By Kyle Lees at Ski Ninjas
SFU’s International Studies program to award degree to anyone that watched #KONY2012 film
By Colin Sharp
Due to the overnight success of the charity Invisible Children’s #KONY2012 campaign and their associated video, SFU’s international studies department has decided that anyone who watched the video should be awarded a full degree from the program.
Thanks to social media outlets like Facebook and Twitter, the video and the campaign were shared with millions of people over the last few days. Anyone who watched the 30 minute film was exposed to absolutely every relevant piece of information about the entire conflict, and is now able to make highly informed and intelligent decisions without doing any further research. It is a remarkable accomplishment by the director, especially since he spent a third of the film talking about himself and his kid instead of the actual issue.
The international studies program has recognized the impact of the film and determined that they really don’t have anything else to contribute.
“Yeah, the video kind of nailed it,” said Joshua Russel, the department chair. “I don’t think any of us in the program have anything left to add. I mean, how much benefit will people get from understanding the other side of the argument or the history of conflict in the area? Let’s just focus on killing the one dude instead of working on the larger problem.”
Critics have questioned international studies’ decision to award these degrees, suggesting that it cheapens the importance of actually knowing things in academia. International studies has responded by saying that these people are all being cynics and if they question the cause then they might as well be personally handing out AK-47s to African children.
Despite the controversy, supporters that are new to the campaign are thrilled to be part of such an important cause. When asked what he thought of Invisible Children’s methods in Africa, supporter Cameron James told The Peak, “These t-shirts are super cool.” When we asked the question again, slowly and using extremely simple language, James said “Oh man, and these bracelets are rad. You gonna buy an action kit bro?”
Invisible Children is a group seeking to raise awareness regarding the war crimes of Joseph Kony, a Ugandan warlord who has been using child soldiers in his Lord’s Resistance Army (LRA) since 1986. A major part of this is an extensive worldwide postering campaign planned for April 20th. Presumably this is so they can target stoners, a group known largely for their ability to quickly and effectively accomplish goals.
If you have watched the film, international studies is encouraging you to contact them regarding your degree. If you haven’t seen the film, but are still interested in turning your activism into a degree, the education, criminology, and earth sciences programs are all awarding transfer credit for that time you raised awareness about violence against child by changing your profile picture to a cartoon.
SFU grad-directed documentary released
Footage of the eider duck and Nunavut’s Sanikiluaq community in it spans over seven winters
A Ph.D project to create an underwater camera system to view the eider duck diving below sea ice was the inspiration for SFU grad student Joel Heath’s award-winning documentary People of a Feather. Evan Warner and Jocelyne Chaput, both graduates from SFU’s film program, were involved in post-production of the documentary, and film professor Colin Browne was a key consultant in the project.
“Film is the ultimate medium of communication,” said Heath. “We figured the underwater footage we were already getting from the project could be turned into a way to let people know about life in the Arctic and see the changes that we were seeing.”
Beginning in 2002, Heath followed the Inuit living on Belcher Islands in Hudson Bay, and learned far more than just the ecological knowledge he had been seeking through his work and research. Hydroelectric mega-projects near Hudson Bay have upset the ocean currents and sea ice ecosystems in the area, and the Inuit have been worried over the habitat changes that have led to increased winter die-offs of the eider duck, since they do not migrate south in the winter, as they can dive for food in ice-free areas. The pivotal role which eider ducks play in the Sanikiluaq community, which relies on subsistence hunting, is chronicled in People of a Feather.
Heath’s first-hand experience of the area and the growing environmental and cultural divide that has gone largely unaddressed moved him to begin documenting the relationship between the Inuit people and the eider ducks. “In many ways I risked my academic career to make this film, but I knew it would be worth it, and now I am sure,” said Heath. “Through the whole process I understand much more about Inuit ways of knowing, and it has affected my perspective on everything in life.”
People of a Feather has already received rave reviews and awards, and made the top-10 list for Most Popular Canadian Film at the Vancouver International Film Festival. People of a Feather portrays the detrimental effects of our lifestyle on the environment, but also places it into a cultural perspective, and shows how distressing this can be to traditional communities such as the Inuit community seen in Heath’s documentary.
People of a Feather is showing at the Rio Theatre until March 10.
Clan softball struggles after sizzling start
A week after running their record to an impressive 8–1, the Clan softball team has struggled to keep that momentum rolling since. The team dropped three of their next four, while impressive rains postponed two others, dropping the Clan’s record to 9–4.
That’s still an impressive mark, but after their scorching start, it is leaving much to be desired.
The lone win in that stretch came against Montana State University Billings in the second of four straight games against the Yellowjackets. After dropping the first half of the first doubleheader, the Clan came back to earn the split, but barely.
It was no doubt a pitcher’s duel, especially early on. SFU’s number-two pitcher Kelsie Hawkins, and MSUB counterpart Annaleisha Parsley kept their respective opposition scoreless through the first three innings. The Clan would open the scoring in the fourth, but would immediately give the lead right to the Jackets in the top of the fifth. It took until late in the sixth for the Clan to respond, setting the stage for a fantastic finish and the Clan’s only win of the series.
Senior shortstop Leah Riske came up to the plate in the bottom of the seventh, and belted a walk-off solo home run to earn the victory.
“The first game was bit disappointing,” said Riske. “We came back after being down and then let them take back the lead. The second game we talked about coming away with a win and we did that.”
It was a very solid effort from the Clan in game two, but one that was, unfortunately not built upon over the next two contests. Sloppy play cost the Clan, and they were outscored 24–8 in consecutive losses (including an 18–6 drubbing).
Clan ace Cara Lukawesky kept the Yellowjackets at bay for a while in the third matchup between the two teams, but she couldn’t couldn’t keep it scoreless forever. MSUB connected for three runnings in the third inning, and that was all they needed to win (though it wouldn’t be all they’d take). Lukawesky had little run support, and the Clan dropped the contest 6–2. The lack of offence, coupled with a few bad errors, did the team in, but the defeat pales in comparison to the two team’s next contest.
The aforementioned 18–6 loss was a product of more messy play, as four Clan errors turned into eight unearned runs for the Jackets. Those alone would’ve been enough to best the Clan’s six, but
the MSUB bats were hot, scoring 10 earned runs as well. Such a blowout loss is a tough pill for anyone to swallow, but it’s no doubt a wakeup call for a team that was riding high just a week ago.
“We just have to get our heads [back] in the game a little bit more and be more focused,” said junior outfielder Trisha Bouchard. “We have to go back to the basics and go from there.”
They may have hit a rough patch, but they have the personnel and the mindset, and they have a coach who, just coming off his 500th career victory, has the experience to right the ship.
Clan season finally comes to a close
“Rage, rage against the dying of the light,” wrote Dylan Thomas in 1951.
Although the women’s season finally came to an end in a 74–70 loss against Alaska Anchorage, the Clan fought defeat to the very end. They came back from two deficits of at least 18 points, but they couldn’t find a way to beat the eighth-ranked Seawolves.
In spite of the defeat, the Clan remain positive about their effort, and their season past, as well as next year’s.
“I thought we showed a lot of resiliency,” said head coach Bruce Langford post-game, “especially being down 18 twice and coming back against a top 10 team that’s deep and very physical.”
The Clan actually out-performed the Seawolves in every statistic, save for the one that shows up on the scoreboard.
“We had a couple of missed opportunities that ultimately hurt us,” said Langford of his team’s final undoing. The team was typically clutch late in the game, but the heroics fell just short. Really though, coming off a victory in their first-ever NCAA playoff game, there’s little to be upset about the 2011–2012 season.
“We returned a lot of players this year and had some new kids come in that showed a lot of improvement,” continued Langford. Building off a strong returning corps was a blessing for the Clan, as they didn’t have to waste much time getting familiar with each other. Nayo Raincock-Ekunwe and Kristina Collins, two players who earned a lot of well-deserved attention (both from the opposition and the media) only strengthened their already-dangerous chemistry, and the duo became on of the most potent threats in the GNAC. Other players, like Carla Wyman or Chelsea Reist, or even freshman Erin Chambers developed into a strong secondary-scoring group for the Clan, and the team’s bench players were more-than-capable replacements. Really, the only knock on the team is a lack of consistency, something they know full well they need to address moving forward.
“Next year, we need to work on being more consistent,” said a succinct Langford. “We always need to get stronger and more skilled,” he added, but consistency was at the top of the list. Just as this year was one full of returners though, next season will be much the same. The only graduating senior is Anna Carolsfeld, which leaves the team — and its chemistry — largely intact.
That will no doubt help the Clan improve on all they need to — from the big things like consistency to the much more nitty-gritty — but there’s more than enough time for that. Right now, it’s about the season that was, as it was one of the most impressive seasons a Clan team has put forth since SFU joined the NCAA.
Of course, no one on the roster was happy to see their season draw to a close, but they didn’t wilt away when they were down; they fought until time simply ran out.
“The team needs to feel pretty proud about how they played [against Alaska Anchorage]. I’m so proud of them,” said Langford, and for good reason.
“Do not go gentle into that good night,” wrote Thomas. The Clan certainly didn’t.
Manning easily tops list of 2012 free agents
10. Sione Pouha was an absolute force last year at the defensive tackle position, so much so that he was named to Sports Illustrated’s All-Pro team. He’s the only defensive lineman on this list, and he’d be higher if he weren’t 33-years-old. As one of the better run-stoppers in the league, he’ll improve whatever defense he ends up with, and would likely jump at the chance to part ways with the imploding Jets.
9. Brandon Carr is one of few cornerbacks on the market, and as the game continues its trend toward a passing one, quality defensive backs are growing more and more valuable. He may not be the best CB around, but with so many star quarterbacks in the NFL, having someone who can slow them down is critical. Carr had four interceptions on an iffy Chiefs team last year, and he’s still young at just 25.
8. Matt Flynn has only started two games in his NFL career, but did you watch them? He’s the best quarterback available not named Peyton Manning, and he’s been able to study under one of the league’s best in Aaron Rodgers. Of course, wherever he ends up won’t have the same kind of receiving corps he did with the Packers, but at 26, he still has the raw talent to improve a number of teams.
7. Stephen Tulloch starred at the middle linebacker position for the upstart Lions last year. He racked up 111 tackles (finishing well within the top 20), and was third among linebackers in interceptions. He’ll likely cost the Lions too much money to keep, but those teams who can afford the 27-year-old (like the Eagles, who desperately need a viable MLB) will be getting a heck of a player.
6. Carlos Rogers is another defensive back, and he really came into his own with the 49ers this past season. He was a good player with the Redskins in years past, but he always had trouble actually intercepting the ball. He figured that out, finishing second in the league with six picks. At 30, his age might turn some teams away, but he has more than enough talent and experience.
5. Vincent Jackson is finally hitting the free agent market after many contract disputes with the Chargers, and he’s no doubt determined to show the world he’s been underpaid his whole career. He’s a two-time pro-bowler, and his athletic abilities are just freakish. He’s unquestionably the best receiver on the market.
4. Carl Nicks was part of the offensive line that let Drew Brees throw for over 5,000 yards and set all kinds of records. That, and the fact he’s still only just 26, will attract a lot of teams, but he has had a few weight issues in his career, which could scare some off. If he can keep his weight down, he’ll end up a great signing for whoever lands him.
3. Cortland Finnegan is perhaps best known for getting punched in the face by Houston’s Andre Johnson, but that speaks to his style of play, too. He’s one of the biggest pests in the game, more than capable of getting under the opposition’s skin. He can back up his brash nature, and is one of the best corners in the league today. Again, in a passing league, he’ll be highly sought after.
2. Mario Williams is simply a phenomenal talent. The former first overall pick didn’t necessarily lose his job in Houston, but with Peyton Manning (likely) leaving the division and young Connor Barwin easily outplaying his contract, the defensive end became slightly more expendable. He’ll earn a pretty penny wherever he ends up, but don’t be surprised to see him take less money somewhere that gives him a chance to win (like New England).
1. Peyton Manning’s position at the top of this list hardly warrants any explanation, but can’t you just imagine each suitor’s sales pitch? Arizona: “Hey Peyton, we have Larry Fitzgerald!” Or Miami: “Hi Peyton, we live in Miami!” Or the Jets: “Hey there Manning, we have Jenn Sterger! Just don’t send her a picture of
your junk.”
SFSS candidates announced
The candidates for this year’s Simon Fraser Student Society were announced this week. Four current board members will be running in the upcoming general election, as well as several first-time nominees, and a new slate of seven hopefuls, calling themselves Renew SFU.
The presidential race will be one of the most hotly contested of the six executive positions, with four nominees in the running. Lorenz Yeung, current member services officer, Arry Dhillon, current at-large representative, Kayode Fatoba, and Renew SFU candidate Ashleigh Kolla will all be vying for the top position.
The position of treasurer only has two candidates: Michael McDonell from Renew SFU and current external relations officer Kevin Zhang.
Current president Jeff McCann will be running again, this time for university relations officer against Aleks Besan from Renew SFU.
The positions of member services officer and internal relations officer will both be votes of acclamation, with only one candidate running for each, Humza Khan and Renew SFU candidate Craig Pavelich, respectively.
The election will be held online from March 20 to 22.
Update: As of March 7, Arry Dhillon has withdrawn his nomination for president.
SUB is the future of SFU
By Jeff McCann
We have spent the better part of this term of office talking about student space. We know we don’t have enough of this, that, or the other thing. So then what do undergraduate students care about? I believe it to be a massive mix of things, meaning SFU needs lots of different spaces to meet students’ needs. We know we need a SUB, we know students want a SUB, we’ve had surveys and consultations to double check and triple check, yet there are suddenly reservations.
It seems like two concerns exist about Build SFU: first,some are surprised that the SFSS has ever talked about a SUB, and second is the price tag.
The surprise bit has much to do with the word ‘consultation,’ which is a meaningless word after being thrown around recklessly at forum meetings.
So let’s talk about consultation. Have you ever noticed that the second floor of the library is always packed? How about the worn down couches at the top of the stairs near C9001? I don’t know who sits there but they are always full. And those couches are brutal; we all know this but we just chalk it up to another thing that sucks about SFU.
Did I need to launch a massive survey to tell me that those worn down ugly couches are always being used? Or that the dance clubs are practicing in the cafeteria, or that the second floor is always packed, or that it sucks to watch a game from the grassy hill? No. I just showed up and looked around. But in 2011 and 2012 we did two massive surveys, with email exposure and lucrative prizes to make sure students were consulted. Not to mention 40 hours a week of consultation in the Think Tank from now and for the next five years through the design and building phases that will continue to occur.
As a matter of fact, since 2006, the undergraduate student body as a whole has been consulted. Does that mean you? Maybe not. You may have ignored the last email survey in 2011, or didn’t stop to talk to somebody with a clipboard in 2009. You may have been at a different post-secondary school in 2007, or maybe even in high school in 2006. So, consultation has happened. It has been rigorous and we are at the end of stage one which means it is time for this question to be on the ballot.
The price tag is the second thing people have talked about. Buildings cost money. Some students have asked me if I considered asking the alumni for money. Do you think I would rather this building be free or student funded? Free, of course! We have considered every possible access to funding but it just isn’t out there. If it is out there, we will happily accept it and it will go directly to the principal (rather than interest), meaning students will pay less. In the grand scheme of your $30,000 education would you rather not be frustrated daily with the lack of facilities? We simply cannot count on a handout from our parents anymore, so instead we’re moving out and paying rent.
The Build SFU proposal will hit the ground running because we have the shell of the building to work with. We can save money by having both the SUB and stadium in the same location, and everybody wins. We have a new place for orientation, for concerts, or other student events. It’s sustainable in an inventive way by recycling a building, and it will be LEED Gold certified. It will have all the student space we need, and it will be a bright and open extracurricular hub for campus.
So I propose we change the conversation away from that other stuff and make it really simple for everybody. If you think that the next 10 generations of students should suffer doing five laps of the library to find a place to sit, then vote ‘no’.
If, when you came to SFU, you wished there was more study space, meeting rooms, lounge space, food options, dance studios, safe spaces, and some real community at SFU, vote ‘yes’.
That’s all it comes down to. You may feel one way or another about consultation, or the price tag, or that it snowed last week, but that has absolutely nothing to do with voting ‘yes’ for more student space, or ‘no’ for a forever lame SFU.
I say vote yes to the student union building, and yes to reinventing the campus community.
A long, bumpy road to democracy
For those of us living in a country such as Canada, with guarantees of civil liberties, freedom, and a liberal democratic process, the idea of life in a place with few freedoms and no ability to choose our leaders is alien to most. Because of this, events such as the Arab Spring come with a sense of inevitability, as though such struggles for democracy should exist wherever despotism is in power, and that it is simply a matter of time before the whole world becomes democratic like Canada. After all, who would choose to live under an undemocratic regime when they could fight for more rights and freedoms?
The reality is that such assumptions are too shortsighted, for no other reason than that the perfect system for one country may be incompatible in another, let alone wanted by its people. Even the idea of our Canadian system, where a party with a majority has almost absolute power on a country’s governance, is thought to not have enough accountability to our neighbors to the south.
The problem becomes more complicated when one takes into account the state of democracies around the world. As I wrote in my last column, the number of full democracies — free, non-corrupt systems that follow any ‘western’ liberal democratic model — are diminishing, all the while, the number of authoritarian regimes is on the rise. What makes the idea of a fully democratic world even more far-fetched is the fact that many of these authoritarian governments are doing just fine.
In Saudi Arabia, democratization is but a pipe dream, not only because the ruling family is so entrenched into government, but also because much of the population do not wish to see change. The economy is running well, people are mostly happy, and many feel there is no need for change. Though there are sections of the population calling for it — mostly women and religious minorities — the strength of the al-Saud family makes it so the changes come from the top, rather than create instability at the grassroots level.
Even in a nation such as Russia (which is apparently yearning for change), change is just as unlikely to come anytime soon. Putting aside the fact that elections in Russia are not free or fair according to many independent election watchers, the grim reality is that any opposition to Vladimir Putin’s United Russia is too disorganized and poorly funded to mount a meaningful challenge. More importantly, for as many people who take to the streets against Putin, there are likely just as many -— if not more — who would not like to see him go; these are not only the oligarchs and the rich businessmen, but many ordinary Russians who remember the chaos of the early ‘90s when Russia attempted to become fully democratic and almost slid into civil war. For them, stability – economic or otherwise – may be more important than the ability to choose who sits inside the Kremlin walls.
Democratization is not an easy process. Tunisia had it easy, Egypt and Libya are struggling to establish it, and Syrians are learning the hard way how difficult it is to rid one’s country of a tyrant. Absolute power not only corrupts, it addicts, and those in power will do whatever they need to in order to stay there.
