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SFU administration caught paying TAs with Canadian Tire money

By
EIC
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The guy from the Canadian Tire money was not available for comment.

In a shocking turn of events, investigations undertaken by The Peak have revealed that the SFU administration has been paying its teaching assistants and sessional instructors with coupons for Canadian Tire.

The investigation comes in the wake of continued labour disputes between administration and the Teaching Support Staff Union (TSSU), which represents teaching assistants and sessional instructors on campus.

“We’re used to mistreatment by the administration, but this is just ridiculous. I mean, come on,” TSSU president Trish Everett-Kabut told reporters. “If they were going to pay us in fake money, they at least could have given us something more reputable, like counterfeit bills or British pounds. That would’ve given us a chance to buy our groceries and pay rent.”

Everett-Kabut, along with other members of the TSSU, have scheduled a protest at SFU’s Academic Quadrangle to oppose the policy. Due to budget constraints, members have elected to use cardboard signage instead of the usual gloss banners, and offer hot water instead of coffee to attendees.

Asked to comment on the controversy, VP academic and provost Peter Keller defended the administration’s actions.

“These TAs are already making below minimum wage, and we wanted to provide them with an opportunity to pay for the essentials, like lawnmower blades and pool noodles,” Keller stated. “Besides, Canadian Tire money is much more colourful than real money, and can function as wallpaper to cover up leaks and mould stains in the cheap apartments our TAs and sessionals are able to afford.”

President Andrew Petter also spoke in favour of the policy, noting, “that stuff is basically the same as real money, right? I’m not familiar with any bills below $100, so I wouldn’t know.”

Canadian Tire money comes in denominations ranging from 5¢ to $2, meaning that those paid in the currency are only making about 20¢ per hour, which is slightly less than their usual salary. The sheer amount of coupons being received has also posed a problem for TAs, with many reporting that their wallets have ripped due to their carrying so many more bills than usual.
However, not all members of the TSSU are unhappy with the change. As history TA Ben Klassen told The Peak, “at least now I can buy a weed whacker for my landscaping job on the side.”

COMIC: Seagull Sqaure- Zombie Haiku 2

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EIC
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COMICS: Peers

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EIC
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COMIC: The Lord of the Mopeds

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EIC
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COMIC: Mystic Man 16 – The Return of the MYSTIC

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EIC
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For Addy Townsend, it’s a family affair

By
EIC
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In addition to cross country, Townsend (far left) competes in both the 800 and 1500 in track and field.

In Addy Townsend’s case, there was never any question about “going anywhere else.” Not because she isn’t an extremely good runner — far from it. No, it’s because everyone in her family has either ran or is running at SFU. Oh, and her mother, Brit Townsend, is the coach of the team.

“Obviously it has its pros and cons sometimes,” said Townsend on having her mother as her coach. “She tries to tell me ‘OK, you know, don’t talk back to me in front of people,’ and it’s hard, because at home obviously that happens. I respect her a lot, she’s a great coach and she is going to be a part of my future for a long time. So I think it’s just trying to really focus on her as a coach, which is really hard sometimes.”

With her mom as the coach, her older sister Dana on the team, and her father a former runner at SFU, it’s no surprise that her family life revolves around running.

“Probably if people come for dinner they think ‘Wow, do you guys ever stop talking about track?’ [. . .] We watched the Olympics, [and now] we’re watching it on demand, every single night, watching every race over and over.

“I went with track and I’m really happy, and I think it was the right choice for me.”

“It’s just kind of how we’ve grown up. We’ve always been at SFU with all the teams, the whole team going up to Whistler since we were born. It’s just kind of my life forever, going to SFU.”

Townsend was also a high-level soccer player growing up. She played on provincial teams with such players as SFU’s Jenna Baxter before deciding to focus on a career in track.

“Having my mom as my coach she was always leaning towards track for me, for my future,” she explained. “I stopped in Grade 12 because I was going to try and do both [track and soccer] at SFU actually, but it just didn’t work because it’s too hard [doing] two sports plus school and travelling. I went with track and I’m really happy, and I think it was the right choice for me.”

Now that she is at SFU competing, her and her teammates’ goal this season is to retake the GNAC championship. The Clan won the title in 2014, only to lose it the following year.

“Last year was pretty hard,” said Townsend. “We didn’t have the best team chemistry, and I think this year we were really working on it in Whistler. The bond with our team is really strong, and I think it’s hard to get [that], as track [and cross country] is more individual. So I think this year we have a really good chance.”

Townsend further elaborated on the difficulties of being a team player in a sport as individualistic as running.

“For me, I played soccer my whole life until Grade 12, so I think I have a lot of team spirit, and I really try and bring it to the team,” Townsend said. “But I find that having a background in team bond[ing] is really important. Just try to really focus on being a team instead of if someone passes you, thinking ‘Oh, well it’s done.’

“In cross country you just need to work together, because you can’t get to nationals with one person,” she continued. “If we all want to go, it’s everybody stepping up to the plate, not just one person.”

Another challenge is being constantly on the road. Unlike the soccer team for example, SFU cross country doesn’t have any meets at home; they are constantly on the road competing.

“School is definitely tough, but our team is really good on trips,” she said. “Everyone is down in the lobby, talking, doing their homework, on the bus we all have our books out, so I think it’s just [about] getting used to that. [. . .] It was tough the first year, but now you kind of get in the hang of it.”

A health science major, Townsend plans to be a realtor after she graduates, but also wants to run as long as possible after her collegiate career.

“I think sometimes after university, it can be a huge jump,” Townsend said. “But I think that’s where a lot of things can happen. I want to take it as far as I can and see what happens.

“I want to run as long as I can. I think it’s a possibility for anyone, so I want to take that as far as I can. With my mom too, I think that can happen.”

FUN FACT: Go-to pump-up song?

I like rap, so [usually] some Drake. [. . .] I don’t actually have a favourite song [of his], I just roll through any song that’s really really good.

Even with its flaws, Deus Ex: Mankind Divided is worth playing

By
EIC
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Deus Ex: Mankind Divided's Adam Jensen is allied with two different groups — Interpol and the Juggernaut Collective — and players make the ultimate choice as to which side to support.

Deus Ex: Mankind Divided is the next entry in the Deus Ex series following 2011’s Human Revolution. An action-based game with role-playing elements, the game is set in the near future of 2029 with the primary conflict revolving around how humanity is split between those who are augmented — fitted with cybernetic prosthetics or implants — and those who are not.

Players control Adam Jensen as he works with both Interpol and the Juggernaut Collective, a hacker group aimed at combatting corruption.

A major selling point for the Deus Ex series has been providing players with the choice to approach situations however they wish. Mankind Divided allows players to choose between using stealth, walking into a room guns blazing, or a mix of the two to complete objectives.

Players who choose stealth have abilities such as cloaking and remote hacking, whereas those who choose combat as their preferred path can upgrade their weapon handling, armour, or unlock weapon augmentations such as nanoblades (the ability to shoot swords out of your arms) and TESLA arcs (the ability to shoot electricity).

There are also choices offered on how to progress the story and complete side quests. As Jensen, it is up to the player to decide to either support Interpol or the Juggernaut Collective. For example, after acquiring an important piece of evidence the player has to decide whether they should trust the item to their superiors at Interpol or hand it to their allies at the Collective in hopes of uncovering more information.

Side quests are also affected by the actions of the player: some can be lost forever as a result of players’ choices, while others will be unlocked.

The gameplay is very strong, keeping with the series’ trend. There is a lot of enjoyment in seeking out the best way to tackle a room full of enemies one at a time without alerting the others in a stealth playthrough. It is also challenging and rewarding to take on large groups of enemies in straight-up combat with a mix of abilities and weaponry. Augmentations help keep things interesting, as some abilities can make situations easier or help take advantage of the various level layouts.

The game is also technically impressive. The cutscenes are stunning and the level of detail put into Prague and other locations gives the game a sense of realism. The music is fantastic at capturing the feeling of various scenarios whether it be the exhilaration of combat or the calmness of walking down the street. The voice acting is also quite memorable, with a great cast of actors providing compelling performances.

Mankind Divided excels in many areas, but there are some noticeable flaws in the finished package, including notable visual problems such as hair clipping through clothing, long loading times, and other various bugs. The biggest issue, however, is that the game ends somewhat abruptly, with many of the threads never coming to a conclusion. It isn’t as though the game is incomplete — players can expect to spend about 30 hours finishing the game — but one can’t help but feel like there are some parts missing.

Overall, Deus Ex: Mankind Divided is a worthy sequel and a great title that anyone can enjoy. The small number of flaws do not do enough to detract from an enjoyable experience. You can’t go wrong picking up this title.

New semester, new music

By
Peak Web
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By: Jaiden Dembo, Max James Hill, Tanya Humeniuk, Courtney Miller, Natalie Serafini, and Eva Zhu

Emotion Side B – Carly Rae Jepsen

Emotion Side B is an extension of Carly Rae Jepsen’s third studio album Emotion, which came out in mid-2015.

Side B is an EP full of pure ‘80s synth-pop with big choruses that will get stuck in your head and be played over and over. The whole thing kicks off with “First Time,” a song about having a heart that breaks easily but wanting that one-night stand to know the repercussions.

These tracks portray Jepsen as the victim of relationships gone awry, but in a refreshing way. The weakest track is “Store,” which sounds more like a nursery rhyme and doesn’t flow well with the rest of the EP. “Higher” and “Roses” are two of the best tracks, and show the positive side of relationships.

Overall, I would definitely recommend checking out this EP. It’s some of Jepsen’s best work to date. –EZ

How to Be a Human Being – Glass Animals

What does it mean to be human? Glass Animals explore this idea through an amalgamation of character studies resulting in their new album How to Be a Human Being.

Glass Animals strive to create an atmospheric sound, while maintaining the experimental side reflected on their first album Zaba. How to Be a Human Being lacks the jungle vibes of that album, but features the occasional bongo or wind instrument as an homage to their previous sound. It plays with unconventional sounds and shows that the band is stretching its musical wings.

From the video game-like echoes in “Season 2 Episode 3” to gentle contemporary pop in “Agnes,” Glass Animals test their artistry with a wide range of tones. –JD

My Woman – Angel Olsen

Angel Olsen’s My Woman is full of love stories, but it isn’t saturated in sap. Even in her softness, Olsen is powerful.

Her musicality hasn’t changed drastically from 2014’s Burn Your Fire For No Witness: simple yet compelling lyrics, and a voice that slips easily from strength to sentimentality. The album opens with “Intern,” a song that smacks a little of Twin Peaks. That wavering, wistful tone is left behind as Olsen bemoans that you’ll “Never Be Mine,” and yells at you to “Shut Up Kiss Me.”

None of the tracks are clearly defined by genres: many are indie-folk-inspired, but still skip between rock (“Shut Up Kiss Me”), country (“Sister”), and dreamy ‘60s nostalgia (“Those Were the Days”). Even with this genre-hopping, none of the tracks sound out of place. They are all distinctly Olsen, strung together with a voice that is unflinchingly emotional. –NS

Kiss Me All Night – Junior Boys

Looks like the Canadian electronic duo Junior Boys have been having a super productive 2016. Earlier this year they released a new album called Big Black Coat and now, six months later, they have a new EP.  

It’s called Kiss Me All Night, a romantic title which suits its sensual and laid-back atmosphere. It would make for great late-night make-out music. Unfortunately, the EP only runs for 18 minutes and 20 seconds front to back — hardly enough time to kiss all night. Oh well.

There is still much to love about this record. I especially love the start of the second track “Baby Fat” when the heavy bass kicks in underneath a high-pitched synth erratically dancing around. And the EP is full of great moments just like this one. –TH

Give a Glimpse of What Yer Not – Dinosaur Jr.

Dinosaur Jr. has three eras: their early era, post-breakup era (when bassist Lou Barlow left), and post-reunion era (when Lou came back). I’m a big fan of their early stuff, but I could never get into post-breakup Dinosaur Jr. Now, a few LPs into their post-reunion era, Dinosaur Jr released Give a Glimpse of What Yer Not.  

I was a little worried when I started listening to the LP. The first two tracks sounded too post-breakup era. They followed a formula: J Mascis’ reticent vocals slightly drowned in crunchy guitar, with a Mascis-ian guitar solo two minutes in.

After those tracks, things got better for me. “Be a Part” reminded me of Built to Spill’s cover of “Cortez the Killer.” “Love Is” was intense and full of passion. And “I Walk For Miles” saw Mascis step out of his usual vocal range. –TH

Kinda Don’t Care – Justin Moore

This fourth album from Justin Moore is a classically contemporary country record, filled with quintessential, if a little clichéd, themes.

The title track is all about trying to do everything right, and then saying “fuck it” and doing the things you want to do instead. The lead single “You Look Like I Need a Drink” is extremely relatable, and characteristic of the genre. It tells the tale of your boyfriend/girlfriend/boo coming by to break up with you, and you can see it in their face. So, of course, the only proper response is to need a drink in order to handle whatever they have to say.

Because just about every country record has at least one, “Hell On a Highway” is the upset, melancholy, yet a little nostalgic throwback to a heartbreak.

The album isn’t anything special, but it makes for some easy listening for your backyard or for rolling along in your car with the windows down. –CM

Morning Report – Arkells

Morning Report is Arkells’ fourth full-length album, and the record continues their alt-rock vibe. The first single is “Private School,” but it’s mediocre for these Canadians. The vocals are lacking as they acquire an uninspired and irritating buzzing quality that appears in spurts throughout the chorus.

On the other hand, the haunting introduction to “Passenger Seat” captures attention efficiently, and the tale spun by Max Kerman meshes really well with the meditative, reflective ballad-style song he’s got going.

“Making Due” has more of a classic rock vibe — it would not be out of place in a John Hughes movie. Another similarly upbeat track is “Round and Round,” which opens with one of my favourite lyrics off the album: “I had the grace of a diplomat on his best behaviour.” The best track is “Hung Up” which is catchy, with solid bass, and danceable drum riffs.

The album is a solid listen overall and could easily serve to pump you up while writing papers. –CM

What I wish I knew on my first day at SFU

By
EIC
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1

[dropcap]I [/dropcap]recently completed my undergraduate degree and people aren’t joking when they say that achieving milestones makes you weirdly sentimental. Since summer semester ended, I have spent a lot of time reflecting on my past four years at SFU. When all you have to do in a day is sleep and eat, there is a lot of time to reflect.

I’ve come up with a list of things that I wish I had known when I began my academic career at SFU. My hope is that these tips will help first-year students ease into what will be a challenging, yet rewarding undergraduate experience.

1. Don’t be intimidated by the “university is really hard” mantra you hear in your first week
University is challenging, but it is by no means impossible to succeed. This classic prof-led rant is directed at students who think they won’t have to work to see results. If you work steadily and efficiently, you’ll be fine!

2. It’s not weird to be friendly
Don’t worry about getting pegged as “the weirdo.” One of the great things about university is that you’re way more likely to find like-minded people now than you ever could have in high school. Turn to the person sitting beside you on the first day of class and introduce yourself! Making friends in your classes is also advantageous from an academic perspective. Personally, I was a lot more motivated to study with other people than by myself.

3. Make an effort to go to class
Trust me, just go. The price of a coffee to get you there is worth not having to pay to retake the class next semester.

4. If you have no idea what’s going on, chances are other people are experiencing the same confusion
One of the easiest ways to make friends is to bond over collective cluelessness! It’s also worth emailing your TA/prof with your questions or posting discussions on Canvas.

5. Get on the good side of your TAs and go to their office hours
TAs are graduate students who may have just finished their undergraduate degrees, or are only a year or two out of undergrad. With their own undergraduate experience freshly in their minds, they know what you’re going through, so know that they are by no means “out to get you.” If you don’t agree with a grade you’ve received, don’t be afraid to address this in office hours. While your grade will most likely remain unchanged, you will become more familiar with your TA’s grading scheme, which will pay major dividends for future assignments! At the very least, going to office hours shows your profs and TAs that you care. Believe it or not, if you are on the cusp of a higher letter grade, this effort might factor into your prof’s decision when determining your final grade. It also gives you the opportunity to personally introduce yourself to your prof or TA!  

6. Don’t freak out if you fail a midterm
Failing a midterm is not the end of the world — it does not mean your chances of doing well in the course are over. Go see your prof, go over what you did wrong, pray to the almighty curve gods, and then move on.

7. Use breadth requirements as an opportunity to explore subjects that interest you
I started at SFU as a kinesiology student, but will be graduating with a history and French degree. Anything is possible.

8. Use your department advisor
You’ll soon come to realize that drop-in hours with your department advisor are a godsend. Some advisors are very sticky about students bringing the appropriate paperwork to an advising appointment (i.e. your advising transcript, accessible on your goSFU account), so come prepared! Advisors are employed to answer questions about degree requirements and it’s a lot easier to go to them rather than attempting to figure out the ins and outs solo.

9. Don’t buy your textbooks right away, or at all
Books are expensive. So why drop $800 if you don’t have to? Before you step foot in the bookstore, ask your prof if the latest addition is required and then do some research. Compare bookstore prices with prices on Amazon and Better World Books. On the other hand, if you don’t want to buy books or can’t afford to buy a textbook at all, ask your prof to put the textbook(s) on reserve at the library. You can check out reserves for a set period, and can renew a reserve online up to three times.

10. Use the resources available at the library
At the beginning of each semester, the library (at least on Burnaby campus) holds information sessions for students regarding techniques for adjusting to the academic demands of university. You’ll receive an email about these sessions, and I encourage you to attend at least one of them. The Student Learning Commons is also a great resource that is available to students throughout the entirety of the semester and is worth checking out!

11. Opt out of health and dental early if you’re already covered!
Why insure your teeth twice?

12. If you are going to drink coffee, drink responsibly
A lot of places on campus will give discounts if you bring your own mug! Save a little by going reusable.

13. Cheer on SFU Varsity Athletics
As the only NCAA school outside of the US, SFU has many sports teams that compete in the Great Northwest Athletic Conference (GNAC) against American institutions. Heading to a sporting event is a great way to hang out with friends while showing support for your university. Student athletes train tirelessly in order to represent SFU to the best of their abilities, so your attendance at their games acknowledges that their efforts are appreciated! See the SFU Varsity Athletics website for information on team schedules and more.

14. Get involved
Getting involved is a great way to make the most of your experience at SFU. Whether you decide to join a club, take up student politics, become a member of your department student union, or write for this newspaper, undergrad is not only about finishing with a high GPA — the most memorable parts of your time as an undergraduate student will come from the opportunities you decide to pursue and the relationships you are able to build. While university facilitates academic development, involvement in non-academic endeavours allows students to grow on a personal level as well. So take advantage of the incredible opportunities available to you and get ready for one of the best experiences of your life!

Cross country team determined to return to winning ways

By
EIC
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1
Rebecca Bassett and the women's team will be keen to grab their GNAC title back this season.

For both men’s and women’s cross country, this season is about focus and preparation. Both teams are returning a large number of runners, and the key will be to see if they can stay focused throughout the entire season.

“I’m excited about the season, we’re really I think keeping everybody very positive, [and] keeping those negative thoughts away are going to make a big difference,” said head coach Brit Townsend. “I think both squads are going to make it there, if we stay focused, healthy, and believe.”

One thing that has Townsend and the coaching staff excited is the commitment of the runners to training over the summer, for both men’s and women’s teams.

“It looked like people came into the camp a little more ready and prepared than they had in the past,” she explained. “I think we’re going to have some good opportunities this year.”

“We have to fight every time we get on the line, and we can’t take anything for granted.”

A major loss for the men’s team will be Cameron Proceviat. He was “consistently one of our top five guys,” according to Townsend, and will be a tough gap to fill on the team. One runner that will be expected to do that is Oliver Jorgensen, who has struggled with injuries early on this season.

“I’m hoping that by the time we get to the middle of our season, he’s going to be healthy and contributing,” said Townsend. “I’m hoping he’s running the following week. But he still won’t be where he should be because he’s had several months off. However, he’s a proven cross country runner. If we can get him healthy, he’ll be a big part of it.”

For the women’s side, it’s about focus and commitment. After winning the GNAC title in 2014, they finished a disappointing fourth last year, and will be looking to regain the title this upcoming season.

“I think part of it last year was we were a little bit complacent,” said Townsend. “I think the kids thought ‘Oh yeah, we’re going to get there, we always get there,’ and so I don’t think everyone was on.

“We weren’t 100 percent committed right from the beginning, that we had to fight as hard as everybody else to make it,” she continued. “So that’s what we are going to focus on this year. We have to fight every time we get on the line, and we can’t take anything for granted.”

Another key for both sides will be staying healthy, especially when balancing a travel-heavy schedule and regular schoolwork, a unique challenge for the team.

“This is a tough schedule for most of these kids. Most of them go all through cross country, all through indoors, all through outdoors, so there’s no downtime for them,” Townsend said. “They are constantly training, and obviously doing their schoolwork. We’re also travelling every weekend, so for them keeping healthy, making sure they don’t overdo it early in the season [and] taking care of injuries [will be important].”

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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