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Canvas discussions boards are being used ineffectively

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Peak Web
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Multiple courses on a Canvas screen
PHOTO: Puneet Aulakh / The Peak

By: Saije Rusimovici, Staff Writer

We’ve all had that one professor who insists on having students complete a weekly discussion board. It can feel exceedingly tedious and time consuming to participate in Canvas discussion boards. Whether the posts serve as a reading comprehension assignment or are meant to spark conversation between classmates, it often feels like a chore rather than a meaningful activity that stimulates our learning. 

A discussion prompt might ask students to respond with whether they agree with a particular argument. Responses often are filled with lacklustre “I agrees” from people who regurgitate the points their classmates made, often due to time constraints from prioritizing larger assignments. For this reason, discussion boards are rarely productive — they are just another assignment we need to tick off our to-do lists. 

Standard discussion assignments aren’t an effective way for students to learn. With new AI tools that can summarize text instantly, students can quickly fill discussion board prompts without another thought. When discussions can simply be answered by asking a chatbot to summarize information and come up with a response, they no longer have a meaningful impact on the learning experience. Especially when these discussions are then translated into participation grades that add up to a decent chunk of a student’s grade, there can be more effective ways to engage students.

Any discussion, whether in-person or online, should no longer focus on regurgitating information or summarizing sources. This doesn’t determine a student’s understanding or comprehension of the discussion topics. Students have tools that will do their work for them now, so the learning environment should adapt to prevent misuse of new technology.

Discussions should instead be a place for students to be curious, and establish genuine connections to the material. It would be beneficial to use Canvas discussions for conversation and asking questions rather than a graded assignment that anyone could submit a generated response to. Many professors use discussion boards as a resource for their students, and sometimes facilitate learning by asking their own specific questions to students. This creates a much more engaging environment rather than a “question of the week” assignment that we see in many courses. Prompts could also be shifted from asking students to summarize materials to questions that can be answered by sharing personal experiences or stories that connect to the material. 

We need to reimagine how we use Canvas. For such a flexible technology, there’s so much more we can use it for to facilitate learning.

Local enby whispers righty-tighty lefty-loosey to themselves as they assemble IKEA furniture

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Peak Web
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Man wearing a grey hoodie surrounded by cardboard boxes. He is tightening a screw as a part of assembling a table.
PHOTO: cottonbro studio / Pexels

By: C Icart, Humour Editor

After a months-long arduous battle to get a single Metro Vancouver landlord to rent their overpriced apartment to them, 24-year-old Blue Rose (which is 100% not a pseudonym I am making up for myself) finally gets to deal with the additional financial burden of furnishing said apartment. 

“I really underestimated just how fucking boring buying furniture is,” they shared. “People on HGTV always seem so excited about this kind of stuff. But I guess that excitement is more linked to the amount of money they make from evicting people from their homes so they can flip them.”

After extensive research, Rose settled on IKEA furniture because of its international reputation. “Yeah, I just really wanted a veggie dog and they had them so it was a no brainer to also buy a bed, you know.”

However, Rose did feel bamboozled that they then had to assemble said bed. “Like it wasn’t like I didn’t know I needed to do that because I guess I vaguely remember not paying someone else to do it, but it’s like I’m not Bob the Builder, you know?”

Undeterred, Rose gathered their courage and began the building process. “I literally had to buy a screwdriver. IKEA doesn’t guide you through this process at all. I mean there’s the detailed instructions, but that really doesn’t help that much when seeing more than one type of screw all in one bag is a new and overwhelming experience for you.”

Despite the considerable amount of cam locks they broke and simply did not replace when building the bed, they are confident that the structural integrity of said bed has not been compromised. “If I’m not confident about it, it means I have to go replace the locks and that sounds like work so I’ve just chosen to believe it’s not a problem instead.”

The whole process took them just over a week to complete and they are adamant they are never doing it again. “Everyone keeps telling me they love building IKEA furniture and it’s so easy, so next time I have to do it, I’ll just invite all those little showoffs to my place and they can take care of it.”

When asked if there’s anything else they wanted to share with our readers about their tumultuous journey, Rose said, “righty-tighty, lefty-loosey baby! Also, if any queers want to go on an IKEA ice cream date, call me!”

Nutritious Nibbles: Nonna’s cucina (grandma’s kitchen)

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Peak Web
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Polenta garnished with greens on a white plate.
PHOTO: Max Griss / Unsplash

By: Saije Rusimovici, Staff Writer

Growing up, some of my best memories are of eating homemade meals for dinner at my nonna’s house on cozy fall evenings. As an adult, I find myself gravitating more and more to her recipes this time of year, as they’re so simple and made with just a few ingredients. Not only do these dishes take me back to my childhood, but they remind me that good food can also be very simple. 

Nonna’s Pastina 

Pastina has become a popular dish online this fall. It’s the simplicity of this dish that makes it so appealing. Before it became a trend online, my grandmother prepared this for us as children, particularly as the weather turned colder or when we were sick with the flu. While my favourite way to prepare this dish is with tiny star-shaped pasta, they can be difficult to find. For this recipe, any small pasta will do. 

Serves: 2

Ingredients: 

4 cups water 
Salt (to taste) 
1 cup pastina 
2 tbsp butter
½ grated parmesan cheese, plus extra for serving
Crushed black pepper 

      1. Add water and salt to a medium pot and bring to boil.
      2. Add one cup of pastina.
      3. Cook until al dente, about 8–10 minutes. 
      4. Drain excess water from the pot using a strainer.
      5. Add pastina back to the warm pot and add butter, ½ parmesan cheese and stir until combined. 
      6. Top with black pepper and as much extra parmesan cheese as you would like! 

Frittata with Potato, Mortadella, and Mozzarella Cheese

My nonna would always whip up a version of the Italian frittata, an omelette-like dish made with scrambled eggs, cheese, and fillings. It’s a quick dinner that comes together in minutes. It’s also an easy way to get rid of any vegetables in your fridge. You can swap out the fillings in this recipe for cheese and veggies of your choice.I enjoy thinly sliced zucchini and parmesan cheese in this dish, but this is by-far my favourite version of frittata. The combination of ham, cheese, and thinly-sliced potato is so delicious.

Serves: 2–4

Ingredients:

6 medium potatoes 
3 tbsp olive oil 
8 slices (approx. 20g) Italian mortadella (ham also works well)
1 cup mozzarella cheese 

      1. Boil potatoes.
      2. Once tender, peel and mash potatoes in a bowl. Set aside to cool. 
      3. Once potatoes are cooled, season with salt and pepper to your taste. 
      4. In a frying pan, heat olive oil. 
      5. Take half of the mashed potatoes and transfer into the hot frying pan, pressing down evenly with the back of a big spoon to create a thick crust on the bottom of the pan. 
      6. Top the potato crust with mortadella or ham and mozzarella cheese. 
      7. Cover the cheese layer completely with the remaining potatoes in the bowl (make sure to press them down tightly). 
      8. Cook at medium-high heat for about 5–6 minutes. 
      9. This is the fun part! Cover the frying pan with a large dinner plate and carefully flip the frittata onto it. Slide it back into the pan and cook the other side for another 5–6 minutes. 
      10. The frittata should be golden brown on both sides. 
      11. Cut into triangles (like a pizza!) and enjoy. 

Polenta 

My nonna grew up eating polenta very often, especially in the colder months of the year. Polenta, a dish made of cornmeal, was cheap and easy to pull together. My bis nonna (great-grandmother) would cook the cornmeal in a large pot. Once it was ready, she would pour and spread the polenta on a large wooden board and top it with tomato sauce. My nonna’s family would settle around the table and eat off of the corner of the board closest to them. Now, I look forward to this dish that’s been prepared by my family members for generations as soon as the weather becomes chilly. 

Serves: 2

Ingredients: 

1 ⅓ cups cornmeal
3 cups water
½ teaspoon salt (or more to taste) 

      1. Heat water to a hot temperature, but make sure it is not completely boiling. 
      2. Add salt.
      3. Slowly add the cornmeal a little bit at a time, stirring constantly until the mixture becomes thick and the cornmeal has absorbed all the water. 
      4. Spread out on flat dinner plates (or large board if you have one!) and top with your favourite tomato sauce.
      5. Garnish with a sprinkle of parmesan cheese.

SFU Student updates

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Peak Web
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Graphic that reads “Student updates.”
ILLUSTRATION: Courtesy of The Peak

By: Hailey Miller, Staff Writer

This message is for all fall-obsessed undergraduate and graduate students as of October 2023.

REMINDER: CLASSES CANCELLED ON HALLOWEEN

This is your second-to-last reminder that classes, across all campuses, will be cancelled this Halloween. A survey was sent out earlier this semester asking students if they’d be haunting this Hallow’s Eve, and the results are in: 100% of students reported that they’d be participating in the great Haunt Out. The Haunt Out will take place on October 31 from 12:00 a.m.–11:59 p.m. and will consist of parading around the campuses, concocting potions, and performing wicked spells to make assignments and exams vanish into thin air. Admin will happily close the university in solidarity with these Haunt Out festivities, rather than pay their workers a fair wage.

FREE PUMPKIN SPICE THIS OCTOBER

Calling all pumpkin spice fanatics! The university will be doling out its fair share of everything pumpkin-spiced 24 hours a day, all month long. You want a pumpkin spice latte? We’ve got it. Pumpkin spice scones? Yup. Pumpkin spice ice cream? That too! Don’t forget to pick up your own pumpkin spice mix pack filled with cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, cloves, a dash of autumn leaves, and a drop of witches’ brew. Available locations: Witch Mall Centre, Academic Vamprangle, Jack-O-Lantern Pond, Carve-Vocation Mall, Gourdcorp Centre for the Haunts, Cauldronstone, and the Graveyard Observatory.

2023 PUMPKIN CARVING CONTEST

It’s the great pumpkin, SFU! There’s no better time to creep the patch for the perfect pumpkin, and put those carving skills to the test. The Pumpkin Carving Contest is on now until Hallow’s Eve and takes place in Carve-Vocation Mall from sunset to sunrise, when the Jack-O-Lanterns glow. Pick up a pumpkin from Gourdcorp today, and try your hand at etching a spooky face. Top prizes include: permission to skip class, a strong cup of witches’ brew, a pumpkin spice starter pack, and enough candy to make your teeth rot.

BURNABY CAMPUS TO BE TRANSFORMED INTO CORN MAZE

The rumours are true — the Burnaby campus will be transformed into a corn maze later this month. The highly-anticipated maze will feature inedible corn the height of the mountain, unfathomably deep mud pits that are sure to get your witch boots stuck and make you late for Wicked Spells class, and more than enough scare crows to fright you out of midterm stress, making professors shriek. Entry is by either pumpkin spice consumption or potion concoction. Discount offered for those riding on brooms.

RESIDENCE HAUNTED HOUSE CONTEST — OPEN NOW

Trick-or-treat, witches! May the best haunted residence win. SFU’s annual Residence Haunted House Contest is back by popular demand. Decorate your vampire lair with unfinished assignments, overflowing readings, rotten pumpkins, and skeletons from the science department. Invite your goblin friends and ghostly acquaintances alike. Bonus for those serving up homemade witches’ brew and poisonous potions. No doubt Shadbolt House will be going hard! Submit your entries by midnight on Hallow’s Eve. Top prizes include: egging the winning house, being suspended from the university, and failing your next exam.

START STRESSING ABOUT THE SPRING SEMESTER TODAY!

We’re already a month into the fall semester, which means it’s time to start stressing about the spring semester! Have you considered your courses yet? Autumn is the perfect time to fall into the trick-or-treat trap of concocting a wicked course schedule following the season of the witch. Register your stress levels today and receive a half-off discount on the stress of two semesters for the price of one! Extra pumpkin spice included with each early-gourd registration!  

Two films framing Venezuelans

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Peak Web
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Film stills from Beba and La Soledad
PHOTO: Courtesy of Rebeca Huntt and Jorge Thielen Armand

By: Michelle Young, Opinions Editor

Editor’s note: A previous version of this piece misspelled “Rebeca Huntt” as “Rebecca Huntt.” It has now been fixed.

Content warning: brief mention of enslavement.

Latinx Heritage Month may be coming to an end, but that’s no reason to stop watching Latin American films. Both by Venezuelan filmmakers, these two films paint a portrait of Venezuela’s economic collapse and showcase how class and race are deeply seated in the Venezuelan psyche. Beba follows the story of Rebeca Huntt, who is part of the Venezuelan diaspora, while La Soledad centres itself at home. Watching these together showcases two experiences that are entirely different, entirely intertwined, and entirely Venezuelan. 

Beba (2021)
Beba follows “Beba,” a Venezuelan-Dominican filmmaker during eight years of her life. Beautifully shot on 16mm in a documentary style, the film interviews the people Beba is closest to, reminiscing on her upbringing. At times, Beba is warm and tender, but it is also deep cutting. It explores generational trauma, white discomfort, and the microaggressions Beba faces as an Afro-Latina. It explores the intersections of a Latin American and Black identity — a necessary perspective when looking at Latin American cultures. The film is focused on her experience, opening with an overlap of voices speaking to her, giving commentary on her character. The voices cut out. Text fills the screen: “This is my part. Nobody else speak.” 

She describes her childhood summers in Mendoza Fría, a town in Trujillo, which is southwest of Caracas, Venezuela’s capital. “It’s the last time I’ll ever come to this country,” she says. It hits like a pile of bricks. Beba’s excerpt on Venezuela is a short one, but it is poignant. It lays a deeper understanding of Beba’s journey throughout the film. 

Beba is vulnerable, personal, and filled with wounds. It is unyielding in its portrayal of family and racism. “I carry an ancient pain that I struggle to understand,” she narrates. But Beba is also filled with healing. It’s like listening to a friend and holding their heart as they tell you their story. It’s like a love letter to herself, whispering, “I see you. I feel your pain. You’ll be OK.” 

La Soledad (2016)
Set in contemporary Venezuela, the film follows a father, José, trying to take care of his family and save their home, which is going to be demolished. He tries to find the treasure rumoured to be hidden in the house by those previously enslaved by the house owners. José’s abuela (grandmother) is becoming increasingly at risk of being displaced, as her landlord is upset for letting her family stay with her. While they live in a leaking, peeling, cracking house, we see Marley, José’s partner, cleaning a new and pristine kitchen stove, highlighting racial and class divisions.

La Soledad is directed by Jorge Thielen Armand, who also co-founded La Faena Films, a film production company focused on Venezuelan identity. I have never seen Venezuelan daily life depicted in film. To watch La Soledad was both soothing and heartbreaking. I was grateful for the attention to detail in this story, and the validation of having a Venezuelan experience on screen, for the world to see. However, it was saddening to watch this reality. To live in it is something I have gratefully not experienced. 

When José’s daughter comments she wanted milk in her cereal, he explains the cows are on vacation. There is no milk. Even after lining up at the grocery store for hours, the shelves are essentially empty. The search for medicine is endless. While Venezuelans migrating elsewhere has been increasingly common over the years, there are still some who choose to stay. This is a point of conflict between José and Marley, who wants to leave and find work elsewhere. José doesn’t seem to see migration in his future. My grandmother, too, never wanted to leave Venezuela. It was hard to wrap my head around at the time, but I appreciated this aspect being explored in the film. 

Venezuelan films and filmmakers can be hard to come by, especially in North America. However, they are slowly creeping into our mediascape, with a fairly recent batch of films such as Bad Hair (2013), The Family (2017), La Fortaleza (2020), and Once Upon A Time In Venezuela (2020) being released in the past 20 years. Often, Venezuela shows up in the news when discussing it as the country with the highest inflation rate in the world, at 400 per cent. Sometimes, there are articles about deportation, but rarely do I get to see in the media what I saw with Beba and La Soledad — stories of two Venezuelans, two people, caught in the socioeconomic history of Venezuela.

Catching Fire: An Analysis of People of the State of California v. Big Oil

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Peak Web
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Person holding a sign saying “There is no planet B” and an illustration of planet earth.
PHOTO: Li-An Lim / Unsplash

By: Sofia Chassomeris, SFU Student

In the summer of 2018, I looked up at the crimson sun shining through layers of smoke and smog and I thought the world was going to end. I was home in Vancouver that summer, and despite being far enough away to not experience the fires first-hand, the smoke from both California and BC was choking the air around me. I was fortunate, though; at least it wasn’t my house that was on fire, and what an outrageous thing to be grateful for. According to the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection, 2018 was one of the worst fire seasons in California and other areas of the Pacific Northwest. Yet five years later, the past looks more promising than the future. The climate disasters we are currently facing resulted from just over a century of mass industrialization and have intensified rapidly in the past 50 years. The burning of coal and oil for energy has exponentially increased the amount of carbon dioxide (CO2) released into the atmosphere, absorbing and radiating heat back to the planet’s surface. This has caused the atmosphere to become increasingly hotter; consequently, lush wildlife dries out and becomes the perfect fuel for flames. Fires spread faster and farther, taking not only the land and its natural resources, but displacing families and exposing them to the harmful effects of air pollution. California has continuously experienced wildfires, droughts, and heat waves nearly every year since 2018, and the repairs and relocations have cost the state billions of dollars and thousands of residents their livelihoods. The state of California is looking at Big Oil to pay for it.

On September 15, 2023, California State Attorney General, Rob Bonta, filed a lawsuit against five of the world’s biggest oil and gas companies. Exxon Mobil, Shell, Chevron, ConocoPhillips, and BP are the named defendants being sued for allegedly knowing about the catastrophic effects the CO2 emissions from their operations would have on the environment, and concealing information from the public. The state of California has also presented evidence proving these companies have known this information for decades, and they’ve hidden it to maximize profits. To quote an internal Exxon memo from October of 1979, “Present climatic models predict that the present trend of fossil fuel use will lead to dramatic climatic changes within the next 75 years […] the above conclusion assumes that recovery will not be feasible.” It’s safe to assume the biggest enemy of the fossil fuel industry is climate change, but it isn’t the daunting dystopia of a burning world that they fear. It’s those who stand in the way of them continuing to make money off of it. 

There have been similar, smaller cases filed from cities and municipalities across the U.S. such as Oregon, California, and the states of Rhode Island and Delaware, but this marks the first time an oil-producing state has filed a lawsuit of this kind. That California is getting involved at all is monumental, and according to Korey Silverman-Roati of Columbia University’s Sabin Center for Climate Change Law, is “a big signal to other jurisdictions around the country that they think this is a winning case.” If California wins, it will be a major loss for the oil companies, as the state has faced so much destruction due to climate change that the cost to settle will be substantially higher than with other cases in smaller states. There is also significance in the timing of this lawsuit — the U.S. Supreme Court recently rejected five appeals from ExxonMobil, Suncor, BP, Chevron, and Shell, seeking to transfer climate change-related lawsuits from the state to the federal court. In all five cases rejected by the Supreme Court, the oil companies lost in state courts. Now, in current lawsuits, these companies are forced to defend themselves in front of a jury, which claimants tend to prefer when fighting for damage compensation. Of course, this comes with more complaints from Big Oil, but it’’ because they’re getting uncomfortable; they know they’re being backed into a corner with every lawsuit that comes at them.

The defendants staunchly denied the allegations, either declining to comment or undermining the reasoning for this lawsuit. As reported by CNBC, senior vice-president of the American Petroleum Institute, Ryan Meyers went as far as to say lawsuits of this kind are “meritless” and a “waste of California taxpayer resources.” Still, the reality is that the responsibility for the climate crisis is a shared burden of both the oil companies and the state; the industry for contributing as massively as it has to climate change, and the government for not taking action against it sooner. This lawsuit isn’t meritless, either. It is the sparking of a match, and as we know too well, sparks catch fire very quickly these days. Perhaps it is time to consider stricter regulations on what corporations can and cannot do, at least in the energy sector, to ensure sustainable production and mitigate the damages the fossil fuel industry is still causing. The only thing our current system can sustain is greed. 

While switching from fossil fuels to renewable energy will be difficult to employ and undeniably disruptive for many, it’s crucial to the earth’s (and humanity’s) longevity, and this lawsuit is a step in the right direction. California is pushing these oil corporations to an uncomfortable position with this lawsuit, and they are not the only ones. Vancouver-based West Coast Environmental Law is on a similar path as the Sue Big Oil campaign, but this is just the beginning; it’s time other jurisdictions take note. If we increase the pressure on these corporations and keep them financially accountable, we can finally move toward mending these issues, but you can’t fix a leaking boat while it’s still on the water. There is hope for the future of the climate crisis, but only through combined effort and with common goals will we succeed.

Second-hand alternatives to thrifting clothes

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Peak Web
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A young woman with long black hair and sharp eyeliner sitting on concrete steps. She is wearing a silver necklace, a gray shirt, and black cargo pants.
PHOTO: May Chee / The Peak

By: Tian Davidson, SFU Student

With the new season, many of us are looking to update our closets without flocking to fast fashion. When it comes to sustainable shopping, thrifting seems like the best option; you donate your old clothes and can find new clothes that are second-hand, making it better for the environment, right? It’s not always this straightforward, and shouldn’t be the only option people think of when they think of second-hand goods. 

Why look for alternatives?
Many thrift stores have become flooded with fast fashion brands like Shein or H&M. Fast fashion is clothing typically made with cheap, synthetic materials that are harmful to the environment and last only a few wears, to support quickly-changing trend cycles. This makes it difficult for thrift shoppers to filter out quality clothing made to last. In addition, some places are unable to keep up with the amount of clothing they receive, leading to a portion ending up in the landfill: something we don’t want! Large corporations like Value Village profit off of the unnecessary price markup of donations, which they receive for free. While there are responsible thrift stores, there are many other ways to reuse and source used clothing to consider.

Clothing swaps
For every article of clothing you leave behind at a clothing swap, you can get another piece someone else has left behind. This is a direct way to donate and receive clothes by removing an unethical middle party and avoiding clothing ending up in a landfill. Many clothing swaps are organized in communities through word of mouth and social media. Did you know there’s a clothing swap at SFU’s Student Union Building near the Women’s Centre on the second floor? 

Borrowing clothes
Reduce overconsumption and save money by asking your friends and family if you can borrow their clothes. This gives you the opportunity to experiment with a new style without committing to a new garment. Better yet, swap with someone to expand both your outfit rotations. What better way to rock the “boyfriend fit” than by borrowing clothes from your boyfriend’s closet? You can also check out clothing rental companies that will send you monthly second-hand items that you can return after each use.

Upcycling
This last option requires a bit of skill, but it’s one of the most satisfying ways to refresh old clothing you might not wear anymore. By taking old clothes and changing them up with a bit of sewing and mending, you can create a new look with anything sitting in your closet. Want to make some jeans with cool black stars on them? Get that old T-shirt sitting in your closet, some fabric scissors and some sewing supplies, and you’ve got yourself Pinterest-worthy jeans. Not only can you switch up the designs of your clothes, but you can learn how to hem clothes so they fit you better, or repair tears. If this is too time consuming or strenuous, support local tailors by bringing your clothing in for mending.

While trying to update your closet, there’s no shame in buying new pieces, but it’s important to try to make informed decisions and ask yourself if there might be second-hand sources to what you’re looking for. Let’s stop overconsumption while looking stylish this semester!

Pomeranians, performances, and properties, oh my!

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Peak Web
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Brown Pomeranian sitting in front of a white wall next to three white balloons.
PHOTO: Cup of Couple / Pexels

By: Kaja Antic, Sports Writer and C Icart, Humour Editor

Dear Peakie, 

I was at the SFU Gallery in the AQ admiring a painting of a very cute pomeranian when I saw its eyes move ever-so-slightly like they were following me. It was kind of like the Mona Lisa, but better because it was a dog. Is this a message? How do I respond? 

Sincerely, 
Art Enthusiast 

Dear Art Enthusiast, 

You were not imagining anything; the very cute pomeranian was indeed sending you a message. You must respond by leaving an offering for him. The kind pupper was asking for a treat. Leave the pomeranian’s favourite foods in front of the painting, such as baby carrots, kidneys, or sweet potatoes. Disregard anyone getting mad at you for leaving fresh produce and organs on the gallery floor. They don’t understand your connection to this art or the true meaning of art overall. Hope you have a great time with your new furry friend!

Fur-well,
Peakie

Dear Peakie, 

I live in student housing downtown. Everything has been great so far. There’s a large variety of things to do, including attending concerts at Victory Square. The other day, I was singing along, and someone yelled at me to shut up because “the concert ended hours ago,” and my “off-key singing from the sixth floor” was “keeping the whole neighbourhood up.” If I offer them a Snickers, do you think they’ll stop being grumpy and sing with me instead? 

Sincerely, 
Gastown Vocalist

Dear Gastown Vocalist,

How dare your neighbourhood not understand real talent? I am sorry you had to go through that, dear friend. Those surrounding you do not understand art, ignoring the ongoing concert, as well as suppressing your involvement in it. My best advice is to block out the haters, but I know that can be physically difficult. The idea that Snickers will satisfy is often misconstrued. Big Chocolate is very good at covering that up, so I understand why you may have missed that information. Instead of feeding your neighbours, you will be feeding the overbearing American capitalist agenda. Display true Canadian hospitality by offering everyone a Coffee Crisp, and if they deny it, display even greater Canadian hospitality by dousing them in maple syrup. Hope your neighbours find their voice and join your chorus.

Stay tuned,
Peakie

Dear Peakie, 

I was viewing an apartment the other day. Once they showed me the space, the landlord reminded me of the price of the rent (astronomical) and that there was a bus stop about 45 minutes away. Then they asked me, “what’s not to like?” I answered that I could name a few things now, but if they wanted a comprehensive list, I could email them later. Do you have any idea why they didn’t want me to fill out a rental application?

xoxo,
Honesty Is Always My Policy 

Dear Honesty Is Always My Policy,

From my understanding of the current rental market, instead of asking you to fill out an application for that unit, the landlord is picking out another one of their exaggeratedly-priced units that is perfect for what you are looking for! Something that is, once again, way over your price range but seemingly the cheapest option the landlord can give you. The closest bus stop will be even further from this unit, despite the label of “centrally located.” Also, you won’t be able to have pets or have friends over (supposed security issues), and there are multiple safety issues, including outdated smoke and carbon monoxide detectors! On top of that, doing laundry is a non-negotiable no, as well as cooking anything besides sandwiches and salads. What’s not to love? Hope they accept your answers this time, as this sounds like the best offer you’ll find in Vancouver!

May the odds be ever in your favour, 
Peakie

It’s time to make the switch to tea

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Peak Web
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Cup of tea poured from a kettle
PHOTO: Maria Tyutina / Pexels

By: Izzy Cheung, staff writer

Caramel macchiatos, iced lattes, and plain drip coffee can all act as a little “pick me up” after a long day of classes or before a big study session. Many students see coffee, and large doses of caffeine like energy drinks, a way to power through tough days. I can’t count the amount of times I’ve sought out coffee as a solution for feeling tired during long weeks. Something about that flavoured bean water just gets me hyper-focused on the task at hand. Although, once the energy dies down, the jolting feeling of teetering over the edge of a building tends to smack me right in the face. To combat that unsettling feeling of constantly being on edge after spending all night working on a big assignment, I’ve made the switch from coffee and energy drinks to tea — here’s why you should think about doing the same. 

As a society, we’ve collectively decided that the solution to all our tired, low-energy problems is to down a drink that contains a condensed amount of caffeine. Sorry to break it to you, but coffee isn’t the solution to capitalism. Drinking coffee in general has become a practice that sees sleep-deprived students and exhausted workers lining up at the closest Starbucks to get caffeinated before starting the day. But is it really that good for us?

Intakes of caffeine higher than the safe daily amount of 400 mg can result in an increase in anxiety symptoms, digestive problems, and in some cases, muscle breakdown. In a study on the relation of stress to caffeine intake, those who drank 300 mg of caffeine felt twice the amount of stress as those who took a placebo over a period of four sessions. Depending on caffeine for a mood-booster when stressed can often result in the opposite. Frequent and high doses of coffee can also become “mildly addictive,” and ultimately it isn’t the solution to turn to when we need to be hyper-productive. For a gentler method of staying alert, try brewing a cup of tea. While tea might not solve these underlying issues, it might be a better alternative. 

Rather than increase feelings of stress, tea can help individuals maintain focus and clarity due to the combination of caffeine and l-theanine (a chemical compound that has been shown to ease stress, anxiety, and insomnia). One study noted that those who consume l-theanine and caffeine together did better on an attention test than those who took only caffeine.  

Tea has many other benefits that tend to be overlooked. The high content of antioxidants in green tea can improve our brain function and reduce inflammation in the body. Anti-inflammatory properties in tea — as well as zinc, and vitamins C and E — can also help support immune function, making it easier for your body to heal from diseases.  

The different flavour profiles that teas come in can suit all your needs, whether you’d like something floral or fruity. You can’t say that about coffee. So, the next time you find yourself stressing over a big exam, consider trading your drip coffee for a cup of brewed tea. 

Council Chats: Budget presentation outlines SFSS funding for 2023/24

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This is an illustration of the Council Chat’s logo. The logo has two speech bubble icons, one red and one blue, which are the SFSS colours. The graphic also reads, “Council Chats.”
ILLUSTRATION: Andrea Choi / The Peak

By: Olivia Sherman, News Writer

The Peak attended the bi-weekly Simon Fraser Student Society (SFSS) Council meeting on September 27. The meeting consisted of an official audit, AGM planning, in-camera discussions of the Student Union Building (SUB) lease, the TSSU strike, and a host of elections to various committees. 

SFSS Audit

Auditors Gary Wozny and Pamela Felix of Tompkins, Wozny, Miller & Co. gave a presentation of SFSS’s financial statements. Wozny noted operation costs have risen, since many operations, clubs, and events are starting to return to pre-COVID standards. Costs for office and administrative roles have also increased, as many members have moved from part-time positions to full-time positions. 

The SFSS’s “total fund balances are $27,589,000, versus last year, about $26,406,000. So that means overall, compared to fiscal 2022, your dead assets have increased by $1.18 million,” Wozney said. “That means, in general terms, the student society has improved its financial position as compared to last year.”

Some of the major expenses from this year include the SFSS Health and Dental Plan, which costs $5.526 million. Another large SFSS expense is giving out grants to student unions and  clubs. Wonzy noted that while the increase in student grants was likely budgeted, the SFSS went over budget. Lastly, he noted the increase in student academic bursaries, which has increased from $382,000 from the previous year’s $361,000. However, overall, 2022/23 expenses are lower than 2021/22 because of the expenses the SFSS paid for the new stadium. Wozny noted the SFSS total overall revenue was $15.6 million for this year. 

AGM Agenda Planning

New business in this meeting included amending bylaws that were not passed at the 2022 annual general meeting (AGM) because the meeting didn’t meet quorum last year. President Liam Feng proposed carrying forward the postponed agenda items from 2022 to the 2023 AGM. Vice president internal, Ashley Flett, explained this motion further, saying that during the September 27 meeting they need to approve the agenda for the upcoming 2023 AGM. “For transparency’s sake, most of these motions were things that were approved for last year’s AGM but did not move forward due to us not reaching quorum last year,” Flett said. 

The Council approved the draft for adding last year’s motions, to this year’s AGM, unanimously. 

Renegotiation of Lease Terms with SFU

SFSS has a lease agreement with SFU for the SUB on Burnaby campus. However, Feng said many definitions within this agreement, including operation costs and building costs, “inadequately reflect the intended spirit of the agreement.” Flett noted this discussion needed to be in-camera, therefore not available for the public, so facilities manager, John Walsh, could explain the context of the motion. 

“There are subjects within the negotiation for the SUB lease that are best not to be quoted,” Feng stated. Walsh elaborated, “This would constitute commercially sensitive information. It is in regards to a contract we have with the university.”

SFSS Committee Elections 

Events and Student Affairs Committee (ESAC) Elections
Due to repeated absences, a councillor was removed from their position on the ESAC leaving a vacant position on that committee. Ashley Flett nominated archaeology student society representative, Seniha Inceoz, who refused the nomination. 

Sociology and anthropology student union representative, Andres Sosa, stressed the importance of SFSS members joining committees, “It is their responsibility as councillors to be in at least one committee.” Flett replied to this concern, “Councillors have been given ample warning,” noting a $50 stipend reduction as consequence. 

The motion was passed to postpone the ESAC committee election. 

Member Service Advisory Committee (MSAC) Election
Two vacant seats remained in the MSAC. Vice president events and student affairs, Ayooluwa Adigun, gave a brief description of the duties and responsibilities of the committee. Members would “overlook the basic operations of the SFSS, including student unions and clubs. Those are two main focuses.” 

Former vice president finance, Abhi Parmar, nominated chemistry student society councillor, Xiaohan Li, who accepted the nomination. Vice president equity and sustainability, Priyanka Dhesa, nominated economics councillor, Rafid Rahman Chowdhury, but they did not respond. Criminology student association councillor, Henry Do, nominated Nicolas Bonilla from the biology student union, who accepted the nomination. 

Members Meeting Planning Committee (MMPC) Election 
MMPC aids in planning the agenda for the AGM. Councillor Sindhu noted, “If anyone needs a committee to join, this is a really easy one.” 

Priyanka Dhesa nominated archaeology councillor, Seniha Inceoz, who accepted the nomination. Students of Caribbean and African Ancestry representative, Yaye Balde, was nominated by Abhi Parmar, who accepted. 

HR and Personnel Committee Election 
Ashley Flett nominated molecular biology and biochemistry councillor and vice chair, Sam Killawee, for the committee, who accepted the nomination. 

Oversight Committee on Executive Officers (OCEO) Election
As chair of the OCEO last year, Flett explained the committee “essentially oversees the work reports of the executive officers,” effectively keeping these officers in check. 

“This is the committee where you are watching over us to make sure we fall in line,” president Feng said. 

Henry Do was the only councillor elected to the committee. The original motion called for three councillors to sit on this committee. Since it’s vital for keeping the executive officers in check, Feng noted the likelihood of this election resurfacing in the future to fill the remaining two positions. 

Equity and Sustainability Committee (ESA) Election 
Archaeology councillor, Seniha Inceoz, was nominated for the committee and elected with no dissents. 

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Simon Fraser University’s independent student newspaper since 1965.

Contact us: [email protected]

© The Peak Publications Society 1965-2024

Simon Fraser University’s independent student newspaper since 1965.

Contact us:
[email protected]

© The Peak Publications Society 1965-2024