FREE January 31, 2019 rtheeflector www.TheReflector.ca Are Delve into Sandra Oh Five CFL changes the world helps ignite superstars to student of exclusive hope for who found fees on the online Hollywood success in rise? dating representation the NFL (Pg. 3) (Pg. 6) (Pg. 8) (Pg. 10) News Editor Nathan Woolridge news [email protected] SAMRU hosts town hall to discuss issues The event focused on sexual violence, cannabis and academics on campus Nathan Woolridge News Editor On Jan. 23, the Students Association (SAMRU) at Mount Royal University (MRU) hosted a town hall. The event was held in Wykham House around noon and saw four individuals on stage answering questions: David Docherty (MRU President), Andrew Nguyen (SAMRU REC President), Paul Rossman (VP University Advancement MRU) and Shayla Breen (SAMRU VP Student Affairs). The group discussed three main topics — cannabis on campus, the old library space and sexual violence education and prevention on campus. Cannabis In October, Canada officially legalized cannabis for recreational use. The SAMRU is hosting a series of town hall events in the Fall semester. In January, they held their first one which university was crafting a discussed cannabis, the old library and sexual violence. Photo by Ricardo-Andres Garcia policy on cannabis, but was not able to follow through would work to facilitate that that they continue to ask the on education about consent, touched on the training that because of the announcement change,” explained Docherty. government for funding to racism, transphobia and other residence services staff goes of the city’s bylaws for public get started on updating the important areas. through to help and assist consumption. Old library space. SAMRU representatives, students, specifically in “We were sad to see the As many students know, Breen said, “We heard from Breen and Nyugen, dealing with sexual violence. city’s bylaw on [cannabis the old library space remains students that there wasn’t talked about lobbying the consumption],” said Breen. vacant. There has been some enough transparency” about government for education Town Hall “We are determining how speculation of what the space what would be happening and funding for supports. Only one individual took the we can work with the city will be used for. with that space. They also state that their job opportunity to ask Rossman, on harm reduction,” said “We hear a lot from students Nguyen tells attendees to is to “hold MRU accountable Docherty, Nyugen and Breen Nguyen. “We are waiting about opening up that space consult the Campus Master to the policies they have in a question throughout the for the city to respond. The for study space,” said Nguyen. Plan to see an outline and place on sexual violence,” town hall, even though issue of cannabis on campus But, according to discussion redesign plans for the space. according to Breen. students were invited to remains in the hands of city at the town hall, it appears The representatives also On MRU’s side Rossman approach the microphone at council.” the space will be used to stated that the large cost of addressed what the university any point during the event. Rossman adds to the combine student services into staffing the old library space is doing to educate on and Docherty also addressed conversation by saying, a centralized space. Docherty right now is the biggest reason prevent sexual violence. him leaving after many years “We ended up landing on a suggests that this could see that the space isn’t available Rossman says, “It’s a difficult as president. He was asked revision of the smoking policy the movement of the Iskim now to students. question and dialogue to what his favourite things … that policy got approved Centre and other similar have, but an important have been at MRU. He said when we were notified that services into that space. Sexual violence discussion.” he has some fond memories the city would [ban public But, when will we see The education and He says the biggest question of watching student athletes consumption].” The revision something moved into that prevention of sexual violence is: “Are we changing hearts help people on move-in day was put on hold once the city’s space? in the university was also and minds of perpetrators?” and celebrating convocation. bylaws were announced. Well, funding is a main briefly addressed. “Our role is to create a He will be leaving MRU in Rossman said there is a concern. Nguyen says, “Once Breen says a lot of their community and environment May. possibility to adapt once city there is funding confirmed sexual violence education that is safe and secure,” said This town hall was the first bylaws change. for the old library space, and awareness comes from Rossman. A part of that role of a town hall series. The “If city council would students will be consulted.” SAMRU’s Pride Centre. She is to “change the narrative second event will be held on change their use … we The representatives said said their work is focused around believing.” Mar. 12 from 12 p.m. to 1 p.m. Rossman also briefly January 31, 2019 • the reflector 3 THE REFLECTOR Issue 8, Volume 57 EDITORIAL STAFF: Should students have more say Publishing Editor: Colin Macgillivray Managing Editor: Ivar Bergs News Editor: Nathan Woolridge Features Editor: Rosemary J. De Souza about what their fees are used for? Arts Editor: Karina Zapata Sports Editor: Dan Khavkin What Ontario’s latest tuition changes could Photo Editor: Sam Nar Layout Editor: Andi Endruhn mean for universities in Alberta Web Editor: Nathan Kunz CONTRIBUTORS: Sarah Green, Nathan Woolridge Riggs Zyrille Vergara News Editor STAFF WRITERS: Sajan Jabbal, Alec Warkentin New rules in Ontario will What could affect free tuition for low- this mean for COVer: Illustration by Andi income students. As well, it Endruhn will allow post-secondary Alberta? students to opt out of various If Alberta were to elect a The Reflector, with an on- and off- fees — which fund campus campus circulation of 5,000, is the conservative government groups, student newspapers independent voice of the students in the 2019 election, would of Mount Royal University. It is and clubs. there be similar policies put published fortnightly during the The Star’s Kevin Maimann academic year (Sept. to April). in place here? wrote, “Universities and Jason Kenny’s United The Reflector is editorially colleges in Ontario will lose autonomous and financially Conservative Party (UCP) $440 million in revenue independent from all other seem to be interested in governing bodies at Mount Royal under the Progressive a similar policy and take University. Conservative government’s on student associations in The Reflector welcomes newsworthy plan to cut tuition for post- Alberta. submissions from all students secondary students by 10 and community members. While A UCP policy convention per cent.” the right of editorial comment is took place on April 16, 2018 reserved for editors of The Reflector, Doug Ford’s Conservative and saw similar views on opinion pieces may be submitted government has been as letters to the editor, and may be post-secondary students campaigning recently published on the editorial page as being able to opt out of such. The Reflector reserves the under the slogan, “For the various fees. right not to publish submissions Students,” which appeared deemed by the Publishing Editor to The policies that were put on recent podium stands. be offensive. forward at the convention But, according to Trina Complaints arising from the content stated that one of their James in a Maclean’s of the paper should be directed policies would be to “Protect to the Ombudsboard. This board article, “Doug Ford does and guarantee the freedom has been established as a mediator not represent—nor does he between the Reflector Publications of association of students care for—the students of Society staff and its readership. by allowing individuals Ontario. All decisions of the Ombudsboard to choose for themselves, “If he did, he would respect are final and binding on both whether to become a parties. Letters to the Ombudsboard the need for adequate member of their student’s must be sent in confidence, care of student spaces and student- the Reflector Publications Society, association.” led services, respect the to the Reflector Publications Society 89.7 per cent of attendees office. autonomous structure of the agreed or strongly agreed student unions, and ensure Submissions and letters to the with this statement. editor should be a maximum of post-secondary institutions Another mandate 500 words, typed, double-spaced, have the funding needed and contain the writer’s name in regard to student to provide both the current and phone number. No unsigned associations was to “prevent A detailed student fees lists that indicate Student letters will be published. Only in and future students with student association from Association fees as ‘S/A’. These are fees that full- exceptional cases, at the discretion high quality education of the Publishing Editor, will using student association time students pay for various services in a semester. and adequate resources on writers’ names be withheld. The fees to engage in politically Infromation courtesy of MyMRU. Graphic by Nathan Reflector reserves the right to edit campus.” partisan activities. Student Woolridge submissions for brevity. James also goes on to call association activities are to amongst others. association fees, you can see Contents are copyright © 2019. out Ford and his government be non-partisan.” Possible new legislation it in your detailed fees on No material may be reproduced for their “Student Choice without express written consent. could mean some of MyMRU. Initiative.” She also What would SAMRU’s services could be But, for the UCP’s specific All opinions contained within this writes, “The government’s paper are those of the individual cut if students decide not policy to pass, they will have interference is nothing but this mean for authors, and not necessarily those to spend fees on certain to win this years election of the Reflector Publications Society.