<a href="https://the-peak.ca/2014/09/board-shorts-6/" rel="bookmark" title="Board Shorts">Board Shorts

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September 8, 2014

SFU’s Teaching Support Staff Union (TSSU) has filed a grievance against the university based on the claim that SFU is exploiting its international students by imposing an over-costly mandatory health plan.

TSSU spokesperson Melissa Roth stated at a recent town hall meeting on August 29 held by the SFSS that the mandatory health plan is “just one example of how international students are being gouged. [. . .] [The TSSU] would like to be in a coalition with any group that is against this gouging and using international students, frankly, as a cash cow.”

All international students are automatically enrolled in the plan, which costs $336 for the semester. This is more than double the price of the previous plan — which cost $126 — as well as that of plans offered at several local universities.

The provider, Guard.me, was chosen out of a number of bids from cheaper alternatives; the plan itself is the most expensive of the proposed options. It also pays five per cent of each student’s fee back to SFU. “They’re using it to fund the basic budget at SFU,” said Roth.

This coverage is required for students who have lived in BC for less than three months, after which time they are considered a BC resident and may apply to be covered by the BC Medical Services Plan. All residents are legally obligated to enroll in the MSP, which covers all medically required services.

Members of the TSSU can have their MSP premiums covered by the university, and are also eligible to receive 50 per cent of the Guard.me fee back. However, the union is filing a grievance with SFU not only for the increase in fees, but because employees have allegedly only been receiving 25 per cent of the promised 50.

Once an international student can prove they have alternative coverage, such as MSP, they have the choice to opt out of Guard.me — nevertheless, Roth describes doing so as a “complex process.”

The TSSU has also taken issue with the fact that students who have proven alternative coverage are re-enrolled in the plan automatically the following semester. They pointed to the University of Fraser Valley’s model in which coverage is automatically converted to MSP.

TSSU member Derek Sahota told The Peak that when they met with university administration, “[The administration] said some things we found really offensive.”

The university has issued the following statement from associate VP of students, Tim Rahilly, but declined to comment further: “International students are required to carry basic medical insurance, but [. . .] we discovered many of them did not purchase coverage. We have a duty of care for our students and believe that providing a mandatory medical insurance plan for all international students is the best way to ensure their well-being.

“The welfare of our students is an important issue and something we will further discuss with the TSSU at arbitration meetings scheduled in December.”

The TSSU will officially challenge the administration in these meetings on December 4 and 5. They will request that all members be refunded the additional alleged 25 per cent withheld by the university and, while it is not a part of the grievance, the TSSU proposes that SFU reconsider the whole process once the contract with Guard.me is up at the end of 2015.

University Briefs

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September 8, 2014

Powel Crosley and wife Sladjana are pictured in a handout photo. Powel Crosley was lost after his wife died of a rare form of ovarian cancer.But he felt compelled to carry on her fight. THE CANADIAN PRESS/HO ORG XMIT: CPA1494 — Powel Crosley and wife Sladjana

Widower returns to school to study cancer that killed his wife

Widower Powel Crosley has gone back to school at University of Alberta to study the rare form of ovarian cancer that killed his wife.

After taking introductory courses in biochemistry and oncology, one of Crosley’s professors asked him to do lab research alongside masters and doctoral students. Recently, he was awarded $50,000 in grants to continue studying granulosa cell tumour of the ovary, or GCT.

“[My wife’s] motto was: the answer lies in the lab,” said Crosley. “She was pretty persistent about things she believed in. And so I’m just basically completing her mission.”

With files from Canadian Press

U of T student successful on the world stage

University of Toronto fourth year history and political science student and research fellow of North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) Council of Canada, Jozef Kosc, made waves in the foreign policy world this summer at the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) in Paris.

In addition to researching economic development policies for the OECD Observer, Kosc was published in international journals such as Atlantic Voices and The Journal of Political Studies.

He intends to serve his country in the future through work in the Canadian Foreign Service. “Having met diplomats during my time abroad, their duty, drive, and perseverance are qualities I’ve come to strongly admire,” Kosc said.

With files from The Varsity

Campaign raises awareness of mental health issues

The Canadian Federation of Students — Nova Scotia (CFSNS) launched Mental Health Matters this week, an awareness-raising campaign to improve mental health services for university students.

The CFSNS expressed concerns over a lack of services on campus, which can negatively impact students. This is especially important for first years, who face stress from a plethora of issues, such as being away from home, student debt, personal relationships, and their studies.

According to David Pilon, program leader for Special Mental Health Services at Capital Health, 75 per cent of mental health illness starts before the age of 25, meaning university students are particularly vulnerable.

With files from Global News

I choose Mulcair over Trudeau

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September 8, 2014

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In their roles as Prime Minister and Leader of the Opposition, there are very few things that Stephen Harper and Tom Mulcair agree upon, and there is nothing wrong with that. It is the Opposition’s role to disagree with the governing party in order to ensure that any legislation brought forward is given suitable scrutiny before being made into law.

The two men agree on one thing however: Justin Trudeau should not be allowed the keys to 10 Sussex Drive next October, and not just because they want them for themselves.

Though the Liberals currently lead opinion polls for both party support and choice of best Prime Minister, in light of recent events the data should be a bit concerning for the Liberal Party.

Despite their lead, party support has dropped since the last poll, as the Conservatives move to catch up. The same could be said of the leadership poll, which saw Harper tighten the gap between himself and the Liberal Leader.

Though Mulcair and the NDP currently trail the pack, Mulcair has a plan to convince Canadians that he is the true progressive leader Canadians need, and plans to make this clear in the year leading up to the 2015 election.

In contrast to Trudeau’s lack of solid stances on policy, the NDP leader plans to make the party’s stance clear on a variety of issues, including health and child care, First Nations rights, and the environment, to name a few. Mulcair claims he will offer both toughness and deep experience, which is something everyone can agree the Liberal leader is lacking.

The Liberals bank on a man with nothing more to offer than his father’s name and his mother’s looks.

Mulcair’s attacks on Trudeau as being light on policy may have found him an odd ally in the Prime Minister. While the Conservative stance regarding the young leader has never altered from their “he’s not ready” line, the Prime Minister stepped up the rhetoric during his annual Stampede barbeque speech, where he said that “[Trudeau] has [. . .] absolutely nothing of substance to offer.”

Harper spent most of this speech taking aim at Trudeau, without mentioning Mulcair by name, which seems to indicate that either he doesn’t see Mulcair as a threat to a continued Conservative government, or at the very least, sees him as less of a threat to the country than a Liberal government under Trudeau.

One should also take into account both the Prime Minister’s and the Opposition leader’s experience. Though Harper now enjoys a majority government, it is easy to forget that the two minority governments prior to 2011 give the Conservatives the distinction of having the longest lasting minority government in Canadian history, with a total time of just under five years. This is impressive when one considers that the average lifespan of a Canadian minority government is less than 18 months.

But Mulcair is not new to politics either, bringing in 20 years of experience at both provincial and federal levels. In addition, Mulcair is considered by many to be instrumental in helping his predecessor, the late Jack Layton, catapult the NDP from third-party to Official Opposition status in the last election. Do not underestimate this man.

Against these two political giants, Trudeau brings a mere eight years of experience in the political arena. The Liberals are banking on a man who has nothing more to offer than his father’s name and his mother’s good looks. As much as it pains me to admit it, if given the choice between a Liberal or an NDP government, I would cast my vote for Mulcair, who is the lesser of two evils as far as our country is concerned.

Welcome Back SFU

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September 5, 2014

As a new school year begins, so does the common struggles and triumphs of SFU students.

PNE: Why Game of Thrones, why Mosaic Music Series, why now?

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September 2, 2014

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Sex, violence, and war have been a recent recipe for many television series — it seems that without any one of these, a series falls short of becoming a likely success. The popular HBO series, Game of Thrones, derived from George R.R. Martin’s series of fantasy novels A Song of Ice and Fire, leads the way with an audience that spans across generations from teenagers to adults.

The exhibition at this year’s Fair at the PNE gave fans an inside look at the highly acclaimed show, featuring a collection of nearly 100 original artifacts, including elaborate costumes and props such as the Iron Throne. It also featured a 4D interactive Oculus Rift experience that placed attendees within the world of Westeros. Notably, the exhibition was one of the biggest hits of the fair, with line-ups spanning three hours long and reaching its capacity for the day.

“We think that the holistic entertainment program of the 2014 fair has been well received, said PNE spokeswoman Laura Balance, “but certainly the Game of Thrones exhibit has been a very important piece of the overall program. We think it is very much one of the big hits of the fair to date.”

The exhibit is very timely as Game of Thrones has become one of the most talked about shows on television. The show has a cult-based audience captivated by the storyline’s premise: who is the rightful heir to the Iron Throne? It helps, of course, that Game of Thrones depicts its characters as flawed people. We are both captivated and appalled by the actions of its characters: Tyrion Lannister is a master of manipulation with a prodigious capacity for never-ending wine and women, Daenerys Targareyen, better known as the ‘Mother of Dragons,’ leads her faithful unsullied army with strength and determination, and Joffrey Baratheon viciously rules his court. Fairgoers can see many of the costumes, iconic artifacts, weaponry, and crowns that their favourite characters use on screen.

Another fan favourite at this year’s fair was the new Mosaic Music Series that consisted of local, cultural, and iconic acts performed nightly on the Chevrolet Performance Stage. This year’s lineup included some popular local artists such as Victoria Duffield and Hey Ocean! and of course, the 75th anniversary of Vancouver’s legend, Dal Richard’s annual performance at the Fair at the PNE.

Despite the PNE’s effort to reduce admission and parking rates by 20 per cent, last year’s attendance was a low 712,049 — significantly short of its projected 800,000. Balance explained that Game of Thrones is exactly what the PNE needed to stay on top of providing up-to-date entertainment and finally boost attendance. “We are always looking for fantastic entertainment and exhibit opportunities for the fair. When we learned about the Game of Thrones exhibition, we identified that it was a great fit for the fair.” The Fair will have to continue to offer these kinds of innovative experiences to increase attendance and revenue in the coming years.

Five fall albums to look forward to

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September 2, 2014

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Aphex Twin – Syro

Holy shit, seriously? Even Richard D. James’ most diehard fans long ago gave up hope that the mercurial madman would ever follow up his 2001 effort Drukqs with anything other than the occasional reissue. But, lo and behold, after sending a blimp across the sky bearing his stage name and planting release info in the darkest recesses of the Internet, Aphex Twin is finally back with a new studio album. To be honest, I have absolutely no idea what to expect — but that’s part of the fun, right? If nothing else, Syro promises to be one of the most fascinating records in recent memory. I mean, after 13 years of buildup, James can’t let us down now, can he?

Vashti Bunyan – Heart Leap

Underground folkie-cum-Animal Collective collaborator Bunyan has released only two albums across a 40 year career — that makes the upcoming Heart Leap, her third and self-described last LP, worth looking forward to. Bunyan is known and beloved for the gentle, intimate folk that’s best listened to in silence with a cup of tea in hand; something of a rarity in the current musical landscape. With the summer waning and the Vancouver rain promising to return, expect Heart Leap to serve as a perfect companion during those long wintry nights.

Deerhoof – La Isla Bonita

Their follow-up to 2012’s underappreciated Breakup Song, Deerhoof’s upcoming La Isla Bonita is sure to be just as unconventional and noteworthy as the rest of their canon. If press releases and first single “Exit Only” are to be trusted, the record will have more of a rock-’n’-roll flavour than the band’s last few albums; Sonic Youth, Lou Reed, and David Byrne are all said to have been big influences. Deerhoof remain an acquired taste, but once you’ve acquired it, you’ll always be hungry for more — which is exactly what La Isla Bonita promises. (Plus, it was recorded live — how cool is that?)

Flying Lotus – You’re Dead!

Electronic guru Flying Lotus (née Steve Ellison) has never been shy sharing information about his upcoming projects — fans of his have known that he’s been working on a new record for months, and original artwork for each of You’re Dead!’s 19 tracks have been released on his personal Tumblr in anticipation of its October release date. Frankly, Ellison hasn’t missed a beat since his debut back in 2006, and this new record — which he’s described as a fatalistic pastiche of prog, jazz, and hip-hop beats — is likely to continue the trend. Guest spots from Kendrick Lamar and Snoop Dogg are sure to be album highlights.

Kendrick Lamar – Untitled third studio album

Okay, I’m cheating a little bit here. Lamar’s much-anticipated follow up to good kid, m.A.A.d city, my number one record of 2012, has yet to be officially announced. Still, Lamar has made clear it’s in the works, and even went so far as to predict a September 2014 release date during an interview with Billboard earlier this year. Let’s hope that’s true. Lamar is head and shoulders above most emcees right now, and I know I’m not the only one holding my breath waiting to see how he follows up one of the best hip-hop records in recent memory. Fans need only hope Lamar’s perfectionism doesn’t get the better of him — he told Complex that he’s recorded between 30 and 40 songs so far, but has yet to settle on a tracklist. Don’t ever change, Kendrick.

Five sure signs it’s almost fall at SFU

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September 2, 2014

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1. The levels of chlorophyll in a deciduous tree’s organs begin to drop, in response to lower temperatures and reduced hours of daylight.

2. Following the summer solstice, the Earth has begun to shift its rotation so that the Northern Hemisphere is increasingly angled away from the sun.

3. The daily mean temperature for the city of Burnaby is 2.4 degrees lower than the month before, going from 17 to 14.6 degrees Celsius.

4. The Thai government is about to end their fiscal year, starting a new one on October 1.

5. It takes you 20 minutes just to find a darn computer to print something off on.

Previously home-schooled student shocks new classmates by being totally normal

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September 2, 2014

CMYK-Homeschooled — Classmates are still struggling to understand how such a seemingly-regular girl was once home-schooled.

Students of Mrs. Jamieson’s Grade Seven class were shocked to learn that the new girl, Susan Barns, who was once described by her classmates as “perfectly normal,” had in fact been home-schooled for most of her young life.

Barns, 12, recently moved to Vancouver from Telegraph Cove, a small city located on Vancouver Island. While public education was available to her via commute to another city, Barns’ parents made the decision to deprive her of any sense of normalcy or chance at having a well-balanced upbringing.

“When Susan told me she’d been home-schooled up until this year, I thought to myself, ‘What, is this someone’s idea of a sick joke?’” a source in Jamieson’s class told The Peak. “I have a sense of humour, but this is just taking things too far.”

Barns’ reputation as being formerly home-schooled has already led to repercussions in the Grade Seven community. Several students have been forced to throw away items previously lent to Barns, while another classmate was forced to delete her birthday event on Facebook and create a new one excluding Barns.

“Usually we can spot a home-schooled kid from a mile away,” said Travis Curls, reported class bully. “That way we can start making them feel alienated right away. The new girl had everyone fooled.”

Upon further investigation, it was also revealed that Barns’ family isn’t even religious, further deepening the mystery of how a normal, non-religious zealot came to learn from her parents within the comfort of their home. It’s possible that Barns was hypnotized during her first seven years of schooling into believing she isn’t religious — while subconsciously being a devoted Catholic or Mormon — but this is just wild speculation.

When The Peak contacted Mrs. Jamieson to comment on her freakishly normal student, she told reporters that, “In my classroom, I tell my kids to follow the Golden Rule and treat people the way they want to be treated themselves. Therefore I will be contacting Mr. and Mrs. Barns immediately and asking them how they would have liked it if their parents had forced them to be home-schooled.”

A Comic

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September 2, 2014