2 New September 14, 2005 + Over the Edge Over THE EDGE Volume 12, Issue 1 September 14, 2005 EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Maggie Gilbert MANAGING EDITOR Stephanie Wilson PRODUCTION COORDINATOR Belinda Li NEWS EDITOR Andrew Kurjata ARTS EDITOR Earson Gibson FEATURES AND OPINIONS EDITOR Stephanie Morgan SPORTS AND CLUBS EDITOR Vacant PHOTO EDITOR Vacant COPY EDITOR Barry Wolfenden AD MANAGER Travis Nielsen TECHNICAL ADVISOR Vacant WRITERS Aaron Baker PHOTOGRAPHERS Vincent Chan Dana Schwehr CONTRIBUTORS Jamie Flynn Sharon Howland Hubble Space Telescope Dr. Charles Jago Shaun Lyons Michelle Pask Collin Phillips Darcy Senger Matt Silver Marcel Tetrault Megan Thomas Natalie Thomson Pudy Tong Rob Van Adrichem Over the Edge is the official indepen- dent publishing media of students at the University of Northern British Columbia. As such, itis our mandate to report on issues of interest to students in the Northern Region. We encourage all students, both on the main and regional campuses to submit to Over the Edge. Over the Edge is part of the Canadian University Press network of papers, otherwise known as CUP. CUP is an organization that is entirely owned by member papers, and pro- vides such services as a news wire and advertising to Over the Edge. OFFICE LOCATION 7-219 MAILING ADDRESS 3333 University Way Prince George, BC V2N 4A6 PHONE (250) 960-5633 FAX (250) 960-5407 E-MAIL over-the-edge@unbc.ca TRAVIS NIELSEN TRAVIS NIELSEN AD MANAGER On September 2 through to the 4, this years Student Orientation started the year off on the right foot with a high-en- ergy weekend. The orientation began on Friday afternoon with the kickoff, where University President Charles Jago gave his customary welcome speech to all the fresh, bright-faced first-year students. The first day ended with an event called Playfair, a high-energy event that allowed the new students to meet each other and miake some new friends. The Saturday was filled with events and seminars designed to help new students get the most out of their new life at the university, including a mock lecture given by Dr. Todd Whitcombe on “The Chiem- istry of Love” and an introduction to both the Library and to the NUGSS staff, lead by James Lovitt and Aiden Kelly, respec- tively. The last day of the orientation took a look at some of the services that the stu- dents would be able to access to make their years at UNBC more successful. The last Student Orientation Starts the Year Off Right day finished with a talent show and-kara- oke party that ended the evening in just the right way. Overall the weekend was a success that taught the new students how to enjoy university to its fullest! Participants of the Northern Degrees Student Orientation take part in the thrilling events of the week. Library Renovations Complete ANDREW KURJATA NEWS EDITOR Students returning to UNBC this year have likely noticed that what was once a series of classrooms is now the first floor of the Geoffrey R. Weller Library, While the expansion provides a greater level of service for students, the reaction has not been entirely positive. The first problem came when it was noticed early on that the upper floors would not be wheelchair accessible due to lack of elevator service. While this has now been corrected, some students remain concerned about the fact that rhe library now blocks direct access to some classrooms and Tim Horton's from the main entrance in the library wing. There have also been some complaints about the fact that the doors on the second floor that could once be used to access the library from outside are now locked up. “The old vaulted ceil- ings were not condu- cive to studying. It’s much quieter now.” - Jo Ann Murphy’ According to Jo Ann Murphy, the head of Circulation and Reference Ser- vices, these changes, while somewhat inconvenient, are necessary. “It's really hard to maintain security in a library with more than one entrance,” she says, “there are lots of financial considerations such as installing security devices and hiring extra staff.’ She points out that the library has always had one entrance, but it is now on the first floor rather than the second, which is why the doors leading from outside are now closed. Beyond this, she doesn't believe it would be a good idea to open the library up on two sides to allow for quicker access to classrooms. “The library is not a thor- oughfare.’ she savs.“ovening un the olass doors would make the main floor a hall- way, and this would be inconvenient for students who are studying and using the library's services.’ She also notes that the fact that the upper floors now have wheelchair access is not correcting a problem caused by the renovations, but, rather, a completely new feature. “We never had an elevator in the library. In the past, if someone witha disability needed to access the top floor of thelibrary, they had to ask for as- sistance from a staff member who would find a way to help them. We always had to do this for ten years.’ With-the addi- tion of an extra floor, this approach was no longer acceptable. “It wouldn't be fair for users or staff that are shelving books to [do this].”" She says that running into some prob- lems is not unexpected, given the speed. with which the project was completed and the challenge of converting a space once used to house classrooms into a library: She is ‘quick to point out, however, that these problems have now been cor- rected, She is extremely pleased with the results and grateful for the extra space and funding. “I believe students-will find this library to be more attractive. The first floor is designed to be a service area that is much more interactive than tradi- tional libraries. All the ‘loud activity’ will take place here, such as word processing, Internet access, obtaining reference help, and, circulation activities.’ This allows the second and third floors to be a proper study area, especially given the welcome addition of a ceiling separating the first floor from the rest of the library. ; “The old vaulted ceilings were not conducive to studying,’ says Murphy, “i¢s much quieter now.’ Other changes include the addition of 25 to 30 new computer stations and 100 new bays of shelving, The library will not be un- dergoing any further renovations until 2007, when the offices on the fourth floor will be converted into additional library space owing to the completion of the Teaching and Learning Building. Steps in the Right Direction SHARON HOWLAND CONTRIBUTOR UNBC has become the latest signatory of the Tallories Declaration of University Leaders for a Sustainable Future. Showing his commitment to sustainability, UNBC President and Vice Chancellor Dr. Charles Jago. signed the Declaration on August 24th 2005. According to the original signatories of the Tallories Declaration, post-second- ary institutions can play an integral role in the promotion of sustainability, saying, “universities educate most of the people who develop and manage most of society's institutions. For this reason, universities bear profound responsibilities to increase the awareness, knowledge, technologies, and tools to create an environmentally sustainable future.” The Declaration itself is a 10 point ac- tion plan for incorporating sustainability into all areas of institutional operation. By signing the Tallories Declaration, UNBC is making a commitment to: - Increase Awareness of Environmentally Sustainable Development - Create an Institutional Culture of Sus- tainability Success Credited to Passion for Learning CONTINUED FROM COVER Rivers Art Gallery, and the Northern BC United Way. When asked which aspect of his career best fits with the Order of Canada's motto “Desirantes melliorem patriam, (“They de- sire a better country’), he emphasizes the important role education plays in society, “universities are rich culrures whére people should come and learn and be challenged... That kind of open society that is safe and open to vigorous debate and exchange of ideas. I think that’s societal building and nation building and I think that's what universities do to build Canada.” He credits his success in the field of education to his passion: for learning and to the increased attention that Canada has been giving to education in the last few years. “For many years the focus in Can- - Educate for Environmentally Respon- sible Citizenship - Foster Environmental Literacy for All - Practice Institutional Ecology - Involve All Stakeholders .- Collaborate for Interdisciplinary Ap- proaches - Enhance Capacity of Primary and Sec- ondary Schools - Broaden Service and Outreach Nation- ally and Internationally , - Maintain the Movement The outgoing PGPIRG Executive Di- rector, Helen Tremethick, feels that with the signing of the Tallories Declaration, “~UNBC is at the threshold of becom- ing a leader in sustainability and a model for global universities. We are at a critical point: UNBC can take this leadership and follow through with environmentally- friendly buildings and maintenance, as well as more sustainability training and education for staff, faculty and’ students. Alternatively, UNBC can sweep the Tal- lories Declaration under the rug and con- tinue business as usual, PGPIRG urges the community of UNBC to engage the administration in acting towards a sus- tainable future.” ada was on health care, health care, health care: health care was squeezing everything else out. of the picture... Now, I think the political tides are changing and people are saying, No, what political leadership has to do is build for the future.” As for his own future, despite his im- pending retirement and the reception of a lifetime achievement award, he doesnt plan to rest on his laurels. “The question in my mind is what I'm going to move on to... going and playing golf five days a week doesn't interest me.’ As for UNBC, he feels it is time for him to step back to allow for “new insights, new people to come in and bring new energy and vision to the place.@ I look forward. to the University having a second decade as successful as its first.” Congratulations Dr. Jago for this incred- ible achievement.