Sepeelaives 4, 2005 Wolune 12, iS 1 BELINDA LI Chris Moerman (left). and Jesse Dryfhout (right) of Stabilo rocked’ out the NUGSS ‘haskyasd Barbecue on September 9 in the Agora at UNBC. Order of Canada Comes to UNBC — UNBC president to receive prestigious award ANDREW KURJATA NEWS EDITOR Governor General Adrienne Clarkson announced recently that UNBC President Charles Jago would be receiving one of 82 new appointments to the Order of Cana- da, He will be formally named a Member of the Order of Canada for his career in education in a ceremony that will take place sometime this fall at Rideau Hall in Ottawa. “It's overwhelming,’ he said, in an in- terview with Over the Edge, “I mean, it’s the highest civilian honour in Canada, so youre being identified for what you've achieved and you're’ with very distin- guished company.’ ‘That company includes some established names, such as former BC premier David Barrett, comedian Steve Smith (better known as Red Green), and the late ABC news anchor, Peter Jennings. “I'm hoping that I'll be on stage with Diana Krall, says Jago, when asked about the other re- cipients, “She has an absolutely wonderful voice: I just love her music” Although the announcement was made at’ the end of August, Jago has known IN THIS ISSUE: News .......04. Feature .............. see Sports and CIUDS ..........esssescsceseeeeeeere ANNOUNCEMENMS oa..sescssessessetsceeerseeneee Official Welcome ......... Arts and Entertainment. COPEON a ccarscserrtercecccat B COMINGS: cies. n3ete esessrasstoxaresseossonstteetrterses he would be a recipient since late June, a fact that he was required to keep strictly confidential. In fact, he wasnt even given. _advance notice of when the official an- nouncement was going to be made and found himself rushing to the phone to tell family members before they. found out in other. ways. “+ its the highest civil- ian honour in Canada, so youre being identified for what you've achieved and you're with very dis- tinguished company.’ - Dr. Charles Jago Though he said he is “humbled” by the honour, he doesn’t feel the award is his alone,“I wouldn't have achieved this with- out achieving what has happened here at UNBC...[it] has been an amazingly successful university, had it not been, the President wouldnt be getting the Order of Canada. So, it’s a broader recognition of what a-whole number of people have contributed to and have achieved. The recognition goes to individuals, but the achievement goes far beyond any one in- dividual” He continued later, has been recognized for what's happening here, Northern BC has been recognized for what's happening here, so there's that sense of shated pride.’ ‘This award caps off a 35-year career that began after he graduated from the Univer- sity of Cambridge with a PhD in History in 1969, followed by becoming a full pro- fessor at McMaster University. He then served as Principal of Huron College for eight years before.coming to UNBC. In his ten years here, he has overseen the considerable growth and development of UNBC, including campus expansion, research infrastructure, new degree pro- grams, and the creation of the Northern Medical Program. He has also served on a number of university boards and councils, as well as with several regional organiza- tions such as Theatre Northwest, the Two CONTINUED ON PAGE 2 “UNBC — VER THE EDGE TS meeting ~ deadlines 8 since "1994 NUGSS to Hold Election and Referendum MAGGIE GILBERT EDITOR-IN-CHIEF ‘The passing of the first day of school brings many new things, including the resigning of a NUGSS member, which will initiate a bi-election to fill the much- needed position. Aaron Widdis, who held the position of VP Student Affairs, handed: in. his. formal: resignation on Tuesday, September ¢ 6, after announcing to the board that he would be leaving in mid-August. Widdis chose to leave after * being offered a co-op job in Vancouver that he couldn't pass up. Although the board was very disap- pointed at losing someone, who, accord- ing to NUGSS President Colin Phillips, “showed plenty of potential as a great Vice President.’ They understood that Widdis made the right choice. “I'm really disappointed that he's left; VP of Fi- nance Jordie Fraser said, “but I think this co-op job is a really good opportunity for him.’ Over the next month, the position will be filled by Jai Parmer, CSM repre- sentative. “It is important that someone be attending to his responsibilities at the start of the year, because all of the clubs must be organized,” stated Phillips. A bi-election will be held at the end of September to finda more permanent person to fill this position for the rest of the year. Other items coming up at the bi-election include the referendum for the Northern Undergraduate Student Centre, as well as elections for student senators. The Northern Undergraduate Stu- dent Centre, or NUSC, is still an issue of conflict at UNBC. Some feel that an increase in fees.at this point in time is un- fair to students that won't be here-when the building is finished. A referendum thar ran last year. to raise the fees by $35." failed to pass and this same referendum -ig-set'td run again during the election at the end of September. “T feel that this referendum is being held too soon and that students, espe- — cially first year students, will not have the opportunity to form a solid opinion on the issue,’ stated UNBC student Belinda Li. However, Phillips says that NUGSS feels differently. “We feel that a month _ is sufficient, in these circumstances, to inform the students. The longer we wait, the more expensive it is.’ Phillips says that if the referendum passes and everything goes as planned, building could commence this coming spring or summer and completion of the building would occur in the fal of 2607. Regardless, this referendum, as well as electing the new VP Student Affairs and new student senators, will occur on Sep- tember 28th and 29th, and will be sure to add some debate to this fall semester. Those interested in the position of VP Student Affairs or being elected as one of the five new Student Senators can stop by the NUGSS office to get a nomi- nation form. The form requires some ba- sic information and student signatures of support. BELINDA LI