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SFSS and GSS aid in extending post-graduate work permits for international students

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Written by: Jaymee Salisi, News Writer

On January 8, 2021 the Government of Canada announced that former international students who hold, or held, a post-graduate work permit (PGWP) will now be able to renew their permit for 18 months. This will assist PGWP holders who have lost their jobs or have had to reduce working hours due to COVID-19, and allow them to continue to pursue employment in Canada.

The pandemic has threatened job security and the chance to gain the work experience needed to apply for permanent residence. Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada estimates that 52,000 graduates with expired or expiring PGWPs could benefit from this public policy. 

This policy was passed as a result of the lobbying efforts of the Simon Fraser Student Society (SFSS), Migrant Students United, and the Graduate Student Society (GSS) at SFU, as well as many other student societies in Canada. The Peak interviewed former Director of Academic Relations at the GSS Rahil Adeli, Vice President of External Relations Samad Raza, and SFSS Science Representative WeiChun Kua who all worked closely on the project.

Raza explained that as the pandemic unraveled, “the government released some information and resources to help [domestic] students but there was no mention of international students.” Raza added that many international students lost their jobs, which put their PGWPs at risk because, before the policy, the permit was non-renewable. He emphasized that this initiative was “a matter of urgency.”

Adeli told The Peak that at the beginning of the pandemic, many international students reached out and informed her about what might happen to them. She and the GSS made themselves aware of their demands and decided to start by helping people with their permits.

“If Canada wants the work and the labour and the skill of international students and migrants, [ . . . ] they have to provide adequate support, especially in these hard times.”

Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada states that international students contribute $21 billion annually to Canada. Kua felt that after such a contribution, it would be unfair to make international students leave the country over something out of their control. He said, “If Canada wants the work and the labour and the skill of international students and migrants, [ . . . ] they have to provide adequate support, especially in these hard times.”

Raza shared that he and Adeli were able to speak about the issue with Member of the Legislative Assembly (MLA) Katrina Chen and Member of Parliament (MP) Terry Beech, who showed support for their advocacy. Raza noted that they tried to “make this campaign as visible as possible” by sending letters to MPs, reaching out to student unions, bringing the issue to the SFSS, and sharing on social media to gather signatures.

Adeli added that on November 24, 2020 they also worked with Migrant Students United to deliver a petition with 16,000 signatures to the Minister of Immigration, demanding renewable PGWPs and solutions to other related issues. International students and allies organized on social media and rallied at the Minister of Immigration’s office in Toronto to push for PGWPs to be renewed. 

Adeli noted that all of their efforts “grabbed attention from media, different public officers, members of parliaments, [and] public figures,” which contributed to the implementation of the new PGWP policy. 

The government news release states that “this new policy will help more graduates fill pressing needs like health care, technology, and more.” According to the Government of Canada, allowing immigrants to remain in Canada aids the country’s recovery by “creat[ing] jobs and fill[ing] labour shortages so businesses can thrive.”

Raza and Kua also stated that they have been speaking to different MLAs and the Minister of Education about issues such as lowering tuition fees and for international students to be given permanent status.

More information about the new PGWP policy is available on the Government of Canada website.

Active Bystander Network holds consent workshop during Sexual Assault Awareness Month

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EIC
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PHOTO: The HK Photo Company / Unsplash

by Karissa Ketter, News Writer

Content warning: mentions of and links to videos that discuss sexual violence.

The Active Bystander Network (ABN) held a workshop on January 20, 2021 for SFU and Fraser International College (FIC) students to discuss how to understand and practice consent. The ABN is a group of students working under the Sexual Violence Support & Prevention Office (SVSPO). They are “commited to raising awareness [about] sexual violence and creating a culture of care and consent at SFU,” as noted by Simran Uppal at their workshop.

The workshop was centered around participant discussions, healthy ways to practice consent, combatting rape culture, and how to react when intimate partners set boundaries for themselves.

Participants were asked at the beginning of the workshop to consider what consent meant to them and to anonymously submit their answers. The answers, read aloud by ABN member Anna Markovic, included respect, giving partners permission, having boundaries acknowledged, and understanding where their relationship is.This urged others to consider what they want and Answers also included considering what you want and are comfortable with.

ABN members discussed the importance of conversing about consent with intimate partners. Their presentation noted that “consent is a freely given yes [and is] required every time.” 

Elaborating on discussing consent with a partner, Markovic said, “[It] can definitely be awkward but I don’t think it’s a bad kind of awkward. I think it’s a kind of awkward that, if you do care about the person, you’ve got to push past because it creates respect amongst each other and a stronger relationship overall.” 

Participants were also led through a discussion about long-lasting impacts of a lack of consent. This conversation concluded that if consent isn’t present — with any instances of unwanted touch — it can lead to “guilt, trauma, hurt, fear, distrust, normalization of rape culture, and microaggressions.” 

Gursharan Singh, a member of ABN, explained that “rape culture is [the] normalization of sexual violence through a cultural attitude that promotes victim blaming, attitudes about gender and sexuality, rape jokes, and actions of sexual harrasment like cat calling or leering.”

The workshop shared a video that had been created by the Government of Nova Scotia, explaining the dangers of victim blaming, perpetuating myths about sexual violence, sexual objectification, and rape culture in Canadian communities. Singh noted that “all of these actions lead to promoting the highest form of sexual violence: rape.” He commented that “by practicing asking [for] and giving consent, we can start a culture that centers care and consent in all relationships and interactions with others.” 

ABN’s presentation also noted that consent “cannot be given by someone who is incapacitated including, for example, someone who is asleep, unconscious, or even somebody who may be intoxicated [ . . . ] [I]t also cannot be obtained through any sort of threats, coercion, or other pressures.” 

Singh acknowledged that exsisting social taboos around sexual violence and victim blaming can be challenging for survivors of assault. He said that “getting help is not humiliating, getting help doesn’t show that you’re weak, getting help means that you’re strong.”

This workshop was held in January by ABN in honour of Sexual Assault Awareness Month. ABN members included Simran Uppal, Gabriela Dodge, Aleksandra Ciesielska, Surbhi Singla, Bonnie Ng, Anna Markovic, and Gursharan Singh, along with facilitator Paola Quiros.

For more information on getting help for sexual assault survivors, visit the SVSPO’s website and their list of resources available to SFU and FIC students. ABN is currently recruiting volunteers; more information on how to get involved can be found on their website.

Teaching Languages in Global Context aims to embrace differing cultural perspectives

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PHOTO: Debby Hudson / Unsplash

by Alex Masse, Staff Writer

On January 21, the faculty of education held an information session for their Master’s program, Teaching Languages in a Global Context (TLGC). The program is a full-time 16-month intensive program for students from all over the world and is open to students regardless of experience teaching language. While it does contain two fieldwork courses, it focuses on theories and research and does not provide teaching certification. 

The program accepts a cohort of 18–⁠22 students, who will take “seven 5-credit courses over three terms.” Additionally, because of its focus on international students, “cultural and academic literary support” is available. 

The TGLC is focused on the “globalized context of teaching additional languages.” Program Coordinator Roumiana Ilieva explained in a previous info session held in December 2020 that “we live in a global world, where things are interconnected, but at the same time, localized. So it is really useful and important to be strengthening our perspectives [ . . . ] through understanding how other people have experienced language learning and teaching.” 

The program is expected to begin in Fall 2021, end with a comprehensive three-part examination in Fall 2022, and will hold Convocation the following June. The course will focus on everything from language acquisition theory to socio-cultural perspectives on education and identity. 

Applicants are required to have a bachelor’s degree with a CGPA of 3.00. They also need to take a English language proficiency test if English is not their main language and show evidence of ability for advanced work, such as through a letter of reference or a writing sample. Additionally, the website states that “teaching or tutoring experience is an asset.” Applicants must also submit their transcripts, resume, and a letter of intent. Following this, they will attend a 30-minute interview and write a short essay. 

“Some of our applicants might not have a lot of work experience,” said Ilieva. “So if you don’t [sic] don’t worry [ . . . ] you can just go with academic [references].” 

Due to the ever-changing situation of COVID-19, the faculty is currently unsure how classes will be delivered, but intends to be face-to-face as soon as SFU allows in-person attendance again. 

There will be another information session for this program on February 16 and the deadline to apply is March 15 2021. For more information, there is a contact form available on the faculty website. The full list of requirements can be found on the program’s Admission Requirements page. 

 

SFU science professor Don Estep named Canada Research Chair for work in uncertainty quantification

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PHOTO: NASA / Unsplash

By: Karissa Ketter, News Writer 

SFU professor Don Estep has been studying complex systems, such as weather and climate systems, using probability methods and mathematical models. For his research, he has been selected as a Tier 1 Canada Research Chair (CRC). In an email interview with The Peak, Estep explained that he focuses on “developing statistics and probability methods for determining properties of complex systems that cannot be directly observed.” 

Estep added that systems such as “the impact of hurricanes on coasts, pollution flow in porous media, and radiation damage in uranium fuel rods are just a few examples” of the scope of his research. Estep looks at these systems and uses mathematical models to quantify the uncertainties of their behavior. 

He explained that this work is important because “it provides the foundation for scientists and engineers to investigate and predict the behavior of complex systems in a reliable way to quantify the uncertainty in their predictions.” According to Estep, his team’s approach “can help scientists and engineers determine the kinds of experiments that should be conducted [in order to understand] the behavior of the system.”

Along with his team, Estep recently worked on a probability framework that solves the problem of uncoordinated research. He explained that when observing systems, such as hurricanes, each component is studied separately. Individually studying components like “wave height and speed, wind speed and direction, and photographs of coastal regions [mean] [t]hese experiments are conducted without coordination.” Estep said that the team’s probability framework solves this problem by combining “information from different experiments in order to maximize the information about the system.”

“I feel very fortunate to be given this opportunity to pursue my research program and train students and postdoctoral fellows at [SFU]. As a researcher, you follow research directions that interest you and that you have the ability to solve. You hope that work will [impact] a wider community and that your peers and users of the work will find it valuable. Being given an honor like a Canada Research Chair [position] gives a strong sense of fulfillment of those hopes,” said Estep. 

Part of Estep’s work at SFU includes serving as Scientific Director of the Canadian Statistical Sciences Institute (CANSSI). He explained that the institute is currently working on expanding CANSSI’s Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion programs. 

Moving forward, Estep reported that he is “increasingly focused on the formulation and solution of [inverted problems], with applications to detecting the properties and geometry of objects by scattering of electromagnetic radiation.” This involves identifying “hidden qualities of a physical system indirectly by measurements [ . . . ] that can be observed.” For instance, when trying to determine the shape of an object, one would look at “the effect of ‘bouncing’ electromagnetic radiation off [that] object.”

In addition to that work, he is also finishing a graduate-level studies textbook focused on probability theory. 

Estep has written multiple textbooks in the past that he described as “explaining complex mathematics to students in a wide variety of fields.” Estep served as founding co-Editor-in-Chief of the Journal for Uncertainty Quantification which is published by the American Statistical Association and the Society for Industrial and Applied Mathematics. 

Don Estep was selected for the CRC program this year along with eight other SFU researchers who are working in an array of research fields. For more information on Don Estep or his research, visit CANSSI’s website. 

SFU implements pass/credit/no credit pilot grading system for electives

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EIC
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Photo courtesy of Simon Fraser University

by Jaymee Salisi, News Writer

SFU has approved a temporary undergraduate pass/credit/no credit (P/CR/NC) pilot grading system for the Spring, Summer, and Fall 2021 terms. The motion specifies this grading scheme can be used towards 12 elective credits per term. The use of P/CR/NC is optional, so students may also choose to apply standard letter grades towards their grade point average (GPA). This pilot also extends the withdrawal deadline for the Spring 2021 term to the last day of classes.

The memo from SFU explains that a “P” indicates a passing letter grade higher than a C-, whereas passing a course with a D authorizes a “CR.” Courses graded with “CR” will not be eligible to use as a prerequisite for further courses. No credit will go towards courses with “NC” grades. Courses taken under P/CR/NC will not count towards a student’s GPA calculation. 

Originally, the motion from the Simon Fraser Student Society (SFSS) for pass/fail grading was not restricted to certain courses or limited to a number of units. The SFSS initially proposed that the grading system work retroactively for the Fall 2020 term.

“The [biggest] difference between the original pass/fail motion and the new P/CR/NC system is that now there are different levels of ‘pass,’” SFSS Vice President of University Relations, Gabe Liosis said in an interview with The Peak. 

The SFSS and the Senate Committee on Undergraduate Studies (SCUS) compromised on a joint motion in order for the SFU Senate to consider the alternative grading scheme. 

Liosis shared that many of the components from the original pass/fail motion had to be sacrificed in order to implement the new grading scheme. However, he is confident that the new system “will bring some much needed relief to students struggling during this pandemic.”

“This grading scheme also encourages students to explore courses outside of their program of study by reducing grade risk for elective courses,” explained University Registrar and Executive Director pro tem, Kathryn Verkerk in an email interview. She told The Peak that although it would have to be considered by the SFU Senate, there is potential for the pilot to become a permanent solution. 

She added that “[SCUS is] still finalizing many details, [including] the definition of an elective.”

Liosis acknowledged that the term “elective” is still unclear for students with undeclared majors or who plan on switching majors. Until the pilot is finalized, electives can be identified as “course[s] outside a student’s declared program.”

While “[t]he SFSS is beyond thrilled that the Senate was able to implement this new grading scheme,” Liosis was concerned that senator Spector requested to vote on the motion by secret ballot. He felt that it was “unsettling for one of the university’s highest governing bodies to conduct itself this way while voting on such a consequential matter.” Liosis added, “I hope to see more transparent voting and conduct in the future by these senators.” 

For more information on the P/CR/NC motion click here.

 

“Tenet,” the failed saviour of cinema, is a convoluted mess

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Arts
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The movie may have an A-list cast, but Tenet still falls short. Image courtesy of The Hollywood Tribune

By: Lester Leong, SFU Student

Before the COVID-19 pandemic forced movie studios to delay their upcoming releases,  Tenet was one of the most highly anticipated films of 2020. With the renowned success of Christopher Nolan’s filmography, many people were looking forward to finding out what Nolan had to offer with his latest picture. After suffering multiple delays, there was an extra degree of anticipation, as Tenet was heralded as the film that would save cinema. However, due to its underperformance at the box office and a divisive critical reception, it may have just led cinema to an early grave.

If you ask any cinephile about the impact that certain directors have on their burgeoning interests in cinema, Christopher Nolan would be an oft-mentioned name. It was the same in my case. Early on in my film appreciation journey, The Dark Knight and Interstellar had profound influences on my ability to appreciate filmmakers and analyze their distinct styles. 

Tenet continues Nolan’s obsession with manipulating time. Inception explores how fast time travels in different layers of dreams; Interstellar explores the relationship between time and space, and Dunkirk uses three different perspectives of time to tell the story of an urgent period in World War II. In Tenet, time is inverted, leading to lots of impressive visuals of people and objects moving backwards. However, what makes Christopher Nolan’s latest film significantly worse than his previous projects is that he doubles down on his storytelling flaws. 

Two of my main problems with Nolan’s storytelling are their cold, detached nature and the lack of any emotional depth. Some of Nolan’s more recent films, excluding The Dark Knight trilogy, are more concerned with exploring and explaining every little minutiae of their intriguing original concepts. But doing so leaves little room for enthralling characters or any emotional heft. Tenet is a prime example of this storytelling tendency.

Since the inception of his career, Nolan has always used genre conventions to explore an original sci-fi concept. Tenet is no different, but this time, the lack of any emotion or excitement is detrimental to the experience. However heavy-handed the dramatic aspects of Interstellar may be, that film at least gave audiences a resonating father-daughter relationship. Tenet has nothing that comes close to that. All we are left with are scenes of exposition that do nothing but make the internal logic of its world even more confusing. Time travel is an inherently convoluted premise and if you think too much about it, paradoxes and logic gaps are inevitable. Nolan attempts to address this by over-explaining every little detail about how time inversion works. Since time inversion is a novel concept in film, it allows the director greater leeway in establishing its rules and mechanics. However, the more the film tried to explain its logic, the more haphazard and baffling it became. 

What makes the exposition scenes even worse in Tenet is the atrocious sound mixing. The score and the sound effects take precedence over the dialogue, leading to barely audible scenes that are crucial in understanding the mechanics of time inversion. These scenes are juxtaposed with high-stakes action sequences that are impressive on a technical scale, but cold and hollow in terms of character development or emotional connection. 

Tenet isn’t without its merits. Nolan’s preference for practical effects lends an air of realism to the action. Ludwig Göransson’s score is eerily similar to the feel of a Hans Zimmer score, which fits right in with the style of a Nolan film. It is also ambitious, but ambition alone does not make a good film. Tenet is not good; it’s just disappointingly mediocre. It might be great for Nolan purists, but for general audiences, it is an unnecessarily convoluted mess. Nolan wanted to save theatres with Tenet, but instead it sped up the potential demise of the theatrical experience, alienating more of his fans in the process.

What Grinds Our Gears: Give Cold Tea the cold shoulder

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Opinions
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Illicit New Year’s Eve gatherings should be the final nail in the coffin. Photo courtesy of coldtearestaurant via Instagram

by Sara Wong, Arts & Culture Editor

On New Year’s Eve, Vancouver’s Cold Tea restaurant decided to blatantly disregard COVID-19 safety regulations by hosting an all-night, 100-person gathering. In an interview with Global News, one of the restaurant’s owners took responsibility, but also defended their actions with the flimsy excuse of being a new business, stating that “survival instincts kicked in.” This shows that Cold Tea does not care for the health and safety of the community, which is concerning given that they are part of the hospitality industry. 

While I sympathize with their financial stress, Cold Tea is not the only new restaurant that has opened during this pandemic, nor are they the only small business suffering monetarily. Other local restaurants have found safe and creative ways to raise funds, such as encouraging gift card sales, selling DIY meal kits, and launching GoFundMe campaigns. Relying on “survival instincts,” on the other hand, meant putting a quick profit over the well-being of others, which is selfish, irresponsible, and absolutely inexcusable. 

BC’s COVID-19 regulations allow for dine-in services to still happen, which is a privilege that Cold Tea has taken for granted. Rather than owning up to their mistakes on social media, they have chosen to remain silent. Even when I spoke up on my platform, they had the audacity to block me — as well as any other users who criticized them. Cold Tea seems like they’re unwilling to change and do not deserve to remain in business, along with any other restaurant who would follow them.

New Dean of FCAT aims to prioritize equity, diversity, and inclusion within the faculty

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News
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Photo courtesy of SFU News

Written by: Jaymee Salisi, News Writer

Carman Neustaedter has been named Dean of the Faculty of Communication, Art, and Technology (FCAT). Previously a professor and director for the School of Interactive Arts and Technology (SIAT), Neustaedter started the position on December 1, 2020.

In an interview with The Peak, Neustaedter explained that this new role has a broader scope in comparison to his previous position as director of SIAT as he is “now responsible for five schools and programs that are within FCAT.” As a result, he said this has expanded his level of thinking in regard to how the school operates. 

Neustaedter emphasized his goals of prioritizing equity, diversity, and inclusion within the faculty. He said that his experience on the university’s Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion Advisory Council provided him with a broader perspective in how he now sees the world, expressing his view that “[SFU] is behind” in efforts of reconciliation and decolonization.

He hopes to prioritize these endeavors by “addressing Indigenous student recruitment and retention, decolonization of the curriculum within all of [the faculty’s] programs, adaptation and reworkings of structures and policies within units, and much more.” 

Additionally, Neustaedter stated that he will continue to “work in FCAT on complex topics related to [equity, diversity, and inclusion] such as anti-racism.” He added that he aims to “make all students feel safe, comfortable, and accepted at SFU as their true selves.”

Currently in the process of creating a Dean’s Student Advisory Council, Neustaedter plans to consult students directly about how the student experience could be improved. 

“One of the most important things to me has always been the student experience and connecting with the students,” he said.

With a background in the field of human-computer interaction, telepresence, and family communication technology, Neustaedter studies social culture, user behaviours, group collaboration, and ubiquitous and mobile technology design. His work spans computer science, social psychology, sociology, and cultural anthropology. 

Neustaedter began working at SFU as an assistant professor in 2010. When he became a faculty member, he took on leadership roles within human-computer interaction. His involvement within the School of Interactive Arts and Technology (SIAT) led him to become the SIAT director — and now the Dean of FCAT.

He welcomes students within the Faculty of Communication, Art, and Technology who may be interested in being on the Council to email him directly at [email protected]. 

How quarantine has completely destroyed my socialization skills

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Humour
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ILLUSTRATION: Tiffany Chan / The Peak

By: Madeleine Chan, Kyla Dowling, and Nathan Tok

I can’t leave people on read IRL? (Madeleine)

I think I realized that human interaction isn’t for me anymore when I said “LOL” out loud, forgetting that, no, I’m not reacting to yet another pandemic meme that my aunt sent me. When I do interact with people, it’s like I can feel a loading sign on my forehead, making my words come out like a professor’s on a low-quality, buffering BB Collaborate video.

I had a five-minute, socially-distanced conversation with a friend and I had to keep reminding myself to talk and continue the conversation. It wasn’t a text message exchange where I could respond hours later, or with a quick double-tapped heart. I couldn’t even mute the extraneous noise that my coat seemed to make when I moved my arms, or turn off my camera to preserve the illusion that I’m an entity devoid of corporeal presence.

How will I cope when I can’t narcissistically check my appearance in the Narcissus lake that is my Zoom square whenever I’m talking to someone? It’s really a miracle that I know to reply with a clipped “good” when asked how I am nowadays.

My social ability is like my six-year-old iPhone 6S: still able to function, but just slow and glitchy enough that I should probably get a new one. But if Apple keeps pumping out thousand-dollar bricks of waste, I probably won’t be upgrading anytime soon. 

I wish my social skills were what the cat dragged in (Kyla)

I didn’t think my socialization skills had deteriorated in quarantine until I was trying to get my mother’s attention. She wouldn’t respond to me while on her phone, engaging with her seven followers on Twitter. She was ignoring my attempts to ask if she was making dinner or if I would have to sustain myself on Starbucks and ramen. 

It was in that moment I realized: she wouldn’t respond to me speaking to her, but you know what she would respond to? Our cat headbutting her. I bonked my forehead against her shoulder three times, and finally, she paid attention to me. That was it, I thought. If I needed her attention, I would resort to acting like her actual favourite child. 

A few nights later while on the phone with my boyfriend at 3 a.m. (I refuse to participate in a heterosexual relationship outside of the witching hour), I proved how severe my quarantine-induced catgirl existence was — and I’m not talking about the fun TikTok catgirls in maid costumes. When he yawned, I pitched my voice high and went “awww, bIg yAWn!” in response. That was the catalyst. That was when I decided to embrace it. 

Now, I alternate between meowing at my mother and petting her hair. My one reprieve from this? Having lengthy conversations in the English language with my cat. I’m pretty sure she understands me, and if she doesn’t? I guess I’ll try meowing at her, but I’m not sure how my accent will be. Will she be offended? 

My talking skills are in a galaxy far, far away (Nathan)

Being in quarantine means a lot of time at home streaming TV. I’ve been watching The Mandalorian. It’s great. Fantastic catchphrases. I also wish I had a huge bounty hunter protecting me at all times.

Recently, at a fast food place, I ordered the cheapest burger (The Peak doesn’t pay me enough) with some grilled onions. The staff member serving me must have been new because they said that didn’t exist on their menu. I insisted I had always gotten free grilled onions on my burger. Finally, another staff member came up to us asking what was wrong. After my server told him, he said that we were both right and wrong. Grilled onions were an option but they ran out earlier until just now, as they got a delivery. 

“YES!” I exclaimed, pumping my fist in victory with my mask spit smearing on my chin. “Young fool, you have paid the price for your lack of vision!” I quoted. “One star!” The whole restaurant turned to look at me. I was grateful for my mask that hid the now very red bottom half of my face. 

He keyed in the order and left so my server and I were both standing six feet apart, awkwardly looking at each other. I thought it would be weird to start talking after having a heated confrontation over onions and yelling, but I felt I had to say something. I just mumbled, “this is the way” as I got my burger with my precious grilled onions. 

The server nodded back. “I have spoken.” Well, I wish they had.

The Bright-er Side: Staying home is an opportunity to save money

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Opinions
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ILLUSTRATION: Siloam Yeung / The Peak

by Brianna Condilenios, SFU Student

The pandemic has brought an onslaught of financial hardships for many. Job loss to small business struggles only skim the surface of these challenges. However, with fewer places to go and fewer things to do for students, financial stress can be relieved as there are greater opportunities to casually save money. 

For students who used to drive frequently, this does not need explanation; gas, parking passes, and potential repairs are expensive. In addition, most public tasks can, or have been, made virtual. Everything from speaking with a counsellor to weddings can be done from the comfort of our favourite pajamas. The time and money previously spent on transportation can now be put into working or resting.

Working and learning remotely from home also means eating out less. Naturally, whenever we are out, we tend to purchase whatever food or beverages are needed to sustain us until we get home. Sometimes this is a frantic coffee in the morning, or a small sandwich around 4 p.m. to power us through our last lecture. I’ve always tried to bring as much food as I’ll need for the day. However, I can’t think of a single semester where I did not forget my lunch, or just needed a little extra purchase to nourish my brain.

Likewise, socializing at restaurants, cafés, or bars is rare these days which means there is no longer social pressure to spend money out. Our friends calling us to various weekend brunches, Friday nights out, or coffee dates is just not a thing anymore. When these opportunities do surface, it is more than reasonable to decline them on the basis of safety. Additionally, this means other than purchasing casual and work clothes, there is no need to keep updating our wardrobes frivolously as there are simply not as many places to go. 

Many students would rather not think about these costs, but they do exist. Being aware of them can help us move forward in a more financially-conscious way. Of the money students spent on eating out, clothes, and travel pre-COVID-19, what can they put that money towards now? Paying off student loan debt? Saving up to move out? Investing the money in the stock market? The possibilities are endless.

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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