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Council in conversation with SOCA to provide funding for Black wellness retreat

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Peak Web
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This photo is of the SFU stadium at the Burnaby Campus. The stadium is empty but it is a sunny day.
PHOTO: Krystal Chan / The Peak

By: Eden Chipperfield, News Writer

Editor’s Note: This article was updated on July 20, 2023, to correct that SOCA’s budget is not $100,000 but rather they receive $65,000 per year from the SFSS. 

The Peak acknowledges we did not reach out to Emilio Da Silva for comment on the struck motion to censure and impeach him.

On May 24, The Peak attended the Simon Fraser Student Society’s (SFSS) bi-weekly council meeting. The meeting discussed the proposed Students of Caribbean and African Ancestry (SOCA) retreat, SFU Surge’s StormHacks grant reimbursement, and the censure of history councillor, Emilio Da Silva. 

SOCA presented proposal for a wellness retreat

Yaye Seydi Balde, internal revenue officer of SOCA, presented to Council a proposal for a wellness retreat that focuses on Black healing, including mental, emotional, physical, and spiritual health. The initiative of the Black healing space was facilitated by Tiara Cash, a graduate student at SFU and formally SOCA’s graduate representative on their executive board during 2021/2022. 

Amina Hassan, SOCA’s representative for the SFSS council meetings, said the retreat would be held in Chilliwack for four days in July. Attendance plans include five SOCA executives and 28 SOCA member attendees. 

SOCA requested $10,000 for accommodation, roundtrip transportation, food, and facilitators. The application was met with concern regarding the amount of money requested. Vice president of university and academic affairs, Thomas Lueth, stated SOCA already receives a budget of $100,000 per year so having the SFSS contribute additional cost for the retreat was concerning. However, SOCA confirmed with The Peak they only receive $65,000 per year from the SFSS.

Hassan responded to Lueth by explaining the budget SOCA receives is for the whole year and is allocated towards events and initiatives; the retreat is separate. Hassan elaborated that hosting the retreat is meant to further increase engagement with Black students. The wellness retreat aims to encourage more interested parties to join the retreat, and SOCA, for the following year.

The discussion continued to go back and forth, leading president Liam Feng to propose postponing the matter to the next meeting. The Council voted unanimously to postpone the discussion. 

SFU Surge’s StormHacks grant reimbursement 

StormHacks is a beginner-friendly hackathon event hosted by SFU Surge, open to hackers worldwide. The previous hackathon event was held at SFU Burnaby from May 20–21. SFU Surge submitted a grant request to Council. However, due to issues occurring within the SFSS when the request was submitted, a vote never happened to approve the budget, meaning SFU Surge was forced to pay for the event using their funds.

Council voted to reimburse SFU Surge for the StormHacks event. President Feng referred to the situation around the reimbursement as a “special” scenario. “Normally the process of such a grant, especially ones of this magnitude, they would not go through processes like this but in this case we’re making a special scenario for this one.”

Censure and impeachment of history councillor Emilio Da Silva is striked 

The SFSS Council discussed the motion to censure, impeach, and remove history councillor Emilio Da Silva from the SFSS. Society of Arts and Social Sciences (SASS) representative Hilary Tsui proposed that the movement be struck.

Tsui felt it was better to “move into the new year with a fresh perspective, a fresh start. One that doesn’t carry a lot of the hurt and distrust and chaos that happened last year.” Vice president of events and student affairs, Ayooluwa Adigun, agreed with Tsui to strike the discussion. Council voted unanimously to strike the motion. 

Opinions in Dialogue: Is SFU Burnaby really that ugly?

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Opinions
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Concrete stairs and walls
Kriti Monga / The Peak

By: Izzy Cheung, Staff Writer and Michelle Young, Opinions Editor

SFU has a reputation for looking like a grey concrete prison. Many students argue the aesthetics on campus are demoralizing. However, in recent years, more conversations have emerged around SFU’s beautiful views and wildlife. President Joy Johnson noted the “design for Burnaby campus shaped SFU’s educational philosophy by tearing down walls between faculties, removing silos, and creating common areas where disciplines merge and ideas flourish.” So, is SFU’s poor architectural reputation justified? 

Izzy: I can understand some things about the Burnaby campus are nice, like Burnaby Mountain sunsets. However, I’ve had most of my classes take place at Harbour Centre, and the location has made a huge difference. 

For starters, SFU Burnaby is so inconvenient. It’s literally on top of a mountain, meaning the only spots near the university are the things located on campus. Everything else requires a 10–15 minute transit or drive. Things are so much more convenient when I have my classes at Harbour Centre, especially since it’s located right in front of Waterfront Station. In terms of food, there are so many options to choose from at Harbour Centre, and if none of them are to your liking, all you need to do to find more options is walk a couple of blocks. Arriving at Waterfront brings you to Starbucks, Jugo Juice, Chronic Tacos, A&W, and Body Energy Club — and that’s just inside the station. If you’ve got time between classes, you can head up a little ways to Robson Street, or follow West Cordova street down to Gastown. 

Michelle: I’m not going to argue that SFU Burnaby is super convenient, but a 10–15 minute transit ride or drive is preferable for me since walking a few blocks can trigger chronic pain. Sometimes even just walking to classes can be a lot, and that’s my least favourite aspect of the Burnaby campus. Burnaby Mountain isn’t particularly close to anything either, so I do get where you’re coming from. Harbour Centre has the best food, I’ll give it that. Once I accepted the fact I’ll be stuck on campus most of the time, though, I found it’s not as bad as people make it out to be. The Burnaby library is huge, and I’ve been able to find lots of books I wouldn’t have been able to read otherwise. The complaints about SFU’s architecture and aesthetics are overblown. I think the campus has lots of cute spots. The glass and wood accents in Saywell Hall allow light to peek in and the tables there are cozy. I also love walking across the koi pond and trying to sneak a glance at the fish. The greenery around SFU Burnaby is somewhat typical for BC, but it makes the campus feel nice and calm. 

Koi pond at SFU
Kriti Monga / The Peak

Izzy: I’ll agree with your points on some of SFU Burnaby’s architecture, particularly with Saywell Hall — that’s probably my favourite spot on campus aesthetically speaking. I do like sitting in that little courtyard area between Saywell and Blusson when it’s nice out. In terms of natural views, I’d wholeheartedly agree that SFU Burnaby is better than the other campuses. My main concern with the architecture part isn’t really the aesthetics, but more-so the actual construction of the campus itself. Why are there so many stairs?

Concrete stairs, looking omminus
Kriti Monga / The Peak

I’m coming from the standpoint of someone who dislikes stairs, so I can’t even begin to imagine how much of a pain this campus must be for those who aren’t able to use them. Looking at the map, the entire Academic Quadrangle has only two elevators. Granted, there are some in West Mall and Saywell, but in terms of accessibility, SFU’s designers didn’t quite think through the construction thoroughly. For myself, I don’t particularly enjoy huffing it up from the transit exchange between West Mall and the library, as most of the time, this results in me showing up to class soaking wet from the rain and gasping for breath. I guess the aspect of wide campuses could be applied to all big universities, but it’s still something to think about. In terms of accessibility and convenience, I feel like the multi-floor, corporate-styled building is the way to go — even if it’s not stylistically preferred. 

Kriti Monga / The Peak

Michelle: Oh, the Djavad Mowafaghian Courtyard is very pretty! SFU’s design has commonly been referred to as brutalist, which was a popular style in the ‘50s and ‘60s. However, Donald Luxton, an architect and historical writer, disagrees with this assessment as the design’s “use of concrete was finely detailed and not in line with brutalist trends of the mid-20th century.” I personally love the grey concrete aesthetics, since they feel very Tadao Ando-esque, whose structures are associated with minimalist architecture and empty space. His work is still considered to be modern and appealing today. 

Overall, though, I do think the Burnaby campus is a little too spread out. And there could have been some better choices made for accessibility. Perhaps the conversation around SFU looking like a prison and being “glum” has distracted from real on-campus problems. 

Concrete stairs and walls
Kriti Monga / The Peak

Maybe we shouldn’t be discussing whether or not we like the visuals of SFU, but rather, whether the structure is serving us well. One of the SFU architects, Geoffrey Massey, studied under the Bauhaus movement, where function is an important aspect of design, too. 

Izzy: Agree! Each campus has its positives and negatives, and those traits are defined as such depending on what each person thinks and experiences. Either way, if possible, everyone should try visiting the other campuses at least once so they can broaden their perspectives in terms of what they think works best for SFU’s architecture. 

STORYTIME: THE DAY I FOUND OUT ONE OF THE EMPLOYEES AT MACKENZIE CAFE WAS MY MOTHER

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Peak Web
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A woman recording herself with a smartphone while eating pizza
PHOTO: Ivan Samkov / Pexels

By: C Icart, Humour Editor

Insert over-the-top thumbnail here with me looking shocked. There is text in all caps that reads, “I FINALLY FOUND MY MOM” 

Hi everyone! Welcome back to my channel! I have the wildest story to share with you all today. I know y’all criticized me last time, saying I was being “dramatic” and “lying and exaggerating for views,” but it’s not my fault a lot of exciting stuff happens to me and not you! If you’re a boring hater, this video is definitely not for you. Everyone else, don’t forget to like, comment, and subscribe. Click the little bell so you’ll be notified every time I post a new video. Did you click it yet? I’ll wait. 

Okay, cool! Let’s get into it! Y’all are literally not even going to believe this like; it’s so wild. Like maybe take a seat and get comfortable. Yeah, like, sit on the floor because I swear this story will make you fall. off. your. chair. 

Oh wait, wait, I forgot to say all my social media is linked in the description. Don’t forget to follow me. And there are links to literally everything in the background of this video in the description as well. They’re affiliate links, so please help me get rich! Oh my god, is it bad that I said that out loud? Whatever . . . I’m so relatable and quirky!

Anyways, let me stop rambling and actually tell y’all about this burning hot tea! Speaking of tea, this video’s sponsored by Scam Wellness Tea. I only started drinking it this morning because that’s when I finalized my contract with the brand, but I already noticed so many positive changes. My skin is clearer, my gut is detoxed (whatever that means, I don’t know), and my hair is five inches longer!

The first 30 people to click the link in the description will get 5% off a one-year supply of Scam Wellness Tea. That means it’s only going to cost you $400! What a steal. So run, don’t walk, to the description and get your Scam Wellness Tea today. 

So back to the storyyy. Okay, so, like, as you know, I go to SFU . . . Oh my god, I know y’all are going to leave a bunch of comments below saying SFU looks like a prison, but like I literally don’t care. Also, more comments mean more engagement, which means higher odds of me getting onto Morphe’s PR list.  

Oh my god, y’all, I just realized I’m going to be late for class, so I have to stop filming, but part two will be uploaded soon! In the meantime, you can check out the other videos on my channel. Again, don’t forget to like, comment, and subscribe! Thank you so much for watching. Bye!

Insert annoying royalty-free music playing in the background of an outro linking other pointless STORYTIME videos

Anthology explores what home means to Vancouver’s unhoused and marginalized

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Peak Web
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Photo from below looking up at a blue, cloudy sky and the side of a gray apartment with a sign that says “Hotel Balmoral”
PHOTO: Priscillia Mays Tait / Megaphone Magazine

By: Petra Chase, Arts & Culture Editor

Content warning: mentions of displacement by police and the death of a loved one.

It’s difficult to even begin to understand the complex set of social issues that overlap for Vancouver’s unhoused populations. Residents in the Downtown Eastside (DTES) neighbourhood routinely experience additional instability under police enforcement’s ongoing attempts to displace them. As desensitization to such injustices become normalized in our cities, everyone should read Losing Hope, Finding Home. The collection of stories and poems documenting the experiences of those who are unhoused or inadequately housed reminds us unhoused folks deserve compassion.

The anthology is a flip book, meaning there are two sets of stories and poems; you choose which end to start with, flip, and finish the rest. It’s Megaphone Magazine’s 13th annual issue for Voices of the Street, an initiative to push the literary talents of Vancouver’s marginalized to the forefront. Sold by local vendors, who sell for a profit of $5 each, it consistently sells out. 

Paula Carlson, managing editor at Megaphone Magazine describes the barriers to hearing these perspectives as a “constellation of inequalities.” Through this non-profit organization’s various programs like writing workshops and the DTES Writers Festival, their vision is a “society that values all voices.” They also have their ongoing photography magazine called Hope in the Shadows, which comes out in the fall.

Carlson told The Peak, “A very powerful thing happens when people who have been beaten down, disrespected, disregarded, disempowered, stigmatized, lied to, neglected, abused and gaslighted — sometimes all of their lives — are given respect, encouragement, agency, and a platform from which to be heard.

“They shine.”

From philosophical outlooks and ecological ponderings to details of dark despair, Losing Hope, Finding Home illustrates “the contrast between the agony and hopelessness of having nowhere to live, and the triumph and relief that is experienced once a home is secured.” For instance, in “Homeless Lament,” Eva Watterson writes:  I am a human being who made a bad choice and now I am stuck in the mess and don’t see a way out / This has become the hardest life that I could have imagined.” As you read, you learn that Watterson is plagued by depression and grief from losing a wife to cancer, with no family support.

In contrast, we also read about how care and community, reaching out for help, setting goals, and of course, writing, brings optimism. Stories depict how care and compassion can make all the difference in someone’s life. Carlson said she was moved by the tenacity of the community in that “the ‘finding home’ submissions far outnumbered the ‘losing hope’ ones.”

In addition to written word, there are also photographs that display stark socioeconomic juxtapositions — scenes you’d encounter right outside SFU’s Harbour Centre. 

 “All around us is evidence that society is broken, but we’ve become too desensitized to really see,” said Carlson. “Diners clink wine glasses as they sit in upscale restaurant window seats overlooking a tent city. Urban campers bed down in ramshackle vans a stone’s throw from mansions worth millions.”

I noted down some of the plethora of overlapping problems piled in the narratives: trauma, stigma, lack of mental health care, intergenerational trauma, drug abuse, sexual abuse, residential schools, COVID-19, climate change, and being born into poverty. “Because there are so many intersecting issues that conspire when a person experiences homelessness, it stands to reason that these issues must be addressed if we want folks to be housed,” said Carlson. “As is so eloquently shown by our writers and photographers, finding home means more than having four walls, a ceiling and a floor.”

Connect with a Megaphone Magazine vendor in your area by finding one on their website. Losing Hope, Finding Home is a minimum of $10. You can also purchase a digital copy online and credit a vendor of your choice. Follow Megaphone Magazine on Instagram, at @megaphonemag.

Job shadowing as a student is underrated

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Peak Web
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professional looking person sitting at a computer in front of a stressed out student sitting behind them at their desk, with papers everywhere
ILLUSTRATION: Hailey Gil / The Peak

By: Nercya Kalino, Peak Associate

The variety of work opportunities provided for university students during and after their degrees goes a great length to create unique skill sets. While some Canadian students may have the option to partake in co-op, others may volunteer or job shadow instead. As an international student, I know not everyone has the capacity to make time for co-op. Reasons might vary depending on a student’s visa conditions, or their ability to afford time away from school for work. Or, the choice to be away from school simply might not be favourable to some. Job shadowing can be a great option since it expands your resume through hands-on training experience, while providing the opportunity for professional relationships and mentorship. 

One of the most beneficial and understated options for students is job shadowing. Indeed describes it as watching experienced professionals throughout their work day to show you the expectations of their responsibilities, and duties of their role. The exposure is meant to be informal, so typically the role would be unpaid, and last for a short period of time. There are various paths to getting involved in this type of work. One option is through programs that a university has in place to help students get on board in their desired industry. Another option is through networking on professional media platforms, where students can find a mentor. 

Job shadowing isn’t usually the type of position one might benefit from long-term. However, it can be helpful when a student is unaware of the day-to-day aspects of a job they might be interested in. As a new graduate, I’m not entirely sure which industry I can start off in with my communications degree. In this case, the best option might be for me to network and find professionals of interest that might consider offering this option. I might not job shadow for the financial benefits, but for the chance to connect with professionals within companies of interest that can offer insight about their position. This would allow me to set expectations if I apply for a similar job in the future. It can bring more certainty to job-seekers, because it lets them know whether the perspectives they hold about a job are realistic. I do also acknowledge this route isn’t always financially viable for everyone. 

The advantages of job shadowing in industries that have this option include marketing opportunities and education. There is also a chance networking will help establish personal and professional connections. Job shadowing lets students figure out which field they find suitable as they pursue their education. On a personal and professional level, it gives them the chance to understand which areas need improvement. Now that I have finished my degree, job shadowing seems like a good start for me to learn more about my professional interests.

If job shadowing is an option that piques your interest, the first step is determining your availability, and whether the option is provided through your university or outside. It’s also important to take time and research the company and the job title you are interested in. Have a list of questions that might help you understand the specific role you are essentially investigating. The same way co-op might not be for everyone, job shadowing might not also be for every student. However, it allows you to learn more about your desired profession and understand the skills required for paid positions.

SFU alum addresses the opioid crisis with new life-saving technology

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Peak Web
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This is a photo of the downtown Vancouver streets. The streets are filled with people and cars.
PHOTO: Andrea Cau / Unsplash

By: Eden Chipperfield, News Writer

Content warning: substance abuse and death caused by drug overdose. 

Alex McGovern, a SFU alum, is building a new device that will change the climate of the opioid crisis with harm-reduction solutions. With a degree in applied sciences, McGovern founded ODEN Health Solutions. He is researching and creating new ways to tackle the ongoing opioid crisis in Canada. Since 2016, it has been the cause of over 30,000 lost lives. In 2022 alone, 2,272 individuals died from substance-related overdoses in BC. 

ODEN has developed a wristband that can alert emergency medical services if signs of overdose are detected, leading paramedics to the individual’s location. The wristband is currently in its final phase of testing, overviewed by LifeGuard Digital Health. This organization is dedicated to digital health solutions such as the LifeGuard app, available on iOS and Android. This app notifies responders if users have come unconscious or are unable to function in the event of an overdose, using geo-targeted notifications. Another essential aspect of LifeGuard’s mission is to remove the barriers of requiring a cell phone, so more people can access overdose prevention. 

McGovern describes many factors that pushed him to start ODEN: “The idea came from an intersection of my experience and the world we’re in today.” Particularly, he drew from his experience in the biomedical engineering program for his undergraduate at SFU. McGovern is now LifeGuards’ director of technology development. He is in discussion with social housing programs and single-room occupancy management to make the ODEN wearable products accessible. He plans to make the products available in occupants’ rooms. 

The business’s main mantra is that “life-saving care is available to all Canadians, no matter economic situation, social situation or geographical location.” 

LifeGuard Connect has successfully connected 65 individuals to first responders. “I can’t wait to see this number rise as we make products accessible to more and more people,” exclaimed Jeff Hardy, founder and CEO of LifeGuard Digital Health. 

Currently, ODEN technology is entering beta trials and is awaiting feedback. In 2022, ODEN won Top Venture at SFU’S annual Coast Capital Venture Prize.

Top ten ways to cancel a subscription

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Peak Web
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Person running after a “cancel” button
ILLUSTRATION: Alyssa Umbal / The Peak

By: Hana Hoffman, Peak Associate

Everything follows a subscription model nowadays. Check your credit card statement; you’re probably paying for something you forgot to cancel after the free trial! I suspect this is what these greedy companies want; us unknowingly giving them money every month. But this stops here! Here’s how to cancel subscriptions no matter how sneaky the fine print is (looking at you, Miss Fenty).

  1. Empty out your bank account so there’s nothing to take. Withdraw all your money and destroy their hopes of getting income every time someone subscribes and enters their debit card information. Can’t scam me, hehe.
  2. Reverse the system. Think of this tip as transforming a fan into a vacuum cleaner. All you have to do is hack into their website, do some code maneuvering, then publish your changes. After that, when you subscribe with your card information, it should send YOU the monthly payment instead of taking it from you.
  3. Make a deal with the owner. Contact the organization directly and come up with a formal agreement. Tell them you’ll only sign up for the free trial if they agree to give you their car if your card isn’t automatically unsubscribed by the end of the free trial. Seriously, marketers will do absolutely anything to get people to subscribe.
  4. Become your own lawyer. Go to law school so you can represent yourself in court. Tell the judge your story of how emotionally damaging it was to have been lied to, thinking you would spend $0 when really you were receiving nightmare emails titled “Payment Successful.” The only thing that can repay your stress while trying to cancel this subscription is $2,000,000, an all-inclusive vacation to Bora Bora, and a $5,000 Starbucks gift card for all the coffees you bought during your years at law school. 
  5. Use someone else’s credit card because you come first. Sign up with a random credit card number. When the actual owner of that numbered card realizes their card is subscribed, they will do the work and cancel the subscription for you. So you can just sit back, relax, and enjoy the free trial.
  6. Become their employee. Quickly apply to work at the company offering the subscription so that once you get hired, they’ll automatically cancel your subscription and let you have it for free. Choose your subscriptions wisely because three subscriptions mean three jobs. But hey! No pain, no gain!
  7. Crash the site as fast as an airplane! Overwhelm the website by randomly spam-clicking every button until it just can’t take it anymore. Make the website stop working, forcing them to shut down their subscription until their online service gets fixed. This is going real badass mode.
  8. Cause a big “natural” disaster that wipes out all internet data so all subscriptions in the world become nonexistent. Some scientifically proven and well-tested ways to do this: Plug in 100 fans all in one place at full blast and start a tornado, write a note to some nearby aliens asking them to destroy the internet, or put the letter in a balloon filled with helium and send it away to outer space.
  9. Work on self-improvement. Write a thousand-word essay to yourself explaining why you should make better decisions from now on. This means you shouldn’t subscribe to a free trial if you know you’ll forget to cancel the subscription before it charges your card. At least you’ll get a learning lesson out of accidentally falling into this trap.
  10. Bribe the company. Request a full refund for the processed order you didn’t want after your free trial expired. Bribe them with Melona bars. I’m sure they can’t resist.

BONUS: Pretend to be a celebrity. Come on, will they really not offer a famous person complimentary membership? Dress up as a celebrity you look similar to, wear sunglasses, get a fake ID made, and reach out to the company to negotiate. They’ll probably even offer to pay you to be in their advertisements.

Children Who Dance in the Rain highlights privilege as a “double-edged sword”

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Peak Web
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Susan Justice and child reading a the Children in the Rain book on a grass lawn with wide smiles.
PHOTO: Deep Singh

By: Saije Rusimovici, Staff Writer

Content warning: mention of sexual abuse, sexual abuse by family member.

It’s been several years since I’ve been as moved by an illustrated book as I was turning through the pages of Children Who Dance in the Rain, a children’s book written by children’s legal advocate and award-winning author Susan Justice. 

Justice decided to pursue a career in law driven by her passion to make a difference and speak up for those who are often silenced. As co-founder of South Asians Against Childhood Abuse, her aim is to create a culture where candid conversations can be had about the traumas of sexual abuse in Southeast Asian communities. 

In an interview with The Peak, Justice explained abuse is often inflicted by a family member. She explained, too often, “when brave children summon the courage to disclose their traumas to a trusted adult, they are met with denial or chastisement,” and as a result, do not seek justice against their abuser. 

An estimated one in three girls and one in four boys are sexually abused, the perpetrator a family member 91% of the time. Because of the stigma that surrounds sexual matters in many South Asian communities, people are often afraid to confront their trauma for fear of retribution from their abusers, financial burden, or ostracization. South Asians Against Childhood Abuse aims to break the cycle of abuse by offering education, resources, and support for sexual abuse survivors.

“The damaging ripple effects of childhood abuse echo into adulthood, shaking survivors to their very core. Many carry the misguided burden of guilt, believing they were somehow at fault for the atrocities committed against them,” she said. “The pathway to break this cycle and prevent the pattern from perpetuating lies in shattering the silence.”

Children Who Dance in the Rain is a “resource that would entertain and inspire children to take action to help others.” The beautifully illustrated book written by Justice speaks to the concepts of privilege and equity in a way that is accessible for children. The story follows young Sophie, a picky eater glued to her tablet who travels to India with her parents from her home in Canada. She meets a group of orphaned children living together in a “mud colony.” She can’t believe they’re unable to go to school because they have to work in order to get access to basic necessities, like food and medical care. Through her interactions with them, Sophie begins to learn about her own privilege. When she returns home, she becomes grateful for the things she has and is determined to dedicate her life to making a difference in the lives of others. 

Through vivid storytelling, Justice instills a sense of responsibility to use one’s privilege as a tool for “individuals to educate themselves, seek new experiences, and broaden their perspectives” in order to “bridge the gap” of the inequities in our society. Justice recognizes that “privilege can be an uncomfortable topic for some but it’s vital to discuss, particularly with children.”

By reflecting on our privilege, we begin to understand the “distribution of resources and opportunities in our society” are not always equitable. Justice emphasized the ultimate objective of the book is to “inspire children to leverage their privilege to champion marginalized communities.”

“My objective went beyond simply educating children about the world’s disparities. I wanted to ignite empathy within them,” she said. “At its core, the book is about the magic that lies in the act of giving, conveying to children that even their smallest gestures of kindness can ripple out.”

Justice cautions that “privilege can also be a double-edged sword. If misused or left unchecked, it can perpetuate systemic injustices and reinforce existing power imbalances.” For this reason, she hopes the book will not only teach children how to use their privilege for good, but prevent the misuse of power.

“We all benefit from different degrees of privilege, and by acknowledging it, we can contribute to dismantling systemic inequalities,” Justice said. “The aim is to help children grasp inequality and foster a passion for making a difference.” 

Children Who Dance in the Rain will be available in bookstores across Canada as of June 15, 2023 and the Kindle edition is currently available on Amazon.

Running out of time

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Peak Web
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PHOTO: Ante Hamersmit / Unsplash

By: Daniel Salcedo Rubio, Features Editor

It’s been over a year since I left my home country, and since then I’ve only seen my parents in-person two times. This past week I had the fortune of having my parents visit me here, in this new city I call home. While it was lovely being able to show them around town, my heart feels heavier than usual. This feeling goes beyond the fact that our time together has come to an end — I miss them, but I know what I’m feeling is not their absence, it’s the realization of the little amount of time we have left.

I don’t intend to sound overly dramatic, nor am I assuming the worst — both of my parents are in good health, hell, my dad even refers to himself as a bull. Still, it’s impossible to shake off the feeling that our time together is running out. During our trip back from Vancouver Island, my dad asked my mom, “How many years do you think we have left to keep traveling?” “I’m not sure, perhaps ten?” Ten years left of visits . . . I know it’s my anxiety talking; I shouldn’t hyperfocus on an uncertain future, and I know chances are I’ll get to see them more than I currently predict. Nonetheless, I can’t stop myself from spiralling down this train of thought. There are still so many things left for me to know, so many stories left untold, so many thoughts I need to write down, to preserve in a place my memory will not lose.  

To you, I might sound a bit too dramatic, like I’m exaggerating our lack of remaining time, but I come from a culture where family sticks together tightly, and it’s rare for families to physically grow apart. The distance has only fed my anxiety. Despite being so close, there are so many things I willingly shut down — conversations I killed well before they were even thoughts. Growing up knowing I’m not straight was a bit paradoxical for me. I grew up with the idea that my family would always be the pillar to support me when needed, yet, I found myself building a back-up just in case the main “pillar” crumbled at the news of my sexuality. I know I did it to protect myself, because, even if it was the tiniest part of me, I thought there would come a day where I would have to part ways with my parents. Now that they’re reaching out, I can’t help but feel regret at the amount of time I wasted.

I’ve always known they’ve done everything for my own good, or at least for their version of my own good. I don’t say this in a bitter way — they truly did their best with the tools they had at their disposal and for that I’m eternally grateful. Despite their good intentions, I still ended up distancing myself from them. Now, I find myself wanting to let them into all aspects of my life, and want to treasure every moment I’ll ever have with them — even the things I used to find annoying just a couple years ago. I miss hearing my dad’s outrageous laugh from the other side of the house, and I miss seeing him at my door ready to throw a pillow at my face. I miss hearing my mom’s rants about her everyday life, and how she would obsessively stroke my hair no matter how many times I asked her to stop.

I’m well aware that the majority of time I’ll ever get to spend with my parents has passed, but in this mix of grief and anxiety I’ve come to find a deeper appreciation for any moment I spend with them. I’ll gladly accompany my mom to the market at 7:00 a.m, and help my dad with his English whenever he’s struggling. I’ll rewatch Shrek for the hundredth time just to hear my parents laugh at the same jokes every time.

This piece is not meant to tell you to mend things with your parents, to try to have the best possible relationship with them, or ignore any pain they might have caused. I actually don’t want to give any tips. But, despite me not wanting to give any form of advice — in part because I doubt I have anything meaningful to give — I do wish you a deeper sense of awareness on how fleeting relationships can be. One year you’re used to seeing someone every day and planning activities together every other week, but the next year you may only get to hear their voice through your phone and see their faces through a video call. Do whatever feels right for you, but don’t take the time you have left for granted.

SFU needs better long-term mental health supports for students

By
Peak Web
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A student standing at the doors of SFU Health and Counselling
PHOTO: Krystal Chan / The Peak

By: Cynthia Piña, SFU Student

Content warning: mentions of anxiety, depression, suicidal thoughts, and transphobia. 

For the past three hours, I’ve been rocking back and forth in my chair trying to figure out how to start writing. Every notification that goes off on my phone brings me anxiety, and I can’t fathom responding to any texts in the next few days. Occasionally standing up and pacing the room, I only feel impending doom. I feel no motivation for anything — eating, reading, or engaging in life. I just want to fall asleep and never wake up, but it’s impossible to fall asleep. I spend hours rolling around in bed until I decide that writing this piece will serve as my therapeutic outlet. It was these frequent episodes of anxiety, dread, and intrusive thoughts that made me reach out for long-term therapy. But SFU’s convoluted counselling system only made me feel worse. It doesn’t have to be this way, but until SFU makes substantial changes, students are only going to be forced to turn to expensive options if they want meaningful mental health support. 

When SFU opened in-person counselling again, I figured it was the perfect time to reach out for support under the guise of going to class. However after my initial consultation, I was referred to a doctor who expressed frustration at my appointment with her, asked me intrusive questions, and minimized my health. I ultimately left the appointment even more distressed than I was when I came in. 

I didn’t even get past the initial consultation, but my experience set me back in trying to find support through other avenues. I’m not the only one. Multiple threads on social media point to access issues with SFU Health and Counselling. From rude receptionists, to poor telephone communication, and invalidating experiences — SFU needs to step it up. At SFU Surrey, the waitlist is closed, and won’t be opening up again until August 2024 at the earliest. This leaves students with even less options and discourages them from seeking care. Students are paying a hefty tuition and shouldn’t need to battle with this institution for a service they’ve already paid for. Even worse, SFU Health and Counselling has previously received criticism for being untrained in serving LGBTQIA2S+ students: from deadnaming and misgendering, to having a poor understanding of transgender health, it’s clear this institution lacks support for students. 

In spite of this, I tried to push through the system, but was told I needed to be enrolled in classes to book sessions. I wasn’t sure if I’d be taking courses since I was waitlisted and not enrolled. This is another one of my gripes with SFU Health and Counselling. 

So much of the SFU experience already revolves around not being able to get the courses you need, so lots of students are forced to delay their graduations. As students, we should be able to take advantage of the services available to us, especially during off-semesters when we’re less overwhelmed from assignments and heavy course loads. In a semester where someone may take a full course load, and is already struggling with school, it feels counterproductive to gatekeep counselling sessions from unenrolled students. Once availability opens up, we’re no longer able to book a session. 

I enrolled in a course and alerted Health and Counselling. I was sent an appointment date and time and asked to confirm. However, emails give me anxiety, so I stalled. I agonized over whether to take the appointment and knew I would likely lose it due to lack of response. I received a follow-up message about how “it would seem that [I’m] not in need of service at this time.” I actually was in need of service, but became so overwhelmed I could barely respond. This assumption felt needlessly judgemental. 

I politely requested to be put back on the waitlist. I didn’t expect to be able to snag a session right away, I was OK with waiting. I desperately wished I could use an online scheduling form to look at the delivery formats and available times. It would have made the process much smoother. The answer I got in response was, “Just so you know – we have over 150 people waiting for service, so if you’re not prompt in responding to a message . . .” At that point I stopped reading because it felt unnecessarily shameful and passive aggressive. I had delayed seeking any kind of mental health service for years and I didn’t feel like I was being met with basic compassion. 

Do you know what the symptoms of depression are? “Having no motivation or interest in things, finding it difficult to make decisions, and feeling anxious.” You would think a service set up to help these very people would acknowledge these symptoms and extend some kind of flexibility or understanding. I wasn’t demanding to be seen urgently — I just asked to be put back on the waitlist. I was willing to wait however long I needed, but this response deflated me. 

This is pushing students away from SFU services, and forcing those with the financial means to look elsewhere for sufficient mental health support. It shouldn’t be this way. Students already have enough expenses, and the aim of SFU Health and Counselling is to alleviate financial and emotional burdens. A very simple solution to some of these issues is to allow students to forgo calling and emailing, and set up an online waitlist that allows us to book appointments through our SFU login and avoid human interaction altogether. That could alleviate some of the stress of taking the first steps. 

It shouldn’t stop there though. SFU should be hiring more therapists for marginalized groups. While their roster seems to have improved over the years, roughly 65% of SFU’s counselling roster is white, with only one queer, one disabled, and one Black counsellor. As far as I can tell from the website, there is no one on the team that shares intersecting identities. Many SFU students will experience life through the lens of multiple identities, and it can be important for students to have those they confide in come from a place of lived experiences too. 

The SFSS previously tried to bring forward a motion to “to open avenues for increased mental health services,” but it failed to meet quorum — meaning not enough people voted. While this would have been through StudentCare for external support, it could have been a step in the right direction for students’ mental health. 

Battling with your mental health is already challenging — it doesn’t need to be made more difficult by blocking access to services or making the process harder than it needs to be. SFU Health and Counselling will require some major restructuring for these issues to be addressed, but the work needs to be put in for students. 

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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