4February

2014

FIND US ONLINE / RUNNERMAG.CA / TWITTER.COM/RUNNERMAG / FACEBOOK.COM/RUNNERPAPER

Kwantlen Polytechnic University’s independent newspaper since 2009.

KPU HANDS OUT PINK SLIPS TO 16 instructors /4/

Masthead02 The Runner February 4 / 2014 W : runnermag.ca

The Runner is student-owned and operated by Kwantlen Polytechnic University students, published under the Polytechnic Ink Publishing Society.

Arbutus 3710/372012666 72 Ave.Surrey, B.C, V3W 2M8778.565.3801

EDITORIAL DIVISONCoordinating Editor / Matt DiMeraeditor@runnermag.ca / 778.565.3803

Deputy Editor / Samantha Thompsondeputy@runnermag.ca

Online Editor / Brian Evancicmedia@runnermag.ca

Production Editor / Roland Nguyenproduction@runnermag.ca

Associate Photo Editor / Mark Stewart

Senior News Writer / Samantha Lego

Cover Photo: Mark Stewart

BUSINESS DIVISION

Operation Manager / Victoria Almondoffice@runnermag.ca / 778.565.3801

www.runnermag.caVol. 06, Issue no. 08February 4, 2014ISSN# 1916 8241

The Runner recognises that our work,both in and out of the office, takes place on unceded Coast and Strait Salish territories, specifically the shared traditional territories of the Kwantlen, Katzie, Semiahmoo, Sto:lo and Tsawwassen First Nations. Our name is inspired by the hun’qumi’num meaning of Kwantlen, which is tireless hunters or tireless runners. Just as Kwantlen is adaptable and changing so is The Runner.

Tuesday February 4:

Career DaysNot sure where you want to work? No worries! Come on out to career days with a smile and meet businesses that are looking for some awesome employees like you.

11 a.m. to 3 p.m., Surrey campus (Rich-mond on Feb. 5). Free.

Wednesday February 5:

Vancouver Hot Chocolate FestivalExplore the wonders of Vancouver’s greatest hot chocolate with the city’s greatest chocolate makers. Twenty-five chockstars. Twenty-eight days. 60-plus Flavours. Head over to Cityfood.com/hotchocolate to find a list of vendors to start your chocolate exploration.

Until Feb. 14, various locations. Cost var-ies depending on vendor.

Thursday February 6:

CBC Toque Sessions Free ConcertsThe fifth annual Toque Sessions will satisfy everyone’s musical tastes with a palette of rock, blues, country, classical and electronic.

Until Feb. 28, every Thursday and Friday at 7:30 p.m, at CBC Vancouver (700 Hamilton St.) Free.

Friday February 7:

Measure for MeasureA young nun is put in the terrible posi-tion of choosing between her brother’s life or losing her own soul in a classic Shakespearean theatrical tale of scan-dal, power and justice.

Daily until Feb. 8 at Pacific Theatre (1440 W 12th Ave.) $31.50.

Saturday February 8:

Broadway Across Canada presents West Side StoryThe greatest love story returns to Can-ada with the Broadway production of West Side Story.

2 p.m./8 p.m., until Feb. 9, Queen Elizabeth Theatre (630 Hamilton St.) $50-$100.

Sunday February 9:

Skating SundayExperience a Vancouver classic by skating in the heart of downtown at Robson Square.

Open various times Sun. through Sat., 800 Robson St. Skate rentals $4.

Monday February 10:

Family Day/Reading BreakReading break is not for reading, it is for sleep.

All day, beds everywhere. Cost of procrastination.

Tuesday February 11:

Live band karaoke hosted by: Sami Ghawi & Reuben AveryRock out on stage with a live band as you sing your favourite song. Sounds like the best thing ever.

Doors at 8:30 p.m., Backstage Lounge (1585 Johnston St.) $6.

Wednesday February 12:

Sound Play at ArtStarts GalleryImmerse yourself in a sonic experience as you explore music, acoustics, com-position and sound-making.

10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tues. through Sat., Art-Starts Gallery (808 Richards St.) Free.

Thursday February 13:

Classical Coffee ConcertFeaturing the music of Sarah Hagen and Robyn Driedger-Klassen, enjoy pastries and coffee as part of this morn-ing concert - a unique breakfast.

9:30 a.m., Surrey Arts Centre (13750 - 88 Ave.) $25, $15 student rush tickets.

Friday February 14:

V-DayTreat yo’self, love yo’self. Or don’t, and just continue enjoying reading break!

11 a.m., your house. Cost of heart-shaped cookie and icing to decorate.

Saturday February 15:

Fraser Valley Acoustic Guitar FestivalJoin three wonderful artists in the 17th annual Acoustic Guitar Festival, in what is sure to be a delight for our ears.

7:30 p.m., Langley campus auditorium. $15/$20.

Sunday February 16:

Vancouver TheatreSports League’s Rookie NightSpend the evening listening to Vancouver’s greatest up-and-coming improvisers.

7:30 p.m., Vancouver TheatreSports League (1502 Duranleau St.) $8.

Monday February 17:

Shred for the CureMt Seymour is offering complimentary lift tickets for ladies of all ages to sup-port the B.C. Cancer Foundation. Head to Mountseymour.com/events to find vendors offering the free tickets.

5 p.m., until March 24, Mt. Seymour. Min. donation $5.

The Runner Calendar

03

// //The KPU board of governors had the op-portunity to vote on sustainability at their meeting on Jan. 29. The board discussed a submitted motion that would direct the in-stitution’s financial management team to make sure that “any future investment of KPU’s assets in energy-related companies … be in renewable energy,” and that by the end of March 2017 KPU would have no funds invested in companies focused on ex-traction, transportation, or the sale of coal or oil. The question comes at a time when many minds are focused on the environ-ment, as decisions regarding new and ex-panded pipelines are politically dividing the province of B.C.

The board of governors decided that they would explore what it would mean for KPU to take such action, and the administration of the university will report back to the board in the coming months. Fossil Free Kwantlen, a student group on campus, has plans for future advocacy work to continue pursuing the issue.

-S.T.

Board of governors agrees to explore divestment from fossil fuels

NewsThe Runner February 4 / 2014 W : runnermag.ca

First student in KPU history to chair senate committee resigns Second student senator steps down.

conditions, she would not have resigned.“It’s pretty interesting to learn about a

different side of the school, like what’s going on behind the scenes and how they make decisions,” she says.

For prospective students, Swanson en-courages them to get involved: “I would say go for it,” she says. “You won’t get to be involved in the procedures and the goings-on, the happenings behind the scenes for Kwantlen … without going and sitting on [the senate].”

In the future, Girodat hopes that KPU will continue to take away student-faculty barriers. “I’d like to see a time come eventu-ally where we can stop calling student sena-tors ‘student senators’ and have them be senators like everybody else.”

The vacancies left by Swanson as a stu-dent senator have not yet been filled. The elections for student senators are run by the registrar’s office and it would be responsible for a by-election as well.

Robert Hensley, KPU’s registrar, did not return The Runner’s phone calls or emails.

After stepping down as the chair of the senate nominating committee, Christopher Girodat hopes that the university will con-tinue to place students in roles that flip the traditional power balance.

Girodat, who remains a university sena-tor, was the first student in Kwantlen Poly-technic University history to be approved as chair of a senate committee, back in June 2013. The yearlong appointment began in September 2013, but he resigned in Decem-ber due to employment commitments as the Capilano Students’ Union’s general manager.

Although he says his appointment was a tremendous honour, “It’s just not some-thing that I was able to dedicate time that I thought was fair for the role, and fair for what the senators and the institution de-served for that committee,” he says.

“So I decided to step down and make way for someone who could commit time for the role.”

Senate is the foremost academic govern-ing body for the university. Its responsibili-ties include approving credentials, advising on university priorities and its budget and selecting honourary degree recipients. There are four spots for student representatives on the senate. Each faculty is allotted two faculty senators, who make of the majority of the re-maining positions. The province’s University Act mandates the composition of the senate.

“They’re [the faculty] on the ground, driving KPU’s academic vision, so it makes sense that they’re also generally the chairs of most of our committees,” says Girodat.

Yet as the first student-appointed chair, he believes that students have the ability to be more involved.

“Until you’ve had students in the role, I think it’s difficult to demonstrate just verbally and by trying to explain to other people that students can perform those functions,” he says.

Tabitha Swanson, student senator repre-sentative for the Faculty of Arts, also resigned in December. Citing issues such as a busier workload and a two-hour commute, Swanson says that if she was living under her previous

Samantha LegoSENIOR NEWS WRITER

Governance Briefs

Honourary KPU degree recipients chosen

Kwantlen Polytechnic has announced the special individuals who will be recipients of honourary degrees at this year’s spring convocation. Each person will be awarded honourary doctor of law degrees, which are given in recognition of significant achieve-ments or for public service. Christine Bro-die, a retired teacher from Richmond who spent her career assisting students with bar-riers to their education; Baltej Hillon, a non commissioned officer in charge of the RCMP who was the first RCMP member allowed to wear a turban after persevering against racism; and David Aisenstat, president and CEO of the Keg Steakhouse and Bar chain and prominent philanthropist who once climbed Mount Kilimanjaro for charity, will each be receiving an honourary degree.

-Samantha Thompson

Runner file photo

// //

“Having affordable classes was crucial. Cutting this type of program is just

going to make it tougher for students who are going to be in my situation.”

-Anas Al-Daas, KPU

News04 The Runner February 4 / 2014 W : runnermag.ca

Sixteen instructors fired after ESL funding cut $1.35 million pulled from KPU budget.

Business student Anas Al-Daas immi-grated from Jordan two years ago and cred-its much of his academic success to KPU’s ESL program.

Al-Daas says that when he first came to Canada, he was afraid of not being able to properly communicate and that he was lucky to have taken the tuition-free courses.

“Once I started this, actually I felt so much different. I started talking to people, I started learning English. I was able to find a job later on,” he recounts.

“Having affordable classes was crucial. Cutting this type of program is just going to make it tougher for students who are going to be in my situation.”

Diane Walsh, an academic and career prep instructor at KPU, is also critical of the funding cuts.

“It’s a series of choices,” she says. “The federal government made a choice,

the provincial government made a choice and our administrators are making a choice, and the choice is to not fund education for ESL students in this institution – to take away the access to post-secondary educa-tion in this region.”

Sixteen instructors have been laid off at Kwantlen Polytechnic University, after theprovincial government cut $1.35 million in funding for tuition-free English as a sec-ond language (ESL) programs from the in-stitution’s 2014/15 budget.

In early December of last year, Advanced Education Minister Amrik Virk confirmed that his ministry had been aware of the impending cuts since April 2012, when the federal govern-ment announced their intention to cancel the Canada-BC Immigration Agreement.

That agreement, which will expire April 1, 2014, had provided $22 million to the province. Of that funding, $17 million was funneled through the Ministry of Advanced Education to deliver English language train-ing to more than 9,000 students in 2012.

“We are still waiting for an official deci-sion on how the federal government plans to deliver English language training on April 1, 2014. However, it seems unlikely that the funding that flows through the ministry to

institutions will be replaced through the RFP process that took place over the sum-mer,” wrote Virk in a Dec. 10 statement.

Fourteen KPU ESL instructors and two academic and career preparation instructors received their layoff notices in early Janu-ary. While Camosun College and Vancou-ver Community College have also received similar funding cuts, those institutions have not yet issued any layoffs to their staff.

KPU sent a message in early January to university staff explaining the layoffs.

“We regret having to take this action, but the reality is that this funding reduction will result in a loss of jobs. However, we are committed to working diligently with the [Kwantlen Faculty Association] to reduce the number of layoffs,” wrote the university in the Jan. 10 announcement.

Terri Van Steinburg, president of the Kwantlen Faculty Association (KFA) calls the cuts shameful.

“Two-thousand domestic ESL students in one of the highest immigrations areas of Richmond and Surrey are not being served,” she says.

“The faculty that are left are now going to be teaching international students, that’s

what we’ve been told.”While ESL courses for citizens and per-

manent residents are mandated to be tu-ition-free, international students pay more than four times the cost of most ordinary undergraduate tuition fees per credit for the same classes.

In response to the cuts, the KFA has been lobbying local MLAs and MPs from the KPU region. It is also partnering with the Federa-tion of Post-Secondary Educators to launch a campaign to restore the original funding.

NDP advanced education critic David Eby says that when you consider the climb-ing number of new welfare cases in B.C., the cuts seem bizarre.

“Not being able to speak English at a level that’s required in the workplace means that they’re excluded from participating in the economy,” says Eby.

Matt DiMeraCOORDINATING EDITOR

Kwantlen

KPU business student Anas Al-Daas thinks KPU’s ESL program for domestic students is crucial and shouldn’t be cut.

Mark Stewart/The Runner

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OpinionThe Runner February 4 / 2014 W : runnermag.ca

King Harper disregards research Destroying science is not the Canada we want.

search, allowing Harper to split his energy. On one side is the northern resource-fuelled economy of tar sands, pipelines and mining. On the other is the restriction of flow of scien-tific knowledge pertaining to environmental issues surrounding his development tactics.

In March of last year, Green Party leader Elizabeth May sent out a tweet referring to Harper’s government as the “North Korea of environmental law,” and criticism of Stephen Harper’s “economy at all costs” government is both wide-spread and multi-national.

The New York Time’s “Silencing Scien-tists” article from Sept. 21, 2013 summed it up nicely when they wrote: “The Harper policy seems designed to make sure that the tar sands project proceeds quietly, with no surprises, no bad news, no alarms from gov-ernment scientists. To all the other kinds of pollution the tar sands will yield, we must now add another: the degradation of vital streams of research and information.”

Postmedia acquired documents through access to information laws that quoted the federal government stating, “Just as we have ‘one department, one website,’ we should have ‘one department, one voice.’”

But when this ‘one voice’ is turning a blind eye to cultivated knowledge, scientific evidence and seems intent on destroying such an integral aspect of Canadian identity, then when it comes down to it all it is not accurately representing our voice.

Government censorship of scientific re-search and information is a practice most commonly associated with the authoritarian regimes of North Korea or China. Yet the Conservative government, under the rule of Stephen Harper, has transformed Canada into an Orwellian State.

In what is viewed as another attack on the scientific community, the Harper govern-ment has shut down one of the world’s prin-cipal aquatic and fisheries research libraries.

Out of the 11 libraries across Canada, the Department of Fisheries and Oceans (DFO) are shutting the doors to seven of them. The reasoning behind the closures is to cut costs while creating a more accessible online li-brary for Canadians, says the government of Canada DFO website.

When word of the closures was made public, the DFO assured the public that there would be no loss of knowledge. Ma-terials would be relocated to the libraries in Sidney, B.C. or Dartmouth, Nova Scotia, or digitized and made readily available.

Unfortunately it seems that the govern-ment’s assurances have fallen short their handling of the closures is being compared to the sacking of the library of Alexandria.

There are other events that have made the

circumstances of the closures questionable. Mike De Souza, from Postmedia, uncovered a memo labelled ‘secret’ that revealed closing libraries will only save taxpayers a mere $443,000 annually.

Refuting the government’s claim of ac-cessibility, the memo also is quoted as say-ing that, “main activities include culling ma-terials in the closed libraries … and culling materials in the two locations to make room for collections from the closed locations.”

At the end of Dec. 2013, the Freshwater In-stitute library at the University of Manitoba was shut down. After allowing scientists and mem-bers of the public to claim resources in a hap-hazard attempt to clear out stock, there were reports of materials discarded in a dumpster.

The DFO website says that it is only du-plicating items that are being removed from the collection, although they add that they will remove “in rare instances, materials which fall outside of the subject disciplines pertinent to the department’s mandate.”

This is a mandate, which in the new Fish-eries Act in 2012, saw a series environmental protections stripped away.

Many scientists are calling this shut-down heartbreaking. Others are condemn-ing the act and raising warning to the public.

Former fisheries minister Tom Siddon said in an interview with CBC that, “Some might suspect that [the shutdown is] driven by a notion to exterminate all unpopular sci-entific findings that interfere with the gov-

ernment’s economic objectives.”Considering Harper’s notoriety for regulat-

ing unflattering scientific research, this move has Canadians calling his motives into question.

Preceding the library closures, this last term saw budget cuts to Environment Canada, re-search programs dealing with climate change, ocean habitats, pollution and toxic waste clean up. Instead, Harper is plugging money into tar sands and pipeline projects despite warnings from envi-ronmental scientists across the country.

In fact, the more environmental barri-ers he stripped down, the more Harper im-posed dictatorial policies meant to muzzle scientists working for the government. Be-ginning in 2008, researchers working for Environment Canada and the National Re-search Council of Canada were told to refer all research queries and findings to the com-munications department. Strict media poli-cies were enforced with scientists no longer able to give interviews or publish work without being preapproved by officials.

A June 2013 survey of federal government scientists done by the Professional Institute of the Public Service of Canada found that 24 per cent of respondents had been told to alter information when speaking publically. Thirty-seven per cent had been previously prevented from responding to media queries.

These policies mean the Conservative government is ensuring that Canadians remain unaware to pertinent scientific re-

Samantha LegoSENIOR NEWS WRITER

Illustration Roland Nguyen/The Runner

W : runnermag.caThe Runner February 4 / 2014 Advertisement06

www.kusa.ca/electionsFor more information on the KSA general election, visit

Chief Returning Officer | Corey Van’t HaaffKwantlen Student Association | Cell: 604.889.5437 | Email: kwantlencro@gmail.com

Election will be held for these positions:

Campus Representatives (4 positions) • Cloverdale Campus Representative (1)• Langley Campus Representative (1)• Richmond Campus Representative (1)• Surrey Campus Representative (1)

Constituency Representatives (7 positions) • Aboriginal Students Representative (1)• International Students Representative (1)• Mature Students Representative (1)• Queer Students Representative (1)• Students of Colour Representative (1)• Students with Disabilities Representative (1)• Women’s Representative (1)

Faculty Representatives (14 positions) • Academic and Career Advancement Representative (1)• Arts Representative (4)• Business Representative (4)• Community and Health Studies Representative (1)• Design Representative (1)• Science and Horticulture Representative (2)• Trades and Technology Representative (1)

General Election PollingTuesday, February 25, 2014 –

Wednesday, February 26, 201410 AM – 7 PM

Surrey Campus – In the Main AtriumRichmond Campus – In the Rotunda

Cloverdale Campus – By the CafeteriaLangley Campus – By the Bookstore

Ballot CountingWednesday, February 26, 2014 at 8 PM

Surrey Main 2801

07ProcrastinationThe Runner February 4 / 2014 W : runnermag.ca

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44. Vessel45. German submarine46. Ignited again47. Some horses48. Goose genus49. Classy pancake50. Camp sights52. Horn warning53. Nastase of tennis57. PC panic button

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SUDOKU

To complete Sudoku, fill the board by entering numbers 1 to 9 such that each row, column and 3x3 box contains every number uniquely.

For many strategies, hints and tips, visit www.sudokuwiki.org

If you like Sudoku you’ll really like ‘Str8ts’ and our other puzzles, Apps and books. Visit www.str8ts.com

The solutions will be published here in the next issue.

No. 88 Medium Previous solution - Easy

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SUDOKU

To complete Sudoku, fill the board by entering numbers 1 to 9 such that each row, column and 3x3 box contains every number uniquely.

For many strategies, hints and tips, visit www.sudokuwiki.org

If you like Sudoku you’ll really like ‘Str8ts’ and our other puzzles, Apps and books. Visit www.str8ts.com

The solutions will be published here in the next issue.

No. 88 Medium Previous solution - Easy

Horoscope

CSEC can’t believe you put that shit up on Deviantart.

SagittariusNov. 23 - Dec 21

This week you will discover a fun new travel activity and form of peaceful protest when you learn that airport infrared scanners can see your farts.

CapricornDec. 22 - Jan 20

Big Brother is watching you masturbate.

AquariusJan 21 - Feb 19

Last week, you got to hear all about what Rob Ford thinks of Justin Bieber. This week, you will learn what Justin Bieber thinks of Rob Ford.

PiscesFeb 20 - Mar 20

You will have a chance to reconnect with your parents when Family Zombie Night returns this week.

AriesMar 21 - Apr 19

A pleasantly herbal, slightly skunky aroma will confirm to you that Surrey is indeed the greenest city.

TaurusApr 20 - May 20

Your spirit animal is the dog. Blaming your gas on him is a misuse of your spirit animal.

GeminiMay 21 - Jun 20

Rutgers University has just launched a course on Beyonce. Plan your life accordingly.

CancerJun 21 - Jul 23

Let your significant other know you care by having a frank talk about their weight. Be sure to have some wisecracking friends present to help lighten the mood.

LeoJul 24 - Aug 23

This week, you will be tempted to tap into your valuable study time in order to argue with someone over Facebook. As always, it will be time well spent.

VirgoAug 24 - Sept 23

Your tweet at Enbridge will be read, and several staff members’ feeling will be hurt.

LibraSept 24 - Oct 23

Is there a cause that you’re passionate about? Chances are, there’s a product for it.

ScorpioOct 24 - Nov 22

CROSSWORD

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