they’re obsessing over belongs to a man who doesn’t think personal hygiene is all that important. As for the rest of us who haven’t gone bun-blind, we can all agree that there is a difference between a “good” man bun and a “bad” man bun. Man buns are not like sunglasses in that everyone can put on a pair and instantly increase their attractiveness. The guy rocking the man bun must have certain features or characteristics in addition to the bun to make him the whole package.
5. Bun placement
Too low = ballerina bun. Too high = man experimenting with the sock bun.
6. Swag
The bun wearer has to have mystique or allure. Their man bun is where they hide all their secrets.
7. Photogenic
Because he’s likely going to end up on some blog.
Orlando Bloom
Chris Hemsworth
Known for his shaggy black hair, his man bun is best remembered from his role in the Pirates of the Caribean trilogy.
Deep Voice. Muscles. Thunder God. Man-Bun.
Flickr/ Holly Hayes
‘Nuff said. Flickr/ Eva Rinaldi
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November 24th, 2014 | The Phoenix | life@thphoenixnews.com | Life Editor: Maranda Wilson
UPCOMING LANGUAGE ARTICLES IN DECEMBER
Do speling mistakes rly matter, or do people just focus on properness over meaning?
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Image by Cam Welch
Text-speak evolves: how emoji use is changing language
IS TEXTING RUINING LANGUAGE? PROBABLY NOT Some linguists say texting is more like “fingered speech” than writing Despite criticisms, texting may actually help children’s writing Torie Church
Contributor
One thing is for sure: texting has had an effect on written language. But is this a good or bad effect? Some writers (in these examples, old white guys) have described texting as “penmanship for illiterates,” full of “grotesque abbreviations.” Others describe it as a revolutionary communication system, more like spoken language than writing. There is also some evidence that texting is actually beneficial to learning “correct” writing.
Overall, texting does not appear to be destroying language; rather, it is simply changing it. And change isn’t always bad. In 2007, John Humphrys speculated in the Daily Mail that if texting continued to be such a prominent form of written communication, English “may end up as a series of ridiculous emoticons and everchanging abbreviations” (he also talked about how mad he gets when people don’t use hyphens, and then forgot the hyphen in “ever-changing”). In the seven years since, this hasn’t happened. While innovations in texting occur frequently, they don’t appear to influence “real” written language to any large extent. Why not? If Humphrys is right and texting makes writing lazier, why are people being lazy while texting, but not while writing their term papers? According to linguist John McWhorter, the answer is that texting isn’t writing at all—it’s speech that’s being
“Surprisingly, the study’s results showed that kids whose texts were the ‘worst’ were actually better at correct writing. ”
written down, or, as he calls it, “fingered speech.” When people began to write, they weren’t transcribing their immediate thoughts. Instead, their purposes were often more formal, so they learned to write differently than how they spoke. When people began to text, the immediacy of that medium allowed them to type out their thoughts and press send; finally, people were able to write how they spoke. However, texting involves more than just words–an array of other communicative aids have developed alongside it. Just as languages come with a set of characteristic gestures, texting involves similar “gestures,” such as emojis and acronyms. Therefore, texting is not trying to be, or replace, formal writing. Even so, some people worry that texting too much might make it harder for kids to learn proper spelling. But texting may actually be beneficial. One
UK study examined text messages of children aged 8 to 16 for various errors, then made them do spelling and grammar tests. After a year, the tests were repeated. Surprisingly, the results showed that kids whose texts were the “worst” were actually better at correct writing. The researchers suggest that since texting abbreviations are largely based on phonetics, children who use them have an easier time learning phonics in class. But what if texting actually was making it harder for children to learn “proper” spelling, or reducing English writing to emoticons and abbreviations? Would that really be so bad? All languages are constantly changing, and there is no need to insist their writing systems lag behind. I don’t mean to suggest that everyone should start using emojis in their essays, but if gradual changes in spelling and grammar occur as a result of texting, there is no reason to fear them.
Russell Brand
Jared Leto
Most often seen with his hair down, Brand is known to put his hair up into a man bun for yoga class.
Rocked a gloriously sleek man bun on the red carpet at the 2014 Golden Globes Flickr/ Nan Palmero
Flickr/Mirka 23
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November 24th, 2014 | The Phoenix | life@thphoenixnews.com | Life Editor: Maranda Wilson bjhsab bwaivbean ihuahsbvbaieb* bviuas b bjhsab bwaivbean ihuahsbvbaiebviuas
bjhsab bwaivbean ihuahsbvbaieb* bviuas b bjhsab bwaivbean ihuahsbvbaiebviuas
REZ CHEAT SHEET:
19 degrees
The temperature you need to set your room to before leaving.
24 hours
The number of hours you have to vacate your room after your last exam. Your Salto card stops working after 24 hours. If you don’t have any exams, the card deactivation is based on the end of your classes.
Photo by Maranda Wilson
Jan 4th
The day you can return to your rez building
Prepping Your Room For Winter Break Counting down the days until you get to pack up your bags for the holidays? Here’s what you need to know before locking up for the break. Lynnette Oon Photo Editor So you’re almost done with school for the semester and you can’t wait for winter break to come around. But before heading home, there are just a couple of things to take care of to make sure that your return in January is peachy perfect.
Cold Mold
Please, please, please clean out EVERYTHING in your mini-fridge. I have seen some nasty mold situations that have resulted in having to dispose of the entire mini-fridge itself. Many unforeseen circumstances could happen over the break, like a power outage that might last for hours and result in your food spoiling. Before you know it, you are coming home from your winter break to a room that smells like road kill! Safest scenario is to defrost your mini fridge and unplug it for the break, and give it a quick wipe down. If you have a full fridge, it should be okay left as is (tossing perishables, of course) to tide over winter break.
4) Nuke it for 1 minute and 30
seconds until the egg is slightly puffed and completely cooked. *egg filler suggestions: ham, tomato, mushroom, bell pepper, cheese, sausage
Dishes used:
1 fork, 2 spoons, 1 mug
Dirty Deeds
You know all those hiding spots you stuffed your empty wrappers or dirty dishes in? Go through them again to make sure that you have fished everything out. You really do not want mold growing out of the crooks of your bed and all over your bed sheets. On that note, wash your bedspreads, pillowcase, and comforter covers. Take your trash out and do your laundry (putting some sheets of softener in your closet can ensure the freshness of the clothes). Also check back with Issues 3 and 4 of The Phoenix (or look in the Life section on thephoenixnews.com) for our Life Editor Maranda’s guides to cleaning your bathroom and setting fruit fly traps.
Mo’ Money Mo’ Problems
Well, a smart cookie would pack all their valuables up and bring them home with them. Unfortunately, not many of us are fortunate enough to have enough luggage space (especially with Christmas presents in our bags). Make a list of things you need to hide, and be creative with the hiding spots. Here are a few examples: you can hollow out an old textbook, the back of a photo frame, inside your rolled up socks, the list goes on. Make sure you keep a list of where things are hidden somewhere safe, like your email or your smartphone!
The Final Sweep
Last but not least, make sure all the windows are tightly shut and locked. Any electronics should be unplugged, and make sure the cables are nowhere near the windows in case of a leak. Now, pick up that bag you have packed, that issue of The Phoenix you were going to proudly show all your friends & family back home, and get out of here. We’ll see you in January!
Taste Rating: 3/5 Easiness Rating: 4/5
All ingredients are pretty much things you would find around your house. Eggs are difficult, sometimes they are mean and they don’t crack right.
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Life Editor: Maranda Wilson | life@thephoenixnews.com | The Phoenix | November 24th, 2014 do you feel about the man bun? Let us know * How at life@thephoenixnews.com
EVENTS November 26th Wilderness Crew: Well Wednesday
9 pm / $5 / The Well Pub Wilderness Crew group spinning the latest at UBCO’s Well Wednesday
November 27th Project Movember: Moustache Party
9pm / Min. $2 / Sapphire Celebrate male prostate cancer awareness. Come dressed with moustaches (fake or real). All proceeds from the night will be donated to Movember Canada. Event in partnership with MSA, UBCSUO & Captain Morgan’s.
November 29th
A Touch of Christmas Fair 2014
Photo by (flickr) Luis Ramos
December 6th
Welcome to the World of Plastic Money When getting your first credit card, remember different banks do credit in different ways Do your reasearch, but don’t get talked into signing up while you’re asking about cards & policies Scott Crofford Columnist Hello there! I hope everyone is pulling through for the end of term, but I digress. Following up on my previous articles, let us get a little more into the tangible meat of what the world of retail finance means for you, the young student looking to get established in life. To that end, I will cover some basics of how to go about getting your first credit card.
GET MUGGED:
Making Quiche Lynnette Oon - Photo Editor
There is no shortage of institutions looking to offer young spenders a chance to utilize a credit card, but not every institution shares the same attitude or the same kinds of products. You may have been using an account with your bank since you were a child, and you might think that that should make it obvious for them to give you a card. Shame on you for using common sense, but unfortunately, you’re potentially wrong in this instance. As mentioned in my previous article, every institution grants credit differently. Your peer group is a good source of information on who does or does not grant cards to students, and under what conditions. When in doubt, do a little market research and call several institutions to get an idea of their credit granting policy–just don’t get talked into doing an application right away. Always do your research first, and
“Some cards charge upwards of 19-30% interest, while you can find others that will charge closer to 11%.”
9:30am - 3:30pm/ Two Cans or $2 / New Life Church Kelowna Check out crafts and goods from local vendors. Raffles, cookies, and beverages will be served at a Christmas cookie bar. Free parking also available.
then make a decision about if you want to build a relationship with that institution. Why, you might ask, is research important: it’s just smart shopping. Rates and fees differ from company to company and card to card. Some cards charge upwards of 19-30% interest, while you can find others that will charge closer to 11%. Does that make a difference? While I know all of you young students will diligently pay off your debts every month like you should, just to be safe I recommend obtaining the card that costs you the least should you fail to do that.
26th Annual Downtown Kelowna Light Up
5:30pm/ FREE/ Downtown Kelowna Come see Santa and take part in other fun Christmas activities. Santa will be lighting up the Christmas tree in Kerry Park at 5pm
Dec 13-14th
The Kelowna Christmas Show
10:30am - 5pm/ $5/ Prospera Place Craft fair featuring local vendors. Expanded kids area to keep the kids entertained while you shop.
Time spent:
Method:
Ingredients:
2) Add large egg, milk, salt, pepper and whisk till everything is mixed.
3 minutes 30 seconds
1.5 Tbsp butter 1 Large egg (or 2 small eggs) 1.5 Tbsp milk Pinch salt Pinch pepper 1/8 Cup torn bread Handful mushrooms Handful pepper & green onion
1) Melt butter in the mug.
3) Add torn pieces of fresh bread
and any other diced egg fillers. * Ingredients will settle in the mixure better if you do not whisk ingredients into the egg mixture.
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Features Editor: Sasha Curry|features@thephoenixnews.com | The Phoenix |November 24th, 2014
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November 24th, 2014 | The Phoenix |features@thephoenixnews.com | Features Editor: Sasha Curry
FEATURES
ADDERALL TO STUDY AND DRUG DEALS IN THE LIBRARY A LOOK INTO THE CULTURE OF STUDY DRUGS AT UBCO
“My first time doing them was before a mid term that I had on the Monday. I went out Friday and was hung-over Saturday I ended up with one day to study for the midterm, so I decided to try buying study drugs. ” – 4th year UBCO Student
Max stares at his Connect calendar in the middle of the lecture hall where he sits. It’s a snowy Thursday afternoon, December approaching, and he realizes that he has three essays due early next week. He shuts his laptop before trudging down the hallway to consult some classmates about how they plan on finishing their workloads on time. “Probably pop some Adderall Sunday and jam out an essay”, one of them shrugs, tapping his laptop. Max nods his head slowly, “Where’d you get Adderall?” “A buddy. Need any?” That weekend, while sitting in the campus library, Max would realize in a panic that his three essays would not be realistically completed before their deadlines. He would later call his classmate in a panic and decide to purchase 5ml of Dexedrine to take that evening. The following week, Max would hand in all three essays on time and receive above average marks. So, study drugs seem pretty great. “The library is where I sell most of my drugs.” One study drug dealer informs me, motioning to the room around us from the table where we sit and chat. “Dexedrine, Adderall, Concerta, Biphentin…” he taps each fingertip with the opposite index finger. “Those are the study drugs that I sell.” The student explains that he buys from a classmate who’d recently obtained a false prescription. For example, the 5ml of Dexedrine that that he purchases from his dealer for $1.00, he sells for $5.00. Accordingly, 30 ml sells for $15.00. Finals he explains, is the time when he sells the most. “The most
pot, too.” He adds. “I always do research on the study drugs that I’m selling, though.” He says that one of the downfalls of using study drugs would be the possibility of addiction, and major dehydration. “If I take 30 ml before noon, I’m not falling asleep around 3am. If I take that in the afternoon, I’m going to sleep that night.” Another risk students take popping these pills he says, is getting locked into doing other tedious tasks instead of work, like roaming Facebook. Do they seem to be well liked by everybody? Our anonymous drug dealer says no. “Some people don’t like them, but pretty much everybody who I sell to comes back.” Essentially illegal drug use, the casual attitude of taking ADHD prescription medication doesn’t correlate with its side effects. Kory Hu, pharmacist owner of Shoppers Drug Mart in West Kelowna shared with us some of the side effects associated with ADHD medications. The list that he gave goes as follows: Headache, insomnia, irritability, decreased appetite, nausea, fast heart beat (tachycardia), headaches, insomnia, anxiety, dizziness, nervousness, aggressive behavior, depression, vertigo, hyperhidrosis (sweating), rash, weight loss, decreased libido, erectile dysfunction, nausea, anorexia. University students seem to forget that these study drugs really do have a meaningful purpose, besides their role as chemical study buddies. I spoke to Bianca*, one UBCO student who suffers from ADHD, and takes study drugs simply for the purpose of leading a normal life. “ADHD is when you sit down
to read your textbook, and have to reread the same sentence fifteen times. As you can imagine, it’s very frustrating.” She says that without her medication (she adds that she’s tried them all: “Adderall, Byphentin, Dexedrine being the main ones”) her “grades, and organization are crap. And studying is so difficult.” She adds that the other weekend, she sat down in the library for an entire day working on a term paper, and thanks to her medication was able to complete it on time, which never happens. “I am jealous of people who don’t actually need to take ADHD medication to function. She claims that her medication gives her an approximate 15% concentration boost – necessary to catch up to the rest of her peers academically. Although it improves her ability to focus substantially, Bianca says that her ADHD medication sometimes gives her the shakes, as well as exasperates the anxiety that she already suffers from. “People don’t understand how serious these drugs are. As great as the benefits are, essentially it’s the same as taking speed, and if you’re taking speed regularly…that’s a problem.” She explains that it’s important to recognize the difference between study drugs that contain amphetamines versus Ritalin as they will affect you differently. Amphetamines especially, have a chance of resulting in an addiction to the drug. She notes that it is important to realize the varied effects that these drugs have from person to person, in relation to other illnesses that they may have or medication that they could be using. Furthermore, the length of time that each drug lasts, varies. 30 ml of Dexedrine extended release, labeled as XR will continue to release drugs into the user’s system for
“People taking my medication as study aids actually benefits me though. I sell my extra medication – that’s how I paid for my first tattoo.”
contwd on next page
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Features Editor: Sasha Curry|features@thephoenixnews.com | The Phoenix | November 24th, 2014
Taking MAO inhibitors (anti-depressants) with this medication may cause a fatal drug interaction..
hours, continuously. Other drugs, provide the user with just one hit of the drug, “which I use during weekends, or evenings when I need short term relief from my symptoms.” Does the consumption of ADHD medication by students not suffering from the illness provide an unfair advantage in contrast to those who do suffer from ADHD? “It’s when people are faking the illness to get the accommodations, such as longer exam writing time that it is unfair – whereas I’m trying to equalize myself with my peers.” The main problem with the study drug craze that she sees, Bianca explains, is with drug users giving ADHD the allusionof not being a real mental illness. Those who abuse the medication contribute to making the illness seem like an imaginary issue. “It’s a real thing,” she says. “People taking this medication as study aids actually benefits me though. I sell my extra medication – that’s how I payed for my first tattoo.” Bianca shares the story of a drug favor gone wrong: In first year, my neighbor was really stressed out about school and was having a super hard time getting all of the work done that she needed to. I decided to give her a Dexedrine to help her out, for free. I’d never given
Some serious side effects of ‘study drugs’ may include: “...weight loss, decreased libido, erectile dysfunction, nausea, anorexia...”
This drug may make you dizzy. Do not drive, use machinery, or do any activity that requires alertness until you are sure you can perform such activities safely. Limit alcoholic beverages.
any of my medication away before. I told her how much and when to take it. Anyways, that weekend I ran into her at a pre party in our rez building and watched as she whipped out some of my medication that I had given her as a favour a few days before. She crushed up the pills on the counter in front of me and invited a couple of others to snort it with her. A recent trend of students using ADHD medication as a party drug is starting to catch on. “I sell to some kids who do them before going out. Like taking speed.” The dealer says, who explains that many people, including himself, have to smoke marijuana post study drug use to wind down properly. “It’s when you’re needing to use downers after your uppers, that you have a real problem., though” Bianca agrees. In an online article, The Huffington Post referred to Adderall as “the new Red Bull”. If prescription mental illness meds are being grouped wiith sugary drinks, essentially we can predict that the next generation of university students will be crushing up ADHD medication into their morning Fruit Loops during finals week. *Names have been changed
“They sometimes give her the shakes, as well as exasperates the anxiety that she already suffers from.” “I take one per final, you can literally sit there for six hours.” – 5th year UBCO student
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ARTS
Arts Editor: Jeff Bulmer| arts@thephoenixnews.com | The Phoenix | November 24th, 2014
Composite Image by Sarah James
CONFESSIONS OF THE MODERN REAL GIRL Girls creator Lena Dunham holds nothing back in her new memoir Laura Sciarpelletti Phoenix Alumnus
When I was growing up, there seemed to be a never-ending supply of “confessions” books and films: Confessions of a Shopaholic, Confessions of a Teenage Drama Queen, Confessions of a Wild Child, and so on. Few of these actually seemed confessional to me, but only because they weren’t my own dirty secrets. Reading these bubble gum pop novels where my own teen issues weren’t addressed caused me to think that my secrets and curiosities were unusual among my age group. This dissociation was encouraged by increasingly cookie-cutter Disney programs such as
Are You Still Watching? Bored? Want to watch a movie but don’t know which one? In Are You Still Watching? we dig through Netflix to find hidden gems that are actually worth your time.
Jeff Bulmer Arts Editor
Hannah Montana and So Random! In September, Lena Dunham—star, writer, and director of the hit HBO show Girls—released her memoir Not That Kind of Girl. While many of the mistakes and actions the characters on Girls exhibit are common—I myself have certainly been through a lot of the same experiences—the characters are hyperbolic. Dunham’s memoir, however, is the book I wanted to read when I was fifteen, sitting in my room listening to the 10 Things I Hate About You soundtrack. Not That Kind of Girl is the real life Girls, as Dunham speaks about having a fascination with sex, and yet not losing her virginity until college, and her inability to keep secrets. Dunham sets out to explain what she has “learned,” in hopes of letting readers know that everyone has their own set of growing pains, and that there is nothing cookie-cutter about them. But
the most notable confession is when Dunham admits to bribing her younger sister with candy so that she’d kiss her. She also writes about inspecting her sister’s vagina when she was seven, being curious about it’s comparison to hers. Dunham came under fire for this, with some accusing her of sexual abuse. She, with her sister’s support, fired back with a vengeance, stating that she does not condone sexual abuse, and was just a kid. And the fact is, she’s right. But did she confess too much? Are readers ready to digest this kind of honesty? As a poetry student, the concept of confessional poetry was brought up in class pretty early in my degree. This really helped me grow as a writer, because I always had a hard time talking about the pain and embarrassment I went through as a child and a teenager. Where I was from, we didn’t talk about our negative home life or sex. Through
confessional poetry, I was inspired by the frankness and openness of my peers. Take Creative Writing courses and Sylvia Plath’s confessional elegy “Daddy” will no doubt be brought up at least once. Furthermore, if you go to a poetry reading or an open mic night, you’ll be privy to the confessions of those reading their work. We accept these confessions, but at the same time should be aware that being in the “artsy” circle has made it normal for us. And yet, we are seeing mainstream icons confess more and more “scandalous” things; for instance, Chelsea Handler slamming 16 and Pregnant in a New York Times article: “Getting rewarded for being pregnant when you’re a teenager? Are you serious? I mean, that makes me want to kill somebody. I had an abortion when I was 16.” Through this string of deeper confessions, we’re seeing a feminist push.
Melancholia (2011)
Suggested for fans of: Interstellar, Nymphomaniac, 28 Days Later How much do you need to pay attention: A little Justine (Kirsten Dunst) has the worst timing: her wedding day is to happen during a period of extreme depression in her life. Also, rogue planet Melancholia is about to collide with, and obliterate, Earth. From its plot summary, you’d be forgiven for thinking Melancholia a bad sci-fi action flick, but it is actually a very sombre film in two parts. Part one (Justine) takes place during Justine’s disastrous wedding, and serves as an introduction of
Since Plath’s days, essentially all poetry has become confessional in a way, and like everything, the genre must evolve. In light of the allegations against Dunham, how much is too much? While the Young Adult sections in bookstores remain filled with the same “confessions” books I was exposed to in my teens, many young adults are flocking to the autobiography section for books by “real girls” like Dunham and Mindy Kaling. As National Public Radio stated in their review of Not That Kind of Girl, Dunham is just like us, “overfed, undersexed, and not appropriately dressed for the occasion.” Those are real confessions, because let’s face it, your average girl isn’t an Upper West Sider with an unlimited credit card. The truth is messy.
the main characters. The shorter part two (Claire), seems like a drawn-out epilogue, but serves as an intriguing character study of people dealing with impending doom. Justine has already made peace with what’s to come; John (Kiefer Sutherland) is the eternal optimist, unable to even imagine something going wrong until his inevitable death; and Claire (Charlotte Gainsbourg) is unable to come to terms with the fact that her world is ending, in the most literal sense. There are few movies slower-paced than Melancholia. However, if you enjoy characterization and emotional performances, set aside some time for Lars Von Trier’s movie. It’ll be time well-spent.
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Featured Artist: Brianna Ferguson| annalittleflower.wordpress.com Brianna Ferguson challenged * Recently, herself to write a limerick every day. We asked her if we could print some in The Phoenix, and she sent us all of them. Here are some of the highlights
Arts Editor: Jeff Bulmer| arts@thephoenixnews.com | The Phoenix | November 24th, 2014
was a young girl named June, * There Who wanted to climb to the moon;
So she gathered some men, Glued them all end to end, And ascended the pile to her doom.
woman named Jacqui of Leeds, * AI met in the bush as we peed;
Her laugh was contagious, Her humour outrageous, In short, she was better than weed.
Photos by Lynnette Oon
ARTIST PROFILE: BRIANNA FERGUSON - NARRATIVE IN A MEANINGLESS WORLD An innocuous trip to Australia transforms a young writer Brianna Ferguson mixes the diction of Virginia Woolf with the cynicism of Charles Bukowski to create her own style Lauren Marshall
Contributor
It was a trip to Sydney, Australia that altered Brianna Ferguson’s philosophy forever, and led to the cynical narrative voice that characterizes her writing. “There are definitely some nihilistic undertones in my works. I went to Australia as somebody still clinging to Christian ideas, and the comfort of
Brianna’s Picks What does Brianna read/watch/listen to in her spare time? A lot of Charles Bukowski. What else? We asked her to give us some recommendations.
Brianna Ferguson Featured Artist
having a narrative to my life, that I was supposed to go to Australia. Then I met secularists who questioned me, and I realized that none of that is true, for me anyways.” After further travelling in Europe, Ferguson returned to Kelowna to major in Creative Writing at UBCO, a scenic campus close to her family and friends. “I’d [done] my travelling, so I didn’t really have the urge to leave home.” She is now pursuing a combined major of Creative Writing and English, with the goal of teaching university English. “As much as I love writing itself, my love comes from English lectures. Listening to other people being passionate about writing inspires me, like Dr. Anderson Araujo talking about Ezra Pound.” This enthusiasm spurs Ferguson to create her own narratives and celebrate writing as a means for creating order in a chaotic world.
Cynicism and Beauty
“Art always transforms, it never dies for me.” BRIANNA FERGUSON
MUSIC: The Avett Brothers — The Carpenter “Anything by The Avett Brothers, most notably their album The Carpenter which is pure poetry, banjos, and the occasional screaming.”
Ferguson’s writing style contains dual inspiration from writers Charles Bukowski and Virginia Woolf. It was Nicole Kidman’s portrayal of Woolf in The Hours that introduced Brianna to the modernist writer. “There was this air of legitimacy about her, and then I read Mrs. Dalloway and was like ‘Holy shit, you can have passionate prose!’” Bukowski, she admired for his despondent cynicism. “Bukowski said ‘In poetry there’s room for you to scream a little,’ and I guess I just had to scream.” Ferguson’s poetry blends these two contradictory styles seamlessly and straightforwardly. “I like a blatant, clear verse that says ‘this happened to me, this happened to me, and then I learned something.’ No cryptic language.” This formula may appear dry, but Ferguson’s use of Woolf ’s effervescent narrative balances clarity and beautiful diction.
"I don't feel guilty in wanting to escape in lucid narrative that will offer accessible insight into my world." BRIANNA FERGUSON
MOVIE: Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind “[I like Eternal Sunshine] for the fractured narrative of a dysfunctional but highly passionate relationship being erased from the memories of both parties.”
November 24th, 2014 | The Phoenix | arts@thephoenixnews.com | Arts Editor: Jeff Bulmer whole life she never wore pants, * Her ‘Cause Jesus said pants would enhance The curves of her bod And tear her from God And into the disco to dance.
Featured Artist: Brianna Ferguson| annalittleflower.wordpress.com say I’ll retire right now * I’dFrom limerick writing, ‘cause how
had his penis cut off * Aandmancooked in a spicy pilaf;
Could I ever compete With a work so elite, As this piece, so divorced of my brow?
t’was served in Japan, to those who like man mixed in with their rice and their broth.
“Virginia Woolf allows me to tumble into those literary gymnastics when I feel the need to get carried away with the taste of words.” Art is everything to Ferguson, tantamount to the meaning she felt religion lacked. “I agree with Nietzsche: art is the most important thing that humanity produces. I also subscribe to Oscar Wilde’s ‘Art for Art’s Sake.’” For Ferguson, art is never static. “Art always transforms, it never dies for me.” This continual evolving drives Ferguson to produce new writing on a weekly, or often daily, basis.
Ferguson believes in having a strong online presence. “If nobody cares about you online, you don’t really exist.” Her chapbook will be available as an Amazon eBook and in print, so as to make it easily accessible. It will feature a cover designed by graphic designer Marshall Reeves. The print versions will be produced by Minuteman Press, the same company that printed a previous chapbook of Ferguson’s called Diatoms. Diatoms was widely distributed around Kelowna, and copies even made their way across Canada.
Presence
Modernism as Resistance to Post Modernity
Ferguson involves herself in the many Spoken Word events hosted by the Creative Writing Course Union, as well as Faculty of Creative and Critical Studies literary events. She appreciates critique and workshopping, and utilizes advice from writers around her. “I generally send new work to my closest friends in the creative writing community for their opinions. For pieces I read on stage, I want them to be humorous and coherent.” Ferguson’s long term goal is to be published in literary magazines and gain formal notoriety. “I’m recognizing the legitimacy of having poems judged by editorial boards, and I want a publishing house to take me seriously.” Along with seeking publication, Ferguson will be busy writing a novel she also hopes to publish one day. “It’s very me. It’s very critical, but fun, and thus far it’s received positive feedback in workshops.”
Post modernist artwork is a contentious topic for Ferguson, who questions abstract responses to the realist artwork of the past. To her, creating a meaningful work is the epitome of literature, and she believes post modern deconstruction of language, linearity, and narrative eschews this meaning. Ferguson concedes that her subscription to classical views of artwork restricts her vision of what art is. “I think my definition of art might be a lot more narrow than some of the post modern definitions.” Despite this, Ferguson is obstinate in her preferred choice of literature, and she’s not afraid to make her opinion known. “I don’t feel guilty in wanting to escape in lucid narrative that will offer accessible insight into my world. I would choose that nine times out of ten compared to sporadic experimentation that leaves the reader confused.” This experimentation is what Ferguson believes makes post modern works inaccessible. “It doesn’t seem to leave any impression of the artist,” said Ferguson. The author’s presence is essential to Ferguson, and she views her own works as intimate parts of her being. “It’s one more piece of me sitting on the shelf.”
Follow Brianna Ferguson on Twitter at @annalilflower, and see her blog at https://annalittleflower.wordpress.com/ Her chapbook, “Encore from the Billiards,” will be released by the end of this month. Do you know what famous author her twitter/blog name is referencing? Email your answer to arts@thephoenixnews.com. The first person to answer right will receive a free copy of Ferguson’s chapbook
Encore from the Billiards
Ferguson is putting together a self published chapbook of twenty five poems titled Encore from the Billiards. It is divided by three different movements: Work, School, and In Between. The poems display Ferguson’s cynicism through sonorous lines. She is the glue that connects the movements. “There’s a lot of commentary on the banality of the workplace and the potential fruitlessness of the undergraduate degree. The only through line is me. Me looking at things.”
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#poetry today
with @annalilflower Throughout the month of November, Ferguson ‘s been keeping her loyal followers informed as to what poetry is every day on Twitter.
November 6
Today poetry is a miniature colony of sentients performing solstice rituals within the tread of my winter tires
November 12
Today #poetry is the other 18 versions of that selfie that never get posted
November 13
Today #poetry is a mosaic of peeled skin recovered from a frozen pipe orgy
November 15
Today #poetry is not your guy man, not your man dude, not your dude pal, not your pal bud
November 16
Today #poetry is a rage as red as Mario’s piece of shit fucking hat seriously fuckshit fuck ass hairs Mario!!!!!!!!!!
November 19
Today #poetry is 2 tonsils spending six months/year apart only to be reunited by the seasonal swelling of winter. They’re holdings hands now Today #poetry is JK Rowling as the only person alive who can’t enjoy Harry Potter cause she knows how easily every word coulda been another
POETRY BOOK: Patricia Lockwood — Motherland Fatherland Homelandsexuals “A super sexy collection of poems about baby deer in porn and Walt Whitman posting tit pics, it’s really amazing.”
NOVEL: Lionel Shriver — We Need to Talk About Kevin “An epistolary novel with high diction and an unbelievable voice”
November 20
Today #poetry is playing with Play-Doh in your 20’s and getting it smeared on your couch, floor, and hair
November 24th, 2014 | The Phoenix | arts@thephoenixnews.com | Arts Editor: Jeff Bulmer for a place to publish your * Looking short stories? Send them to arts@ thephoenixnews.com!
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you going to any events anytime * Are soon? Would you be interested in writing them up?
EVENTS November 26th
Pokemon Omega Ruby and Alpha Sapphire Release Party
5:30 pm / FREE / LIB 312 Come celebrate the release of Pokemon Alpha Sapphire and Omega Ruby with a night of trading, movies, and a tournament hosted by the UBCO Anime Club!
November 28th Art Party
12:15 pm / FREE / CCS 227 The Theatre Course Union hosts UBCO’s fifth annual Art Party, featuring visual arts, performance, dance, spoken word, and live music, all created and performed by UBCO students.
Photo by gaelx on flickr
SHORT STORY: BUN Adam Lewis Schroeder
Lecturer, Creative Writing, FCCS
When Laura was five in 1977, a lot of men came into her family’s shop in Nha Trang, carrying wooden clubs. Her father was standing at the cash register and the first thing they did was to hit him on the head. Her mother ran through the bead curtain, saw him lying behind the counter and thought he was dead. She ran upstairs to get Laura. Their shop sold only household gods that broke very easily—fat men, bald men, smiling men, and sometimes all three at once, Laura had kept track— so if the men had wanted to break things they had picked a good place. They shouted that the Chinese had
Filbert Cartoons Anthony Labonté For more comics FilbertCartoons.com
and
Contributor animations,
visit
to go, then they smashed the mirror on the wall that showed a tiger on a mountainside. Her father told her afterwards. He had been lying behind the counter with a gash in his temple and a broken nose. Laura was watching TV. She thought the noise was her father yelling at someone. Her mother picked her up right in the middle of a very good show about a bear who wanted to join the circus, and she carried Laura downstairs and out the back door and down the alley. They ran for five blocks, then stopped in a café and shared a red-bean bun as though nothing had happened. Her mother sat smiling at everyone, then asked to use the telephone at the back of the café. She called Laura’s uncle. They waited for her father until long
after dark. Laura went to sleep on a stack of newspapers underneath a table. When her father arrived he had black eyes, a bandage around his head, and a new coat but no shirt underneath. Her mother started to cry, holding on to the sleeves of the coat. Laura stayed where she was, under the table, but then her father yelled that something was wrong with Laura’s face, she was hurt, and he ran over and picked her up. Laura thought maybe her eye had fallen out, like the bottle man. But her mother just wiped her face—it was newsprint. Thanks to his black eyes, her father looked like the circus bear.
FCCS Visiting Author Series: Matt Rader & Ashok Mathur
7:30 pm/ FREE / Alternator Centre (421 Cawston Ave.) UBCO assistant professor Matt Rader celebrates the release of his new book What I Want to Tell Goes Like This. Come see Rader and UBCO Head of Creative Studies Ashok Mathur at November’s FCCS Visiting Authors Series.
December 4th Draw By Night #3
7:00 pm / FREE / Alternator Centre (421 Cawston Ave.) Pay tribute to unpopular childhood toys with an evening of collaborative drawing at the Alternator.
December 6th Wild Son
8 pm / $10 / Doc Willoughby’s Local heroes Wild Son play Doc Willoughby’s this Saturday. The chance to see Wild Son in Kelowna is truly once in a lifetime! Don’t miss out!
Novemebr 24th, 2014 | The Phoenix |opinions@thephoenixnews.com | Opinion Editor: Kayti Barkved
OPINIONS
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you one of the estimated 150 students * Are with the DRC? Get in touch with us, we’d like to hear your story
HOW TO GET ACCOMODATIONS STEP 1
Complete and submit a self assesment form and any medical documentation to DRC
STEP 2
Call DRC (250-807-920) or visit UNC 227A and set up appointment with Diversity Advisor
STEP 3
After intial assesment, letter of accomodations for reported disability will be provided or you may be refered for additonal assement.
Photo by Kelsi Barkved information from ubc.ca
Professors need to change the way they interact with disabled students Why is it so tough to juggle disabilities and mental illnesses and keep professors happy? Your Opinions Editor talks about her experiences with UBCO profs and getting accomodations to attend class Kayti Barkved Opinions Editor It’s tough to juggle disabilities and mental illnesses and keep your professors happy As the first month of this semester dwindled to a close, I found myself in a particularly difficult situation: the ‘proof ’ of my problems was missing. My letter of accommodation from UBCO’s Disability Resource Center, that I had promised my profs I would have, to excuse or accommodate some of my more, ah, troubling tendencies was late. With my anxiety disorder, I often have a dif-
ficulty maintaining my attendance week after week. Sometimes I will miss a couple of classes in a row. Usually sending an email solves this issue, but with my ADHD, quite frequently I forget to do these types of things, and because of my depression, this forgetfulness is magnified, I swear, by at least tenfold. Add onto this that because I also fall on the autism spectrum, I struggle to communicate with people especially via electronics where emotions and conversational nuances are even easier to miss. I can understand, to an extent, that these types of behaviors would lead a professor to doubt the motives of any student. However, I found it alarming that even while I explained, often more then once, within the first weeks of classes, that I would indeed need special accommodations and that the letter for my requests would be arriving shortly, I was doubted. While I am sure that are exceptions, that for every honest student with a
“[professors] hesitate over the word of a student who has come forward, explained an extenuating circumstance and asked for specific accommodations ”
UBCO Problems indeed
Emily Brady @emilyrbrady
Anyone forget their condoms in Arts 214? @UBCOProblems
Michele Gabourie @michelegabourie It’s
learning disability and no paperwork, there are perhaps ten more students trying to take advantage of a professor. But I have to wonder, when did it become a common practice to hesitate over the word of a student who has come forward, explained an extenuating circumstance and asked for specific accommodations? As of June 2013, there are only 150 students registered with the DRC, according to a UBCO self study while our campus, as of a November 2013 count, is at 8,388 students. There aren’t many of us ‘officially’ accommodated, so I feel its safe to presume that professors are not being inundated with ‘official’ requests. This boils down to a twisted narrative of distrust between disabled students and professors. Why are we still submersed in the pre-k through grade 12 teaching methodologies that only benefit and cater to the privileged, able bodied and minded student? If a student requires an accommodation, then the student should be accommo-
dated. What takes place instead, is that suddenly the disabled student is the ones who is asking for unfair ‘privileges’. Let me state this outright: I am not asking for my professors to become my new occupational therapists or psychiatrists. I’m not paying them nearly enough to listen to my woes, have them prescribe me medication, or refer me to therapy. But then again, why I was being pressured to divulge my entire medical history to give myself some form of trustworthiness as a student in lieu of missing paperwork? I’m not asking for professors to blindly believe every claim to disability, or to indulge in every accommodation they are requested to, because I’m certain there are some illegitimate cases. It just seems ridiculous that while I’m simultaneously thousands of dollars in debt for striving to attend a post secondary institution as a permanently disabled student, I’m viewed as not taking my career at UBCO ‘seriously’.
From the nest: The Phoenix staff mixes work with twitter Maranda W. @maranduhhhh
people use tinder to hook up... I use tinder to network for journalism
that time of year again when I get an onslaught of emails from Lynne McPherson #plsstop @ UBCOProblems
Alexandra Barberis @asbarberis
Eric Doering @DoctorDarin
Justin @wordlyvision
If the UBCO Tim Hortons could be any slower, that’d be great @UBCOProblemsProblems
Most lumberjack looking dude just walked into the AGM to give us quorum - does he even go here?
iOS users can now communicate in Klingon with the Klingon Keyboard — qar QaQ! —~
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Opinions Editor: Kayti Barkved|opinions@thephoenixnews.com | The Phoenix | November 24th, 2014 and rebuttals we receive will be posted on thephoenixnews.com * Letters once received. For the print editions, preference will be given to responses under 350 words; we encourage respondents with longer pieces to also submit a shortened version for print
THE #’S THAT GOT WYLIE IN TROUBLE 450 STUDENTS
short of enrolment targets
up to $6 Million in revenue losses to UBCO
1955
2014-15 projected first year enroment
1708
2014-15 actual first year enrollment Photos by Kelsi & Kayti Barkved
left: the featured images for the enrollment #’s debate right: Professor Peter Wylie
30%
down in 1st year enrolment in the BA program over the last five years
WHY IS ADMINISTRATION TAKING ACTION AGAINST A PROF... Peter Wylie chronicles his on going issues with UBCO admin for publishing an article with the Phoenix Peter Wylie Associate Professor, Economics, UBCO I wrote to The Phoenix because I had concerns that after 9 years of continuous growth, enrolment at UBCO has fallen for the first time, and I hoped that in The Phoenix publishing my letter this fact would be widely discussed and debated in the campus community. I had already published my analysis to all members of Senate (including the President, the Provost and my Dean) a few days earlier. A few days later, I received the following disturbingly formal e-mail
UBCOcial MEDIA Kayti Barkved Opinions Editor A recap of what UBCO students are saying on Twitter
initiated within the adversarial context of my overall employment relationship with the University (and hence pre-empting any more informal inquiry) from my Dean, who I am normally on a first name basis with: “Dear Dr. Wylie, We need to discuss your contribution to the Sept 22, 2014 edition of The Phoenix at a meeting on Thurs, Oct 9 from 12:001:30 in ASC 414. A representative from Human Resources [HR] will be present. I encourage you to invite an FA [Faculty Association] representative to join you.” This was the only information provided. I interpreted this e-mail as deliberately designed to intimidate me. A respected colleague emailed at the time: “My ultimate question is: How
“the (university) administration is supposed to work for this community; working for us the faculty, staff and students, not against us ”
broad is this intimidation by administration?” After I spent a few days making enquiries to my Dean as to what was it about my article that she wanted to discuss, it became apparent that she believed I had breached confidentiality by discussing and publicizing something I perhaps did not have the right or authority to discuss and publicize. UBC was perhaps planning to discipline (or even fire?) me for this. My view is that the aggregate enrolment data are the property of, and of public information for, the University community of faculty, staff, and students, a community that is provided access to this data and freedom to discuss, debate, and consider them as a matter of course. This data is collected on behalf of this community
End of semester reflections:
Remember: it’s only going to get colder...
The last Friday class I’ll ever take [smiling face with sunglasses emoji]
I’m paying ubco like 5k, TURN THE HEAT ON [unamused face emoji]
Emily Montgomery @EmtheGem16
ѕυммєя @summer_smith14
cassie gibson @caassgibson
Robyn @robynashleyk
willona @willonaa
maria @mariamccliggott
never sign up for a activity past 7pm like sports or classes BECAUSE U WILL REGRET IT SLEEP IS UR FRIEND Teachers who schedule midterms the second to last week of the semester when EVERYTHING else is due, should definitely be fired [fire] #buhbye
Just walked by a girl on campus wearing flip flops. I’m in my Canada Goose. Clearly one of us are confused about the weather. (It’s not me) 30% chance of snow tonight meaning there’s a 70% chance I wake up disappointed [snowflakes]
by the University administration; hence this data is not private proprietary knowledge of the University administration, so how had I somehow violated this by ‘leaking’ it? Unfortunately in my view too many university administrations like our own have perhaps come to think that we work for them, which is in fact not the case. They work for us – the faculty, staff, and student community is supposed to govern a University, and the administration is supposed to work for this community; working for us (faculty, staff, and students), not against us. I see it as a case (too prevalent in our Universities of today) of the tail wagging the dog. I feel that it is time the governance at this University be restored to its rightful place – with the collegial
November 24th, 2014 | The Phoenix |opinions@thephoenixnews.com | Opinions Editor: Kayti Barkved
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any nasty manners on campus for * Seen Ms Wintle to tackle? Send your ideas to opinions@thephoenixnews.com.
KEY EVENTS FROM THE ‘ARTICLE AFFAIR’
Monday September 22: Wylie’s article titled “UBCO’s enrollment falls short this year” published. Thursday October 2: Wylie receives threatening email from Acting Dean requesting attendence with an HR representative for having published said article. Wednesday October 8: Acting Dean has Wylie’s access to the University’s Student Information System Centre (SISC) cut off. Thursday October 9: University sends out a global e-mail establishing, “effective immediately” a Deputy Chief Information Officer of “Information Security” with the UBCO Head of IT Services in the position. Thursday, November 6: Wylie meets with the Director of Human Resources who doesn’t see the unfolding event as threatening or intiimdating Wednesday November 12: The Director of Human Resources informs Wylie she will report to the Provost once she has completed her investigation. As of publication: waiting to hear results
FOR JUST WRITING ABOUT PUBLICALLY AVAILABLE INFO? governance of the faculty, staff, and students, rather than inappropriately placed with the administration and management. Deans are supposed to support their faculty and staff members (and students), not intimidate them. As a respected colleague asked me at the time: “What was the old expression: ready, shoot, aim?” A day before the meeting was to take place my Dean e-mailed “Dear Peter, Thank you for your thorough report of the sources of the data in your article. Your explanation has fully addressed my concern. Accordingly, I have cancelled the meeting.” However, later that same day, my Head (who so far had remained completely silent in the whole affair, but who is my direct supervisor) emailed my Dean and myself to
“Is my access to the aggregate enrolment data for UBCO...in a letter to the editor of the student newspaper really a problem that needs to be solved? “
say “Am I right to think that we now should terminate [Peter’s] access [to the Student Information System Centre] SISC data. This seems to me to be an appropriate thing to do, simply to forestall problems like this from arising in the future.” My Dean emailed back an hour or so later, “I agree that SISC access should now be terminated and will initiate the process.” Later that same day, my access was terminated. Before that day, I had had uninterrupted access to the SISC data since my first employment at UBC in 2005. Is my access to the aggregate enrolment data for UBCO and my dissemination of said data in public debate such as in a letter to the editor of the student newspaper really a problem that needs to be solved?
A strange and remarkable coincidence is that just one day later, the University announced with great fanfare that: “Effective immediately, Don Thompson [Heat of IT Services at UBCO] is assuming the role of Deputy Chief Information Officer, Information Security” for all of UBC. Does this announcement not smack of an eerie Orwellian “Ministry of Truth” quality? It does to me.
MS WINTLE’S CAMPUS MANNERS
“SHARE THE OUTLETS”
Lauren Wintle Head Copy Editor As most people know, study space on campus is pretty limited. Finding a study space with a power outlet? Pretty much impossible. The amount of times I’ve been looking for a spot, any spot, with a power outlet so I can finally submit my assignment without my laptop dying on me partway through are innumerable, and I’m sure I’m not the only one. It’s all well and good if you can study without the Internet, and trusty old Microsoft Word and Excel. But for many of us, our laptops are like extra limbs, and when they run out of power, and the only available power outlet in the EME building has been blocked by someone surrounded with bits of paper and no electronics in sight and we can’t find a space to recharge them, we get desperate. I’ve crouched in the middle of corridors, huddled in corners, and even braved the freezing temperatures of the back flight of stairs in the library a couple of times, to take risks using the power outlet behind the third floor door there. With finals fast approaching, we’re all going to get a more than a little bit stressed, and we all have a lot of studying to do. We all have to realize that study space is at a premium right now. If you’re not going to use a power outlet, please don’t take up the valuable space by one!
Hunger Games is on everyones mind
or just on movies in general...
hey @Divergent u lookin a little pale must be tough living in the hunger games’ shadow
Melissa McCarthy really went to shit after Gilmore Girls.
Sydney Renning @SydneyRenning
Tianna @tianna_ja
Brianna Ferguson @annalilflower
haley @_petacow
Sydney Renning @SydneyRenning
teya @t_eeroo
Top YouTube comments for the song “Safe and Sound” from The Hunger Games “My Guinea Pig died today” “I’m Glad” soooooososososososo excited for mockingjay tonight!
most people my age spend their Friday nights getting drunk and clubbing... I’m watching Shrek #partyhard Leap Year is my all time favourite movie it will never get old.
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Interim Sports Editor: Cam Welch|sports@thephoenixnews.com | The Phoenix | November 24th, 2014
SPORTS
scoring: the placing (e.g. 10th, 28th, etc) of each team’s top * Crosscountry four runners are added up & the team with the lowest total wins. While a team’s other two members do not score, the more runners they beat the worse those runners’ teams’ scores become.
Cael Warner-13th-28:22
Michelle Blackburn-17th-20:22
The Heat women’s & men’s teams. Photos by UBCO Athletics
SEASON IN REVIEW: Cross country finishES 7th & 5th TO CAP SOLID SEASON Heat led at Nationals by Blackburn (17th) and Warner (13th) Nikki and Nathan Reiter look back on their fourth season as coaches Cam Welch Creative Director At the CCAA national championships on November 8th in Calgary, the Heat women’s cross country team finished 5th while the men posted their best-ever finish at 7th. As usual, the women were led by Michelle Blackburn, who came in 17th with a 5km time of 20:30 after placing 10th last year. Each of her 2014 finishes have been both the best on her team and
B Y THE NUMBERS Cam Welch Creative Director
an improvement on her 2013 times. The men’s top scorer was 1st-year Cael Warner, in 13th place with 28:22 (8km). Although they entered the championships ranked third and fourth respectively, the Heat were far enough from the podium to not be hung up on the possibilities. The women (97 pts) were 22 points back of fourth, and although the men’s team was only 11 points away from fourth, they were 28 away from the bronze medal. Looking back on the season Last year’s women’s team won the national championship, but this year the Heat lost two of that team’s top four scorers. Additionally, the Reiters, who joined in 2011 and have been key in building UBCO’s cross country program, faced an added challenge after the birth of their first child in June. “Not being able to workout with the
“This year’s team was about doing the best we could with what we had.” COACH NIKKI REITER team and having to care for and travel with a baby was a definite challenge,” said Nikki, “and has given us a new perspective on coaching now as parents.” “This year’s team was about doing the best we could with what we had. We had some student-athletes who were
new to running and the learning curve is immense.” “This season I was excited to have a larger group of guys competing to make the team,” Nathan said, “In previous years it was fairly clear who was top six long before the CCAA Championships. This year Nikki and I did not decide on the final six until one week prior to competing.” For Nathan, the men’s best moment was at SAIT in early October. “The men knew they had to establish themselves as a top-10 team that weekend, and the guys exceeded expectations, finishing 2nd.” Though the women’s team fared less well at SAIT, they rebounded the next week at the BC Athletics meet. “Every returning member of our team had a personal best performance on the course,” said Nikki, “even though the terrain was much tougher with rain and mud.”
0 128 4
Number of games the women’s Rugby team has lost in the fall season. The Heat have played six matches.
Points the women’s Rugby team has outscored opponents by in the fall season (192 to 64 including a 20-0 victory by opponent forfeit)
Games won by the Heat basketball teams in their first three weeks of play in the 2014-15 regular season
Looking forward Unlike most of UBCO’s varsity teams, the cross country rosters have athletes from as far afield as Yellowknife; Fredrickton; London, Ontario; and even London England. Also unlike most varsity teams, cross country recruits from the campus’s student population rather than high school. Making the jump to the CIS would allow more opportunity for recruitment, and the Reiters say they are interested but that what will happen over the next years remains to be seen. “As a former CIS athlete I would hope this is the direction the team is heading,” Nathan said (he competed in Track at McMaster and WIndsor, winning naitonal gold, silver, and bronze). “However we will have to wait and see.” The Heat will take a break until the new year, when they wil lreturn many of their runenrs and hope to build on
7
Games won by the Heat ball teams the entire 201314 regular season. The current teams are on track to more than triple that.
November 24th, 2014 | The Phoenix |sports@thephoenixnews.com | Interim Sports Editor: Cam Welch week, we pick a Heat Athelte of the Week to * Each spotlight based on recent performances. If you’re at
a game and are impressed by a player, drop us a line and tell us why they deserve to be AotW
you interested in “pitching” articles, “running” a section, and * Are “throwing” your life away by becoming a journalist? If so, apply to be our Sports Editor. Send a resume, cover letter, and work sample to eastman@thephoenixnews.com
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you know someone outside the varsity * Do system who is dedicated to their sport?
Contact sports@thephoenixnews.com and tell us to feature them
THEY SAID IT “I thought it would take a good four or five years but after three years we’re already competing with the best teams in the country” Heat women’s volleyball coach Steve Manuel on his team becoming top-five in the country in after only entering the CIS (university league) in 2011/2012.
“It’s a grind and we’re just not deep enough—we’re playing against teams where their starting 7 players are doing their thing but the 8, 9, 10, 11, 12th [players] are the future of that team” Heat volleyball coach on facing the stacked rosters most of Canda West’s more established teams have
The squad celebrates a set victory over Top-10 team Manitoba on Oct25th. Photo by Greystoke Photography
Heat men’s volleyball team posts first wins The Heat started 0-12 in brutal early-season schedule that put their first 10 games against top-10 teams In building year, Head Coach Greg Poitras focused on process and improvement, not wins and losses Cam Welch Interim Sports Editor After starting the season 0-12, the Heat men’s volleyball team racked up two wins on the road over Regina. In a tightly-fought three sets (26-24, 22-25, 25-21), 3rd-year middle Jim Bell led the Heat on Firday with 18 kills before going down with an injury early in the fourth set. But his teammates picked up the pace for a 25-17 win; Kristof Schlagintweit had 14 of his 44
assists in the fourth, and Lars Bornemann had 8 of his 15 kills. On Saturday, the Heat put the Cougars away in three sets (25-18, 29-27, and 27-25), gutting out hard-fought battles in the last two. Bornemann had 14 kills while Joshua Harvey posted a perfect 1.000 hitting percentage with 8 kills on 8 attempts. Through their prior losing streak and this new winning streak, coach Greg Poitras is committed to keeping his team’s attention on their performance, not record. “We really don’t focus on the wins and losses,” he said before the games, “it’s hard not to but the process is so important and if the process is trusted and we get better then the results will come.” “We try to tell our players to not get bogged down by the record and they’re not--because we keep hammering them over the heads with the fact that you need to get better.”
While the 2014/15 team’s record is discouraging at first glance, each of the Heat’s first ten games were against teams in the current national Top 10, with six of those ten against teams in the top four spots (Alberta, Trinity Western, and UBC Van). The Heat were seldom blown out, trailing those opponents by an average of 4.3 points per set (4.15 against those three best teams). “I would argue it’s the most competitive sport in CIS,” said of Canada West men’s volleyball, “We don’t lose top players to the states like women’s volleyball would, or women’s basketball or men’s basketball. So the best players in Canada are playing here and they’re not going anywhere.” “That’s what we’re up against. But that’s where we want to be.” The Heat now have a chance to gain some more wins, as their next eight games come against non-Top-10 teams.
132 17 to 1 3
The number of points Heat women’s volleyball team has outscored their opponents by during their six-game win streak.
Number of sets for the Heat women’s volleyball team and for their opponents over their six-game winning streak. The lone set the Heat lost was 23-25 against Saskatchewan on Nov 14th.
National rank of the Heat women’s volleyball team as of November 18th
““Not being able to workout with the team and having to care for and travel with a baby was a definite challenge and has given us a new perspective on coaching now as parents. Our student-athletes were exceptionally helpful though.”” Heat cross country coach Nikki Reiter on coaching this season after having a baby in June with husband and co-coach Nathan Reiter
“Finishing 7th was a bit of a disappointment. [But] if each runner was 5 to 10 seconds faster [we] could have been at the front end of the team battle in 4th.” Heat cross country coach Nathan Reiter on the men’s result at the CCAA Nationals on November 8th
“My team, they’re not all big. And the smaller ones that are agile, quick ballhandlers are some of my best defenders” Heat women’s basketball coach Heather Seminuik on balancing size with speed when building a roster
1
Number of Sports Editors the Phoenix needs. If you want this kingdom you see in front of you to be yours, contact eastman@ thephoenixnews.com to apply