David Bruce, director of the office of research services at Mt. A, sent an email to the Argosy disclosing that the decision to cancel Mt. A’s membership was made by the President’s Executive Group, in consultation with Mt. A’s office of research services.

Bruce’s email implied that the NBSPRN provided redundant services. “The support that Mount Allison’s office of research services provides to our own faculty members achieves similar outcomes.”

Bruce’s email also suggests that there is no need to financially support the network because the individual memberships are free.

“Membership in NBSPRN is at the individual level,” he wrote. “Mount Allison faculty and students who have been members of NBSPRN will continue to be registered as members, at no cost.”

In 2010, New Brunswick’s four public universities, UNB, STU, U de M, and Mt. A, signed a five-year agreement with the NBSPRN. The government matched the funding provided by the four universities dollar for dollar.

Initially, Mt. A contributed $25,000 to the NBSPRN. Mt. A reduced its contributions to $10,000 in 2012 and again to $5,000 in 2014. Although UNB and U de M continue to fund the NBSPRN, Mt. A has now cancelled its funding.

The NBSPRN’s mission is to advance citizen engagement and evidence-based policy development in New Brunswick. According to its website, the NBSPRN accomplishes this by facilitating relationships and mobilizing knowledge between those making decisions, those conducting research, non-governmental organizations, and New Brunswick citizens.

Mt. A is home to many of the networks participants and beneficiaries. Mario Levesque, a political science professor at Mt. A, speaks highly of the NBSPRN on its website. “The NBSPRN has allowed me to quickly incorporate provincially relevant research into my larger research agenda.”

Nick Scott, the executive director of the NBSPRN, said in an email that he understands the financial pressures that face post-secondary institutions, but stressed that that the network is a worthwhile investment because of the tremendous amount of value it generates for both universities and the general public.

Scott also mentioned that in addition to the services, connections, and grants the NBSPRN provides, their team has offered invaluable support to its members and in organizing conferences that advance its mission.

Scott said the network will continue to maintain its relationship with the Mt. A community in order to continue its mission to advance evidence-based policy and citizen engagement. He also expressed that the network’s work for the public good comes at a cost. “The network depends on its members to realize its mission.”

Michael Fox, a professor in the department of geography and environment and member of the network’s advisory committee, was not consulted on Mt. A’s decision to withdraw from the network. He said he is concerned about how this decision reflects on Mt. A.

“The fact that Mt. A has apparently decided to rescind its membership in the network reflects very poorly on our institutional character,” Fox said.

Dave Thomas, the head of the politics & international relations department, said a few of his colleagues were active participants in the network. He voiced concerns about Mt. A’s membership cancellation and the administration’s approach to decision-making.

“This decision was made without any form of consultation that I am aware of, which seems to be part of a larger trend of the centralization of decision making, authority and power at this institution,” Thomas said.

Last Thursday, Jan. 28 was Bell Let’s Talk Day, which broke record numbers this year, raising over $6 million for mental health. Though the campaign officially raises money for mental health initiatives through the number of texts and tweets sent that day, it also provides a platform for individuals to speak out about their mental illness. One such mental illness which many may currently be experiencing is seasonal affective disorder (SAD).

SAD is a subtype of major depression that coincides with a change in season. Most individuals experience depressive symptoms during the winter or fall. These symptoms then tend to alleviate during the spring and summer – particularly on sunny days – thereby causing the seasonal pattern. Though it is less common, some individuals experience the opposite pattern, with depressive symptoms occurring in the spring and summer. Either way, it is important to recognize that this is not simply “the winter blues,” but a legitimate mental illness which deserves recognition.

Because SAD is a subtype of major depression, it often exhibits overlapping symptoms such as extremely low energy levels, a sense of worthlessness, loss of interest in activities, difficulty concentrating, thoughts of suicide and more. Symptoms of winter SAD may also include weight gain, craving high-carbohydrate foods, hypersensitivity to rejection, irritability, a heavy feeling in one’s arms or legs, and oversleeping. Conversely, summer SAD often involves weight loss, poor appetite, anxiety and trouble sleeping.

There are still many theories about what exactly causes SAD. Some believe it to be related to one’s biological clock (circadian rhythm) and how a loss of sunlight in the winter months might affect it. Limited sunlight can also reduce the amount of serotonin in the body, which is an important neurotransmitter involved with mood regulation. Additionally, changes in season can affect sleep patterns through the hormone melatonin. These sleep abnormalities may also affect mood and lead to seasonal depressive symptoms.

One method of treatment for SAD is to place special lightboxes in one’s room that turn on in the morning and at night. These boxes are much brighter than normal lamps and thereby extend the short days of winter. This treatment alleviates symptoms in 70 per cent of SAD cases. Those it does not work for often take antidepressants to alleviate symptoms. As young adults, we are at the highest risk for developing SAD. Though it is natural to have a bad day, when an intense lack of energy and feelings of depression persist for days in a row it is important to contact your doctor. This way, you can be properly assessed and receive the care you need.

No matter what we may be going through, we should always be able to talk about our mental health. Our society should be working to support the grossly underfunded mental health initiatives in Canada, and Bell Let’s Talk Day is just one way of doing that. We should all be fighting to remove the stigma that still persists in the workplace, school and our daily lives. We need to make stigma a part of the conversation in order to one day overcome it. Let’s talk about stigma. Let’s talk about mental health.

President Dylan Wooley-Berry is MASU’s current president. Wooley-Berry said he is running for re-election because “students need an experienced president to lead them through the year, while we deal with issues such as collective bargaining and possible cuts to the operating budget. Last year I ran on a two-year plan, and think I have a responsibility to follow through on that.”

Wooley-Berry’s platform points include creating a plan for the upcoming collective bargaining, which would entail “a solid method of communicating with our members, [… and a] demand stating that the provincial government and MAFA be held accountable for lost time, in the case of a strike.” Wooley-Berry also looks to enhance wellness and mental health services and start a municipal Get Out the Vote campaign if he is re-elected.

Ryan LeBreton is the current vice-president student life. LeBreton said, ““I feel as though MASU at times does not have an environment that fosters mutual understanding and teamwork, and I believe that my leadership could help create that kind of atmosphere. My work ethic and results have spoken for themselves.”

LeBreton’s platform points include improved union services–LeBreton said he would like to see a full review of MASU services to ensure they are functioning to their best ability. LeBreton’s additional platform points include the creation of a federally funded mental health initiative in partnership with the VP external affairs, CASA, and our local MP, and lobbying for two pass/fail distribution credits.

Vice-President, External Affairs

Tierra Stokes currently holds the position of arts senator. According to Stokes, “We have the unique opportunity of being in a small community. We can more easily create social change. We are also part of organizations that can make their mark regionally and federally. I want to be a part of all of this change.”

Stokes’s first campaign point is to increase student involvement in municipal elections. This would entail encouraging students to vote in the upcoming municipal election and attempting to create a bylaw stating that future municipal elections should be held during the academic year. Stokes’s other campaign points revolve around increasing student involvement in the NBSA and CASA and attempting to create a bylaw which would declare an earliest signing date for leases, because “leases in Sackville are signed extremely early on in the academic year, which is stressful for students.”

Tina Oh is the current vice-president communications. When asked why she wants to run for VP external, Oh said, “[Mt. A] will be facing major budget cuts to post-secondary education, the closure of the Sackville Memorial Hospital, and faculty/administration collective bargaining negotiations.”

Oh’s first campaign point is to advocate for the elimination of parental contribution on bursary applications at Mt. A. Oh said: “Since the New Brunswick government has removed mandatory parental contribution from their loan application, it is only fair that the university be consistent with the province.” Oh’s other campaign points include the creation of an education/awareness campaign around the future three-stream garbage system, and direct federal and provincial advocacy. Oh said being a representative on CASA’s National Advocacy Team would be her first step.

Vice-President, Academic Affairs

Mary Emma MacNeil currently holds the position of vice-president academic affairs. MacNeil says that this year she has “developed strong professional relationships with the faculty, administration and students.” She added that she doesn’t “need to waste time and money transitioning into this position or navigating administrative proceedings.”

MacNeil’s campaign points include extending library hours, which would also include funding another Writing Resource Centre employee, advocating for the future of correspondence course tuition and developing a collective bargaining strategy. “We are prepared to ensure both parties stay at the bargaining table,” MacNeil said.

Josh Johnson is currently the MASU’s university ombudsperson. Johnson said, “ I want to leave Mt. A better than I found it.”

Johnson’s campaign points include more resources for the Writing Resource Centre, better pay for teaching assistants, and the creation of an indigenous studies minor. In regard to the minor, Johnson said, “A lot of the work has been done already, but we seem to be stuck with some red tape. If elected, I would put all my effort into finally getting this done.”

Vice-President Student Life

Anthony Maddalena is currently co-captain of the varsity soccer team and is one of the managers of the Mt. A Farm. When asked why he is running, he answered, “It’s a great opportunity to better the experience of students living on and off campus. I enjoy working with people and there are a number of things on campus that we could improve.”

Anthony’s campaign points include moving forward with the METRAC recommendations to ensure that Mt. A is accessible and safe for all students. Maddalena also said that because both the Meighen and Wellness Centres are currently funded through the operating budget, which may receive cuts, he would like to find new funding for both. Maddalena also said he “aim[s] to push the university to replace outdated and dangerous appliances with sustainable and safe ones.”

Osama Al Nammary is currently the MASU’s international affairs co-ordinator. When asked why he is running, Al Nammary said, “After working with the MASU for two years, I got frustrated; many of the things that should have been accomplished are not being done. I want to get those things done.”

Al Nammary’s campaign points include establishing and improving the MASU’s relationship with the international centre, so that international students are better included in the MASU and other students could better benefit from their services. Al Nammary also said he would review and improve student life services, and create an off-campus survival guide and an online, student-run cookbook.

On Thursday the Mounties battled the UPEI Panthers in women’s hockey action. The Mounties came away with the hard-fought victory by a score of 2-1. After failing to win their last three games, a matchup with the last-placed Panthers was much-needed. The Mounties took full advantage of the game, with quality play throughout all three periods.
The Mounties started out the game a little slowly but soon hit their stride, retaining increasingly more possession as the first period progressed. Their first quality scoring chance came from Rosie Heffernan, who showed great speed going end-to-end before being stopped by the Panthers goalie. Moments later the Mounties goalie, Keri Martin, made a great pad save, denying the UPEI forward on an odd-man rush. Martin continued her strong play throughout the period, continually frustrating UPEI shooters.
The Mounties struck first on a power play with a goal by forward Heather Richards, her third of the season. A point shot from Heffernan was tipped in front by Amanda Volcko onto the stick of Richards, who squeezed it by the UPEI goaltender. This was great reward for the Mounties after a well played period.
In the second period, both the Mounties and Panthers played well defensively and showed good discipline in their own ends. Martin was the star of the period, making many great saves to keep the Mounties out in front.
The third period saw the Mounties come out with a lot of energy, sustaining possession deep in the UPEI zone. The Mounties’ speed and pressure on the puck got the Panthers defenders out of position, leading to an early-period goal by Gabrielle Vautour, her first of the season. The goal was set up by good work behind the net by Maddy Koughan and Caitlin McCabe, who threw the puck in front of the net, allowing Vautour to get off an accurate wrist shot, beating the Panthers goalie top shelf.
Martin’s shutout was spoiled midway through the third period when the Panthers were able to score on a deflected pass in front of the Mounties net, finding a UPEI forward’s stick tapping it into the open net. Martin was unfazed by losing the shutout, bouncing back to make several timely saves with one of a spectacular variety late in the period on a Panthers power play. The Mounties showed their superiority late by playing great team defence, even while on the late penalty kill, to preserve the victory.
This marked a great team win for the Mounties after a rough stretch, which will hopefully give the team some momentum heading into their next few games. Martin was her usual spectacular and steady self, making 28 saves. Richards scored in her third straight game and now leads the team with six points in the season.
The Mounties continued their momentum into their next game on Sunday against St. FX, winning by a score of 5-3. Richards made it four straight games with a goal, scoring in the third period. Samantha Bujold and Shelby Colton also scored for the Mounties. Mackenzie Lalonde and Kara Anthony both added a goal and an assist in the victory, while Ashley Murphy and Volcko chipped in with one and two assists, respectively. This moves the Mounties record to five wins and six losses and vaults them into fourth in the AUS standings. The Mounties will look to continue their winning ways on Saturday, Nov. 28 in Halifax, N.S. against Saint Mary’s.