The Muse

Reporter: Venera Nikolaeva

This past Tuesday marked the beginning of a series of open consultations with the entire student body at MUN regarding the introduction of a discounted bus pass that would give them access to all bus routes and an expanded level of service. Following concerns related to commuting challenges expressed by student representatives in 2015, a Parking and Transportation Committee was formed on campus spanning participants from all the major stakeholder groups within the university(students, faculty, staff), as well as Metrobus and community officials.

The U-Pass Program was among the first promising solutions examined by the committee and it received due attention for a number of reasons. It is a common transportation option at other post-graduate institutions across Canada and provides a helpful alternative for one of the most financially vulnerable parts of the population.The program has the potential to increase the search area of housing options and employment opportunities as well. Parking scarcity is another ongoing concern that could be mitigated with the launch of the U-Pass. The environmental impact should not be underestimated either – provided the availability of a viable alternative to driving, there will be less cars circulating on the streets and consequently – lower levels of air pollution.Last, but not least, the U-Pass Program is not just going to help students get back and forth to university, it will enable them to explore everything the city of St. John’s and nearby areas have to offer – from shopping centers to food and entertainment venues.

The session started with a short introduction by a representative from the Facilities Office at MUN. She provided some background information as to how the idea about the program was brought to the table and what the next steps would be. Jordan Wright, Manager of the Office of Associate Vice-President (Facilities) and moderator of the discussion took the floor next. He walked the audience through the U-Pass Model and the dynamics between its factors (level of service, number of users and price point). Particular attention was paid to the cost of current means of transportation, which were then compared with possible price ranges for the U-Pass. The presentation also focused on potential improvements in existing core services (more buses at peak times and express buses to certain areas) and expansion into new regions (Portugal Cove, Torbay and Conception Bay South) as explained by Metrobus officials.

Once the formal part of the session was over, students received the opportunity to share their opinions, questions and concerns with respect to the U-Pass model, the price range and the level of service improvements. Most of the participants in this consultation session were positive that if implemented, the changes will indeed make the metrobus service much more useful to them – especially for the students from the Ocean Sciences center, which currently have very limited options for transportation. One of the students, however, suggested that weekend service should receive attention as well. This will make it possible for them to pursue other interests on and off-campus and utilize more of the services offered by the university (as they will be able to rely more on transportation). In terms of cost, the general opinion of the participants was that the price of the pass should be reasonable, meeting the financial needs of both the students and the respective external parties.

By engaging the parties in a productive discussion, the committee will receive valuable feedback which will help them find the right balance between the three variables – and come up with viable alternative.

The decision whether to adopt the U-Pass program will be taken by the students. A referendum will be held by the end of the Winter 2019 semester. If the vote is in favor of the program, an implementation process will ensue with Fall 2020 semester indicated as the the earliest completion period.

Reporter: Junaid Faizan Haque

It was the 29th of September when a crowd appeared in front of the Innovation Hall inside the university’s Bruneau center.

The ISC (International Student Resource Center) had organized a movie night as their big welcome week event, embracing eager newcomers and exhausted MUN-goers alike.

A snack station full of popcorn, soft drinks and light snacks welcomed the students right outside the IIC2001 hall. Abiding by the university’s rule of no-food-allowed-inside-the-hall, the ISC team allowed everyone an hour to get their tummies filled before the movie started at around 6:35pm.

A pleasant buzz warmed the lecture hall as the organizers worked on getting the movie up and playing on the screen. Everyone was speaking in their own respective languages which reflected the diversity and the welcoming nature of the university for students from all cultures, and this feeling of being at home is what the ISC successfully achieved to do that evening. The movie, Interstellar,had been previously picked through a Facebook poll and rented out legally so as to not infringe on any copyrights laws. The event started outwith a turnout of nearly 50 people and ended with around 40, some having left halfway, considering the movie to be slightly slow and not the very best for a weekend fun. Nevertheless, for most, it was an enjoyable experience and there was a common excitement all around. At the end of the day, despite the few yawns here and there, the kept us at the edge of our seats as the climax was mind boggling and left a lingering feeling of awe.

 After the movie ended, everyone was offered ISC badges and cards with information on upcoming ISC events which include the ISRA(International Student Recognition Awards) to be held in November 2018 and the 33rd Annual Multicultural Show to be held in March 2019.

Reporter: Venera Nikolaeva

Students with keen interest in entrepreneurship activities had an opportunity to spend a day exchanging ideas, chatting with fellow-minded peers and experts in the field and drawing inspiration from a variety of creative projects presented by young entrepreneurs. In addition to the unusually warm weather, this past Saturday marked the second edition of the annual Embark Student Entrepreneurship Conference. An event designed and organized by students for students, the conference is the brainchild of the Memorial Centre for Entrepreneurship Student Ambassadors’ Team – a group of passionate young people on a mission of spreading the entrepreneurship spirit among the student body and helping budding entrepreneurs turn their dreams into reality.

The event kicked off accordingly with а student pitch competition where five student businesses presented their companies to the audience with the top three walking away with a cash prize. The audience was entrusted with the responsible and quite difficult task of evaluating them and casting its vote. All five projects presented ingenious solutions to pressing social and environmental challenges – ranging from a smart diabetic scale capable of detecting infections at early stage (InfraSense-Health) and technology aiming to revolutionize the global health alert system (Immune Check) to an innovative solution to pharmaceutical waste (Bound Pharmaceuticals); a community-based commerce app that allows consumers to share grocery prices in real time and get information about the best deals (Shawper) and last but not least, a student-run social enterprise seeking to increase the accessibility and lower the cost of fresh food in Newfoundland & Labrador (Greenspace Urban Farms). After a careful deliberation the audience’s top choice fell on Greenspace Urban Farms social enterprise, with Immune Check and InfraSense-Health taking second and third place respectively.

A session was devoted to conversation with student entrepreneurs who shared their success stories and how and why they went along the entrepreneurship path. Meanwhile, braking the trend of prioritizing innovative undertakings associated with technology, medical breakthroughs and solving social problems, entrepreneurship in arts received special attention during this conference. As Dave Sullivan, an actor, writer and ad creative, put it “”art is one of the purest forms of entrepreneurship – you are putting yourself out there for everyone to judge and evaluate you and your story.” St. John’s musician and photographer Chris LeDrew added that arts entrepreneurs actually help the industry move forward and open up new opportunities for the rest of the guild.

The pinnacle of the event was the Embryo Grant pitch competition. The grant supports the development of health-related innovation that demonstrates potential to grow into a sustainable enterprise and is comprised of three competitive phases. The startups – BreatheSuite (featuring an inhaler add-on device) and VitalMIST (offering non-invasive nasal atomization solution) – made it to the third and final stage and competed for $15,000 in funding to develop their product. Much to the delight of the audience, both contestants offered well-prepared pitches, passion and commitment as well as viable products solving pressing problems, which made it extremely difficult for the judging panel to choose one over the other. After a careful deliberation, BreatheSuite was given the chance to try to improve health care for people on a global scale.

The conference plays an important role in supporting the efforts of the Memorial Centre for Entrepreneurship of offering a welcoming and easily accessible environment, guidance and inspiration to those interested in learning more about entrepreneurship. According to Student Ambassador Rowan Meaney, it provides the student entrepreneurs-to-be with the necessary stimulus to start pursuing their ideas and take the entrepreneurial leap. It helps them throw off the shackles of insecurity and embrace the opportunity to gain skills and knowledge that will undoubtedly be beneficial regardless of their chosen field of development.

October 9^th (Tuesday) saw the 34^th MAKE MIDTERM MATTER event hosted by the Memorial University of Newfoundland(MUN). The event started at 9:30 am with a welcome speech from Dr. Shannon Lewis-Simpson.

The volunteers were then divided into four teams- one of which went to Manuels River to build butterfly huts while another volunteered to help the Coats for Kids event at Legion, Blackmarsh road. The third team volunteered to go to the Autism Centre to for a fun day of gardening.Most of the volunteers, however, remained at The Landing in the University Centre to train for volunteering at Eastern Health.

Dr. Shannon Lewis-Simpson explained how the event helps to improve the community and promote positive networking amongst students. “The essence of this event is to help the present members of the community. Opportunities, including employment opportunities are predicated by who you know. It’s very important for people to get out. I encourage everyone to get out and do these things because you’re not as smart as you think you are”, said Dr. Lewis-Simpson.

“It breaks down stigma, we like to show sides of autism, to show that people are responsible”, said Megan Marshall, a coordinator in the Autism Society. The event provides a platform so that everybody can work together. “People are people,” says Megan Marshall.

Madelyn Hache, a team lead, expressed her enthusiasm towards this event. “I don’t really have a lot of time because of my studies to go and visit the elderly, I love volunteering for Eastern Health, so every time Make Midterm Matter comes, I’m always a team lead.”

This event is hosted every semester by the University and it really gives the students a great opportunity to try a position or a new activity for a day. “We provide the opportunities, we give you the transport,even the lunch you will eat this afternoon. It’s a nice gentle entry into a more sustained volunteering experience”, said Dr. Lewis-Simpson.

The coats for kids could be considered as one of the most significant parts of the event. Hosted by VOCM Cares, the Coats for Kids campaign is responsible for gathering warm clothes to help the needy survive the harsh winters. Locals can bring in donations to various appointed locations from all around St. John’s and Mount Pearl from Tuesday to Saturday. “We ensure to have extended hours until 8 pm. This allows parents that work to get the time to pick their children up for school and then bring their children down to the area,” said Dr. Lewis-Simpson.

However, in spite of everything, the campaign need more support. They have over 100 MUN students volunteering with them this semester but all they need, is more coats. “The way I look at it, if we have 18000 students at MUN, if 1/10 bring in coats, that’s 1800 coats. All sizes of boots, coats, and warm clothing are encouraged really,” says Dr. Lewis-Simpson, expressing her concern about the lack of coats.

Some coats are not fit to wear, but, Tony the tailors were kind enough to fix the zippers and other small aspects of the coats free of charge. NL Power, the Red Cross, the Community Central Council, Knittin’ Nans and the Legion are some of the must-mention names behind the success of this event.

These events really give the students an experience like no other and at the same time gives back to the community and aids them in their day to day struggles. Make Midterm Matter teaches students something no degree or textbook really can- it teaches students the true essence of life which stems from putting a smile on someone else’s face.  

Reporter: Junaid Faizan Haque