the FREE FREE FebruaryFebruary 16, 2017 16, 2017 reflector www.TheReflector.cawww.TheReflector.ca ISSUE LOVE The annual sex survey is here! THE (PG. 6) How to get involved in the local music scene. (Pg. 11) Adorable stories about ‘puppy love.’ (Pg. 7) News Editor Jennifer Dorozio news [email protected] PAN Calgary exists to equalize the abortion rights debate U of C Club aims to counter-protest triggering pro-life signage on campus Sydney Fritz and supporters. This helps to such as Jews in the Holocaust or Staff Writer mobilize group demonstrations or African-Americans during the Civil “counter protests” as she calls them, Rights struggle in the US.” The The pro-life vs. pro-choice debate and provide support for people who GAP website says this is done to has been causing a stir on campuses have negative reactions to some of stimulate “dialogue among students across Canada for a long time. But the more graphic pro-life displays. and others who ordinarily ignore the Pro Choice Activist Network Calgary She says they do so, “to show abortion debate” and to “humanize (PAN Calgary) has made the choice- students and community members the pre-born and dehumanize side of the debate far more visible that they are not alone and to show abortion.” on the University of Calgary (U of that there is support for the Pro- Currently, PAN Calgary is most C) campus. Choice movement on campus.” active at the U of C, however the PAN Calgary is a rising activist “While counter-protesting we will group is looking to expand to MRU. group that campaigns for also check in with any individuals In March PAN Calgary group reproductive and sexual health who seem upset or triggered by is hosting a Pro-Choice Activist rights of women across Canada, the displays and need immediate Volunteer Training on the U of C in partnership with the women’s support or help and will walk campus. This event will be open studies and Feminism club at the U with them to get peer support... to university students and anyone of C. depending on their preference,” says looking to learn how to start similar “The group was founded in Hickie. events on campus. response to the increased presence In some cases PAN Calgary “We encourage open discussion of anti-choice demonstrators [at the Members provide information to on issues such as sexual health and U of C], “ says PAN Calgary founder those looking to make a report to abortion, but strongly believe that Claire Hickie. campus security if they are “causing graphic displays meant to trigger and Hickie says the group, “is security issues” such as blocking upset students and other passersby dedicated to dispelling myths and entrances, or causing emotional are not an ethical or effective way misinformation about abortion and harm with a display. to stimulate respectful and healthy sexual health.” The main group PAN Calgary debate,” says Hickie. Part of this is done, she explains, aims to offset is associated with the “We will continue to advocate on by showing up where there are “anti- Genocide Awareness Project (GAP). behalf of the rights and well-being Clare Hickie is the founder of Pro Choice Activist Network choice demonstrators” with their According to their website, GAP of Canadian women and individuals Calgary (PAN Calgary) a pro-choice group on the U of C own pro-choice signage. provides visual displays “which of other genders who require access campus that sends out pro-choice supporters with signs to Hickie utilizes the PAN Facebook graphically compare the victims to abortion and other sexual health balance out some of the more graphic signage of pro-life ac- group to connect pro-choice activists of abortion to other atrocities, services.” tivists. Photo courtesy of Clare Hickie MRU Alumni returns as new Conservatory Director Brad Mahon has high hopes for “world class music facility” Riley Nerbas – 2015. The conservatory also has Staff Writer He sets his focus on the future outreach programs that help of the school’s program and new the students and faculty play for Long before he became the conservatory, “I’ve got a team and individuals around Calgary. new Mount Royal Conservatory I’m going [forward].” “We have instructors and director, Brad Mahon was a Mahon places a large emphasis students who go over to Garrison conservatory student in the early on the future of the music Green, a seniors home, to play ’90s. conservatory. He hopes to and connect with them,” Mahon After a failed bid to become expand post-secondary offerings says. the next big thing in the hair for music programs at MRU. Mahon sees a bright future for metal music industry, he turned The conservatory is looking into the Mount Royal Conservatory, to classical guitar training in the two possible new programs. One calling its faculty and students crooked halls of W-wing, the old is the Artist Diploma, to be added ‘world class’. music conservatory. for graduates from universities in “The thing about [the phrase] He graduated and then took Calgary. ‘world class,’ [is that] people use on instructor roles in Regina and “Not everyone is looking for a that a lot, but I really do think Medicine Hat before returning to four-year degree program, we that we have the opportunities of Mount Royal University (MRU) are looking at a two-year diploma a world class facility with world this year. that is more flexible and may class instruction, “ says Mahon. After a temporary falling out work for a variety of people,” say “It’s exciting.” among students and instructors Mahon. Mahon will be attending regular over the firings of two faculty MRU is also looking to meetings with advisors as he members, Mahon says he has implement a one year certificate settles in over the next semester Brad Mahon is the new Mount Royal University Conserva- come to MRU to heal old wounds. for individuals looking to help and brings a fresh and innovative tory Director and an MRU alumni, he has high hopes for the This January, Mahon replaced improve their teaching skills, beginning to the Mount Royal “world class” program and students he deals with. Photo Paul Dornian, Director from 1992 “centered on teacher training.” University Conservatory. courtesy of MRU Media Relations February 16, 2017 • the reflector 3 How MRU is making trash “greener” Environmental services implementing pro- gram to help sort waste on campus Anna Junker 376.59 tonnes of waste and plastics such as straws and plastic Contributor recyclables in 2015. To put that stir sticks, styrofoam, cellophane into perspective, 376.59 tonnes is (candy, chocolate bar wrappers Mount Royal University equal to 250 midsize cars. or chip bags) and chewing gum. is getting creative with The 90 new bins provide There is a fifth option: organics, environmental solutions for different ways to get rid of waste: which is currently available waste. In Sept. 2016, MRU rolled 1. Mixed Recycle: all kinds in areas where there are food out an improved recycling and of paper and paper products, services such as Wyckham, The Gerry Young (left) the manager of Environmental Services sustainability program. The aim cardboard, coffee cups with lids, Table, Tim Hortons and Jugo and Carol Hartwick (right) the information manager of Envi- is to reduce the university’s waste food containers, metal, glass Juice. Organic recycling can also ronmental Services play a large role in the implementation of footprint. bottles, and recyclable plastic. A be found where there are events the new recycling and waste bins on campus. Photo by Anna In Jan. 2016, a waste audit triangle indicates this. such as the Lincoln Park Room, Junker found MRU was diverting 35 per 2. Refundable: bottles, cans, Ross Glen Hall and the Knuckle. cent of its waste away from the milk and juice cartons and tetra This reduces leftover food waste pens and old cell phones. “The pilot project will go back landfill. packs. These can also be placed from being brought to the landfill. “A lot of cell phones have out for one more month with “Hopefully we’re going to get in mixed recycle, however, going “Mixed recycle takes almost certain elements within them whichever the best one was. to 75 per cent diversion rate through refundables allows everything. Almost all your waste that are very rare on Earth, so we And at the end of that, one more by the end of 2017,” says Carol MRU to get revenue back which should be diverted into mixed do send them back and the school survey and then the powers that Hartwick, the information goes towards more sustainability recycle… Those wooden stir actually gets money back into its hold the money will decide how manager of Environmental programs. sticks or your chopsticks from sustainability program.” we will roll out to the greater Services. 3. Paper/Cardboard: only Edo, or any of that, that can go in Gerry Young, the manager of university,” says Hartwick. According to information white paper, cardboard and organics, as can your napkins and Environmental Services at MRU We can also expect to see provided by Environmental folded down poster board. your paper towels and your food says, “There’s a huge enthusiasm another pilot project in the near Services, the university generated 4. Landfill: non-recyclable waste of course,” says Hartwick. throughout the university, really future. The bins have images on the everybody wants to get on board “We will be doing a bathroom/ front of them to help people with [the program].” washroom pilot project to get sort where their waste goes but Not only are these new bins paper towel into the organics in Hartwick says Environmental permanently located in the main places where there aren’t hand Services is hoping to have the traffic routes and hallways of dryers,” says Hartwick.