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The week ahead in SFU Sports: November 11–17

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Photo credit / SFU athletics

By: Dylan Webb, Sports Editor

With SFU’s volleyball, football, and men’s and women’s basketball teams all playing at home this week, Clan fans have a ton of opportunities to cheer on their team’s during the week of November 11–17. Here’s a brief breakdown of the SFU sports action lined up for the week. 

Volleyball:

The SFU Volleyball team will enjoy a short two-game home stand this week as they host teams from both the Anchorage and Fairbanks campuses of the University of Alaska. After hosting the Nanooks on November 14, the Clan will take on the Anchorage Seawolves on November 16. Tip off for both games is 7 p.m. in the West Gym.

Men’s Soccer: 

A two-game week for the SFU Men’s Soccer team begins with a visit to Western Washington University on November 14 at 7 p.m. The team will then travel to Lacey, Washington to take on Saint Martin’s University on November 16 for a 1:30 p.m. kickoff.  

Football:

The Clan will host Central Washington University at Swangard Stadium on Saturday November 16 at 1 p.m. It’s the final regular season game of 2019 for SFU Football and the team will celebrate its graduating players with a Seniors Night theme. 

Men’s Basketball:

A light week for the SFU Men’s Basketball team has the squad hosting Trinity Western University at 1 p.m on November 16. 

Women’s Basketball:

Continuing their pre-season, the SFU Women’s Basketball team will host three games at the West Gym this week. First, Hawaii Pacific University visits on November 12 for a 12 p.m. tip off. California State University, Los Angeles will then visit for a double header that starts on November 15 at 7 p.m. and concludes on November 17 at 12 p.m.

Hockey:

SFU Hockey hosts a single home game this week with the University of Victoria Vikes paying a visit to the Bill Copeland Sports Centre. Puck drop is 7 p.m. on Saturday November 16. 

No. 7 Cherry Lane paints a captivating portrait of Hong Kong with unconventional cinematic choices

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No. 7 Cherry Lane was nominated for the Golden Lion award, the highest prize at the Venice International Film festival. Image courtesy of Far Sun Film Co Ltd / VIFF.

By: Kim Regala, Peak Associate

After a long 10-year hiatus, Hong Kong director Yonfan returns to filmmaking with No. 7 Cherry Lane, his first animated film. Presented in the recent Vancouver International Film Festival (VIFF),  No. 7 Cherry Lane takes us through a captivating love triangle between a young college boy and the mother and daughter that he falls for. As it is set in 1967 Hong Kong, the story pays homage to a crucial moment of political uprising between the Chinese and British. Through the film, Yonfan paints a beautiful portrait of the city that well encapsulates the atmosphere and sentiments of this historical moment in Hong Kong.

Perhaps the most intriguing aspect of No. 7 Cherry Lane is its unique animation style. Typically, a film only incorporates one type of animation, whether it’s classically hand-drawn, computer-generated, or even stop motion. Yonfan breaks this common mould to combine two traditional techniques. On the one hand, all of the background imagery appears hand-sketched or water-coloured, remaining motionless throughout each scene. This creates a rather Old-World aesthetic that is reminiscent of traditional Chinese paintings. On the other hand, the characters inherit a more modern animation style that is similar to the anime we see today. A film review from Hollywood Reporter describes this as “the result of a labour-intensive animation technique in which animators rendered caricatures in 3D before hand-drawing them in 2D.” As a result, we get a desirable contrast between the main subjects that hold our gaze and the world around them that feels frozen in time.

Continuing the unconventionality in Yonfan’s style is the overall slowness of the movement on-screen. While this could feel slightly frustrating for viewers anticipating a fast and action-packed film, this unique approach adds to the mummified effect of the world unfolding before our eyes. In a way, it allows us to truly pay attention to the details within the scenes and further immerses us into this particular time period in Hong Kong.

Being an animation and all, you may think that the film is rated PG by default — but be warned, there is nothing family-friendly about No. 7 Cherry Lane. Grounded by its love triangle narrative about a man who fancies two women, many of the scenes depict sexual fantasies and toe the line between dream and reality. Without a doubt, the film’s narrative holds a strong male gaze that caters towards the objectification of women’s bodies (and yes, there IS nudity involved). Even the scenes that center around female fantasies still feel as if they are meant to primarily have an erotic feel for male viewers. While moments like these did make me feel slightly uncomfortable as a female viewer, I still couldn’t help but appreciate the creativity in Yonfan’s presentation of these dream-like sequences that garnered an almost psychedelic influence. Additionally, his bold move of expressing sexual and provocative themes is largely admirable considering that Asian cinema as we know it is known for being more conservative than Western productions.

Despite catering towards the male gaze, I still found No. 7 Cherry Lane to be an impressive film that deserves great recognition beyond just the Asian audience that is familiar with the film’s language and culture. While it is a story that draws from Hong Kong’s revolutionary past, it can also serve as a mirror to the protests against China that are still happening in the present. Its imaginative animation style alone makes the film stand out from previous works, but it is especially this aspect of political awareness that separates it from the others.

Spotlight: UPhoto Photography Club

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Board rejects motion to house CJSF, Embark, SFPIRG, and SOCA in the SUB 7–5

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Image courtesy of sfss.ca

By: Gabrielle McLaren, Editor-In-Chief

Editor’s note: this piece will be followed by more in-depth coverage on the discussions surrounding both motions and concerns voiced about accessibility, feasibility, and financial responsibility. Other business from this meeting will be discussed in a future piece. 

A motion originally proposed by SFSS president Giovanni HoSang to house SOCA, SFPIRG, Embark, and CJSF in the Student Union Building (SUB) was defeated on November 1’s SFSS Board meeting. Another motion was adopted to renovate Forum Chambers and the Undergrounds in Maggie Benston Centre to house SOCA, SFPIRG, and CJSF instead — though SFU community members expressed concerns regarding this resolution. The other groups currently housed in the Rotunda — The Women’s Centre, Out on Campus, and the First Nation Students Association — have space guaranteed in the SUB.

Three guests spoke on this issue prior to the Board’s discussion: a student who had been involved with SFPIRG, Matt McDonald (Director of External Relations for the Graduate Student Society), and Magnus Thyvold (CJSF Station Manager). 

From the Board of directors; Jennifer Chou, Tawanda Nigel Chitapi, Osob Mohamed, and Shina Kaur spoke spoke in support of the motion. Simran Uppal expressed feedback she had received from students and departmental student unions executives who wished to see space in the SUB allocated majoritarily to students. Giovanni HoSang read an open letter supporting the motion signed by himself, Jennifer Chou, Shina Kaur, Fiona Li, and Osob Mohamed. 

HoSang’s motion, printed below along with vote results tallied by several Peak staff members, was originally proposed and postponed at the May 30 and October 18 Board meetings.  

Following the first motion’s rejection, the Board elected to take a break given the tension and emotion in the room. Many SFU community members left the meeting at this time or took advantage of the break to discuss frustrations and reactions to this decision in the hallway. 

After the break, the Board passed a motion to renovate Forum Chambers and the Undergrounds at a projected cost of $320,000 to house SOCA, SFPIRG, and CJSF. 

The last item before the Board went in camera was a question and answer period for guests in attendance. Of the 10 questions asked (five of which by The Peak), Board members answered five. As the last question of the Q&A period, The Peak asked Board members which independent student society’s services they had used or activities they had participated in, one group at a time. Less than half of the Board had used each service. 

Many speakers at the meeting reacted to the motion in the meeting itself. During the meeting, The Peak invited attendees to submit comments and concerns before 6:00 p.m. (due to our publication schedule). The Peak had the opportunity to talk to Giovanni HoSang, Jesse Wentzloff (CJSF’s Public Affairs Coordinator) and Robin Erikkson (Programming Coordinator). 

Wentzloff voiced disappointment at both the Board’s decision “to evict us and the other student groups by denying us space in the SUB.” 

He was also disappointed by “the cowardice of the Board members who voted against the proposal that would have housed all the groups [ . . . ] in that they uniformly refused to answer questions or provide any concrete reasoning for their decisions and were disrespectful throughout the process — not paying attention to speakers and checking their phones…”

CJSF’s disappointment is compounded by the fact that a move to Forum Chambers/the Undergrounds had already been discussed and deemed unsuitable for their society’s needs. Erikkson also discussed concerns regarding the financial feasibility and responsibility of this plan. Board members discussed this issue during the meeting and the Q&A, with VP Finance Tawanda Nigel Chipati explaining that the SFSS’ Space Expansion Fund would cover these renovations. The briefing accompanying the motion notes that CJSF has also been saving funds in preparation for a potential move. 

“Why would the SFSS choose to spend that amount of money [ . . . ] to renovate space when they have a brand new building that they’ve already spent millions of dollars on?” 

HoSang too was disappointed by the decision.

“It’s very disheartening that the vote went this way, but let’s see what happens in the next couple of months.” 

He reminded students that they could reach out to Board members and vote with this issue in mind in the next election. 

The issue of space in the SUB has deep roots on campus. Following a consultation period in 2013–2014, rotunda groups found out in December 2017 that they were not being given space in the SUB. Since, they have reacted with a variety of presentations, discussions, educational workshops, petitions, letters, and awareness campaigns. 

 

 

Vote Breakdown:

7.1 Alternative Shared Space Model – Improved Model for the SUB – MOTION 2019

Be it resolved that 8 of the 22 Bookable Open Rooms be assigned to clubs and DSUs for a period of one semester with the possibility of extension by additional periods of one semester at a time; Be it further resolved that each of the 8 open bookable rooms be assigned to one club or student union except if two groups wish to share a room;
Be it further resolved that staff be tasked to determine the next steps in the process of allocating the 8 Open Bookable Rooms as semesterly bookable spaces to clubs and student unions and to report back to the Board with recommendations. Be it further resolved that the remaining 4 organizational suites be allocated to SFPIRG, Embark, CJSF and SOCA, in addition to the ones already allocated to the SFSS Women’s Centre, SFSS Out on Campus and First Nation Students Association.

Votes in Favour

  • Jennifer Chou (Arts and Social Sciences Representative)
  • Giovanni Hosang (President)
  • Shina Kaur (VP University Relations)
  • Fiona Li (Communications, Art and Technology Representative)
  • Osob Mohamed (Health Sciences Representative)

Votes Against

  • Maneet Aujla (At-large)
  • Jasdeep Gill (VP External Relations)
  • Julian Loutsik (Environment)
  • Jessica Nguyen (VP Student Life)
  • Simran Uppal (Science)
  • Andrew Wong (Business

Abstentions

  • Tawanda Nigel Chitapi (VP Finance)
  • Emerly Liu (Education)

Note: Rayhaan Khan was not in attendance the vote but arrived later, and Nick Chubb was not in attendance during the meeting

 

8.1 Forum Chambers and the Undergrounds – MOTION BOD 2019-11-01:05

Be it resolved that the Board of Directors direct management to approach SFPIRG, CJSF,
SOCA, and Embark to discuss and implement the plan for permanent space allocation in MBC 2901 (Forum Chambers) and 3901 (The Undergrounds).

Votes in Favour

    • Maneet Aujla (At-large)
    • Jasdeep Gill (VP External Relations)
    • Julian Loutsik (Environment)
    • Jessica Nguyen (VP Student Life)
    • Simran Uppal (Science)
    • Andrew Wong (Business)
    • Tawanda Nigel Chitapi (VP Finance)
    • Emerly Liu (Education)

Votes Against

(None)

Abstentions:

  • Jennifer Chou (Arts and Social Sciences Representative)
  • Giovanni Hosang (President)
  • Shina Kaur (VP University Relations)
  • Fiona Li (Communications, Art and Technology Representative)
  • Osob Mohamed (Health Sciences Representative)

Your weekly SFU horoscopes: November 5–11

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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

Written by Zach Siddiqui, Humour Editor

Aries — March 21–April 19

You could participate in NaNoWriMo this year. But why write a rushed novel when your whole life is basically a rushed novel? Complete with contrived misfortunes, an arbitrary plot structure, and too much Times New Roman font when all you lust after is Papyrus.

Taurus — April 20–May 20

The TransLink strike action could still be ongoing. Or it could resolve itself. Either way, expect some travel disruptions, and expect to be sad about it. After all, there are only two places you could find yourself trapped: in Cloverdale, and not in Cloverdale. And the latter is only slightly less ratchet than the former.

Gemini — May 21–June 20

Congratulations — daylight savings time has officially ended, granting you a single extra hour! Budget this hour carefully. Twenty-five minutes for your next bursary application. Fifteen minutes for squeezing out another negativistic business email. And bank the last 20 for a doctor’s appointment where you and your stress migraine will probably be prescribed crystal healing or alternative love therapy.

Cancer — June 21–July 22

This week, you’ll have trouble with the cold. To be more specific, there won’t be enough of it to keep your heart safely refrigerated, guarded from melting after one devil-may-care glance from your SFU Security crush.

Leo — July 23–August 22

Black Friday may not be until November 29, but get shopping early. Every day is Black Friday when your cute smile and your confidence in discussing your oral fixation enrapture retail workers at an 80% success rate.

Virgo — August 23–September 22

Stop moping over your dissatisfaction with your academic performance this week. Your performance is dissatisfying every week. Now you have to face that instead of distracting yourself with strange alpaca videos.

Libra — September 23–October 22

Don’t let people judge you when they find out you didn’t vote. You have a right to indecisiveness. Just like the United Kingdom.

Scorpio — October 23–November 21

You’ve gotten way too powerful with #SCORPSZN settling over Vancouver. Take advantage of this. Live out your deepest fantasy: swallowing a live octopus and waiting to see whether or not it suctions itself to your airway and kills you.

Sagittarius — November 22–December 21

You’ve been letting yourself lean on others lately. What a shocker. But don’t get too comfortable. Your support system is as fragile as a bodybuilding influencer’s ego and may collapse at any time. That’s what you get for assembling your social circle out of milksops and Battlestar Galactica players. 

Capricorn — December 22–January 19

You may find yourself fretting this week. Your best outfits will always have just one key component drifting in the laundry and unusable. But stop worrying about it. You only have one worthwhile date to look forward to, anyway: enrolment. 

Aquarius — January 20–February 18

You are a S’Well bottle of creativity, but catering to your followers on social media has drained you dry. There’s no fighting back. You are, after all, totally plastic and incapable of anger or any other feeling. Just acknowledge quietly that emptiness is the new Instagrammable. 

Pisces — February 19–March 20

Pain and failure surrounds you. But you may thrive this week in unexpected ways. You’ve absorbed everyone else’s powers, and now only you will make it through the tuberculosis outbreak known as existing.

Overly friendly professor destroys students’ lives for forgetting to call him by first name

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Written by Nathaniel Tok, Peak Associate

Assistant professor Michael McManfred, a recent hire for the Department of Legal, Ethical, and General Investigative Technology (LEGIT), has been censured by the university for destroying the well-being of his first year LEGIT 105 students. Reportedly, the LEGIT professor’s tyranny started after several of his students accidentally called him “Professor McManfred,” instead of “Mike,” as he had so benevolently urged them to do at the start of the year. 

According to Parker Anders, one of McManfred’s TAs, the problem started last Monday — the day of the midterm. As volleys of students sent desperate emails in the early 11:46 a.m. hours of the morning, begging to know “what to expect” from the exam, McManfred was “unnerved and hurt” that some of them had addressed him by his formal title.

Later, McManfred allegedly called all of his TAs into his office. Anders described the room as “decked out like a war movie,” complete with blown-up maps of Saywell Hall on the walls and miniatures of students haphazardly scattered across the tables.

“It was . . . super frightening,” Anders continued. “He pulled up the midterm on Google Docs and started rewriting all the questions, all while gesturing at his maps and ranting about how the first years were conspiring to make him feel uncool, unloved, and much too respected.” 

Anders also produced a copy of the revised exam, whose questions included “Describe in 4–5 sentences why you aren’t obsessed with Mike” and “Why does Mike deserve a 5/5 for all three categories on Rate My Prof? Explain in 1,000 words or more.”

The LEGIT 105 students, meanwhile, were mostly confused about McManfred’s reaction.

“Well, he never records his lectures ‘cos he wants us to come to class to get to know him in person — as if anyone is going to walk all the way to Blusson Hall,” explained Reema Eternal, one of McManfred’s LEGIT 105 students. “So I never found out he wants us to call him Mike.

“What’s the big deal, anyway? I thought the whole and entire reason people got PhDs was so that everyone else has to call them ‘Doctor.’” 

In an interview with McManfred in his hidden lab in the depths of Robert C. Brown, he explained that after meeting with his TAs, he had taken a couple of days to reflect on the situation.

“I lied in bed for a while listening to Selena Gomez’s Revival (2015) on repeat while ugly-heaving,” says McManfred. “And I was really struck by that one song, ‘Kill Em with Kindness.’

“I realized then that the only way to love my students, guarantee their success, and earn love from them in return was, in fact, to kill them — academically.” 

Appropriately for this revelation, McManfred outlined his new plan to destroy his students, Codename: TOUGH LOVE.

1. “Emails sent past 3 p.m. on weekdays, or any time on weekends, will be ignored. My unspoken rejection will break the students’ hearts, and then they’ll have to take those evenings and weekends off to relax and not think about school.”

2. “Assignment requirements will be extremely vague. By denying the class all semblance of guidance or fair evaluation, I can assertively encourage them to think creatively and liberate themselves from arbitrary boundaries!”

3. “All grades will be scaled to a C-. Near-failure will encourage students to try their hardest; that’s when they will learn the most!”

“That will teach them to think before referring to me as if I were my father,” McManfred concluded, “especially when they won’t even treat me like the cool dad.”

Hot, budget-friendly tips for fighting the flu

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Illustration: Danielle Ragas / The Peak

By: Lubaba Mahmud, Staff Writer

 

The reign of flu season has begun. Your favourite symptoms — fever, stuffy nose, sore throat, cough, and body aches — are back and ready to attack. Since my friends and I have been taken hostage by some particularly nasty flus before, I’ve learned how to tackle them over the years with tried-and-true techniques. If you’re unfortunate enough to get reacquainted with the autumn sickness, you may be looking for a cure. Taking medicine (hoard night-time flu tablets, cough drops, and nasal sticks) and having plenty of rest and fluids are most important. To add to these, here are a bunch of grandma-approved home remedies that you can try to help quicken the recovery process:

 

  • Unleash the magic of vapor rub
    Vapor rub is the mentholated potion that fights hard against flu monsters. Massage the ointment a couple of times a day on your chest, neck, and back for soothing relief. However, if you have any conditions that affect your breathing or airways such as asthma, medical advice should be obtained before using vapor rubs. Common brands include Vicks VapoRub and Tiger Balm.
     
  • Steam yo’ face 

Steam inhalation is a common way of clearing nasal passages. The moisture from steam helps to thin the mucus so that you can temporarily get rid of that annoying stuffy nose. To undertake steam therapy, pour boiling water into a bowl, and drape a towel over the back of your head. Inhale the steam from about 8–12 inches away from the bowl, keeping your eyes closed. Inhale it for 5–10 minutes, and repeat it for a couple times throughout the day. Since I’m a true fan of vapor rub, I add it to the water when it’s still hot but not boiling anymore.

 

My mom swears by this honey lemon ginger tea, so it’s been a go-to in our house for years. The ingredients, which have anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties, make it a great homemade remedy. For an extra punch, try adding turmeric to the tea.

 

  • Gargle like you’re a gargling goblin, girl
    To alleviate a sore throat, add half a teaspoon of salt to warm water and gargle the water at the back of your throat for a few minutes. Do this frequently to flush out bacteria and reduce chances of oral infection.

 

  • Who needs a bae when you have a hot bag
    For some comforting warmth, I put a hot bag/pack on my chest. It reduces shivering and helps with body aches. If you’re not getting enough bed rest, these help especially for strained muscles. Secure that bag and place it on yourself for 15–20 minutes.  
  • Eat super soup-er foods
    Soups are the ultimate food for when you’re sick (check out The Peak’s article for some student-friendly soup recipes). Since I always suffer from a lack of appetite when going through the flu, I’ve found that fruits, such as oranges, act as a good snack and help me to regain appetite. Also, spicy foods can help to clear sinuses and be another appetite booster.

 

If your flu symptoms don’t improve within two weeks, it’s a good idea to go to the doctor as soon as possible. You can make an appointment with SFU Health and Counselling by contacting them at the phone numbers listed below. The SFU Burnaby and Vancouver clinics are open from 9:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday to Friday, whereas the SFU Surrey clinics are appointment-dependent. Otherwise, students can use Medimap, which shows users nearby available walk-in health clinics and their wait times.

 

Burnaby clinic: 778.782.4615

Surrey and Vancouver clinics: 778.782.5200

 

Everything you need to know about SFU’s sexual assault resources

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Photo: Chris Ho / The Peak

By: Winona Young, Features Editor

CW: Mentions of sexual assault 

 

It’s been roughly two months since two SFU students were assaulted on Burnaby campus. With this in mind, care and sensitivity is still needed to address sexual assault in university campuses. For students looking for the necessary support, places like the Sexual Violence Support and Prevention Office (SVSPO) are integral. Although the SVSPO has been open for roughly a year, this small office located at the Diamond Hall Alumni Centre is hidden away from most of SFU Burnaby. This week, The Peak interviewed one of the SVSPO to one of the office’s Case Managers, Julie Glazier, via email asking her a few questions about what help the SVSPO can provide to university students, how their process works, and more. 

The Peak: If I want/need to talk someone at the Sexual Violence Support and Prevention Office,  where do I start? 

Julie Glazier: If you are looking to speak to someone in the Sexual Violence Support & Prevention Office (SVSPO), we have a variety of options available for connecting with us.    Contact information for all staff can be found on our webpage, with options to connect by phone, text, email, during drop-in hours or by appointment and of course SFU community members are welcome to come to our office and visit anytime. 

P: Am I allowed to go to the SVSPO if I’m a guy/Indigenous/unsure what happened/just want to talk to someone once, etc.?

JG: Absolutely anyone who is a member of the SFU university community can come to the SVSPO for supports and services. We are happy to meet you at a time and location of your choice, and want to make our services as accessible to the entire university community as we possibly can. The SVSPO is here for you regardless of who you are, or how you’ve been impacted and when the incident/s [sic] occurred. Even if you are unsure how to describe your experience, meeting with a Case Manager is a good way to begin that discussion.

P: How much personal information do I need to disclose?

JG: Anyone seeking assistance from this office will only need to disclose the amount of information they are comfortable sharing. Some Clients wish to disclose their entire experience, while others prefer to provide general information needed for us to provide them with relevant support. Regardless of what you wish to share, we can find options to assist you.

P: Would I need to give my SFU/FIC ID? 

While we do need to identify Clients when providing some streamlined services between departments on campus or external agencies, there is no need to identify yourself to seek general information, options, and supports. If identifying yourself is a barrier to you receiving service, please let us know, and we will respect that decision.

P: What if I want to only talk to someone on the phone?

JG: Connecting by phone is a great option!  You can call our Case Managers at our office line at (778)-782-7233, or you can connect directly with one of our Case Managers on their cell phones (published on our website on the Contact Us page). If you prefer to text, Case Managers are happy to do that as well.

P: What if I wanna see someone in person?

JG: If you wish to see a Case Manager in person, you can make an appointment directly with the Case Managers by emailing, calling or texting them. Otherwise you can stop by during drop-in hours, if you would prefer not to make an appointment directly.

P: How do I get to the office? And why is it so in the middle of nowhere? 

JG: The office is located in the lower level of the Diamond Hall Alumni Centre, room 014.  Our main entrance is within the lower level of the building, and we have a more discreet side entrance accessed by stairs outside of the building. We have provided a wayfinding video on how to access the office, on our webpage. The location of the office was determined not only by [the] available space on campus, but also with the thought that the location offered privacy to those attending the space regardless of their role [within] the university, student, faculty or staff. 

If the location of the office is a barrier for anyone, please know that we also meet clients at the Surrey and Vancouver campuses. We are also willing to meet at an alternate location of your choice, either on or off campus. Just let us know how we can best connect with you!

P: How long would I need to wait for an in-person meeting?

JG: We do our best to see all students immediately. If that is not possible, expect to be seen [sic] same day or next day.

P: I got an appointment! What should I expect to happen?

JG: If you have made an appointment with a Case Manager, you should expect to be treated with care and respect. Our Case Managers will provide you with information and resources specific to your situation, so that you can make informed choices on the best options for yourself. Case Managers will then assist you to help streamline access to those resources and options. 

Depending on your situation, you may wish to receive information and/or assistance with medical care, reporting options, counselling services, or a variety of other matters. The appointment is very much tailored to your specific needs. We follow your pace, and you are in control of the process. We are here to support you. 

P: Would I need to pay for any of these services provided?

JG: All services at the SVSPO are free of charge and confidential.

P: What kind of help could I get?

JG: A wide variety of assistance is available, including support, information and advice. We provide personalized safety planning, referrals to other on or off campus supports and resources, transportation options for medical or other emergency service visits, information packages for yourself or a friend, academic and workplace accommodations, and much more. Whether you have been directly impacted by sexual violence, or are supporting someone who has been, we are here to help.

P: Is there anything else I should know about the SVSPO?

JG: The SVSPO’s supports and services are available to you regardless of when or where the incident/s took place. We know how difficult it can be to reach out, and we acknowledge and honour the strength it takes to come forward and make an initial connection.  

SFU Hockey veteran Arjan Cheema talks grades and on-ice expectations with The Peak

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Cheema on the ice at the Bill Copeland Sports Centre. - Photo credit / SFU Hockey

By: Michael Lenko, Peak Associate

Coming off of a solid rookie season, in which he put up 11 points in 23 games, second year business student Arjan Cheema will return to the SFU Hockey team with a bigger role and expectations for the 2019–20 British Columbia Intercollegiate Hockey League (BCIHL) season. On the ice, Cheema will be relied upon to help lead the new-look defensive unit for the Clan. Off the ice, Cheema expects himself to maintain a strong GPA while balancing work, school, and hockey. The Surrey, BC native sat down with The Peak to discuss his championship experience and his expectations for this season on the ice and at school. 

Given his status as a second year member of the team, The Peak asked Cheema about some of the things he feels the Clan can build on from last season, to which he pointed to the necessity of “sticking to the systems that [Head Coach] Mark [Coletta] implements.”

Pressed further about his personal expectations for the team this season, Cheema said that “Knowing the calibre of our team, I feel like it’s championship or bust. We have a group of guys that can compete at a high level, and I feel like expectations are to win a championship.”

On the topic of championships, Cheema was a member of the Aldergrove Kodiaks when they won the Pacific Junior Hockey League (PJHL) championship in 2016–17. When asked how significant that experience might be for the Clan in its pursuit of a BCIHL Championship, Cheema emphasized the importance of the achievement. 

“I think its huge,” he said. “Just taking things from that championship run and sharing it with the guys. Telling them what worked and what didn’t work. Just letting them know what it takes to get there and just motivating the guys more.”

Interestingly, on the topic of motivation, when asked how he hopes to help the new players on the team with adjusting to the balancing act of attending SFU while playing hockey, Cheema had some unique advice. 

“I’ve been letting them know to just stay in the moment, so they don’t get overwhelmed. To take one step at a time and to just make sure that they’re on top of everything. Being a student athlete takes a lot of sacrifice and you have to stay disciplined.”

For himself this season, Cheema is driven not just to survive as a student athlete, but to thrive. “Off the ice, I want to maintain a good GPA. On the ice, I just want to do my job as a defenceman, stop pucks from going in [our net] and just help my team get some more wins.” 

With only three returning defenceman on the roster, Cheema’s experience will be relied on heavily this year. Fans of SFU Hockey will be able to see Cheema and the rest of the Clan in action at the Bill Copeland Sports Centre many times this month as the team’s BCIHL season kicks into high gear with seven games in November.