= Community November Zist 2012 - Over the Edge Volume 19, Issue 6 November 21, 2012 EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Vacant MANAGING EDITOR Shelley Termuende PRODUCTION COORDINATOR Randy Roy WEBSITE MANAGER Behrooz Dalvandi A&E EDITOR Jordan Tucker COPY EDITOR Ben Filipkowski FEATURES EDITOR Gala Munoz NEWS EDITOR Hanna Petersen SPORTS EDITOR Geoff Sargent STUDENT LIFE EDITOR Leila Maheiddinibonab CONTRIBUTORS Devon Flynn Jeff Hollett Reza Akbari Kallie Smith The deadline for the next issue is Wednesday, November 28th. Be sure to get your articles in on time! Over the Edge is the official independent publishing media of students at the University of Northern British Columbia. As such, it is 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 mem- ber papers, and provides such services as a news wire and advertising to Over the Edge. Over the Edge is published every second week during the fall and winter semesters. Office Location: 6-350 MAILING ADDRESS 3333 University Way Prince George, BCV2N 4Z9 PHONE (250) 960-5633 FAX (250) 960-5407 E-mail: ote-newspaper@unbc.ca EDITOR IN CHIEF PASSING ON THE TORCH REZA AKBARI EDITOR IN CHIEF It has been a pleasure working as Editor in Chief over the last six months. Due to other obligations, I am resigning from the Editorial Board of Over the Edge. The position of Editor in Chief is officially vacant effective November 21, 2012. I accepted the Editor in Chief position in June 2012 with three major objectives: hiring qualified staff, investigating previous issues within the OTE structure, and establishing a Board of Directors alongside the Editorial Board. I believe I have successfully achieved the first two objectives. Now, the Editorial Board is aware of the issues and problems Over the Edge has faced during the last seven years and is motivated and eager to work hard to bring necessary change to the structure of OTE. As a member of this student organization and considering these past issues, I would strongly recommend all of the members of OTE consider establishing a Board of Directors that consists of volunteer positions, with the responsibility of overseeing the Editorial Board’s general activities such as the financial budget and legal process of filing taxes and AGM reports. I will stress that OTE is facing a tough financial situation and a very low budget. November 21st and November 22nd are referendum days for OTE: the question is whether to increase the semester fee from $5.00 to $10.00. I highly recommend all students and members of the OTE Newspaper Society support this motion. Over the Edge acts as the voice of students and is asking for your help. Let’s all support this newspaper together. This paper belongs to you, and it can only succeed when you contribute; this can be as easy as participating at the AGM and referendum. I have been involved with OTE, both directly and indirectly, since 2007 and I have seen many changes over the past 7 years. I am grateful for the opportunity of working with different editorial board members, and I am confident that the current Editorial Board has it in them to be the team that brings great changes to the structure of Over the Edge. Sincerely, Reza Akbari Editor’s note: Over The Edge is currently accepting applications for the position of Editor In Chief. Apply within. OPPORTUNITY AGENDA FOR B.C. KALLIE SMITH NUGSS PRESIDENT On October 18th, the Research Universities’ Council presented an “Opportunity Agenda for B.C.” to the B.C. legislature’s standing committee on finance to advocate for a provincial commitment to post- secondary education. The Research Universities’ Council currently consists of UBC, UVic, SFU, Royal Roads University, TRU, and, of course, UNBC. This presentation called on the provincial government to implement three interventions that the Research Universities’ Council believes to be crucial. First of all, they called on the government to provide a space for every qualified British Columbian student. This proposal comes in response to the skills gap expected over the next decade: demand for workers is projected to outweigh supply by over 61,000 workers! Furthermore, it is estimated that 78% of these jobs will require some university, college, or a trade credential. Following these Statistics, it is obvious that provincial government needs to create new funded spaces for universities so that this skills gap can be addressed. The second appeal made_ to government by the Research Universities’ Council was _ for guaranteed financial support for students in need. In order to achieve this goal, the Research Universities’ Council called on government to implement an upfront, undergraduate grant program as well as a guaranteed award for the current Loan Reduction Program. It is the belief of the Research Universities’ Council that these initiatives can help make post- secondary education more accessible to all British Columbians. The third appeal to government was for a renewed commitment to innovation and jobs. The Research Universities’ Council argues that research is the source of much social, scientific, and environmental benefit. Furthermore, it is argued that research is a source of economic growth, new opportunities, and tens in the best interest of students and will work to strengthen our economy and our society. What I believe is especially exciting about this agenda is that we are collaborating with other research universities to make concrete, realistic appeals to government. 6 Furthermore, it is estimated that 78% of these jobs will require some university, college, or a trade credential. 9 4 of thousands of jobs in B.C. alone. Considered all together, the three pillars of the Opportunity Agenda for B.C. are about maximizing the benefits that post-secondary education provides to society. The three pillars are also about making post-secondary education and research a priority. As students of a post-secondary institution and potential BC employees, I strongly believe that we can get behind this agenda. I believe that this agenda is With the upcoming provincial election looming, this is the time to pressure government to make positive changes to our _ post- secondary education system. For more information about how to get involved in campaigns surrounding post-secondary education funding, contact nugss-president@unbc.ca to get involved in the Where’s the Funding (WTF) Campaign.