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April 13, 2011 + Over the Edge

The UNBC Student Planners’ Association

Insert wedding joke here

ROY NEILSON
CONTRIBUTOR

The UNBC Student Planners’ Association (SPA) is a campus club that really punches above
its weight. Cobbled together from the dregs of the comparatively undersized School of
Environmental Planning program, the SPA executive has nevertheless made a habit of being
a visible presence in campus culture. The club mission statement is to “enhance the overall
learning of planning students by creating and enhancing relationships between students and
the professional planning community, UNBC, and the Prince George public at large.” But
don’t stop reading yet! Fulfilling this mandate is more fun than it sounds.

Our 2010/11 year began with a well-attended BBQ during BC Rivers Day, where SPA
members forced local, organic beef burgers and veggie patties on unsuspecting passers-
by. Deliciousness ensued! This was followed by a sold-out SPA Pub Night, featuring local
musical acts The Empty Pockets Band and Logic Manifest. (I don’t entirely remember, but
| heard it was a good time.) In the new year, SPA turned their attention toward community
causes, and raised over $500 towards the purchase of art supplies for the AWAC Emergency
Shelter Art Therapy program. It should be mentioned that this community fundraiser would
have been a miserable failure without the ample support and donations provided by several
local businesses and organizations.

Now, to top it all off, SPAwants to send you to the Planning Institute of British Columbia (PIBC)
Annual Conference in Nanaimo, BC or the Association of Canadian University Planning

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The Student Planners know where the party is at!

Programs (ACUPP) Conference in Calgary, AB. The conferences are both on May 31 - June
3 and are an excellent way to make contacts, learn about what planners actually do, and
have fun! SPA will fund any amount up to the total registration fee for the conference (PIBC
- $355; ACUPP - $50). The amount of funding granted depends on the number of requests
that are received. In 2010, we awarded funding to 4 people, in excess of $200 each! Please
contact unbc.studentplanning@gmail.com for an application form.

** Please note, application deadline is May 15. Applicants must be a declared environmental
planning major although graduating planning students are also eligible. **

In 2011/12 the SPA Executive will be composed of: Marie Jensen (President), Mitchell
Harborne (Vice-President), Daniel Sturgeon (PIBC Rep), Robyn Trites (Events Co-ordinator)
and Kurt Inglis (Treasurer). However, there are still several positions available on the SPA
executive. Please approach one of the above individuals, or send us a brief email if you are
interested in getting involved!

Have a happy summer everyone! (Also, if anyone is getting married soon, | may know a few
planners in need of work...)

Nt.

ROY NEILSON