Media Matters, a report on Simon Fraser University in the news, is compiled and distributed by SFU Public Affairs & Media Relations (PAMR).
This edition is a daily roundup that lists the main items of known media coverage from 9 a.m. Thursday, April 26 to 9 a.m. today, Friday April 27.

Politics | Education | Highways | Taxis | Food | Housing | Athletics

POLITICS

• Research conducted by SFU was cited in a letter to the editor of the Penticton Herald. The author of the letter “think[s] it's important for people (young and old) to know that not all eligible voters actually practice their right to vote, for a multitude of reasons,” most importantly because their voices are not being heard.
  The SFU research concluded 59.49 per cent of Canadians did not vote for the Conservative Party, but the party still earned a majority government because of the way the voting system works.
  “Obviously, Canadians at all levels, young and old, need to make changes in the voting system, so that what we call ‘democracy’ actually is democracy and we can truly move into the 21st century,” the letter continued.
  SFU research release: http://at.sfu.ca/riKsNC
• Wire Service Canada is reporting IntegrityBC is calling on the B.C. Liberal party to return the $3,370 that Triumf has donated to the party since 2009. Triumf is the publicly funded nuclear and particle physics laboratory at the University of British Columbia.
  In 2011, Triumf donated $1,950 to the B.C. Liberals. A donation made under the name of Nigel Lockyer, who is registered as an in-house lobbyist for the laboratory. The situation drew comparisons to a case involving an SFU official.
  After the Vancouver Sun revealed in April that Wilf Hurd, a Simon Fraser University official and former Liberal MLA, spent $2,045 of university money to attend seven B.C. Liberal Party fundraisers, Liberal Minister of Advanced Education Naomi Yamamoto said that such donations are wrong.
  IntegrityBC executive director Dermod Travis stated that what is the ruling for one case must also be applied to others.
  “The Liberals can't have it both ways,” he said. “What's sauce for the goose – or in this case SFU – must also be sauce for the gander or UBC and Triumf.”
  Full story: http://at.sfu.ca/OoeStg

EDUCATION

• The higher-education newsletter of Academica.ca told readers: "SFU mapping global engagement: As part of its strategic vision to establish itself as Canada's most community-engaged research university, Simon Fraser University is building an interactive map that charts student and faculty engagement in communities worldwide. Visitors to the map can click on a location to bring up one or more stories submitted by students and professors. Examples of engagement include tackling environmental problems, teaching farmers, and teaching Greek in China.
  Full story: http://at.sfu.ca/fIXLwU
  SFU's engagement map: http://at.sfu.ca/AMSJvt

HIGHWAYS

• A group of five SFU geography students have researched, mapped, and done their best to improve the cycling route along the Sea-to-Sky Highway.
  Through their research, they’ve come up with several recommendations to improve cyclist safety.
  "For less than $15,000 a total of 30 bike signs could be added to the highway (from West Vancouver to Whistler and return) at an average spacing of less than eight kilometres apart," Joshua Cairns and his team of Andrew Brear, Aaron Dixon, Whitney Szabo and Michael Gamon wrote in their report.
  Additionally, a low-cost and effective way to protect riders in one of the highway’s most narrow and dangerous areas, Porteau Cove, is to install cyclist-activated signals at each side of the Cove. The estimated cost to install two loop detectors and warning signs is less than $50,000.
  The team concluded that improved bicycle safety on Highway 99 would save the Ministry of Highways and Infrastructure money on medical costs and limiting highway closures.
  The group was inspired to do their research after speaking with professor Nadine Schuurman.
  Full story: http://at.sfu.ca/jbVJWF

TAXIS

• SFU transportation expert Gordon Price was quoted in a News 1130 article about taxi-sharing in Vancouver. The idea of taxi-sharing is for two or more people with similar destinations to share one taxi and split the cost, but Price says that in order for it to work, some sort of app or website is needed.
  "It is another case where you want to be ... not on the cutting edge, but just after, when they've worked out some of the bugs, [you'll be able to] see what the real opportunity is," he explains.
  Price says that in order to be truly beneficial, technology that can match people rides is essential. "The difficulty [is integrating] the technology, but also in vetting who it is that you're committing yourself to share with. This has been particularly true for some kinds of informal car-sharing," he continued.
  Full story: http://at.sfu.ca/LGcwgY

FOOD

• SFU professor Scott Lear, from the Health Sciences faculty, wrote a letter to the editor of the Vancouver Courier. In his letter – a response to a previous column about the ambiguity of the term ‘organic food’ – he argues that while many people eat organic food to avoid harmful chemicals, there is no evidence suggesting non-organic food can be detrimental to one’s health, and that there are many considerations beyond organic/non-organic.
  “In fact, the advancements in agriculture are a big reason why generation after generation has had a healthy and longer life than previous generations,” he continued. “It’s also why hunger in the developed world is at an all time low. Given the extra expense of organic foods, the one thing we know is that the purchase will lighten one's wallet . . . it's better to eat locally grown food and it is also better for the environment and local economy.
  “With the warmer weather coming, growing food in one's backyard or neighbourhood is a sure way to get both organic and locally grown food.”
  Full story: http://at.sfu.ca/VMNeBe

HOUSING

• As the Burnaby News Leader reports, the fourth and final phase of UniverCity is getting closer to reality.
  The proposed development for Phase 4 would create eight development sites complete with guidelines and provide for a neighbourhood park all in a 13.3-acre section adjacent to Simon Fraser University.
  The proposal will be the subject of a public hearing on May 29, at 7 p.m. in council chambers at Burnaby city hall.
  Full story: http://at.sfu.ca/zVTaHw

ATHLETICS

Softball

• The Simon Fraser University softball team swept their seniors day doubleheader against the Western Oregon Wolves with a pair of thrilling walk off victories, as the Clan came back to win 4-3 in game one and overcame a nine run deficit to win 10-9 in game two.
  “It was the biggest comeback victory in the history of SFU softball and to do it on seniors day is a great way to finish the home careers of four outstanding seniors,” said head coach Mike Renney.  “The areas we’ve been lacking in terms of offensive leadership were certainly set aside in that game.”
  It was particularly special for four seniors, Brittany Ribeiro, Kelsey Haberl, Megan Durrant and Leah Riske, who were playing their final home game for the Clan.
  “This was awesome," said Durrant. “To come back from down nine in the second game was incredible.  We weren’t alive the first five innings but we came together at the end and good things happened."
  The SFU sweep improves the Clan’s record to 23-11 on the season in Great Northwest Athletic Conference play and 31-12 overall.
• Clan softball pitcher Cara Lukawesky was featured in a Tri-City News story. The article stated Lukawesky has all the talent to be on Canada’s national team, but unfortunately won’t be able to represent them in the Olympics as softball has been pulled as an event.
  “It’s disappointing, for sure,” Lukawesky said of softball’s Olympic expulsion. “There are a lot of great athletes being affected by it. It’s tough. [Softball’s] been around so long and to see it gone is pretty sad.”
  On a more positive note, the article does outline Lukawesky’s rise to prominence after going unrecruited.
  “I thought I’d just go out and give it a try,” shrugged Lukawesky, who was a walk-on just two years ago, though now she’s one of the conferences top pitchers. “I’m excited I can do well for the team. I don’t know if there’s any secret to what I do...it’s not like I got out and try to strike out every batter.”
  Full story: http://at.sfu.ca/teFqqf

Also in sports

• As Coquitlam Now reports, the Coquitlam Metro-Ford Wolves men's premier soccer club, featuring a number of SFU Clan athletes, upset Columbus FC 1–0 to advance to the final four as they hunt down a Provincial Cup title. Clan stars Carlo Basso and Jovan Blagojevic teamed up on the lone goal, while the defence was anchored by two recent Clan graduates: Carson Gill and Anthony DiNicolo.
  Full story: http://at.sfu.ca/ABLtZi

EARLIER EDITIONS

• Earlier issues of Media Matters are online at http://at.sfu.ca/GzJvYO

SFU NEWS RELEASES

• SFU’s news releases are online at http://at.sfu.ca/APbezp