The Cascade

07/11/2023

Shelley Liebembuk, PhD, an assistant professor from the theatre department, was appointed as the new director of the School of Creative Arts (SoCA), and will step into the role at the end of June. The previous director, Heather Davis-Fisch, PhD, is leaving UFV to work at the University of Lethbridge as the new dean of fine arts. Liebembuk sat down with The Cascade and shared some of her goals and plans that she hopes to achieve.

“I feel very well stewarded to take on the directorship,” said Liebembuk. She attributed her qualifications to her experience working at the university for the last four years as well as building curriculum. “I also recognize that there’s going to be a learning curve. This is a new kind of position and it’s a managerial position at a certain level for a very large group of humans.”

Liebembuk said that it was her mentor and colleague, Davis-Fisch, who first told her about the job opening and encouraged her to apply. She attributed much of her success and opportunities here at UFV to Davis-Fisch, as she was the one who encouraged Liebembuk to first apply to work at UFV four years ago.

The hiring process for the position was quick as Liebembuk learned about the opening in mid-April, and was promoted on May 12. “I was interviewed by a panel of folks from the School of Creative Arts,” said Liebembuk. She was later unanimously voted in as the new director by permanent faculty from SoCA. “I feel like I’m supported and folks believe that I can step up to the job, and that’s a really nice feeling.”

https://ufvcascade.ca/professor-liebembuk-promoted-as-the-new-director-of-soca/

Reading time: 3 mins Shelley Liebembuk, PhD, an assistant professor from the theatre department, was appointed as the new director of the School of Creative Arts (SoCA), and will step into the role at the end of June. The previous director, Heather Davis-Fisch, PhD, is leaving UFV to work at the Uni...

07/10/2023

Established in 2017, the local Abbotsford business Boardwalk Cafe and Games has transitioned through turbulent times of uncertainty throughout the years. Darin Graham, the owner and operator of the café, opened up about what inspired him to start up his business and some of the changes and challenges his café has gone through, such as the COVID-19 pandemic and inflation.

What inspired you to start up Boardwalk Cafe and Games, and how long have you been in business?

We opened the doors to Boardwalk in January of 2017. We were inspired to create Boardwalk after visiting a number of board game cafés in other cities. We knew that there was a lack of entertainment options in the Fraser Valley and believed that the community would enjoy a unique experience like what we had in mind. So, we took a chance and here we are.

What do you find draws people to Boardwalk?

It seems like people value having a place to gather that is social and experiential. It’s different then going to a traditional restaurant as you are sharing more than a meal. As well, since the housing market is really challenging for many people, we don’t all have the opportunity to own a space that we can gather our friends in. If we have to negotiate with roommates about having a group of friends over or if we have a really small apartment, it makes it challenging to have meaningful social encounters with people. Having a social space that you don’t have to worry about cleaning up, buying snacks, or if there’s going to be a big enough table makes it a lot easier in today’s housing market.

https://ufvcascade.ca/local-spotlight-on-boardwalk-cafe-and-games/

Reading time: 3 mins Established in 2017, the local Abbotsford business Boardwalk Cafe and Games has transitioned through turbulent times of uncertainty throughout the years. Darin Graham, the owner and operator of the café, opened up about what inspired him to start up his business and some of the...

07/06/2023

The Student Union Society (SUS) has several events and goals planned for the upcoming fall 2023 semester at UFV. In past semesters, this has included advocacy goals on behalf of students, as well as community building events like Kickback. SUS president, Ashley McDougall, sat down with The Cascade and shared a preview of what students can look forward to for the fall.

According to McDougall, SUS hopes to continue hosting popular events on campus in the fall, with Kickback taking place on Sept. 21. SUS will also be providing more free food at the event, as it was requested by students from last year’s feedback. Kickback will also usher in the return of the dunk tank as well as the beer garden.

Other familiar supports that SUS will provide include their student healthcare and dental plans, which are included in student fees. “We’re also looking at continuing our Abbotsford Canucks partnership,” said McDougall, “so hopefully when the season starts up, we’re going to be having some more student rush nights.”

A major change that McDougall is excited for is hosting more events at the Chilliwack campus. She explained that Chilliwack is often excluded when it comes to hosting events, but that SUS is planning to go to the campus during the summer or fall to poll students and determine what type of events they want to have. McDougall also hinted that in the winter semester they’re “planning a bigger event out [at the] Chilliwack campus.”

“We’re looking at planning some engagement with the clubs and associations (CNAs) this year,” explained McDougall. “SUS recently took over the administration of clubs and associations… so we’re really looking forward to engaging more with CNAs.”

One of the main goals that SUS hopes to achieve this year is establishing a higher level of transparency with students at UFV, including more opportunities for students to meet with members of SUS. “We want to make it as accessible as possible to students if they have questions about SUS and questions about what we do.” McDougall added that SUS’s vice presidents (VPs) are also working on an initiative that will likely be called Find Your Fees, which will “be breaking down the student union fees and where they go for students.”

https://ufvcascade.ca/kickback-new-goals-and-advocacy-planned-for-fall-2023/

Reading time: 3 mins The Student Union Society (SUS) has several events and goals planned for the upcoming fall 2023 semester at UFV. In past semesters, this has included advocacy goals on behalf of students, as well as community building events like Kickback. SUS president, Ashley McDougall, sat do...

07/01/2023

From May 19-22, the Tradex in Abbotsford played host to Jurassic Quest (JQ), a meteoric exhibit that offers equal parts fun and education. Using similar animatronic technology to that used in the movie Jurassic Park, JQ mixes modern scientific understanding with technology to create life-sized animatronics, giving visitors a sense of what these prehistoric carnivores and herbivores would look like if they were walking among us. Children and adults alike were wide-eyed with big grins at the sight of creatures they could previously only experience on the silver screen.. The exhibit drew a huge crowd, with nearly sold-out days all through the May long weekend.

The Cascade was taken through the exhibit by Carolyn Barker, senior site manager, and “Utah raptor trainer.” Barker explained that to handle the exhibit’s busy schedule (the production relocates to a different city almost every weekend while touring), JQ workers take apart and set up the animatronics in a matter of days. The Tradex served as a perfect location, featuring a wide open space to house the animals and a small playground on the opposite side of the compound. “The Tradex staff has been really great; really supportive,” said Barker. “It was really easy being here. We had a harder time in Vancouver, [Abbotsford] was a lot more relaxed.”

Each dinosaur pen was accompanied by a real fossil, a QR code, and a video tour that provided more information. Through the code, readers could learn when the first bone of the dino in question was discovered, and who found it. Also provided are the latest revelations that have either reinforced what paleontologists already theorized, or completely changed the narrative. At the back of the exhibit was a table covered in fossils, bones, and a small chunk of recently discovered dinosaur p**p.

http://ufvcascade.ca/prehistoric-stomping-fun/

Reading time: 3 mins From May 19-22, the Tradex in Abbotsford played host to Jurassic Quest (JQ), a meteoric exhibit that offers equal parts fun and education. Using similar animatronic technology to that used in the movie Jurassic Park, JQ mixes modern scientific understanding with technology to cr...

06/29/2023

We’ve all been there. You’re standing at the cash register after ordering an iced oat latte when suddenly the barista flips the iPad towards you, and you’re faced with tipping options. Now you’re at the big moment when you have to decide quickly what your own tipping etiquette is. Personally? I’m someone that tries to give a tip any time I can! The easiest way I do it (for example at a coffee shop as that’s probably my strongest example) is to use the tips I earn and give them that. It feels like a passing-it-forward kind of idea.

I understand not everyone is a tipper. Many argue that if people make minimum wage then they should be fine. Yet it’s often proven that it’s called minimum wage for a reason and people nowadays are barely making enough to cover their groceries. Some say It’s just a latte! Why do I have to tip? Short answer: you don’t have to. If you’re this person I don’t care, and I don’t want to hear it. Sometimes I agree with not tipping (apparently some self checkouts are now providing a tipping option), but in other situations I feel as though it is simply nice.

When I’m not writing for The Cascade, I am working at a local liquor store, and surprisingly, I make tips. Whenever I tell people this it is almost always met with shock, because let’s face it, why the hell am I making tips at my kind of job? I started my job just after the pandemic hit in 2020 and for a couple of years a lot of people didn’t like being handed back dirty change, so they would throw a couple cents into the little glass jar by my till. Steadily, my tips have decreased due to people being fine handling physical money again, and it’s now mainly regulars that throw in a buck or two. The winter holidays are great times for tips at my workplace! Sorry you’re working Christmas Eve! Take a $5 bill! You’ll never catch me complaining, especially when that money goes towards my weekly latte budget. On summer closing shifts people feel bad I can’t go enjoy the lake or have a beer on a patio and will tip, but once again me getting tips goes back to the customer just feeling like being slightly kind enough to throw some bread in the jar.

http://ufvcascade.ca/heres-a-little-tip/

Reading time: 3 mins We’ve all been there. You’re standing at the cash register after ordering an iced oat latte when suddenly the barista flips the iPad towards you, and you’re faced with tipping options. Now you’re at the big moment when you have to decide quickly what your own tipping eti...

06/26/2023

On May 4, 2023, the Canadian Revenue Agency (CRA) and their employer, the federal government, reached a tentative agreement that officially ended the 15 day strike. According to a statement from the Public Service Alliance of Canada (PSAC), the CRA received more than what they bargained for before the strike occurred. This agreement promises workers a “compounded increase” in their pay by 12.6 per cent over a four-year period, and employees can expect to receive a $2,500 payment as well.

The CRA went on strike April 19, 2023, which affected more than 35,000 employees. Represented by the Union of Taxation Employees (UTE), which is part of the PSAC, the CRA made different demands to their employer. This included allowing employees to work more remotely, “a 22.5 per cent raise over three years,” and “an immediate nine per cent adjustment” to ensure that they are on par with others in the same line of work.

As part of the tentative agreement, federal employees now have the option to work remotely, depending on their circumstances. Regarding CRA employee income, the PSAC provided a breakdown of how the compounded increase in wages will add up to 12.6 per cent from 2021-2024. Other benefits from the deal include more job security and seniority, where “preference shall be given to PSAC-UTE members over outside contractors.” According to the agreement, CRA employees can also “request the ability to start work as early as 6 a.m,” allowing them to schedule their work day to fit their needs.

https://ufvcascade.ca/cra-strike-ended-with-promising-tentative-deal/

Reading time: 2 mins On May 4, 2023, the Canadian Revenue Agency (CRA) and their employer, the federal government, reached a tentative agreement that officially ended the 15 day strike. According to a statement from the Public Service Alliance of Canada (PSAC), the CRA received more than what they b...

06/24/2023

Senate is the academic governing body of UFV, with the acting university president and vice-chancellor James Mandigo as the chair. They are responsible for making decisions on everything academic, including: approving new courses and programs, approving changes to programs, and setting entrance requirements and the academic calendar. The Board of Governors, which looks at the business side of the university, is advised by Senate on matters of mutual interest.

All at the university are welcome to attend Senate’s public meetings, held once a month. Senate makes decisions that impact the daily lives of both students and faculty. This article will recap the main agenda items of the hybrid Senate meeting on Friday, June 2, 2023.”

David Johnston, registrar, and Dr. Vladamir Dvoracek, associate vice-president of Institutional Research and Integrated Planning, presented a detailed report on the new Strategic Enrolment Management (SEM) Plan for 2023-2030. Their presentation highlighted the expected intake of full-time domestic and international student enrolments and their targeted enrolment percentages. According to a memo from Dvoracek, “the 2030/31 institutional target for domestic FTEs [full-time enrolments] was set by referring to the forecasted increase from 2022 to 2030 in the Fraser Valley College Region’s (FVCR) population, weighted by the age distribution of the UFV student population.”

Furthermore, there is an expected 25 per cent increase in the international student FTEs during this seven-year period, and an estimated 17 per cent increase in domestic student FTEs. According to a memo to the Senate, when this percentage is taken into account and “applied to the 2022/23 FTEs of 7,046, [it] yields a rounded value of 8,250 domestic FTEs as the 2030/31 institutional target.”

Acting provost, Tracy Ryder-Glass, motioned to approve the dean’s summary report for the chemistry program review that was made by Dr. Lucy Lee, dean of the faculty of science. This included challenges faced by the department in the areas of “the physical state of the laboratories; laboratory health and safety concerns; course availability; equipment/infrastructure maintenance; and curriculum indigenization.”

UFV is taking steps to help improve the chemistry department, which include continuous student engagement and incorporating more indigenization into the curriculum. This will be accomplished by “invit[ing] Indigenous scientists or allies to expand indigenization knowledge through workshops,” which are projected to be offered either “within the year or by spring 2024.” Another step being taken is making territorial acknowledgements part of the course syllabuses and/or on the Blackboard online portal. The motion was favorably voted on by the Senate.

https://ufvcascade.ca/senate-the-sem-plan-report-2023-2030/?customize_changeset_uuid=8bc09cd7-1ffa-4e3c-b248-c52cb11025b7

06/23/2023

My birthday passed recently and I like to think I’ve changed a lot in the last year. I’ve grown to care more about myself and less about others. I stopped centring my entire life around other people’s schedules. I make a point of putting myself first and I honestly think more people should.

It’s not selfish to care about yourself. I spent far too much time thinking that if I care about myself, that I must be selfish. Many of us are taught this mentality from a young age. If you bring a treat to class, bring one for everyone. If you played sports as a kid, everyone got a participation ribbon that looked the same as the winning ribbon. I was taught to never brag about my successes and that if I earned anything less, it was something to be ashamed of.

Now, I celebrate my smallest of accomplishments. When I inevitably stumble in life, I reach out to grab a hand. I make a point of seeing the silver lining, even if that silver lining is more of a copper lining. Love yourself. Care for yourself. Accept help from others.

https://ufvcascade.ca/its-not-selfish/?customize_changeset_uuid=8bc09cd7-1ffa-4e3c-b248-c52cb11025b7&fbclid=IwAR131uBcwEtF5SxM_Zfh2xGl927P4OYz2wrp3_a8KCFXlkLFHK93iMiOQgI

06/22/2023

The Cascade Kitchen is a student-run food column that brings you budget-friendly recipes and cooking tips. If you want to see your own recipe featured next, get started by reaching out to [email protected]

Chia pudding is an easy and healthy snack I love to make in the summer. When it’s hot out, I usually don’t feel like something warm and heavy so this is the perfect option. Adding matcha gives you a boost of energy and the coconut gives it that summery vibe. Not to mention it’s totally customizable to your taste and can be made vegan. It’s the perfect addition to your meal prep rotation.

Prep Time: 5 minutes

Time to set: Overnight

Ingredients:

1-2 tsp of matcha powder (depending on how strong you want the flavor)

1 cup milk of your choice (I used coconut milk)

¼ cup chia seeds

½ tbsp sweetener of your choice (I chose maple syrup)

Optional toppings: Strawberries, shredded coconut, granola

Method:

1. Sift the match powder into a large bowl to ensure there are no lumps.

2. Whisk the matcha and the milk together until smooth.

3. Add the chia seeds and sweetener, stir to combine. Ensure all of the seeds are thoroughly mixed in with no clumps.

4. Scoop the mixture into your container of choice. I like to use a jar so I can take it on the go in the morning. Place in the fridge overnight.

5. Once set, add your toppings and enjoy!

http://ufvcascade.ca/the-cascade-kitchen-coconut-matcha-chia-pudding/

Reading time: < 1 min The Cascade Kitchen is a student-run food column that brings you budget-friendly recipes and cooking tips. If you want to see your own recipe featured next, get started by reaching out to [email protected] Chia pudding is an easy and healthy snack I love to make in the summ...

06/21/2023

On June 1, the provincial government raised its minimum wage to $16.75. In just eight years, B.C. went from having one of the lowest minimum wages, at $10.25 per hour in 2015, to one of the highest. The increase is… contentious. Minimum wage workers are happy to see a pay bump, while businesses fret over increased costs. The extra cash should, in theory, go straight back into the economy, but where and how it’s spent matters. If instead of going to the local café, it goes into Shein’s deep pockets, then it’s just another expense for local businesses to incur — and ultimately pass onto consumers.

Restaurants have been especially hard hit. The ones who survived the COVID-19 lockdowns by hastily contracting with food delivery services; investing in personal protective equipment; installing plexiglass barriers; erecting ramshackle outdoor dining spaces; operating at reduced volume; fighting for limited takeout supplies; and desperately trying to conjure up willing employees. Even before this wage bump, small businesses had already taken on a number of new costs, like employer-paid sick days, increased WorkSafeBC premiums, a new employer health tax, and a new provincial holiday. Anyone who can’t understand the concerns of small business owners should take a moment and try.

Of course, inflation hits the people on the bottom rung the hardest. The B.C. Liberal government showcased just how poor a strategy it is to leave the minimum wage stagnant for a decade — but we must have a serious conversation about what the goal really is. According to Living Wage for Families BC, a living wage for Metro Vancouver is now $24.08 per hour. That’s a far cry from the new minimum of $16.75 — a $7.33 discrepancy. In 2019, when the minimum wage was $12.65 or $13.85 (depending on when you measured it), the living wage was $19.50. The gap is not shrinking — it’s widening.

http://ufvcascade.ca/the-inflationary-arms-race/

Reading time: 2 mins On June 1, the provincial government raised its minimum wage to $16.75. In just eight years, B.C. went from having one of the lowest minimum wages, at $10.25 per hour in 2015, to one of the highest. The increase is… contentious. Minimum wage workers are happy to see a pay bump...

06/20/2023

On Saturday, June 3, the Vancouver Bandits hosted their home opener against the Calgary Surge, marking their third game of the 2023 CEBL season. Considering the season’s initial losses for the Bandits, and the Surge’s previously undefeated start, it was a pleasant surprise to witness the Bandits’ 84-81 win.

The first quarter was a challenge for the local squad as the team had difficulties working together and finding their groove. With a score of 10-20 for the Surge, things didn’t look great for the Bandits. Despite a rocky start, two players showed a compelling amount of teamwork: 21-year-old rookie, Diego Maffia, and 25-year-old Georgian player, Giorgi Bezhanishvili.

When asked what head coach, Kyle Julius, said to him during the first quarter break, Maffia said his coach told him to “stay the course.” It’s become a motto of sorts for the team. “It’s written on the board,” said Maffia — “stay the course.” It seemed to work as they picked up their game by the end of the second quarter (41-43) and gained the lead in the third, entering the fourth quarter up 63-61.

The final stretch became the most entertaining as Calgary’s performance dropped off and the Bandits came together. This fourth quarter saw the most penalties, which would have ended the game sooner, had Nick Ward converted on half of his free throws. Even with the Surge closing the gap, Maffia was able to get to the line and score the game-winning free throw.

Maffia emerged the obvious star of this home opener and first Bandit win of the season as he ended the game with an amazing double-double of 15 points and 11 assists. Bezhanishvili ended the game with 17 points and his team work with Maffia made the two stand out.

http://ufvcascade.ca/bandits-secure-season-first-win-at-home-opener/

Reading time: 2 mins On Saturday, June 3, the Vancouver Bandits hosted their home opener against the Calgary Surge, marking their third game of the 2023 CEBL season. Considering the season’s initial losses for the Bandits, and the Surge’s previously undefeated start, it was a pleasant surprise t...

06/19/2023

The Denver Nuggets never found themselves leading the narrative of genuine championship contenders, despite finishing first in the Western Conference with a record of 53-29. Even in the West, they were seldom considered the team to beat. Talking heads preferred the upstart Grizzlies, star-driven Suns, defending champion Warriors, or even the Lebron James-led Lakers.

The Nuggets came into the playoffs with just the sixth-best odds to win the championship. The lack of respect didn’t bother the Nuggets, as they knocked off the Timberwolves in five games, the Suns in six, and the Lakers in a four-game sweep. Now after an electric five games on the biggest stage, the Nuggets defeated the Miami Heat and won the franchise’s first championship.

The major component in their success is two-time MVP, Nikola Joki?. The Serbian has come a long way from when he was drafted 41st overall in 2014 during a Taco Bell commercial. Joki? averaged a triple-double through the first three rounds of the playoffs, and was only 0.2 assists per game away from achieving the same feat through the regular season. Despite this, he finished as the runner-up for this year’s MVP to Philadelphia 76ers centre, Joel Embiid. Some say Joki? was robbed, and that he was only denied the award because of a perceived fatigue of his skills; that his consistent style of play and quiet off-court demeanour isn’t as marketable as the flashiness and drama of Embiid. This is a charge Joki? has tried his best to downplay, stating “people are just mean in saying [Embiid] shouldn’t have won it.” Joki? certainly never let the buzz distract his on-court performance, leading his team through both his play and attitude.

Canadian guard Jamal Murray is the other star on the Nuggets roster, providing them with an elite combination of scoring and playmaking. His ability to space the floor and score from three-point range is the perfect compliment to Joki? and gives defences an impossible dyad to prioritize.

http://ufvcascade.ca/the-quiet-dominance-of-the-denver-nuggets-finals-run/

06/10/2023

What is one to do in Abbotsford on a Saturday night? The answer is not much. Perhaps you go on a brisk midnight walk to the lake with your friends or indulge in a beer or two at home with your favourite show playing in the background. However, whatever you choose to do, it becomes abundantly clear that Abbotsford does not have a bumping nightlife scene. If you want to see shows, or party to your heart’s content, you better dump out your pockets and scour the couch cushions for $100 to make it to Vancouver and back on a good night.

That’s why, when I heard about The Banquet Room: a DIY venue located in Abbotsford that was hosting a night of fun-filled tunes, I was excited to see what they had to offer. I wasn’t expecting to show up to a Mennonite church, but the venue had hidden charms when I realized I had to walk around the back of the building to get to the actual event. It was secretive, making the night even more magical. The venue had themed mocktails based on each band which enhanced the experience of listening to the artists play their released and unreleased music.

For the sake of experiencing the night to its fullest, I tried every mocktail they had to offer and was pleasantly surprised. After speaking to the bartender, I discovered that she works at every event The Banquet Room hosts, and curates a unique drink menu for each band/artist.

The Rake and Leaf: This was the first drink I tried and it was composed of a homemade white peach syrup topped off with maple soda. It was a wonderful complement to the first band, Alex Rake and the Leaves; sweet and wholesome just like them! I have never seen a double bass and banjo duo. It was so amazing that I was in awe. The group sang a great deal of unreleased songs and I found myself enjoying their folk-punk sound.

https://ufvcascade.ca/how-did-i-end-up-at-church-on-a-saturday-night/

Reading time: 3 mins What is one to do in Abbotsford on a Saturday night? The answer is not much. Perhaps you go on a brisk midnight walk to the lake with your friends or indulge in a beer or two at home with your favourite show playing in the background. However, whatever you choose to do, it becom...

06/09/2023

I recently read a colleague’s article advocating for 15-minute cities. Now, don’t get me wrong, I love the idea of having everything I need within 15 minutes of me, but I don’t think it’s everything it’s cracked up to be.

First of all, I love my long drives. I used to take public transit everywhere, so the privilege of now having a car is a big deal for me. I have cut my average travel time from an hour and a half to just 30 minutes. Even when I did take the bus, it wasn’t all that bad — minus the occasional wacko or that one person who thinks the bus is the place to have a loud and public lover’s quarrel over the phone.

But those hours on the bus, and now my traffic-filled trips to campus gave and continue to give me time to enjoy podcasts, listen to music on full blast, roll my windows down to embrace the sunshine, and sometimes, they give me the chance to sit in silence. I drive to the Abbotsford campus from my home in Surrey and I get to see the shift of city to farmland, all with the impeccable backdrop of the Rocky Mountains. British Columbia is in fact quite beautiful, and I do find myself thinking, yeah, this is it. This is why people stayed here.

I could go on for pages about my love for being able to sit in my car and just be, but it’d be more practical to talk about the realities of 15-minute cities. For me, the concept of a 15-minute city is an urban development plan that would end up displacing me from my home — again. The idea of it seems great when I think about having everything I could need nearby, and that I would be able to enjoy more time with my family rather than spending it on the road, but then I think about what has to happen for that sort of life to exist.

https://ufvcascade.ca/when-urban-development-leads-to-displaced-communities/

Reading time: 3 mins I recently read a colleague’s article advocating for 15-minute cities. Now, don’t get me wrong, I love the idea of having everything I need within 15 minutes of me, but I don’t think it’s everything it’s cracked up to be. First of all, I love my long drives. I used to ...