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New strategy for social housing…The federal government’s new strategic plan to address issues of homelessness, social housing and drug related problems may be timely, but SFU anthropology professor Dara Culhane cautions that issues of funding and implementation remain vague. "This announcement follows a period of reduced expenditures in these areas," says Culhane, who is completing a health study of inner-city women living in a new housing complex in the downtown eastside. "Our research indicates there is a need for a really comprehensive plan," says Culhane, noting that the housing crisis together with high rent mean many lower income residents are unable to make ends meet. Culhane expects to have preliminary findings of her current study by the year’s end. SFU geography professor Michael Hayes, who specializes in social geography, can also look at the potential impact of the government’s new plan.

Dara Culhane, 604.291.5479; dara_culhane@sfu.ca
Michael Hayes, 604.291.6648/4621, michael_hayes@sfu.ca


Civil rights architect honoured… A clergyman who helped lead the civil rights movement in the US is the recipient of the Thakore Foundation Visiting Scholar award for 2002. It honours individuals who show creativity, commitment and a concern for truth, justice and non-violence in public life, qualities that Mahatma Gandhi valued. The Reverend Dr. James Lawson is a former Methodist missionary who became a prominent leader in the American South, joining forces with Martin Luther King, Jr., to become one of the principal architects of the African-American civil rights struggle. Lawson is one of the few peace activists who has systematically studied Gandhi's approach to non-violence and has successfully applied it in the US. The presentation is held in conjunction with the celebration of Gandhi's birthday on Oct. 2 and will take place at SFU's Images Theatre at 7:30 p.m., following the Gandhi commemorative ceremony at 6:45 p.m at the Gandhi bust, located on the south side of the academic quadrangle. (Lawson is available for media interviews during the day on Oct. 2 and Oct. 3).

Trish Graham, or Don Grayston, Humanities, 604.291.5855


More than 1,200 students leave the hill…That’s because these students have completed their degrees and are now ready for the job market. They’ll take part in convocation ceremonies on Thursday, Oct. 3 (9:45 a.m. and 2:30 p.m.) and Friday, Oct. 4 (9:45 a.m.). They include students like Sonia Chopra, who has completed groundbreaking research on juror stress; Clive Justice, a retired landscape architect who at 76 has earned a PhD; and convocation speaker Gina Gill, who began her studies at SFU at 16 and is en route to medical school.
In addition, honorary degrees will be conferred on Vancouver Board of Trade chair Carole Taylor, BC Cancer Agency vice-president Dr. Victor Ling, Princeton University President Shirley Tilghman, financier Tong Kooi Ong, and pollster Angus Reid.

Marianne Meadahl/Julie Ovenell-Carter, Media & PR,604.291.4323


Socrates returns …After a 2,500 year absence, Socrates returns and will honor Vancouver as the "Athens of Canada", at the Vancouver Public Library on Wednesday, Oct. 2 at 7:30 p.m. Socrates will be portrayed by Ronald Gross, author of The Independent Scholar’s Handbook who will offer a dramatic presentation of the fifth century sage, and launch his own new book, Socrates’ Way: Seven Master Keys to Using Your Mind to the Utmost. Gross is a keynote speaker at the conference of the National Coalition of Independent Scholars (Oct. 4-6), organized by SFU and the Vancouver Academy of Independent Scholars.

Susan Jamieson-McLarnon, Media & PR, 604.291.5151