ampus hews EDITOR MIKE HODDER THE VOICE, THURSDAY, OCT. 9, 2014 3 a ofl ed What are you going to be this Halloween? Tweet @LangaraVoice #LangSCARY to win free Fright Nights at Playland passes E-Cigs banned E-CIGS, continued from page 1 Amelia Elejo, a criminology student at Langara College, is not surprised. “Most of the e-cigarette users I know just smoke in places where smokers usually hang out,” Elejo said. Langara student Cliff Matson sup- ports the new bylaw because e-ciga- rettes can act as a gateway to using to- bacco products. “I understand that it leads to temptation for a few,” Matson said. Neil Brill, manager of Vancity Vapor, does not buy this theory. “T don’t see someone trading in a pleasant way to get their... fix for a really nasty way to get it,” Brill said. “It doesn’t make sense to me. That’s like switching from coffee to go and chew coffee beans.” Brill is not concerned by the new ban. “It’s not going to impact our busi- ness,” he said. “None of my customers really feel like it’s going to affect them ... The law’s just making sure people stay discreet.” Brill said he is confident that over time, these regulations will be disman- tled when more research has taken place. “It depends on how people perceive something, and right now people are nervous,” he said. “I think there is an evolution in law. Nothing is ever set in stone.” JONATHAN PARKIN photo New legislation will prohibit the open displaying and advertising of e-cigarette products. Slee? er ne carr ee meett ‘ * eet : ~ 12: Pile ott kek vt ‘8 ai ore mw NICH JOHANSEN photo Larry Railton, manager of Services for Aboriginal Students hopes to attract more indigenous students to Langara and is in the beginning stages of making that happen. Aboriginal students to see more support New academic plan endeavours to focus on the cultural needs for these students at Langara By NICH JOHANSEN n initiative adopted by Langara College hopes to increase ab- original student recruitment nd create a more culturally safe environment for all students. The goal of the initiative, which is part of the college’s recently an- nounced Academic Plan, is to expand the understanding of indigenous cul- tures on campus and to improve the retention and graduation of these stu- dents. The first meeting of its commit- tee members took place on Sept. 30, where the framework of the initiative was laid out. Larry Railton, manager of Services for Aboriginal Students, said that the strategies for recruitment and retention are in the development stage. Blair Bellerose, director of employ- ment services at the Aboriginal Com- munity Career Employment Services Society, said that the community faces distinct challenges when it comes to post-secondary education. “Some Aboriginal People[s] might be coming from remote areas such as land reserves,” Bellerose said. “So coming to the city for their education is a cul- ture shock.” Justin Wilson, the chair of the initia- tive, explained it will be important to consult with all departments at Langa- ra and to understand what skills are needed for success in different disci- plines. These skills will need to be a combi- nation of academic and occupational skills. Railton said that it is important to educate the different departments on aboriginal issues. “I go and talk to the nursing stu- dents, the first years, every semester that they come in, and we talk about Aboriginal People[s],” Railton said. “TThey] need to know to be culturally aware, culturally responsive, culturally respectful.” Railton and Wilson say a more invit- ing campus is a key part of the initia- tive, to create a sense of cultural safety for everyone. “We need instructors to be more re- sponsive, inclusive and understand- ing.” Railton said. He said that the past cultural mar- ginalization of Aboriginal Peoples still lingers. “The reality is, it still hurts. It’s still very raw for our learners, and so what we need to do is we need to build an in- stitution that is culturally sensitive.” Langara Academic Plan Priorities 1 Learning and teaching 2 Student Support Aboriginal Initiatives International Initiatives or & Eniviromental, Financial, Social Susatainability Langara has impact on community Have students damaged their reputation in hood? By NATASHA CHANG amount of litter are impacting the community around Langara Col- lege, and some students are responsi- ble for this. Residents who live near Langara say that students can be more aware of lit- ter in the community and be more re- spectful of pedestrians on sidewalks and around bus stops. Some residents have started to voice their concerns and complaints of prob- lems surrounding the area, as the amount of litter has grown in the past 10 years, according to senior and long- time resident Viva Goldblatt. Shao-Yang Chang and Mila Mayadas have lived around Langara for a month. “You expect more [cigarette butts] when you live near a school,” Mayadas said. Chang adds that he’s seen news- papers lying around the road. But May- adas and Chang both say that the neighbourhood is “usually semi-clean”. Langara’s Director of Facilities Wen- dy Lannard said in an email that “the bus stop directly across the street on 49th Avenue is a particularly bad area for littering.” Lannard also said that neighbours to the area have been complaining about the ongoing littering issue. “People who litter should be fined. No littering,” said Goldblatt. According to Lannard, steps are be- ing taken to ensure the residents get a clean neighbourhood. “Our grounds maintenance worker picks up litter on our property but we have him go across the street once a day and pick up the litter around the bus stop,” Lannard said. “The neigh- bours are appreciative of this gesture.” Lannard adds that there are no com- plaints about overcrowded sidewalks and buses. However, residents in the area say sidewalks are jam-packed with stu- dents. Students should “make way for pe- destrians. ... If there’s a crowd of them, I have to get out of the way. They take over,” Goldblatt said. A senior and frequent bus-rider Car- ey Ditmars takes the 49 to UBC at Cam- bie and 49th Avenue. Students at Lang- ara are full of promise, Ditmars said. From what he’s observed at the bus stop, he says students are respectful of seniors and pedestrians. Give: sidewalks and a growing NATASHA CHANG photo Residents think Langara students should learn to be more courteous.