Women’s wrestling brings home four championships

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February 3, 2014

The Clan women walked away with four Women’s Collegiate Wrestling Association (WCWA) championships in their weight divisions, including two broken WCWA records, after the championships were held in St. Louis the weekend before last.

The day was especially triumphant for Victoria Anthony and Helen Maroulis, two American natives competing on home soil, who both captured a fourth championship title in as many years: Anthony winning at 109-pounds, Maroulis at 130. Anthony and Maroulis are the first two wrestlers to do so in the history of the WCWA.

Both ladies headed into the finals after besting their semi-final rivals by technical fall, then won in the finals by fall, clinching their championship titles. Anthony defeated Campbellville’s Breonnah Neal, while Maroulis knocked off Rachel McFarland of Oklahoma City University.

Two more championship claims came from Justina DiStasio, who took her third title in the 170-pound weight class, and Jenna McLatchy, who picked up her second title at 191-pounds. Both hail from right here in the Lower Mainland, calling Coquitlam and Chilliwack home, respectively.

DiStasio came out on top in her two matches on Saturday by technical fall and decision, overcoming Gabriela Guzman of Lindenwood University in the semi-final, and her Lindenwood teammate Victoria Francis in the final.

McLatchy conquered her final two matches by decision, defeating Leya Justi Luafalemana of Northwest Kansas in the semis and Malexsis McAdoo of King University in the final round to take her second WCWA championship.

All four of the victorious women are seniors on the team, making their last year of NCAA play all the sweeter.

Other performances of note included those by junior Darby Huckle, who improved on her last year third place standing by taking second at 101-pounds, and Abbotsford’s Nikki Brar, who won by decision in her third place match to take third at 116-pounds.

Freshman Mallory Velte also finished hot on the heels of four-time champion Maroulis in the 130-pound class, taking home fourth place.

The Clan’s four WCWA titles tied SFU with King University for the most titles by a single school at the event.

Lamb leads the Clan at Boxer Open

By

EIC

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February 3, 2014

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SFU men’s wrestling team has had quite the season so far, and continued their success at the Boxer Open last week.

Brock Lamb led the way for the Clan at the event, hosted by Pacific Oregon University, as he finished atop the podium at 165-pounds. After a first-round bye, he won two straight matches to take home the title, including a win-by-fall in the final round.

The Florida native has been on a tear of late, having won his bout against Embry Riddle University two weeks ago and going undefeated at the Grand Canyon University Duals in early January.

Freshman Josh Kim was SFU’s next best finisher, finishing in second place in the the 184-pound weight class. He got off to a good start, winning his first two matches, before falling to Southwest Oregon’s Kolbjorn Skaflestad in the final.

Three Clansmen finished in third in their respective categories: Sukkhan Chahal at 125-pounds, Reid Watkins at 174-pounds, and Ryan Yewchin at 197-pounds.

Yewchin struggled early, dropping his first match, but would win two straight to clinch third. Watkins, meanwhile, won his first bout but fell in the quarterfinals, but like Yewchin, would make up for it with two straight wins in the consolation rounds.

Watkins advanced through one round before falling in the quarterfinals, but would bounce back with two victories on the consolation side.

Junior Dillon Hume, as well as sophomores Josh Punzo and Sean Molle also wrestled for the Clan, but failed to crack the top three in their weight groups.

Still, the Clan’s showing at the Boxer Open is just another in a long line of successful outings this season from Lamb and company. The Clan are heating up, just in time for Regionals — less than a month away, with the NCAA Championships just two weeks after.

Peer Prepper #2

By

Peak Web

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February 2, 2014

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I Want to Belieb

By

EIC

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February 2, 2014

1

He’s Canadian, he’s handsome, and he croons songs that make girls (and boys) swoon. He shot to fame at 12 years old after being discovered on YouTube. Nearly 50 million people on Twitter follow his every move. Who is he?

Only one of the biggest pop stars of this generation — Justin Bieber. The 19-year-old teen pop sensation has adoring fans from all over the world, and I’d wager there isn’t a single person at SFU who doesn’t know his name.

Love him or hate him, the Biebs has done pretty well for himself over the past few years. With platinum albums under his belt along with two concert films and several product endorsements on the side, he has never been more famous or wealthy than he is now. Unfortunately, he has been making headlines recently for all the wrong reasons — scandal seems to follow him wherever he goes.

From angering fans in Brazil by kicking their flag off the stage to egging his neighbour’s house, Bieber can’t seem to stay out of trouble. Judgment and scrutiny only increased after a visit to the Anne Frank house, where he inconsiderately wrote that he hoped “she would’ve been a Belieber” in the guestbook. To top it all off, he was recently spotted sneaking out of a brothel, and was arrested for drag racing and driving under the influence only a few weeks ago.

His smiling mug shot was a disturbing sight and has outraged several people, who began to call for his deportation back to Canada. The Internet has exploded over these scandals, leading fans and spectators to wonder whether the teen star has truly lost his sense of self control.

Let’s get one thing straight: Bieber, like every other human being on the planet, is not perfect. How he responds to his actions and their consequences will ultimately determine his character. While his smiling mug shot may demonstrate a portrait of care for his fans, it also gives off an air of snobbishness and elitism. Frankly, it doesn’t help that he could easily pay off any fine that would be imposed on him, essentially giving him a free pass from the policies of the justice system.

Yet having money doesn’t stop criticism. His public image — notably his Instagram page, which is plastered with selfies — has also displayed what seems to be a narcissistic attitude. The sheer mention of Bieber’s name makes headlines, despite whatever else is going on in the world.

What is behind this reckless behaviour, anyhow? Can Bieber really be blamed for what he has done? Growing up with a single mom in Ontario, he didn’t exactly lead a charmed life before he became famous.

In cases like Justin’s, celebrities need our support much more than our criticism.

When his music career began to pick up speed, he didn’t have it easy, either. Even after he had released hit singles such as the mega-popular “Baby”, he was the subject of pervasive criticism. His pre-pubescent voice made people poke fun at his sexuality and masculinity. He was thrust into a spotlight in which his weaknesses could be picked apart by complete strangers who were judging him at every turn.

A child star placed in the centre of the media spotlight will inevitably suffer through many insecurities throughout their rise to fame. They are expected to appeal to a young and innocent demographic and are forced to appear that way themselves. There isn’t much breathing room for mistakes, and when they are made the media feeds off them in a frenzy — Bieber is a perfect example.

Every celebrity has their own way of dealing with this pressure; unfortunately, many turn to self-destructive or illegal behaviour in order to let off steam. Stars like Demi Lovato and Lindsay Lohan have also experienced a downward spiral, crushed under the weight of fame and the difficulty of shedding their teeny bopper images.

Being young, making mistakes and finding oneself does not go over well in Hollywood.

On the other hand, one could argue that Bieber’s arrest isn’t necessarily a bad thing for his career. Some celebrities seem to take on a “no publicity is bad publicity” attitude, constantly finding themselves in the tabloids for one reason or another.

Miley Cyrus is another example of a celeb whose reputation as a squeaky-clean Disney star went down the drain after her racy performance at the VMAs. Yet she has been a conversation topic and media buzzword ever since that performance, and her subsequent singles and album sales have skyrocketed as a result. She is making a living off of scandal, and the Biebs may be following in her footsteps.

Despite the fame and attention, if Bieber’s behaviour continues he’ll undoubtedly end up hurting himself and others around him. Unless he does something to change for the better, he’ll self-destruct, and take others down with him — all in the name of fame.

No matter how popular, celebrities are still human beings who are flawed and make mistakes. No matter how much they are glorified, they’re not gods, and in cases like Justin’s, they need our support much more than our criticism. It is only when we realize this as a society that our world will become a better, less self-absorbed place.

A goodbye letter

By

EIC

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February 1, 2014

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When I was 20, I packed all my things into three suitcases, got on a plane and flew across the country to a city I’d never been to, to live with people I’d never met. It was the most terrifying thing I’ve ever done.

I was making the trip to study journalism at Concordia University in Montreal. I’d always thought I wanted to be a journalist, someone like Martha Gellhorn; I wanted to travel around the world and write about people, and I wanted to make a difference.

I’d set a couple of goals for myself when I started university, one of them being to work at, and write for, the student newspaper. I wrote a few articles for the newspaper over there, called The Concordian, but I soon realized that my romantic notion of being a war correspondent wasn’t the most realistic: I am too much of an introvert and a home-body.

After I made the difficult decision to transfer to SFU, back home in Vancouver, I realized I’d have to start all over again. That’s when I met The Peak.

If I hadn’t gotten on that plane to Montreal, I would still be playing it safe.

During my first couple semesters at SFU, I wrote small features and arts pieces for The Peak, hoping to get experience and meet people. It was intimidating, to say the least: the student newspaper is notorious for being close-knit and, well, rather exclusive. After attending meetings and events, and trying my damndest to write intriguing, original articles, I was elected arts editor. I was in.

After holding this position for nearly two years, I can say it is truly the best job I’ve ever had. It’s been challenging and stressful at times, but more than anything, it’s been the most rewarding thing I’ve ever done.

The people in this office care so much about what they’re putting out each week: they are hard-working, creative, and risk-taking. They push each other to do better, they make you believe that your life-long dream of writing for The New Yorker or The Walrus one day doesn’t have to be a pipe-dream.

Looking back on the several semesters I’ve had the honour of sharing an office with these people, I can’t think of a better way to transition out of life as an undergraduate student. It’s easy to look at things like a winding, complex set of dominoes; this metaphor is generally cheap and simplistic. I can say with confidence, though, that if I hadn’t gotten on that plane to Montreal, I would still be playing it safe. I wouldn’t have been bold enough or persistent enough to interview musicians, to attend events by myself, or to run in the election that got me this job.

I may not want to be the next Christiane Amanpour anymore, but if there’s anything that life at the student newspaper has taught me, it’s that having supportive, creative people around you is the best tonic for drastic, grown-up changes. Here’s to the last editor’s voice I’ll ever write for The Peak. Cheers.

Clan soar past Falcons

By

EIC

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January 31, 2014

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In a conference where first-and sixth-place are separated by only three wins, there’s hardly a sure thing among the women’s basketball teams in the Great Northwest Athletic Conference (GNAC). But as the season progresses, the Simon Fraser Clan are looking more and more like just that with their latest triumph being a 77–68 win over the Seattle Pacific Falcons — their fourth straight.

It was a game of ebbs and flows that, as the team’s traded baskets over the first seven possessions, started off as a shootout. SFU took an early 8–6 lead, but things quieted down quickly, and the game was tied at just 11 apiece midway through the first.

As she’s done so often this season, junior captain Erin Chambers spurred on the Clan attack from all over the court — in the paint and from three-point range. Solid defence from Meg Wilson helped, as SFU began to pull ahead and went into halftime with a narrow 34–29 lead.

In the second half, SFU began to run away with the game.

Junior guard Katie Lowen caught fire, hitting three straight triples to increase SFU’s lead to double digits. The Clan got a scare when Chambers left the game with an apparent dislocated finger, but even in her absence, the Clan kept their heads above water.

“When Erin got hurt, we took a deep breath and we had to re-gather ourselves,” said Lowen. “We did a good job staying composed.”

Chambers would return, and finished with 20 on the night, though the night really belonged to Lowen, who scored 23, and went 5-for-8 from beyond the arc.

Her offensive outburst helped push the Clan lead to as much as 19, but the Falcons rallied in the final three minutes to make the final score much more respectable. There was one major factor in the game’s outcome: while SFU shot 41 per cent from three-point range, the visitors went 0–11 from downtown.

“We just hit a lot of shots at a crucial time to put it away,” said head coach Bruce Langford after the contest.

It was a statement win over a bitter rival, and a team that had the same record as the Clan entering the game. SFU’s record is bumped up to 7–3, which puts them in a tie for second in the GNAC, while SPU falls to 6–4, a full game behind the Clan.

Entering the thick of the latter half of their schedule, SFU needs all the separation they can get in one of the NCAA Div. II’s tightest conferences.

SFU Surrey student shortlisted for national award

By

EIC

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January 31, 2014

0

A SFU Surrey student has been shortlisted for a national award as a result of his advocacy for democratic participation in his community.

Selected from over 200 applicants, Japreet Lehal is among 13 fellow Canadians shortlisted for the Everyday Political Citizen award. Sponsored by Samara, a charitable organization that encourages Canadians to get involved with politics, the Everyday Political Citizen contest looks to reward one adult and one minor for their democratic advocacy.

“It is a great honour for me to be recognized for my contributions, alongside many other talented individuals,” Lehal told The Peak. “As one who has always been passionate about human rights and raising my voice on important social issues, I feel very humbled to have been named a finalist.”

Samara was inspired to sponsor this award after their national research initiative, Democracy Reports, revealed that Canadians feel there is a lack of positive political role models. The report also showed that while 55 per cent of Canadians have volunteered in their communities in the past year, only 10 per cent have volunteered on a political campaign in the last five years.

To respond to this show of political disengagement, Samara decided to launch the Everyday Political Citizen project to showcase “a more human side to politics and [provide] role models for those who are considering engaging politically themselves.”

Lehal’s fellow nominees represent the diversity of political engagement across Canada and include the co-founder of Canadian Electoral Alliance, a Victoria city councillor, and a PEI historian and expert advocate.

“How and why someone gets involved shouldn’t be a state secret — it should be a state celebration.”

– Rick Mercer, comedian and jury member

At SFU, Lehal is involved as a senator as well as a member of the board of directors for SFU’s community trust, of which he is the youngest member. Over the past few years, Lehal has helped organize two walk and run fundraisers for the Surrey Memorial Hospital Foundation and has set up petitions against the Quebec Soccer Federation’s turban ban and the Charter of Quebec Values

Not only is Lehal deeply involved in his community, he chooses to share his experiences as a monthly Youth Voice columnist for the Peace Arch News, which is also published in the Surrey Leader. His columns have covered a myriad of topics, ranging from voting and civic engagement, volunteering, social responsibility, child poverty, gender-based abortions, eating disorders, action against flavoured tobacco, and similar issues that affect youth which Lehal feels need greater awareness.

Lehal said, “Being involved in the community as a newspaper columnist, I have strived to use dialogue to advocate for positive change and make a difference.”

Winners will receive a tablet stocked with Canadian books and music as well as a chat with juror and Canadian comedian Rick Mercer.

Mercer commented on his participation for the Samara website, saying, “I’ve ranted a lot about youth voter turnout and garnered some attention just because I lead a public life. There are so many people who keep our democracy moving in private and never get recognized. How and why someone gets involved shouldn’t be a state secret — it should be a state celebration.”

Winners of the Everyday Political Citizen will be announced on Feb 3.; you can see the results online at http://everydaypoliticalcitizen.tumblr.com/.

Clan drop heartbreaker to UAA

By

EIC

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January 30, 2014

0

To say it’s been a frustrating season for SFU men’s basketball team would be quite the understatement. Sitting at just 1–8 in the GNAC entering Thursday night’s matchup against the University of Alaska Anchorage Seawolves, the Clan had experienced plenty of frustration already, but a 65–64 loss at home was the toughest moment yet.

It was one of SFU’s best games of the season. The Clan shot 49 per cent from the field, and 39 per cent from three-point range, and played well defensively, holding UAA to just 35 per cent shooting from the field and 29 per cent beyond the arc. Four Clan players hit double digit scoring, led by Justin Cole’s 18, and SFU led by as many as 16 points. But with the game on the line in the dying seconds, the Burnaby boys couldn’t pull through.

With the visitors up by one with just under two minutes to go, Cole capped off his scoring with a layup to put his Clan up one, 64–63. SFU almost held the Seawolves off the board over the final 1:44, but UAA would tally a late layup with just four seconds left.

SFU’s Sango Niang’s buzzer beater attempt fell short, just as his team did, for the ninth time this season against GNAC competition.

“We played a really good game. We thought we had the win until the very end and it came down to who wanted it more in those seconds,” said senior forward Ibrahim Appiah, who finished with 11 points.

“It was a tough ball game and it just got away from us.”

With just eight games remaining and a record of 1–9 in the GNAC, the postseason isn’t likely to be in the cards for the Clan (though they are not yet mathematically eliminated), but they aren’t throwing in the towel.

The Clan have come close on a number of occasions, and the heartbreaker of a loss to UAA is just the latest example.

“We have some very good things to take away. We know that we can win games,” said Appiah. It’s just a matter of putting it all together, though it may already be too late.

Poli-Talks

By

EIC

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January 28, 2014

0

It’s that time of year again when SFU’s student population is tasked with electing graduate and undergraduate students to the Board of Governors, the Senate, and the Senate Graduate Studies Committee. All elected students will serve from June 1, 2014 to May 31, 2015.

Voting will be open from Feb. 3 to 5, and students will be given access via their SFU emails.

Here is a quick look at the candidates’ profiles and platforms, all of which were submitted to The Peak by the candidates themselves.

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Board of Governors

There is to be one graduate and one undergraduate student elected to the Board of Governors, a body responsible for business decisions concerning university property, revenue and policies.

Graduate candidates:

Name: Ehsan Jozaghi

Year and major: PhD Candidate (2nd year), Criminology

Platform:

Jozaghi has served in numerous leadership positions during his undergraduate and graduate years. For example, he has been elected co-president of SFU’s Golden Key Chapter. He has volunteered at a needle depot that distributes harm reduction supplies in the Downtown Eastside and has also been a volunteer at MOSAIC Settlement Services for Refugees and Immigrants as a computer instructor. Jozaghi has served in the Canadian Army reserve and currently volunteers for the Vancouver Food Bank Society.

Jozaghi has been elected to SFU’s Senate twice and plans to bring his experience to advocate for more funding for students. He will fight, on your behalf, for more funding through scholarships, fellowships and bursaries as well as for the implementation of lower tuition fees. Jozaghi supports smaller class sizes and more funding for TAs and TMs; he also supports a better transit system through the implementation of a gondola to SFU.

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Name: Jesse Taylor

Year and Major: PhD Candidate (4th year), Biological Sciences

Platform:

Hello! My name is Jesse Taylor, I am a PhD Candidate in Biological Sciences, and I am running for the graduate student position on the Board of Governors at SFU. My decision to run in this election was a culmination of my passion for student governance, previous board experience, and a desire to give back to SFU for all the opportunities it has given me. I have volunteered with several associations around campus which have all provided excellent opportunities to learn about issues facing the SFU community.

If elected I hope to get the chance to address some of these issues including: availability of student housing, rising tuition rates, student space on Surrey and Vancouver campuses, and student engagement at the university level, to mention just a few.

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Undergraduate candidates:

Name: Deven Azevedo

Year and Major: 1st year, Environmental Science

Platform:

My primary goal, if elected to the Board of Governors, will be to push the board to live up to SFU’s proclaimed vision of pursuing “ecological, social and economic sustainability through its programs and operations.” I will do this through advocating for greater transparency in SFU’s investments, a review of the risk of SFU’s investments in fossil fuel companies, and the creation of a mechanism by which students can better attain the ear of the board.

I believe my two years of experience on two Township of Langley Advisory Committees, as well as having led and overseen a community garden project with a budget of over $45 000, gives me the necessary knowledge and understanding of committees and finances to implement these actions with the Board of Governors.

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Name: Billy Fang

Year and Major: 1st year, Engineering Science

Platform:

I am a first year student majoring in engineering science, with ambition to obtain a doctoral degree in the future. If elected, my goals of the office include advocating for increased student participation in university development plans and Senate decisions, and in regards of fraternity/sorority recognition and constructive connections between these organizations and the community. I will also focus on reducing locker theft and increasing public awareness concerning the risk of theft at SFU.   My academic foundation is solid, so is my enthusiasm for this university.

I am interested to serve the Senate as I bring a combination of enthusiasm to build our community and the ability coordinate with other facilities and departments. I hope it is clear that our current objective is to let the senate recognize our concern and utilize the resources we have, efficiently, to meet SFU students’ interests. Thank you.

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Name: Sarah-Sophia Flodr

Year and Major: 4th year, Business and Politics

Platform:

My name is Sarah-Sophia Flodr and I am an undergraduate student in the Faculty of Arts at SFU. I am interested in joining the Board of Governors as well as in rejoining the SFU Senate because I enjoy representing my fellow students. I have been studying at SFU for about four years and I believe I have a clear understanding of what the student environment and experience here are like.

I am confident that I am a perfect candidate because of my many different roles and involvements at SFU that I experienced throughout the last three years. As a student, teaching assistant, club president and current undergraduate student senator, I understand the important values for a better university on behalf of you. Moreover, I know that my devotion, dedication, as well as my positive attitude make me a perfect candidate and most importantly because it would be my honour to represent you in the decision making processes of the Board of Governors and SFU Senate!

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Name: Clayton Gray

Year and Major: 3rd/4th year, Criminology

Platform:

In the Government Letter of Expectations (2013), between the Ministry of Advanced Education and SFU, the university and the government mutually agreed to, “Work in partnership with Aboriginal communities, organizations and institutes to implement the Aboriginal Post-Secondary Education and Training Policy Framework and Action Plan for the purpose of increasing the participation and success of Aboriginal learners.” If elected to the Board of Governors, I will use my experience as an Aboriginal learner to aid the university achieving its vision, outlined in the Aboriginal Strategic Plan, to be “the leading ‘engaged’ university in Canada, defined by its dynamic integration of innovative education, cutting edge research, and far- reaching community engagement.” By voting for me, you can show the university that we support the advancement and restoration of Aboriginal Canada.

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Name: Cody Wicks

Year and Major: Biology and MBB

Platform:

There are three main reasons why I am running for Senate and Board of Governors at SFU.

Firstly, I believe in standing up for the students. With government funding failing to keep up, and corporations strengthening their grasp, we need strong voices for our rights. As a student, if you have an issue that is important to you, I want to be in your corner.

Secondly, and getting more specific, we want mandatory corporate grants and profit sharing. Students struggle to pay for school, yet they support corporations on campus and should be supported in turn. Will it take a boycott to make them listen?

Thirdly, we need conditions at SFU that foster student motivation, passion, and curiosity in our studies. From my surveys, there is nothing worse for this than having to take a course you don’t want or need. Every 24-30 credits, we deserve a free course challenge.

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Senate

The Senate is responsible for the academic governance of the university, meaning all matters excluded from the purview of the Board of Governors. These include teaching and research, with a specific focus on the development of new initiatives, the formation of priorities, and the consideration and approval of policies.

Of the 31 applicants for Senate positions, sixteen of them will be elected, with at least one student elected from each faculty and at least three undergraduate and three graduate students elected.

It should be noted that in accordance with the requirement that at least one student be elected from each faculty, Ting Liu (education) and Amelia Huang (environment) were elected by acclamation as the only candidates from their respective faculties. This leaves 14 positions for which to elect student representatives.

Graduate candidates:

Name: Ehsan Jozaghi

As a candidate for Board of Governors, Senate, and Senate Graduate Studies Committee, Jozaghi’s platform can be read above.

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Name: Jayme Lewthwaite

Year and Major: Biology

Platform: I have worked extensively with the university administration during my undergraduate degree at uOttawa, and I learned a lot about how universities function. This experience has taught me that although the decisions made by these governing bodies seem far-removed and bureaucratic from the outside, that student involvement in these committees is crucial in order to improve the student experience. I have experienced a wide spectra of dynamics in committees, from healthy to less healthy, which has opened my eyes to the importance of cooperation and compromise in these group settings.

I believe in fostering a respectful relationship with the university in order to effect positive change, while simultaneously defending the unique interests of both science students and graduate students. I think that I have the open-mindedness and critical thinking skills to prepare me for these positions.

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Name: Ting (Emma) Liu

Year and Major: Education

Platform:

Majoring in education for the past six years provides me much professional knowledge in the academic decision making process. My enthusiasm in academia is reflected in my publication experiences. The study experience in Malaysia enables my familiarity with working in a multicultural environment. Therefore, the position in the Senate or the Senate Graduate Studies Committee could give me a perfect chance to gain more insight on how the academic related decisions are made and to know more about the working protocol in SFU.

The diligent and responsible working behaviours make me become a suitable candidate for the position in Senate or the Senate Graduate Studies Committee. At the same time, my merits in logical and critical thinking skills help me to propose as well as to evaluate ideas from different perspectives. As a graduate student, I can speak for the students and know the actual need and want of them.

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Name: Jasneet Singh Sabharwal

Year and Major: 1st year Masters, Computing Science

Platform:

I have been part of SFU since September 2013. When I found out that I had been accepted to SFU, I started a group for all incoming grad students that helped everyone feel more comfortable at the university even before we all arrived in Canada. As an elected member of Senate, I hope to foster a better relationship between all students and SFU. Also, I would like to give a boost to inter-disciplinary research and I would try to improve funding opportunities for students.

I’m here to be the voice that speaks for you when no one else will. It is easy to feel overwhelmed as to who you can turn to when you are plagued with academic uncertainties and I will be your student voice on Senate because I’m committed to you and to SFU.

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Name: Paul Yoon

Year and Major: Mechatronic Systems Engineering

Platform:

As a member of the SFU Senate and Senate Graduate Studies Committee, I will actively work with the students to help develop and review upcoming university programs and policies. With my five years of academic excellence and community leadership at SFU, I will closely collaborate with the students to identify the important needs and clearly present them in the governing board.

During my undergraduate study, I have participated as a SFU student ambassador (Gold Level) in SFU student-focused events (Open House and Orientation) to present SFU’s unique community to public. In September 2013, I successfully led a small group of first-year SFU students as an orientation leader to introduce the campus life of SFU and important academic services.

With the above skills and experience, I look forward to working with the SFU governing community to assist with important matters related to teaching and research of SFU.

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Undergraduate candidates:

Name: Darwin Binesh

Year and Major: 3rd year, History

Platform:

I have been very active in the community for all three years I have been at this university. I am in several clubs, a member of many DSU’s, and the president of the Society of Arts and Social Sciences, the largest student union in the university. I feel that this role in representing students has prepared me well for Senate, as I would now take my role of representing arts students to a higher level, which is the university as a whole.

Meeting, interacting and working with students has taught me a lot, including the power of a political voice but, most importantly, it has shown me the issues students face beyond my own. Different students face different problems, have diverse concerns, and as a senator I would communicate with these students and connect those voices, opinions, and suggestions to the university. Thank you for reading. Best regards.

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Name: Chardaye Bueckert

Year and major: 4th year, Political Science

Platform:

It is vital that we have strong student representatives on the SFU Senate because it makes academic decisions that affect our education. I am a qualified candidate given my three years in student government. I am the former president of the society of arts and social sciences and I currently serve as the SFSS external relations officer. My accomplishments include playing a leadership role in the creation of the SFSS Emergency Food Bank Program and actively working to improve transit to all SFU campuses.

As an SFU student senator, I will make it easy for students to connect with the Senate by reinstituting the ‘’Coffee with a Senator’’ event. I will also work to create a bursary for part-time students, ensuring that all SFU students have access to needs-based funding.

I am qualified and have achievable goals that will improve your SFU experience. Vote Chardaye Bueckert for SFU Senate.

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Name: Brandon Chapman

Year and Major: 4th year, Business

Platform:

I am currently sitting on the registrar’s search committee as we actively seek to replace Kate Ross, have worked with the university on the SFSS 2013 Fall Kickoff Concert and instigated an SFU Service Learning Program in Residence with staff. I also sit on the Build SFU building committee and attended a student union building tour in the US where I had the opportunity to see how other universities make decisions.

All this experience and the relationships that I currently have with university administration make me the right person to represent you on Senate. I want to do everything I can to make SFU the best place it can be. If you have any questions about my past experience or my goals if elected, please email me at [email protected].

Thanks for the opportunity. For more information on my work experience, please visit my LinkedIn profile: http://www.linkedin.com/in/brandonchapman99

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Name: Nicholas Chapman

Year and Major: 3rd year, BPK

Platform:

If I am elected to Senate, I will continue to work hard in order to re-evaluate and calibrate the student experience at SFU by creating and supporting student lead initiatives that fuel and ignite the overall achievement of the students. Life is all about balance; it is just a matter of patiently zeroing in.

We must not criticize, condemn, or complain about what once was. All we have to do is enjoy and utilize the change and opportunity available to us now.

My previous experience with SFU’s academics, Build SFU and the SFSS has taught me that the students CAN be and ARE the difference. It has also taught me the importance of balance in order to maintain a stable psyche. All it takes is motivation, a plan, and when needed, a great team.

Thank for your consideration, I will show through my actions that this opportunity will not be undermined.

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Name: Dion Chong

Year and Major: 2nd year, International Studies

Platform:

In my time at SFU, I have witnessed an unfortunate reduction in funding and engagement opportunities from a university that prides itself in this pursuit. As a senator, I plan to critically review our programme and research opportunities to ensure that SFU continues to provide for highly tailored hands-on degrees that this university is famous for. Beyond concluding agreements for new exchange destinations, I will push for an expansion of the dual degree offering, which has been halted and even rolled back in recent years. I will also continue efforts to expand breadth designation across more courses, encouraging students to explore SFU’s diverse offerings within the parameters of their degree.

I believe that my professional background in student and non-profit governance and advocacy will allow me to bring greater diversity of perspective to the Senate and I look forward to working with fellow senators to achieve these goals.

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Name: Colin Chu

Year and Major: 1st year, Health Science

Platform:

I will work towards implementing lecture recordings; seek investments in study spaces and improving campus technology. Furthermore, other projects include limiting popular courses to students who need it as a prerequisite, and reinventing the course selection program with a work list to make course planning easier. Experience-wise, I have represented on both small and large scale populations. This is varied from representing 200 students as a Grade 12 student representative, and the Templeton Secondary School representative at the Vancouver District Student’s Council, representing the entire student body of Templeton of over 1300 students with decisions that affect over 40,000 students.

I have also been in positions of leadership, which include having a voice in affecting the public educational systems in Vancouver. We prevented the transition from a term system to a semester and came up with an alternative hybrid system which students of every preference can agree on unanimously.

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Name: Shirin Escarcha

Year and Major: 3rd year, Communications

Platform:

Since my first day in 2011, I’ve searched for opportunities of leadership to help the development of the community through various means — including mentorship programs and working in residence — and have gained a greater understanding of the composite of students who create SFU.

On their behalf, I hope to bring forth collective student administrative matters to discussion in the Senate to build a stronger SFU! I will also raise awareness about the purpose of the Senate and actively provide my faculty with opportunities to share any concerns they may have.

My past and present experiences and involvement support the importance of utilizing all resources (including the Senate) to recognize what SFU can do to enhance one’s university journey in a holistic sense — socially, and as importantly, academically. Let me help you! If you have any further questions about my involvement or goals if elected, please contact me at [email protected].

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Name: Billy Fang

As a candidate for Board of Governors and Senate, Fang’s platform can be read above.

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Name: Kayode Fatoba

Year and major: 4th year, Health Sciences and International Studies

Platform:

From first hand experience I have understood the difficulties associated with not only transitioning from high school into the university environment, but also the search associated with finding one’s path within our jungle. This is a 14-representative governance position that is specifically geared towards representing the student body with the Simon Fraser Administration.

To me this means the ability to create a transparent flow of information between us and those involved in the bureaucratic governance of our university to keep the students up to date about important changes: from software transitioning like WebCT to Canvas to top-down integration of learning outcomes in numerous curriculum, which has an effect on student experience at SFU entirely. So my goal is simple, get students aware and involved.

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Name: Sarah-Sophia Flodr

As a candidate for Board of Governors and Senate, Flodr’s platform can be read above.

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Name: Clayton Gray

As a candidate for Board of Governors and Senate, Gray’s platform can be read above.

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Name: Trevor Honey

Year and Major: 1st year, History

Platform:

As a member of the Senate at SFU, my goal is to actively invite feedback from students about Senate decisions and academic policy. I will try to facilitate dialogue between faculties in which to better present enrolment options that allow students to be better prepared for workforce needs.

A key issue that I wish to tackle if I am elected as well is to ensure recognition of courses from other post-secondary institutions to act as full credit towards degrees from SFU in keeping with Canadian guidelines on this subject. This will allow students seeking to switch from colleges and universities to continue studies at SFU and not have to redo their completed courses.

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Name: Amelia Huang

Amelia Huang has yet to submit a platform to The Peak.

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Name: Tony Lee

Tony Lee has yet to submit a platform to The Peak.

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Name: Zied Masmoudi
Year and Major: 4th year, Political Economy
Platform:

I am aware of issues that we all face such as access to student loans, transit passes and the rising cost of tuition. My intention is to pay close attention to student concerns so that I can best represent them and be their voice at the university level.

Throughout my experience at SFU, I have always been an active member of the community. My involvement experience includes leading roles in several clubs and student organizations. I am currently the speaker in council for SASS, the faculty student union that represents more than 40 per cent of the student population at SFU. In addition, I serve as the undergraduate students representative at the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences Curriculum Committee.

I aspire to take an active role in positive change and make significant contributions to the university Senate and to expand my reach from my faculty to the entire university.

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Name: Munatsi Mavhima

Year and Major: 3rd year, Political Science

Platform:

The Senate is a guardian of all academic issues and advisor to the Board of Governors; I feel I would bring an analytical, rational, international view to such collaboration. As an international student, I am well versed with the problems facing this segment of the undergraduate student population. The issue of rising tuition fees, bookstore prices and course selection, are all hopefully things that will come before the Senate.

I am a political science major and I feel this position would not only help me understand the school’s administrative processes, but also the greater political processes I hope to one day contribute towards. This practical experience is of great value in addition to what I have studied. I am involved with a few organizations on campus including The Peak newspaper, the African Students’ Association and the Global Political Awareness Club. With this level of interest and enthusiasm, I hope to contribute to school policy.

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Name: Gloria Mellesmoen

Year and Major: 3rd year, Linguistics and English

Platform:

I believe that my strongest asset as a representative is that I’m not a politician at heart. I aspire to teach preschool and I care more about Netflix than networking, neither of which benefit from my involvement in student governance. I can’t give you a concise list of goals and a set idea of what I want to change. Instead, I offer a promise that I will always fight for the things that matter to students. I am approachable, honest, and passionate. I truly care about ensuring that the student voice is heard in the important decisions that will affect us and those who follow.

I am putting my name forward for Senate because I believe in the importance of student representation and I have experience sitting on university committees, such as the Excellence in Teaching Awards and the Dean Search Committees for Education and Environment.

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Name: Rasmeet Mohar

Year and Major: 3rd year, Political Science

Platform:

As a third year student that has experienced not only the benefits of being a part of our amazing university but the struggles too, I want to ensure that students are easily able to access all the tools they may possibly need for success. For instance I wish to bring attention to the need for an expansion of research work and volunteer opportunities in the university beyond the Science faculties – so that even an Arts student is able to have practical applications of their education. However, I will not only be focusing on my own ideas. I will be the voice of reason. Someone that you can trust to have an understanding of the varied interests across faculties and who can apply a common SFU student’s interests to whatever conditions the Senate encounters. I run to stand not above you as a representative, but rather to stand among you.

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Name: Arjan Mundy

Year and Major: 3rd year, Communication

Platform:

The opportunities to contribute to SFU are endless; however none provide me with possibilities as unique as being a part of the Senate. Being in charge of essentially all matters pertaining to academic governance at SFU could give members of the Senate the chance to improve the lack of visibility some departments struggle with. My personal priorities revolve around the Communication department, and I believe that if given the opportunity to showcase some of the research and innovation the Communication department exhibits I could leave the department with much more recognition than it currently has.

If anybody has any questions about my personal qualifications, or my platform, or anything really, feel free to contact me at [email protected] or 604-812-1582.

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Name: Dimitri Ossinsky

Year and Major: 1st year, Political Science

Platform:

I am running for the SFU Senate because I want to give more students a voice in student government. The senate needs to be a more accessible institution so students feel like they can make changes in the school. If elected I will be available to all students and clubs to address different issues relating to them. I have previous political experience working in the Coquitlam City Council. As I have talked to SFU students, issues relating to transit, class access and sizes, and the location of microwaves across campus have been the most frequently mentioned and are issues I will address if elected.

You can find out more about me and my platform at https://www.facebook.com/dimitriossinsky.

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Name: Nimisha Parekh

Year and Major: 4th year, Business Administration

Platform:
Having been on the Senate previously, I am well aware of the procedures and decision-making involved in this position. My respectful nature and strong listening skills will allow me to effectively comprehend and fulfill the students’ needs and interests to the best of my ability.

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Name: Athina Pilarinos

Year and Major: 3rd year, Sociology

Platform:

If elected Senate, I will push for public student forums each month for SFU students. As well, I will ensure evidence-based policy decisions are made, and the lack of follow through by university administration is addressed. I will push for the adoption of the living wage policy at SFU, as well as other policies that seek out the equality of SFU staff and students, and will introduce proposals for initiatives that will help move SFU to the forefront of the research community.

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Name: Saumya Sangal

Year and Major: 4th year, Electronics Engineering

Platform:

The position of undergraduate senator entails the responsibility of good governance and fair representation — keeping this in mind I have been serving on five senate committees over the past year. My priorities are student awareness, affordable education and enriching the student experience at SFU.

My foremost agenda is to increase student participation and raise awareness on how each student can affect and have an impact on the political and social culture at SFU. I would like to liven up the SFU community by making available the necessary funds to expand and promote extra-curricular activities as well as increase funding to scholarships and awards. I plan to increase the availability of a large number of introductory courses which are difficult to enroll into. Finally, students should have access to a larger selection of food joints on campus.

Overall I am completely committed and dedicated to bring good and honest representation to each student at SFU.

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Name: Madelaine Simpkin

Year and Major: 4th year, GSWS

Platform:

Madelaine Simpkin is a 4th year student majoring in gender, sexuality and women’s studies and minoring in business. Madelaine is the president of Students Offering Support SFU, a committee member on the Undergraduate Board of Student Discipline and a committee member of Young Women Civic Leaders. Madelaine is an advocate for women in leadership and will use her time on the Senate to represent the diverse work from her department, GSWS, as well as issues impacting women on campus.

As a young mother who came back to school after six years in the workforce, she deeply understands the issues young women confront early on in their careers. She looks forward to supporting policies and programs at SFU that will assist women in overcoming these barriers to become leaders in the workforce and decrease the existing wage gap between women and men.

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Name: Barbara Szymczyk

Year and Major: 3rd year, Business

Platform:

I plan to bridge the gap between students and the Senate by consistently being open to communication with the student body. I will advocate for the financial interests of students to be considered in all decisions. I am approachable, committed, and looking to aid students in getting engaged with governance.

__________

Name: Cody Wicks

As a candidate for Board of Governors and Senate, Wicks’ platform can be read above.

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Senate Graduate Studies Committee

Four graduate students (two regular, two alternate) are to be elected by graduate students to serve on the Senate Graduate Studies Committee, which meets monthly to discuss issues and pass motions relevant to graduate students.

Name: Ehsan Jozaghi

As a candidate for Board of Governors, Senate and Senate Graduate Studies Committee, Jozaghi’s platform can be read above.

__________

Name: Jayme Lewthwaite

As a candidate for Senate and Senate Graduate Studies Committee, Lewthwaite’s platform can be read above.

__________

Name: Ting (Emma) Liu

As a candidate for Senate and Senate Graduate Studies Committee, Liu’s platform can be read above.

__________

Name: Jasneet Singh Sabharwal

As a candidate for Senate and Senate Graduate Studies Committee, Singh Sabharwal’s platform can be read above.

__________

Name: Paul Yoon

As a candidate for Senate and Senate Graduate Studies Committee, Yoon’s platform can be read above.

Vexations: sugarcoated delights

By

Peak Web

-

January 27, 2014

0

Hiding just around the corner of Main Street on East Georgia is a proverbial playground made of paper, courtesy of Montréal’s Séripop (Yannick Desranleau and Chloe Lum). Having seen their work in the past, I quickly made my way to Access Gallery — like a fat kid going to the Smarties factory — knowing my satisfaction would be guaranteed with Vexations.

Even from the rainy sidewalk, the window space seemed full of eye-candy. Two large accumulations of paper are given impossible weight through the use of a simple hanging device made of hardware store pulleys, netting and yellow nylon rope. Lum and Desranleau have pushed to the limit the art of silkscreening by creating precarious installations that question the printed page.

Folding, crumpling, crushing, pasting and layering: no creative stone is left unturned.

Where most conventional print shows would have single framed pieces lined up side by side to be viewed individually, here the very material specificity of paper is being explored. Folding, crumpling, crushing, pasting and layering: no creative stone is left unturned. Even the boyish pleasure of chewing up spitballs and tossing them on the wall is evoked by one of the various installations, to grand effect.

In another instance, the window space is defined from the main gallery by a wall made from paper admitting black on black pinstripes. This massive patchwork sheet then makes its way to the ground, where it coats the floor, as wallpaper would in a typical room.

As you’ve probably guessed by now, a Séripop show is anything but ordinary; it is no surprise that sitting on the somewhat tattered paper flooring is a larger than life, folded up piece that recalls the paper fans so often crafted out of brochures and scraps of paper when the summer heat wave settles in.

And ironically enough, the dark sheet then bumps up again, settling on two larger masses that are blowing air: inflatable baubles of bold contrasting colours.

The use of both colour and form mould the gallery space into a battlefield where entropy and utopian architecture duke it out. This conflict is less a war than a healthy snowball fight between friends, as the monochromatic earth-toned sheets seem to get along with the acidic neon constructions that bolster the eye out of apathy, despite their formal differences.

Other sheets are pasted on the wall over and over again, in different patterns and colours, with the last of these rippling under the pressures of accumulation. They sag and distort, demonstrating the limits of their flexibility, and calling us to doubt the structure of the gallery itself.

Lively and somewhat apocalyptic all at once, Vexations is a paperwork jungle gym.

Séripop: Vexations will be presented until March 8 at Access Gallery, 222 East Georgia St.