DOES YOUR MIND TOUCH THE VOID SINCE 1918
UBC’S OFFICIAL STUDENT NEWSPAPER | NOVEMBER 19, 2012 | VOLUME XCIV| ISSUE XIXIII
STEPHEN’S SALARY
U
UBC just released its annual list of employees who make over $75,000 a year. Learn more about UBC’s highest-paid honchos on Page 4
THE UBYSSEY
Important Notice From NSERC – Your Notifi180) It is time to start preparing your Discovfor a Discovery Grant (Form 180) must be to “What are application deadlines” in for Professors. We would also like to search Tools and Instruments (RTI) Discovery Gran ** Change in Applicaof Intent to Apply for a Discovery Grant Grant and it must be submitted by Aube eligible to Submit an Application for cing its policy on deadlines. Forms 180 dates. Application for a Grant (Form 101) pages (except for grant applications in describing the plan for the training of tions carefully before completing your (Forms 100 and 101) will be available cation Tool for Discovery Grants formation and details about the peer have been developed and are available Review System Further to the recomery Grants and the Grant Selection major changes to its peer review syspeer review of its Discovery Grant been replaced by Evaluation Groups Topics for more details, as you will be appropriate to review your research of the assessment of Discovery Grant plicant. A two-staged approach was three merit criteria (excellence of the to the training of highly qualified merit category – refer to the News to Apply for a Discovery Grant (Form please let us know by sending an e-mail, name, Personal Identification Number (if start, you must read or consult the followhow to complete Form 180; and NSERC’s ify the balance of your current Discovery the available funds are sufficient to cover can choose to request a deferral of instalto use the accumulated funds prior to subtive Matters and the Annual Funding of Guide for more information. Please note review of your next application, but rather lows you to re-organize your activities and provides the opportunity for the Agency to your Form 180 You must complete Form for submitting your Form 180 is August 1. start some aspects of the review process, the selection of appropriate referees and the in the “summary of proposal”, in the space the scientific approach; and the novelty and sciences and engineering. Note: Once your an acknowledgement of receipt. The status Received within three business days. Do not use only the electronic version. In Septemwith a list of all completed Form 180 subwould like to find out more about the Discovfor the program or send an e-mail to resOn-line System, contact the On-line Services p.m. (Eastern Time Zone). Send an e-mail to: Include your e-mail address and telephone Notification of Intent to Apply for a Discovyour Discovery Grant application. A Notification of Intent to Apply for a Discovery Grant (Form 180) must be submitted by the deadline date of August 1. Please refer to “What are application deadlines” in the Frequently Asked Questions of the Program Guide for Professors. We would also like to remind you that the deadline date for the receipt of Research Tools and Instruments (RTI) Grant applications is October 25. Important Changes for Discovery Gran ** Change in Application
cation of Intent to Apply for a Discovery Grant (Form ery Grant application. A Notification of Intent to Apply submitted by the deadline date of August 1. Please refer the Frequently Asked Questions of the Program Guide remind you that the deadline date for the receipt of ReGrant applications is October 25. Important Changes for tion Procedures – Form 180 mandatory **The Notification (Form 180) is now mandatory when applying for a Discovery gust 1. Applicants who do not submit a Form 180 will not a Grant (Form 101) in the fall. In addition, NSERC is reinforand 101 will not be accepted after their respective deadline and Instructions The Budget Justification is limited to two Subatomic Physics) and there is now a dedicated section for highly qualified personnel (HQP). Please read the instrucapplication. Up-to-date literature and application forms on NSERC’s Web site in early August. New CommuniNSERC is using new ways to communicate program inreview process to prospective applicants. Two videos in the Professors section of NSERC’s Web site. Peer mendations from the International Review of DiscovCommittee Structure Review, NSERC has introduced tem for Discovery Grants: A Conference Model for the applications. The Grant Selection Committees have – refer to the List of Evaluation Groups and Research required to suggest the Evaluation Group that is most proposal. Since the 2009 competition, the decoupling applications from the previous grant held by the apintroduced: a) rating of all applications based on the researcher, merit of the proposal and contributions people), and b) assignment of a funding level to each Release on this new approach. Notification of Intent 180) Submission If you do not intend to apply this year, before August 1, to coord@nserc-crsng.gc.ca , with your available), department and institution name. Before you ing documents on NSERC’s Web site: The instructions on Eligibility Criteria – for Faculty.\ You are encouraged to verGrant account, if applicable, before submitting Form 180. If anticipated expenditures through the next fiscal year, you ment or take advantage of the automatic one-year extension mitting a new request for funding. Refer to the AdministraGrants sections of the Tri-Agency Financial Administration that postponing an application does not adversely affect the demonstrates good fiscal management of the funds and alpostpone the renewal/re-application date by one year. It also fund other researchers with more urgent needs. Completing 180 through NSERC’s On-line Services page. The deadline The information contained in this form allows NSERC to including preliminary assignments to an Evaluation Group, eligibility of the subject matter. It is essential to clearly state provided: the objectives of the proposed research program; expected significance of the work to a field(s) in the natural form has been submitted, NSERC will send you, via e-mail, of the form on your My Portfolio page will also change to send a paper version of your completed form by mail; we will ber, your university Research Grants Office will be provided missions. They, in turn, will advise your department. If you ery Grants Program, contact the staff responsible grant@nserc-crsng.gc.ca. For help with NSERC’s Helpdesk, Monday to Friday, from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 webapp@nserc-crsng.gc.ca or call 613-995-4273. number. Important Notice From NSERC – Your ery Grant (Form 180) It is time to start preparing
KNOCKED
FROM THE TOP UBC was ranked number one in the country — until they took on UFV last weekend. A look at where they will go from here P5
UBC TAKES
IN MORE THAN
$519 MILLION
A YEAR IN RESEARCH FUNDING
NO IDEA
WHAT
THAT
MEANS?
YOU’RE NOT
ALONE
INSIDE THE UBC KNOWLEDGE FACTORY PAGE 6
CiTR
AT 75 UBC campus radio celebrates its diamond anniversary P8
INTERNATIONAL
SAUDER CHIC
The International Business Club hosts a globally-themed gathering P9
MONDAY, NOVEMBER 19, 2012 |
YOUR GUIDE TO UBC EVENTS + PEOPLE
What’s on Tue 1219
OUR CAMPUS
THIS WEEK, MAY WE SUGGEST...
HEALTH >>
2
ONE ON ONE WITH THE PEOPLE WHO MAKE UBC
MONSDAY
Vitamin D: Facts, Myths, and What it Might Mean for You: 8 p.m. @ Green College
Want to know the benefits and negatives of Vitamin D? There will be a presentation by Azadeh Arjmandi who will explore the scientific evidence for the potential benefits of this molecule, including the practical implications in daily health and the potential for disease prevention. Free. Tue 1220
Tue 1221
LGBTQ >>
TUESDAY
CAMPUS >>
WEDNESDAY
Trans Day of Remembrance: 5:30 p.m. @ SUB Art Gallery Pride UBC will be joining the international community in paying tribute to victims of violence against transgender and gender non-conforming people. Tue 1222
ATWOOD >>
THURSDAY
Writing the Future: 8 p.m. @ Chan Centre Margaret Atwood, recipient of the Booker Prize and the author of more than 35 volumes of poetry, will be exploring the topic of whether or not one can write about the future. $15. Tue 1223
PHOTO COURTESY CHRISTINE D’ONOFRIO
Christine D’Onofrio takes a pointedly feminist approach to her work as a photographer.
AMS Council Meeting: 6 p.m. @ SUB Council Chambers Want to know more about your student government? The AMS Student Council, the highest elected decision-making body of your student society holds meetings biweekly. Attend and observe the meeting! Snacks and beverages are provided.
THEATRE >>
FRIDAY
Dancing at Lughnasa: 7:30 p.m. @ Frederic Wood Theatre Theatre at UBC presents Dancing at Lughnasa, a semi-autobiographical story of playwright Brian Friel’s childhood with his aunts, the Mundy sisters. It’s one you certainly shouldn’t miss. $5.
Got an event you’d like to see on this page? Send your event and your best pitch to events@ubyssey.ca.
Video content Make sure to check out our latest video on TRIUMF, airing now at ubyssey.ca/videos
U THE UBYSSEY
NOVEMBER 19, 2012 | VOLUME XCIV| ISSUE XIXIII Senior Lifestyle Writer CONTACT STAFF BUSINESS Zafira Rajan Bryce Warnes, Josh Curran, zrajan@ubyssey.ca Coordinating Editor Editorial Office: SUB 24 Peter Wojnar, Anthony Poon, Business Manager 604.822.2301 Jonny Wakefield Fernie Pereira Veronika Bondarenko, Yara coordinating@ubyssey.ca Features Editor Van Kessel, Lu Zhang, Ginny fpereira@ubyssey.ca Natalya Kautz Business Office: SUB 23 Monaco, Arno Rosenfeld, ADVERTISING 604.822.1654 features@ubyssey.ca Managing Editor, Print Matt Meuse, Hogan Wong, Web Ad Sales INQUIRIES 604.822.6681 Rory Gattens, Brandon Jeff Aschkinasi Ben Chen Video Editor Chow, Joseph Ssettuba. Tyler printeditor@ubyssey.ca Student Union Building bchen@ubyssey.ca McRobbie, Sarah Bigam David Marino 6138 SUB Boulevard video@ubyssey.ca Managing Editor, Web Accounts Vancouver, BC V6T 1Z1 Andrew Bates Copy Editor Tom Tang webeditor@ubyssey.ca Online: ubyssey.ca Karina Palmitesta ttang@ubyssey.ca Twitter: @ubyssey copy@ubyssey.ca News Editors Will McDonald + LEGAL Art Director Laura Rodgers The Ubyssey is the official stu- work contained herein cannot missions for length and clariKai Jacobson dent newspaper of the Uni- be reproduced without the ty. All letters must be received news@ubyssey.ca art@ubyssey.ca versity of British Columbia. expressed, written permis- by 12 noon the day before inEDITORIAL
Senior News Writer Ming Wong mwong@ubyssey.ca
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Culture Editor Anna Zoria culture@ubyssey.ca
Layout Artist Collyn Chan cchan@ubyssey.ca
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Videographer Soo Min Park spark@ubyssey.ca
Sports + Rec Editor CJ Pentland sports@ubyssey.ca
Webmaster Riley Tomasek webmaster@ubyssey.ca
It is published every Monday and Thursday by The Ubyssey Publications Society. We are an autonomous, democratically run student organization, and all students are encouraged to participate. Editorials are chosen and written by the Ubyssey staff. They are the expressed opinion of the staff, and do not necessarily reflect the views of The Ubyssey Publications Society or the University of British Columbia. All editorial content appearing in The Ubyssey is the property of The Ubyssey Publications Society. Stories, opinions, photographs and art-
sion of The Ubyssey Publications Society. The Ubyssey is a founding member of Canadian University Press (CUP) and adheres to CUP’s guiding principles. Letters to the editor must be under 300 words. Please include your phone number, student number and signature (not for publication) as well as your year and faculty with all submissions. ID will be checked when submissions are dropped off at the editorial office of The Ubyssey; otherwise verification will be done by phone. The Ubyssey reserves the right to edit sub-
tended publication. Letters received after this point will be published in the following issue unless there is an urgent time restriction or other matter deemed relevant by the Ubyssey staff. It is agreed by all persons placing display or classified advertising that if the Ubyssey Publications Society fails to publish an advertisement or if an error in the ad occurs the liability of the UPS will not be greater than the price paid for the ad. The UPS shall not be responsible for slight changes or typographical errors that do not lessen the value or the impact of the ad.
No rest for D’Onofrio Natalya Kautz Features Editor
“A feminist, a lesbian, and a nun walk into a bar,” reads the text of Christine D’Onofrio’s most recent work. Currently a lecturer in UBC’s Art History, Visual Art and Theory department, D’Onofrio is not shy about her philosophy. “[It’s] photography with a real feminist slant, which is dangerous because people don’t like talking about feminism,” she said. “It’s an interest probably because it’s so risqué to have such a formal politic; to say ‘I’m a feminist’ has become out of style, or something.” After getting a BFA at York Univeristy in Toronto, D’Onofrio looked to the West Coast for inspiration. “I came to Vancouver because of photography. In Toronto, we look to Vancouver as the holy grail of photography.” After coming to B.C., D’Onofrio had an uncommon experience while pursuing her master’s degree at UBC. “I was one of the first people who did an MFA right out of her undergrad. For the most part, during the early 2000s, late ‘90s, people who did gradu-
ate studies were in their late thirties, forties. I was one of the few in their twenties.” Working with Vancouver artist Ken Lum, D’Onofrio finished her MFA in 2003. She then moved to Toronto, Windsor and parts of the U.S. for various teaching positions. Completing her degrees as quickly as she did, D’Onofrio said that her age when starting out affected her rapport with students. “I look young, so students think I’m on their age level,” she said. “But I think I look younger than I actually am.... As much as I wanted to be collegial with my students, I was just old enough and had gone through enough that there was this separation.” Five years ago, D’Onofrio returned to UBC as a faculty member. Including her time as a TA, she has taught for a total of 12 years. Still a practicing artist, she works with photography, sculpture and video. Currently a lecturer at UBC, D’Onofrio described the philosophy that informs her teaching. “I’m very theoretically based, but then I have a real appreciation for how we practically maneuver those theories,” she
said. “Instead of constantly philosophizing, there comes a time where we have to learn to execute that thinking.” Now, D’Onofrio has the task of balancing two very consuming professions. And though she says the two feed each other, finding equilibrium can pose challenges. “The hard part is psychologically. When you teach, you have to take your blinders off and see everybody’s viewpoints or desires that they see in their work,” she said. “Going back to your own work with the conviction you had after you’ve spent so much time with theirs ... I find it’s hard to put [the blinders] back on.” Nevertheless, D’Onofrio said she finds motivation in the challenges of the job. “Conversation evolves ideas, and then you end up having that moment where you work through something you were thinking about,” she said. “It’s never divine inspiration, that doesn’t happen. It’s sweat, tears and blood and then all of a sudden you realize how to do it. “I feel like I have two very full time jobs. Art is a full-time job, it’s a lifestyle. Teaching is a lifestyle.” U
LOCKING CAMERAS
PHOTOGRAPH FOR THE UBYSSEY KAI JACOBSON | ART@ UBYSSEY.CA
MONDAY, NOVEMBER 19, 2012 |
EDITORS WILL MCDONALD + LAURA RODGERS
FINANCES >>
3
ENROLMENT >>
A bureaucracy navigator of your very own
HOGAN WONG PHOTO/THE UBYSSEY
UBC plans to assign an enrolment services professional to all students by 2013.
Harveer Athwal Contributor
Businesses such as Pie R Squared are a key part of the AMS’s financial strategy, but they haven’t been performing as expected.
GEOFF LISTER FILE PHOTO/THE UBYSSEY
AMS businesses come up $167,000 short
Laura Rodgers News Editor
The businesses run by the AMS student society normally bring in hundreds of thousands of dollars — but this year, they’re bleeding. Since May, the student society’s SUB businesses have collectively lost $97,000. The AMS wasn’t expecting to lose money — according to this year’s budget, they hoped to have earned $70,000 in business profits by now. This leaves them $167,000 short of what they expected to have, a shortfall they blame on rampant construction around campus. “We were expecting to lose revenue because of the construction of the new SUB,” said Tristan Miller, AMS vice-president finance. “What we weren’t expecting was the university to rip up ...
NEWS BRIEF TA union ratifies deal with UBC UBC teaching assistants have officially voted to approve a new four-year contract with UBC. Members of the TA union, CUPE 2278, ratified their tentative deal with UBC yesterday. Eighty-two per cent voted in favour. “It’s [been] over two years of bargaining, so it’s definitely a relief to have it done,” said CUPE 2278 spokesperson Michael Stewart. UBC spokesperson Lucie McNeill said bargaining was a long process. “I think we’re just about home with this and it’s very gratifying, because it was a difficult process on both sides,” McNeill. The deal covers the time period from 2010 to 2014. It includes two per cent wage increases in its final two years, and hiring preference for fifth-year doctoral students. However, the deal doesn’t include cost of living protection, tuition waivers or hiring preference for third-year master’s students, all of which the TAs were originally asking for. “This isn’t the deal that we wanted,” said Stewart. The deal still has to be approved by the UBC Board of Governors. Stewart said the union will continue to push for a better agreement in 2014 when this deal expires. “From our point of view, we’re ready to move forward to look to 2014 and start getting some of the items that we couldn’t secure this time around,” Stewart said. U
every road. All the additional construction that really hurt us.” The businesses, which include the Pit Pub, AMS Catering and the Outpost store, brought in over $800,000 in 2009–2010 and over $600,000 in 2010–2011. Miller hopes to free up cash to cover the loss through a referendum next year that will run alongside January’s student government elections. Voters will weigh in on whether to let the AMS make up the shortfall by spending funds normally earmarked for lobbying or building upkeep. If the referendum doesn’t pass, Miller said the AMS will have to cut its spending in next year’s budget. “That would really be the only other option,” said Miller. When the AMS ran a $372,000 deficit in 2010, they had to make ends meet by shutting down the
Equity program, making cuts to Safewalk and letting staff members go. But Miller isn’t happy about the stopgap approach he’s had to take to keep the society’s financial side afloat. He’s hoping that a slew of changes coming down the pipeline, like a new business-governance board and a proposed internal loan procedure, will make things more secure and keep similar problems from happening again. He’s in the process of preparing a new long-term financial plan for the AMS. It will make sure student services, like AMS Tutoring and the Speakeasy counselling service, rely on student fees. This can save business profits — when the businesses actually make them — to be spent on one-time capital projects instead.
“We’ve been heavily reliant on business revenue for student activites, rather than using student fees,” said Eric Gauf, a former AMS councillor from the Faculty of Law who’s been working on an AMS plan to change how it runs its business side. Gauf laid the framework to create a separate, appointed board of directors for the AMS businesses, so the elected student council can focus on services for students. Miller hopes the continuity offered by this board, on which students and alumni will serve multi-year terms, will help put the society’s struggling businesses back on track. According to Gauf, appointees for the new board will be chosen by Nov. 28. The board will start running the AMS businesses by next January. U
UBC SENATE >>
All students now admitted based on Grade 11 marks
Veronika Bondarenko Staff Writer
The temporary policy that let UBC admit B.C. students based on their Grade 11 marks has now become a permanent part of the university’s admission process. UBC has been able to use Grade 11 marks to calculate admission averages since March 2012, a move originally introduced as an emergency response to B.C. high school teachers’ job action. A policy passed at last Wednesday’s Senate meeting has permanently entrenched the practice, although the worry of teachers withholding Grade 12 report cards is now over. According to UBC Registrar James Ridge, the policy is being kept in place to provide students earlier offers of admission to attend UBC. “Our research, and certainly feedback, that we get from applicants to UBC is that our offers of admission often arrive much later than our major competitors’ offers of admission,” said Ridge. “Part of the reason for that is all of our major competitors make offers of admission factoring in Grade 11 marks.” UBC has been admitting both international students and students from other parts of Canada on the basis of their Grade 11 marks for some time, while the only students
HOGAN WONG PHOTO/THE UBYSSEY
Students will be offered earlier admission to UBC, based on their Grade 11 marks.
to be admitted to UBC solely on their Grade 12 marks were students that were coming in from B.C. secondary schools. Ridge said a growing body of research is available to show that Grade 11 marks are almost as good as Grade 12 marks for predicting whether students will succeed in university. Still, Ridge stressed that Grade 12 marks will still play a significant role in the final admissions decision. This means it is still possible for a student to lose their admission to UBC due to slipping marks in Grade 12. Second-year Science student Jimmy Wang said the decision to admit students on their Grade 11 marks should have been made long ago. “I think that it’s about time they started giving out offers of admission earlier than just a couple of months before we start school,” said Wang. “I just wish it could have been done when I was still applying to UBC.”
However, some UBC faculty members aren’t thrilled about admitting students based on Grade 11 marks. Richard Anstee, faculty senator and computer science professor at UBC, voted against the policy when it was first introduced in March. “At the time of the original motion to use Grade 11 grades, my objections were several,” said Anstee. “First, I felt the second term [Grade 12] grades [would be] verifiable, despite the job action. Second, I was quite concerned that we were acting without giving secondary school students sufficient notice.” But now that UBC has had more time to improve the policy, Anstee believes that the changes will help prospective students make the decision on whether or not to come to UBC sooner. “I believe this will help us recruit the best and brightest. Many receive offers quite early, even in January, and so we must aim to be competitive,” said Anstee. U
UBC has set up a “one-stop shop” for students wading through its financial bureaucracy. But it is it really making things easier? By now, most undergrads have been assigned a single UBC staff member to help them with financial and administrative issues throughout their degrees. Director of Enrolment Services Lisa Collins said the new staffers, called enrolment service professionals (ESPs), provide individual support for students trying to deal with their financial obligations. “The enrolment service professional is highly trained and is able to support students right from the beginning, from their first contact with the university,” said Collins. Each ESP is trained full-time for six weeks. All first-year students who started at UBC this September were assigned an ESP during the summer. ESPs have also been assigned to all second- and third-year students, and UBC plans to include fourth-year students in the program by 2013. According to Collins, ESPs deal with issues like paying tuition, applying for scholarships or helping students pick their initial courses. She said ESPs sometimes refer students to other offices, but most students know where they need to go for help in other areas like academic advising. “There’s no point in having someone come to an ESP just to have [the ESP] refer [them] to the person who’s the real expert,” said Collins. Some students aren’t even aware the program exists, while others think that the new assistants are a useful service. “I had a question about my student loan and I went to see [my ESP],” said Cathy Wang, a third-year Land and Food Systems student. “She was really helpful.” But second-year Arts student Bethany Fernandez said she has never met with her ESP, and she doesn’t see any value in the program. “It’s a waste of my tuition money,” said Fernandez. Collins said ESPs are often the first point of contact between a student and UBC. Some ESPs also work to recruit high school students and help them apply to the university, although students are not assigned a personal ESP until they are accepted. She said numerous surveys show students often feel frustrated and disconnected when dealing with university bureaucracy, and the ESP program was created in response to these concerns. “We are looking to bring the small university experience [to UBC students] with the benefits of the large campus,” said Collins. “It’s a personalized way to navigating the business of being a student.” U
4 | news |
MONDAY, NOVEMBER 19, 2012
SALARIES >>
HOW MUCH UBC GETS PAID
Sauder, Medicine and President Toope once again top list of the university’s best-compensated
L
ast week, UBC released the salaries for every employee who made above $75,000 between April 2011 and March 2012. A total of 3,838 people make at least this much. Of those, 1,140 make between $75,000 and $100,000; 2,048 make between $100,000 and $200,000; just 283 make from $200,000 to $300,000 and only 48 make more than $300,000. That adds up to $472 million in total pay, which makes up just under half of the $102 billion UBC paid its employees during that time period. As it was last year, top-paid employees mostly hail from the Faculty of Medicine and the Sauder School of Business. Stephen Toope once again tops the list (his paycheque also includes the cost for staying at Norm Mackenzie House, the presidential residence on campus.) The Ubyssey is only able to display a small sliver of the data that’s just been released in our print edition. Visit our website (ubyssey.ca) throughout the week for more information about who got paid what. —Laura Rodgers
The 15 highest-paid UBC employees in 2011–2012 NAME
2011–2012 PAY
CHANGE FROM 2010–2011
1
STEPHEN TOOPE | PRESIDENT
$531,088
+$2,584
2
GAVIN STUART | DEAN OF MEDICINE
$499,150
+$47,510
3
FRANÇOIS BÉNARD | MEDICINE PROFESSOR
$475,544
+$74,325
4
DAN SKARLICKI | SAUDER PROFESSOR
$435,847
-$2,813
5
STEVE ALISHARAN | SAUDER MBA DIRECTOR
$428,728
+$37,414
6
DAN MUZYKA | DEAN OF SAUDER
$424,241
+$1,937
7
DAVID OSTROW | MEDICINE PROFESSOR
$395,525
+$62
8
MICHAEL HAYDEN | MEDICINE PROFESSOR
$388,340
-$785
9
AL POETTCKER | CEO OF PROPERTIES TRUST
$380,447
-$35,137
10
ALLAN JONES | ASSOCIATE DEAN OF MEDICINE, UBC-O
$379,251
+$46,595
11
BRUCE McMANUS | MEDICINE PROFESSOR
$376,632
+$6,833
12
NEIL REINER | MEDICINE PROFESSOR
$362,980
-$11,735
13
ANTHONY BOARDMAN | SAUDER PROFESSOR
$358,020
-$4,531
14
RONALD GIAMMARINO | SAUDER PROFESSOR
$343,193
+$6406
15
DALE GRIFFIN | SAUDER ASSOCIATE DEAN, MARKETING
$343,065
-$10,382
among UBC’s best-paid academics, HOW MUCH DOES YOUR DEAN MAKE? They’re but some take home more than others...
$424,241 SAUDER Dan Muzyka
$499,150 MEDICINE Gavin Stuart
$278,552 SCIENCE Simon Peacock
$299,640
LAW Mary Anne Bobinski
$272,477
$238,587
ARTS Gage Averill
$274,690
PHARMACY Robert Sinedlar
$270,072
DENTISTRY Charles Shuler
$225,392 $229,572
LAND & FOOD Murray Isman
FORESTRY John Innes
$210,917
APPLIED SCIENCE Eric Hall (dean pro tem)
EDUCATION Blye Frank
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$230,704 LISA CASTLE VP HR
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$2P6H5EN,2OW7E2N S TE al VP Ex tern
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GRAPHICS LAURA RODGERS/THE UBYSSEY
MONDAY, NOVEMBER 19, 2012 |
EDITOR C.J. PENTLAND
5
BASKETBALL >>
T-Birds knocked from top-ranked perch Loss to Fraser Valley shows UBC what it will take to be the nation’s best team BEYOND THE ARC
by C.J. Pentland
Admit it: being ranked number one in the nation really does sound glamorous and exciting. It sounds cool to say that your team is “the best in Canada,” and that all the other teams look up to them and their greatness. But really, it is just a title. It doesn’t give the team magical powers, and it doesn’t automatically give them victories. If anything, winning is harder for the top-ranked team. The UBC men’s basketball team had the honour of being ranked number one in Canada this past week, moving up from number two in the CIS weekly rankings thanks to their perfect 4-0 start to the regular season. After finding this out over the weekend, teams will be gunning for the Thunderbirds, hoping to knock them off of their pedestal. The University of Fraser Valley Cascades seemed to have accomplished that feat. By splitting the weekend series with the T-Birds — UBC won 76-71 on Friday night and fell 89-77 on Saturday — the number-eight-ranked Cascades will most likely push UBC back down in the rankings.
But more importantly, the games showed the ‘Birds that if they really want to be considered one of the top teams in the nation, they have to step up, handle the tough teams and not take any days off. During this past weekend, they didn’t put forward an effort that will suffice come playoff time. “I thought offensively we didn’t execute very well, and it cost us,” said head coach Kevin Hanson after Saturday night’s game. “Frankly, I think we weren’t ready to play.” Friday night saw the T-Birds avoid a fourth-quarter collapse to emerge with the slim victory, keeping them safe for the time being. It was yet another all-around scoring effort for the squad, with eight total players chipping in points and five scoring in the double digits. Saturday, however, saw the ‘Birds struggle to do key things that they have done well so far this year. After a first quarter that saw them get out to a 27-23 lead thanks to what seemed like an endless barrage of three-pointers, the offense fell flat in the second and never really picked it up afterwards. UBC only managed 11 points in the second quarter, largely due to giving up nine turnovers. And the long range shooting game that was so successful in the
ALEXANDRA LEASK PHOTO/THE UBYSSEY
UBC had trouble stopping Fraser Valley on Saturday night, giving up 89 points in a loss.
first half died out in the second. The ‘Birds put up 16 threes – almost half of their total shots – but only sank three of them, as opposed to UFV, who shot eight for 15 from beyond the arc in the second half and 16 for 35 overall. “As you get down to playoffs and you’re playing top-ranked teams, everybody is going to be able to shoot,” said Hanson. “They busted
HOCKEY >>
Hockey goes sweeping
Men’s team extends winning streak to four Rory Gattens Staff Writer
The UBC Thunderbirds men’s hockey team extended their win streak to four games after overcoming some adversity and defeating the University of Manitoba Bisons 5-2 on Friday and 2-1 in double overtime on Saturday night. Fourth-year forward Scott Wasden netted the winner in the second game after tapping home a rebound off a shot from Nate Fleming. It was a bit of a slow start for UBC in Saturday’s game, as Manitoba applied early pressure and maintained a high-tempo style of play. However, after the Thunderbirds settled into the game, they were able to chip pucks deep and establish the solid forecheck head coach Milan Dragicevic prides his team on. UBC was unable to capitalize on a power play midway through the first period. The Bisons opened the scoring with Dylan Kelly reacting quickly to an Eric Mestery shot to beat Thunderbirds goaltender Jordan White. UBC got a chance to respond when veteran forward Max Grassi received a breakout pass from Linden Saip and dangled his way through a few Bison defenders, sniping it home to tie it at one with only 15.9 seconds left in the period. The second period proved to be a real grind for both teams as chances from both sides went astray. UBC stuggled to get much going, as their few chances were constantly denied by Manitoba goalie Joe Caligiuri who was a brick wall in net. He continued to make save after save as the T-Birds increased the pressure in hopes to gaining an advantage heading into the third period. The third frame offered little for both teams — tight defending was the theme. As the period progressed, it seemed as if the game-winner would come from a mistake at either end, but due to some smart deci-
16 threes on us tonight, more than I think we’ve ever had against us, and most of them – what I was disappointed with – was that they were naked threes.” Rebounding also proved to be a key factor in both nights’ results. Friday night saw UBC take 19 more rebounds than UFV, but Saturday saw the Cascades come out on top in that category and win the battle 36 BASKETBALL >>
UBC battles hard, but falls twice to pushy Fraser Valley squad HARDWOOD HIGHLIGHTS by Henry Lebard
MATT MUESE PHOTO/THE UBYSSEY
Max Grassi scored a goal on Saturday to help UBC to a 2-1 double overtime win.
sion-making and sound defending, the game headed for overtime. UBC had the best chance of the first overtime, but Fleming was unable to beat Caligiuri on a breakaway. Ben Schmidt followed on the attack, but saw his sure goal denied when a Bison defender lifted his stick just as he was about to fire a shot from the doorstep. After a stalemate in the first five minutes of overtime, the game transitioned to a 3-on-3 double overtime which saw Wasden netting the winner and handing the victory to his soaring Thunderbirds. “I was very fortunate on the goal,” said Wasden. “Nate Fleming took a nice shot and I had a wide open net, so all I had to do was tap it in. We really showed the league we are a team to be reckoned with and that we plan on making some noise in the playoffs.” In net, White was impressive all night, saving 32 of 33 shots. He picked up two wins on the weekend. With the win, UBC moves into sole possession of third place in the Canada West, boasting an 8-3-1 record . U
RECENT RESULTS
SCORES
Friday, Nov. 16 Men’s volleyball UBC 3 Calgary 1 Women’s volleyball UBC 3 Calgary 0 Saturday, Nov. 17 Women’s hockey UBC 2 Manitoba 1 (OT) Cross-Country UBC women 1st overall at NAIA nationals UBC men 6th overall at NAIA nationals Men’s swimming UBC 128 Seattle 77
to 32. Granted, there weren’t a ton of rebounds due to the number of shots that UFV was making, but it still proved to be a significant factor in Saturday’s result. “It’s totally unacceptable,” said Hanson. “It just felt like we were playing catch-up. Mentally we came out flat and we played catch-up. We got up 10 and we let them come back into it with those nine turnovers.” Yet despite a few lapses, the ‘Birds are by no means in trouble. Saturday night once again saw five players score double digits and nine contribute points overall, and the victory on Friday night showed that UBC can gut out contests against tough teams even when they’re not at the top of their game. Saturday’s game also shows them just what they need to do now to be one of the best teams in the nation. Although they won’t be ranked number one anymore come next week’s rankings, it doesn’t really matter. What really matters is that they build off of this weekend and learn what it takes to be the best come playoffs. Sure, still being considered the best team in Canada would be nice for the T-Birds. But honestly, the only time you really need to hold that spot is when they hand out the championship trophy. U
It’s funny the difference a day makes. After suffering a lopsided 76-48 defeat to the University of the Fraser Valley Cascades at home on Friday night, the UBC women’s basketball team seemed to turn things around on Saturday. Yet their effort still wasn’t enough, as they lost again to the Canada West Pacific division-leading Cascades 88-82 in a toe-to-toe battle that went to double overtime. The T-Birds had several chances Saturday to make the weekend double-header a split. But missed free throws, mental lapses and bad bounces late in the game cost them. With 20 seconds left in regulation in Saturday’s game, T-Bird guard Kris Young sank a tough shot while being fouled to tie the game at 68. The Cascades’ next possession then went awry — the ‘Birds forced a turnover, but they couldn’t hold onto the ball, losing it out of bounds and giving UFV one last shot at victory. Yet the Cascades couldn’t capitalize, missing a layup as time expired, sending the game to an extra period. Overtime was just as tough a fight, with both teams trading hoops. But after Leigh Stansfield fouled out with 19 points, the ‘Birds were missing the post presence that they desperately needed. With time running out in the first overtime, the Cascade’s Aieisha Luyken drove to the basket with her team down 78-76, narrowly missing a layup. The rebound then pinballed around several hands until it found its way back to Luyken, who gave it a tip towards the basket. The ball proceeded to rattle in as the
buzzer sounded, tying the game at 78 apiece. In the second overtime, the Thunderbirds’ interior defense was unable to get the stops they needed, and the offense seemed out of tune. The Cascades made several unanswered shots while a battered UBC squad mustered just four points during the frame, resulting in the 88-82 final. Friday’s game was physical in its own right, but Saturday’s contest was downright brutal. “There were bodies all over the floor,” said head coach Deb Huband after Saturday’s game. “I don’t know why basketball turned into rugby like that, but there was definitely a lot of wear and tear. It’s supposed to be a non-contact sport, but [it] certainly wasn’t tonight.” Young took to brunt of the aggression, exiting the game in the first quarter after getting elbowed in the eye. Despite the shiner above her left eye, she finished with 27 points, nine rebounds and four assists while leading the UBC offense. Huband was pleased with the way her team responded to the physical contest, though. “I mean, if the referees are going to let it go like that, I’m glad that we were able to step up and match that kind of physicality,” she said. Saturday’s contest is a sign that the T-Birds can make dramatic turnarounds when they need to, but they will need to maintain their tough spirit in order to bounce back from such a jarring loss. For their next two games, UBC, who currently sit in a tie for second in the Pacific division with a 4-2 record, will travel to the University of Saskatchewan and the University of Alberta for games next Friday and Saturday. Both games are at 4 p.m. PST and will be available on the Canada West website. U
6 | Feature |
MONDAY, NOVEMBER 19, 2012
INSIDE UBC THE KNOWLEDG
INSIDE THE MIND OF A RESEARCHER
Garricia Lee Contributor
research into AIDS came with a large political and moral debate. “I remember finding myself on the evenWhether they’re garbed in white labcoats and carrying glass beakers or not, an institution’s ing news in, say, 1987, 1988,” he said. “The public health people [were] putting condom researchers are some of its greatest assets. ads at the movie theatres before the movie Pushing forward in their respective started when they interviewed me, and I fields, researchers face professional and said I thought it was a fantastic idea. personal challenges associated with their “Then right after me, they interviewed the projects, from funding to political contropremier, which was a guy named Bill Vander versy. Zalm, and he said, ‘There is no way, we’re Rather than a vision for their project, going to have condoms!’” Schechter recalled. many researchers find their professional “So I [ended] up arguing head-to-head with projects by chance. the premier of the province. And I thought, “It was not planned,” said Martin ‘Thank God, I hope he doesn’t call the univerSchechter, founding sity and get me fired.’” director of the School of I received four grants For researchers with Population and Public last year, but to do that I long-term goals, applying Health at UBC, of his for funding can be chalresearch. In Septemwrote 14 applications. lenging, especially when ber 1983, Schechter James Johnson faced with competition. found himself wrapped “In this field, you have Associate Professor at UBC up in an emerging to have lots of ideas,” health crisis. Johnson said. “Most fund“Had it not happened, ing agencies only fund the I probably would be continuing [to study] breast cancer ... but events overtook me, and best 15 to 20 per cent of grant proposals. “I received four grants last year, but to do I got involved,” he said.w that, I wrote 14 applications. Through a study at St. Paul’s Hospital, “You write a grant, and you think you’ve Schechter became wrapped up in the first written it well, but then through a variety of string of AIDS cases in Vancouver. reasons, through some luck, some unfortuLike Schechter, James Johnnate things, some politics, you can’t get your son felt his research inspiration was grants funded,” Johnson said. similarly spontaneous. Despite political turbulence and funding Now an associate professor of cellular uncertainty, Schechter and Johnson don’t and physiological sciences, Johnson got his seem to have difficulty keeping up their mostart researching the pituitary cells of fish. tivation in their work. “It was interesting from a biology sense, “It’s not just science and discovery,” Johnbut it wasn’t really interesting in a medical son said. “I really like being around students sense,” he said. when they’re really in their prime.” Johnson took a chance, a followed his Though there is no end in sight for their then-girlfriend to the Washington Uniprojects, that prospect isn’t a concern for versity School of Medicine, where his researchers in it for the long haul. research turned from fish to a focus on “29 years sounds like a long time, but human genetics. there’s always something new happening,” But even after narrowing down their Schechter said. “There’s always new challengoals, following through is a long road. ges. So it doesn’t become stale.” U In the ‘80s and ‘90s, Schechter found his
FINDING FUNDING FOR RESEARCH PROJECTS Lawrence Neal Garcia Contributor
“We sort of get drowned out in the total dollars or revenue coming in,” said Dean Kuusela, associate director of the office of Doing research comes with a price tag. research services at UBC. “The dollars per In the last fiscal year, UBC received a faculty, I find, is a little bit misleading.” total sum of over $519 million in research He said that the number of projects per funding — $100 million more than the revfaculty tell a more complete story than enue received from student fees. distribution percentages. While the Faculty “[Funding is] essential to [doing] reof Arts gets only 6.25 per cent of the total search,” said Michael Richards, associate revenue, its contributions make up 9.23 per dean of arts, research and graduate studies. cent of total projects. In contrast, the Faculty “You need the money to do anything.” of Medicine has 48.65 per cent of revenue, The bulk of research funding for UBC but only 37.28 per cent of the projects. comes from the Government of Canada Helen Burt, associate vice-president through three federal granting agencies: the research and international Canadian Institutes of Health Research, the Nat- The Faculty of Medicine at UBC, said that the funding differences between ural Sciences and Engineering Research Council received 48.65 per cent of faculties correspond to the nature of their of Canada and the Social funding...the Faculty of research projects. Sciences and Humanities Arts pulled in only 6.25 “The cost of doing Research Council. percent. research in Science, MediCollectively, they’re cine, Engineering is vastly known as the Tri-Council higher than Arts,” said Agencies, and they are the major sources of Burt. “All it means is that research is less research funding for all academic institucostly to do in Arts than it is in Medicine.” tions in Canada. In 2011-2012, the Tri-CounRegardless of faculty, chronic underfundcil contributed 37.84 per cent of the total ing of research remains the norm. research funding for UBC. Other sources “I can almost guarantee that if you went included non-profit groups, other provincial and asked anybody, they would all say that agencies, international research organizathe granting councils are underfunded,” tions and commercial companies. Burt said. “And everybody wants a bigger Last year, UBC brought in $196 million share.” in grants from the Tri-Council Agencies, At UBC, funding from the Tri-Council supporting a total of 3,283 projects. had been on the rise in recent years, with There are no guarantees of equality in total revenues in 2010 reaching over double the distribution of funding. Of the revenues the amount seen in 2002; however, last year brought into UBC from the Tri-Council last saw the first decrease in revenues in over year, large disparities exist even across the a decade. top four faculties. Still, Burt argued, valuable researchers The Faculty of Medicine received 48.65 are still able to initiate projects with merit. per cent of Tri-Council funding, followed by “You have an idea, you write a proposal. the Faculties of Science with 18.05 per cent Hopefully you get funded,” she said. “It’s and Applied Science with 12.32 per cent. The Faculty of Arts pulled in only 6.25 per cent of about your ideas, your abilities to get funding and build up a program.” the funding. “The outputs of research [is] really what However, these numbers may not tell the matters. Funding is an input.” U whole story.
GE FACTORY
MONDAY, NOVEMBER 19, 2012
| Feature | 7
The Ubyssey’s research supplement
As a major public university, research has in many ways become UBC’s raison d’être, bringing in over $500 million in funding last year. With a number of boards devoted to ethics, approval and funding procurement, much of the university’s infrastructure is dedicated to its research activities. Though most faculty members are employed to carry out research, the applied aspects of academia are not always apparent to undergraduate students. In this supplement, we take a detailed look at what goes into research at UBC.
THE ETHICS OF EXPERIMENTATION Janet Tse Contributor
One area of concern involves their recruitment, particularly when it comes to power dynamics with researchers. As intricate as it is encompassing, the princiHo gave the example of research profesple of research ethics plays a critical role in sors recruiting their students. Ethics boards assessing research projects. try to ensure recruited students have a say “Most of the time, when we talk about without fear of penalty from their professors. research ethics, it’s really about what exactly Evans said that at UBC, attaining ethical are researchers’ obligations to particiapproval can be seen as an impediment. pants,” said Anita Ho, an associate professor “[The application] goes into a system, at UBC’s Center for Applied Ethics. She people don’t know what happens to it afterspecializes in bioethics, research ethics and wards, people get a list of things back from social philosophy. an unknown committee,” she said. “It tends The notion of research ethics has its roots to be seen as a bureaucratic hurdle. in wrongs committed by researchers in the Other concerns involve the more adminpast. After the Second World War, the disistrative aspects of the recovery of abusive medical exAny study involving search, such as whether or periments done in the name not consent forms may be human participants of science prompted the too hard for participants creation of ethical standards must be approved by to understand; issues of for research. one of seven sanctioned privacy; and the collection “The subsequent Nuremberg Code started to really research ethics boards at and storage of data. Whether physical or clarify a lot different princi- UBC. psychological, the unples that we all have to abide certainty inherent in any by [today],” Ho said. research experiment remains. At UBC, research ethics are guided by “Before you have actually run the clinical several checks put in place by UBC’s Office of trial, you don’t ... necessarily know whether Research Ethics (ORE). Any study involving the drug can be harmful to participants,” human participants must be approved by one Ho said. of seven sanctioned research ethics boards But with the subjectivity of both the reat UBC. searchers and the review board, she admitted “The whole idea is to have a consensus,” some risks remain difficult to identify. said Laurel Evans, director of the ORE. She “There’s a whole chapter in this document explained that, for studies with minimal risk, with research with aboriginal communities the process of evaluation ensures there is an ... not just taking into consideration the objective eye that passes over it. individual risk, which is sort of the modern, There’s a national ethics policy in place to western democratic view of individualism,” guide this kind of research — the Tri-CounEvans said. “With the native community, cil Policy Statement (TCPS) serves as a what you’ve got is issues around: how does standardized process for research ethics in that impact the community as a whole? Canada. “The hope is that the consensus of that Experts in law and ethics who are memgroup of people sitting around a board bers of the research ethics board review talking about the issues that might arise in studies with lower levels of risk. The guiderelation to this study will arrive at an approlines also require a member who is not affilipriate determination as to what should and ated with UBC in order to speak on behalf of shouldn’t be done.” U prospective participants.
THE QUESTION OF ANIMAL TESTING Vaughn Brakhage Contributor
alternatives like computer models and in vitro cell cultures. In September, UBC released an independLike many research institutions, animal ent 2010 report produced by the Canadian research has been a long-standing practice at Council for Animal Care (CCAC). UBC. In 2010, 211,764 animals were used in Though the report recognized achievethe university’s research. ments in animal housing facilities, it also recUBC’s has been fairly proactive in its ommended that UBC centralize its research approach to animal research. In October 2011, facilities. It further advised that all UBC UBC became the first Canadian university to students who are involved in animal research release the total number of animals, the major receive proper training in the care of animals. species groupings and the degree of invasiveUBC maintains that it operates facilities ness of its research activities. in accordance with the CCAC’s guidelines. “It’s certainly a very personal and very However, animal advocates are not satisfied emotional issue for a lot of people, so I think with the information that has been released that explains why we see thus far. People behave better that great range of viewAn institution’s capability points,” said Helen Burt, when they’re being to perform research requires associate vice-president of significant financial support. research and international watched’ is an old At UBC, Burt explained, desaying. at UBC. clining federal funding has “[There] has definitely Anne Birthistlehad a tangible effect. been a range of responses in STOP UBC Animal Research “Animal research is the media.” incredibly expensive for researchers,” she Opposition has been vocal on campus. Founded in 2010, STOP UBC Animal Research said. “When funding gets tough — [and] it has begun to become so in the past year or is an activist group opposed to all animal retwo — people are cutting back on the number search for disease or pharmaceutical testing. of animal studies because they are complex, Over the past two years, it has organized demtime-consuming and very expensive.” onstrations and campaigns on UBC campus. As such, Burt predicted the numbers of “‘People behave better when they’re being animals used at UBC would not be on the rise. watched’ is an old saying,” said Anne BirthisBut as to whether STOP’s activity has had an tle, a spokesperson for STOP. effect on animal research at UBC, Birthistle’s “Using animals as a substitute for humans response was mixed. is totally wrong. We approach it on a scientific “I don’t know that the animal research has basis as well as an ethical basis.” changed,” she said. “They’re aware that there UBC’s animal research website is quick are active members who have joined us.... Now to point out that, since 1901, “almost every we’re getting more open lines of communicaNobel Prize in Medicine has been awarded for tion from UBC.” innovations dependent on data from animal Still, Birthistle admitted that the dialogue models.” has been partisan nature, and hopes to find a According to Canadian federal requirescientific approach to the question. ments, new medicines and treatments must “There are scientists that are pro-research be assessed on a living organism before being and scientists that think basing medicine and given to humans. toxicology on animals is wrong,” she said. Much of STOP’s argument doubts the “This isn’t a debate that should be between lay scientific legitimacy of testing human medipeople and scientists.” U cine on animals, while also seeking testing
MONDAY, NOVEMBER 19, 2012 |
EDITOR ANNA ZORIA
8
CiTR still rock hard at 75 CAMPUS RADIO >>
CiTR celebrates three-quarters of a century in broadcasting Anna Zoria Culture Editor
After 75 years of airtime, CiTR is still going strong. The campus radio station celebrated its “Diamond Radioversary” this past week with three days of events, culminating with a party on Nov. 17 at Chapel Arts. “The last time we did something on this scale was in 2003 for our 65th,” said Duncan McHugh, programming representative on the CiTR board. “It’s been 10 years since we’ve had everyone back together. It was good to see, because it’s a really dynamic time at the station. “I think the big highlight was an alum from the ‘50s who had taped a Pete Seeger performance at UBC from the ‘50s,” he said. The celebration was brimming with alumni, friends and current members; both the president from 1963 and the president from this year were in attendance. Notable guests included Attorney Gener-
al Wally Oppal and former CBC Radiosonic host Leora Kornfeld. For Laurel Borrowman, editor of CiTR’s Discorder magazine, the station is a place that fosters diversity in taste. “[CiTR plays] anything from honky tonk-type country with Blood on the Saddle to gangster rap with Crimes and Treasons,” she said. While many campus radio stations are struggling to keep their frequencies, CiTR has shown no signs of slowing down. Membership is steadily growing, with over 300 collaborators working for the station and the magazine, and over 80 programs are broadcasted weekly in six different languages. But the station’s attitude has remained as down-to-earth as ever. Long-time CiTR supporter and alumna Lisa Marr said it best: “Just because you’re doing serious news doesn’t mean you can’t do it in [your] underwear in the middle of the night.” U <em>
</
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—With files from Alexis Sogl
Clockwise from top: CiTR’s digs on the second floor of the old SUB; Fine Mist dropping some tunes at the birthday celebrations at Chapel Arts; the recording studio at CiTR; the next generation of CiTR-ers rocking out to some live tunes; local bands and returning alumni performing as part of the birthday festivities. Photos by Geoff Lister and Saw-Mon Gharib
MORE ONLINE Go to ubyssey.ca for exclusive videos of CiTR’s birthday bash.
</em>
A brief history of CiTR 1950 UBC Radio begins closed circuit broadcasts to residences
1937 Students at UBC begin broadcasting Varsity Hour on CJOR and later the CBC
1983 SHiNDIG!, CiTR’s 13-week local music competition, starts at the Savoy. The finals are recorded on 24-track analog and released as an album through Zulu Records
2007 CiTR is the first campus stations in Canada to offer podcasting
2011 CiTR releases The CiTR Pop Alliance Compilation on vinyl with Mint Records, showcasing local bands
1983 Discorder is born, and CiTR becomes a publisher of Vancouver’s longest running indie music rag
1982 CiTR broadcasts its first song from the top of Gage Towers on April Fools Day, hitting the city at 101.9 FM with “Dancing in the Streets” by Martha and the Vandellas
1989 CiTR upgrades its signal strength to 1800 megakilowatts, celebrating with a softball tournament in -12 C weather and blindingly bright snow
MONDAY, NOVEMBER 19, 2012
| Culture | 9
PARTY >>
Kicking back with style at Global Village Rebekah Ho Contributor
Last Thursday, the International Business (IB) Club traded their business-formal suits for stilettos and some of Vancouver’s finest runway designs at Global Village, an annual celebration of cultural diversity. Over 200 people attended the event, held in the CA Hall in the Henry Angus Building. The night was filled with models on the catwalk, an international food fair, and a talent showcase. “All of our events are [usually] really formal, so the students have to be dressed formal and then business professionals come in. Global Village is actually the only event where it’s more fun, and it’s more of a social setting,” said Lucas Goh, president of IB Club. “It’s just a very chill event for students to learn about different cultures and different places in the world.” Global Village’s fashion show featured three local Vancouver boutiques: Twigg & Hottie, Mimi McQueen and Qube, all of which had their fashion lines on display at Vancouver Fashion Week in September. As the biggest highlight of the night, the three fashion shows were high-energy and attention grabbing, not only because of the chic designs, but also because of the familiar faces. “Last year we used professional models from external companies.... This year we switched it up. We had about 35 models; all of them were UBC students,” explained Goh. “I think people enjoyed seeing their
The culturally diverse event included dance performances, a fashion show and an international food fair.
own friends, or people they [knew] modeling as opposed to strangers.” Despite a technical mishap with the microphones, the show kept the momentum going in between the outfit changes with dancers and other talent acts from performers on campus. “We had a Chinese dancer and a beatboxer. We had someone that was popping and another person who was doing salsa. It was a good variety from a lot of different cultures around the world, and they all did a really good job,” said Jennifer Kao, VP Internal of the club. After the show, there was a buffet-style cultural food fair
MONEY >>
Deal Carrot plans to breathe new life into the daily deal market Cynthia Chou Contributor
As students with tight budgets and thin wallets, we are all familiar with certain survival tactics: scoping out the best drink deals on campus, chasing warehouse sales around town and yes, even couponing. In recent years, businesses that aim to help us in our penny-pinching ways have boomed and become household names. Groupon, Living Social, and Daily Deal have all become big players in the bargain industry, impacting how we shop and eat out. One more voice has just been added to that chorus. The new social media site Deal Carrot has recently launched in B.C., and plans to make a splash. With the motto “A Fair Deal for Everyone,” the brand-new company has big plans to revolutionize the industry and provide better deals for both customers and business owners alike. “Daily deals are dying,” explained Gary Lee, the man behind the operation. “They are unsustainable, since it’s impossible for most businesses to offer a cheap deal and then give 50 per cent of its returns to a daily deal company like Groupon.” Small businesses participating in these ventures have suffered tremendous losses by giving out excessive amounts of vouchers. Besides losing revenue, daily deal coupons fail to attract regular customers and leave these stores and restaurants with no long-term gains. Part of Lee’s plan is to establish customer loyalty by making Deal Carrot members shareholders in the company. This is analogous to
getting reward points for contributing to the company’s growth. By aligning the incentives of both Deal Carrot’s owners and its users, Lee hopes to create a win-win situation. Another key component of Lee’s business strategy is something quite simple: businesses will not be charged commission to post their daily deal. “We are not changing anything about the way they do their business. The deals are already existent — we just give them a platform to let the public know about it and reach a bigger audience.” In this way, Deal Carrot hopes to connect customers with businesses that are a good fit. Their deals are not bound by limited options; instead, Deal Carrot simply provides the consumer with information about what’s being offered at a discounted price in their area. A quick search returns offers from the Lamplighter, the Cambie and Ceili’s, among others. Coupons on the site will not expire, and you do not have to commit to any deal until you’ve used it. Active reviewing and screening will also ensure that the businesses seen on Deal Carrot are safe and commendable. While he hopes it will be a financial success, Lee sees Deal Carrot as more than a business operation. “I moved here from London years ago and I must say that I absolutely love this city,” he said. “I want to give people the option to go out more — currently with limited funds they are unsure that they are able to do so — and as a result they can meet more people, and the knock-on effect is a better sense of community.” U
sponsored by 12 food companies, including Mochi Café, Antoni’s Pasta, Curry Point and La Belle Patate. Students were able to sample foods from all over the world, and there was enough for everyone to get seconds. “We had Chinese, we had Indian, we had Thai, German, we had salad from France,” Goh said. “We’re marketing to students, [and] usually all they want to know is what kind of food there is.” Abby Nann, one of the attendees, had a good time, but also had some suggestions for next year. “I thought the models were hot, but they should have put [in] more inter-
national dances that would fit the global theme,” she said. “The food was cool, but after a while they ran out of forks, and that made me really sad. But overall, I really enjoyed it, and I would come again.” Generally labelled as a “Sauder club,” IB looked at this event as an opportunity to reach out to students in other faculties. “I know a lot of Sauder clubs are mostly targeted towards Sauder students, but for International Business, it’s definitely not only an exclusive Commerce student club. We definitely posted posters around the SUB, around all the residences on campus,” Goh said. “We open it
ED NG PHOTO/THE UBYSSEY
up to anyone who wants to know how to do business in a different country.” “International Business is just applicable to any job, actually,” Kao added. “That’s why we targeted other students from other faculties as well. Any job that they are doing, they can do it on an international level.” Attendance at this year’s Global Village was double that of last year’s, and Goh foresees it continuing to grow. “Next year’s will be even better than this year. I would say definitely come to Global Village next year, and check out the rest of the events.” U
MONDAY, NOVEMBER 19, 2012 |
STUDENT VOICE. COMMUNITY REACH.
Universities ignore student parents at their peril
LAST WORDS
PERSPECTIVE by Mike Davies
INDIANA JOEL ILLUSTRATION/THE UBYSSEY
TIMING ON RELEASE OF SALARY NUMBERS A LITTLE TOO CONVENIENT </strong>
So UBC has released its annual salary disclosure, wherein the salaries of everyone at the university who makes more than $75,000 a year are listed — numbers that, per the B.C. Financial Information Act, were supposed to have been released at the end of September (see page 4). Of course, with the TAs voting to ratify their collective agreement, all the clamour, outcry and general fiscal unhappiness of the semester’s numerous union disputes is rapidly fading from everyone’s minds, soon to be nothing more than a memory dulled by the incessant winter rain. Lucky thing, too — the atmosphere around the bargaining table sure would have been awkward if the unions were able to pull out some of the more exorbitant salaries to counter UBC’s insistence that seriously, there just isn’t any money for this sort of thing, you guys. Sure, the delayed release might be an honest coincidence. But the timing is a little too convenient.
SPEAKING OF SKETCHY SALARIES, OVER AT MCGILL... </strong>
McGill University is currently embroiled in a scandal with the former head of its network of hospitals. The university is suing Arthur Porter, the former CEO of the McGill Health Centre (MUHC), for failing to pay back more than half of a $500,000 real estate loan. McGill is also trying to get back an additional $30,130 paid to Porter for teaching duties he allegedly never performed. When McGill first brought on Porter back in 2004, he probably seemed like quite the catch. He has a CV as long as your forearm. He was the kind of guy you’d want to lock down for a major project — Porter was tasked with a massive redevelopment of the MUHC — before he got scooped up by a competing university. So that might have been why they offered him an unprecedented loan with little in the way of oversight. It might have been why he was receiving a salary for teaching despite the fact he
almost certainly never set foot in a classroom. UBC can learn a few things from the incident. For one, large universities like UBC and McGill are impossibly decentralized. Does UBC have any sort of system in place to make sure there’s nobody collecting a paycheque who shouldn’t be? You’d think so, but university hospitals are so far outside the fabric of everyday university life. It seems like the Porter case is closer to the rule, and not the exception, than we’d like. But then there’s the far more serious issue of a university giving out loans and other inducements to staff. Now that UBC has made it very clear that it will use primo mortgages to attract high-level administrators and faculty, there are more and more opportunities for the university to get caught up in this kind of weirdness. Ultimately, someone will have to fall on their sword for allowing this oversight. And when that happens, it will be a wake up call for universities across Canada.
AMS’s FINANCIAL SITUATION STILL PRECARIOUS </strong>
The AMS has been in a precarious financial position for about the last half decade. They were already struggling back before the recession hit in 2008. Their catering arm was facing new competition from Wescadia, UBC’s catering service. When things crashed in 2008, the AMS began to realize just how volatile their finances actually were. They depend in large part on students spending money at their businesses, and when students don’t have disposable income for snacks and beer, things take a turn. It looked like finances were going to be a little more stable after the AMS passed a fee increase referendum in 2011, but the same stubborn problem kept cropping up: businesses aren’t making enough money. That’s the case again this year (see page 3). All told, AMS outlets were supposed to contribute an incredibly modest $70,000. Instead, they’re $97,000 in the hole. Part of that can be chalked up to construction-related disruption. But there’s definitely something more fundamental happening here. Are the services the AMS provides really speaking to students anymore? The Pit is one of the biggest money sinks this time around.
While the Pit doesn’t usually do particularly well, maybe that’s the financial aspect of a changing student culture. The AMS is always telling itself that things will be better when they move into the new SUB. There’s reason to believe this will be the case — there will be more businesses, more floor space and a better location. But in most cases, they’re just porting over the same old businesses. Putting a new wrapper on the same old businesses might not be the best way to stop this slide.
AND FINALLY, HAPPY 75TH TO CiTR RADIO For 75 years, CiTR has given students a hand in making an impact on the wider culture of Vancouver and Canada (see page 8). The campus’ first radio program — a hilariously 1930s concept called Varsity Time — aired in 1937, and since then they’ve changed year after year, transitioning into a full station, starting Discorder magazine, and pushing more and more content onto digital platforms. A profile of CiTR in The Tyee depicted them as a “magical enclave” for students that managed to stumble upon it, and while it’s traditionally a challenge for campus radio to reach out, they do a lot to make sure there’s a place for quality culture and sports content at the university. They restructured in 2011 to try and give students a bigger hand in helping to run it, and whether it’s going down to volunteer or just tuning in, connecting more students to the station can only result in a more vibrant campus culture. You can see the impact: a yearly battle-of-the-bands competition that saw Japandroids and You Say Party! in their early stages; a record label that birthed the New Pornographers; an internationally-known interviewer, Nardwuar the Human Serviette. CiTR has given students a made-on-campus footprint in Vancouver and Canadian culture. So congratulations on turning 75, CiTR. The next 75 years will see as much radical change in radio as the last three-quarters of a century. May you keep evolving with it to make sure there’s a part of that culture that students can call their own. U <em>
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KAMLOOPS (CUP) — It is almost universally accepted that the Canadian childcare situation is in a state of crisis, and that the situation directly affects post-secondary students — but how, and to what extent? Well, it’s simple really. Student-parents have more going on in their lives, and the state of childcare makes it even more difficult for them to better themselves through higher education. I’m not saying that you’re not busy if you don’t have a child. But if you’re not a parent, I’d just ask you to picture how busy you are, and then add the responsibility of raising another human from scratch. “The administration section of universities need to come to the realization of the benefit of cooperation with and support of childcare facilities,” says Marian Hardy, executive director of the Cariboo Childcare Society, the non-profit organization that operates childcare facilities at Thompson Rivers University (TRU). According to research out of the University of Guelph, student-parents account for “close to 11 per cent of the total student population in Canadian universities.” It’s a significant demographic. Floriann Fehr, a TRU nursing professor and parent whose children have attended various childcare facilities in Kamloops (including the TRU on-campus facility), also thinks that universities need to be more family-friendly. She says the significance of this demographic needs to be acknowledged before the childcare situation will improve on university campuses. Fehr is currently pursuing her Ph.D. in higher education and administration, and her doctoral research focuses on post-secondary students and their ability to balance work, school and life. One of the biggest barriers in achieving that balance, she said, is childcare. “TRU itself doesn’t even know how many of its students are parents,” she said, and added that there are checkboxes on admissions forms for various other demographics — visible minorities, Status Native Canadians and others — but for some reason parents get left out of the research. As such, she claims, little effort is made to cater to their needs.
“You need to advocate for yourselves,” she said. Whether it’s demanding family-friendly services from your institution, or simply opening lines of communication with your professors about the extra demands on your time, student-parents need more flexibility from their institutions. Fehr points towards several family-friendly measures at Concordia University. Concordia’s Student Parent Centre (CUSP) offers support services for student-parents, including information on childcare facilities, health promotion services and the psychological support needed for overburdened student-parents. It’s also a place to meet meet and socialize. “[Student-parents] don’t have the same options to meet other students and to go out,” said Kristy Heeren, who was the director of CUSP in 2010. “Many student-parents struggle with isolation and loneliness, especially single parents and international students who are new to the city.” CUSP is one of the ways that Concordia has acknowledged and addressed the burden on this demographic. “CUSP is another great help because it is a place where student-parents can get together and see how others in similar situations balance parenting and school,” according to Concordia student-parent Anna Chigo. “As CUSP members, student parents have the chance to get involved in events such as monthly cook-outs, clothing, toy and babysitting exchanges, while making friends with other student-parents in the process.” How can other institutions become more welcoming places for student-parents? Fehr recommends that student-parents contact their professors before each term and let them know that they have added demands on their time. That’s not to say that they want special treatment, but just to inform them so they aren’t caught unawares when classes are inevitably missed. This also helps to raise awareness in the campus community. “When [professors] start seeing these letters all the time, they might start to understand that they are dealing with a significant demographic and that things are more difficult for them,” said Fehr. Davies is the editor of The Omega newspaper at Thompson Rivers University.
Tired of dirty hands and runny noses on public transit
LETTERS The 99 B-line is one of Vancouver’s most frequently used buses, and is an extremely efficient means of transportation. However, as the seasons change, many commuters are feeling under the weather as they step on and off the bus. Common colds are very easily passed on between riders. After all, it is quite unreasonable to expect that the various poles, grips and surfaces of the bus will be cleaned immediately after they are touched. Why don’t these busses have hand sanitizers on them? Almost every other public area in Vancouver does. People unknowingly, or perhaps knowingly, may encounter these illnesses left behind unintentionally on the bus. These people, the students at UBC, the barista or a
customer trying on a couple shirts become at risk of catching a cold. When they do, they put those around them at risk of getting sick, and the web of illness spreads further into schools, workplaces and households. Although it’s impossible to completely prevent the spread of illness, it would be nice to be able to step on and off the bus without worrying about catching someone’s cold because you had to hold a germ-infested pole. It’s a less than pleasant feeling when you get off a bus and you know that your hands are less than hygienic. While it may not be life-threatening, the common flu and cold can definitely impact your performance at work, school or home, which has a negative impact on the economy. Tyler Mackenzie & Andrew Ng Arts 2 <em>
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MONDAY, NOVEMBER 19, 2012 |
PICTURES + WORDS ON YOUR UNIVERSITY EXPERIENCE
HACKÉDEX
ADVICE >>
Dr. Bryce ruined my life
YOUR UBC WORD OF THE WEEK
A loyal reader broke up with his GF on Bryce’s advice
CiTR 101.9 FM Radio — or Canadian Independent Thunderbird Radio — is UBC’s student-run radio station. Celebrating their 75th year, CiTR has become a staple media outlet here on campus. From scandalous broadcasts to a spinoff magazine, the Discorder, CiTR has had its share of controversies and successes. Regular podcasts and shows include The City, News 101, Peanut Butter ‘n’ Jams and Nardwuar the Human Serviette.
Envious,
WHAT YOU SHOULD DO
with Dr.* Bryce Warnes Hi Dr. Bryce, It’s me, Envious, again. A month ago, when you replied to my letter, the part that really stuck with me was that there was a “fundamental incompatability” between me and my long-distance girlfriend. And now, we broke up. So now, I’m kinda screwed. I spent the year I was together with her very distracted and ended up not getting into the specialization I wanted. I was absolutely okay [with it], because I would’ve been absolutely happy moving to the States working a less-than-ideal job, as long as that meant the relationship was no longer long-distance. But now, I don’t have the marks to try to change degrees into anything other than what I’m doing right now. I’ve already had a distracted half-a-semester, so I can’t. Not to mention my social life, which consisted solely of Skype, is gone, because in the split, she gets all our mutual friends. How do I get my life back? Help! Sincerely, Envious </em>
Oops. You fucked up! It was a bad idea to let the fact you had a girlfriend distract you from achieving other stuff that mattered, like a career. And now your girlfriend is gone. Talk to an advisor and see if there’s any way to correct your academic situation. If it requires setting your schooling back a year and going deeper in debt, you’ll have to weigh that against how much this particular career path matters to you. If you opt in favour of staying in the current less-thanideal academic groove, adjust your expectations and goals accordingly. Then start introducing yourself to people in class. Or sign up for an extra-curricular activity/club. Your monkey brain has evolved for millions of years into a socialization machine. Use it. Life requires do-overs. It’s okay to backtrack and try again. Enjoy the fact that you’re no longer weighed down by your old Skype clique, and look at this as a chance to expand into new territory. From the sounds of it, you’ve been living long distance for a while. Time to enjoy the local attractions. U Are you in need of advice from Dr.* Bryce Warnes? Ask anonymously online at ubyssey.ca/advice. (*Bryce is not a doctor.)
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What Your Final Exam Schedules Are Hardship that! Or not.
The Sitch: You’re taking four courses, life is swell. You’re looking forward to a relaxing winter break back in your hometown. Exam schedules are released and all your exams line up, evenly spread out at the beginning of the exam period ... except that required course you hate, stuck on the last day of exams at 7 p.m. Recommendation: Take mini-vacation to somewhere close-by, like Whistler.
December 5
December 19
The Sitch: You’ve got five courses. Your exams end up all in a row. At the most, you’ve got one day between each exam, and no time to put 100 per cent into each before burning out. Recommendation: Start early. Get some sleep before exam period. Then take the five-day Red Bull Power Cleanse to get you over your exam woes.
December 5
December 19
The Sitch: All six of your exams are all in a row and so perfectly timed that you can’t apply for hardship. Or you don’t have time to. You must be an engineer. Recommendation: Study hard. It’s okay — at the end of all this, you’ll definitely get a job.
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December 19