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The Darkest Timeline: Why are we so obsessed with the multiverse right now?

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Dr. Strange (Benedict Cumberbatch), Wong (Benedict Wong), and America Chavez (Xochitl Gomez) in Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness.
The multiverse is a cross-medium phenomenon in 2022. Image courtesy of Disney

By Yasmin Vejs Simsek, Staff Writer

The multiverse. It’s understandably on everyone’s lips right now. When it seems like our own reality is becoming increasingly nightmarish, we want to check-in on an alternate self to see who has it worse. Simply put, the multiverse is everywhere thanks to our increasing desire for escape and comfort.

That’s not to say The multiverse is a 2020-era invention. The idea of multiple parallel universes started circulating over 2,500 years ago in Ancient Greece. Flash comics and Michael Moorcock’s The Sundered Worlds helped re-introduce the concept to readers in 1961 and 1963, respectively. You’re probably familiar with the concept thanks to Marvel’s billion-dollar, movie-length meme. Marvel is not the only one exploring the multiverse. In the multiverse we also find comics such as DC, novels like His Dark Materials, and TV series like Rick and Morty. Undoubtedly the multiverse is most profitable capitalistic venture for show business.

So, why are we hooked on the multiverse right now? 

The best answer is the most obvious: COVID-19. These last two years have felt like the longest in living history and a lot of people wish there was a real end in sight to this pandemic. With Shanghai going back into lockdown, the finish line seems further and further away. Who doesn’t fancy an escape? A great escape would be to walk to another world, a parallel universe where there is no pandemic, no wars, no anti-vaxxers — just magic, heroes, and more Benedict Cumberbatches. 

With the multiverse, there’s a diverse array of escapist options. Everything Everywhere All at Once is a 2022 movie that makes absolutely no sense (humans have hotdogs for fingers at one point), but is a comedy about how the main character is struggling in our world and needs to connect with parallel universes to make sense of it all. If I didn’t convince you to watch it with hotdog fingers, it stars Michelle Yeoh, who we should watch every day, but especially during Asian/Asian American and Pacific Islanders heritage month. We all need a laugh these days, so watching a comedy about the multiverse is exactly the escape we need. 

It’s not just speculation. There was a huge surge in superhero and disaster movies in the ’00s. Just as we needed superhero movies after 9/11 to feel hopeful, we now see a need for several universes to feel there is a way out of the current state of the world. The reasoning was explicit in movies such as Iron Man and The Dark Knight. Both movies also revolved around terrorism — domestic and abroad. Despite increasingly problematic portrayals of Muslims, the media and political landscape allowed audiences to fulfill a desire for protection. Similarly now, humanity has plenty to gain safety from, so we seek it out in parallel universes. 

From Doctor Strange’s utopian Earth-838 to the fantastical, philosophy-heavy universes in His Dark Materials, the multiverse abounds. Check in to see if you’re really in the darkest timeline. 

Reconciliation on campus: Land acknowledgments at the start of classes are still performative

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Indigenous statue pole in the AQ
Land acknowledgments are just the beginning of the work. Photo: Adam Madojemu / The Peak

By Maya Beninteso, Peak Associate

Content warning: mentions of graphic violence towards Indigenous peoples

As another semester dawns upon us, it means enduring another semester of empty words and abysmal attempts at reconciliation. The use of land acknowledgments, whether at the beginning or throughout the semester, lacks a key component: action. 

While important, land acknowledgments are the bare minimum and at the end of the day. In a world where Indigenous peoples lack clean drinking water, continue to end up missing or murdered, were confined and killed in residential schools, and comprise a disproportionate percentage of the foster care system, words uttered in a monotone fashion are purely performative. This chapter in Canada’s “dark history” is not closed — nor has it ever been — and SFU can do much better to act on Canada’s ongoing genocide. 

It seems as if Canada’s “engaged university” continues to lack engagement with respect to reconciliation. In my experience, land acknowledgments are met with a sigh by some faculty members — as if acknowledging we are indeed on stolen land is a waste of their breath. The attitude towards land acknowledgments may be a contributing factor to why Indigenous peoples see these utterings as superficial. In the words of the Algonquin elder Claudette Commanda, land acknowledgements are simply “a brownie point on [the] Truth and Reconciliation Commission report card.”

Notably, the education system continually fails to address its colonial curriculum at every level. Education must expand its horizons beyond textbooks written by white cisgender heterosexual men with a Western lens. It often lacks Indigenous histories and perspectives but has been reinforced as “education.” 

Students, like the rest of our society, should be learning from an Indigenous lens within post-secondary institutions. They would gain invaluable knowledge from people who can share history from their own experience, instead of a colonial perspective. On top of that, this would fulfill Call to Action 63, which suggests education should integrate Indigenous knowledge and history into its curriculum. Faculty members need to be provided with the proper education in order to teach students on Indigenous ways of learning and knowledge. For instance, Indigenous knowledge has been recently consulted for matters pertaining to environmental protection. Faculty members can also invite Indigenous leaders and experts to share knowledge while retaining the integrity of their roots and paying them for their labour. Incorporating Indigenous knowledge, along with sincere land acknowledgments, is the bare minimum.  

The world of academia has historically been, and continues to be, composed of cisgender white men and SFU is no exception. There is a white bias towards white men that exists in the world of academia, wherein these candidates seeking research opportunities receive a response at significantly higher rates than any other intersectional identity. This reinforces systemic barriers that marginalized communities face. One way to combat this discrepancy is to add more diversity to educational institutions. In the Final Report of SFU’s Diversity Meter, a mere 3.7% of SFU’s faculty identified as Indigenous — a statistic which SFU claims is “proportionate” to the general population. However, according to the Government of Canada, 4.9% of Canada’s population identified as Indigenous as of 2020. 

SFU’s inaction doesn’t mean you cannot participate in reconciliation. Though I’m not an Indigenous person, there are a myriad of ways in which one may support reconciliation and Indigenous peoples. Namely, you can start by educating yourself on Indigenous history, culture, languages, and ways of learning. If you truly want to make a significant impact, you may further organize a fundraising event for a charity that supports Indigenous peoples.

Reconciliation doesn’t end with teaching Indigenous ways of learning and acknowledging we’re on stolen land. It means removing systemic barriers that Indigenous peoples face, listening to them,  and platforming their voices. 

Need to Know, Need to Go: Food Festival Edition

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Illustration of a blue calendar, with "Need to Know, Need to Go" written on top
Arts & Culture events to catch around the city. Image courtesy of Brianna Quan

By: Yelin Gemma Lee, Arts & Culture Editor

When I think of summer, one thing that comes to mind is food festivals. Walking around an outdoor market and trying so many foods that you have to loosen your belt is one of my favorite ways to spend a hot summer day. Food festivals are also a great way to find out about new local brands and businesses to support. Mark these dates on your calendars because many of these food festivals only come once a year!  

 

Braid StrEAT Experience!

This food truck festival began in 2020 as a bi-weekly drive-thru to safely support food truck businesses and the Royal Columbian Hospital Foundation impacted by the pandemic. It’s returning as an in-person event this year, welcoming folks to set up a picnic and listen to live music while they eat. According to Daily Hive, there will be a rotation of 20 participating vendors differing each day and local businesses selling their products as well. 

Where: 97 Braid Street, New Westminster (next to Braid SkyTrain station)

When: May 21–May 22, 11:00 a.m.–8:00 p.m.

 

BC Halal Food Fest 2022

A new food festival is born this year and a much needed one at that. With BC being the home to over 79,000 muslims, the festival aims to “strengthen and unite the Halal food community to create a delicious collection of vibrant cultures and traditions in our own little corner of the world.” The event is free to attend and welcome to everyone, promising Halal food and drinks, vendors, and activities. 

Where: Surrey Civic Plaza 

When: June 25, 12:00 p.m.–9:00 p.m.

 

Planted Expo Vancouver

Previously called Veg Expo, the largest plant-based lifestyle expo of the year returns to the Vancouver Convention Centre this summer! The event boasts over 200 vegan food and lifestyle vendors and features a stage programme of inspirational speakers from all over the world. Every year I’ve gone to this Expo, the sense of community and compassion has always been strong. Whether you’re vegan or not, be prepared to learn something new and to try many different vegan delights. 

Where: Vancouver Convention Centre West (1055 Canada Place)

When: June 4–5, 10:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m. 

 

Richmond Night Market

With almost no need for mention due to its raging popularity each summer, the Richmond Night Market is introducing Hawaiian food to their stacked roster. Although not quite the same, the Richmond Night Market makes me nostalgic for late night food-stall snacking under street lamps in Korea. This is a fun place to try both innovative and nostalgic Asian street foods, especially with their expanded seating this year. 

Where: 8351 River Rd, Richmond

When: April 29–October 10, weekend evenings (hours vary)

 

Japan Market Summer Festival

As part of explorASIAN 2022’s programming, this Japanese market is making a comeback after a two-year hiatus. They promise over 70 vendors of Japanese edible treats and merchandise. The event is in the heart of downtown this year, so you can snack your way through the festival before checking out an exhibit at the Vancouver Art Gallery. 

Where: Vancouver Art Gallery North Plaza

When: June 11–June 12, 10:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m.

Monday Music: for the melancholic transition into summer

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"Monday Music" in giant yellow block letters with a red background
Monday Music: your weekly themed playlist. Image courtesy of The Peak.

By: Cristina Liao, Peak Associate

As the weather gets warmer and the first bloom of sprind fades away, summer is peeking around the corner. These songs are perfect for the feelings I associate with the season: melancholic summer nights where the sun stretches into twilight or singing from the car window on a roadtrip. Get ready for a summer of high emotions. 

 

“Apple Pie” by Lizzy McAlpine


Photo Credit: AWAL 

Lizzy McAlpine’s soft and beautiful voice on “Apple Pie” matches the sappy emotions that can be felt in the months between May and August on a chill morning. This is a song from McAlpine’s debut album in 2020, Give Me a Minute, and it encompasses the feeling of summer love. With minimal production and gorgeous lyricism, McAlpine croons about wandering through homes and missing somebody. She mentions her real home is with a person who can be presumed to be her lover. 

 

“If By Chance” by Ruth B

Photo Credit: Columbia Records

“If By Chance” by Ruth B is a melancholic summer song, but it’s one of those pieces that you have to listen to on a July night at a cabin. If you can’t be there, this song helps you imagine it. The production on this piece features a mix of piano and orchestral elements. From the lyrics, one can tell that it’s about the singer telling her ex-lover that they’ll always have a chance even if they are with someone new. With lyrics such as, “And I don’t mean to be selfish / But my heart breaks every time / That I see you smile / ‘Cause I know that it’s not me,” this is definitely a song that will get you in your feels on a warm night. 

 

“Falling Up” by Dean Lewis

Photo Credit: Island Records 

“Falling Up” is a perfect carpool karaoke song, that you scream out of an open car window on the highway. With the upbeat production, this is a sure hit for your dance party. According to Indie Band Guru, Lewis’ song “speaks to the loneliness and claustrophobia that can be relatable to the current pandemic. But it also speaks to frustration, anxiety, and the struggle to be truly content in life.” If you want a more acoustic feel to it, Spotify has guitar and piano versions of the song. 

 

“Never Had A Chance” by Katherine Li

Photo Credit: Katherine Li 

More and more music can be discovered through TikTok. I initially found out about Li through her TikTok account, and thought that “Never Had A Chance” was a gorgeous piece by an independent artist. While being quite a sad song, it is one for the quiet and lonely summer nights. Similar to “If By Chance,” this has more of a melancholic feel and is about missing someone even if you had never been in a relationship with them. 

 

“london (with Cam)” by Wrabel

Photo Credit: Big Gay Records/Nettwerk Records

The song “london” is a chill, easy-to-listen piece about missing someone in the summer. The singers talk about how when it gets cold in California, they think back to that winter in London. When they miss London, they’re missing that person. While the lyrics to this duet can be melancholic, it can also be understood as uplifting at the same time. The lyrics convey that they are still in love even if the relationship didn’t necessarily work out. As this song is a duet, it seems to show both perspectives of a relationship. The lyrics convey a cutesy summer feel for a montage of main characters running through a field of flowers.

Canadian Blood Services adopts inclusive screening practices

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an individual in a blue shirt and black pants is sitting down with his arm outstretched. A doctor wearing white gloves is applying pressure to his arm with gauze. The individual is donating blood.
Michael Kwag discusses how the blood ban is a part of medical discrimination. Image Courtesty of Unsplash (Nguyễn Hiệp)

By: Chloë Arneson, News Writer

Canadian Blood Sevices (CBS) has announced that by September 30, 2022, queer men will be eligible to donate blood. Previously, gay and bisexual men were not eligible to donate blood if they had been sexually involved with men within a three-month span. On April 28th, Health Canada approved the CBS submission to change screening policies. The updated policy includes universal screening criteria that encompasses everyone who has sex with men, rather than only queer men. 

This means that regardless of gender or sexual orientation, each donor will be asked the same questions regarding their sexual health. Previously, screening questions regarding sexual activity was only asked to people in the LBGTQIA2S+ community.

Additionally, transgender donors will no longer be asked screening questions based on their sex assigned at birth. Non-binary donors will still be required to register with CBS in a binary gender. 

In an interview with The Peak, acting director of Community Based Research Centre (CBRC), Micheal Kwag discussed the policy update. CBRC is a non-profit organization that “promotes the health of people of diverse sexualities and genders.” In their press release, CBRC stated that LGBTQIA2S+ communities have “have long faced challenges when it comes to our health and well-being.”

“There are many folks in the community who are disappointed these changes didn’t go further in ensuring more gay, bi, and queer men could donate.” After the changes in CBS’s criteria, any donor regardless of gender who has had anal sex with a new partner will be required to wait three months before they can donate.

Kwag explained the blood ban was “one of the recommendations that came out of the Krever Inquiry, which was set up to investigate the tainted blood scandal which led to thousands of folks who received blood transfusions acquiring HIV.

“It effectively amounted to a blood ban on any gay men who wanted to donate,” said Kwag. This ban has changed throughout Canada’s history, starting first as an outright ban, then limiting the number of queer men who could donate by regulating their sexual activity. 

According to the Canadian Medical Association Journal, LGBTQIA2S+ peoples are more likely than heterosexual cisgender people to be diagnosed with “cancer, chronic fatigue, and heart disease.” They note that due to negative experiences with the medical system, queer people are “less likely to have family doctors” or seek out treatment. Historical medical discrimination during the HIV/AIDS crisis and the treatment of queerness as a mental disorder contributes to these fears. 

“The blood ban has been a type of public policy that has contributed a lot of stigma, misinformation, and ignorance about our communities,” said Kwag. “The fact that the policy existed was used to legitimize hate and discrimination towards our communitites.” He went on to explain that many queer people are afraid to navigate the medical system due to judgement and many also face barriers when trying to access care. 

CBRC has launched a new survey to discover more about health in the LGBTQIA2S+ community. Their goal is to “tell politicians, policy-makers, and service providers about the challenges and needs of our communities.”

You can follow CBRC for more information as well as updates via Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter.

Vancouver city council discusses increased surveillance to deter crime

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Two CCTV cameras are seen on a pole. Their background is a bright blue sky.
The motion was defeated with only one vote in favour. Image courtesy of Unsplash (Michał Jakubowski)

By: Chloë Arneson, News Writer

A new motion was brought forward in Vancouver’s city council to increase the use of CCTV surveillance technology in areas around Metro Vancouver. It suggested cameras should be installed in partnership with the Vancouver Police Department (VPD). If the motion passed, the VPD would determine where the cameras would be placed.

The Vancouver City Council voted on this motion at the end of April 2022. The vote was turned down and recommendations to fund CCTV technology in Vancouver will not be made. Councillor Melissa De Genova was the only council member to vote in favour of the motion. 

Originally, the motion, put forward by De Genova, explained that large cities across the world such as London, New York, and Washington use technologies such as CCTV cameras or facial recognition technology to counter violent crimes. 

The motion stated violent crime has increased since the last council debate regarding increasing CCTV cameras in 2018. According to statistics provided by the Vancouver Police Department, crime has increased 11.3% since last year. The types of crime that increase this statistic are theft and mischief. Crimes against a person, homicide, and breaking-and-entering are down from last year. 

Some were concerned the motion would have infringed on citizens’ privacy rights. 

The Peak interviewed Dr. Darren Byler, an SFU professor who specialises in surveillance systems and their impact on marginalised communities, to find out more.  

“It’s hard to know exactly what effect [the cameras will] have. My sense is that when they say ‘critical areas,’ they’re referring to high traffic areas which might be areas where they say there are high rates of crime.

“Those locations are also locations where Black and brown people — people that are racialized — are often located,” said Byler. “My sense is that it will turn regular activity into something that could become criminalised.

“We should be very careful in how we use surveillance and think not from the position of those who are protected in the society,” Byler began, “but rather from the position of those that are more vulnerable, who have less protections, so you know stateless peoples, undocumented peoples, people that are already radicalized, they are the most affected by this. Because what surveillance really does is that it amplifies existing problems in our society, it makes them worse.” 

Byler noted that security is never neutral since it is designed to discipline. “You’re always being watched, or you might potentially be watched, so you monitor your behaviour [ . . . ] That assumes that the person being watched has the capacity to change their behaviour,” said Byler. 

Surveillance affects people from particular communities differently. Byler explained there is a disproportionate amount of surveillance directed towards certain socio-economic and ethno-racial statuses.

“Surveillance is never neutral. It is always about control, no matter where it’s situated.” Byler added, “It’s about controlling and disciplining people.” 

The Internet Freedom Foundation, an organization from India that promotes fundamental technology and privacy rights, suggests that CCTV surveillance is not effective in preventing sexual violence or crimes against women, as the majority of this violence occurs in private places. Internet Freedom Foundation reported CCTV cameras can have undesired effects on women, such as “voyeurism and moral policing.” They further suggest that improved street lighting may be more effective at preventing violence against women. 

Dr. Byler explained he believes “we should think about surveillance as a response to a symptom rather than treating the underlying cause.”

Horoscopes: May 16–21

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An illustration of a girl with long flowing hair. Astrological signs and stars shine around her.
ILLUSTRATION: Marissa Ouyang / The Peak

By: Hannah Kazemi, Peak Associate, Girlie In Training

Aries

Throw it back to 2012 and go to the super hidden and impossible to find Pink Alley. Take pics with the girlies, then go get bubble tea to reward your efforts. Taking Insta pics is a full time job, so treat yourself, bestie!

 

Taurus

Go window shopping in Kits and spend your whole paycheck even though you really can’t afford to in this economy, then post about it. Eventually make your way to the beach and when you do, guess what! Post about it. You know it didn’t happen unless you post about it, don’t you?

 

Gemini

Find someone with a backyard and a fire pit. Post a pic with the gals by the fire to commemorate how much fun you’re having in some rando’s backyard. Remember to stay six feet apart when you’re throwing it down on the dance floor! 

 

Cancer

“Hike” Quarry Rock in your Lululemon Aligns and take a picture of the view when you make it to the lookout point. Bring a speaker with you in your Everywhere Belt Bag and blast some throwback tracks to dance to on your way up and unleash your inner Katy Perry. You’ll be as bright as legal Vancouver fireworks, baby!

 

Leo

Find that spiral parking garage on Cordova (I know you know what I’m talking about) and have an ~artsy~ photo shoot. Post the pictures on Instagram immediately after, like the girlboss that you are. Bonus points if you made a series of IG stories while parking your electric car (you don’t make enough to pay for gas in this economy.)

 

Virgo

Party it uppppp with a few girlies at home (because girlies are responsible, but still know how to have fun) to celebrate the end of the semester. Put on 13 Going on 30 and paint each other’s nails to have the best slumber party EVER! 

 

Libra

Take on the Grouse Grind with your buddies and show off your muscles in a group pic when you get to the top. If you exercise and don’t post about it, did you even really exercise?? Pics or it didn’t happen.

 

Scorpio

Have a picnic at Stanley Park, then bitch about the prices of hot yoga.

 

Sagittarius

Take a day trip to Whistler. Make sure that you take a picture or video of the view on the Sea-To-Sky every five minutes (on the dot!) and post it to your Snapchat story so that everyone knows you’re driving to Whistler. Slay, but keep some distance and wear your mask, Sagittarius!

 

Capricorn

Stay home and cut your own bangs tonight. You need to prepare new lewks for stunning your profs! Self-care is important, too, bebs.

 

Aquarius

Go somewhere really cool and unique for ice cream, like Earnest Ice Cream or Rain Or Shine. Write a poem about your experiences. The world needs to know your feelings on these sleeper shops that no one has eaten at before! Be a trend-setter, hon!

 

Pisces

Get the girlies together, put on your oh-so-affordable Aritzia, take photos with a disposable camera at the beach and then gossip the night away!

SFU’s parking lots, ranked

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A photo of a student posing in front of a parking lot, holding up a peace sign
Just Herbie and I against the world. PHOTO: Krystal Chan / The Peak

By: Hannah Kazemi, Peak Associate and Parking Expert

  1. Central Parkade
    • 42069/10. This lot will never let me down. My ride or die. My homie. My bae. Live, love, laugh, Central Parkade. I can always find a spot and it’s right in the middle of campus, so I never have to walk very far to get where I need to go. I feel very “Romeo and Juliet Forbidden Lovers” about this parking lot now though. It’s the only lot you can’t use the Honk Flex parking pass at. I have to find another lover. My heart is shattered :((

Tags: #BestLocation, #CrowdFavourite, #GoldStarsAllAround

  1. West Parkade
    • 9.8/10. I didn’t know that this lot existed until last semester and I’m already almost four years into my degree. It’s tucked away and took me an hour to find the first time. Because of the Romeo-and-Juliet situation with Honk and my one and only luvr, Central Parkade, I had to choose another lot to dedicate my life to. Since my only Burnaby class in the Spring was in West Mall, I relied on this parking lot and let me tell you, I was not disappointed. There’s always a perfect little spot for my perfect little Toyota. Like all parking lots, it has its own flaws, primarily with car-fires, but I think that makes the West Parkade extra quirky and cute!

Tags: #HiddenBeauty, #MostReliable, #SFU’sBest KeptSecret

  1. North Lot
    • 7.3/10. My go-to spot when I have a class in Blusson or I take a drive up to campus to go to Renaissance. The downside: it’s a fucking trek to get literally anywhere other than the North side of the AQ if I park here. Forget leg day, just park in North Lot and walk to West Mall.

Tags: #ParkingLot?More LikeWorkoutSpot, #AverageAtBest

  1. East Lot
    • 6.9/10. Not gonna lie, I’ve only ever parked here like twice. Both times were in the evening so I only paid $3.00 or whatever SFU charges after 6:00 p.m. which is why it’s ranked #4. We love cheap parking. More of this please!

Tags: #AfterHours, #Wallet-Saver, #NotablyUn-Notable

  1. South Lot
    • ?/10. Never parked here.

Tags: #MostUnremarkable, #MostLikelytoHostStudents SummoningDemonsWithAOuijaBoard

  1. South Parkade
    • ?/10. Never parked here.

Tags: #ExceptionallyForgettable, #MostLikelytobeOvertakenbyConstruction

  1. Residence Main Lot
    • ?/10. Has anyone ever actually parked here? I can’t even visualize in my head where this lot is, let alone find it without extremely detailed audio and visual instructions. My gut is telling me this lot has been overtaken by construction so it doesn’t actually exist but my other gut is telling me that surely people in residence have visitors and maybe I just haven’t looked hard enough.

Tags: #ConfusingButNecessary?, #HardtoFind, #EvenSFUDoesn’tKnowItExists

  1. Residence West Lot
    • -14/10. I accidentally ended up here when I tried to find the West Parkade for the first time and I almost crashed head-on into a janky golf cart absolutely ripping around the corner. I made eye contact with the maintenance guy behind the wheel who was definitely wondering how and why the fuck I was there. I got lost on my way out and I think I actually started to cry a little.

Tags: #TheWorstLotOnCampus, #TraumaticAndDangerous, #ShouldNotExist

Imperfect fits for students who would rather be anywhere but class

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An illustration of a sleeping bag, a hiking outfit, and a penguin suit
Live the summer of your dreams vicariously through fashion! ILLUSTRATION: Shaheen Virk / The Peak

By: Olivia Visser, Staff Writer

Summer has arrived, and so has the semester! Isn’t that just lovely? I, too, enjoy spending my summer sitting on the leather seats of the 145 in shorts (and peeling my thighs off my seat when I’m getting up), sweating through seminars, and surviving off caffeine. 

Yep, there’s nowhere else I’d rather be this summer than good ol’ SFU. So, in the spirit of this year’s summer semester, I’ve compiled three outfits that will really make your personality shine.

Disclaimer: You are only allowed three student-subsidized personalities and looks. Any looks beyond these are NOT my responsibility.

Everywhere is My Bed

Nothing says “I’m thrilled to be here” more than this look. Yes, this one is perfect for fourth-year students and beyond. Did you put a lot of effort into your style in earlier years only to find yourself giving up later after being swamped with responsibilities? Do you struggle to find comfortable nap spots on campus, then settle for a futon in the Women’s Center because you NEEDED some shut-eye? If so, this look is for you! 

With the rise of loungewear, it’s now safe to say that pajamas are fashionable, and I dig it. You might think that loungewear would make you blend in with the concrete, but the style offers endless opportunities to stand out. Hooded onesies? Loungewear. Plush slippers? Loungewear. Wearable air mattress? Loungewear! Sleep everywhere!

Gosh, I’d even consider you a trendsetter: SFU-leisure-chic. 

Outdoor Chic

This look is great for people who want to look like they’re on the run or just came back from one. You’ll fit right in with your fellow Vancouverites if you can afford it! I’m talking merino wool base layers, 60-liter backpack, and $800 Arcteryx jacket levels of chic. The more stickers on your water bottle, the better — how else will people understand you’re outdoorsy?!

Attach all trinkets to your backpack with the most expensive carabiner you can find at MEC. You better think up some inspiring quotes now! Did you just return from the mountains? Is that chalk on your pants or something else? No one can tell, but I bet your peers will want to hear all about it!

Suited-up Student

Let’s try something more upscale. Professional, even? I mean, you’ve got to start thinking about references at some point, and who wouldn’t want to write one for a suited-up student? Casual professional-wear is soooooo yesterday. 

Why not step it up with a penguin suit? Bonus points if it’s a literal penguin suit. Gone are the days of trying to leave a lasting impression on your esteemed professors. As a penguin you not only leave an impression, but you also relinquish yourself of all human responsibilities. Heck yeah.

I hope my suggestions can be of some help to those who are struggling to get back into the swing of things. If your mind isn’t in the game, at least your outfit can be. Don’t let the cheerful confines of this academic institution keep you from at least LOOKING like you’re having the summer of your life!

How one student’s pandemic listening kickstarted a Taylor Swift fan club

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A group of people sitting around a table listening to Taylor Swift.
Liao and her club pictured at their spring end of the semester study session. PHOTO: Cristina Liao / SFU Swifties

By: Isabella Urbani, Staff Writer

The early months of the pandemic encouraged people to pick up a new hobby or resume previous passions while home-bound. For Cristina Liao, founder of SFU’s Taylor Swift fan club, SFU Swifties, the pandemic brought her from an occasional Taylor Swift listener to a superfan. 

“When I was younger, I didn’t know what albums were, so I only listened to singles,” revealed Liao about her journey to becoming a fan. Her first introduction to Swift was the singer’s 2014 Grammy Award winning studio album 1989. From that album, Liao “obsessively” listened to “Blank Space” and “Out Of The Woods,” alongside some other Swift singles including “Safe and Sound” and “I Knew You Were Trouble.”

Although she was initially introduced to Swift during the singer’s peak pop era, Liao’s favourite style of Swift’s is folk. She enjoys her recent albums Folklore and evermore, and even cited Folklore as the album that made her a “hardcore” fan. 

By the end of her high school senior year, Liao had become a full-fledged fan, and the idea of starting up a fan club the following year in university came to mind. She finally took the plunge after her idea was well-received by the SFU Undergrads Facebook group. 

“A hundred people or so liked the post so I was like ‘Why not do it?’” said Liao. 


As the founder, Liao is responsible for handling club funding, room bookings, and coordinating events alongside her executive team of three other members. Liao recruited one of her friends as the first executive member to get the club its seal of approval. From there, Liao brought on an events coordinator to help smooth out event details and activities, and a communications manager to oversee the club’s social media. 

As for the club’s membership, anyone is welcome to join. The club can be found on the Simon Fraser Student Society’s portal. “It’s just a bunch of friends hanging out and talking about Taylor,” said Liao. “It’s a kind community of Taylor Swift fans, and stereotypically, Taylor Swift fans can be kind of [passionate].” 

When it comes to meetings, SFU Swifties are mainly “discussion-based.” All members interact through a group Discord page whenever they like to discuss anything from Taylor Swift to movies. During the spring semester, the club hosted its first in-person gathering with an end of semester study session which included a Taylor Swift listening party.

Liao and her team had their most recent gathering, a Taylor Swift trivia pizza party, last week in the Student Union Building. 

“The event went great! We did trivia and handed out some prizes, then listened to some music,” said Liao about the success of the recent event. It was such a hit, Liao hopes to organize more trivia events in the future and one more general event before the fall semester. Right now, her main attention is focused on making discussions in the club’s Discord chat more regular. In regards to future events, the club has not yet announced COVID-19 policies. 

Approaching the end of the club’s first year, Liao is very appreciative for the skills and people the club has introduced to her. “I really enjoy meeting and talking to my members,” she explained.

From her early country days to her recent folk adventures, Liao enjoys all of Swift’s albums. “I feel like she can pull off any genre if she tries hard enough,” she said. Her love has only continued to grow with Swift’s latest album Red (Taylor’s Version), a re-recording of the star’s 2012 Red album. 

“I love the re-recordings. They make me appreciate her all that much more. For a while, when it first came out, it was all I listened to.” Liao added, “It shows her growth as a singer.” 

Aside from her music, Liao is also inspired by the way Swift carries herself, from her ambition to her songwriting. “She is one of the pop pioneers currently in the music industry, and [one] of the most prolific artists to come out of the 2010s,” said Liao. 

Swift was the youngest person to ever receive the Album of the Year award at the Grammy’s and was named the Youngest Country Entertainer of the Year by the Country Music Association back in 2009 and 2010, respectively. Since then, she has continued to stake a claim in the music industry by becoming the most awarded American Music Awards winner and most representative artist of Gen Z and Millennials back in 2019. 

Nearly 16 years after the release of her debut album, Liao said Swift has influenced recent up-and-coming artists, including Conan Gray, Olivia Rodrigo, Gracie Abrams, and Maisie Peters. So how does Liao enjoy these prodigies? 

“I enjoyed [Olivia Rodrigo’s] debut album. I even played it for my dad,” said Liao. 

At the end of the day, Liao may be a superfan, but her enjoyment starts and stops with Swift’s music. “I don’t particularly care about the personal life of the artists that I listen to, I appreciate their art,” said Liao. “As long as she keeps making good [music], I’ll listen to it.” 

You can find more about SFU Swifties, their Discord, and their events through their Instagram @sfuswifties.

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Simon Fraser University’s independent student newspaper since 1965.

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© The Peak Publications Society

Simon Fraser University’s independent student newspaper since 1965.

For advertising inquiries: [email protected]
For promotional inquiries: [email protected]

© The Peak Publications Society