Senator Burns, John Ware, E.H. Crandell—to many SAIT students these are just everyday names that appear on class schedules, but the buildings’ namesakes were people that played an integral part in SAIT and Alberta history.

“We have a long and interesting story that deserves to be recognized, remembered, and celebrated,” said SAIT archivist Karly Sawatzky.

Many of the names were added to SAIT buildings in 1985, when SAIT’s Main Building was officially recognized as a Provincial Historical Resource and renamed Heritage Hall.

Without ..read more

Would it be fair to say that one’s own mortality is never analyzed more closely than after the death of a loved one?

The SAIT Begin Tower is filled with drunken shenanigans, popcorn Fridays and the occasional student meltdown. But the death of resident Cody Gorlick made those delinquencies seem trivial as the loss of a fellow student forced each to contemplate when death will come knockin’ on their door.

ACAD digital media student Noor Sayadi was seven-years old when she came ..read more

The Calgary Public Library, which celebrates its 100th anniversary this year, reached a record 17 million items loaned in 2011.

Likewise, use of SAIT’s library continues to grow as well. In the past twelve months, staff and students accessed over 750,000 items.

Such growth shows that, despite the convenience and increasing accessibility of free digital content, public libraries remain relevant.

“Whether it’s the internet or whether it’s e-books, everything that comes along that’s supposed to kill public libraries ends up making us busier ..read more

More than a month past SAIT’s winter tuition deadline, some students are still trying to get their government loan money.

Although first-year business administration student Sinith Luk believes he has completed all the necessary steps for loans, he still hasn’t received the deposit into his bank account.

“I gave [the government] a void cheque,” he said. “I did the last step and I was supposed to receive it, but I didn’t get it yet. I’m still waiting.”

Second-year business administration student Nilofar Souri ..read more

This spring, SAIT students may see greater changes than just new members in the Students’ Association governing bodies.

The current SAITSA council is discussing modifications to its election model. A new spring voting process and council setup for the Student Legislative Council (SLC) has been discussed as well as a replacement of the Student Executive Council (SEC) vice-president finance position with a vice-president external.

The executive council is currently comprised of the student president and three vice-presidents who serve throughout the year ..read more

SAIT alumnus Mecoh Bain hopes to make random acts of kindness trendy.

Named one of the six finalists in this year’s Start Something with Alesse contest, she has a chance to win $5000 and access to a mentor to help make it happen.

From Jan. 4 – Feb. 13, startsomethingwithalesse.ca will accept public votes to determine the two projects or ideas, submitted by young women from across Canada, that will be funded.

Bain’s concept, Love Floats: Random Acts of Kindness, was developed long ..read more

Devil horned, dirty faced, wrench wielding oil riggers will appear on behalf of SAIT as they attempt to claim the title as this year’s Great Northern Concrete Toboggan Race (GNCTR) champions.

This year, a group of 20  SAIT welding, engineering and design and drafting students came together under one banner and formed the SAITan Rig-o-boggans.

The team has been hard at work on their concrete toboggan since October, when the SAIT League of Engineering Technologist Students (SLETS) took on responsibility for this ..read more

It was standing room only in the Heart Building’s main atrium as Alberta’s first female premier glowingly praised SAIT’s contribution to education in Alberta.

The Honourable Premier Alison Redford visited SAIT’s campus Jan. 27 after being invited by the Architectural Technologies program to be a keynote speaker for their industry night.

“SAIT is such an important institution in Calgary and in the province,” said Redford. “It’s a place where there are people who are learning incredibly relevant skills that matter so much ..read more

Ladies, break out the stilettos and gentlemen dust off your Dad’s suit jacket because SAIT residence is holding their first ever Winter formal dance Feb. 11 just a few days before Valentine’s making it the perfect chance to impress someone just in time for the lovers’ holiday.

The event is seen by SAIT residence organizers as a great opportunity for the dorm-room community to socialize and get to know one another.

Resident staff said that if the event is a success, they ..read more

Another ecstasy-related death this month served as a reminder that Western Canada’s recent drug scare is not over.

A 16 year-old boy in Langley, B.C. died Jan. 15, adding to a growing list of ecstasy fatalities over the past few months in B.C. and Alberta.

In Calgary, five ecstasy-related deaths transpired since November, and another five in B.C.

The series of deaths began, when a 16-year-old male overdosed. Four more deaths followed in December. The deceased were aged 18 to 31, according to ..read more

While beer-can pyramids and mismatched hand-me-down furnishings might be the dorm room standard when it comes to décor, a new trend has made its way to SAIT Residence­—green and constantly growing house plants.

Offering benefits to your health as well as to the aesthetics of your abode, small potted plants have become increasingly popular in students’ dorm rooms and homes.

“I really enjoy having plants around me,” said first-year ACAD fine arts student RaeAnn Kushnerek. “They bring this positive energy to my ..read more

SAIT needs a better system for dealing with students’ complaints about instructors, said SAITSA vice-president academic Matt Armstrong.

Since it was placed online in the fall, Armstrong has had several students use SAITSA’s ‘concern or complaint’ form to ask for help in dealing with instructors.

“The fact that they’re putting it on our grievance form online shows that they don’t know where to go. They don’t know where else to turn,” he said.

While students are encouraged to go to their academic chairs ..read more

Around the city, several LRT platforms have already been upgraded to accommodate a planned four car LRT train configuration. According to Calgary Transit’s website, SAIT’s platform upgrade, “is expected to start in 2013 or 2014.”

Calgary Transit expects to start running the four car LRT trains in 2014 across its entire network.

The unclear construction date may not be surprising as the City of Calgary has a number of transportation projects underway, necessitating some to take priority over others.

Carol Armes, executive assistant ..read more

In Regina, Sask., it’s going to snow later this afternoon with an intense low pressure moving in from Alaska tomorrow that will likely drop the temperature to -13 degrees. At least that’s what Global Regina’s weather woman and SAIT graduate Kelsey Morrison told us when the Weal interviewed her last week.

Morrison, 24, took control over the Regina skies late last year after being offered the full-time position in December. This primetime move comes only months after graduating from SAIT. “It’s ..read more

It’s a cold, windy morning, and SAIT Campus appears to be vacant at 7 a.m. with the exception of a few silent visitors who are invisible to some.

These unnoticed visitors are homeless.

For a few individuals, SAIT campus has become a haven and a positive place to enrich their otherwise difficult situation. Currently homeless and unable to work for mental health reasons, Anjie, as she refers to herself, spends nearly her entire day reading in the library.

“It’s safe here, I am around ..read more

Celebrities supposedly cutting off their oxygen to increase stimulation; CSI episodes where couples dress up in mascot costumes before having intercourse; and Japanese cartoon characters undressing one another online.

The list of objects and ideas that sexually stimulate individuals – known as sexual fetishes – seem to be almost as popular as sex itself these days.

But did this sudden influx of wild sexual behaviour just appear out of nowhere?

Not exactly, says relationship counselor and sex therapist Mary-Jean Malyszka.

“I think that with the ..read more

Many factors can lead to the eventual demise of a relationship, but in this day and age some people are blaming their breakups on video games.

A new term to describe those who’ve lost their lovers this way has even been circulating in netspace for the past few years: gamer widow.

“A gamer widow is a term for those who have a relationship with an Addicted Gamer (one who plays video games to excess, be it on a console or on the ..read more

Since online dating services developed in the mid-1990s, they’ve gained popularity among young adults, but there are still reasons to tread cautiously into the online dating pool.

Many people enter the waters because there is the opportunity for success.

First-year SAIT plumbing apprentice Adam (who asked the Weal to withhold his last name for privacy reasons) began using Plenty of Fish (POF) nearly four years ago.

“It’s been good for me,” explained Adam. “I met a girl… we’ve been together for three years ..read more

President

Steven Hildebrand is still tackling the job as SAITSA president with the same ambition he had when he first began.

Hildebrand said he didn’t expect the frustration that has come with the position.

“It often feels like things have stalled, even though they are moving they are just moving slowly—frustratingly so,” he explained.

Hildebrand’s main goal this term has been U-Pass renegotiations.

A SAITSA business proposal has been completed, outlining ways to make the U-Pass available to SAIT apprentices and practicum students.

Hildebrand is meeting ..read more

Students strapped for cash should inform themselves to ensure the best bang for their buck in SAIT residence.

SAIT’s two residence buildings, East Hall and the newly renamed Begin Tower (formerly the Tower), conveniently allow students to live on campus within minutes of downtown. The C-train station is nearby, but with the amenities available in and around campus students rarely need to leave.

The luxury to roll out of bed and stumble to an early class seals the deal for most students.

“Everything’s ..read more

Attending SAIT has become a legacy for a small collection of families, instilling a sense of pride over several generations.

The Fehrs are a third-generation SAIT family and proud to have attended. SAIT sheet metal working instructor Jim Fehr said his father John and son Chris, both have SAIT in their blood.

The legacy began after John Fehr received his sheet metal journeyman ticket from SAIT.

“I would hang around the shop [my father] worked at after and I was always amazed at ..read more

When most students think of the holiday season, they think of snow, decorations, and 24 hour Christmas music on the radio. The weeks before the holiday build excitement not only for the day but for the whole season.

However, most international SAIT students don’t have that holiday season sentiment draped round them like a warm, cozy blanket. Being away from friends and family and the familiarity of ‘home’ often reduces holiday cheer.

First-year oil and gas production student John Mufuma is spending ..read more

Heads up: It’s almost time to renew your U-Pass, and Calgary Transit will be checking to make sure you do.

“I know that we do get some complaints from students who have paid for their semester but haven’t picked up their sticker, so they end up getting fined,” said Calgary Transit coordinator of public safety and enforcement Brian Whitelaw.

“The difficulty in those cases is that you can’t really verify that the person is a student at that point in time, so ..read more

Watching a viral video of a baby monkey riding a pig may be the cure to all of life’s problems.

Okay, maybe not to that extent but SAIT psychologist Terri D. Scoville suggested students should be encouraged to take a “mini-break” during strenuous study periods and indulge in the popular video blog site, YouTube. It can serve as an excellent way to reduce stress and even depression.

“I am a big supporter of YouTube. I believe laughter is the best medicine. When ..read more

New accessibility signs posted by SAIT elevators are helping create awareness for students with disabilities and health conditions, but there are concerns it is taking too much time to sink in.

The new signs along with improved doors and washroom facility renovations in the Senator Burns Building are all part of a new accessibility initiative at SAIT.

Starting fall 2011, construction began after SAIT received recommendations from the Barrier Free Committee, a group who advocates the needs of students with mobility concerns.

“SAIT’s ..read more

The SAIT dental clinic has had issues trying to bring in patients but staff are now waiting to see if the clinic’s recent renovations will have any effect on the number of appointments.

During SAIT’s Open House on Oct. 25, the newly renovated on-campus dental clinic celebrated its grand opening.

Over the past two years, the clinic has been upgraded with state-of-the-art equipment and an inviting reception area.

The clinic is essentially a classroom for SAIT’s dental assisting students but is also open ..read more

Simba, Bunny, Bobo, Bear; they are some of the world’s best listeners. They adore cuddling.  They want nothing more than an endless, tearful embrace. Their sole request is for you to  please refrain from sleeping on their torso.

Who are these gracious figures I write of? Tragically, these characters are merely fine pieces of fabric sewn together with simplistic features aimed at resembling a human face.

Yes, these are the names of just a few of the stuffed animals SAIT students run ..read more

A unique, innovative project has been quietly in the works behind classroom doors in the SAIT architectural technologies department.

The idea to design a new campus for students in Afghanistan was born in early July 2011 when the Canadian International Learning Foundation (CanILF), a registered Canadian charity that provides educational assistance to distressed countries, approached SAIT.

Architectural technologies instructor Paul Norris took  lead of a team of 30 SAIT students and four instructor supervisors.

Participating in the program has impacted everyone on the ..read more

More than two years after its completion, SAIT’s parking garage under the Cohos Commons has become an award-winner.

On Nov. 2, the Bing Thom Architects design was announced as the recipient of the 2011 Mayor’s Urban Design Award (MUDA) for Urban Architecture.

“I think it was initially a bit surprising that a parking garage was submitted in this category,” said David Down, the city’s coordinator for urban design and heritage, “but…[they] really made what could have been an ordinary parking garage into ..read more

A mere two students registered for a SAIT Feng Shui seminar Nov. 12, forcing the recreation department to cancel the program for the second time in as many years.

“I am disappointed. I am not sure why it hasn’t picked up steam,” said SAIT recreation programmer TJ Babey.

Babey said the low interest could be due to a lack of student knowledge of what Feng Shui is about.

“It’s a different type of recreation class. It isn’t as mainstream as yoga or pilates,” ..read more

As fast food chains like Tim Hortons and Jugo Juice gain a larger presence on SAIT campus, at least one instructor is hoping to reverse the trend.

Renowned chef and SAIT instructor Andrew Hewson has worked in some of North America’s most distinguished restaurants, including the Ritz-Carlton in Philadelphia and Catch in Calgary. He is also the leader of SAIT’s Slow Food movement.

“The Slow Food movement is a way to make people aware of the process it takes for food to ..read more

Youth are one of the main demographics being targeted by stricter laws on drinking and driving after a rash of alcohol related traffic deaths.

Venera Simnica, 24, and Faton Dobrdolani, 37, were killed Nov. 6 after a 23-year-old impaired driver smashed into their car as they were parked at a red light in N.E. Calgary.

James Gregory Paul, 20, and Arash Karimian, 20, died the week before, in a crash due to alcohol and travelling at high speeds on John Laurie Boulevard. ..read more