Issue 13 Final

Muse

The

Volume 59 Number 13 January 15, 2008

The money issue the money issue the money The money issue the money issue the money The money issue the money issue the money The money issue the money issue the money The money issue the money issue the money The money issue the money issue the money The money issue the money issue the money The money issue the money issue the money The money issue the money issue the money The money issue the money issue the money The money issue the money issue the money The money issue the money issue the money The money issue the money issue the money The money issue the money issue the money The money issue the money issue the money The money issue the money issue the money The money issue the money issue the money The money issue the money issue the money The money issue the money issue the money The money issue the money issue the money The money issue the money issue the money The money issue the money issue the money The money issue the money issue the money The money issue the money issue the money The money issue the money issue the money The money issue the money issue the money The money issue the money issue the money The money issue the money issue the money The money issue the money issue the money The money issue the money issue the money The money issue the money issue the money The money issue the money issue the money The money issue the money issue the money

Broke?

The coMUNdrum: N.L.’s high debt and low tuition See $news p. 3

Lovers in an economically dangerous time $opinions, p. 7

Even sports isn’t recession-proof See $sports p. 15

Stay in school, kids See $feature, p. 8

Cover Photo by Chad Young , Illustration by Elsa Morena



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NEWS

Jan. 15, 2009

www.themuse.ca

MUNSU lowers signature expectations for petition Director external optimistic about eliminating loan interest despite economic downturn By Kenny Sharpe

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he MUN Students’ Union has decreased its goal of 20,000 signatures on a petition for student loan interest elimination to be presented to the provincial government. “At this point I think we have a count of about 7,000, which is positive,” said Cameron Campbell, external affairs director for the MUN Students’ Union (MUNSU). “Our goal is to collect between 5 and 10,000 signatures so we have already surpassed or are going to meet our expectations.” Campbell says that over the next couple of weeks the bulk of petitions should be collected, boosting the overall number of signatures to be presented. MUNSU’s meeting with Minister of Education Joan Burke is tentatively slated for the end of this month. C a mpb el l hop e s t he message of the petition will be incorporated into this year’s provincial budget. “As long as [the signatures] are in before the budget consultation is wrapped up, we’re OK. We obviously want to be able to get in there beforehand. We don’t want to hand [the petitions] in after the money is all gone.” “We’re pretty optimistic about it, and we hope that in the midst of all this financial crisis that we are still remembered and that students aren’t left behind,” said Campbell. Eliminating the interest on provincial portions of Newfoundland and Labrador student loans would cost about 0.5 per cent of the province’s surplus for 2008. In h is pre-budget a r y

consultation, provincial Finance Minister Jerome Kennedy noted the readiness of the provincial economy despite the global economic downturn.  “We face a unique situation as we prepare for this year’s budget,” he said. “While we are projecting our fourth consecutive surplus for the fiscal year 2008-09, we are currently in the midst of a global economic downturn. Our province is well-positioned to weather the economic uncertainty, however, we have seen some effects, particularly in our mining and forestry sectors…and will continue to be impacted by low oil prices.” Julian Benedict from the Vancouver-based Coalition for Student Loan Fairness says that students in this province still face high interest rates at the federal level. “Of course when you get a loan in Newfoundland, 60 per cent of it is federal, and the federal government are not reducing interest rates on these loans. So people in Newfoundland are still going to get hit with interest rates on the federal portion of their loans.” Still, Benedict applauds the effort made by the students in this province and urges students across the country to become active on the issue. “We are encouraging people to speak to their member of parliament as well as the Canada loan system and let people know in writing that they want the system to be more cost effective for students.” “As usual,” he said. “It seems that Newfoundland and Labrador is showing the rest of Canada how to proceed and address student debt.”

The

Muse

A MUN Students’ Union petition advocating the abolishment of student loan interest will be going to government with about half as many signatures as expected. Ken MacLeod

Thursday, Jan 15, 2009 Volume 59, Number 13

Phone: 737 8919 Fax: 737 7536 Email: [email protected] Web: www.themuse.ca Office: UC-2002

Staff

Board of Directors

Editor-in-Chief Kerri Breen [email protected]

Arts Editor Sarah King [email protected]

Photo Editor Chad Young [email protected]

Systems Administrator Chad Young [email protected]

Human Resources Justin Madol [email protected]

News Editor Ian MacDonald [email protected]

Sports Editor Jon Dykeman [email protected]

Senior Photographer Ken MacLeod [email protected]

Webmaster Alex Gillis

Design Asst. Adam Puddicombe

[email protected]

Distribution Barry Ross Madhu Pinto

Features Editor Production Manager Submissions Editor Nathan Downey Elsa Morena Krysta Fitzpatrick [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] Copy Editor Zaren White [email protected]

Science Editor Ashley Lockyer [email protected]

Senior Reporter Kenny Sharpe [email protected]

Business Manager Brad Stone

Kerri Breen Brad Stone Noreen Golfman John Gushue Cameron Campbell Phil Howell Courtney Barbour

Contributors

Advertising

Natalie Holden, Courtney Barbour

Phone: 737 6161 Email: [email protected] Fax: 737 7536 Multimarket advertising Campus Plus Phone: 1 800 265 5372 Web: www.campusplus.com

[email protected]

[email protected] Asst. Business Manager Kathryn Curran

The Muse is a member of Canadian University Press (CUP). Established in 1950 as a successor to the Memorial Times (est. 1936), it distributes 12,000 copies weekly and is published by The Muse Publications Inc. The Muse reserves the right to edit copy for length, profanity, content, grammatical errors and material that is unfairly discriminatory or which contravenes Canadian libel laws. Opinions expressed in The Muse are not necessarily those of the staff, MUNSU, the Board of Directors, or the administration of Memorial University. Material within is copyright The Muse and its contributors, 2006. Permission is given for any member CUP paper to reproduce (giggady) and alter material for publication so long as the original intent is not altered. The Muse is printed by Transcontinental.

Jan. 15, 2009

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NEWS

N.L. student debt prevails despite low tuition



CFS-NL casts critical eye on backend funding strategies By Ian MacDonald

A

s tuition fees rise across the country, student debt continues to grow. But this province continues to pump out graduates with high debt levels despite having some of the lowest tuition in the country. In 2006, the most recent data available, over half of Canadian post-second a r y st udent s graduated with some form of debt. The average amount they owed at the end of a four-year bachelor’s program was $24,047, according to the Millennium Scholarship Foundation. Newfoundland and Labrador has gone against the national trend as student debt and the cost of tuition has decreased. According to a report given to government from the Canadian Federation of Students (CFS), the province’s undergraduate debt has dropped from $30,000 to about $26,000 over the last 10 years. Daniel Smith, regional chairperson for the CFS in Newfoundland and Labrador, says the falling debt is a result of government’s willingness to work with the student movement. “Since we’ve had the freezes and tuition fee reductions and such, things have been coming down.” The debt, however, is still higher than the national average. When compared to other provinces that have similar upfront strategies such as grants and low tuition, N.L. students come out deeper in the red than most.

Manitoba also has a tuition fee freeze and reduction strategy, but students shell out $600 more than MUN’s undergraduates for tuition. According to a report on Manitoban student debt by the Millennium Foundation, graduates in 2006 came out of school owing $14,000 − $12,000 less than N.L. students. Smith places the blame on rural students having to move to St. John’s or Corner Brook for their education. “Even though we have low tuition fees, we still have students who are high in need in the province,” said Smith. “Anyone who’s coming from Twillingate, St. Anthony, any of these places, is taking on that extra cost to go to school. They don’t have the opportunity to live and study at home.” He also says that students from other provinces − attracted by the initial low cost of tuition − come here and plunge into debt due to living expenses. A 2008 report released by the Educational Policy Institute says that the decreased debt has more to do with the type of backend or post-graduation reduction methods the CFS has been known to speak against. The publication says that by combining provincial and federal tax credits in Manitoba, undergraduates can wind up being paid $50 per year for their education. Smith says this is only the case if things go perfectly for the

student. “I would find that a bit skeptical,” said Smith. “The [Manitoba] student movement is a bit pissed off with what their government has been doing; I would be shocked to find out if that was the case.” He says that the downfall of backend programs is their inability to be beneficial to all parties, leaving those who don’t meet their criteria to fall between the cracks. Nova Scotia has also introduced backend tax credits as a way of trying to help out students. Although tuition is much higher on average, Nova Scotia graduates are $3,000 better off than those from Memorial, according to the Globe and Mail. “Sure it will help some people on the backend, it will help the people who make the most money on the backend, but it doesn’t proportionally impact everybody the same.” Whether or not backend methods reduce the average amount undergrads have to pay back, Smith says the main problem is the inability of these policies to open doors for potential students. He says by having higher initial fees people with less cash have a harder time getting in to universities to begin with. “Just picture yourself 18 years old just about to start university and your mother or father looks at you and says ‘Don’t worry about the cost of education you’ll save it on the backend.’”

A new www.muse. ca coming soon. we promise.



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NEWS

MUNSU and MUN bookstore team up against expensive books

Memorial’s Students’ Union aims to lower students’ expenses by pressuring profs to use cheaper textbooks. Ken MacLeod

WE HAVE THE CAREERS

YOU HAVE THE OPPORTUNITIES

NOUS AVONS LES CARRIÈRES

VOUS AVEZ LES POSSIBILITÉS

The Canadian Forces offer you over 100 full- and part-time job opportunities in stimulating environments.

Les Forces canadiennes vous proposent plus de 100 possibilités d’emploi à temps plein et partiel dans un environnement des plus stimulants.

• A wide range of careers in professional fields and technical trades • Paid tuition, books and equipment • Guaranteed employment after graduation • Training and education programs throughout your career • Opportunities to work close to home and abroad

• Un vaste choix de carrières dans des domaines professionnels et techniques • Les frais de scolarité, les manuels et le matériel scolaire payés • Un emploi assuré à la fin de vos études • Des programmes de formation tout au long de votre carrière • La possibilité de travailler près de chez vous ou à l’étranger

Come and meet one of our recruiters.

Venez rencontrer un agent de recrutement.

WHEN: Wednesday, January 21, from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. WHERE: Memorial University, Administration Building,

QUAND : Mercredi 21 janvier, de 18 h à 20 h OÙ : Memorial University, Administration Building,

FIGHT WITH THE CANADIAN FORCES

COMBATTEZ AVEC LES FORCES CANADIENNES

room 1043, Elizabeth Avenue, St. John's

WWW.FORCES.CA

bureau 1043, Avenue Elizabeth, St. John's

1-800-856-8488

JOIN US ENGAGEZ-VOUS

By Kenny Sharpe

R

yan Marshall, director of advocacy of the MUN Student’s Union hopes to draw attention to high textbook costs with a new campaign called Be Book Smart. One of its objectives is to reach out to those professors who don’t take book price into consideration when they select their course texts. Marshall says that professors can play a major role in helping to reduce the amount a student has to pay for their course materials by paying more attention to the products they select. “Professors should be most involved in this campaign, along with the students. Professors have the last word and the final say as to what goes on the bookstore shelf.” The campaign is a partnership between MUN Students’ Union (MUNSU) and the university bookstore. The bookstore is distributing bookmarks that list facts about book pricing and what can be done to reduce it. The Be Book Smart bookmark reads that textbook prices have increased by an average rate of 280 per cent the rate of inflation. Marshall says that while inflation has added to the issue of soaring book costs, the main problem comes from unnecessary publishing practices by many of the presses that print the texts

Jan. 15, 2009

www.themuse.ca

needed on that never-ending book list. “On the publishing side of things, we have an issue with bundling. You know, where you get your textbook, and you get your supplementary issue, and you get your CD. I have had students come to me and say that they don’t need all these tools.” Marshall says another unnecessary practice by publishers is pumping out new editions of a text year after year because a few chapters have been changed around or a graph or two has been added. He says that while buying older editions at second-hand prices is sometimes an option, some professors would rather not push this alternative. “[A] professor told me that they can’t recommend older editions because oftentimes older editions aren’t available anymore, and you can’t expect every student to find a second-hand copy.” The cost of books influenced sociology undergrad Jillian McHugh’s decision to drop a course. “I was registered for a certain course and then I went to the bookstore to find out that the text would have cost me about $150. So what did I do? I dropped the course.” Marshall says that this is just the beginning of the Be Book Smart campaign and that it can only gain momentum in the future.

Jan. 15, 2009

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NEWS

Since you’ve been gone



A roundup of campus news from the break By Ian MacDonald and Kenny Sharpe

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hile everyone was home boozing with family and enjoying turkey, life on campus was pretty boring. But some important stuff did go down.

Per-course instructors and MUN reach agreement The Lecturers’ Union of MUN (LUMUN), which represents all per-course instructors at the university, has reached its first tentative agreement with administration. The deal promises LUMUN members a four year plan, increasing pay eight per cent in year one, then four per cent a year for the next three years. A vote to ratify the agreement will take place sometime this week.

Study says school costs are down

A report released by the Educational Policy Institute, a non-profit education study organization, shows that nationwide post-secondary costs aren’t growing like many think. The sticker price of tuition has been continually rising in almost every province, which has been the focus of a number of debates surrounding the cost of education. The report takes this sticker price and uses inflation and government relief for students to calculate, what they call Everybody’s Net Tuition (ENT). According to the ENT, Canada’s tuition has only increased $230 since 2000. Once broken down on a provincial basis, things look a bit different. The report says that while Manitoba is actually giving students a free education now, due to “enormous increases in tax rebates,” British Columbia has seen an increase of around 60 per cent. While tax credits have been decreasing in Newfoundland, the ENT is still 35 per cent less than

it was eight years ago, putting $896 back into the pockets of students.

Temelini is da man Readers of the Scope have named MUN political science professor Michael Temelini the best professor in St. John’s. The Best Of St. John’s poll allowed voters to nominate who, or what, they thought made up the city’s best of the best. Topics ranged from the best new restaurant – Pi – to the best boat tour – O’Brien’s Whale and Birds Tour.

prototypes. The clickers allow faculty to ask students a set list of multiple response questions and the students answer with their clickers. The information is tallied, almost instantly, and results can be displayed for learning purposes. Which clicker technology MUN will select for its campuses has yet to be decided, and Distance Education has set up a brief survey to gather feedback on the initiative. The survey can be found at www. distance.mun.ca/clickers.php

Campbell promotes Remember Millionaire’s staff opting out of pay fastest finger? stubs Well, not quite. Memorial University may soon be implementing new clicker technology that will put students on the spot. In early December, faculty at Memorial’s St. John’s, Marine Institute, and Grenfell campuses tested some clicker

Acting President Eddy Campbell recorded a brief holiday greeting full of paper-reducing joy. In his video, Campbell personally urges faculty and staff to opt out of receiving paper pay stubs in an attempt to add to the university’s sustainability.

Campbell goes through the process of opting out step-by-step. As of December 2008, roughly 14 per cent of Memorial’s work force had opted for the paperless way, with about 4,400 employees still receiving pay stubs every two weeks.

Tapping back into tap water Various groups and officials at the university are looking at the possibility of banning bottled water from campus. The move sprouts from similar action taken at other universities across the country. Critics denounce the use of bottled water, citing the environmental concerns from packaging and processing. Campaigns director with the MUN Students’ Union, Melissa Penney, says in addition to those concerns, purchasing bottled water means that we are doubting our “far superior” public water systems.

UNIVERSITY COUNSELLING CENTRE ACADEMIC WORKSHOP OFFERINGS WINTER SEMESTER 2009 Effective Reading and Study Skills Workshop (5 week duration) Round 1: Starts Tuesday, January 27, 2009 Time Slot 16 (Tuesday & Thursday @ 12:00 noon) Round 2: Starts Monday, March 2, 2009 Time Slot 4 (Monday & Wednesday @ 11:00 a.m.) Writing Term Papers and Essays Workshop (4 week duration) Starts Monday, January 26, 2009

Time Management Skills Workshop (2 week duration) Round 1: Starts Monday, January 26, 2009 Time Slot 7 (Monday & Wednesday @ 2:00 p.m.) Round 2: Starts Tuesday, March 3, 2009 Time Slot 19 (Tuesday & Thursday @ 2:00 p.m.) Oral Presentation Workshop (one-day workshop) Date: Wednesday, February 18, 2009 3:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m.

Time Slot 5 (Monday & Wednesday @ 12:00 noon) To register, drop by the University Centre, Room 5000, or call 7378874. www.mun.ca/counselling

Aquarena Tim Hortons Re-Opening!

Friday, January 16, 2009 Now serving sandwiches, soups, chili and specialty teas!



NEWS

{ MacEwan maxes out tuition increases

Jan. 15, 2009

www.themuse.ca

By Justin Bell, Intercamp

E

DMONTON (CUP) – Tuition fees for students at Grant MacEwan College in Edmonton, Alta. will rise next year by 4.1 per cent – the maximum allowed by the provincial government. The decision was made at the Dec. 11 college board of governors meeting. The provincial government sets the maximum allowable for tuition increases and ties it to the Consumer Price Index. The increase was a necessary step to ensure the college has adequate funding for the future, says Cathryn Heslep, MacEwan’s vice president of student services.

“We’re still in the process of asking for degree money. We’ve got our science degree and the board has approved the communications degree. Anytime we’re asking for money, we have to be cognizant that when the government gives you opportunities to generate revenue, you have to take advantage of that, if you will.” Heslep also says if the college doesn’t move to the maximum allowable, they can’t make that up in future years. With the economy taking a turn for the worse, it could mean substantially smaller tuition increases in the future. “In terms of the college budget, we know that we are going to be at considerable reduction to the maximum allowable.”

CORRECTION

In “Government Adds Fire to Autonomy Flames” (the Muse, Vol. 59, Issue 11) The Muse incorrectly indentified Gerry Byrne, Member of Parliament as an appointee to MUN’s Board of Regents. In fact, it was Jerry Byrne, president of the DFB group who was appointed. The Muse regrets the error and apologizes for any inconvenience.

Jan. 15, 2009

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EDITORIAL

Crisis shmisis While sitting down to write articles for this special money issue, I realized one thing: I’m utterly sick of hearing about the global financial crisis. It seems as though for months all I’ve been hearing are steadily worsening reports of how fucked we all are. If I, as a semi-hardened member of the press, am finding myself depressed by all of this bad news, I can only imagine the mood of the general readership. The fact of the matter is the media looks to big stories like the financial crisis as a way to sell newspapers, or to generate online traffic, whatever the case may be. I’m not saying that what the media is reporting isn’t true – it is. I’m saying that it’s important when inundated by gloomy reports such as these to examine the whole issue for yourself and base judgments

on the facts themselves. When viewed from a different angle, it’s even possible to find a silver lining in the economic slump that we will face. First of all, we’re all doing basically the right thing: Staying in school. The time, money, and effort that we expend here at Memorial could pay real dividends when we enter a shrinking job market. Banks may be reluctant to extend credit to newly minted graduates, but that will prevent us from racking up more debt in the form of car and home loans in a hostile economic climate. Each financial decision we make will have to be done with prudence and careful consideration. Moreover, the economy won’t stay bad forever, particularly in Newfoundland and Labrador. When commodity prices rise –

and think about it, they have to – the province has the potential to enjoy a period of unprecedented prosperity. The lessons we will learn in times of financial hardship will serve us well in fair weather as well. Money management, frugality, wisdom about the hazards of frivolous spending – all these insights will benefit us when the world economy kicks back into gear. While job markets may be tight and competitive in the short term, looming labor shortages – or limitless opportunities for employment, depending on your perspective – lurk on the horizon. With baby boomers retiring in droves, positions will become vacant, and opportunities for



Mouth Off advancement will become available. Sticking around here at school will actually be a great investment down the road. I’m not telling you to delude yourselves into thinking the economic slump will be easy. News reports about the world economy going down the toilet will keep on coming, and they will all be true. In order to preserve our collective sanity, it’s important to consider the whole issue. It’s not delusional to think that staying in school is the best thing to do in times like these. Nor is it delusional to hold on to the hope that this recession will not last forever, and that we may come out on the other side of it for the better. Nathan Downey

By Krysta Fitzpatrick and Ken MacLeod

Are you concerned about the economic crisis?

Carisa Collins Second-year psychology Yeah, five people at my work got laid off because of it.

Recession-proof your sex life Dash Malone Fourth-year religious studies No, because I plan to abandon ship sooner rather than later. I’m going back to South Asia after I get my degree for more lucrative work.

Chris Bruce Third-year political science Barack Obama is my opium.

Ken MacLeod

The Loch Sex Monster By Krysta Fitzpatrick

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reat sex can be pricey. And I’m not referring to how much some people spend on highclass hookers. A romantic dinner, lingerie, contraceptives, lubricants, sex toys, hell, even just dinner and a movie to charm someone, can cost more than the average student can afford these days. Here are some tips to maintain a healthy sex life without breaking the bank. Let’s start with basic dating. Dinner at a nice place and a movie afterward can be pricey. However, it can still be done affordably without resorting to Big Macs. Fog City, for instance, is an affordable restaurant right in the Avalon Mall (so you won’t have to make two trips) and when you eat there, you and your date can each purchase movie tickets for

half price. Not a bad deal. Still out of your price range? There are a lot of great affordable and sometimes free things to do around town on a date. The Rooms is free to visit on Wednesday nights and the first Saturday of each month. Though it may sound nerdy, museums can be a lot of fun. Plus there’s a little restaurant and snack bar so you can grab a coffee. Also, don’t overlook the classic date of staying home, popping some popcorn, and watching a scary movie. If one of you owns a good scary movie then there goes the cost of renting one. Nothing is better for a date than turning the lights down low and cuddling together during the scariest scenes. Plus, it’s almost free. More romantic evenings and special occasions can be pricey. If you want to plan something nice that involves lighting candles,

throwing on some lingerie, and breaking out the sex toys, it can often cost a pretty penny. However, there are ways to pull this off without maxing out your credit card. First of all, don’t waste your money buying those fancy scented candles at Wicker Emporium. At Dollarama (a frugal shopper’s bff) you can get a bunch of candles for a few bucks. Lingerie, on the other hand, can be tricky. Sure, we all want the cute little outfits from La Senza, and sometimes we get lucky and they’re on sale, but for those less fortunate days there is always Wal-Mart. Wal-Mart and other department stores have some great lingerie finds for a fraction of the price that you might find at a fancier store. Do you really think any guy is going to want to check the brand name on your g-string anyways?

But what about the sex toys? I don’t know if you’ve been into Our Pleasure lately, but that stuff isn’t cheap. The most economical ways to buy sex toys and lube is actually online. We b s i t e s such as healthyandactive.com have all sorts of great discount sex toys. And more importantly, shipping costs are usually pretty minimal. As for sexual safety on a budget, well that might be the easiest. A lot of students who are living on their own cannot afford monthly birth control or condoms, but there are solutions. Places like Planned Parenthood (the N.L Sexual Health Centre) offer affordable birth control and free condoms. So unless you have Heidi Fleiss on speed dial, having a great sex life doesn’t have to cost a bundle. Like almost everything else in life, sex can be done on the cheap.

Mallory Chafe Third-year French A little, but I’m not following it enough to be concerned.

Maggie Hyslop Fifth-year English Not really. I don’t have any money to begin with. Poor is poor.



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FEATURE

Jan. 15, 2009

www.themuse.ca

Managing your money in a recessi How students can deal with the financial challenges of the current economic downturn By Kevin Schulz, The Manitoban

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INNIPEG (CUP) – The traditional benefits of the university experience have often come at a steep financial price. Scrimping, borrowing, and penny-pinching have long been the staples of an average postsecondary student’s life. But not since our grandparents and great-grandparents struggled through the Great Depression has the young generation inherited such a gloomy and dire economic global condition. While the recent market slump will not directly affect most students, Janice Compton, a University of Manitoba professor of economics, warns that if these negative trends continue, Canada’s economy could enter into a nasty downward spiral where many financial institutions and private businesses will completely clam up and further restrict their already tight lending and spending policies. “It’s going to be harder and harder for students to get credit . . . so when you want to get a car or something else that’s big, it’s going to be really tight to get the [money]

Managing and limiting student debt With the global and national economy in such dire straits, many university students may find that they need assistance to help cover the cost of tuition or to pay for their rent and groceries. But in light of the predicted large-scale job losses, banks and credit card providers have become increasingly selective in giving out loans. As an alternative, many banks and credit card providers have also increased their interest rates substantially in an attempt to recoup some of their losses. For this reason, Compton stresses that while credit cards can be beneficial for students looking to establish a credit rating, the key is in establishing a great credit rating by using your credit card both prudently and responsibly. “Using a credit card to establish

you need,” Compton said. All of this troubling economic information culminates into what fellow U of M economics professor Robert Lobdell calls a “situation that is unprecedented in many of our lifetimes.” “It’s something that everyone should be concerned about,” said Lobdell. Despite these claims, Lobdell notes that the economy has endured some very rough patches in the past, and somehow, it has always come back stronger on the other side of trouble. Lobdell also believes that students should not panic, but rather seek guidance and take it one step at a time. “The first thing every student should do is go get some solid advice. Don’t do anything in haste; just take a step back and a deep breath”. In attempting to find this solid financial advice, it is important that young people consult a number of sources. Unfortunately, many students are either unaware of where they need to look, or they do not have the time necessary to seek out the advice that they need. From speaking with a number

of experts in the economics and business professions, the following presents some of the key recessionproof tips and hints that students should keep in mind.

credit can be very helpful for students, you just have to be very careful,” he said. “It’s really important for students that they don’t just make [the minimum payments], but that they are paying their bill off in full every month.” Despite the potential benefits of credit card use, professor Lobdell feels that the risk of racking up a huge debt greatly outweighs the positives and suggests that students look instead towards either local credit unions or the government for financial assistance. “Credit cards are just so dangerous so I think you are much better off to go to a credit union or to apply for a student loan,” he said. “The student loan business is a lot better than it’s made out to be and credit unions really try to make your life better and are also more flexible [than the big banks].” Barry Stone, the acting director of the Financial Aids and Awards

office at the University of Manitoba strongly encourages young people to consider applying for a Canadian government student loan and firmly believes that a student loan is the best financial assistance option available to university students. “The government student loan is almost always financially better for students because to start, there is a very low rate and secondly, as long as the student stays in school, the rate stays the same and there is no obligation for them to pay off their debt,” Stone said. Stone also addressed the issue of how applying for a student loan is perceived by some students to be time-consuming and complicated. “From talking to students, we have found that a lot of them are going towards private credit lines, because from what I have heard, many of them feel that the student loan process is complicated and cumbersome, but I think a lot

Invest in skills and education According to Compton, choosing to make a greater investment in skills and education (or what is known as human capital) is among the smartest decisions a student can make when encountering a poor economic climate. Compton believes that in an ultra-competitive environment where the supply of jobs in the marketplace is low, but the demand for work opportunities is high, any extra degree, accreditation, or relevant work experience on your resumé will be extremely helpful for being hired for the job you want. “There have been studies done that show that for students coming out of school and looking for their first job in a time of recession, they actually come out at the very bottom, and unfortunately, you might not ever catch up. So, I think that the priority should be on your education. Students

should invest in their human capital because the big issue for students right now is when they go to graduate, everything has tightened up and there will be a lot of competition for jobs.” “The best thing students can do right now is to just stay in school. If you are thinking about grad school, it’s a really good time to go to grad school. If you feel like you need to graduate and get a job, consider coming back to do a night course, because it’s a really good time to improve [your resumé],” Compton said. Murray Baker, the acclaimed best-selling author of The DebtFree Graduate, agrees with Compton on the importance of enhancing your human capital and jokes that, “When the going gets tough, the tough go to grad school.” However, Baker also stresses that the competitive job market won’t just affect recent graduates but also those university students looking for relevant part-time work or full-time summer jobs. “There will be fewer jobs out there this year, especially the really good ones that everyone wants. My recommendation is to start looking for summer jobs

early. The tendency is to wait until the spring, but in these tough economic times I think it’s best to start looking for jobs even over the Christmas holidays.” Baker has advice on how eager job-hunting students can begin their search for summer jobs over the winter break. “When you are at home together with your family, start talking about your goals and begin asking your aunt or uncle if there will be any summer job openings at their work that you could apply for. The Christmas break is a great time to go through the networking process, and once you discover any job openings, start applying for them right away,” Baker said. The ongoing global financial meltdown also presents students with certain realities. In a world where post-secondary education is often very costly, and where there is now a limited opportunity to find well paying part-time work to pay for it, sometimes student debt is inevitable. A key to successfully surviving a global economic crisis is not necessarily to avoid student debt altogether, but rather to get the best deals on loans so you can limit what you owe.

of that is perception. Of course, things could always be more streamlined, but we are working on that, and we will work with students every step of the way to help them get the aid they need.” “Plus, with the new online and electronic programs that we have, the student loan process can actually be quite seamless,” Stone added. “We are here to help the students.” David Domes, the manager of the Sanford Credit Union in Manitoba, accepts that government student loans are often the safest and most practical choice for students, but points out that most credit unions have plans in place for students to receive further assistance when their government loans are still not enough to cover all of their costs. “Where student government loans sometimes have zero per cent interest for now, and we and other credit unions have very low rates, with a credit card,

you’re looking at 18 to 25 per cent interest and maybe even more,” said Domes. “I think the student loan is still the best option available to students as long as it meets their needs. Beyond that, we have a student loan special for our members, where we will top up their Canadian governmental student loans and we have subsidized rates that really cater to our students’ needs.” Finding the financial assistance plan that’s right for you is often a critical step in helping you enhance your human capital. But along with nearly every other matter pertaining to your economic well-being, finding the plan that fits your needs takes a lot of foresight and planning. Carefully budgeting your finances and planning ahead are both especially important in a recessionary period, when your expenses are rising, but resources are often harder to come by.

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FEATURE



ion, the post-secondary edition

Budgeting, planning, budget i ng , a nd planning There are different methods that can be used to budget your finances, but the basic idea is to accurately record all of your expected expenses over an allotted timeframe, versus your expected income over that same timeframe. You can then work out a plan on how you are going to cover the difference. “It’s more important now than ever to think ahead and really

have a solid game plan with your finances, and the reason I’m such a big advocate of budgeting and planning ahead is because it prevents forced error,” Baker said. “When you don’t start out the school year with a solid plan, then you may find out at the beginning of March that you have run out of money, and then with exams and things, it can become a real scramble.” Baker believes students should plan to leave a significant portion of cash available to pay shortterm expenses and help cover any errors made in long-term

budgeting. He says this money should be left in a high-interest savings account so it grows in the meantime. “Its important that students have enough cash to pay for their short-term expenses like their rent and groceries, but it’s best to invest your money into a high-interest savings account so your money doesn’t just sit there,” he said. According to a new poll from the Royal Bank of Canada, about 79 per cent of all Canadian university students say they plan on budgeting their finances in some way this year.

However, Kavita Joshi, director of student markets at RBC, points out: “The challenge is creating a budget that’s realistic and practical.” Joshi suggests that students should split their expected expenses into two separate categories. “To start, you should have fixed expenses like rent, tuition, and other things that you need to pay for each month. Then, make another list of variable expenses such as groceries and clothing; items you need, but the costs can vary from month to month.” Joshi explains that in spite of a

tumultuous worldwide financial situation, good planning and a detailed budget can still get you a long way. “With a good plan and a little discipline, you may even manage to have some money left over.” Baker also notes that young people should avoid losing too much sleep over these tough times, as poor economic conditions are not going to last forever. “I do think that this is certainly a big wake-up call, but everything is cyclical so even if there are some rough years ahead, history has shown us that things always come back better.”

Photo by Ken MacLeod, Layout by Elsa Morena

{ 10 ARTS & CULTURE MUN vs. musicianship

Jan. 15, 2009

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By Sarah King

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hile many university students have trouble financing the basics, Adam Baxter has to factor his budding music career into his budget. He says his regular performances within St. John’s music scene help out, but they don’t exactly make for an easy living. Like any MUN student, most of Baxter’s money goes towards rent, bills, groceries, and his cat Otis. And, like your typical student, he would like a convenient way to pay for it all. “I make some money as a musician, but not enough to quit my day job and make it my full-time profession,” Baxter said via e-mail. Baxter attends MUN’s School of Music with a focus on theory/ composition. He has been performing in St. John’s since the fall of 2005 and plays anywhere from two to four shows a week − making for a pretty intense schedule. Baxter also works as a youth counsellor and a guitar teacher to cover his usual expenses. He says that while this makes helps his finances, it creates another problem. “Balancing those [jobs] with shows and a full course load can leave one with little free time,” he said. Baxter says that the time crunch and stress of making ends meet can be hinder students who are aspiring musicians. Between work and school, there’s little time or money left to develop any sort of musical career. “I am working, going to school, and playing a great deal of gigs,” he said. “If I was not in school, I could be working full-time and thus making more money to further myself as a musician.” But it’s not all bad. Baxter has some tips for low-budget aspiring artists and music enthusiasts like himself. “If you have a good eye for gear, second-hand purchasing can be a very good way to save a few dollars as a musician,” he suggested. Baxter says students can easily attend events like Distortion’s Epic Wednesdays, Jerry Stamp and friends at the Bull and Barrel, and Danielle Tobin’s showcase every Tuesday at CBTG’s. “There are a great deal of weekly low cover shows going on in the city that showcase a lot of the city’s great songwriting talent,” he said. He also says that the Internet can be a great way to discover and experience new music, even locally. “I like to check out local music two ways: In the flesh and on screen.” Baxter suggests looking for local acts online first and then picking which ones appeal to you most. This way you’re guaranteed bang for your buck. A university budget makes experiencing local musicianship more difficult, but Baxter demonstrates it can be done with time management, dedication, and good humour. “I don’t mind having a pathetic social life, so [fitting everything in] really doesn’t seem that difficult,” he joked. Check out Adam Baxter’s music online at www.myspace.com/ adambaxtermusic.

Adam Baxter supports music career on a student-sized budget

Chad Young

Jan. 15, 2009

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ARTS & CULTURE

Arts on the cheap

By Sarah King

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ever mind the global economy, it’s post-Christmas, and students are having minieconomic crises of their own. So as you struggle beneath the financial weight of textbooks and those gifts for friends you accidentally left off your first Christmas list, you may be wondering how to fuel your arts and culture needs on a tight budget. Here’s a short list of things that can scratch your art itch without draining your bank account.

The Rooms The most obvious place to go if you’re looking to fulfill your fine art cravings, the Rooms is free every Wednesday from 6:00 pm to 9:00 pm and on the first Saturday of every month. If you’re really aching to go on another day, it’s still surprisingly cheap for students, $5, but that excludes special or travelling exhibits.

Movies No matter how broke you are, most seem willing to shell out a few bucks for a night at the movies. So if you really can’t resist that new box office smash, just go between Monday and Thursday or to matinees. It’s only two bucks cheaper, but hey, every little bit helps.

Classic films On the first Monday of every month, the Mount Pearl shopping centre cinemas play a seniors’ benefit classic movie for $5. It’s a bit of a trot if you live anywhere besides Mount Pearl, but it’s decently cheap for the fun experience of seeing a golden oldie on the big screen.

Free TV Okay, so watching TV isn’t all that unique or artsy, but it’s nice to get out of the house once in a while, right? Every Tuesday, Tangled Up In Blue on Bates Hill shows the comedy show Flight Of The Conchords on the big screen Ken MacLeod

Money!

Debt

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TV upstairs for free. This is convenient for people who don’t have the channels that carry the show, or don’t have television at all, and a cheap way to get that dinner-and-a-movie combo in a shorter period of time.

Open Mic A lot of pubs around town host open mics, but if you’re looking for a more relaxed atmosphere and guaranteed free cover, head to Hava Java on Water Street. Every Sunday, Natalie Noseworthy hosts open mic at the coffee shop, and there are plenty of awesome upand-comers who perform regularly − not to mention some excellent caffeinated beverages.

Photography If you’re one of the many who have recently hopped on the trendy photography bandwagon, there are probably several photography classes being offered around town that I cannot seem to uncover at the moment. But, here’s an idea − just run around town taking pictures on your own. St. John’s offers plenty of Kodak moments in the form of scenery, people, parks, and buildings, so take that mediocre digital camera out and have fun honing your artistic genius.

The Bull and Barrel Almost all of the time, at least to my knowledge, this place has no cover and a musician playing. It’s a great place to go if you’re not in the mood for an insanely loud and hectic drunkfest and would prefer to chill out to some tunes. Every Thursday Jerry Stamp plays with a guest for no cover. Hooray There are a lot of pubs and bars downtown that always have low cover charges: Distortion, CBTG’s, the Ship, and Roxxy’s, to name a few. The key is to check out local listings (the Muse’s sights and sounds for starters!) to scope out cheap nights and go down for the music, not the $6 drinks. Happy budgeting!

12 DISTRACTIONS

{ 16. A frame on which clothes are air-dried 17. Protagonist of That ‘70s Show 18. A term for being sick, or a slang term for awesome; Plural 19. Al Pacino film, ___ Of A Woman 20. Meals on wheels 23. Only as specified 24. To plunge into liquid

5. Talk to the hand because this isn’t home

15. Used as an exclamation for sorrow

67. Other than the person or things mentioned

Down 1. Holds buds which grow into one or more leaves 2. A type of billiards game 3. “It’s ___!!!”

5. A French commune in Brittany

31. Any of several Asian birds of the starling family

6. A narrow lane

38. Often used right before direct objects

14. A repeated rhymatic pattern

66. Yours, mine, and ___

29. Refined or crude petroleum

37. The noise a horsey makes

1. The type of artist that would steal your shoes

designer; Johnson

4. An affordable and popular meal for university students

35. Pertaining to frequencies

9. An amino acid related to dopamine

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28. To be in debt to

32. The animals of a given region

Across

Jan. 15, 2009

41. Greatest rock band ever, ___ Zeppelin 42. Popular golden age Hollywood star, ___ Merman

7. A baby cow 8. Being; existence 9. A popular weapon of cowboys 10. An aut horitat ive pronouncement 11. A metal bearing vitamin or rock 12. A popular writing utensil 13. Paul Simon’s partner in crime

43. Something inserted

21. To be wary or cautious

44. A weird plate that can occur in your mouth

22. Improvising

46. Opposite of him 47. Popular American television station that ran American Bandstand

25. Harmony; Plural 26. A person related on one’s mother’s side 27. Second-person sing. of “say”

48. By this

29. Sci-fi show, The ___ Limits

50. What most of us like to do after a long day

30. Terrible reality show ___ Idol

53. Someone who devotes his or her life to over indulgence 57. Hebrew word meaning “dog” 60. Beside the ball, you need these to play soccer and basketball 61. What MSN messenger is commonly used for 62. Free Word: acerb 63. Where Chip and Dale would live 64. Flowering plants that usually grow from bulbs 65. Popular American fashion

Teach English Overseas

32. To steal 33. To administer extreme unction onto 34. The part of a cow’s body that milk comes from 35. A minor pain 36. A large tribe of North American aboriginals 39. A different type of spelling of 42 across 40. To form a circle around 45. A rise in the body’s temperature; plural 47. The opening at the lower end of the alimentary canal 49. The other famous Kennedy brother 50. To give audible expression to 51. Nil, nothing

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52. Howie Mandel game show ___ Or No ___; Plural 54. Until 55. The country the Simpsons visit in the recent episode where Bart gets a cell phone 56. An eye infection 57. Jiffy is the best one (but we’re biased) 58. ___ Ventura 59. Beatles’ hit song, ___ It Be

Jan. 15, 2009

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For Interest RSEARCHER INVOLVED WITH OLD SHIPS on both sides of the Atlantic since 1945 offers student interested in writing/photography opportunity to explore coastal areas of Newfoundland. International drivers license, passport a plus. 726-3998 Anytime. FOR THE LOVE OF LEARNING offers free daily workshops in creative writing, theatre, and resume building at 99 Queens Rd. (basement of Gower St. United Church, ring buzzer to get in). For more info, call 738-7911 or visit www.fortheloveoflearning.org. Interested in finding out about volunteer opportunities on campus and in the community? Visit the Student Volunteer Bureau, 10:00 am to 4:00 pm, Monday to Friday in room UC-4001 for mad volunteer hook ups. You can also check out www.mun.ca/cdel/volunteer or e-mail [email protected]. Get involved and volunteer!

CLASSIFIEDS THE ST. JOHN’S FARMERS’ MARKET is held weekly at the Lion’s Chalet on Bonaventure Avenue, from 9:00 am to 2:00 pm. Lots of produce available, as well as crafts and international foods. For more information, visit the market’s website at stjohnsfarmersmarket. com PROOFREADER with excellent English language skills and an eye for detail available to proofread your document for spelling, grammar, and proper English usage. Lots of experience correcting masters and doctorate theses as well as other academic papers. FREE 2-page trial. Call Alison at 722-3733 or e-mail: [email protected] GMAT tutoring available. Learn tips, strategies and obtain a great score! Receive one-on-one instruction from an experienced tutor and successful GMAT writer. Contact [email protected] for more information. WOULD YOU LIKE TO MAKE

A DIFFERENCE in the lives of people living with cancer? The Canadian Cancer Society is seeking a volunteer to drive patients to and from their scheduled appointments. Just a few hours a week can make a difference. For more information, call Rachel Little 753-6520. ANNONYMOUS TESTING for HIV, Hepatitis A, B, and C. Sexual Health Centre. 203 Merrymeeting Rd. Tues. 4:30 pm to 7:30 pm. All welcome. The Women’s Centre, 150 Lemarchant Rd., Tues. 1:00 pm to 4:00 pm, women only. Offered as part of a study, requires that you complete a confidential questionnaire. Call 1-800-563-6111 or 777-7120 for more information. THE NL SEXUAL ASSAULT CRISIS AND PREVENTION CENTRE Men’s Committee needs volunteers. No experience required; all are welcome. Contact coordinator@sexualassaultcentre. nf.net. MEMORIAL AMBASSADOR. Do you embody the spirit of Memorial? Volunteer to represent Memorial at university-sponsored

events. Apply at www.mun.ca/ leadership. ENGINEERS WITHOUT BORDERS. Idea workshops held every Monday at 5:15 pm in EN-4000. Come learn about international development and social justice, or just have some free fair-trade coffee or hot chocolate. Everyone is welcome. OVEREATERS ANONYMOUS. If your eating habits cause you concern, there is help. Overeaters Anonymous is a group of people who want to stop eating compulsively. For weekly meeting times or other information, please contact us at 738-1742 or www. oa.org.

Clubs and Societies MEMORIAL ENGLISH STUDENT SOCIETY. Join MESS and get a cookie. Stop by our room in A-3027, for cookies, chat about lit, or to find out more about our new graphic novel club, movie club, mixers, and more. MUN GEEK SOCIETY. Looking for a good place to chat

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with like-minded people about games, movies, and pop culture? E-mail us for more information, [email protected], or check out our websites and forums at http://www.mungeeksoc.com/ forums. Open to everyone. MUN LIONS. Looking for students and staff to start a Lions club on the MUN campus. Please e-mail Bill Taylor at billtaylor@ nl.rogers.com for information. ECONOMICS SOCIETY. Are you pursuing a major or minor in economics? Do you have a general interest in economics? Join the Economics Society mailing list by e-mailing economics.society.mun@ gmail.com.

Personals HJs are so JH. DID HE taste important? SMOOTH CHAD and the Crunchy Bunch featuring the Ian MacDonald Experience.

14 SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY

{

Jan. 15, 2009

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Eating local won’t break the bank Greening McGill food experiment supports local producers While none of the students are planning to commit strictly to the diet once the experiment is up, there is a consensus that they are more willing and better equipped to seek out local foods in the future. “I haven’t eaten this well since I

By Hayley Lapalme, The McGill Daily

M

ONTREAL (CUP) – Four McGill University students recently completed a two-week challenge to eat food produced within a 100-mile radius of Montreal, a project designed to demonstrate that it’s possible to eat locally. Aynsley Merk, Ian Vogel, Tim Dowling, and Johanna Paquin keep a blog to tracking their experiences. “I don’t think about what we can’t have, but what we can have,” said Merk. “I look forward to what will come into season, and it changes every week.” Eating locally saves on fossil fuels burned to import food, and supports fair payment for farmers. Supporters of the movement swear that local food simply tastes better; naturally-grown produce arrives fresh in comparison to fruits and vegetables cooped up during long-distance travel. The Greening McGill group was inspired by Vancouver duo Alisa Smith and J.B. MacKinnon, who documented their year-long experiment with local food in the bestseller The 100 Mile Diet. McGil l ’s experimenting students searched for local food by metro, foot, phone, and on the Internet. Participants found it challenging to make time to buy produce directly from local farms and

Got Your 2009 ISIC Yet? Your 2008 card expires when the New Year rings in! Ashley Lockyer

expanded their food diversity beyond an initial reliance on eggs and potatoes. Vogel explained t hat misleading food labels made it difficult to be sure that products were made locally. “Foods are often labeled: ‘Produit du Quebec,’ but it might just be the processing that is local and not the ingredients,” he said. While all four admitted to spending far more time in the kitchen than normal, they maintain it’s possible to adapt

to local eating. “As long as you are willing to change your lifestyle and diet a bit, you could do this diet at any time if you wanted,” Dowling said. The students explained that local eating doesn’t break the bank. They could afford pricier goods like honey and organic dairy products with the money saved by cutting out caffeine and takeout. All participants saved money due to the near-impossibility of eating at restaurants.

Economic crisis? What about the environmental crisis?

It’s Easy Being Green By Zaren White

O

n the scale of apathy to panic, it’s fairly obvious what concern dominates in the struggle of the economy vs. the environment. It’s money, wealth, and debt – intangible forces that we’ve ascribed value to – rather than the destruction of the natural world and all its very real, very tangible elements that really gives the pessimists something to dwell on. Money may make the world go ‘round, but not if there’s no world left. We’ve been depleting the earth’s natural resources, destroying forests, polluting lakes, rivers, and oceans, and allowing the extinction of species since – well, since we humans took over this planet and started abusing it.

got here in September. The meals have been wonderful and often the four of us will meet and make meals,” said Dowling. “Now it is sort of becoming routine, I don’t even feel like I am being challenged, because I have it figured out enough.”

Everyday, everywhere, someone makes a lazy or environmentally unfriendly decision, be it as tiny as a single person not recycling a can, or as large as a powerful corporation cutting corners on sustainable practices and diminishing environmentalism as a priority. Either way, the destruction of the earth has been long in the making, and worse, we’re not in the dark anymore. We’re educated, exposed to a plentitude of information, and immersed in environmentrelated coverage in the media. We know that we’re living in a delicate balance and that we cannot, as a global community, take our planet for granted anymore. Still, it’s the news of financial crisis, credit instability, and recession that gets a lot of people singing the apocalyptic blues. And most likely, the person spouting doom and gloom prophecies about the economy never bothered to bring a reusable bag to the supermarket or recycle their cans and bottles. The David Suzuki Foundation (DSF) website states simply, “Climate change is considered by many scientists to be the most serious threat facing the world today.” The most serious threat that faces us – how can that be taken lightly? How can such an imminent reality be ignored? On the topic of building a sustainable economy,” the DSF

website reads, “The environment is the very foundation of the economy. Nature provides services such as clean air, water, and soil that are rarely factored into the cost of doing business. Protecting Canada’s environment and conserving natural resources is essential for a competitive economy in the 21st century.” Furthermore, “In contrast [to countries making conservation an economic priority], Canada has been reluctant to use strong regulations or economic disincentives to protect the environment. The countries that are far ahead of Canada in terms of environmental protection are also outperforming Canada economically.” It’s perplexing to witness the widespread immediacy and urgency with which people reacted to the economic crisis, but there is no economy without an environment in which it can exist. It’s time to re-prioritize, and face the fact that the destruction of the environment can and will threaten us just as much as economic ruin. The truth is simple: Without a sustainable and protective approach towards nature, we, and all the other organisms that inhabit the earth alongside us, will not be able to go on living. Please check out www. davidsuzuki.org for more information or to sign up for the David Suzuki Nature Challenge newsletter.

IVERSITY

MEMORIAL UN

To avoid any hassles, get your 2009 ISIC from Travel CUTS or your student union before heading home for the holidays. The ISIC entitles you to over 40,000 discounts worldwide! Save on VIA Rail, Greyhound, flights and other travel options at Travel CUTS, admissions to museums and attractions, retail and food purchases & more.

Memorial University University Centre, 3rd Flr 709-737-7926

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THINK YOU KNOW IT ALL ABOUT COMPUTER SCIENCE AT UPEI? THINK AGAIN!

The UPEI Department of Computer Science & Information Technology has a new Video Game Programming Specialization that is CREATIVE, CHALLENGING, AND FUN. Students who have completed one year of computer science studies with Java should be able to make a seamless transition into this program. Visit upei.ca/csit and click on Video Game Programming Specialization for details.

DEIRDRE AYRE, Studio Head, Other Ocean Interactive of Charlottetown, PEI, says,

“Our industry is growing exponentially, but recruitment is always a challenge. With local educational programs providing skilled workers, we have the potential to grow our company more quickly, and better meet the demands of our customers.”

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SPORTS & HEALTH Pro sports no longer exempt from recession Jan. 15, 2009

www.themuse.ca

By Jon Dykeman The Sporting Life

E

conomic recessions have come and gone, impacting the wallets and careers of North Americans, however, major pro sports leagues have seemingly bypassed these economic downturns. The watching of pro sports games is an escape for North Americans leading hectic lives, and hardcore fans have always allotted a place in their budgets for the games. And for a long time, collecting tickets at the gate of the stadium was all that was necessary for the businesses to keep their franchises afloat. But in the last three decades, pro sports has changed. No longer are the owners, managers, and business staff of teams the highest paid people of the franchise. Television programming is no longer limited to the locality of the game and corporate sponsors are no longer making minimal contributions. The change has been in the source of the business – the players. In the last three decades, some players in the major pro sports leagues – MLB,

the NHL, the NBA, and the NFL – have emerged as superstar athletes. Wayne Gretzky and Michael Jordan come to mind. They reached this pinnacle status in the 1980s. This emerging status drew attention away from corporations, and athletes began to take on roles similar to movie and music stars, endorsing both sponsored products and their respective sports. As their popularity increased, so did their salaries, making them the highest paid employees of the franchise. Corporations invested money in the franchises, increasing the value of the franchise and changing its target audiences. The NHL provides a good example. In 1988, Gretzky was traded to the Los Angeles Kings, which led to the eventual appearance of the Kings in the 1993 Stanley Cup finals. Hockey fans started to come out of the woodwork in LA, thanks to Gretzky and his influential sponsors. His tenure in LA epitomized the influence star athletes have had on untapped fan bases. In the mid-1990s, two Canadian NHL teams fled Canada, not because

Contrary to previous seasons in professional sports, the 2008 recession has affected leagues in a multitude of ways. illustration by Chad Young

there weren’t enough hockey fans, but because NHL executives had dreams of teams thriving in large markets like Phoenix and Florida where teams could be supported by major television contracts, businesses, and a potentially growing fan base. These decisions, shared by pro sports executives across North America, have turned into

headaches for the many executives in the current recession. According to Maclean’s, nine per cent of the NBA’s workforce has been cut, including their offices in LA. General Motors has also cut many sponsorship deals, including an advertisement during the Super Bowl and a major deal with golf legend Tiger Woods.

Johnson and Johnson backed out of a sponsorship deal for the 2010 Winter Olympics, leaving organizers looking hard to fill the vacant sponsor dollars. The NHL, on the other hand, is slightly more protected compared to the other pro sports leagues due to having fewer corporate sponsors.

Financial health shouldn’t cost your body By Natalie Holden Health Buzz

S

urviving on a student budget is already a challenging task, but with the current recession, for some of us it may be particularly difficult. While it would be nice to live on organic foods, stay ever trendy, and hang out in expensive cafés living the ideal hipster life, this is not possible for everyone.

However, there are some things that a student can do to improve their health and well-being without sabotaging financial stability.

Determine your budget After your rent, utilities, tuition, books, and transportation, how much money do you have left over? This money should ideally go towards your groceries. It’s a good idea to have

a small amount of cash or credit for this purpose.

A lot of people limit this amount even more by spending a portion of the grocery money on nights out. It’s not uncommon to spend $100 in a night, when you add up the cost of cabs, food, and splurge expenses. If you want to be social on a Friday night, try inviting people in or going to a friend’s place. You can avoid the costs of expensive restaurants and

TM

Ashley Verge. Brighton Star. What’s radiant, energetic and lights up the dark? Why, it’s Ashley Verge’s smile. Like the north star, she’s always there to help guide students in her work with the student volunteer bureau. This psychology major has it all… brains, spirit, and a burning pride for where she’s from — Brighton. She’s one bright star that’s just beginning to shine.

Amazing Students, a program offered by Student Affairs and Services, recognizes Memorial’s student superheroes. They are outstanding role models and involved contributors. They are leaders in academics, student societies, and the community.

www.mun.ca/student/amazing

bars and still hang out with friends.

Another thing to consider is that consuming large quantities of alcohol too frequently has no nutritional value and hurts the body. Perhaps adopting a “my body is a temple” perspective would help you to spend more wisely on a balanced diet instead.

Write a weekly grocery list As frugal as this sounds, keep a flyer close at hand so you can check out the sales and do some coupon clipping. Also, think about your schedule for that week. Are you going to have time to do any cooking? Or, are you going to be overloaded with work and school? With this is mind, shop accordingly. It might have to be a week of sandwiches and salads. While it’s financially attractive to live on Mr. Noodles for a week, spend the extra few dollars on salad veggies if you can instead. This shouldn’t be thought of as a frivolous expense, since fruits and vegetable are part of a healthy diet and Mr. Noodles has no place in it. Your body will thank you.

healthier, it will keep you feeling full longer, and it will last you much longer than a box of cereal.

Get a cookbook Steal one from your parents, check the library, or go to a used bookstore. As well, you can start making your own personal cookbook by trying out recipes found on the web. If you teach yourself how to cook a few simple and healthy meals, you can avoid buying overpriced prepackaged convenience foods. These microwavable pizzas, lasagnas, and others are usually loaded with preservatives and excessive amounts of sodium. If you have no other choice, Dominion has a Blue Menu line of products that features convenience foods that are a little healthier. When it comes to vegetables, in some cases it’s easier, cheaper, and better for you to buy frozen vegetables. They’ll last longer. Also, because we are on an island, sometimes the nutritional value in fresh fruits and vegetables is lost in the process of shipping and frozen veggies can actually have more nutritional value.

Keep your grocery within budget, without compromising healthy Avoid purchasing snacks and choices drinks on campus While organic foods are a nice idea, they’re often more expensive. Generally, you can get the same nutrients from regular fruits and vegetables. There are lots of alternatives that are good for your financial health, such as beans, lentils, occasional servings of canned tuna, or eggs – good, cheaper protein sources instead of steak. Peanut butter is cheap, but typically high in fat. It’s good to have it on hand in case it’s a sandwich week, but it shouldn’t be a staple. Also, if you want to bulk up (gain muscle mass) a peanut butter and banana sandwich is far cheaper than and just as effective as an energy bar. Also, breakfast is the most important meal so choosing good breakfast options is important. Count Chocula may be tempting, but consider oatmeal instead. It’s

Keep snacks in your grocery budget. Fruits or vegetables are the best snack options. They are the best for you and the fibre in them will stave off hunger until the next meal. It will also help you to avoid wasting bus fare on deceivingly fatty Tim Horton’s muffins. Also, just drink water. No need to spend more money on juice, Gatorade, or crappy soft drinks (although coffee may sometimes be essential). There are loads of other great ideas to help you stay healthy without devastating your bank account. For more information, contact Memorial University’s Counselling Centre or try looking online. Natalie Holden is studying neuroscience and has a nutrition degree.

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