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September 21, 2009

The First Wave

_ By_Dylan ROSE

Repoter

The Wave is the place to be for students at UPEI. Having just turned nineteen years old, I decided that I should try out one of the campus’ most well known locations. The experience wasn’t exactly what

I had in mind.

First and foremost, The Wave isn’t just some bar that sits on campus and hosts D-List entertainment. “[It] has a good atmosphere and good music - a nice spot where anyone is welcome,” says Shawn Younis, Vice President Activities in the student union for nearly four years. I saw this promise in action when those of age and eighteen-year-old UPEI stu- dents were present during Thursday __ were they? Third year UPEI His-

night’s Joel Plaskett event.

The Wave also attracts students from other post-secondary in- stitutions across Prince Edward Island. Ryan Conway, a second- year student studying journalism at Holland College, compared his experiences at The Wave to those at his former campus bar in Cape Breton. “[The Wave] is twice the size of CBU’s bar, and the set- list is easily on par.” No kidding - The Wave has hosted the likes of Glass Tiger, Sam Roberts and The Trews in the past, with cover charges for these bands rang- ing from $15 at the door. This is a steal compared to The Guild, whose cover charge was $26 for talent like Huxley Grant.

Speaking of the prices - how

“My door is always open”

by Sebastian BAGLOLE Production Editor

The Student Union web- site has been re-done, making it easier to navigate. Three post-dated yearbooks are nearing completion from the hard work of the trea- sury board over the summer. Shinerama and the Canada Games were a great suc- cess the past few weeks. A specialist has been called in, recommended from St. Francis-Xavier, to work out a three-year plan to book bands, plan events and holi- day activities, so the Union won’t have to waste time scrambling to make plans and can focus their attention on other student concerns.

These are the issues the new executive staff has wrestled with over the

summer, and it is great to keep up to speed. However, as well-spoken as the new Student Union President is, he is very tight-lipped about future projects in develop-

Hey Tim, that’s a big collar.

ment by the Union. The outlook seems to be opti- mistic, but it was difficult to get a specific answer out of him relating to effectuating change based on the needs and demands of UPEI students. The issue that was raised right off the bat in a recent interview with Cullen re- lated to the recent rise in tuition prices.

The President, Timothy Cul- len, said the new tuition hike was brought about for a number of reasons, the first being the government. The university had

tory major Emily Sentance thought that they could be lower. “It has a

worked out a three-year deal with the federal govern- ment to cap tuition risings at a mere 2%, where it has now reached a ghastly 3%. However, communication with the government is in progress to freeze or at least slow further increase over

‘ the next few years, unfor- *

tunately they will have to work around several other factors. ;

The second reason for the hike is said to have been caused by the economy, ob- viously. And the third factor is inflation.

“There are rising costs all across the board”, says Cullen, quickly stipulating that the raise was in place by the time the time the new staff came into office, but the current Union strives to slow tuition. increase by the

PANTHER POST

good sound system, though, and the entertainment makes student more willing to pay,” she said. From what I heard on Thursday, I would have to agree.

Finally, the social atmosphere of The Wave is complemented ~ by the aesthetics of the lounge. The lights are dim, the booths are comfy, and a foosball table pro- vides entertainment away from the bar. Shawn Younis stated that additional structural renovations _ are going to be coming to The Wave next year to make the envi- ronment even more inviting.

For more information on The Wave, you can check out its page _ on facebook, the Student Union

website, or (most likely) by word of mouth.

next fiscal year based on economic fluctuations. This will mean the Student Union along with the Board of Governors will need to find “tuition replacement mon- ey”, or another source of income to divert the fund- ing for necessary student resources away from student pockets, which is good.

But like all tax cuts, it also means the funds will have to come from somewhere else, from any number of places, including the univer- sity’s calendar events and activities, research projects, sports equipment, or faculty clubs and councils.

When asked about how co-operation among his new executive staff, Cullen said, “It’s been great so far, but we have not had a chance to all use the office together.”