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SEXUAL ASSAULT POLICY SHIFT A Q&A with Melanie Koenderman, Dean of Students
ened or used force on you; *you were not able to give consent to sexual contact (for example, you were drugged, impaired or have a disability); or *someone persuaded you to have sexual contact by using their position of authority or power over you. We encourage anyone dent who wishes to discuss their options with one of us or with a crisis counselor, to assist in making contact with the police, or to access counseling or health services on or off campus. While we do not have a separate policy on sexual assault at Quest, the same principles which are the foundation of our Human supports every persons human rights. L: Can you confirm or deny that sexual assaults involving Quest students have taken place? M: To ensure the confidentiality and privacy of all students, we do not publish either statistical or anecdotal information about any violations of Quest policies or Canadian laws. L: Do you think the school should have a rigid policy on sexual assault? Why or why not? M: Sexual assault is a crime under Canadian law - this supersedes any institutional policy. L: What is the school doing to prevent sexual assault? M: The Honour Principle and Human Rights Policy outline that any crimes against a member of our community are not permitted at Quest. Perhaps more importantly, since opening, we - staff, faculty, and students - have been working to create a campus community where respect for each other is fundamental. This year we included infor-

THE MARK

MONDAY, OCTOBER 21, 2013

LILLI KUECHLE On 15th October, Melanie Koenderman, Dean of Students at Quest corresponded via email with our reporter Lilli Kuechle on the topic of sexual assault. Their exchange is written below. L: What is the schools position on sexual assault? M: Sexual assault is a crime. It is an indictable offence, as per the Criminal Code of Canada (sections 271-273). Furthermore, and significantly, the Code defines what consent means. The Ministry of Justice of British Columbia expands on this definition on their website: (for citation: the following bullet points are from the Justice BC website): If you have been in any of the following situations, you may have been a victim of sexual assault: *your words or actions indicated that you did not want to have or continue sexual contact, but the sexual contact continued; *you submitted to sexual contact because someone threat-

Consent is mandatory. Credit: perennialflight.tumblr.com who experiences sexual assault to contact the police to report it as soon as possible so that any physical evidence can be collected, and an investigation can occur. We are concerned foremost with the health and safety of our students, and can offer support to any stuRights Policy apply: Quest has a profound commitment to every persons value, dignity, and potential. Quest believes that the fullest possible achievement of each persons value, dignity, and potential is produced by and in an environment which recognizes and

mation around Canadian laws, including human rights and consent, in the mandatory Cornerstone workshops for all incoming students. We intend to expand this section of the Cornerstone workshops next year, and to make them more interactive, to ensure a better understanding of how we, as a community, can create a positive campus environment in which any inclination toward sexual assault is unthinkable. We also began a Student Health Working Group on campus this year, headed by one of the Student Affairs staff members and with student volunteers from various years, and sexual assault is among the areas of discussion within the group. They work to generate ideas and content for the StudentHealth101 publications, as well as other educational media and programs on campus that address health and wellness issues. If anyone else is interested in joining the Student Health Working Group, they can contact Tracy in the Student Affairs Office. We would be very pleased to have more people involved.

Cont. on B2

WINE, CHEESE, AND DRAMA

Amid the rabble and sloshy toasts, security suddenly materializes at the door, and just like that, the night is over. One student protests, this is a violation of my human rights! But Swift Creek has 24/7 quiet hours to begin with, and this is one of the largest Wine and Cheeses yet. Most recent Wine and Cheese host Trevor Mannion says Student Affairs and security showed up at his Swift Creek condo 10 minutes after quiet hours to shut the event down. Beforehand, I had emails from Student Affairs stating we needed to follow quiet hours and keep everything under control, says Mannion. It was noisy, but we didnt have a live band and werent blasting music. It was simply the chatter of 70 people building and escalating. Its fair enough if they had complaints from next door because theres a family living there, but it was a little frustrating to see Wine and Cheese shutdown really early. Dean of Students Melanie Koenderman says it is chalALESSANDRO TERSIGINI AND ELISE SCRIBNER lenging for Student Affairs to balance the needs and the comforts of all 500 plus students on campus. We want to make sure that students who have to get up early because they lifeguard at the pool, have morning practice, the symptom, not the problem. The host of this years first Wine and Cheese, third year student Barbora Varnaite, says that considering the mass of students that showed up, she thought the event went quite well, although it

CAMPUS LIFE

Traditional classy event gets rowdy, infringing on both the right to gather and to sleep.
come someone into a tradition when youre in the minority, she explains. Many view Wine and Cheese as a rare chance to unwind, get classy, and socialize with less of the rambunctious party scene that prevails on weekends, especially during the last week of block. I think it is an important Quest tradition because it provides a relaxed atmosphere to have conversation, says Mannion. The traditional atmosphere is missing from this years Wine and Cheeses. Original founder of Wine and Cheese, alumnus Adrienne Bosworth, describes her impression of a Wine and Cheese that she stopped by one evening. The thing that I was most disappointed with was that there was no communal aspect to the event. There was no wine on the table, one plate with maybe a crumb of cheese on it. People are doing good with the dressing up, but theres this selfish oh shit someones going to steal my booze mentality. Second year, Justine Satoria, explains that in her view, the intent of Wine and Cheese seems different [than last year]. You dont go to meet people because its difficult to carry on a meaningful conversation. It seems to have lost its purpose. Bosworth remains hopeful for Wine and Cheese tradition, claiming that It cant just be stamped out. However, some kind of change is necessary, as Quest continues to grow in numbers. Students and Student Affairs staff alike have brainstormed a variety of solutions. Koenderman and Student Affairs suggests moving Wine and Cheese to Fridays instead of Thursdays, which may help with quiet hours conflicts, but may also reinforce an unwanted weekend party atmosphere. The event could also happen earlier in the evening, but students like Mannion are concerned about this cutting awkwardly into their schedules. All parties agree that Wine and Cheese needs to regain its classy, conversational, respectful ethos which, in the words of Bosworth, consists of reading stories, listening to the people who want to talk, and being a little bit goofy.

Trevor Mannion & Kayne Dressler making a toast. Credit: Mandy Huser

or a presentation are able to live comfortably here on campus, where we make students live, says Koenderman. Other members of Student Affairs declined to comment. But many students express frustration that they are made to live on campus, yet cannot host parties. Perhaps sheer noise is

INSIDE TODAYS PAPER

Exchanges A2

Masturbation Shigeto

A3 B1

wasnt a typical Wine and Cheese. It turned into a big party, which was not our intent but we expected it considering this was the first Wine and Cheese with our largest student population yet, says Varnaite. She suggests that the problem lies in the lost ethos of Wine and Cheese. One of the difficulties was setting the tone for Wine and Cheese. Not many second, third, or fourth years showed up early, so the event started off with first years. Its really hard to wel-

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A2 || THE MARK
OPINION

NEWS & OPINION

MONDAY, OCTOBER 21, 2013

INSTITUTIONALIZNG REVOLUTION
Caleb Raible-Clark Quest generates unofficial mottos. My favourite so far is Quest University: ad hoc. In a rapidly growing school, where the conditions change so much every year, the Quest community is constantly faced with unanticipated issues. So we scramble. Successfully. But when solutions are developed rapidly, things can fall through the cracks. Peoples voices can be left out. Our last Chief Academic Officer, Jim Cohn, once concisely summarized Quests mission: institutionalize revolution. Part of that institutionalization is making those voices heard. Step one to that process: knowing who can do something once they hear about it. Quest is run as a technocracy. And it should be. Faculty members, who are really good at teaching, decide how our academic system should be run. Staff members, who are really good at the rest of the schools needs, decide how the rest of those needs should be met. Students help in these efforts as they can, when they are asked or inspired to do so. The SRC also has power. On issues that agitate large numbers of students, the SRC has been present and vocal. But for day-today decisions about how to run the school, unpaid student leaders simply dont have the bandwidth to always be there. When students have a specific problem, they bring it to the person who has the power to fix the problem: the Quest employee. But to do so, students need to know who that person is, and the deadline for giving input. This isnt too hard. If a quick browse of the Portal doesnt reveal who can help with a problem, most staff members can refer you to the right person, or at least the right team. They are pretty transparent. The faculty, however, is opaque. For a fun scavenger hunt, using the Portal and the Quest website, try to answer the following questions. Who are the area coordinators? (What are the area coordinators?) How has the faculty chosen to make decisions as a body? What are the active faculty committees? Who serves on each one? Who chairs each one? What is one topic the faculty has been engaged with in recent meetings? I think you get my point. Three years ago, when I actually knew 95% of peoples names (staff and student) at Quest, that kind of information might not have needed to be...

EXCHANGING MOTIVATIONS
Study abroad mix-up leaves students with large workload
vated by academics while abroad. Fourth year exchange student Emily Heer was worried. I was a little panicky, I guess. Taking more than one course at a time was scary enough but taking five, I thought my brain was going to explode. It didnt, so its okay, she said. The last minute course load change for students in Amsterdam reflected clarification on AUCs unique semester system which includes an additional one month January intensive block in addition to the 16 week regular semester. This arrangement benefits AUC students who study at Quest but leaves Quest exchange students with heavier than normal schedules if they choose to stay for only four months, an important consideration for potential exchange students. Abandoning Quests educational models challenges more than simply credit requirements and students considering exchanges must ask themselves why they want to leave Quest. Melanie Koenderman, Dean of Students, addressed this issue by e-mail. Regarding student motivation Koenderman wrote, for some students, their primary objective is to have an international experience by exploring another country and culture, while for other students their main purpose in studying at a partner school might be to take classes that are not offered at Quest. For some students, the location might also allow them to explore their question or contribute to their keystone project. Other students have had personal reasons for choosing to study in a certain partner location - to live in the country that their parents or grandparents immigrated from, or to learn the language of their ancestors. JON FARMER One week before classes started in September, five Quest students on exchange at Amsterdam University College were informed that the course load required to receive full Quest credit for their semester abroad had increased. Originally told they would take four courses, they scrambled to register for a fifth just days before registration closed in the latest episode of confusion surrounding Quest exchange expectations. Over the past three years Quests exchange credit requirements have fluctuated but settled this year at 30 European Credit Transfer System (ECTS) credits as equivalent to four Quest blocks. This decision specifically affects students studying at Amsterdam University College, Ecole de Gouvernance et dEconomie de Rabat, and Zeppelin. Exchange students are not, however, primarily moti While institutional factors certainly influence student decisions they are clearly not always students prime motivation to study abroad. Quest alumnus and AUC exchange veteran Megan Myles went to experience something new. I had never been to Europe and it seemed like a great opportunity to really get immersed in another culture, rather than just see it from a tourist lens. Also, after 3 years at Quest, I wanted to experience a different campus culture, she wrote. Education is, after all, about more than academics and Myles identified meeting new international friends and just living in Amsterdam as the best aspects of her experience. Academically, it was much less rigorous than Quest, but thats partially what I was looking for. Quest can be rather intense at times, so it was nice

cont. on B2

OPINION

PRIDE ASIDE, QUEST IS AMONG THE BEST

tions divide a crowd like the old Britney vs. Christina argument- but they dont have to. I have learned that the decision to continue my formal education involved several misconceptions, and that the transition to another school was easier than I thought it would be. I graduated from Quest last year, and I now attend the Institute for Resources, Environment, and Sustainability (IRES) at the University of British Columbia (UBC). Acronyms aside, I was surprised at how similar it is to Quest. The IRES is an interdisciplinary school. Classes are small, and usually feature discussion and group problem-solving activities. Students sit at rounded tables, and professors interact on first-name basis, often expressing interest in students work. Grad students also enjoy the benefits of being a mature student. At my school, most twoyear Masters students take three or four classes per term. My four classes run three days every week, so I enjoy a lot of spare time. Financial freedom abounds, too, as tuition is less than $4000/year. All this freedom carries responsibility, but I have so far managed it properly. I attribute this success to Quest, which I feel prepared me quite well for grad school. Quests academic standards are high, and the quality of work demanded meets or exceeds the expectations of my grad program. For example, I was quite surprised to hear shock and disappointment from grad students when, on the first day of class, our teacher informed us that he would mark our papers not only

MICHAEL LUBA If youre a fourth year student, this is the time of year when you start planning (and worrying about) your life after graduation. This could mean getting a job, travelling the world, or renting one of the nicest properties in the Highlands and living like royalty. Alternatively, it could mean more school. Considering this last option, you may wonder what it involves, and whether or not Quest prepared you for the world of academia. These ques-

cont. on A3

ARTS & CULTURE

BRIEFS
a South Korean film that won the Best Screenplay Award at Cannes, 2010. The film tells the powerful story of a woman who begins exploring poetry while battling the onset of Alzheimers, and addresses captivating themes such as the relationship between art and mental illness. The film is in Korean with English subtitles.. Tickets are $10, can be purchased online, and are only available for those 19+. The Barber of Bakerville Vancouver Opera If you, like me, have never really been to an opera, but enjoy dreaming of the long gowns, monocles and cultured banter the word conjures, then a golden opportunity is approaching: the Vancouver Opera in Schools (VOIS). Visiting Quest on Friday, November 8th, the VOIS brings its production of The Barber of Bakerville, a globally acclaimed opera, set in the Gold Rush era of Bakerville, BC. The show will begin in the MPR at 7pm, and admission is completely, delightfully free. Gowns and monocles optional. Squamish Winter Farmers Market Have you been scoring some amazing local goods from the Squamish Farmers Market? Well, though the summer has concluded, fear not the markets end. The market, now the Squamish Winter Farmers Market, will continue to bring us local goodness throughout the winter. It will begin November 10th and run on alternating Sundays from 11 am - 4 pm at the Roundhouse of the West Coast Railway Heritage Park. In the summer months it brought us some awfully good plums, so we can only dream of what will come with the winter. Spearhead Huts Fundraiser: featuring TGRs Way of Life Ski Film Premiere Hype for the ski season is steadily building as the snow line creeps down. To kick off Squamishs winter season with grand style, the Spearhead Huts Project is hosting a fundraiser and ski film premiere in Quests MPR on Friday, October 26th. The film looks incredible and will get shredheads stoked to hit the slopes. The event also includes a beer garden and silent auction. Check out www.spearheadhuts. org for the films trailer, details about Spearheads project, and information on how to purchase tickets ($15).

KENDRA PERRIN TEDx: Radical Shift On Saturday, November 2nd, Quest will host TEDx: Radical Shift, an independently organized TED conference addressing community identity, with Squamish as its focus. The list of speakers includes local entrepreneurs, educators, youth advocates, and artists, all offering fresh perspectives on the identity of places, and how this relates to the identities of the people inhabiting them. How do we impact what Squamish is, and how does it impact us? If youre curious about questions like this, you can either speak to Kim Montreuil about applying for a free ticket, purchase one online for $60, or participate in free, open-space discussions at noon in the cafeteria before a live simulcast of the event. Poetry Screening Interested in foreign films? Looking for a dose of culture? On Friday, November 8th, at 8 pm, the Squamish Adventure Centre will be screening Poetry,

Revolution, cont. A2
Editors-in-Chief Tari Ajadi & Jake Smith News Editor Alessandro Tersigni Opinion Editor Elise Scribner Arts and Culture Editor Caleah Dean Production Manager Lilli Kuechle

THE MARK

Quests Community Newspaper Fifth Edition

THE MARK || A3

MONDAY, OCTOBER 21, 2013

ADVICE

ITS TIME TO TALK

VALERIA VERGANI & KJELL REDAL This fall, a local pastor has initiated a dialogue on religious faith by holding a Skeptics Forum in Downtown Squamish. He hopes this dialogue will challenge the culture of religious intolerance he perceives to exist in the Squamish community, including Quest. Glenn Davies, lead pastor of The Rock, a Christian church in Downtown Squamish, is welcoming any and all questions about his Christian faith in a series of encounters - the Skeptics Forum - that he will be holding at the Ledge Cafe on Cleveland Avenue. These encounters will take place on six consecutive Sunday evenings, from October 20th to November 24th, at 6.30 pm. According to Davies, Everybody has a worldview [...] and every worldview is based on some kind of faith. The hope for the forum is that people will gain a better understanding of the Christian worldview and that Christians will gain a better understanding of others perspectives as well. And that should make for a healthier community. The ideas behind the Forum seem to match many of Quests values. Although Davies admits that his faith is the motive behind the initiative, he also views the Skeptics Forum as an opportunity to revitalize dialogue around religious faith, pluralism and secularism. He intends to do so in a climate of tolerance and open-mindedness. These are two principles Quest claims to hold dear. The Quest website explicitly states that Quest students should respect, understand, and be able to work with communities different from their own. While Davies stresses his enthusiasm for Quests presence in the Squamish community, he believes that, at least in previous years, Quests religious studies curriculum has lacked a truly pluralistic perspective and has tended to box in Christianity. He

CULTURE

Squamish pastors initiative challenges Quests model of secularism

also says that The Rock was once refused permission to advertise by hanging posters on campus. Davies sees the Skeptics Forum as a chance to pose questions that he thinks are often swept under the rug in a secular university environment. He describes these environments as places where you can have your religion, but you need to keep it to yourself. According to the pastor, there are a lot of Christian kids at Quest who feel that they cant share their faith, or they are going to be mocked [...], and this is a real challenge to them. Davies suggests that Quest needs to start practicing true pluralism, where each belief is equally tolerated, to create an environment in which religious students and faculty are respected as well as anybody else. Without asking for a special place for The Rock at Quest, Davies believes that the Skeptics Forum would be a good place for students to start engaging in a truly open and tolerant dialogue about issues that might have been overlooked in previous years.

GETTING OFF
MABEL VAUTRAVERS & CALEAH DEAN Masturbation is a symptom of a healthy life for me, said one student. We know many at Quest would agree but how do we get that necessary alone time in such an intimate community full of friendly people who love to come and visit unexpectedly? Fortunately, there are several older students at Quest willing to pass on some wisdom, not just about masturbating on campus but on the topic as a whole. Lets begin with the basics. Masturbation etiquette! rule #1: Lock the door!, said one third year. It may seem obvious but forgetting has led to some sticky situations. A second seemingly obvious point is to clean up after yourself. That goes for you too ladies! The majority of us live with roommates and the rest of us should have enough self-respect to keep our space clean and stain free. Your two most convenient options are the bathroom and the bedroom. Your bathroom probably has a lock on it but many (especially girls) find masturbating in the bathroom uncomfortable. You can run a bath or shower, but masturbating under water can wash off natural or unnatural lubrication which plain water cant adequately replace. The alternative is the boudoir. Unfortunately, being walked in on is an ever present threat when you live with others. The best solution is communication. Sit down and work out a system with your roomies. Make a sign, or hang a sock on the door handle. Its great that we [my roommate and I] can just talk about it said one student. Then were just aware of it and neither of us are feeling shame-y about it. The more open you are with those you live with, the easier and more relaxed your personal time will be. If communication is absolutely out of the question, as one third year pointed out, you can always try the woods! Just make sure to take note of pathways. There is no doubt that you are a beautiful person but that does not mean we want to stumble on you touching yourself on our afternoon walk. Once youve got a comfy location, try not to get stuck in a rut. Remember that habits formed alone can be limiting when youre trying to get off with a partner who may not know your routine. If you practice masturbating in a certain way it can become difficult to orgasm doing something different. Remember that masturbation is supposed to be for you. Use lube, get comfy, watch (good) porn. Even try some toys! We suggest Womyns Ware on Commercial Drive in Vancouver as a sex positive, queer friendly, adult toy boutique.

RECREATION

CHOWING EARLY SEASON POW

right time. Temperature The colder it is the better the snow quality. When its raining in Squamish, we want it to be cold on Whistler. When it hasnt snowed for a long time, we want warm temperatures to soften-up bad snow. Freezing level is a big one for choosing where to ride. Freezing level is the line where temperature changes from positive to negative. Generally, stay above the freezing level for best snow conditions. Webcams are a good way to see what it looks like on hill. Things to look for: Snow on trees What the visibility is like How thick crowds are Which Mountain, When? Whistler Resort opened in the 60s with runs cut by skibum loggers yielding chainsaws. They cleared long fall-line runs that funnel into the same three like Quest students do. I have noticed that this has affected my learning. Thankfully I live near other Quest graduates, several of whom are pursuing continued education, and regularly speak with them about our collective experience. The fact that many Quest students are admitted to their preferred grad programs speaks to the respect that our institution now enjoys, both domestically and internationally. The fact that many of these students are faring well suggests that you too will fare well if you opt for more school. Ultimately, the decision to purchairlifts: Emerald, Garbanzo and Big Red Express. Blackcomb on the other hand, was laid out in the 80s with the aim to evenly disperse crowds. Look at a trail map, you will see several small tree islands with multiple cat-tracks. These islands hold snow and are low risk to explore. Dodging lines is the key to a successful day. Weekend crowds are predictable. Ride less busy spots in the morning, hitting the concentrated areas during lunch time. If it is going to be good drink coffee and be early, bring snacks and dont always wait for friends. November and December will provide some of the best consecutive storms of the season. Features are big and fun, but dont ride your brand new set-up on the first day of the season- you will damage it. Whistler tip of the early season Garbanzo Chair is the best mid-mountain secret on sue continuing education is an individual choice- as it should be. Know your interests and abilities, explore your options, and strive for the best. I can confirm that you chose a strong undergraduate institution, and that it should not hold you back. accessible. Five years ago, when the student population was well under 150, that kind of information probably would have been a waste of time to compile and post. People basically knew what was going on and who was working on it. But weve grown. And we need to grow up together. Whistler. Shortest lines, home of the full whist-hit-run and if you get a summer map of mountain bike trails, you will never have a boring ski out to Whistler Village. Blackcomb tip of the early season you can traverse to Crystal Chair terrain from the Jersey Cream lift, however, the best laps bring you back to bottom of Jersey Dont be scared to drop-in earlier than most.

ANDREW WOOD Whist ler-Blackcomb is one of the greatest resorts in North America. There are over 8,000 acres of skiable terrain consisting of 200 plus groomer runs shared between two mountains aptly named Whistler and Blackcomb. Together, they have the combined capacity to transport 67,000 skiers an hour, providing just under half a million runs in a single day. It takes a long time to understand where to go and when to be there. This first installment of tips will teach you how to get more laps than Michael Phelps in a Signature Swim Spa.. Website Weather? Use the Whistler Blackcomb website to anticipate how weather patterns will shape the riding conditions. The website provides live temperatures, webcams and a variety of snow reports. Work towards translating temperatures into a powder guide, connecting visibility to chairlift selection and learning how to be in the right place, at the for content, but also for grammar and structure. I can also tell you that, from my experience, Quest presentation skills exceed UBCs grad standard. As a result, working as hard as I did during my Concentration years at Quest, I have achieved similar academic results at UBC. While grad school is more approachable than it may seem, it still presents challenges. I find it difficult to focus my energy while taking multiple classes at a time. Additionally, I live far away from my fellow students, so we do not work cooperatively or interact

Cont. Getting Off

Masturbation isnt for all of us, but for many, it can be the ultimate form of self-care. Being able to get off by yourself is a great way to celebrate your own body and figure out what feels good. If you dont masturbate thats fine. Theres nothing wrong with you. Although we do recommend a few trial runs before you rule it out completely, and we say a couple because it doesnt necessarily come naturally. If it still isnt your thing, though, dont worry about it.

Continued Cont. Quest from is Best, A2 A2

Cont. Revolution, A2

Thats what I am here to write about. How can we maintain our spontaneity, while being transparent, accountable, and intentional? How can we have an organic community while putting mechanisms in place to ensure that everyones voice is heard? How can we institutionalize revolution? Have opinions? Email [email protected]

B1 || THE MARK

MONDAY, OCTOBER 21, 2013

SHIGETO: GHOSTLY BEATS

Michigan artist with innovative rhythms breaks new ground
Similar Artists: Flying Lotus; Nosaj Thing; Shlohmo A refreshing sound has recently emerged in Detroit electronic music, a place once home to the fathers of Techno, such as Derrick May, Kevin Saunderson, and Juan Atkins. In the past, Detroit artists have been known for changing traditional views of music genres and other art forms. Today, Zach Saginaw, better known for the moniker Shigeto, is at the forefront of an experimental shift in electronic music. Shigetos distinct sound incorporates a variety of textured field recordings, smoky electric pianos, muddy synthesizers, and a hybrid of programmed and live percussion. Additionally, the keen ear will recognize themes of jazz, left-field instrumental hiphop, and ambience in his tracks. In 2010 Shigeto showcased his prolific talent as a beat artist early on with the EPs Semi-Circle and What We Held Onto. In the same year he followed these releases with his first full-length LP, Full-Circle, which was quickly received with praise in the experimental electronic and hip-hop communities. His second full-length, Lineage, came out in 2012 to reveal more of Shigetos background in jazz. JUSTIN LEE ship. Subsequently, No Better Time Than Now conjures a mixture of emotional tones, and conveys an overall sense of introspectiveness that accompanies times of change for many people. Following an otherworldly introduction, Detroit throughout the song, while an oscillating arpeggiator bubbles in and out of the background. Late in the album, Silver Lining appears, which is arguably the most introspective song on the LP. The track features echoing drops into the track that Shigeto uses to showcase his strong jazz background later in the song. All the while, metallic clicks and bells scatter in the upper registers, with wet sounding wooden percussion drowning in the back. Altogether, No Better Time Than Now consists of varied emotional flavors, vividly exposing the feelings that characterize lifes many transitions. In addition to his talents as a producer, Shigeto also delivers an exhilarating live performance. After waiting two years to see him live, I recently watched his talent unfold on stage at the 2013 Decibel Festival in Seattle, Washington. Undoubtedly, he gave one of my all-time favorite performances. The chance to see Shigeto play his music live is not an opportunity to be missed. Find Shigetos music http://ghostly.com/artists/shigeto https://soundcloud.com/shigeto https://w w w.faceb o ok.com/ ShigetoMusic

CULTURE

Shigeto, photo courtesy of ghostly,com His most recent album, No Better Time Than Now, follows in a similar vein. As Shigeto has stated in interviews, the album is inspired by recent transition and unrest in his life, due in part to a return from London to Detroit, and the end of a six-year-long relationPt. 1 brings some of the heaviest sounds and contrasts to listeners early in the album. The thick bass, washed-out clap, and other reverb-layered percussive elements make for a grotesque, aggressive beat. A smoky electric piano and ethereal synths float

snippets of Shigetos voice, with a filtered thumb piano that lifts and descends in tones, along with an off-kilter beat that sways like a tired lullaby. Tell A Tale starts bare, featuring only a wonky, slow beat from a live drum kit to begin with. Suddenly, the electric piano

Cont. Sexual Assault Q&A, A1

We plan to raise awareness of this issue further through such things as the Student Health 101 online magazine and stall street journals (you may have seen the one on consent posted over the past week or two), as well as posting specific information and resources on the portal for students. At the November Community Day, one of the break-out session options will be a review and discussion of our information resources to ensure that the information is clear, answers students questions, and includes the type of information that can be useful to people who have experienced sexual assault, and for those who are supporting them. If anyone has questions or suggestions that they think would be useful to include in a campus-specific resource of this kind, they can email them to me, or drop them off in my mailbox at the front Reception Desk in the Library Building. L: What can we, as a community, do to prevent sexual assault? M: This is a very good question - we may use it in the Community Day session on this topic. It goes back to wanting to proactively create and foster an atmosphere in which sexual assault, harassment, or any demeaning words or actions towards any other person are unthinkable. This is a good discussion to have with your friends, or your floor, or your class, and we would look forward to any suggestions or approaches to help further foster this ethos on campus and in our larger society. Some suggestions include educating yourself and others about the nature and extent of sexual assault; talking with your partner(s) about sexual activity to ensure that both of you are comfortable and consenting; examining how your own behavior contributes to the campus climate; and challenging any offensive behavior that may be contributing to the problem, including language or actions that objectify or demean any other person. L: What do you think is the biggest barrier for victims coming forward? M: There are many very

good articles and accounts written about this - and there are many reasons. Our goal on campus is to promote education and awareness that will help to change the climate if it prevents people who have experienced sexual assault from coming forward to report it and/or get support. L: Are you or any other member of administration required to report anything that occurs on campus to the police? M: There are laws in British Columbia that define the duty to report if a child under the age of 16 years of age is being sexually assaulted or at risk of being sexually assaulted. If a student discloses sexual assault to a staff or faculty member, or a student leader, we are here to listen and to help you connect with resources such as a crisis hotline, the police, or medical or counseling services on or off campus based on your needs and wishes. The University strongly advises anyone who experiences sexual assault to report it to the police as soon as possible so that any physical evidence can be collected, and an investigation

can occur. L: At what point will Quest become too big for a case by case approach to misconduct? M: We never plan to become too large for this - we are nearing capacity now. Each situation of misconduct - whether academic or non-academic - is different, so we hope to be able to continue to use our approach to ensure the best outcomes for the individual(s) involved and the campus community as a whole. L: What is the system for changing or implementing specific policies (honor code, residence handbook, etc)? M: Any member of the community can make suggestions for changes - these often are generated at the Community Day breakout sessions, or by campus organizations like the SRC or Residence Council, or a club or working group, or class project. These would be reviewed and considered by the people responsible for the specific policy or procedure (i.e., staff or faculty, or the Executive Team, or the Board of Governors), for operational and legal

implications. We review and update the residence handbook on a yearly basis, for example, and are revisiting elements of the Honour Code this year, in fact, to see how it is meeting our needs and serving the community. Recommended local resources for accessing further information or support: Sexual Assault Service (Vancouver Coastal Health): https:// www.vch.ca/403/7676/?program_ id=11289 Women Against Violence Against Women (Vancouver): http://www.wavaw.ca/ Provincial Help Lines (BC): http://www.pssg.gov.bc.ca/victimservices/help/help-lines.htm We look forward to continuing work in this area. This is an incredibly important issue, not just on university campuses but in our society as a whole, and we can all contribute to helping to create a climate where sexual harassment and sexual assault are unthinkable.

Comics by Anna Piper Bradley

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MONDAY, OCTOBER 21, 2013

OFFSIDES
NEDER GATMON-SEGAL In a tight-knit Quest community, the distance between varsity athletes and the rest of the student body is apparent to many. Opinions vary as to the severity of the relationship, but most, if not all students agree it should be addressed. According to one firstyear student, there is a tension in the relationship between varsity athletes and the rest of the student body. I would not feel comfortable just sitting down in the middle of where there are a bunch of athletes sitting, he said. Charles Impey, a fourth-year student and captain of the mens soccer team, agrees that there might be a feeling of intimidation about the teams. Despite this intimidation, the situation has improved in recent years. According to Impey, in his first-year when the athletes were partying on Sunday nights, the general vibe was lock

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The daunting divide between varsity athletes and the rest of the student body, and why resolving it might not be so daunting after all
the door its athletes time, whereas now, he says, if were having a party on Sunday [and a non-varsity athlete] wants to come and say hi and have a drink were not Affairs, [the athletes] arrive on campus so much earlier than everyone else. So theyve already made significant connections, settled into their rooms, know describe an aspect of an otherwise very strong Quest community, but with athletes spending most of their time together in practices, games, and weekend trips, it might not be that out of place. How then do we, as a community, bridge the gap? According to Mortreuil, it has the potential to be a really strong relationship I dont think that it is fair to say that one group, either [varsity] athletes, or non-athletes, cause a division. It is also important to diffuse the stigma surrounding student athletes. As Impey puts it, we do [varsity athletics] because we love to do it. Just as someone loves to go to Whistler every minute of daylight, or people love to go up the Chief and walk. We do it because we love it. At Quest, such a student driven institution, the initiatives to bridge that gap will probably have to come from students more than anywhere else. I think it takes an individual effort from a

lot of people. Ill probably try and reach out to more [varsity athletes] and get to know them, said a first-year. Varsity athletes could try to sit in different sections of the cafeteria and find ways to socialize with the rest of the student body outside of the weekend. At the end of the day, says Impey, we are all students here to learn. Hopefully, this point comes across, and an already strong Quest community can become that much stronger.

going to turn anyone away.

Quest students cheering on the womens soccer team. Credit: Anna Gerke

If that is indeed the case, why then is the relationship still distant? Well, for one, says Kim Mortreuil, Residence Life and Services Coordinator for Student

the campus pretty well, and they already have a routine. That could explain why, for example, most athletes sit in a completely different section of the cafeteria during lunchtime. Intimidation might seem like a harsh word to

Want the latest updates from The Mark, including exclusive web content? Go to http://www.facebook.com/thequestmark and like our page!

NATIONAL

OTTAWA RALLIES FOR NEW BRUNSWICK PROTESTS Demonstration supports anti-fracking movement on indigenous ground
SABRINA NEMIS (ORIGINALLY FROM THE FULCRUM - OTTAWA) OTTAWA (CUP) As the movement to oppose shale fracking on indigenous land in New Brunswick became heated, crowds in Ottawa gathered on Parliament Hill on Oct. 1718 to show support for protestors in the Maritimes. The protest began Sept. 30 between Rexton, N.B. and Highway 11 with a blockade preventing the American shale mining exploration company SWN Resources from accessing a staging area used to store exploration vehicles and equipment. While the exploration is not happening on reserve land, it is on traditional hunting grounds of the Mikmaq Elsipogtog First Nation. Both indigenous and non-indigenous protestors from across the province have been participating due to concerns about the long-term environmental impacts of shale gas fracking. The process involves drilling wells into shale, then pumping water and chemicals into the wells to extract natural gas. Afterward, the chemicals remain in the rock and many are concerned that they will seep into nearby wells and community drinking water sources, contaminating them permanently. On the morning of Thursday, Oct. 17, RCMP officers arrived to enforce an injunction to end the blockade. The protestors refused to leave; videos and photos on social media websites show the protestors being tear gassed and shot with sock rounds (also known as bean bag rounds). By Thursday evening, six police vehicles had been set on fire and 40 people were arrested, including Elsipogtog chief Aaron Sock and several council members. On Friday, 31 people were released with future court dates and the RCMP seized weapons from the protest site, including guns and explosives. People gathered in cities across the country, including Ottawa, on Oct. 18 to show their support for the protestors, many assembling under the First Nations protest banner Idle No More. Its with a heavy heart that Im here tonight, said Nicole Desnoyers, vp equity for the Student Federation of the University of Ottawa. Its been a very long day of just connecting with all of my friends, making sure that peoples families are safe. Claudette Commanda, an aboriginal studies and First Nations womens studies profesto cast a critical and objective lens on all facets of Quest life, from underground tattooing to administrative policies around hiring faculty. The Mark is an autonomous entity, which allows it to provide balanced, unfettered coverage of events and incidents on campus and beyond, every month. We serve to stimulate and facilitate dialogue on contentious issues within the community, and we also act as a training facility for those who might be interested in working in media in the future. We are also working towards gathering every issue of every student media publisor at the University of Ottawa Aboriginal studies, said the events out east are a tragedy. This is a prime example of colonial violence. The Mikmaq people in Elsipogtog, all they were doing is defending their rights, defending human life, said Commanda. For the last 500-something years, weve been a very peaceful, loving people and wheres it gotten us? she said. I dont believe in turning the other cheek because all theyre going to do is kick us in the ass, and thats going to stop now. While the protest on Parliament Hill remained peaceful, with about 200 people gathered to speak, drum, and participate in round dances, there was anger over the way some media sources chose to portray the conflict. There are injuries on both sides, but to completely paint it as just the indigenous protestors and activists, [that] theyre the ones who are at fault and trying to justify the violence in that way, is absolutely disgusting, said Desnoyers. Ive been disappointed in mainstream media in both English and French giving this kind of news coverage. Commanda and Desnoyers urged students to make efforts to learn more about First Nations land issues and the environmental impacts of shale mining exploration. The Facebook page for the rally indicates it will continue Oct. 19.

Exchanges, cont. A2
to have more social time, wrote Myles. Heer echoes that sentiment after almost two months abroad and cited exploring [and] forgetting that Im here for school as her highlight so far. Despite the challenges, Myles recommends the experience. If you are looking for a rigorous academic experience, stay at Quest; if you are looking to throw yourself into a new environment and new culture, go on exchange.

Editors Statement JAKE SMITH & TARI AJADI

Hello, and welcome to the fifth edition of The Mark. We would like to thank every student who has contributed to the paper so far. Our evolution from a one day experiment for class to a fully-fledged newspaper would not have been been possible without your enthusiasm, skill and critical eye. The Mark acts as the only formal student media organization on campus an essential element to a democratic and diverse community. We aim

cation that has come before us in order to act as an archive for future generations to understand the very beginnings of a media culture at Quest. The Mark is committed to ensuring that its practices are as sustainable as possible. Whenever viable, it will be printed on 100% recycled paper, and will be released digitally to avoid excess paper usage. We ask that this paper is reused or recycled after being read in order to minimize its impact on the environment. Wed like to thank you, the reader, for picking up this

issue and engaging us a ongoing dialogue. We trust that youll enjoy this, and future editions of The Mark.

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A deeper look at the newest residence on campus
JAMES BLUMHAGEN Two months after opening, students have expressed concerns about Red Tusk, and the future layout of the new residential buildings. Red Tusk is the newest residence building on campus featuring new single occupant rooms, office spaces, a new arts bay, and a recording studio, all encompassed in an architecturally beautiful building. However, the lack of geothermal heating, and the ramifications of single rooms for Quests close-knit community raise the question of whether Red Tusks format is the right fit for Quest. During an interview with university president, David Helfand, he stated that the permits were secured and the university ...couldnt change the outside configuration [of the residence]. However, Helfand went on to say that there was a lot of time [spent] rather radically changing the interior configurations to make it more like what we would want our model to be. This included features like the recording studio, the study rooms, and the dance/yoga studio planned for the newest building currently under construction. Concerning the lack of geothermal heating in the residence, Helfand said, It didnt make financial sense to put geothermal heating in. Helfand went on to explain that the cost of installation and maintenance for geothermal is actually very high and that, The money we didnt use on the geothermal system was used on other factors of making the building more energy efficient. Although the adjustment period was rocky for some at first, several students are trying to spearhead the effort to create more activities and gatherings in Red Tusk. Eva Palonek, a first-

MONDAY, OCTOBER 21, 2013

IS RED TUSK RIGHT FOR QUEST?

year student, says, at times [Red Tusk] can be isolating, and that because of the single rooms students will have to make a bigger effort when it comes to community. She goes on to say that Red Tusk is like a baby and just needs a bit of love to help it grow. A fourth year student living in Red Tusk, Graham Fischer says that Red Tusk is for those who value their privacy and personal space. Fischer said that as a fourth year he doesnt see how living in single rooms could affect his part in the community but can see how first years would have a more difficult time. With the new building underway and Red Tusk completed, Helfand stated that they have already discovered many things about [Red Tusk] that will be changed in the new building and changed for next year in Red Tusk itself. There has also been speculations regarding the future of the area and the planned buildings from staff and students alike. However, there are no plans to build more units in the foreseeable future, said Helfand. The current six and a half buildings provide enough space for 660 students, which is what our campus can accommodate.

NEWS

NEWS

THE U.S. GOVERNMENT SHUTDOWN: WHAT IT IS AND WHAT IT DID

MARIS WINTERS The Republicans kept adding amendments to the budget that contributed little towards a resolution. Harry Reid, the Senate majority leader noted, they keep trying to do the same thing over and over again. Between this and their instrumental role in the shutdown, the Republicans poll numbers plummeted. One poll conducted by Gallup placed their favourability rating at 28%, a historically low figure for the party. At the beginning of the shutdown, Congress, the Senate, and the President had 16 days to come to an agreement before the U.S. defaulted on its debt. The nations $12 trillion in outstanding debt, held mainly by countries like China and Japan as well as by multinational banks, would potentially cripple the world economy with a default. Thankfully, that did not happen. Even with opposition from the Republicans in the House of Representatives, a bipartisan effort managed to end the shutdown. This bill had some compromises for both parties, but in the end, the Republicans initial requests were discarded, and they allowed the Affordable Care Act to continue unhampered. On the morning of October 17th, Obama signed into effect the Senates plan to fund the government through January 15th and raise the debt limit through February 7th. Weve got to get out of the habit of governing by crisis, President Obama said, encouraging Congress to work together. We could get all these things done even this year if everybody comes together in a spirit of moving this country forward and putting the last three weeks behind us. Experts debate the effect of the 17-day shutdown; Standard & Poors says the shutdown has cost the US economy $24bn, a significant sum, but small in comparison to the $12 trillion that the US is in debt. The closure of essential governmental programs, including those managing disease control and healthcare, left many employees and citizens stranded. The CDC had to furlough, or suspend, many of its employees that track the spread of disease. The NIH had to turn away many patients who had no other recourse. Many federally funded scientists who didnt know if they would have

Disagreements in the US government causes three week shutdown, leading to negative repercussions
funding for future experiments had to stop ongoing experiments or change their plans as to what they could do with the money that they knew they had. Those agencies, along with the dozens of others that were furloughed during the shutdown, will now have to play catch up on three weeks of lost work.

On October 1st, the United States government shut down due to disagreements between the Republicans and Democrats. After three weeks which left 800,000 government employees without work and millions without pay, the government reopened on the 17th of October. The government was shut down because a small contingent of Republicans would not agree to a new budget until they passed amendments that gutted the Affordable Care Act, an act that had been passed by Congress and the Supreme Court the previous year. The Democrats did not allow the Republicans to get those changes through and so no new budget was approved for the new fiscal year, which prompted the shutdown.

ROBERTO ARAJO GUIMARES

JAKE SMITH

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Life, Work and Art: why the artist deserves an honourary degree
Meeting Roberto back in the fall of 2010, in Political Economy, my fascination with the man began out of silence.

This is going to be rough as fuck. Get ready. With my back to the floating, 300 pound Blood Moon I pressed my outreached arms and neck against it to stabilize. Briefly taking the form of the boulder-wielding Sisyphus, I was ready. Roberto, perched 10 feet above in the scissor lift, was also primed to lower the deep red fibreglass ball onto the trailer for one last transport. With a swift flick of the wrist, he tapped the joystick controls back, lowering the Moon the last eight inches onto the trailer gentler than either of us expected. After almost a full year of working on his exhibit, And Some Facilities Maintenance On The Side, this final lowering of the Blood Moon would simultaneously conclude the exhibit and our relationship. It was a cathartic moment for both of us, but in different ways.

could speak. Shortly after the course he would transition from a student to staff member, largely

The final lowering of the Blood Moon. Credit: Jake Smith Speaking maybe once every three because his financial priorities days, often in opposition to the shifted from school to supporting capitalistic theories presented to his wife and his newborn baby the class, Id find a new apprecia- boy. As the Head of Facilities tion for the volumes that silence Maintenance on campus, Roberto

would take the role of my boss for the next three years. During this time, I came to admire Robertos ability to conciliate an abundance of simplicity and humility, and an incredible, often hidden talent. As an artist, Robertos own story began to overflow onto the mundane nature of a parking lot or a gravel pit. But the genius resides in this: turning the mundane of the places and the stories into something so meaningful as art. His art was peculiar in its perceived darkness; the depth of his creativity and his eloquence was not your daisy type of beauty, it was a harsh-reality-type of beauty. Roberto, without the conferral of credits, spent the last three years at Quest excelling at each block he took: parenting, construction, maintenance, leadership, visual art, speech, creative writing, and theatre. And the culmination of this journey,

his Keystone exhibition, would deserve the schools utmost educational recognition: an honourary degree. Over the next semester, through conversations with administration and the passing of a petition among students, we hope to recognize Roberto in the way he deserves. If you would like to help in this effort, or have any feedback, email me at Jacob. [email protected]