News Students Head Back to Class Amid Welcome Week Festivities JJ McCullough, OP Editor N.. and returning Douglas College students enjoyed a warm welcome last week during the College’s traditional “Welcome Week,” which was held from September 8 to 10. The main concourses of both the New West and Coquitlam campuses were full of noise and festivities as colourful displays and tables tried to entice students with a variety of clubs, activities, groups, and causes. Among the most popular attractions at the New West campus was the traditional table of the Douglas College Students Union. Along with providing information on their various member services, DSU representatives also distributed free day planners to students. Always a favourite item, the planners were snapped up at a rapid pace — often faster than the DSU could keep stocked. Representatives from the Canadian Federation of Students were also on hand to distribute other promotional materials. From Campus Christian Ministries to the Green Party, club tables were also in abundance as eager campus club leaders attempted to recruit new members to their causes. Many off-campus groups also had a presence during Welcome Week, no doubt eager to gain access to the valuable student demographic. Bell Canada and the Bank of Montreal both hosted tables at various times, while Envision Financial kept both campuses entertained with all day DJing. Several non-profit groups likewise made their presence known with memorable giveaways, such as the Canadian Blood Service who distributed free cookies and AIDS Vancouver who handed out free condoms and lubricant. Events at the David Lam Campus were a bit more low-key, but still drew crowds. The biggest Coquitlam attraction was easily the massive “DSU Book Swap.” Dozens of sheets of paper lined several tables as students busily entered their names and contact information, eager to score cheap used textbooks from former students. As the smaller campus of the Douglas community, David Lam’s welcome week ended a day early, but most of the same clubs and organizations still made at least a token appearance. Welcome Week is organized by the College’s campus orientation department, and they too were on hand all day at both campuses to preside over the festivities. Not to be outdone by the clubs and businesses, special “College Ambassadors” offered students an opportunity to try their hands at variety of games and stunts, including a jello-eating race, a Dance Dance Revolution dance-off, and an air-hockey tournament. Free popcorn — now a Welcome Week staple — was also in predictable abundance. Overall, the event seems to have been warmly received by both students and administration alike. “It was a great hit,” said Alan Yang, one of the College’s orientation leaders. “I’ve been doing this for three years now and this is the greatest one I’ve ever seen.” First week was not all fun and games, however. Long line-ups at the campus bookstore awaited students who sought to leave their textbook purchases to the last minute, while large crowds often swarmed the register’s office and academic advising tables. Students fill in forms at DSU book swap at David Lam snonoyt Photo by JJ McCullough Threats at David Lam Trigger RCMP Investigation J.J. McCullough, OP Editor S trange, threatening notes found on Douglas College’s David Lam campus in late August have now triggered a formal RCMP investigation the Tri- City News has reported. Few details are currently known, but according to Coquitlam RCMP constable Brenda Gresiuk the matter is being taken “quite seriously.” Where precisely the notes were found has not been revealed, only that they were discovered in a locked area, ordinarily inaccessible to students. The exact content of the messages has not 4 been made public either, though much has been made about their supposedly “cryptic” nature. The notes did not contain full sentences, only isolated, threatening words scattered about the page. Douglas administration responded swiftly to the notes by increasing security at the Coquitlam campus and calling in the RCMP. The police remain interested in gathering information from any students who may have any knowledge of the mysterious notes. If you have any knowledge of the matter, please call the Coquitlam RCMP at 1- 800-222-8477. Adult Basic Education to be Free in BC JJ McCullough, OP Editor B y January of 2008 the Liberal government of British Columbia intends to make all adult basic education free, Minister for Education Shirley Bond announced on September 7. According to Bond, the province will spend over $17 million to “allow free tuition for adult basic education, whether students have graduated from high school or not.” The adult basic education program (ABE) provides educational classes for men and women over the age of 18 who have never graduated from high school. Along with high school diplomas, ABE programs may also grant credits for students who wish to enter post secondary institutions, but have not yet obtained the necessary high school prerequisites. Many colleges across BC— including Douglas College—offer such programs, but have until now charged tuition fees for enrollment. Starting immediately, the province will also be offering free ABE correspondence courses though the website: www.LearnNowBC.ca.