@prefix edm: . @prefix dcterms: . @prefix dc: . @prefix skos: . edm:dataProvider "CONTENTdm"@en ; dcterms:isReferencedBy "http://resolve.library.ubc.ca/cgi-bin/catsearch?bid=1211252"@en ; dcterms:isPartOf "University Publications"@en ; dcterms:issued "2015-08-26"@en, "2008-11-04"@en ; edm:aggregatedCHO "https://open.library.ubc.ca/collections/Ubysseynews/items/1.0126202/source.json"@en ; dc:format "application/pdf"@en ; skos:note """ BYSSEY November 4,2008 \\ www.ubyssey.ca missing the summer in the city since 1918 \\ volume xc, number 19 UBC's official student newspaper is published Tuesdays and Fridays Comics Events WU fumbles against UBC UBC Men's Basketball wins home opener against Trinity Western University PAGE 8 THE UBYSSEY WWW.UBYSSEY.CA NOVEMBER 4, 2Q08 Events If you have an event, e-mail us at events@ubyssey.ca ThhUbyssey Billy Bishop Goes to War * Billy Bishop Goes to War asks a new generation of theatre audiences to follow Canadian WW I fighter pilot Billy Bishop down in the trenches, up to the skies and inside the human spirit as he attempts to reconcile the ecstasy of flying with the horrors of war. • Nov. 3 - 1 1 @ 7:30pm, Chan Centre for the Perfoming Arts, Regular: $20, Seniors: $14, Students: $10, Monday: Theatre at UBC Alumni $5, Boxoffice: 604.822.2678 • The Bible for Beginners • The Bible for Beginners is an informal, no pressure examination of one of the most famous books in the world. Meet over lunch (Mondays 12-1 pm in SUB @ tables near Starbucks) or coffee (Wednesdays 2-3pm @ Ike's Cafe in the Irving K. Barber Center) to learn about this strange book. • revnathanwright@ mac.com • Vancouver Poetry Slam • Poetry slam competition with guest performers • Every Mon, 8pm, Cafe Deux Soleils (2096 Commercial). Admission $5/3, info 604-215- 9230 www.vancouverpoetryhouse. com • Stanley Park Halloween Ghost Train • Mortal Coil Performance Society presents a pirate-themed adventure featuring actors, dancers, performers, puppeteers, swordfighters, hat-making, paint- ing, storytelling, and the Haunted Children's Farmyard. • Oct. 10- Nov 21, Stanley Park Miniature Railway (Stanley Park). Tix $9/5.50 (plus service charges and fees) at www.ticketmaster.com. More info at www.vancouverparks.ca/* CiTR SHiNDiG • UBC's own CiTR Radio's battle of the bands. Hosted every Tuesday at the Railway Club • Ongoing every Tuesday until December 9, Railway Club (579 Dunsmuir). More info at 604-681- 1625* Free Movies! Cinema Politica @ UBC • Cinema Politica at UBC is a free weekly series showcasing movies that harness the power of film to engage issues relating to the environment, globalization, gender and sexuality, indigenous rights, global health, and student power. • Every Tuesday, 7pm, Norm Theatre, SUB More info at www.cinemapolitica.org/ubc • November 4 UBC Annual General Meeting * The University of British Columbia publishes its Annual Report to coincide with the Annual Genera Meeting (AGM) held each fall. Together they are a synopsis of the previous year's activities and milestones and represent a public commitment to be accountable to the communities we serve—as outlined in the university's strategic plan, Trek 2010. There will be a free tour of the new arena immediately following the AGM. • Nov. 4, 2008 @ 12-lpm, UBC Thunderbird Arena - 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games venue, 2555 Wesbrook Mall, Vancouver. More information at public.af- fairs@ubc.ca or 604.822.4636. • US Election Night Party • Join us in the Bookstore lobby for all the US Election Night action: Cast your ballot (regardless of nationality) in our North of the Border Poll. Come and watch the returns come in on our screens. Play Red State, Blue State Bingo. Try your hand at US Presidential Trivia. Free pizza, beverage and apple pie! • Tuesday, Nov. 4, 2008 @ 5pm - 8pm, 6200 University Blvd., Vancouver. More Information at www.bookstore. ubc.ca. • Indigenous Film Series * Indigenous film makers explore Indigenous voices through film This is a historical and contemporary look at the impacts of the Canada/United States border on ndigenous nations for whom the border has severed ancient ties to families, ceremonies, and homelands. The political relevance of the border has never been greater as this video highlights how heightened tensions over border security in a post 9/11 world impacts the everyday lives of Indigenous peoples. - Q&A with the filmmaker to follow screening • Nov. 4 @ 12:30 - 1:30pm, First Nations House of Learning, 1985 West Mall, Seminar Room • November 5 Wednesday Noon Hours: Raphael Wallfisch cello • English cellist Raphael Wallfisch perfoms a solo recital for unaccompanied cello J.S. Bach Suite No.1 in G Major, Block Suite No. 1 for solo cello and more • Wed, Nov. 5, 2008 12pm - 1pm UBC Point Grey Campus. $4 at the door (cash only) concerts© interchange.ubc.ca for more information • How Do I Go Global? • Imagine waking up for class in Chile, Australia or Denmark. Imagine going on a volunteer placement to Africa or a co-op placement in Singapore. This is your introduction to Go Global opportunities. Find out how it works and how you can participate. You will also get a glimpse of the experience from a student presentation. • Nov 5 @ I-2pm, Ike Barber Learning Center 182 • UBC Film Society presents Flight of the Red Balloon • A little boy and his baby-sitter inhabit the same imaginary world: through their adventures they are followed by a strange red balloon • Wed Nov. 5-9 @ 7:00pm, Norm Theatre, $2 members, $4 non members • UBC Film Society presents Sukiyaki Western Django * A revolver-wielding stranger crosses paths with two warring clans who are both on the hunt for a hidden treasure in a remote western town • Nov. 5-9 @ 9:30pm, Norm Theatre, $2 members, $4 non members • The 5th annual Downtown East- side Heart of the City Festival • Over 400 artists at over 80 events at 25 locations: music, theatre, media arts, dance, poetry, forums, workshops, visual arts, history walks • Nov. 5 - 29, various locations and times www.heartofthec- ityfestival.com. • November 6 The Merchant of Venice • Another one of the classics, Shakespeare's masterpiece staged by Canadian theatre veteran Antony Holland • Nov 6-30, Studio 58 (Langara College, 100 W 49th). Info 604- 323-5652. • November' UBC Guitar Ensemble * Nov 7, 2008 12pm - 1pm. FREE. Music Building, Recital Hall • concerts© interchange.ubc.ca for more information • Big Lebowski Beverage Garden • Show up early! This event sells out every year! Or become a member and skip the long non-member ine! Norm Theatre. The SUB. • Tix $3 members, $6 non-members (members can't bring non-members). 7-11pm • Cuban Cultural Night • Vancouver Communities in Solidarity with Cuba (VCSC) "The Strength and Spirit of Cuban Women" Monthly Cuba Cultural-Film Night featuring the Cuban Film "Lucia" • Nov. 7at 7:00pm, Mt Pleasant Neighbourhood House (800 E Broadway - 1 block East of Fraser St) More info @ www.vancubasolidarity.com • Organic Drinks • Interested in Environmental and Sustainability issues See it in Action! Come to Mediterra this Friday November 7 . One of the most popular events will be the tasting of fresh, organic drinks. Learn about the compostable and biodegradable food packaging. As well as healthier Mediterranean food option now available on Campus to Students, Faculty, and Staff. • Free event 11:30am - 1:30pm SUB Lower Level. • November 8 Men's Hockey vs. Saskatchewan Huskies • WINNING IS MORE FUN WITH YOU THERE!!! Don't forget to get your season's pass—get you into every home game for every sport. For more information, ncluding previews, recaps, and a complete season schedule, head to gothunderbirds.ca $50 adult/$20 youth/$10 student (Blue Crew) • Nov. 8 @ 7:30 - 10pm, Thunderbird Winter Sports Centre, Tickets: $ 10 adult/$4 youth & senior/$2 UBC student. • November 11 UBC Community Remembrance Day Ceremony • This event will be an opportunity to honour and remember all those who served in times of war, military conflict and peace. This year, we wil commemorate two significant anniversaries, the 90th anniversary of the end of the First World War and the 60th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights The ceremony will include music provided by the UBC School of Music, short readings and remarks UBC Vice-President, External, Legal and Community Relations, Stephen Owen; AMS President, Michael Duncan; and Dr John Blatherwick, former Chief Medical Health Officer for the Vancouver Coastal Health Authority, Honorary Colonel with the Canadian Forces Reserves will be among this year's speakers. • Nov. 11 @ 10:45AM - 11:35 AM, War Memorial Gym. For more information, visit: www. ceremonies, ubc. ca/ceremonies/me- morial/remembrance.html • November 12 Wednesday Noon Hours: Heather Schmidt, piano * Heather Schmidt, piano. Lunch with Heather, Fanny and Clara Schmidt, Mendelssohn and Schumann: A recita of music by women composers. • Wed, Nov 12, 2008 12pm - 1pm UBC Point Grey Campus. $4 at the door (cash only) • November 17 UBC World AIDS Week* Description: World AIDS Awareness. Selling of Red Ribbons and Little Travellers to help fundraise and promote AIDS awareness. • Nov. 17-21, SUB ubcredcross@gmail. com • ass ified If you want to place a classified, e-mail us at advertising@ubyssey.ca Student Events Your adhere! Your ad here! Your adhere! G-Klubbing at the Cellar on November 14 at 9pm $5/ticket until November 7! VIP entry and a FREE drink before 10pm. For tickets, email fundraising@ubcgoldenkey.org - they won't be sold at the door! November 4'", 2008 volume xc, n"19 Editorial Board COORDINATING EDITOR Kellan Higgins : coordinating@ubyssey.ca NEWS EDITORS Stephanie Findlay & Justin McElroy : news@ubyssey.ca CULTURE EDITOR Trevor Melanson : culture@ubyssey.ca SPORTS EDITOR Shun Endo sports@ubysseyca FEATURES & PERSPECTIVES EDITOR Joe Rayment: features@ubyssey.ca PHOTO EDITOR Goh Iromoto :photos@ubyssey.ca PRODUCTION MANAGER Paul Bucci: production@ubyssey.ca COPY EDITOR Celestian Rince : copy@ubyssey ca VOLUNTEER COORDINATOR Ricardo Bortolon : volunteers@ubysseyca WEBMASTER Adam Leggett: webmaster@ubyssey ca MULTIMEDIA EDITOR Dan Haves: 7nulti7nedia@ubyssey.ca Editorial Office Room 24, Student Union Building 6138 Student Union Boulevard Vancouver, BCV6T 1Z1 tel: 604-822-2301 fax: 604-822-9279 web: www.ubyssey.ca e-mail: feedback @ubyssey.ca Business Office Room 23, Student Union Building advertising: 604-822-1654 business office: 604-822-6681 fax: 604-822-1658 e-mail: advertising@ubyssey.ca BUSINESS MANAGER : Fernie Pereira AD TRAFFIC : Sabrina Marchand AD DESIGN : Gerald Deo The Ubyssey is the official student newspaper ofthe University of British Columbia. It is published every Tuesday and Friday by The Ubyssey Publications Society. We are an autonomous, democratically run student organization,and all students are encouraged to participate. Editorials are chosen and written by the Ubyssey staff. They are the expressed opinion of the staff, and do not necessarily reflect the views of The Ubyssey Publications Society or the University of British Columbia. All editorial content appearing in The Ubyssey is the property of The Ubyssey Publications Society. Stories, opinions, photographs and artwork contained herein cannot be reproduced without the expressed, written permission of The Ubyssey Publications Society. The Ubyssey is a founding member of Canadian University Press (CUP) and adheres to CUP's guiding principles. 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 ofThe Ubyssey; otherwise verification will be done by phone."Perspectives"are opinion pieces over 300 words but under 750 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 sensitive.Opinion pieces will not be run until the identity of the writer has been verified.The Ubyssey reserves the right to editsubmissionsfor length and clarity.All letters must be received by 12 noon the day before intended publication. Letters received after this point will be published in the following issue unless there is an urgenttime restriction or other matter deemed relevant bythe Ubyssey staff It is agreed by all persons placing display or classified advertising that if the Ubyssey Publications Society fails to publish an advertisement or if an error in the ad occurs the liability ofthe UPS will not begreaterthanthe price pa id for the ad. The UPS shall not be responsible for slight changes or typographical errors that do not lessen the value or the impact ofthe ad. Contributors The hot midday sun beat down on Kellan Higgins, Paul Bucci and Joe Rayment as they struggled to excavate artefacts of the lost tribe of Goh Iromoto from the Celestian Rince dig site. Justin McElroy and Kasha Chang had contracted mysterious plagues and were tended to nearby by Stephanie Findlay and Dan Haves. Suddenly Gavin Fisher, Kathy Yan Li and Kyrstin Bain arrived,panting,to announcethat Ricardo Bortolon,Maria Cirst- ea, Helaine Boyd and Alexis Stroymenoff had been kidnapped by cannibals and faced a Tara Martellaro-style demise. Trevor Melanson immediately called for a search party consisting of Kie Shiroma, Jon Horn, Keegan Bursaw and Trevor Record, but they encountered only bloody skeletons and the remains of a cooking fire. Gerald Deo snapped a photo of a disembodied ribcage "for posterity" and was chastised by Michelle Silongan. News later broke that Rebecca Debrake, Ian Turner, Maayan Kreitzman and Amanda Bedard had also disappeared while backpacking through this area. Local policewomen Emma Myers and Rachel Lipson invenstigated the case, and the incident was subject to an inquiry by the Aaron Tarn association.The results of both were inconclusive. V Canada Post Sales Agreement Number 0040878022 Canadian printed onH'00% University recycledipaper Press \\ljpP NOVEMBER 4, 200 8 THE UBYSSEY WWW.UBYSSEY.CA Campbell defends education cuts Premier visits UBC, sharpens attacks against the NDP by Justin McElroy News Editor With his party making the transition toward the 2009 election, British Columbia Premier Gordon Campbell came to campus late last month to talk about some UBC-centric issues. First, Campbell made a stop at the UBC School ofjournalism, where he spoke to graduate students about the opportunities and challenges BC faces as the gateway to the Pacific in a globalized economy—specifically in light of the recent economic downturn. "Just three or four weeks ago, our economists said we would be buffered by this. I think everyone understands we're not going to be buffered," he said, adding that "as long we remain a commodity-based economy, we're going to be subject to the battering we face." In response to a more local issue for students—affordable housing—Campbell offered up his own suggestions for what municipal governments could do. "Young people today say it's hard...to afford a house. All the city would have to do is say they will allow for 33 foot lot subdivisions and they would probably drive down the cost of housing in Vancouver by about $200,000 a unit. That's pretty significant savings, I think." Next up for the premier was an interview with The Ubyssey. Over coffee at Sage Bistro, Camp bell discussed his party's legacy since taking office in 2001. In the process, he offered up a possible preview of the political rhetoric he'll be using in the months leading up to the May 12, 2009 provincial election. "We've got a renewed sense of confidence and that spirit that I was used to in BC when I was growing up has returned to BC," he said. Campbell contrasted the economic record of his government with that of the NDP from 1991-2001, as he said "the real challenge is we face in the months ahead is are we going to move in the 21st century, or are we going to back to the 1990s?" Campbell also hammered NDP leader Carole James for her opposition to the carbon tax, a key policy plank for the Liberal government's efforts to fight climate change. "In BC, we're taking on the challenge of climate change as opposed to simply talking about it, and [young people] realize that's a big part of their future." Turning to issues on campus, Campbell defended the abrupt funding change to BC universities made last spring, which left UBC with $13.3 million less in funding for this year than they were originally anticipating. Nonetheless, Campbell argued that the overall increase in post-secondary education funding was more important. "I think when you're adding tens of millions dollars to a budget, you're not reducing it," he said, Premier Campbell discusses his party's economic record at UBC. aaron tam photo/the ubyssey pointing out the new universities created outside the Lower Mainland during his time in office as positive measures for students. When pressed to cite specific government initiatives that had benefited UBC in the past seven years, Campbell said that his government had "been a big partner with UBC in the international projects they've undertaken, in the research initiatives they've undertaken." The premier also noted the $550 million invested in capital projects since 2001, citing the Irving K. Barber Library and the Life Sciences Building as examples of government contribution. On issues of governance and development at UBC, Campbell declined to take a stand, believing them best left up to those living on campus. "I always say in terms of governance issues that they have to come from the ground-up, not the top down." At the same time, he seemed to admit that the governance situation UBC faced was less than ideal: "To be candid about it, no one would start and look at the Lower Mainland and say what we want is 18 municipalities. It's what we have though." Campbell, who lives an apartment complex in the south of campus, also revealed the place he enjoys most at UBC—"the bookstore, by far,"—but said that his favourite thing to do is to "walk around here, the atmosphere is different. For me, it's palpable. "To walk along the malls, the green space, it's not that I have to do anything there, it's just being." % Electoral A candidates talk for the first time The race for the only electable position on campus heats up by Rebecca teBrake News Writer The race heated up in Electoral Area A last week, as the five candidates for Director duked it out at a debate in the Old Barn Community Centre. The University Neighbourhoods Association (UNA), which hosted the debate, asked candidates to discuss their positions on governance, transit and the futures of Pacific Spirit Regional Park and the UBC Farm. Itwas the first time candidates met to debate the issues publicly. This year's race gives voters a choice of five candidates: • Maria Harris, an economist and member ofthe ratepayer's Association; • Charles Menzies, a UBC professor of anthropology and member of the University Neighbourhoods Association; • Matthew Naylor, a fourth- year political science student and resident of UBC; • Fred Pritchard, former associate vice-president of Campus and Community Planning at UBC and resident of University Town; • Ben West, a Vancouver resident and a Healthy Communities campaigner for the Western Canada Wilderness Committee; During the debate the candidates differed more in degree than Five candidates for Electoral Area A debate, rebecca tebrake photo/the ubyssey substance on many ofthe issues. All the candidates expressed their support for the UBC Farm, an issue that is a rallying point for many UBC students. Menzies echoed the "24 or more" slogan of the student-led campaign to save the entirely ofthe farm's 24 hectares. Harris and Naylor went one step further to support rezoning the farm to protect it from housing development and incorporate it into planning at the Metro Vancouver level. The candidates diverged on the issue of land alienation in Pacific Spirit Regional Park, where land was recently ceded to the Musqueam First Nation through a land claims process. "I found it abhorrent that the province would come along, chop out part of the park," Pritchard said. "One morning it brought in legislation to rezone the land and bythe end ofthe day there was 20 acres rezoned that would allow for a million square feet of development without one word from residents." Pritchard said he would work to ensure the voice of the community was heard. Similarly, Harris supported the preservation of the park in its entirety. Menzies, who described himself as "indigenous and immigrant," underscored the realities of Canadian law. "I think that we need to begin with the recognition and affirmation that we do in fact stand on unrecognized and unceded territory," said Menzies. "It's Canadian jurisprudence that says that in BC in the absence of a treaty, aboriginal rights and title have not been extinguished." Naylor also expressed his respect for the treaty process. All the candidates demanded the need to improve transit services to UBC through a rapid light transit system, differing only on the components ofthe system. Pritchard supports the extension of the SkyTrain to UBC, while West wants to see more immediate action. "The thing to do is to double the number of buses on the road and make designated bus lanes," he said. Naylor and Harris focused on the need for representation on the Mayor's Council of Regional Transportation to ensure the transportation needs of UBC are considered. Governance in Electoral Area A underlay the entire debate. All of the candidates are against amalgamation with the City of Vancouver and affirmed they would not alter the status quo without extensive community consultation. Their ideas on the urgency of consultation and change diverged. Naylor is the only candidate pursuing a consultation process as part of his platform, running on the promise of an 18-month consultation process with all the groups in Electoral Area A. "The governance we choose is going to determine the shape and character of our community for the next century so we have to get it right," Naylor said. Pritchard spoke vaguely of the need for an "enhanced status quo," while Menzies and West expressed their support for more democratic governance. "We live in a situation in a real democratic deficiency. We clearly, clearly need to have real representative democracy," Menzies said. West agreed, saying "The status quo is unacceptable. It breaks my heart when I knock on people's doors and they tell me they can't vote. I have to explain to them that they get to elect someone to the GVRD board. I will be a strong advocate for at least having some sort of public process and work out what is the most appropriate solution." At the end of the debate, West differentiated himself from the other candidates by addressing his political arrangement with COPE and Vision Vancouver, who will not run candidates against him in Electoral Area A. "I am running as part of a collaborative agreement between political parties. I see politics, in truth, as a team sport and you need to have allegiance and allies and people working with you to accomplish things. I come to the table with a certain amount of relationship in the city of Vancouver," West said. All the other candidates are unaffiliated with the parties competing in Vancouver's municipal election. \\a 4 | NEWS THE UBYSSEY WWW.UBYSSEY.CA NOVEMBER 4, 2Q08 4526 West 10th Avenue Vancouver, B.C. V6R2J1 Phone: 604-224-PEAK (7325) www.peakchiropractic.ca E-mail: drdaniellemckinney@gmail.com I Active Release Technique (ART) ® certified Spinal Adjustments Custom Orthotics Common Conditions Treated: • Neck and low back pain • Headaches • Sports injuries • Repetitive strain injuries (carpal tunnel syndrome, tendonitis, postural syndrome) • Motor vehicle and workplace injuries UBC STUDENT DISCOUNTS available Dr. Danielle McKinney currently offers evening and weekend appointments PRESENTS: A high-flying au ». * *•,».. humor, thehellfire, andth extraord Written & Composed by John Gray with Eric Peterson GOES _ TO WAR Direfted-^araflffodgers /barring ( Rvan Beil & Zacharv Gray October 30 to November 11 Poppy Fund Benefit November 11th! I tLU J jtUQlO I IIGcltrG This Canadian classic will receive a second production by First Impressions Theatre from November 5 to 22,200S. TlCKGtS* $20/$14/$10 Visitwww-fi'stimpressionstheatre.com qB ig Telephone: 604.822.2678 www.theatre.ubc.ca \\f / ™E\\ presents a BC150 Year Celebration Concert featuring DEE DANIELS | and the White Rock Children's Choir Sunday, November 9th, 2008 at 2:00pm The Chan Centre for Performing Arts, UBC Tickets: $28.00 Seniors/Students: $25.00 Available from: the Chan Ticket Office 604 822-2697 Ticketmaster Charge-by-phone 604 280-3311 * and on the web: www.ticketmaster.ca * * charges aPPiy or the Orpheus Choir Hotline 604 515-5686 www.vancouverorpheus.orq BCurri a OUyears Dean Simon Peacock spoke to a small crowd to address student concerns, john horn photo/the ubyssey Science dean fields complaints Praises "underestimated" undergraduates by Ian Turner News Staff After two years on the job, dean of science Simon Peacock recently held his first town hall meeting with undergraduates. While the dean was interested in promoting his vision for the department, he often disagreed with the complaints of students. Peacock spoke about science's increasing relevance in our world today. 'Just about every newspaper topic has a strong science connection," he said. One of Peacock's goals is to work with other deans to create more multidisciplinary courses. Peacock cited the fact that the majority ofthe world's problems are intertwined as a reason for his interest in bridging the gap between different faculties. One example he gave was the subject of global warming, where he believed the economics and politics of climate change could be incorporated with the science behind it to allow for a more well-rounded perspective for students. However, students were more interested in voicing their own complaints about the department. A common complaint was that feedback from online course evaluations had little impact. The dean rejected this charge. "Instructors want to help you to learn. Let the instructors know your thoughts and questions. Break down the barriers quickly," he said. Another common student question was focused on concerns that classes were spread across the campus—not centred within a small radius. The dean sympathized with the students, but could only say "this is a challenging time for UBC because of the number of buildings undergoing renewal." Another complaint was insufficient career guidance and resources to science's various individual streams. Paul G. Harrison, science's associate dean, stated rather bluntly that students "have got to be proactive. We send out the emails. It's there if you want to use it." At one point, Peacock praised UBC students, noting that Nobel Prize-winning Carl Wieman issued a report that found science's incoming undergraduate classes are on par with those of America's elite, such as Berkeley. "If you ask me what my biggest surprise was after arriving at UBC: the undergrads blow me away. UBC is continually underestimated." The dean closed the meeting with two brief thoughts: "Keep learning and help others." Science student senator Geoff Costeloe was pleased with the turnout, approximately 30 people. He noted that while the next town hall is planned for next term the "dialogue is always open." AMS VP Academic Alex Lougheed echoed those thoughts said, "We're establishing a culture to get a higher turnout comparable to the Faculty of Arts." "SI Halloweeners help the hungry Over 400 students proved last Friday, you're never too old to go trick-or-treating. However, these volunteers for the AMS Foodbank and Meal Exchange Vancouver didn't collect candy for themselves—instead, they asked for canned goods to donate to the AMS and Greater Vancouver Food Bank. The result? 7000 cans, boxes and packages of food, or 8750 pounds worth. Since it's never too early to start planning for next year, think about spending a few hours next Halloween for an important cause. As Alia Dharamsi, President of Meal Exchange, and Sijia Lun, AMS Foodbank Coordinator, describe it, "scare up some food and take a bite out of hunger." —Michelle Silongan UBYSSEY FILE PHOTO W m^AL NOVEMBER 4, 200 8 THE UBYSSEY WWW.UBYSSEY.CA CULTURE I 7 Triage: James Orbinski's fight against complacency Film director talks about his experiences in Somalia and Rwanda BY KlE SHIROMA Culture Writer There's a jolt and an overwhelming sickness that grasps and catapults you as you watch Triage, a documentary featuring former Medecins Sans Frontieres (MSF) president and Dignitas co-founder James Orbinski. Prior to watching the film, I didn't think that I would be so affected, having seen a lot of footage on Rwanda. However, as Orbinski says in the film, "It's the smell, it's the feeling that grips you," and his reality came alive for me even though I wasn't there to personally experience the horrors of the violence in Somalia and Rwanda. Orbinski and his fellow MSF doctors had to treat wounds according to urgency. For example, he had to resort to splitting patients into three groups: the first group was patients who had to be looked at within 24 hours, the second was patients who had to be examined immediately and the third was patients who had virtually no chance of surviving. Orbinski notes that it became a "technical decision" rather than a "moral decision." Triage pulls you out of apathy, and asks you what you're doing to help. It makes a connection between the people in war- torn nations and people in the developed world by showing the different individuals Orbinski was touched by. The pain that the people underwent was striking. It made me think that this is the sort of footage that should be shown on the news. At one point, Orbinski speaks to former colleague Lesto in Somalia. Lesto, while pained In a hospital located in Somalia, Dr James Orbinski (right) and Dr Tamir (centre) examine a patient with a gunshot wound, courtesy of white pine pictures by what his country has gone through, states that he loves his country no matter what has happened there. There is also another scene when Orbinski thinks back to an incident where a gang came to steal mattresses from the camp that the MSF staff were living at. They ended up holding Lesto at gunpoint, asking for a ransom of $500 US, which Orbinski quickly paid. Orbinski was present at the film and he provided some interesting insights into humanitari- anism, politics, and how media can play a role in engaging the greater populace. I also spoke to Orbinski after the film, and my friend Fiona asked, "What can you do to make people care?" He responded, "You can guide a horse to water." The idiom goes that you can't force a horse to drink, but Orbinski believes that some horses might drink if there is enough guidance. Orbinski will be speaking at the Chan Centre on November 7. Tickets are free for students and faculty. Triage will be widely released on November 14. \\a They ended up holding Lesto at gunpoint, asking for a ransom of $500, which Orbinski quickly paid. Big Brother is watching you. Identity theft. Cyberstalking. Spy satellites. Surveillance cameras. These are among the most critical issues facing 21st century life. For Emily Smith, an M.A. graduate of Sociology and Research Associate on Queen's New Transparency Project, the answers are sometimes found on an inspiring waterfront walk. Emily chose Queen's for her graduate work because of the close interaction between faculty and students, and the high level of academic discourse that comes from it. "Your eyes get opened to a lot of new perspectives", she says. Looking for a place to put yourself and your ideas to the test? Come to Queen's. To learn more about Queen's Graduate Studies, or to apply, visit www.queensu.ca/sgs LSAT MCAT GMAT GRE Preparation Seminars • Complete 30-Hour Seminars • Convenient Weekend Schedule • Proven Test-Taking Strategies • Experienced Course Instructors • Comprehensive Study Materials • Simulated Practice Exams • Limited Class Size • Free Repeat Policy • Personal Tutoring Available • Thousands of Satisfied Students OXFORD SEMINARS 604-683-3430 1-800-269-6719 www.oxfordseminars.ca lnion If you 'd like to submit a letter, please contact feedback@ubyssey.ca November 4,2008 | Page 9 The Education Insider Councillors dropped the ball on CASA by Maayan Kreitzman Columnist It's generally assumed that it's important for a university to be part of a lobbying group. In Canada, we have two choices; the federal-lobbying focused Canadian Alliance of Student Associations (CASA), and the more activisty, left-wing stepsister known as the Canadian Federation of Students (CFS). Given that the AMS is a founding member of CASA, I was surprised to hear that at last Wednesday's council meeting, at the behest of Stefanie Ratjen and Matthew Naylor (the current and former VP externals, respectively), AMS council decided to downgrade its membership in the organization to 'associate member.' This means they can no longer vote, and will pay about half as much money to the organization. Well, here's my opinionated take on it. AMS council has allowed itself to be convinced without due diligence by a few members of the executive. As somebody who has tried on a few occasions to get stuff passed through AMS council, and been frustrated by its reluctance to change relatively insignificant technical procedures, I'm quite shocked that such a typically cautious group would so enthusiastically change the AMS's long-standing position on CASA due to a laundry list of mostly minor and partially irrelevant complaints. Let's talk about them shall we? In August, the AMS wrote a letter to CASA outlining a number of valid but minor issues such as the tone of discussions, the language used and the social activities offered at a recent conference. These were all fully and reasonably addressed in the response letter from CASA (which I invite you to read on www.ubcinsiders.blogspot.com). More substantive issues like a difference in priorities—the AMS wants to focus on tuition, for instance—and too much influence of staffers on policy decisions, are things that should be addressed within the organization at some length before threatening withdrawal. Other complaints, like the fact that CASA no longer funds awareness campaigns during federal elections, the lack of capacity for provincial lobbying and the supposed eastern focus ofthe organization are just silly. CASA is a federal organization and was never ever intended for provincial lobbying. And while most CASA schools are actually in the east, last year's AMS President, Jeff Friedrich, was the CASA chairperson—literally the guy setting the agenda. So suggesting that the AMS is systematically ignored doesn't hold up. The AMS's letter to CASA correctly points out that for the 45 grand we pay them each year we could hire our own federal researcher/lobbyist. But the whole point of being part of a larger association is the increased influence and resources that students have collectively. Ratjen, as a left-wing radical who thinks that "education is a right, not a privilege," is obviously not politically aligned with CASA. Fine. That doesn't mean that AMS councillors should ignore the AMS's long history with the organization and immediately buy into a mostly frivolous list of grievances. If the AMS decides, in a wide-ranging discussion with members that our investment in CASA is not worth the value, then by all means, it should reconsider membership. I have yet to see a convincing example to demonstrate this. The claim that this move will "send a strong signal" and that the AMS still has "all its options open" are just spin on what is a basically a bullying tactic. Instead of openly pursuing the substantive issues, the AMS is throwing its weight around. CASA is obviously different things to different people. Some people see it as a good chance to network with other student associations and not much else. Others (including me) think that the access CASA provides to federal politicians, their research, policy papers, and permanent presence in Ottawa is decent value for the comparatively modest investment we make in it. By comparison, CFS fees are significantly higher, and they're regularly spurned by politicians in the ruling parties due to their more aggressive tactics. More disturbing than the actual decision is the process preceeding it, which was very short and a little spotty. To me this evokes doubts as to the motives of those leading the charge. It's no secret that there wasn't much love lost between Naylor and most of the leaders in CASA during his time as VP external. The "consultation" with former executives that was apparently conducted did not extend to numerous past student leaders who viewed the relationship with CASA more positively. Also, the fact that nobody from CASA was invited to speak to council about Wednesday's motion (they were only informed of it on the day it was happening by The Ubyssey who emailed them for a comment) is unfair. Since there was nobody at council to speak against the motion, it seems like rookie councillors were somehow convinced that the frivolous issues raised since August are "longstanding." The working group that was convened to discuss the issue was only attended by ten people, four of which were AMS executives or staff, and there was no disagreement recorded in the minutes. Huh? Problem is, only about those ten people, and maybe another 20 know CASA from a hole in the wall. It's pretty hard not to be manipulated by executive agendas when nobody else has an opinion. \\a Maayan Kreitzman blogs at www.ubcinsiders.blogspot.com. am.S Insider weekly student society a weekly look at what's new at your student society 11.04.08 MUNICIPAL ELECTIONS - NOVEMBER 15™ EI Vote in the Vancouver-city and Electoral A Elections III III III III With rental housing costs sky rocketing, inadequate transit services, and a childcare waitlist at UBC of 1,400 for only 500 spots, your vote will make a difference in the upcoming elections. MEET N GREET VANCOUVER CANDIDATES Meet Your Vancouver City Councillor Candidates! This is a chance to you to get to know your candidates for the Municipal Election and ask them your hard hitting questions on issues that are important to you. Time: 10:00 a.m.- 3:00 p.m. Date:Thursday, November 6th and Friday, November 7,h Location: SUB Concourse Electoral A Rep Debate Time: 7:00 - 9:00 p.m. Date: Wednesday, November 12th Location: Acadia Commons Block Electoral A Candidates will debate on issues such as the UBC Farm, campus land use and development, governance at UBC and transit service levels. The Electoral A Rep acts as the UBC-area advocate within the GVRD local government. Live off campus? You can vote for councillors, school board and parks board representatives. (Note: Elections are taking place in every city in the Greater Vancouver Regional District) Live on campus? You can vote for Vancouver School Board representative and a GVRD Electoral A representative. ubcfarm AT THE UNIVERSITY OF BRITISH COLUMBIA All-Candidates Meeting for Electoral Area A brought to you by Friends of the UBC Farm and the AMS VP External Office On Thursday, November 6th an all-candidates meeting will be held in the Conversation Pit (first floor, between the Art Gallery and Bernoulli's Bagels) of the Student Union Building (SUB). 6:30 - 7:00 p.m.: Food & refreshments, and meet the candidates 7:00 - 9:00 p.m.: All-candidates forum The forum will provide an opportunity for the UBC residents and students as well as the greater community to learn about the positions ofthe candidates with regards to UBC's Campus Plan, specifically the development of south campus as it related to the future ofthe UBC Farm. Candidates for Metro Vancouver's Electoral Area A: Maria Harris, Charles Menzies, Matthew Naylor, Fred Pritchard, Ben West IM7sub PROJECT The end of top-down planning. It's time for bottom-up planning. For more information, please visit www.amsubc.ca Now is your big chance to help design the NEW Student Union Building. Please participate to ensure that student needs are accurately accounted for, that student money is well spent, and that you leave a lasting impression on your university Please attend one or more of the following Thematic Sessions. The information collected in these sessions will be used to generate the design ofthe SUB. These sessions are organized by the AMS Student Society and are facilitated by students. To attend a session or several sessions relevant to your experience at UBC or to volunteer at a session, RSVP to subrenewal@ams.ubc.ca Zero Footprint SUB: Sustainability & Food Security Tues., Nov. 4:12:30 - 2:00 p.m., SUB Council Chambers (Room 206) Public Space, Inside and Outside the New SUB Wed., Nov. 5:12:30 - 2:00 p.m., SUB Council Chambers (Room 206) Reconsidering the "Underground Bus Loop" Thurs., Nov. 6:12:30 - 2:00 p.m., SUB Room 212a What Is to Be Done with the "Old SUB"? Fri., Nov. 7:12:30 - 2:00 p.m., SUB Council Chambers (Room 206) Editorial If you'd like to submit a letter, please contact feedback@ubyssey.ca November 4,2008 | Page 10 Our view Governing our Farm Governance and the UBC Farm. They're two big issues getting plenty of attention in the local media (i.e. this paper) recently. As they should be—the cloudy way UBC is run as a pseudo-city deserves special attention during a municipal election, and the fate of the farm is at the front of more than a few students' minds these days. Which makes it somewhat serendipitous that the two issues collided last Friday, when the Metro Vancouver board voted unanimously that the UBC Farm should remain in its present 24-hectare size and location. Now, the Metro Vancouver board is the only form of municipal government that serves the campus. Only one of its 36 members are directly elected by people living at UBC (Electoral Area A—yay democracy!). The board is responsible for overseeing the general growth and development ofthe Lower Mainland, delivery of essential services and other overarching municipal issues. Which means that whenever they have to delve into UBC development issues, such as in 2005 with cutting back the size ofthe Marine Drive Towers, it's more than a little bit silly. Councillors from Port Moody and Surrey shouldn't be forced to take stands about what goes on west of Blanca. Nonetheless, the Metro Vancouver board, in all their wisdom, have voiced their opinion on the farm. The Vancouver Sun and the Georgia Straight have reported on this news as being significant for its future. Colour us skeptical on that one for a number of reasons. First, UBC is granted jurisdiction for development through the Official Community Plan (OCP), which is in itself a Metro Vancouver bylaw. If UBC ever did decide to develop any of the 24 hectares, they would need to get the OCP amended—and that's when Metro Vancouver would have real power. As of now, it's a purely symbolic measure. Let's face facts. Unfortunately, the reality is that the decision lies not in the hands of 15,000 ardent supporters—or city council—but in those of the UBC powers that be. How did they respond to the council's unanimous vote? Murray Isman, dean of the Faculty of Land and Food Systems, said that the vote will be taken into consideration, but at the end of the day the decision will be based on academic and financial grounds. Emphasis, perhaps, should be placed on the latter. It's election time, and these are self-interested councillors. Votes on UBC issues have no bearing in their own municipalities. Why vote against a resolution for preserving green space for a university you don't represent? Everyone and their hamster knows we're in a "global food crisis" and it's an extremely unpopular decision to pave over the farm with housing. It's not a polemical situation for the average Vancouverite. Mel Lehan, a supporter of the farm, was quoted in the Georgia Straight as saying he's never had a petition that was so easy to get signed. Really? Big surprise. Furthermore, next month, we're going to have a new Metro Vancouver board, with a new view on how much to wade into UBC affairs. That board, and the UBC administration, is going to have to deal with a new economic reality. In the same weekend that city council rallied behind the protection of the farm, The Globe and Mail reported that Canadian universities are hemorrhaging millions of dollars and are struggling to balance the books. This doesn't bode well for the farm. When universities have to start seeing every decision through a green lens (no, the other green), it's projects like a nice 24-hectare agricultural reserve that are the first to go. We as a student body often complain about the high cost of tuition. Yet, we also have situations like the UBC Farm where we demand that the university makes a decision not based purely on dollars and cents. It can't go both ways. Hypothetically, would we be willing to put our dollars on the line and pay a little bit extra to save the farm? Instead of hoping for the city to bail us out, would we bail ourselves out by paying a nominal "farm fee?" It would be interesting to see how easy it would be to get 15,000 to sign a petition with that minor qualifier. And maybe that's the way it has to be. So while the intersection of the farm and governance last week didn't really shed new light on the former, it assuredly did on the latter. UBC has its own unique boundaries, its own priorities, and, by any sane definition, is a city. Somehow, we end up being governed by a multi-headed albatross consisting of the Board of Governors, Campus and Community Planning, Properties Trust, the UEL, the UNA and Metro Vancouver, with virtually no municipal representation afforded to those living on campus. There has to be a simpler solution. The good news? The more times Metro Vancouver is forced to turn their eye to our campus, the more evident that will become. \\a Goto ubyssey.ca for more. SAVE THL FAW1 1/1/ )/ T«e vjmsr? by Paul Bucci Letters To The Ubyssey: Your October 21 editorial extolled the virtues of legalization and offered readers a list of the diverse group of activities that The Ubyssey has supported legalizing (I noticed that the legalization of handguns was conspicuously absent from that list, but I digress). Your editorial condemned those fascists who would prohibit the sale of raw milk, claiming that it is "poor handling" (dirty hands ofthe benighted handlers, one wonders?) of that precious raw milk that causes troubles. Alas, if it were only so simple. Dr Murray McQuigge, the medical officer of health for the Grey Bruce Health Unit [the local health agency] at the time of the Walkerton tainted water tragedy, points out that in the late 19th century, some ten per cent of cases of childhood tuberculosis came about as the Streeters result of unpasteurized milk. In our day, a Peterborough baby, who had not consumed raw milk, died of salmonella-caused meningitis in 1981 when she came into contact in a nursery with another baby whose mother had consumed raw milk. Both the mother and the other baby tested positive for the bacterium but neither showed symptoms. (The reference is Dr Murray McQuigge, "Allowing Raw Milk's Sale Amounts To Manslaughter," Globe and Mail, July 12, 2006.) Be careful what you wish for... —David Buchanan UBC 2005, Master of Library and Information Studies Call for Letters Interested in responding to something we've said? Want to get your ideas in the paper? Write us a letter. If you wish to to submit a letter it must be no longer than 350 words. Your identity will be confirmed by phone or by ID from the office. People may email us at feedback© ubyssey.ca. How will you feel if McCain pulls out an upset victory? Wayne Kreger Asian Studies Grad "I kinda lean towards Obama, so I would be upset in that sense, but it would be exciting I guess. I'd be suspicious of what had happened." Jordan Pousett Ratcha Kengradomying Engineering 1 Science 1 "It's a bit of a tough question... I'd be pretty indifferent, either way. don't really see myself as too involved with American politics, but, obviously what happens there is going to effect Canada." "I would kinda be disappointed, that the Americans chose the wrong guy... He's old. He's really, really old, and I like Obama's policies better." Renato Nicholas Arts 2 "I'd be disappointed, I am pro-Obama. I don't think it's going to happen though, I've been keeping up with the polls on CNN and I don't see it happening at all." Fiona Watson Arts 1 "I think it would be a little disappointing, just because there's been so much hype about it.... and if he didn't win, just all that for nothing, [it's] sort of like lost progress." -Coordinated by Tara Martellaro & Nessa Aref, with photos by Kathy Yan Li Queen's ——• UNIVERSITY """@en ; edm:hasType "Newspapers"@en ; dcterms:spatial "Vancouver (B.C.)"@en ; dcterms:identifier "LH3.B7 U4"@en, "LH3_B7_U4_2008_11_04"@en ; edm:isShownAt "10.14288/1.0126202"@en ; dcterms:language "English"@en ; edm:provider "Vancouver : University of British Columbia Library"@en ; dcterms:publisher "Vancouver : The Ubyssey Publications Society"@en ; dcterms:rights "Images provided for research and reference use only. Permission to publish, copy, or otherwise use these images must be obtained from The Ubyssey: http://ubyssey.ca/"@en ; dcterms:source "Original Format: University of British Columbia. 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