speak out: Why rez life sucks...bad
Matt Mahony, Special to The Peak

I thought that I'd take this opportunity to complain about the lack of decent resources that the university has provided for students living in rez. I am currently enjoying my time in rez, but am disheartened by the order of priorities the university seems to have concerning those who are stuck up on the hill.

Firstly, we don't have anywhere to buy groceries, I understand that SFU is one of Canada's more corporate universities but I still don't see the reason why SFU is able to provide students with a candy store, a nice collection of hoodies and overpriced books yet unable to supply groceries or everyday items for those of us who might fall into the trap of saving money and cooking for ourselves. The only takeout food that is available on campus is too expensive (don't expect to get a sandwich for less than $4.50) and it is a trek to get to the local malls and back when you don't have a car, especially in winter. This is not my only gripe.

The absence of a bank, or any banking provisions other than a couple of ATMs is a nuisance, especially considering the number of potential customers. In addition to the quality campus radio station being unhearable and the change machines never working (admittedly not major concerns), I am annoyed by TransLink's cuts to night bus service, which now stops at 1:40 am, before the bars close. This is surely a safety issue for students which will certainly increase the likelihood of students being stranded in town, or drinking and driving, and also restricts the nightlife options for campus dwellers who are discouraged from drinking or partying in rez. The policy for social interaction is unreasonable - for example expulsion from rez if caught with a joint and harsh punishment even for minor infractions.

Most social gatherings at the weekend are shut down by the presence of campus security well before the inflexible 1 a.m. deadline, which extends to 23 daily "quiet hours" over the last two weeks of term (the real world doesn't have "quiet hours").

I'm not saying that security don't do their job well, but a bit of empathy, please, I'd think they would have more pressing concerns, especially after the recent rape in Burnaby Mountain Park.

My next target is the Highland Pub. This place is rumoured to be losing money, and it's not difficult to see why. Despite having the atmosphere of a post-September 11 airport lounge, SFU's only pub has a potential catchment of 21,000 students, and an adequate capacity for only 300 people, which should be filled regularly.

The erratic service or large numbers of private security guards are minor factors, but my main complaint is that the university seems to have put it there as some sort of limp token concession to "deviant students" who drink alcohol, and, as such it has no backing.

Ways of solving this may include having big screen sports games, or more drink offers (not involving Kokanee and without downtown prices).

It would also be nice to see the management concentrate on other nights than Thursday, which becomes gradually quieter, and get some good bands in (UBC had a Radiohead gig - admittedly unrealistic), or even some crap bands that people turn up to see - no disrespect to the local indie acts, but it must be soul-destroying to play in front of 10 people in there.

The university's response to the all the current residential shortcomings appears to be to wait a few years for the planned neighbourhood development on the hill, by which time most of today's students will have left.

I am cynical about this new development, as it appears to show little student feedback in its proposals, and does not appear to show any particular affiliation towards potential student buyers.

This, together with the development over the SFU research forest, are issues that I am glad to see the Peak (January 14) is keeping an eye on.

[ Back to issue 4 ] [ Send The Peak a comment on this story ]

The contents of The Peak are protected by copyright. For information on rights regarding specific articles (including reprinting, where applicable), please contact epeak@mail.peak.sfu.ca with the full URL of the content in question.