F^STR/HytWAY BARD OLYMPIC TALE AMS BUDGET Resource groups lose out by J. Clark Despite receiving student support in a campus- wide referendum last year, AMS resource groups will have to do more with less this fall. Although a fifth group, Colour Connected Against Racism, was added to the resource group roster, the AMS budget released Wednesday actually decreases the lump sum of money shared by the organizations. The AMS reduced the total resource group funding from $42,926 in 1995/96 to the $1.50 per student levy approved in last year's referendum. Director of Finance Ryan Davies predicts the total, assuming an expected four percent increase in full time enrollment, to be $42,120. Last year, however, the budget for resource groups was divided four ways: Gays, Lesbians and Bisexuals of UBC (GLBUBC), the Global Development Centre (GDC), the Student Environment Centre (SEC) and the Women's Centre all received funding. This year Colour Connected will also need a portion for its budget. Davies insists that despite receiving additional money from the Coke deal, the AMS has less money to spend on student services this year. "There are a couple of differences that exist in the budget this year that didn't exist last year," Davies said, citing deficit repayment, an increase in the Innovative Programs Fund (IPF) and a budgeting error made last year. "Any advances we made by [having the referendum] were lost by changes in our fiscal standing," Davies said. "Frankly, the purpose of the resource group fee was to guarantee their existence, and it has effectively done that." But Davies' predecessor Tara Ivanochko, who now sits as a student representative on the Board of Governors, flatly disagrees. "We had a discussion about this in council last year and it was quite clearly stated that it was not the intention to limit the resource funding to the referendum amount, but that it would secure a base funding for the resource groups." The announcement met with criticism from resource groups. "I'm not just disappointed, but I'm quite shocked that when you look at the amount of money on this campus, groups that are an important reason for students being here could be cut in this way," GDC coordinator Kevin Annett said. He added that some program cuts will result from the decision. Trina Hamilton, information coordinator for the SEC, said that although the group will survive with less money, "some events will have to be cut down in size from what we were planning." She also predicted that the SEC will not be able to update their resource centre. "As a student I'd like to know where the rest of the money from the AMS is going," she added. While unhappy about the funding cut, Hamilton believes direct student funding will allow the SEC to be more independent in the future. "The one good thing about it is that now we have a guaranteed budget," she said. "We have $1.50 guaranteed per student, so we're basically autonomous from the AMS." "We can work for the students and do what they want us to do and not have to worry about funding cuts." INCOMING PRESIDENT of the National Action Committee on the Status of Women Joan Grant-Cummings speaks her mind about education, social justice and activism, sarah cdonnell photo Joan on the move! NAC's President, Joan Grant- Cummings, has a few ideas about activism in the 90s. by Sarah O'Donnell It's a sunny Sunday afternoon in Toronto and Joan Grant- Cummings is kicking back, watching the Olympics. Through the phone, you can hear her kids in the background. After talking with her for a few minutes, however, it's hard to imagine how NAC's newly elected president manages to find any spare time at all. On June 17, nearly 90 percent of the delegates at the National Action Committee on the Status of Women's (NAC) annual general meeting elected Grant- Cummings as their new president. The vote made Grant- Cummings the first Jamaican Canadian to head the country's largest women's organization ...please see page 2 Former pub manager files suit against GSS by Scott Hayward Ex-Koerner's pub manager Dale Read served up a Writ of Summons to his former employers. At issue is the Graduate Student Society's (GSS) decision to suspend Read with pay on June 6 and conduct a forensic audit of Koerner's operations. The GSS council terminated Read's employment on June 20 after receiving a preliminary auditor's report in a closed session. Last week, the GSS executive met with a representative of UBC Human Resources, the staff union representa tive, four pub staff members of and the Chair of the GSS Food and Beverage committee. GSS President Kevin Dwyer said the discussion focused on staff concerns and issues surrounding Read's termination, including employee relations. After the meeting, "an individual in sunglasses, moustache, baseball hat, sort of disguised look, walked in to Koerner's," Dwyer said. The person handed writs to the executive members. "Once he began to speak to me I realized it was Dale Read." Read's Writ of Summons alleges that "the dismissal by the Defendant Society [the GSS] without just cause and with out any notice constituted an arbitrary and wrongful breach of the plaintiff's [Read] contract of employment." The Writ also alleges that memos sent to Koerner's pub staff on June 3 and June 6 informing them of Read's suspension "are defamatory of the Plaintiff in their plain meaning and in the innuendoes contained therein." Read is seeking damages for items which include breach of contract, defamation and aggravated and punitive damages. Dwyer stands by the notices sent to staff. "We're not going to interpret anything coming out of those notices," he said. "What they state is fact, and we will stand behind the fact." Whether Read's termination is with or without cause is still to be determined. "We're waiting for Mr. Read to accept our offer. Given that we have received a writ doesn't necessarily mean that we will be going to court," he added. "Settlements can occur at any point along the way." Dwyer said he will update GSS council at their regular monthly meeting August 15, and confirmed the society's lawyer is preparing a defence. Read could not be contacted for comment. 2 AUGUST 15, 1996 THE UBYSSEY Classifieds For Rent 2 Bedroom basement suite, new & clean. Bus stop in front of UBC. References required. 238 W.41st Ave. $900/month. 325-0450. Room for Rent, $425, to clean quiet female student. Share 2 bedroom condo in Kits. Marty 730- 2778. Are you moving to Edmonton? Retired couple visiting Vancouver would like to swap homes with you for 6 months or so. If interested, call 921-7887. Employment Opportunities Travel Associates required. No experience necessary. Great travel benefits! Call 482-8989 for interview. Flexible hours. wmmmmmm The Ubyssey. call 822-1654 Joan Grant-Cummings... continued from page 1 and propelled her to one of the most prominent lobbying positions on parliament hilLAnd although she may not be a household name, Grant-Cummings is known—particularly in Ontario—for her activism in health and education. At the time of her election, she was the executive director of Toronto's Women's Health in Women's Hands health centre and treasurer of NAC; she helped found the advocacy and research organisation known as Ontario Black Women's Coalition; and until she was "given the sweet boot" from the Harris government, she sat on the Ontario Council of Regions as a representative for community colleges. For students wondering about the relevance of NAC in their daily lives, it is Grant-Cummings' role as an education advocate they will find most interesting. If actions speak louder than words, then Grant-Cummings has it together. In July, she attended her first speaking engagement as president outside of eastern Canada at UBC, addressing student councillors from across the country at the AMS' annual "Strengthening the Union" conference. Post-secondary education, she told the audience, is a social justice issue. "When students decide they're going to start to question and they're going to do student government, that to me is social justice," says Grant-Cummings over the phone. "Within Canada there are pockets of very politicised student movements. There are others that may focus on the whole fee structure thing or what kind of food we're getting; that may not be that politicised, but it has the potential. "Students are really going to have to start to analyse why is there this debt load thing and why is it they are being saddled with it. They're really going to have to start ques- tionning that and get out of this feeling that, 'Oh, we have to pay for our education and if it means this is what we have to do, this is what we have to do." She adds: "People are behaving like post- secondary education is a dream and something you either deserve or you don't—it's viewed as privilege. "Conditions are created for that to happen. This stuff doesn't just come out of the blue. A decision was made that students are going to end up taking on more financial burden by someone who looked at the economic prospectus and looked at the globalisation of the economy." For a campus whose past year saw a very heated, public debate over the rights of students to work in an environment free of racism and sexism versus professors' concerns about impinging on their academic freedom, Grant-Cummings' work as Chair of Ontario's post-secondary anti-harrassment and discrimination committee should be of interest. The committee's responsibility was to fund projects whose aim was to desegregate what is defined as academic freedom and what is harassment and discrimination within the system. "Of course the whole block in this," she says, "was this academic freedom nonsense. "The committee spoke about the fact that academic freedom means access to an unbiased education also. It's one thing to sell racism to students, that's not a debate. If you want to debate racism or sexism in school you don't go calling young women "bitches" and "dearie"; which professor can justify that being academic freedom? "The definition of academic freedom is not having the ability or the right to say whatever you feel like because you think it sparks debate; that isn't it at all. If it was, why is it some of us are silenced when we try to counter that?" Since the hype surrounding the second wave of feminism died in the late seventies, many women feel equality has been achieved—there's a level playing field. Grant-Cummings, however, does not agree. "A lot of women came up to me and said the march really caused them to sit up and think about how they have been going on the }ast few years because they have sort of cocooned themselves in this sense of false securty that women have overcome: we are in the board rooms, we are in the house of parliament, we are in the legislature, and we are all over in management. But then who— which women, how many, and what about the majority of the country? "There's a lot of this analysis going on now in all kinds of communities, and the most unlikely women who would be concerned about the women's movement are actually expressing concern. The ones who thought, 'my future's secure, I have my RRSPs, I can send my child to school,' but they're now beginning to realise that ain't a guarantee, that's not a given." Fifty years later, Grant-Cummings points out, women are still having to fight over the same issues; that is why NAC is more relevant than ever. By speaking to women in their own language, and not newspeak, Grant-Cummings hopes to continue the work she took over from NAC's previous president Sunera Tobani. "You take it a step at a time," she concludes. "You make sure it doesn't go backwards, it has to go forwards at all times." What We're Doing on Our Summer Vacation Academic Advising Survey The AMS University Commission has recent] v published the results of the Academic Advising Survey, which was carried out in April. The purpose of the survey was to obtain a clearer picture of the major issues that concern UBC students about academic advising. Approximately 600 students across all disciplines answered the survey — and you may be surprised at the results. For more information, please contact Lica Chui, AMS Vice President, at 822-3092, email at vicepres@ams.ubc.ca or drop by SUB 238. Club Budgets All clubs who do not submit a budget by Au gust 26th will have their account fro2en until further notice. This will mean that you will not be able to operate your account in time for Clubs Days and other events and activities.. Please contact the Finance Commission at 822-6868 for more information. The AMS UpDare is published weekly by the Alma Mater Society, your student union. Should you have any questions regarding usage of this space, please contact Faye Samson, AMS Communications Coordinator at 822-1961, drop by SUB 266h, or email at comco@ams.ubc.ca. Clubs Daze Applications for participating in AMS Clubs Days (Sept 18,19 & 20th) will be distributed via club treasurer files. If vou have not received an application and would like one, please see Jennie Chen, Director of Administration in SUB Room 252, call 822-3961 or email her at admin@ams.ubc.ca.. Part-time employment opportunities Applications for part-time employment within the AMS Commercial Services are now available at the AMS Business Office in SUB Room 266. SUBCetera gets a new look! Check out the renovations happening on the SUB Concourse. Soon, SUBCetera will offer a wide range of new candy as well as magazines, newspapers and greeting cards. You'll also be able to buy that last minute gift of Body Shop products or Over the Moon Chocolates, all priced under $10.00. You 11 still be able to purchase bus passes, stamps, chocolate bars, cold drinks and lots more. feedback@ams.ubc.ca Do you have a complaint about parking? A suggestion for a provincial lobbying campaign? A question regarding campus safety? A comment about something the AMS is doing...or not doing? Email these and other concerns to feedback@ams.ubc.ca. AMS Communications will get the answers you need within 7 days and your email address will remain strictly confidential. Essential Services: Student Solutions to Student Problems Looking for a part-time job? A better place to live? A tutor for that killer math course? Check out these essential student sen-ices. These services are provided and operated bv students, for students, via the Alma Mater Society, vour student union. JobLink Ombudsoffice RentsLine SafeWalk SpeakEasy Student Discounts Tutoring Services Used Bookstore Volunteer Services 822-5627 822-4846 822-0888 822-5355 822-3777 822-9855 822-8724 822-2901 822-9268 Tangent Magazine: Correction The email address for Fran Champagne, Editor of Tangent magazine, has been changed from mageditor@ams.ubc.ca to tangent@ams.ubc.ca. Please redirect your inquiries to this email address. Remember that Tangent magazine is looking for writers, photographers and artists to get involved in this new campus publication. Heck, we'll even pay you for your efforts. Please contact Fran Champagne at 822-9084, email at tangent@ams.ubc.ca or drop by SUB 249B onTuesdav and Thursday mornings (temporary office hours until September). For more information about what the Alma Mater Society is doing for you, please contact the AMS Executive via 822- 3971 or drop by SUB 238. AUGUST 15, 1996 THE UBYSSEY 3 The usual susp Native American activist Leonard Peltier has spent twenty years imprisoned, in spite of evidence which strongly suggests his innocence. ..■■■■ by Joanne Deer The Link MONTREAL (CUP)-Since February 6, 1976, Leonard Peltier, a Lakota Sioux, has been in prison, serving two consecutive life sentences for the murder of two FBI agents on the Pine Ridge reserve in South Dakota. But since his conviction, the American government's evidence has been unraveled as a string of lies, coercion and scape- goating. For one thing, the prosec- tution has conceded they don't know who shot the FBI agents. Documents obtained under the Access to Information Act show the FBI's own tests proved the bullets that killed the agents did not come from the gun they claimed Peltier fired. At a recent parole hearing last December, officials agreed that at most, Peltier was present at the shootout and could be guilty of aiding and abetting-a crime that carries a maximum penalty of sixteen years imprisonment. Peltier seems to be the victim of what some call the FBI's two- pronged determination to blame someone for the murder of two of their agents, and quash the growing movements for Native rights. But as more and more evidence comes out in Peltier's favour, he has become a symbol of all that is wrong about the American government's treatment of Native peoples. Groups like Amnesty International have decried Peltier's conviction from the beginning. The European Community passed a resolution in 1994 supporting Peltier's application for presidential clemency. Political figures such as Nelson Mandela and Jesse Jackson have spoken on the subject; alternative rockers Rage Against the Machine dedicated their first-ever video, "Freedom," to Peltier's cause; books, tribute, albums and documentaries advocating Peltier's innocence have been produced. So why is Peltier, now in his fifties, locked away in a Leavenworth, Kansas penitentiary for a crime even his prosecutors can't prove he committed? Advocates say Peltier's case is a sordid tale combining the mistreatment of Native populations with conspiracy and greed. "At base it's an aboriginal rights case, but it's open to everyone. It represents a blatant violation of fundamental human rights," says Anne Dreaver who co-chairs the Canadian chapter of the Leonard Peltier Defence Committee. -& * --.:- IN THE MID-1970S, THE PINE RIDGE RESERVATION IN South Dakota was the site of a virtual civil war between traditional and pro-government Natives under the corrupt leadership of Ogala tribal chair man Richard "Dick" Wilson. On the day of the FBI shootings, Wilson was in Washington signing over one-eigth of the Pine Ridge reserve to Union Carbide for uranium mining. To suppress traditional opposition and secure his leadership, Wilson implemented a violent reign of terror against the traditional Natives and used government funds to train and arm a paramilitary group, the Guardians of Oglala-GOONs. By 1975, Pine Ridge was one of the poorest reservations in North America; it had the highest murder rate per capita of anywhere in the US. In the three years leading up to the shoot-out, there were over 60 unsolved murders of traditionalists. In A Warrior Caged, writer Jim Vander Wall points out that, in fact, the rate of political murders for the period was 170 per 100,000 people-almost exactly the rate for Chile at the height of the Pinochet dictatorship. In spite of repeated appeals by the community's elders, the FBI refused to intervene, giving rise to the suspicion the GOONs were acting with the cooperation, if not the direction, of federal authorities. The elders then called upon the American Indian Movement (AIM), an organisation that aims to protect and defend traditional Native culture, for defense against Wilson's GOON squads. AIM had been formed several years earlier and was known for its occupation of the Bureau of Indian Affairs for a week in 1972 and its month-long occupation of Wounded Knee in 1973, a town on the Pine Ridge reserve. AMERICAN Native activist Leonard Peltier. PHOTO COURTESY OF THE LEONARD PELTIER DEFENSE COMMITTEE. Even though they have admitted they are not sure who actually killed their agents. and has fought all bids for Peltier's release. On June 26, 1975, two FBI agents followed a red pick-up onto the reserve and ended up in an_area inhabited by aim members and traditionalists. Gunfire broke out between the Natives and the FBI agents. When the dust cleared, the two agents, Jack Kohler and Ronald. Williams, as well as one Native, Joseph Stuntz, were dead. FBI AGENT involved in the Pine Ridge manhunt after the June 26 shoot-out. k.b. mckiernan photo Three Natives-Peltier, Bob Robideau and Dino Butler-were tried for the murders of the agents. Peltier fled to Canada, so Robideau and Butler were tried together and found not guilty by reason of self- defence. The jury determined that because of the level of fear and anxiety on the reserve, the Natives were justified in their fear of the approach of two unindentified gun-toting men. There has never been an investigation into Stuntz's murder. Peltier was arrested in Canada on February 6, 1976. Forged affidavits obtained through coercion sealed the extradition; he was taken back to the US for trial After losing the first case, the US government scrambled to fabricate a witness and a weapon. An all-white jury convicted Peltier of two counts of first-degree murder and he was ordered to serve two consecutive life terms. Even though they have admitted they are not sure who actually killed their agents, the FBI is reluctant to admit wrongdoing and has fought all bids for Peltier's release. Several groups have taken out full- page ads opposing Peltier's bid for clemency, warning President Clinton that Peltier is "playing on sympathy." In spite of the shambled state of the prosecution's case, Peltier's appeals, demands for a re-trial and parole bids have been denied. His most recent parole hearing, held on December 12, resulted in another rejection! -#- -;K- -& AT THE BASE OF THE SHAKY CASE IS PELTIER'S EXTRA- dition from Canada in 1976. He was extradited on the basis of coerced and forged affidavits from a woman, Poor Bear, claiming to be Peltier's girlfriend and an eyewitness to the shooting. According to Poor Bear, Peltier had confessed to her that he was "a murderer." Vander Wall notes, however, that later on Poor Bear admitted under oath that "she'd never so much as met Peltier" and the only reason she'd entered false evidence was because she was afraid of what FBI agents might do to her if she "failed to do and say exactly what they told her to." Montreal MP Warren Allmand, then Minister of Indian Affairs and Northern Development, has since come out in support of Peltier and has said he would never have been extradited had it not been for the affidavits. The Canadian Defence Committee presented the case to the Supreme Court of Canada, and in 1989 it ruled that although the documents were fraudulent, extradition was a matter that should be resolved politically between the two countries. Two years ago, in the face of international pressure, Canadian Justice Minister Allan Rock said his department would review the extradition. The department has yet to take any formal action against the US. See Struggle on page 7. AUGUST 15, 1996 THE UBYSSEY AUGUST 15, 1996 THE UBYSSEY Bard is still beachin' by James Rowley Bard on the Beach continues to grow: this year's festival includes special events with the Chor Leoni Men's choir, the Vancouver Symphony Orchestra, Vancouver Opera and John Juliani's Savage God company which brings us Mark Leiren-Young's new play Shylock. Through much effort by its organizers and support from the public, Bard has become "established." A successful Shakespeare festival in Vancouver is a dream come true for mc but... the atmosphere of adventure has been diminished. Perhaps Bard on the Beach is just coinu tbrnui»h .1 "nhrise" In its liisr O O O 1 year, the concept of Bard was new to everyone, Shakespeare enthusiasts and humans alike. So what il with a few years of popularity conies elitism (O Bill, thou art misunderstood), whereby half the audience sits smug in their Croat Understanding of the Poet while the other half wonders how much they're missing? The company is obviously targetting the "culturally aware" with many of their events, but ticket prices remain reasonable, so if elitism is in the air, I don't know who to blame. Much ado about nothing at Bard on the Beach until Sep 22 Much Ado is far from pretentious: it is fun and Huffy with an easily identified villain (the icy Scott Bellis) who we can all hate without I ear of being accused of racism, and everybody gets married at the end. Is it that simple? Almost. If there is a lesson in the play it has to do with misunderstandings and the folly of allowing thinly substantiated accusations to come between true lovers, whose tmst in each other shouldn't need proof. The story is well told by the words, but the varied abilities of the cast make some moments clearer than others and the whole show attains only moderate success. Kathleen Hair and David Marr as Beatrice and Benedick, whose passionate distaste for marriage (and each other) blossoms into ridiculous .lilolescent love are i>re.ir to watch, but they expose the flat and imprecise performances from the other lovers. The other high points come when Dogberry the constable (Allan Zinyk) bumbles on stage followed by his "second in command" Verges (Colin Heath, formally of Cirque du Soleil). Together they create a whole world ot screwed-up logic which rests on Dogberry's grave responsibility to guard the town from nothing and, naturally, wind up saving the day. The set is simple and functions well though it's not particularly attractive. The costumes are the only evidence of this production's pre-WWI Austro- Hungarian setting and, since this choice seems somewhat random and inconsequential, they serve to add little more than a mild confusion to the Bard things happen to good people: The Prince of Aragon (Scott Bellis) chooses the wrong box in the controversial Merchant of Venice. experience. Overall, Much Ado is a varied bowl of fruit and I suspect its juiciest bites were suggested by its fresher cast members. It is not badly directed but it left me wondering whether Douglas Campbell, with an impressive fifty years of theatrical experience, is resting on his laurels or if a slight stateness is part of Bard's marketing strategy. The Merchant of Venice at Bard on the Beach until Sep 22 A play that is almost guaranteed to cause discussion and controversy, The Merchant of Venice is a romantic comedy which undermines its own levity by pitting Jew against Christian, '["his production walks the line line between ihe harshness of the nricinal .scrim mid the risk of offending rhe sensibilities of its audience, and it ultimately errs on the side ol caution. Seeing Shylock, I learned lhat many well-informed people think Merchant is a racist play and defend it anyway. While this is a worthy, anti-censorship argument, 1 think the playwright is interrogating racism here, not complying with it. Why else choose the setting of Venice, whose mercantile Catholics, to an Elizabethan audience, were not much farther from the devil than the Jews were? F.ven in the twentieth century, these fickle, money grabbing Venetians are not particularly likeable in their heroic roles. By requiring us to celebrate with them as the lovers (including Shy lock's daughter Jessica, a convert to Christianity) enjoy their victory over Shylock and, therefore, all Jews, they create in the audience an anger and fear of our own racism. These feelings may be misdirected by some who proceed to condemn the play when it has simply done what it was supposed to do-stir up shit. Bard's production should be commended for leaving in lines during the trial scene which, rumour has it, other recent productions have cut out. As it is, when Shylock (played delicately by Bard's Artistic Director Christopher Gaze) is foiled in his lust for his pound of flesh by the disguised Portia (Denyse Wilson), I became increasingly uncomfortable' with his punishment as it began reasonably and grew vindictive, stripping the Jew's entire identity-religion, property, and family- away from him. This is obviously the response of a racist state determined to punish a second-class citizen who dared rattle his cage. Also, Portia's much ouoted snecch of moments before ("The quality of mercy is not strained"), in which she appeals to Shylock to be merciful, is suddenly lound to apply only to Christian beneficiaries. No mercy for the Jew. The same variations in acting ability turn up here as in Much Ado, but David Marr, whose moroseness worked to his advantage as Benedick, interprets • Antonio's sadness in Merchant as boredom—and it's boring. Aside from my directorial criticism, this production is subtly done and leaves a wonderful range of emotional and intellectual reactions open to the audience. An issue no one ever talks about is the homosexuality of Antonio, the title character, and his love and willingness to be martyred for the flighty Bassanio. Are students of Dr. Katherine Sirluck, UBC's favourite Shakespeare prof and the one who wrote the program's synopses, the only ones aware of the likelihood of this interpretation? "I do not know why I am so sad." Think about it. Shylock Sep 2, 9,16 at Bard on the Beach What does a Jewish actor do when he realizes Shakespeare intended Shylock to be first a villain, second a Jew? Answer: licks his lips and rubs his hands together in greed. What does he do when community outrage compells his Artistic Director to close The Merchant of Venice two weeks early? Answer: takes over the final "talk-back" session and finally talks back. Shylock is an excellent companion piece to Bard's production of Merchant. It's a rare thrill lo hear the dangers of censorship and the precarious state ot innovation in Canadian theatre expressed in such a passionate and articulate form. Mark Leircn-Young uses the case ol the notorious Jew to attack the caution and the forces ot political correctness which threaten to "neuter" modern theatre. David Berner manages to -keep many pots boiling throughout his per- fomance, giving rich food lor thought on all sorts of levels, returning finally to the persona experience of an actor being spat at and called a racist. His character tells of audiences booing him whenever Shylock appears on stage and of his first experience with the stories of Shakespeare and how his young mind survived its first viewing of Merchant without turning him into a neo-Nazi. At one point, he describes his director offering any pan the actor wants in the upcoming season to make up lor the cancelation. After some thought, he asked for Othello, much to the director's consternation. Shylock is directed by John Juliani under his pretentious Savage God banner. You may remember the minute- long blackouts between scenes at his production of To Have at the Freddy Wood Play last year; I remember very little else. Fortunately, there are no scene changes in this piece. 1 highly recommend this biting and important work, here in its world premiere, since il serves as a poignant examination of some very serious issues that are not >^l|iI)Ki(j!l^ limited to the the- j/f^Lj^yy&A atre alone. Download your Grace... State of Grace - Jamboreebop [3rd.Stone/RCA] For a band which hails from Nottingham (once the abode of an evil Sheriff, as well as a band of renegade miners—read 'scabs'—who did as much as Thatcher to break the United Mineworkers union), State of Grace ain't half bad! True, true, the first half of the CD plods along with slow, admittedly melodic, but overly poppy filler reminiscent of-shudder— ABBA; nonetheless, from song #6 onwards, State of Grace's pop is definitely more experimental; hence more interesting, even engrossing. That song, 'Camden,' clearly signals an abrupt change of focus from the highly stylized pop of the first five songs to a lovely, hauntingly psychedelic tone poem resonant with vague echoes of Laurie Anderson's thoughtful excursions into those exotic nether dimensions somewhere back of beyond on Mr. Heartbreak. Both the mood and the tempo oi Jamboreebop perk right up from then onwards, which sorta begs the question: "Why'n hell did the band decide to put the good stuff last?" Beats me. All I know is, the music on the latter half of the CD is much more experimental, has a definite raunchy edge to it, and is 800 million times more interesting than that of the first half. - Andy Barham download - The eyes of Stanley Pain [Nettwerk] If R.E.M. predicted the end of the world ten years ago, download has written doomsday's soundtrack. This is music to be annihilated to. Gloomy and gloriously industrial, The eyes of Stanley Pain shines like a laser that hits your retinas and leaves you blind, memorable as the last streak of light you'll ever see. Highlight tracks include 'sidewinder', 'suni' and the at times poppy 'possession'. Soon to be on tour, catch them live. Armageddon never sounded this good. - Federico Barahona Community conscious films hit the streets by Peter T. Chattaway Street-level Film festival Aug 16-18 at Grandview Park If the audiences can't come to the theatre, then the theatre will come to them. That, at least, is the idea behind the Pacific Cinematheque's Street-Level Film Festival. Potential audiences won't have to trot past the businesses and hotels of Howe Street to purchase membership fees or even admission; instead, films that address issues relevant to the big city will be shown at community centres throughout Vancouver free of charge, with group discussions to follow. The bulk of the festival will take place between September 18 and November 6, but audiences can get a foretaste of things.to come this weekend when the festival kicks off at Grandview Park (on Commercial Drive between Charles and William Streets — please, all you royalty fans, no tittering). The line-up includes Curtis's Charm, a Toronto film about drugs and voodoo based on a Jim Carroll short story; Once in a Blue Moon, an imaginative look at growing up in the '60s filmed last year in North Vancouver; and the Japanese cult classic Akira. If this is starting to sound like the walk-in theatre environment at downtown's Granville Beach, festival organizer Stuart Poyntz emphasises that there are significant differ ences between the two venues. For one thing, the Street- Level shows are free, and the shows this Friday and Saturday will open at 8:30 with an eclectic music set put on by local band (and, according to bandleader Ron Samworth, ardent cinephiles) Talking Pictures. The outdoor setting is not an unfamiliar one for this act; they toured last August with Brecht in the Park's Threepenny Opera. On top of that, says Poyntz, Street-Level's line-up will not focus on Hollywood so much. "They're not from the B-movie tradition that a lot of the Granville Beach films are," he says. "They're great narrative films, but two are Canadian and one is a Japanese animation film. "I'm kind of wary of saying that," he adds, "cuz we're not trying to underscore that. We don't want to scare people away by saying they're Canadian films. Part of our role is to get to an audience that doesn't come to the Cinematheque, or sees the stereotypical Canadian film as being low-budget, underdone or boring, and none of these films are like that." Actually, Curtis's Charm, which leads the way on August 16, does look like it was filmed on a shoestring, but it certainly ain't boring. Much of that is due to John L'Ecuyer's creative direction, which flashes between several different states of altered consciousness, but don't overlook the richly contrasted performances of Maurice Dean Wint (Rude) and Vancouver's own Callum Rennie (who is probably best known as the white boyfriend in Double Happiness). Curtis's Charm also happens to plug into the festival's two main themes: youth culture and urban development. "Curtis's Charm is a wonderfully generous and gritty portrayal of street life in Canada that we generally don't see," says Poyntz. "We have this kind of pastoral idea of our cities, and that's not the case at all." And who exactly is the "youth culture" that Poyntz has in mind? Poyntz says it isn't so much about age but, rather, "it's about folks who have something to say about dreaming of the future. Youth culture is the place where you see people dreaming of the future, imagining some kind of Utopian or dystopian vision of what the future will look like for themselves and everyone else around them." Enter Akira — a futuristic scifi hit about youth gangs in "a city run wild," enthuses Poyntz. Rather than harp on local ills eclusively, the festival will look to Canada's global neighbours to show how similar issues are being addressed — or-ignored - around the world. Come September, featured films will include the Oliver Stone-produced Zebrahead (the festival's only American offering), France's La Haine (Hate), and Britain's Empire State in addition to the homegrown Canadian works (including Calgary's The Suburbanators, Winnipeg's Hell Bent, Montreal's Eldorado, and Toronto's Rude). But that will come in due time. For now, feel free to grab a blanket, park your butt under the stars, and soak in the sounds and sights of what could turn out to be the most streetwise film fest this city has ever seen. Free Shakespeare for students by James Rowley AS YOU LIKE IT at Carousel Theatre until Aug 17 With no tent to still the evening air, among the audience of Carousel Theatre School's Av You Like It a camaraderie stirs as a twilight chill descends on the stands. A semi-circle of young oaks define the stage on the bank of this hill on the eastern tip of Granville Island. In such a set ting, it's not always easy to separate the chill from the thrill of theatre in the wild. Another of Shakespeare's plays with an improbably happy ending that makes you go, "Hmmm", As You Like It is a romp and that's exactly what these students arc doing. I remember playing Flute in the first of Carousel's free shows on the Mound seven years ago. The crowd that trickled in with smiles on their faces, amazed to find a free performance of such a good play performed with such energy and technical support, was plenty big enough to make me sell-conscious. By now the secret's out and our opening night audience overflowed onto the grass surrounding the stage; on opening night the performers, most of whom have little experience, seemed a little unsure of themselves. Director Elizabeth Ball has made many unusual casting decisions, giving young actors parts they may not have the opportunity to inhabit when they venture further into the performing arts. The text is given many gimmicks, tricks, and modern twists which seemed a little insincere on opening night, but once this cast finds iis feet, these flaws should smooth out. And hey, isn't that recent UBC BFA Grad Peter Beharry showing off his tap steps as the nor mally sullen Jacques? The Compleat Works of Love Grinning Dragon Theatre's second showing at the 1996 UBC Summerstock festival is long gone by now, but this is a piece that will keep popping up, so keep your eyes peeled. Based on the collected works of Willidtn Shakespeare, David Bloom and Linda Quibell's play explores not a' few of the many love themes that wind its sonnets, plays and poems together. The language is centra] to the piece and Quibell and Alex Ferguson, with dear voices, commit ted spirits and specific intentions, do not let the most insignificant word fall lo the iloor un-uscd. Nor do they let any prop, candle or corner of the bed lie less than fully explored. This is the best interpretation ot the bard's work in Vancouver at the moment. It was a pleasure to hear the interchange between Shylock's daughter Jessica and her new husband Lorenzo, as they liken the stars to glittering treasure at the bottom of the sea, done justice to. These are some of Shakespeare's most beautiful lines, and I had been disappointed by Jennifer Lines and Ian Robison (whose main problem may have sim ply been one of volume) at Bard on the Beach. Though this play is skilfully knitted together, the characters and situations shift every few lines from play to sonnet to play (and so on) such that it is impossible to really get to know who or what we are watching on anything other than a rather abstract level. Perhaps if 1 didn't know any of the lines I would find it easier, but I think most will have trouble really caring about what happens to these people. However, I did enjoy ihe intellectual game of trying to name the plays and speakers of this patchwork piece. Come by the"llbySSey at SUB 241K and you could win a free double pass to the Thursday, August 22 preview of A Very Brady Sequel if you can correctly answer the following: What did Bobby hide in his flashlight when the Bradys visited the Grand Canyon? OPENS AUGUST 23 AT THEATRES EVERYWHERE 6 AUGUST 15, 1996 summer 1 ubyssey August 15, 1996 • volume 13 issue 3 Editorial Board Coordinating Editor : Scott Hayward News : Ian Gunn and Sarah O'Donnell Culture : Peter T. Chattaway Sports: Wolf Depner National/Features: Federico Barahona Photo: Richard Lam Production : Joe Clark The Ubyssey is a founding member of Canadian University Press. The Summer Ubyssey is published Thursdays by The Ubyssey Publications Society at the University of British Columbia. Editorial opinions expressed are those of the newspaper and not necessarily those of the university administration or the Alma Mater Society. Letters to the editor must be under 300 words. Please include your phone number, student number and signature (not for publication) as well as your year and faculty with all submissions. ID will be checked when submissions are dropped off at the editorial office of The Ubyssey, otherwise verification will be done by phone. "Perspectives" are opinion pieces over 300 words but under750 words and are run according to space. "Freestyles" are opinion pieces written by Ubyssey staff members. Priority will be given to letters and perspectives over freestyles unless the latter is time senstitive. Opinion pieces will not be run until the identity of the writer has been verified. Editorial Office Room 241K, Student Union Building, 6138 Student Union Boulevard, Vancouver. BC. V6T 1Z1 tel: (604) 822-2301 fax:822-9279 Business Office Room 245, Student Union Building advertising: (604) 822-1654 business office: (604) 822-6681 Business Manager: Fernie Pereira Advertising Manager: James Rowan News of possible life on Mars shocked the world. Federico Barahona decides that he needed to hijack a space shuttle in order to check out the Martian landscape for himself. But he was not alone in his endeavor. Sarah O'Donnell, the leader of the United Militia for the Takeover of Mars, dreams of enslaving Martian bacteria in sweat shop copper mines. Wolf Depner, who was hanging with Lex Luthor during his last attempt at world domination, led his hybrid cybernetic android warriors to the Kennedy Space Airfield. President Scott Hayward was on site to commemorate the relaunching of the Martian, space program. The android army, blasting their way into the Space Center, forced their way into the President's viewing box, killing Vice-President Joe Clark and Senate leader Chris Nuttall-Smith in the process. Secretary James Rowley made a heroic attempt to prevent the kidnapping, but was tragically crushed underneath a collapsing CNN media tower. Andy Barham, spokesperson for the UMTM, demanded access to the shuttle in exchange for the President's life. First Lady Janet Winters was surprisingly happy about the President's predicament, taking the opportunity to elope with the Presidental Janitor, Peter T. Chattaway. CIA Chief James Rowan rushed in from the Pentagon to help diffuse the crisis. When Rowan refused to meet the militia's demands, they upped the ante. "Give us the shuttle," spat Charlie Cho, the militia's loose camion, "or well detonate the nuclear warheads in all the Dunkin' Donuts around the world!" That did it. There was nothing left to do but to open the safety locks of the shuttle and commence the launch sequence. As the shuttle left the Terran orbit, Martian bacteria interpreter Elaine Wu was starting to have some doubt* about the whole project. "What if the bacteria won't work for us?" Ben Koh quickly reassured her that nothing would stop them from enslaving those "filthy microbes". The landing went smoothly, but once they had stepped out the shuttle, they realised that the bacteria were already working for Q-Mart—producing cheap polar clothing for Plutonians. "Damn. Beaten again by Cathy Leah Blifford." Canada Post Publications Sales Agreement Number 0732141 Fight for social justice-start with education Is education a right or a privilege? The debate rages on as students across Canada try to cope with the reality of insufficiently funded post-secondary education. What is the role of education on a larger scale? In other words, why should we care who gets to be educated? Because the cycle of poverty begins with the lack of opportunity. Here's .the idea: education is about social justice. As long as there are people who can't get an education because they haven't got the money or because they fear sexual or racial discrimination, we have a problem. Not just a financial problem that requires cutbacks and budget slashing, but a social problem that continues to marginalise a considerable portion of the population. There are no easy answers to the problem but we cannot accept the status quo, nor can we fall back on the tired solutions of banks and government. Students must start looking for new approaches in order to take charge of a post-secondary education system that has been hijacked by fiscal policy. The fact is, getting an education is not simply a business decision. So where to look for these new ideas? A good place to start is with organisations that you might not immediately associate with post-secondary education. If you think about it, however, groups like the National Action Committee on the Status of Women (NAC) and its partners like labour and anti-poverty groups, are synonymous with education. NAC's goal is to advance women's issues with a view to creating a society free of poverty, sexism, racism, agism, ableism and homophobia: a level playing field— isn't that what most of us want from education? Education should not be seen as an assembly line, designed to churn out degrees and make money for the banks; it is part of a cycle. Universities educate students, the educated student is able to contribute more to society; in the end, society benefits. Students need an attitude adjustment and unless we are willing put up with a mediocre system that marginalises some and leaves many with overwhelming debt loads, we have to find a new voice. It is organisations like NAC that can help us find that voice. letters UBC Prez sets record straight As a general practice, I have refrained from responding to items which appear in The Ubyssey. However, on this occasion, because I believe in journalistic integrity, I feel compelled to correct errors and misrepresentations printed in the summer issue. 1. Contrary to the AMS Update which appeared in the August 1 issue, the university did not seek to increase tuition fees counter to the provincial guideline. Government explicitly exempted fees (as opposed to tuition) from the freeze, and so informed us. ubc then planned to implement the third step of its Student Bursary Fee Fund, which was approved several years ago and operates to the direct benefit of students. Similarly, we plannedrto execute the third phase of the Teaching and Learning Enhancement Fund; this fund has already produced direct assistance for students and possesses further potential. These two fees have been linked with tuition only to create a tax benefit for students; it is important to recognize that they have always been fees and are not now nor ever have been an integral part of tuition. Despite the fact that these fee increases were specifically excluded from the tuition freeze, the AMS worked to have them reversed. As a result of their loss of revenue, the university will be hampered in its efforts to provide improved direct support to its students. A third fee that was rolled back has been instituted to enable ubc to pay the sewer fee that the City of Vancouver is seeking to impose. For seventy years, UBC has been exempted from paying sewer fees by explicit policy and, indeed, legislation. To secure the means to make this payment, we have previously requested that the provincial government increase the university's grant. This has been rejected. We therefore requested instead that they permit us to charge a fee to cover these proposed costs. This has also been rejected. Since almost all of our core revenue comes from the provincial grant (80%) and tuition (16%), we have no source of funding to meet such a recurring charge. Consequently, UBC's ability to provide services to its students would be even further impeded. (If we were to use income from Hampton Place to pay this on a recurring basis, it would take one-third of the total income or consume the equivalent of nine acres of land.) 2.1 feel compelled to comment on the AMS decision to finance its deficit using Coke funds. This deficit was a result of the ams spending money in excess of its revenue. It seems most unfortunate that new funds which were generated expressly for new and improved student services, with a focus on services for the disabled, should now be reallocated to compensate for errors in budgeting. New money for exciting projects is hard to find. The ams has missed an opportunity to enhance its services to students. 3. Consultations on the official community plan process and UBC's land use plan have been underway now for several years with many opportunities for input by the AMS and students. Following these wide-ranging discussions, UBC's strategy for allocation of this future revenue was explicitly approved by the Board of Governors in January, 1995: "All income from long term leases will be used for endowments, long term assets which directly support the academic mission, and allow the university to expand its human resources through programs supported by these endowments." I think it important to understand that endowments to create positions and programs directly benefit students and provide a permanent base for UBC's teaching and research activities. I thought it would be useful for your readers to have these misrepresentations and inaccuracies clarified and corrected." David W. Strangway UBC President (The AMS Update is free space provided to the AMS by The Ubyssey. Its content is set by the AMS-ed.) Canadians resent American pride I was most disturbed by the tone of Wolf Depner's article, "Sports Opinion: An Olympic- sized Gripe" (August 8, 1996). Being a Canadian who has lived in the US for several years, I found it painfully representative of the defensive, resentful attitude many Canadians have towards Americans. While initially Wolf makes some justified complaints about a handful of problems with the Atlanta games, it takes him only a few paragraphs to launch into stereotypical slurs and ttiinly-veiled envy. The "tacky commercialism" referred to may not seem so tacky to those of us who recall that Montreal is still paying its' debts from then- games, having not had the commercial and corporate support available in the US I suppose the more noble tack would have been to saddle tax payers with decades of debt, right? I'll take the McDonald's and IBM advertisements, thank- you. Secondly, claiming that foreign visitors had "to endure their fair share of insults and ethnic jokes," while simultaneously using an offensive cartoon picturing a beer-bellied, tattooed, boorish American next to Wolf's story is completely hypocritical. The complaint that "non-US athletes were rarely acknowledged" is most likely based on the fact that most of us watched the games on US network channels, whose coverage was vastly more comprehensive and interesting that the CBC, and which naturally focused on US athletes just as the CBC focused on Canadian athletes. Of course, comparing the Atlanta games to the 1936 Olympic games in Berlin is both laughable and downright insulting to the Jewish community. What Wolf has so aptly demonstrated is what we Canadians are far too often guilty of— envy and intolerance of an American trait to be enthusiastic and proud of their nation. Canada did very well at the games and we have reason to be proud. Don't spoil it by moaning and nit-picking about the us. Rodney C. Remington Faculty of Medicine AUGUST 15, 1996 THE UBYSSEY 7 Struggle continues... agents. Because Pressure on the US government will be stepped up to make Peltier's case an election issue. Continued from page 3. "Canada was involved in a blatant lie and international treaty fraud," Dreaver says. "It's now coming back to haunt them." According to Dreaver, Canadians should make it clear they want a full and independent review of the extradition, in defence of Peltier's rights as well as their own. "We too have been violated and offended," she says. The Canadian government is not about to take any action any time soon, points out Michael Ryan, a former chair of the Leonard Peltier Defence Committee,. "The Canadian government does not want to pressure the US to honour its bilateral treaties," he says. "If the US doesn't want to honour them, then what does Canada do? Blockade them?" Others believe that the Canadian government has no interest in speaking out for justice for Peltier when its own history of mistreating Natives and pushing them off land for resource extraction and military purposes is no better than that of the US. "We have been political prisoners here for the same reasons," says Dexter X, a member of Headfood-an activist research group in Montreal. "The Canadian government does not want to aid movements for social and economic justice when they are at risk of being targeted themselves." Bill May of the Peltier Defence Committee in Kansas is also pessimistic about Canada taking a tough stance. "We're not expecting anything from the Canadian government," he says. "It would take a lot for them to stand up to the US government." * * * MAY SAYS INTEREST AND HOPE FOR THE case is at an all time high; Peltier is finally getting some much-needed attention, which is being read as a positive sign. At Peltier's last parole hearing in December, the US prosecutor and three FBI agents admitted they did not know who killed the two many now believe that, at most, he is guilty of aiding and abetting, Peltier's Ol *ople In positions of powi organisers are raising the stakes by planning acts of civil disobedience chances released proved; already of being are im- he has served longer than the 200 months he could get for being at the scene of a shootout. Pressure on the US government will be stepped up in an attempt to make Peltier's case an election issue. Instead of making demands on people in positions of power through rallies, letter-writing campaigns and petitions as they have in the past, organisers are raising the stakes by planning acts of civil disobedience where activists lay claim to power themselves. "Civil disobedience is when we say we need new tactics and we've had enough of government disregard," says Dexter. The last worm seems to be squirming out of the can, and Peltier's supporters are confident that the charade can't go on much longer. "It's been a long, long struggle," Dreaver says, "but we've always had truth on our side." DISCOVER THE BEST COPY CENTRE at UBC Village (2nd floor above UBC Pizza) Hi' only use the best machines in the business - XEROX and KODAK Xerox*Quality Paper Best Quality Outstanding Service Knowledgeable Staff Competitive Prices Open 7 Days • Superb Quality Copies • Colour Laser Output • Self Serve Computers • Fax Service • Digital Colour Copies • Lamination • ...and more! - Serving UBC Since 1987 - ssftfa^aT^H^nTlT Mon to Fri 8am-9pm • Sat to Sun 10am-6pm iff** UBC LOWEST NEW TEXTBOOK PRICES Our Guarantee \JI7e guarantee the lowest price T ▼ in the City of Vancouver on new textbooks. Our guarantee applies to both required and optional textbooks listed for UBC credit courses in the current term. Sorry, books on suggested reading lists are not included. Found • tew»r~prfc«rf textbook? ► Please contact any of our book staff. Tell us where you found it at a lower price. We will confirm the price and lower our price on all stock of that title, in most cases within 24 hours. ►■ We will reward you for helping us meet our guarantee. The first person reporting a lower price elsewhere will receive a $10 gift certificate from the Bookstore. SEE IN-STORE DISPLAY FOR COMPLETE DETAILS / UBC BOOKSTORE Serving liie Umvcrsily of Bnlisli Columbia fur HI 6200 University Blvd. Vancouver B.C. V6T 1Z4 Phone: 822-2665 Fax: 822-8592 »*. sub building 241K writers, designers, artists and posers Wanted 8 AUGUST 15, 1996 THE UBYSSEY Running with UBCs soft spoken Olympian by Wolf Depner Jeff Schiebler/s Olympic tale reads like a Dickens novel. "The best thing was competing; the worst was not competing as well as I hoped," the UBC track and field star and fourth year Human Kinetics student said. And who could argue with him. Schiebler was the lone Canadian entry in the men's 10,000 m competition only to finish last in his preliminary heat in a time of 29:47 almost two minutes slower than his personal best. "[There was] a full range of emotions in that whole competition," the 23-year old New Westminister native said. "In an individual sport you are really only there for yourself, to do as well as you can." "And to be so excited about being there, to have goals, and then within ten or fifteen minutes know that those goals are not going to be met...is a huge disappointment." Race conditions were far from ideal when runners lined up to race at ten o'clock in the evening on July 26. The temperature trackside hovered around 30 degrees, but Schiebler blames the humidity for his poor performance. Just prior to Atlanta, he spent two weeks in South Carolina trying to get used to the swampy climate. But Schiebler couldn't adjust and ran his "worst race in the last yeai-" according to UBC Cross Country Coach Marek Jedrzejek who has worked with Schiebler since 1989. "[Jeff] is a very tough competitor who can handle a lot of pressure at the big events," Jedrzejek noted. "That was not the real Jeff Schiebler out there." The Schiebler File National Championships 1995 - 10,000 m Born: June 1. 1973 1995 - 1,500 m New Westminster, BC 1994-1,500 m Residence: New Westminster, BC 1993 - 3.500 m Height: 175 cm (5'9") 1992 - 1,300 m Weight: 59 kg (129 lb) CIAU Championships 1996-3,000 m Personal Bests: 1995 - 10,000 cross-country 10,000 m - 28:05.84 May/95 Canada West Championships 5,000 m -13:38.11 June/96 1996-3,000 m 3,000 m steeple chase - 1995-3,000 m 8:40.28 July/92 1994-3,000 m "I have a lot of problems running in humid conditions," Schiebler admits. '1 thought going into [the race] I had done everything I could to prepare for the heat and humidity...I know I could have done better in a different climate, in a different situation [and] on a different day." He stumbled into running ten years ago when it was just "another sport" for him. "But right away I ^^^^^^^^^^^^^™ was doing very well for my age, beating a lot of guys older than me," he said. Over time he focused on mnning and established himself as one of Canada's top long-distance runners, ranking 47th in world in the 10,000 m. Although he wants to run in the Sydney Olympics four years from now, he does not expect to compete in 2004. "Running twenty-five laps at the age of thirty-one may not be that much fun," he joked. While Schiebler's Olympic future beyond the year 2000 remains in doubt, his financial future certainly is not. He will earn an undisclosed six-figure annual salary after inking a two-year deal with a major Japanese corporate sponsor last May to "basically run and to do some promotional work" near Tokyo. The company will also provide Schiebler with board, room and transportation during his stay in Japan where JEFF SCHIEBLER-"One major goal now is to do well at the Olympics, not to just get there and be happy with that" CHRIS NUTTALL-SMITH PHOTO track and field generates huge revenues and is only second to baseball in popularity. "It is a very good opportunity for me," he said. "I will never know if I ever get offered something like that again." With very few expenses, Schiebler wants to save up for the future and hopes to attend law school after his running days are over. He also wants to pick up Japanese, hoping that it will open doors for him in the corporate world. But the track is never far from his mind. "Something I would like to work while in Japan is pre-race confidence," he said. "In my race I was lined up between the defending Olympic champion and the world record holder and you think 'do I really belong here at this level with these guys?" "I should not be thinking that way. Once you start thinking like that you'll give those guys a head start," he said. Overall, he is still reflecting on the 1996 Games. "I'm a fairly level-headed person. I don't get excited that easily nor do I get down too easily. I take everything as it comes. But the opening ceremonies [were] pretty awesome," he recalled. "We had been in the village for two days, but it was not until we were walking to the opening ceremonies that we realised that we were actually at the Olympics." However Schiebler found the village and Atlanta hectic, distracting and very chaotic. Having been to several world championships and Commonwealth Games, he was disappointed with the way the Olympics were put on. "There was just a lack of organisation everywhere," he said. Indeed, he experienced problems first hand when the shuttle bus carrying him to his heat venue had to fight its way through Friday afternoon rush-hour traffic instead of being given priority on the highway. He was also puzzled by the public's immediate response to the still-unsolved Centennial Park bombing. "It was a weird situation. People were grieving on the spot where this bomb had gone off, putting flowers down and the next day, the park had been opened up again and people were dancing on the same spot." He said. "People seemed to get over it pretty quickly." Nonetheless, Schiebler is brirnming with quiet confidence and determination when the conversation drifts to his athletic future. "The most important thing Marek [Jedrzejek] has taught me is patience," he said. "It takes a lot of time to get to a certain level and we are still hoping that I have not reached my peak yet, and that I will go on to an even higher level." Sports sexism, cost of games, and player updates Disturbing: Fifty-seven percent of female university athletes say male athletes have made sexist jokes or comments to them, according to an unpublished survey conducted by the Canadian Inter-university Athletic Union (CIAU). The study also found that 177 percent of female athletes say their male counterparts have made comments that sport is an "inappropriate activity" for women. The survey was given to 1024 university athletes and will be used by the CIAU to set up sexual-harassment policies for university athletes, conducted by University of Windsor kinesiology professor Margery Holman. (Source: The Globe and Mail) Paying Dues: UBC Athletics announced UBC students will be charged $3.00 to attend regular T-Bird season games. In the past, students were able to attend regular season games for free and were only charged for "special events" like the Shrum Bowl, playoffs games and tournaments. UBC Athletics Director Bob Philip says the goal "is not to make a fortune, but to get people to go to the games" by giving them an entertainment value. This move was made possible following a "yes" vote on the athletic fee reallocation referendum held last January. Single-admission ticket prices to "special events" will remain the same. Catching on: Former T-Bird football star Grayson Shillingford played his best game yet for the NFL's Seattle Seahawks with three receptions for 24 yards in a 24-19 exhibition victory over the Oakland Raiders. Shillingford will have one more chance to impress the coaches before the August 20 cuts, when Seattle takes on the Indianapolis Colts August 17. Home Improvement: Women's basketball head coach Deb Hubband has recruited J.J. Rawlinson and Claire Reilly-Roe, two talented young guards out of Ontario. Huband is retooling in her second year at the helm after losing Kim Phipps and Michele Davey to graduation.