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THE Thursday, February 4, 2016 Volume 53, Issue 18 NAIT YOUR STUDENT NEWSPAPERNUGGET FOR MORE THAN 50 YEARS, EDMONTON, ALBERTA, CANADA StudentsA vying FULL for Executive SLATE! Council, pages 12-17 2 The Nugget Thursday, February 4, 2016 NEWS&FEATURES Institutionalattended, rather than the program, aca- tion of an institution biases and the parchment and CFIP Western Regional case compe- demic achievements or professional a student receives at the end of their pro- titions, beating out so-called “reputable” network. gram then, should be redefined. institutions across Western Canada. Our This bias is even more prevalent in I have heard far too many discus- students consistently take top spots at Alberta, with the little-understood six sions about whether NAIT is recog- skills competitions on the national and sector model for post-secondary edu- nized outside of Alberta, or whether international stages. There is a moun- cation. In Alberta, institutions are div- our degree programs are comparable to tain of evidence that not only are NAIT ided into six groups, as outlined by their MacEwan or the University of Alberta. programs relevant, they are highly credentials, research activity and geo- I have heard people claim NAIT is noth- competitive. graphic locations. All credit programs ing but a trades school, and our classes I get it, students should be proud NICOLAS BROWN are subjective to approval from the Min- are not teaching relevant materials. Not of where they study – I certainly Issues Editor istry of Advanced only do these people am. But an institution’s reputa- @bruchev Education and are NAIT students not understand the tion should not be focused on how Post-secondaries are frequently dependent on an know that all of our education system others’ perceive an institution, it cre- ranked on various criteria, whether it institution’s place- instructors have real- they are in, they are ates a systemic bias that is not only is graduate salaries, average test scores ment in one of the not even judging ill-informed, it perpetuates a system or tuition scores. Yet one of the biggest sectors: Comprehen- world experience, based on relevant of nepotism that destroys the integ- ranking factors, one I personally dis- sive Academic and something critical information! Yet rity of the job market. Next time you agree with, is reputation. I’m not say- Research Institu- to bringing relevant this is significantly want to rank a post-secondary insti- ing that institutions shouldn’t push for tions, Baccalaureate concepts and lessons impacting the repu- tution in Alberta by reputation, look greater recognition or academic excel- and Applied Studies tation our institu- at the achievements of its students, lence – that is a very necessary activ- Institutions, Poly- into the classroom. tion and our students the calibre of its instructors and how ity to continuously improve the state technic Institutions, Comprehensive encounter off campus. it is recognized by accrediting organ- of post-secondary education across the Community Institutions, Independent NAIT students know that all of our izations. Because in Alberta, all pro- world. Academic Institutions, and Specialized instructors have real-world experience, grams get judged the same way in There are aspects of reputation that Arts and Culture Institutions. something critical to bringing relevant the end, by the Ministry of Advanced are critical to ensuring a valuable edu- An institution’s placement in these concepts and lessons into the classroom. Education. cation worth the thousands of dollars sectors may affect what programs they Our instructors and student groups And for those students who still in tuition students spend pursuing their can offer but it does not change the value not only participate in competitions, believe their institution is still better careers. However, there are other aspects of the programs themselves. Unlike they punch far above our supposed because of their “ranking,” just remem- that really should not be considered in other post-secondary systems, with sep- “weight-class”. ber – the University of Alberta isn’t a “reputation” calculations that portray arations between “university” and “col- Just last year, NAIT business teams Top 100 university anymore, so it’s time incredible bias. This bias soon makes lege” degrees, in Alberta a degree is a took the top spots in Western Canada for for it to stop resting on its laurels and an education a point of the institution degree. What should affect the reputa- the Royal Roads, Alberta Deans’ Case, work on improvements. Colour purple for eating disorders By NICOLAS BROWN Councillor Bev Esslinger, proclaimed the be smashed apart. Pieces of broken bath- training on eating disorders.” Issues Editor week of events at City Hall. The rest of room scales will be decorated and added Nonprofit organizations like EDSNA @bruchev the week will be filled with social events to a new art installation to inspire posi- are working to fill that service gap through This week will see purple become a across the city that encourage support and tive body image. initiatives like the Eating Disorder Aware- favourite colour across Edmonton as a ser- conversation. It is difficult to find exact numbers ness Week and providing a support network ies of events take place in support of Eat- The educational highlight for the on mental health conditions, especially for individuals to access vital services, but ing Disorder Awareness. The organiza- week is ED-Ucate, an all-day sympo- eating disorders. EDSNA’s website education and awareness are the corner- tion behind this project, the Eating Disor- sium hosted by includes a list of stones of these efforts. der Support Network of Alberta (EDSNA) EDSNA on eating statistics for vari- It is very important to recognize the is pushing to raise support for these often disorders that will ous groups, but the complexity and variety of these disorders, misunderstood conditions. include sessions on most shocking is a which affect people of every age, gender, “This week is about raising awareness, caregiving, support, US statistic which and social background. connection, understanding, compassion and and dealing with the claims that up to “Eating disorders affect males and hope,” explains Sue Huff, Executive Direc- stigma surround- 24 million people, females of all ages, body types, ethnicities tor of EDSNA. ing mental health. of all genders and and backgrounds. It’s time to stop think- This week is focusing on events that The symposium will ages, suffer from an ing of this as a skinny white girl illness. It’s educate and engage the community on the be followed by an eating disorder. Yet not,” explains Huff. impacts of eating disorders. “Eating dis- evening health-care panel for students support services for these disorders are The best way to learn about eating dis- orders have the highest mortality rate of and healthcare professionals. difficult to come by. orders is to contact the Eating Disorder any mental illness, but they continue to be However, the event that will high- “We have 4100 registered psychiatrists Support Network of Alberta. If you are shrouded in shame, secrecy and misinfor- light community awareness regarding in Canada but only 12 specialize in eating concerned about the well-being of a friend mation,” says Huff. eating disorders is Friday’s #Smash_ disorders,” says Huff, “most healthcare or peer, please contact, or encourage them The High Level Bridge shone purple ED. This event will encourage partici- professionals (including doctors, paramed- to contact, EDSNA or NAIT Counselling Monday night after dignitaries, including pants to bring their bathroom scales to ics, psychologists and dietitians) have little Services. Thursday, February 4, 2016 NEWS & FEATURES The Nugget 3 The Nugget Room E-128B 11762–106 Street Edmonton, Alberta T5G 2R1 Production Office 780-471-8866 www.thenuggetonline.com Editor-in-Chief Danielle Fuechtmann [email protected] Issues Editor Nicolas Brown [email protected] Sports Editor Bridgette Tsang [email protected] Photo by Leigh Kovesy HONOURED FOR LONG SERVICE Entertainment Editors Joel Leckie These 30-year NAIT employees pose with AUPE Local 038 Chair Ray Walmsley, left, and NASA President Arlana Moskalyk, second from left, along with NAIT VP External Relations & CDO George Andrews, far Connor O’Donovan right. Over 170 staff members were recognized in January for long service and leadership achievements. [email protected] Photo Editor Jade Wong [email protected] Online Editor Danielle Fuechtmann Pink to the rescue [email protected] By DANIELLE S. FUECHTMANN committee include Student Engagement, NAITSA, Human Production Manager The Pink Shirt Day in support of bullying prevention in Resources, NAIT’s peace officers and campus security, cam- Canada will be held on Feb. 24 and an excited committee is pus registration, Food Services, NAIT’s ombudsman, shop Frank MacKay working to plan campus events in promotion of the annual AT NAIT and several others. [email protected] event. Planning is still in progress for the events on Feb. 24 but Submissions encouraged: Pink Shirt Day started in Nova Scotia after two friends the enthusiasm of the committee shows through the variety [email protected] organized a protest in at their school to support a Grade 9 boy of events they have for the “small event” they’re planning for who had been bullied for wearing pink. The event was a big 2016. Some of the plans include inviting a community police The opinions expressed by contribu- success in their school, achieving their goal of shutting down officer to speak about laws surrounding bullying, a presentation tors to the Nugget are not necessar- the bullying that had been directed at their classmate, as well of the Respect in the Workplace Policy from Human Resources ily shared by NAIT officials, NAITSA as expanding to other schools across the country. Today, Pink and Health and Safety Services will discuss the Health Safety or elected school representatives.

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