one ohen oe ms
_ As of Saturday morning, theiconic
- Woodward’s sign that was once a common
_ sight along the skyline of Vancouver’s

Downtown Eastside has once again

revamped Woodward’s development. _

The large red “W” is not the original
that topped the building before construction
on the controversial development started,
but a precise recreation. The original sign,
one of many well recognized symbols of
Vancouver’s neon era, will be on display in

_ the plaza of the new project in a glass case.

In an official unveiling ceremony, the

new sign will be lit on January 15.

 

 

Temporary shelters for
Vancouver’s homeless

As the worst months of the year for
Vancouver’s homeless continue, there is an

increasing need for both more affordable
housing and more shelters. Two shelters
have recently opened, one on Granville,
the other on East Broadway, the city of
Vancouver said in a press release, but they
aren’t nearly enough. Both new shelters are
already at capacity, each housing about 40
people.

The shelters are run by RainCity
Housing and funded by a $1.2 million
contribution from the province and a
I $500,000 contribution from the city of

Vancouver.
Two more shelters are in the works for
the West End and Kits, though locations
have yet to be determined.

 

 

 

retumed to its rightful home atop the newly -

 

# Pri

The grand re-opening of the DSU Upper Lounge heralds

the start of improvements

      

Kristina Mameli

news editor

oupled with the beginning of a brand new semester

is the start of new and great things for the Douglas

Students’ Union. The DSU unveiled the newly
renovated Upper Lounge of the DSU Building on the New
Westminster campus early last week with a DJ and their
trademark: free cake.

The Other Press sat down with Priscilla Bartleman,

the DSU’s external relations coordinator, to find out what
the DSU has planned for the reclaimed space. “The space
is going to be open from Monday to Friday from 10 until
4 p.m.,” said Bartleman. “It’s going to be used as a study
area and an area where people can play games. And we
want to start using it for our
own events: any kind of
candidates’ forum or AGMs,
any kind of meeting or

“I'd like to see the DSU in five years
being a place where people can go
to and are aware of as a place for

advocacy, as a place for services and can go to and are aware of as a place

meals for students, the most recent, a pancake and Family
Guy breakfast, as well as a chilli luncheon. “I think that

the underlying issue is that there’s student hunger and any
chance that we can get to feed students and bring awareness
to campaigns is all the better,” said Bartleman of the events
that raise awareness about social issues and give them the
opportunity to get involved, if just signing a petition.

The 2010 winter semester promises to be a busy one
for the DSU as they prepare for the annual AGM. “The
Douglas Student’s Union needs to have an annual general
meeting every year,” Bartleman explained, adding that this
year, the DSU would like to make quorum in order to pass
motions to improve how the DSU operates, making it easier
to better help students.

“We want to make some structural changes that
will help enhance the services we provide to students,”
said Bartleman of the proposal to change the David Lam
representative’s position from that of a liaison to an
executive member.

“T’d like to see the DSU in five
years being a place where people

awareness campaign—we’re events both fun and serious,” —Priscilla {or advocacy, as a place for services

going to really start pushing to
have it in our space.”

The push to utilize the
space for such events comes due to limited space within
the College and from the fact that the building was always
intended for student use. “That’s really what it is. It’s for the
students; they own it. So have them have free access to it
and more meeting spaces...we’re looking to change around
some of the rooms we have right now so there’s more places
for clubs or students who need study groups to be.”

As for the other rooms mentioned, the DSU is still in
the process of changing them over. Walls need to be painted,
carpets need to be cleaned, but for the most part, the final
phase will predominately involve some creative shuffling.
““We’re going to be moving a couple of offices and just kind
of making it more accessible and practical.”

Since the current Representative Committee began
work on the Lounge, new floors have been installed, walls,
including a mural by the entrance, have been painted,
vending machines now line the wall opposite the mural
and microwaves have been added. “There was a need for
microwaves,” said Bartleman. “We had students asking
about microwaves when ours broke down.”

Bartleman added that there is also new furniture,
including tables, chairs, couches and coffee tables as well as
a racing game in the corner and a pool table that can be used
simply by leaving a student ID card at the entrance.

The DSU will also continue with the string of free

Bartleman, DSU external relations
coordinator

 

and events both fun and serious,”
envisioned Bartleman. “We’re getting
there I think. That’s one of our goals: just building off of
what other committees have done.”

The DSU is currently evaluating their services to
better address what there is a need for within the Douglas
Community. If you have any suggestions please contact
Bartleman in confidence at: external @douglastudentsunion.
ca or through The Other Press at: news@theotherpress.ca.

DENT SOCIETY BUILDING