🍂 🗞️ Pitches + Gilmore Girls 🗞️🍂

Hey everyone,

What were you doing on Monday night? I was cramming for my computer science midterm. Only this time, to the not-so-white-noise of that undeniable intro to that undeniable fall classic from the dorm next door… binging Gilmore Girls during midterm season? We all have our weaknesses. No actually I’m just miffed because I know I won’t have time to rewatch it while it’s still the time of year when it’s not socially unacceptable to tune in. I digress…

Some quick announcements:

• SIGN UP FOR PENDER!! Everyone — there are spots left and we want to fill them. Pender is The Ubyssey’s annual retreat to Pender Island. We hang out on the BC coast in a house for a weekend, play games, study, hike up hills, chill in the hot tub, watch the stars. It’s magical and it’s a great way to get to know your fellow writers. Everything you need to know about the trip is here.

• Weekly features meetings are every Wednesday at 3 p.m. in the office boardroom.

• The Ubyssey’s general meeting is every Friday at 4 p.m. in the office. If you’re interested in becoming staff, everything you need to know about getting more involved is covered there so don’t miss it!

That’s all for now — pitches to follow. Now go treat yourself to a fun warm beverage :)

~ Fiona

Some things to keep in mind:

• To secure a pitch, respond to this email.

• Are you a first-time writer? Please let me know in your email response.

• Once I confirm your pitch request, you can expect a follow-up email from me within 24 hours with more details on the piece.

• Consider conflict of interest implications when picking up a piece and ask me about this if you’re unsure.

• I LOVE COMMUNICATION! I will check in with you throughout the writing process but it’s also on YOU to tell ME if you’re feeling stressed about deadlines or unsure about how to proceed with anything. I gotcha <3

Our Campus: Dr. Marie Auger-Méthé

Dr. Marie Auger-Méthé is the Canada Research Chair in Statistical Ecology and a member of the UBC Department of Statistics. Her research develops models that identify critical habitat based on available information and pinpointing areas used by healthy and reproductive animals to preserve national biodiversity conservation efforts. Talk to Auger-Méthé about how she got into this area of research, what it currently focuses on and the importance of statistical modelling in effective conservation efforts.

800-1000 words

Friday, November 8 by 5pm

Our Campus: Dr. Tony Yang

Dr. Tony Yang is a fellow of the Canadian Academy of Engineering and a professor in UBC’s department of civil engineering. Yang has recently been awarded funding from Rogers, Mitacs, and NSERC to advance research in the construction of 5G networks, robotic automation and AI-driven inspections. Talk to Yang about how he got into this area of research and his project plans, including who he plans to collaborate with, as well as the current state of our understanding of 5G.

800-1000 words

Friday, November 8 by 5pm

REPITCH: Falling flat on undergraduate research opportunities?

At a mid-September senate meeting, Provost Dr. Gage Averill presented a report on undergraduate research opportunities and engagement at UBCV and UBCO which resulted in Senate scrutiny over the differences in the number and variety of research opportunities across both campuses, where less undergraduates at UBCV reported engaging with research than at UBCO. Talk to some UBCV undergraduate students about their experiences with looking for research opportunities and if these students find that UBC is doing a sufficient enough job of supporting student research with their own programs and resource allocation.

1000-1200 words

Due Friday, November 15 by 5pm

REPITCH: Co-op preparing students for the ¿?real world?¿

Co-op is a great opportunity to get some professional work experience and build your network pre-graduation. But completion of the program usually entails at least a one-year extension for your degree, low pay, added expenses and recruitment frustrations. So what are some alternatives to becoming “employable” and is co-op worth it? How are students preparing for the real world post-graduation? Talk to current and alum co-op students about their experiences, as well as the co-op office and the UBC Career Centre about program accessibility and satisfaction.

1000-1500 words

Due Friday, November 15 by 5pm