News Briefs

Minor-niners grow up to be frosh wannabes

Just when you thought your high school days were over, those same youngsters you gave wedgies to as a high shool senior may be making their way to Western this weekend to take part in the annual Fall Preview Day.

Three-thousand students from across Canada and as far away as China, Pakistan, Ghana and Honolulu will be tasting Western life to see whether it is the pie for them.

"We're really excited – this will be the biggest preview day ever and hopefully the best," said Lori Gribbon, manager of undergraduate admissions.

With the help of about 150 student volunteers and several tour guides, faculty and staff, Gribon said the day will help prospective students get a feel for Western's programs, residences and key buildings.

Bus tours of the campus will be provided by the London Transit Commission, while professors will speak at mock lectures, she explained.

"Basically, [the students] get a good overview of the university and specific insight into the faculty or program they are interested in," Gribbon said.

The day of wandering for pre-frosh begins at 10 a.m. in Thompson Recreation and Athletic Centre.

–Joel Brown

Ding-a-ling – Hear them sing

The University Students' Council will be ringing in the Christmas season with "Silver Bells."

The USC will hold its annual Christmas party for the children of the Children's Aid Society on Sunday, Nov. 25 at Windermere Manor starting at 11 a.m..

The UWO Christmas Carolers, made up of second-year students and accompanied by USC president Mike Lawless on piano, will serenade the kids during the party.

"Our goal is to instill hope in these kids," said Children's Aid commissioner Justin Ramesar.

He said this year's party would be the first of five events this year to support the society, including a movie night and a ski trip.

Anyone interested in volunteering or donating Christmas gifts should contact Ramesar at usc.childrens.aid@uwo.ca.

–Chris Choi

North to the United States?

Allen Philbrick's new exhibit, "North to the United States – South to Canada," is coming to campus.

Philbrick, a professor emeritus in Western's geogrphy department, has depicted images of rural Maine, the St. Lawrence coastline, the Fingers Region and route 1 in calligraphy, pen drawings and water color.

"After Sept. 11, an exhibit on the homefront would be appropriate," Philbrick said.

The 87-year-old artist is a post-impressionist who has been painting since age eight and will be showcasing works he completed from as far back as 1962. Inspiration for the exhibit came from his travels between his home in Maine and London, he explained.

The exhibit can be viewed until the end of December in front of the Serge Sauer Map Library in the Social Science Centre.

–Ben Leith

Heightening AIDS awareness

Western students are hoping to educate their fellow students in order to curb the spread of AIDS next week during AIDS Awareness week.

Jenna Allen, a fourth-year health sciences student and the University Students' Council's health issues commissioner, described the event as an opportunity to learn more about AIDS and AIDS prevention.

"I want it to be an event for everybody because AIDS is an issue that anyone can be affected by," Allen said.

The event will feature guests from the AIDS Committee of London, Middlesex-London Health Unit, Student Health Services, the UWO Navigator Club and Options Clinic, a London centre for anonymous testing, Allen said.

For more information, drop by the University Community Centre atrium next week, between 11 a.m. and 3 p.m..

–Chris Choi