Origin story: The library on campus is often addressed only by its colloquial name: the library. And, unfortunately, students usually neglect its Christian name: the Alan Batey Library & Learning Commons. The name is no small commemoration. Batey was from 1966 to 1971 principal of the Institute of Adult Studies, and, following 1971’s conversion to Camosun College, the first director of the community education services division. And he was “more than anyone… the biggest single reason that Camosun exists today,” says our April 3, 2000 issue. This issue, we covered the name change, which came after several months of discussion. In 2009, nine years after the official recognition and plaque, Batey passed away. However, today his memory lives on between books and whispers.
Five o’clock somewhere: While today’s Camosun campus clubs offer students opportunities to connect over religion and political social movement, in 2000, Camosun students were more apt to bond over a pint. This issue covered the momentum of the Brewing Club, bringing together a community of beer lovers. Members not only learned how to make it, but often went home with an entire flat (24 500 millilitre bottles) for their own consumption. But they didn’t stop there; in an effort to raise money for the campus food bank, the club hosted a keg party fundraiser. In a time when cheap beer and forming tight-knit groups are becoming increasingly scarce, it might be wise to revive the initiative.
Mass surveillance: Increasingly, throughout decades of technological innovation and reliance, surveillance cameras have taken up room on ceilings, entryways, and traffic lights in public spaces. What they ask of their subjects is for their privacy in exchange for their safety. Some don’t mind, of course. And some do. This issue, we covered the installation of security cameras in the lobby of the Fisher building on Camosun’s Lansdowne campus. Previous students had expressed opposition to the recording, having success with removal. But in 2000, however, the cameras came back stronger than ever, coming as a response to the abundance of vandalism, break-ins, and theft occurring in the lobby, including $5,000 stolen from the cafeteria. Twenty-five years later, however, the caf now asks its students to pay for napkins, cups, and utensils with no purchase of food. This is highway robbery.