GET SICK IN STYLE........cccsceseeeesseeteteeeD Keeping your cool when you’re out with the flu is all about the attitude. Bylaws will prevent stu- dents from attending meet- ings, accessing informa- tion on the Union By JACQUELINE LANGEN passed new bylaws that will affect student March 31. “These changes will help our organi- zation serve its members and will lead to a well-organized board which is ded- icated in serving our members,” said LSU media liaison, Gurbax Leelh. Students at Langara who are en- rolled in a minimum of one course per semester pay a set fee towards services provided by the LSU. With these funds the LSU provides students with health and dental insur- ance, locker rentals and a bike repair shop which is located beside Duke’s café. Approximately $2 million is collected from mandatory student fees by the LSU each year, which averages out to nearly $390 per student. The bylaw changes will prevent stu- dents from attending student union board meetings, copying student union records and taking minutes from in- camera meetings. The new bylaws were passed in De- cember 2012 and will commence at the end of March. On Jan. 21 The Voice tried to attend an LSU meeting, but were denied ac- cess. The Voice was told that students are not permitted to enter LSU “inter- nal meetings.” The meeting in question was a regu- lar bi-weekly LSU board meeting that The Voice has previously attended. Technically, all students are permit- ted entry until late March. Langara student Siddharth Gautam was seen entering the meeting, but af- terwards confirmed he was no longer part of the board. The Voice tried to speak with mem- bers of the LSU last week, but Leelh said the persistance was unprofession- al. “Tt really does waste your time to be waiting around to get information,” she said. Emma Munro, a former honorary board member of the LSU, said she doesn’t have a clear understanding of the new bylaws due to poor public rela- tions by the union. She said she relies on The Voice to attend LSU board meetings and relay what’s happening back to students. In the LSU’s current student hand- book, the organization claims that it is transparent. “Most importantly, we hold an open door policy and welcome your partici- pation in making our organization a strong voice for democratic and social change.” T: Langara Students’ Union has involvement — starting i) A memorial for Manraj was set up on Elgin and East 47th Ave. Tragedy hits home Langara Criminology dept. loses one of its own By ANGELA HOLUBOWICH Langara criminology student was killed in Vancouver’s first homicide of 2013. Nineteen-year-old Manraj Akalirai died on his way to the hospital after he was allegedly attacked by a group of men. The attack took place last week in the middle of Elgin Street near 47" av- enue. Police arrested five men aged 19to 21 in connection with the murder, after four of the men arrived at the hospital with injuries. On Jan. 25, The Province reported that police are questioning a sixth man in connection to the murder. Multiple weapons, including bats and swords, were used when the men confronted the victim in his vehicle. The attackers allegedly smashed the back window of the vehicle and dragged Akalirai onto the street. “Langara extends its deepest sympa- thies to the family and friends of Man- raj Akalirai,” said a spokesman for Langara College. The family of Akalirai issued a state- ment: “We are still in shock and coping with our loss, Manraj was a well-man- nered, humble, and respectful individ- ual. At this time, our family would like privacy as we grieve the loss of our be- loved son and brother,” said the family in a written statement to CBC. Police believe there may be connec- tions to the drug trade or gang activity, although the family of Akalirai denies these claims. A Facebook group has been started as a digital gathering place for sharing stories and words of rememberance. “You didn’t go down without a fight bro, you’re a warrior, you’re a solider, but most of all you’re a Hero and that’s how we all knew and will remember you as,” wrote Jordan Rolfe. Stefano Tentes wrote “Manraj was the most charming kind and happiest guy I ever met in my entire life... Made me smile every single time we hung out it was like his smile was conta- gious.” His funeral will be on Feb. 3 at 2 p.m. at the Riverside Funeral Home. ay photo from FACEBOOK WHAT they said: “Nobody will truly understand why it had to be you, but the joy you brought to others and love will always remain.” Deanna Yusuf “Miss you more and more each day :{ rest in paradise. | know you're watching over me.” Antonia Bellalta “Manraj you were one of the nicest guys l've ever met. | will never forget that summer where all of us would go bike riding getting our slurpees. Those were good times.” Ali Hewary Boxer fights bullying Evander Holyfield guest of honour at charity event By JAMES MCLAUGHLIN ceived some heavyweight support from boxer Evander Holyfield this past Monday. Inside south Vancouver’s Fraserview Hall, the five-time heavyweight cham- pion sat beside Carol Todd, mother of the late Amanda Todd. Holyfield and Todd were guests-of- honour at the anti-bullying event which included a full buffet, video presenta- tions and amateur boxing. “It’s inspirational that someone like Evander Holyfield has taken on bully- ing and taken on an interest in my daughter’s cause and legacy,” said Todd. “We're just a little family from Port Coquitlam.” Todd’s 15 year-old daughter Amanda tragically took her own life in October of last year as a result of being cyber- bullied. Her suicide ignited a nation-wide dis- cussion about bullying in our schools and communities. Partial proceeds from the event will be going to the Amanda Todd Legacy Fund. The fund raises money for anti- bullying education and support pro- grams to help young people with men- tal health problems. Those interested can also donate money directly through the prorgram’s webpage. Two of the boxers who sparred on Monday train with Langara’s own hu- man kinetics student David Robinson at North Burnaby Boxing Club. Robinson believes boxing provides a safe environment for youth. “It’s very rare to ever see any bullying inside the boxing club,”he said. According to Robinson, boxing pro- vides “individualistic development”- something people who are bullied are often robbed of. “Whether they come from a good background or a background that isn’t positive at home, it creates a space that is available to them. They can be them- selves and express themselves and feel good about something that is for them,” said Robinson. Te: anti-bullying movement re- JAMES McLAUGHLIN photo Evander Holyfield addresses the audience at Frasierview Hall.