Lead Up To Elections President

There is only one position that we haven’t gone over yet in terms of the BUSU election, and that is the head honcho themself: the President.

The President has the biggest responsibility on Council, as they are expected to lead effectively and with the best interest of the majority of students in mind. According to the BUSU website, the President is mandated to fulfill responsibilities including but not limited to : Chairing Council Meetings, acting as the main Union spokesperson on all student issues, providing input to all BUSU committees, acting as the Chair of the Campaigns and Government Relations committee, overseeing all campaign and government relations of the Union, providing long term strategic direction for the Union, Chairing executive committee, Board of Governors, KDC Board, Alumni and other committees.

The President is a full-time employee of the Student Union, salaried at 40 hours per week. Like the Vice-Presidents, the President’s salary works out to approximately $14/hour. Like many other salaried positions, there will be times when the President will work more than the allotted 40 hours in a week.

A Presidential candidate should consider that they cannot work alone. They need to be able to effectively lead their Council to make decisions that will impact the entirety of campus. In the past, Presidential candidates have campaigned on promises of integrity, fiscal responsibility, and transparency in their actions.

For more information about the position, contact current President, Nick Brown at Pres@BUSU.ca or pop by the BUSU office on the first floor of the Knowles Douglas Centre. 

You can also visit the Returning Officer, Krystal Kane, at the elections information booth on Mondays in the Mingling Area from 10:00AM to 2:00PM, or on Thursdays in front of the John E. Robbins Library from 9:30AM to 12:00PM.

We at The Quill wish all potential candidates luck in their run, and look forward to covering electoral events.

Keystone Centre Changes Name

Westman Communications Group (WCG) purchased the naming rights for the Keystone Center’s main arena in 2007, but their ten-year contract came to an end in October 2017; the arena will no longer be “Westman Communications Group Place”. 

WCG were the first every sponsor for the arena, providing financial support, high-speed data, internet services, HD cable TV, and most recently, free Wi-Fi. 

Dave Baxter, WCG president and CEO said in a press release, “The Keystone Centre plays a vital role in the Western Manitoba economy. We have been able to provide nearly a million dollars in financial support to the Keystone over the term of our agreement and are pleased that the Keystone has found a new naming rights partner”. In the past year, Westman provided nearly $200,000 in community support through sponsorships, donations, and other services to the community. Baxter says, “Westman will continue playing a leadership role in supporting local events and organizations based in Brandon and Southwestern Manitoba”.

In June 2017, the Keystone Centre sent out a request for expression of interest regarding the naming rights sponsorship. The request outlines a five-year commitment. Keystone Centre board chair Shawn Berry said last year that the contract with WCG had an exclusivity clause to negotiate a new deal; explaining that “we just thought maybe it might be an opportunity to exercise our right on that and maybe look for some expressions of interest just to see if there’s other parties interested”. Signage stayed up during negotiations, but removal began January 30th. The new name for the arena is Westoba Place, with Westoba Credit Union becoming the new sponsor at the beginning of the month.

WCG will remain involved for the broadcast of their 27th season of the Brandon Wheat Kings games on Westman owned radio station Q Country 91.5FM/880AM.

February At The Evans - Jayce Paul

The Evans Theatre film programme is presented by the volunteers of the Brandon Film Festival Inc. The theatre is located in the Brandon University 270 18th Street Brandon, MB, inside George T. Richardson Building (B.U Library). The show-times are 7:30pm Friday, Saturday and Sunday; from September to April. The admission is six dollars cash at the door, with concession items being only two dollars. The contact information is evanstheatre.ca, phone number: 204-727-9704.

The February 2018 movie listings include: 

Call Me By Your Name

February 2nd – 4th

In Northern Italy in 1983, seventeen-year-old Elio begins a relationship with visiting Oliver, his father’s research assistant, with whom he bonds over his emerging sexuality, their Jewish heritage, and the beguiling Italian landscape. 

The Florida Project *

February 9th – 11th 

The Florida Project is a deeply moving and unforgettably poignant look a childhood. Set on a stretch of highway just outside the imagined utopia of Disney World, the film follows 6-year-old Moonee and her rebellious mother Halley over a single summer. The two live week at a budget motel, but despite these surroundings, the precocious and ebullient Moonee is filled with joy, her endless afternoons overflowing with mischief and adventure as she and her ragtag playmates fearlessly explore the unique world into which they’ve been thrown. The Florida Project demonstrates that anywhere can be a Magic Kingdom, it just depends on how you see it. 

So, come out and show your support to your local theatre, with these great films. I’ve added a star beside the titles of the films I’d recommend watching. I’m also looking forward to seeing The Florida Project! If you find yourself bored on the weekends you may enjoy volunteering at Evans Theatre too! Thanks for reading.

BU Open House PSA

That time of year is here again! No, its not quite time for finals just yet, its the time of year when Brandon University puts on their open house. This year’s open house will take place on Tuesday, February 20th from 10:30AM to 2:30PM.

This is when BU opens its doors to potential and future students. While current BU students will be enjoying their February break many future students will be visiting the campus for the first time. Attendees will be able to see first hand what type of education is offered at BU.  Representatives from all five faculties will be there, including the Faculties of Arts, Music, Science, Health Studies and Education!  Attendees will be given the chance to sit in on lectures and attend demonstrations throughout the campus. They will also have the chance to go on full campus tours and get a glimpse of what BU has to offer. Potential students will also have the opportunity to apply for university at the open house. Attendees can bring a copy of their interim transcript and begin the process of becoming a BU student! To top it all off many different booths at the open house will be hosting a series of activities in which prizes are up for grabs! 

This year’s open house will take place primarily in the Healthy Living Centre. To kick things off BU Interim President and Vice-Chancellor Dr. Steve Robinson and Acting Dean of Students Ms. Katie Gross will give welcoming remarks.  Following the remarks attendees will either be part of Group A or Group B. Group A will be taken on their campus wide tour while Group B will take in the Information Fair, where the representatives from the universities faculties will be, as well as attend a residence tour and lunch. The lunch will be at Harvest Hall and include a hamburger, potato chips and a drink for $5.00. At noon Group A and Group B will switch places and take part in the other activity, meaning that Group A will then go to the Information Fair and residence halls with Group B taking part in the campus wide tour. Following the completion of the second activity attendees will have a choice in which afternoon information sessions they wish to attend. These sessions will give attendees a closer look at the various degree programs that Brandon University offers. There will be sessions from the Faculties of Arts, Science, Education, Music and Health Studies as well as a general session which will give attendees an overview of all the programs offered at BU.  Following the afternoon sessions prizes will be given out at the Healthy Living Centre with the open house concluding between 2:15PM and 2:30PM.

Registration is required to attend the open house. To register for the open house either as an individual or a student group visit the BU website at www. brandonu.ca. Then proceed to the Brandon University Open House Registration tab. From here you can choose whether you are registering as an individual or as a student group. After filling out the required information you’ll be all set for attending this year’s open house!

Brandon Multicultural Fest

For both those who are Brandon born and those who ended up here, Brandon can be a bit boring. So, when there’s something like the Westman Multicultural Festival going on in town, it’s kind of a big deal. The Westman Multicultural Festival has been running for 15 years. It was previously known as the Lieutenant Governor’s Winter Festival, and is more commonly called the Pavilions. The old favourites included Ukraine, England, Ireland, Scotland, Philippines, Honduras and Métis pavilions with two new additions, India and Mexico. 

I’ve fortunately been able to attend the last two years, and I personally find the pavilions that have less attendance more pleasurable to visit. One pavilion last year was so busy that it felt like people were being herded like cattle, while another that wasn’t liquor licenced, had spectacular entertainment and the hosts were genuinely thrilled that have festival-goers arrive.

This year, I was excited to try the Indian food, but after 15-20 minutes waiting outside without the line moving, I decided I valued my toes more than buying dinner. Saturday night temperatures were expected to drop to -43 degrees with the windchill, so I carried on. I expected that as many people I’ve spoken to were stoked for an Indian Pavilion.  The Métis Pavilion was less populated, in part I would guess is chalked up to the earlier close (11:00PM vs 2:00AM) and that it was non-liscenced), was fantastic. It was located in the Auditorium on campus, and had food such as bannock, rice pudding, stew and bison burgers. The entertainers were a pleasure to watch, and when Ryan Lepin played, he got people up on stage dancing.  There was also cultural displays and Métis lanyards, keychains, etc. for purchase.

After the Métis, we attended the Mexican Pavilion. The Shriners Club has little seating, but I didn’t mind standing to watch the entertainment. Dancers from Cancun were flow in for the festival, which was great to watch. The pico de gallo with guacamole and chips was delicious, and there was also a traditional soup available when I went on Saturday. Although the severe cold can be daunting, making it to the Pavilions is one of the highlights of living in Brandon

Big Band

Big Band Dance Lights Up BU’s Floor. Brandon’s Annual Big Band Dance was held at Forbidden Flavours by the Brandon University Music Students on February 2nd. The Big Band Dance was conducted by Professor Michael Cain and featured jazz, pop, funk, and rock music music in honour of Black History Month. The mingling area was lit with colorful lights and Brandonites dancing to the live music, both old and young. Various drinks such as the “jungle funk” were created by Forbidden Flavours as a feature for the event. Highlights of the night were voice major Lenaya Wilks’s powerful voice leading the band and the band breaking out into coordinated dances during their breaks. Big Band Dance is among various other events held by Brandon University in honour of Black History Month throughout the month of February.

This was the first Big Band Dance for fourth year Brandon University sociology student Brittany Rigby. Rigby described the event as “thoroughly exciting and a chance to meet a lot of new people at the University.” She had come to the event with many of her friends who were all trying to catch a breather from the increasing amounts of schoolwork before reading week. 

Elizabeth Poirier, who is in her graduating year, has attended the event multiple times and said “Big Band Dance is definitely one of BU’s better socials and better every year in terms of performance. I just wish they advertised better this year as many of my friends did not know this was happening today.” 

The event, though mostly attended by music students, included students from other faculties as well and Professor Peter Morin from the Faculty of Fine Arts. The event ran from 10:00PM to 2:00AM and saw an attendance of approximately a hundred people.

Q-Mail : Quintilius

Dear Quintilius,

How does one lose 15lbs or more? I know it’s a long process but I want to get beach body ready!

Sincerely, Look Good, Feel Good

Dear Physique,

Losing 15lbs quickly can be very dangerous. What I would recommend if you’re looking for immediate results would be to take off an arm or two! This will be the fastest way to lose that pesky weight and be ready for the beach.

Think about it, with one or two fewer arms, you could run so much faster on sand! You would be super aerodynamic, cutting through the wind like the wings of an eagle. Not to mention with running you could probably lose another 15lbs.

If that’s not what you meant about losing weight might I suggest you play hide-and-go seek with your weight. Except when it’s your turn to “seek” you don’t. Weight will try to coax you to find it “Hey pay attention to me,” and “You don’t look as good as that person.” You are trying to lose weight so just forget about it and you won’t find it.

Don’t lie to yourself or go looking at models and feeling depressed, everyone is human and sometimes unhealthy mental and emotional habits need to be challenged. Am I saying don’t workout? No. Am I saying go all vegan and only eat super healthy? No. Take care of yourself and accept your self. When you start feeling better then you start looking better and the best beach body is confidence.

So here are your final two options: accept yourself or join the legions of Roma where we will conquer fear and hate together in the forms of barbarian tribes.

All Salute The Eternal City,

Quinitilius of Rome

RGC- January Recap

I should have known better than to set myself a gaming goal during the school year. I am sorry to report that I did not finish even one game in the month of January. Not even Pokemon. I have shame.

This is not to say that I haven’t played games. I started and put several hours into both Pokemon X and The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past. I just got overwhelmed. How do days go so quickly? Getting older sucks.

In Pokemon X, I got my starter (a Chespin named Quillbert), caught several team members, and took on the first gym in a pretty quick order. Then things got vaguely difficult and I temporarily rage quit during the second gym. I’m currently locked into a Tyrunt-vs.-Tyrunt battle. It is not going well for me. Someone send me a Revive.

In Link to the Past, it was a rough start. It took me a little while to reacquaint myself with Super Nintendo controls. It has been several years since I played anything on the console of my childhood. I got out of my house and into the castle, took the sword and shield from my dead uncle (how weird is it that the death of Link’s uncle is barely a plot point?) and saved Zelda from the dungeon. I got her to the sanctuary. I died a lot.

Now, I’m in some ruins looking for a pendant that the Elder of Kakariku Village thinks I need. I’m dying. A lot. This didn’t actually make me rage quit. I am still extremely interested in playing. I just know I won’t finish before the end of January (tomorrow).

So, I’ll just have to accept that my goals will likely be pushed back. February’s goals look equally promising, as I’m packing up my life and moving for March 1st, and also I can’t find Ham-Ham Heartbreak.

Pop Culture - Studio Ghibli

I have always loved Studio Ghibli. When I was very young, I loved My Neighbour Totoro, a sweet animated movie about a forest spirit (Totoro) helping two young girls adjust to their new home in the country and cope with their mother’s ongoing illness. It contains all the best things for a movie: magic, yelling Japanese children, and a cat bus. I love Totoro so much, I got him tattooed upon my person. From there, as I got older, I watched more of Studio Ghibli’s wonders.

The next (age appropriate) movie by Ghibli that I watched was Kiki’s Delivery Service. Kiki is a witch who must go off on her own to learn more of her craft and accomplish... something. I don’t know. Kiki is like ten, so I think it’s a little crazy that her parents were totally cool with her going off to live on her own — although, she’s not truly alone. She has her talking cat, Ji-ji. I still very much enjoy Kiki, but it’s not in my top three.

Also in my youth, I watched Princess Mononoke with my dad. It was not appropriate for children. It has graphic violence and mature subject matter. That being said, I loved it. I had a weird fascination with it, despite being utterly terrified of it. The Princess in question lives in the forest, raised by a giant wolf. A heroic Prince, infected with a demon, joins her in her quest to save the forest from pollution and evil forces. It’s a wonderful comparison to the state our natural world is currently in.

Probably one of my very favourite movies of all time, let alone from Studio Ghibli is Howl’s Moving Castle. The cast works together so well, and anyone who doesn’t ship Sophie and Howl is wrong. Howl is a wizard, Sophie is a young woman who is cursed to look like she’s 80... what’s not to love. (My favourite part is Calcifer, the fire demon. He’s gonna be my next tattoo.)

Do you have a favourite Ghibli movie? Let me know!

OP ED Public Transit Cuts

Despite public transit being a vital service for many and providing an environmentally friendly alternative to individual transportation, budgets have failed to reflect the critical nature of the service.

Lower or modest income individuals, students (who often fall into the previous category as well), disabled, or those who don’t have access to a car are the ones who depend on this service, and are the ones the government should be championing. The word depend is not used lightly- for instance as seen this season Manitoba winters often and quickly fall into freezing temperatures making traveling by foot simply dangerous. Other times Manitoba’s weather seemingly attempts to have all four seasons within a week resulting with the rapid melting and refreezing of water creating patches of ice that are inches thick at times, again creating dangerous conditions and making it inaccessible for individuals with mobility difficulties. Public transit isn’t simply a cheaper taxi service, with routes spanning the city it’s a means to work and life. One simply can’t offer a service that becomes utilized by people on a daily rate then take it away. It shows inconsideration and incompetence at providing for the people they are supposed to serve and interests represent.

It could be assumed that common sense would not only dissuade anyone from decreasing funding to public transit, but with increasing environmental concerns the service would become more critical in the province’s efforts to decrease carbon dioxide emissions from cars. With the increasing knowledge of the endangered state of our environment the necessity for green initiatives and friendlier alternatives as opposed to the current callous consumption of natural resources continues to be evident.

This decreased funding introduces a feeling of unreliability- if rates continue to rise and hours are further limited it begs the question when it will stop, or if public transit will continue to be under attack with each new year, making a supposedly accessible service inaccessible. These actions are nothing more than counter-productive. Those who depend on the service and the environment are most vulnerable to the whims of the city, yet the government continues to disregard for the responsibility they hold.

Mental Health Week 2018

As we’re nearing the end of the first month of the Winter semester, it’s not too soon to be feeling stressed. January 29th to February 2nd BUSU is holding their 2018 Mental Health Week. The week is intended to alleviate stress from school, but also increase awareness and aid in ending the stigma around mental health.

Dogs and free David’s Tea were in the Mingling Area of the Knowles-Douglas Centre (KDC) from 11:30AM to 1:30PM on Monday, January 29th. We sincerely hope you (all of you) went and hugged a puppy to chase your winter blues away.

On Tuesday, January 30th, there will be a free cereal bar in the Mingling Area from 9:00AM to 11:00AM. Also on the docket is a meet and greet with BU’s counsellors from 12:40PM to 1:30PM in the Indigenous Peoples Centre, complete with free hot drinks and snacks.

Wednesday, January 31st is Bell’s Let’s Talk Day. From 9:00AM to 3:00PM in the Mingling Area, you can sign your name to the banner or fill out a thought bubble to support mental health initiatives and receive a free toque.

Local resources and de-stress booths will be in the Mingling Area from 9:00AM to 3:00PM on Thursday, February 1st. There will also be a special collaboration between the Sutherland Art Gallery and the BU Theatre club titled “Drawing Truth, Erasing Stigma: Understanding mental health” at 7:00PM in the art gallery.

To complete the week On Friday, February 2nd, there will be free cookie decorating (and of course, free cookie eating) outside the library from 12:00PM to 2:00PM, and free massages available from 12:30PM to 3:30PM in the library gathering space. The massages are, as always, on a first-come, first-served basis.

Don't Eat Tide Pods

The recent internet challenge featuring the ‘Forbidden Snack’ otherwise known Tide Pods has resulted in teenagers and young adults like posting videos of themselves consuming the chemical filled packet.

This trend has gotten so prevalent that Poison Control has issued a high alert and people continue to ingest the packets. Poison Control’s statistics display that since January 1st, they have handled 119 cases on contact with detergent pods among thirteen to nineteen-year old’s. Tide themselves have taken note of the misuse of their products, Tide’s official Twitter addresses the issue in a video, restating that their products are intended for laundry and consist of highly concentrated cleaning chemicals.

There’s a reason for the high alert. Despite what individuals have referred to as a candy like appearance, Tide Pods remain inedible. Consuming the liquid can result in burns to the mouth, throat and stomach, and when it burns there’s a risk of it coming into contact with eyes or even lungs if a person happens to gasp when the packets burst in their mouth. Poison Control themselves warn that serious consequences can lead to seizures, respiratory arrest, coma, Pulmonary edema, and in extreme cases death.

Individuals such as Harold Zeliger, who wrote an article for Fortune, argue that if safety measures the companies have put forth have failed to prevent ingestion, then manufacturers shouldn’t be permitted to sell them in stores. Alternatively, Wake N Bake Donuts in California has made a donut with the tide pods design in icing on the front, a detergent free alternative to the pods.

As a result of the risks YouTube has opted to pull any videos of YouTubers participating in the challenge, citing in an interview with that it goes against community guidelines prohibiting “content that’s intended to encourage dangerous activities that have an inherit risk of physical harm”. Amazon has been deleting reviews that refer to the taste of the pods.

 A review three days ago by user “Z” addresses the issue simply, “Works well for cleaning, bad for eating”.

Creative Writing With Melanie Schnell

For the past two weeks, we’ve looked at the responsibilities of the Brandon University Students’ Union (BUSU) Council Directors. Today, we’ll have a look at the Vice President positions.

BUSU Council has two Vice Presidents: the Vice President Internal, and the Vice President External. The Executive positions are salaried, which means the lovely individuals who occupy them are paid for their efforts. According to BUSU.ca, this equates to roughly $14/hour (which is more than I, personally, make at my part-time job), with the President working 40 hours per week and the Vice Presidents working 20 to 30 hours per week.

The VPE deals primarily with clubs and collectives. According to BUSU.ca, the VPE is responsible for:  electronic communications and newsletters, serving as a liaison between BUSU and student groups, overseeing services specific to student groups and councils, overseeing the Union’s events and activities and ensuring they cater to the academic, cultural and social interest of the Members of the Union while also overseeing promotion of Union events at the University and off campus. The current VPE is Mohammed Agavi and he can be reached at VPE@BUSU.ca.

The VPI has many responsibilities, including but not limited to: overseeing the financial management of the Union, including preparing and maintaining the budget (in conjunction with the General Manager), acting as Chair of the Finance Committee, overseeing various BUSU services (in conjunction with Office & Services Manager), advising students on academic and disciplinary appeals and related matters, and acting as the official Student Advocate Caucus. Maintaining all the BUSU bylaws, policies and standard procedures, including implementation of the rules with the President, advocating the Union’s best interests in University meetings, Board of Governors, Senate, KDC Board, Alumni and other committees. The current VPI is Emily Simon, and she can be reached at VPI@BUSU.ca.

Next week, we’ll talk about the President!

BUSU Executive

For the past two weeks, we’ve looked at the responsibilities of the Brandon University Students’ Union (BUSU) Council Directors. Today, we’ll have a look at the Vice President positions.

BUSU Council has two Vice Presidents: the Vice President Internal, and the Vice President External. The Executive positions are salaried, which means the lovely individuals who occupy them are paid for their efforts. According to BUSU.ca, this equates to roughly $14/hour (which is more than I, personally, make at my part-time job), with the President working 40 hours per week and the Vice Presidents working 20 to 30 hours per week.

The VPE deals primarily with clubs and collectives. According to BUSU.ca, the VPE is responsible for:  electronic communications and newsletters, serving as a liaison between BUSU and student groups, overseeing services specific to student groups and councils, overseeing the Union’s events and activities and ensuring they cater to the academic, cultural and social interest of the Members of the Union while also overseeing promotion of Union events at the University and off campus. The current VPE is Mohammed Agavi and he can be reached at VPE@BUSU.ca.

The VPI has many responsibilities, including but not limited to: overseeing the financial management of the Union, including preparing and maintaining the budget (in conjunction with the General Manager), acting as Chair of the Finance Committee, overseeing various BUSU services (in conjunction with Office & Services Manager), advising students on academic and disciplinary appeals and related matters, and acting as the official Student Advocate Caucus. Maintaining all the BUSU bylaws, policies and standard procedures, including implementation of the rules with the President, advocating the Union’s best interests in University meetings, Board of Governors, Senate, KDC Board, Alumni and other committees. The current VPI is Emily Simon, and she can be reached at VPI@BUSU.ca.

Next week, we’ll talk about the President!

Alumni Association Teaching Award

The Brandon University Alumni Association has announced it is now excepting applications for their yearly Excellence in Teaching Award. The Excellence in Teaching Award is given out each year to a member of the teaching staff at BU. The award recognizes the recipient’s exemplary education practices and highlights them as a distinguished member of the university’s teaching staff. In order to qualify for the nomination of the Excellence in Teaching Award an individual must be a full-time member of the Brandon University teaching staff and has to have taught full-time for the past three years at the university.

The Brandon University Alumni Association has recommended nominees to have the following criteria. The criteria states that the nominee should have a current and well-rounded understanding of their teaching subject as well as enthusiasm for their subject and the ability to install interest in their students. The nominee must also be accessible to students outside the classroom on a regular basis, such as holding regular office hours, and have a reputation around campus among both students and faculty for exemplary teaching. The individual should also be regularly prepared for their lectures and laboratories and encourage student participation in exercises regularly. Furthermore, the member of the university teaching staff should not only set high standards for their students but also foster their motivation and push them to attain such goals.

There will be a selection committee that will sort through the nominations and bring a recommendation of who should receive the Excellence in Teaching Award to the Brandon University Alumni Association Board of Directors for approval. Both the selected recipient and all other nominators will be informed of the decision by the Brandon University Alumni Association. Following the selected nominee’s acceptance of the award a presentation will take place. The Excellence in Teaching Award will most likely be presented at the Spring Convocation. However, if issues arise then the presentation will take place at another special event decided by the Brandon University Alumni Association Board of Directors.  The award recipient will be given a framed certificate and their name will be added to a plaque located on the first floor of Clark Hall on campus.

Nominators don’t necessarily have to be current students as BU, as alumni can also nominate a member of the university’s teaching staff for the award. Nomination papers can either be picked up in person from the Alumni Relations Office, located on the first floor of Clark Hall, or online at www.brandonu.ca/alumni/awards/alumni-award. Nominators are encouraged to provide as much information as possible when filling out the nomination forms. Ideally the nomination package should include not only the nomination form but a brief description of the nominee’s excellence in teaching at the university. Nominators must also include three letters of reference supporting the nomination and any information on past awards the candidate received. Nominators have multiple ways they can submit their nomination packages to the Alumni Relations Office. The nomination package can be submitted electronically by emailing alumni@brandonu.ca or in person/by mail to the Brandon University Alumni Association at 270 18th street Brandon, Manitoba, R7A 6A9. The email or package containing the nomination forms should be marked Confidential Award Information.

The deadline for all nominations for the Excellence in Teaching Award is April 1st, 2018 at 4:30PM. Should you have questions relating to the Excellence in Teaching Award you are encouraged to contact the BU Alumni Relations Office at 1-204-727-9697 or email them at alumni@brandonu.ca.

Sioux Valley

Sioux Valley Dakota Nation is hosting Dakota Nation Winterfest 2018 at the Keystone Centre from January 25th-28th. There will be a variety of events happening such as:

Adult Hockey (Men’s Rec, Men 40+, Men’s Senior, Women Divisions)

Minor Hockey (Squirts and Midget’s Divisions)

Basketball (Men & Women Divisions)

Volleyball (Men & Women Divisions)

Powwow Competition

Square Dancing Competition

Monster Bingo

Other events include a talent show, trade show, pool tournament, moccasin game among other festivities.

Elders 60+ and children under 6 are free to attend at no cost, while general admission is $12 per day. Visit svdngovernance.com or email Jennifer Bone, event coordinator, at Jennifer.bone@dakotanation.com for more information.

RGC - Horror Games

I can’t play horror games to save my life. I get too anxious, throw the controller, and scream a lot. That being said, I love watching other people play horror games. One of my favourite things to do with my roommate is sit on the couch and watch her play terrifying games that I could never play myself.

I am going to blame my weird fascination with horror games on my dad. I literally grew up watching him play the Resident Evil games. When I was six or seven, I learned how to read strategy guides so that I could help him look up the maps to Raccoon City Police Department or the Umbrella Mansion — this was in the time before high-speed internet, and me looking up the schematics allowed Dad to keep playing.

Once I got old enough to figure out the controls, Dad got me to try controlling Jill Valentine in the first Resident Evil game. I didn’t do too badly against the zombies, but the zombie-dogs were my undoing.

The most recent horror game that I watched my roommate play was Pineview Drive. It’s a psychological horror game that takes place over thirty in-game days which end at a pre-determined time: when you’ve found a journal entry. Basically the scariest thing about this game is a clown doll that occasionally moves around and scares the ever living shit out of you, and the odd paranormal cut scene that was meant to act as a jump scare. The ending was a little disappointing and left a lot of questions unanswered, but it’s an indie game that has rumours of a sequel.

Next on the agenda is to watch someone on YouTube play Resident Evil: Remastered. If anyone knows of an LP of this game that isn’t in German, please let me know. Alternatively, if anyone knows German, please teach me.

Pop Culture The Last Of Us

I am a touch obsessed with the game The Last of Us, created by Naughty Dog. The game is made gorgeously. The cut scenes are practically movie quality, and the backgrounds in all scenes are done hyper-realistically. I love this game. It was one of the first games that I purchased after the acquisition of a PlayStation3. Of course, if you have followed my RGC series, I can’t finish a game to save my life. So I watch other people play on YouTube.

To date, I’ve watched three Let’s Play series’ of The Last of Us: Markiplier, StephenPlays, and Cryaotic. I love all of them for different reasons. Mark plays the way I do: screaming the entire time. Stephen plays methodically, which I enjoy because that means I get to see more of the game. And Cry just has the nicest voice to listen to.

You may think that watching the same game played three separate times is excessive, and might get boring. It is not. Sure, I know the way the story goes, and it’s not as surprising when certain plot twists come up, but the storyline is just so good, it’s worth the repeated watch. It’s like re-watching a favourite movie or TV show. The following section contains spoilers. You’ve been warned.

The story follows Joel, a hardened, middle-aged man just trying to get by in a post-apocalyptic world. The beginning of the game shows a younger Joel, his daughter Sarah, and his brother Tommy trying to escape from a “zombie” outbreak. After the initial tutorial stage of the game, in which you play as Sarah and Joel, it cuts to twenty years later. Joel lives in a safe zone, and he and his business partner (and maybe something more?) Tess run a smuggling ring. His life has lost all meaning since the death of his daughter, and he’s just going through the motions.

After trying to shake down a former business partner, Robert, and escaping from his goons and the soldiers that patrol the safe zone, Joel and Tess run into Marlene, a sometimes friend and leader of the rebel group, the Fireflies. Marlene hires Joel and Tess to deliver a package to another group of Fireflies in a different city. That package turns out to be a fourteen-year-old girl: Ellie.

The remainder of the game is Joel attempting to get Ellie to the Fireflies over the course of roughly a year. Grudgingly, he bonds with the girl and begins to think of her as his daughter. It’s really touching, and honestly, I think the game wouldn’t be the same if Joel hadn’t shown any kind of character development in that respect.

I’ll probably finish playing this game someday. Until then, I’ll watch more LPs.

Ploughman's Lunch

The English and Creative Writing Club on campus is planning on hosting an exciting event this week. The Writing Club will be hosting a traditional “Ploughman’s Lunch” to celebrate Dr. Rosanne Gasse’s published book, The Feral Piers: A Reader’s Experience of the British Library Cotton Caligula A XI Manuscript of Piers Plowman. Dr. Gasse is an Associate Professor from the Department of English and Creative Writing. She teaches medieval literature as well as classical and Latin literature.

Dr. Gasse will be reading excerpts from her new book and will be hosting a question and answer session following the reading. However, she explains that her book has been out for while. “My book, The Feral Piers, was published by Cambridge Scholars Press about two years ago.” Nevertheless, she states that there is no doubt it will be an enjoyable afternoon. Dr. Gasse also touched on how the event will proceed. “I will be reading selections from my book and then answering any questions about it. The questions could be about the process of researching and writing the book or about the book’s ideas and content.” Below is an excerpt from The Feral Piers that Dr. Gasse provided, giving an insight into what will be discussed at the book reading.

“What do we mean when we talk about the text of Piers Plowman? What is the concept of a literary text when that construct exists in so many variant and feral forms, as is the case for the multiple modern editorial reconstructions and the more than fifty surviving manuscripts and early print editions of Piers Plowman? How do the anonymous roles of author, scribe, and reader intersect to create the experience of the text? How can we judge a pre-modern text’s reception history if we do not know exactly what it was that the early reader was responding to? The Feral Piers takes a daring and innovative approach to answering such questions as these.”

Anyone is welcome to attend the event with one of the best parts being the FREE lunch. That’s right the traditional “Ploughman’s Lunch” is absolutely free of charge to those who attend. The Ploughman’s Lunch will take place on January 23rd from 12:40PM to 1:30PM. The event will take place inside the Brandon University Library in the gathering space. For more information about this event you can contact the English and Creative Writing Club at brandonwritingclub@gmail.com. Should you have accessibility needs you are advised to contact the arts office at 204-727-9790 or arts@brandonu.ca in advance to ensure that proper accommodations can be made.

Join The ESS

There are many benefits for joining the faculty of education, from the many professional development sessions it offers to its own resource room and multiple lounging areas. The faculty also has some student groups on campus that people are welcome to join. The Education Students Society (ESS) and Manitoba Council for Exceptional Children (MCEC) are two organizations that offer a sense of community within the faculty.

ESS probably offers the largest presence in the Education building, actively recruiting members and hosting events. You can often see them holding meetings on Tuesday’s in the Resource room, or hear announcements made by their room representatives. ESS puts on several fundraisers throughout the year and organizes the Education clothing order. Much of what the organization does is for fundraising purposes and helps the Grad Committee.

The council on ESS had the event Destination Unknown last semester (basically a booze cruise around Westman) and this past Friday held a social at the Ukrainian National Home. Both events were quite successful and an absolute blast to all who went.

ESS is so much more than just another student organization on campus. The society really creates a social environment within the faculty of Ed. They offer opportunities for classmates to network and help build a sense of community. From the President to the room reps, everyone does their part to support the faculty.

Different fundraisers that ESS have had include the draw for the Christmas meal hamper and raffling for Winnipeg Jets tickets.

I was fortunate enough to get an interview with a member of ESS. They decided to go anonymous for the interview saying, “I prefer not to be named by my haterz. My haterz will know who I am.” Yes, they insisted haters be spelt with a z. No, there is no reasonable explanation for having these haterz or info on who these haterz may be.

When they were asked why they had joined ESS they said it was because they loved to be involved with the politics of an organization. Joining ESS allowed them to meet people, receive information on upcoming events and be part of the organization for these events.

The Education Students Society is a great organization, which is actively supporting the faculty and sense of belonging on campus. Working as one of the core members on the council or as room representative, are desirable positions to put on a resume and a terrific way to network. If you want to get involved with ESS simply walk into one of their meetings in the Resource room on a Tuesday, accidentally or intentionally, you will be welcome!