ampus news EDITOR QUINN MELL-COBB THE VOICE, THURSDAY, OCTOBER 24, 2013 3 WHAT'S for sale? Hs Jewellery, watches, and watch repair HM Phone accessories - cases, chargers, etc. HE Clothing - scarves, hats, socks HM Miscellaneous - cards, tablecloths, dish cloths, Native art By AMY JONES Ihe United Way Craft & Gift Fair has set up shop at Langara from Oct. 21-25, supporting the United Way while also raising money for student bursaries. Many students are familiar with the Craft & Gift Fair as it runs several times each year in the lobby of building A; what they may not know is that half of the proceeds raised go to United Way, while the other half goes back to students in the form of Langara bursa- ries. This October, the fair welcomes five new participants to make a total of 15 different vendors. A variety of wares will be on sale such as watches, art, phone accessories, jewellery, hats and scarves. Many vendors have been coming back for the fairs year after year. Alicia Gorrick has been a vendor for over five years. “Tlike to do them because it is United Way. It raises money and I really don’t know any other school that does as much,” said Gorrick. Gorrick wishes more people knew that the craft fair was a fundraising event for the United Way, and would also like to see more signs and adver- tising for the event. Mandie Barwick, supervisor of book- store operations, has served on the Langara United Way Committee for 32 years, and has been organizing the fair AMY JONES photo Salespeople look on as Langara students and potential buyers peruse the items up for sale at the United Way Craft & Gift Fair. Craft fair returns to Langara New vendors highlight United Way, student bursary benefit event for over 20. In that time, she has seen the event grow from an annual event to running four times per year. Barwick explained that some of the vendors put the money they make to- ward different charities of their choice. “Everyone’s got such a different sto- ry and really it’s amazing. A lot of peo- ple are fundraising for other causes which are fantastic,” said Barwick. Vendors pay $30 a day for their dis- play table during the fair. If all the spac- es fill up there is a potential to raise $3,000 each fair. As for what happens to the other half of the proceeds from the event, the funds will be given directly to a Langa- ra bursary chosen by the committee it- self. No-cost flu shots up for grabs on campus Langara health services preparing to offer vacci- nations free of charge in anticipation of dangerous upcoming flu season By GLEN TRUAX ing free vaccinations to students and faculty in the next few weeks, as they aim to cut flu infection rates during the upcoming winter months. Chiefly, the vaccine targets “those at risk,” said Trudy James, a nursing practicum student who is helping orga- nize the clinic. “That includes children, people with chronic illnesses, the elderly, people going through cancer treatment, and also people who have exposure to those people,” James said. The clinic consists primarily of vol- unteer nurses, 40 of whom will be pres- ent for this year’s project. “We’re very excited, very proud,” James said. There is a small but vocal minority in the United States who believe early vaccination of children makes them more at risk for autism in later years. Long-term Langara nurse Sara Kam- sett was quick to dismiss the notion. “There is no research to back it up, and anyone in the health industry knows this,” said Kamsett. Nikki Craig, another nursing practi- cum nurse, noted the coincidental na- ture of the link. “Early identification of autism is usually around three years of age, which is roughly the same time that the child receives flu shots,” said Craig. According to provincial health au- thorities, the flu is transmitted by close contact with infectious people, and is usually caught via coughing or sneez- ing. Health Link BC recommends the frequent washing of hands, coughing and sneezing into your sleeve rather than your hands, and of course taking the vaccine. Side effects of taking the vaccine are usually dizziness and fatigue, which according to Jones and Craig are nor- mal bodily responses. “Tt’s just your body reacting to large quantities of an inert virus,” said Craig. The vaccination clinic will take place in the main foyer of building A, Oct. 29- 30 and Nov. 5-6, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Lier health services will be offer- Students overlooking math and science skills Canadian study indicates over 50 per cent of students dropping out of STEM courses early, leading to consequences in the job hunt By JENNY PENG students are returning to Langara to learn valuable math and science skills they wrongly thought they wouldn’t need. Earlier this month, Let’s Talk Sci- ence — a Canadian charity — released a report indicating that more than half of high school students are dropping out of science and math courses too early. According to the study, without senior- level science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) credentials, students are ill equipped for 70 per cent of the country’s top-paying jobs. These statistics would help explain the sudden urge from some to go back to the classroom and temporarily out of the workforce. C:: it the boomerang effect: older “We see so many times how students come back. . .they finish high school [saying] ‘’m never going to do math’ and then they live 10 years out there and then they’re back with us,” says Nora Franzova, assistant chairwoman of the mathematics and statistics de- partment. “It’s kind of sad to say but life will teach you.” According to the report, when stu- dents are late to discover that their ca- reers require STEM knowledge, job op- portunities, and potentially higher earnings, are lost. “Everybody has the story of some- body who barely finished high school and [went on to become] the richest person,” says Franzova. “So everybody feels like it’s going to happen to them.” A SMART (Sscience/math academic reboot tips) seminar was held yester- day, aimed at students interested in learning or re-evaluating their study habits and time-management skills. Instead of attracting students whose grades could’ve benefited from the seminar, biology division math and sci- ences chairwoman Gerda Krause ob- serves a different trend. “Tronically, the students that are most likely to attend these sessions are the ones that are already very good, be- cause they want to be better,” says Krause. Newly-elected LSU councillor Benja- min Edelstein offered some advice of his own to students who may be experi- encing stress. “Tt’s sectioning out the work piece by piece so it’s doable, but more than that, appreciating the free time that you ac- tually have.” Edelstein said. aa fit ft he. Te JENNY PENG photo First-year Langara science students work on chemistry.