Small universities’ Smartphones in the Struggles — page 7 Classroom — page 6

Fifty Years of Homecoming Photos

Brandon University’s Student Newspaper: one week at a time since 1910Geography — page 4 —Volume page 103, 5 Issue 7 — October 16th, 2012

Brady Knight B Hartney, , “It was my senior year of high Henry Champ attended Bran- school – he came to one of my Assistant donorn College in – the predecessor to high school basketball games,” Editor-in-Chief – in 1957 and recalls Ilarion Bonhomme, a sec- 1958. It was in Brandon where ond-year point guard on the Bob- Champ began his journalism ca- cat’s basketball team, “he got my reer as a reporter for the Brandon phone number from my AP English Sun in 1960. teacher and he gave me a phone During his illustrious career, call, asking me to come to Brandon Henryhe spent 15 years with CTV’s Champ: in- 1937-2012University. I didn’t know what Bran- vestigative affairs show W5 and don University was, I didn’t know served as the network’s chief cor- what Brandon, Manitoba was – I respondent for both Washington just knew was cold!” and London. He also worked for In addition to being one of Amer- NBC in Europe and Washington. ica’s most beautiful cities, Wash- During this time, Champ provided ington is also home to a few of the coverage from around the world, most dangerous areas in the coun- including El Salvador, Nicaragua, try – something Bonhomme knows and Vietnam, where he was one only too well. “It definitely wasn’t of the last correspondents to leave the best experience most nights, the country. you know? You hear a lot of scary In 1993 Champ joined the an- stuff going on.” chor team at CBC News: Morning Bonhomme had several bas- in Halifax, before moving to CBC ketball scholarship offers in the Newsworld, where he worked as US. He was planning on attending the network’s Washington corre- ASA College in New York, when he spondent. He retired just days af- became injured. ter the 2008 US Presidential elec- “I called Henry [...] and he just tion. worked everything out.” Despite traveling around the “I don’t know how he did it,” globe, Champ never forgot his says Bonhomme, “when I contact- roots. He was a member of the ed him it was late August and he Brandon University foundation, said “we’re short on time, but don’t in addition to serving in many ca- worry, I’ll take care of everything” – pacities at BU over the years. BU and he just got everything worked awarded him with an honorary out.” doctor of laws in 2005. It all came together very well In November 2008, he was ap- Photo credit Brandon University. for Bonhomme as well. Last year, pointed as BU’s sixth Chancellor. in his first full season with the Bob- During his nearly four year term, Champ played an active role, visiting cam- cats, he averaged 12.2 points per game and 4.2 rebounds per game on the pus and meeting with students. He also took a special interest in recruiting way to being named Rookie of the Year in the Canada West conference. students from Washington who would not otherwise have had the opportu- Champ stayed in close contact with his students. “He came to some of nity to attend a post-secondary institution. my basketball practices [...] we hung out in res sometimes,” remembers Bon- Champ is survived by his wife Karen and their five children. homme, “He was funny – so funny!” Even when Champ became sick, Bonhomme says “he would never tell “A real good guy” me what was wrong with him – I could hear in his voice he was sick, but he’s Henry Champ is remembered by many for his work with the CBC, CTV and like “no, I’m good, I’m good”. He was tough.” NBC as an international correspondent. But to several students from Wash- Bonhomme’s story is just one example of Champ’s tireless work and ington, DC, he was much more. dedication. In addition to bringing aspiring athletes to BU, he also brought up After Champ retired from broadcasting following the 2008 American many other students, including several to the faculty of music. Presidential election, he was named Chancellor of Brandon University. In this “He helped a lot of people,” says Bonhomme, “I just hope no one ever capacity, he began to recruit students from the Washington area and bring forgets about all the people he helped.” them to his alma mater. “He was a real good guy.” § Volume 103, Issue 7 — October 16th, 2012 — 1 2 – On Campus

The Academic Skills Centre is offering workshops all through the fall How to survive in university semester for any students interested. These workshops cover both Sheilagh Grills B when estimating the learning skills and math skills. Events On Campus Study Tipstime neededof the for tasks. Week Don’t write in ev- The next workshop scheduled is: Academic erything!e generous Too much detail just becomes a Memory Strategies Skills form of procrastination. Tuesday, November 6th Centre editorialstaff Fill in a master calendar for the se- 12:40 pm–1:30 pm and 1:40 pm–2:30 pm Editor in Chief | Emily Diehl mester. Write in all your known tests and McKenzie 005 [email protected] assignments. Work backwards from the Assistant Editor in Chief | due dates to determine when you should Brady Knight BUSU and Student Services are also offering information sessions on have your first draft completed, and when [email protected] sexual assault. The next information session scheduled is: Acting Business Manager | you will need to have each chapter read. Tuesday, October 23rd, 12:40 pm–2:00 pm, Mingling Area Elinor Murray Start a to-do list. Put the most impor- “Sexual Assault and the Law” – What are your options? [email protected] tant things first and check then off as they Web Editor | get done. Richard Wong BUSU’s Annual General Meeting: Have a notepad beside you while you Miss Q | Tuesday, October 16th, 4:30 pm — SUDS [email protected] work. If it is written down, you do not have Classifieds | to concentrate on remembering it. [email protected] Always have “short work” with you to Advertising | Qu e s t i o n s ? Co n c e r n s ? do while waiting. Review the main points [email protected] of lectures, or new vocabulary or memory Bookkeeping | e i c .t h e q u i l l @g m a i l .c o m work while waiting for classes or work or in [email protected] lines. contributingstaff Obey your alarm clock.§ Taylor Coppicus, Katie Driedger, Sarah Usick, Carissa Taylor (BUSU), Sheilagh Dear Editor: relevancy to students today. While referencing existing groups Grills (Academic Skills Centre), Daryl This letter is with respect to the “Studious” cartoon that ap- and attitudes, it certainly does not mean to target specific organi- Hofmann (The Sheaf), Justin Smirlies (The Letterpeared in the most to recent the issue of Editor The Quill (October 10th, 2012). zations, people, etc. Cord) As an instructor in the Gender and Women’s Studies program at Furthermore, it is the author’s personal opinion that certain Brandon, I cannot help but feel as though my colleagues and I are liberal rights issues receive the utmost importance and consider- the subject of this cartoon. While faculty in Gender and Women’s ation in our society, and thus there is no harm in presenting op- The Quill is published weekly by The Quill, Studies may not be “too thrilled” with the subject matter (and I posing sides of popular thought through light humour. In fact, the Inc., and is printed by The can only speak for myself), I believe that all faculty and students spirit of open-minded debate in which the comic is written emu- Killarney Guide in Killarney, MB. should be offended by the blatant sexism of this cartoon. lates the same spirit which leaders of modern thought profess to There is, however, a greater irony to be noted here. The previ- exemplify. NOTE: Editorials, letters, and viewpoint ous issue of The Quill (October 2nd, 2012) highlighted the “Take The author, who is female and pursing studies in university, is articles do not necessarily reflect the Back the Night March,” an event that protests the continued vio- aware of (and has personally encountered) the sad and frustrat- opinion of The Quill staff, The Quill Inc., or the faculty, staff, or administration of lence against women. It is telling that a faculty member wished to ing reality of discrimination and oppression, in other cultures and Brandon University. remain anonymous in his or her comments about the event, not- in our own. She feels, however, that a serious approach to grave ing that “nothing has changed.” If this cartoon is any indication, matters is not the only effective way to raise consciousness about The Quill is a member of Canadian Univer- one cannot help but agree -- reluctantly so -- with the anonymous them. sity Press (CUP), one of the world’s larg- professor: Nothing has changed. est student organizations, with a mem- Violence is not just about physical abuse, sexual assault, and Sarah Usick bership of over 70 student newspapers in Canada. intimidation (as though these aren’t reasons enough to march); Cartoonist and fine arts student Advertisers wishing to buy space in both instead, it is also about the constant devaluation of women -- just Brandon University, Canada this newspaper and other CUP-affiliated as this cartoon does. The cartoon extols the belief that women newspapers should contact our multi- ought to remain quiet, otherwise they will remain undesirable. If Response from the editor: market ad representative: we are to believe the logic of the cartoon, women become ugly The Quill apologizes for any misunderstanding which may Campus Plus when they speak with any degree of intelligence. The cartoon is have occurred due to the “Studious” cartoon appearing on Octo- 920 Yonge Street, Suite 508 th Toronto, ON M4W 3C7 representative of why we march each and every year, why we fight ber 10 , 2012. We assure our readers that it was not The Quill’s Phone: 416-966-3699 to take back the night, why we critique patriarchal, heterosexist, intent to promote or encourage sexism in any way. In publishing Fax: 416-966-8811 and homophobic violence. the “Studious” cartoon on October 10th, 2012, the editorial staff sought to highlight the exact issues to which Mr. Allan speaks, Advertisers can also contact us directly J. Allan rather than to encourage them. We believed the intent to be clear, at the address below: Gender and Women’s Studies and were perhaps mistaken. The Quill 270 18th Street, Brandon University, Canada The Quill seeks to be a forum for all points of view present in Brandon University the student populace, and would like to take this opportunity to re- Brandon, MB R7A 6A9 In response to J. Allan, from the author: mind our readers that editorials, letters, opinion and/or viewpoint Office: 204-727-9667 While the concern is heard, the author feels the intent of the pieces, and caricatures or satirical art do not necessarily reflect Fax: 204-571-0029 October 10th, 2012 comic was misunderstood. The comic’s actual the opinion of The Quill staff, The Quill Incorporated, or the faculty, aim is to highlight the ignorance and occasional bias of students, staff, or administration of Brandon University. young adults, North Americans, and humans in general—not agree We at The Quill thank Mr. Allan for his letter. The Quill wel- with them. In this way, the comic works to raise awareness of is- comes all letters of criticism or opinion from our readers. sues, not slander them. The author assumed (perhaps unjustly) that readers would interpret the comic as such. The author in- Emily Diehl tends to equally present (and equally satirise) all issues that hold Editor-in-Chief, The Quill @quillbu The Quill

Volume 103, Issue 7 — October 16th, 2012 — 2 Entertainment – 3

I could have danced all night... wait, no, wrong musical Richard Wong I singing in mov- of a voice. You can probably tell where the Film Review:ies. I find thatPitch it is often excessivelyPerfect long and story is going from there, but with Pitch Per- Web Editor boring, hate and spontaneous also that it needlessly breaks up fect it’s a little more about the journey than the narrative. Musicals get a slight exception the destination. because, well, that’s the point, but on the While the songs are admittedly well done whole it’s not something I tend to gravitate and especially impressive considering they towards. So one could imagine my skepti- are a capella, the film will likely be remem- cism walking into Pitch Perfect. bered by most for its quick wit and sharp Pitch Perfect follows the story of an all- tongue. While no one in the film’s cast is par- girls a capella group called The Barden Bel- ticularly memorable, Anna Kendrick, in her las. The Bellas are fresh off of a mortifying first lead role, makes Beca a very likeable showing at last year’s nationals and it has character. The entire cast, however, works damaged their reputation to the point that quite well together as a comedy ensemble. their recruiting methods have become des- Pitch Perfect is a worthy choice even for perate. Instead of the prim and proper la- those who may not like a ton of singing in dies they are used to, the Bellas are forced Promotional image copyright Universal Pictures. their movies. With strong musical numbers to welcome a band of musical misfits. that aren’t overbearing, and plenty of laughs Among them is Beca, a freshman who marches to the beat of her own drum machine to go around, the film will leave you with a has ambitions of being a famous DJ. Beca and at first has no interest in joining the Bellas, pleasant feeling when the credits roll. § but as luck would have it she also has one heck

Bonetti’s Defense for rocky terrain; Thibault for Capa Ferro – or study Agrippa Taylor Coppicus D dream of sword-fighting with Zita Fencing Club. The President and Club Representative Na- Club Feature:pirates as a kid?BU Well, Fencing it’s never too late toClub learn! The club is open to anyone who is interest- than Berry is planning a public fundraiser for lat- Theid Brandon you ever University Fencing Club is always ed, Brandon University student or not, although er in the semester, in the form of a tournament, looking for new members. non-Brandon University students will be handled although a precise date has not yet been set. The group provides all equipment and train- by the Spada Zita Fencing Club. There is a $50 The other executive members of the club are Co- ing to all students interested in learning the art annual membership fee which covers the rental President Trenton Zazlak, Vice-President Andrew of fencing. The club meets Wednesdays from and tournament fees that must be paid any time Isaac, Marketing Officer Jordan Eagle-Bears, 7:30pm to 10pm in the West End Community prior to the end of the semester. The club recom- and Treasurer Jaime Eagle-Bears. Interested Centre (located on 23rd Street), with the Spada mends that interested persons try the sport out persons can contact Nathan Berry by e-mail at before committing. [email protected]. §

New hip-hop out of Washington coming highly recommended Richard Wong something that often gets left per has teamed up with the admitting his suscep- Album Review:behind in hip-hop The in favour Heist of fitting into the mold talented producer to bring tibility to it. “Starting Web Editor something new, and frankly Over” is a deep self-ex- Oofriginality what a rapper is ‘should be’. Standard, over- done hip-hop tropes often run rampant in some quite needed, to hip-hop. amination from Mack- strange effort to make it to ‘the top’ and it has Macklemore’s raspy, uneven lemore about his strug- left the landscape of hip-hop stale and boring. flow provides the lyrical con- gles with substance Enter The Heist, the refreshing new album tent over Lewis’s generous, abuse. “Can’t Hold Us” by Macklemore and Ryan Lewis. The Seattle rap- intricate layers of instrument- and “Thrift Shop” will heavy production. The pair likely be the sing along work quite well together, universal appeal songs complimenting each other’s off of an album full of strengths and concealing any fantastic tracks. weaknesses. It isn’t often that al- The album takes on bums come along a wide variety of subjects with the same level of and approaches them from consciousness as The standpoints that aren’t of- Heist. This outstanding, ten represented within the enlightening effort from genre. “Same Love” asserts Macklemore and Ryan strong support for same sex Lewis is a mind-opener, marriage with a story from and a must-listen.§ Macklemore’s childhood life, and features an especially beautiful appearance from Mary Lambert on the chorus. Promotional images copyright Macklemore and Ryan Lewis. On “Wings”, the MC criticizes consumer culture and mate- Do you know a band that The Quill should review? rialism while simultaneously Send us details at [email protected].

3 — Volume 103, Issue 7 — October 16th, 2012 4 – On Campus

Fifty years of studying much more than just maps Katie Driedger I afternoon on Saturday, October drology laboratory. The Geog- Department13th, 2012, of numerous Geography alumni and faculty celebratesmem- raphy Department itsconducted semicentennial bersn the met earlyin the John Tyman Map Library on the its first international field re- fourth floor of the Brodie Building to celebrate the search trip earlier this year semi-centennial anniversary of the Department in Jamaica. The department of Geography at Brandon University. The crowd also works in coordination gathered to connect with faculty and Brandon with the Rural Development University Geography alumni, as well as for the and Environmental Science commemorative cake-cutting and coffee. faculties to provide students It was fifty years ago in 1962 when Brandon in those departments a wide College launched a new Department of Geogra- range of studies. phy with a lone faculty member, Dr. John Tyman. According to Department Three years later, five geography courses were Chair Dr. Christopher Mal- offered, and John Welsted joined as the second colm, there are currently over full-time faculty member. In May of 1978, Bran- forty declared geography ma- don University made bachelor’s degrees with Ge- jors and over sixty geography ography majors available. Three years later, the minors, making it one of the Bachelor of Science degree was brought about, most popular departments in followed by the introduction of a four-year major the faculty of science. While in 1985. the rate of students in the The period from 1968 to 1979 was an incred- department has increased in ible period of growth in the Geography depart- recent years, those numbers ment, as four new faculty members were added. may be related to the fact Dr. Christoph Stadel in 1968, Dr. Richard Rounds that students must declare in 1970, Dr. John Everitt in 1973, and Dr. Rod majors after their first full McGinn in 1979 extended the range of courses year. that the department offered, with the spectrum Geography majors will go of courses ranging from environmental, physi- on to various careers post- cal, urban, and cultural aspects of geography. graduation, including careers Twenty-six years after their commencement, the in conservation districts, jobs Geography department offered 48 courses, in with the City of Brandon, with addition to an undergraduate thesis. Atomic Energy Canada, and The current assortment of courses offered with Parks Canada. There Photo credit Katie Driedger. covers four major areas, including geomatics, hu- are many other students was then Brandon College, they are all invested man geography, physical geography, and environ- who have gone on to graduate in continuing the legacy at Brandon University. As ment and natural resources. The degree types school after receiving their bachelor’s degree. the department enters the next fifty-plus years include both three-year or four-year majors and With thirty-seven full-time faculty members at Brandon University, Malcolm stated that his minors, in either a Bachelor of Arts or Science. throughout the existence of the Geography De- goal for the department is to carry on the tradi- The Geography Department also has an ar- partment, the current faculty consists of Dr. Dion tion created by the forefathers of the department ticulation agreement with Assiniboine Commu- Wiseman, Dr. Johannes Koch, Dr. Daniel Olsen, while keeping up with the current, cutting-edge nity College. Resources for students include the Dr. Derrek Eberts, Dr. Christopher Malcolm, and work that is being done in other geography de- Brandon University Centre for Geomatics, the Professor Wenonah Van Heyst. Although no one partments around Canada and the world. § John Tyman Map Library, and an advanced hy- in the current faculty was at its inception at what

Volume 103, Issue 7 — October 16th, 2012 — 4 On Campus – 5

Clockwise from top left: alumni mingle at the BUSU/Student Services-sponsored barbecue on Saturday (pictures 1-3); memorabilia on display in the Mingling Area of the Knowles- Douglas Building; alumni at the car show on Saturday afternoon; members of BUSU pose for the camera as they serve alumni at the barbecue; alumni in the Mingling Area on Friday afternoon.

Inset: Maria Cherwick and Matthew Zimmerman, School of Music students, entertain with lively tunes at the barbecue on Saturday.

Left page, bottom: BUSU members keep the food ready to go on Saturday as they keep spirits high. Homecoming 2012Photo credits: Emily Diehl, Katie Driedger, Brady Knight.

Volume 103, Issue 7 — October 16th, 2012 — 4 5 — Volume 103, Issue 7 — October 16th, 2012 6 – External

Please take out your phone, class: you’ll be using it today Daryl Hofmann S — Waiting outside the class, it’s almost as distracting as when there Now, Jones heads College Mobile, a 20-per- Studentscampus reap bookstore, benefits Martin Miller stands as withsmartphone his are people sitting and culture visiting in the back evolves of the son, Saskatoon-based app development firm. The Sheaf headaskatoon down, thumb-tapping (CUP) his iPhone. He’s gear- classroom and ignoring what is going on. So I can College Mobile has recently developed apps for (University of ing up for his second year at the University of Sas- understand when professors sometimes get an- Carleton University, Western Oregon University, Saskatchewan) katchewan and says he carries his smartphone noyed,” Greer says. the Saskatchewan Party and the Saskatoon Re- everywhere. In the classroom, Miller uses the de- But banning the devices would be foolish, he gional Health Authority. vice to email, track assignments, fact-check and adds. Most of the upstart’s employees came from take notes. And he’s not alone. “More and more apps are being developed all the app programming course at the U of S. The A survey released August 9th by communica- the time. There are some very useful apps to help computer science department at the U of S, Jones tions startup Mobilicity indicates more than half keep students organized, keep them on a study said, is one of the best in the country, despite be- Canadians agree that mobile phones are an “in- schedule, and to give them reminders. I think stu- ing out-funded by other programs. valuable” tool for students. The “Mobile Student dents should be using smartphones more [intel- “If you take some of the best graduates from 2.0 Survey” found that 66 percent of Canadians ligently] to support their own learning and educa- computer science at the U of S and take them would use a smartphone to conduct on-the-spot tion.” research if they were a student while 46 percent would download mobile apps to stay organized, 41 percent would record lectures and tutorial ses- sions, and 42 percent would use a smartphone to coordinate school and social activities if they were a student. The findings point to what former chief cul- ture and technology strategist at the University of Toronto Mark Federman calls “the emergence of contemporary education and social learning.” “Not only are we seeing students using smart- Photo credit Samantha Braun/The Sheaf. phones to record lectures, photograph instructor notes and collaborate through cloud-based appli- iUsask and app development at the U of S down to Silicon Valley — like myself — and plomp cations but some instructors are starting to allow Three years ago, after working as a software them into high-level jobs, they’ll be fine,” Jones [students] to research items of interest during a developer at Apple’s Silicon Valley headquarters, said. “The best here can compete with the best lecture or use Twitter to open a back channel of Chad Jones returned to the University of Sas- from pretty much anywhere.” conversation and enhance student participation katchewan to teach a computer science course Still in development, College Mobile is work- and engagement,” Federman tells Mobilicity. on programming smartphone apps. The course ing on a second smartphone app for the U of S Director of the University of Saskatchewan was the first of its kind in Canada, and only third — set to be released early 2013 — that will “help learning centre Jim Greer says smartphones and in North America. students find classrooms and bathrooms,” Jones tablets are beginning to be used more skillfully to “During the process of creating the class, we said. support learning. Greer says students will soon created the iUsask application, which was also In ways that even Jones did not foresee, be able to complete course evaluations on mo- the first of it’s kind in Canada,” Jones said. smartphones have risen from obscurity to the bile devices and that smartphones will soon re- When launched in 2009, the iUsask app gave mainstream. Now, he says, universities have doz- place clickers in courses that employ a personal U of S students access to grades, campus news, ens of developers helping to drive the industry. response system. class locations and maps on their smartphones. “At the start, a lot of people even at the uni- But as smartphones become increasingly The most recent update, available for free from versity thought smartphones were just a fad,” widespread in the classroom, both students and Apple’s App Store and Google Play, includes ad- Jones said. “Nowadays everybody has a smart- instructors will have to adapt, Greer says. Stu- ditional features including “the ability to find out phone, knows what an app is and knows why you dents need to learn to stay focused on course available seats at various computer labs on cam- would want one.” § material during lectures and tutorials while in- pus” and personalized information such as “rec- The Mobilicity survey, conducted online July structors should begin integrating online tools ommended textbooks for courses that you are en- 9-10 by Angus Reid, is weighted to be nationally into their course design. rolled in, ... announcements and access to your representative. It is considered accurate within “If you’re text messaging or Facebooking in electronic Bulletin Board postings.” 3.1 percentage points, 19 times out of 20.

Problems with absentee, or sketchy, landlords Justin Smirlies — Dealing with a landlord associated with your accommodations.” know he is very delayed in doing activities that Landlordsis a processand that tenants is new to most students make — and for While a itturbulent may not be the worst form relationship of accom- should be done frequently,” explained Megraw. The Cord modations, student living has been a topic of “Like, we have a big issue with garbage in the Wit’saterloo not always easy.(CUP) (Wilfrid Laurier “I think from time-to-time over the years you discussion for many developers, the surrounding apartments, it took him like a month to take out University) could say there has been issues associated with universities, the city and the students themselves. the garbage that accumulated over a long period more absentee landlords,” explained David Mc- Some students, however, many feel issues arise of time.” Murray, the vice-president of student affairs at from their relationship with their landlord. He added that at one point it had gotten so Wilfrid Laurier University, who has been heavily For fourth-year Laurier business student, bad that the garbage room in his building was involved in the new developments in the student- Mike Megraw, that was exactly the case. While overflowing and that the stench of unbearable. dominated Northdale neighbourhood. only subletting an apartment for the semester, As well, a semi-glass door in his apartment was “[There are the] landlords who may not re- Megraw rarely sees an active presence of his broken, but wasn’t fixed for an extended period. spond — as a good landlord should — to issues landlord — especially when help is needed. — continued on page 7 “I don’t know the landlord as much but I do

Volume 103, Issue 7 — October 16th, 2012 — 6 7 — Volume 103, Issue 7 — October 16th, 2012 BUSU – 7

Reflections on the problems facing small universities Carissa Taylor B is a small univer- tactics that Access Copyright was employing. hugely problematic for us. BU’s size:sity. Blessing To put things in perspective,or Curse? the University Larger universities had the option to either pay First, there are substantial benefits to being BUSU President ofrandon Manitoba has university roughly 28,000 students, McGill large sums of money to Access Copyright (for ex- able to participate in research in a small univer- has around 34,000, the University of British Co- ample, U of M would pay approximately $728 000 sity like BU. A close mentorship exists between lumbia has around 49,000 students on its Van- to cover their students) or come up with their own supervisors and students; it is less competitive couver campus, and the University of Toronto has internal solutions to avoid legal recourse, such overall for students to participate in research op- roughly 46,000 students. By these standards, it’s as the creation of internal copyright departments portunities; and it is beneficial to Brandon’s econ- easy to see how we often fall off the map entirely instead of sending the money to an external col- omy to have intelligent students able to study in when national-level discussions are had around lective. This made the lobbying techniques of Brandon. If students are forced to move to larger post-secondary education. students at large institutions completely different institutions in order to gain research experience, However, there are huge benefits in attend- than they would be for those of us in smaller in- it will negatively affect both Brandon University ing a small university: unparalleled relationships stitutions. THE sum of money that BU would pay and Brandon as a community. It will also influ- with faculty, strong support from staff, and close would be approximately $60,000, which arguably ence the composition of universities in a way that connections with fellow students, to name a few. would not be enough to hire one person to do the will be detrimental. If intelligent students who When it comes to students in faculties where job. are looking at attending graduate school all have research is an essential element, our size pays This long-winded example illustrates the to attend university elsewhere, they will have high off as well. At BU, undergraduates are given the unique challenges of a small university. We do concentrations of extremely bright students, and opportunity to actively participate in research op- not have the same pull as other institutions ei- we will not have the same diversity on our cam- portunities, which are usually only afforded to ther financially or through simple numbers of pus that makes the educational experience so graduate students at other institutions. Never- students. It makes it easy for us to be beaten much more enriching. theless, being small also has its downsides. down, whether that is through Access Copyright, These sorts of things that are happening When I was in Ottawa this past May at a na- low government priority, or through the allocation across Canada and their effects on small uni- tional conference for student unions, one particu- of resources. versities like BU could leave Brandon University larly interesting meeting was with the Small Uni- The federal grant agencies of the Social in a place where it is no longer relevant or com- Photo credit Samantha Braun/The Sheaf. versities Caucus. It was great being in the room Sciences and Humanities Research Council of petitive for our brightest students. The Globe and with people with whom we shared so many com- Canada (SSHRC), the Natural Sciences and En- Mail has begun a series of stories on the future monalities, even though we were from different gineering Research Council of Canada (NSERC), of post-secondary education in Canada. They parts of the country. and the Canadian Institute of Health Research explain that radical reform is needed if we are One of the hot topics at the time was Access (CIHR), give research money to institutions across to remain competitive with the rest of the world. Copyright, which is a good example of the differ- Canada. There are a lot of problems that exist Canada has the highest percentage of its popu- ences between large and small universities. I will with the way the funding is given out. One is- lation with a post-secondary education out of all not get into the details of Access Copyright in this sue is the way in which they are being pressured countries in the world. Creating elite universities article, but students should know that the admin- to allocate funding. The large universities from and unfairly distributing resources is bound to istration is currently covering a cost of $26 per across Canada are pressuring the government to create an environment that limits diversity and student to pay this group – this fee was previous- give them the lion’s share – if not all – of the re- opportunity. This is entirely undemocratic, and ly roughly $3 per student. Anyhow, most people search money available, and to stop giving money threatens to undermine our position as the most present were principally opposed to the bullying to small institutions such as BU. This is obviously educated country in the world. §

continued from page 6 “It’s a safety concern because you’re getting glass ev- “He was a drug dealer. I know this for sure, because ants unless they have the infrastructure to do so. erywhere and if you’re touching the wrong part you can when I moved in there were sketchy things going on,” the “I don’t think it’s a big deal, but the landlords come Landlordsaccidently cut your hand,” andhe said. tenants makegraduate explained. for a“I was turbulent only living there because relationship it all the way from Vancouver to all the way from Australia,” This difficult experience with his landlord wasn’t par- was cheap rent and I can’t afford to live in those expen- Tek continued, noting that Domus has their own mainte- ticularly new to Megraw. When he was in second year, he sive apartments.” nance person to address those specific repair issues. “In and his roommates — where they had an agreement with According to the graduate, the landlord was unre- that case, it is very important to have someone here. If their previous landlord that their rent would be monthly sponsive, reluctant to do repairs, had people come to there’s an issue it can be dealt with right away.” payments after the yearlong lease was done — were es- the building at inconvenient times of the day and even But McMurray — who feels the situation is getting sentially forced out of his apartment and left to find a told the tenants to not call the cops to the property. slightly better — urges students to do their research and new place. “When we first started off we did have a few issues go over the lease with their parents to ensure they are His new landlord wanted to bump up the rent $100 with the landlords where they wouldn’t do things that we more proactive if an issue arises. more. Once Megraw and his roommates refused, the would recommend and they wouldn’t spend the money “Spend a little bit of time to understand what your landlord told them that his immediate family was moving where it needed to be spent. We have gotten rid of many obligations are and what your alternatives and options in instead. landlords because of this,” said Ho Tek, part-owner at are,” McMurray said. “But his immediate family didn’t move in because I Domus Student Housing Inc, which manages properties Megraw, however, wished there was a bit more re- ended up knowing the people who moved in after. Ob- for landlords that do not live in the city. sources in the community and at the universities to pre- viously, they weren’t his immediate family,” Megraw ex- “We’ve had our own fair share of problems. We just pare him. plained. “It makes you feel like you’re taken advantage let go of our property manager because we didn’t feel “It would be nice if there were a lot more readily of, basically. We’re students, we’re on our own for the like he was getting to repairs in a timely fashion,” Tek available resources to help out with certain issues. What first time, we don’t know all the legalities.” added. can we do in the instance where the landlord is threaten- In a more extreme case, a recent Laurier graduate, Many issues do arise with landlords if they are “ab- ing to kick us out?” he said. § who asked to remain anonymous, rented an apartment sentee”, meaning that they do not live in the area where last year. She believes that her landlord, who lived in the they rent a house or building. As a result, it makes it Do you have landlord issues here in Brandon? Let us side unit of the building, was a drug dealer. more difficult for them to do repairs or to aid their ten- know at [email protected].

Volume 103, Issue 7 — October 16th, 2012 — 6 7 — Volume 103, Issue 7 — October 16th, 2012 8 – Diversions

Quill Classifieds Used desks for sale! Desks are metal and laminate; fairly well-used, but sturdy. Asking $30 or better offer. For more information, We buy and sell quality new and used furniture for students. contact [email protected]. People’s Marketplace, 32 13th Street, 204-727-4708.

Ask Miss Q Q:

Dear Miss Q,

I’ve taken on a lot of extracurricular work this semester, and I’ve been asked to join another project. I’d like to, but I don’t have the time. How do I say no?

Sincerely, Reluctant Yes-Man

A:

Dear Reluctant,

Saying no is difficult. I would recommend working out what you would like to say in advance (your reasons for saying no, maybe a recommendation for someone else they might ask) so that you can be polite and firm when you speak to the person leading the project. However, re- member that it’s your life and your time: your priorities need to come first, and people will generally understand that.

Best of luck, Miss Q

Do you have a question for Miss Q? Email it to us at [email protected].

Volume 103, Issue 7 — October 16th, 2012 — 8