Student Society Begs for Voters Low Voter Turnout Christmas Cheer and Exam Fear Puts Referendum in Jeopardy
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www.ubyssey.bc.ca Tuesday, November 25, 2003 Volume 85 Issue 23 Starfuckiiig since 1918 Student society begs for voters Low voter turnout Christmas cheer and exam fear puts referendum in jeopardy by Megan Thomas NEWS EDITOR Students aren't rushing to the polls in the Alma Mater Society (AMS) referendum to increase the health and den tal plan fee, so the student society has decided to extend V •"it*.1 •.* <£ < the deadline. Students now have until tonight at 5pm to weigh in on '. « 4 » « * 1 , * * « * . % whether they would like to increase the AMS/Graduate ,; Student Society (GSS) Health Plan premium from the cur •' *•'•<••.•.. 7''V-^ rent $187 to $240 next September in exchange for some i * 1 * * increased coverage and to maintain the current benefits. i , ' ' •. » I */ K * "Just tell us one way or the other. Give us a clear ,7 . '.'V/• r .J . ' ' >'.; « answer so we know where to go from here," said Oana i « < \ » \ « . „ «' Chirila, AMS president ' 1 , I . * For an AMS referendum to be legally binding it must ,« , * ' » • •* «* «- reach quorum; ten per cent of UBC students must either 1 '*J vote for or against the question As of yesterday, votes only * . » made up § total of ten percent between both the yes and* no • . < side; TEe^elecQgjii cordmittee* could not say how many // votes each side had received as the referendum is ongoing, r "[Quorum] doesn't look very likely," said Christine Tai, \ \ V AMS elections administrator. Tai also said that getting students out to vote is an ongoing problem at UBC. "Voter turnout is always low. There is a problem with apathy on campus," she said. "It's the way UBC is, and has been, for quite a while." -.i If the referendum fails to reach quorum it will be up to l 'h .»..• the AMS council on Wednesday to decide whether or not IT'S BEGINNING TO LOOK A LOT LIKE SOME NON-DENOMINATIONAL HOLIDAY: The tree outside of the Main See"Referendum"onpage2.Librar y was lit last week, signaling the beginning of the holiday—and exam—season, MICHELLE MAYNE PHOTO Report a milestone in women's UBC stem cell research brings cure health research, says prof by Sara Grosse Report, recently released by the for muscle degeneration closer NEWSWRlTER Canadian Population Health by Zerah Lurie While scientists have identified muscle stem cells, he Initiative and Health Canada, is the NEWSWRlTER said these cells aren't attracted to damaged tissue, mean A recent report is the first in Canada first step in filling the research deficit ing you have to inject them directly info the muscle to to provide a comprehensive look at in women's health, issues, said A UBC scientist has brought doctors a step closer to help repair it something he says can be a very complicated. Arminee Kazanjian, a UBC professor women's health in this country, said ing patients suffering from muscle damage. See "Stem cells" on page 2. a UBC professor. in the department of health care and Fabio Rossi an assistant professor in medical genetics The Women's Health Surveillance epidemiology and co-author of and a Canada research chair in regenerative medicine, has the report discovered that adult stem cells found in bone marrow can "It is the first time such a report is help repair damaged muscle tissue, such as the heart THIS ISSUE: being made available," she said. "It "Now that we know which [cells] to look at we can provides you with quite a bit of detail assess the mechanisms involved," said Rossi. ^; which hasn't been available before." The discovery could eventually help cure skeletal mus t?a Inis report is important because cle diseases like Muscular Dystrophy, but the research previous research into women's might be useful for repairing damaged hearts—the same ,r< health has been all but isolated from mechanisms may be involved, he said. other health research, she said. "You Stem cells are precursor cells that have the potential to il always see the trees but you never get create a variety of different cells. Bone marrow stem cells to see the forests." are mostly used to regenerate blood cells, but had not This report brings that isolated been conclusively linked to muscle cells. FEATURE; Res kids do research under one cover, providing But when Rossi and colleagues injected different single naughty things doctors and women with a much bone marrow cells into mice and followed the cell's off If res life wasn't exposed more comprehensive understanding spring, they found a specific type of bone marrow cell enough, now you'll certainly see of women's health, said Kazanjian. whose daughters ended up in both blood and muscle tissue. the whole picture. Pages $-9. Critical findings in the report Clinical trials had already shown that bone marrow include a slightly lower hfe expectan cells injected into damaged hearts cause some improve CULTURE: Bif uses her poop- cy for women compared to mer^ and ment but it was unclear which cells were beneficial, er-scooper and talks about love, that women face higher health risks said Rossi. music and Ducatis. Page 13. when dealing with depression, sui This means they might have been injecting bad cells cide attempts and their sexual health. along with the good. [email protected] The report. also found that "Hopefiilly the more we are able to define exactly WWW.UBYSSEY.BC.CA which lineage is involved, the more we will be able to See "Women" on page 2, inject just the good cells," he said. STEM CELLS: Rossi at work, MICHELLE MAYNE PHOTO TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 25, 2003 NEWS THE UBYSSEY Health plan referendum could increase student fees by $53 EXPERIENCED FRENCH TUTOR & PROOFREADER/EDITOR. BA. in "Referendum" from page 1. but may not understand or may not French, specializing in essays, research support a fee increase." ; vocabulary & more. Call Wendy ® 778- CLASSIFIEDS 839-2484 or e-mail [email protected] to run the referendum again next Chirila added that a complicated term. But Chirila said the AMS only EXPERIENCED ENGLISH TUTOR question and a short timeline to 8c PROOFREADER/EDITOR budgets for one referendum a year, complete the referendum—the refer Ph. D Student with 6 yrs teaching at a cost of about $3000. endum question was. passed by experience. Call Anna @ 604-821-0510 If the referendum does not draw council just over three weeks ago— CHRISTMAS FROM AROUND THE STUCK ON A TOUGH ESSAY? enough votes and council decides may be contributing to the low voter EssayExperts.ca can help! Expert writers CLASSIFIEDS WORLD TRADE SHOW: vendors, against another attempt, no benefits turnout performers or volunteers are needed . will help you with editing, writing; Tel: (604) 421.3898 graduate school applications. We 11 help will be added next year and cuts to "My only concern is whether this you on any subject - visit us 24/7 at the current coverage are a possibili question is clear enough and YOUTH AGAINST OCCUPATION: A EssayExperts.ca CONFERENCE ON WAR AND ty, said a spokesperson for student whether students had enough lead OCCUPATION, for students and youth ESSAY RESEARCH & ASSISTANCE. Any Subjects A to Z. Highly qualified care. net/works, the company that time to vote," she said. "We are doing throughout the Lower Mainland. our best to rhake sure that people November 29th. 11:304 6:30, UBC graduates will Help. Toll free; 1-888- . STUDENTS! manages the health plan for the** Robson Square, Room c 300. Limited 345-8295. www.custpmessay.coni AMSandGSSt have the information they need." space; pre-registration encouraged. "There would be no possibility AMS policy was amended to allow Organized by the Student Youth Committee Against War. Lookino for a for a fee increase," said Kristin the elections committee to extend ref- stopwar studenDjS'yahoo.ca, INTERESTED IN BEING Foster. "It would certainly mean we erendums after a 2001 referendum (604)340-9670 PUBLISHED? Submit your essays to the history journal - The Atlas. Drop them roommate? would not be able to add any new asking students if they would like to VEGETARIAN LUNCH PROGRAM. off in the box in the History office benefits in the future." increase AMS fees to provide more Vegetarian lunch, every Tuesday 12:30- Buch. Tower 12th floor. Questions? E- Foster said the low voter turnout money for services like Safewalk just mail [email protected] 2:30 <3> International House (1783 West could be a result of asking students failed to make quorum. Mall) Everyone welcome. • .-/• Got something HEY BANDS/DJS! Want a gig? UBC . for more money. 'People felt that an extra day or Medical Ball needs a band/dj: oldies of ervices 20 s-50V +/- "top 40°. Saturday, March to sell? "It is just really difficult to ask two would have allowed them to get THE BIKE KITCHEN is your campus ] 3 @ Westin Bayshore. Demo tapes/cds students to vote about a fee the extra votes out," said Chirila. bike shop! (In the SUB loading bay) Call to UBC Medical Ball rm. 317 IRC * increase," she said. "I think that a lot To vote, students must visit 82-Specd. Or lust have an of people support the health plan www.ams.ubc.ca. • STRESSED OUT? Trouble with .ra-curricuiar workload, anxious, panicked, depressed, DANCE HORIZONS MEMBERSHIP fitting in, relationships. COUNSELLOR FOR SALE. Full-year membership, announcement to Brenoa Barton, $60.00 per hour, near effective September '03, expires April Embry onic stem cells may still hold more promise UBC (604) 738-7957. '04. Bought for $175, sell for $80. Call ating cells that are related. Anna @ 604-221-1785.