A smashing success
In case you didn’t know, the Olympic Games took place in London, England, this summer. Most of you probably weren’t there, but fear not: thanks to a team of crack scientists at Camosun College’s Sports Innovation Center, we were able to be aptly represented. The small device they created, known as MMS (multi-sport measurement system), was sported by numerous athletes while training for their Olympic events, which allowed the athletes to obtain accurate, real-time feedback of their training. This feedback was then used to pinpoint areas for improvement. Good show, chaps!
Chargers tryouts start now
Do you think that you have what it takes to sport the blue ram (or is it a rare breed of mountain goat?) on your jersey? Are you prepared to sweat, work your ass off (it isn’t a donkey, is it?), and bring pride to the Camosun name? If you answered “hell yeah!” to these questions, then you better hurry up and get to tryouts. Men’s basketball open tryouts start on September 5, from 6:30 to 8:30 pm, with a women’s basketball team meeting on September 7 at 3 pm, followed by a scrimmage from 4:30 to 6:30 pm, and open tryouts on September 10 from 4:30 to 6:30 pm. For volleyball, there are men’s tryouts on September 5 from 4:30 6:30 pm, September 6 from 6:30 to 8:30 pm, and September 8 from 4:30 to 6:30 pm. All of these tryouts are taking place at the Pacific Institute for Sports Excellence (the big sports building near interurban).
Camosun funding criticized
Camosun will get a $506,000 funding boost this year for 64 extra student spaces in its health-care assistant program. It’s part of a province-wide one-time funding spree, but some people say it’s just not enough. Camosun College Student Society external executive Madeline Keller-MacLeod says that Camosun’s frozen funding over the past three years has resulted in great losses for the college. “Due to inflation this amounts to a two or three per cent cut per year,” she said in a press release. “This has resulted in the elimination of the applied communication program and has put our dental hygiene program at risk.” While appreciating the one-time funding for what it is, Keller-MacLeod explains that to see real change we’ll need more. “This is only one-time funding,” she said. “Employment needs in this field will continue to grow with an aging population. Sustainable funding should be guaranteed for these new seats.”
Getting graphic
A comic and graphic novels certificate program is now available at Camosun College for the first time ever. But this course is not just limited to the art of graphic novels and comics: one can also pursue gaming, motion graphics, illustration, or advertising. So many possibilities, one short course.
Student loan repayment update
Some moderately good news for those dealing with student-loan debt: a new system has been put in place for repaying BC student loans. The traditional model that looked purely at the income of the loan-burdened student will be replaced with a system that takes a closer look at the individual. This new structure will look at income, family size, ability to repay debt, and overall debt load in an attempt to make it easier for the new grad to adjust to their professional lives. These new rules, however, do not lower the interest rate on loans, which, at 2.5%, is the highest in Canada.
When fire ants attack
Planning a romantic picnic on the grass in Oak Bay? Or perhaps you’re thinking of grabbing one last game of Frisbee in the park before the cool autumn winds take over? Think again. Fire ants are on the loose, and they are not afraid to bite. Over the past 15 years this invasive species has been growing steadily in the Lower Mainland and on southern Vancouver Island, and can be seen (and felt) on the skin of unsuspecting victims. So remember, be safe, and watch out for those devilish creatures on your next fun-filled outing on a grassy knoll.