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Study tips for exam season

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Three students at a table writing an exam. The student on the left and right are campy writing while the student in the middle has stood up onto the table and lit their exam on fire.
Midterms aren’t as scary as you think. Illustration: Maple Sukontasukkul/The Peak

by Maya Beninteso, Peak Associate

  1. Stop procrastinating 

If I have just called you out, my sincerest apologies. I just thought: why procrastinate delivering the best study tip? Although it is easier said than done, how can you cram half a semester’s worth of information in the days leading up to an exam? Short answer — you can’t. Your professors and TAs spent approximately three hours per week teaching you content for six weeks. By that logic, how can you possibly expect yourself to review and memorize that much information in a few days? Instead, try reviewing class content weekly and cumulatively. For example, review week one content at the end of the week, then, the next week, review weeks one and two. Continue this pattern until your exam and you’ll be more than prepared. Even if you think you put the pro in procrastination, this strategy may help to ease some exam-related stress. 

 

  1. Assume the role of the professor 

When I study, I like to imagine what I would test students on if I were the professor. This prompts me to reflect on the major points delivered in lectures and assigned in course readings. If there is a concept that appears in lecture and in the readings, chances are you will be tested on it. 

Pro tip: if your textbook or syllabus has learning objectives, consult them. These are the “big ideas” your professor wants you to know after having read the chapter. If you cannot answer the questions or prompts detailed in the learning objectives, that’s a sign those concepts need to be reviewed.

 

  1. Constantly test your knowledge 

Self-testing is one of the most effective study techniques — and it’s a method I use all the time. You can tailor this tip to your style of studying, whether that be via mind maps, cue cards, homemade practice exams, or some other self-testing method. I prefer making physical cue cards as they are portable. I test myself whenever I can — during my bus ride to campus, in between episodes of Criminal Minds, and in between sets at the gym (yes, I am that person). This is your cue to start self-testing. 

Having a hard time making cue cards for anything other than definitions or formulas? Refer back to tip #2 and assume the role of the professor. What potential questions do you anticipate will be asked?

 

  1. Utilize study groups — with caution

One major benefit of using a study group is it allows for every individual to share unique information. Three brains are better than one . . . right? While this may be true, there are also challenges associated with groups. Namely, if people fail to share unique information or are too concerned with making friends as opposed to the group’s shared goals. Ensure all members of your potential study group have the same goals as you and are willing to put in their share of effort. 

Pro tip: schedule weekly or bi-weekly study sessions and test each other’s knowledge at the end of every session. 

 

  1. Teach anyone who is willing to listen

I mean it — teach absolutely anyone what you have learned in your courses. This option is not limited to your family. Annoy your friends, your stuffed animals, or the entire 145 bus to SFU with your knowledge. After all, teaching others has been shown to be extremely effective in retaining information. Teaching others also acts as a feedback system. If you are in the middle of explaining a concept and completely blank, you should review that topic. Conversely, if you find yourself teaching a concept with ease, chances are that you have mastered it.

 

  1. Do not neglect your well-being 

Exam season is rough, but neglecting your physiological and psychological needs will only make it worse. Make sure to fuel your body by drinking water and eating some food. Your brain needs fuel to study, after all. 

Schedule breaks and time with your friends — even if it’s a quick phone call or Zoom meeting. Make sure to get a proper amount of sleep (which is approximately 7–10 hours a night for post-secondary students). 

Thinking of pulling all-nighters leading up to your exam? That wouldn’t be wise considering pulling an all-nighter results in effects similar to a blood-alcohol content (BAC) of 0.10. Driving with a BAC of 0.05 is illegal in BC, and you wouldn’t take an exam while under the influence, so why take an exam with comparable impaired cognitive function? 

 

  1. Be creative 

Studying doesn’t have to be a dull experience — get creative. Find a way to study that renders it less of a chore and more of a creative outlet. Make a TikTok. Draw a comic. Write a short story. Write a song. There may or may not be an audio recording of my friend and I singing about DNA to the tune of “Story of My Life” by One Direction floating around in the universe. But I will say I still remember all of the words. If you connect with the material in a way that is meaningful to you, chances are you will remember it. 

 

Long-distance relationships are better than their reputation

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Peak Web
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A guy is lying in bed, holding his phone like he’s on a video call, and smiling.
Out of sight does not necessarily mean out of mind. PHOTO: cottonbro / Pexels

By: Reece Avila

Long distance relationships are actually quite pleasant. Before you throw hands, no I’m not bitter and neither am I trying to avoid my partner — we’ve been together for almost five years, one of which was long-distance. I’ve gotten used to the instant doubt and curiosity every time I tell people we did long-distance. Most are apprehensive at the thought of being apart from someone they love, and are doubtful that people can remain committed. 

Long-distance relationships shouldn’t be frowned upon or be the deal breaker of a perfectly good and healthy relationship. I’m not saying that all long-distance relationships work. It takes a lot of commitment, compromise, and maturity to make it work. I know how freaking hard it is. The lack of physicality can be a painful experience when you or your partner are going through some form of conflict, and can add a barrier to building trust. Long distance relationships might not be worth it for some. 

I speak for the merits of long-distance because I’ve been there. My partner was still in Canada when we were doing long-distance — but there was a three hour time difference! He was in Toronto and I was in Vancouver, which is well beyond the realm of a weekend visit. I consider that pretty substantial. I had to constantly hear from friends and family that it might not work out.

Being in a long-distance relationship put a lot of things in perspective for me. Imagine being in a relationship where your connection is still palpable even after months of physically not being together. 

Maintaining any relationship takes great effort, and long-distance is no exemption. But long distance builds a bond more heavily rooted in trust and commitment. Because you can’t rely solely on your physical chemistry, you get to know your partner at a deeper, more emotional, level. You build trust by working out conflicts through communication, compromise, and genuine support. It feels great to know that someone out there willingly prioritizes staying connected with you despite being miles away. 

Long distance relationships can also be more conducive of independence and character development. The distance really develops your individual ability to grow independently of your significant other. Being able to focus on your own studies, career, and working towards your goals — while not unheard of in traditional relationships — is certainly accentuated by the distance. In turn, you also learn to respect your partner’s time, and the effort they make to achieve their own goals. Most importantly, you learn to find your own happiness without having to rely on your partner.

The time you spend apart also makes the times you do spend together truly valuable. You anticipate the days you finally get to be together. When you finally see them, even the smallest moments become special. Food starts tasting better, you laugh and smile easier, and you cherish the days that you’re in their presence. Absence really does make the heart grow fonder. 

If you think you’ve found someone who’s worth it and you’re both willing to make it work — give it a chance. Long distance relationships take effort, but can also be rewarding. If your relationship can survive the test of time and distance, then surely you can withstand anything.

McFogg the Dog voted SFU’s sexiest in 2022

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SFU Mascot Mcfogg the Dog looking muscular
McFogg — as sexy as ever (toes too sexy to picture). ILLUSTRATION: Sara Brinkac / The Peak

By: Sara Brinkac, Humour Editor

Just in time for Valentine’s week, the votes are in and former mascot, McFogg the Dog has been officially voted SFU’s sexiest representative for 2022. This news will come as no surprise to most SFU students as it would be hard to deny the tight assed beauty that is the Scottish terrier. However, select student groups across campus are furious their candidates were overlooked for the position.

In a recent statement, SFSS president Kay Ninelove assured students she took “every measure necessary to assure a fair decision was reached” and “took a personal interest” in each candidate in order to confirm the right choice was made. To maintain complete transparency with student groups, Ninelove cited the following criteria as the basis for her judgement:

  1. Hot bod
  2. Dreamy eyes
  3. Luscious hair
  4. A jawline that could cut glass
  5. Best smile
  6. Cutest toes

One simple look at McFogg and you know he delivers on all of these qualities paw over fist. No student across the SFU campuses can deny that they haven’t had at least three daydreams about being held in McFogg’s burly arms. Just the two of you, twirling his luscious moustache, eating strawberries off each other’s bodies, and making love on various white sand beaches in the summertime. It’s also not uncommon for students to have consistent wet dreams of McFogg building you a warm log cabin on Burnaby Mountain during the snowstorms with nothing but his cute toes keeping you warm. 

While student advocates for other sexy candidates admit they each have had these dreams multiple times, they refuse to agree these qualities beat the sexual relevance of their canditates. 

“It’s a complete outrage” says Charles Sexsmith, advocate for a rat they found in the dining hall. “This rat is the complete package, I don’t think anyone can deny that, much less McFogg.” Sexsmith argues that while McFogg and the rat equal in much of the decision criteria, this dining hall rat’s chiselled jawline and “eyes you could swim in for weeks on end” surpass McFogg’s sexual credibility entirely.

Other student groups, such as the advocacy group for “that one giant seagull in the AQ,” have taken to a campus wide petition in order to demand a revote. Their petition cites Ninelove’s personal involvement with the candidates clouded her judgement and ruined the sanctity of the award. “Look at this bod and try telling me McFoggs is hotter,” enraged student Dixon Chix demanded, shakily holding a picture of a massive seagull deep-throating a Donair Town wrapper. 

When asked to comment on her involvement, Ninelove refused to acknowledge that the objectivity of her decision was compromised in any way. She once again restated the decision criteria and pulled out various pictures of McFogg highlighting how each of the previously listed attributes were more than present in this candidate.

Amongst the many photos and between long pauses in her speech, Both Ninelove and The Peak seemed to forget an interview was being conducted. Instead, they both sunk deeper into the pictures of McFogg’s dreamy eyes and were whisked away from the SFU office to an Italian Riviera. They found themselves in a shared vision of shirtless McFogg with a red scarf feeding them fresh grapes on a boat, while softly bag-piping Whitney Houston’s I Will Always Love You. Each of them softly embraced each other for a moment, shed two tears of complete satisfaction and went on their respective ways.

Comics

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How to pick up dates in your major

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Peak Web
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candy hearts
Ditch the candies and start using this sweet talk. PHOTO: Laura Ockel / Unsplash

By: Tamanna T., Staff Writer

There’s been a lot of sex talk in this issue of The Peak — but let’s face it — there’s always a lot of  sex talk in your life but rarely any sex action. No worries, though. Getting it on only takes a change in perspective and a hearty drive to turn that frown upside down. Take your classroom for example — where you see chalkboards, we see a room chalk full of potential lays. So here’s a quick How To guide to help you secure some sweet sweet warm meat — enjoy!

Major: History

Pick-up Line: “Careful where you go, because that ass is a weapon of mass destruction.” 

Pro Tip: History majors can be notoriously flirtatious, because all they’ve got is time on their hands. Their brains are like mini-encyclopedias of dates, so feel free to ask them about all the sexiest years to get them in the mood — 69 A.D. seems to work every time. 

 

Major: Biology

Pick-up Line: “If I was a virus, I’d infect you with my love.” 

Pro Tip:  To the Biology majors reading this: it’s probably best to avoid this one for a few years. But if you do decide to use it, we suggest asking for a vaccine card and ID first. 

 

Major: Physics

Pick-up Line: “Hey, wanna go dancing? Because I can put your inertia in motion all night long.” 

Pro Tip: Sometimes, pick-up lines aren’t always the best way to a physics major’s heart. But if you buy them a couple beers and let them give you an in-depth explanation of how lasers work, this is often enough to create both figurative and literal heat every time.   

 

Major: Earth Sciences 

Pick-up Line: “Here’s my number if you ever want your world rocked.”

Pro Tip: If there are three things Earth Science majors love more than anything its volcanoes, minerals, and sex. Just keep tying back anything they say about these three subjects to the other and you’re bound to be creating friction in the sheets all semester long. 

 

Major: English

Pick-up Line: “Charles Dickens might have given you Great Expectations, but I can sure meet them.”

Pro Tip: English majors love anything convoluted. Really try to get them to read in between the pick up lines as much as possible. This will engage both their brain and libido. We have also seen great success in people who frequently — and correctly — use whomst in their sentences while sipping loose leaf tea out of a mason jar.

 

Major: Film Studies

Pick-up Line: “Are you into suspense films? Cause I can show you groundbreaking ones from Hitchcock and my . . . (cock).” 

Pro Tip: Film Majors truly believe that they can seduce someone by overexplaining a movie, and to someone outside their major, they’ve never been more wrong. But approach the hottie in your film seminar with your opinions on the colonialist implications of early 20th century travelogues and get the director to call “action” because you’re about to get some.

Horoscopes February 14–18

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Peak Web
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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: Sara Brinkac, Sexpert

ARIES: Unfortunately we don’t have a lot of sexual energy to use for your prediction since you’re a total virgin. But we can assure you that you will have sex . . . at some point . . . soon(ish)?

TAURUS: When people keep offering to eat you out, you need to stop assuming it’s just poor grammar. Also, we get that you love a free meal but that doesn’t mean your partner doesn’t want one too. 

GEMINI: I don’t know why you think it’s such a good idea to have sexual partners practically double your height but that’s OK. The commuters at the bus stop are getting a real show when you try to 69 with the blinds open.

CANCER: You seem to be a big fan of car sex. But always in the most uncomfortable cars and oddest locations. Next time you’re in the market for a partner, treat yourself to a nice Mazda 3 hatchback with fold down seats. We hear both the car and driver have great mileage.

LEO: We understand you need a first date idea for you and the cutie in your class. May we recommend skipping the tedious coffee, hopping over the boring first kiss, and instead just bringing a blanket to your next lecture? While your eyes are on the slides learning, allow you and your date’s hands free range, all while conveniently shrouded under a Doctor Who quilt. Whoever said “partner projects were hard work,” was more right than they knew.

VIRGO: It is highly advised you start adding a 20 minute pre-coital stretch routine to all your future sexual encounters. You aren’t the nimble jungle cat you once were and you’re about three reverse cowgirls away from a pulled hammy. 

LIBRA: No one said you couldn’t sweeten up your sex life on a budget. Go ahead — grab the frozen strawberries, crack open the Cool Whip, and drench your partner in No Name Chocolate Syrup. What’s that? What about edible underwear? We recommend looking into the great number of licorice weaving tutorials out there for the sexually and creatively inclined. 

SCORPIO: If you have been offered a fancy seafood dinner in Yaletown this week, do not go. The combination of oysters and wine is not the aphrodisiac concoction you are looking for. However, if you do decide to move ahead with this, all we can do is beg you not to go down on anyone.

SAGITTARIUS: That guy in your friend group you think no one knows you’re having sex with? Literally, everybody knows. But no one really minds, and frankly most people are supportive of it. It’s not worth being embarrassed over and it’s definitely not worth shoving him in the closet every time you hear a knock at the door. It’s time you own up to your relationship with Trevor.

CAPRICORN: Think twice before you try heating up your sex life this week. We’ve seen how nonchalantly you’ve handled candles in the past and are concerned that your partner’s desires won’t be the only thing burning that night. 

AQUARIUS: We’re so happy to hear that things between you and your partner are going fantastic in the oral sex department — but please — keep in mind that your walls are thin and your roommate is a lonely Aries.

PISCES: Word on the street is you and your partner are the “Hansel and Gretel” of butt plugs. We love to see you two expanding your sexual and rectal horizons but maybe try not to leave a trail of lost buttplugs in your wake. If you are really having that hard of a time keeping track of them, we hear keychains can be extremely convenient.

Top ten places to have sex at SFU besides the avocado

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Peak Web
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A picture of the SFU Avocado crossed out with the words “Leave it alone” beside it
The avocado has had enough of you. ILLUSTRATION: Alyssa Umbal / The Peak

By: Luke Faulks, Staff Writer

1. Quietly, under the covers in your dorm room

 Listen, you don’t have to be an exhibitionist, here. It’s perfectly acceptable to have regular old vanilla sex with a partner/real good buddy in your dorm room. If it’s any consolation, it’s still something the new federal conservative leader will privately consider to be “deviant.”

 

2. AQ Level four stairwell

The perfect middle-ground for any sexual romp around this is a great location for all you potential consumaters. Avoid the bottom of the AQ stairwell’s “call security on me” kinda vibe, avoid the strenuous climb to the top that leaves you completely spent (not in the fun way) and choose the level four stairwell! You retain the quiet nature of a stairwell, the general seclusion of a concrete abode and not to mention a nice view* of the AQ!  

*Please be advised windows have been known to work both ways.

 

3. Literally anywhere in the Goldcorp Arts Centre

Join all the other sexually liberated arts students on campus and become a busy little worker bee in the sex hive that Goldcorp was always designed to be. Go ahead — do the devil’s tango in the dance studios, bang someone’s box in the concert halls, and even feed your partner’s reel in the movie theatre — have fun with it! 

 

4. The Student Union Building

There’s no reason why bonkin’ can’t be a political message. Hop into the SUB, throw together some of the modular couches in the nap room, and start thrusting your signature onto your partner’s change.org petition!

 

5. The Burnaby Mountain Park parking lot

Did you know SFU has a specified make-out point that’s not a metal statue children play in!? Just a short walk/drive from campus and you’ll find the parking lot for Burnaby Mountain Park. Pull up in your parents’ car and start contributing to the melodious moans of about 40 other couples who had the exact same idea today! 

 

6. The SFU Library’s fifth floor

Some say the best revenge is living well, but obviously, those people haven’t had sexy times in the library’s quiet floors. After years of librarians shushing us into shape, why not shatter the carefully curated silence of SFU’s quiet areas with some riotous shagging?

 

7. On the football field

Danger? Check. View of a starry sky? Check. Comfortable lying position? Check(ish). For your next sexual rendevous, we reccomend the middle of the SFU football field in all its LED glory. Let the muffled cheers of bus passengers whipping by and disgusted glances of strolling families get you and your partner in the mood for some nefarious nookie. 

 

8. DIY in your dorm

You may have the dorm room but not the partner to match. Don’t let that stop you from partaking in self-care though. It’s time you start testing the plumbing, polishing the bannister, churning the butter —  you get the point. Treat you and your hand to a nice night in — light a couple candles, put on some early Justin Timberlake tracks, and have a simple evening of private pleasure — you two deserve it!  

Wait, I have more. Giving yourself the low-five. Choking the chicken. Coming into your own. Pulling the taffy . . . OK I’m good now. 

 

9. The Harbour Centre lounge area that overlooks Port Vancouver

We’ve talked about the excitement around getting caught. But what about straight-up danger? There’s no bigger stage in the Lower Mainland, and no better window for the whole city to see your sexhibitions than the Harbour Centre lounge area. We strongly encourage all readers to give this location a try and make as many euphemistic puns as possible surrounding docks, harbours, and precious cargo to really set the mood.

 

10. The Avocado

Who am I kidding? It’s an absolute classic for a reason. Go ahead and make a pit stop with your partner tonight. Just please clean up after yourself this time.

Upcoming FCAT Conference to showcase student projects and voices

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News
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a horizontal panel in three parts, each part has students watching or presenting a project
PHOTO: Courtesy of Victoria San Martin

By: Karissa Ketter, News Writer 

SFU Faculty of Communication, Arts and Technology (FCAT) is setting the stage for their annual Undergraduate Conference on March 4, 2022. 

Students from any FCAT school — contemporary arts, communication, interactive arts and technology (SIAT), or publishing — were able to submit projects from “Fall 2021 or a previous semester.” The FCAT conference website explains “the conference is an opportunity for students, faculty, staff, and industry members to come together, share knowledge, and build meaningful connections.”

The conference allows for submission of art exhibits, films, research papers, live performances, or co-op work reports for consideration. School ambassadors will select a curation of student projects to be showcased at the conference and invite selected students to present their projects. 

Jacob Lee is one of the students hoping to present at the conference. A fourth year communication major, Lee submitted his research on the way the COVID-19 pandemic has been represented in news media. In a statement to The Peak, he outlined his presentation. “My project was a research paper that investigated the origins of COVID-19 and how certain news outlets covered this issue.

“I conducted a framing analysis on 40 total news articles from CNN, CGTN (news outlet from China), and Fox News, to see how each outlet framed this issue. I found that by doing this, I would be able to uncover some of the underlying political motives that each news outlet had when covering this topic,” said Lee. 

Judy Yae Young Kim is also a fourth year communication student who submitted research on Twitter’s artificial intelligence translators. “Before the implementation of Twitter’s automatic translations (powered by Google), the international K-Pop fandom had to rely on the power of fan translations. Now with automatic translations, the fandom relies on fan translations less, which brings up a concern to those translators that received celebrity treatment.

“People have this idea that in first or second year classes, you might not be as able to be ‘creative’ since you’re still learning the ropes of Communications Studies. I think my project challenges that notion because I was able to take something I am interested in (K-Pop) and turn it into a school project,” said Kim.

“Since FCAT is such a diverse faculty, the conference is a great way to bring students together from different departments and explore the faculty’s overall academic excellence and achievement,” said Lee. 

The Peak reached out to Victoria San Martin, communication, design, and event assistant, to find out more.

The conference “is a celebration of all the hard work that students put into their courses,” said San Martin.

The conference has been hosted since 2013. This year, it will be held virtually through the online conference-hosting platform, Hopin, to keep community members safe and reduce the risk of COVID-19 transmission. 

“One of the coolest things about it is there’s projects from films, dance performance, or research papers. There’s even some video games from our SIAT students. So it’s really exciting to see the amount of projects and different things that you can experience at the conference,” said San Martin. 

The keynote speaker at this year’s conference is award-winning Cree Filmmaker, Dr. Jules Koostachin. She completed her PhD in gender, race, sexuality and social justice at the University of British Columbia with a focus on Indigenous documentaries and relationships to storytelling.

“She’s going to be talking about her experience, her journey, and how she’s gone to find her voice in this area of the arts. And then she’ll also be tying that into sharing wisdom she has with the students who come to the conference,” said San Martin.

The FCAT conference will also have a question and answer panel with SFU alumni from each of the FCAT schools. There will be 39 students presenting a total of 20 projects at the conference.

For announcements on how and when to register for the conference, details will be uploaded to the FCAT conference’s website and their instagram, @fcatatsfu.

SFSS Spring 2022 Referenda: Equity Through Democracy

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Features
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Simon Fraser Student Society office in Maggie Benston Centre.
Voting for the establishment of these fees will happen February 15–17 and be available through SFU Mail. PHOTO: Chris Ho/ The Peak

by Balqees Jama, SFU Student

Editors note: The author is president of SOCA and is currently advocating for this referendum.

The Simon Fraser Student Society (SFSS) 2022 Executive Elections are currently underway and among the five referenda questions, two are about establishing long-term financial supports for constituency groups that support Black, Indigenous, and disabled students on campus. A referendum is a vote by students towards a specific question, often to support a cause. 

These groups consist of Students of Caribbean and African Ancestry (SOCA), the First Nations, Métis, and Inuit Student Association (FNMISA — formerly FNSA), and the Disability and Neurodiversity Alliance (DNA). This student referendum would establish two new fees that would enable them to better support their membership: the SOCA Black Student Support Fund and DNA Disabled and Neurodivergent Student Support Fund. Additionally, there would be an increase to the already established First Nations, Métis, and Inuit Student Association Fund fee that was created in 2002 by referendum. These fees would total $3.50 per full-time undergraduate student and $1.75 per part-time undergraduate student for each semester.

The pool for funding is yet to be established, and would be based on student enrollment. 

 

How will these fees help us help our communities?

There are some specific culturally relevant resources and activities that these groups do now that would be bolstered by the establishment of these fee levies.

 

Events 

This includes cultural nights and festivals, workshops for people to learn either within or outside the community, and social gatherings, among others. 

For example, at SOCA, we host the Black History Month panel discussions, create and support other Black History events on campus, and organize the Annual Black and African Diaspora Cultural Night or Formal Dinners. These are hosted to create a safe environment for the varied Black communities to come show up and #Slay royally. 

The FNMISA holds a Term Dinner which is an opportunity for the community to join together, share in a meal, and end the semester in a nice way. 


Advocacy

This would include a myriad of advocacy initiatives to support marginalized constituents. For instance, SOCA has launched many campaigns pushing SFU to ensure there is increased Black racial equity on campus including:

All of these campaigns have tremendous long-term impacts for Black communities on campus, setting up systemic and permanent structures to support Black community success. 

Or, we could look at the FNMISA’s “Let Us Speak” campaign that highlighted the need for the FNMISA and Indigenous students to be properly included and consulted for the creation of the First Peoples Gathering House. There has also been advocating for increased safe spaces for Indigenous students via No Cops on Campus on all three campuses. 

Lastly, DNA has had many advocacy wins: 

DNA is currently garnering widespread media attention with their most recent statement on the Return to Campus, which advocates for hybrid learning and centring disabled and immunocompromised SFU community members in COVID-19 policy.


Resources and Programming

This fee will aid continuous programming such as peer mentorship and support for the community, faculty and staff; bursary contributions; educational, equity, diversity, and inclusion, and decolonizing workshops and seminars. Along with sharing resources, this allows students to know how to access support on campus from a specific equity lens serving these unique communities. 

 

Operations and governance

This is needed to ensure the staff supports are adequately provided and that SOCA, FNSA, and DNA continue to be run with direction by Indigenous, Black, and disabled members of the groups. These include staff support training, governance training, collaboration with community groups on campus relations, and physical office supplies and furniture for the spaces to be continuously relevant.

These fees will help provide long-term sustainable support for equity-seeking constituency groups to continue serving students. This fee levy is to be designated by SFSS as an opt-out fee, so if students are not able to afford the $3.50 fee, students could opt out of paying. However, due to the collective efforts of students coming together, a lot of support would be given to serve these equity communities, led by these communities.

 

Your Support Matters!

Every student can take part in supporting communities on campus by supporting the work that these groups do. Just as our predecessors had laid the groundwork for community support, we can ensure future students can come to campus, have these spaces, and call SFU home.

In total, 43 student groups, 13 SFSS candidates, and 2 SFSS parties have endorsed the campaign. This shows that student groups and their leaderships are ready and willing to support and care for, and empower communities to continue to thrive. Now we implore all students to support these groups as these referenda questions go forward. 

 

What to do from here?

1) Students can vote! There will be a link to vote in SFU Mail February 15–17 

2) Students can message others to vote

3) Students can follow @sfudna, @sfu.fnmisa and @sfusoca on social media!

Learn more: https://bit.ly/RefFAQs 

You can find more information about the SFSS referenda here: https://sfss.ca/elections/referenda/ 

 

Eight Questions with SFU softball

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Arts
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SFU softball players Rebecca Kirkpatrick and Lauren Schwartz pose with a bat and glove in uniform on the field.
SFU’s sophomore outfielder and junior infielder take a trip down memory lane to reflect on their style of play and most memorable tournaments. Photo: Gudrun Wai-Gunnarsson / The Peak

By: Kelly Chia, Staff Writer

On February 18, the SFU softball team is heading to Arizona to play five games in the Cactus Classic tournament. They are entering the tournament ranked fifth out of seven teams in the Great Northwest Athletic Conference. After welcoming a group of nine freshmen and a transfer pitcher in January of 2021, the team is raring to compete together after opting out of last season. 

The Peak was able to get to know two SFU softball members: Rebecca Kirkpatrick and Lauren Schwartz. Kirkpatrick majors in Criminology with a minor in Physical Geography and GIS systems, and is studying for her Forensic Sciences certificate. Meanwhile, Schwartz is among the newcoming class, transferring from Bellevue College in Washington. She has a double minor in English and Kinesiology.

P: What do you like most about the culture of softball competitively?

K: I like how every game is different. One person could be dominant in one game, and it could be a completely different person [the next].

In one game, it could be a pitcher’s duel where it’s a low-scoring game, and then all of a sudden it could be a 10–10 ball game, so it can flip very easily.

Schwartz laughed.

S: Yeah, I guess that’s both a pro and a con in some ways.

I like how relaxed it is, but then the moments of excitement are super exciting. Especially playing outfield, you are mostly standing around, but when you have to make a play, it’s super important.

 

P: Is there a misconception about softball that you’d like to clear up?

S: There’s always the baseball/softball comparison everyone makes. I don’t know, at this point, I’d say they’re hard in different ways.

K: People think baseball and softball are really slow sports, so they must not be as physically exhausting. But they are very physically exhausting! We play double headers, so we can be out in the field for twelve hours.

 

P: What’s your most memorable moment as a softball athlete competing in tournaments?

S: My first thought would be, in my last season of club softball, we won provincials. We were down seven-nothing in the last inning, and we came back and won it. That’s always been a memorable one for me. 

K: For me, it would be from my freshman year here. Six of us that are on the team right now played in something called the Canada Cup. We ended up playing junior team Chinese-Taipei in the finals, and we ended up winning. It was pretty cool because Team Canada and Team USA were watching us.

 

P: What do you think your strengths are as players?

S: One thing I can always control is my energy on the field. I guess that would be a strength — no matter how I’m playing, I try to keep that energy up. 

K: My strength is more of the mental side of the game: I know a lot of strategy plays, so I bring more of the mental aspect of the game.

 

P: What do you do to feel ready beforehand?

S: Music keeps us all loose.

K: Baseball and softball are actually really superstitious sports. If you’re doing well, you have to put your bat in the same position.

 

P: Is there a particular superstition around something that you [can’t] do?

S: Foul line.

K: Yeah, you can’t step on it. You always have to hop over it. Honestly!

 

P: What seniors have left the team? How has that affected you?

S: We had two important seniors leave last year: Amanda Janes and Kate Fergusson. They contributed a lot — Amanda especially was a huge leader on the team. I literally only knew her for four months, but you could tell she was really prominent on the field. We miss that a lot, but it was only two people. With the incoming freshmen, we have a lot of talent!

S: I’m really excited to see our freshmen play. I think they’re going to have a lot of success this year. Our sophomore class, too, [who] didn’t get to play last year. Our pitcher has been doing a lot of good things in practice.

 

P: Do you have any advice for students wanting to play softball in university?

K: You have to work harder than anyone else, and want it more than anyone else. Even if you aren’t the best on your team, or you are the best on your team and aren’t getting noticed, you have to put yourself out there. Make contacts and go talk to people. A lot of good athletes, especially undersized athletes, get [overlooked] easily, so you have to be the one winning for yourself.

You can check out the softball team play their first home game of the season against Central Washington on February 26.

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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