There is an upcoming opportunity for all students to get involved in the political process and have their voices heard. On Friday, November 13th, the Liberal Party Biennial Policy Convention is taking place in Fredericton, where Liberals from across the country and locally shall gather and discuss the latest concerns of the people of NB.

That night, there will be a Youth Commission after the Panel Discussion for an hour where students and youth will have full on access to the panel to raise issues or concerns. They want many students to attend so they can hear what students are concerned about and what we consider to be important issues right now. You do not have to consider yourself to be liberal in order to participate; the purpose is to hear what all students have to say. The Panel will include some but not the entire list below:

Frank McKenna, Marcel Mersereau, Paul Zed, Andy Scott, Georgie Day, and Shelia Copps. Michael Ignatieff will be the keynote speaker for the evening.

We will be leaving campus between 1-2 pm, and leaving Fredericton around 9 pm to return
to Saint John, and will be providing transportation to and from Fredericton. If you would like to attend, email d6fd0@unb.ca.
There is room for a lot of students or youth to attend this commission, so we hope youcan make it, and spread the word! Thanks from your friends at the UNBSJ Political Science Association.

PSA President, Amanda Sadlier

Calling all thespians and Shakespeare fans! The Shoestring Theatre will be starting up quite soon! If you don’t know what this is, I can tell you one thing: it is a lot of fun.

Dr. Sandra Bell started this activity in 2002, naming it the Lunch Hour Theatre. The name was changed later on so that the actors would not be locked into one time period. It is now known as Shoestring Theatre, called as such for the shoestring budget we perform on.

We have very few props and costuming consists of black pants and shirt or just regular clothing. Shoestring has performed mock operas, short one-act and student-written plays, as well as some improvisational theatre. For the past few years Shoestring has enacted scenes and monologues from Shakespeare’s plays.

Dr. Bell is the president of the Saint John Shakespeare Society for her fourth year, is on the Second Stage committee in the Saint John Theatre Company, and teaches renaissance drama and Shakespeare courses at UNBSJ. She has run Shoestring since its beginning, the exception being last year when she was busy giving a speech at the Globe Theatre in London. Jay Rawding, a graduated English Honours student at UNBSJ, directed Shoestring last year.

This year Dr. Bell is thinking of putting together a mixture of monologues and short scenes of 2-3 actors from Shakespeare’s plays, unless a student would like to request a short play. The performance usually takes place during the winter term, so the actors will have enough time to get to know their scenes and practice them. There is at least one performance on campus and a performance in the Shakespeare Society’s performance space in Brunswick Square.

This year we are also hoping to perform for a high school or two. A side note to the worrywarts: no plague will stop this theatre! The show must go on!

I have been a part of this theatre company for the past two years, since my first year here at UNBSJ, and I can’t wait to join in the fun again this year. Every actor has roughly the same amount of stage time, so there are no ‘lead actors.’ Everyone gets their chance at stardom.

Since there are only short scenes and monologues it isn’t very hard to memorise lines, and it can be a great help in English classes since we learn the meanings of many frequently used words of the period. Dr. Bell is a fantastic director, who can be both silly and serious, making the rehearsals great fun while the performances are pulled off spectacularly.

If you want to see what the performances are like, the 2008 and 2009 shows can be found on YouTube by searching “Shoestring Theatre.” Anyone interested in joining should look for announcements around the second week of November, and can contact Dr. Bell at sbell@unbsj.ca for more information.

Greetings UNBSJ Students! This is Wren Crandall from the new and improved Social Justice and Sexuality Center (formerly the Women’s Resource Center). As a new set of midterms bears down on us yet again, it’s easy to forget about to take time out for some reflective thought, as well as having fun.

Just drop by the Student Center, Second Level, Room 224, for free fair-trade cappuccino, condoms, candy, and social justice information or email at a641z@unb.ca. We would love to meet you.

Revamped and in the process of expanding our services, we have kept the Women’s Resource Center but made it broader in scope. We have kept our old goals of keeping the UNBSJ campus fully stocked with condoms, candy, free pregnancy tests, tampons, and community referrals. We also offer free political science and philosophy tutoring.
Whether it is one student concerned about being pregnant, or another struggling with their gender identity, all issues are taken seriously and in confidence. One key reason why this service exists to students is that many simply do not know the campus and community services available to them, should they find themselves in trouble. Thus, we are here to help; to act as a peer-based liaison and information center.
The Social Justice and Sexuality Center has a strong referral system for those facing potential sexuality and/or addiction problems. We partner with grassroots community non-profit organizations such as AIDS Saint John, to get information about safe sex, comfortable sexuality, social justice out there.

Our center can also arrange training in CPR, Non-Violent Crisis Intervention and Suicide Intervention, and Women’s Self-Defense classes for those on campus, courses the center’s own volunteers have taken and benefitted greatly from.

The Center provides a strong feminist and progressive voice on campus on a variety of social justice and sexuality issues. It allows for political advocacy (on issues such as student loans, affordable housing) from students, for students, in an organized way that gets results.

I feel excited, and privileged, about bringing the message of safe sex and social justice to the UNBSJ Campus.

Wren Crandall is the President of the Social Justice and Sexuality Center. She is also a double Honors student in Philosophy and Political Science, and promoter of UNBSJ’s Student Abroad Program.

UNBF/UNBSJ Direct Bus Route? Great idea!

Being an avid reader of local publications including the recent release of the UNBSJ Baron publication September 8th, 2009. The article presented by Ben Hicks; “By our powers combined”, was absolutely the best suggestion article I have read in a long time. Great idea Ben!
Mr. Hicks described the idea of having a bus that ran from UNBSJ to UNBF regularly and daily. Further he discussed the benefits of all involved, creating an even greater competitive platform for UNB on the national stage of Universities. I would be one for sure to take advantage of this service. The reasons why Mr. Hicks stated resistance, was the need for specialization in a more broad range of subjects. With this new form of delivering students to a campus would allow the administration to detail educational opportunities. As Mr. Hicks stated, currently professors are lecturing at both campuses.
Mr. Hicks could you further describe for the readers what would have to happen to put your idea into action.
Aaron McKenna
Student UNBSJ

Objections to Saint John Travel article

A recent article in the “UNBSJ Baron” of September 8th, 2009, titled “Travelling around Saint John; what you need to know”, by Staff Writer Simon Jack had a disillusioned view of the residential area surrounding the University (Millidgeville).
“Generally speaking the area is mostly residential and that means there’s a limited amount to do”, wrote Mr. Jack.
Within a fifteen to twenty five minute walk of the UNBSJ campus, one can visit the Cherry Brook Zoo, go golfing in Rockwood Park, Volunteer at the Regional Hospital, play tennis at the Millidgeville Courts, watch local youth and adult soccer and football action, walk the beautiful trails through Rockwood Park, participate at the YMCA in Millidgeville, attend and volunteer with the local church activities and community events, and go ice skating at the Gorman Arena, cross country Ski, sliding and snow shoeing in Rockwood Park which are fun winter activities, donate blood at the Red Cross, and volunteer at local Senior’s Homes.
That sure sounds a lot better than there’s not much to do in the area, and I’m sure there are other suggestions. Most should be able to say the opposite of Mr. Jack. The area surrounding the University offers a vast variety of activity for singles, couples and groups.
So please allow me to conclude Mr. Jack’s article in a more pleasing way. Travelling around Saint John; what you need to know is the bus is suitable, the taxi is faster, there is something going on in all areas of the City on a regular basis and lot’s of great parks for enjoyment. Get out and experience the Cities friendly atmosphere, but first be sure you are up on your studies.
Aaron McKenna
Student UNBSJ

—
I noticed an error in Simon Jack’s byline. He is in fact a professional wheelbarrow operator having attained his journeyman status through one whirlwind summer apprenticing at Chapman Brothers’ Construction. He is not a fancy operator but a steady one–a Prince Edward Island Island tradition. In addition he can shovel with the best of them.
Sincerely
Colin Jack

Please

Only YOU can prevent the spread of H1N1

Coughing in your sleeve is so easy to do and it bears no cost and yet very even attempt to do this. Reading your article on the H1N1 flu, it occurs to me that people should spend more attention avoiding the spreading of their own germs. Then collectively we can all breath a little easier.

Shams Ben Amor

To The Editor:

I recently picked up a copy of the Baron. I wanted to make a comment about the section titled “Enough talk, talk, talk, men want sex, sex, sex”. As a female, I was very offended by the section written by Dr. Brian. In particular, his comment stating “If you gals screwed as much as you talked, we men would be mighty happy. Come on girls, enough talk, talk, talk, we want sex, sex, sex”. This is an extremely offensive and derogatory comment that is not necessary. I cannot support or appreciate a school newspaper that displays this degradation towards woman. I am hoping that this will be taken into consideration for future comments from this writer. I was very disappointed after reading this section and hope that this can be addressed.

Thank you,

Meagan Fournier
4th Year Nursing Student

To The Editor:

I’m writing to you in regards to your article called “Enough talk, talk, talk, men want sex, sex, sex” that was featured in the Baron, Issue 7 Vol. 4 on Jan. 20, 2009. The article appears to be written by a Dr. Brian and is not appropriate for distribution on campus. It demeans both men and women. It insults men’s intelligence by saying they are not as smart as women and by saying all they want from women is sex. It goes on to talk about how women talk, nag and yell too much and that “If you gals screwed as much as you talked, we men would be mighty happy. Come on girls, enough talk, talk, talk, we want sex, sex, sex”.  This is the type of article that is being offered to every student on campus, that the University and your paper condones through giving office space for its  production, allowing the distribution of and also by giving financial support! Every semester I and all other students are required to pay a $10 Media Fee – Baron and this is what it is creating. I am insulted by the comments and embarrassed as well as ashamed that my university would support such statements. It should be noted that if the statement quoted above was verbally communicated it would be considered sexual harassment, why is this any different when it is written? This article is set up to look like a Dr., a person in a position of authority, has written it, thus it leaves the door open for interpretation that it is acceptable behaviour to demand women be silent sex objects and that it is what is expected of them. Intelligent men want more than sex from their partners and a women’s communication is just as valuable as a man’s. I am also left wondering if your advertisers are aware that such statements are being presented with their adds and if their patronage would continue if they were. Perhaps you should consider the long term effects of your support for such statements rather than just trying to fill a page in the paper.

Thank you,

Jennifer Daley
4th Year Nursing Student

It’s that time of year again when everyone is thinking about New Year’s Resolutions. People tend to make such resolutions like quitting smoking, less fast-food, going to the gym, etc. Why not set a new year’s resolution to help those less fortunate.

The SRC has a great opportunity to build your resume, as well as a great opportunity for you to create a new year’s resolution if you haven’t yet set one! We encourage you to volunteer at Hazen White / St. Francis Elementary School, our partnered school through the “PALS Program”! Volunteering can range from reading with a group of students, helping coach a team, helping a teacher in the classroom with small projects, helping with noon-hour clubs or acting as a chaperon on school trips and more.

The children are in grades K-8 and are students who would benefit from one-on-one reading, or extra-curricular activities. Volunteer packets can be picked up @ the Campus Information Centre (CIC) during their hours of operation or on the SRC website (www.unbsrc.ca) under the activities tab.

Coordinating the PALS Program this year are VP-External, Kyle Ferguson, and councilor’s Jenn Jewer and Jolene Price from your Students Representatives Council. Become a volunteer today and it could be you who makes such a difference in a child’s life!

Kyle J. Ferguson
VP-External
SRC-External@unbsj.ca

Feel like you haven’t really done enough? Wanting to get involved with an event that will make a difference? This will be your chance to get up, get active, and get going on that volunteerism that you have been putting of for the last little while. For the past few years the Psychology Society has entered a team for the major fundraising event Skate-to-Care. The last few years the Psychology Society has entered a team for Skate-to-Care but this year we want our team to be bigger, and we want our total contribution to be larger then ever! But we can’t do it without your help.
So far the Psychology team has held a bake sale which raised $200 and we are currently
selling e-mail bingo tickets. As the date approaches, February 14th to be exact, we are issuing this challenge. Our challenge to you Mr. Editor, your staff, university staff & faculty and to fellow students is to help the team reach or even exceed our goal of $3000. You can do so by joining the team, partake in up coming events or even just make a donation. Every little bit counts. So come out, join us, get involved and make a date to skate!

Skate-to-Care is a annual fundraiser for Mind Care New Brunswick. This will be the 22nd year for the event, and over the 22 years with the support of all the teams they have raised over $2 million. The mission that Mind Care presents to us is that they want to “bring peace to troubled mines” by doing so they use the funding to meet increasingly critical mental health needs in our own Southern New Brunswick Community.

Psychology Society Executive
Melissa Colwell || Jolene Price || Jolene Searle
psycsocietyunbsj@hotmail.com
648.5801
Rm. 224 in the T.J. Condon Student Center