T NAI NUGGET Thursday, August 30, 2018 thenuggetonline.com Volume 56, Issue 1 @nuggetonline Illustration by Nikita Eleniak 2 The Nugget Thursday, August 30, 2018 NEWS&FEATURES Your executives 2018-19 By JORY PROFT to meetings, but there’s quite a bit more Your new NAIT Students’ Associa- to it. We [actually] sit on a lot of commit- tion executive took office last May, after a tees, both at NAIT and externally, where election earlier in the spring. The four are we talk about student issues. We’re also beginning the new year and have a number very involved with the government. We’re of priorities in mind to help enrich the stu- really involved in a lot of things that may dent experience at NAIT. not come to [the student’s] mind.” The executives are comprised of the 4. “ I would hope by the end that they president, vice president academic, vice know that we do our best to advocate for president external and vice president stu- them and their needs. We’ve set our goals dent services. Each executive holds a port- for the year, so by the end of the year I hope folio that encompasses different aspects we’ve made great strides and have either of student life and work full time driving accomplished, or are at least close to accom- important student initiatives. Any full-time plishing the goals we’ve set for the year.” students have the option to run for Senate or Executive Council. We met with each member to ask: 1. What is your role at NAIT? 2. How does this affect the average student? 3. What’s something about your role/ Karen Velasco Willow Shelley the council that people may not know/ VP External VP Student Services understand? Karen Velasco – Vice President Willow Shelley – Vice President Stu- 4. What is the main impact you’d want External: dent Services: to leave in your term here at NAIT? 1.“I deal with external stakeholders 1. “My biggest role is to promote [like] government, U-Pass, lobbying for well-being with students across cam- tuition fees.” pus. That means all students are having 2. “Most of the concerns for students an awesome time here, and their men- are transit and tuition fees. Even the simple tal and physical health is taken care of. I things like crosswalks. We try to make the work closely with Campus Life for men- space safe for the average student.” tal health initiatives and with campus rec. 3. “We have student lobbying groups to ensure that these free [physical health] with a bunch of other schools that have classes are continued and being promoted the same concerns for their students. We in a way that students actually know get together and lobby so we have one about them.” Brenda Needham voice.” 2. “My goal is to make more student VP Academic 4. “It can be difficult to make a big opportunities through creating commit- Brenda Needham – Vice President difference, so it’s about the little things. tees. [A few examples being] a sustain- Academic: [Things like] having painted crosswalks, or ability committee, a design committee to 1. “I help find solutions for students regulating fees for international students or revamp our current space so students feel with their instructors, whether it be on the personal development for students [work more welcome to come in, and we’re put- grades, conflict resolution, stuff like that. I with soft skills]; making them more com- ting in a peer-support program at NAIT – work very closely with NAIT’s Ombuds- fortable here.” that’s where I’ll see a lot of [the average] person [a neutral representative for both students.” NAIT and NAITSA] and their Student 3. “There are so many services, and Naomi Pela Resolution Officer.” events that are actually free. Our events, I 2. “Hopefully I can help the [average NAITSA’s Mission think, are incredible, and I want students to President student] with finding out what their rights Enhance the NAIT stu- be able to use them, but they may just not Naomi Pela – President: and responsibilities are. I’m here to help dent experience by advo- know about them.” 1. “I help represent NAITSA. I’m sort students.” cating for their rights, 4. “I want students to feel that their of the spokesperson or point of contact for 3. “Most students don’t know that representing their voice, voice is heard, that their opinion is NAIT or any external organizations look- we’re a student-driven force; we’re here creating a culture of important when it comes to classes, ing to get in touch. I take a sort of team- to make sure students are taken care of by engagement and leader- events on campus, and initiatives. And lead role, and try to organize ourselves as their rights. We’re student-focused, we’re ship, while providing stu- that they’re actually supported here at a team.” the student voice.” dent-driven services. NAIT. If I left knowing that students had 2. “I would hope that the [average] stu- 4. “One thing, is that I’m working We offer a wide variety more supports, were aware of them, and dent, if they have any questions, or con- on getting a fall break. Unfortunately, to choose from includ- therefore felt that they could speak up ing events and activities cerns that they’d just come up to me. I want it will probably not be until 2021 – it’s for your entertainment; more, I’d love that.” to be there for the students – I’m mostly not a simple solution, it’s something academic questions and here to serve the students and advocate on we have to work on. [But] if it’s not aid; facilities to study their behalf.” resolved by the end of my term, then I’m and party; and living and 3. “[Students may think] that the coun- hoping whoever takes over will continue health support. cil is all about talking to people and going to work on it.” Thursday, August 30, 2018 NEWS & FEATURES The Nugget 3 Baking program rises By SHAWNA BANNERMAN to 54. The yearly tuition costs remain the where they will be making desserts and The Nugget NAIT has expanded its one-year Bak- same. pastries for Earnest’s Dining Room.” Room E-128B ing Certificate program to a two-year Bak- The faculty has hired two new instruct- With two new instructions, and more 11762–106 Street ing and Pastry Arts Diploma Program. ors and added additional courses to the applicants than before, Dumonceaux says Edmonton, Alberta Chair of Baking, Alan Dumonceaux, second year of the curriculum, which there could be future growth for the Bak- T5G 2R1 explains that upgrading the Baking Cer- includes implementing additional equip- ing Program. Production Office 780-471-8866 tificate program to a diploma has been the ment and tools, as well as giving students “I think with the capital expansion pro- www.thenuggetonline.com goal for several years. the opportunity for hands-on experience. gram there’s the opportunity for the Bak- Senior Editor “There’s many post secondary institu- “It’s a great opportunity for us to be ing Program to grow,” he said. “We’ve had tions in Canada that have the diploma [pro- able to show students a wider variety of a really big increase in applications. Our Jory Proft gram] now, so it’s really just bringing us products. Certainly a higher skill level of actual number of applications is the highest [email protected] into alignment with other post secondary expectation will be required in the second it’s ever been now with the new diploma.” institutions in Canada,” said Dumonceaux. year and we have a lot more projects,” said Students who have already received the Although lab sizes limit the intake to Dumonceaux. Baking Certificate are eligible to return for Sports Editor 27 students per year, the two-year diploma “One of the major things is now our the second year to complete the Diploma Conner Toffan allows the program to double its intake students will have a real life experience Program. [email protected] Entertainment Editor Nikita Eleniak [email protected] Media Operations Mgr. Nicole Murphy [email protected] Production Manager Frank MacKay [email protected] Submissions encouraged: [email protected] The opinions expressed by contributors to the Nugget are not necessarily shared by NAIT officials, NAITSA or elected school representatives. Letters We want your views Is something bugging you about NAIT or the world? Do you have some praise for the school or life in general? Keep your thoughts short and to the point. No more than 100 words. Submit your letters with your real name and contact info to: [email protected]. We need to list your real name. Getting something Techlife Today off your chest is downright Chair of Baking, Alan Dumonceaux, shown posing with some of his creations, is excited that NAIT will be replacing the one-year baking certificate program with a two-year Baking and Pastry Arts Diploma Program. therapeutic. Write us. 4 The Nugget NEWS & FEATURES Thursday, August 30, 2018 Former Nugget editors reminisce ... By NICOLE MURPHY sports articles galore, getting paid for spelled wrong and very little more. The Nugget). Despite my persistence Where have all the courageous, truth my work … and eating my fill of free Now don’t get me wrong, getting that that he likely didn’t know who I was, seekers gone? There was a time when pizza. Soon enough, I found myself in paper is important and is something he pressed on, “you’re a writer? Are being a journalist meant looking out for charge of the entire Sports Section of that you should definitely be working you sure you’re not published some- the people, it meant bringing down the the paper.