Other Press

October 19, 1994

So what changes if any can we expect in the mundane lives of Douglas College students? Well apparently student loans are fi- nally coming through. For all of you broke, penniless students that is arelief. And there is yet a Student Union Building that we are supposed to be seeing soon. But when? No word on Safewalk as of yet, but hopefully that is still coming. While midterms are soon on their way, we feel a few more changes could be made;

Take the library for instance. What is the library seating ca- pacity? Many students have complained of a lack of space to study. Others have voiced concerns regarding not the space for studying but the quality. Downstairs, in what is known as the “Quiet Study” area, is actually “The Talking Place.” And for those who think upstairs is any better, think again. Upstairs there are rooms designated as “Study Rooms”.

However, if you want to study out loud or discuss group projects, or happen to accidentally laugh, burp, or fart the room next door can hear everything. Isn’t that comforting? So how the HELL are you supposed to study?

You have several options. You can try and find a classroom that isn’t occupied by aclass. Good luck, most rooms if they’re not being used, will eventually be used, meaning you will get kicked out.

You can try sitting in the halls, but chances are you’ ll probably get stepped on or mistaken as a trash can. You could try the concourse but it’s getting cold these days and you may catch one while you’ re checking out the crowd, in between studying of course (whatever you’ re studying). You could go outside, that’s if you think you can stand the cold and prevent your papers from flying away. But what do you do when it gets dark, bring a flash- light? Or you could try the lower deli, if you don’t mind the mess, or hearing chomping in the background. But when you finally do get your peace and quiet, it’s time for security to lock the place

up.

of your family, the TV, the stereo, or whatever entertainment you have at home that everyone’s keeping themselves occupied with.

School is a place of learning and studying is part of the learn- ing process so we students should have a place to hit the books.

Wednesday, October 19, 1994

The Other Press is Douglas College's autonomous student newspaper since 1976. We publish to serve the students of Douglas College with a newspa- per that informs them of things happening at the college, across Canada, and around the world that affect them. The Other Press is a member of Canadian University Press and subscribe to its collective statement of principles. We also aim to give the college and community a chance to write and express themselves. We want to be an interesting read. If we're not doing any or all of these things to your satisfaction, please let us know. You can mail a letter to us at Box 2503, New Westminster, BC, V3L 5B2, or drop it off in our mail slot at Room 1020, or you can fax us at 527-5095, or you can call us at 525-3542. We like you... come visit.

Contributors this issue

Angela Choitakos Subotnick, Paul Andrew, Trent Earnst, Ken Spittel, Tammy Coombes, Bert C. Ennah, Niki Townsend, Chad Iverson, Jim Irving, Marcel Martin, Marnie, Zac Kremler, Patti McLellan, Kevin Long, Elaine Leong

Coordinating Staff

Production — Charlotte Holst * News — Tony Sousa * Features — Holly Keyes * Sports — vacant (Candice Lee acting) * Arts & Entertainment — Jason Kurylo « Editorial & Opinion — Ronnie Bains *« Photography — vacant (Zeebo acting) * Graphics — Daniela Zanatta * Creative - — Jyoti Kapdee ¢

Employees Advertising and Accounting — Marion Drakos ° Production Resource — vacant (Scott Simmer interim) « Editorial Resource — vacant ¢

If you're interested in helping out with the creation of this publication, we encourage you to come to the Other Press office, or phone 525-3542.

‘Fd, Sey

Graphic by Kevin Long

WELL, BUDDY... YOURE RIGHT! Ts ZS BETTER THAN THE

REGULAK TAP WALTER... ee

menor a oo 5%

3 .

Idiots everywhere!

I’m sic of you idiots and these are some of the things I take comfort in: 1) I take comfort in knowing that I can go to the library to study and listen to people talk in annoying hushed tones (does the sign “Absolute Quiet” fall on deaf ears? pun intended). 2) I take comfort in knowing that when I want to sit at a study carrel in the library, most of the @#>!$ chairs have been absconded by the inconsiderate sub-human life forms in the study rooms. 3) I take comfort in knowing that when I want to just run off one copy, the “swell” person ahead of me wants to sharpen their copyright infringement skill.

4) I take comfort in knowing that the

guy who sits in the back of the class and has to always talk about himself is actually suffering from S.P.S (small pe- nis syndrome) and is undergoing therapy for it.

5) I take comfort in knowing that the people using the pay phones for hours upon end just had the battery in their cell tel. die, and just gotta get that do or

die phone call home in. (I actually heard someone phone home to ensure that

Melrose Place was being taped, and when it apparently wasn’t, freaked out. New Westminster High School is just up the road, Babe!)

6) I take comfort in knowing that there are lots of lazy people in school who are fooled by the round yellow sticker that says “Automatic (Caution) Door.” I thought that automatic doors were just that, not ones that you had to activate by pushing a red button (usually with a foot) and then standing and waiting for the doors to open sufficiently in order to squeeze through.

7) I take comfort in knowing that the people whose showers are hooked up to their favorite perfume/cologne are actually olfactory impaired, and don’t intentionally make us gag and throw- up the cafeteria’s overpriced sludge.

8) I take comfort in knowing that the Other Press is the best student rag out there. You guys are the best (I figure if I kiss ass hard enough, Ya'll be so flat- tered that this letter will actually get printed).

Isn’t it nice to know that in this hec- tic world, you can still take comfort in being a student? Courtesy, a student’s way of saying “Fuck You.”

Sic of you Idiots

The above is a spoof on the “Eggs” commercial that you hear on the radio. (As if people with your intellectual bril- liance didn't know that. [This is] more ass kissing, ya gotta run this baby. I wrote it when I should have been studying!!!)

Province article makes one mourn and consider death

penalty

This is in regards to the article in Sunday’s paper titled Mourner’s also furious with the system.

As I have followed the three day ordeal dealt with by Surrey residents, and the parents of the murdered girl, I have mourned too. I found myself ques- tioning the safety of the city I know and love. As I was reading the article I became angry at the mere thought’s of bringing back the death penalty. I am sure I know why people are saying this. The pain and anger that the parent’s and residents must feel is irreversable. Although this statement to bring back the death penalty, or capital punish- ment is clearly uneducated and an in- sult to the criminal justice system. This kind of vigilante, barbaric, sentencing was taken out for a reason that I am assuming these people do not know. Unfortunately there is nothing anyone can do to bring this wonderful, giving, young lady back, and for this we as a society cannot show that the same bru- tal sentence that took this young ladies life should take another in the name of Law. The Death penalty does not de- ter people from commiting murder, in fact in California their homicide rate is higher. How we punish our criminals is how we view ourselves and our soci- ety. For all involved don’t count on seeing this man sentenced to die, and perhaps do some research to gain valu- able knowledge on how our Criminal Justice System works before making vendictive statements out of anger, and revenge. I for one do not want to get what these people are wishing for!

A Douglas College Criminology Student And a Concerned Canadian

C MacKay

Douglas gives but SFU will be helpful

Dear Other Press:

As a student of Douglas off and on between 1982 and 1989, I have grown to like Douglas College for the most part, and enjoy returning here when business or studies have necessitated it.

I recently entered SFU full time, and as I was in the area of Douglas, came here to read a court case for an

assignment. I did not think this to

be a prob thelem, as I. am a former student, long time taxpayer, and don’t spend my library time talking like many of the people when I was here. ;

After doing my assignment and finding a book I needed for some re- search, I started reading, but due to a herniated disc in my back not re- sponding well to the uncomfortable chairs in the library, I asked the li- brarian if I could leave her some ID and my briefcase and read in one of the areas of the college that are more comfortable. In light of this being needed due to a temporary but le- gitimate handicap, I didn’t believe this to be an unreasonable request.

To my surprise, she initially declined. I was not surprised at her rudeness because in all my time at Douglas, I found almost everyone from the Registrar., library, and other departments of the college to be petty, rude little bureaucrats, wrapped up in their own little power trip of how much they could incon- venience the “little people” at their mercy.

After further explanation on my part, she allowed this huge privilege,

’ but when she saw my SFU student

card, said “Oh well you’ re not even one of ours. It is a popular book and other people wouldn’t get to use it.” She said I could use one of the spin-around chairs more suited to Playland than for a back injury.

The fact of the matter is that if I am reading it in the college library, or on the moon, no one else will be reading it, and I made it clear that it would be still in the college, and re- turned well before closing, 1 hour from then. Furthermore, no matter what the cause ,visibility, or dura- tion of a person’s handicap, no one has the right to deny as simple a request as reading a book in a chair that won’t aggravate a painful in- jury. The fact that I am not a cur- rent student here is irrelevant, un- less that means Douglas College stu- dents won’t be using the SFU fa- cilities anymore. It was a quiet night for the staff, and her response to a simple issue is completely unrea- sonable. She did give mea nice lec- ture on the difference between a handicap and a disability though.

I can only encourage students not to give up hope in the face of all the petty little bureaucrats here, because when you get to SFU (if you can get in), you will find they are very helpful, and actually glad to see you.

Best of luck, and don’t let em’ get you down..

Sincerely,

D.J. Lawrence