January 3, 2013 by The Ubyssey

INFLUENZA MIGHT JUST KILL HIM SINCE 1918

UBC’S OffICIAL STUDENT NEWSpApER | JANUARY 3, 2013 | vOLUME XCIv| ISSUE XXIX

academic Blueprint A survey of the most eye-catching architecture on campus p6

the THE UBYSSEY frat came

Back Zeta Psi is attempting to re-colonize at UBC after 20 years p4

UBC men’s rugby prepares to take down rivals and win the league in 2013 p5

THE POST- HOLIDAY

neWs hangoVer

Snowed out exams, distressed animals and another potential strike — what happened at UBC while you vegged out over the break p3

The New Year’s resolutions you know you’re bound to break p8

THURSDAY, JANUARY 3, 2013 |

YOUR GUIDE TO UBC EVENTS + PEOPLE

What’s on Tue 12 3

OUR CAMPUS

This week, may we suggest...

trees >>

ONE ON ONE WITH THE PEOPLE WHO MAKE UBC

THURSDAY

Christmas tree recycling: 9:30 a.m. @ UBC Botanical Garden

Looking to get rid of your Christmas tree? The UBC Botanical Garden will be collecting Christmas trees for recycling till 4 p.m.. There will also be a fundraiser supporting the Thunderbird Elementary School’s food garden. $5 donation Tue 124

Tue 125

sports >>

FRIDAY

words >>

SATURDAY

UBC men’s hockey vs. Calgary Dinos: 7 p.m. @ Doug Mitchell Thunderbird Arena Cheer on theThunderbirds in this week’s hockey game! The men’s team will be facing off the Dinos from the University of Calgary. $2

photo COURTESY JERRY WASSERMAN

Jerry Wasserman is the head of UBC’s theatre and film department.

Tue 126

paper >>

SUNDAY

The Ubyssey Production Day: 1 p.m. @ SUB 24 Want to see the news before it’s released? Stop by our office to hang out, proofread pages and enjoy a free dinner. No experience is required. What could be better than that?

12 7Tue

UBC Slam Workshop: 6 p.m. @ TBA Many students have made New Year’s resolutions of joining new clubs, so look no further than UBC Slam! There will be a poetry slam workshop held every Saturday night. Check out slamubc.wordpress.com for more information.

science >>

MONDAY

BIO 100-level drop-in: 3 p.m. @ Irving K. Barber Learning Centre Are you a student taking firstyear BIOL 100 level courses? Need help? AMS Tutoring will be hosting drop-in sessions, so come by and polish your skills. Free

Got an event you’d like to see on this page? Send your event and your best pitch to printeditor@ubyssey.ca.

Video content Make sure to check out the Ubyssey Weekly Show, airing now at ubyssey. ca/videos/.

Theatre pro turned prof Maitrayee Dhaka Contributor

“It was the Wild West. It was great.” It’s an uncommon description of Vancouver, but for native New Yorker Jerry Wasserman, the West Coast held the promise of adventure. Now head of UBC’s theatre and film department, Wasserman first ventured to Vancouver in the early ’70s for an assistant professor position in UBC’s English department. “I was very fortunate. When I arrived, professional theatre was just getting off the ground in Vancouver. Not only did you not need an agent, but no one asked you for a resume, or where you had trained. You just auditioned,” recounted Wasserman. “By the time Hollywood came north to Vancouver in the mid-1980s, I had quite a bit of professional stage experience. I had a New York accent, and I was a middle-aged male character actor,” said Wasserman. “I was the perfect candidate. I got a lot of work.” In the decades that followed, Wasserman collected over 200 professional acting credits in TV, theatre and film, including Watchmen, Alive and I, Robot. Though theatre is his livelihood, Wasserman recognizes

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JANUARY 3, 2013 | Volume XCIV| Issue XXIX BUSINESS

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the challenges B.C. theatre professionals encounter and his fortune in having a well-paying day job. “There is a fantastic number of extraordinarily talented people involved. The problem is that it is very difficult to make a living in theatre,” said Wasserman. “The support for the arts in B.C. is pathetic. It has been so under every provincial government, and the lowest per-capita in Canada. A lot of my friends work full time in theatre, and it’s a struggle,” he said. Wasserman noted that it was easier when he started off due to lower cost of living. “It was the ’70s. Not only was it cheaper to live, but the attitude about lifestyle was different; the word hadn’t been invented for everyday use. You didn’t care if your jeans had holes. Poverty was attractive. Now, we’re in the opposite kind of world.” Wasserman said he feels that similar financial challenges stalk other arts communities in Canada. “It is a matter of priorities. The community has to decide that the arts are a priority, which is unfortunately not the North American mindset.” Wasserman said he is

disappointed by recent funding cuts in Vancouver, but he is confident that theatre will continue to play a role in the city. “If Vancouver is going to be a world-class city, it’s got to have world-class culture. Think of New York, Paris, London or Berlin; it’s expensive even when it is subsidized. People have to be willing to pay for culture, or they’re going to get the culture they deserve. The arts are as essential to a civilized city and a world-class province as highways and SkyTrains.” Though his acting career has brought Wasserman face to face with the likes of Sidney Poitier, Will Smith and Johnny Depp, he said his role as a professor is the best job he could have. “The people that you meet on film sets aren’t half as smart as the people you meet on university campuses. Acting is more exciting at times, but also more insecure. I’ve met a lot of very interesting and creative people on the way in acting, but I’ve met at least as many interesting, creative people while teaching, and they’re way smarter,” he said. “This is a great place to feed your brain. Acting is a great place to feed your imagination. They complement one another.” U

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THURSDAY, JANUARY 3, 2013 |

EDITORS WILL MCDONALD + LAURA RODGERS

RecAp >>

f you’re like most of us, your December was a month of extremes: a couple weeks of exam-induced terror, then a couple more of Netflix-filled somnambulance. Then that cold splash of reality that comes with classes on Jan. 2. But somewhere between your 5:30 a.m. poli sci vigil and your 5:30 p.m. turkey coma, a good spate of UBC-related news was still happening. Here’s an overview of the top stories that took place over the break.

mitted the bargaining unit is to achieving professional recognition.” Last month, UBC spokesperson Lucie McNeill said the university is also willing to return to the bargaining table.

uBc releases 2011 animal research numBers

eXams delaYed due to snoW For 4,000 students, first semester exams won’t end until Sunday. After a heavy snowfall in Vancouver led UBC to cancel the last day of the exam period, the university rescheduled missed exams for Jan. 6. “One can only sympathize with them. It’s a heck of a way to spend the holiday season,” said Lucie McNeill, UBC’s director of public affairs. By noon on Dec. 19, the campus had collected 20 centimetres of snow and UBC canceled exams for the rest of the day. Traffic conditions and falling tree branches resulted in massive transit delays and gaps. After incidents where articulated busses jackknifed around corners, 99 B-Lines stopped before they reached campus, forcing students to walk from Alma Street and West 10th Avenue to the university. “We’re seeing some spun-out cars, some of our busses got stuck on the ice,” TransLink spokesperson Derek Zabel said at the time. “It does make it challenging for bus drivers to navigate around different obstacles that are in the road when we do have the conditions that we saw today.” Cancellations affected the 12 p.m., 3:30 p.m. and 7 p.m. exams. Those who couldn’t attend the 8:30 a.m. exams that day were also able to reschedule. The last time campus was shut down for snow was Dec. 24, 2009, after exams had ended.

WHILE YOU WERE OUT A bunch of important stories took place over winter break. Here’s a breakdown.

cost of u-pass to go up With neW agreement Lower Mainland student unions and TransLink reached a new U-Pass agreement early last month. The new deal, which coincides with the expiration of the existing agreement, will see the cost of the pass increase to $35 per month in May 2013 and gradually increase to $38 per month by May 2015. The province will subsidize the mandatory three-zone pass through 2016. The current paper passes will be phased out by May 2013 and replaced with an unlimited version of TransLink’s new electronic Compass Card. UBC students still have to approve the deal by a referendum, which will be on the ballot in this year’s AMS elections. Voting runs from Jan. 21-25.

medical research firings prompt laWsuits Two former employees of the B.C. Ministry of Health who worked on a Alzheimer’s research study are now suing the ministry. They are reacting to

phOTOS fROM TOp: JENNIfER LOSIE/ThE UBYSSEY, RICk Eh/fLICkR, kAI JACOBSON/ThE UBYSSEY, hOGAN WONG/ThE UBYSSEY

what the ministry says was a release of confidential medical data from UBC and the University of Victoria last September, which prompted firings or suspensions for seven employees. The former manager of the Ministry of Health, Ron Mattson, has filed lawsuits for wrongful dismissal without pay, breach of contract and defamation. UBC medical professor Malcolm Maclure has filed a lawsuit for wrongful termination and defamation. The health ministry has responded to Mattson’s claims in court documents, saying that he was fired for good reason. The ministry alleged that Mattson tried to get around regulations limiting the release of medical data to third parties, violating his

contract with the province. Mattson said that he never released confidential data. The government has suspended data access and research contracts worth $3 million with the University of Victoria and UBC while the issue is under investigation.

child care Workers hold strike Vote The union representing child care workers on campus now has an active strike mandate. The UBC child care bargaining unit of the B.C. Government and Service Employees’ Union (BCGEU) local 303 voted 94 per cent in favour of job action last month, after negotiations stalled with the university.

The unit doesn’t have any job action planned, and its bargaining committee will meet this week to discuss how to proceed. The workers are asking for a “pay correction” from UBC, a minimum wage of $20.00 per hour for its members. UBC child care workers currently make between $11.81 and $21.19 per hour. Union local chairperson Andrea Duncan said the union hopes to return to the bargaining table with the university soon. “We are very interested in getting back to the table and achieving a ‘pay correction’ that reflects the value, qualifications and responsibilities of early childhood educators at UBC,” wrote Duncan in an email. “We got a very high strike vote, which shows how com-

There were 225,043 animals involved in UBC research in 2011, an increase of 13,439 from the 211,604 involved in 2010. This is the university’s second year releasing animal research numbers. The increase in animals is mostly due to the expansion of a breeding program for genetically modified (transgenic) mice. 2011 also saw an increase in the number of animals involved in more serious or invasive experiments. That year, 83,800 animals, up from 68,203 in 2010, were involved in “Category D” experiments, which cause “moderate to severe distress or discomfort,” according to the Canadian Council on Animal Care (CCAC). Also, in 2011, 59 animals were involved in “Category E” experiments (up from 31 in 2010), which are defined by CCAC as “procedures which cause severe pain near, at or above the pain tolerance threshold of unanesthetized conscious animals.” Various types of experiments, including major surgeries or situations that cause extreme behavioural distress, fall under Category E. A UBC release says that all Category E experiments at the university were surgical procedures performed under anesthesia. This disclosure, initially pushed for by anti-animal research activists, continues to make UBC one of the most open universities in Canada about their animal research practices. STOP UBC Animal Research, one of the groups who initially asked the university to open up the data, said they still want more information made available. “We have accomplished one goal, seeing as we have had more disclosure from UBC. Of course it’s not [all] the disclosure we need,” said STOP spokesperson Ann Birthistle. She said she is still hoping UBC will release a species-by-species breakdown of animals used in research, and she also wants more information about research protocols and the animals’ origins. Birthistle said UBC’s recent openness with some of its data has encouraged STOP to change its direction somewhat. The activist group has long been fond of attention-getting public demonstrations, but now they plan to work in a more “behind the scenes” manner, working with other anti-animal research advocates to lobby bodies like the CCAC. STOP’s longtime director, Brian Vincent, recently left the group due to health reasons. The organization is now being run by Laura-Leah Shaw, a former federal Green Party candidate who is also a director of the Animal Defence and Anti-Vivisection Society of B.C. Birthistle said STOP is focusing on trying to push the CCAC to enact a moratorium on Category D and Category E experiments. They’re also looking into concerns about possible animal research to take place in the soon-to-be-completed Djavad Mowafaghian Centre for Brain Health on campus. U

4 | NEWS |

THURSDAY, JANUARY 3, 2013

FRATeRniTieS >>

Zeta Psi comes back

GEOff LISTER fILE phOTO/ThE UBYSSEY

Members of UBC’s established fraternities welcomed new members in September.

Ming Wong Senior News writer

A previously shut down fraternity is making its return to campus. A colony has been formed to work towards reviving the UBC chapter of the Zeta Psi fraternity, which has been inactive for 20 years. “UBC’s always been a big chapter for Zeta Psi, and it was always a priority to get the chapter restarted here again,” said Tysen Potter, second-year economics student and president of the recently established Zeta Psi colony on campus. Potter said the colony functions as a branch of the fraternity, but the 22 members, including Potter himself, are just Zeta Psi pledges at this point. They will need to be initiated sometime this term by fraternity

elders. Then they officially become brothers, and the chapter will fully restart. The colony restarted in October 2012. According to Potter, the pledges have since acquainted themselves with the UBC Greek system, planning and participating in events. “So charities, parties, school events — [we’re] just trying to do everything,” said Potter. The UBC chapter of Zeta Psi, known as the Sigma Epsilon chapter, was first established in 1926. But the chapter was shut down in 1993 due to financial issues involving renovations and high rent at their fraternity house. Now, the colony is starting over with a clean slate. Potter said they will most likely have a fraternity house off campus next year, along with a meeting room on campus. They’re a general-purpose fra-

ternity open to men from all university faculties, but Potter said Zeta Psi often attracts business students. “We happen to have a lot of business students in many of our chapters around the globe, and therefore, some campuses have a more business-skewing chapter than others. “ The colony is not currently affiliated with the UBC InterFraternity Council, a group that links UBC’s main fraternities. Although Zeta Psi International is a member of the North American Interfraternity Conference (as are all of UBC’s current InterFraternity Council members), the UBC chapter will still need to submit a formal application to be part of the local council. The complete application procedure needs to be revised, because there hasn’t been a new UBC fraternity applying for membership in the last 20 years. “We’re definitely open to the idea and we would like more fraternities to come to campus,… [but] we have to assess whether it’s in our best interest to welcome them,” said Gene Polovy, UBC InterFraternity Council president. Benefits of joining include being added to the council’s social calendar, holding social events with sororities and gaining affiliation with the university. Potter said the colony is discussing with Zeta Psi elders whether or not they want to be affiliated with the council. Potter said the next step for the colony is to build their reputation around campus. “Right now it’s just continuing to build the positive word of mouth about us and continue to grow and start to do more with the campus,” he said. U

ReAL eSTATe >>

Concern over Musqueam development prompts study

COLIN ChIA fILE phOTO/ThE UBYSSEY

The University Neighbourhood Association approved $15,000 for a study of leasehold property values at a meeting in the Old Barn Community Centre.

Laura Rodgers News editor

Some owners of leasehold properties on UBC campus are concerned about their property values being affected by a new development planned for nearby Musqueam land, and they’ve commissioned a study to examine how they can maintain their investment in Vancouver’s oft-volatile housing market. The University Neighbourhoods Association (UNA), the campus residents’ association and quasi-municipal body, has given $15,000 to former UNA director and lawyer Jim Taylor to commission research on maintaining the value of campus leasehold properties. Private residents on UBC campus don’t own their condos and townhouses outright, but lease the land from the university on 99-year terms. According to the UNA, residents are generally happy with the terms of their leases. But with over 1,000 new leasehold properties slated to be built on the Musqueamowned Block F, a 22-acre patch of land between Acadia Park and University Boulevard, some want to examine whether the flood of new properties will affect the housing market at UBC. The Musqueam Band is currently holding a series of consultations about its plans to develop the land, which was returned to them by the province in a 2008 reconciliation agreement. It’s now land the Musqueam hold privately, not reserve land, and they want to start building a residential development, a hotel and commercial properties by 2014. “There’s no question that the success of a surrounding development will have an impact on the success of our community in terms of leasehold values,” said Jim Taylor. “UBC is doing a marvellous job, but I do know this is something, at Block F, they’re looking at very carefully.” Taylor had previously expressed stronger concerns about the Block F development’s effect on UBC property values, arguing at the UNA annual general meeting in September, “If we have a whole body of lower-priced leases close to us, inevitably that will bring down the price of our leases.” The agenda from the Dec. 11 UNA meeting when the $15,000 grant was approved alludes to other nearby developments, saying, “There can be a significant impact on the value of the lease if leases in surrounding areas are not as good.” Taylor said the money is going toward research comparing leasehold property values with similar properties in Vancouver, and legal analysis of the terms of UBC residents’ leases. Taylor’s law firm, Taylor Jordan Chafetz, will perform the research. He says none of the money will be going to himself. Taylor plans to use information from the research to write a series of articles in The Campus Resident , a UNA-run newspaper. UBC leasehold properties are

in a highly desirable location and tend to have high values, even when compared to property that can be bought outright within Vancouver proper. But other leasehold properties, such as those on Musqueam reserve land off Southwest Marine Drive near 41st Avenue, have shorter terms than the 99-year agreements at UBC. In that case, Taylor argued that volatility and confusion over the cost of the leases caused leasehold property values to dip considerably below similar wholly owned properties in Vancouver. Musqueam councillor Wade Grant said he encourages any research that can yield information about the community impact of the Block F development. “We want to work in partnership to the community, so we develop something they’d be happy with, because we know they’ll be living next door to Block F. So we want to make sure we go above and beyond on any consultation we have with them.” He said the Musqueam will examine the lease terms of UBC residents, and they plan to offer similar 99-year leases for Block F leasehold properties. Grant said the dispute over the lease terms on Musqueam reserve land bears no relation to what will happen at Block F. “That lease was negotiated over 40 years ago. That was reserve land; this is very different. Those are terms that were negotiated before I was even born.” Despite the concerns expressed by Taylor, UNA chair Richard Alexander, who motivated for the motion at the UNA meeting, said that the study wasn’t commissioned due to the possible impact of the new development. “It’s more for general information. I’m not sure that we viewed it from the point of view of Block F being a liability.... It wasn’t so much out of fear, but it was out of the opportunity to better inform owners.” Alexander said he is optimistic that the Block F properties will have good leasehold terms. “The Musqueam Nation has been through [leasehold difficulties] already, and they’ve learned from it. So I don’t see a repetition in Block F of the issues they had off Southwest Marine Drive.” The motion to commission the $15,000 study was contentious at the UNA meeting, with two UNA board members, Charles Menzies and Shaohong Wu, voting against the motion. Menzies said there should have been an open application for other researchers to take on the project, rather than immediately awarding it to Taylor’s firm. Menzies charged that Taylor’s longstanding involvement with the UNA could pose a conflict of interest. He also said the UNA might be more worried about Block F than they should be, saying, “It always makes me worried when non-Aboriginal people get upset with what Indians are doing.” U

THURSDAY, JANUARY 3, 2013 |

EDITOR C.J. PENTLAND

rugby >>

Men’s rugby aims for club playoffs

UBC faces strong competition in new schedule Andrew Bates Managing Editor, Web

For the first time in years, the UBC men’s rugby team will head into the spring season with a set league schedule. The Thunderbirds usually play only exhibition and rivalry games in the spring, but this year they will also continue the second half of a second-division B.C. club league. “We’ve got rugby basically coming out of every pore of our body,” said UBC head coach Spence McTavish. “We haven’t lost a game yet, neither has the second team lost a game yet, and we’re kind of hoping that we’re going to go to the provincial playoffs.” UBC, which has a first, second and third team, is currently sitting in second place in the Okanagan Spring Brewery League One table with 36 points. The first-place team earns promotion to the B.C. premier league, but UBC will potentially look a lot different next year due to many players graduating. “Last year we graduated about 15 players, and we graduated all of our big guys. Now we’ve got a small team but we’re fairly mobile,” McTavish said. “We’re probably going to graduate another eight forwards and another seven backs this year.” The team’s goal will be to win the league, but McTavish said a potential move up will be based on a year-end questionnaire completed by the players. “This happened back in 2000,” said McTavish. “Almost a whole team graduated and they wanted us to play in the Premier League, and I just said, ‘Well, it doesn’t make any sense. We’ll just get the shit kicked out of us.’ “I think they enjoy the rugby they’re playing right now, but we’ll find out.” McTavish said that UBC’s promising year can continue if team members avoid injuries. “There’s

Thunderbird teams take home two tournament titles C.J. Pentland Sports + Rec Editor

T-Birds cruise to three victories in Alberta

geoff lister photo/THE UBYSSEY

UBC currently sits in second place in the Okanagan Spring Brewerly Leage One table.

three or four good teams in this first division league, and we’re going to have to be at the top of our game,” he said. “If we can maybe stay a little bit healthier, that will probably help us a little bit.” There may be some player absences since league games stretch into the exam period and the playoffs are scheduled for May; as well, five to seven players are looking to take part in Canadian under-20 national team tryouts in February and March. “There’s an upside to that too, because you get someone who’s a freshman or just a second-year an opportunity,” he said. “Sometimes they shine like a star and sometimes they get a real dose of reality on what they have to do.” The Thunderbirds will also get visitors from other universities, including Oregon State University on Feb. 2. The University of Victoria will also visit in March for the second half of the Wightman’s Boot series. They will also go to the Canadian University Sevens tournament in Langford, B.C. and play the 92nd edition of the ‘World Cup,’ a home and away series with UC Berkeley.

Last year Cal took the tie 46-20. McTavish said the match will be exciting, and Berkeley’s team for the matches in February and March is a relative unknown. “I have no idea what Cal is going to be like, [but] they’re always pretty good. I know they’ve lost a few guys, but they seem to have a rugby factory down there,” he said. “Every year is a new year for us and for them; it’s always exciting playing against them.” It will be a big year for the UBC’s graduating players, led by captain Alex Kam. “He just destroys guys opposite him. His technique’s so good and he’s so strong,” McTavish said. “He’s a really good leader, he’s quiet, he leads by example, he’s got a cool head about him.” According to McTavish, the reality of graduating only sinks in for senior players when they reach certain milestones. “I don’t think it really kind of hits them until when we go to play Cal down there,” he said. “There might be four big games where they say, ‘It’s my last game in my Thunderbird career.’… They try to take in as much as they possibly can.” U

The UBC women’s basketball team used the winter break to gear up for the second half of the season. They headed to Calgary this past weekend and won the Ranger Inspection Holiday Hoops tournament, going undefeated over their three games there. They prevailed 77-51 over the University of Lethbridge and 55-48 over the University of Calgary, and capped off the tournament by defeating McMaster University 66-56 in the final game. It was a strong team effort in all three games, which bodes well as the team heads into the second half of the season. Every player saw playing time over the weekend and contributed in some form. The standout performance came from fifth-year Leigh Stansfield, who had one of her best games as a T-Bird against McMaster, pouring in a career high 23 points to go along with seven rebounds. “Leigh had a dominating outing and was efficient offensively and effective defensively,” said UBC head coach Deb Huband. “Overall, the team shows signs of growth and improvement, and I’m excited for the second part of the season.” It was a strong second half that propelled the ’Birds to a Canada West championship last season. Currently tied for second in the Canada West Pacific division thanks to their 7-3 record in league play, the T-Birds continue the regular season on Jan. 11 when they head to Winnipeg to take on the University of Manitoba. They come back home the following weekend to face the University of Brandon and University of Regina on Jan. 18 and 19, respectively.

T-Bird volleyball continues strong play en route to a gold medal The UBC men’s volleyball team continued their strong play by capturing the McDonald’s International men’s volleyball tournament at Thompson Rivers University this past weekend. The Thunderbirds went 2-1 during the tournament en route to the gold, winning over TRU and Pepperdine University, which is the No. 4 ranked team in NCAA Division 1 men’s volleyball. The ’Birds dropped their first two sets against Pepperdine in the opener, but stormed back in the final three to win in five sets. Fifth-year David Zeyha led the way with 14 kills on 24 attacks; his play coming off the bench was instrumental in helping settle down the UBC offensive attack and lead the team to the comeback. Pepperdine exacted some revenge the following day, taking down the T-Birds three sets to one, but UBC was still able to make it to the final to take on TRU. In the gold medal game, UBC took down the Wolfpack in four sets. “I thought we played a little better tonight than we did yesterday against Pepperdine,” stated UBC head coach Richard Schick. “I thought we competed at a more consistent effort tonight other than the third set and I thought TRU put a lot of pressure on our servers in that third set.” The CIS No. 6 ranked T-Birds are 8-4 on the regular season and are in fourth place in the Canada West. After a first half of the season that saw them play three of the top five teams in Canada, the second half will be a bit easier, which gives the T-Birds a shot at hosting a home playoff game. UBC will carry their seven-game regular season win streak into their home series against the University of Winnipeg on Jan. 11 and 12. U

swimming >>

A frigid beginning to the new year

C.J. Pentland Sports + Rec Editor

It takes a certain type of person to voluntarily jump into freezing water, and those people are usually the sort who also go skydiving and wear shorts in the winter.

While the majority of students probably spent Jan. 1 holed up in bed, avoiding noise and direct sunlight, the true warriors were plunging into the Pacific Ocean for the 93rd annual Polar Bear Swim at English Bay. Over 2,200 hearty souls showed up to the Vancouver beach to ring in 2013 in style, with many others showing up at similar events in places such as White Rock and Tsawwassen. Why would anyone want to run into seven degree Celsius water on the first day of the year? Well, from firsthand experience — this year was my 21st time taking the plunge — there are a number of great reasons.

You need to cure your hangover Rushing into that water diminishes any headache or any other type of pain, and getting out leaves you feeling like a new person. It may sound absurd, but frigid water really does feel refreshing.

You are still drunk from New Year’s festivities Liquid courage is often the way to

I’ve never experienced anything so brutally cold in my entire life, but I’ll be back next year. Ryan Hass UBC student

You just like to swim

new one.

There is a prize for the person who can swim 100 metres out to the buoy first. Sure, it might be a bit different from the heated pool at the community centre, but that’s no fun.

You are protesting something

You are simply an idiot

There is always that one person just standing in the water and holding a sign in hopes of garnering media attention. (No one likes that person.)

Enough said. So, what’s stopping you? You’ve got 362 days to discover your reason to attend for the next instalment of this very Canadian tradition — that should be enough time, even for a university student. Just don’t make your reason “YOLO.” U

Over 2,200 brave souls went out to English Bay on Jan. 1 to take part in the 93rd annual Polar Bear Swim.

go, because when you’re standing on the beach waiting for the pack of people to start moving into the water, the nerves are there — no matter how many times you’ve done it.

every year as well: the Vikings, the Mexicans, the Gladiators ... However, the dude in the pink speedo with the bubble on his head wasn’t there this year.

You can dress up

You want a fresh start

My father has done the Polar Bear Swim for 35 years now; he and his friends dress up as Santa, Rudolph and other reindeer and elves. I always spot others who dress up

Dunking under the water washes away any bad memories from the previous year, and leaves you rejuvenated and refreshed for the

photo courtesy Ron Caves/flickr

You are a thrillseeker

6 | FEATURE |

THURSDAY, JANUARY 3, 2013

he Centre for Interactive Research on Sustainability, or CIRS, is new to campus; its construction was completed in August 2011 and habitation began in September 2011. While glass and geometric patterns give CIRS a high-tech edge, the building’s design offers more than looks; there are a number of inventive energy-saving features. Photovoltaic cells, integrated into one side of the building, heat water and generate electricity. A massive trellis across the front of the building allows a “living wall” of vines to grow; the plants create shade in the summer and let in light after the leaves fall in the winter. Inside, the building is primarily lit by daylight, which saves on energy. The 450-seat auditorium, for example, is entirely day-lit.

uilt to foster an interdisciplinary learning environment, the Irving K. Barber Learning Centre has the architecture to match: the building blends stone and glass, old and new. In 2003, a team of three architecture firms was chosen to design a new learning centre at UBC. The caveat: the historic Main Library, one of the oldest buildings on campus, had to be incorporated into the design. The stone structure was built in 1925 and used to stand alone. Now, it’s still visible from East Mall, embedded in the middle of the Irving K. Barber Learning Centre. Ron Beaton, who was a project architect from the Downs Archambault firm, recalled how the main concept of the design was to allow

John Robinson, one of the authors of the project and UBC’s associate provost on sustainability, worked on making the building a reality for over 10 years. Only in 2008, after UBC became the sole owner of the development, was CIRS developed into 61,000 square feet of sustainability. According to Robinson, CIRS is the only building in the world known to be net-positive in both environmental and human terms. “Unlike most of the so-called ‘green buildings,’ we are not only minimizing the damage done to the environment, but are also trying to maximize the building’s environmental integrity and human well-being,” he said.

“It is not enough to just impose sustainability on people,” continued Robinson. “Through creating engagement processes in the building, we are trying to convert its occupants into inhabitants. “An occupant is just a passive recipient of the building: he can maybe open his window or turn on the light, and that is it. An inhabitant, on the other hand, has a sense of place and participation in the building’s systems.” Preliminary research results show that just the awareness of being in a sustainable building changes human behaviour. Ongoing research is conducted on the centre’s performance to allow “tuning” of the building, continuously improving it over time. CIRS is the kind of

building that is always developing and, quite literally, growing. And through creating this showcase of sustainable architecture, the founders of CIRS hope to transform the whole UBC campus. “Some of the principles developed in CIRS are now being applied across the campus,” said Robinson. “Examples include sustainability hubs, water treatment facilities and day-lighting. The use of low-carbon-emission construction materials, such as wood, has also increased. UBC is starting to realize that sustainability isn’t just inside a building; it’s a neighbourhood phenomenon. I think that now the university pays much more attention to integration of its projects with surrounding natural systems.” U

the Main Library to be the principal feature of the building. “One of the key things of the design was that the height of the [new] building should not dominate the existing building,” he said. A major complication arose when the engineers discovered that the structure of the Main Library was extremely poor. “We basically had to take the existing building 100 per cent apart,” Beaton said. “We removed all the stone and reinstalled it again.” Christopher Macdonald, a UBC architecture professor, said that the choice to maintain the Main Library caused a few difficulties in accessing the Learning Centre. In the Gothic style of archi-

tecture, the main entrance is typically raised from the rest of its surroundings. “It was a normal thing to do ... in classical and Gothic architecture, whereas in our era, you want to come in at the level of your surroundings,” he said. “So a strange thing happens in the [front] where you come in and immediately have to go upstairs to go to where you want or try and find the elevator.” Irving K. Barber, the building’s patron, was very involved throughout the process. Macdonald said that typically, donations by patrons are made at arm’s length, but Barber was an exception. “Mr. Barber was unusually [more] involved than most

people who are benefactors to the university,” he said. “And he was very clear that he wanted it to be a centre of outreach even beyond the campus.” About 23,600 square feet of glass was used just for the north wing. Gili Meerovitch, the project architect from the Pfeiffer Partners firm, explained that this generous use of glass allows the building to be energy efficient. It also allows the surrounding campus to be seen from inside, which fosters a sense of connection. “By removing visible barriers, the users would feel they are part of the campus landscape,... that they belong at the campus,” said Meerovitch. U

Veronika Khvorostukhina

Tarana Rana

beHin ARcHiTecTURe >>

bUiLD

When rushing be in the rain, you’re spending much t the buildings aro the past 85 years has produced som architectural pie supplement gives some of the stand at UBC.

THURSDAY, JANUARY 3, 2013

nD THe D

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etween classes e probably not time admiring ound you. Over s, this campus me distinctive eces. This s a quick look at ndout structures

esigned by renowned Canadian architect Arthur Erickson, the Museum of Anthropology’s architecture is celebrated as much as its eclectic exhibits and collection of First Nations art. “It is a remarkable building, and Arthur’s greatest work,” said Jill Baird, curator of education and public programs at the museum. “The entire site works with the building. It’s brilliant, coming down from the staircase into the narrow alley and then being offered the view of the Great Hall with the totem poles and the glass walls to the outside. It’s a brilliant piece of architecture. It is also sensitive to the history of architecture, to the history of this place and the material it houses.” Sherry McKay, associate profes-

estled in trees and accessible only through a forest path, the Asian Centre has been the home of the Asian Library and the department of Asian studies for the last 31 years. Its most recognizable feature is its low-hanging, pyramid-shaped roof, crowned with a Japanesestyle pagoda chimney. “The space itself is very modern in the materials, in the detailing and its general geometric shape,” said Sherry McKay, associate professor of UBC’s School of Architecture and Landscape Architecture. “But it also evokes through this large roof, without being specific, a kind of Eastern sensibility. “The roof comes down practically to the ground and you just

| FEATURE | 7

sor at the UBC School of Architecture and Landscape Architecture, pointed out how the building transitions seamlessly into the surrounding landscape, which was designed by famous landscape architect Cornelia Oberlander. “Arthur had a kind of sensibility that he organized around certain points,” said McKay. “The idea of the path, relating the building to its surroundings, the cadence of the register of the human body as it moves through the spaces.... There is a relationship with nature that is so evident in the building. The glass wall and the path, the space on the interior and the spaces around the building are all part of the design.”

The Museum of Anthropology opened in 1976, and two new wings were added in 1990 and 2008. Though architects and theorists have commented on the post-modern qualities of the museum’s architecture, McKay disagrees. “I don’t think Erickson was post-modern. I think he just designed that way. He had a different education,” she said. “Arthur also travelled internationally, to India and to other places that left a really strong impression on him, especially Japan. Those experiences come out in his buildings, and he wasn’t so tied to a canon.” “The experiences and knowledge are translated through his work,” said Baird. “It isn’t that he

used indigenous architecture in the design of the buildings, but it informed him, as did Shinto shrines from Japan.” McKay noted the cultural value that the museum brings to UBC. “The social and cultural value of the building is in what it holds. It is a building in which the architect was given the possibility of designing something extraordinary. It doesn’t appear impinged upon by normative rules. The university took a chance. They let this unusual building be built,” she said. “Anyone who comes to Vancouver comes to see the building. Some people come to see the building, and then the exhibits. We need more buildings like that.” U

kind of slip under. And the way that it is sited in the landscape, that’s very much a kind of Eastern philosophy of the land.” Even the steel girders that hold up the roof fit with the Eastern theme. “It allows you to get elegant profiles and also to have a repetitive pattern, which is also part of that aesthetic,” said McKay. The forest path to access the building keeps the Asian Centre close to its environment. “It’s even the colour of the building, so it doesn’t stand out against the garden and when you view it from the garden. It looks like it belongs to it — the kind of shared space that you have in Japanese landscape,” said McKay.

The Asian Centre’s distinctive roof wasn’t built at UBC. The late Dr. Shotaro Iida, who was an assistant professor of religious studies at UBC, attended the 1970 World Expo in Osaka, Japan. There, the roof of the Sanyo Pavilion building caught his eye. Iida asked the director of the Sanyo Corporation to donate the roof structure of the pavilion as a gift to UBC. In 1981, the Asian Centre was officially opened. Eleanor Yuen, head librarian of the Asian Library, said she feels that the building is a window into a variety of Asian cultures, despite its Japanese origins. “I do take pride in the environment and the beautiful design,

the architecture of this building, which people of different ethnicities, especially of Asia, can relate to,” she said. Yuen said that the architecture of the Asian Centre has become iconic in its own right. “People recognize it just as much as they recognize the Nitobe Garden.” McKay noted the building’s uniqueness on campus. “My experience of Japan, Korea and China is there is often a lot of large spaces, and we have a lot of small spaces on campus, so to have one large space is nice,” said McKay. “It’s a calmer building that’s much more related to its immediate surroundings and not to the grand plan of the Main Mall or West Mall.” U

Maitrayee Dhaka

Lauren Dixon

THURSDAY, JANUARY 3, 2013 |

EDITOR ANNA ZORIA

new YeAR >>

Five resolutions you won’t keep

The start of the new year brings high hopes — and unreasonable expectations

Rhys Edwards Senior Culture writer

new year and a new semester represent a fresh start for you, the intrepid university student. You spent your first few months of the school year wallowing in self-indulgence. After all, why should you spend the best moments of your life withering in some musty academic hall, when you could be in the euphoria of an alcohol-induced stupor?

But you realize, now, that it’s time to get serious. The first semester seemed like a merry jaunt, interrupted only by the plight of finals; the second semester, however, will be your last chance this year to maintain a passing grade. Failure here could mean a repeat over summer — a most terrible fate. And so, you make New Year’s resolutions. Will they hold up? Probably not. Survey the following list to learn why.

You’ll eat Better The resolution: You see those other students around campus: the ones with Tupperware packed full of healthy snacks and vittles, serene smiles adorning their acne-free faces. As you chow down on a burger outside the Pit, you resent them for their superior dietary standards. So you’ve resolved to join them in their culinary splendour. Why you’ll fail: Your delicate cucumber, hummus and watercress sandwich gets squashed in its plastic bag when it is mercilessly shoved into your backpack. Then, a surprise assignment forces you to stay on campus late; desperate for a source of nourishment, you dash into the nearest cafeteria and spend $8 on coffee and delicious, calorie-packed baked goods.

right? All of your friends are already there.

You’ll eXercise more

The resolution: That Freshman 15 is quickly turning into a Sophomore 20. There’s no excuse to not be fit, particularly since access to both the Birdcoop and the REC centre is relatively inexpensive. What’s more, you’ve learnt that regular exercise is a central component of the healthy mind you need for studying. So you buy the most flattering sweatpants you can afford and sign up for a gym membership. Why you’ll fail: Amidst a sea of sweaty bodies and impossibly toned torsos, you realize that exercise is already incorporated into your everyday routine. After all, lugging a bag full of heavy textbooks across campus is no less strenuous, and requires much less investment and embarrassment on your part. Your weight is probably a result of systemic stress caused by over-studying; you just need to relax more.

You’ll studY harder

The resolution: Last year, you barely scraped by with a passing grade in a course you thought you could breeze through. You know that things are only going to get harder, so you affirm to yourself that from now on, you’ll manage your time with virtuosity. You’re even going to read the optional texts! Professors will marvel at your acuity. Why you’ll fail: After half an hour immersed in your notes, you take a five-minute break — the recommended routine for rigorous study. You’ll get up for a snack, and, on the way to the kitchen, notice that your entire apartment needs to be cleaned ... right now. Or, being the insightful researcher that you are, you’ll look up an ambiguous term on Wikipedia. An hour later, you’ll realize you’re reading the plot summary of Fifty Shades of Grey.

You’ll get inVolVed in cluBs The resolution: With a pang of regret, you realize that you didn’t attend a single meeting for any of the ten clubs you signed up for on Clubs Days. You’re missing out on valuable opportunities to socialize, make new connections and develop extracurricular skills. You check your planner and make a date for the next event. Why you’ll fail: After a day of schoolwork and several hours of labour at your part-time job, you’re exhausted — and you haven’t even started your assignments yet. The prospect of going out for another round of sustained concentration suddenly seems less attractive. You’ll just have to miss the meeting this week, but you promise yourself to go to the next one. Besides, Facebook is like a giant club anyway,

You’ll go to Bed earlier The resolution: With memories of December’s horrific all-nighters and nauseous hangovers burned deep into your skull, you’ve come to understand that sleeping isn’t an optional pastime. You need at least seven hours to get by, so from now on, you’ll be asleep no later than 11 p.m. Why you’ll fail: No one does this. U

THURSDAY, JANUARY 3, 2013

| CULTURE | 9

MUSic >>

Furtado still wowed by hometown crowd

Resolve to get published!

Island native kicks off tour with January dates in Victoria, Vancouver

Spend winter break vowing to get more involved on campus? You’re in luck! The Ubyssey is looking for term two volunteers! whether you want to write, shoot, edit, draw, design, or just have ideas, The Ubyssey is the place for you. message one of the editors below for more information about their section. News: Laura Rodgers and Will McDonald

Breaking news, elections coverage, campus politics news@ubyssey.ca

Culture: Anna Zoria

Art, theatre, music, lifestyle culture@ubyssey.ca

Features: Natalya Kautz

indepth, investigative, Our Campus proﬁ les features@ubyssey.ca

Sports + Rec: CJ Pentland

Varsity sports and student recreation sports@ubyssey.ca

Opinion: Jonny Wakeﬁeld

Last words, columns and commentary coordinating@ubyssey.ca phOTO COURTESY MARY RIZZO

furtado, who grew up in a portuguese family in victoria, says she still gets nervous about playing for a home crowd.

Tia Low The martlet (University of Victoria)

VICTORIA (CUP) — Victoria native Nelly Furtado has come full circle in her life and musical career, a fact reflected in her latest album, The Spirit Indestructible. The tour for The Spirit Indestructible kicks off in Victoria on Jan. 8. This is Furtado’s first English album since 2006’s Loose, which received the most global success of her discography. Since then, she has also come out with a Spanish album, Mi Plan, and a best-of album. But after a 12-year career, Furtado still gets nervous before playing a show, especially in Victoria. “You really feel the pressure when your family is there. Not in a bad way, but you really want to deliver and put your best foot forward,” she says. Furtado, who has lived in Toronto since starting her career, launches a 23-city tour across Canada on Jan. 8 at the SaveOn-Foods Memorial Centre in Victoria. Furtado plays at the Commodore Ballroom in Vancouver the next night on Jan. 9. “Victoria has done so much for me, and I’m so grateful for the support over the years,” she says. “[The city’s] got great vibes. It’s a fun way to launch a tour in your hometown.” As a child of Portuguese immigrants, growing up in a multicultural community in Victoria exposed Furtado to world music, which continues to be her main influence today. “There were a lot of other first-generation Canadians who had a lot to teach me. I was always quite musical and was always adapting and learning new styles of music from my friends,” says Furtado. “Victoria’s a really unique place. First of all, probably because of its British, colonial roots, which obviously makes

an impact on the city. Also, the strong Coast Salish influence and the web of multiculturalism within that.” Furtado, who married in 2008 and has a seven-year-old daughter, felt overworked after her Loose tour and took a break. The high-energy sounds of The Spirit Indestructible are a reflection of some big life changes that took place during that hiatus, including her travels to Africa and her work as an ambassador for Free the Children, an international youth charity. “Becoming an ambassador for them really reignited a sense of hope,” she says. “The Spirit Indestructible is about a lot of the people I met with really indestructible spirits, and that we can overcome anything.” The new album is also reminiscent of her first two albums, Whoa! Nelly and Folklore. This may be particularly interesting for long-time fans who got a shock from the Timbaland-produced Loose, which featured more mainstream and club-ready tunes. “In my travels, I kind of found myself again. I travelled full circle to a place in my heart, a place of innocence and purity, which existed on my first album as well.” One of Furtado’s favourite songs on the album is “Bucket List,” which is about putting love above everything on your bucket list. “If you put love at the bottom of the list, then maybe it’s not worth doing all the other things. I think I’ve found that. I’ve really found true balance in life that I think is probably reflected in that song,” she says. Rodney “Darkchild” Jerkins, who has worked with Janet Jackson, Lady Gaga and Destiny’s Child, produced most of the songs on The Spirit Indestructible. “He and I have this real innerchild-like connection. That made

it extremely fun and exciting to be in his studio,” says Furtado. Furtado says a new songwriting process also makes the album strong lyrically. “It was my first time writing in English again for a couple years. When I wrote my Spanish album, I had to think about theme and metaphor and song mechanics. When it was time to write The Spirit Indestructible, it kind of forced me to think about song structure again in a new way.” The singer shows no signs of slowing down and has plans to keep diversifying her musical style. Early in 2013, she is releasing a Portuguese song with Andrea Bocelli called “Corcovado,” produced by fellow Victorian David Foster. “I’m like a musical explorer; I always want to learn more. It’s relentless, the thirst I have for music. It’s kind of unquenchable. I think I’m going to spend my life quenching those thirsts. Like a true explorer, you never want to visit the same place twice.”

FURTADO IN VANCOUVER

the shoW

•

Nelly furtado will perform in vancouver on Jan. 9

•

At the Commodore Ballroom

•

Guests include Dylan Murray and Jessica Tyler

•

Tickets start at $35

Photos: Kai Jacobson

Photography and illustration art@ubyssey.ca

Print: Jeﬀ Aschkinasi

graphic design and layout printeditor@ubyssey.ca Web: Andrew Bates

Social media, programming, multimedia webeditor@ubyssey.ca Video: David Marino

Video production and news reading video@ubyssey.ca

THURSDAY, JANUARY 3, 2013 |

STUDENT vOICE. COMMUNITY REACh.

Hoping for progess on post-secondary in 2013

LAST WORDS

KATICHISMS

by Gordon katic

ANNA ZORIA ILLUSTRATION/ThE UBYSSEY

in Which We acknoWledge the neW Year

Welcome to 2013! If you’re a UBC student, chances are that thus far, the new year has been a perfect storm of bleh. For one, you’re probably reading this on Jan. 3. That means if you went out of town for the holidays, you had to travel, completely haggard, the day after New Year’s Eve. And if you’re especially unlucky, you still have finals held over from last term. More than 4,000 students were told on Dec. 19 that their finals were cancelled due to weather conditions. But as UBC students, we’re well equipped to deal with minor inconveniences. It may be a tough way to come out of several weeks of sleeping in and Netflix, but we’re always optimistic about a new term. Students are rested, no longer downtrodden by finals season, and ready to do that whole “getting involved” thing. So here’s to a fresh start.

is stop uBc animal research facing an insurmountaBle identitY crisis?

Last month, UBC released information on the animals it used in research in 2011. This is the second year in a row that UBC has proactively disclosed information about its animal research, and this time around there was considerably less fanfare. Last year, UBC became the first university in Canada to make such a disclosure. This has been a mixed blessing for animal research opponents. Groups like STOP UBC Animal Research can, on the one hand, claim that their efforts resulted in more openness and discussion about the use of animals in research. STOP has consistently been on the minds of senior administrators. But on the other hand, UBC’s openness has taken the wind out of STOP’s sails. It no longer seems like UBC is being shady

and holding back information that is in the public interest. Everything is above board, and UBC even admits that it can probably do more to reduce animal suffering. But the university still maintains that the alternatives proposed by STOP, like computer modeling and cell cultures, don’t work. Animal research at UBC isn’t going away anytime soon. STOP now faces an identity crisis. They’re also undergoing some major changes. Longtime director Brian Vincent has stepped down due to health reasons, and the group is reorganizing as the Animal Defense and Anti-Vivisection Society of B.C. It’s not entirely clear where the group goes from here. STOP has some ammunition, though. The numbers released this year revealed that UBC subjected more animals to severe and moderate distress in 2011 than in 2010. While UBC is being proactive about the animals it uses, it’s not making any fundamental changes to how research is conducted. At this point, STOP needs to look at its long game. It may be years before they see another victory. And while they’ve secured one-off funding from companies like Lush Cosmetics, that money might dry up if things slow down significantly or if there’s a rough transition in leadership. It’s premature to say that STOP is down for the count. But a year after their biggest victory, it’s clear that the coming years are going to be lean.

in Which We grudginglY admit that the puBlic realm improVements are kind of nice

Like most UBC students, we love complaining about construction. These days, it’s one of the most obvious issues that brings students together. For a full term, we’ve braved one of the most over-the-top construction periods in UBC’s history. We’ve hopped puddles and squeezed between fences,

dodged construction equipment and had classes drowned out by jackhammers. One of the biggest projects has been the Public Realm initiative, a multimillion dollar effort by UBC to improve the drab laneways and paths that connect the interior of campus. Did you notice that new fountain? That’s one of the centrepieces of Public Realm. At first, we criticized the project, as we are wont to do. Wasting all that money on aesthetics, while belts are being tightened across campus? Creating a massive inconvenience for students? Poor show, UBC. Well, now that the fences are coming down, it’s actually kind of nice. The new pathways along Main Mall and around IKB are a vast improvement. Puddles will hopefully be less of a problem. And doesn’t that fountain kind of feel nice and academic? Is this what it’s like to have nice things?

una reaction to musQueam deVelopment smacks of colonialism

As the Musqueam prepare a development that could change the look of the population of the University Endowment Lands, some familiar faces are doing some hand-wringing. The University Neighbourhoods Association (UNA) has commissioned a study to see if the Musqueam development will impact the value of residents’ 99-year leases. They insist they don’t see the Block F project as a liability — though they gave $15,000 to a former UNA director’s law firm to investigate the financial impacts of the development on existing properties. The association loves to stop things from happening on campus, but it’s crazy to think that opposing this massive development could go well for them. Any paranoia about the Musqueam development carries an odd note, given the explosion of development on south campus. After all, it’s not like the UNA was here first. U

This past year was not a good one for post-secondary education. As the economy floundered, pundits from left and right began to question the value of earning a post-secondary degree. With university budget woes, substantial government cuts, ballooning tuition, unprecedented student debt and popular unrest from California to Quebec, it’s hard not to wonder if higher education is a bubble set to burst. Moreover, the idealized view of the university as a meritocratic locus of critical thinking may have finally come to its demise in 2012. There is substantial new evidence to suggest that most students show little to no improvement in analytical capacity after several years of post-secondary education. Additionally, conservative writers assailed university admissions for being “corrupt,” while other researchers demonstrated the widening achievement gap between rich and poor students. At the same time, financial stress has led to an increasing number of students doubting that universities are still stepladders for economic mobility. These challenges, exacerbated by the increasingly competitive nature of universities, have led to a mental health crisis that has driven an alarming percentage of students into severe depression. These problems are not new, but they became obvious to everyone in 2012. Though there is no consensus on how to fix this situation, there is a consensus that a radical solution is necessary. 2013 is a critical juncture for the future of post-secondary education, and students should make their voices heard to ensure this future is one they hope to see. As the Globe and Mail documents, several Canadian universities are undergoing reviews of university budgets according to a formula that relies on quantitative measures to determine the value of university programs, threatening severe cost-cutting to the humanities. At the same time, a chorus of voices have appeared to advocate for increased privatization, includ

ing calls for lifting the tuition cap and installing a two-tiered system of education akin to the U.S. system. These proposals would have elite institutions receive priority funding, while the rest of the schools would emphasize online learning and customization through boutique offerings and expensive “degree badges.” As I argued in a previous column, this is a thinly veiled argument for segregating universities across class lines. In September 2013, UBC is conducting their own experiment in a two-tiered system of education with the Vancouver School of Economics. This boutique program was slated to have a $10,000 per year tuition, until student outrage forced the university to bring down the price tag. Nevertheless, the $7,670 cost remains substantially higher than the average UBC bachelor of arts, demonstrating one direction universities could take in order to solve their budgetary concerns. In student politics, 2013 will be a year in which the AMS needs to decide whether or not it will turn their research of student issues into advocacy for student interests. In 2012, we won an enormous battle to keep market housing out of the heart of campus. The AMS will have to do more for our health than reform the mental health crisis with exam databases and early alert systems; the AMS must play a major role in articulating their vision for a university that is a fundamentally healthy place to attend. If there was a 2012 buzzword, it was MOOCs, or Massive Open Online Courses. MOOCs promise to democratize higher education by opening it up to everyone. However, as UBC rolls out its first MOOC, we should be careful not to let this technology become merely a cynical cost-cutting measure that hollows out the university experience. In the year to come, our leaders will begin to draw up their blueprints to fix higher education. If we are not careful, this “fix” might not be the one we were looking for. Now more than ever, our voices could have a tremendous impact on the future of higher education, so let’s not squander the moment. U

The JHM student journalism awards

ach January, The Ubyssey sends delegates to the Canadian University Press national conference. There are keynote speakers, workshops with professional journalists and probably too much drinking. It’s a great time, and we always come back with fresh ideas and renewed hope that maybe one day we’ll land jobs in this wacky industry. One can dream, right? One of the highlights of this conference is the John H. Macdonald student journalism awards. They’re kind of like the Oscars of Canadian student journalism (okay, maybe they’re more like the Polaris Prize, but they’re still special). We submit our work and a panel of professional journalists/photographers/designers review the submissions and come up with a shortlist. This year, Ubyssey staffers were nominated for seven awards, more than any other student paper in western Canada. It’s a tremendous honour. Here are this year’s nominees:

em>

News writing: A pioneering program for education in refugee camps” by Arno Rosenfeld Humour writing: A university president responds to the World University Rankings” by Jonny Wakefield Humour writing: Broad-based admissions should measure chillness, quality of handshake” by Bryce Warnes Sports writing: Should fighting be allowed in CIS hockey?” by Kaan Eraslan Photography: Tommy Gossland jumps” by Geoff Lister Features writing: Travers Roy Wimble: 1928-2012” by Justin McElroy and Laura Rodgers

Illustration/graphic design: “Showdown in the city: Can Anton or Robertson build a student-friendly Vancouver?” by Indiana Joel U

THURSDAY, JANUARY 3, 2013 |

pICTURES + WORDS ON YOUR UNIvERSITY EXpERIENCE

Tunnels and timidity WHAT YOU SHOULD DO by Dr. Bryce Warnes

Where can I find information on the locations of UBC steam tunnel entrances that still work? Can you tell me how to access them? After all, you ve been there before and this is on The Ubyssey list of things to do before graduation.

NB: I m not eligible to become either an engineer or a frat member, and all the friends I ve asked don t know.

tunnels. Now, not so much. Still thirsty for adventure? Do some exploring of your own. Poke around manhole covers and exhaust vents outside. Note which ones produce steam in cold weather. Try to get access to basements and sub-basements in campus buildings. Draw up a map. Give your friends code names. Buy walkie-talkies. It’s not as complicated as you think. You may find something awesome, and the reward will be that much sweeter if you can do it without help from fratboys, engineers or schlubs like me.

Many thanks, Keen Explorer

I am a shy woman falling for an extroverted guy from class. He is such a catch. Why is he single? Well, that s not my question. He lent me his textbook and I now have his number. He makes me nervous but I know that if we got to know each other, after a while I would be myself and that we could get along real well. If I ask him out and (God forbid) he says yes, what do I do about the first outing where I m nervous as hell? Hey bro, you re going to have to wait til I warm up to you even though I m the one who

Hey Keen Explorer, If the steam tunnels are still accessible (and not SNAFUed by campus construction), it’s only because people don’t blab the entrances to everyone they know. The more keeners who get caught sneaking in there, the more likely parts of the tunnel will be shut off. Rumour has it that back in the day you could get from one side of campus to the other via the

asked you out ? The problem with being shy is that it takes time to break out. Validate my self-worth or something. P.S. I should add that I ve never dated, nor do I drink.

Dear Validate My Self-Worth, It’s easy to overvalue being smooth and suave when you are not. Some people, even outgoing ones, have a thing for introverts. He may find your nervousness as endearing as you find it embarrassing. Opposites don’t always attract. But if this guy is interested in you — that is, if he agrees to your offer of a date — then it could be an instance of the old adage proving true. So don’t pressure yourself to “break out” and spill your guts on the first date. If you want a relationship with this guy, getting past barriers (both your own and his) will be part of the process. Once you get to know him, Extroverted Guy may not be as confident as he seems. U Editor s note: Bryce is not a doctor.

TIME YOU GIVE YOURSELF TO GET TO CLASS

FIRST DAY OF THE NEW SEMESTER Distance from UBC vs. Time you give yourself to get to class

WHITE ROCK, HATING YOUR 9 A.M. CLASS

KERRISDALE, SMART ENOUGH TO HAVE ALL AFTERNOON CLASSES

GAGE RESIDENCE, WAKING UP 5 MINUTES BEFORE YOUR CLASS IN BUCHANAN

MARINE DRIVE RESIDENCE, 5TH YEAR AND SKIPPING YOUR LAST 100-LEVEL CREDIT

SURREY, MISSED YOUR ALARM DISTANCE FROM UBC

HACKÉDEX

YOUR UBC WORD OF THE WEEK

SLC The Student Leadership Conference is the largest student-run conference at UBC. It is sponsored by the Centre for Student Involvement & Careers. Almost all presenters are students or recent UBC alumni. Workshops include topics such as “Fake It ’Til You Become It,” a workshop on body language, as well as “Be Sex Positive,” which informs students about sexual health resources on campus.

STUDY BREAK