@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 "2015-09-11"@en, "2005-10-07"@en ; edm:aggregatedCHO "https://open.library.ubc.ca/collections/Ubysseynews/items/1.0128388/source.json"@en ; dc:format "application/pdf"@en ; skos:note """ L \\-] 3 •I' .' -v. A I £ E'->1 ? Culture Friday, 7 October, 2005 THE UBYSSEY Blossom Chic Local designer aims to dress Vancouver up: Fewer yoga pants! More ruffled trims! by Jessalynn Keller CULTUREWRITER Chloe Angus is on a mission. While other aspiring colleagues have thrown in the towel and headed eastwards, this local designer is . determined to make Vancouverites more stylish. Angus launched her Spring 2006 line at BC Fashion Week on Granville Island. Tided 'Blossom Chic,' Angus' pieces are sophisticated and sexy, yet casual and fresh. 'Blossom Chic is strong, feminine, and unique,' the designer explains, 'it is eveiything that BC women are.' And therein lies the secret to Angus' designs. Born, raised and educated in Vancouver, Angus knows Vancouver women and what they want—casual, easy to wear clothes for all body types that are still sophisticated and cosmopolitan stylish. Her new line uses many of the spring trends seen recently at the Spring 2006 New York Fashion Week while reworking the styles tor make them wearable for west coast women. "I want to dress Vancouver women up a httie," the designer explains, "show them they can throw a fitted gold jacket over their casual outfit" Angus designs with this mix and match philosophy in mind, pairing soft linen pants with delicate hand-painted tops and flowing chiffon dresses with tailored silk jackets. A classic pencil skirt is teamed with an open back blouse to add an edge for a night on the town, while a satin slip-dress and patterned scarf provides the perfect outfit for a casual evening walk along the beach. Angus' colour combinations also reflect her desire to make dressing easy for Vancouver women. Combining rich whites, buttercup yellows, and slate greys with accents of blues and pale golds, the muted colour palate of "Blossom Chic" is not only effortless to wear but also easy to match with those pieces already in your closet. While clean lines and simple cuts dominate Angus' collection, she accents many of her pieces with feminine flowers, a modest ribbon, or a ruffled trim. These additions remain subtle surprises though, adding a unique west coast spring feel to the clothing. It is no shock that Angus specifically mentions the beauty of Vancouver spring blossoms as a major inspiration to her collection. Angus plans to stay in Vancouver, unlike many of her fellow west coast designers who make the move east to Toronto or Montreal in order to escape the Vancouver style staples of fleece and yoga pants,, and to access larger fashion scenes. Angus has a passionate enthusiasm about Vancouver's style and sees value in the newness of the Vancouver fashion scene. Consequently, she has high expectations for the city's future in the fashion industry. "I want to help bring the international [fashion] eye this way," Angus gushes. Not surprisingly, she is already doing her part—Angus has been invited to show her next collection at Saks 5th Avenue in New York. Lucky for lis, we can get our hands on Angus' collection before the rest of the world at several stores in the Lower Mainland, including The Bay Downtown Vancouver, Helmet on West 4th Avenue, Ella's' in Langley, arid Marilyn's in West Vancouver. II 'Tweens UBC Men's Volleyball WarMemorial October 7,7pm UBC Thunderbirds play against Hawaii. Come cheer on your school team and watch a game of volleyball. UBC Symphony Orchestra Chan Centre October 7,8pm Are you interested in enjoying a night listening to instrumentals? Then come listen to the UBC Symphony Orchestra directed by Jesse Read. MuchmusicVJ Search October 7,10-4pm time to whip out your best talents for the Muchmusic VJ search 2005 baby! Here's your second chance to audition and wow the judges and become the next MUchmusic VJ or to find out how you can make it on TV. In either case there will be tons of prizes for all efforts. Jigerfest SUB Partyroom October 7,7pm-11pm $5 tickets SUS is having a jager- themed event featuring lots of drinks such as the jager- bomb. If you arrive before 8 you can receive a free beer and bratwurst. Members of The Ubyssey will be there stealing new volunteers. Turkey Bowling Third Floor Lasserre (just behind that long useless bench) October 7,5pm Frabric Land and Good Times present turkey bowling. There could be turkeys there but it is uncertain. However there will be a chance to win prizes and if you shoot a spare or a strike you get one free shot. Arcade Fire The Forum October 7, 8pm The tickets for this show could or could not be sold out at Zulu Records. MIA Commodore Ballroom October 7,8pm This concert is unfortunately sold out but I'm sure you'll be able to find some scalpers if you really want to see the show. isceiianeous FINEST ONLINE SELECTIONS. Okanaganposcer.com Grcatgiftart.com DISCOVER OKINAWA KARATE. Tue & Thurs 7:30pm-9:00pm, 2-2668 West Broadway Ave, 604-230-0161 www. mariomckenna.com ENGLISH SPEAKER SEEKING MANDARIN SPEAKER FOR LANGUAGE EXCHANGE. Write to Lance at blucdragon90@gmail.com ccommonation FOR RENT. Arbutus and W. 22nd 1 bedroom in 2 bedroom apartment 5480/ month 778-898-5625 ommeer upnorniNiiies MENTOR A CHILD FOR ONE HOUR A WEEK! Volunteer www.bigbrothetsvancouver.com or 604.876.2447 ext. 250 uyase DOUBLE FUTON FOR SALE. Incl. frame, very good condition $125 obo. 604-733-0790 ACOUSTIC GUITAR FOR SALE. Seagull $6 Cedar w/ accessories $275 obo Diana @ 604-765-5455 EOSC114 TEXT FOR SALE 4TH ED. $65.00 good condition. Call Lyn 604-677-0561 caoemic services ARABIC TUTOR. Native Arabic Speaker available to help you learn to read, write, and communicate, or bring your skills up to the next level. $20/hour. Call 604-773- 4533 or email: taaniija@gmail.com mpioymeni upporiunmes FOR STUDENTS! to o kin g f q r ar o airi tnatel1 GotspethW Or just tiaue an announcement tomalceP Itybirateisiutlentvoii can % ^ceclassillailslorFREEl ADVENTURE! Teach English Worldwide. Earn money. Get TESOL Certified in 5 days. Study In-Class, Online or by Correspondence. No degree or experience needed. Job guaranteed. To learn more, come to a FREE Info Seminar Tuesday <§> 6pm, #203 1451 West Broadway. 1-888-270-2941 globaltesol.com Fd r m or e itif e r mat to il VisitRoom23f ttie SUB (Dasement) iir call 8221654 Friday, 7 October, 2005 Vol.LXXXVH N°10 Editorial Board coordinating editor Jesse Marchand coordinating@ubyssey.bcca news editors Paul Evans St Eric Szeto news@ubyssey.bcca culture editor Simon Underwood culture@ubyssey.bcca sports editor Megan Smyth sports@ubjrssey.bcca FEATURES/NATIONAL EDITOR Bryan Zandberg features@ubyssey.bcca photo editor Yinan Max Wang photos@ubyssey.bcca production manager Michelle Mayne production@ubyssey.bcca Coordinators volunteers Liz Green volunteers@ubyssey.bcca research/letters Claudia Li feedback@ubyssey.bcca The Ubyssey is the official student newspaper of the University of British Columbia. It is published every Tuesday and Friday by The Ubyssey Publications Sodety. We are an autonomous, democratically run student organisation, 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 necessarify reflect the views of The Ubyssey Publications Sodety or the University of British Columbia. All editorial content appearing in The Ubyssey is the property of The Ubyssey Publications Sodety. Stories, opinions, photographs and artwork contained herein cannot be reproduced without the expressed, written permission of The Ubyssey Publications Sodety. The Ubyssey is a founding member of Canadian University Press (CUP) and adheres to CUP's guiding prindples. Letters to the editor must be under 300 words. Please indude 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.*Pefsperth«s^ 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 wil not be run until the identity of the writer has been verified. The Ubyssey reserves the right to edit submissions for length and darity. It is aareed by all persons placing display or classified advertising that if the Ubyssey Publications Sodety faiis to publish an advertisement or if an error in the ad occurs the liability of the UPS will not be greater than the price paid for the ad. The UPS shall not be responsible for slight changes or typographical errors that do not lessen the value or the impact of the ad. 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.bcca e-mail: feedback@ubyssey.bcca BUSINESS OFFICE Room 23, Student Union Building •advertising: 604-822-1654 business office: 604-822-6681 fax:604-822-1658 e-mail: advertising@ubjrasey.bcca business manager Fernie Pereira ad sales Wesley Ma ad design Shalene Takara Chris Little went on a scavenger hunt to find Szabo who was shopping for Greg Ursic who wanted to buy a Jesse Ferreras for Jessalyn Keller's birthday so that Trevor Gilks could wear his original Amanda Stutt and carry a Laurence Butet Roche handbag before he went to dinner with Will Keats-Osbom who wanted Heather Travis to take him to Boris Korb/s house and introduce him to Gaelan Marsderi who secretly thought that Heather Pauls was really gorgeous even though she had a thing for beautiful boys named Gabriel Murray who drove a Scott Birdsley and was talking to Colleen Tang, the girt who believed in love at first sight because Champagne Qioquer had said it existed after a conversation with Andrew MacRae who got drunk off of Trevor Gilks martinis after he had been to see the new movie directed by Bryan Zandberg the famous director who made the movie called Simon Underwood starring household names like Claudia Li and Eric Szeto who had secretly had a moonshine business with Paul Evans and they had been busted by Jesse Marchand even though Megan Smyth had told her not to because she thought that Michelle Mayne was a better target and Liz Green agreed quietly because she feared for her life and Yinan Max Wang had asked her not to say anything in case Spencer Keys heard and wanted to join the scavenger hunt cover design Michelle Mayne editorial graphic Simon Underwood V Canadian University Press Canada Post Sales Agreement Number 0040878022 i k I ?^Sf^^'^,sSJS^<»i5!S?.^T.lr»;;.r 1.JJ**.; THE UBYSSEY Friday, 7 October, 2005 Culture 3 $ I Dragons and Tigers leap from the screen at VIFF by Jesse Ferreras CULTUREWRITER Running parallel to the press-heavy exhibition of Canadian film at the 24th annual Vancouver International Film Festival was the 2005 Dragons and Tigers showcase. This year's program featured eight films in competition and over 30 features from several countries, ranging from smaller nations such as Tibet to stronger commercial and independent markets such as Japan. A wide selection of films provided for an exhibition of talent that succeeded in bringing East Asian cinema wide recognition in Canada. Now in its twelfth year, the Dragons and Tigers series owes much to the participation of two individuals who have worked diligently to bring the cinema of East Asia to Vancouver. The first is Tony Rayns, a London-based filmmaker, critic and festival curator who has contributed numerous articles to publications like as Film Comment and the influential French pubhcation Cahiers du Cinema. He is the author of the forthcoming book Wong Kar-wai on Wong Kar-wai. "When I was first asked to do this job, I wanted to focus on Pacific Asia, and I wanted it to be veiy comprehensive,* he said. "I wanted to show a wide margin of films...commercial, art, poHtical, experimental...I am against the idea of a focus...I want it to be inclusive instead of exclusive.* Rayns found a common ally in Brad Birarda, an employee of Dundee Securities in the departments of finance and venture capitalism, who has served as the single financier for the program for the,'past five years. Through his financial contribution to the festival he has sought to bring Canadian and Asian cultures together in Vancouver. One of Birarda's most significant contributions is his support for the Dragons and Tigers Award for Young Cinema, recognizing the most creative and innovative first or second feature-length film from Pacific Asia. The award itself is a prize of $5,000 to the film's director, courtesy of Birarda, and is administered by a juiy of seasoned filmmakers and scholars. This year's jury was comprised of three members whose involvement in the international film community reflected Vancouver's strong ties to international festivals . and exhibitions across the world. David Bordwell, professor of Film Studies at the University of Wisconsin-Madison and co-author of Film Art: An Introduction, served this year as chairman of a jury rounded out by Li Cheuk-to, previously the director of the Hong Kong International Film Festival, as well as Gerwin Tamsma, programmer for the Rotterdam International Film Festival. The competition proved exceptionally difficult with the screenings of varying films from, several different genres and countries. One particular film that amassed significant attention was Gie, a sophomore feature from Indonesian director Riri Riza. It is the story of Soe Hok-gie, a young intellectual who utilises his superior intelligence and respect for free thought to organise protests against Indonesia's repressive governments of the '50's and '60's. The film documents efforts that culminated in the organisation of student protests against these governments and attests that they contributed to their fall. Although the jury acknowledged the achievements of all films competing this year, they were excited to announce the winner, Liu Jiayin's Ox Hide, which received its North American premiere at this year's festival. Thirty-two fixed-angle shots of the filmmaker and her family in a cramped Beijing home encompass the film, which has received wide acclaim as one of the most innovative Chinese films since 1997's Xiao Wu (Unknown Pleasures). The audience greeted the young filmmaker with rousing applause and Tony Rayns thereafter announced that a screening of the film had been added for October 7th at the Vancity Screening Room at the new Vancouver International Film Centre. Bordwell himself claimed Ox Hide succeeded at "[showing] how formal experimentation can coexist with engrossing human drama and powerful emotion." In addition to its competitive program, Dragons and Tigers functioned eveiy year as an exhibition for an eclectic selection of films from Asia-Pacific nations. Though he does not like to play favourites at the festival, Mr. Rayns gave particular attention to Nagasaki Shunichi's Heart, Beating in the Dark, a world premiere event at VIFF 2005. "I think it is the greatest achievement in Japanese cinema this year," he said. "I was a supporter of the first film and had a preordained curiosity about the new one...[a world premiere] places great trust in VIFF." Shunichi's film is a remake of his 1982 film of the same name, the haunting story of two young lovers hving in self-imposed exile after the murder of their child. Shunichi takes a remarkably unique approach to the remake, telling the story of a new couple following the same path trod by the original twosome, intercut with images from the original film as we^l as the rehearsal and shooting of the remake. The meteoric rise of Korean cinema was reflected in this year's program with two special presentations. Duelist is the latest from director Lee Myung-se, whose international hit Nowhere to Hide had its world premiere in Vancouver. His latest is a spectacular swordplay thriller set in Joseon Dynasty Korea. The stoiy of a feisty young officer who pursues a mysterious swordsman known only as Sad Eyes, Rayns described the film as the "first erotic swordsplay" movie. The diverse selection of East Asian films finished its primary exhibition on October 5th, but many screenings from the Dragons and Tigers slate continue to the end of the festival. Rayns advised audiences at the October fifth awards ceremony that Ox Hide had a slim chance of receiving a wide theatrical release, and that its final screening on October 7th would likely be the last time for filmgoers to catch it. a Talk to people on the other side of the aisle': Greenstreet What happens when Michael Moore gets invited to a Utah campus days before the US election: THIS DIVIDED STATE Oct 12, VanCity by Greg Ursic CULTUREWRITER The decision by the student council at Utah State Valley College to book Michael Moore for a speaking engagement two weeks before the 2004 election seemed like a great way to start a dialogue. But few could have anticipated the firestorm that came to divide the campus. Petitions, threats, and lawsuits: it was ideal- fodder for a documentary. As soon as Moore's visit became public ; knowledge, Steve Greenstreet knew he had to : act fast Greenstreet, a film student at nearby; Brigham Young University, called independent film producer Bryan Young. The two wasted no time deliberating about whether of not to make a film. "We were shooting in two hours," relates Greenstreet By the time they reached the campus the halls were bristling with angry political groups who were protesting Moore's visit. It was a harbinger of what was to come.. The ensuing 'debates' heated!* up* to a fever pitch when Kay Andrews, a multimillionaire real estate developer and Bush- backer became downright outrageous by Moore's impending visit. When efforts to bribe the student council failed, Andrews filed a lawsuit which left me puzzled. How, I asked Greenstreet, "can a private citizen, not affiliated with the college, a supposed bastion of free speech/ sue them for dis- ,agreeing 'lyith a speaker? :'.".'• "It's suhple," he replied. "[Kay] has money and clout witli'the legislature." With all vitriol hovering around the film, I wonderied'how the filmmakers' families reacted to the project "t tibiae* from a militaiy family where everyone -has served in the military except ine,"' smd:Greeiistxeet "They're extremely Republican and right wing. To this day my parents have not seen the film and refuse to see it" There is no doubt that the story makes for great drama. But what about the legitimate criticism that a person like Mr Andrews comes across as a caricatures who represents neither Mormons nor neo-conservatives? Greenstreet does not mince words when it comes to understanding the polemics of American politics. "I don't beHeve it's that polarised," he insists. "Whenever a controversy arises everyone feels they must choose a side. You're either for or against Moore and can't be in the middle." And as Young notes, "It's so easy to spark that ignition. If you say you're against Bush it's considered treasonous...as one caUer says, if it were up to him, Michael Moore would be tried, convicted and executed for treason." "I believe it's because people weren't tolerant [is why we are] spending our time fighting each other," Greenstreet continues. What's missing in civil discourse in America is that people don't Hsten to each other. We need a more gentlemanly debate, where you shake hands at the end. Let's find some common ground and start from there." Young concurs, "The message in the Q and A's [after the screenings] land the tone of the website is that we need to have a more open dialogue and civil dialogue and I think that people on both sides respond to that. We've been able to have sane, civil discussions." At this point I check to see if either of them is wearing rose coloured contacts—surely they can't be that naive. And that's when Greenstreet drops his bombshell. "The students who invited Moore were actuaUy Mormon RepubHcan Bush supporters," he says almost nonchalantly. Thinking I've misheard him, I ask him to repeat what he said and he does, adding "I expected them to be these Hberal left-leaning people and they weren't and that was kind of inspiring, that someone with an opposing view would support him. To the last day they were the strongest supporters of. Moore's right to speak." "It was moments like that," Young notes, "[that] gave us a glimmer of hope that you can talk to people on the other side of the aisle." While he's optimistic, Young is also a realist: "It's hard to do with people shouting from the sideHnes. If Michael Moore were invited back to the school today, you'd Have the same problem." t! i ra^MaBMnaiwiavHH^^ MGx (.• a* *» Mmckm* S«t*tf turn Vancouver Training Institute 1580 West Broadway, Vancouver, BC V6J..5K8 Phone: 604-713-4550 or 604-713-4500 I Email: cregistrat@vsb.bc.ca ■il; 6 Feature Friday, 7 October, 2005 THE UBYSSEY Friday, 7 October, 2005 Feature 7 Discover Japan! PROGRAMME' Experience Japan for a year with The Japan Exchange and Teaching (JET) Programme as an Assistant English Teacher or Coordinator for International Relations, beginning August 2006. Applicants must be a Canadian citizen, hold a Bachelor's Degree by the end of Juiy 2006, and be under the age of 40. Information Session at UBC Thursday, October 13 -12:30-2:00 PM Buchanan D, Rm 230 Tuesday, October 18 -12:30-2:00 PM Asian Centre Auditorium Application Forms and Information UBC Career Centre www.vancouver.ca.emb-japan.go.jp Consulate General of Japan _. . ^« #*«*«%>- Tel: (604)684-5868, ext 415 November 18, 2005 Deadline The JET Programme Is an official programme of the Government of Japan y:ou"tH ;;iy ':S''.rt':5';..'■ I-^a^ttvls'0.. October 21st ^ 22nd ' (3 redf ■ Nor the? V'WoM G: >. • 7'? P u'i •:' Vonc o aver X'^S'i:¥^ '^fa^Wqyvt' ■-ilfeiilllr Friday Night ■ M;iO • >t->fj Saturday '■ Workshops'. Saturday -N-i&ht.. After-Party Call for tickets or info: 604 606 6425 Early Bird & Group ticket sales available infe@earfhproject.ca www.earthproject.ca Proto&tyJvdM Marat** Prtjicta What is in the stars? by Heather Pauls features staff illustrations by Simon Underwood A thousand years after astrology and astronomy went their separate ways, people still believe that their destiny can be written in the stars. Are their ideas credible or is it just more fun to be superstitious? PISCES Aau A RI us The night sky is wonderful like shattered glass on black asphalt or a black velvet blanket speckled with sparkling diamonds. Lying on an open field outside of the city, the sky looks immense, dazzling, and overwhelmingly huge. Sublime. Compared to the vastness of the universe—even the part of the universe you can see with the naked eye—you're essentially insignificant You're a speck of dust in a conglomeration of matter. Does your life mean anything? Is there something going on in this universe, something to take away from those myriad constellations? According to astrologers, there sure is. Basically, astrology is the belief that the sun, moon, planets and stars radiate energies, and that the positions and movements of these celestial bodies are affective in understanding, analysing and predicting human existence on earth. An astrologer believes that what happens in the heavens, will affect human life—so above, so below. Calculating cAm I CORN the position of celestial bodies at the moment of your birth could then foretell your destiny, your fated personality, and even offer insight into your daily life. For thousands of years, astrologers have been looking up into the night sky, and creating meaning from all those twinkling lights. Astrology is popular; you can read your daily horoscope in most newspapers and magazines. Almost everyone knows their own 'sign' depending on their birth. But how many people are actually believers? Is astrology even a plausible, scientifically validated belief system? Or is it a throwback superstition that still hasn't kicked the bucket? Astrology in ye olden days Many moons ago, astrology and astronomy were one and the same thing. Both looked heavenward with an eye of wonder, eager to decipher planetary movements and the physics of the universe. But even well before the onset of the Enlightenment the two disciplines diverged on one major issue. Yes, astrology was a study of the stars that could mathematically map the heavens and make predictions on celestial movement However, unlike astronomy, astrology is the study of how these movements influence life on earth. Gleaning meaning from the stars is where astrology and astronomy parted ways. "The words sound kind of similar, but one of them is actually a science, and the other one'is actually a whole bunch of nonsense,' says Douglas Scott a professor at UBC's Department of Astronomy and Physics, when asked the difference between astronomy and astrology. They were kind of similar, but that was a thousand years ago." So if astrology has digressed into nonsense from its prior scientific glory, why is it that astrology is no longer considered valid from a scientific perspective? The signs, they are a-changin' First off, back to the basics of astrological charting. The zodiac is made up of twelve 'signs,' each corresponding to certain character traits and destinies. People, depending on the date of their birth, are lumped into one of the signs. For instance, I was born January ninth, therefore I am a Capricorn. My power animal is a goat My element is earth. At the time of my birth, the sun was in the constellation Capricorn, according to astrological charting. But without even questioning the probability that my birth date will affect my life, it is already problematic to say that I'm a Capricorn. The constellations have changed. The earth wobbles on its axis, so the constellations are actually moving round the sky over many thousands of years. So the actual constellations now have shifted compared to the ones that most astrologers use," Scott explains. Precession, the name given to this phenomenon of the earth's movement, has the dire effect of giving people incorrect astrological readings. Richard Dawkins, a well-known scientist for his best-selling book The Selfish Gene, expressed the same frustration with constellation changes when he wrote The Real Romance in the Stars," published in The Independent newspaper in December of 1995. "My birthday (26 March) is listed in the papers as Aries but this is the sun sign which somebody with my birthday would have had when Ptolemy codified all that stuff," Dawkins explains. "Because of the preces- sional shift of approximately one whole zodiacal sign over the [CE] era, my sign is in fact (if you can call it a fact) Pisces." Perhaps all this time, everyone has been reading the wrong horoscope when they check the daily newspaper. People are complicated At this point, the only problem with astrology noted has been that people might be grouped into the wrong sign. That's a significant slip-up, as every single day, people are receiving incorrect information about what to expect from their day. Or are they? Is it safe to speculate that perhaps grouping the world's estimated six billion people into only 12 categories might just be simplifying human experience a Httie? Dawkins worries about the effect of astrology on a psychological level. He feels that it's "an insult to the science of psychology and the richness of human personality/ Having all people grouped into specific categories, for Dawkins, doesn't leave much room for all the variation of characters life throws our way. "Daily horoscopes split everybody up into twelve sets. People are more complicated than that," says Scott "It's obviously ridiculous that one twelfth of the population will have this particular kind of day." So how do astrologers write something that will pertain to a huge chunk of the population each day? Vagueness. SCORPIO In the mid-1980s, French Statistician Michel Gauquelin sent out the horoscope of one of France's worst mass murderers in history. Of the 150 people he surveyed, 94 per cent of the subjects said that they recognised themselves in the description. "All astrology works on the 'Barnum principle' of saying things so vague and general that all readers think it applies to them," says Dawkins, explaining why one horoscope might apply to one-twelfth of the population. SAGITTARIUS Jetology: let the airplanes guide your destiny You may have been born under a different constellation and your horoscope or birth chart may be vague, but that doesn't necessarily imply that astrology as a - concept isn't plausible. But for this argument's sake, let's compare astrology to jetology, the position that all the world's jumbo jets flying at the moment of a person's birth affect his or her personality and destiny. Ihe concept of jetology was introduced by Andrew Fraknoi in the article 'Your Astrology Defense Kit,' published in Sky & Telescope in August of 1989. Although yes, the article is old, Scott advises that the ideas still apply. A professional jetologer would analyse patterns of jumbo jets flying over the earth, and extract their intrinsic meaning. Such an abiHty would take years of training. Fraknoi sets up a possible situation. "For example, take that bunching of planes over Chicago's O'Hare Airport—its significance for the subject's love life will require a great deal of study by an experienced jetologer," writes Fraknoi, assuming the role of the jetologer. "As your listeners begin to chuckle over the absurdity of the example, you can ask them what makes it so amusing. Someone will surely inquire why the positions of those things in the sky should have anything to do with our Hves." The image of jetology indeed seems absurd, but one could argue that planets and stars are natural phenomena, larger and more significant that the workings of planes. But jetology, scientifically speaking, might be more plausible than astrology. If astrology claims that your destiny and personaHty are effected by the energies of the planets—whether it's magnetism, gravity, or a tidal pull—then wouldn't closer objects have a stronger influence? "If you walk past me, the force of gravity is really weak," explains Scott "But the principle is there is a force of gravity between us, and that's way bigger than the force of gravity between me and Jupiter, because it's really far away." Essentially, the gravitational field of a pedestrians could effect your destiny. Scott jokes that a truck passing the hospital during your birth would have a greater effect on your personaHty than a planet Additionally, he also comments that if astrology doesn't work with gravitational puU, and maybe instead with electro-magnetic forces, then washing machines and cell phones could also have a greater effect than the cosmos. "It's totally totally absurd because there's so many other things going on that would dwarf [planetary pull] anyway," Scott says of astrology. But perhaps astrology doesn't need to be proved. Maybe they're talking about immeasurable forces. To Fraknoi, it makes no difference. "Even if we give astrologers the benefit of the doubt on all these questions—accepting that astrological influences may exist outside our current understanding of the universe—there is a devastating final point Astrology simply doesn't work." Case in point: looking at a birth chart To test Fraknoi's claim, I got my birth date charted. When I was born the sun was in Capricorn, the moon was in Sagittarius in the fifth house, Saturn was in the fifth house, the sun was in the seventh house, Venus was in the eighth house, and the sun was opposition ascendant. Now if you know your astrological charts extremely well, you could surmise that I was born on January 9, 1983. I learned all this from Roman Roman, someone I found on Craig's List (an online buy and sell service) who offers free birth charts. His personaHty summarisation based on my birthday was at times vague—"Your life will be full of changes'—and at other times, chillingly accurate—"Your vulnerabiH- ty to external influences makes you subconsciously imitate the manners and ways of those with whom you relate." What confused me, however, was the evaluation of my love life. On the one hand, Roman writes: "In love you are dependable and able to curb your recklessness." But on the flipside, "the fact of the matter is that in love you are very changeable, unstable, or too preoccupied with trivialities.* The two don't exactly reconcile. My birth chart says, "Your life will be one of very intense social activity... this position tends to make you somewhat extroverted." And while this doesn't exacdy contradict, it also says somewhat puzzling- ly, "secretly you nourish the desire to be involved in human situations, but you apparently have lost the abiHty to relate to other people" I'm not sure I like that evaluation of myself, although there is redemption in knowing that I am "very perceptive" of "psychic vibrations." But all in all, my birth chart left me puzzled, not entirely remembering what it is I just read. 6EMIN University of Astrology At Kepler University in Lynnwood, Washington State, students are learning to make birth charts like the one from Roman Roman. It's an accredited university that has been authorised to issue Bachelor of Arts and Master of Arts degrees since March 10, 2001. Their website boasts that "a degree-granting Hber- al arts college that includes astrological studies has long been a vision of scholars seeking to approach the subject objectively. Kepler College is the answer to that dream." On the one hand, the history and anthropology of astrology would be fascinating, in a traditional classroom scheme. On the other hand, at Kepler University—named for the late German astrologer/astronomer Johannes Kepler—the students are not just history buffs but are already beHevers in astrology. "What I wouldn't give to be able to go back and throw this newly revealed information in the face of my ninth grade astronomy teacher (she wasn't very big on astrology, I guess you could say)," writes Chris Bennan in his student testimonial. "One of the goals of the school is to re-establish astrology bade to its rightful place as an academic discipline where it belongs, no longer to be shunned by the intellectual ehte, and that goal is not far off" Karen Hawkwood is part of Kepler's first bachelor of arts graduating class, known as the Lobsters. Speaking at an astrology convention in May, 2001 in Seattle, she said, "history without astrology was much like a tapestry with one colour removed...you always knew the pattern didn't look right but you never knew why. Now I know." Calling for a rein- troduction of astrology into Western academia is Hawkwood's vision. However, Hawkwood and Bennan may have a point Astrology has been swept to the corner in academic circles for hundreds of years. The Bath Spa University in Bath, UK is host to the Sophia Centre, which also the Centre for the Study of Cultural Astronomy and Astrology. Although their mandate is to study the impact of astrological and astronomical beHefs on cultures, reHgions, poHtics, and the arts—not the actual influence of the stars on human affairs—their mission statement makes an interesting note: "Whilst the scientific study of astronomy is well estabHshed in universities, the academic study of astronomy and astrology from a cultural perspective has not been the specific focus of research of a university department in. the west for over three hundred years." Even though astrology has been omitted from academic circles, it is surprising that it has been deleted as a subject of cultural phenomenon. When I took a class in witchcraft at the University of Edinburgh we studied the historical instances of witch persecutions, not how to cast spells. So could we not reintroduce astrology as a history subject to study without having to prove it's real? Knowing what's real Dawkins writes that "astrology has nothing to go for it at all, neither evidence nor any inkling of a rationale which might prompt us to look for evidence." He then shifts his attentions to astronomy: "The real universe has mystery enough to need no help from obscurantist hucksters." Indeed, perhaps the spotlight that should be on understanding the cosmos has been on astrology too long. Scott also beHeves that the tactile universe is interesting enough. His eyes light up as he says, "The real universe is pretty cool, I think. There's a whole bunch of really wacky things in there that are actually for real. It's much more amazing than Jupiter wobbling around can make you happier today. There's black holes!" Fraknoi, also an enthusiastic astronomer, mourns the fact that "even today, despite so much effort at science education, astrology's appeal for many people has not diminished." He points out human's interest in the sensational and meaningful over the scientific. "For them, thinking of Venus as a cloud-covered desert world as hot as an oven is far less attractive than seeing it as an aid in deciding whom to marry" The general scientific consensus is that astrology cannot be proved. If it's not proved, then why do people beHeve it? Scott has his theory. "People like to beHeve stuff. People like to think that the universe is expHcable and comprehensible, and that it can effect things, rather than feeling powerless." » TAURUS cAnce / VIRGO C;> ^:Vrt^t.^«Vv..W, S Sports Friday, 7 October, 2005 THEUBYSSEY •>■ LSAT MCAT GMAT 0RE Preparation Seminars & Complete 30-Hour Seminars ?^r^'.^^A~*^tfT^*5S^rC7r-1'' M# ???£• 'JfT-.^,*?; l\\W?7,t;TV ^X^:-'«WWT!'%«TWi*«Sn'.fl-Sr. iy.y'-.-*".'yy.'^-i,ay'»w>v-TwrrTwn«->*. wr Wf w*-««-.S*W*W#ir»J^?^.'v.2'' P-s^^t!^^^^ ia^^rt^Sw^-* i?«J^i^&Sj-«li'yilSXA^ ^K^^^S?^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ 10 Qpimon/Editorial Friday, 7 October, 2005 THE UBYSSEY G3. .■■J- -'- -*- Good news, or is it? The gloom and horror that's shown on the news everyday can take a toll on our mental well- being, so we thought it might be time to share some good news. Venezuela's land reform Hugo Chavez announced last week that the Venezuelan government would be seizing land to redistribute to poor farmers. Altogether 1,235,000 acres of unused land will be seized—all to be appropriated to workers for free. This is part of Chavez's land and agrarian reform movement; his attempt to eliminate private ownership of land and to provide stable levels of subsistence for a country which currently imports 80 per cent of its food. Anyone between the ages 18 to 25 can apply for a portion of the land. After three years, the recipients of the land cannot sell the land, but it may be passed along to family. The seizure of this land has galvanised opposition as skeptics have warned that this will curb foreign investment. Critics within the country beHeve that this one more ploy to further advance his sociaHst revolution agenda, as landowners who are having their land seized are not being compensated. But heck, it is not like they were using it anyways. IMF: One step at a time Whether bowing to international pressure, or issuing it based on good faith, the International Monetary Fund's (IMF) decision to forgive $40 bilHon of debt reHef is a welcome sign for developing nations cash-strapped by international loans and the interest that is accrued from these loans. These totals may reach up to $55 bilHon. Eighteen countries have had their debts written off, and nine more potential countries may be eHgible in the future. Most of the beneficiaries will be countries in developing nations, primarily in Africa. To many skeptics of the IMF and World Bank, this good deed doesn't erase the long Hst of bad poHcies that the IMF has employed. This should have happened years ago. Countless countries have had their internal growth severely affected by IMF's high interest poHcies. Others warn that there may be conditions attached to qualify for debt reHef, such as HberaHsa- tion of their economy and privatisation of its industries, all of which may have a profound and unpredictable impact on the developing nations. Maybe someone could forgive our student loans also. The play must go on The Laramie Project," a play recently banned by the Surrey school district will now be staged by the students of Lord Byng secondary school. The content of this play is based on the tragic story of Matthew Shepard, a gay college student who died in 1998. He was beaten and tied to a fence after being picked up at a gay bar in Laramie, Wyoming. Five days later Shepard died ofhis injuries. The decision of the Surrey school board to band this production causes concern as it comes on the ALWAYS LOOK ON THE BRIGHT SIDE OF LIFE! heels of a decision to ban several books involving, same-sex parents. Lord Byng secondary school is taking on the challenge of tackling a controversial and deHcate subject Although "The Laramie Project" includes violence and coarse language, it is most definitely a story that needs to be told. Nobel Prize shared internationally The 2005 Noble Prize in physics was presented to Americans John Hall and Roy Glauber and German Theodor Haensch. The team has been working to advance and refine the precision of optic technology. Such technology can be used to assist spacecraft navigation abilities and improve worldwide communication. Team effort was the key the success of this international research project. Smoking the tobacco companies out Following a ruling from the Supreme Court of Canada, British Columbia is now free to sue cigarette companies to reclaim pubHc health care costs from treating illnesses caused by smoking. This decision will likely pave the way for other provinces to take the tobacco companies to court, potentially costing the companies hundreds of milHons, or even bil- Hons dollars. Another important consequence of this decision is that it highlights the responsibiHty companies have for the products, especially harmful ones, they put out on the market a Perspective Opinion Y TTfc 1 1 1 "■•><• udl snouia nox oe a political campaign aa by Ryan Weddle When I logged on to the UBC website, I was quite surprised to be greeted with the headline 'UBC welcomes Mexican President Vincente (sic) Fox," with a photo of Martha Piper and President Fox applauding before a commemorative plaque unveiled for the occasion. Certainly, this is important news, but isn't it a bit odd that no one seemed to know about this ahead of time? While we are sent emails on everything from new construction proposals to the latest poHcies in human resources, students were not notified that the head of state of Canada's fifth largest trading partner was to visit our school. President Fox is, to say the least, a controversial figure. A former Coca-Cola executive. Fox has remained a staunch advocate of free markets as the key to success, despite Mexico's recent economic decline. Fox also maintains what the White House describes as "an excellent relationship and a strong friendship with George Bush." The two have negotiated a proposal that would allow Mexican citizens to gain temporary work permits in the US to perform labour that, as Fox outlined, "not even blacks want to do." This April, one milHon Mexicans marched in the capital opposing Fox's attempt to jail his aspiring presidential challenger, the popular left-wing mayor of Mexico City, on trumped up charges. This is not to say that Fox should not have come to UBC. Fox could have arrived and given a talk somewhere like the Liu Centre for International Relations. The event could have been open to the entire UBC community and pubH- cised ahead of time, allowing students and faculty the rare opportunity to engage a world leader face- to-face on the issues we study. This would indeed have been a moment UBC could take pride in, showing how our university is a pivotal institution for matters of global significance. Instead, Fox arrived in secret According to the UBC Ceremonies Office (the President's Office was not forthcoming with information when I called), the event was arranged about two weeks ahead of time through the Mexican Consulate. Tucked away in the life Sciences Centre with an audience of hand-picked students and community members, Fox gave a speech filled with flowery language about the "new horizons of prosperity" that the two nations are achieving (the transcript can be found in Spanish at www.presi- dencia.gob.mx). Afterwards, the President fielded some softball questions from the audience, which were prefaced by remarks like "I will vote for you in 2006, this I promise you.* Basically, the event was a photo-op for the University Administration and the conservative National Action Party of Mexico. Fox gets to portray the image that he is a popular world leader, fawned over by foreign faculty and students abroad—even in a progressive city like Vancouver. Likewise, Martha Piper gets to tout the status of UBC as a place that world leaders deign to visit. The problem is that we, members of the UBC community she is supposed to represent, were not consulted in the matter. Perhaps after the massive student protests against Suharto, the Indonesian dictator who came to visit in 1997, the administration is not taking any chances of the student body actually having a say in how well the visitors are received. Let's make sure that in the future, more than a handful of in-the-know university officials have a say'in who we decide to welcome to our school. —Ryan Weddle is a fourth-year Asian studies student Letters UBC Counselling not the only option To the students) who feels disappointed with Counselling Services: As a service provider, I feel very sorry about your experience at UBC Counselling Services. I can only imagine how frustrating it is to be in need of support and not be able to receive it because there are "no appointments available." I know that for the majority of students like myself who have to work and go to school, it is very difficult to access a service that works on a drop-in basis but always seems to be full. There are, however, other options for free support services available on campus and off campus. If you are looking for support on-campus there are two great services provided by the AMS: Speakeasy, which has a crisis line (604-822-3700) and a drop-in option with a private and confidential counselling room in the SUB (their desk is located on the north side of the main concourse in the SUB) and the Sexual Assault Support Centre (SASC) which provides both drop-in and by appointment counselling. They are located in rooms 119 A/B in the SUB, light across from Mclnnis Field and you can also phone them at 604-827-5180. The SASC provides support to any survivor of any type of violence. There are many options for support services off- campus such as the Crisis Centre' (604-827-3311) and SAFER (Suicide Attempt FoHow-up, Education and Research) which can be reached at 604-879-9251. For more information about support services you can contact Speakeasy and they will be able to refer you to a service that works for you. I hope that this information is helpful to you and to anyone else who might be looking for support. —Mariana Payet AMS Safety Coordinator Streeters Tell us some good news. I got an intern position. Christine Su. Arts 4 I had fun working with elementary school kids today. —Rob Gray Human Kinetics 3 I got married. —Ana Carolina Graduate Studies We just performed something in class and it went over very well. It's the end of part of our module class. It's time to move on but it was a lot of fun. —Corey Fischer Film 5 I'm in a band and two shows are coming up. —Carolyn Bailey Arts 3 —Streeters coordinated by Claudia Li and Colleen Tang THEUBYSSEY Friday, 7 October, 2005 News 11 Bad credit is bad news by Amanda Stutt NEWSWRITER "Student* and "debt" are practically synonymous terms these days as many students take out loans and use credit to pay for tuition, books, residence and other expenses. To address the issue of student debt, the Alma Mater Society (AMS) presented Financial Awareness Days, a series of seminars and workshops aimed at coaching students on how to keep debt to a minimum and gain control of their finances. Jennie Yendall, professional financial coach and seminar presenter said that students need to be more aware of their options when it comes to managing their finances. "Students get caught up in the day to day. They need to be aware of the bigger picture." And part of that bigger picture is starting a savings plan while they are still young, she said. "The most popular option for students is to wait to save money...don't wait Even if you can only afford twenty or fifty dollars a month for a long-term investment plan, find a way to save it It won't affect your lifestyle. But if you don't save that money, you'll find a way to spend it* Many students use not only student loans to make ends meet, but also credit cards. Yendall stressed the importance of making payments on time, and maintaining a good credit rating, as missed payments now will affect your abiHty to get a mortgage or loan»inthe future. ■ ■■'•■-- ■■•■--*•■'*■-^-*= "Be aware of what you are getting into," she said. "Never think of available credit as available cash. And UBC Hungary to share its forestry curriculum Joint program may increase enrollment in Hungary SAVE YOUR MONEY: Make the ING guy proud. YINAN MAX WANG PHOTO remember that credit is debt dressed up in a suit" Yendall said it's key to establish good financial habits now. "You are being programmed to be consumers and spend your money...take ownership of your finances and form good habits now," she said. "The habits you form in university are the habits you will take into the adult world. "Students often think when they are in university, it's not the real world. You are in the real world right now," she explained. MeHssa Anderson, a third-year poHtical science major, has student loans to pay for school and expenses, but chooses to Hve at home to save money and avoid accumulating a large debt "I have one credit card, a Visa. That's all I need...I usually pay it off every month." She said. "I use it to pay for stuff like dinner, movies, clothes. It's more for convenience...I use my student loan money to pay off my Visa." Anderson said she doesn't work during the school year but does look for a job in the summer. Heidi Newcombe, a second-year Arts student, attended the workshop to learn how to better manage her finances. "I'm in debt pretty bad," she said. "My boyfriend and I have a mortgage...and I also have about $10,000 in credit card and line of credit bank debt...I use my credit cards for absolutely eveiything, food, gas, haircuts...I don't work during school. I have no income," she said. Newcombe said a lot of what was discussed in the seminar she knew before, but learned some interesting things about interest rates and percentages. "You kind of numb-out money issues and forget for a while. It's important to bring money issues to the foreground and deal with them." Jennie Yendall wants students to be aware of the difference between good and bad debts. "Remember that in the big picture, yotkr student loan is a drop in the bucket. A degree is good debt. A degree is a return on an investment.'M by Eric Szeto NEWS EDITOR UBC and the University of West Hungary have embarked on a joint forestry program—the first of its kind between Canada and the European Union. The program, slated to begin by 2007, wiU employ a common English curriculum, which will allow students from Hungary and UBC who study in forestry to have credits that are transferable between the two universities. "It's mutually beneficial, it really ties into the UBC Trek 2010 document with internationalised globalisation so I'm a strong supporter of it, and I think my coUeagues are too," said UBC's Dean of Forestry Jack Saddler. UBC forestry has had a long tradition with forestry faculty at the University of West Hungary (Sopron), dating back to 1957—one year after the Soviet Union's invasion of Hungary. For the school to survive under Soviet occupation, UBC opened the Sopron division of forestry here in Vancouver, which allowed over 200 Sopron students and 14 faculty members to emigrate and continue their education in Vancouver. The Canadian-Hungarian community has roots here so it's no surprise that Sopron chose UBC for the joint venture program, said Saddler. There are currendy four vis iting professors from Sopron, aU here on a type of reconnaissance mission that they say will help them understand the nuances between the two schools and their curricula. Professor Vosak, one of the visiting professor's from Sopron called this program "a unique European-Canadian diploma." Professor Laszlo Jager, another visiting professor, expressed his hope that this program would increase the fledgling number of post-secondary students in Hungary. "The number of the students are decreasing in Hungary so we hope that we will be able to increase the number of the students with this program," said Jager. One of the hurdles that people from Hungary will have to overcome is learning English, something that Sopron Professor Balint Heil said will be difficult because not many students speak English— although the numbers are improving. "More and more people are learning EngHsh," he said. The long term goal of this program is for Hungary to be able to recruit students to Sopron from all the adjacent countries, said Tony Kozak, a coordinator between the two universities. The program's success will bode well with the European community and Canada, he added, a University of Ottawa i *\\ Attend law school in Canada and the United States < ' ."! ^ .t A - N~ 't\\~--'^—y-y-- -- y 3r* v* Earn two degrees: * an LL.B. from the University of Ottawa; and * a J.D. from Michigan State University College of Law. Pay Canadian tuition for all four years. v Balsam Dental Centre Dr, Francisco Leos-Marquez, Inc, Dentist Preferred Rates for Students! Just 10 minutes from campus on the 41st bus. We also specialize in implants and orthodontics. Phone: (604) 261-6232 Fax: (604) 261-6209 Email: balsamdentaI@hotmail.com Balsam Dental Centre Suite #303,5704 Balsam Street Vancouver, BC, V6M 4B9 THEUBYSSEY u Ottawa L'Universitg canadienne Canada's university For more information visit: wvvwxommonlaw.MOttawa.ca or call (613) 562-5800, ext.3288 Application deadline: November 1,2005. »i*i*>Iv>>^x•>X'^ic^'Xv*>x■x■Xvi^*.■ Be one of the first to stop by SUB 23, to pick up a free movie pass to a preview screening of: Lies on Tuesday October 11y 2005 7:00 p.m. at Fifth Avenue Cinema in Vancouver IN THEATRES OCTOBER 14 White quantities last. One per person, available on a limited basis, not an employee of FS or other promo partners. -«v 12 News Friday, 7 October, 2005 THEUBYSSEY ■.:»* Marine Drive Towers encounter resistance irjk^~ .^Br?B? Public consultation process for phase II Marine Drive residences doesn't offer solution for its critics By Eric Szeto NEWS EDITOR The unveiling of the phase II. designs for the Marine Drive Residences was met with scathing opposition during the public consultation Wednesday night The recently revealed plans called for three new residences to be built — two of which were to be 18-stories — both to stand sidfr-by- side with the completed phase one tower. The remaining residence would be seven stories and stand perpendicular from the third tower. There was grave concern, however, that the two proposed 18- storey towers would be seen from Wreck Beach, as was the first tower. "We do not deny the views are important to maintain [and] those views ought to be protected,* said President of UBC Properties Trust Al Poettcker, responding to the litany of complaints from the audience. 'But this heritage view doesn't live up to its billing." The first phase of the towers has already registered 600 hew beds and the completion of the second phase would add another 1000. The original plans called for 1980 beds, but after the first tower was reduced because the height exceeded Greater Vancouver Regional District (GVRD) limits, UBC lost an estimated 363 beds. Final CAREFULLY OBSERVING: Attendants listen intently as design plans for the Marine Drive Towers are exhibited. MICHELLE MAYNE PHOTO completion of the residences would subsequently increase student housing on campus by 15 per cent The project is already $28.2 million dollars over budget and rising— a fatal point is coming unless this is passed soon, said Poettcker. Students would be the ones responsible for offsetting the losses that UBC incurred, he added. There will be a point when students will choose to commute rather than Hve on campus because rent will be too high, explained Poettcker. Despite UBC's display of hardship Wreck Beach advocates are requesting that the residence be moved to a different location or at the very least have the two towers lowered. Nothing here convinced me otherwise, said chair of the Wreck Beach Preservation Society (WBPS) Judy Williams, referring to the undue hardship clause that was issued by the GVRD in August The clause stated that if UBC endured any undue hardship during the process it would be acceptable for the proposed towers to exceed the tree-lines. "UBC has a chance to not make the mistakes of tower one which happened without public input. Please do not let history repeat itself," said Williams. "Listen to the people including over 2000 of your own students and 700 of your own alumni." "If this project was done in the right way in the first place none of this would have happened," said James Lowen, media relations for WBPS. "You make your bed and you lie in it." Wreck Beach enthusiasts may have been displeased with the designs, but according to VP External and Legal Affairs Denis Pavlich, this is just part of the process. "The purpose of this process is to listen carefully, and that's exactly what we will do. The planning folk will take all this information and as they say they will come up with the report," said Pavlich who added that he felt this consultation was a success. Alma Mater Society (AMS) VP Academic Gavin Dew criticised both sides during this deliberation process, and requested that they be more forthcoming and honest in the fiiture. "I call on UBC to improve its communication but we also need to call on everyone in the process to be truthful," said Dew. Dew sanctioned the jeers and sneers that were coming from the crowd during the meeting and proposed that the process move in a more progressive manner. "At what point are we being hypocritical when we say that this is a cynical process and then we're going to laugh," said Dew. "At what point does it become infinite regress...at what point do we say is it never going to be end?" The public comment period for the designs ends on October 3 l.H *u> M. JL^r AAAV>JL%^v3o> JLJL^J^JLA%4L«UR- Ta* Totem and Vanier residences will be closed for the holidays #*- by Carolynne Burkholder NEWS STAFF Spending the holidays in a university dorm may not be the first choice for most students, but starting this December, residents of Totem Park and Place Vanier will no longer have that option. From December 22 until Januaiy 2, the two residences, home to around 2,700 students, will be closed. UBC Director of Housing and Conferences Fred Fotis, said changes. were made due to safety concerns. "Since my arrival at UBC {four years ago] I've been concerned that we have about 20 students in each area living in nearly empty buildings for the break period," said Fotis. 'One could fall and have an accident in the shower and it is fully possible that there may not be anyone else staying in the entire building." "While it was convenient for a small number of students, it was not a good risk to continue to take," he said. Over the past five years, approximately 40 students from Totem Park and Place Vanier have remained in residence over this period. Students living in Totem Park and Place Vanier will be able to leave all their belongings in their rooms although they will not have access to them. As well, security will continue to patrol the buildings and the desk will be open every day. Most residences at other Canadian universities allow students to stay over the Christmas break; the major exceptions being Bishop's, St Thomas University, and most of the residences at the "One could fall and have an accident in the shower and it is fully possible that there may not be anyone else staying in the enitre building -Fred Fotis Director of Housing UBC University of Toronto. UBC will provide alternate arrangements for students who are not leaving over the break, said Fotis. "We will do our best to...help those students who live at a distance and choose to stay in Vancouver find alternate accommodations,' he said. Students can choose to stay in Gage Towers and pay a small fee, or stay with friends in other UBC residences, or at other accommodations, such as the YMC A "We believe we can fully assist the small number of residents who What else can you do with a BA these days? Part 2: The Muchmusic VJ search is here on campus! Finally, a chance to cast off the shackles of your minimum wage position for one which celebrates and markets your own 'unique* personality. And there's virtually no competition for the job: yesterday's event in the Norm Theatre featured less than thirty participants mostly performing for an empty theatre. But the brave souls who did grace the faux-stage did the best they could under the big bright lights.There's still a chance to audition today at the Norm between 10 and 5pm. Be brave. As one contestant today so ably proved, you can always bust out your "mean robot." yinan max wang steam live far away who choose to stay,' he added. Fotis said that all students should have been aware of this change before they decided to hve in residence. "We decided lastyear that we would close Totem and Vanier for the break and stated so in aU printed, web-based, and contractual material," he said. David Kiloh, Residence Life Manager for Place Vanier, said that despite advance warning, 1 am certain that there are going to be students with nowhere (to stay] at the last minute.' For some students, the change has affected their plans for the holidays. "Tm upset that I can't come back early/ said Nichole Wapple, a Totem Park resident 'I was think ing of spending New Years with my friends in Vancouver...I'm realty disappointed/ Wapple also added that she wasn't aware of this change until last week. Although students will have to vacate their homes for two weeks, the monthly fee schedule is consistent Kiloh said that "the over all rent increase was less than it would have been/WB"""@en ; edm:hasType "Newspapers"@en ; dcterms:spatial "Vancouver (B.C.)"@en ; dcterms:identifier "LH3.B7 U4"@en, "LH3_B7_U4_2005_10_07"@en ; edm:isShownAt "10.14288/1.0128388"@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. Archives"@en ; dcterms:subject "University of British Columbia"@en ; dcterms:title "The Ubyssey"@en ; dcterms:type "Text"@en ; dcterms:description ""@en .