UPEL STUDENT NEWSPAPER

November 6, 2002

editor-in-chief Matt “Samantha” STEWART

production manager/graphics Thomas “Chompsketta” LLOYD

copy editor Catherine “Simon” SWEET

news editor VACANT

entertainment editor Brodie “Snookums” MacRAE

sports editor Alex “Corn” FIELD

photographer Brad “7 Cats and a Dog” DEIGHAN

reporter Mariéve “Sapphire” MACGREGOR Julie “Jingles” VEINOT

advertising manager Natasha “Gumby” MacKINNON

distribution manager Lennie “I’ve Never Owned a Pet” MacPHERSON

contributers Scott “Spot” FLEMMING Matthew “Leaky” SIMON Will “Elephant the Mouse” PATE

The Cadre is the official newspaper of the UPEI Student Union. 2,000 copies of The Cadre are printed 10 times per semester. There are meetings open to anyone Mondays at 4:30 in room 213 in the new Student Union Centre.

The deadline for submissions is Friday at 4:00 PM.

The opinions expressed within The Cadre do not necessarily represent the views of UPEI or the UPEI Student Union Inc.

Letters to the editor: mjstewart@upei.ca

Editorial 7: Prelude to the Announcement

The "fluffy white stuff" has made its first appearance of the year. Nothing too spectacular, but certainly noticeable at the very least. I'm talk- ing about snow, in case you're wonder- ing.

Ah, yes — snow. Skiers ski on it. Snowball-fighters fight with it. Dog-sledders dog-sled on it. And UPEI students trudge through it on their way to classes. :

Over the last few years we've seen our fair share of snow. The entire

_ Atlantic Canadian region has experi-

enced above average snowfall during the past two winters. This year, the trusty Farmer's Almanac has predicted the trend will continue. So I suppose that means we can expect the banks

_ that build along UPEI's walkways and

parking-lots to be as large as ever.

Everyone accepts the fact the snow will arrive. If you don't, you probably should move a few thousand kilometres south. The snow will always come. And with it will come the question:

Ah, yes — a question that has been on the minds of all UPEI students during these recent snow-filled win- ters: "Just how much snow, wind, and cold does it take to close this universi- ty down?" It seems that absolutely nothing can close UPEI for the day. Not an earthquake — not a nuclear me!tdown — not an asteroid crashing into the Earth — and certainly not a snow-storm.

Let's take a trip back in time, to any number of mornings over the last few years that started with a sce-

nario similar to this one: Pretend that you're all tucked in under your favourite bedspread. Your alarm-clock awakens you to the news of a mid- winter storm. The Island has been completely covered by a blanket of snow and the winds are beginning to cause major drifts. You listen careful- ly as the radio issues the following announcement:

"Both Eastern and Western School Districts have closed for the day. Holland College Summerside and Charlottetown campuses have closed for the day. All day-cares, kinder- gartens, and non-essential government offices have closed for the day. The RCMP are advising all individuals to keep off Island highways and surface- streets. Classes at UPEI will continue . as normal." Doesn't it make you feel all warm and cozy? Like someone at UPEI really wants to make your day as uncomfortable and dangerous as possi- ble.

As for me, I'm looking for- ward to the snow. I've always enjoyed

winter. Maybe it's the skiing. Maybe ‘it's the snowball fighting. Maybe it's

the dog-sledding (actually I don't think I've ever been dog-sledding). Yes, I've always enjoyed winter. But I hate the announcement. And unless there are some major changes, I know we'll all be hearing the announcement soon: "Classes at UPEI will continue as nor- mal."

Matt Stewart, Editor-in-Chief

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