September 5 2017 - Vol XXXI Issue I

UBCO’s Student Newspaper

6 NEWS

Introducing the 2017 UBCSUO

September 5, 2017 | Vol XXXI, Issue I

7 LIFESTYLE

Resource Centres on Campus

9 ARTS

Dive into the Local Art Scene

Going digital since 1989

13 SPORTS

Aidan Lea

15 OPINIONS Guide to UBCO

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thephoenixnews.com | Campus News | A Guide to UBCO

Events

News

CONSTRUCTION AROUND EME NOT PROBLEMATIC

SEPTEMBER 13TH THE 13TH ANNUAL EXPO DAY FROM 10AM-3PM IN THE COURTYARD OUTSIDE ADMIN BUILDING

SEPTEMBER 15TH #UBCOFROSH RETURNS TO UBC OKANAGAN ON FRIDAY FEATURING: DESIIGNER & VANIC

If you have been around the UB C Okanagan Campus within the last several months, you may have noticed that the school is in a remodelling stage.

With the introduction of the new Teaching and Learning Centre attached to the librar y, the extension of John Hindle Drive, and construction around EME, there is no shortage of orange vests around campus.

However, in the hustle and bustle of construction UB C is doing their best to improve the Okanagan campus while retaining a space suitable for academics. The construction that is taking place around the EME is scheduled to be completed “by the first day of classes with only some paving, line painting and landscaping extending into early October,” says UB C Relations. There will

be some interruptions in late September during the installation of new district energ y pipes which may cause congestion along Alumni Avenue, but again, UB C will attempt to work around the needs of the student body.

UB C Relations also says not to worr y if you have purchased E Lot parking permits, the construction will not affect student and faculty parking and although there are significantly fewer permits and stalls than in previous years, there are accessible stalls for those who did purchase E lot permits. The parking spaces lost in the construction will be replaced by the addition of new parking stalls in H lot to the east side of Innovation Drive as well as in parking lots around the weather office that will be introduced

in late September. Further, the construction will not restrict access into the EME, so students may regularly attend their classes.

The reduction of E lot will allow space for the new transit exchange, which will afford students and staff a considerably more convenient transit experience while decongesting traffic along Alumni Avenue.

For further information about UB C Okanagan Construction and Transportation visit: www. transportation.ok.ubc.ca.

Coordinating Editor Brie Welton coordinating@thephoenixnews.com

Arts Editor Curtis Woodcock arts@thephoenixnews.com

Contributors:

Production Manager Sarah James artdirector@thephoenixnews.com

Sports Editor Grayson B. Leahy sports@thephoenixnews.com

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.

Copy Editor Riley Schlosser copy@thephoenixnews.com

Lifestyles Editor Daniel Greene life@thephoenixnews.com

Junior Copy Editors Nick Huertas & Amy Vergouwen

Video Producer Riley Petillion video@thephoenixnews.com

Opinions Editor Tyrel Lamoureux opinions@thephoenixnews.com

Visuals Editor Seger Nelson visuals@thephoenixnews.com

News Editor Dayne Patterson news@thephoenixnews.com

Ads Sales Manager Sarah Dowler ads@thephoenixnews.com

W/ LOCAL GUESTS

SEPTEMBER 18TH THE FACULTY OF CREATIVE AND CRITICAL STUDIES LECTURE BY VISUAL ARTIST: ELIZABETH ZVONAR 2PM, UNC-106, UBC OKANAGAN

SEE THE LAST PAGE OF OUR ISSUE FOR EVENTS, DATES, AND TIMES #UBCOQO

University Centre 3333 University Way Kelowna, BC, Canada V1Y 5N3 Office: UNC 132B Phone: 250-807-9296 thephoenixnews.com On the Cover: Photo by Sarah James with help from Kevin Kraft

Sarah James/ The Phoenix News

Dayne Patterson - News Editor

Wey Lynn Liong, Willa Holmwood, Laurence Watt, Jacob A. Vriens, Noelle Viger

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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A Guide to UBCO | News | thephoenixnews.com | Dayne Patterson - News Editor

NEW UBCSUO PRESIDENT WANTS TO FIGHT FOR STUDENTS Dayne Patterson – News Editor

This year the UB C Student Union has an almost entirely new B oard of Executives, led

by President Trophy Ewila.

Trophy is in his sixth-year at UB CO studying Economy, which he says offers him a financial edge and fiscal responsibility that will positively influence the SUO during his time in office.

However, that’s not where his main goals lie. Trophy is focused on changing the dynamic of the Student Union, which seemed to be distanced from the rest of the student body in the past; he says, “I’ve seen the disadvantages of having your leadership alienated from society, especially coming from a poor countr y, you see the negative effects of that.

Can we bridge that gap?”

By creating a new, more personable SUO with an “open-door” type policy where the Student Union is always available to the

students, as well as disclosing all the triumph and turmoil that happens in the Student Union to the public through media outlets such as The Phoenix, Trophy hopes to be a transparent organization held accountable for their mistakes. This is a ver y comforting idea following the resurfacing mistakes of a past SUO, which was exposed by UB C Vancouver’s Student Newspaper late in the previous school year.

Trophy commented on this, stating, “ Transparency and Accountability have been an issue with the SUO. [When] we make mistakes, we want to let that out [to the public].”

Apart from the open-door policy, Trophy’s campaign goals include: creating a Student Initiative Fund similar to Tuum Est that is supplied by the SUO rather than the University administration; introducing the long-term plans to create an open textbook resource, which will slowly reduce the prices of textbooks until

they are essentially free; and lastly, using his position to advocate for the student body through several different means. Trophy stated that one of his major motivators to run for president was the lack of student advocacy, “One of the reasons I ran was I thought student advocacy wasn’t [a priority with] the Student Union.”

He has already confirmed that the librar y will be operating for 24 hours a day during exam periods, a plan which has been guaranteed for the first semester of the 2017/2018 year to allow students study time during the most essential study period. Trophy also has plans to bring in an ombudsperson to offer impartial assistance to students attempting to navigate the systems and processes of the University to

submit complaints, requests, and relay other concerns, a step toward student advocacy.

Provided by Trophy Ewila

UBCO’S NEW LANDMARK BUILDING

Sarah James/ The Phoenix News

Noelle Viger - Contributor

Amidst the all of the construction happening on the UB C Okanagan campus, one project stands apart from the rest. The construction of the new Teaching and Learning

Centre is happening to the north of the librar y and will be a $35-million addition to the Okanagan campus. This massive project began in the late winter of 2016 and should take roughly a year and a half to complete. There are high hopes for this project,

as it is being heralded as a future landmark building of the Okanagan campus.

The Teaching and Learning Centre will be a large addition to the Okanagan campus, as it is planned to have a 400 seat tiered lecture hall, roughly 600 seats of

informal study spaces, a graduate student common area, a digital technolog y center, and much more.

This building will also stand out from all of the other buildings on campus, as it will feature gender neutral washrooms.

On ever y floor, there will be these washrooms that will have individual stalls.

This building will be the first building on the UB C Okanagan campus that will be constructed to feature these universal washrooms.

A main feature of interest in this new building will be the number of new study spaces it will provide. As seen from the Open House Project Display B oards, this new building will feature an informal learning area with an extensive space to study on its lower level, much like the lower level of the EME, with more tables and desks added to study on. This lower level will also feature extra meeting rooms. However, the study spaces will not stop

there, as the ground level will feature approximately 20 group study rooms (able to accommodate 4-10 people depending on the room) and a quiet study common area.

The third floor will also feature roughly eleven extra study rooms, and a large quiet study area, that will seat 60 students when it is completely full.

This building is designed to provide much-needed study spaces as the campus continues to grow. Indeed, a shortage of study spaces has been an issue in the past, leading to “extensive student consultation and a successful student-led referendum,” which confirmed the need for new spaces for learning and studying. This then led to “the Okanagan student body committed to funding approximately a third of the project up to $10m.”

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Dayne Patterson - News Editor | thephoenixnews.com | News | A Guide to UBCO

FIRES IN THE OKANAGAN Noelle Viger - Contributor

This year has been the worst year in histor y for British Columbia wildfires.

There have been over one thousand fires since April, and they have collectively burned over one million hectares. While there have been no physical fires on campus, this issue is one that threatens the Okanagan region ever y summer. There have recently been fires just east of Kelowna in the Joe Rich area.

UB C’s Okanagan Deputy Vice-Chancellor Principal Deborah Buszard has made a statement regarding the Joe Rich fire, stating her “support to those from our local community that have

been affected by the wildfire near Kelowna.” She continues on to say that while the fires have not impacted our campus directly, “we remain part of the provincial emergency response plan and are working closely with local authorities to provide assistance to evacuees and emergency personnel should it be required.” The University has also posted a wildfire notice, confirming that no campus activity have been affected, and all students and families preparing to move in September are advised that University programs and ser vices will be continuing to operate as usual.

According to the

government of British Columbia’s wildfire news, there are still over one hundred and fifty fires burning in B C as of late August. There are over three thousand firefighters and other personnel actively fighting fires, and even so, there are over fifteen evacuation orders and over thirty evacuation alerts in direct relation to these wildfires. In addition, the provincial state of emergency has been extended for the third time, through September 1.

While these fires have not directly affected campus, the fallout in the form of smoke has. According to Adrian Lemke, a UB CO student

who took summer courses in the second summer term, the smoke was prevalent. He said the “the air quality and temperature drop” where some of the biggest impacts he noticed while living on campus. The visibility would become “so poor that the mountain ranges across the 97 from campus” could barely been seen. Lemke was also unable “to spend any length of time outside” without discomfort unless he “took a nasal decongestant.”

While he contends that the smell of smoke permeated the outdoors as well as the indoors, he did mention that the temperature was unable to reach its forecasted height as it was blocked out by the

smoke, which “was more of a relief than anything for those… who enjoy spending time outside.”

However, with all of the fires raging in the Okanagan region, Lemke stated that he did feel safe. He felt “reassured seeing a small fire crew stationed in H lot,” and other than the allerg y medication he needed to take before leaving his dorm, he “kept [his] eye on the Kelowna Now Facebook page” for fire news and updates “but mostly just went about [his] studies.”

JOHN HINDLE DRIVE CLOSURE

Noelle Viger - Contributor

It’s construction time at UB C Okanagan. It seems that around ever y corner there are people in hard hats working on something or another, either on campus, or around it. One of the notable areas of construction is John Hindle Drive. For those that may not know, John Hindle Drive is the road to the west of campus that links Highway 97 with Academy Way, which is home to the Academy apartments, the U District apartments, Veda, and Varsity.

Currently, John Hindle Drive is closed, and will be until the summer of 2018. While this construction is happening near campus and will affect many of the students who live on Academy Way, this project is being handled by both the city of Kelowna, and the B C Ministr y of Transportation.

The University describes this construction on its website to be building a “two-lane public roadway” that will connect “Highway 97 to Glenmore Road via UB C Okanagan’s west campus lands.” This project will link John Hindle Drive to the Glenmore landfill, through an approximately 1.8 km long connection, which will create another path for commuters to reach campus.

The government of British Columbia’s transportation

website describes the benefits of this connection to be “reducing congestion and travel times along Highway 97, in conjunction with the Highway 97 six-laning improvements from Highway 33 to Edwards Road, by providing an alternate connection to Glenmore Road.”

However, this conclusion is still almost a whole year in the future. For now, John Hindle Drive is closed to through traffic beginning at Alumni Ave. This closure means that those who live on Academy Way will no longer be able to drive down by campus, and those who walk to class ever yday will have to use the new temporar y detour, as the popular cut through route across from the Academy Apartments will be closed to pedestrians.

Currently, this detour takes both cyclists and pedestrians down Academy Way onto John Hindle Drive where they will cross onto Alumni Ave. In other words, this detour will go down Academy hill and across the street, leading to the sidewalk between B lot and J lot. While this detour is longer than the shortcut that the majority of students used, by this time next year there will be a much faster, safer route for both pedestrians and cyclists to use.

Riley Petillion/ The Phoenix News

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A Guide to UBCO | News | thephoenixnews.com | Dayne Patterson - News Editor

UBCO’S LARGEST JUMPSTART EVER Jacob A. Vriens – Contributor

Fostering a sense of community on campus is integral to UB CO. The staff of International Programs and Ser vices (IPS) have certainly had a significant hand in working towards this goal by hosting the annual Jumpstart program. “ The purpose of Jumpstart is to formally welcome and orient all new-to-UB C students to the Okanagan campus, and to begin fostering a sense of belonging within our new students in a fun and engaging way”.

Therefore as of this year, the separation of new-toUB C students into domestic and international students is a thing of the past. For the first time at UB CO, the Kickstart program, which was traditionally the orientation program for outof-region students, merged with the program for outof-countr y students to create Jumpstart. This change was designed to “ease levels of

anxiety” by providing an inclusive environment for all new students.

When UB CO hosted its first Jumpstart in 2008, the program consisted of 12 participants and four leaders.

The year after the numbers doubled and after that Jumpstart grew exponentially.

This year, the three coordinators, 66 leaders, and the more than 400 participants of the Jumpstart program represented more than 75 countries. UB CO prides itself in its diverse community and Jumpstart is instrumental to bringing this community closer together ever y year.

During the welcome speech, UB CO SUO president, Trophy Ewila mentioned UB CO’s motto, the Latin phrase “ Tuum Est”, meaning “make it yours” – emphasizing that ever y student has an opportunity to succeed at UB CO. This message lies at the heart of the Jumpstart

program and encourages ever y student to learn, grow, and contribute both on and off campus. When students feel more comfortable in their environment, they are more willing to take risks and step out of their comfort zones, which is where progress and growth occurs.

Additionally, by introducing the new students to UB CO’s resources, assisting the students with essential paper work, and introducing them to sights and locations in the Okanagan area, the program aims to reduce stress when the academic year begins.

Activities like hiking at Big White, visiting the rodeo in Armstrong, singing with the Westbank Indigenous people, and petting the dogs of the B.A.R.K program strengthen a sense of community while creating awareness of the student’s new home at UB CO and the Okanagan Valley.

Photo provided by UBCO

FROSH WEEK 2017

Photo by David Vassilliev

Jacob A. Vriens - Contributor

FROSH returns to UB CO to kick off the year. However, this year is different. The days leading up to the concert on September 15th, which we all know as FROSH, will be known as FROSH Week. For the first time ever, UB CO is hosting

FROSH Week – five days with one event each.

The week will start off on Monday, the 11th of September, with a campus wide water balloon fight. The Tuesday will host a bubble soccer tournament and on Wednesday the Blueprint Takeover at The Well will

turn Well Wednesday into a well-organized warm-up party for FROSH. To keep the party going, the annual FROSH beer garden will be hosted on Thursday. And last but not least, on Friday, the official end to FROSH Week, will be celebrated with the concert that we all know as

FROSH. This year’s FROSH lineup features US rapper Desiigner and Vancouver based DJ Vanic. Most know Desiigner for his 2016 hit single Panda, his crazy live performances, and the noises he makes throughout his tracks. DJ Vanic, from British Columbia, travels the world to deliver his mixes to the crowds and this year it is our turn to see him perform live. The classic mix of rap and EDM has many excited and some sceptical, but one thing is for sure, this line up is stacked with some big names. The annual event will be hosted on Friday, September 15th on the F parking lot on campus.

Our Student Union worked hard this year to get some of the biggest rappers on the scene to UB CO. Mohamed Azzam, VP Ser vices of the SUO, and the Blueprint University team worked through a list of approximately 15 artists and had to handle last minute

cancelations and special requests. Azzam told the Phoenix that “it was hard to lock down an artist. For example, five days before the line-up drop an artist bailed.” Nevertheless, the organizers managed to get some big names to UB CO and, as most people would say nowadays, the crowd will be “uuuge”.

For all those, who are planning to attend the FROSH concert, here are some quick facts: •The concert is accessible to UB CO students of all ages, as well as to non-students of ages 18 and older.

•Tickets are available online on the Blueprint website and tickets will also be available at ticket booths at the UNC. •The ticket prices increase as we get closer to the event.

•The event is hosted by Blueprint University and the UB CSUO.

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Dayne Patterson - News Editor | thephoenixnews.com | News | A Guide to UBCO

INTRODUCING THE 2017 UBCSUO A look into the working of the UBCSUO and their new Members Dayne Patterson - News Editor

VP EXTERNAL: AMAL ALHUWAYSHIL – 4TH YEAR MANAGEMENT STUDENT

“I am always eager to find opportunities to passionately advocate for the empowerment of all people,” Amal explains, and she shows it through her actions. Last April she shaved her hair in an effort to raise money for cancer, successfully reaching $1000 to be donated to the Canadian Cancer Society.

As VP External, Amal oversees and coordinates external advocacy activities and liaisons with external organizations and the University, as well as deals with external policies. As Amal explains, “I act as the conduit between the students, the University and the Okanagan community, as well as representing UBCSUO on a local, provincial and federal level.”

Her experience as an RA and her involvement in the community has allowed her to forge meaningful relationships with a diverse group of students and afford her a wide range of essential skills to be exercised in her position. Additionally, she will be speaking at the upcoming TED Talk “TEDxUBCO 2017” and has spoken at multiple Student Leadership Conferences. Her ongoing education also assists her with the role as VP External, in establishing business-to-business relationships and designing a suitable sponsorship package.

When asked why she decided to run for VP External, she said she originally felt prejudice towards the Student Union and continued by saying, “It all started on my birthday, when I received a dare to get involved in students politics and the Student Union. I started looking at the positions and what each entails. Right then and there, I found the role of VP External, a role that resonates with me, with what motivates me, my mission, my ambition, and what I wake up for every day.”

Amal stated it was a “tough muddy start” for the new SUO, continuing with, “I walked into my position with no transition report, and the email inbox and outbox were wiped out and empty. Which I believe have affected my start in this role, starting from scratch was not easy, but I believe that one is never ready and that there is always a need to get more equipped, experienced and to gain more knowledge about any topic, and the same will go for a position in the SUO.”

As VP Finance and Operations, Daman is in charge of day-to-day finances and operations of businesses that he oversees with the GM, as well as the production of reports with the financial manager. During the beginning of the year, most of his focus surrounds funding the over 100 clubs on campus.

When asked why he originally decided to run for VP Finance and Operations, Daman said, “I was AVP Services the year I ran for VP Finance and Operations and I have a passion for event management and communication with clubs but felt that I would be a better asset to the organization and students if I brought my classroom knowledge into the role as a business student.” His business education, and work experience in customer service, he says, allows him to work and communicate effectively with students from all walks of life. He has also gained experience from participating in the JDC West competition, but said, “Being the Vice President of Finance and Operations at 20 [years old] definitely has a learning curve.”

This upcoming year Daman is focusing on “creating more access for clubs related to their funds, booking spaces, processing cheque requisitions.” He continued, “I have been working very hard with my project manager and finance manager on this. Another thing which has been my focus since coming into the role, is relationship management with all our internal stakeholder, as in staff of businesses and office staff. Investing in people is very important to me and I want people to be growing while working for us. So I am focusing on training resources for all levels of staff and seeing the cost of implementation in that.”

Daman is the only returning UBCSUO executive but says the new Student Union has been working hard to establish a unified vision and goal for the upcoming year, and although there are growing pains, he says, “We are your students’ union and we are on our way to be the best one yet. Just like everything else it takes time.”

RETURNING VP FINANCE: DAMAN BUAL – 3RD YEAR MANAGEMENT STUDENT

As VP Internal, Patience is in charge of internal affairs within the Student Union, including membership and governance, as well as receiving complaints or comments regarding the Student Union or University. Further, he provides support to clubs and groups on campus and ensures the SUO bylaws are correctly followed.

Patience decided to run for VP Internal after his positive and uplifting experience with “AgeLink” and the Entrepreneurship Club, and his friends pushed him to follow his goals of running for VP Internal. He aims to create a more unified community on our campus by creating avenues to connect undergraduate students to graduate students and students to professors.

Patience also wants to work on developing the clubs and bringing them to their full potential. He believes this is all possible because of his experiences with students in school clubs, and as a camp leader and Residence Advisor which offer a better understanding of students in and out of the classroom.

When asked if he believed the new Student Union was prepared for the school year, Patience enthusiastically responded, “I believe that one is ready whenever they decide to be so. Yes, the new executive is ready and so is the student population ready for the new executive. This campus needed something new and just like food, fresh food is always better.”

NEW VP INTERNAL: PATIENCE SPINOZA OKUKU – 3RD YEAR MANAGEMENT STUDENT

As VP Services, Mohamed is in charge of overseeing and coordinating the development and execution of services, the most popular being Frosh and Recess, as well as smaller campus activities organized throughout the year. Additionally, he works with Student Associations including SUP, or Student Union Productions.

He was inspired to apply for the Student Union after witnessing the negative impact of political unrest and a lack of union between people that took place in Egypt during his formative teenage years. He believed by joining the UBC Student Union he could begin to make a change in his own local area by building a wholesome community and peaceful atmosphere, as Mohamed says, “to me this would be a great honour in trying to accomplish something my fellow countrymen are trying to achieve themselves.”

NEW VP SERVICES: MOHAMED AZZAM A.K.A MOE AZZAM Photos provided by the SU candidates

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A Guide to UBCO | Lifestyle | thephoenixnews.com | Daniel Greene - Lifestyle Editor

Lifestyle

BEST STUDY SPOTS IN LAKE COUNTRY Daniel Greene – Lifestyle Editor

While Kelowna is undisputedly the hub of the Okanagan, and indeed the home of UBC’s Okanagan campus, many UBCO students choose to live in Lake Country.

For some students, the choice is a matter of finances; the cost of living in Kelowna, like in many British Columbian cities, is rising. But for others, living in Lake Country provides a sense of tranquility unlike anything offered in Kelowna. So for those UBCO students who are new to the area, here is a brief overview of some prime locations for reading, studying, or taking a break from the demands of university.

[1] Starbucks, 11850 Oceola Rd Yes, Lake Country has a Starbucks. Due to the store’s location at the foot of the relatively newly built section of highway 97, the drivethrough seems to see the most action. This means the inside is relatively quiet compared to what one would normally expect from a Starbucks, and there is plenty of room to sit.

In the middle of the store is a long, communal table with plenty of seating. At the opposite end of the store there are comfier chairs with tables better suited for individual study time. The surrounding scenery leaves a lot to be desired, with nothing to gaze ponderously at besides the freshly paved tarmac and dusty hills. But that’s part of the appeal; no distractions means better studying.

[2]Oyama Kaloya Regional Park, 16061 Trask Rd This is one of the most beautiful spots in the Central Okanagan. The park is essentially a promontory surrounded by the colourful water of Kalamalka Lake. A trail skirting the perimeter offers stunning views of the valley as well as the opportunity to think in the solitude of nature. There are picnic tables and benches located all around the park, and in the centre is a covered gazebo that can be rented out for social gatherings or study groups. Canada geese are constantly paddling and waddling around the shallows and beaches, and if you’re patient, you may even witness two ‘plumps’ meeting on the water.

RESOURCE CENTRES ON CAMPUS Daniel Greene – Lifestyle Editor

The Pride Resource Centre In the closet under the stairs, on the first floor of the UNC building, students can find the Pride Resource Centre. The centre is open to everyone and its members strongly encourage students to drop by and ask questions.

One of the centre’s main objectives is providing a safe space for constructive conversations, whether the subject of dialogue is around the queer community or sexuality in general. Through education and offering safesex supplies they work to create a sex positive and intersectional feminist environment, which means lowering the rate of STI’s and sexual assaults on campus.

The Pride Resource Centre argues that in order to effect positive change in regard to the queer or questioning and trans community on campus, difficult conversations are necessary. There is a safe and welcoming environment for these types of conversations here. And for those who are queer or questioning

or trans, there is always a place at the Pride Resource Centre. The centre is run by a hard-working network of volunteers, and therefore students who are interested in joining in are encouraged to do so. Stop by or send them an email to get the ball rolling.

The Women’s Resource Centre Paramount to the Women’s Resource Centre is the promotion of the rights and well being of women. The centre acknowledges that people will have questions and concerns regarding women’s health and relationships, and they feel it is important to provide a safe environment for such discussions. While not everyone can enrol in a Gender and Women’s Studies course, they can certainly take advantage of the centre’s educational events, such as their Tea Talks. During Tea Talks, students can acquire the tools necessary to deal with issues such as abuse and personal care while knowing they are in a non-judgemental space.

Past Tea Talks have focused on themes such as victim

blaming and missing and murdered Indigenous women.

The centre also provides education on various forms of birth control and provides pads, tampons, and condoms free of charge. The Women’s Resource Centre recognizes the importance of an intersectional understanding of feminism, and therefore works to ensure that they are inclusive to everyone.

If students are interested in getting involved with the Women’s Resource Centre, or they simply want to stop in to chat, they can find it in UNC 109, down the hallway by the

[3] Okanagan Regional Library, Oyama Branch, 15718 Oyama Rd If you’re not careful, you’ll drive right past it. Nestled behind a big tree and beside another small business, the Oyama Branch of Okanagan Regional Library offers intimacy and a quaint selection of genre fiction. There’s only one table and it’s next to the wall of fiction, which actually has a surprisingly good selection. The hours of operation are tricky, however; they’re only open on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 3p.m. to 7p.m. But if you’re in the area it is worth checking out.

And there’s always the Lake Country branch five minutes away on Bottom Wood Lake Road—they have better hours, only closing on Sundays and Mondays.

[4] Lake Country Coffee House, 10356 Bottom Wood Lake Rd Part coffee shop, part art gallery, Lake Country Coffee House offers plenty of comfortable indoor and outdoor seating. The main section of the shop is furnished with tables and chairs well suited for small social gathering or study groups. More private areas around the corner, offers couches and coffee tables for those looking to catch up on longer readings away from the distracting conversations of patrons. On the olivebrown, wood-planked walls are hung paintings by local artists. They even have Nitro Cold Brew Coffee. Add the fact that there’s free WiFi and this coffee shop is easily one of the best spots in Lake Country.

ladies washroom. The centre strives to be approachable and welcoming, so don’t be afraid to say hi.

and vocalize any struggles they’re having in order to work toward a solution.

One of the most beneficial aspects of the centre is its connections; students are often provided with outside resources such as hotlines and contact information for trained counsellors. But the centre also realizes that sometimes all a person needs is someone to listen. If you’re a student who is interested in getting involved with the Peer Support Network, drop by and talk to one of the members.

There are comfy chairs and everybody is welcome.

The Peer Support Network A student’s success in university is strongly correlated with his or her mental health. The Peer Support Network understands this and offers a safe and comfortable space where students will be given undivided attention. Students are encouraged to come by the University Resource Centre, located by the Green Text Store in the UNC,

Interested in campus life?

JOIN THE NEST Email coordinating@thephoenixnew.com

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Daniel Greene - Lifestyle Editor | thephoenixnews.com | Lifestyle | A Guide to UBCO

INTERVIEW WITH DINUSHI FERNANDO

FORMER RESIDENCE ADVISOR FOR KALAMALKA RESIDENCE

Daniel Greene - Lifestyle Editor

Dinushi Fernando holds a B.Sc. in Psycholog y from UB CO. I reached her over Facebook Messenger to conduct this inter view.

Daniel Greene: Hello, Dinushi.

Dinushi Fernando: Hello, Daniel.

DG: So what exactly is a residence advisor, or an ‘RA’ for short?

DF: I think you just answered your own question. RA is short for residence advisor.

DG: What kind of daily responsibilities can one expect to have as an RA? DF: Duties var y from day to day.

Some days there’s nothing for you to do. Once a week we had an area meeting with other building teams in our group, we had building meetings with other advisors in our building and then we had a one on one meeting with our manager ever y other week.

Some nights you’d have an on-call shift where you and a partner would walk around the buildings in your area, interact with residents, make sure the buildings are in good shape and deal with any situations that arise (someone’s locked out of their room, loud parties). And generally, you want to be checking up on your residents, see how their doing, and having positive interactions with them. And deal with any situations that arise. Even if you’re not on call,

you want to make sure ever ything is running okay.

DG: In your opinion, what kind of person would be best suited to be an RA? In other words, what qualities do successful RA’s have that other people don’t?

DF: Anyone can be a successful RA, you just have to put the effort in.

The Residence Life Managers build area and building teams based on different strengths and qualities.

Some advisors are really sociable and good at building a community on their floor or in their building.

They’re good at planning small scale, casual events that ever yone can just hang out and have a good time at. Other advisors love event planning and will plan big events that a lot of residents from across the buildings can enjoy. Sometimes they’ll get involved with RezLead or Rezletics and help plan RezGiving (a thanksgiving dinner on campus), the semi formal dance, and the soccer tournament. And some people are really good at crisis management. They can keep calm in stressful situations, be quick on their feet, and know the appropriate resources. Conflict mediation is also an important quality. Sometimes roommates don’t get along and you have to be able to help them work towards a peaceful resolution. So

really, being successful in the role isn’t hard, you just have to put the appropriate effort in. Know what you’re good at, and you’ll find your niche eventually.

DG: If you could relive your university years, would you choose to be an RA again?

DF: Probably, but I think I would’ve waited until my third or fourth year this time around. I don’t think I had fully adjusted to university in second year. Which isn’t the case for ever yone, but I think I personally would’ve enjoyed it better later on in my degree.

DG: What’s your fondest memor y from the years you spent as an RA for Kal? DF: Probably the nights of Frosh and Recess. They weren’t exactly fond memories, but they were definitely memorable. Something was always going on that night and people can be pretty hilarious when intoxicated.

DG: How did you manage to balance the demands of a full course load and the responsibilities of being an RA? Did you ever find it over whelming?

DF: I actually took four classes a semester the year I RA’d. I still found that some weeks were definitely over whelming. But that’s like any other job.

DG: What’s your advice for prospective residence advisors?

“Anyone can be a successful RA, you just have to put the effort in.”

DF: Make sure you spend time with your friends outside of residence life. That’s something I regretted not doing more. Ever yone I met in residence life was fantastic and I’m still friends with quite a few of them.

But I think it’s important to venture out of that bubble.

DG: RA’s are compensated for their work if I’m not mistaken. Did you find that the amount you received provided you some financial stability? Could a position as an RA ser ve as a reliable means of income, comparable to a part-time job?

DF: It’s probably similar to what you’d get with a part time job, but I think you have a bit more flexibility with your hours. You get paid as a stipend, so ever y two weeks you’ll get the same amount on each cheque.

They don’t pay you based on hours worked on-call or making bulletins.

So it is reliable in that sense, but sometimes you’ll feel like the work you put in doesn’t equal the amount paid. But there will be times when you’re getting paid more than what you put in. So it evens out in the end.

DG: One last question: money aside, what was the most rewarding part of being an RA? DF: I had such a good floor that year.

My residents were definitely the best part about being an RA.

Photo provided by Dinushi Fernando

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A Guide to UBCO | Arts | thephoenixnews.com | Curtis Woodcock - Arts Editor

Arts

SWIMMING THROUGH THE SYNAPSES Where to dive into the local art scene Curtis Woodstock – Arts Editor

Kelowna is abundant in great places to experience the many forms that art takes. From ‘Wine and Paint Nights’ to local sculptures and beautiful art displays we have a feast for your eyes!

Kelowna Art Galler y Head to our downtown Cultural District, at 1315 Water Street, where you can treat yourself to historical and cultural Canadian displays that are ever changing. Even if you’ve been there before, look again, there is always something new to check out! Furthermore, if you have ever thought, with a little nudge maybe you could get into this art stuff, then tr y one of the art classes offered during the fall and winter! They also offer art camps during the spring and summer for children. Family days are on Sundays where you can enjoy guided activities on a weekly changing theme.

They are open Tuesday until Saturday 10am to 5pm, Thursdays from 10am until 9pm, and Sundays from 1pm-4pm.

Admission for students is 4 bucks and Thursday is free to ever yone!

Lake Countr y Art Galler y Supporting both local and out of town artists their mandate is to foster interest, understanding, and enjoyment of art throughout the Lake countr y community as well as the Okanagan region. They do this by offering diverse exhibitions and public programming initiatives, for both adults and youth, by showcasing a range of art by emerging artists as well as community members. Take a break from studying and go enjoy some beautiful art in the small community of Lake Countr y located on the way to Vernon about ten to twenty minutes from campus.

Sopa Fine Arts Located on 2934 South Pandosy Street this galler y celebrates contemporar y art and represents international artists. There is nothing but glowing reviews so make sure to check it out!

Open Tuesday- Saturday 11-5pm and Sunday 12-4pm. You can also schedule by appointment. They have photos of current and previous exhibitions online which is splendidly helpful if you’re on the fence about what you may find here.

Tutt Art Galleries This galler y is more the place to be if you are in the market to purchase some beautiful Canadian art. Located at 3045 Tutt Street Kelowna in the South Pandosy Village. If your interest is piqued and you would like to take a gander they are open Tuesday- Friday 10am- 5pm and Saturday 10am4pm. Have existing pieces that you would like to appraise, get mounted, or frame? They offer all of those ser vices! You can also, with a deposit, take a piece home and see if you like it in

You will find a delightful variety of art forms showcased here. They boast oils, acr ylics, stone car vings, metal sculpture, bronzes, blown glass, jewelr y, and potter y from regional and international artists. If you are seeking to purchase for yourself, or as a fancy gift to send back home, they offer free deliver y in the Okanagan and free shipping within B.C. and Alberta. Located at 560 Raymer Ave you can peruse their collection Monday- Friday 10am-5pm and Saturday 11am4pm.

your dwelling, an awesome ser vice to offer to the ponderer on the fence.

Geert Maas Sculpture Gardens and Galler y If you have ever been sauntering around downtown and wondered about the “At the B each” sculpture down by Tug B oat Bay, you’re not alone. This galler y is put together by the man who created it Geert Maas. Come gaze upon his internationally acclaimed sculptures located at 250 Reynolds Road. One of the largest bronze collections in Canada, you can come peer at his heart and soul that has been poured into moulded creations. He also thrusts his passion through aluminum, stainless steel, stoneware,

Hambleton Galleries Nestled on Ellis in our downtown cultural district, if you visit here you will be treated to amazing Canadian art pieces. Not only do they offer paintings but also works in ceramics and glass as well as stone sculptures.

This galler y specializes in historical Canadian art sales and on top of that restoration, conser vation and appraisal of said art.

Galler y 421

acr ylic, and lacquer & oils. Generally open 7 days a week from 10am- 5pm, admission is by donation so you don’t need to spend a lot to come enjoy a physical manifestation of someone’s deepest creative outputs. Contact them here if you want brochures or more in-depth information about the galler y.

Pinot and Picasso Sipping wine, guided painting, and no pressure. Who doesn’t like the sounds of that! Pinot and Picasso have been delivering amazing ‘Sip n’ Paint’ evenings for the last three years.

Advertising drop-in sessions and social painting workshops there is something for ever y skill level. Want to take the concept a step further?

They also offer bachelorette parties, client appreciation events, adult birthday parties, team building events, and memorable date nights. Drop in sessions can be a spectacular way to connect with your friends or to unwind before or during exams, plus if you have all of your own materials it is only ten bucks! Canvas pricing ranges from $20- $40 depending on size and return sessions, if you haven’t finished your masterpiece, is only 5 dollars to come back!

During the drop-in sessions, they have artists available to help you with inspiration or advice on how to master something you may be tr ying for the first time. They include a wealth of resources to help you create and unleash your inner creativity. With the mantra “ever yone has a creative side to them. Some may be more dormant than others but we can help you awaken yours! (with the help of our artist staff if needed!).” Summer hours are Wednesday- Friday 10am until 2pm and Saturday 10am- 4pm. Fall and winter hours to be announced soon. Let go of your trepidation and harness your creativity!

These will be wonderful outings to take your visiting family to, meet new friends at, or simply to get lost in the neural interpretation of someone else’s mind for a while. Lastly, don’t forget to check around campus often as there are always art installations and events to delight in.

Sarah James/ The Phoenix News

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Curtis Woodcock - Arts Editor | thephoenixnews.com | Arts | A Guide to UBCO

COMMUNITY INSPIRED Support Campus Entertainment Curtis Woodcock - Arts Editor

For lovers of the creative process the Department of Creative Studies is involved in events on campus and around town for you to partake in. Falling Awake will be a unique play put on at the Bumbershoot Theatre downtown, in conjunction with UBCO, which will run from September 28- 30.

Posters will be posted up around campus soon so keep

your eyes peeled! During this performance, they will also be handing out an intriguing festival program. It will be called “Living Things International Festival of the Performing Arts” and it will run Jan 9- Feb 4. The Phoenix will have more information when it becomes available so stay tuned.

Feeling cozy and not wanting to leave the comfort of residence? Well don’t forget to be on the lookout for

special events right here on campus! If it’s art, poetry, live music, readings, or dancing you will be able to find events close to your new scholarly abode to fire up your desires for entertainment. A reading series is in the works for the winter term, depending on funding, so keep checking back with the Phoenix for updates on that fantastic affair. The Well is another great choice if you are looking for something amusing just a

short jaunt away. Parties and special events are sure to be held here with a satisfying full pub menu to indulge in and HD televisions to enjoy those can’t miss the game. Come have a drink, play some pool, and unwind after an engaging school day.

Another great tool to keep up to date on creative ventures on campus is the Faculty of Creative and Critical Studies page. Here you can sign up for the FCCS Scoop newsletter

and like their Facebook page, that way you’ll never miss an opportunity to keep yourself entertained up at campus.

Also, don’t forget to ask your fellow alumni as they can be a great resource to rely on. You never know what hidden gems or intriguing people you may find out and about on your daily adventures.

as well as Big Chick by Julie Oakes, located in the EME foyer.

In the collection there are some works by some very well-known artists as well as local Okanagan artists, these include Ojibway Memories

by Norval Morrisseau, Pair of Deer by David Sidley, and many works by Rod Charlesworth.

In the past few years many former students art works have been acquired, these include works by, Connor Charlesworth, Sage Sidley, Catherine Bennington, Rho Shaw, Pilar Guinea, and Kelsie

Balehowsky.

To view the whole location you can go to the website gallery.ok.ubc.ca/ or you could simply visit the buildings on campus and view them in person. If you are looking for a specific piece of work the website does offer its location as well as acquisition date, artist, and medium.

UBCO’S PUBLIC ART COLLECTION Sarah James - Production Manager

New to the Fine Arts program or just interested in art? UBCO has an extensive collection of artworks, which are located all over campus. Susan Belton is the curator of the Public Art Collection at our campus, since 2008 she has been in charge of documenting and cataloguing all current and new acquisitions. Belton has also established the Public Art Advisory Committee which reviews new acquisitions.

This committee is comprised of 12 members including staff and students. The committee meets twice a year

to discuss and “consider the acquisition and de-accession of artwork(s), incoming and outgoing external loans and access to the collection; review and recommend changes to the valuation of the art collection on the advice of the Curator and advise on collection strategies.” This information can be found in the Public Art Advisory Committee Procedures PDF at the UBCO website.

The collection itself is comprised of 507 works of art that range from photographs, to paintings, to sculptures.

For the Fine Arts Students

many of these works are done by former students and current professors.

Some of the works you might see a lot of throughout your time here include works

by Briar Craig, which can be found on the first floor in the LIB. Steel Corset by Jamie Bryant, located in the LIB, 2nd floor, in stairwell [see photos below]. The Spark of Life, When Pomegranates Flow Sweetly, A Scarlet Fate, The Transformation of the Opiate Forgiveness, Crowning Glory, Electric Reciprocity by Julie Oakes. All of these can be viewed in the FIPKE foyer

Sarah James/ The Phoenix News

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A Guide to UBCO | Arts | thephoenixnews.com | Curtis Woodcock - Arts Editor

THE CURTAINS NEVER GO DOWN Curtis Woodcock - Arts Editor

Are you new to Kelowna?

Do you love live music?

Are you interested in local events? If so then this list is for you! Here are some of the choice places to catch live shows as well as some of the ideal resources to keep yourself in the loop for what’s coming next.

Doc Willoughby’s Pub It is a buzzing friendly pub located on Bernard a few doors down from Mosaic books and Starbucks. It may look a little underwhelming at first glance but that’s part of its charm. The bartenders are outgoing and do a great job at curating an overall entertaining atmosphere.

Sit at their ample patio for breakfast or lunch and join them at night as they host a wide variety of bands with varying musical backgrounds.

If you like punk, rock, blues, folk, rockabilly, and even DJ’s you will find artists booked that will tickle your fancy.

Grab a great seat along the bar for an intimate and upclose musical experience as bands fill the pub with sweet melodies from a small stage beside the stairs.

Fernando’s Is a funky retro Mexican pub located near the water on Bernard and across from Kelly O Brian’s. They have a sumptuous and inexpensive menu with plenty of gluten free options! Great variety in bands that come through and always a reasonable cover

charge. Felling adventurous?

Try their #34 avocado margarita, a fan favorite (if you don’t mind a little cilantro) Great food and majestic vibes what’s not to like?

and a creative menu of Norse inspired pub fare. The staff are friendly and always up to get into costume! Keep up with their ever-evolving events on their website or Facebook page.

O’ Flannigan’s

Kelowna Community Theatre

Is an Irish Pub located on Queensway Ave featuring glass garage door windows that they occasionally pop open. Whether it’s karaoke, cover bands, local comedians or sporting events you will be sure to have a blast with an engaged audience. A list of their upcoming events can be found here:

This venue is great for bigger shows and is more of a sit-down to enjoy kind of experience. A slew of amazing artists have graced the stage here such as Matthew Good, Mother Mother and Bob Saget with many more great ones to come such as Gordon Lightfoot, New Pornographers, Burton Cummings, and Tech Nine.

This place has a more intimate artsy kind of feel featuring operas, poetry and ballet. If you want a relaxed more sophisticated night out be sure to catch an event here.

The Habitat A chill open concept venue located near city park. It is next door to Sapphire night club and will be sure to host a pleasing variety of music and events. If you enjoy indie, folk, electronic, rock, fashion and art there will be events for you here. Past shows boast musical artists such as Moneen, Ill Scarlet, The Boom Booms, and Said the Whale. If you have a free Saturday come and enjoy a salsa dancing event.

Munnin’s Post If metal is what you are after well look no further. This is the best Viking bar in town.

Grab a seat and stay a while!

Play some board games or bring your own while you experience other great events such as movie nights most Wednesdays, jazz nights, comedy and many other themed evenings. Check out their selection of local mead

Prospera Place

some good food to go along with it. Make sure to get there early to grab a good seat.

Ok Coral This one is for the country folks. If you love line dancing and bull riding then this is the place for you! Thursday nights are for hopping on that bull and sometimes you can catch boot stomping live shows as well.

Blue Gator Dancing is a must at this blues and classic rock inspired venue. Every Thursday is Blues Night with Poppa Dawg and his band. Every Friday and Saturday night they have shows for 5 bucks “usually,” according to their website.

Check online to see what’s coming next, grab a partner and bust out those dancing shoes.

Kelowna Forum

This is Kelowna’s premier stadium where you will find a multitude of high profile events. Brian Adams; check, Aerosmith; check, Elton John; check; Motley Crue; check, The Offspring; check, City and Color… well you get the picture. Big name comedy acts have also graced the stage here such as Dane Cook and Russell Peters. Want to catch the WHL team the Kelowna Rockets in action? Grab some fries and a beer and cheer them on!

Is a newer venue in town created from an abandoned church at 1317 Ethel Street.

Bo Snarski created it to be a safe space where “culture, art and uniqueness can share a common space.” All walks are welcome and are encouraged.

From Philosophy to poetry and everything in between. It has a space for yoga, a dance studio, and a concert venue.

This is your one stop creative and meditative stop.

The Grateful Fed

Sapphire Nightclub

Trivia nights and live shows are what you can expect from this compact venue. Music is often heard drifting from this majorly intimate pub with

It is your benchmark night club that has some impressive acts credited to its name. Akon was here recently, and in the past Swollen Members as well

as Mad child have also played here. Predominately a rap and electronic venue, every once in a while, they throw a curve ball at you. September 15, they will be hosting a wonderful burlesque show titled ‘Lost Girls Burlesque’ and on November 15 they will be hosting the band Current Swell. Take a seat on the second floor and be entertained by the bands from above or get on the dance floor and swing those hips!

Level Nightclub A popular night club featuring multiple floors that has also held some interesting shows.

Hellraiser productions has hosted many metal shows here including All that remains, Protest the Hero, Counterparts, and Every time I Die. Last year they put on a Hellraiser Metal Fest that brought the Devon Townsend project to Kelowna. They don’t always host shows but keep an eye on their Facebook page and website as you might be surprised at what comes up.

If searching a bunch of different venue lists flips the off switch in your brain here are some amazing resources you can use to check out upcoming events all throughout Kelowna! downtownkelowna.com/ what-to-do/events/ clubzone.com/kelowna/ places/live-music-venue/ laner.ca tourismkelowna.com/eatand-drink/nightlife-pubs/

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Curtis Woodcock - Arts Editor | thephoenixnews.com | Arts | A Guide to UBCO

COLLABORATING WITH MOTHER NATURE Cultivating community awareness of bees through the love of art Curtis Woodcock - Arts Editor

Curtis Woodstock/ The Phoenix News

Under a warm orange hue, a red sun, and in a quiet corner of nature it was the perfect setting for learning something that could come in handy if the world as we know it were to end. Artist Jaymie Johnson created the Bee-Decking the Meadow project as part of a thread of environmentallyfocused, community-engaged public art projects, centered around fostering community and citizen scientists at specific pollinator pasture sites. The project is directly inspired by the blackberry

fibre installation that Sharon Kallis led in Richmond, BC last summer, during which Jaymie was her mentee. This public art and pollinator pasture work is happening under the organization Border Free Bees.

The first evening of the interactive art exhibit has come to a close as the sun set on Wednesday, and it was a spiritual experience.

Collectively connecting with nature alongside a group of about a dozen creative souls was so rewarding. Learning

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new ideas about crafting items from materials that you could find in nature is becoming surprisingly more and more useful. The beautiful gathering was accompanied by some wonderful music for auditory nourishment.

Unfortunately, the “Parks Alive” event was cancelled due to the potential fire hazard that the equipment posed which could give off sparks and start a very much unneeded fire. It seemed to work out for the better as the musical guest, Nils Loewen,

was a beautiful accent to such an intimate evening. A cellist and guitar player, originally from Winnipeg Manitoba, he moved to Kelowna in 2013.

Once set up he closed his eyes and was very much in the flow of his musical gift to us.

He played familiar songs that the group softly sang along to. Jaymie clearly showed her passion for nature by using what mother earth has given to create wonderful tools for art and survival. She also conveyed to the group how we can create things using nature that benefit other species that we cohabitate with on this planet.

Jaymie excels in her interdisciplinary endeavours.

Exploring the connection between ecology, art, creating community engagement, and using artistic methods such as sculpture, printmaking, as well as fibre processing with plant and earth materials.

If her art ventures weren’t impressive enough she also has her BFA from Emily Carr, and has worked closely with the chART collective and is a project assistant with “Border Free Bees”. It’s exciting to have young passionate people interested in preserving such an invaluable insect to humanities survival. She will be moving to Vernon after the project wraps up to be the

Fresh Air artist in residence for a couple months at the Caetani Cultural Centre.

Sharon Kallis was also in attendance.

Jaymie had apprenticed with her and learned skills such as utilizing Blackberry fiber for thread, cordage processing and community engagement methods. Sharon is based in Vancouver B.C where she involves the community in connecting traditional hand techniques with invasive plant species as well as garden waste. She creates site-specific installations that become ecological interventions and spreads her love not only at home but also in the United States, Ireland, Mexico, and Spain. She has published a book called Common Threads: weaving community through eco-art, which is published by New Society Publishers.

If you would like to come see the completed masterpiece it will be installed in the pollinator pasture at Brent’s Grist Mill Heritage Park.

It will wrap up with a final celebration on Monday, September 4 consisting of live music, bannock, and refreshments. It will run from 9:30 am until 12:30 pm. Come enjoy a celebration of giving back to the bees, after all, they give so much to us.

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A Guide to UBCO | Sports | thephoenixnews.com | Grayson B Leahy - Sports Editor

Sports

STRONG PRESEASONS FOR HEAT SOCCER Without a loss between them yet this year, the Heat men and women look to set a playoff-bound pace early on in 2017 Grayson B. Leahy – Sports Editor

With neither the men’s or women’s side taking a loss in any of their scheduled matches prior to kicking off the 2017 Canada West seasons, the UB CO Heat soccer program seems to be rolling with the same stride that took both teams to the playoffs last year.

The Heat women defeated the Coquitlam Metro-Ford Club, a Heat alumni side, and Langara College, and played to a scoreless draw against Lethbridge to finish without a loss prior to regular season play. The men’s side also defeated Langara college and shut out Douglas College 2-0 in their only two recorded

results from preseason play.

While those contests are not at the level of Canada West competition, starting to win early and just one goal allowed between the two Heat sides indicates that Okanagan soccer is ready to move further up the Canada West ladder.

After getting bounced in the first round of last year’s Canada West playoffs in a 1-0 loss to the national champion Alberta Golden B ears, the Heat men will be fighting to take a step further this year. An integral part of that effort will be keeper Mitch McCaw, whose exceptional 2016 campaign made him the first UB C Okanagan

soccer player to be named a Canada West First Team All Star. Ahead of this season, the Heat also added a pair of Team B C players, defender Sam MacDonald and for ward Aaron Mulama, to help continue the program’s rise.

MacDonald and Mulama are just two of ten new faces on the Heat men’s side, compared to just five players in their fourth of fifth year of eligibility, signaling that this could be the first of many seasons of growth and improvement for the young side.

The Heat men get their 2017 season under way with a pair of matches at home over the Labour Day long

weekend. They host the UB C Thunderbirds in the first match of the season on Saturday, September 2, and face the Victoria Vikes on Sunday, September 3.

The Heat women were also knocked out in the first round of last season’s Canada West playoffs, falling 3-0 to the Trinity Western Spartans. The loss of last season’s leading scorer Courtney Hemmerling may put a dent in the Heat’s scoring, but Maya Bandy and Maddy Laranjo will be returning for their sophomore seasons after tying for second in scoring last year.

The 2017 Canada West campaign will see the Heat women on the road for their

first four matches. They will kick off the season at MacEwan University on Friday, September 8. They will visit UNB C, University of Regina, and the University of Saskatchewan before returning to Nonis Field for their first home match of the year against the Victoria Vikes on Saturday, September 23.

If the Heat sides can carr y their preseason pace and scoring into the opening weekends of this season, that momentum may well put them in a position to take another step onto the Canada West playoff pitch.

current Heat head coach Steve Manuel.

“It’s a pretty neat experience, obviously really cool to represent Canada anywhere and to get to wear the maple leaf,” said Lea in an inter view earlier this summer, adding that it was “really cool as a Kelownaite because there’s actually another girl who’s on the senior national team with me, Marisa Field, who is from Kelowna and went to the same school as me, and also played for Steve, but ten years prior, so it’s cool to have that connection and just to see so much good volleyball coming out of Kelowna.”

Giving another inter view from the opening ceremonies for the 29th Summer Universiade in Taipei, Lea described her opportunity to represent her countr y and her team on the international stage and the atmosphere around it all.

“It’s great, it’s really loud, really exciting. The energ y in the air is unbelievable.

There’s 160 countries I think represented, and it feels insane…I had no idea how

big of scale this event was… pretty crazy opportunity to have, being here.”

As the most successful of all Heat programs thus far, the women’s volleyball team earns the most attention paid even months before their first official match.

With the core players of the program’s most successful years now graduated, it will fall to players like Aidan Lea and Siobhan Fitzpatrick to maintain the level of dominance that has become a part of the character of UB C Okanagan women’s volleyball.

International competition will undoubtedly help Lea handle those expectations, and thrive under the pressure that will come with them. After representing UB CO and Kelowna as well as Canada over the summer, she will come back to campus and join her Heat teammates in their chase for a fifth straight appearance in the Canada West Final Four and a second appearance in three years at the U Sports National Championships.

AIDAN LEA Heat middle blocker Aidan Lea travelled to Taipei as a member of Team Canada ahead of her second season with UBC Okanagan Grayson B. Leahy – Sports Editor

Photo provided by the UBCO Atheltics

After what can only be called a breakout season in early 2017, middle blocker Aidan Lea cemented herself as not only one of the best players at UB C Okanagan, but one of the best in Canada as well.

Lea had the best hitting percentage in Canada West (.350) for the season, setting a new Heat record during her sophomore season. She also finished third in kills for the Heat with 183, averaged 2.13 per set, had 74 total blocks, and was credited with earning or contributing to 242 points. That first campaign for her at UB C Okanagan, after transferring from the University of Colorado, earned the 6’6” middle a place amongst the best in the countr y.

At the National Women’s Team Selection Camp in Richmond earlier this summer, Lea won a spot on the 24-woman roster representing Canada this year. On that squad, she is joined by recent UB C Okanagan graduate Brianna B eamish and former Lakers standout Marisa Field, both of whom also played under

14

Tyrel Lamoureux- Opinions Editor | thephoenixnews.com | Opinions | A Guide to UBCO

Opinions

GUIDE TO UBCO Tyrel Lamoureux – Opinions Editor

Its your first day here at UBCO. Congratulations! It’s a big accomplishment and I am going to help you succeed.

Now I could tell you to do stuff like introduce yourself to your professor and always show up early, sit at the front, take notes, do the readings, etc, etc. I am not saying don’t do that, because you totally should! Especially if any professors are reading this, then really encourage that! I am here to tell you what no one else will tell you, what many of us have learned about this campus, here is the inside scoop.

First things first, academics.

If you are driving and parking in H lot, you need always assume that you will get a spot at the very back, and that your first class is in the furthest possible building.

Now obviously its not always going to be that bad but this will ensure that you have ample time to make it to your class with time to spare, especially after you stop and talk to all your new friends that your going to make.

Now when it comes to studying, different things work for different people.

Some people will develop a study schedule for midterms in order to keep themselves on track. A set time for each subject during the day so that you don’t study hard for some exams and not at all for others. Some people study late at night, or early in the morning. Some people need dead silence and that’s where the second floor of the library comes in, but if you are up there, be silent. Some people like music or movies in the background, or even studying or writing at The Well. Basically, you need to

Basically, you need to figure out what works for you and actively avoid those that don’t.

HELPFUL ADVICE FOR INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS Wey Lynn Liong - Contributor

Transitioning from high school to university is already a big step, but as an international student, this step suddenly seems so much bigger. With so much to adapt to by being in a new country and at university, the feeling can get a little overwhelming.

Of course, with time, everything will get easier, but here’s a little guide to speed up the process!

I am quite a foodie, I’m open to eating different kinds of foods. However, there is nothing like food from home. For me, home is Malaysia. There are a variety of restaurants in Kelowna, but the choices are limited when it comes to Malaysian food.

There were times, during my first year, when I constantly craved food from home. I overcame that by cooking with friends. Not only did that help me improve my cooking skills, it also made another pathway for communication with my family as I got to ask

them for recipes and update them about my life. Having the chance to taste and learn different kinds of foods gave less of a chance to think about home.

At times, the distance can get the best of my emotions and that’s when the homesickness really hits. The best thing to do when this happens is to stay busy. Look for a hobby around campus, or even a part-time job. I joined a dance team, and that helped a lot with time-management and staying fit. Being able to find a regular hobby made time pass a little quicker and gave me less time to overthink things that would stress me out.

Finding the right group of friends is another way to help with the homesickness.

If you’re too shy to greet someone when walking past the hallways, just a smile will do. A smile goes a long way!

As I lived on residence for my first year, having the feeling

of being in a community itself made me feel comfortable and at home. I worried about being the only weird one for feeling such homesickness, but knowing that there were friends I could talk to about my feelings, made me feel less lonely and some became as close as family.

All in all, making the best out of a situation is always an option to strongly consider.

As an international student, there is no doubt we will miss our families back home but being around the right people and doing the right activities can help ease the pain.

figure out what works for you and actively avoid those that don’t. Don’t do what I did and write every paper for your first two years of university in a panic induced frenzy that’s fueled by a literal litre of red bull and pizza because when the professor tells you to start early, they are telling you that for a reason.

I know I wouldn’t go through all the stuff that professors go through on your first day, but they do have a point worth mentioning. Go to class.

Missing is no joke, this isn’t high school where one class means you don’t miss much.

Missing one class could potentially mean that your playing catch up for the rest of the semester. I know that sounds a little outrageous, but that’s what your going to think and the next thing you know your going to have 3 Stephen King sized books to read in a week.

One of the big things that people will tell you when you move out is that you need to budget. It took me a month of Ramen noodles and Crystal Light water to realize that I need to budget better. The biggest thing that new students never realize, is how much money partying actually costs. Its better to have a higher beer budget and less money elsewhere than to randomly run out of money.

So, you need to set yourself a realistic limit for going out, that includes drinks, cover, cabs, if you don’t take the bus, and drunk food at 2 A.M. It goes a long way if you commit to staying within that limit.

For the full list of helpful tips and tricks please visit our website at www.the phoenixnews.com.

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A Guide to UBCO | Opinions | thephoenixnews.com | Tyrel Lamoureux - Opinions Editor

UBCO HACKS Did you think that was all the advice we had for you?

HOW TO MAKE UBCO COUNT Tyrel Lamoureux - Opinions Editor

the student associations or course unions. These groups can help you with pretty much anything pertaining to your degree: advice on professors, classes, issues in said classes. They also usually host events to allow the students in that degree to get to know one another. So, utilize these groups as they can do nothing but help.

The writing center and the library are also great resources. Having trouble writing that term paper, need some advice and don’t know how to or where to start? The writing center is your first stop. Having trouble with research?

Can’t seem to find an article that would really complete your paper? Go talk to the front desk at the library, they can help you tweak your search criteria and find books to round out your sources.

There a great deal of clubs and initiatives on campus, that can change your life. Now I know what your thinking, that is a little much, change my life? Calm down! But you can join clubs that teach you how to rock climb, you can learn how to debate and if you make it far enough you can be televised, you can join the “Go Global” program and study abroad almost anywhere in the world. So don’t be afraid to have a look around at all that this great university has to offer.

3. There are single-person locking washrooms on the second floor of Arts and Science. A little hard to access, but totally worth it if you need your own space. Take the outdoor stairs in the middle of ASC to the second floor and go in the subway-side door.

For those of you who have just started their University career, four years may seem like a long time. But I can tell you that those 8 semesters of 5 classes each (not including labs and tutorials) will fly by before you know it.

As someone entering their fourth year I can tell you that it doesn’t take long before you are looking back and wished you capitalized on more that our university had to offer. Sports games, writing center, clubs, all of which can change your experience at UBCO drastically.

Our campus has a great deal to offer each student, so much so in fact that I cannot possibly name them all in one article.

However, there are some that are worth the mention.

First of all, sports. The experience of watching The Heat with your peers (say as our women’s volleyball team kicking the ass out of someone like, oh I don’t know, maybe Trinity Western) really brings you closer with everyone else. Now we have more than volleyball obviously but it’s the same watching any sport, knowing that you are all cheering for the same team gives you a talking point with anyone on campus.

The next great thing to mention is any of

4. There is a mysterious cold air vent pointed directly at your legs in Fipke 204 that will turn you into a popsicle.

Wearing longer pants and socks in this lecture hall is always more comfortable.

ADVISE FROM A SEASONED VETERAN

Willa Holmwood - Contributor

Starting university can be a daunting endeavor. From finding your way around campus, to studying for midterms, to balancing a social life, the transition back to school may be challenging - but fear not! Below is a list of hacks that will smooth your transition into academia and make your experience that much better.

1. Hands down, the best water fountain is in the Science building. Located on the first floor under the stairs by the courtyard, it produces the coldest and freshest water on campus. So bring a water bottle to fill up between classes, or grab a jug to take back to your residence.

2. Always dress warm to final exams in the gym. Seriously, do they even heat that place? (pun intended) The last hassle you need while writing an exam is freezing cold shivers, so dress in many layers to be safe!

5. Looking for a quiet study space besides the library?

Checkout third floor ASC for couches, desks, and a huge whiteboard with an outdoor view. It’s hidden away in the back corner near Arts so you may have to go exploring!

Third floor Science also has a great study corner.

6. Getting a headache from all that studying? The Arts atrium is the best place for relaxing while surrounded by plants and clean air. A mini oasis at UBCO, it is especially wonderful to visit in the winter.

7. If you want to avoid a nice wet spot on your pants, do not lean against the bathroom counters. They are almost always wet and your snazzy back to school outfit may attract more attention than you intended.

8. Food facilities on campus usually close pretty early.

Learn or write down their hours so you never get stuck without food while craming late at night for that early morning exam!

9. There is usually always a line to the Tim Hortons on campus, figure out peek times and utalize the ‘Tim Cam’ the live streaming camera on the UBC website.

10. Still feeling overwhelmed despite these hacks? Checkout the on-campus counselling service that provides up to 6 free visits each school year. It’s a great resource for managing stress, just remember to book in advance. Located on the third floor of UNC in the Health and Wellness Centre.

You now have the skillset of an experienced UBCO student to have a smooth transition into university life. Good luck – you’ll do great!

Laurence Watt – Contributor New to UBC’s Okanagan campus? Here are a few quick tips that could help you get through your first year of university.

Don’t buy everything on your reading list - at least not yet.

The only thing more unsettling than the size of your lengthy reading list is realizing how much all the books cost. However, before dishing out hundreds of dollars, understand you may not need to buy all the books on your reading list. Indeed, some required books you can rent out for free in the library while others you could find a pdf version of online. As well, perhaps one of your friends or another student has taken one or more of your courses before and would be willing to lend you the required texts for the semester. It could also be worthwhile meeting with your professor during their office hours and asking whether certain required texts are necessary to pass the course. Either way, remember that there are ways to alleviate the horrors associated with your lengthy and expensive reading list.

Ask for help Whether you are stressed about an overdue assignment or feeling too anxious to step outside your comfort zone and make new friends, understand that you are not alone and that most students are experiencing a similar rollercoaster of emotions. In my opinion, this is an important reality to highlight because you shouldn’t have to feel paralyzed by stress or anxiety. From my personal experience, International Programs and Services (UNC 227) is a great place to meet new people, talk about issues or take a quick nap.

Another noteworthy resource is the Counselling Services office (UNC 337), which allows you to speak to a counsellor about a wide range of issues, including cultural adjustment, relationships, careers, academic concerns, and other personal matters. Just remember, you’re not alone and there are plenty of resources on campus to help you out.

Take breaks Although courses in university can certainly be more intense than in high school, remember that it is only your first year and it’s important to spend time doing what you enjoy - whether that’s grabbing drinks with your friends, exploring Kelowna or staying home and gaming till sunrise. In saying this, I’m not advocating choosing to drink over studying for your final exam. On the contrary, I’m simply saying that when you realize you have some spare time, make the most of it.

Here are some other random quick tips you may or may not benefit from: Follow UBCO Books Buy n Sell on Facebook. Get your hands on free or discounted books as well as make some money.

Download Zotero on your computer. This application saved my life in first year when I was still struggling to understand how to properly use citations and put together my bibliography. It is without a doubt, the single greatest app for writing papers ever invented.

Follow UBCO Confessions on Facebook. Sometimes you’ll laugh.