October 13, 2004. . | Opinion Page’7

Letters ss

Word to the Man Basher who
wrote a letter last week. I was
upset to see this letter in a univer-
sity newspaper. It wasn’t the
obvious assertion of sexual
stereotypes that bothered me so
much as the sophomoric analysis
of masculine power and its rela-
tion to the penis. Really, we
expect more academic sophistica-
tion. We should also expect a
more sophisticated understand-
ing of the biology of reproduction
from high-school graduates. I
know that B.C. High Schools
don’t require much in the way of
life sciences but really an
espousal of ‘a science fiction

notion of a word absent the Y

chromosome is naive. The cost, of
course, would not simply be the
loss of Y but the loss of the contri-
bution to genetic variability pro-
duced by half of the other 22 pairs
of chromosomes. I’ve not had
time to do the math.and will leave
this very interesting question for
the mathematically superior
among us. This is a not-so-subtle
reference to the belief of some

neuropsychologists that mathe-
matical and spatial capacity are
non-phallic abilities that are also
endowed by the Y chromosome. I
did find it amusing to consider a
population of XX clones. They
would be wandering around in

the mall - lost - but they wouldn't,

be afraid to ask each other for
directions.

I truly hope Man Basher was
simply trying to be funny.
Hopefully men will not be too
hurt by her unsuccessful attempt
at humor. Perhaps men can laugh
at themselves and learn from the
early feminism movement and all
oppressed peoples. “It sometimes
eases the pain when you make the
jokes about your selves.” Here is
one that I’ve received in many
emails: if we can put a man on the
moon, why can’t we put them all
there? My addition: why bother,
they would just build a rocket
and find their way back.

>> A Disappointed Professor
Dr. Glenda C, Prkachin

UNBC has again secured ‘it’s
reputation as a_ politically
advanced university after a con-
troversy that could have left the
student newspaper without fund-
ing.

Over the Edge came under
scrutiny from many interested
groups the past week for publish-
ing the article “Men in the
Modern World”, considered sexu-
ally harassing towards men.

Though the new NUGSS
board’s initial reaction of freezing
our funding in an interim meet-
ing was rash, immature and poor-
ly informed, reason eventually
emerged victorious in a meeting
where every Student Society offi-
cial was present.

Our student society NUGSS
processed the predicament and
found a solution that is positive
for all parties involved. I would
like to thank NUGSS for showing

This is a highly offensive arti-
cle.

It contains a good deal of ques-
tionable content.

By association, it could repre-
sent the opinions of the editorial
staff of Over The Edge. It could
represent the opinions of the stu-
dent council. It could represent
the opinions of all of the profes-
sors. Hell, you've read this far-
which means it just might repre-
sent your opinion, too. This
could also represent the opinions
of all the sponsors who’ve been
kind enough to let us put their
ads in our humble student rag.

This article is. an underhanded
cheap shot that will make a
majority laugh and a handful cry.
This article will succeed where
Sera N. Noosbig has failed.

This article will cause you to
grumble as you read, to make you
wish I were there so that you
could give me a piece of my

the quality of their board in its
entirety.

This controversy has been a
very educational experience for
both parties, as NUGSS has had
the chance to practice employing
the UNBC policy violation proce-
dures, and the staff of OTE have
been allowed a rare opportunity
for our generation to advocate
freedom of expression and the
press in a formal policy related
environment.

This situation brings an
ancient existential dilemma into
the light; the nature of good and
bad. Are bad things required to
provoke good reactions from peo-
ple?

Does the good require the bad
to exist?

>> Earson Gibson

mind, to inflict upon me a verbal
violence of such a ferocity that I’ll
want to put myself out of my mis-
ery.

This article will make you want
to do the job for me.

This article will cause the earth
to rumble and break open
beneath the fragile house of cards
which has been your beloved
safety blanket-from which mon-
ster looming in your closet or
under your bed it protects you
will differ-nonetheless, this article
will set your world askew.

This article will make you think
impure thoughts. It will make
you think twice about condemn-
ing those you despise. It will
make you take a good long look
at yourself.

This article will drive you mad.

>> The Roaming Ghost of
William Hull

>> photo by Marlon Francescini

The first month of school is usually marked by fire drilis. Nobody knows why it's necessary to desensitize us to fire
alarms, so when one finally does go off we'll think it's a fake and stay inside the building and burn to death, but it proba-
bly has something to do with wanting to cut down the amount of students who will be lining up at the cashier's office for
a refund after the building goes up in flames.

>> letter from NUGSS

The NUGSS Women’s Rep - a resource for you

Did you know that you have a
women’s rep available at UNBC?
Well, you most certainly do. My
name is Lesley Bannister and I am
a board member for the Northern
Undergraduate Student Society. I
work as a_ representative of
women’s issues at UNBC and all of
the regional campuses, as well as a
liaison between the Women’s
Centre on campus and NUGSS.
What this basically means is: If you
have any problems with your rep-
resentation, how adequately you
are being represented, need direc-
tion, information on where to find
resources, you can contact me. I
am always open to suggestions
and committed to maintaining an
open line of communication
between the women at UNBC and
the student body that represents
you.

The Women’s Centre is another

‘valuable resource for women on

Campus. It is open 24 hours a day,

seven days a week, as a safe place
for ALL women. That's right, ALL
WOMEN, this includes staff, facul-
ty, undergraduate students,
mature students, masters students,
women from the community, and
regional campuses. The Women’s
Centre is not a club. You do not
have to be a member in order to
pop in and enjoy the peaceful envi-
ronment or if you need a trained
person to talk to. It is a student ser-
vice for the benefit of the students,
so just walk in, and relax. They
offer a wide variety of services,
including a resource library, volun-
teer training, workshops, “The
Closet”, and educational opportu-
nities. The Women’s Centre also
puts on a lot of fun events, includ-
ing Jezebel’s Jam, Body Image
Workshops, and _ International
Women’s Day. These are just some
of the events and services brought
to you by the Women’s Centre. The
best way to find out more is to

Do you like stuff?
Do you like writing about stuff too?
Well then join the crew at Over The Edge!

We like stuff!!

walk in and say “Hi” as Sarah, the
coordinator, or another trained
volunteer is usually sitting at the
desk.

There is also Michael Bodnar,
the. Ombudsperson on Campus.
He is available as a mediator and is
a wealth of information specializ-
ing in, but certainly not limited to:
Student Assistance, Emergency
Food Aid, Emergency Financial
Aid, Harassment and Misconduct.
He has extensive training in con-
flict resolution and in dealing with
issues of harassment. You should
feel comfortable in brining any
concern to Michael and feel safe in
the knowledge that it will be han-
dled capably, compassionately,
and confidentially.

These are just a few of the ser-
vices brought to you by you
Northern Undergraduate Student
Society.

Dalek says: Story Meetings Tuesdays @ 1:30