Eternal evil: In the November 2, 1998 issue of Nexus, writer Tara O’Donovan reported on renters calling for a better security-deposit system. According to O’Donovan, many renters were accusing landlords of not returning their security deposits for seemingly no reason. In response to this, the Vancouver Tenants Rights Action Coalition launched a campaign that proposed third-party involvement, which would essentially take the security deposit out of landlords’ hands from the get-go. Nowadays in BC, landlords and tenants have to sign a written agreement if a portion of the security deposit is to be kept.
A slideshow that people cared about: Why is it that in ’98 people actually wanted to watch a slideshow from someone’s travels, but when I go up island it’s “no big deal” and “no one cares”? In contrast to my experience, former Camosun College Psychology chair Brian Teixeira held an hour-long slideshow presentation featuring pictures from his trip to India for Camosun students on October 22, 1998 and spoke to students about the impressions India left on him. For example, how the people of India seemed to care more about who you were rather than what you did for work. Or, presumably, the quality of your slideshows.
Gesundheit: While some articles from Nexus’ past may offer shocking discoveries, occasional inappropriate comments, and surprising throwbacks to how Camosun College used to run, some articles transcend time. Like in this issue, where writer Priya Vohora wrote on the importance of flu shots and taking care of your body. Which, as I watch my classmates dwindle this cold and flu season, offered some good reminders: to wash our hands, get a flu shot, and, apparently, change our toothbrushes frequently. I’d also like to add my two cents from a post-pandemic lens: stay home if you’re sick.