How things have changed: In the March 8, 1999, issue of Nexus, writer Jillian Dickens reported an eight-percent increase in international students attending Camosun College. This increase was staggering but would barely scratch the surface these days at Camosun. The grand total was 388 international students for the winter semester of 1999; there are 2,045 international students at Camosun this winter semester. Dickens reported on the many appealing aspects of the college, and Victoria, for international students, such as a good ESL program and a temperate climate. It’s fascinating to see the number of international students jump throughout the years, especially considering the cap currently implemented on international students allowed to study in Canada for the next two years.
I’m busy faxing: Nexus writer Brooke McIntosh offered students helpful tips and tricks on how to get hired in this 1999 issue. Thankfully so, because I’m about to look for some summer co-ops; I hope her advice will benefit me 25 years later! Starting strong, McIntosh suggests faxing potential employers or stopping in with a “query letter”; this is perfect for me, as I have a fax machine handy and totally know what a query letter is. Secondly, McIntosh mysteriously suggests the internet. I’m trying to imagine what the internet looked like in 1999; I’m assuming bland? Lastly, don’t forget the very relevant Yellow Pages when writing down a list of companies you want to call. I can feel the opportunities rolling in already.
The drama: An ongoing issue that seemed to plague Camosun 25 years ago was students being upset over the increasing number of surveillance cameras on campus (a drama that never fails to pique my interest). Well, this issue of Nexus got spicy as writer Naomi Dunaway covered students who attempted to voice their concerns at a college Board of Governors meeting. Apparently, eight students tried to speak at the meeting but failed to call in and request to be put on the agenda. After a tense exchange, the chair of the Camosun board refused to let the students speak on the matter, and they left—I like to imagine they stormed out for the sake of the plot. I wonder what will happen next… Since I’m from the future, I know what happens next: the world gets overtaken by cameras and surveillance. Sorry, students of the past.