2 THE VOICE, THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 14, 2013 EDITOR QUINN MELL-COBB Cws IPOLITICS.CA photo Toronto Mayor Rob Ford (right) has drawn comparisons to similarly dysfunctional “Diamond” Joe Quimby (left) of The Simpsons fame. Cracking up at Rob Ford Langara’s faculty weigh in as Toronto’s mayoral saga continues A TALE of 2 mayors GREGOR ROBERTSON TITLE: Mayor of Vancouver VEHICLE OF CHOICE: Bicycle FAVOURITE DRINK: Happy Planet juice BIGGEST CONTROVERSY: Bike lanes ROB FORD TITLE: Mayor of Toronto VEHICLE OF CHOICE: Cadillac Escalade FAVOURITE DRINK: Anything minors can’t purchase BIGGEST CONTROVERSY: Reader's choice By NICK EAGLAND joronto Mayor Rob Ford garnered a great deal of attention recently when he was publicly embar- rassed three times in just five days. Langara students and _ faculty weighed in on Ford’s particularly bad week. “T personally think that he is wrong to have not resigned because it is not his office, it is the office of the Mayor of Toronto,” said Ameer Mohammad of the Langara Debate Club. “The sancti- ty and reputation of the office has been impacted and damaged in the eyes of the country and world.” Political science instructor Stephen Phillips said the mercurial Ford’s “po- litical longevity has yet to be deter- mined.” “An ordinary politician would have long since been hobbled by previous indiscretions and if not, had their po- litical career effectively terminated. He seems to have weathered a lot of storms and defied the odds on past oc- casions,” Phillips said. “This time it kind of looks like he’s reached the end of the line because his most loyal sup- porters are beginning to abandon him.” Student Angela Liu, co-chair of the B.C. Youth New Democrats, said she didn’t think Ford would resign unless he was offered a better job. “T don’t think that he’s a very respon- sible politician, given what he’s done. I think that the next election coming up in Toronto is going to be very impor- tant for the city and it’s going to be a big turning point for them.” Student Jesus Damian Sandoval of the New Noise Club at Langara said the focus on Ford’s personal problems de- tracts from more important issues. “Aside from his personality or defi- ciencies as a politician, I feel like focus- ing on an addiction, something that’s maybe a result of mental illness as a means to dehumanize or delegitimize somebody. . .I don’t see that as justifi- able. What does that say about peo- ple living in the Downtown _ East- side that are living with addiction?” Student Jake Palmour, also of New Noise, voiced JESUS DAMIAN similar concerns. SANDOVAL “There are thou- Lang ara New ‘ Noise Club sands of people liv- y omber ing on the streets of Vancouver that are victims of the disease that Mr. Ford has characterized, who unfortunately don’t get any help. Our outrage to somebody having an addiction, which could be equated to Type 2 diabetes or cancer or mental health issues, is pret- ty unjust.” With Toronto’s mayoral election tak- ing place less than a year from now on Oct. 27, 2014, Ford has given himself un- til then to prove his critics wrong or go down in flames. West side student lot fenced up Parking problems may persist during building of new science and technology building By GLEN TRUAX Langara, as an entire parking lot is now closed in preparation for a major construction project — the space will be excavated later this month to lay the foundations for the new science and technology building. The closed west side lot was re- served for day-to-day parking, as well as hourly spaces. Parking is still avail- able in the underground parkade below the library for hourly rates. This has meant that competition for space has increased notably, as more cars try to fit into less space. The new parking arrangement will not cost drivers more; drivers with passes will still be able to pay the same amount for underground parking as they would have in the now-closed parking lot. This new development has not im- pacted all Langara drivers however. Linda Phung, a Langara student, said that while many people normally use the closed parking lot, “There are still lots of space below the library, although lines of cars usually show up especially around 10 a.m.” Chemistry instructor Patricia Aroca- Ouellete disagrees. “It’s definitely al- tered routine, but that may be a good thing,” she said. “I wouldn’t drive in un- less I had to. It means fewer cars.” Aro- ca-Ouellete also mentioned that the construction was justified. “Of course I’m in favour of a new science and tech- nology building — I’m in chemistry.” The science and technology building is a part of a long-range college plan to upgrade the campus. The new building will add nearly 130,000 square feet to Langara, and will offer a range of new labs, a new lecture hall and a food ser- vices area. Site preparation for the excavation began in mid-October, and the entire west side parking lot has now been fenced off. Contractors are now on-site, testing soil and survey markers. Exca- vation will begin on Nov. 25. Pines problems are growing at Zealous learners can jet off to New Zealand New transfer program will enable Langara College students to continue their studies down under at the University of Auckland Roger Lins (left), dean of science at the University of Auckland, dis- cusses the logis- tics of a new transfer pro- gram between his school and Langara Col- lege during an introductory seminar at The Hub on Nov. 7, as interested students look and listen on. JESSE LAM photo By JESSE LAM of Auckland have partnered up for a transfer program, giving students the opportunity to study abroad in New Zealand. Participating students are required to take two years at Langara before set- ting off to attend the University of Auckland, where they can finish their bachelor’s of science 18 months after. “[This is] a fabulous international global experience,” said Margaret Hel- dman, dean of Langara’s science de- partment. “We want to make sure that our students who wish to study inter- nationally get that chance. It'll be a great global opportunity.” Credits are transferred easily be- tween the two schools. Once a transfer- ring student with good grades com- pletes their associate degree at Langara, usually in two years, they can transfer all of their credits to the Uni- Lis College and the University versity of Auckland and complete their degree. As bachelor degrees take three years to complete in New Zealand, a transferring student would need a fur- ther 18 months (three semesters) of full-time study. “Because Langara offers two-year degrees, that’s potentially a head start into New Zealand qualification,” said Roger Lins, the dean of science at the University of Auckland. Over 40 students attended an infor- mation session at The Hub last Thurs- day, Nov. 7. “Since it’s on the other side of the world, I hope to get more cultural expe- rience, like how people live down there as supposed to here,” said Sergio Alar- con, a human kinetics student. “I think it will be a big life experience, just to experience things I normally wouldn’t be exposed to.” Although it may be the opportunity of a lifetime for many students, the pro- gram does not come cheap. Tuition fees at the University of Auckland will be around $26,000 per year, as students will be charged as internationals. Add- ed with living costs of $20,000, studying in New Zealand may go over $46,000 an- nually. However, there are some ways to lower that price. Lins said internation- al students could work up to 20 hours a week in Auckland from their student visas. Winter research internships, scholarships and bursaries are also available. “The opportunity to study abroad is part of your education,” said Lins. “It’s very good to expand your horizons and broaden your experiences.” For more information about this pro- gram, its requirements, and the Uni- versity of Auckland, you can visit www. auckland.ac.nz or email Felicia Lui, Langara’s academic administrative manager at the office of academic deans, at flui@langara.be.ca.