ampus hews EDITOR JAMES SMITH THE VOICE, THURSDAY, OCTOBER 22, 2015 3 Opening a new chapter at Langara library Blank notebook in library’s reference section encourages participation from everyone By SEAN LEE lege library unlike any other. Earlier this year, the Langara Environmental Club donated the Open Journal to the library - a blank, un- lined hardcover book that anyone may contribute to. The journal is a collaboration be- tween Adam Kelliher, president of the Langara Environmental Club, and Joyce Wong, library department chair. Kelliher said at first he wanted to hide the journal in the library, but was afraid that it would be removed once it was found. Instead, he approached the library last spring semester to make the project official. “Anyone can access it. They can vent frustrations in there, they can pose questions. They can praise people in there, they can press flowers in it - whatever they want. The whole point is that that’s their space,” he said. Kelliher hopes people will use the Te: is a book in the Langara Col- SEAN LEE photo Right: An anonymous illustration in the Open Journal. Above: The Open Journal on the shelf in the Langara library’s reference section. journal as a way to reflect, interact and create with each other without the bar- riers of technology. Wong said she shares Kelliher’s en- thusiasm for a non-digital avenue of self-expression. “T think it’s interesting and exciting. We will see what happens,” said Wong. Wong said she is open to other stu- dents approaching the library with similar projects, and that interested parties must submit their idea to the library with a solid working plan and collaborate with the department staff to make the project a reality. Paul Stubens, a second-year creative writing student, hadn’t heard of the journal, but said he likes the idea. “T think people have gotten too de- pendent on social media so having an alternative is a good thing,” Stubens said. “It’s a little gimmicky, but as an example, it’s very cool and interesting.” The journal is located in the first floor reference section, call number: PN 6245 064 2015. SEAN LEE photo Adam Kelliher writes in the open journal, a blank notebook in the Langara College Library do- nated by the Langara Environmental Club. Everyone is welcome to contribute to the journal. Student housing on the horizon New develpment aimed at students to open near Langara By ANNE-SOPHIE RODET will have more options for hous- ing as a developer is planning to build a 330-bed lodging on Cambie Street and 60th Avenue. According to Rodney Davidson, property manager at student-focused real estate company Global Education City Holdings Inc. (GEC), they chose to expand into the Langara area because it is between Marine Drive and Langa- ra-49th Avenue Canada Line stations. “One of the other things we look at is what’s around it, what schools are around it,’ Davidson said of the pro- cess of determining the location. Ajay Patel, dean of Langara’s inter- national education department, said the college won’t promote GEC’s new project since the residence’s services and security are unknown, but agrees N:: fall, Langara College students more affordable housing will benefit students who have problems looking for accommodation in Vancouver. Patel also said the new student hous- ing “might increase our enrolment numbers.” GEC currently has two student resi- dences in downtown Vancouver and two others are in the works: One at Cambie Street and King Edward Ave- nue, and the other close to CF Pacific Centre mall in the downtown core. In GEC’s current downtown housing, a shared room costs $850 per month and a private room $1,050. All rooms include Wi-Fi and in-suite laundry, plus access to a gym and hot tub. Marilia Figueiredo, an ESL student at the EC English Language Centres, lives in one of the suites downtown with six other students, and said she is happy about the place but “[the rent] is a little bit expensive.” ANNE-SOPHIE RODET photo Eddy von Matt, a German student at ILAC (International Language Academy of Canada), does the dishes in one of GEC’s downtown suites. Langara contract faculty in good shape Collective agreement between college and Langara Faculty Association is among the best in B.C., but most post-secondary contracts fall short By VINCENT MATAK curve in the way it treats contract instructors when compared with other B.C. schools. Niall Christie, a Langara history in- structor said contract instructors at Langara are “incredibly lucky” with regard to their salaries, benefits and academic freedom, thanks to the Lang- ara Faculty Association’s collective agreement, which was updated in Au- gust. Christie, who sits on the non-regular faculty committee for the Federation of Post-Secondary Educators of B.C. (FPSE) - a lobbying group that assists faculty associations with bargaining and arbitration, said most universities and colleges in B.C. fail to provide con- tract academic staff with adequate sal- ary, benefits and academic freedom. He said contract academic staff in B.C. is often paid “as low as a twenti- eth” of full-time positions, receive few benefits and risk not having their con- tracts renewed if they teach beyond the course syllabus. “Tt’s a major problem,” Christie said. “If your instructor is somebody who is trying to hold down three different jobs because it’s the only way they can sur- vive...it’s going to affect the way they teach and the way students learn as well.” George Davison, FPSE president, said such cost cutting measures are a growing trend, as roughly 40 per cent of post-secondary instructors across B.C. are contract positions hired to re- Le! College is ahead of the place outgoing full-time positions. Davison said Langara is often seen as a model for employment practices at B.C. institutions. “We try to get the best practices and [contract] language from places like Langara and apply it across the board,” he said. Dawn Palmer, associate vice-presi- dent of human resources at Langara, said contract staff receive equal bene- fits to part-time and regular staff after working for a minimum of 12 consecu- tive months, and earn $18,831 per se- mester — compared to $14,871 for regu- lar staff who work part-time - to account for vacation and holiday pay. Palmer added roughly one third of in- structors at the college are contract. se) NIALL CHRISTIE LFA representa- tive to FPSE 66 [Cost- cutting] is a major problem LANGARA FLU CLINIC IN THE MAIN FOYER Oct. 28 from 10-2 Oct. 29 from 11-3 Nov. 4 from 11-3 Nov. 5 from 10-2 Hosted by Langara Health Services & the Langara Nursing Department