Transit to the MAX: Calgary’s new bus rapid transit system raises the standard for transit
Traversing the great city streets of Calgary changed overnight with the introduction of the new MAX rapid bus lines on Nov. 19. The new lines consist of the MAX Orange, MAX Teal, and MAX Purple, all of which, according to Calgary Transit, will enhance access and facilitate movement across the …
Randy O’Dell Centre donation received to benefit electrical apprenticeship programs
Estate of the late electrician, and entrepreneur Randy O’Dell provides largest single legacy donation ever received by SAIT. A substantial gift was given to SAIT on Nov. 13 to make a new space for certain electrical programs. The gift is from the estate of Randy O’Dell, founder of O’Dell Electric, who died …
Alberta passes Bill 19, establishing new rules for post-secondary tuition and mandatory instructional fees
The provincial government of Alberta will soon pass a new bill enacting key changes to post-secondary education policy throughout Alberta, including new rules regarding tuition prices. Bill 19, “An Act to Improve the Affordability and Accessibility of Post-Secondary Education”, passed its third reading in legislature on Nov. 20, meaning that …
SAITSA and SAIT join forces for Adopt-a-Student Family
Every year, students at SAIT have a chance to apply for the Adopt-a-Student Family program, and receive Christmas gifts for themselves and their family, purchased by staff. There are 47 student families who will be adopted this holiday season, all of whom will receive their gifts from Dec. 10-14, the …
Drones, lasers, and the future of mapping: Verda Kocabas, geomatics guru, and SAIT Geographic Information Systems program academic chair Q&A
Verda Kocabas, the Academic Chair for the Geographic Information Systems (GIS) program at SAIT, is a geomatics guru, with a PhD in Geography from Simon Fraser University, and a career which includes consulting in the private sector. We spoke on how GIS has a boring name, but is actually mind-blowing, …
SAIT students need a fall reading week: Why a break is critical at this point in the semester
Post-secondary students who are anxiously facing final exams and rapidly approaching due dates are undoubtedly in favour of a fall reading week. Imagine yourself in a situation where not only are you supposed to study for your finals, but you’re required to finish all of the piled-up work that has …
How sweet it is: the value of homemade goods
A Pfeffernusse cookie recipe for a merry Christmas Christmas may not be my favourite holiday, but there is one element of it that even I can admit leaves other holidays in the dust: the food, especially the baked goods. However, while stores may be overflowing with sweet treats of every …
Rediscovering the reason for the season
For many students, the holidays are a time of excess. Excessive spending, eating, and drinking can really lay waste to one’s health and finances. Stray from the seasonal consumerism Students don’t have to feed into Christmas-time consumerism. Remembering the reason for the season could be the first step to making …
Coping with holiday cheer: How to manage Christmas holiday pressures
Jingle Bells is often accompanied by the unwelcomed reminder of the crippling stress of spending money, family expectations, social events, and painful memories — but there are strategies to help cope with the pressure of the holidays. A major cause for holiday-induced stress is the pressure of high expectations put …
The holidays away from home can still be merry and bright
There is something surreal about hearing “White Christmas” playing in a mall when it’s plus 35 degrees Celsius outside. That disconnect for my first holiday season far away from home made me wish, more than anything, to be on a plane back to Canada. Sudden bursts of homesickness are not …
Hoops hype: Trojans men’s basketball team first in the country with 10-0 start
The SAIT Trojans men’s basketball team, winning their first 10 games, finished the fall semester ranked first in the country. The team climbed to first in the Alberta Colleges Athletic Conference (ACAC), and their undefeated run also ranked them first in the Canadian Collegiate Athletic Association (CCAA). Everything is working …
Trojans cricket team shows promise, gaining momentum in first competitive tournament
The Trojans seek greatness in the world of cricket as they enter their first year of competition. Cricket, a sport that originated from south-east England in the 16th century, is a game with 11 players on each team. Similar to baseball, one side has a batsman, and one side has …
Third time’s the charm for the Calgary Stampeders
On Nov. 25, the Calgary Stampeders ended their Grey Cup losing streak with a 27-16 win over the Ottawa Redblacks. The Stampeders brought their eighth Grey Cup home after two straight years of losing in the championship. Stampeders fans’ pride could be seen and heard throughout Commonwealth Stadium in Edmonton. …
Working under pressure, Royal Tusk returns to rock the gateway
Hard rock returned to the Gateway on Dec. 2 as Edmonton band Royal Tusk debuted their beefed-up new album “Tusk II,” supporting veteran Michigan rockers Pop Evil. “Playing these songs has been so much fun. When you wait for a year and you’re really proud of this stuff, it’s really …
Ellen Doty does her province proud with the Alberta Spotlight Showcase
Alberta musician Ellen Doty will give Calgarians a show to remember tonight at the National Music Centre as part of the Alberta Spotlight Series showcase. The showcase puts on display the best talent Alberta has to offer. Started in 2018, the program is meant to showcase Alberta talent from various …
Whitehorse: a new twist on the classics. Whitehorse releases an instant classic with their new Christmas album
Now that the snow has begun falling and the temperature has begun plunging, it is time to dust off those Christmas albums, update your Spotify or Apple music, and listen to your favourite guilty pleasure Christmas song – except this year, you may have to add another album to your …
Using film to create action Thirteenth annual Marda Loop Justice Film Festival kicks off important conversation
On November 13 at the new Central Library, the Marda Loop Justice Film Festival celebrated the opening night of its 13th year with a screening of the documentary “Bird of Prey” followed by a discussion with local naturalist Brian Keating. “When you look at a film like this, it shows …
No time for writer’s block, National Novel Writing Month pushes writers to creative extremes
It’s the month of November, and for a number of writers around the world, it’s time to write an entire book. National Novel Writing Month, also known as NaNoWriMo, is a month where authors and writers around the globe attempt to write a manuscript of 50,000 words over the span …
More national success for Trojans cross-country Men’s team wins CCAA silver; three Trojans named All-Canadian
(Photos courtesy of SAIT Trojans) According to one star runner on the SAIT Trojans cross-country team, their phenomenal year-to-year success owes much to word-of-mouth recruitment. The cross-country team upgraded from national bronze to silver this year, continuing their ascent as one of the best programs in Canada. At the Canadian …
Matthew Travaglini, the dominant Trojan Graduating running star: back-to-back cross-country national champion
A SAIT running star is leaving an outstanding athletic legacy after another stellar season. Matthew Travaglini is in his second and final year at SAIT, and has become one of Canada’s top runners. He just won his second consecutive national title at the Canadian Collegiate Athletic Association (CCAA) championship in …