H1N1 vaccine might be free for students

If H1N1 injections became available to Kwantlen students, they might be covered under the existing student health plan.

The Kwantlen Student Association is looking into the possibility of including H1N1 vaccines in student health benefits. The KSA has contacted Gallivan & Associates, Kwantlen’s health and dental insurance company, and hopes to negotiate the vaccine’s inclusion, should it become widely available.

“We’ve taken steps to make a change to the plan so that that cost would be at least partially or wholly covered by the KSA,” said KSA general manager Desmond Rodenbour.

If the H1N1 vaccine is added to the benefits, Kwantlen will direct students to vaccination clinics for the shot. Rodenbour said he hopes all full-time students on the medical plan would be eligible to receive the immunization.
Currently, the vaccine is still being developed and the KSA doesn’t have a projected cost

for the shot, but it’s expected to be generally available later in the fall. The Public Health Agency of Canada reports that the government intends to purchase 50.4 million doses of the vaccine, enough to cover the population of Canada.

Linda McCannell, a program leader in communicable disease for the Richmond Health Department, said she doesn’t think people in good health should be as concerned about getting infected as those who are illness-prone.

“From what I’ve seen, the severity [of H1N1] tends to be very similar to regular flu,” she said. “It’s pregnant women, it’s children two years of age, it’s people with chronic health problems and those are who we normally immunize for flu [who might have a more severe reaction].”

Janine Hadfield, a coordinator of the Kwantlen Wellness Centre, said the regular seasonal flu shots will be given on campus near the end of October or early November.

Last year, about 180 staff and students got flu shots on-campus, according to Eddie Lee of the Student Health Improvement Program.

Lee said the number of people getting the shot might increase because of the awareness of the flu virus.

Lee estimated the flu shot will cost $15 to $20, adding that the KSA will subsidize some of the cost for students on the health plan.

Kwantlen is promoting good hygiene, such as washing your hands and covering your mouth when you cough, as defences against the flu in general and H1N1 in particular. Automated hand-sanitizer stations have been installed at main entrances and updates about influenza are available on the Kwantlen website (www. kwantlen.ca/hr/ohs/h1n1.html).

“The primary thing is education,” said Peter Chevrier, Kwantlen’s director of marketing and communications. “If we educate everybody on some of the really fundamental, basic processes, you start to cut down on the likelihood of infection.”

According to Kwantlen’s Influenza Exposure Control Plan, the Emergency Management Committee would issue a health notice in the event of a major flu epidemic.

Students should be concerned if they have a fever above 38 C and any other H1N1 symptom such as cough or shortness of breath. Suspected and confirmed cases should be reported immediately to Healthlink BC at 8-1-1 and the manager of Kwantlen’s Occupational Health & Safety Office at (604) 599-2924.

Much of the Influenza Exposure Control Plan is about precautions to stop the spread before it starts.

Local and regional health authorities would decide if school closures are needed. Kwantlen, however, is not restricted from implementing its own preventive measures, said Chevrier.

“We have a lot of freedom to do what we feel is the best in order to provide a level of commitment to the health and safety of our students,” he said.

He added that the janitorial crews have been trained for more thorough and frequent decontamination, such as sanitizing doorknobs and handrails.

The Public Health Agency of Canada has reported five cases of H1N1 in B.C. There are no reports of H1N1 affecting anyone at Kwantlen.

Movember: They grew a ‘stache to raise some cash

Last month was November on the Gregorian calendar, but it was also the third annual Movember. During November, men around the world grew moustaches to raise money for prostate cancer research. Some participants joined teams and promoted their facial hair to receive donations for the cause.

On the Movember website, teams explained their “mo-tivation” and listed prominent figures who inspired their moustaches, such as Tom Selleck or Jack Layton

The following video includes Nick Frühling, the program assistant of Kwantlen’s design program, and Steve Bobroske, an accounting major, who each grew moustaches for Movember.

As well, Natalie Burgwin of the public relations program is in the video. She supported her father’s Movember group as a “Mo Sista,” the term for women who have joined the cause.

Click to play

Tim Horton’s scheduled for Surrey launch next semester

Workers at the Chartwell’s cafeteria and Grassroots Café  on the Surrey campus think the planned addition of a Tim Horton’s outlet may affect their business.

“It’s going to impact all of us,” said Belinda Kaplan, director of food services for the Surrey Chartwell’s. “[Students and staff are] probably going to have their morning coffee and their doughnut there instead of here.”

The Tim Horton’s, which is tentatively scheduled to open in February or March, will be built in room 1105 of G building. The room used to be used by faculty, but staff have since been moved to another room.

The project is currently at the drawing stage.

Student demand prompted the addition of the quick-service restaurant. An on-site franchise review by Chartwell’s and Tim Horton’s determined the student population is big enough to support three food services, according to Scott Gowen, director of materials management.

Jim Meschino of facilities management said, “There was a need to recognize that there should be multiple food services available on-site for both faculty staff and students, and there is a growing trend at other universities.”

Other post-secondary institutions such as Douglas College, Simon Fraser University and the British Columbia Institute of Technology have Tim Horton’s on their campuses, which are run by Chartwell’s.

“Basically, Tim Horton’s gives Chartwell’s a license agreement to run the Tim Horton’s,” said a manager of the Douglas College Chartwell’s.

Meschino confirmed that the Surrey Tim Horton’s would be run through the Kwantlen Chartwell’s, but added that the school is looking into the possibility of adding more services, such as a Starbucks or Blenz outlet.

Kistie Singh of the Grassroots Café hopes that despite reasonable prices at Tim Horton’s, the allure of movies and quirky workers will bring business to her end of the G building.

“I think it’s important that students recognize that this is a student establishment, not some big corporation,” said Singh.

Kwantlen Eagles lose to Columbia Bearcats on second away night

By a final score of 105-85, the Kwantlen Eagles lost to the Columbia Bible College Bearcats in Abbotsford Saturday.

The game started well, with the Eagles leading 26-22 at the end of the first quarter.  However, the Bearcats were ahead five points by the third quarter, and when the fourth quarter started, they had doubled that to 10.

The night before, the Bearcats also hosted the Eagles, who won 71-64.  The Eagles have had eight wins and seven losses this season.  Their next game is against the Langara Falcons on Friday, Nov. 27 at 8 p.m.

KSA rolling papers a doob-ious affair

The Kwantlen Student Association maintains that selling Zig-Zags (paper used to roll tobacco cigarettes and joints) does not conflict with the university promoting anti-smoking products under the student health plan.

Though selling cigarette paper seems to contradict a recent on-campus anti-smoking event, the KSA said it has to provide items for both smokers and non-smokers.

“If people want to smoke medical marijuana, they can,” said Nathan Griffiths, KSA Director of Operations. “If they want to quit smoking tobacco, we’ve provided products to try and have them stop.”

Griffiths said he doesn’t feel the paper sales are hypocritical in light of the anti-smoking products.

“Currently, we also offer insulin on our health plan, but we still sell Coke, other junk food within the cafe, so I don’t see much of a difference,” said Griffiths.

The concerns of inconsistency on the subject came up during initial KSA talks about supplying Zig-Zag rolling papers.

“We discussed this when we started doing the rolling papers,” said John O’Brian of the Cloverdale KSA. “It was a plebiscite about the legalization of marijuana and it was sort of a close margin.”

O’Brian said he thought the school would never sell rolling papers, but student demand prompted the sale of Zig-Zags. In the October 2003 plebiscite, out of 784 students who voted, 470 supported the decriminalization of marijuana.

The papers were introduced to the Cloverdale campus in March of this year and then at other campuses.

The separation of Zig-Zag papers from anti-smoking products comes from the concept of not using the cigarette paper to roll cigarettes.

“We don’t intend for them to be used to smoke tobacco,” said O’Brian.

The KSA hasn’t taken a stance on the decriminalization of marijuana, but it does support medical marijuana. Those who smoke marijuana recreationally are not restricted from buying Zig-Zags.

Dr. Balbir Gurm of Kwantlen’s nursing program said she understands the KSA has to support services for smokers, but hopes it doesn’t send mixed messages.

“I think what they have to do is keep the message clear that yes, we want to support people who want to quit smoking, but we can’t turn our backs on those of our members to choose to smoke,” said Gurm.

The sales haven’t really caught on; to date, Cloverdale has sold 32 packs and Surrey has sold 25, with 100 papers to a pack. The Richmond campus hasn’t sold many Zig-Zags and sales at the Langley campus have been discontinued after none were sold.

Because sales have been slow, original plans to add the KSA logo to the papers have been scrapped.

“We were testing to see if they were going to be popular enough,” said O’Brian, who added that even if the papers sold well, a local printing company no longer puts logos on cigarette papers.

KSA may not need H1N1 vaccine in student health plan (updated)

The Kwantlen Student Association likely won’t have to cover the cost of the H1N1 vaccine for students under its health and dental plan.

The student association originally wanted to include the vaccine in the health plan and subsidize some or all of the cost, but the federal, provincial and territorial governments might pay for vaccinations for students.

“At this stage, it looks like they may be offered for free by the province,” said Desmond Rodenbour, general manger of the KSA. “However, if there is a charge, we’re going to make sure they’re covered under the health and dental plan.”

The Public Health Agency of Canada has said the federal government will cover 60 per cent of the cost, leaving provincial and territorial governments to cover the difference if they choose.

Although the university provides seasonal flu shots, they will not have H1N1 vaccines on campus, according to Janine Hadfield of the Kwantlen Wellness Centre.

“It’s going to be totally regulated by Public Health,” said Hadfield. “The roll-out starts with [people with] chronic illness and pregnant women, then it goes to young under six and further down the road it’s for the everyday person.”

Hadfield noted that health regions in the Lower Mainland may distribute the vaccine differently.

Currently, the vaccine is only available to specific groups, such as pregnant women and adults under 65 with chronic illnesses. Vancouver Coastal Health and Fraser Health is planning to make the H1N1 shot available to everyone in mid-November.

Thomas Ewing, 21, a business student at Kwantlen, is skeptical about the benefits of the H1N1 vaccine.

“I’m not a conspiracy theorist, but I’m kind of wondering why the vaccine’s being pushed out on everybody,” said Ewing. “The H1N1 [vaccine] is still too untested for my liking.”

Jared Busse, 19, also a business student, said he feels the dangers of H1N1 have been blown out of proportion.

“It’s just an overhyped cold just ‘cause it’s new and they don’t know how to deal with it,” he said.

KSA may not need H1N1 vaccine in student health plan

The Kwantlen Student Association likely won’t have to cover the cost of the H1N1 vaccine for students under its health and dental plan.

The student association originally wanted to include the vaccine in the health plan and subsidize some or all of the cost, but the federal, provincial and territorial governments might pay for vaccinations for students.

“At this stage, it looks like they may be offered for free by the province,” said Desmond Rodenbour, general manger of the KSA. “However, if there is a charge, we’re going to make sure they’re covered under the health and dental plan.”

The Public Health Agency of Canada has said the federal government will cover 60 per cent of the cost, leaving provincial and territorial governments to cover the difference if they choose.

Although the university provides seasonal flu shots, they will not have H1N1 vaccines on campus, according to Janine Hadfield of the Kwantlen Wellness Centre.

“It’s going to be totally regulated by Public Health,” said Hadfield. “The roll-out starts with [people with] chronic illness and pregnant women, then it goes to young under six and further down the road it’s for the everyday person.”

Hadfield noted that health regions in the Lower Mainland may distribute the vaccine differently.

Currently, the vaccine is only available to specific groups, such as pregnant women and adults under 65 with chronic illnesses.

Vancouver Coastal Health and Fraser Health is planning to make the H1N1 shot available to everyone in mid-November.

Design students raising money for grad show

Fourth-year graphic design students have taken their first steps to raise the money they’ll need for their graduation show.

“Basically, we have to raise, as a class, between $15,000 and $20,000,” said Andrew Passas of the Graphic Design for Marketing (GDMA) program, who estimated that about $2,000 has been raised so far.

Design classmate Alexa Lupul added, “We’re collecting bottles and doing all that kind of stuff to help the program, so we’re still at the very beginning stages of our money findings.”

On Tuesday, students sold Halloween-themed t-shirts at the Richmond Campus for $20 each, though sales were slow.

“Some of us have printed t-shirts,” said Passas. “Others have baked cupcakes, and another group has done agendas, calendars and books.”

The graphic design program is planning fundraisers throughout the year, including pub nights and bake sales.

Artwork sales will focus on holidays such as Christmas, Valentine’s Day and Easter. The money will help meet the expenses of the year-end exhibition of graphic design work, scheduled for May or June.

For more information on the graphic design program’s fundraisers, visit the GDMA’s blog.

Kwantlen kicks its smoking habit for a day

Kwantlen students made the air a little cleaner on Thursday by putting out cigarettes at the second annual Campus Smoke-Out event.

Promoted by the Kwantlen Wellness Centre, the event was led by Nursing 4141 students at the Surrey and Richmond campuses as part of their practicum experience. Kwantlen was one of nine Lower Mainland post-secondary institutions participating.

“It’s part of our change project,” said fourth-year nursing student Kim Sahota. “We’re working on the smoke-free campus initiative for Kwantlen.”

Booths were lined with anti-smoking pamphlets and awareness information, as well as a demonstration of the difference between a healthy lung and a smoker’s lung.

Smokers were encouraged to keep from lighting up on school grounds for the day. Smoking is prohibited within 7.5 metres of entrances, so nursing students also drew chalk lines leading from buildings to properly illustrate the distance.

The students took donations and collected cigarettes in a jar. For every cigarette, a $1.50 donation went to the BC Lung Association.

“If we can get people to actually empty out their pockets and put their cigarettes in [the jar], that could be a good start to stop them from smoking,” said Dr. Balbir Gurm, a nursing teacher at Kwantlen for 18 years.

“For students, you’ve got up to $500 worth [of smoking cessation products] in your health care package. That’s a great incentive which people don’t know about.”

By midday, the students had collected about 30 cigarettes at Surrey, with a goal of 100. The students at Richmond had a jar filled to the top by the end of the event at 3 p.m.

“I don’t know if it’s because all our health programs are here,” said Gurm, “but [the Surrey campus] seems to be the campus that has the least smokers to start with.”

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