NUGSS Hits Rough Waters

The Northern Undergraduate Student Society got some stark news from their auditor KPMG that shows the organization has taken losses year over year. The historical mismanagement of funds has led to a $100,000 debt to BC Transit for the Upass. NUGSS hopes to repay this back by the end of BC Transits fiscal year however that will require strict austerity measures.

VP Finance:

According to KPMG “Negative cash flows from operations in the current year and has a working capital and general fund deficiency … these conditions, along with other matters indicate the existence of material uncertainties that may cast significant doubt about UNBC Northern Undergraduate Student Societies ability to continue as an ongoing concern”.

One of the first measures NUGSS is taking is to work with the university to ensure that student fee's go up to match CPI indexing. This was approved by the student population in 2012 but was never acted on, and therefore "tens of thousands" of dollars has been lost according to NUGSS.

The student health and dental reserve fund has not be properly built up over the years. The funds that were supposed to be going into this reserve were being allocated to general revenue instead. That has been changed and for the future funds will now consistently go to this fund in order to ensure that there is a backup in place.

The Student and Conference building is another area of concern. According to NUGSS $373,341 in "Building Fees" that ensure the upkeep of the Student Centre building, have also been going to operating costs instead. NUGSS plans to pull back on the spending of "building fees" for general operation over the years in order to build up a backup fund for the buildings repairs and maintenance needs.

In order to meet these mounting problems the Moose and Degrees are being looked at. Both NUGSS businesses lose money and it has been stated that that must to change. The board has asked management to look into possible solutions for both organizations. Reductions in hours, raising costs of products, leasing out of space to other organizations, or possibly even the closure of the business all together are on the table.

Other changes NUGSS will be looking at:

• The board of NUGSS is looking to cut the current boards pay by 7.27%
• General Manager volunteered to cut pay by 20%
• Decrease MAC funding by 20% until current obligations are met
• Get more tenants along the top floor of NUSC
• Current tenants, Example CFUR, Over the Edge, Pride Centre, PGPIRG, will begin to be charged
• Will not be shouldering the financial burden of Northern Students Give Back next year
• GM to reduce risk and cost of the Backyard BBQ next year
• No plans for direct oversight of NUGGS is on the table

These changes are by far extensive and far reaching however according to NUGSS necessary to ensure the past years of financial mismanagement are remedied.

*Update 10/27/2016* When asked about whether the financial mismanagement in the past would prompt more oversight of NUGSS. General Manager Duncan Malkinson replied that it is the purpose of the annual general meeting to hold NUGSS accountable.

Grant Bachand - News Director, @grantbachand

UNBC makes a step forward

UNBC makes another step forward

by Grant Bachand

09-30-2016

The University of Northern British Columbia and the Lheidli T’enneh signed a Memorandum of Understanding. The ceremony which was held Friday morning saw the unveiling of a sign at the entrance of UNBC in the Dakehl (Carrier) language which reads “House of Learning.” Accompanying the unveiling of the sign a Lheidli T'enneh flag has now been hoisted to fly high amongst the Canadian, British Columbia and Prince George flags.

“These permanent fixtures on campus are just more examples of how the UNBC community and the Lheidli T’enneh can continue to build a co-operative, long-lasting and mutually beneficial relationship where principles of respect, communication, trust and understanding will lead to positive and meaningful collaborations and partnerships.” - Daniel Weeks President of UNBC

This will be one of many steps forward in educating the students, staff and faculty at UNBC about the history of Prince George and the Lheidli T’enneh. Weeks talked about a new program going to be launched which will help educate new students, staff and faculty about the history as well.

UNBC's Anomaly of a Party: Backyard BBQ 2016

Last weekend, UNBC hosted its wildest party to date.  Backyard BBQ has been an annual going-on for the past handful of years.  It's NUGSS' way of saying "hey welcome back, here's some beer and music - enjoy yourselves before the academic year roundhouse kicks you in the heart!" This year's line-up was a pleasant and impressive surprise - The Zolas, Sleepy Tom, and LOUDPVCK (the V reads like an A, so Loud Pack). I only know as much about the EDM scene as anyone else who occasionally reads VICE, but I was told by friends that Sleepy Tom and LOUDPVCK are big names.  As for The Zolas, I think it's pretty cool that UNBC scored an indie act, even if that act is starting to sound more and more like The 1975 or some other alternative-but-not-really-alternative-anymore pop band.

I arrived at campus around 7pm and caught the tail end of the event's opening act.  Not much was happening, so I decided to start drinking.  It turns out the beer garden was where I would spent the majority of my night.  While there, I even made small talk with the drummer of The Zolas while he cooly smoked a cigarette (in a non-smoking zone).  By the time The Zolas took the stage, more people had arrived and it became evident that many UNBCers and townies had come to see this Vancouver band.  The songs they played were mostly from their newer EP.  People sang along.  Somebody waved a lighter in the air.  The band opened with Molotov Girls and later played You're Too Cool, which are two of my three favourite Zolas tracks, so I'd say it was a good set.

After The Zolas is when things got a bit crazy.  Even more people came for the DJs.  First and second years who pre-drank in their dorms were now drunk in public for the first time.  They made up the bulk of the front of the crowd, dancing and shoving and laughing and grinding.  Yes, they grinded.  I felt sorry for the middle-age security guards who had to stand around looking stoic and authoritative while 18 year olds awkwardly and excitedly rubbed their bodies together.  Sleepy Tom played a good set, with danceable beats that everyone (including myself) enjoyed gettin' jiggy to.  LOUDPVCK's DJ style was a bit more aggressive, as his all-caps stage name might suggest.  He dropped a lot of F-bombs, asking if we were F-ed up, etc. but at this point in the night people were really into that.  They yelled back and cheered and things were getting sloppy in the front rows.  My friends and I danced along until the buzz of our $4 drinks wore off, at which point we returned to the beer garden for our night cap(s).  Did I mention that it had been raining the entire time? A light consistent drizzle - enough to turn the field into mud, but not enough to deter everyone from dancing.  If anything, the images created by the rain (muddy shoes, wet hair, running mascara) made the night more memorable.

The #15 has never been as crowded as it was that night, probably around 1am.  The music had stopped, the field was pure mud, and the NUSC event spaced smelled mildly of cheap beer vomit.  Oh, to be young. So my first Backyard BBQ experience mostly consisted of dancing, people-watching, drinking, and catching up with friends I hadn't seen all summer.  But ask any 18 year-old who was there and I think their story would be a bit blurrier. All the same, I think NUGSS can pat itself on the back for this one.   Whether NUGSS continues to move the event in the direction of EDM or attempts to take on more indie bands, they've set a solid precedent for years of Backyard BBQ'ing to come.

Post and photography by Dara Campbell

CFUR Presents: A Current Events Internship!

Need 3.0 credits?

Going into 4th year POLS or ENGL?

Have an interest in RADIO?

Check, Check, Check?

An internship is available:

-No matter what end of the political spectrum you align with, your efforts are valuable to us.

-get on-the-job media experience

-valuable expereince to a number of professions

-learn how journalists think, whether you become one or end up talking to one in your career path.

-Aids in presentation confidence. Practice makes perfect.

-Flexible schedule, don’t have to broadcast LIVE all the time, we have ability to record news

-focus on local, buffered by provincial, national, international events

-email your CV to programming@cfur.ca

-Volunteering, interning, puts you in line for employment

-professionals in CBC here in town, @ the Drive,

-Sports down south, it’s an open field up North

-Events Coordinators booking shows and making $ here in town

-You pay a student fee, take advantage of it

- + We have lots of fun parties. Work hard play hard

How to Spur Action in the Face of Climate Change

Michelle Connolly an MA of UNBC's Environmental Sciences Dept., Ken Edzerza of the Etzenlee Tahltan Family Clan Association, and Todd Whitcombe of UNBC's Chemistry Dept. all discuss the topic, "How to Spur Action in the Face of Climate Change"  

[embed]https://www.mixcloud.com/cfurvolunteer/cfur-climate-panel-how-to-spur-action-in-the-face-of-climate-change-20160219/[/embed]

 

Environmental and Social Justice Work / Riotous Fun

PG PIRG is a student-funded, non-partisan group that brings together UNBC's students, staff and faculty and PG's community groups to organize around issues of public interest i.e. the environment and social justice. Want to get involved in activism, skill-sharing, learning, or general event planning over the December break?

PG PIWant to learn skills, hear about certain issues? Have suggestions for events to plan? We are listening! respond to this email or email pgpirg@unbc.ca stop into the office 6-342 NUSC or get us through social media. @pgpirg 

FRESH SHEET-Ep #4: The Fresh D-eet

The Fresh Sheet talks about some very important issues and events that are happening in the community. We ALSO chat with Dave a little about the First Waltz show from Saturday Nov 21st and how FABULOUS that was. Hope you like all the new music the Dave's picked for you guys! The Mental Health Association Contact:

Coordinator- Rochelle Frigon: rochellefrigon@cmhapg.ca

The Montreal Massacre Event Contact:

Womens Center- Sarah Boyd: empower@unbc.ca

[embed]https://www.mixcloud.com/cfurvolunteer/two-daves-being-dave/[/embed]

Hallowe'en Hilarity @ The Thirsty Moose Pub - 8pm

 

TONIGHT AND TONIGHT ONLY: Russell Peters, Greg Giraldo, Joe Rogan, Patrice O'Neal, Stewart Francis, Amy Schumer, and Louis CK spewing one-liners and ensuing hilarity at The Thirsty Moose Pub!

Come see PG's finest (and funniest) pay homage to their favourite comedians for tonight's Hallowe'en Comedy Night Special.

LINE-UP ‣ Mwanasi Dilason Loongo as Russell Peters ‣ Jon White as Greg Giraldo ‣ Jonathon McMillan as Joe Rogan ‣ Brian Majore as Patrice O'Neal ‣ Mike McGuire as Stewart Francis ‣ Melanie Anderson as Amy Schumer ‣ Devon Flynn as Louis CK

$5 cover. 8pm-ish. Moose Special: BLTC for $9.25.

Post by Dara Campbell

IT'S ELECTION DAY, BABY!

Students of UNBC! Today's the day. Unless you've spent the last month buried under a large, sad heap of textbooks on the 4th floor of the library, you're likely well-aware that a federal election is happening RIGHT NOW. There's free direct shuttle running to and from UNBC/the John McInnis polling station from now until 1pm. A bus is scheduled to leave from the bus loop every hour on the hour, with the possibility of this service being extended later into the afternoon depending on how many students use it.

If Caribou-Prince George isn't your riding, don't fret - public transit is free PG-wide today and today only.

Lack of transportation is no reason to skip out on casting a ballot in this election. Grab your ID and a sensible jacket, and make your way to a polling station. On foot, in a bus, by car, via dog-sled or zamboni or snowmobile- however you democratically choose to transport yourself. Vote vote vote!

Unsure of whether you're registered to vote or in which riding you live? Elections Canada is the place to go looking for answers. Unsure of your life choices? Give your mom a call. I'm sure she'd appreciate it.

And lastly, here's some election coverage by John Oliver of Last Week Tonight. Skip to 10:55 for footage of Stephen Harper and his band covering Sweet Caroline by Neil Diamond, as middle-aged men tend to do.

Post by Dara Campbell