Creating positive social change: Douglas College Dialogue Club By Maria Asselin-Roy, News Editor n Wednesday, November 9 at O- David Lam campus, the 7 new Douglas College Dialogue Club is hosting a Coquitlam All- Candidates Dialogue Forum. President of Douglas College, Scott McAlpine, will do an opening welcome for the discussion. The All Candidates Forum will use the World Cafe Model, which allows students and community members to break into groups and explore different ways to achieve sustainable development. Various themes like natural assets, complete and compact communities, housing opportunities, transportation, land use development, healthy and engaging communities, bike lanes, and art will be discussed in relation to sustainability. Each “dialogue table” will be themed and participants will be able to begin at one table and shift to another over the course of the evening. All questions that will be discussed at this forum and future forums are important for the future of living sustainably, and getting students and community members to engage in political topics ultimately promoting an actively involved society. It is emphasized that the importance of youth and community activism is necessary in promoting both political and social change. ~ Siobhan Ashe, Sociology professor at both Douglas College and Simon Fraser University, created the Douglas College Dialogue Club this semester to raise awareness and discussion of local issues— with a strong emphasis on getting young people involved. The aim of the Dialogue Club is “to engage members of the Douglas College community in important issues using dialogue techniques,” says Ashe. The club will focus on issues like sustainability and the low rate of youth voters. Sustainability is a crucial issue for discussion, as landfills are filling up more and more each year and simply recycling is not enough—but there needs to be a new model in sustaining our environment while keeping up with the economic trends. When it comes to understanding the causes behind low rates of youth voters, Ashe suggests that, while it’s difficult to reflect the reality of all young people that “the top reasons that [she has] heard (based on asking...students) is that they don’t know what the issues are, and therefore feel too ignorant to vote. They also aren’t aware of the role of municipal government. Another factor is that they do not care.” he Coquitlam All-Candidates Dialogue Forum will be held on Wednesday, November 9 in room C1008 from 6:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. If you are interested in attending the forum or ~ joining the club, or just want to learn more, contact the club’s president, Azzaria Bramer at azzariabramer@ gmail.com or Vice President Nancy Ray at nanciray@ gmail.com. ‘Tis the season: Why you should get a flu shot By Maria Asselin-Roy, News Editor inter is well on its way here in Vancouver. Although it’s a great time for cozy sweaters, an excess amount of tea, and watching Christmas cartoons, it’s also time to be extra cautious as influenza season peaks during October to May. Influenza is a contagious respiratory illness that is caused by the flu virus. Being a college student, it is likely that you have gotten the flu at least once and are aware of its symptoms. Flu seaso n unpredictable orid Health Organization (WHO) has recommended that this year’s orthern Hemisphere seasonal vaccine contains (and thus aims to has recommended that this year’s Northern Hemisphere seasonal vaccine contains (and thus aims to protect against) the following three viruses: A/California/7/2009 HIN1 virus, A/ Perth/16/2009 H3N2 virus, and B/ Brisbane/60/2008 virus. Since it is only the beginning of the flu season, it’s best to get your flu shot now—as outbreak can start as early as October. The WHO recommends that the best way to prevent against the virus is for everyone older than six months to get the shot. In terms of its effectiveness, the shot allows those who have gotten the vaccine to have an the virus. In addition from year to year. The time, length, and severity of the annual flu varies. In addition, the actual flu virus that causes the most outbreak changes. While many flu viruses go around each year, the vaccine that is selected for prevention of the flu only targets the major flu viruses that are spreading throughout the population. According to Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the World Health Organization (WHO) to getting the annual flu shot, WHO recommends that try to stay away from sick people and regularly wash your hands. If you do get sick, you can try using antiviral drugs to treat flu illness. Keep in mind that if you are sick this season to stay home from school and work to prevent spreading of germs. If you are looking to protect - yourself from the flu virus this year, there are a number of clinics you can go to near both campuses. The New Westminster Public Health Unit has _ an annual influenza program offers flu vaccinations and is located at 218-610 Sixth Street. Right beside David Lam, Coquitlam Centre Mall offers walk in medical clinics for immunization and flu vaccines. For more locations on where to get a flu shot, visit www. health.gov.bc.ca/flu Study in the sun: Take a summer semester at the University of California, Berkeley By Allie Davison, Staff Writer re the dreary clouds of Aver getting you down? Did the three weeks of summer we had this year just not make the cut? Well, this summer, instead of hanging out here and getting rained on, head across the border to California and take your classes at the University of California, Berkeley campus. On Thursday, November 3, Anthony Yuen from the Outreach, Communication & Marketing department of the University.of California, Berkeley, hosted an information session at Douglas College for students interested in taking summer courses in California. Yuen’s information session provided details on spending the summer studying at UC Berkeley (for example, students can live in residential halls, international halls, or private houses) as well as describing the history of the school (it was chartered in 1868; the Berkeley campus was the first of the now 10- campus school). UC Berkeley offers over 600 classes for summer students— often in areas related to Douglas College programs. For example, students currently taking classes in Anthropology, Math, Music, Sociology, Biology, or Performing Arts might find appropriate classes at the Berkeley campus. _ If spending the whole summer away from Van City doesn’t appeal, UC Berkeley offers classes in a variety of lengths. There are five different sessions available to choose from, ranging from three to 12 weeks in. length. The first summer session at UC Berkeley begins on May 21, 2012. The application process for the classes begins in February, with Douglas College students having priority registration beginning on February 6. Douglas students wishing to attend must be in “good” academic standing— with a minimum of a 2.0 GPA. The estimated fees for taking a six-week session at the University are approximately $5,236 USD. For more information on registering for classes at Berkeley this summer, contact Gail Johnson in the International Office (room 2800, New -West campus) by email (johnsong@ douglascollege.ca) or phone (604-527- 5412).