Hello everyone!

I hope everyone is surviving exam season. Just a few more days until we all get to have a nice and well deserved break before winter semester!

Once again, there is no pitch meeting this week, and we won’t be meeting again until the new year. The new date and time will be sent out in advance. As well, there will be no pitch email next week.

Best,

Dylana

News Pitches

You can reach Dylana at [email protected] or over Slack!

Staff and faculty receive service and recognition awards

Excellence in Leadership — Nicole Firth, academic department manager in the department of pediatrics, won the award for her work in creating a safe work space where people can connect.

Excellence in Learning Support — M. Scott Hanna is a lab technician in the department of biological sciences. Hanna is being recognized for promoting active learning and supporting students.

Pulp mill waste could find new use as fertilizer

Pulp mill waste could be useful as an organic fertilizer to help reduce the environmental impact of using conventional fertilizers while improving soil and tree growth, U of A research shows.

Challenges and dangers of a potential pandemic that would affect mostly children

A survey of Canadian pediatric intensive care units (PICUs) warns that Canada’s ability to respond to a pandemic of critically ill children may be seriously limited. In early 2022, Canada’s 19 PICUs reported 275 funded beds to support a mechanically ventilated child. The units said they could free up another 108 if needed. Dr. Daniel Garros, a U of A clinical professor of pediatrics and author of the study, said that won’t be nearly enough.

Service bots turn off customers, even when they work as well as humans, study shows

According to a study led by a U of A professor, people would prefer an interaction with a person, even if a bot is equal in speed and efficiency.

Rabbits and other creatures betrayed by white coats this dry December

Talk to U of A professor of biological sciences, Mark Boyce, about the larger ramifications this will have on the environment.

Opinion Pitches

You can reach Anna at [email protected] or over Slack!

Academic Success Centre: As we get closer to the end of the semester, students are increasingly aware of what their grades are like. If you’re struggling, now might be the time you’re reaching out to the U of A for support. The university offers services through their Academic Success Centre, but is it enough? Are there enough diverse supports being offered, and are they easily accessible enough for students to benefit? Or should the U of A be doing more to support students, especially during exam season?

Revitalising Chinatown: The city hopes to make Chinatown into a cultural hub, as a way to revitalise the area. This notion comes after the killings in the Chinatown area in May 2022. What should the city be doing to make Chinatown a safer area? How can they make it so that people can enjoy the businesses in Chinatown?

New Dental Coverage: On December 11, the federal government announced that they’ll be launching a new dental insurance program, starting with kids and seniors, throughout 2024. Will this help Canadians meet their oral health needs, or is this not going far enough? Should similar programs for other health needs also be introduced? Is this too little too late, or should Canadians be celebrating this advancement?

Neglect of Campus Buildings: Buildings across the U of A campus have frequently been neglected. Buildings such as the Education building often face utility shutdowns, even while students are in class, and other buildings such as the Humanities Centre are being closed entirely. Meanwhile, the university is planning on increasing enrolment over the next 10 years. Is the U of A responsible for not taking good enough care of its buildings? Or should the provincial government be stepping in to help support the university to maintain campus buildings?

A&C Pitches

You can reach Lily at [email protected] or over Slack!

Movie Review: Is there a popular Christmas movie you’ve never seen but want to? Take us on the journey with you and write a review!

Interview: Local artists receive $15,000 to celebrate 25th anniversary of arts award. Choose one to speak to!

Cheyenne Rain LeGrande ᑭᒥᐘᐣ (she/her) is a Nehiyaw Isko visual artist, originally from Bigstone Cree Nation. Her work often explores history, knowledge and traditional practices. Through the use of her body and language, she speaks to the past, present and future.

Daniel Foreman (he/him) is a Métis writer, director, producer and musician who creates independent film and video. He is also one of the founders of the Edmonton Short Film Festival which has screened over 250 Alberta films and helped many Edmonton filmmakers transition to the next level in their professional development.

Kathryn Gwun-Yeen 君妍 Lennon (she/her) is a poet and editor. She is the co-creator of Hungry Zine, an award-winning, food-focused publication that centers voices missing in mainstream food media. As an artist, she is passionate about building more inclusive, beautiful, and connected communities, through storytelling and placemaking.

Shawn Tse (he/him) is a multi-disciplinary artist, educator, and organizer that practices primarily in film/video, theatre, and public art. Placekeeping in Chinatown is a prominent theme in his artistic practice and he is a co-founder of aiya哎呀 collective and Chinatown Greetings.

Book Review or Author Interview: No Killers

“When University of Alberta alumnus Ken Budd set out in a Volkswagen van to explore the west coast of Vancouver Island in the early 1970s, he had no idea that he was embarking on a creative journey that would take over 50 years to complete. Since that first trip to what was then the sleepy fishing village of Tofino, BC, the narrative for his newest book release, NO KILLERS, has morphed and expanded almost beyond recognition. A few key elements, however, have remained constant: a world in turmoil, a nascent Canadian war strategy, a young protagonist at a crossroads, a chilling reality of the treatment of Japanese-Canadians and local First Nations, and the rugged beauty of Canada’s Pacific coastline.”

Speak with Ken or review his book!

Film Review or Interview: Locally-made holiday comedy/horror film Spirit of the Season to screen at Metro Cinema

December 19 at 7:00 p.m.

Spirit Of The Season is a holiday-themed comedy/horror film made by a collective of Edmonton filmmakers, screenwriters and actors and shot entirely in and around Edmonton.

“Riffing on the classic "cabin in the woods" premise of movies such as Evil Dead, the story follows a group of five friends as they head out to an isolated retreat to escape the holidays... but one way or another, the spirit of the season finds them. What follows is not only a hilarious holiday romp, but also a genuine and heartfelt look at the less-discussed negative aspects of the Christmas season, and the emotional toll they can take. The film features a character dealing with the loss of family members, a queer character struggling to reconcile their identity with their family, and a character who grew up in poverty, and explores the ways the holidays can be difficult for a myriad of reasons.”

Review the film at its premiere, or speak to the creators about the film’s making!