Campus News Nikalas Kryzanowski, News Editor and Monica Carino, Associate News Editor news @theotherpress.ca Threat closes David Lam Nikalas Kryzanowski news editor Is David Lam Campus of Douglas College was closed last Friday due to a “specific threat.” As a precaution, students and staff were advised to stay away. “The senior administration at the college made the decision to close the campus based on the risk assessment process that’s laid out in our emergency plan,” said college president Susan Witter. “It was the college’s decision to close the campus for the day.” Coquitlam RCMP contacted the school to let the staff know. Investigators also informed Pinetree Secondary School, the Pinetree Community Centre and the Douglas College Day Care Centre. They too were closed for the day. “The RCMP have said to us that we’re not to divulge any details about the source, nature or target of the threat because it is under active investigation,” said Witter. The campus reopened as scheduled on Saturday, March 1. The threat comes barely four weeks after UBC received two threats of its own at its bio-science buildings earlier in February. BC Lieutenant Governor: “Aboriginal reconciliation means building bridges” By Nikalas Kryzanowski, News Editor he Aboriginal Reconciliation Speaker Series began last Tuesday at the Douglas College Performing Arts theatre. British Columbia Lieutenant Governor Steven L. Point was on hand to open the series that also included a panel of distinguished guests and presenters. The purpose of the event was to address the question of “reconciliation;” specifically, what thatconceptmeanstobothaboriginals and non-aboriginals in BC. The Lieutenant Governor gave opening remarks focusing on the importance of looking into the 4 future and recognizing collective environmental concerns such as the quality of waterways and fish stocks, along with global warming. “It is time to let go of the past and move forward. Rather than building boundaries we need to build bridges between peoples. We are all paddling in the same canoe,” he said. Several panelists seemed to look toward the future and also expressed concern for future generations, as was the situation of panelist Chief Rhonda Larrabee of the New Westminster Indian Band, Qayqayt Nation. She is the chief of one of the smallest bands in the country, with just four registered members—herself and her three brothers. In 1913, the federal government annexed the New Westminster Band’s reserve lands. Larrabee’s maternal grandparents were the last band members to live on the reserve. She herself grew up in the Chinatown area of Vancouver and her mother raised her to believe that she was of Chinese and French origin. It was not until she was 24 years old that Larrabee found out that she was of full-blooded aboriginal descent. Her mother was a product of the residential school system and felt that she had to hide her heritage in the face of discrimination. Chief Larrabee’s main goal now is to secure a land base for her grandchildren and a home for her band. Panelist John McCandless, executive director of The People Together Foundation—a group that attempts to improve relations between aboriginal and _ non- aboriginal § Canadians—revealed several of the challenges faced by aboriginal people today, including a life expectancy gap of seven years, higher incarceration rates, and differences in opportunity between peoples. He noted that Vancouver is considered the most livable city in the world by The Economist magazine, but added, “the most livable for whom?” His organization also announced a “Walk for Reconciliation,” scheduled to take place in Vancouver across the Burrard Bridge, on September 21, 2009; the event is inspired by a similar walk in Sydney, Australia, leading up to the Summer Olympics there. In 2000, more than 250,000 Australians walked across Sydney Harbour Bridge to symbolize crossing the gulf between Aboriginal and other Australians. The audience was also treated to a cultural performance by the Git Hayetsk Dancers, which involved traditional singing and dancing. The speakers series continues Tuesday, March 4, 2008, in room 1601 at the New West Campus. Lc Douglas College Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences is launching a pilot program this April known as the “Douglas College China Field School.” The program is scheduled to last for five weeks and will consist of four days in Beijing with the remainder spent in the city of Shanghai. Professor Michael McPhee, Coordinator of Associate of Arts Degree Programs, is organizing the trip. “China was chosen for a few reasons,” he said. “Douglas College already has a relationship with China as we offer a business diploma there. Furthermore, this will be a fantastic opportunity for students to experience one of the fastest growing cities and countries in the world.” Along with the trip to China, the program will consist of pre and post-trip coursework at Douglas College. The main goal is to experience and study China’s culture and language while intertwining the disciplines of geography and communications. Once in China, a combination of in-class lessons and “in the street” components will be the main highlight of the program. Participants will take CMNS 1104, GEOG 1100, and MODL 1191 in China for a total of nine university transferable credits. These subjects will be taught by Douglas College professors involved in the trip. “This will offer students an opportunity to learn in an international setting while gaining credits towards an Associate of Arts Degree,” said McPhee. Aside from the educational component, the program will also offer a sightseeing package for its participants. The field school itinerary states that in Beijing, the Great Wall, the Forbidden City, and Tiananmen Square, will all be explored, as well as a two day excursion at Hangzhou, and a day trip to Suzhou. “Much of the learning will take place outside the classroom as students experience the culture, history, architecture, and landscapes of China,” said McPhee The program costs $2,600 which includes roundtrip airfare, accommodations in dormitories, all field trips and entrance fees, most meals, and visa fees. The Douglas College tuition fee ($852.45 for nine credits) is to be paid separately, along with textbooks, passport fees, vaccinations, medical insurance, personal expenses, and off-campus dining. Orientations and final logistics will begin on April 28, with May 3rd being the departure from Vancouver to Shanghai. Only 20 spots are allotted for this program. If you don’t want to miss out on this exclusive opportunity, you can contact Professor McPhee at mmcphee@ portal.douglas.be.ca for further information.