1970

Protesting 101: From Convocation to Gandhi
Everything's a target for student protestors. Political activist Jim Harding accepts his PhD and attempts to kiss the feet of chancellor Gordon Shrum during convocation; Harding nearly loses his teeth as Shrum aims a kick.

Another protestor throws a roll of toilet paper in front of the convocation procession; security chief Fred Hope reportedly throws a punch in return. And honours English grad Richard Rathwell attempts to read out the names of the four students killed by the Ohio national guard at Kent State; his microphone is cut off.

Even the erection of the bust of Gandhi in the science complex draws placard-waving students. Anti-Gandhi protestors and anti-administration protestors prevent president Ken Strand from speaking.

The Arab-Israeli Crisis I
Graduate student Stephen Duguid (now an SFU humanities professor), in a perceptive article called "Arab-Israeli conflict: the growth of the guerilla movement," writes that embryonic Palestinian militants are already beyond the control of Arab governments.

Concert for Amchitka
Greenpeace gets its start protesting a planned nuclear test in Amchitka Island, Alaska. A fundraising concert featuring music heavies Joni Mitchell, Phil Ochs, Chilliwack, and Sweet Baby James Taylor quickly sells out. Tickets are $3.

The Battle of the Suds
The first pub opens January 16 in what is now the Alexander Mackenzie cafeteria. Soon serious drinkers report a major win against the big guys across town: UBC students drink only 140 cases of beer during the beer contest, while SFU students drink 190 cases. This despite the fact that UBC has 20,000 students and a pub open three nights a week, while SFU has 4,800 students and a pub open only one night a week. Even radicals must have fun!

1988

New Downtown Campus
The Harbour Centre campus is under construction in the former Sears/Eatons/Spencers store on Hastings between Richards and Seymour. Students are concerned it might take funds away from the main campus but are assured it won't.

The Arab-Israeli crisis II
A verbal confrontation breaks out between Arab and Israeli supporters at a speech on campus. The headline reads "Middle East Conflict at SFU." And an opinion piece, "Media abuses Palestinians," appears in the Peak.

Free Trade? What's Free Trade?
There's a federal election with a hotly debated fight about free trade. But students seem oblivious. The Peak barely mentions the election or the issues. aq

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