VP: Finance

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March 7, 2014

The Vice-President Finance‘s primary responsibility is to keep track of the Society’s finances. This includes the budget breakdown, allocation of funds, investments, and a broad perspective on leases, contracts, and legal issues for Society services. The Vice-President Finance also signs cheques, manages payroll, and keeps track of time sheets. Furthermore, the Vice-President Finance sits on all Society committees. Communication is an important aspect of this position and it would be an asset for candidates to have experience managing finances as they will be responsible for a multi-million dollar organization.

The Vice President Finance shall:

> Ensure that all Society funds are deposited in an appropriate account at a financial institution selected by the Board.

> Keep careful account and be responsible for all monies received and disbursed by or on behalf of the Society. The Vice-President Finance shall not disburse funds except as provided for in these by-laws, or by regulation.

> Render, upon request of the Board and within 14 calendar days, a detailed written report on the Society’s financial affairs.

> Prepare a detailed written report on the Society’s financial affairs for consideration at the Annual General Meeting.

> Coordinate the preparation of the budget of the Society.

> Coordinate the commercial and legal affairs of the Society.

> Be a signing officer.

> Undertake all other duties and responsibilities as the Board may delegate to the Vice-President Finance from time to time.

1. How would you create next year’s budget and what would you consider?

2. Should large-scale events such as concerts be run for profit or as a service for students? How do you feel about large-scale events?

3. If overspending were to occur late in the term when less reserve funds are available, how would you resolve that problem?

Nomin Gantulga (Move the Mountain)

1. Creating a budget is a setting the goals, clarifying right priorities for the organization and analysis of past performance. My first concern would be bursaries and grants. They are my priorities number, so I would try to find how to reallocate more money towards students and clubs self-development. In addition to it, targets should be realistic as much as possible in order not to receive an overspending.

2. All services that SFSS provides should always be in service for students. This is the main goal of student society overall. It is great to host large scale events in the university and I encourage events that foster the united SFU culture, but without causing the harm to the budget.

I believe that we have a lot of other programs which are in need of funds, such as SFSS Emergency Food bank, Build SFU, clubs . . .

3. If you are controlling your finances and know how to reallocate them considering set up objectives, you will not face a crisis and overspending. If it were to occur, I could consider two options:

-cut off the budgets of SFSS departments. However, I would consider its account balances and choose the ones that have excess while remaining enough support for the whole semester.

-use the small amount from the restricted funds that SFSS holds for . . .

Adam Potvin (ACE)

1. Creating a budget is a long process and requires diligence and an eye for detail — something that I can provide given my accounting background. I would identify which line items require activity-based budgeting (analyzing relationships between cost and activity) and which require cost-based budgeting (adding inflation to last year’s figures). I would also consult those around me, including the Financial Coordinators in the General Office.

2. Large-scale events should aim to break even. In the context of the SFSS, a profit is unnecessary as there are no shareholders and it would imply that more people could have come if prices were reduced. I am in favour of large-scale events, as they foster a greater sense of community and school pride — something that is lacking at SFU. I’m actually working to secure sponsorship for the upcoming Spring Sendoff concert.

3. I will strongly safeguard against this possibility from occurring through accurate budgeting and a maintained unrestricted surplus. If overspending occurs, I would resolve the problem through trimming excesses wherever possible. I would also have to make tough decisions in reallocating less productive capital to the line items being overspent. I would only touch the restricted surplus in a case of emergency.

President

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EIC

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March 7, 2014

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The President is a representative of the Board and Society, and is involved in public relations issues. The President participates in all formal activities of the Society, and leads large scope operational tasks such as contracts and legal consultations, and also supports the duties of the Internal Relations Officer (IRO). This position has the most contact with university administrators and departments, and takes care of general issues involving the university. There is a degree of flexibility to the projects the President undertakes.

The President shall:

> Have the power to convene the Board or Forum at any time.

> Be an ex-officio voting member of all Board and Forum committees.

> Be a signing officer.

> Represent the Society on formal occasions.

> Ensure compliance with and enforcement of all relevant Collective Agreements, employment contracts, and staff relations policies.

> Act as a liaison between the Board and its employees

> Undertake all other duties usually falling to the office of President of a Society.

1. What is the most important role played by the SFSS?

2. If you could only choose three main areas to focus on during your term, what would they be?

3. How would you prioritize internal board affairs and external SFSS initiatives that require your attention?

4. Evaluate current President Humza Khan’s term in office. What would you have done differently?

Chardaye Bueckert (Move the Mountain)

1. The SFSS was created to make sure our voices as students are heard. If it were to disappear, there would be no one to advocate to the government and SFU itself on behalf of students. It is here to champion our interests, like affordable education and better transit. The SFSS represents 30 000 highly educated people who want to make a difference in the world, and its most important role is to empower them to do so. No other organization would be able to create a Upass program or negotiate tuition freezes, and this is its most important role.

2. First, getting money back to students in any way possible. I would focus on advocating for more affordable education, creating a part time student bursary, putting more funds into scholarships and bursaries, pushing professors to use free open textbooks, and expanding SFSS Emergency Food Bank Program. Second, creating a better framework for the SFSS to make it an inclusive and welcoming organization with a clear strategic vision provided from students directly. Third, connecting the SFSS with many existing communities at SFU, including Rotunda Groups, clubs, DSUs, athletes, and international students to increase its effectiveness in advocacy and representing students.

3. The SFSS needs to be strong internally to make accomplishments for students externally and this why Move the Mountain was formed. We have priorities and a strong team with shared values already established so that we can get to work for students immediately. Staff relations and food and beverage service deficit reduction need to be a priority but our core mission is to advocate for the interests of students outside of our organization. I will lead a team that has a clear sense of how to manage internal matters so that we are able to better represent students externally.

4. Humza was elected on a mandate of throwing a large scale rave and he delivered. His commitment to delivering on a promise was admirable, but I would have established priorities that served all SFSS members. I would have also established clear goals with the Board so that we could focus on effecting change for students together as a team with a clear sense of purpose without internal conflict. We also could have had clearer lines of communication internally and with the members this year. The profile of the SFSS was raised, and it is time to build on that.

Brandon Chapman (ACE)

1. The most important role played by the SFSS is to represent and advocate for the interests of undergraduate students at Simon Fraser University while providing them with services such as UPASS, Highland pub, health and dental plan etc. However, I believe that in order to best advocate for change outside of SFU, we first must build a strong community on campus that students are proud of and want to work with the SFSS. This has been my key focus this year, and this is the most important role that I see the SFSS having.

2. Accountability – The current board has taken steps in the right direction in communicating with the student body about the activities of the Society. I will continue to improve this aspect.

Community – Through Build SFU, concerts, and strategic events I have focused on throughout the year, there is a main theme that’s a crucial part of my slate’s platform. We need to continue to build community on this campus and encourage students to stay on campus and be involved.

Excellence – We need to set the example for our students by inspiring and guiding them to achieving excellence as a student body.

3. I have a strong team that collectively would be able to balance both internal and external SFSS initiatives. It is important that we continue to focus on our external initiatives, however fellow student issues always come first. I will always prioritize what I believe will have the highest impact to students above all else. For more information regarding this you can view my platform at bit.ly/ACE-Brandon

4. Humza has been a very diplomatic, yet visionary leader throughout the year. Working with a team that has very different viewpoints is difficult, but he managed to oversee various projects and dilemmas effectively. Personally, the only major thing I would do differently is to strictly enforce board member responsibilities as certain board members did not contribute as much time and effort as they should have to our student society and as elected reps, everyone should be held to the highest standard.

Alexander Morris

This candidate failed to submit responses by The Peak’s deadline.

Marnie Slater

1. One thing I love about importance is that it’s relative to the observer; for some people, the most important role of the SFSS is allocation of study space, for others it may be Out On Campus, and for some it may be the convenience of the Copy Centre. Personally, I believe having study havens around campus is of utmost importance, but just as important is having somewhere else to socialize and to take breaks from the stresses of academic life – that’s where coffee shops and the pub come in handy!

2. My biggest concern is the lack of QUIET study spaces; it’s hard to read alone when there’s a group project going on at the next table, so separation of these spaces is on my list.

– Many students spend countless hours studying yet find they retain very little; I’d like to see easily accessible & online study tips and tutors to help with effective study habits.

– Understanding of the real impact of the SFSS and similar governing bodies is seriously lacking at SFU; if students knew how vital (and awesome) they are, they might be inclined to get more involved.

3. The SFSS is about catering to the needs of the students, so in this case, I believe majority rules. If there is an overwhelming need for something to be addressed, it will receive top priority; this is both for internal and external relations. I feel that if you give the student body appropriate outlets for their comments and concerns, then they will be heard and action can be taken. In smaller groups, a vote may be cast to determine importance, while in larger populations, polls are a great option. Collaboration is key!

4. One thing I’m glad to see rolling is the SUB planning has taken full flight! I think that was a key issue this year, and Humza and his team did a great job of ensuring student involvement in the planning and design. Something I’d like to see done differently, is the overall area of typical undergrad involvement with on campus groups and activities. Many students float through university unaware of some of the great opportunities to get involved and meet people – I feel these things need to be more accessible as it’s that first step that’s the hardest!

Questionable Information: Archimedes

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EIC

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March 7, 2014

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Despite all his efforts as an inventor, Archimedes’ only contribution to the scientific community was the word “Eureka.”

East meets west

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Peak Web

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March 6, 2014

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For their first performance at VIDF, Vancouver’s Goh Ballet is collaborating with China’s Guangdong Modern Dance Company (GMDC) for a historic interdisciplinary show.

“Opportunities like this for young dancers — to be at a festival and share the stage with a different style and culture of company — will enrich their future development,” said Chan Hon Goh, artistic advisor with the Goh Ballet. “I hope they will take something very special away from it.”

Goh has known GMDC artistic director Willy Tsao for years. “We have a long association with GMDC and Willy Tsao,” said Goh, who is very enthusiastic about this collaboration: “It’s the first time we’ll be collaborating and creating a new piece, and all involved will be artistically growing.”

The idea for this collaboration originally came from Goh herself. “I was the one to put the idea forward. I saw Willy in China and from that conversation we had the idea to collaborate.” She also wanted to make sure this show could reach as broad an audience as possible: “I thought it should be featured as part of a dance festival. I approached Jay and Barbara [VIDF organizers] and they immediately wanted to feature it.”

“It’s an exchange, another level for the dancers to also experience audience appreciation in China.”

Chan Hon Goh, artistic advisor with the Goh Ballet

This partnership is more than this performance at VIDF; it’s a cultural exchange that will see Goh Ballet travel to China to perform in 2015 at a GMDC hosted dance festival. “It’s an exchange, another level for the dancers to also experience audience appreciation in China,” said Goh.

The two companies only have two weeks together, but Goh described rehearsals as off to a great start: “There is mutual respect. People kept absorbing from each other; it went by in a flash.”

The dancers are different ages and come from different cultural and training backgrounds, but they do have something in common, said Goh. It’s the “sense of dedication and the need to want to explore a little deeper and get a bit more into what the choreographer is asking. There’s a drive and desire to go one step further.”

For their collaboration, GMDC resident choreographer Liu Qi has created a new work called Mustard Seed. GMDC will be performing another of her works from their repertoire, titled Voice After. The Goh Ballet will perform Ballanchine’s Walspurgisnacht Ballet, which they acquired for their 35th anniversary show in June 2013. “We wanted something really representative of who we are, and one that would complement the other two pieces.”

Goh said that her company is delighted to be performing in their first appearance at VIDF, and she is also looking forward to seeing some of the other shows, including Israel Galvan from Spain. “The line-up is tremendous,” she said, “Everyone has such a different voice.”

The Vancouver International Dance Festival runs from March 7 – 29. Check vidf.ca for schedule.

Canucks stumble, again, at trade deadline

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EIC

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March 6, 2014

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Time to restart

First, a confession: hearing that Roberto Luongo had been traded had me quite excited. Not because I dislike him—to the contrary, he’s been one of my favourite Canucks since his arrival, and when it was trendy to hate Luongo and call Schneider our guy, I was in deep in Luongo’s camp.

However, despite my article just over two weeks previous saying that the Canucks could still make the playoffs, it has become apparent that the Canucks’ holes are too big to fix; now it seems all but impossible that the Canucks make the playoffs.

Something about the team seems irreparably broken, with an inability to score, and an even more frustrating penchant for giving away goals. This, along with rumours of Ryan Kesler wanting out, makes it more and more apparent that this team needs a rebuild, or at least some kind of reboot.

I thought that the trade of Luongo was the trigger of this new beginning. The Canucks actually got a fairly decent return for the formerly untradeable Luongo with prospects Shaun Matthias and Jacob Markstrom, who will battle fellow young goalie Eddie Lack for starter, in return.

Much of that excitement evaporated on the following day, trade deadline, when GM Mike Gillis made no further moves, unless you consider moving recently acquired depth d-man Raphael Diaz for a fifth round pick a major move. Either General Manager Mike Gillis or Canucks ownership were too scared to pull the trigger, or no teams were willing to offer the returns that Kesler should be able to grab, despite reports before the deadline claiming the Pittsburgh Penguins would do anything to nab the former Selke winner.

Now, the Canucks are in some unfortunate middle ground; they are certainly at least slightly worse than before the Luongo trade, giving up one the best goaltenders in the league for two role players. Although much of the core is intact, the team at this point seems lucky if it wins a game. And on the other hand, despite adding two young pieces from Florida, they are not much closer to the inevitable rebuild having done nothing to trade for picks or prospects (aside from Diaz for a fifth.)

Gillis is playing this as if he still pushing for the playoffs, even though a recent shutout loss to Phoenix and a 6–1 whopping from Dallas — teams the Canucks need to catch — make this seem all the more a pipe dream. The just looks more and more dejected every game.

But with little choice else, I will still cheer for the Canucks to make the playoffs, defying all probabilities at this point. They are not yet building for the future, so hopefully some kind of positive comes out of this season. Or at least some wins.

Or at least some goals.

Health and dental plan increases to be put to referendum

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EIC

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March 5, 2014

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The upcoming SFSS elections bring with them a myriad of questions to put to referendum, one of which involves potential fee increases in the student health and dental plan.

The SFSS Extended Health and Dental plan was launched in 2008 at a fixed fee of $198. At the time, students voted in a referendum for coverage levels they felt were necessary; however, they also voted for the plan’s price ceiling, a number which the the SFSS board of directors asserts can no longer cover the desired services due to increasing healthcare costs.

Because benefits have already been reduced several times since 2008, the board feels it is necessary to offer students an enhanced plan. The enhanced plan would cost $255, $57 more than the $198 basic plan.

This would not, however, mean that all students would be paying a higher amount for their health and dental. At the Feb. forum meeting, Kristin Foster, Pacific & Western Director at Studentcare, explained that students would have the option of choosing between several different plans.

In addition to choosing between basic and enhanced, students would be able to customize their plans based on individual needs.

A second question being put to referendum would give the board of directors the power to increase plan fees by a maximum of five per cent in any given year. At a meeting on Mar. 3, education representative Gloria Mellesmoen brought up her concerns: “Everything is costing more, and student loans aren’t really giving us more money,” she said. “I’m really uncomfortable with the idea that 16 people can [decide to] increase my fees by five per cent.”

President Humza Khan replied that the board already possesses the power to reduce benefits, which would be another tool in their inventory. “Instead of me making a decision about what benefit to cut, which may affect someone’s life and health directly, I feel more comfortable about making a decision on whether to increase the price by five per cent or not,” he said.

The two questions will be voted on by students in the upcoming elections. The voting period runs from Mar. 25 to 28.

Correction: the coverage for a health practitioner under the Enhanced Plan (i.e. physiotherapist, chiropractor) would be $35, not $135.

Faculty of Applied Sciences Student Union constitution rejected

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EIC

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March 5, 2014

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The Faculty of Applied Sciences Student Union (FASSU) brought a proposal to board last Monday, asking to put to referendum the question of recognizing them as the official student union of their faculty.

Despite the fact that the constitution was reviewed by CPR and Antonio Daling, SFSS student organizer, the board members had several reservations about passing it. Board members brought up issues such as inconsistencies in wording and the question of who would administer a proposed student development fund, which FASSU would create to “support students in extracurricular activities.”

After much discussion, board decided not the pass the motion to put the question to referendum, ruling that the proposal needed more preparation.

Perfect imperfection

By

Peak Web

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March 5, 2014

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While dancers are always searching for perfection, Walter Matteini, co-artistic director of ImPerfect Dancers, explains that they can never achieve it. “True perfection lies in imperfection. Our dancers are all different — like a puzzle, each one completes the other.” The dancers may not be able to achieve perfection on their own, but as a group their combined imperfection brings them much closer to that ideal.

For their first Canadian performance, the company from Pisa, Italy will perform two different works. Istante, choreographed by Walter Matteini, is a short piece for four dancers. The title translates to “instant” or “moment,” and the piece is a reflection on the moment when people truly know themselves. “It’s about a moment where they will be lucid,” said Matteini, “in that moment they will see themselves and realize themselves. That instant is important.”

The Unseen Garden, a new creation also by Matteini, is about a place where we are free to reveal our true identities. “Every person has a secret garden,” explained Matteini, “you never really show how you are.” Although people often hide a certain part of their character, sometimes they want to share with somebody and open up to them, said Matteini. Revealing our weaknesses and our fears can remove boundaries and open our imagination.

“In that moment they will see themselves and realize themselves. That instant is important.”

Walter Matteini, co-artistic director of ImPerfect Dancers

The members of ImPerfect Dancers use their imaginations to add their own interpretations to Matteini’s choreography, but he doesn’t rely on much collaboration, and he never does improvisation.

“I start from an idea and I do research, I read, and after that I start working with the dancers,” said Matteini. Music is also a very important part of the creative process for him: “The music comes first. I never start creating without music.” For his works at Chutzpah, he draws from the works of composers such as Bach, Vivaldi, Max Richter, and Philip Glass.

The creative atmosphere at ImPerfect Dancers is one of mutual respect. “We don’t ask the dancers to be a family,” said Matteini, “they are not obliged, but if it happens, it’s good.” Ina Broeckx, co-artistic director adds, “There is a lot of community; it’s not like we are the directors and they are the dancers. We spend so much time together. Everybody is at the same level, but we demand respect.”

With a similar kind of respect for the audience, Matteini and Broeckx aren’t too concerned with whether people like the works, but they do hope that they evoke some kind of emotion.

“When we do a creation, we hope people like it, or they can hate it, but we hope they discuss it,” said Matteini. Broeckx continued, “The most important thing is that people discuss it and talk about the work. It’s like a painting — it can be different for people — it’s subjective.”

The company, in all its imperfection, is very excited to come to Vancouver for their Canadian premiere.

ImPerfect Dancers will perform as part of the Chutzpah Festival at the Norman and Annette Rothstein Theatre March 6 to 9. For more information, visit chutzpahfestival.com.

Risky Business

By

EIC

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March 3, 2014

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Daniel Shapiro, Dean of SFU’s Beedie School of Business

Controversy in the cohort

Some SFU students recently found themselves in financial distress — and we’re not talking about student debt here. A deficit of information regarding the changes to the Masters of Science (MSc) in Finance program, offered by SFU’s Beedie School of Business, has been causing significant controversy within the faculty over the past few months.

The 2013/2014 academic year brought big changes for the program, including a new academic chair with a distinct vision for the degree’s future. As rumours circulated about a shift from the current quantitative (empirical) program to a more qualitative one, the program’s administration attempted to alleviate student anxiety surrounding the changes.

However, concerns still remain following the failure to renew adjunct professor Anton Theunissen’s contract for the new year. Students in the program are arguing that the faculty has made serious and flawed allegations concerning Theunissen’s professional behaviour, including a disputed allegation by the Beedie School of Business Dean, Dan Shapiro.

“No one else has been willing to tell me what this terrible thing is that I have done.” – Anton Theunissen, former SFU adjunct professor

The controversy began last April, when the Beedie administration decided not to renew Theunissen’s contract, with associate dean Mark Wexler citing issues of locality — Theunissen was originally from Wall Street and often worked out of New York — and graduate placement. Following Theunissen’s termination, the program’s academic chair, Andrey Pavlov, decided to step down, resulting in a sudden vacancy in his position and a disruption of vision for the faculty.

“My goal with the program has always been to place people, people who graduate, [into] good jobs in finance,” Pavlov explained. “Every decision we’ve made has been driven by this.

“Anton Theunissen, he was in charge of placements,” he continued. “[He’s a] very experienced guy from New York who really has been in the financial industry for a long time, who has done great things for the companies he’s worked with. So in my view he was a key success factor.”

When it became clear to Pavlov that the department would not retain Theunissen, Pavlov announced his resignation as academic chair. “I’ve always said without Anton, I wouldn’t know how to run this program,” Pavlov said. “I can’t do it, so I asked to step down.”

Theunissen outlined his own vision for the program to The Peak in a conference call from New York. “My main vision was to put the program on the map such that when we made these initial forays into these tier one markets, that we could build on the reputation of the initial people we placed in those markets, and that we could create a reputation for the program as being one which people would take seriously.”

Theunissen said, “We were placing people in top tier financial services institutions where SFU had been completely invisible [. . .] We were on a path for putting SFU on the map.”

Theunissen has placement data for approximately 127 students from the program who have found jobs in Vancouver, Toronto, Beijing, New York, and Tehran, among other cities, since 2005. Of the 9 students in the 2012/2013 cohort who had graduated by the end of 2013, six students are working — all in Vancouver.

A shocking statement

On Dec. 2, concerned students met with Beedie School of Business dean Dan Shapiro to inquire as to why Theunissen was not returning to the program. Azhvan Ahmady, one of the MSc students who met with Shapiro, reported that after approximately an hour of heated discussion, Shapiro explained that he did not renew Theunissen’s contract after hearing disturbing complaints about Theunissen from students.

When The Peak asked Theunissen about the reasons his contract was not renewed, he replied, “I don’t have access to all the information because it has been denied to me.”

According to Theunissen, he received an email from Shapiro stating that he wanted to make some structural changes to the program, and that the school would not be renewing their contract with him. Shapiro also told him that a group of students had met with Wexler and had complained about him.

“What he said to me was that they felt I was teaching only to the top 20 per cent of the class, and that I was favouring these students,” said Theunissen. In addition, Theunissen says Shapiro told him that the program was tough and did not cater to the local market.

Theunissen was therefore surprised to hear from students that Shapiro told them he had other reasons for not renewing Theunissen’s contract.

“I’ve always said without Anton, I wouldn’t know how to run this program. – Andrey Pavlov, former academic chair

“Instead of just sticking to the story he had told me [. . .] he then made statements pertaining to the fact that I had engaged in unprofessional behaviour which was so grave that he couldn’t discuss it in public, but it was in fact what precipitated my firing,” said Theunissen. “And to this day I have no idea what he is referring to, and he has not told me and no one else has been willing to tell me what this terrible thing is that I have done.”

Ahmady told The Peak that when they asked Shapiro why he had chosen to make the faculty changes, “he said something happened that was kind of, horrible, [so] he couldn’t resist doing the changes. At the time I right away asked him if he knew whether the concerns [about Theunissen] were correct and accurate, and he said to a degree, yes.”

He later elaborated, saying, “His exact words were ‘the nature and the form of the complaints was initiating the changes, and what they [students who made the complaints] were saying was disturbing.’”

When Theunissen confronted Shapiro, he received a very different response. “He said, ‘I said nothing of the kind. I didn’t say anything to impugn your reputation or your character,’” reported Theunissen. “And then I said ‘Danny, the students recorded a great part of this meeting . . .’ He stopped, he paused, and he said, ‘Oh, well I was being bullied at the meeting and I may have said things I didn’t mean to say.’”

Theunissen then asked Shapiro to send a retraction of the statement to the students who were at the meeting, which he agreed to. “To this date, he has not done so,” said Theunissen.

Shapiro declined to comment when contacted by The Peak, saying that Wexler and Jan Simon, the interim academic chair, had already “fully represented [his] views.”

In that capacity, Wexler explained that the non-renewal of Theunissen’s contract was purely a strategic decision. “This change was due to the fact that we were and are still interested in increasing the key components of the course to as much internal faculty as possible,” said Wexler. “There was nothing particularly worrisome about his portfolio.”

He explained that a key issue in the department had involved placement numbers, which he says were not high. “Anton should be proud. When he did get individuals jobs, they got substantially good pay,” Wexler explained. “My difficulty was not, let’s get rid of that — my difficulty was, how can we run this program where a small number of players get good jobs, while the rest get [fewer jobs]?”

The future of the program

Questions remain unanswered surrounding the failure to renew Theunissen’s contract. However, student concerns over program changes seem to have been addressed for the time being.

After Pavlov announced his resignation, Wexler took over as acting academic chair until Simon began his term as interim chair on Feb. 1. As the 2013/2014 academic year saw a new captain at the program’s helm, the change in administration began to create anxiety within the MSc in Finance program.

“We are not subtracting anything [from the program]. We will be adding some material.” – Mark Wexler, associate dean, graduate programs, Beedie School of Business

Many of the students in the program are international, a majority of whom come from China. These students, who face fees significantly higher than those of domestic students, became concerned that a change in the program’s direction would leave them with a different degree than what they had paid for.

“To me, it’s a good idea having more programs,” said Ahmady. “But let’s make it for people in a program where it is suitable [. . .] [These changes suit] something in the MBa category, and they should fit there. We just have to pay for all of the costs.”

Laleh Samii, a fellow student, added: “At this point, it’s a matter of trust. You may hear something from them, but they act differently. Even if they say that they want to add something to this program, they haven’t acted the way they should have. They didn’t have any plan. Plan first, then act.”

Wexler assured The Peak that this was not the case.

“We are not subtracting anything. We will be adding some material,” he explained. “Essentially, the early perception and anxiety that arose around [the change] was because when you add certain things, people assume that you are obviously going to dilute, simultaneously, and that was never it.”

Wexler and Simon are planning to add a third stream to the program, which already allows students to focus on either investments or risk management. The new stream, corporate finance, would have more qualitative options for students.

After explaining the changes to students in an announcement on Jan. 5, Wexler said, “the complaints have diminished a great deal.”

Contrary to what Theunissen claims Shapiro told him, Wexler said, “We don’t think [the previous program] was a failure, but we think that we’re going to move with what they gave us in a new and different direction, using their past momentum.”

“I hope to have a more global, diversified, engaged program.” — Jean Simon, senior lecturer in Finance, Beedie School of Business

That different direction will involve plugging the program into SFU’s career placement, continuing to organize placement trips to Toronto and New York, and inviting professionals from Asia. The program will also attempt to target their largely international cohort with programs on intercultural relations, resume writing, and interview skills — opportunities that previously did not exist.

Simon explained, “I hope to have a more global, diversified, engaged program. A program where people 10, 15 years down the road still talk about it. They’re still in contact with people, and they feel that it has made an impact in their lives professionally but also in the person they are.”

He concluded, “They will be proud to have earned that program because that program has given them a lot of options, but also influenced the person they want to be. I think that’s what makes a great business school different from just getting a diploma.”

This story is ongoing. If you have further information on this issue, please contact the editor here.

SFU recognizes outstanding alumni

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EIC

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March 3, 2014

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Last Wednesday, the SFU Alumni Association celebrated the 2013 Outstanding Alumni Awards with a swanky night at the Four Seasons.

The evening featured a sitdown dinner, speeches from university officials and Alumni Association organizers, and honoured four noteworthy SFU ex-pats: Krista Guloien for athletic achievement; Lance Uggla for professional achievement; and Howard Sapers and Tim Martin, both for public service.

The event saw a few hundred of SFU’s best and brightest current and former students — and one Peak representative — fill up the Park Ballroom of the downtown Vancouver hotel. The evening was hosted by Renee Filippone, a former SFU communications major and current host of CBC News Vancouver Weekend.

In her introductory speech, Filippone described growing up in Burnaby, always seeing SFU “in the distance [. . .] this magical place always shrouded in cloud.” Both Filippone and her sister later attended the university, a place she said gave her “the ability to learn, and the ability to be a critical thinker.”

President Andrew Petter took to the podium for a short speech in which he enumerated many of the recent accomplishments and ongoing projects of the university. He announced that, since its September launch, SFU’s 50th anniversary “Power of Engagement” fundraising campaign has raised $140-million of its $250-million goal.

“What it means is if you have $110-millions burning a hole in your wallet, we can reach that goal tonight!” joked Petter. “And please, don’t hesitate to interrupt me during dinner.”

The night’s air of dreamy nostalgia reached a crescendo as the four award winners each took to the stage to accept their awards.

The event saw a few hundred of SFU’s best and brightest current and former students.

Guloien, who came home from the 2012 Olympic games in London with a silver medal for women’s rowing, was first introduced to her sport at the ripe age of 21. At the time she was a student at SFU, and was lauded for her personal philosophy that being driven and being feminine are not mutually exclusive.

Uggla, who recalled flopping down to study beside the AQ pond on sunny days, was awarded for professional achievement. He was recognized for his business Markit, which, since its inception in 2003, has grown from a small company in a converted barn in the English countryside, into an international behemoth, boasting 3,000 employees and 20 offices worldwide.

Members of the public service were well represented by Sapers and Martin, who now work as the correctional investigator appointed by the Canadian government, and an ambassador and diplomat, respectively.

Sapers was recognized for his work advocating for the rights and fair treatment of those within the Canadian correctional system. Reminiscent of SFU, he shared recollections of his time at the pub, and of somehow finding himself on the board of directors of the student society.

Martin, who has represented Canada diplomatically in Argentina, Paraguay, and Colombia, credited his undergraduate experience with setting him on his life’s path — particularly his involvement in the 1979 Latin American Studies field school, where he met his wife of 33 years.

“Thanks, SFU!” Martin laughed.

The event broke up around 9:30 p.m., with attendees happily warmed from the inspirational tales of post-post-secondary success as well as complimentary table wine.