Camosun rowers break Guinness record
The Camosun Rowing Club helped break a Guinness World Record on Friday, March 9, when, along with Olympian Adam Kreek, they were part of 219 rowers taking part in the world’s largest rowing class, which went down on the Gorge.
Creatively United looking for students
The 2012 Creatively United for the Planet Festival is looking for student volunteers for their event, taking place April 20–22 during Earth Week. The festival is organized by one of Camosun’s alumni, local photographer Frances Litman. The focus is “environmental awareness through creativity.”
New bike infrastructure open
Free bike fix-it stations on both the Lansdowne and Interurban campuses are now up and running. Secured bike parking at Lansdowne is now available for $5.50 per month and can be purchased through the bookstore.
New IBD support for students
Recently the Crohn’s and Colitis Foundation of Canada (CCFC) and Abbott Canada announced their new initiative supporting Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) and student care, launching a new scholarship program to help afflicted students. CCFC and Abbott will extend seven one-time scholarships of up to $5,000 to students with IBD. Any student living with IBD and entering into or currently attending a postsecondary educational institution can apply for the unrestricted educational grants. See www.ccfc.ca for more.
Patrick Lane gets nom
Local poet Patrick Lane has been short-listed for this year’s Dorothy Livesay Poetry Prize for his latest work, the Collected Poems of Patrick Lane. The Dorothy Livesay Poetry Prize is one of seven BC Book Prizes, awarded annually to celebrate the best writing in the province.
Crime Bill passes
The Omnibus Crime Bill (Bill C-10) has been pushed through Parliament, where it will now become law. The bill includes increases to penalties related to drug crimes, as well as new offences related to sexual exploitation of children and will allow the publication of the names of violent young offenders. Federal Justice Minister Rob Nicholson says the new bill includes very reasonable measures for law enforcement to go after drug traffickers and those who sexually exploit children. But the Canadian Bar Association says the bill will increase strains on the justice system, and the Canadian Centre for Policy Awareness says it ignores three decades of evidence from the US showing that putting more people behind bars for longer does not reduce crime.