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The Martlet

@themartlet.bsky.social
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UVic's source for independent news since 1948 🗞️ Send tips & story ideas to edit@martlet.ca martlet.ca

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The Martlet @themartlet.bsky.social · 11h
Eight UVic researchers’ climate-related projects have received $800 000 in funding from the Pacific Institute for Climate Solutions: martlet.ca/eight-uvic-r...
martlet.ca
8 UVic researchers awarded $800 000 in funding for climate-related research
The Pacific Institute for Climate Solutions (PICS) has awarded $800 000 to eight UVic research projects.
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The Martlet @themartlet.bsky.social · 10/10/2026
Construction for the new Crystal Pool facility has commenced, the new facility is expected to open in approximately five years: martlet.ca/crystal-pool...
martlet.ca
Crystal Pool closed for renovations, interim facility coming in 2027
In 2018, Victoria City Council attempted to rebuild the pool, but ultimately couldn’t agree on a location for the new facility.
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The Martlet @themartlet.bsky.social · 10/10/2026
Advertised as employeeless businesses, the university’s three smart bars are receiving mixed criticism from students online: martlet.ca/uvic-conside...
martlet.ca
UVic considering more automated coffee machines, despite mixed reception
The first Touch Coffee Smart Bar was installed in November 2025. This past April, two more were installed in CARSA and the University Center.
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The Martlet @themartlet.bsky.social · 10/10/2026
Thanks for following along all, and have a great long weekend!
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The Martlet @themartlet.bsky.social · 10/10/2026
The board has voted to appoint Donovan Wood-Gaines as interim director of finance and operations. The board has voted to approve his election. The meeting has adjourned, and the next meeting time is Monday, October 19 at 6:00 p.m.
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The Martlet @themartlet.bsky.social · 10/10/2026
Robertson has said the vote is a tie, and that some directors have abstained, so he has called for a re-vote with no abstentions and asked Curtis, who is chair, to be the tiebreaking vote if needed.
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The Martlet @themartlet.bsky.social · 10/10/2026
The board has moved to call it to a vote. General Manager Robertson said that it's standard procedure for votes to remain private.
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The Martlet @themartlet.bsky.social · 10/10/2026
Kusardi said their best examples are personal disagreements they don't want to mention publicly, but said they would emphasize being clear on the reasons behind their decision and hold firm, rather than being "wishy-washy."
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The Martlet @themartlet.bsky.social · 10/10/2026
Wood-Gaines gave an anecdote from a previous club leadership position, where he had to make hiring decisions as well as serving on the Senate committee of admissions, re-registration and transfer appeals, which is primarily made up of professors.
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The Martlet @themartlet.bsky.social · 10/10/2026
Aljundi asked both to share a time when they had to make a decision where someone close to them disagreed with it, and how they handled it.
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The Martlet @themartlet.bsky.social · 10/10/2026
Curtis noted the meeting is over the half hour mark, and apologized for not enforcing a rule wherein each director should only ask one question. He made space for Campaigns Director Aljundi to ask one question, then said the board will move to a vote.
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The Martlet @themartlet.bsky.social · 10/10/2026
Wood-Gaines echoed Kusardi on the budget, which will be voted on in a few weeks time at the AGM, and also floated the idea of making social media posts explaining how the society is using its funds.
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The Martlet @themartlet.bsky.social · 10/10/2026
NSU Firekeeper K'sana Wood Lynes-Ford asked how they would both work to make society finances more transparent to the student body. Kusardi said they would like to use the end-of-year survey as well as noted the annual budget, which is public and voted on.
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The Martlet @themartlet.bsky.social · 10/10/2026
Kusardi said any conflicts would have to be solved on a case-by-case basis, such as seeking provincial funding for the food bank, but that one can't always please everyone. Kusardi also said they were very interested in trying to fund more events through sponsors.
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The Martlet @themartlet.bsky.social · 10/10/2026
Wood-Gaines said he would look for support and aim to compromise, and would hope to use the network he has built in Victoria to find sponsors to enable more events.
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The Martlet @themartlet.bsky.social · 10/10/2026
Selvarajan asked both candidates how they would handle a conflict related to finance and budgeting, and also if they would be interested in reaching out to sponsors to enable the UVSS to host more events. He said former director Luzon was interested in this.
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The Martlet @themartlet.bsky.social · 10/10/2026
Kusardi said they would be there to volunteer as well when they have capacity outside their own portfolio. Wood-Gaines said it would come down to what other groups need, and that while the budget is largely set, finance can support the groups through space allocation and booking.
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The Martlet @themartlet.bsky.social · 10/10/2026
GEM rep Cecilia Bulbrook asked what efforts they will implement to support your other lead directors, advocacy groups, affiliated and services.
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The Martlet @themartlet.bsky.social · 10/10/2026
Kusardi repeated the part of their speech that Brooks-Stephenson didn't hear, and that they would also largely keep to Luzon's plan, as the yearly budget has been formatted around it, but would also want to be flexible "if things come up."
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The Martlet @themartlet.bsky.social · 10/10/2026
Wood-Gaines said he would use Luzon's plan "as a baseline," but wants to be "agile and adaptable," and would make adjustments as the year progresses.
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The Martlet @themartlet.bsky.social · 10/10/2026
SOCC representative Roven Brooks-Stephenson asked Kusardi to repeat the last thing they said due to audio issues, and asked if they both would adhere to the term plan outlined by Luzon earlier in the term.
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The Martlet @themartlet.bsky.social · 10/10/2026
Wood-Gaines repeated 20-25 hours in person, with remote and after-hours taking him up to 30-35 hours as well, and that he has prior experience working in the portfolio and on relevant committees, as well as being on the commerce students' course union and managing budgets.
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The Martlet @themartlet.bsky.social · 10/10/2026
Student Affairs Director Maddy Vanderhooft asked them both to share their time capacity, and also asked what their prior experience in finance is. Kusardi said between 30-35 hours a week, and said they lack prior experience outside of budgeting and two Economics courses they've taken.
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The Martlet @themartlet.bsky.social · 10/10/2026
Kusardi said their main interest is wanting to ensure student funds are being used well and responsibly, after hearing some students criticize the society's use of funds. They also said they want to ensure the advocacy groups continue to support students.
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The Martlet @themartlet.bsky.social · 10/10/2026
He also mentioned wanting to work on food security and said he loves the UVSS may SUB businesses and the affordable food they provide students.
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The Martlet @themartlet.bsky.social · 10/10/2026
Wood-Gaines said his university studies in Business relate to the portfolio, and said his interest has increased after seeing the work done in other portfolios, like campaigns, and wants to take on finance to support these efforts.
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The Martlet @themartlet.bsky.social · 10/10/2026
Curtis has turned over chairing the meeting to UVSS General Manager Dale Robertson. International Student Relations Director Cherop Lyoba asked both candidates why they are interested in finance in particular.
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The Martlet @themartlet.bsky.social · 10/10/2026
Pride rep Jayce Kusardi said their motivation remains largely the same as when they ran in February, expressing a desire to ensure the UVSS remains financially sustainable. They said they are reducing their course load and are ready to take on the role.
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The Martlet @themartlet.bsky.social · 10/10/2026
Wood-Gaines said he has prepared an hours sheet, indicating readiness to work 20-25 hours in-person in the role as well as his classes.
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The Martlet @themartlet.bsky.social · 10/10/2026
He said he is also on overlapping committees with the role, such as the personnel committee, and has participated in relevant activities such as union bargaining. He also mentioned upcoming changes to an ATM, a change to the food bank space, and expressed a desire to be involved with these things.
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The Martlet @themartlet.bsky.social · 10/10/2026
DAL Wood-Gaines provided a short motivation, stating that he was attached to the finance portfolio as a DAL, and that involvement with the society's finances was one of his reasons for running.
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The Martlet @themartlet.bsky.social · 10/10/2026
Events Director Selvarajan asked to confirm that everyone present understood an election was taking place. SOCC representative Roven Brooks-Stephenson said it was made very clear.
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The Martlet @themartlet.bsky.social · 10/10/2026
Campaigns Director Aljundi has moved to open nominations for the Interim Director of Finance position. Director-at-large Donovan Wood-Gaines and Pride Collective representative Jayce Kusardi, who previously ran for the position in February, were the sole nominees for the vacant position.
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The Martlet @themartlet.bsky.social · 10/10/2026
Campaigns Director Aljundi has moved to accept the resignation of Director of Finance Mariah Luzon. Motion carried with no discussion. No details for the reason of her resignation were provided.
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The Martlet @themartlet.bsky.social · 10/10/2026
The agenda, which has just 2 items related to the Director of Finance's resignation, has been adopted without discussion. Events Director Mohan Selvarajan moved to amend the agenda to spell his name correctly.
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The Martlet @themartlet.bsky.social · 10/10/2026
Director of Outreach and University Relations Matthew Allen Curtis has delivered the land acknowledgment and asked those in attendance to keep the UVSS' values of decolonization in mind going into the Thanksgiving weekend.
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The Martlet @themartlet.bsky.social · 10/10/2026
Hi everyone! Editor-in-chief Ethan Barkley here, covering tonight's emergency UVSS board of directors meeting. The meeting has been called to order at 6:30, and the purpose primarily seems to be appoint an interim finance director. The agenda can be found here: uvss.ca/governance/c...
static.klipy.com
Charlie Brown Dancing
ALT: Charlie Brown Dancing
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The Martlet @themartlet.bsky.social · 09/10/2026
Latin American & Spanish Film Week has long been a favourite fall cultural event, and this year’s week is no exception: martlet.ca/annual-latin...
martlet.ca
Annual Latin American & Spanish Film Week a great success
“The event has evolved,” said Professor Dan Russek. “ This year [we did] something that we’ve never done…. a film conversation.”
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The Martlet @themartlet.bsky.social · 09/10/2026
The Community Housing Fund is necessary to bring ‘deeply affordable’ housing to the province, councillor says: martlet.ca/b-c-municipa...
martlet.ca
B.C. municipalities call on province to reinstate housing fund, student advocacy motions not voted on at convention
At UBCM, municipalities voted to advocate the province reinstate the Community Housing Fund (CHF), a $3.3 billion program started in 2018 seeking to build over 20 000 affordable rental homes.
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The Martlet @themartlet.bsky.social · 09/10/2026
Two students, Finn Fairbairn and Noah Fruttarol, are running for Saanich Council on platforms emphasizing housing, transportation, and sustainability: martlet.ca/two-current-...
martlet.ca
Two current UVic students running for Saanich council
Both say key priorities include increasing the housing supply and ensuring young people continue to have representation on council.
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The Martlet @themartlet.bsky.social · 08/10/2026
Controversial political scientist Frances Widdowson was arrested under the trespass act last week amid Truth and Reconciliation Day events: martlet.ca/former-mru-p...
martlet.ca
Former MRU professor arrested on UVic grounds during Truth and Reconciliation ceremony
The former professor wore a wig and hat, and livestreamed her brief appearance on campus during the university's Truth and Reconciliation ceremony.
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The Martlet @themartlet.bsky.social · 08/10/2026
‘The Dreaming’ remains a sonically chaotic celebration of creativity 44 years after its release, Roniya Sahin writes in Culture: martlet.ca/what-does-ka...
martlet.ca
What does Kate Bush’s ‘The Dreaming’ have to offer us 44 years later?
The album is a precursor to her magnum opus 'Hounds of Love,' and an enduring testament to Bush’s ingenuity.
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The Martlet @themartlet.bsky.social · 08/10/2026
Correction: Earlier, we mistakenly posted that donations to the UVSS' "Stocktober" event were being matched by BC Ferries up to $15 000. This was due to a board member misspeaking. The correct organization is BC Dairy. Apologies for the error.
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The Martlet @themartlet.bsky.social · 07/10/2026
In this month's Offbeat, a review of Eiafuawn's newest release 'Endless Body,' plus CFUV's top-charting August albums: martlet.ca/offbeat-cfuv...
martlet.ca
OFFBEAT | CFUV shares top August albums
Reveal Yourself, Buildings and Food, mary in the junkyard, Lido Pimentia, and knitting counted among CFUV's top charting artists in August.
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The Martlet @themartlet.bsky.social · 06/10/2026
Being yourself and being open about your diagnosis can lead to more understanding, some autism researchers at UVic suggest: martlet.ca/communicatin...
martlet.ca
Communicating with classmates as an autistic student doesn’t have to be so difficult
This article has been written as a self-help guide of sorts, to help my fellow autistics navigate the turbulent waters of communication with other students.
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The Martlet @themartlet.bsky.social · 06/10/2026
With no directors having any other essential reports, the meeting moved in camera at 6:37.
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The Martlet @themartlet.bsky.social · 06/10/2026
Aljundi highlighted the municipal election debate for local candidates being hosted by the UVSS tomorrow and moderated by yours truly, the Martlet. Forty-four candidates are coming. Aljundi asked for someone to act as a timekeeper and another as a stage manager, to be further designated later.
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The Martlet @themartlet.bsky.social · 06/10/2026
Another board member moved to table non-essential reports to the next board meeting. The motion passes.
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The Martlet @themartlet.bsky.social · 06/10/2026
Following no questions in question period, the meeting moved on to reports. Some board members highlighted the success of the night market, the upcoming “Stocktober” and arranging donations for the food bank.
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The Martlet @themartlet.bsky.social · 06/10/2026
In short, this motion was put in place because people were not showing up to the advisory committee, Matthew Curtis said. The motion carries.
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