Home Blog Page 486

What Grinds Our Gears: Why does flavour innovation stop at the pumpkin patch?

By
Opinions
-
0
We can drink so many other aspects of autumn. Illustration: Ashley Yien/The Peak

By: Gabrielle McLaren, Editor-in-Chief

Before Starbucks takes me in the dead of night and disposes of my body with such corporate efficiency that it’s never found, hear me out. I get it, pumpkin spice is delicious. I hear you: I had a pumpkin scone as soon as those little orange fucks made their way into pastry cases across campus. I’m not opposed to pumpkin spice: it signals the arrival of my favourite season to the extent that it provokes a Pavlovian reaction deep within me. 

But why stop there? 

Why are we all assuming that our palates peaked at pumpkin? Where are my other fall-flavoured drinks and treats? 

Why aren’t coffee shops and eateries left, right, and centre selling apple cider? Where’s my apple pie spice latte? Caramel apple treats, anybody? And why aren’t we dipping our toes in the wonderful world of cranberries? Snickerdoodles have the comforting cinnamon loveliness we all crave when the leaves turn yellow and orange. Pear is harvested in the fall — how are we not eating and drinking pear everything? It’s absolutely delicious. And pecan pies; how could we forget pecan pie?! And don’t even get me started on the warmth, earthiness, and discreet sweetness of carrot cake. 

I’ve said too much. Fast food moguls are sending their personal hitmen after me as we speak.

But think about it.

 

SFU Hockey takes three of four points from Vancouver Island rivals

By
Sports
-
0
Andrew Henderson secured his first win and first shutout for the Clan. - Photo credit / SFU Hockey

By: Michael Lenko, Peak Associate

Editor’s note: Michael Lenko is a member of the SFU Hockey team

After a disappointing third period collapse on Friday night, which saw the Clan fall 5–4 in overtime to the Vancouver Island University (VIU) Mariners, the team rebounded on Saturday with an impressive 3–0 win against the University of Victoria (UVIC) Vikes. The win over UVIC was a special one for first year goaltender Andrew Henderson, as he picked up his first BCIHL win and shutout. 

In the opening game of the weekend, the Clan looked poised for another win after continuing a recent trend of hot starts. Mitch Ledyard and McKullen Astill both scored in the first 10 minutes of the game to provide a 2–0 lead for the Clan that they would hold through the first period. They continued to dominate and ended up with 12 shots on VIU starter Jeremy Balyk in the frame.

The start of the second would see the Mariners pull within one after a Ronnie Wilkie deflection on the powerplay got the Mariners on the board. The Clan would get back on track later in the period, as veteran forward Mac Colasimone restored the two goal lead under two minutes after Wilkie’s goal. SFU would continue their dominance on the offensive end, as freshman Justin Lee notched his second goal of the season toward the end of the second. SFU continued to hold the edge in shots, 23–15, after the second.

The start of the third period would see the wheels fall off for the Clan. VIU would make the game 4–2 on a Seth Schmidt marker that beat a screened Lenko on the powerplay early in the third. VIU continued the comeback, as a Garret Dunlop deflection brought the visitors to within one. With just under six minutes left in regulation, Brett Witala tied the game by walking in, uncontested, and picking the top corner through a screen. VIU would cap off the comeback, in overtime, as a defensive breakdown allowed Gavin Rauser to end the game with a Mariners victory. 

While the loss to the Mariners was certainly painful, given the squandered lead, there were a few positives to build off in the game for the Clan. The team was able to have another strong start and that, combined with a solid goaltending performance, ensured at least a single point. The obvious worry to take from the game is that the Clan has struggled to close out two games in the third against the Mariners in consecutive weeks. 

In the second game of the weekend, the Clan seemed to put their recent third period struggles behind them as they picked up a dominant 3–0 win over the UVIC Vikes. 

In the opening frame, the Clan once again came out to a blazing start and peppered UVIC starter, Daniel Paul with 24 shots. Paul stood his ground, however, as he turned away all 24 shots in the period.

The second period saw the game slow down, as both teams put up only three shots a piece. The Clan made the most of their chances, though, as second year forward Kyle Bergh scored his second of the season from a sharp angle to give the Clan the lead. 

The third period would again see an even pace of play. However, the Clan once again made the most of their limited opportunities with goals from Jake Keremidschieff and Mac Colasimone. That was it for offense in the game, as both goaltenders dominated throughout most of the night. Andrew Henderson, making his first career BCIHL start, made his best save of the night in the third on a breakaway, which helped him pick up his first career BCIHL shutout. 

While the Clan obviously would have liked to pick up all four points on the weekend, their solid play on Saturday allowed them to jump into a tie with UVIC for third in the league, with four games in hand. 

SFU now turns its attention to a heavy November schedule that has the team facing off against the Vikes and Spartans twice and the Mariners three more times. 

Here’s what the Maclean’s top comprehensive university award doesn’t tell you about SFU

By
Opinions
-
0
Do features like My SSP really help make SFU a top comprehensive university? Photo: Chris Ho/The Peak

By: Marco Ovies, Staff Writer

Maclean’s magazine recently announced that SFU is once again Canada’s Top Comprehensive University for 2020. While this sounds like something that is pretty cool and exciting, when I read the reasons our school had been awarded the honour I was a bit confused. SFU does have some great things going for it, don’t get me wrong, but is it really the best school in all of Canada? 

What the heck does it even mean to be a comprehensive university? To be considered for this title, universities need to demonstrate diversity in program offerings and an outpouring of research. While SFU does boast an impressive number of programs, it might be worth considering quality as well as quantity for the comprehensive category. 

As an English major, I already have some issues with SFU receiving this award. This semester is the fourth time in two years I’ve had a class in the bottom corner of the Robert C. Brown Hall (RCB). There are no windows, no ventilation, and a total of one single outlet that my professor this semester spent a solid 30 minutes looking for. As a student in the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences I feel somewhat neglected. Students studying math got a new wing, and other classes get to use those fancy-looking classrooms on the third floor of the Academic Quadrangle. If Maclean’s is claiming that we are the best university in Canada for all our different parts, then why are some faculties being so overlooked?

Maclean’s also talks about the “philosophy of sustainability” at SFU, which I do agree is something SFU is trying to do well. The only issue is that they conveniently gloss over the accessibility concerns that the “Re-use for Good” initiative has brought to light. If SFU is supposed to be the best at having everything, then why has it disregarded major accessibility issues for some of its students? 

Then there’s the issue of our physical buildings. Maclean’s mentions the UniverCity portion of the campus community as if it is a new bit of consumer infrastructure that has yet to be built. However, UniverCity and the Cornerstone plaza that bridges it to the school have been around for years. While it’s possible that an expanded UniverCity is in the queue of construction projects at SFU, that’s not much to write home about. It’s a nice thing to have on campus, but I don’t think it should be included with our “comprehensive” aspects. 

The final issue I have with SFU’s comprehensive university designation is in the praise it gives to the My Student Support Program (My SSP) — an app that connects students to counsellors. First of all, I didn’t even know this app existed. Secondly, the whole app is flawed in many ways. Reviews from the Apple App Store suggest that it’s riddled with bugs, and students have a difficult time connecting with an actual counsellor for their mental health issues. For an app that claims that you can connect to a counsellor 24/7, it seems a bit problematic that students are having a difficult time getting basic functionality — especially for students who are seeking much needed help. 

All in all, the praise we are given as Canada’s most comprehensive university makes it seem as if the people at Maclean’s haven’t been to SFU in a while. Was this information just recycled from previous years, or was this the result of actual research done to determine if we really are the most comprehensive university in Canada? 

But instead of feeling bummed out that we don’t actually deserve this honour, this is perhaps an opportunity for SFU to make some much needed changes. We should be giving equal value to all departments, be concerned with the needs of all students, and give people a mental health app that actually works. The most comprehensive university award should go to the university that is the most well-rounded and balanced in all its aspects. If we keep giving most of the resources to only a few groups of people on campus, do we really deserve this award?

 

The week ahead in SFU Sports: October 28–November 4

By
Sports
-
0
Photo credit / SFU athletics

By: Dylan Webb, Sports Editor

An extensive home schedule for multiple SFU Sports teams provides a lot of opportunities for Clan fans to cheer on their teams this week. Volleyball, football, wrestling, and men’s and women’s soccer are just some of the options on and around campus as the calendar turns to November. Here’s a brief breakdown of some of the SFU sports action lined up for the week of October 28–November 4. 

Hockey:

The Clan hosts regional rival Trinity Western University in their only game this week. Puck drop is set for 7 p.m. on November 2 at the Bill Copeland Sports Centre. 

Volleyball:

SFU Volleyball will look to continue their recent hot streak when they host Western Washington University and Montana State Billings University this week. On Tuesday October 29, Western Washington visits the West Gym, followed by a visit from Montana State on Friday November 1. Both games start at 7 p.m. 

Men’s Soccer: 

Seattle Pacific University will visit Terry Fox Field this week to take on the surging SFU Men’s Soccer team. Kick off is scheduled for 7 p.m. on November 2. 

Women’s Soccer:

The SFU Women’s Soccer team will host two home games this week. First, Western Oregon University visits on October 31 for a 6 p.m. kick off. Then, on Saturday November 2, St. Martin’s University will visit for a 1 p.m. kick off. Both games are at Terry Fox Field. 

Football:

Having finally broken a multi-year losing streak, the Clan will look to build on their first win in 48 games when they host Western Oregon University at Swangard Stadium on November 2. Kick off is scheduled for 1 p.m.

Women’s Basketball:

Kicking off their 2019 season in Orange County, California, the SFU Women’s Basketball team will take on Drury University, Cal Poly Pomona, and the University of Mary in a season opening mini-tournament from November 1–3. 

Wrestling:

The first meet on both the SFU Men’s and Women’s Wrestling schedule will take place at the Burnaby campus on November 2. 

The Lighthouse tells a haunting tale of two men and their tragic downfall at sea

By
Arts
-
0
The Lighthouse was included in this year’s Vancouver International Film Festival lineup. Image courtesy of A24 / VIFF.

By: Kim Regala, Peak Associate

Following his successful directorial debut with atmospheric horror film The Witch (2015), director Robert Eggers returns to the big screen with another haunting tale that’s sure to keep you on the edge of your seat. Starring Robert Pattinson and Willem Dafoe, The Lighthouse follows the story of two lighthouse keepers who are stranded on an island with nobody else for company. The thrilling two-hour production takes us through their tragic downfall, as they start to lose sight of themselves and their reality.

Reminiscent of old Hollywood films that date back to nearly a century ago, The Lighthouse is shot entirely in 35 mm format and, of course, in black and white. This makes for some visually stunning and unique imagery, giving the viewers a wholly different experience from the typical CGI-infused motion pictures of today’s cinema. Eggers also opted for a square format as opposed to the traditional 16:9 ratio that is usually used in modern films. Film blogger Chris Evangelista notes in his review: “As a result, everything is squeezed into the frame [ . . . ] no doubt meant to invoke the claustrophobic vibe of working in a lighthouse on a remote island.”

Aesthetics aside, Eggers uses the black-and-white well, as he plays around with contrasts of light and darkness. Many of the indoor scenes are dimly lit with only a single candle on the table as the light source. As a result, we can see the casting of silhouette-like figures and tall shadows against the walls. While the overall lack of colour further creates an eerie and ominous feel, it is especially frightening in these moments of darkness as we are unaware of what may be lurking behind the shadows.

The Lighthouse also draws inspiration from early experimental and psychodrama genres. One particular filmmaker comes to mind: Kenneth Anger, an experimental director from the 1930s. As a young queer director, Anger’s films were highly controversial in his days, displaying rather disturbing and graphic imagery that dealt with taboo topics like homosexuality and violence. His short drama film, Fireworks (1947), embodies a dreamlike sequence of a man’s provocative fantasies amongst other men. Spoiler alert and a trigger warning for homophobic violence on this film: a gay man ends up being gang-raped by a group of sailors, but only in his dreams — allegedly. While The Lighthouse does not offer such explicit a scenario, it does hold these similar themes of eroticism and likewise garners a dreamlike effect, especially when the characters get closer to the lighthouse. Pattinson and Dafoe’s relationship in the film continually transforms in intriguing and often uncomfortable ways, often dancing between these lines of violence and sexuality.

While I don’t want to reveal too much about how the story ends (and honestly, I’m not sure if I really do know), I can tell you to prepare yourself for a spine-chilling experience. Both Pattinson and Dafoe truly dive into the darkest depths of their characters, and at the film’s conclusion, you are left questioning if all the events you witnessed really unfolded in the characters’ lives or were just simply figments of your imagination.

The Lighthouse is currently playing in theatres across Canada — just in time for Halloween.

An open letter from an absentee

By
Humour
-
0

Written by Aaron Barry, SFU Student

Dear Classmates,

You’ve seen me. I’m in your ENGL 206 class, your HIST 102W, your CMPT 307. I’m the one that used to sit in the back and make bad origami boats. Yeah — that guy. 

I know what you’re probably thinking . . . What happened to you? You stopped showing up after Week 3. While you’re not the first — and, surely, not the last — to wonder this, I assure you I’ve been keeping busy. In fact, I feel it might be worthwhile to apprise you of what exactly I’ve been up to. 

You see, last Monday (this would be Week 7), I wanted to attend class, but I had an unexpected visitor stop by my dorm before I could leave. This visitor had eight legs, beady eyes, and a conspicuous disregard for my school schedule. And like the worst kind of house guest, he quickly made a nuisance of himself, hiding under the desk, then the bed, the dresser, the nightstand . . . When he finally got tired of our little game of hide-and-seek, I thanked him for stopping by and politely escorted him out of the room on a page ripped out of my Norton Reader (we won’t be reading all of “Bartleby, the Scrivener,” anyway, will we?) 

The thing is, as I’m sure you know, hosting guests in your dorm really takes it out of you. So I decided to take the advice of all of those mental health notifications our concerned administrators send us and relax a little before leaving. I put on some ASMR (instant noodle unboxing), made some tea, and took a load off. Regrettably, and I’m sure this happens to you, too, I relaxed a little too hard, and by the time I woke up, Monday was Tuesday.  

Now, we all know missing a lecture isn’t the end of the world, but you’re likely wondering where I was for this week’s midterm — again, I must confess I had more urgent matters to attend to. What if I were to tell you that I was given a direct order from MI6 to secure a highly valuable, highly specialized payload? You probably wouldn’t believe me. Those sorts of things only happen in the movies — right? 

I was minding my business that morning, reviewing the Sparknotes entry on Jane Eyre for the test when, out of nowhere, I received a call on my cell. I picked it up without checking the caller ID. 

“Truant,” the crackling voice on the other end said, “I need you to do something for me.”

“Who is this?” I answered.

“It’s me.”

I was spooked.

The voice continued: “I need you to go to Superstore and buy me some cumin. Not the seeds — the ground kind. And make sure it’s organic.”

“But I have a tes—”

“But my foot hurts. I think my plantar fasciitis is acting up again. You’re gonna have to go buy it for me. You’re the only one who can do this.”

There was real urgency in the cryptic voice.

“How am I supposed to get there? It’s 30 minutes away by bus.”

“I’ll lend you the Mazda. Gas is on me. The curry’s going to be terrible without cumin. Please hurry.” 

“Understood.”

I had to brave the endless throngs of extreme couponers that afternoon. There was danger (those parking lots are nuts); there was intrigue (at first, I couldn’t find the right aisle) — and though it was hard work, and I do regret not making it to class for the test, the head of Mom Industries 6 tells me I can rest easy this weekend because the curry came out great. 

It should be evident by now that I live a rather unpredictable lifestyle. There is no end to these incidents. Tomorrow, I may be whisked away to watch a Little League game, or wind up in the thralls of a YouTube video binge session, or find myself fully engrossed for no fewer than two hours in untangling my headphones. I do appreciate the fine work you guys are doing in class, and while I would very much like to be there in person to see it, given the wild nature of my life, I simply can’t make any promises. 

Yours truly, 

Truant

P.S. If you would be so kind, please send me your notes from lecture.

Long story short: You deserve to break free from cuffing season

By
Features
-
0
Illustrated by Tiffany Chan

By: Vivien Ying Qi Li, SFU Student 

 

With cuffing season just around the corner, the number of couples I’ve seen roaming around campus has increased exponentially. It’s as if there’s some universal law out there that pulls people together the moment summer ends.  It’s always interesting when this happens. With the appearance of these new couples, the number of worried singles also seems to grow — in my first year, I was one of those worried single people. 

I was convinced that being single was a reflection of my worth. I thought that I was ugly, undesirable, and just an overall mess of a human being. In fact, I got so caught up in my own head that I almost dated some random guy in my class and got stuck in a relationship I shouldn’t have been in, just because he gave me a little attention. It’s messed up, I know. 

 

Through that rather traumatizing experience, I finally realized that being single is actually pretty great. People often compare being in love to seeing the moon for the first time, because it’s captivating, breathtaking, and, unlike the sun, its light doesn’t hurt your eyes. But if being in love is like seeing the moon, then being single is like watching the stars — because not only is it no less beautiful than the moon, but it’s also freeing.

Now, before I get too far, I just want to say that I’m not some kind of anti-love advocate or anything. Love is a beautiful thing. However, regardless of how beautiful love may be, it’s definitely not the be-all and end-all, which not everyone realizes. Love is put on such a high pedestal that single people literally get shit for being single. People get so caught up in the negative stigma around being single, that they overlook its beauty.

 For example, being single gives you so much more time to do the things you want to do. Back when I almost dated that guy, who I will call Will, it was like I got forcefully enrolled in an extra four-unit course. 

Relationships are honestly so time consuming that sometimes you don’t even have time for yourself.  As a rather introverted person, I really value my alone time — it gives me time to think. When I was in this almost-relationship, I never had time for myself. If I didn’t respond to messages fast enough, or if I just wanted to keep to myself for the day, I would get bombarded with phone calls and messages, asking if something was wrong, why I wasn’t answering, and so on. At first, I found it touching that he cared so much. It made me think that maybe I wasn’t totally worthless, after all. After a while, however, it just got tiring. I was burned out. I began seeing this relationship as merely an obligation, something I had to get through in order to be deemed valid, and that’s not right. 

I also started changing myself when I was with Will. I would hold back things I wanted to say in fear that he would disagree with me since he was a pretty opinionated person. I also found myself pretending to be dumber than I was because he would get mad at himself when I did better than him and for some reason, I felt as if his anger was my fault. Thinking back on it now, it’s pretty stupid. Comical, even. I ended up changing myself so much that I couldn’t even recognize myself anymore. This relationship made me unhappy. Nothing seemed to make sense anymore. I had lost myself amidst the waves of expectations crashing down on me, let the warm and fuzzy feeling of finally being in a relationship cloud my better judgement. It made me forget that the most important person, the one that I should be putting first, isn’t Will. 

It’s me. 

And I didn’t seem to realize this until I was single again. 

I was so preoccupied with trying to deal with this whole new relationship ordeal that I forgot to focus on myself. When you’re single, you really get to learn about yourself. You get time to embrace your flaws and learn to not rely on others to be the source of your happiness.  It teaches you to be emotionally independent and allows you to love yourself a little more. More self-love, honestly, is something we can all benefit from, especially in cases like mine, since I was just dating in hopes that it would somehow make me less insecure. I was still insecure; it was just a different kind of insecurity. 

For me, being single wasn’t remotely as bad as it had been made out to be. It was freeing, it gave me an opportunity to take care of myself and, more importantly, it gave me more time to love myself.  

So, here’s to another season of self-love. 

 

CONFESSIONALS: The housing crisis in Vancouver is ruining my sex life

By
Humour
-
0
Illustration of a closed envelope, with the text, “Confessionals”
ILLUSTRATION: Marissa Ouyang /The Peak

Written by Juztin Bello, Copy Editor

It’s a little after midnight. I’ve lost count of how many drinks I’ve had at this club, and I keep making too-intimate eye contact with semi-coherent, sweaty guys on the dance floor who can’t dance.

There’s one guy in particular who’s been on me the entire night. The guy in question, who has not-so-subtly been trying to pipe, grabs my waist from behind and sways me to a song I swear hasn’t changed in hours — and, you know, maybe I’m feeling something here . . . particularly against my lower back.

We dance together for a while, until he finally says something of actual interest that catches me off guard. I should have seen this coming, but when he sloppily screams over the music into my ear, “let’s go back to your place,” the thoughts start running:

  1. I kind of have to pee
  2. I think I just saw my friend pass me with a guy wearing an eyepatch . . . but this is my confessional, not hers
  3. I low-key want to get my back blown out by this guy, and I have maybe an hour’s window before I realize that this club-lighting nine is a bedroom-lighting three — so we’re sort of on a time crunch
  4. Going back to my place means a 30-minute trip to my suburban childhood home, where my parents, older brother, and pets are all most likely asleep

Yeah, that last thought is probably the most important, because it means this operation is certainly a bust. The only thing tonight that’s going to bust, apparently.

And this is the problem I’ve discovered since blooming into (I assume) my peak attractiveness: I want to bring guys home, but I risk my entire family hearing me get absolutely suplexed in the bedroom. 

You know what, I’m about to say it: the housing crisis in Vancouver is RUINING my sex life. 

This economy’s been dicking me down for long enough. I need something more. 

Look: I’m a 7/10 in a 3/10 economy ready to, at this point, hook up with 5/10s any way I can. But unfortunately, my current living situation has been railing me pretty hard — and it’s the only thing that’s been railing me as of late. 

For the privileged reader who is not vexed with the harsh cruelty of being too broke to bang, I offer this sentiment: imagine having a one-night-stand. The morning after Daddy pushed your lungs into your throat, you hear him run into Dad in the kitchen. As you lay in your own sweat, all you can hear is the two men sharing awkward small-talk. Anxiety grips your balls, the raw tenseness of calling out for your father and both men responding. 

Then, picture explaining things to your dad in G-rated — and appropriately, completely fictional — terms. Elucidate for him how this ‘friend’ who ‘slept over’ is ‘someone from class,’ not some headless torso you’ve barely talked to and frankly can’t name. 

Yeah . . . I’m at a point now where I refuse to let the economy continue to be the dom to my currently sub sex life. This economy’s been dicking me down for long enough. I need something more. 

I’ve started experimenting with alternatives, like promiscuous late-night hook-ups in the woods — the wood is ALWAYS cold and the splinters are inevitable. I would just hook up with guys in cars, but sadly, gays don’t drive. Trust me, it’s a thing. 

At this rate, I might have to make enough money to move out by following in the footsteps of the entrepeneurial gay pioneers before me: of course, I’m referring to creating an OnlyFans account. 

Despite my alternatives and future business schemes, though, Vancouver is still basically one big cockblock city. This city really needs to do something about this housing crisis, because clearly it’s at fault for my flopping sex life. It’s not my flakiness with guys I agree to meet up with, the stale conversations I make no effort to fix on dating apps, my distrust with letting strangers into my family home, my shallowness, my insecurities, or my inability to be emotionally vulnerable.

Nope. Definitely the housing thing. 

Spotlight: SFU Surge

By
Multimedia
-
0

Who’s that building named after? : Burnaby campus edition

By
Features
-
0
Image credit: Chris Ho / The Peak

By: Juztin Bello, Mishaa Khan, Jennifer Low, Lubaba Mahmud, Gabrielle McLaren, and Olivia Roberts

W.A.C. Bennett Library
As a place that adheres to different student needs — whether that be as a spot for exam cramming, a trove for the perfect essay sources, or an escape for a solid mid-day nap — the W.A.C. Bennett Library has been there for us all at one point or another. Despite this familiarity, many might not know that the library is named after a former Premier of British Columbia. Born in 1900, William Andrew Cecil Bennett is the longest running premier in BC history. Before entering the world of politics, Bennett started as a hardware store owner in 1930, owning and operating the very successful five-chain Bennett’s Hardware. Following various other ventures (including a wine-making company) Bennett eventually pursued politics in 1941 as a Conservative member of the BC Legislature.

After failing to be elected as a member of the Conservative party, Bennett eventually became premier as the leader of BC’s Social Credit Party in 1952. He successfully won seven consecutive elections, with his run eventually ending in 1972 at the hands of Dave Barrett and the New Democrats. The two-decade premier died in 1979, where he was buried at Kelowna Municipal Cemetery. You can find a photo of Bennett in the library on the third floor, opposite the south west elevators.

Fun fact, Bennett was often called “Wacky” Bennett by enemies and “CeCe” by close friends. So for the days where the book you need has been taken out by someone else, or that perfect nap spot has been claimed by another, feel free to vent your library frustrations in the name of good ol’ Wacky himself. — JB

Maggie Benston Centre
Maggie Benston Centre, commonly referred to as MBC, is a place to find all your student service needs neatly housed in a mundane looking, blue-gray building. However, it is named after someone who could not be farther from mundane: Margaret Lowe Benston, an SFU professor in computing science, chemistry, and women’s studies.

It’s hard enough to be a professor in one department, but Benston managed to be in three! She advocated for women’s rights and co-founded the Women’s Studies program in 1975 and the Vancouver Women’s Caucus in 1988. Even though Benston unfortunately died of cancer in 1991, the progress she made for women’s rights, chemistry, and computing science will always serve as a reminder of her greatness. SFU honored her legacy by naming a building and a graduate bursary in the Gender Sexuality and Women’s Studies department after her. —MK

 

Trottier Observatory

The Trottier Observatory is named after two brothers with a passion for science and the Trottier Family Foundation, which donated $2.7 million to help fund campus’ $4.4 million telescope.

Older brother Lorne Trottier discovered a love of science and technology at a young age after building his first crystal radio and feeling fascinated by how it worked. This curiosity later helped him become an electronics engineer and a cofounder of Matrox, a technology company in Montreal that produces computer graphics and video products. He and Louise Rousselle Trottier established the Trottier Family Foundation in 2000, an organization interested in supporting innovations in health, education, science and the environment.
His younger brother Dr. Howard Trottier became a physics professor at SFU, and an amateur astronomer and astrophotographer. Dr. Trottier fell in love with the night sky at a young age, after being introduced to its beauty by a camp counselor in the Laurentians. He would go on to share this passion with others by founding the Starry Nights at SFU program in order to increase science outreach to young people. — JL
Diamond Alumni Centre

Jack Diamond was a self-made millionaire, philanthropist, sportsman, and community-minded person. Diamond came to Canada from Poland at the tender age of 17 as a poor boy. He first made his living here by selling potatoes on the streets, when he often went hungry. Working his way up, he later purchased the Pacific Meat Company in 1940 and transformed it into the largest packing house in BC. When he became a member of SFU’s board of governors, he included a grilled cheese sandwich and a glass of milk for $1 on the cafeteria menu, so that students would never go hungry like he once did. He even visited the cafeteria to ensure that the cheese was thickly sliced!

He served on SFU’s board of governors from 1967 to 1973, and was elected chancellor from 1975 to 1978. The Diamonds helped to raise over $1 million for the university while undertaking various other civic projects focussing on health, welfare and education. Jack Diamond was bestowed with Canada’s highest honour, the Companion of the Order of Canada, for his countless philanthropic and civic endeavours. With its stunning panoramic view of the mountains and sophisticated interior, the Diamond Alumni Centre (DAC — previously named the Jack and Sadie Diamond University Centre) is easily one of the most beautiful places on Burnaby campus. We are eternally thankful to Jack and Sadie Diamond for their generous and heartfelt contributions to the SFU community. — LM

 

Blusson Hall

Blusson Hall is one of the nice, luminous, shiny new parts of campus — which checks out since it was named after someone literally rolling in diamonds. Maybe I’m exaggerating, but Stewart Blusson is truly a pioneer as far as mining and geological research and exploration goes. Educated at UBC and the University of California in Berkeley, Blusson has worked for the Geological Survey of Canada among other initiatives. He was central to the discovery of diamond mines in the territories in the early 1990s and the ensuing development of a Canadian diamond industry. His efforts were originally discouraged by traditionalists, but Blusson’s ingenuity and perseverance paid off. He was appointed to the Order of Canada in 2004, and given the Queen Elizabeth II Jubilee Medal and the Logan Award — which is the highest award that the Geological Association of Canada gives out. While Blusson Hall is far from being his only philanthropic activity, we’re certainly thankful to Stewart Blusson for giving us one (1) safe haven from the construction noise and convocation hullabaloo. — GM

 

Robert C. Brown Hall

Following the long and storied SFU history of naming buildings after presidents, Robert C. Brown Hall, a maze of (rumoured) asbestos filled classrooms is no exception. A man close to my geography-laden heart, Robert (Bob) Brown got his BA and MSc in Geography from Oregon State University, and his Ph.D in Geography from Michigan State University. He spent his career focusing on ichthyology — literally fish science — and fishery research. He was SFU’s Dean of the Faculty of Interdisciplinary Studies (1972–1976), Faculty of Arts (1976–1991), as well as the Acting president in 1993. Additionally, he was President of the Burnaby Mountain Development Corporation (Univercity Project) from 1996–1999. So, if you’re currently paying thousands of dollars for the honour of living near Nesters and MINISO, he’s the one to blame. — OR

1...485486487...1,418Page 486 of 1,418

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