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Sports Briefs

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EIC
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Lacrosse

SFU Lacrosse will open their season at home on the Terry Fox Field on Sunday, February 8 at 2 p.m. The team is coming off a year where they went undefeated in their division — the Pacific Northwest Collegiate Lacrosse League (PCNLL) — and won the PCNLL championship. Though they lost to the Colorado State Rams in the first round of the Men’s Collegiate Lacrosse Association (MCLA) national championship, they appear once again posed for success with key contributors returning including team goal scoring leader Tyler Kirkby — who ranked seventh in the whole MCLA with 65 goals.

Wrestling

Last week, the men’s wrestling team competed in two tournaments. The first — the Boxer Open — was held Sunday in Forrest Grove, OR, and resulted in a Clan victory, with Josh Kim claiming first in the 184 lb weight class. Then, on Wednesday, the team team traveled to Oregon, City, OR to compete in the Clackamas Open, where both Kim and redshirt freshman Ben Smyth achieved a fourth place finish in their respective weight classes.

Women’s Basketball

On Thursday, the women’s basketball team fell to the Seattle Pacific Falcons 89–76 on the road. The Falcons opened up the scoring with an early three-pointer, and the Clan were unable to catch up — with the Falcons at one point gaining a 21 point lead. Guard Katie Lowen led the team in scoring with 19 points, while Erin Chambers, Meg Wilson, and Alisha Roberts all put up double digit point totals. For the second consecutive game, forward Rachel Fradgley did not play.

Whitecaps

The Vancouver Whitecaps announced Friday morning that they have hired Clan men’s soccer head coach Alan Koch to coach the Whitecaps FC 2 — their newly formed USL Pro affiliate, which will serve to develop young Whitecaps talent. “[Leaving SFU] was not an easy decision,” Alan Koch said in an SFU Athletics press release. “But I’ve always wanted to coach in the professional game, and to do that without having to relocate is an opportunity I could not pass up.”

With files from SFU Athletics

The best ways to relieve stress the semester

By
EIC
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0

It’s that time of year again. The spring semester is in full swing, and the warm fuzzy feelings left over from the holidays have fizzled out to make room for the dread that has begun to settle in the pits of our stomachs.

The pressure is on, and we are faced with the impossible task of maintaining a healthy balance between school, work, and friends. In order to stay relatively sane during this stressful time, it’s important to develop healthy habits that help us unwind or de-stress. Not all of these rituals work for everyone, so it’s important to find what works for you.

Firstly, you’ve got to get some sleep. This one may seem obvious, but it might be the most important advice there is. According to research at Brown University, 73 per cent of university students claim to have sleeping problems. Though most of us know the importance of a good night’s sleep, many are not achieving the rest we need in order to excel in our daily lives.

If you have trouble sleeping, my advice would be to avoid your cell phone and other technology 30 minutes before bed. The light from these devices inhibits melatonin production in the body, which is a hormone that regulates your internal clock. Another way to score a good night’s sleep is to maintain a semi-consistent sleep schedule. Try going to sleep and waking up around the same time every day. This allows your brain to know when to release the right hormones that either wake you up or make you feel sleepy.

Now, sleep is extremely important, but there always will be times in the semester when the mere thought of a good night’s sleep seems laughable. I’m talking about the times when you have several assignments due, a couple midterms in the near future, and a boss who just asked you to take a few extra shifts at the coffee shop.

Go for a run, walk around the park, or drive to the nearest Dairy Queen and order a Blizzard.

When things begin to seem overwhelming, it’s helpful to take a break and, in the words of Taylor Swift, “shake it off.” Go for a run, walk around the park, or drive to the nearest Dairy Queen and order a Blizzard. To momentarily create distance between you and your problems often puts things into perspective, and allows you to deal with your stress more objectively.

Another way to feel better is to let out all your pent-up emotions. That’s right: remember, it’s okay to cry. It’s okay to call a friend to vent about how stressed you are. It’s okay to do both simultaneously. Give yourself a few minutes to be upset, and then pull yourself together to figure out an action plan for getting back on track.

Finally, it’s important to schedule routinised personal time. Even if it’s only for a couple of hours a week, make sure to fit in some consistent downtime for yourself. Whether you enjoy reading, watching Netflix, going for long runs, or having a drink with friends, allow time to relax and enjoy yourself. Scheduled downtime is different from procrastinating — it’s an allotted time you’ve dedicated to an activity of your choice, not a distraction you’ve spontaneously indulged in.

While this all might seem like common sense, I find it’s helpful to be reminded every now and then. Oftentimes, students become so stressed while consumed with important tasks that the solutions for escape lay forgotten. In that respect, I hope these suggestions help you during this busy semester, and remind you that we are only human — we all need to unwind at some point.

North Korea strikes again in latest celebrity hacking scandal

By
EIC
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0
Photo courtesy of Point Grey Pictures

Hollywood actors James Franco and Seth Rogen are the latest victims in a series of online security scandals.

The same North Korean hackers who allegedly breached Sony Pictures Entertainment back in November of 2014 have been credited with this latest incident. According to reports, the hackers were dissatisfied with Sony’s online release of The Interview, and have reacted by launching a direct attack on the stars of the film: as of last Tuesday morning, both Franco’s and Rogen’s recent online search histories were made publicly available on popular Internet forum 4chan.

“I don’t even know what to say,” Rogen, who also wrote, directed, and produced The Interview, tweeted after the information had been leaked. “You can’t just release a person’s search history. That shit is private, man. My grandmother saw those things.”

Examples of Rogen’s recent Google searches include: “Boobs,” “What is satire,” “Script for Team America: World Police,” and “Jonah Hill weight loss.”

Amongst Franco’s recent Google searches were: “Why do people hate my films,” “How to build hype for a terrible movie,” and “Where can I buy a selfie stick.”

While the complex reasons behind these searches have led to speculation on this new information, The Peak reached out to a professor of psychology at New York University, Edward Shrinkton, to analyse the leaked data.

“The search history reveals a lot about the individual,” suggested Shrinkton. “Rogen predominantly uses the Internet for pornography and to look for creative inspiration, indicating a very basic, almost caveman-like persona. Franco, on the other hand, is a deeply self-conscious individual trying to find his identity in an industry notorious for being artificial and lacking sincerity.”

The incident has since sparked widespread panic, as most people were seemingly unaware that this kind of cyber-crime was even possible. Google has noted a considerable rise in the use of the “incognito” tab in Chrome, as Internet users scramble to eliminate the digital trail of cookie crumbs tracing back to their most personal data.

In addition to the leaked information, Rogen’s personal computer was also wiped clean, destroying five primilinay scripts — including one for The Interview 2: Big Trouble in Little Korea. Because of this, the US government has decided to not retaliate against the other attacks.

A coalition government is not right for Canada

By
Peak Web
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1

As we draw closer to the next federal election in October, most of the political conversation in the nation is now focused on how to defeat the Harper Conservatives, who will be vying for their fourth consecutive mandate. One of the more radical ideas concerns a progressive alliance between the NDP and the Liberals, in which they would run together as a single entity. However, this kind of government is unlikely to happen.

At first glance, the idea makes a lot of sense. After all, it was the successful union of the Progressive Conservatives and Canadian Alliance that led to Stephen Harper’s first electoral victory in 2006. Furthermore, a united left would have led to the loss of the Conservative majority in the last election, assuming that all Canadians voted the same way. So why, then, is this proposed coalition such a poor plan?

For starters, there’s a problem of ego. As the Leader of the Opposition, it would be assumed that Tom Mulcair would be the head of the coalition, but with more popular support in the polls, it is unlikely that Trudeau would yield the first seat. Trudeau also rejected a coalition plan less than a year ago when proposed by Mulcair, stating that he plans “to pursue a winning Liberal strategy [. . .] for 2015.” Because both want the Prime Minister’s job, it appears unlikely that these two men will be able to put aside their differences and unite the left.

It seems unlikely that two parties would be able to put aside their differences and unite the left.

Additionally, one has to take into consideration how difficult it is to unite two parties, even ones who share similar political viewpoints. Currently, we have less than nine months before we head to the polls — not a lot of time to bring together two parties and choose a leader. Uniting the right was an idea that was first talked about in the late ‘90s, and took until 2003 to become a reality. Even then, it was not until the following year that Harper was chosen to be the party’s leader. The Liberals and NDP simply do not have the time to make this change happen.

In any case, one also has to question whether this proposed coalition is the right choice for our country. Coalition governments are notoriously unstable, simply because the two parties that form the government often do not see eye to eye on every issue. As is the case with a minority government, coalitions often have difficulties getting things done, and a failure of the government to pass a bill can be embarrassing in the least. This could lead to the dissolution of the government, and a new election, if the vote happens to be on a confidence issue.

Finally, it may still be too soon to utter the word ‘coalition’ in Canadian political circles. The last time there was a serious proposal of a coalition between the NDP and the Liberals was mere weeks after the Conservatives had won their second minority in the 2008 election, and then-Liberal leader Stéphane Dion had allied with the late Jack Layton and the Bloc Québécois with the intention to go to the Governor General and have themselves declared the government.

This was little more than a vain effort to gain through backroom deals what the parties could not win in an election, and it continues to leave a sour taste in the mouth of many Canadians when they hear talk of a coalition. October’s contest will be a three-way race.

Non-humans of SFU

By
Peak Web
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0

Satellite Signals

By
EIC
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0

Woodward’s

SFU Woodward’s Reel Causes hosted a screening of Dr. Cabbie on the night of Sunday, February 1. The film is the story of an Indian doctor who immigrates to Canada, only to end up driving a cab. Audience members were invited to partake in some “light-hearted humour” with this feature-length film.

 

Surrey

Student were invited to start building their careers figuratively by literally building a lego representation of their career possibilities, ideas, or goals and posting it on social media with the hashtag “#sfucareer.” The contest concluded on Feb. 1, and prizes included gift cards to Metrotown and Surrey Central.

 

Harbour Centre

SFU professor Karen Ferguson presented “Domesticating Dissent in the Black Power Era: Tracing the Historical Roots of the Obama Presidency,” last Thursday, Jan. 29. The talk delved into what Ferguson calls the “central problem” in American democracy: racial inequality. She went on to explore “the historical roots of how and why Obama got to the White House.”

University Briefs

By
EIC
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0

Toronto ranks number one for most sugar babies

University of Toronto was ranked number one for most new sugar babies in 2014 on the popular Sugar Daddy site SeekingArrangements.

The site helps older men seeking the companionship of younger women, who they in turn financially support. The website released their stats earlier this month, revealing University of Toronto as the first highest of Sugar Babies, McGill the second, and the University of British Columbia as the third.

The popularity of the site to university-age women is speculated to be caused by the financial strain of university debt.

With files from Global News

 

Supreme court case defeats UVic pro-life protesters

Student demonstrators at the University of Victoria are claiming that free-speech rights are not protected on campus.

The university’s pro-life club, Youth Protecting Youth Club (YPY), set up an informational booth in September that was vandalized with kitty litter. This isn’t new to the club — they have also had stink bombs and smoke bombs thrown at them in the past year. The university has also repeatedly refused to let the group demonstrate on campus.

A judge has dismissed the petition, saying that the university is not protected as a free-speech zone, but rather an autonomous zone where the university decides what constitutes appropriate free expression.

With files from Rabble

 

University creates bystander intervention program

The University of Ottawa has announced plans for a new bystander intervention program to train administration, students, and full-time coaches on rape culture.

This announcement follows the findings from a task force on respect and equality that made 11 recommendations to president Allan Rock to combat sexual violence.

The task force was created after criminal charges were laid against two hockey players following sexual assault allegations on a men’s hockey trip.

Rock plans on implementing the recommendations, all of which work towards long-term bilingual education on respectful behaviour, preventing sexual assault, and bystander intervention.

With files from Ottawa Citizen

Notes from this month’s Board of Governors’ meeting

By
EIC
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0

SFU’s 50th Anniversary campaign

As of December 31, 2014, SFU has raised $12,899,324 for their 50th Anniversary Campaign, which will mark SFU’s 50th birthday this September. The ultimate fundraising goal is $250 million.

The organizing committee continues to plan myriad events for the occasion, which include a ceremony and evening celebration on September 9, 2015, a week of welcome, several documentary films profiling “SFU changemakers,” and the potential renewal of the annual Shrum Bowl football match against UBC.

 

Decline in 2015 international student enrollment

Provost and VP Academic Jon Driver reported on the preliminary enrolment numbers for spring 2015.
For newly-admitted students, he reported that the university is six per cent below target for international students and eight per cent above target for domestic.

Board member June Francis brought up her concerns that this may be related to the increased tuition fees for undergraduate international students, which are scheduled to rise by 10 per cent per year between 2013–2014 and 2016–2017.
President Andrew Petter replied that this was likely due to faculties failing to reach out to international students. “Is this a function of tuition increases? It isn’t,” he said.

Students dance for change at annual fundraiser

By
EIC
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0

The second annual SFU Dance Marathon kicked off on Saturday, January 24, featuring 12 hours of nonstop energy, infectious songs, and, of course, a whole lot of dancing.

SFU is the first university in Canada to hold a Dance Marathon, with all proceeds raised going towards the BC Children’s Hospital and directed to their area of greatest need, whether that be purchasing new equipment or funding the construction of the new Children’s Hospital facility.

“They do so much more than just provide medical care for the kids,” said Yasamin Houshmand, the event’s tech officer. “They look after their emotional and mental [well-being] as well.”

The first Dance Marathon was held in 1991 by students at Indiana University in memory of Ryan White, their classmate who had passed away from AIDS after receiving contaminated blood treatment when he was younger.

Now, over 200,000 students across North America participate in this event every year to raise funds for their local children’s hospital through the Children’s Miracle Network.

For Caitlyn Schwab, event officer of the Dance Marathon’s executive team, this issue hits close to home. “My cousin is actually being treated at BC Children’s Hospital,” she said. “He has had three open heart surgeries and he is eight years old. We wouldn’t have him if it wasn’t for BC Children’s Hospital and all the amazing work that they do.”

“Events like this help us live out our university motto of engaging the world.”

Sophie Tsai, Morale team member

Prior to the event, Dance Marathon participants asked people to sponsor them in order to reach their individual fundraising goals. A pub night and bottle drives were also held in order to help fundraise.

The event kicked off at 11 a.m. with an opening dance number in Convocation Mall, and moved over to the East Gym in the afternoon. In addition to dancing, there were activities for kids, including face painting and a handprint banner. There were also special speeches from some of BC Children’s Hospital’s Miracle kids, who shared their inspirational stories and thanked participants for their support.

“I think that events like this help us live out our university motto of ‘engaging the world,’” said Sophie Tsai, a member of the morale team. “When students are involved in an event like this, they are more likely to go outside and do other charity work as well.”

Houshmand echoed this sentiment, noting, “The event brings people together from a whole range of disciplines. I am an engineering student and meeting people from lots of other faculties, people I wouldn’t meet outside of my classes.”

She continued, “Being able to interact with each other brings out our biggest sense of community.”

The Dance Marathon came to an end at 11 p.m., with a grand total of $17,161.93 raised for the kids. The 12 hour-long event may have been exhausting, but for the organizers, it was definitely worth it. “Kids don’t get a break from being sick,” said Schwab, “We stand in solidarity with that.”

Board Shorts

By
EIC
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0

SFSS backs transit referendum

At the latest SFSS Board of Directors’ meeting, the board moved to officially support the ‘yes’ vote on the upcoming Metro Vancouver transit referendum.

The referendum, if passed, would fund plans to improve transit infrastructure, including some projects that would provide better service to SFU students.

President Chardaye Bueckert noted that the SFU gondola from Production Way is no longer a part of the recommendations made by the improvement plan.

The society also decided to endorse the Better Transit and Transportation Coalition pledge, which reads, “One of the most important decisions facing Metro Vancouver for the next generation is the 2015 Referendum on transit, transportation, and goods and people movement.

“A positive outcome is a crucial step to expand transportation options, reduce pollution, improve the health of our communities, strengthen our economy, and help make this region a more affordable place to live.”

 

Council Stipend increase

By recommendation of the SFSS Finance and Administrative Services Committee (FASC), the board moved to increase the line item for the council’s stipend by $5075 to accommodate four additional meetings.

The funds will come out of the society’s unrestricted surplus.

VP Finance Adam Potvin suggested implementing a policy to cap the amount of council meetings in the future, saying, “There’s theoretically nothing stopping council from meeting everyday.”

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Simon Fraser University’s independent student newspaper since 1965.

Contact us: [email protected]

© The Peak Publications Society 1965-2024

Simon Fraser University’s independent student newspaper since 1965.

Contact us:
[email protected]

© The Peak Publications Society 1965-2024