Reservist Re-Entry Program • pg 4 ITCHY ANSWERS sex & relationship answers at your fingertips • pg 11 Sept. 22, 2010 Issue 46-2 World of Wars • pg 6 Editorial 2 BCIT Link • Sept. 22 to Oct. 6 Un/Peaceful What Did International Peace Day Mean to You? Brenna Temple Editor esterday was Inter- Fast forward. After dealing with the painfully long port from the sides. One of them told a reporter it was national Peace Day. Bush administration, I was extremely relieved to see important to do so for the sake of the families of the de- YGrowing up in a small President Obama step up— and I’m not even American. ceased, but even more so for peace. Despite the circum- town, I was somehow never When he declared the end of the U.S. combat troops in stances, the word peace remains as strong as ever. aware that Peace Day even Iraq just weeks ago, I felt better all over again. I’m tired of The American combat troops are out of Iraq but the existed.. hearing about the casualties. They’ve become meaning- graves still exist. The war in Iraq is just one reality— how That being said, I was less numbers. do you feel about other tribulations? In the wake of the Is- probably just as sensitive to To my dismay, I am now desensitized. And it’s not rael/Palestine debate, war torn Africa, Tamil refugees flee- the world’s tragedies as the big city kids were. I remem- just because of all of the lives lost in a war that not many ing Sri Lanka, and countless other worldwide tragedies, ber my dad driving me to school on September 11th with people can argue a reason for. I know no one wants to be how do you feel about the lack of world peace? Did you my jaw dropping at the news of the Twin Towers. I didn’t reminded, but we’re living in a world of murder without celebrate International Peace Day? Did you even know it know what to think. consequence. More and more, it seems that people are existed? Can you honestly say that moving forward you’ll Genocide. War. Terrorism. My peers and I grew up finding excuses to be let off the hook. Is this what it means make an effort to commemorate it or promote world peace? hearing those words but we didn’t say much about them. to be born in a free country? Yes, I’m desensitized. But Since coming to Vancouver and learning about the Sep- But growing up in Creston, British Columbia, it only took even with all the feelings sucked out of me, I still want one tember 21st celebration, I’ve realized that recognizing a few minutes to cross the American border. I noticed my thing. Peace. peace can be a great way to be a part of something. It’s friends forming their own passive-aggressive teenage rev- There’s been a ton of change since Bush declared “the nice to express my human desire for peace. As much as olutions; donning anti-Bush T-shirts we quickly became war on terrorism,” but now more than ever, I’ve noticed I’m a pessimist, that single word is so powerful that it’s known as “the Canadians” whenever visiting Spokane, I’m not the only one rooting for peace. Just the other day hard not to feel positive. And that to me, although a small Washington. I guess we were yearning for change, but we I watched a fallen soldier being driven down the Highway one, is a change. didn’t know how to say it. of Heroes on TV. Masses of Canadians showed their sup- Campus Query Kelsey Vestergaard COVER: Marketing Management How do you think the Canadian govern- Because we’re peacekeepers, we ment should handle the mission in Af- should continue to support them as What are you doing to bring peace peacekeepers. That’s what the peo- ghanistan? to the world? Do you feel helpless ple of Afghanistan need most, troops because you feel like you can’t help? Chad Klassen | Assistant Editor to help keep the peace. Well, you can. There’s always some- Katie Alexander Trevor Porter thing each of us can do. Read Bren- Marketing Management Mechanical Engineering na’s feature on page six to get some I think it’s kind of frustrating that I think the sooner they get out of ideas as to what you can do to help people are dying because of some- there, the better. No one’s ever won one else’s opinion and political those in need around the world. an occupation in Afghanistan. What stance. At the same time, I think we makes them think they can do it have to help the U.S. now? On a related issue, BCIT is taking the lead when it comes to helping Ca- Erkan Ozer Shane Loughran Computer Information nadian Reservists get the education Broadcast Journalism - Radio Technology America’s a pretty big ally and we they need to get jobs. Read Chad’s They want to support the U.S. army need to be there for them, especially news piece on page four to find out and create a safe place for the Af- with the War on Terror. It’s not fin- more about the program. ghan people. It’s good for the Af- ished and they have a long way to ghan people. But they’re spend lots go. We should keep our boys there. of money, millions of dollars every We’re losing a lot of people, but we year to support the troops. have to support the U.S. SE2 - 281 copies to over 16,000 stu- Culture Coordinator: Advertising Sales: As a member of 3700 Willingdon Ave. dents, faculty and staff. Sarah Massah Matthew Chong Canadian University Burnaby, BC, V5G 3H2 linkcultureeditor [email protected] Press (CUP), The Link Publications Manager: @bcitsa.ca 604.432.8974 adheres to the CUP code Phone: 604.456.1167 Alicia Agarrabeitia of ethics and will not Ads: 604.432.8974 [email protected] publish any material Fax: 604.431.7619 604.456.1167 Link Writers: The views in The Link are deemed by the editors to Canadian Zameer Karim not necessarily those of be sexist, racist, homo/ University Press The Link is the student Editor: Jessica Rivers BCIT, BCITSA, the hetero phobic or in poor Member Paper newspaper of the Brenna Temple Julia Montague Editorial Staff, or the taste. British Columbia [email protected] Publications Manager. Institute of Technology. Contributors: Published bi-weekly by AssistantEditor: Luvia Petersen the BCIT Student Asso- Chad Klassen Amy Wilding National Advertisers Call for ciation (BCITSA), The linkassistanteditor Rates 416-966-8811 Link circulates 3,000 @bcitsa.ca News BCIT Link • Sept. 22 to Oct. 6 3 News In Brief Brenna Temple Editor Construction infront of BCIT = Willingdon interchange voted Gateway Project as British Columbia’s most ummer was a busy time for BCIT’s Gateway project thanks to a $39.1 million boost from federal/provincial governments. dangerous intersection…again. S The project was designed to fix the Burnaby Campus SW1 building by tearing he last thing you want to happen on your way to school is a car crash, but a recent down its west wing and renovating its other three. It also includes seismic upgrading to report says you’re at a higher risk if you utilize the chaotic Willingdon interchange. defend against earthquakes, according to the BCIT website. According to the Insurance Corporation of British Columbia (B.C.) it’s the most “Considerable progress on the Gateway project was made over the summer months. T likely place to get in a car accident in the province. Based on past reports this might not be Many of the renovations and improvements including fire safety, seismic, data and floor- a surprise since this busy traffic area is infamous for making it to the top of ICBC’s danger ing upgrades to 15 teaching spaces in the existing wings have been completed,” said a list every year. Nearly 2,200 car accidents have occurred at the Willingdon interchange recent Gateway Steering Committee email. during the last five years and this trend shows no sign of slowing. The project also assisted in creating jobs in British Columbia according to Premier The highway is set for improvements through construction but many of these changes Gordon Campbell as quoted on the BCIT website. won’t occur until 2011. “This project contributes to our immediate economic recovery by providing jobs now while also helping our young people prepare for the future,” said Campbell. BCIT Gets Trendy With New The Rivers Institute at BCIT Social Media Courses preps for World Rivers Day witter? Facebook? WordPress? They’re the names of the game for BCIT’s new hen we think about sustainability, waterways might not always be the first sub- social media courses. Students can now take a “basic introduction to social media ject to come to mind. That’s why World Rivers Day was created—to create Tcourse” on Mondays according to the BCIT website. Wawareness about protecting rivers around the world. The Rivers Institute will “Upon completion of this course students will have a strong grasp of new tools in so- play a role in the event set for Sunday, September 26 according to Mark Angelo who is cial media and be able to leverage those tools to advance their own goals.” the head of the group. But it doesn’t end there since students can take a social media workshop in early No- “Rivers Day provides an opportunity for people to get out and enjoy our waterways,” vember as well as online courses.