SEPTEMBER 10, 2019 | VOLUME CI | ISSUE V SINCE 1918
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NEWS
CULTURE
OPINIONS
SCIENCE
SPORTS
Indigenous Strategic Plan faces delays
Proud? Students react to UBC Pride
A third-culture student in the Philippines
Science in government is a mixed bag
’Birds struggle in opening weekend
THE UBYSSEY
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YOUR GUIDE TO UBC EVENTS & PEOPLE
EVENTS
IMAGINE DAY IN PHOTOS PHOTOS BY ELIZABETH WANG
TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 10 UBC EXCHANGE IS OFFICIALLY OPEN 2 :30 P.M. TO 6:30 P.M. UBC BUS EXCHANGE
The Bus Loop is open! Apparently that deserves an entire party? But there are gonna be cupcakes, live music and a photo booth so that’s cool!
’TIL SEPTEMBER 15 VANCOUVER FRINGE FESTIVAL MANY, MANY PLACES @ MANY, MANY TIMES There are dozens of shows going on all around the Lower Mainland! From False Creek to Downtown Vancouver, there’s bound to be a play that scratches your thespian itch.
THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 19 BEATY NOCTURNAL 5:00 P.M. TO 8:30 P.M. @ BEATY MUSEUM On the third Thursday of every month, the museum will stay open until 8:30 p.m. Admission by donation starting at 5:00 p.m. All ages welcome!
ON THE COVER COVER BY Elizabeth Wang
Want to see more events or see your event listed here? ubyssey.ca/events
U THE UBYSSEY
SEPTEMBER 10, 2019 | VOLUME CI| ISSUE V
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NEWS
SEPTEMBER 10, 2019 TUESDAY
EDITORS HENRY ANDERSON AND EMMA LIVINGSTONE
3
SVPREP //
AMS Council passes final version of sexual violence and anti-discrimination policy
Cecilia Lee Contributor
The AMS has officially adopted the final version of its Sexual Violence Prevention and Respectful Community and Workplace Policy, which was formerly and more commonly known as SVPREP. After receiving feedback on a draft earlier this year, the SVPREP working group, chaired by AMS President Chris Hakim, presented the completed policy in an August
21 Council meeting. The policy is set to go into effect by September 23. “We’re trying to provide a safe, comfortable and supportive environment on campus, and these policies are clear indications of our efforts for that,� said Hakim in an interview with The Ubyssey. Applying to all AMS staff and over 60,000 student members, SVPREP is a two-part policy that informs procedures for cases of sexual violence under the AMS Sexual Violence Policy (I-17) and
WHAT’S NEXT? As outlined in the policy, all individuals relevant to the enforcement of SVPREP, such as those conducting or evaluating investigations, will be receiving procedural fairness and traumainformed approaches training prior to the effective date of the policy. A representative from SASC will also be sitting on the working group for SVPREP’s implementation. As the executive who manages clubs and constituencies, much of the implementation work will fall on VP Administration Cole Evans. “A huge part of [the implementation process] ... is communication,� he said. According to Evans, the AMS will be disseminating information to students through marketing efforts such as the clubs newsletter, its social media channels and at mandatory club executive orientations that happen in both September and March. As mandated by the policy, SVPREP will be reviewed for its effectiveness by the AMS Council in September 2020. “These are landmark policies for the community, because they provide clear and trauma-informed procedures,� said Hakim. “Over time ... folks will feel more comfortable accessing these services and that way survivors will be provided the supports that they’re looking for.� U
RESPECTFUL COMMUNITY AND WORKPLACE The latter half of the policy is a replacement of the previous Respectful Environment Policy, which was created in 2014 to meet provincial government mandates. According to Hakim, the process was rushed and didn’t allow the AMS to “properly capture what the community wanted to see in the policy.� The policy was revised with consultation from the UBC community and retitled as the “Respectful Community and Workplace Policy� to avoid being misinterpreted as a policy tackling climate justice. The policy states that it seeks to “promote an environment that is free from bullying and harassment, discrimination, and violence and to address inappropriate behaviour at its earliest stage.� Some examples of inappropriate behaviour as defined by the policy include cyberbullying, racial slurs and hate speech. While the Respectful Community and Workplace Policy encourages informal conflict resolution, it also outlines a
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“We’re trying to provide a safe, comfortable and supportive environment on campus, and these policies are clear indications of our efforts for that.�
Under SVPREP, if a survivor of sexual violence chooses to report the incident, the AMS must complete an investigation within 45 days of receiving the report unless there is a valid reason for extension. The findings of the investigation will be used to decide whether sexual violence has occurred on a balance of probabilities and corrective actions may be taken against the respondent accordingly. Alternatively, a survivor may opt to disclose an incidence of sexual violence without initiating an investigation. Disclosures are entirely confidential, and data on their occurence rates help to inform sexual violence education initiatives and policy development on campus. Non-AMS members and people who are not affiliated with UBC may also report or disclose under SVPREP as long the respondent is a UBC staff member or student. Throughout all stages of the process, both complainants and respondents may access other AMS or UBC support services, such as the Sexual Assault Support Centre (SASC), the Sexual Violence Prevention and Response Office (SVPRO) or the Law Student’s Legal Advice Program. “We really wanted to emphasize that both within the policies and the implementations, students and staff understood what the process looked like ‌ [and] the resources ... available to support them,â€? said Hakim. While individuals who have committed acts of sexual violence may face expulsion or suspension under Policy 131, UBC’s sexual misconduct policy, SVPREP now also allows the AMS to take other disciplinary actions against
procedure for reporting offending behaviour. Again, the AMS may take disciplinary actions against the offending individual similar to those in Policy I-17. After consulting with the community, the AMS included a flowchart for Policy I-17 in order to make the procedural expectations and structures more accessible to staff and students. Additionally, summary guides that provide more concise descriptions of both policies are available within the document.
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the offending party. Potential consequences include being banned from the Nest or AMS clubs, or having employment terminated. “SVPREP fills a jurisdiction gap where UBC’s policies would not provide effective remedies,� Annette Angell, manager of SASC and a member of the SVPREP working group, said in a statement to The Ubyssey. A representative of SASC also sat on the SVPREP working group to help inform the development of the policy. According to Angell, SASC “advocated for measures that would respect survivors’ confidentiality, agency and choice.� “SVPREP ensures that survivors have multiple options, depending on the outcome they want from reporting,� she added.
cases of bullying, harassment, discrimination and violence under the AMS Respectful Community and Workplace Policy (I-18).
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After consulting with the community, the AMS included a flowchart for Policy I-17 in order to make the procedural expectations and structures more accessible to staff and students.
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4 | NEWS | TUESDAY SEPTEMBER 10, 2019 RECONCILIATION //
‘A shifting landscape’: amidst understaffing and policy changes, Indigenous Strategic Plan is further delayed Charlotte Alden Contributor
The new Indigenous Strategic Plan continues to be postponed, with the “action-planning phase” lasting throughout the rest of 2019. The plan will guide UBC’s approach to Indigenous engagement over the next several years and replace the 2009 Aboriginal Strategic Plan. An initial draft was presented for feedback in June 2018 to the Board of Governors (BoG). But in May 2019 “the decision was made to take a step back” and postpone its timeline, said Senior Advisor to the President on Indigenous Affairs Dr. Sheryl Lightfoot. She attributed the delay to a transition in leadership and adjusting to the ever-changing landscape of Indigenous issues. Lightfoot took over from Dr. Linc Kesler who served as the senior advisor to the president on Aboriginal affairs and the director of the First Nations House of Learning (FNHL) from 2008 to 2018. He is currently on leave in Ontario and no longer involved with the plan. When he left, his roles were given to two different successors. Lightfoot currently holds the senior advisor position and Dr. Margaret Moss is the new FNHL director. But when Lightfoot was appointed in August 2018, her first task was to assemble a whole new staff. “There was a gap because they hadn’t hired anyone yet,” she said. Lightfoot said the team was
in place by the early part of 2019, half a year after the end of Kesler’s term on June 30, 2018.
EARLY CHALLENGES The state of Indigenous issues has changed drastically in 10 years. “[A] major challenge has been the shifting landscape and increased expectations that come with the findings of each new commission and inquiry,” Lightfoot said. After a provincial mandate in fall 2018, Lightfoot began a second action plan that would implement the 94 Calls to Action of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada (TRC). In May, Lightfoot told the Board that while her team had an “overarching philosophy,” coordinating two action plans simultaneously was overcomplicated. In order to prevent confusion and implementation issues, she recommended to the Board that they create a single plan that encompasses both. “Our suggestion was, and the Board accepted this, that we take the rest of this calendar year to work on that streamlined action plan,” Lightfoot said. “So that’s what’s currently underway.” In addition to the TRC, the new strategic plan will also consider the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples and the final report of the Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls National Inquiry (MMIWG)
FILE ELIZABETH WANG
“Our suggestion was, and the Board accepted this, that we take the rest of this calendar year to work on that streamlined action plan.”
that was released in June. But beyond its challenging content, the strategic plan has also had to overcome a transition in leadership. When the existing Aboriginal Strategic Plan was written in 2008, Kesler was at the helm. In the last year of his leadership, he also completed a first draft of the new Indigenous strategic plan to pass on to what he called the “new cast of characters.” But Lightfoot said that
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Public Open House
UBC Pump House Replacement
Join us on Tuesday, September 17 to view and comment on the proposed UBC Pump House Replacement at the north-east corner of University Boulevard and Education Road.
Date: Tuesday, September 17, 2019 Place: CPA Hall, Henry Angus Building, 2053 Main Mall
Times: 11:30am - 1:00pm
Plans will be displayed for a new pump station that will replace the existing Powerhouse location and comprise infrastructure that will serve 90% of the campus demand for domestic cold water. Representatives from the project team and Campus + Community Planning will be available to provide information and respond to inquiries about this project. For further information: Please direct questions to Karen Russell, Manager, Development Services karen.russell@ubc.ca 604-822-1586 This event is wheelchair accessible. Can’t attend in person? Online feedback on the UBC Pump House Replacement project will be accepted until September 24, 2019. To learn more or to comment on this project, please visit: planning.ubc.ca/vancouver/projects-consultations
dividing Kesler’s work between herself and Moss was difficult. According to her, advising the president made up 20 per cent of Kesler’s work, and Moss took on the other 80 per cent as director. “While it was clear from the outset which one of us should take certain duties and responsibilities, others required more discussion,” Lightfoot said. “ ... I think by the end of this calendar year we should have it sorted.” At a BoG Indigenous Committee meeting in May, Lightfoot added the development of the plan has also been delayed by “unexpected staffing changes at the First Nations House of Learning.” While she did not specify what those changes were or why they occurred, Lightfoot said that they’re currently being addressed. “We expect vacant positions should be filled by September.”
‘DECISION-MAKERS AT THE TABLE’ Lightfoot believes the plan is an opportunity for UBC to lead in bringing Indigenous policy into the modern age. “This country [is] being called into account on its 19th century structures and institutions that we still have,” she said. “This is now the 21st century and we need to revamp and revise all of them.” But Dr. Mary Ellen TurpelLafond, head of the Residential School History and Dialogue Centre and a professor at the Peter A. Allard School of Law, said that from what she knows of the plan, she thinks it lacks detail and needs “substantial improvements.” “It’s got to be more than words on paper… It can’t be vague.” She believes that part of the problem is that as senior advisor to the president, Lightfoot does not have the decision-making capacity to accomplish her goals and can only do so by gaining favour with administration. To
address this, Turpel-Lafond thinks creating a Vice President Indigenous Affairs might be the best solution. “I continue to see the need for an Indigenous vice president whose focus is exclusively on bringing coherence across the university and, as opposed to just giving advice to decision-makers at the table, to become one of the decision-makers at the table,” she said. Turpel-Lafond clarified that this is “respectful feedback” and that the people leading this work have “enormous personal skill and competency,” but she thinks they need administrative power to “tie it all together.” “We have a lot of business to be done to make the university function in a way that really walks the talk of Indigenous values and the TRC Calls to Action. At this point, I would say we’re not there. We need a very coherent plan,” Turpel-Lafond said. When contacted by The Ubyssey for comment on the possibility of a VP Inidgenous Affairs, the President’s Office did not acknowledge the idea. “The Indigenous Strategic Plan is one of the President’s and Board of Governor’s top priorities. Discussions will occur to consider optimal support to move the Indigenous Strategic Plan forward,” wrote the President’s Office in an emailed statement. Despite these challenges, Lightfoot said that UBC leadership has been supportive throughout the process. “UBC has provided significant resources this summer to help us remedy the staffing challenges and expand our capacity,” Lightfoot said. “It’s an ambitious goal, but we’re hoping and expecting to have a finalized university-wide Indigenous Strategic Action Plan by the early part of next year.” U — With files from Bridget Chase and Sonia Pathak.
CULTURE
SEPTEMBER 10, 2019 TUESDAY
EDITOR THOMAS O’DONNELL
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GLOVES ON //
Misdirected expectations but big heart in GLOVES OFF Moe Kirkpatrick Contributor
When I think of galleries, I think of mazes. Rooms leading to other, bigger rooms, looking around to make sure I haven’t missed another painting or an informational plaque tucked in a corner. Of course, that’s not what galleries really are, physically. Logically, it makes sense. A gallery has to be one huge space that smaller rooms are constructed in. You fold wrapping paper around a gift. The gift gives the paper a shape. Why all these thoughts about galleries? Because of the exhibition kicking off the Hatch’s 2019/20 year: GLOVES OFF, an “experimental DIY exhibition” according to the pamphlet, focused on the work of art technicians. Art technicians, also known as preparators, are artists hired to build and move the exhibition structures in a gallery. Now you’re probably expecting what I was expecting. An exhibit challenging preconceived notions of what a gallery space is and how we take it — and the work that goes into building it — for granted. That is not what GLOVES OFF is. Neither is it experimental or DIY. GLOVES OFF is an exhibition by artists who are also art technicians. This may sound less interesting, but ultimately, it’s far more meaningful. Because art technicians work directly with galleries — and often
ZUBAIR HIRJI
You should see Gloves Off because it is a fantastic, funky little show.
several galleries — they are limited to where they can send their work due to conflict of interest. Simply, it’s harder for art technicians to get a gallery showing than for other artists. Thus: GLOVES OFF. It’s hard not to love something that, upon seeing people struggling, gives them simply and straightforwardly what they lack. It feels very fair when so little about the art world is fair. But you shouldn’t see GLOVES OFF because of ‘ethics.’ You should see GLOVES OFF because it’s a fantastic, funky little show. There are paintings like
dreamscapes with actual photos somewhere in them. There are tiny quarterback statues hung on curtain pulls. There are process videos that reveal small paintings to be layers and layers of watercolor, ink and collage. There are prose-poems over video of 3D blueprints and a huge red painting that combines Western portraiture with patterns reminiscent of women’s button-up shirts. There are so few pieces but they each contain so much. Each of the 14 artists contributed anywhere from one to seven pieces, with no required theme for the work submitted. At
points, GLOVES OFF feels like a tapestry or a collection of teaser trailers. Themes are picked up and dropped from one artist to the next, leaving you to research a particular artist more if you like their work — which is slightly difficult because there aren’t name plaques next to the work — or clear distinctions between what is work and what isn’t. GLOVES OFF is hard to navigate — pick up a pamphlet, it’s a necessity — but even the confusing layout can’t remove the sense of looking beyond what we first assume is there. Pieces juxtapose the original sketches
with the final piece or play with ideas of what a frame should be. Why do we value the art we value? Is art valuable without barriers? Is it enough for people to say, “I made something and I’m proud of it. Come and see”? Even before I walked in, I saw two of the artists excitedly taking pictures in front of the gallery sign. I saw the same thing twice more in the actual exhibit, like the woman who pulled a friend over to her work, saying, “That’s me!” Is that enough? I think so. U GLOVES OFF runs until September 19 in the Hatch Gallery.
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6 | CULTURE | TUESDAY SEPTEMBER 10, 2019 ‘I WON’T FORGET THAT EASILY’ //
Students react to UBC Pride event Anupriya Dasgupta, Sonia Pathak, Andrew Ha, Aditya Bhagirath, Oliver Zhang, Amy Shandro, Jingyu Hu, Sanjana Subramanian, Thomas O’Donnell Contributors & Culture Editor
Photos by Sonia Pathak, Sophie Galloway and Elizabeth Wang Contributors & Photo Editor
On Friday, September 6, UBC hosted UBC Pride which featured resource booths, activities and performances. Before the event took place, many UBC community members expressed cynicism, considering the university’s recent track record with the LGBTQIA2S+ community. We sent a few writers to attend the events and share their thoughts.
ANUPRIYA DASGUPTA I didn’t have much to compare UBC Pride to, considering it was my first ever Pride event, but I left with mixed feelings. The event certainly helped me find out about the resources UBC has on campus for the community. These included the non-UBC affiliated Pride library in the AMS Nest called Out on the Shelves that I had no clue about and
SONIA PATHAK After hearing that there might be potential security risks at UBC Pride, I was a little worried as to how the event would turn out. As I headed towards Fairview Commons and saw groups of people holding signs outside the event, I felt my stomach drop. But then I saw the Rainbow and Trans flags, and after taking a
ANDREW HA I’ve learned to check myself. Am I too lispy? Can they hear it in my voice? My speech is gay crud, earwax itching for a cotton swab. Don’t bring your hand to your mouth when you gasp, oh crap, I’m gesturing too much. I’m too flamboyant. Keep your hands still. They can’t think I’m girly, or worse, gay. It’s an old habit now, but I still have to hide sometimes. UBC Pride was my antithesis. With its noisy rainbow decorations and its speakers even louder, drawing out more than a few winces, UBC Pride demanded attention. Sidewalk decals showed off what UBC has done for LGBTQIA2S+ folks, beaming up from my feet, proud. But is UBC proud of allowing transphobic
ADITYA BHAGIRATH Upon hearing the news that UBC was hosting an official Pride event, I was of course equally excited and scared. I knew that I was going to claw my way to the front of the crowd to participate in the voguing workshop — where, to my deep misfortune, I discovered that my hips do lie, since they met almost none of the beats of the house songs being blasted through the towering speakers — and that I would show up in a colourful outfit suitable for such a celebratory occasion, and so that I would properly fit in with what was sure to be a horde of people in rainbowcoloured clothing. And while I ended up wearing a green shirt and blue jeans, I realised that I wouldn’t have needed the colourful clothes to fit in. Walking along the stalls, seeing all the Queer people with glitter
getting the chance to talk to the very passionate folks at SVPRO. It was wonderful to see the LGBTQIA2S+ community and allies come together in a celebration of love and the event as a whole was good-spirited. While the voguing and drag were fun, I wonder if that is for everyone. I wonder what Pride is for introverts and quieter people who may not find the same kind of confidence voguing helps give
to some others. Despite the positives, it felt like UBC may just have been compensating for what happened a couple months ago when it was disinvited from Vancouver Pride, with the effort seeming a little half-hearted, from UBC’s side. I think it was a cute event, but I don’t know whether it was ‘meaningful’ for me as I’m still navigating the ins and outs of Queer culture.
closer look, saw that the words on the signs were in support of the LGBTQIA2S+ community. People from the community had come together to deter any protestors from interfering with the event. On top of that, UBC Pride was relatively secure — the area was fenced, there was a mandatory bag check, as well as a fair amount of security presence. Thankfully, the event passed
by without incident. UBC Pride was well-organized and vibrant with a good range of activities — the voguing dance lessons were particularly memorable. But to me, the best part of Pride was the lively atmosphere. It was a genuinely fun event, and although it felt like a response to being disinvited from the Vancouver Pride Parade, I hope UBC hosts it again next year.
speakers on campus who call us damaged goods? Free speechers who seek to deny us rights we continue to fight for? Their fingers impatiently mash the volumedown button, desperate to silence us. “Those who argue against us are blocking free expression, so you stay quiet now,” they say. “Let us speak over you.” They didn’t show up to the event. On stage, the bold individual giving a workshop on how to vogue told us that flicking our hands was stylistically crucial. We could imagine our hands as fluid as a stream, or floppy, like beagle ears, our wrists out of service. What do you want to be: water or broken wrists? I picked the latter. I was afraid of my hands working that way. I probably looked like a fool, all jagged edges. But I loved it.
It’s always been a pleasure watching videos of people voguing, but I didn’t expect that doing it would be just as delightful. I was proud. My hands were liberated from the shackles that I’d shamefully forced on them when I was younger. In the recent past, the university seems to have forgotten what Pride is. Pride is a clenched fist held high above our heads, a beacon, a warning that we will never stop fighting against ongoing systemic discrimination. UBC Pride wasn’t that. Rather, the event was eager open arms, hoping I’d forgotten past transgressions, an incoming hug that would smother me. I interrupted with my outstretched hand. Not tense, but firm. Let’s shake instead. I won’t forget that easily.
painted on their faces, like shooting stars across a rosy sky; putting my nose in a book on LGBTQIA2S+ resistance and revolution alongside other bookworms looking to connect to a history of brave and proud leaders; accidentally slapping and bumping into my neighbours while trying my best to twirl my hands and give a whole lot of face. In these small moments, I felt a joy without any shame or self-conciousness. I felt part of a larger community, sharing a deep bond with every drag performer, slam reader, boother and fellow onlooker walking under a mighty art installation. And yet, despite all of this, everywhere I looked, I was met with high fences. Their purpose was reasonable — protection from individuals and groups who would look upon our happiness with hate and disdain. Still, I couldn’t help but wonder
how UBC, such a wealthy and powerful institution, could only do this much for the Queer community on campus, especially considering its actions regarding allowing bigoted speakers and events on campus. Maybe I shouldn’t have been surprised at the small-scale of the event, or at the fact that attendees had to pay for food (of which there were very few options), or that despite UBC unfailingly exulting itself on being a safe space for all Queer students, I could still see the judgmental looks of passerbys leering at our celebrations through the fence. After all, UBC has behaved no differently to other institutions who have have hosted Pride events — leaving the heavy lifting, organising and actual task of creating a space of inclusion to the actual Queer community, and then taking the credit for it.
SEPTEMBER 10, 2019 TUESDAY | CULTURE | 7 OLIVER ZHANG I attended this event with some reservation in my mind — what with past controversy surrounding UBC’s decision to let a transphobic speaker hold an event on campus and the possibility that certain alt-right groups could attend. Though I’m glad to say my concerns were allayed once I walked in. Pride holds a very special meaning to me, so it
AMY SHANDRO I think it’s no mistake that UBC Pride took place within a 10-minute walking distance of all the first-year residences. It felt like an orientation, an introductory class into Pride for those unfamiliar with this territory. I was unable to stay for the whole event, but what I saw struck me as a mainly surface level and imprecisely organized celebration. The drag, poetry and other performances struggled to
JINGYU HU UBC holds a list of welcoming events for students to kick start the new academic year. UBC Pride is a unique one in terms of cultural significance; it provided a much-needed opportunity for the community to foster an inclusive culture and encourage love and acceptance. Before entering the event, the first thing I noticed while walking on Main Mall was a colourful rainbow balloon arch near the entrance. Then I was soon attracted by the convivial atmosphere and exciting vibes emitted by affable fellows of the festivals. Smiles, colourful decorations and
SANJANA SUBRAMANIAN In its second installment, UBC Pride outdid itself by celebrating exactly what I’d hoped it would: love and passion that is accepting of both LGBTQIA2S+ community members and allies alike. Taking place at the end of an exhausting first week under the still-bright glow of the Friday sun, the colorful tents and their vibrant boothers donned excited smiles as they shared their experiences or resources for people looking to feel welcome on campus. Although the atmosphere was laced with the slight disappointment of not being included in Vancouver Pride this year, almost everyone was happy that they still had an opportunity
THOMAS O’DONNELL If I left the house this summer, I either was dressed up pretending to be the woman I used to be, or I was being myself in Queer spaces. I grew comfortable being myself, comfortable in the spaces I started inhabiting and the summer routines I built, spending time with people who were like me. As school time came back around, I grew increasingly anxious about returning. In classes, my voice betrays my name. Within the institution I am told to jump through hoops
meant a lot to see a diverse group of this magnitude celebrating the LGBTQIA2S+ community in one space. As a Queer person of colour, I’ve always craved a sense of belonging not always found in some of my own communities. To come together and appreciate the beauty of all our own lived experiences, which I felt was particularly showcased through performances like spokenword poetry and drag, was a
powerful feeling. Part of the event reflected on the importance of this moment as one station was designed to commemorate the 50th anniversary of Stonewall. Along the fence were messages of support or letters written by visitors. Thinking about my own message, I started to think about all the people in my life who supported me along the way and who’ve made me feel unconditionally loved.
make an impact on the awkward small stage in the middle of a large field. Surrounding the edges were booths set up by organizations with varying levels of rights to be there. While some services, like SVPRO, could be valuable resources for members of this community at UBC, many others seemed to be there as allies just for the sake of being allies. The fact that UBC Pride did not particularly impress me may speak to the privilege I have, regularly being able to participate in Queer
spaces and events and exist in an accepting wider community in this tolerant city. I have already seen everything that UBC Pride had to offer, but how lucky am I that I can say that? I’m sure many newcomers to both Pride events and UBC were excited to see their school so openly supportive of this community. While I may scoff at what I see as UBC making a shallow attempt to appeal to our community, for some that may be the deepest respect an institution has ever shown them.
melodious music alleviated my concerns as I was pondering how to fit in as a “hyper-introverted” person. Games, such as hulahooping and paper crane creation, encouraged proactive participation while providing space for quiet people. The collective effort of folding paper cranes reminds me that much collaborative work that can be done when it comes to raising awareness of the LGBTQAI2S+ community in Vancouver. Booths offered important information regarding available resources within the campus. Workshops, ranging from a sparkle station to voguing dance, provided us possible ways to express ourselves with confidence
— the first step towards love and acceptance. The highlight among these activities was the drag performances. The traits of beauty and courage displayed by drag performers, with their perplexing pace, dizzying energy, spectacular decorations and meticulous performance, are expressions of positive and confident affirmation of their identities. They signify the possibility of amplifying voices of people who have marginal presence in the mainstream culture. In these artists, I saw courage, tenacity and devotion. Many thanks to UBC Pride. Together, we can work towards a positive and supportive space for everyone within the Thunderbird community.
to celebrate being themselves on campus this year. This showed in the enthusiasm displayed by drag artists like BamBam and Madoria, as well as the raw emotions that slam artists like Spillious and Holden Wall brought to the stage. Holding up the energy on stage was also bits of stories brought to the event by Sister Fancy Pants that tackled real narratives of marginalized Queer groups. But most importantly, the crowd’s energy and encouragement really tied the whole display together. The entire gathering seemed like a very genuine and welcoming space for people of all ages and from all walks of life, which was definitely appreciated by almost everyone I had the opportunity to
interact with. With the inclusion of tents from the library displaying Queer literature and several rounds of sexuality Jeopardy!, overall UBC Pride also delivered on its promise of being informative. While my experience was thoroughly enjoyable, I did hope to see more representation from communities in the spectrum that aren’t the most vocal on campus — such as Ace Space — or a larger display of some sort, such as a Pride march on Main Mall. Although the containment of the event was unfortunate, it did end up working in our favor by creating a small bubble of optimism that I thoroughly cherished. And so, UBC Pride continues to set the benchmark for future collective events on campus.
to fulfill simple requests. I am reminded of my ‘otherness.’ Prior to attending the event, I was self-conscious of giving UBC what I thought it wanted: a smiling photo of a trans person. A photo to put on pamphlets to say “We’ve put our issues in the past” and not do anything more. I had many conversations on the event’s merits, on whether it was worth giving UBC what it wanted. The colourful overhangs and piercingly loud drag performances were nice, and I know that those are important. What I liked most was being reminded that this is a
community. Seeing other people who are like me, talking to people who feel the same way as me. While I may often feel isolated and scared, I am comforted and assured by my community. While our institution may use us for photo ops, at least I am smiling with my friends who I met here. I will never absolve UBC for what it has done against the LGBTQIA2S+ community. I’m holding this event as a covenant, a promise to do right by their public commitment to inclusion. We’ll see if they can further rise to the occasion. U
FEATURES
SEPTEMBER 10, 2019 TUESDAY
EDITOR PAWAN MINHAS
Places To Go:
8
A few bites of the Big Apple Jack Lamming Contributor
Exiting your airplane at the Newark International Airport feels like being shot out of a cannon. From the moment we landed, the grime and noise of the East Coast was everywhere. We got in around 4 p.m., just in time to catch the thunderstorm we’d been dreading since we left Vancouver. Our flight that morning had been an early one, and the coffee at Dunkin’ Donuts somehow made things worse. My girlfriend, Sophie, and I had been planning this trip all summer so it’d take more than some bad coffee and a bit of rain to ruin it for us. Freshly showered and filled with determination, we hit the town. Sophie and I have been together for close to two years now, so she’s used to my priorities when we travel: food. That being said, we took the subway down to Greenwich Village to get pizza. It was already dark by the time we made it out of the hotel that night so the city felt shapeless — the buildings didn’t seem to have a form outside of the lights dotting their windows. Waking up the next morning, the city unfolded beneath us. Our room was on floor 58, giving us an unbelievable view of the city, its architectural styles stacked one on top of another. We could see
the trash-can-inspired 432 Park Avenue and the beautiful, prewar apartment buildings lining Central Park East. Sophie was busy that morning, so I took the subway up to 74th Street and got us the famous chocolate chip walnut cookies from Levain. I ate the softballsized lump of cookie dough as I
made my way through Central Park on the way back to the hotel. We had two very important plans that afternoon: dinner at 6:30 at Momofuku Nishi, followed by a Tame Impala concert at Madison Square Garden. By the time I got back to the hotel it was noon and neither Sophie nor I had eaten a proper meal.
PHOTOS SOPHIE GALLOWAY
We left our hotel to get food, and walked out into a solid wall of hot air. The subway didn’t help, nearing 35 degrees on the platform (or 40,000 Fahrenheit). We made it out to Williamsburg, one of the first neighbourhoods hit by the wave of gentrification that swept through Brooklyn in the mid-to-late 2000s. These days,
the neighbourhood that was once known as a home for thriving Hasidic Jewish, Puerto Rican, Italian and Polish communities has an Apple store in a converted warehouse. Closer to the river, the sprawling VICE offices take up 75,000 square feet in a converted sugar factory. We ate a memorable breakfast
SEPTEMBER 10, 2019 TUESDAY | FEATURES | 9
at Rabbithole, but had no time to dawdle. Taking a quick walk along the banks of the East River, we made our way back through Williamsburg, pausing to peer in the window of the Peter Luger Steakhouse, like a pair of modern Charlie Buckets. On our way back to Manhattan we stopped at Joe’s Pizza, a pocket-sized restaurant that’s been on Carmine and 5th since 1975. For our next slice we took our cues from the movie Elf. The titular character, Buddy, finds out that his naughty-listed father is living in New York. Buddy resolves to find his dad, and Santa Claus offers some sage advice, telling Buddy that there are many Ray’s Pizza places and that they all claim to be the original. According to the benevolent Father Christmas, the real Ray’s Pizza can be found on 11th Street. True to Santa’s word, you’ll find the best slice of pizza on Earth sitting in that green building, and the celebrity endorsements are there to back it up. No fewer than two photos of Steve Tyler adorned the walls. The cheese slice tasted like a thin-crust piece of nirvana. High up on the list of New York tropes is a concert at Madison Square Garden, and we had precious few hours until Tame Impala took the stage. In Chelsea, we ate an incredible meal at Momofuku Nishi, a pastafocused outpost of restaurateur David Chang’s empire. After our meal of crab tagliatelle and pig skin ragu, we hurried back to our hotel as the sky opened up — the rain had returned, soaking us through. We dove into a cab, barely making it to the Garden before the band played. Two hours of psych rock later, we headed back to the hotel. Stoked and starving, we decided to look for a place to eat because, according to The Office’s Ryan Bailey Howard, “You can get a sandwich any time of night in New York.” I didn’t think I’d need a jacket as the rain had stopped sometime during the concert and there’s no possible way it can start raining again… right? Seconds after we got out of the hotel it started
bucketing down again and my t-shirt didn’t stand a chance. Luckily, we were standing right outside of a bar, and it was nearing 1 a.m. Our haven’s name was Spoonfed, and I’d like to take a moment to give it my personal endorsement. I’d also like to take a moment to endorse the people of New York City. Vancouver gets a lot of flak for being a city that’s hard to make friends in, and the residents have a reputation for being closed off. In contrast, one word to describe New Yorkers comes to mind: unvarnished. It felt like everyone was too busy or pissed off to beat around the bush. They also had a sense of pride in their city, which probably stems from being the cultural and commercial hub of a continent for the last couple hundred years. One of these straightforward New Yorkers was the bartender at Spoonfed — a Bronx man named Jason. Jason was spending the last of his shift chatting with a couple at the bar and, as soon as we sat down, he got to chatting with us as well. He invited us to his old workplace — a bar in a converted apartment building. We ended up staying until close to 3 a.m. The bar was in Hell’s Kitchen, a stone’s throw from Broadway, and apparently celebrities were not an uncommon sight. The rudest Jason ever served? Kunal Nayyar. The next morning we managed to haul ourselves out of bed around 11 a.m. — probably the jet lag and not last night’s adventure, we told ourselves — and headed to a bagel shop Jason’s other patrons had recommended. Apparently that couple had recommended the shop, called Ess-a-Bagel, to several thousand other people because the line stretched far out the door. Our ‘jet lag’ demanded hot food now, so we cabbed over to H&H bagels on the Upper East Side. Sophie and I got a bagel each — one bacon, egg and cheese and one cream cheese — on toasted ‘everything’ bagels. New Yorkers debate the merits of toasting — many argue that it’s not traditional — but I can tell you as soon as we finished them, we got back in line for a few more. The bagels are another thing that New
Yorkers are proud of, sometimes to a fault, but their reputation is well-earned. From there, we walked through a dozen Gossip Girl sets to the Metropolitan Museum of Art, a football field-sized maze of art and artifacts. There was a huge range of priceless items there, from a Frank Lloyd Wright house rebuilt indoors to a full-sized Egyptian temple rescued from flooding in the 70s. An exhibit of furniture from early America contained the most forbidden fruit of all — antique velvet couches. Would a
nap be worth the lifetime ban? With the next morning’s sunrise came our final day, and we only had a few hours ’til our flight so we decided to make the most of it with a trip to the High Line. Highly recommended by bartender Jason, the High Line is a prime example of urban renewal. Formerly some derelict railroad tracks, the High Line was converted in 2009 to a linear park, or “rail trail.” However, much like Ess-a-Bagel, it seems a few others shared our idea. Walking the High Line felt like queuing to see an
amusement park you were already in. We escaped down some stairs and managed to sneak some shopping in before we headed to the airport. Back at Newark, the experience wasn’t any more pleasant the second time around. The flight consisted of Sophie and I taking a hard look at our budget, trying to find the earliest possible time we could get ourselves to the Big Apple, again. There was so much left to see, left to do and, if this trip was any indication, left to eat. U
OPINIONS
SEPTEMBER 10, 2019 TUESDAY
EDITOR TRISTAN WHEELER
10
THIRD-CULTURE KIDS //
Their Campus: Understanding my privilege at the University of the Philippines Allison Gacad Contributor
I was born in Canada to Filipino immigrants. Once I was a pre-teen, my parents took me back to the Motherland, where I met family and friends and mildly understood the nature of the country they emigrated from. This year, I thought it would be an interesting experience to return as an ‘adult’ — specifically, as an exchange student at the University of the Philippines, Los Baños. The country hasn’t really missed me. In fact, it’s gotten on splendidly without me. Within the span of 10 years, it’s gone through 2 presidents, survived numerous typhoons, launched a ‘war on drugs’ and declared martial law. So coming here as a Canadian citizen — a Filipinofaced foreigner — feels like watching a fire blaze before my eyes and not knowing if I should dive in to put it out, call for help or just walk away. I’m sure any third-culture kid feels the same way. It’s strange to be back in a country that culturally, I have many ties to, but am now feeling quite frustrated to return to. Part of this frustration stems from my recent understanding of the history of the country. The Philippines was colonized for most of modern history: first by Spain for about 300 years, followed by the United States for about 30 years. I have found myself particularly frustrated in trying to navigate Filipino culture as a product of this colonization. Take food, for example. Cattle was brought to the Philippines by Spain and in later years, imported American canned meat like SPAM was seen as a luxury commodity. Despite the country holding some of the most fertile soils for growing indigenous vegetables,
take a look at any restaurant menu today and you’re faced with different shades of brown, fried, processed meats. Admittedly, I am biased here because I come from a primarily vegetarian diet which has been nearly impossible to keep up here. As for language, my Tagalog is broken and choppy, so part of my hope was to come here to fully immerse myself in it for improvement. But everyone responds to me in English or Taglish — a hybrid of Tagalog and English — because no one really speaks pure Tagalog, which I learned is likely a product of American colonization as well. I feel a sense of empathy for Indigenous youth in Canada who must feel the same way, who feel lost navigating their culture and identity, after it was wiped away, reshaped and given a new definition by settlers who came from oceans away. Filipinos were similarly likened to ‘barbarians’ and ‘savages’ by American settlers — a justification for them to ‘civilize’ the people. Nonetheless, I’ve found that making local friends in my classes is the best gateway to understanding the traditions and heritage here in a manner that’s unobstructed by the lens of colonization. I’ve picked up a traditional martial art called arnis and met peers whose families are descended from generations of arnis fighters. In my agronomy class, my friends speak of the farms they grew up on — the wild plants and herbs they ate growing up, added to soups and stews. My friends teach me swear words and phrases of slang — recent products of culture that affirm what it means to be a Gen Z Filipina. Admittedly, I also have a lot of privilege as a Filipino-faced foreigner here. I can authentically explore these elements of my
ALLISON GACAD
El Nido, Palawan
heritage and at the same time join other tourists in exploring the spoils of beaches, mountains and jungle across the 7,000+ islands that this country has to offer. As a Canadian, the cost of living is also ridiculously favourable — an average meal on campus costs about 40 to 60 pesos (around a dollar), which happens to be the same price as a bottle of beer. Some days, it is still
challenging to navigate through a place that feels 10 years behind from what I’m used to. The local form of transport is rooted in a vehicle called the jeepney, which was not comfortably made for people over five feet tall and comes with no schedule regarding when it will arrive and/or leave. Internet and data can get quite laggy, but I guess it’s forcing me to be a more intimate traveler, to
stop relying on Google Maps and Lonely Planet and to actually talk to people to find out where to go and how to get there. Thankfully, I still have three more months to soak up the humidity, sunshine and days filled with ice cream — safe to say I’m going to be very cold and confused when I return to a rainy Vancouver, but hopefully with an easy-going island attitude. U
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ALLISON GACAD
This flag was hung at the university by student activists protesting potential campus militarization by the government.
FROM THE BLOG
SEPTEMBER 10, 2019 TUESDAY
EDITOR TRISTAN WHEELER
11
FITNESS //
NOT AN ADVERTISEMENT //
The cuulest Fitbits: Run for beer or places to Juul up Grouse mountain Vancouver’s fittest in the annual Grouse Grind Mountain Run. Hit up the mountaintop race day festivities for a BBQ, music and a recovery zone — you know you’ll need it.
approach, only to see you vaping, looking extremely cool.
ON TOP OF THE CAIRN
ELIZABETH WANG
Sammy Smart Contibutor
Now that everyone has made the switch from smoking a pack a day to vaping way more than that, we need to consider its aesthetics. Where is the cuulest place to Juul? Where can you flex the most? Where can you take in the breathtaking views of campus while literally taking your breath away? Where can you do all this while remaining six metres away from doors, windows and air intakes?
IN THE MIDDLE OF THE MARTHA PIPER FOUNTAIN Right in the middle of everything, everyone can see you hitting the Juul. “Whoa, what’s that cool cloud of vapour coming from the fountain? Is it part of the water?” the curious will ask as they
ULTRA NIGHT RUN Difficulty: September 20
Vaping is way cooler than vandalism. Everyone on south campus will be like “Wow, that person is so cool! They’re vaping on top of that big E!” as you look beyond the masses at the view of Main Mall. Someone will paint a portrait of you vaping on the Cairn to commemorate the litness of sitting on top of it with a Juul. Very cuul.
ON A SKATEBOARD IN A PEDESTRIAN PRIORITY AREA Everyone already finds your vape cloud annoying, why not be more annoying by skateboarding into pedestrian traffic while blowing sick clouds? Maybe someone will even write a post about you on UBC Confessions or Reddit!
AMONGST THE MUSHROOM STEAM VENTS Amongst the steam vents that look like mushrooms, a vape cloud appears. It is from you, laying on the ground, hitting the Juul and adding to the vapour-filled mystery of the area. People assume you’re a steam vent too. They’ve been fooled. U
Why walk when you can run!?
Steffani Grondin Contributor
Fitbits is our monthly listicle that aims to promote healthy lifestyles for students by providing unique, fun and cheap fitness events in the Greater Vancouver Area. Each event has a corresponding difficulty out of five to give you a rough idea of how strenuous it may be. Who said exercise had to be boring? Welcome back, UBC! September has returned, bringing new beginnings, challenges and experiences for all. Before midterms and midnight
FILE PATRICK GILLIN
deadlines have us all in mid-degree crises, get outside and explore our city with these awesome fitness events this month.
GROUSE GRIND MOUNTAIN RUN Difficulty: September 14 The Grouse Grind simultaneously makes you sweat, sob and swear all the way up. Ask any Vancouverite and they will tell you the climb of 2,830 stairs up Grouse Mountain is testing of even the fittest individuals. Well, why walk when you can run?! Run up the mountain with
Sure, the Pit has music and it does serve beer, but so does the Ultra Night Run (without the sweaty sad vibes). Choose between a 5K or 10K race around beautiful Stanley Park complete with neon lights, headlamps and a finish-line beer garden. Registration is $65, but the event includes a finisher tee, medal and a free beer — you know that’s better than rubbing elbows with first-years all night long.
DAY OF THE LONGBOAT Difficulty: September 28 to 29 You, 3,000 others and the world’s largest voyageur canoe race in the world. Grab 8–10 friends and get paddling for Day of the Longboat — one of UBC’s biggest (and most paddly) traditions. With both competitive and just for fun heats, you and your friends can enjoy racing, music and games at Jericho Beach. Grab some buds and head up the water with (many?) paddles! U
SafeCampusesBC.ca
SEX WITHOUT CONSENT IS RAPE. Consent must be voluntary – otherwise it’s assault. Make campuses safe for everyone.
SCIENCE
SEPTEMBER 10, 2019 TUESDAY
EDITOR JAMES VOGL
12
FAKE NEWS //
‘Science in the Age of Misinformation’ talk gives Canada a report card on science in government James Vogl Science Editor
In a world where heads of state hold press conferences with the aid of obviously inaccurate weather maps, it seems science plays a dishearteningly small role in policy-making. But Executive Director of Evidence for Democracy (E4D) Dr. Katie Gibbs described in her September 4 presentation at UBC, “Science in the Age of Misinformation,” that while there is still progress to be made in Canada, the relationship between science and government is not all a badnews story. Gibbs co-founded E4D — a non-profit science advocacy group — after becoming increasingly frustrated at seeing her work and that of her colleagues being left out of decision-making processes by the Harper government while completing her PhD at the University of Ottawa. “Policy-makers were not seeing my science, much less using it,” she said. The original mission of E4D was to help members of the scientific community build the capacity to become effective political advocates for evidence-based decision-making. Since its inception, however, E4D’s activities have expanded to include organizing advocacy campaigns and conducting research about the intersection of academia and policy.
Gibbs’s presentation focused on three key markers of a healthy relationship between the scientific community and government: government funding for science, the integrity of science communication and evidence-based decisionmaking. Under the Trudeau government, according to Gibbs, there has been some improvement with regards to government funding for science. The 2016 federal budget included increased funding for granting councils and that same year the government commissioned a Fundamental Science Review (FSR) to present recommendations on how it can better support Canadian scientific research. Despite initial enthusiasm surrounding the FSR, however, it took a concerted effort from science advocates to pressure the government into implementing the final report’s recommendations. Even then, expanded funding allocations in future budgets only amounted to around 60 per cent of the FSR recommendations. Funding for governmentconducted science has also still not returned to 2011 levels, when it was cut by the Harper government, and members of many departments feel they lack the necessary funding to meet their mandates, said Gibbs. Similarly, on the issue of science communication integrity, Gibbs highlighted important improvements the Trudeau
government has made, but stressed that progress has not been uniform. Among the most significant improvements are changes to the collective agreement between unionized government scientists and their employer protecting their right to speak freely about their work. “This was really huge because that is pretty ironclad, even more so than having a new law or a new policy in place,” she said. The government has also changed departmental policies to further enshrine the principle of transparent communication, but the details of their implementation are yet to be seen. Gibbs underlined Parks Canada as an example of a department that continues to prevent scientists from speaking freely despite the progress that has been made and many media sources and top members of government hailing the “unmuzzling” of Canadian scientists. Evidence-based decision-making has also been a mixed bag under the Trudeau government, said Gibbs. It has made good use of scientific evidence in legislative moves like the overhaul of the Fisheries Act, but in others it has still proceeded largely without input from the scientific community. Gibbs stressed the fact that while the Trudeau government has made improvements on these three key markers, this progress was not automatic and is insecure given
“If anybody is going to push back on this, it needs to be us.”
global political trends like the rise of populism. “While we have been making some substantial progress over the past four years, you have to also take that in light of what’s happening in the US and the UK, for example,” said Gibbs. When it comes to what individual members of the scientific community can do beyond advocating for policy change, Gibbs said one of the easiest ways to make an impact is combating
JAMES VOGL
misinformation. Whether it’s correcting misinformation when they see it or taking responsibility when they have inadvertently spread it, if scientists can nip “fake news” and “alternative facts” in the bud at a constituent level, it will be that much harder for politicians to ignore evidence when making decisions. “As researchers or people who value scientific evidence, if anybody is going to push back on this, it needs to be us.” U
SPORTS+REC
SEPTEMBER 10, 2019 TUESDAY
EDITOR SALOMON MICKO BENRIMOH
FALLING DOWN //
TAKING A BREAK //
T-Birds fall 40–7 to Huskies, worsen record to 0–2 and last in Canada West Bill Situ Contributor
The game opened with a 10-minute stalemate where both sides failed to put points on the board. With five minutes remaining on the clock, Saskatchewan running back Adam Machart completed an impressive 63-yard rush to put the Huskies in the lead. Three minutes into the second quarter, the ’Birds managed to even the score. After 10 plays, UBC receiver Adam Patten caught a 12-yard pass from rookie quarterback Tommy Yanchuck. Still, the ’Birds fell behind again only three minutes later on a field goal by Saskatchewan’s David Solie. Toward halftime, the Huskies extended their lead to 17–7 with a touchdown by Mason Nyhus. Looking to make up some ground, the ’Birds started the third quarter looking to take advantage of an early and unsuccessful drive attempt by the Huskies. Still, UBC fumbled early in the ensuing possession. The third period ended in another scoreless affair, keeping the score at 17–7. It was in the fourth quarter that the ’Birds really began to suffer. Four minutes into the period, Machart picked up his second touchdown of the night, putting Saskatchewan up by 17 points with a score of 24–7.
13
The Thunderbirds new look roster might show some potential but lacks any real results.
The ’Birds very quickly turned the ball over on the ensuing possession, which the Huskies
capitalized on with a 75-yard punt return by receiver Daniel Perry. However, UBC’s woes still did
FILE SALOMON MICKO BENRIMOH
not end there. On Saskatchewan’s next turn on offence, Solie successfully scored a 34-yard field goal, bringing the Huskies up 34–7. With less than a minute remaining in the game, UBC was just 15 yards away from Saskatchewan’s end zone. The ’Birds’ hopes of narrowing the Huskies lead vanished as Saskatchewan’s Nelson Lokombo intercepted second-year quarterback Gabe Olivares’s pass before returning 95 yards for a final touchdown, putting the final nail in the T-Birds’s coffin and their unsuccessful visit to Saskatoon. Solie missed the conversion field goal attempt, but it didn’t make matters better for UBC as Saskatchewan came out on top with a final score of 40–7 and improved to a 1–1 record after losing to the University of Manitoba Bison last weekend. On top of leading in the final score, the Huskies also led in many areas of offensive play. Nyhus successfully threw for 306 yards, while Yanchuck and Olivares combined for only 250 yards. Huskies running back Adam Machart alone rushed 136 yards, more than double that of the T-Birds combined 66 yards. UBC now hold an 0–2 record and are dead last in the Canada West. The first-seed Calgary Dinos are next in line for Homecoming. To say the least, the ’Birds will have a massive challenge ahead of them if they want to pull off the upset of the century in front of thousands at Saturday’s Homecoming game. U
Recreating Recess: Night walking around UBC Brendan Smith Contributor
Remember those days in grade school where you anxiously waited for the bell to ring so you could go outside for recess and play with your friends? Well, if you are like me, those days were some of the highlights of early education and remain as fond memories. In essence, recess is a break from work, school or any other task requiring focused attention in favour of spending time mindlessly engaged in a task. And while it can appear difficult to fit in time to play while meeting the demands of intense coursework at school, this column is intended to provide people with a bi-weekly challenge to get outside and play, if only for 10 minutes. Simply put, the goal of this column is to bring back recess. To start off, the first challenge is taking a night walk. When I was in high school, my parents would regularly go for a walk around our neighbourhood. At the time, this habit seemed mundane, and since projects needed to be completed or Canucks games were to be watched, I usually stayed home. Then during my first year of university in Kelowna, a period with more free time and many stressors, I unintentionally started to take more walks. Walking is not a physical activity that requires intense exertion. Yet the fact that it is still a form of exercise should not be discounted because walking does have certain health benefits. Walking can replace activities that can lead to stress. For instance, getting outside for a walk can prevent you from ruminating in your dorm about the assignments needed to be completed and events of the day, something that many university students, myself included, are prone to do. But, finding the time to go for a walk remains an issue for students, which is why I started taking walks at night, a great time to explore places on and off campus. A good place to start is the Point Grey neighbourhood, a place slightly off campus with lots of beautifully-designed houses. There you can admire the Halloween decorations during the fall and Christmas lights during the winter, and in certain areas you are rewarded with a view of North Vancouver, a city turned glowing silhouette of light once the sun has set. One recommendation for walking outside at night is keeping your electronics on silent. You have probably heard that checking social media before going to bed can be detrimental to your sleep, but from personal experience listening to music during a walk makes it harder to fall asleep too. Ultimately, night walks — while taking proper precautions — are definitely worth your time because they’re are easy to do, and can last for however long you want, including for a lifetime. U
14 | SPORTS+REC | TUESDAY SEPTEMBER 10, 2019
WEEKEND RUNDOWN ’Birds draw twice in opening weekend Bill Huan Contributor
The UBC Thunderbirds women’s soccer kicked off their season Friday night against two-time defending Canada West champions Trinity Western University Spartans, ending in a scoreless draw. Both teams weren’t short on scoring chances in a tightlycontested match, but the defensive clinic from the two squads ultimately prevented the ball from ending up at the back of either goal.
The ’Birds dominated possession for the first 20 minutes, almost converting on a mad scramble in the Spartans goal area at the seven-minute mark of the first half. However, the rest of the half would be a different story, as the Spartans rejuvenated themselves and pinned the ball in the ’Birds’ end for the majority of play until halftime. The best scoring chance for the Spartans would come during injury time, as a great through ball from Gabi Short sent Kathryn Harvey on a breakaway in an unsuccessful attempt to chip the ball over an aggressive Emily Moore. “Overall we had some quality chances in the early going that we didn’t put in [and] I think that might have changed the game a bit,”
Thunderbirds head coach Jesse Symons said when asked about the decline in play from his team for the latter part of the first half. The second half of the game was more evenly contested, with both teams trading possession. The ’Birds had a golden opportunity to break the tie at the 73-minute mark when Danielle Steer launched a beautiful cross for Michelle Jang, whose header was turned away by a great reflex save by Hannah Miller. Saturday’s game against the visiting University of the Fraser Valley Cascades was another tightly contested match which ended in a draw thanks to a late equalizer with a minute left in regulation by midfielder Sophie Damian. U
Dinos fight back to topple ’Birds Brendan Smith Contributor
ELIZABETH WANG
The ’Birds and Dinos matchup may very well be a prelude to the Canada West Final.
Projected as the favourites for the Canada West title, UBC women’s rugby returned to the turf this weekend to prove their worth against the Calgary Dinos. The home team came out strong, as tries by UBC’s Madison Gold and Gillian Boag, and two converts by Shoshanah
SALOMON MICKO BENRIMOH
Veteran T-Bird Danielle Steer jumps for the ball in Friday’s bout against Trinity Western.
Seumanutafa, gave the T-Birds an early 14–0 lead. The Dinos would score one try in the first half, courtesy of Cassidy Jones, but a missed conversion allowed UBC to keep a 14–5 lead heading into the second half. The physicality of the game started to takes its toll on the home side as Calgary continued their comeback in the second half. In the 53rd minute, Samantha May scored the second try for the Dinos and, not too long after UBC’s Emma Feldinger exited the
game, Cassidy Jones scored her second try of the day to give the visitors their first lead of the game at 15–14. With momentum on their side, the Dinos would add to their lead with one last try and come away with the win, at 22–14, in a game that could very well be a preview of this year’s Canada West Final. The T-Birds will travel to Vancouver Island next weekend to take on their rival, the University of Victoria Vikes, in hopes of winning their first game of the young season. U
SCORE BOX Sport
Home
Score
Away
UBC
14–22
Calgary
Saskatchewan
40–7
UBC
Alberta
5–2
UBC
UBC
0–0
Trinity Western
UBC
1–1
Fraser Valley
Alberta
2–3 (SO)
UBC
UBC
3–2
Surrey Lion FHC
Friday, September 6
Women’s Rugby Football Men’s Hockey Women’s Soccer Second-year defender Cole Hendy makes a pass at Sunday’s game.
SALOMON MICKO BENRIMOH
T-Birds hold off swinging Lions in opening win Salomon Micko Benrimoh Sports Editor
The UBC Thunderbirds men’s field hockey team are fresh off a summer that saw two current players, Balraj Panesar and James Wallace, join a national team roster full of T-Bird alumni at the 2019 Pan American games in Lima, Peru. Back on campus at Wright Field, the ’Birds got off to a solid start against the visiting Surrey Lions Field Hockey Club, taking the game 3–2. It’s the first time the team has managed to walk away with a win against the Surrey squad in over three seasons. Even though
there is no U Sports league for men’s field hockey and the Thunderbirds play in the local Vancouver Men’s Field Hockey League where competition remains constant and challenging. The Thunderbirds, playing with a fresh-faced roster which includes seven players in their first year, battled hard with the Lions throughout the game and play constantly shifted from side to side of the field. Despite some threatening shots from the Lions, especially off penalties, veteran fourth-year goalkeeper Angus Grauer shut the door and did not hesitate to come all the way out of his crease to
break a Lions offensive drive. The win is a good start for head coach Kinder Gill’s squad, especially over a team that the ’Birds have not been able to win against over the last few years. Their next game comes Saturday, September 14 at home at Wright Field against one of the oldest clubs in the province and a team that finished third in the standings last year, India Field Hockey Club. If the ’Birds want to have this season make up for their last few middle-of-the-pack finishes, they’ll need to keep the momentum they have from their win against the Lions going. U
Saturday, September 7
Women’s Soccer Men’s Hockey
Sunday, September 8
Men’s Field Hockey
THE THUNDERBIRDS WILL FACE THE CALGARY DINOS IN THIS YEAR’S HOMECOMING GAME ON SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 14 AT NOON
SEPTEMBER 10, 2019 TUESDAY | GAMES | 15
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CROSSWORD PUZZLE
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did you know that . . . A turtle’s spine is fused to its shell. So, if you do pick up a turtle, please support it from the bottom. — Pawan M. send your best facts to visuals@ubyssey.ca to be featured in next week’s issue!
Notice of Development Permit Application - DP 19027
Public Open House
Wesbrook Place Lot BCR 8 - Faculty & Staff Rental Housing Join us on Thursday, September 19 to view and comment on the proposed faculty & staff rental residential development on Lot BCR 8 in Wesbrook Place.
Date: Thursday, September 19, 2019 Place: Wesbrook Welcome Centre, 3378 Wesbrook Mall
Times: 4:30 - 6:00pm
Plans will be displayed for a 6-storey residential building with 110 units and a total gross floor area of 9,575 m2. This project is targeting Passive House certification. Representatives from the project team and Campus + Community Planning will be available to provide information and respond to inquiries about this project. The public is also invited to attend the upcoming Development Permit Board meeting for this project. Date/Time: October 9, 5:00 - 6:30PM Location: Wesbrook Community Centre 3335 Webber Lane This event is wheelchair accessible.
For further information: Please direct questions to Karen Russell, Manager, Development Services karen.russell@ubc.ca 604-822-1586
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Can’t attend in person? Online feedback will be accepted until September 26, 2019. To learn more or to comment on this project, please visit: planning.ubc.ca/vancouver/projects-consultations
ACROSS
DOWN
1. Apple product 5. Investigation 10. “Betsy’s Wedding” star 14. Vamp Theda 15. Some beans 16. DEA agent 17. Reunion attendee 18. Head off 19. Loyal 20. Painter Magritte 21. New England expression 23. CD-___ 25. To this day 26. Computerized information storage 31. Lobster state 35. -like 36. Knocker’s reply 38. “Rawhide” singer 40. Away from port 42. Name on a bomber 44. Geek 45. Sound of a horse 47. Declare 49. Atlantic food fish 50. Woody inhabitants of forests! 52. Fully 54. Actress ___ Dawn Chong 56. Tropical cuckoo bird 57. Peevish 62. Returned 66. Telegram 67. Pictograph 68. Indonesian resort island 69. Algerian seaport 70. Stressed 71. Hurler Hershiser 72. Lock openers 73. Mountain nymph 74. Noble gas
1 . Support beam 2. Boy or man 3. Give ___ for one’s money 4. Photographic device 5. Companion of a child 6. 1972 Kentucky Derby winner ___ Ridge 7. Augury 8. Like a tree trunk or a yipping dog 9. High regard 10. Opposed to 11. Metallica drummer Ulrich 12. Percussive instrument 13. Good service? 22. And others, briefly 24. ___-Wan Kenobi 26. Zoologist Fossey 27. Plus 28. His and her 29. IRS IDs 30. Ham it up 32. Golfer Woosnam 33. Dorothy, to Em 34. Sign up 37. Brio 39. Water swirl 41. Ripen 43. Connected 46. Roll-call response 48. German article 51. Serenaded 53. Typewriter tape 55. Certain fisherman 57. Kingly address 58. Say grace 59. Optical device 60. Daly of “Judging Amy” 61. Res ___ loquitur 63. River in central Switzerland 64. 1963 role for Liz 65. Brick baker 66. Stir-fry pan
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