February 3, 2014 by The Ubyssey

FEBRUARY 3, 2013 | VoLuME XcV| IssuE XXXVIII STEAMING THE NEW KID since 1918

CROWNED P6 The results are in: students want a campus microbrewery and Tanner Bokor will be the next AMS president

CLEAN RECORDS Three years after its founding, the Blank Vinyl Project celebrates its musical achievements on campus

SAY HELLO

Bus driver Brian Revel wants you to make friends on your commute

THE SEAGULL REVIEWED P9 MINING INSTITUTE CONCERNS P4 BOOKSTORE DELAYED P3 965 STUDENTS TURNED AWAY FROM HEALTH SERVICES P3 MODERN DAY GLADIATORS P5

Monday, February 3, 2014 |

YOUR GUIDE TO UBC EVENTS + PEOPLE

WHAT’S ON

this week, may we suggest...

POST-SUPERBOWL WITHDRAWAL ALL DAY @ ER’WHERE

Congratuations/don’t feel too bad, Broncos/Seahawks fans. Whether you feel like shit or you feel like shit from celebrating too much: there, there.

Olivia Law Staff Writer

LUNAR NEW YEAR CELEBRATION

11:30 A.m.–2 P.M. @ C.K. CHOI BLDG

It’s the Year of the Horse. Come and watch a tea presentation and some lion dancing, presented by the Institute of Asian Research. There will also be music and a food sale, so try something other than the Moon in the Sub. Free to attend, $ for food

WEDNESDAY 05 PRODUCTION NIGHTS 3 P.m. @ SUB 24

Learn how we put the newspaper together. Proofreading pages. Camaraderie. Sofas. Learning InDesign. Learning Canadian Press style. Free dinner. Need we say more? Free

“One of the most hectic events I’ve shot all year. It all came down to one final moment. Winnie Code crowning Tanner president right infront of me was a classic shot. Afterward, Winnie took her crown back and ran off.” Photo by Carter Brundage

Video content Watch Tanner Bokor get crowned AMS president, plus all kinds of elections excitement at ubyssey.ca/video.

U The Ubyssey editorial

Coordinating Editor Geoff Lister coordinating@ubyssey.ca Managing Editor, Print Ming Wong printeditor@ubyssey.ca Managing Editor, Web CJ Pentland webeditor@ubyssey.ca News Editors Will McDonald + Sarah Bigam news@ubyssey.ca Senior News Writer Veronika Bondarenko vbondarenko@ubyssey.ca Culture Editor Rhys Edwards culture@ubyssey.ca Senior Culture Writer Aurora Tejeida atejeida@ubyssey.ca Sports + Rec Editor Natalie Scadden sports@ubyssey.ca Senior Lifestyle Writer Reyhana Heatherington rheatherington@ubyssey.ca Features Editor Arno Rosenfeld features@ubyssey.ca

Video Producer Lu Zhang video@ubyssey.ca Copy Editor Matt Meuse copy@ubyssey.ca

Photo Editor Carter Brundage photos@ubyssey.ca Illustrator Indiana Joel ijoel@ubyssey.ca Webmaster Tony Li webmaster@ubyssey.ca Distribution Coordinator Lily Cai lcai@ubyssey.ca

Staff Catherine Guan, Nick Adams, Kanta Dihal, Marlee Laval, Angela Tien, Carly Sotas, Alex Meisner, Luella Sun, Jenny Tang, Adrienne Hembree, Mehryar Maalem, Jack Hauen, Kosta Prodanovic, Olivia Law, Jethro Au, Bailey Ramsay, Jenica Montgomery, Austen Erhardt, Alice Fleerackers, Nikos Wright, Milica Palinic, Jovana Vranic, Mackenzie Walker, Kaveh Sarhangpour, Steven Richards

ONE ON ONE WITH THE PEOPLE WHO MAKE UBC

Brian Revel invites you to say hello to strangers

MONDAY 03

TUESDAY

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Commuter students board the bus at VCC-Clark station. As they halfheartedly flash their U-Pass, they are given a leaflet. The leaflet invites them to remove their earphones and to say hello to the person next to them. Signs are placed around the buses informing people of the event, encouraging people to introduce themselves to somebody new. This is the Say Hi on the Bus campaign, founded by Brian Revel, a TransLink driver who wants to build community where human interaction occurs on a daily basis: the bus. Say Hi on the Bus was inspired by a video entitled Then-N-Now, which shows two versions of an everyday encounter: one where two strangers connect and the other where that connection is inhibited by technology: cellphones, iPods and so forth. Revel says the idea came about in conversation with a friend. “We lamented about how there had been a breakdown in social interaction with others. We wanted to encourage people to take a moment to say hi and to chat to one another.” The Facebook page for the campaign was launched August 2012. Growing up in Salmon Arm in interior B.C., Brian believes there is a sense of community missing from the big city. “You can take the kid out of the small town but you can’t take the small town out of the kid. There’s something weird that’s happened in the last few years — [Vancouver] used to be so social and now it just isn’t. The small town boy in me has missed this interaction and acknowledgement, even on a superficial level.” Today, Revel lives downtown with his partner. Though he has no kids of his own, Revel says everyone who gets on his bus are kind of like his kids. He’s driven the 3, 7, 9 and 10 route, but UBC students might know him from the 84. “When you’re doing a route

PHOTO STEVEN RICHARDS/The Ubyssey

If you’ve taken the 84 before, you may have come across Brian Revel and his Say Hi on the Bus social experiment.

like the number 84, you see the same people over and over, as there are people who travel in a certain window and so will wind up on the same bus. Oftentimes people get on the bus and say hello; it’s great to have recognition and built a rapport over time.” Revel acknowledges the daily stresses with which students are so preoccupied on a daily basis. “Often I know that the bus is a damned inconvenience to get from one place to another.” But he is also aware of the importance of his job. If there were no buses, thousands of commuter students would have to find other ways to come to school. The Skytrain, although convenient, doesn’t take students all the way to UBC. “I’m looking at the future when looking at the people going on the bus to study at UBC,” says Brian. “Some kids I’ve found are super interactive, but others not so much.”

His social experiment may take some people out of their comfort zones, but Revel has not experienced any difficulties with passengers. He reports there has been only positive feedback. “People come up to me saying that it’s a great idea, they thank me and say that they love the interaction! I think that this speaks to something universal in all of us.” In terms of expanding his vision, Revel says a number of other TransLink drivers are interested in the campaign. People are still finding and liking his Facebook page every day — so far the page has 293 likes. Eventually, Revel is aiming to turn the interaction levels on public transit around, one passenger at a time. Ultimately, he believes social interaction is like a muscle that needs regular exercise. “You have to use it or else you lose it.” U

Know someone at UBC who’s done something interesting? Think they deserve to be profiled in Our Campus? Email them to printeditor@ubyssey.ca.

Write Shoot Edit Code Drink COME BY THE UBYSSEY OFFICE SUB 24, FOLLOW THE SIGNS

Monday, February 3, 2014 |

EDITORS WILL Mcdonald + Sarah Bigam

BUdget >>

Construction >>

Bookstore renovations delayed

Photo carter Brundage/THE UBYSSEY

Renovations on the bookstore are expected to finish in March.

Molly Lambert Contributor

FIle Photo Peter Wojnar/THE UBYSSEY

UBC measured the number of students turned away from Student Health Services for the first time last year and found 965 students couldn’t get a same-day appointment in one term.

Confidential documents show lack of student services funding

965 students ‘turned away’ from Student Health Services in one term Will McDonald News Editor

The Ubyssey has obtained confidential university budget documents showing that student services are unfunded by $2.6 million. The document says UBC health services turned away 965 students from January to April 2013 due to a $300,000 budget shortfall. UBC spokesperson Lucie McNeill says that while 965 students did not receive immediate attention, cases are dealt with in priority and the number does not reflect those who scheduled an appointment at a later date. “All students in distress or with urgent concerns are seen the same day in an emergency

NEWS BRIEFS UBC Law vs. Trinity Western UBC Law has asked the B.C. Law Society to look into a controversial policy at Trinity Western University’s proposed law school that could be used to discriminate against LGBT students. The proposed policy at Trinity Western would require students to sign a pledge saying they will not engage in “biblically condemned” sexual activities. UBC Law’s faculty council has asked the B.C. Law Society to examine the effects of such a pledge. “The reports published so far have failed to identify the range of interests at stake and have not considered the particular statutory responsibilities of the Law Society to protect rights and freedoms and to act in the public interest. We urge a full, public, participatory process for considering these critical questions in relation to the proposed new law school,” said UBC law professor Margot Young. Researchers offer suggestions to preserve waterways A team of researchers, including a UBC prof, have found a number of ways to help preserve waterways. Their suggestions include connecting waterways as well as ensuring biodiversity. “Fish are strongly impacted when nutrients, sediments or pollutants are added to their habitat. We cannot protect fish without maintaining a healthy freshwater ecosystem,” said UBC forestry prof John Richardson. U

appointment,” said McNeill in a statement. According to the document, UBC’s current domestic student fees do not support student services at the “level of excellence expected in Place and Promise.” Patricia Mirwaldt, director of Student Health Services, said six to eight doctors work at UBC health services per day, and there are around 50 unbooked slots per day open for walk-in appointments. Mirwaldt said the period from January to April 2013 was the first time UBC calculated the number of students turned away from same-day appointments. “That’s of course very concerning [that 965 students were turned away] and we try to limit that as

much as possible by taking on extra patients if someone is urgent and needs to be seen, certainly if somebody shows up in distress, we’ll help them even if it’s over and above our regular patients,” said Mirwaldt. Mirwaldt said most students can come back for an appointment the next day or whenever is convenient for them if their case is not urgent. “In all of primary health care, in all of Canada we have access problems. And so having 50 available slots every day is actually good as compared to many clinics across the lower mainland.” The document also shows that Work Learn and Go Global are both looking for $1 million, and $200,000 is needed

to hire two new enrollment services professionals. It also shows disability advising is underfunded by $100,000, which would be needed to fund the increase form 1,500 to 1,800 cases. UBC spokesperson Lucie McNeill would not confirm if the document is official, but said it may be from a presentation VP Finance Pierre Ouillet and VP Students Louise Cowin made to the AMS. “I’m not going to comment on that because I don’t know what document you have,” said McNeill. “We will not go into specific issues because the budget is far from final.” U This story is taken from one page of a longer document. There will be more stories to come.

research >>

New category for international students Andrew Liang Contributor

UBC is creating a new student category for international students who want to do research here. The new student category, “visiting international research student,” was created to address reporting issues and potential immigration problems surrounding the current visiting research student program. The VIRS classification will cover students in the visiting undergraduate research student and visiting graduate, master’s and doctorate research student programs. The proposed VIRS classification will only affect students currently in the VURS and VGRD programs and will result in a decrease of fees for these students. Starting in the 2014-2015 school year, the fees will drop from $1,060 per year to about $384.25 plus medical insurance per year, as these students will no longer have to pay for one credit of domestic tuition or the AMS fees incurred by that credit. Students will be charged a flat fee of $384.24 for a stay between one and 12 months. The fee would be renewed after a year and covers the GoGlobal administrative charge. The cost of the medical insurance will vary depending on how long the student plans on staying. Costs for similar classifications at other universities range from

Photo Stephanie xU/THE UBYSSEY

Visiting international research students will pay a flat rate that includes a GoGlobal fee.

$400 per year at Berkeley to almost $2,000 per eight months at the University of Toronto. Harrison said the creation of this designation was necessary to make work and application to the program easier for these visiting students and to better support these students, who often lack proper access to administrative resources. “Basically, there are many categories of students ... but there was none for a student from another institution [abroad] coming to UBC solely to do research,” Harrison said. “Without the ability to register such students, UBC had no way to count them or to provide them with the necessary administrative support.” Without a way to count these students, Harrison said, UBC was not able to report on part of its international activity.

Harrison also said that this new classification should help resolve certain immigration issues that can arise for visiting students, who often have no formal status at the university. Katherine Beaumont, director of GoGlobal, said the creation of the VIRS classification would have a positive impact on the international reputation of UBC. “What we really want to do is be able to say to the world: UBC welcomes visiting international research students,” said Beaumont. “They contribute to the research enterprise here. We want to support them. We want to enable faculty to invite them easily, regardless of whether they are in a master’s program, PhD program or undergraduate program.” U

Renovations on the UBC Bookstore will not be complete for another three months. Originally scheduled to be finished for the start of the winter term, the bookstore is now scheduled to open at the end of March, but construction on the new café and convenience store will continue through April. Construction began at the end of February 2013. “We had an extremely aggressive schedule, so I think many of us were delusional in thinking it could be done as quickly as we hoped it could,” said Debbie Harvie, managing director of university community services. Harvie said weather was a major factor in the delays, as Syncra Construction had to temporarily stop exterior construction due to rain and the roof icing over. Piping issues and the need to dig deeper in the soil than expected caused further delays, Harvie said. Construction inside the bookstore also had to be stalled for three weeks in January to allow for full operation of the store during the back-to-school period. An informal welcome to the bookstore will be held the weekend of March 28. “It won’t be a grand opening in the sense that everything’s done, but it’s [to] come and see everything we’ve been doing this term,” said Harvie. “We’re very conscious that we want students who are here now to be able to come in and celebrate the space before the term’s over.” When complete, an elevator will replace the old ramp into the building to increase accessibility. A full Starbucks with cold drinks will replace the previous small café, and the convenience store will also be upgraded. “When it fully opens, we expect that certainly by the end of April, in time for summer, we’ll be carrying a full line of salads and sandwiches and dairy and pop and a Slurpee machine and all the normal convenience store items,” said Harvie. U

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4 | NEWS |

Monday, February 3, 2014

RESEARCH >>

International mining institute opens at UBC amid questions over independence Arno Rosenfeld Features Editor

A UBC-based mining institute officially launched Wednesday at a ceremony in downtown Vancouver. While university officials have touted its potential to help the developing world, critics are questioning its independence from industry and government. The institute, based on campus at the Technology Enterprise Facility, is a partnership between UBC, SFU and École Polytechnique de Montréal. It is funded by a five-year $25 million grant from the Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA). Known as the Canadian International Institute for Extractive Industries and Development (CIIEID), the stated goal of the institute is to help developing countries draft regulations and policies governing natural resource extraction. “UBC has a strong track record in the field of sustainable, socially responsible mining and we are delighted to join hands with our colleagues at Simon Fraser University and École Polytechnique de Montréal to effect lasting change,” John Hepburn, UBC VP research and international, said in a UBC press release. The institute will work with governments of developing countries in order to alleviate poverty in those regions, said Malcolm Scoble, director of advisory services as CIIEID and former head of UBC’s mining engineering department. “A major emphasis is the need to ensure that there’s economic well-being and health and safety and poverty alleviation as a consequence,” Scoble said. CIIEID will conduct research on foreign government’s policies toward the mining industry, coordinate dialogue between local populations in affected areas and governments or mining companies and assist vulnerable groups, identified as women and aboriginal peoples, to benefit from mining operations in their countries. The funding from CIDA will allow the institute to operate for five years, and UBC and SFU have committed to running the insti-

tute for at least five years. While UBC has already contributed $6.69 million to CIIEID, it is not clear who will fund the institute in the future. A UBC report pointed to three potential sources of funding: donations from mining, oil and gas companies, donations and grants from other sources, and tuition or fees for CIIEID-provided services. Among the CIIEID’s 60 “institutional partners” are several mining corporations, including Vancouver-based Goldcorp. Critics of the institute say its funding from the federal government compromises its independence and that it may seek to aid industry over the interests of local populations in the areas it works. A group of UBC and SFU students have organized under the name “Not From My Campus” to raise awareness about what they see as potential issues with the institute. The group met with UBC President Stephen Toope to express its concerns, and he responded to the group in a letter. “I want to affirm that the CIIEID was created to generate new knowledge through research, to share that knowledge through education and training and to provide technical assistance,” Toope wrote. “It is an independent academic centre and is not an instrument of the government of Canada.”

We see this very much as part of trying to promote the interests of Canadian mining companies. Jennifer Moore Mining Watch

But Jennifer Moore of the Canadian-based NGO Mining Watch believes the institute will in fact promote Canadian trade interests. “We see this ... very much as part of trying to promote the interests of Canadian mining companies overseas,” said Moore. Moore also questioned the institute’s independence from Ottawa.

Aus >>

photo don erhardt/ubc

Above: from left, École Polytechnique de Montréal CEO Christophe Guy, Simon Fraser University President Andrew Petter, UBC Vice-President Research and International John Hepburn and institute interim executive director Bern Klein at the launch of the CIIEID. Right: Goldcorp trucks at a Canadian mine. “The government has ensured that it has considerable influence over both what the institute can say publicly about its work and also in terms of the direction of the institute,” Moore said. That CIDA is funding the institute has also provoked criticism. Nipa Banerjee, a professor at the University of Ottawa specializing in international development, said that following CIDA’s integration with Canada’s Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade over the summer, government development funds are now more focused on helping Canadian companies. “The main critique I have is that it’s really not humanitarian assistance anymore,” said Banerjee, who worked for CIDA for 35 years. “It is directly linked with Canada’s economic interests.” Documents show the university recognized that it might receive criticism over the institute. “Work of institute perceived to primarily respond to Canadian industry needs vs. developing

photo courtesy goldcorp

countries,” was listed under potential “reputational” risks to the university if it approved the CIIEID, according to an April 2013 report, written by Hepburn, given to UBC’s Board of Governors. The university declined to make Hepburn available to answer questions about the institute. CIIEID director Bern Klein was also unavailable to comment, as he was on institute business in South Africa, but Scoble defended CIIEID’s independence. “We’re all quite confident that we can maintain this fully independent situation,” Scoble said, while admitting it might be

New Arts mascot gives a hoot

Barney retires, to be succeeded by AUS Owl Alex Meisner Staff Writer

The AUS welcomed in their new mascot in January,

Photo courtesy Arts Undergraduate Society

The Arts Undergraduate Society’s old mascot, Barney, has stepped down to make way for the AUS Owl. After a voting period of five days in November, the newly chosen mascot, which will represent 12,000 Faculty of Arts students, was revealed on Jan. 13, the first day of Arts Week. AUS VP internal and AMS VP admin elect Ava Nasiri said the search for the new mascot began last year because the Barney suit was worn out and the AUS was running a budget surplus. Barney was originally acquired by the AUS in 2007 after being adopted from a Dumpster by the McDonald’s on campus. “Given the students’ attachment to wearing the Barney suit, it was

an organic choice to make it the mascot,” said Nasiri. “Since at this point the physical Barney suit has deteriorated severely ... it was time to make a change.” AUS clubs and associations have been showing their support for the new mascot. “I personally feel that the mascot change from Barney to the owl is awesome,” said Alex Bouchard, president of the French club. “I think this AUS rebranding is for the best.” “Arts has been struggling for a few years [trying] to figure out a sense of identity,” said German club president Jonathan Elmer. “I think it is good to have a symbol of reference for members of any organization ... so as to better organize and unite students,” said Avi Ames, the AUS representative for the Sociology Students Association. U

difficult to do so at times. Scoble said the institute is a wonderful opportunity for Canadian universities to contribute to the developing world and that it had the potential to be more effective than past efforts by CIDA and the Canadian government. “We’ve got an inherent belief in the nature of this kind of assistance to the developing world and we want to try and make it succeed,” Scoble said. Critics like Moore remain unswayed on the potential for the institute to do positive work. “I think that there’s not a lot of potential given how it’s been conceived and established,” Moore said. U

News Meetings are Mondays at 2 p.m.

COME BY THE UBYSSEY OFFICE SUB 24, FOLLOW THE SIGNS

EDItoR NATALIE SCADDEN

Monday, February 3, 2014 |

RECREATiON >>

Students defend their honour in UBC REC’s Gladiator event Billed as a collection of “unconventional activities” that challenge the mind, body and team Reyhana Heatherington Senior Lifestyle Writer

“Oh my God, this is a war!” Shael Guyan of Team Dat Asterix can’t contain his excitement as he cheers on a teammate locked in a one-on-one jousting marathon in an inflatable ring. Billed as a collection of “unconventional activities” that challenge the mind, body and team, UBC REC’s Gladiator event took over the second floor of the Student Rec Centre Thursday evening. Forty teams signed up and gathered to rotate through five events facing off against one other team at each Under the Sea-themed station. Blue lights contributed to the dramatic atmosphere and pop hits spanning the last 20 years blared from speakers. At “In Search of Atlantis: The Lost Empire,” contenders were required to find puzzle pieces in a maze and bring them outside to assemble a photo of Atlantis. The all-female Phly Phi team was made up of people who had “never heard of this before last week,” and people like fourth-year Arts student Katy Ogloff who was back for a second year. “I liked that you don’t necessarily need to be athletic, even though I am,” she said. "[It’s] mentally challenging as well and you’re working as a team.”

Being a gladiator in Rome, though it could be very lucrative and you could be very, very popular, came with huge restrictions on your legal status. Siobhán McElduff ubC professor of early roman history

Though her team lost the puzzle challenge, their opponents came over to exchange sportsmanlike “good game” handshakes. For Ogloff, the name “Gladiator” was a successful marketing strategy. “It makes people interested, definitely,” she said. “They’re like, ‘What is that?’.... It’s ambiguous enough that people want to know.” But in reality, the competition was not what some participants expected when they think of the name “Gladiator." “It’s almost the opposite. You think of blood. Manliness,” said Ogloff’s teammate, fourth-year sociology major Andrea Mameri. At the “Free Willy” station, players navigated an inflatable obstacle course of stairs and slides while holding an ocean-dwelling stuffed animal. While Beta Pi team member and second-year Arts student Hogan Chan waited to enter the course, he said the photos online attracted him to the event. “I saw a giant Q-tip so I said, ‘I like giant Q-tips,’” Chan said with a laugh. He decided that the so-called “Q-tip” station was the most true to the Gladiator name. “You got the weapon, you got the helmet, and you got the competing element,” he said. As for those Q-tips, they presented arguably the most physically challenging task of the event. At the “duel for the Black Pearl,” players faced off in an inflatable ring and tried to knock their opponent off of

a three-foot wide square platform using a foam baton that did indeed resemble a giant inflatable Q-tip. Though the most “gladiator-like” station deflated in the first round, it was soon pumped up again. Secondyear history student Cheryl Nordal watched her Dat Asterix teammate face off and did not let her forget the gravity of the situation while beating her hands against the side of the ring. “This is what you worked for your whole life!” she screamed to her teammate, who eventually won the round. Researchers have called the film Gladiator “an investigation of the stoic code of the warrior, the applicability of morality in the face of violence and imminent death, and an investigation of resistance in the face of apparent defeat and impossible odds.” So what does the term “gladiator” bring to mind for first-year engineering student Jarek Tan? “Being a beast!” “I think ‘intense warrior,’” said fourth-year genetics and psychology student Paria Assadipour, standing at the “Escaping Ursula’s Lair” game. “There’s only one actual gladiator station, and the rest are just to keep it going.” As she finished her sentence, her helmet-wearing teammate was nailed in the head with a tennis ball shot from a motorized machine. “It gets a little physical, you could say,” she said with a laugh. Assadipour’s team faced off against the Glawdiators who were — you guessed it — a team of law students. Aicha Kouyate, a thirdyear law student, was also expecting a tougher course. “It’s a little more tame than I expected,” she said. “I was thinking, not blood, but more physical.” Perhaps the least physical station was “Finding Nemo,” where competitors searched a dark fog-filled equipment room for tiny Nemos in bins. Alena Freberg, a UBC REC staff member, was the director of the Gladiator event this year. Her crew took suggestions from friends and coworkers and chose the theme based on popularity, feasibility and decorating logistics. Past event themes have included Tron and recess; this year, they decided on ocean-themed events. Freberg said the new format was a welcome change. “It’s nice this year also because it’s only time slot champions, so you’re only required to be here for two hours,” she said. “So it’s a good study break, especially with midterms coming up. It’s just a lot of fun.”

real-life roman gladiators Though gladiators are portrayed in pop culture as rogue beasts, they were historically very different. Siobhán McElduff is a UBC professor who specializes in early Roman history and teaches a second-year class on Greek and Roman spectacles — including gladiators. “In popular culture they are heroic individuals who don’t play by the rules,” she said. “You can send one guy in a theatre against 10 men and they use every weapon they can, and they’re mainly naked most of the time — at least according to the Spartacus TV series — and the death rate is incredibly high and it’s a miracle if our heroes survive beyond

time slot. U a year or two.” In reality, McElduff said, scholars know the “particularly deadly sport” featured fighters with one set of weapons, a highly regimented atmosphere and a measly 10 per cent death rate. For 500 years starting around 300 BCE, McElduff said gladiators were highly paid fighters who had often trained at gladiator schools since childhood. “All the Romans really [wanted was] skill,” she said. “I mean, they liked to see the occasional death, but nobody wants to see a whole pile of death.” Today, McElduff said the Ultimate Fighting Championship and professional boxing would be the most comparable sports for their “stripped down” nature that crowns a clear victor. The main difference today, though, is the celebratory nature of one-onone combat for entertainment. In ancient Rome, gladiators became infames who lost most of their legal rights and were classified at the same level as those who sold their bodies, including actors and prostitutes. “Being a gladiator in Rome, though it could be very lucrative Photo cARtER BRUNDAgE/thE UBYssEY and you could be very, very popular, came with huge restrictions on your UBc students duked it out as part of UBc REc’s Under the sea-themed gladiator event. legal status,” McElduff said. “We don’t do that to athletes, obviously. Now, no matter how much we may disapprove of a sport ... those people are celebrated.” In Canada, perhaps none are more revered than hockey players, and McElduff said similar themes resonate in the culture of hockey. “The way hockey fights are often talked about is like it’s an honour thing. If you watch Hockey Night, you see Don Cherry and he [says,] ‘This is a necessary thing about honour,’” she said. “This is the way that gladiators [kept] their honour or what honour they [had] left, even though they’re fighting for entertainment.” National identity also plays into the parallels between hockey for Canadians and gladiators for the ancient Romans. “We get that especially at big things like the Olympics,” she said. “The idea that somehow these people are representing us by taking risks. Even though some of those things like skeleton seem insane, somehow they are making us proud to be ourselves.” While there was no guidebook to verify the details of real gladiators, certain communal morals seemed to be strong. Like the UBC REC event, ancient competitors faced off against people from their own school. “We don’t really know, but the assumption was if you were too keen to kill people they didn’t like it,” McElduff said. As a co-ed competition, the UBC REC event did hold true to the historical accuracy of ancient gladiators. Though many people believe the sport was restricted to men, McElduff said women were also involved in particularly lavish games as an “expensive speciality.” In the Student Rec Centre however, female and male competitors were equally “special.” The “guaranteed laughter” was not an empty promise as players busted their guts watching their teammates bounce around inflatable obstacles like their lives depended on it. And all the enthusiasm really did paid off in the end — after the “war” was over, Dat Asterix emerged the victors in their

6 | ELECTIONS |

Monday, February 3, 2014

Photos carter brundage and geoff Lister/THE UBYSSEY

Left to right: presidential candidate Harsev Oshan hears the election results; AMS “Yes” referendum campaign members; current VP externalTanner Bokor embraces his associate VP and the new VP external Bahareh Jokar after winning.

A M S E L E C T I O N S 2 0 1 4 R E S U LT S Miadlikowski wins VP finance race

Whistler lodge to be axed as all referendum questions pass

Veronika Bondarenko Staff Writer

CJ Pentland Managing Editor, Web

Students voted in favour of all six referendum questions on this year’s AMS elections ballot, meaning the Whistler Lodge can be sold by the AMS and a microbrewery may be coming to campus. After failing to reach quorum when it was on the ballot two years ago, the Whistler Lodge decision was made this year as student voted in favour of giving the AMS permission to dispose of the lodge as they see fit. The lodge is currently in poor condition and losing around $30,000 a year. The other two AMS-related questions also passed. The AMS pushed heavily for students to vote in favour of an AMS fee restructure and bylaw changes, and the majority of students voted yes. The fee restructure is intended to help the student society get out of their $800,000 deficit. The fate of the microbrewery has also been decided, as students have voted in favour of having one on campus. There will now be a new student fee to help cover the cost of the microbrewery: $2.50 for the first two years, $5 for the following year, $7 for the fifth year and then chained to inflation after that. Students who display a “financial need” are able to opt out. Students have also asked for the AMS to urge UBC to divest from fossils fuels. UBCC350, a group of UBC students committed to climate action, proposed this question and got it on the referendum after their campaign exceeded 1,000 signatures. The majority of students voted in favour of their movement. The sixth referendum question asked if students wanted the AMS to push for lower tuition, to which they voted yes. U

Photo Geoff lister/THE UBYSSEY

AMS president-elect Tanner Bokor celebrates with some bubbly at the elections results party on Friday night.

Bokor to be 105th AMS prez Current VP external to take student society reins Sarah Bigam News Editor

Tanner Bokor has won the AMS presidential election, beating out candidates Winnie Code, Harsev Oshan and Jackson Chen. “I’m going to cry,” Bokor said in his acceptance speech. “Quite honestly, sincerely, thank you so much. I cannot tell you how much this means to me, from the bottom of my heart. “It was a long race. I think I’m probably one of the first AMS presidents that didn’t really get to campaign because I was working for you guys, but thank you, honestly, thank you.”

He said his opponent Oshan ran one of the most impressive presidential campaigns he had ever seen. “[Bokor] won, and that’s bottom line,” said Oshan. He said he hopes to work on the microbrewery project in the coming year. Bokor now aims to improve relationships with AMS constituencies and clubs and work on the transition to the New SUB. “We’ve got a lot to do, but 15 months to do it, so I’m looking forward to it,” Bokor said. “I think the team’s fantastic, and congratulations to everyone who ran in this election. It was a fantastic race. Well done to all.”

Bokor said he was “incredibly relieved” that all the referendum questions passed. “I’m happy that students supported all the questions on the ballot. In terms of the microbrewery, we’re going to make it work, it’s going to take some time, but we’re going to follow through on our commitment,” said Bokor. “We’ll start hopefully having a much healthier financial society going forward so I’m really happy, really pleased, and again, really grateful to all the students for their support.” Jackson Chen was not present for the announcement of the results. U

Mateusz Miadlikowski beat out incumbent Joaquin Acevedo and joke candidate Alex Bucci in the race for VP finance this year. Miadlikowski, who lost to Acevedo in the same race last year, is looking forward to the chance to take over as the new VP finance. “I feel pretty excited about the prospect of working for the AMS at the higher level,” said Miadlikowski. Miadlikowski is confident he will be able to manage AMS funds during his term in office. “I think that I ran a good campaign and I think [students] chose the representative that was appealing to them. So I’ll think that I’ll do a great job for all the students of UBC.” While Acevedo was disappointed about not being reelected for a second term, he is pleased the fee structure referendum, which he has been working on for the past year, has passed. “I think that all the work that I did this year was vindicated by the referendum passing, which was my main goal this year, to be able to fix this referendum up,” said Acevedo. Bucci is livid students made such a “deplorable and devastating decision” by not choosing him as the next VP finance. “Obviously I would have made a better VP finance. Since I didn’t win this time, I expect to try infiltrating the AMS through less conventional means, perhaps in the middle of the night, just by sitting in [Miadlikowski’s] chair. When I talk about the seat of power, I mean it literally.” Bucci also said he lost the race because his looks do not live up to Miadlikowski and Acevedo’s. U

Nasiri beats out Ng for VP admin Jovana Vranic Staff Writer

Ava Nasiri celebrates her victory at the elections results party.

Photo Geoff Lister/THE UBYSSEY

Ava Nasiri will be the AMS’s new VP administration after defeating contender Serena Ng in this year’s elections. In this position, Nasiri will be responsible for the workings of the old SUB, keeping the New SUB project running on track and overseeing over 370 AMS clubs.

“I am incredibly humbled,” said Nasiri. “I had so much support. I felt so much love from everyone on campus throughout the whole process. I’m feeling blessed.” To start off her term as VP admin, the first project Nasiri wants to start work on is driving a smooth transition into the New SUB building. “The first step of that would be clearing up how we communicate with clubs,” she said.

She plans to ensure that all deadlines for the project are met. “I’m pretty well versed in what’s going on with the New SUB committee.” Ng expressed her best wishes to Nasiri and said she would follow Nasiri’s progress on the VP admin’s portfolio projects throughout her term. “I’m interested to see what’s going to happen next year,” Ng said. U

MONDAY, FEBRUARY 3, 2014

Karimi and Roach take Board seats

Incumbent Kessler triumphs as VP academic Arno Rosenfeld Features editor

Will McDonald news editor

Chris Roach and Nina Karimi have won the two student representative spots on the UBC Board of Governors. Roach and Karimi beat out candidates Spencer Keys and Ilana Shecter for the positions. “I hope I did well. I’m happy to work with Nina. Disappointed for both Ilana and Spencer, but I wish them the best,” said Roach. “[Nina and I] have similar ideologies but different platforms, so it’s going to be making sure we that find a balance and don’t argue amongst one another,” said Roach. Karimi said her first goal on the Board would be to establish student representation regarding Acadia Park. “I’m incredibly motivated by the fact that I can now have the ability to prove everyone wrong who didn’t think that I was capable and I’m excited for the year to come,” said Karimi. Shecter said she was disappointed by the results, but happy that the divestment referendum, one of her main platform points, passed.

Photos cARtER BRUNDAgE/thE UBYssEY

chris Roach, above, was elected to both the senate and the Board of governors, as was with Nina karimi, below.

“It’s great that divestment passed. That’s a huge step for the university and a huge step for climate activism,” said Shecter. Keys said he wasn’t disappointed with the results. “You’re electing people that can do the job and that means both technical skills and someone with the ability to reach out to certain communities and so, demonstrably, these two have at least one or both of those skills. And that’s what was important to people and that’s just fine,” said Keys. U

Photo gEoFF LIstER/thE UBYssEY

Bahareh Jokar moves from being an associate VP to the full-fledged VP external.

Jokar wins VP external Sarah Bigam news editor

Bahareh Jokar has beaten comedic Game of Thrones competitor Jon Snow to become the new AMS VP external. “I’m thrilled, and very grateful to all the students that voted,” Jokar said. This year, Jokar plans to work on her three campaign points of transportation, tuition and provincial lobbying.

“I intend to follow through on all my campaign promises,” she said. Jokar also hopes to continue working with the Alliance of BC Students, an organization she recently helped found as associate VP external. “I’m dead,” said Snow. As Snow died, he maintained that he knew nothing. Snow said he thought SFU would now surely invade. “It’s better to be dead than to be subject to the necromancy of SFU,” he said. U

OTHER WINNERS Senate Anne kessler Mona Maleki Nina karimi Eric Zhao chris Roach Student Legal Fund Society Janzen Lee Navi Purewal Joseph gorman Aaron sihota Dawei Ji Jordan stewart

| ELECTIONS | 7

Ubyssey president Jason kim Ubyssey board Brendan Lim sunil suvarna Daniel cockburn Quartermain Lim Voter-funded media Vote for Me, UBc!: $198 UBc Underground: $242 tyler suzuki Nelson: $154 the syrup trap: $374 tRU-watch: $132

Incumbent Anne Kessler has been elected to a full term as AMS VP academic and university affairs, defeating former interim VP academic and student senator Mona Maleki. “I had never done AMS elections before, so I think the whole time you don’t know what the general public will think,” Maleki said. “I’ve worked with Anne before and she’s going to be awesome in the position.” Kessler ran on her experience as the incumbent, having held the position since October after defeating Adam Melhem in the election to replace Kiran Mahal, who resigned from her post as VP academic in September. Maleki, who filled in as executive following Mahal’s resignation and before Kessler’s byelection, emphasized her grassroots organizing experience and work with students. Both candidates emphasized student housing, mental health and the importance of closely monitoring UBC’s increasing use of technology in the classroom. Kessler was travelling and could not be reached for comment. U

Monday, February 3, 2014 |

EDItoR RHYS EDWARDS

MUSiC >>

Blank Vinyl Project mints campus music community Alexis Wolfe + Rebekah Ho Contributors

On Jan. 21, Koerner’s Pub was packed full with UBC’s finest musicians, listeners and members of the music community at large. The recently re-opened pub had partnered up with the Blank Vinyl Project (BVP) for live shows every Tuesday evening, promising good company, a welcoming atmosphere and no shortage of Mason jars full of PBR. In only three years, BVP has grown to become part of the core UBC music community. Originally founded as a record label for UBC students, BVP has helped artists such as Amie Yoshitake and the Mouths connect with professional producers and release original records. In its first few years, BVP ran a “featured artist” audition series; one of the winners, Anxiojam, won a spot to play at AMS Block Party, which Ben Chen, founder of BVP and current board member, considers to be a “crown achievement.” However, the featured artist audition structure started to prove unsustainable over the years. “There was one band, FunkDirty, that were really hot this summer, and we really wanted to work with them, but we couldn’t because we limited ourselves by saying that we only wanted to work with our featured artists,” said Chen, a fourth-year marketing student. “That hurt us, that we couldn’t give people opportunities.

the Blank Vinyl Project, founded by Ben chen, will be hosting shows at koerner’s Pub every tuesday night.

We were being selective while were trying to be a community and that didn’t make sense.” Dimitri Kanaris, BVP’s current president, and the rest of the BVP team made an executive decision last September to remove the featured artist program and create an inclusive environment that works on a project-by-project basis. “What I wanted to do was have a community where kids in their

dorm rooms could pick a guitar, come to a jam session and play at open mics,” said Kanaris. “I found that that didn’t really exist on campus.” By combining the record label and community concepts together, Kanaris is confident BVP can offer help, guidance and opportunities to students. In so doing, BVP’s membership has expanded remarkably, from around 30 to 40

FILE Photo JoN chIANg/thE UBYssEY

consistent attendees in its first year to a membership of nearly five times that. Aiden Danaher, events manager and musician with BVP, expressed his enthusiasm for BVP’s evolution and shift to a more inclusive music community. “We’re branching out a lot this year. We’re focusing on involving everybody. Any musician that wants help, we can supply them with it.”

BVP’s momentum is unrestricted. Upcoming events, including the annual year-end “Goose Hunt” at the Pit and a live show sponsored by Red Bull, are driving the BVP community towards further exposure and success. Other plans in the works include a radio show and an online streaming program, BVPTV. Members and musicians of the BVP community are connected to a network of likeminded individuals who are given the opportunity to become involved in the events and guidance that BVP offers, whether it be recording an EP or finding a venue to showcase work. “Whatever artists come our way, if they want to do some recordings [or] want to get some shows out we work closely with them and we establish these relationships. We don’t limit ourselves, and we give equal opportunity to everyone,” said Chen. Ultimately, BVP has been successful in reaching out to students with an affinity for music and sharing it with the community, whether it be on campus, Tuesday nights at Koerner’s Pub or in Vancouver venues such as the Backstage Lounge and Rowan’s Roof. “It’s a home for people to feel comfortable and show their artwork and music and be accepted in that way,” said Chen. “It’s for practicing and continually [motivating] people to collaborate and build music on campus.” U

MONDAY, FEBRUARY 3, 2014

THEATRE >>

Laughing to keep from crying

FOOD >>

Student Cooking: upgraded mac and cheese 3 tablespoons fresh or dried breadcrumbs

The Seagull a challenging, timeless tragicomedy

Equipment

Medium-sized bowl Pot

Gabriel Germaix Contributor

“After all, the author insisted it was a comedy!” For the first time in a long while, the audience laughs. Until Feb. 8, Theatre at UBC is staging the frantic, passionate and disillusioned world of Anton Chekhov in their take of The Seagull. Adapting the late 19th century Russian master’s famous play, director Kathleen Duborg has come back to her favourite “teacher.” But grasping the author’s teachings is no easy thing, and one can guess from the post-show talk-back that Duborg, like many other directors, still wonders why Chekhov labelled his play a “comedy.” While The Seagull contains several comical moments in the first two acts, the performance of the cast insists on the more dramatic aspects of the play. In the warm atmosphere of the Telus Studio at the Chan Centre, the cast recreates a world of changing, indecisive characters who stand as witnesses to the collapse of their own illusory grandeur. Konstantin, a symbolist playwright played by young Thomas Elms, is maybe the one who best sees the abyss in front of him; he takes the audience down with him when the soft lighting shrinks the space like a dying candle. His mother, Irina Arkadina, in her red dress and vivid manners, clings back to the stage as an aging actress, a creature of the past who refuses to leave the spotlight to a younger generation. Mercedes de la Zerda’s remarkable performance manages to render a character who is both exasperating and pathetic, a careless persecutor of her son

Instructions

Photo coURtEsY sMItEME/FLIckR

Olivia Law Staff Writer

Photo coURtEsY tIM MAthEsoN/UBc thEAtRE

Mercedes de la Zerda, left, and thomas Elms, right, dole out morbid realities in The Seagull.

racing blindly against her age. Her character is remarkably prescient, given our 21st century obsession with Botox and designer dresses. Although a loud and somewhat predictable bang can be heard from Chekhov’s gun, the play revolves around silences. Awkwardness seems essential to The Seagull, accentuating both comical and tragic misunderstanding of the characters’ ideals; but the producers chose to rule out several silences that would have made light of certain tense scenes, thereby generating a quicker rhythm — though in a debatable tradeoff. Nevertheless, one actress stands out in the mute play: Helena Fisher-Welsh, who plays the depressive Masha, highlights her words by surrounding them with walls of silence and jaded glances, surprising

us even more when Chekhov gives her sudden life and joy. In the circular theatre, not two metres away from the first row of seats, the cast tries to grasp the weakness, self-importance and self-loathing Chekhov carved in his sometimes comically pathetic characters. In the family house, by the lake that appears when the light shines on the back screen composed of lavish blue, green and purple spots, this small world of unshared love keeps the audience on the edge of their seats. Viewers perpetually oscillate between laughing at Chekhov’s humour of the absurd, trying to untangle Chekhov’s complex subtext and simply feeling the strong desire to tear down the walls of incomprehension that appear in every dialogue of the play. U

MUSiC >>

Rolla Olak rolls into Gallery with style Thom Spano Contributor

If someone had told me there was a glitch in the space-time continuum and a folk musician from the mid 1960s had materialized in the Gallery Lounge last Wednesday night, I wouldn’t have second-guessed them. Rolla Olak was easily identifiable, sitting with a brass harmonica holder around his neck and a brown safari hat on his head, casually sipping a beer with bandmate John Sponarski. Moments later, Olak shouldered a worn Telecaster, quickly re-tuned it, and took a final gulp of his beer. After a brief introduction, Olak strummed the riff of his latest single “Waiting for You,” a love song about a homeless couple. The duo immediately drowned the intellectual conversations flying back and forth between an array of supercilious third- and fourth-year students, sparking a powder keg of noise, filling the room with a boot-stomping, harmonica-playing folk echo of the Vietnam era. The two men managed to evoke a grandiose dynamic of sound within the Gallery. Rolla’s loud electric guitar traversed the realms of folk, country and blues, swaying between nostalgic melodies and pop chorus chord progressions. While his harmonica conjured sincere and weathered emotions of a homeless man left to rot in the streets of Nashville, Sponarski’s steel guitar gently accompanied the harmonica’s lonesome cry with its distinct sinking sound.

| CULTURE | 9

cARtERBRUNDAgE/thEUBYssEY

John sponarski, left, and Rolla olak, right, invoked another era last wednesday night.

“I think growing up on Vancouver Island really influenced my writing,” Rolla said confidently after the show. “Knowing that there’s more out there in the world and the universe than just sort of what we make believe our lives to be about — those still moments really influence me.” Olak, who provided much of the sountrack to the Vice documentary Doin’ It Baja, described his style as “straight-up, like country, rock, and folk and blues. It sounds pretty old school.” It’s a familiar sound, heavily influenced by the likes of Bob Dylan, Neil Young and Tom Petty, the three of whom Rolla cited as the music he listened to while growing up on Vancouver Island. “I feel like listening to them growing up is kind of like going to school: learning how to write a good pop song, learning about melody in a good pop song and learning how to be okay with writing words or poetry like Bob Dylan does.

“The best songs I’ve written are definitely the ones that sort of come through and you kind of just be in that moment and not try to worry where they’re coming from and get that real stream-of-consciousness style of writing.” Since 2009, Olak has released two studio albums, one live album, and his latest single, “Waiting for You.” Prior to his solo career, Olak played guitar for the Canadian band Boy. Although Boy has since disbanded, Olak remains close with the lead singer, Stephen Kozmeniuk. He plans to return to Toronto in May, where Kozmeniuk will produce Rolla’s upcoming album, expected to be released this summer. But Olak doesn’t necessarily need bandmates to succeed. When asked how he might he have lived in a past life, he responded: “Maybe like a wolf, or some sort of cool animal that can survive out in the wilderness by itself.” U

As students and generally busy people, pasta is a staple in our diets. When eaten in moderation and balanced with other nutritious foods, pasta is definitely a good choice for its slow-release energy and the general “comfort food” quality it exudes. This is a quick, easy, betterthan-Kraft version of macaroni and cheese. It uses real cheese, and therefore has real flavour; it’s also probably slightly better for you than your average package of neon orange pasta. Plus, it takes only 13 minutes to prepare. Upgraded mac and cheese Ingredients (makes four servings)

Water 2 cups dried macaroni pasta (other types can be substituted, but this is a classic) 4 ounces of cream cheese 1 teaspoon of garlic powder Black pepper Pinch of cayenne pepper ¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese

1. Cook the pasta in a pot of boiling water until soft enough to eat. This should take around six to eight minutes. Reserve one cup of the boiling liquid, then drain the pasta. Do not rinse. 2. In a medium bowl, add the cream cheese, black pepper and cayenne pepper. 3. Pour the cooked pasta onto the cream cheese mixture, and allow the hot pasta to stand on top of the cream cheese until melted. This will take around a minute. 4. Stir the pasta to distribute the cream cheese and spices evenly. Add the remaining water slowly, tablespoon by tablespoon until the sauce reaches a creamy, smooth consistency. 5. Add the breadcrumbs and grated Parmesan, and serve immediately. 6. Optional, but recommended: pour the macaroni and cheese into a small baking dish, then top with the Parmesan and breadcrumbs and place in an oven at 350 degrees for around three minutes, or until the crumbs become golden brown. U

Monday, February 3, 2014 |

student voice. Community reach.

UBC blows opportunity on sports review

ILLUSTRATION jethro au/the ubyssey

The bookstore opening has been delayed, but it’s not about books.

LAST WORDS

PArting shots and snap judgments from The ubyssey editorial board

Budget shortfalls concerning

When a bookstore isn't The UBC Bookstore opening has been delayed, which one supposes was inevitable given that manager Debbie Harvey called the projected opening date “delusional.” What doesn’t make sense though, actually, is to refer to the delayed opening being at “the bookstore.” Because, of course, UBC had a perfectly functional bookstore. Was anyone avoiding purchasing textbooks because the store wasn’t at street level? Because its windows weren’t big enough? No way. But this renovation isn’t about books — it is about turning the bookstore into “UBC Central.” Harvey and friends tried to make the push for this change, renaming the bookstore with a more generic name, a couple years ago, and the university said no — as they should have. But the bookstore hasn’t given up its dream of becoming more than a bookstore. Indeed, it wants to become UBC’s prime emporium for all things university. Which is, of course, absurd. The campus bookstore should be a place to buy textbooks at the beginning of the term, and books and magazines at other times during the year. It should also sell office supplies — binders, notebooks, the kind of things you need for school — and UBC apparel and souvenirs. Beyond that, the store’s expansion into selling more clothing, odd toys, more food and opening a new café seem altogether unnecessary. There are better places to get everything the bookstore sells, and its location on campus only makes it convenient when it comes to selling things people want for school and can’t get elsewhere on campus. Sorry, guys, we already have enough Starbucks.

UBC student services are currently underfunded by $2.6 million. $2 million of this shortage is in Work Learn and Go Global, but what is more concerning is the shortfall in disability advising and Student Health Services. Even though director of Student Health Services Patricia Mirwaldt says UBC’s services are actually more accessible than in many clinics across the Lower Mainland, 965 students were turned away from Student Health Services during the second term last year. And UBC needs $100,000 more for another full-time employee in disability advising to fund the increase in cases from 1,500 to 1,800. UBC’s plan commits them to increasing support for student well-being, and they do acknowledge that the services they currently offer are inadequate. UBC needs to find the funding to be able to operate these services at a satisfactory level. And when they do get the funding, hopefully they have their priorities straight. While international programs like Go Global scream prestige — and don't get us wrong, getting more students going on exchanges is a nice idea — it is more important to ensure the health and well-being, both physical and mental, of the thousands of students who are already here.

Strides made on mental health Five years ago at UBC, we didn’t really talk about depression on campus. Early Alert was not a part of RA or student leader training and UBC counselling was swamped with students. You can poke through the Ubyssey archives yourself, but a quick search of “depression” shows up mostly in opinion pieces and articles about research. That’s a stark contrast to the conversation we’re having today. Mental health is at the forefront how the university interacts with students. Now, you have to skim

through several pages of articles about mental health initiatives and websites relating to depression in recent years if you Google “depression UBC.” And while students might not be able to get access to a doctor, UBC says they at least see 100 per cent of people who show up at counselling. And it’s not just the university — it’s our society in general. Bell’s “Let’s Talk” campaign, aimed at breaking the stigma around depression and other mental health issues, was a booming success this year, raising almost $5.5 million. You can find conversations about depression and mental health in news, arts and sports blogs, all of which play a part in destigmatizing mental health, one of the most important parts of winning this battle.

Mining institute needs close supervision UBC’s new mining institute has the potential to do good. Its goal, according to a professor who is part of the institute, is to alleviate poverty. But its close association with the federal government and the implicit goal to receive industry funding is cause for concern. The federal government’s control over its scientists is well documented and impedes academic freedom, damaging the integrity of supposedly impartial voice. For the institute, government funding and the expressed desire to seek future funding from industry may muzzle a group that should be advocating for miners and the rights of people affected by mining operations around the world. At the very least, it’s something that needs watching. While not the outright evil that some activists claim it to be, the institute could become little more than an industry mouthpiece without proper safeguards. U

PHOTO MATT MEUSE/the ubyssey

The UBC men’s volleyball team has not been guaranteed varsity status.

letter Dear Editor, As a UBC alumnus (‘97) and a former member of the Thunderbird men’s volleyball team, I have spent the last 14 years coaching at NCAA schools (13 of those in Division I), and I have read your recent articles about UBC’s decision to restructure the funding within their athletic programs with great interest — and no small amount of dismay. Prioritizing sports funding in order to achieve specific goals that benefit the university is a legitimate aim, but UBC must have the courage to be honest and public that this is what they are trying to achieve and that their sports will be selected to achieve this goal. In both of these areas, they have failed, and in doing so have wasted a golden opportunity to turn their athletic department into a sports juggernaut that dramatically increases the profile and desirability of the school. To achieve the maximum positive exposure for the school, all athletic teams should be funded and tasked with winning at the national level while creating an exciting, dynamic on-campus environment. Since UBC cannot afford to do this for all of its current teams, the selection process should determine which sports i) are the most relevant to the

school’s target audience (winning national championships in checkers isn’t relevant to many people), ii) can provide the best game-day environment for current students, the local community and TV audiences, and iii) have the best chance at national success. Schools in NCAA Division I are the most obvious examples of this, and they reap huge benefits by creating the perception that the school is a fun, exciting, cool place to go. UBC could set this curve for Canada. It would be a daring, exciting, visionary project. Sadly, their current path uses an opaque selection process to achieve inarticulate goals. If UBC wants to transform its athletic department into a PR machine to increase the school’s profile (à la Stanford, Notre Dame, Duke, etc.), then more power to them. However, the complete lack of clarity in stating their goals or transparency in selecting the teams will not achieve this. How can a world-class academic institution with a reputation for excellence and integrity follow a process lacking both? UBC is the Canadian school best situated to create a relevant sports dynasty and I applaud the attempt. But they should at least have the courage to be honest that this is what they are doing. Regards, Chris Campbell Head women’s volleyball coach Boston College

Have opinions? Let’s hear ’em. Come to opinions meetings, Monday at 12:30 p.m. and Thursday at 1 p.m. SUB 24. Follow the signs.

Monday, February 3, 2014 |

PIctUREs + woRDs oN YoUR UNIVERsItY EXPERIENcE

CAtCUltY

COMiC >>

Goin’ nuts by tubey

EDUCATION

ILLUstRAtIoN LUELLA sUN/thE UBYssEY

Volunteer for The Ubyssey What are you interested in?

Design, illustrations comics, Pusheen the cat email editor Ming wong printeditor@ ubyssey.ca

Lights, camera, selﬁes email editor carter Brundage photo@ubyssey.ca

Arts, entertainment, sophistry

Varsity sports, athletic reviews, milkshakes

email editor Rhys Edwards culture@ ubyssey.ca

email editor Natalie scadden sports@ubyssey.ca

12 | GAMES |

MONDAY, FEBRUARY 3, 2014

CROSSWORD

49- Fall behind 52- Actress Alicia 53- Actress charlotte 54- shore 56- Jeter of the Yankees 58- Deer horn 59- Minute Maid Park player 62- Idiosyncrasy 64- simple seat 65- Big birds 66- ___ girl! 67- slant 68- take a meal 69- At what time

doWn

PUZZLE coURtEsY BEstcRosswoRDs.coM. UsED wIth PERMIssIoN.

across 1- created 5- Flat sound 9- Jazz pianist Art 14- Doozy 15- cut ruthlessly 16- Pong maker 17- ten commandments 19- Boat spines 20- ham 21- 1957 hit for the Bobbettes

23- Masquerade ball 25- Aussie hopper 26- Biol., e.g. 29- scot’s refusal 30- Navel 33- Actress taylor 34- Not us 35- ___ majeste 38- Deity 40- ___-European 41- title of reverence for god 44- head supporters 47- Formidable

1- contemporary 2- hemoglobin deficiency 3- Extract meaning from 4- Muse of love poetry 5- Abbreviate 6- Droop 7- worthless person 8- small rocky island 9- Food ordered to go 10- Fit to ___ 11- ___ kwon do 12- Modern address 13- Fire starter? 18- Do not disturb 22- timber wolf 24- Designer cassini 26- type of gun 27- thin rope 28- Not ___ many words 31- hotelier helmsley 32- Michael Moore’s Downsize ___! 33- city in western Nevada 35- Dr. Zhivago’s love 36- First place? 37- Pop 39- Ball belles 42- halo 43- support beam 45- Purify 46- The Family Circus cartoonist Bil

48- swarmed 49- Female demon in semitic myth 50- ___ Fideles 51- Deutsch, here 55- Dry stalks 56- Fall 57- Animistic god or spirit 59- Beast of burden 60- Letters on a cardinal’s cap 61- Likewise 63- convent dweller Ubyssey Staﬀ Meetings: 12 p.m., SUB 24 stimulating, informative, a place to sit

JAN. 30 ANSWERS

PUZZLE coURtEsY kRAZYDAD. UsED wIth PERMIssIoN.