HAVE A BITE AT THE NEST THE P l e a s e r e c y c l e t h i s Thursday, Jan. 17, 2008 newspaper when you are Volume 45, Issue 17 NUGGET fi nished with it. YOUR STUDENT NEWSPAPER EDMONTON, ALBERTA, CANADA Winter’s better with Freeze Over! NAITSA’s winter extravaganza on Feb. 1 features a survivor challenge, a tailgate party and a hockey game in the NAIT arena with bands and prizes Story, Page 10 INSIDE: Arts and Culture: Page 10 Ask a Counsellor: Page 18 Editorial: Page 5 Grapevines: Page 17 Horoscope: Page 15 Photo by Brendan Abbott Hot Single: Page 16 AT THE NET Mouthing Off: Page 20 The NAIT women go for a block against a Lakeland College player on Saturday, Jan. 12 News: Page 2, 3, 4 during a volleyball game at the NAIT gym. The Ooks won 3-1. Sports: Pages 6, 7, 8 The Nugget Thursday, January 17, 2008 NEWS&FEATURES Life after president leaves NAITSA office moves on “When you work so closely with people, to the point that you are eating, breathing and sleep- ing next to the person (when on conferences, for example), it is very hard to separate your work life from your personal life. I know that this is something every executive struggles with, and will continue to struggle with for years to come.” VP Academic Lisi Monro agrees. GABRIELLE HAY-BYERS “We attend conferences together, we see each Student Issues Editor other 10-12 hours a day in the office. Personal life With NAITSA Executive Council elections and professional life are melded together when Photo by Dorothy Carter looming just around the corner on Feb. 7, ques- you’re on executive council.” tions remain about former president Kerri Wys- Wyspianski says that being in an executive HAPPY LISTENING! pianski’s resignation. However, respect for her position “is very difficult, especially with four Megan Hall, from Universal Music, gives away some CDs at the Nest CD privacy remains tantamount within the NAITSA people becoming executives from students. It’s release party last Thursday, Jan. 10. office. a big thing. I’ve definitely learned more in these “We have remained quiet regarding her eight months than I have in all my schooling, not departure, as that is what she had asked us to do. only about myself, but about people and how per- In her letter of resignation, she cited personal sonality types interact, both on and off work.” reasons and asked us all to respect her decision,” Wyspianski wants to assure the students of says VP Apprenticeship and External Amanda NAIT that the projects that she had originally Spearing. undertaken are still in the works. As the Nugget reported last week, however, “I’m still working on the ETS project. That speculation has been rampant out- was my promise and I don’t make side the NAITSA office about promises I can’t keep. I’ll be why such a talented person would speaking on your behalf on Jan. 22 choose to leave her job. to councillors and the city about “Leaving was honestly one of increasing resources and fund- the toughest decisions I ever had to ing to ETS, along with (Senator) make in my entire life, but I had to Aaron Brin.” choose who came first and that was NAITSA executives want to myself,” says Wyspianksi. set students’ minds at ease about On the question of whether or the state of NAITSA, especially not internal office conflict and per- with the upcoming elections. sonality differences led to Wys- “There does need to be a focus pianski’s resignation, VP Student on the positive. We’re conscious Affairs Brent Constantin said: “I Kerri Wyspianski of the fact that we’re going into don’t think that personality differ- Tough decision our elections in February and we ences is really the way to describe need people to know that this has it ... there were problems with persons. I guess happened, and that it’s just a bump in the road,” only Kerri can say why she left, but I’m guessing said Monro. that you have to assume that whatever it was, it “There’s nothing wrong happening here. The was enough to make her leave.” students’ association still does exist without Kerri Constantin later continued his statement, say- here, that we’re moving forward in a strong way ing, “For anybody, anywhere, the worst thing you and that we’re not having any problems.” can do if you have a problem is do nothing. She Wyspianski wants to assure any student inter- did something. Is it what I would have done? No. ested in running for Executive Council that work- But I have to at least commend her for it.” ing for NAITSA is an excellent experience. Wyspianski said there were many issues. “I don’t regret running, it’s one of the best “Lots of things could have been handled bet- things I’ve done, but go in with a strong head ter, especially when it comes to working as a team and a backbone, and always remember – you get and backing each other up on things … ,” she more bees with honey than vinegar. Personal rela- said. “Just supporting each other, working as a tionships go a lot farther in the long run. You’ll team effectively instead of stubborn people being meet a lot of great people and gain a lot of neat stubborn on both ends.” experiences.” According to Spearing, good teamwork is NAITSA executive council elections are a part of any executive’s job, which inherently taking place on Feb. 7, and a nomination form includes spending an enormous amount of time can be found at the front desk of the NAITSA with fellow executives. office. Thursday, January 17, 2008 The Nugget 3 The Nugget Room E-128B 11762–106 Street Edmonton, Alberta Instructors T5G 2R1 Production Offi ce 471-8866 Fax: 491-3989 E-mail: [email protected] show their Student Editor Alistair Wilkinson Place third in [email protected] Sports Editor community ice- Nahreman Issa stuff sculpting event [email protected] Arts and Culture Editor PATRICIA ANDRADE years before the birth of Jesus. Geoff Tate Approximately 1,000 Edmon- The weather played an impor- [email protected] tonians were in attendance with tant role for all competitors, who also Student Affairs Editor their families at the Alberta Avenue included Hinz Zadler, Fran Cuyler Gabrielle Hay-Byers Community Hall on Jan. 12 for a and Michael Rapati, Helen Rogers, day of festivities running from 11 Matt Vest, and Keith Turnbull. [email protected] a.m. to 5 p.m. Activities included “The weather was so warm, it Photo Editor an ice sculpture competition, hay was hard at times, but it worked out Lisi Monro rides, broom ball, kids art work- for us,” reported James Szutarski, [email protected] shops, art displays and a taste of speaking about the 5 C temperature Photo by Patricia Andrade Production Manager Ukrainian cuisine. Saturday afternoon. NAIT culinary chefs de cuisine Michael Gobin and James Frank MacKay NAIT culinary chefs de cuisine Guest judge and Councillor Ed Szutarski stand with their creation after placing third in an ice [email protected] Michael Gobin and James Szutarski Gibbons stated, “The weather has carving contest at the Alberta Avenue Community Hall during For advertising inquiries, please transformed a block of ice into a beau- been great.” the neighbourhood’s Deep Freeze winter festival on Jan. 12. tiful work of art in less than fi ve hours. The panel of judges also consisted call 471-8866 With only chainsaws and chisels to of members of the Sculptor’s Associ- Rapati placing first, Helen Rogers “Please come out again and keep or e-mail: [email protected] work with, both talented individuals ation of Alberta, Brian Mason (MLA second, and the NAIT duo third. that culinary knowledge, and carry displayed amazing work ethic, awing and current leader of the Alberta New Brian Mason, Ed Gibbons and on from there,” said Gibbons. The Nugget encourages the judges and placing third. Democrats), Mayor Stephen Man- Tony Caterina had nothing but posi- “We thank everyone for attend- submissions. The choice for their sculpture del, and Ward 3 Councillor Tony tive comments to share after the com- ing,” said Caterina. [email protected] was inspired by the Julian calendar, Caterina. petition was over. If you did not have a chance to which was made by Julius Caesar – The top three winners were “The sculptures were beautiful,” attend, the sculptures will be on dis- THE DEADLINE IS Noon on the last school day the ruler of the Roman Empire – 46 announced at 4 p.m., with Michael said Mason. play throughout the week. of the week. All submissions must be accom- panied by your name and student Apprentices ID number. The opinions expressed by con- tributors to the Nugget are not necessarily shared by NAIT of- left out fi cials, NAITSA or elected school MICHAEL LOUGHRIN representatives. Tucked away in the farthest reaches of Nait, enclosed as if it were a secret. Special Ed, you may think but, no, not quite. Within the trades world at NAIT, many share similar opinions on the matter of an invisible apprenticeship pro- Letters gram that seems to be getting pushed to the back shadows of the NAIT community. NAITSA vice president of apprenticeship and external, welcome Amanda Spearing, is fi nding the same thing. “NAIT is one of the most prestigious technical institutes We want your views in Canada and the trades are the biggest part of that,” Spear- ing said.