USSU Centres

Hello Everyone!

I hope you’ve been enjoying your summer, crazy to think it’s almost over. Here on campus things are really starting to pick up. As we all start to prepare to get back to school I thought I might impart some wisdom for the new students, things I wish I would have known when I started university.

1. Avoid the rush! Line-ups can get pretty insane during the first few weeks of school. Save yourself the time and the headache and try to get things done early in the morning or later in the afternoon. Or before school starts! U-PASS and student cards are already available in Upper Place Riel.

2. Come prepared! A notebook and pen are pretty important. I know it sounds like a given, but I see so many people show up to classes without anything! I also recommend a clipboard for those classes with teeny tiny desks.

3. Be Book Smart! Textbooks don’t have to cost you an arm and a leg. Buying used or renting can save some serious dough.

4. Be friendly! Introduce yourself to the people sitting beside you in class. It’s always great to meet new people, plus you’ll have someone to borrow notes from if you miss class, and vice versa.

5. Get involved! There are tons of student clubs, societies and groups to choose from. Check out the USSU’s Campus Clubs Week September 17th-21st in the Arts Tunnel. The USSU Centres will also be out looking for new volunteers!

6. Get organized! The sooner you do this, the smoother your semester will go. Whether you prefer paper or electronic, make sure you keep your calendar up to date with assignment due dates, tests and events! Find the USSU exec in the Bowl during Welcome Week, they’ll be handing out Survival Calendars.

7. Take advantage of all the free stuff! This one speaks for itself. Mmm… mini doughnuts.

8. Walk smart! The hallways will soon be inundated with thousands of students. Maneuvering them can be quite the challenge, but the sooner you learn the better.

9. Ask for help! I spent the majority of my first year as a lone wolf, trying to brave the wilderness that is the University alone. Then I realized all these people were here to help me! The USSU Help Centre is full of friendly volunteers who will do their best to answer whatever questions you might have. And if they can’t they will direct you to someone who can!

10. Have fun! University is definitely a learning experience, but it’s up to you to make it a memorable one. Don’t sweat the small stuff, and take as much advantage of it as you can!

See you soon!
Natalya

Posted by jbv373 at 09:05 AM | Permalink

My mother recently challenged me to explore an interesting topic in feminism. She asked if it was possible for feminine feminists to exist. Let me tell you, this is not a simple discussion, nor does it ever resolve in to a simple answer. Many women get super defensive about their choice to act in a stereotypically ‘girly’ way; to dress ‘provocatively’, or live their life according to traditional gender roles. The issue of choice presents itself as a complex, multifaceted predicament in the realm of feminism. When are our choices no longer our own? How do patriarchal and capitalist systems influence our choices? How do we evaluate women’s choices regarding fashion and beauty? Let’s consider the often ridiculously expensive choices of hyper-feminized procedures and products such as piercings, stiletto heels, body waxing, or other painful, seemingly masochistic rituals women take part in daily: who exactly are these women doing it for? Themselves?

Don’t get me wrong – I find myself participating in the capitalist machine that is the beauty industry more often than not. Whether it is the latest fashions (if you don’t know this about me, I’m addicted to ALL THE CLOTHES), some makeup and beauty products, and my occasional visits to my salon for hair care and waxing, I buy in to stereotypical feminine expectation. Although these are MY choices to partake in such activities, can I really claim agency when I’m getting my leg hair ripped from its follicles or when I’m spending $100 on new shoes that destroy my feet? Did our feminist sisters who came before us really fight as hard as they did so we could be hairless monkeys (more or less) resembling the physical appearance of a prepubescent tween?

There is a sociological explanation for the current social construction that is femininity (as well as masculinity). Despite popular belief, the femininity we have come to know and love (or hate) is not in any way an innate or biological fact. Women don’t wax all their body hair because it’s in their DNA to be hairless, nor do women seek surgical manipulation because it’s more natural for them to have large breasts and tiny waists. No, no, my friends. These standards and norms are complete and utter fabrications; merely creative innovations from the human mind that have been around for centuries. With all this said, as social agents, being resilient to all the propaganda is almost impossible. We were all born and raised in a social world, thus adhere to social phenomena rather thoughtlessly. Sorry kids, it’s true, we’re all just a bunch of mindless consumers waiting for someone to tell us what’s “in” and what’s “out”.

I don’t believe it is unreasonable for men and women to participate in these generally regarded futile and vain practices as long as they’re aware that these standards are social constructions. The key to being a proactive social agent in this messed-up patriarchal, capitalist world we call a society, is to be informed and aware of the social implications that govern our everyday lives. As humans, we have the capacity and the right to individually express ourselves however we choose. Even if these choices comply with the societal mainstream standard or if they completely bend the expected “rules”, I say, go for it! Get your Brazilian waxed! Pierce both your nipples! Do whatever feels right! Although according to Caitlin Moran in a recent Hairpin interview, she disagrees: “…I feel that anything that's normal that involves pain and costs a lot of money that boys aren't doing is something that I would really urgently want to have some kind of massive inquest into.” Good argument Caitlin, but haven’t you heard of boyzillians? Case in point. Gender aside, we’re all nuts.

Heather

Posted by jbv373 at 04:37 PM | Permalink

With school starting soon, many students are scouring the various websites to try and find those scholarships to cover some of the costs of education. There are scholarships for First Nations peoples, African peoples, Jewish peoples; program specific scholarships as well. The scholarships do not stop there; scholarships over the years have become more specific to include children of parents who have been serving a certain organization, no matter how big, to help with tuition. So the question is, where are the scholarships for the Queers?
Over these past few days, my Facebook has been lighting up with this debate of why there are little to no scholarships for Queer folks. Here are just a few of the interesting points made in the debate:

“There are scholarships that have stipulations for so many things, and I don't think that LGBT should be a problem. After all, LGBT kids face more potential barriers to success- higher incidents of depression, suicide, bullying, social alienation, potential academic discrimination, potential lack of family support, which when it comes time to pay for college can be the deal breaker. Of course, simply identifying as queer couldn't be the sole criteria, but identifying, acting for change, and demonstrating academic prowess…”

“… For fist generation college students, who potentially face many of the same challenges,...40% less likely to even go to college, and 50% less likely to even make it to the second year. Given that 40% of homeless youth are queer, I tend to think that the odds of success are even lower for the queer demographic. Therefor, any little bit of extra support is probably appreciated by any hardworking queer kid who's determined to succeed, even if it's just enough to pay for books for a semester.”

“Special benefits need to be continuously evaluated. Male enrollment and their graduation rate are decreasing. A mix of policies and societal changes have increased female educational participation. Good on them for that. However, when we are seeing a reduction in the percentage of boys expecting to attend university decreasing (regardless of university demographics), maybe it is time to reevaluate. Fields that remain male dominated, say mechanical engineering, should probably continue to offer special consideration for women. Remember, the goal should not be to punish for historical wrongs, but to build a better future.”

“Absolutely it is important to continuously evaluate who we consider eligible for "special benefits" (in any sense), but I don't see the balance tipping in the opposite direction (i.e. in favour of the historically oppressed) any time soon.”

“In regards to the lack of Caucasian male scholarships available, I think it's important to acknowledge the disadvantages women have faced for years in the public sphere. In fact, Caucasian males are the most privileged group in North America (probably on the planet). It seems as though as soon as minority groups begin to get special advantages, after years of oppression, those who are more privileged feel left out and see the treatment as unfair. There is nothing fair about the systemic sexism, racism, homophobia, and overall prejudice that exists within our social institutions and culture. Scholarships for LGBT folks, women, immigrants, Aboriginal, and other minority groups are imperative to achieving some sort of equality between humans, because right now, there is a great discrepancy between privileged individuals and everyone else.”

“I would pose the question of, would it be ok to take out scholarships that are race or gender specific to create equality?
The sad fact is, is that Queer (LGBT) are not seen as equal in our current society. Therefore, it would be beneficial to create a platform for equality to flourish.”

What are your thoughts on scholarships for Queer and Queer friendly people?

Weigh in on our Facebook page!

Jack

Posted by jbv373 at 08:31 AM | Permalink

With the beautiful weather, it’s the perfect time for holidays and beach days. Between afternoon swims and patio fun, I have still found time to partake in some exciting ventures through the Centre. 

Early this month, I attended the Annual General Meeting of the Saskatoon Women’s Community Coalition (SWCC). This committee plans three major events: Take Back the Night, December 6th Memorial, and International Women’s Day. This year’s AGM was especially exciting because we are in the process of a much needed membership drive. Already, I have recruited some friends and volunteers to become members, however, we’re always looking for more new faces. There is also the option of being apart of a planning committee for just one of the events, if one in particular sticks out to you more than the others. This is a great opportunity to get involved in the community, hang out with some fantastic people, plan and organize fun, empowering events, plus as a bonus, it also looks great on résumé! If you, or anyone you know, may be interested in being apart of a fun, proactive group, committed to social justice and women’s interests, contact me! You can either call me, email me, Facebook me, or even better, COME SEE ME! You know where to find me.

A couple days ago, I had the opportunity to organize and lead a workshop with Marie Lovrod (from the Women and Gender Studies department) for a group of girls from International Women of Saskatoon (IWS). During a two and a half hour session, we created body maps that explored identity. After tracing their outlines on to giant sheets of paper, we looked at several different aspects of identity, such as core values, interests and hobbies, important relationships, ways of being, and claimed identities. Through drawing, painting, writing, pasting, glitter, and any other ways they could think of, the girls creatively “mapped” their identities in and around the outlines of their bodies. We then discussed influences outside of the body, like the media, our parents, and our peers, and how our perceptions of self often differ from other’s opinions and expectations. The end results were unbelievable! Each and every girl created a unique and beautiful representation of herself. While there were important themes that were consistent with many of the girls (friends, family, kindness, cooperation), we also found out things about each other no one knew at the beginning (one girl explained her love for history, while another talked about her obsession with vampires). Overall, the experience was unforgettable. I was nervous going into it because I didn't know how the girls would respond to the exercise, or did I know how I would feel orchestrating a group of 11 girls! But it was perfect. We had a blast and I was so touched to meet a group of such awesome young ladies!

I can’t believe it’s already August, and school is right around the corner! Remember, your USSU Women’s Centre is located in the MUB, Room 105 and we’re always looking for new volunteers and friends!

Heather

Posted by jbv373 at 03:28 PM | Permalink