Happy holidays, Richard Florizone President and Vice-Chancellor, Dalhousie University

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2 As the fall term comes to an end and students and faculty prepare for exams, I want to take this time to wish the BSAC, and all members of the community, a Happy Holiday. For many, the holiday season is a time for self-reflection and goal-setting. I encourage all of you over the coming weeks to look back on the past year, celebrate your achievements, and prepare for the challenges and triumphs that 2016 will bring. At Dalhousie we have already begun planning for the year ahead, as we work to make the university a more welcoming space for our Black / African-Canadian learners, and ensure our campus more accurately reflects Canada s population. Some recommendations to diversify our community have already been implemented, while others require additional consultation. I encourage you to participate in these important discussions as we strive towards positive change on our campus. I hope that each of you enjoy a relaxing, festive holiday with family and friends, and that you return to Dalhousie in January energized and eager for the winter term. Happy holidays, Richard Florizone President and Vice-Chancellor, Dalhousie University

3 WISHES HOLIDAY FROM OUR ADVISOR Congratulations, to all new students who are just about to finish their first term in the University, away from families and loved ones. I know how difficult it can be for some of you who might be spending your Christmas away from home and your families. I have been there and I know it s the most difficult thing to go through at this time of the year. However, the good news is that you only have one more term to go and you will be in your second year. I want to take this opportunity to thank you for participating in our new discussion and focus group program of celebrating birthdays and building relationships together bi-monthly. For those who have not joined us for this celebrations I do encourage you to, it s usually a time when we laugh and talk about things that matters to our heart and also celebrate our colleagues birthdays. I am confident that you are all set and prepared for the coming exams and also looking forward to a great Christmas break. So my advice to you all at this festive period is make the best use of what you have around you to have fun during this festive period. Give yourself the time to rest and recuperate for the coming year. I believe each and every one of you have the power within you to achieve your goals. I am confident that with lots of rest and hard work when required you will be able to achieve a great height at the end. You are all invited to BSAC Christmas Party on the 8th, of December at the McInnis room, 12:00pm. I wish you all a Merry Christmas and a Prosperous New Year. Be safe anywhere you travel to or visit this Christmas season. Oluronke Taiwo BSc, MSc, BSW, MSW, RSW Black Student Advisor

4 Christmas & Nov./Dec. Birthday Luncheon Tuesday December 8th McInnis Room, Student Union Building 12 noon Martin Luther King Jr. Day Event Racism is Killing us Softly: The Justice System as a Weapon and a Shield Monday January 18th 2016 Student Union Building room pm African Heritage Month Event Racism is Killing us Softly: Narratives of Young Black Men Thursday February 4th 2016 Student Union Building room pm Jan/Feb Birthday Celebration Thursday February 25th, 2016 Room 101 BSAC, 1321 Edward Street 5.30pm-7.30pm Racism is Killing us Softly Combatting Anti-Black Racism in the United National Decade of the People of African Descent Monday March 21st Student Union Building room pm IMPORTANT DALHOUSIE DATES December 8 December December 21 Classes end, fall term 10-20Exam Period Residences close at noon December 24 University Closed (noon) - 31 January 1 January 3 January 4 January 15 January TBA January TBA January 31 February 5 February 8 February 15 New Year's Day - University closed Residences open - traditional and non-traditional Classes begin, winter term Last day to add winter term courses Last day for late registration Last day to drop winter term courses with no financial implications Fees due for winter term Academic Program Fair February Study Break February 22 April Exam Schedule Posted Exchange/Study Abroad Program application deadline Munro Day - University closed Last day to drop winter term courses without a "W" Last day to change winter term courses from audit to credit (and vice versa) Last day to drop X/Y courses with a "W" See Refund Schedule for fee implications Nova Scotia Heritage Day - University closed Registration begins for summer courses at 10am By Month End Income Tax forms available - see Money Matter for details

5 Christmas is a time for family to get together and celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ. In my Nigerian culture this involves a bunch of festivities revolving around having Christmas dinner with relatives and also giving back to the community by donating to charities and homeless shelters. It is a time for the family to come together and be thankful for the year and be grateful for being able to look forward to the New Year. I hope this Christmas will be a time for love, joy and happy memories. Best wishes for the New Year to all of you and Merry Christmas. Rukevwe Erbenede Each and every year I think that it is important to surround yourself with family and friends during Christmas time. This year I will be looking forward to going back home and enjoying a traditional Bahamian Christmas. Most people would ask what makes a Bahamian Christmas different from a Canadian Christmas, or any other in the world? I would say that there are quite a few differences but not enough to out-count the similarities. At Christmas time in the Bahamas everyone is excited and prepares for the holidays by shopping, fixing up their houses and going all out! I often look forward to the planned family gatherings where the best cooks come to dish out traditional recipes that incorporate different seafood such as crab, lobster and conch. Kareem Wallace Christmas holiday is a time to reflect on the second coming of Jesus Christ, since we believe in His birth and death. The Christmas holiday is the best holiday in my family's home. During this holiday, every member of my family have to come back home. It is a rejoicing one, as everyone expresses their joy of seeing one another. On the evening of December 24th we go to church for prayers. On Christmas morning we cook our traditional foods, invite friends and eat together. The first time I missed this gathering was 2014, and now again in Ogheneruemu Ememoh Christmas is definitely one of my favorite times of the year. As an international student who is in a foreign country for most of the year, I look forward to going home to spend time with family and friends. My family is very diverse, combining multiple cultures; so therefore our meal reflects this and you can call it a big "collaboration"! As the semester comes to a close, I can't help but think of what is to come and the many memories that will be made upon my return. Have a safe holiday! God Bless. Chioma Nwasike

6 HOLIDAY FOOD TRADITIONS FROM AROUND THE WORLD Here in North America our festive meal is usually a deliciously golden turkey with trimmings like mashed potatoes, carrots and stuffing. This meal will vary by region as people add their own traditional dishes. But beyond our borders upcoming holiday meals step outside the box. Check out these delectable cuisine traditions from around the world. Czech Republic Here the main holiday meal is usually served during Christmas Eve. Some favorites are fish soup and fried carp served with potato salad. Little children are not visited by Santa Claus here but Little Jesus and place settings are always laid for an even number of people, to bring good luck. Venezuela The traditional Christmas food here is called hallaca. One batch can often last the whole holiday season. They are made with corn dough wrapped in a plantain leaf with a mixture of meats, raisins and olives inside then tied with a string. As with most things, the recipes will vary by region. The Philippians The Christmas season is much celebrated here and can start as early as October. A popular delicacy is Puto BumBong. This treat is traditionally made with ground glutinous rice with coloring. It is shaped with a bamboo tube and is topped with grated coconut and Muscovado sugar and wrapped in a banana leaf. Lebanon The Lebanese share our love for turkey over the holidays but add their own twist by stuffing it with rice. They drink cherry wine which is often homemade and aged for a long time. Then dinner is complete with ma mool, a scrumptious shortbread cookies stuffed with dates.

7 The Nutcracker Dec. 4 th - Dec. 13 th Symphony Nova Scotia s The Nutcracker is a holiday favorite right here on campus. Rebecca Cohn Auditorium Call: Or visit symphonynovascotia.ca for ticket information Tales of a Charlie Brown Christmas Dec. 6th This 50th Anniversary performance is being put on by Halifax Jazz Festival and is sure to bring out the kid in you! 1855 Trollope Street, Halifax! Visit halifaxjazzfestival.ca/2015-tales-charliebrown-christmas-8-pm for ticket information A Christmas Carol Dec. 19th-26th Share in this classic Christmas performance put on by Neptune Theatre 1593 Argyle Street, Halifax Visit neptunetheatre.com for ticket information Chief Editor: Dominique Oliver-Dares Layout Editor: Dominique Oliver-Dares Editorial Consultant: Phillip Bobbie-Ansah Editorial Supervisor: Oluronke Taiwo