Involuntary RPG Journal Entries

Shannon came to me yesterday with an idea. Because we don't have much time left together, I'm not going to waste it by going to StuCo first -- anyone who wants to help memorialize the friends we have lost should be able to help.

We will be having a service and picnic in honor of the departed deceased students tomorrow, at noon, in the Parakeet Garden by the statue of. Teresa has been helpful, as always, in putting together arrangements.

There will be friends, food, drinks if you like them, and, most importantly, memories. It will not be a somber affair, but rather a chance to come together and remember the good times we all shared.

[Student Council]

Half a dozen memorial services, a dance, work study, and a lot of non-answers. It's not exactly what any of us signed up to do, but I'm glad I could do it with you.

I do find it a bit ironic that all of our candles were either looted or destroyed this past week.

And now our strike has ended.

One of our demands has been met: the guards from the riot are no longer working at IVI. Students in solitary for longer than 48 hours (but not permanently) have also been guaranteed visitors.

I would like to thank everyone who offered their support, as well as the IVI medical staff for their investment in our health was we recover.

[ALL Hunger Strikers, incl. Monday's 1-day fasters]

There is one other thing. We have the option to make a video to send to our families, to let them know that we are no longer starving ourselves. I have received assurances that such a video would indeed be distributed (if it is not inflammatory), and I believe we can trust these assurances, given that it is in IVI's interest for the public to know that students are no longer protesting by hunger strike.

That being said, I leave it to you to decide if we want to make this video or not. I was told that this video would have to be kept, and I quote, "to the point, no fluff, just letting people know that after negotiations with the school, [we've] seen fit to end the strike."

I wanted each of you to have a phone call, as you have all more than earned it, but I suppose that was too much to ask. What shall we do?

Furthermore, I know some of you preferred that we hold out until more of our demands were met. If you wish to continue your strike, I hope you know that I shall support you to the best of my ability.

I will be brief. These are the things I have asked for:

-- Re-opening of communications with the outside world.
-- An end to solitary confinement as punishment for skipping training.
-- An answer as to what happened to the guards from the riot.
-- A timeline for our release.

Until IVI gives us answers, I will consume nothing but water and salt. If you want these things as well, then by all means join me. They will have to listen, one way or another.

Before I was born, there was a great deal of unrest in my country, and schools were closed for a long time. My mother spoke very good English, and she joined a group of women who were tutoring their children, so that they would not fall behind due to factors outside of their control.

By that, I suppose I mean to ask, who is planning on continuing their studies outside of training?

[Caleb and Sonia]

Hello. Caleb and I were talking the other day, and he suggested I talk to you, Sonia, about political matters. We are trying to figure out what sort of leverage we have to push back against the administration, and what we would want, and I think I know what to do.

What do you know of foreign hunger strikes? It's extreme -- honestly, months ago, I would have laughed at anyone who suggested it, but things have changed. I don't know that we have any other options. It does not need the outside world, it does not break any rules, and I know it works. I have seen it. I know it is difficult. You do not have to join me.

We do, however, need a realistic goal. If we ask to be let free, they will laugh at us. Communications and, more importantly, answers, I think, are achievable. What do you think?

[Edwin, Harlow, and Rianne]

I think I am going to do something very stupid. I don't want to be talked out of it, but I thought you should know.

[Qamar and Mo (Arabic)]

The Arab Idol finale is this weekend. I requested a feed for our televisions, but I don't know if it will come through, and I don't know if I. Mohammad Assaf must win! Assaf Hilm Falastine!

[Vol Squad]

I sat down with Rene today and talked to him about the future of the Vol Squad, in relation to recent events. I mentioned my concern that continuing to act as a sort of PR agent in conjunction with the IVF might be construed as tacit endorsement of their latest measure. He pointed to the positive publicity that the VS has received and argued that, if I was concerned about the direction that policy is heading, the squad was the best thing I could do. I believe this argument has some merit, and I value Rene's judgment, but I am still uncertain.

I thought I should bring it up with the rest of you, and I'm wondering: what do you think?

I'm personally going to hold off on making a decision about whether or not to continue on Vol Squad until I've had a chance to think about it more, but I've honestly been considering this since your the Sydney mission.

[Harlow, Edwin, and Rianne]

I talked to Rene about the Vol Squad today.

[Catholics + Qamar, Harlow, Edwin, Mo, and Rianne]

Sunday is the Feast of Saint George, the patron saint of my people. After Mass, I will be roasting lamb in the kitchens. You all are welcome to join me to cook, or for supper later in the evening.

Hello, IVI. Some of us on Student Council have been pressing the administration for more information about the incident on Wednesday. We know everyone wants to know more -- we do too -- and here are the answers we have received so far:

( Nawal did not cut this. )

[Harlow Hart]

Edwin is awake now. I think he'll be alright.

I did something last night that I never thought I would.

[Student Council]

We'll be getting busy soon, I think. We should have that election, finally. It's been long enough since Prov. It'll make things easier.

Does anyone have any ideas for new projects?

I'd considered the possibility of more trips like to that beach. I thought it might have been too dangerous, with Hume's people and the VR still at large, but if IVI is letting students leave for publicized humanitarian work, then it should be possible to let students leave for private excursions. Perhaps we could even have more say in the locale.

Has everyone had a chance to look at Sonia's email? What do you think?

Land Day. It is the 37th anniversary.

It doesn't always fall during Holy Week, but Holy Saturday seems appropriate. This is day the apostles waited as as Christ's body was in the tomb, before His resurrection.

Hello, IVI! I have some great news. This past weekend, the administration and I finalized the details of the work-study program. We've been hoping to get something like this approved for a long time, so it is with great pleasure that I would like to announce the details:

• Work study can take two forms: a job or starting a business.
  • IVI has a list of possible jobs, mostly things that need to be done around campus. Working in the kitchens, taking care of the animals, janitorial work, auto repair -- these are all included in the options. Jobs will be paid Australian minimum wage (15.96 AU/hour) to IVI accounts.
    
  • Small, student-run businesses need to be approved by the administration. Business ventures must be something that can be done easily from IVI, so either with students as clients or online. Start-up capital will be approved on a case-by-case basis, and students going this route keep any money they earn.
  
  
• Students born 1990-1992 have the option to swap out anywhere from one to all of their classes for work-study.
  
• Students born 1993-1995 can swap out up to half of their classes.
  
• This does not include training, which all students still have to attend.
  
• Attendance at a job will be monitored, and students who start their own businesses must check in regularly with their progress. Anyone who regularly skips work will lose job privileges and be sent back to class.

Altogether, I am very excited about these results, and I think this is a positive step towards reclaiming our lives. I'd like to thank everyone who gave their input while we were drafting this program, and I can't wait to see what you come up with for your jobs and businesses! If anyone has any questions, please feel free to ask me here or in person.

Additionally, the Student Council's next meeting will be this Saturday. If there is anything you would like discussed, please feel free to let a member know or come to the meeting yourself!

I have two very quick announcements!

The first is that there will be alcohol at the Valentine's Dance next weekend! It will be served in a special roped-off section of the venue that we will be calling the "Champagne Garden." All students 18 and over will be able to consume their three allotted beverages within this area before returning to the rest of the dance.

The second is that, on February 14, I have reserved the lecture hall from 5:00 for V-Day events, to raise awareness about worldwide violence against women. The documentary Until The Violence Stops will be screening. If anyone is interested in reading aloud a selection from The Vagina Monologues afterwards, please let me know!

On behalf of Stuco, we are working on a more comprehensive work-study arrangement, but these things are more time-sensitive! StuCo's proposal will be posted shortly for your review soon.

The memorial Thank you for

It snowed in my home country today. It never snowed through my entire childhood, and I regret that I could not be there to witness this one.

[Harlow, Damien, Marty, Silas, and Mímir]

This reminds me of the snow we could have shared in Whistler, if things had been different. Would you like to spend some time together and watch a winter-themed movie?

( Arabic. Written in a paper journal, which was then stowed away at the bottom of her desk drawer. )

We will be having a proper service for the departed students as soon as everyone is well enough to attend.

[Orchestra and Choir, Student Council]

Do any of you have any music suggestions, or would you be willing to play?

[Theresa]

Could we have some flowers?

[ Valya ]

Give rest, O our Savior, with the Just, to Thy servants, and set them in Thy courts, as it is written. And overlook in Thy goodness their sins, voluntary and involuntary, and all they committed knowingly and unknowingly, O Lover of men.

Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, now and ever, and to the ages of ages. Amen. Christ our God, Who didst shine on the world from the Virgin, through her making us children of light, have mercy on us.

I can't begin to imagine, but I can at least give sympathy and prayers for your family.

[ source, from when Valya gave them a copy of the Panikhida for the memorial service in August ]

[ Lottie ]

I know we're not close, but since we were almost sisters, if there's anything at all I can do, please, please let me know.

[ Edwin ]

If you see Aaron Rudd, tell him that I'll do whatever he wants in training, forever, if M the rest of them come back alive.

I'm giving up on meditating. Whenever I try in times like this, it only makes me feel worse. What do you do?

[ Javier ]

More talking maybe, unless you're training or going out in the field or being with Car or busy? If I spend much more time hitting things I'll wreck my hands.

[ Nawal ]

I feel completely lost. I'm sorry if I'm being quiet, I just don't know what to say or do.

Merry Christmas to all who celebrate it!

I found this video showing what Christmas is like in the city of Bethlehem. I attended midnight mass in Bethlehem once, when I was very young, and I would like to do it again someday. Christians are still a minority in Bethlehem, but naturally Christmas is very important there.



I miss you all, but hope you are well!

[New Students Since Nov. 12]

Hello! I am Nawal Bechara, and I am the president of IVI's student council. I am sorry that I did not welcome you sooner, but I was having some personal issues. If you need anything, or if you have any questions about IVI or the IVF, please do not hesitate to let me know, and I will do whatever I can to help you.

[Harlow]

It seems as though we will be able to meet up after all! I spoke with my sister, and she is willing to pay for me to fly to British Columbia for New Year's, though I believe the IVF will want me sedated on the plane. She is not sure yet if she will join us. It depends on her husband's work schedule.

Hello, IVI! Allegra mentioned a few weeks ago that she was temporarily taking over my duties as president of the IVI student council. She has performed admirably, but now I am ready to re-assume my duties.

If anyone has any questions about travel arrangements for our break, please do not hesitate to let me know, and I will find out what I can for you.

I would also like to thank everyone for your sensitivity regarding the news about both myself and my home country.

[Student Council and Vol Club]

We should have another vigil.

We are getting quite good at them.

Hello, IVI! On behalf of myself and Allegra, I would like to say something. As the President and Vice President of StuCo, we support your decisions to opt in or out of the tracking chip program according to your preferences and are happy to ask questions on your behalf if you don't feel comfortable with talking to your team leader/dorm head/other member of staff.

In case you have not heard anything from your team leader yet, here are the basic facts about the chips:

• There are no significant health risks associated with the chips.
  
• The chip can be easily removed by any qualified medical personnel.
  
• The chips are only used for tracking and will deactivate after 3 years.
  
• Students may choose to get chipped at any time.
  
• RFID chips are commonly used in the military, including by all of our own Team Leaders.
  
• The administration will only consider mandating the chips for our December holidays if kidnappings continue and the global climate remains unsafe for Vols. The staff want it to be very clear that this is not a decision that will be made lightly.

We and the rest of StuCo are also available to answer any questions you may have about any issue, including current events and safety measures. We are having our meeting this evening, so if there are any topics that you wish for us to discuss, please do not hesitate to speak with a council member about them.

Finally, the haunted house Savannah just announced will also include a party! The committee for both will be meeting after our StuCo meeting tonight. I hope to see you there!

[Team Eagle]

Three months ago, I would not have guessed I would feel this way, but now I feel blessed that this team has given me the opportunity to know you.

[Harlow, Logan, and Edwin]

I know I am being dramatic, but I am beginning to think I should appoint Mason my successor as student council president and resign.