NUGSS goes into more detail

CFUR News reported yesterday after the NUGSS annual general meeting that the organization was coming on hard times. We sat down with Eric Depenau who is the Vice President of Finance for NUGSS.  

Listen to the Full Interview here:

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At present NUGSS is facing a $99,000 dollar deficit and $49,000 short term debt load for a loan taken out in 2010 to deal with operational revenue short falls. The final aspect to the NUGSS debt loan is on $1.8 million for a loan used to renovate the NUSC space when NUGSS originally started leasing the space from UNBC.

The loan which was originally for $100,000 and was from Bank of Montreal was taken out in 2010.

Subleasing the Thirsty Moose space, Degrees coffee shop as well as the office spaces on the top floor of the NUSC are one of a couple options NUGSS is looking at to balance the budget. Other options are raising the prices of food, or even the possible closure of the Thirsty Moose Pub and Degrees. Right now NUGSS is in talks with some outside groups to take over these business however nothing is definitive and they may not even go down that road, Depenau stressed.

Depenau stressed the idea that the past boards of NUGSS did the best job they could with the information they had. He also felt strongly that these austerity should put NUGSS in a better position as long as they also stick to long term planning. It is unclear after this interview if insitutional measures around accountability will be put in place after this trouble but on thing is sure NUGSS is keeping an open mind.

For more information: http://www.cfur.ca/nugss-hits-rough-waters/

*Updated as new information is learned*

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

Due North Interview with Dr. Oscar Venter

Due North had Dr. Oscar Venter in the studio to discuss his research on the human impact on the environment. Dr.Venter highlights how the economic rate is growing but yet the environment impact is not keeping pace with it, could this mean we are getting more efficient? Dr. Venter explains what it all means. To see his map on human impact on the environment here is a link.

http://wcshumanfootprint.org/

[embed]https://www.mixcloud.com/studenttalks/dr-oscar-venter-due-north-interview/[/embed]

Interview with Spencer Morphy, of The Velveteins - 20160816

In August of 2016, we caught up with Spencer Morphy, of The Velveteins during breakfast and talked labels, surf, winter, and more. Check out their sound on bandcamp:

...and tune in to 88.7FM to catch them during the Barrage of Garage, Ether in the Attic, and soooo much more

Here's the interview:

[embed]https://www.mixcloud.com/cfurvolunteer/20160816-interview-with-spencer-morphy-of-the-velveteins/[/embed]

pic credit: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rssZ2AjA5F8

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

Peter Jackson talks air quality

Peter Jackson local professor of environmental studies talks air quality in prince George.

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Due North Report - Prince George Air Quality- 20160725

Due North Report: Laura Smith talks about what is the current quality of Prince George air. She talks with government officials, local advocates and scholars to show use the complex world of a clean environment. Credits Contributors: Gavin King, Marie Hay, Peter Jackson

[embed]https://www.mixcloud.com/studenttalks/due-north-report-prince-george-air-quality/[/embed]

Student Needs Approved!

            Yesterday, the Students Needs Committee (through councillor Jillian Merrick) proposed 6 ideas to City Council regarding ideas that students from UNBC, CNC, and SD57 wanted to see implemented. The Committee itself is made up from leadership students selected from each institution, and they meet multiple times over the school year to discuss what they would like to see in their education systems. Some of the points they brought up to Council were; better housing for students along with the addition of student housing in the downtown area, an improved transit system, and an increase in student engagement in the community along with adding more services and accessible facilities through the U Pass. Transport was one of the biggest issues the student committee addressed and it came up more than once in the meeting. The council saw the amount of people pushing for a boost in the quality of the transit system and approved a proposal to increase bus service during evenings, weekends, and stat holidays. The proposal is still waiting approval from BC Transit, but it should be implemented in September, just in time for the school year. However, it's not just about students, as some of the councillors brought up, but for all those who rely on transit. The Council unanimously voted in favour of both the transit and the 3 of the points the student needs committees brought up (the ones mentioned in this article) in hopes to help out the community some more.

Merrick stressed to council the importance in a quick approval, so the committee may receive some budgeting for the upcoming school year. She stated that the students of the committee believed that their next goal should be to take a more active role in the community. They want to not only give ideas but as well put on events that may fundraise for students groups/activities/etc , or simply get students out into the community. Merrick as well said that she didn't know exactly what the future holds for the group, but knows it gives a important perspective to issues in PG and is excited to see what happens when the group reconvenes in the school year.

-Laura Smith, Twitter: @lasmith98

Brexit and its impacts

Due North Report Laura Smith does an in-depth look at the United Kingdom referendum on leaving the European Union. She Speaks with UNBC Political Scientist Gary Wilson and UBC Economist Kurt Huebner to a better understanding of the vote and its impacts. Composer: Laura Smith Clips: BBC, Global News, Sky News Music by: "Help Us All" by The Sheepdogs, "It Was London" by The Kooks, "Instrumental" by Scenic Route to Alaska

[embed]https://www.mixcloud.com/studenttalks/due-north-report-brexit-and-its-impacts/[/embed]