Once Upon a Wine

Once upon a time, on Feb. 17, a group of Kwantlen Polytechnic University PR students will put on an event to raise money for the Cinderella Project.

The Cinderella Project, a volunteer-based charity, donates its funds to underprivileged students throughout the Lower Mainland so that they can celebrate their graduation in a new outfit.

The charity also hands out bursaries, which is what PR student Daniela Vanderliek said her class is raising funds for.

The event, titled Once Upon a Wine, will be held at the False Creek Yacht Club from 7 p.m. to 10 p.m. on Feb. 17, and will include live music, a silent auction, and appetizers.

Information on ticket sales will be announced shortly on Kwantlen.ca.

Green Wednesday ponders life without oil

The tiny room, lined with about forty plastic chairs, one movie projector and plenty of tea and coffee buzzed with energy during Kwantlen’s fourth Green Wednesday, held Jan. 14.

The event took place at the Langley Campus and was hosted by the Green Ideas Network and Gary Jones, Kwantlen horticulture instructor and chair of greenhouse and retail production.

Jones began Green Wednesdays a year ago and says he does it “so that we leave our kids something to actually live on.”

Wednesday’s movie, The Power of Community: How Cuba survived Peak Oil, describes Cuba’s struggle after losing access to oil, “the first country to face the crisis we will all face.”

At first, buses ran only every three to four hours, blackouts to save energy made keeping food in the fridge impossible and people lost as average of 20 pounds as food was scarce.

The Cuban people adapted in a variety of ways and scenes of people planting lettuce and selling their bounty in local markets of tight-knit communities showed the possibility of living oil free.

Lee Carter, 62, says Cuba changed because they had the motivation “and for us it’s easier to go to the grocery store than it is to grow our own.”

Tom McMath, 65, a physics and engineering instructor at Kwantlen, says the film was really about the triumph of the human spirit. His wife Sharon McMath, 61, an avid gardener saw it as “the way the future should be.”

The second part of the evening featured the movie “Energy Efficiency and Renewables” and was wrapped up with a door prizes and a question-and-answer period with Tim Cooper, an instructor in the physics department a the University of the Fraser Valley.

Find a Valentine’s Day squeeze at Langley’s speed-dating bash

The Langley Kwantlen Student Association is putting on its first-ever speed-dating event on Feb. 11, just in time to find a last minute date for Valentine’s Day.

The idea came from Jennifer Campbell, campus representative for the Langley campus. She recognized that there were a lot of singles on campus and found that there was an interest when the KSA did a survey last September.

Speed-dating events are popular at universities, she said. If successful, the KSA will look into putting them on at other Kwantlen campuses.

“I think it’s good because it’s a way for students to get to know each other through different programs,” she said.

“A lot of times if you’re in a set program, all you see are those people. Although those people may be nice, they may not be the match you’re looking for.”

The speed-dates will take place on-campus, in the cafeteria from 7-9 pm. They will be about five minutes long and students will receive a package of icebreaker questions at each table. At the end of each date, students will write down whether they like the other, and if there’s a match, they will receive each another’s email at the end of the event.

“This gives a chance for students of all different backgrounds and different dreams about what their schooling is a chance to get to know each other and maybe find a match — or maybe find a new friend.”

If you want to join, visit the Langley campus and register at the Kwantlen Student Association. Sign-up sheets are on the door of the KSA office.

KSA uses breakfast to promote petitions

Students may have been hoping for a free breakfast of sausage, eggs and stacks of pancakes early last Thursday, as members of the KSA set up tables for an early-risers’ breakfast in the rotunda of the Richmond campus.

However, it became readily apparent that the KSA intended the breakfast for on-the-go students preparing for final exams. Coffee, quarter-slices of assorted muffins and half granola bars were served on ready-to-snatch napkins as 19-year-old Meirna Said and other KSA members readied petitions that called for more student space on campus. The goal for the breakfast was to get the attention of students and have them sign the petition, explained Said.

“In Richmond, what we’re looking at the spaces next to the KSA lounge, specifically the meeting rooms not being used frequently and other rooms in the campus that aren’t being used to its full potential,” said Reena Bali, Richmond campus representative. “The main goal for the petition is for the Richmond campus to have more social space and lounges for individual faculties and departments, and for more improvements made to existing lounges.”

Bali does recognize the limited space in the campus, however she points out that many of the meeting rooms on campus aren’t being frequented enough. “We want to sit down with the president and have the chance to talk to him about making those spaces into lounges for students and faculty members as well,” said Bali.

Thursday morning’s breakfast, though, failed to garner the attention Said had hoped for, with many students overlooking the snack-sized portions of food. However, the KSA did receive 108 signatures on the petition during the breakfast alone.

“We wanteded to see what kind of response the petition would have on students, so we kind of introduced it quietly during the breakfast,” said Bali. “Because right now, I don’t want to harass students into signing the petition during exam week.”

Both Bali and Richmond campus director Kareem Elmassry will be putting out the petition officially during Welcome Week in the beginning of the Spring Semester in the new year.

 

SHIP program offers a bit of relaxation to Kwantlen students

 

Kwantlen students were given a free massage on Kwantlen’s Richmond campus, Tuesday, Dec. 2.

The Student Health Improvement Program (SHIP), in association with the Kwantlen Student Association, organized the event. The motive behind the free massages was to offer more services to the students and to connect with local colleges, Vancouver Career College and with PCU College of Holistic Medicine.

“It was a win-win situation,” said Eddie Lee, Student Health Improvement Program coordinator. “They (PCU students) were able to practice some of their skills with the general public.”

Lee said this was also a benefit to Kwantlen students who were in need of stress relief before exams.

The SHIP program also offers subsidized gym pass discounts at Langley and Vancouver community centers, a food co-op program offered at each Kwantlen campus and nicotine replacement subsidy, as part of the Health and Dental plan, for students who wish to quit smoking.

The SHIP program also had some success with a series of fitness classes in yoga and “krunch fitness” at both the Surrey and Richmond campuses during last semester.

‘Tis the season for bake sales

Public Relations student at Kwanlten’s Rochmond campus held bake sales Tuesday and Wednesday to raise money for the Cinderella Project.

As part of their Events Planning course with instructor Amelia Kennedy-Maki, students have formed small groups to brainstorm ways to raise funds for sponsorships and a gala event.

The Cinderella Project will supports kids who have risen above the challenges they faced during high school and persevered to succeed academically.

Students who will be honoured at the event have experienced a number of challenge. including poverty, health problems and family issues.

“It’s a way to recognize their hard work,” said Jenn Currie, a second-year PR student. Currie said that details are still up in the air, but is hoped to be a “jazz and wine event” in February at the False Creek Yacht Club.

PR students faced some competition Tuesday with another bake sale (for a separate cause; see photo and caption) also going on.

“We had a bad spot in the cafeteria and there was another bake sale going on,” said Bryn Silver. Silver said one of their previous bake sales had gone very well and hoped to find similar support for Wednesday’s sale.

Kwantlen elves help light up Christmas

The “Elves Wanted” posters were hung on Kwantlen’s Richmond campus bulletin boards with care, in hopes that busy students would have a moment to spare.

And two Kwantlen elves did turn up to help the Richmond Sunset Rotary Club decorate Christmas trees at Richmond City Hall last week for the eighth annual Winter Wonderland put on by the club. Sarah Ramli, 18, who is studying criminology at Kwantlen, was one of them. The other remains anonymous.

Ramli says she is broadening her horizons, as she usually decorates a Christmas tree at the city hall in Delta home, where she lives, because, “I just love to volunteer and it’s Christmas too, so you can’t beat it.”

Last week, Ramli she dragged her boyfriend to Richmond city hall where they decorated a tree of red, green and gold. Ramli said it didn’t take too much time out of their schedules, and she hopes someone will get the benefit of their work. Money raised when the trees are auctioned goes to the Richmond Women’s Resource Centre or the Christmas Fund.

“You just feel good about doing something and it’s like you are actually helping a greater good and there’s just that satisfaction from doing something that you just can’t describe,” she said.

This is the first year only seven of the Christmas trees are up for auction, according to Linda Coyle, president of the Rotary club, because there was a lack of sponsors this year. “I think the economy has a lot to do with it,” said Coyle.

Kwantlen chose not to sponsor a tree this year, but has done so in the past. “I was really disappointed that Kwantlen didn’t sponsor a tree, because I thought it would have been a great profile,” Coyle said.

She says it was the first year Kwantlen students individually came to help, which was fantastic.

Winter Wonderland kicked off at Richmond’s City Hall on Nov. 29, with a lighting of the city’s big Christmas tree by the mayor. Free concerts will be held every Saturday from now until Christmas and those who attend are asked to take and donate a non-perishable food item.

12-hour knit-in aids Third World babies

Nicole Joe, Richmond campus officer, will be knitting baby caps in the KSA lounge for 12 hours to give to newborn babies in Third World countries.

Joe is hosting the Knit One Save One campaign, which is partnered with the Survive to Five global organization, which helps children to survive their first five years of life.

“There’s babies around the world who can benefit from it,” said Joe, as she knitted a pink cap. “For us, we’re privileged to be able to buy clothes from Toys ‘R’ Us, whereas other places all they have is what they are given.”

Joe said that it can take a beginner up to a day to knit a cap, and for the more experienced knitter, it can take up to three hours.

“This is my fourth year here, and I’ve seen knitters all four years I’ve been here,” said Joe. She has had no caps come in yet, but does expect to see some coming this week.

The Knit One Save One campaign runs until Dec. 18 and the actual knit-a-thon will take place on Dec. 4 from 8 a.m.-8 p.m. in the KSA lounge, where there is a TV and couches.

Refreshments will be available and yarn will be supplied for people who participate in Joe’s cause to keep newborn babies warm.

Patterns and yarn are required for the campaign. Joe has copies of the patterns in the KSA lounge and Langley has copies of the patterns as well. Surrey has not confirmed if it will be participating in the knitting drive.

Students can drop off caps at the KS offices anytime before Dec. 18 if they do not have time to participate in the knit-a-thon.

End of semester means book-shedding time

With one semester ending and another set to begin, a lot of students are scrambling to rid themselves of textbooks from this semester as they prepare to lay own cash for those required in January.

Not all of the expensive textbooks from this semester are getting bought back by the university’s bookstores, and this does not sit well with some students.

“It’s ridiculous how they don’t buy my book back because they aren’t being used (in future semesters), then they come out with version 12 or whatever the next year,” said Scott Mckenzie.

According to Usha Gupta, a clerk at the Richmond bookstore, the university does not necessarily buy back all the text books out there. They will pay 50% of the cover cost for text books needed in future semesters. But the bookstores’ buyback program isn’t the only way students can recoup some of their costs.

The Kwantlen Student Association has bulletin boards at all the campuses, but according to Richmond campus director Kareem Elmassary, all postings have to be run by the KSA. “Any posting or advertisement that is not stamped would be torn down.” While students may not get approval to advertise their books for sale on the official bulletin boards, ads wind up taped to walls throughout the campuses, and particularly in common areas for some programs.

Elmaasary said that the KSA encourages students to use websites such B.C. Bookworm, which is run by Kwantlen business student Mike Robson, to sell their books if they do not want to sell back to the bookstore.

Book buyback dates at the bookstores are:

Richmond and Surrey campuses — Dec. 15-17 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.; Dec 18 from 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.

Langley campus — Dec 15 and 16 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.; Dec 17 from 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.

Students are required to have their ID card with them.

Budding philosophers get together

Kwantlen students who can’t get enough of their philosophy class, may have the opportunity to dig further into the world of philosophical ideas.

The Philosophy Club is a student run-organization that focuses on using philosophical ideas to analyze current issues and encourage advanced critical thinking.

The club was created two years ago and has previously held meetings at both the Richmond and Surrey campuses. In past sessions, students would attend weekly meetings that for discussions, analysis of situations and debates on underlying questions.

Cole Griffin, is this year’s president of the Philosophy Club, and is attempting to launch a new series of sessions.

Philosophy professor Puqun Li said the club would show films relevant to philosophical ideas to stimulate discussion. Club coordinator Sean Bradshaw would provide students with handouts that will guide them through the topics addressed in the films.

The club has also invited guest speakers to attend the sessions, including other philosophers and a variety of professors from other disciplines.

“Philosophy wholeheartedly dives into what it is to be a human being, and the conflicts of the mind and spirit, as we struggle through life,” Bradshaw said.

Debate topics that are expected to arise during the sessions are questions regarding religion, the similarities and differences in truth in science and religion, and the search for the source of moral consciousness.

Those who are interested in learning more about the philosophy club, or are willing to help get the club off the ground, can e-mail philosophyinfilm@gmail.com.

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