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Opinions

Stop Comparing Yourself to Other Students

Think back to the last time you compared yourself to another student. How did you feel after the interaction? Does ruminating on the lives of others in contradistinction to your own life improve your mood? Be honest—does the act of comparison ever leave you unaffected, or, does it, more likely, leave you feeling miserable?

Rachel Macarie - Opinions Editor

News

UBCO is offering a salaried apprenticeship for soon-to-be Arts graduates.

For the first time this year, UBCO is offering soon-to-be Arts graduates an opportunity to participate in a salaried apprenticeship program that promises one-year employment. To further elaborate on UBCO ACAP, Dr. Ananya Mukherjee-Reed, Provost and Vice-Principal Academic at UBC Okanagan, kindly responded to The Phoenix’s questions.

Amber Purewal - News Editor

Lifestyle

The 3rd Annual Life Raft Debate

This year, it’s set in space with an asteroid on a collision course with Earth, and the disciplines competing for their seat on the last shuttle to a settlement on Mars. The debate has seen many forms in the past--including the zombie apocalypse edition of 2020--and the unique opportunity to discuss the significance of an academic discipline in a non-academic setting has drawn hundreds of participants to this event.

Madhumita Prasad - Life Editor

Opinions

2021 Won’t Be Drastically Different to 2020—But The Semester Might Be

The start of a new year does not mean that the pandemic has stopped or that suddenly, everything will be better—not even with the new vaccine on the horizon. However, as students, we can hold on to the hope that this new semester will be more seamless since both professors and students alike have survived an entire semester of online learning during a pandemic.

Rachel Macarie - Opinions Editor

News

COVID-19 Simulation Guide ensures valuable support for health care workers

The COVID-19 Simulation Guide, based at UBCO, is integral in providing support, accessibility, and safety to healthcare workers. With the current pandemic creating particular hardships in the healthcare system, physicians and healthcare professionals in British Columbia have worked with a sense of urgency to deliver increased training in COVID-19 patient simulation.

Amber Purewal - News Editor

Lifestyle

Modifying Your New Year’s Resolutions for 2021

Given the events of 2020, this may not be the year for grand resolutions that you hope will dramatically change your life, but it is possible to set realistic goals that will help you in the short-term

Madhumita Prasad - Life Editor

Arts

Lockdown-Friendly Entertainment; Annual Living Things Festival Returns to Kelowna

In its essence, the Living Things Festival is a small but extraordinary lineup of art, performances, and experiences that inspire, entertain and provoke thought and conversation. This year’s edition, The Collective Body, is an audio and video project that captures a moment in history while virtually bringing together artists, musicians, and dancers from across North America.

Jayme Miller - Arts Editor

Arts

UBCO Lecturer Takes Part in Artist Residency in the Snowy Woods of Quebec

While the word “isolation” has taken on a strong, and notably negative, connotation this year as a result of the pandemic, one UBCO lecturer is enthusiastically undergoing isolation throughout the final month of 2020 in the snowy woods of Quebec.

Jayme Miller - Arts Editor

Opinions

Trading in the Hustle for Happiness During a Pandemic

Courtney Kneale, a first-year Bachelor of Arts student at UBCO, opens up about the way COVID-19 has changed her perspective on the workplace hustle and how it has forced businesses to change how they accommodate their workers.

Courtney Kneale - Volunteer Writer

Opinions

Proctorio Polices Students

UBCO Students concur that online invigilated exams administered with Proctorio are invasive and detrimental to the student exam experience. Proctorio adds unnecessary pressure and stress to students during online University due to how “Proctorio automatically analyzes and captures images of test-takers and their IDs, then displays both in the Proctorio Gradebook and flags any anomalies for review."

Rachel Macarie - Opinions Editor

Opinions

Spotify Wrapped, We’re Here for Yours.

Amongst the plethora of lists that emerge at the close of each passing year, summarizing our favourite Netflix shows (remember Tiger King?), our top Google searches (Coronavirus, no doubt), or, maybe this year, the best pandemic memes, Spotify Wrapped has to be my favourite. This year, however, it has come to my attention that this is a rather unpopular opinion.

Jayme Miller - Arts Editor & Madhumita Prasad - Life Editor

Features

Protests Erupt Worldwide in Solidarity with Farmers in India

Millions of farmers in India stand their ground by peacefully protesting against three bills that threaten their livelihood. As tensions rise in India due to three new farming bills, farmers continue to stand their ground by peacefully protesting. They were joined alongside thousands of people around the world, making this one of the biggest protests in history; rallies in support of farmers were even held in Kelowna throughout December.

Amber Purewal - News Editor, Punjabi Student Association, Puneet Kaur Aulakh

Opinions

Let’s Change The Way We Perceive Failing

We need to change the way we perceive failing in our university culture. While failing does cultivate resilience, students have not failed, nor are they failures, if they are behind in a class, struggling in a class, or if they receive a lower grade than they wanted. Let’s stop throwing the word ‘failure’ around in contexts where it does not actually apply.

Rachel Macarie - Opinions Editor

News

UBCO Extends Winter Break

In an effort to alleviate some pressure on faculty and students, UBC decides to extend winter break. UBCO has decided to extend winter break by a week to allow students and faculty to better prepare for the upcoming term. This means that classes will now begin on January 11, 2021, with certain exceptions depending on the program.

Amber Purewal - News Editor

News

UBCO revamps its BA Degree in Response to a Rapidly Changing World

Amidst a year that has already been full of change, UBCO recently announced a complete restructuring of their Bachelor of Arts (BA) degree. Students beginning their studies in 2021 under either the Faculty of Creative and Critical Studies or the Irving K. Barber Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences will be following a significantly transformed set of requirements in order to obtain their degree.

Jayme Miller - Arts Editor

Lifestyle

A Different Kind Of Holiday Season

As we near the end of 2020, it is time to create new holiday traditions in order to keep the people we love safe. December is always a month of celebration - finals are done, Christmas is coming, and the snow is usually still fresh on the ground. However, with the way things have been going this year, we may have to rethink our ideas of what a celebration constitutes, and how different it may have to look.

Madhumita Prasad - Life Editor

News

Kelowna Anti-Mask Protests are Getting Out of Hand

On November 21, Global News reported an anti-mask protest consisting of around 30 people inside the Orchard Park Mall. These protesters paraded around the mall, without masks on, singing O Canada to make a “statement”. On the following day, according to Castanet, around 100 people gathered in Penticton to demonstrate against mask and social distancing guidelines despite public gatherings being prohibited under new health orders.

Emmah Barber - Coordinating Editor

Lifestyle

Top 5 Exam Prep Tips from Online Learning Coaches

The Student Learning Hub at UBC Okanagan has transformed completely to move its physical space, which officially opened in 2019, to the virtual space, to help students with the same issues that we had in person. Learning mentors from the Student Learning Hub give us their best learning and self care advice as we get closer to finals.

Madhumita Prasad - Life Editor

Arts

Writer’s Corner, Volume III.

Writer’s Corner is a series showcasing creative writing from UBCO students and alumni. This week we showcase first-year Creative Writing major Jérémi Doucet.

Jayme Miller - Arts Editor

Opinions

What is Academic Misconduct in an Online Classroom?

Nearly 100 students were caught cheating on their midterm. Should these students be held accountable?

Amber Purewal - News Editor

Features

Are UBCO Clubs Surviving or Thriving During COVID-19?

How are UBCO clubs, such as the Ice Cream Club, operating during these strange times?

Rachel Macarie - Opinions Editor, Amber Purewal - News Editor, Emmah Barber - Coordinating Editor

Opinions

Spotlight on Intersectionality: That’s What [We] Said

That's What [We] Said is a student-led academic journal supported by UBCO’s Gender and Women’s Studies Program. As a collective, they seek to publish accessible creative and/or critical content pertaining to intersectional feminist issues. They are dedicated to amplifying marginalized voices and curating content that resonates with many, and they encourage submissions from all disciplines and backgrounds.

Rachel Macarie - Opinions Editor, Stephanie Awotwi-Pratt & Claire Feasby - TWWS Journal Writers and Editors

News

SUO’s Annual General Meeting

The SUO General Meeting is an opportunity for students to hear about the SUO’s yearly operations and what they are doing to better students’ lives.

Amber Purewal - News Editor

Arts

Undergrad Spotlight: Arianne Tubman

Arianne Tubman is a fourth-year Bachelor of Fine Arts student at UBCO. With graduation just around the corner, she is currently working on her final body of work for the year-end degree show. Over a Zoom call, she reflected on the current semester and told us about her ongoing film photography project where she explores gun ownership in the Okanagan.

Jayme Miller - Arts Editor

Lifestyle

This Black Friday, Try These Alternatives to Amazon

As tempting as it is to use Amazon for the fast deliveries on Prime and the expert customer service that they pride themselves on, there are alternatives that are kinder to the planet and to the people who create the products you love.

Madhumita Prasad - Life Editor

Opinions

Virtual Diorama

Shreya Vatsa is a first-year International student at UBCO, and she is pursuing her studies remotely from India. She wanted to engage with a public audience and reflect upon how technology is shaping the lives of GenZ and students like herself who wouldn't be able to pursue remote learning amidst this pandemic if it weren't for technological achievements and advancements.

Shreya Vatsa (Volunteer Contributor)

Opinions

Take Advantage of UBCO’s Free Mental Health Services

It can be overwhelming, as a student, to prioritize mental health on top of a busy semester and heavy course load. However, I encourage students to make use of the services UBCO offers. It is unexpectedly easy to navigate the mental health resources; it just takes a bit of time.

Rachel Macarie - Opinions Editor

News

UBCO’s Faculty Town Hall: Hearing (and Discussing) Student Experiences

On November 12, UBCO hosted a faculty town hall to discuss student experiences with online learning. This event, which was open to all faculty, looked at survey results involving over 600 students’ feedback, in order to shed light on how to improve the online classroom experience.

Amber Purewal - News Editor

Lifestyle

UBCO’s 2020 Valedictorian Barb Dawson

“I want people to know that I carried my dream of obtaining my degree for many years and I never gave up on myself. I was my own best friend and my own worst enemy, but through everything that I had experienced, I never gave up on myself. I knew what I wanted to do, and I did it.”

Carolina Leyton and Madhumita Prasad

Features

The Student Experience of Online Learning: A Response and Call to Action

As an amplifier of student voices, The Phoenix team has gathered and presented student feedback regarding their experiences of online learning during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Jayme Miller - Arts Editor

News

Kelowna City Hall Vandalised with Anti-Lockdown Messages

Following the COVID-19 hoax messages at City Hall, UBCO students and city official Tom Wilson share their thoughts on the matter.

Amber Purewal - News Editor

Lifestyle

What Can We Learn From The Class of 2024?

As we near the end of the semester, the new class of first years tells us about what their social life at university has been like in the virtual world.

Madhumita Prasad - Life Editor

Arts

Spotlight on the Visual Arts Course Union

The pandemic may have changed the way that UBCO’s fine arts students are able to make work, but the Visual Arts Course Union is determined to find innovative ways to facilitate students’ creativity and, most notably, to stage their annual fundraising gala Art on the Line.

Jayme Miller - Arts Editor

Arts

LGBTQ+ Authors and Artists: A Call For Submissions

Meg Miskiman, third-year Creative Writing Major, is curating a poetry chapbook written by LGBTQ+ writers, including artwork by LGBTQ+ artists, as a way to bring voice and visibility to LGBTQ+ creatives, and she needs more LGBTQ+ contributors.

Rachel Macarie - Opinions Editor

Lifestyle

Insider’s Scoop on the 2020 By-Elections and SUO: Jose Carvalho

Director at Large candidate, Jose Carvalho, shared an insider’s perspective into his SUO position and the Fall 2020 By-Elections.

Rachel Macarie - Opinions Editor

Opinions

Voter Suppression in the 2020 American Election

A UBCO international student Casey Stein from Texas dealt with multiple hurdles in an attempt to have his mail-in vote counted for the November 3 election in the United States.

Maria Lammerding - Features Editor

Opinions

UBCO Students Share Their Experiences: University is All-Consuming

A person’s entire identity and personality should not be contingent upon their status as a university student. Yet, for a large majority of us, the words student and identity are mutually exclusive.

Rachel Macarie - Opinions Editor

Features

Casey Stein is “Cautiously Optimistic” About The SUO’s Future

After a Facebook post from 2019 about UBCO’s by-elections resurfaced, the former Director at Large talks to us about voter apathy, reform after corruption in the SUO, and his confidence in the current administration.

Madhumita Prasad - Life Editor

News

Thrive Month is Officially Underway

Thrive month at UBCO seeks to promote mental wellbeing, reduce stigma surrounding mental illness, and further encourage discussion.

Amber Purewal - News Editor

Arts

Writer’s Corner, Volume II.

Writer’s Corner is a new series showcasing creative writing from UBCO students and alumni. This week we showcase fifth-year Creative Writing major Angie Mosher.

Jayme Miller - Arts Editor

Arts

Current Art Events in Kelowna

For this article, we’ve rounded up a list of some art-related events happening around Kelowna over the next few weeks and months for your viewing pleasure.

Jayme Miller - Arts Editor

Opinions

Don’t Throw a Huge Halloween Party This Year

Throwing a Halloween party during a global pandemic is irresponsible; UBCO students are too intelligent to be so reckless and selfish.

Rachel Macarie - Opinions Editor

Lifestyle

A Definitive Ranking of The Best Halloween Sitcom Episodes

Spooky, scary, funny content for a safe time indoors

Madhumita Prasad - Life Editor

Lifestyle

Food is Home

Using the food you love to remind you of the people you love

Madhumita Prasad - Life Editor

Arts

Quarantining with Kanopy, Volume 2.

“Quarantining with Kanopy'' is The Phoenix’s new monthly film column where we introduce and recommend films from Kanopy; a movie streaming platform with free and unlimited access for all UBCO students. This month, we are discussing the psychological thriller Persona.

Jayme Miller - Arts Editor

News

Kelowna Candidate Forum Part 2: Housing Affordability and Diversion and Equality.

The SUO hosted a Kelowna Candidate Forum with the intention of asking questions about topics significant to UBCO students.

Amber Purewal - News Editor

News

Kelowna Candidate Forum Part 1: Tuition and Climate Action

In recognition of the provincial election, the SUO invited Kelowna candidates to discuss topics specific to UBCO students.

Amber Purewal - News Editor

News

The Stober Foundation Makes large donation to UBCO

The Stober Foundation, along with the fundraising initiative Aspire, will contribute $1.9 million to UBCO over the next five years.

Maria Lammerding - Features Editor

News

Statement from Kelowna Mayor Colin Basran

In response to questions asked by The Phoenix News regarding our articles on the Mona Wang case, Mayor Colin Basran has provided a statement

The Phoenix News Team

Arts

Love Always Wins

UBCO student takes part in global art collaborative to combat hate through promoting love.

Garvin LeBlanc - Volunteer

Arts

Spotlight on The Laundry Room Collective

The Phoenix catches up with the UBCO alumni at the head of The Laundry Room Collective

Jayme Miller - Arts Editor

Lifestyle

Dating During COVID-19

Students adjust to the way COVID-19 has impacted dating.

Maria Lammerding - Features Editor

Opinions

Feedback For UBCO’s First AVPS Student Listening Session

The AVPS held its first student listening session with an emphasis on students’ virtual experiences outside of the classroom.

Rachel Macarie - Opinions Editor

Lifestyle

The Most Popular Account on Campus Confesses

In the spirit of The Phoenix’s 2020/2021 goal to inform UBCO students and support the UBCO community, we thought we’d get a behind the scene

Carolina Leyton - Editor in Chief & Emmah Barber - Coordinating Editor

Lifestyle

The Impact of COVID-19 on University Students

University students are experiencing drastic life changes with the recent coronavirus outbreak

Mwangi Wanjau - Student Volunteer

Opinions

The SUO By-Elections Are Here. This Is Why You Should Care.

“Your vote matters this year more than ever.”

Madhumita Prasad - Life Editor

News

UBCO’s Annual By-Election

The UBCO By-election is around the corner which means students will be able to vote for two directors at large and faculty representatives.

Amber Purewal - News Editor

Features

Interior Health is Stalling Crisis Intervention Programs in Kelowna

Despite the City of Kelowna and RCMP being prepared to support crisis intervention programs, Interior Health has stalled expansion efforts.

Maria Lammerding - Features Editor

News

UBCO Homecoming Reimagined

UBCO Homecoming 2020 kicks off the academic year with a virtual twist.

Amber Purewal - News Editor & Rachel Macarie - Opinions Editor

Lifestyle

Remember the Outdoors

I miss walking from class to class. This would have never crossed my mind last year. Online school has made me appreciate the seemingly...

Sam Grinnell - Photo Editor

Arts

Writer’s Corner, Volume I

Writer’s Corner is a new series showcasing creative writing from UBCO students and alumni.

Jayme Miller - Arts Editor

Opinions

Students Need to Unplug

The start of the semester has been uniquely challenging for UBCO students. Zoom fatigue and general exhaustion from being constantly plugged

Rachel Macarie - Opinions Editor

Arts

FIFTEEN: A Celebration of UBCO Alumni Artists at Kelowna Art Gallery

UBC Okanagan celebrates 15 year anniversary with alumni exhibition at Kelowna Art Gallery

Jayme Miller - Arts Editor

News

“Our Existences are Political”: A Talk With Indigenous Activists and Role Models James Makokis and Anthony Johnson

A webinar talk in which Indigenous activists James Makokis and Anthony Johnson share their personal journeys and encourage positive change.

Amber Purewal - News Editor

News

Board of Governors Meeting: SUO Presentation

During the September 22 Board of Governors meeting, Ali Poostizadeh and Taylor Dotto from UBC Okanagan’s Student Union, held a presentation

Emmah Barber - Coordinating Editor

News

Did you know racism exists in Canada?

Due to the global anti-racism movements sparked in the US, people are now directing their attention towards institutions like universities

Amber Purewal - News Editer & Carolina Leyton - Editor in Chief

Arts

Quarantining with Kanopy, Volume 1

“Quarantining with Kanopy'' is The Phoenix’s new monthly film column where we introduce and recommend films from Kanopy

Jayme Miller - Arts Editor

Arts

Voices of Change, Final Volume

In the final volume of “Voices of Change”, The Phoenix spoke to Jon Corbett, an Indigenous (Nehiyaw-Métis) artist

Jayme Miller - Arts Editor

Arts

Voices of Change, Volume 4

For the fourth volume of “Voices of Change”, The Phoenix spoke to artist and UBCO alumni Moozhan Fallah Ahmadzadegan,

Jayme Miller - Arts Editor

Arts

Voices of Change, Volume 3

Maura Tamez’s art draws on personal themes of belonging, identity, place, borders, displacement, loss, and history.

Jayme Miller - Arts Editor

Lifestyle

It Is Okay to Not Be Okay Right Now

“The pandemic is a recipe for depression and anxiety,” says director of UBC Psychology Clinic Dr. Ingrid Söchting

Maria Lammerding - Features Editor

News

UBCO's Student Town Hall Panel Sheds Some Light On The Upcoming Term

A brief summary of the UBCO Student Town Hall Panels.

Amber Purewal - News Editor & Emmah Barber - Coordinating Editor

Features

A Look into the Accountability of the Kelowna RCMP

New questions arise regarding police accountability and independent investigations with the release of video involving UBCO student. Part on

Maria Lammerding - Features Editor

Arts

Voices of Change, Volume 2

Vanessa Mercedes Figueroa is a multidisciplinary artist living and working in Vancouver, BC. Her work as an artist, activist, and woman...

Jayme Miller - Arts Editor

Opinions

An Open Letter to Overwhelmed and Exhausted Students

Take care of your mental health while studying at home

Rachel Macarie - Opinions Editor

Opinions

Online learning was (and is) a steep learning curve

The ways COVID-19 has changed and challenged student life

Rachel Macarie - Opinions Editor

News

Students Can Expect No Decrease In Tuition

Despite the urging of many students, UBCO will not reduce tuition prices for the coming school year.

Amber Purewal - News Editor

Lifestyle

UBCO Student Housing Response to COVID-19

COVID-19 has impacted all aspects of the university experience, especially for first-year students who were planning on living in UBCO

Emmah Barber - Coordinating Editor

News

Scholars Against Racism: The Scholar Strike Canada

BLM Protests and Solidarity extend to the first week of school.

Amber Purewal - News Editor, Emmah Barber - Coordinating Editor & Rachel Macarie - Opinions Editor

Opinions

Professors Should Have Participated in the Scholar Strike

UBCO Professors showed varying degrees of support for the Scholar Strike Canada that took place on September 9-10, 2020.

Amber Purewal - News Editor, Emmah Barber - Coordinating Editor & Rachel Macarie - Opinions Editor

News

Systemic Neglect of Indigenous Students in the SUO

The leadership of the Indigenous Student Council outlines their concerns with regard to the SUO systemic neglect of indigenous students

Taya Jardine, Maura Tamez, Hanna Paul, Violet Ignace - Indigenous Student Council

Features

A Conversation about Racism and Reform

“In a racist society, it is not enough to be non-racist. We must be anti-racist” - AngelaDavisThe Black Lives Matter movement has seen a

Rachel Macarie - Opinions Editor & Brandon Koo - ACSC Executive Marketing Member

News

Systemic Discrimination continues to exist in Canada

In light of the Black Lives Matter Movement in the USA, Canada is being recognized as a beacon of equality and open-mindedness in comparison

Amber Purewal - News Editor

Lifestyle

The Value of Black History and Education Reform in Canada

In recent months, the Black Lives Matter movement has gained considerable traction and support following the unjust murder of George Floyd

Emmah Barber - Coordinating Editor

Arts

Voices of Change, Vol. 1

The Phoenix recognizes the importance of highlighting the diversity of artistic voices that have and continue to pass through our campus.

Jayme Miller - Arts Editor

Archive

UBCO to be Home to the First Walk-In Well-Being Clinic in the City

This month has marked the commencement of a new walk-in well-being clinic on campus.

Ellie Longman-Rood

Lifestyle

Spring Fashion Trends 2020

Take a look at this year's spring and summer trends.

Emmah Barber - Coordinating Editor

News

COVID-19 Leads To Massive Drops In Air Pollution

As most of China begins to take similar precautions as Wuhan, the pollution levels are slowly dropping around the country.

Amber Purewal - News Editor

Lifestyle

A Look into the Current World of TikTok

It is safe to say that the app has not grown without controversy.

Emmah Barber - Coordinating Editor

Lifestyle

How to Stay in Shape During Isolation

Since COVID-19 is forcing us to make some adjustments in our lives we need to be creative and diligent in staying active.

Dustin Cathro - Sports Editor

Sports

First Time Since World Wars that Olympics are Forced to Postpone

For the first time since the World Wars, the Olympics have been postponed.

Dustin Cathro - Sports Editor

Arts

UBCO Artist Spotlight: Brock Gratz

Brock Gratz is a fourth-year BFA student and artist.

Sam Lee - Arts Editor

Arts

COVIDeo on Demand: The Hunt

In our newest series, we review movies that would have been in theatres in summer 2020, but released digitally instead!

Lifestyle

Navigating Online Classes during COVID-19

School is now online.

Emmah Barber - Coordinating Editor

News

Indigenous leaders urge pipeline construction to cease

Indigenous leaders urge the continued construction of a pipeline through Wet'suwet'en territory to cease amid recent events.

Amber Purewal - News Editor

Lifestyle

Frequently Asked Questions: Social Distancing

Students were given the green light to travel home and complete the remainder of the term remotely.

Emmah Barber - Coordinating Editor

Opinions

These Are Weird Times

Who else has found out that their friends bake bread?

Maria Lammerding - Features Editor

News

UBCO Graduate Student Wins 3MT Competition

Portiaa McGonigal, a graduate student completing a masters in Biology, took home top prize for her research in UBCO’s 3MT competition.

Amber Purewal - News Editor

Arts

UBCO Artist Spotlight: Barb Dawson

Barb Dawson is an artist and fourth year BFA student in the Visual Arts program.

Sam Lee - Arts Editor

Sports

Coronavirus Cancelling All Professional and Amateur Sports

As I am sure all of you have heard, Coronavirus also known as Covid-19 has put quite the damper on our everyday lives.

Dustin Cathro - Sports Editor