Oh. Dear. God.
Sauder, according to its own press, has “reached a point where we take ourselves way too seriously. We’re students! In university!!” So what have these unheard-of levels of self-awareness prompted—a mandatory soul-searching elective? New courses on ethical business practices? Zen meditation?
Hmm, no. Doesn’t sound like the faculty. How about a $6000 mascot competition? Sauder students have pitted their own semi-artistic overachievers against one another, voting on submitted designs. The winning design will actually get made, and presumably some kid with hidden art skills will achieve the two holy grails of Commerce: winning, and cash money.
Hence our first feature was born, Mascot Madness. The following three posts (Saturday! Sunday! Monday! A LONG WEEKEND OF HILARITY) are a collaboration between Trevor Record (Features) and Justin McElroy (Coordinating) of The Ubyssey, Kai Green and Taylor Loren of AMS Confidential, and Neal Yonson of UBC Insiders. It’s long, but we promise it’s not tedious. If you’re actually in commerce, voting ends on Monday. Spread unicorn love accordingly.
Warning: The opinions contained after the jump may reflect some disillusionment or refer to negative stereotypes of Sauder students. Rest assured, we’re not all bitter Artisies, suffering away only to graduate into the worst job market in umpteen-hundred years. Some of us are in Science too.
Amigo the Treefrog
Amigo “would show Sauder’s sociable and active nature”. Because when you think “sociable and active,” you clearly have treefrog fever. Besides that, “the Treefrog would symbolize the threshold into a new era of academic advancement for Sauder students,” “will further convey the friendships that students build,” and “alludes to the professional side of our business faculty.” All without wearing pants!
Worthless art school diploma rating: The 8-year old who drew this in the middle of Math class is bursting with skill. Bonus points for (mostly) staying in the lines. Otherwise, imagine if you were a first-year student, and THIS was your introduction to the faculty. Um, run? $/$$$$
Post-ironic stereotype reclamation: It’s wearing a tie for no discernible reason. Otherwise, this one really doesn’t scream “Sauder!” so much as it does “weird.” $/$$$$
Sigma the Humanoid Robot
We call bullshit on this mascot–if anyone should get Daft Punk as their mascot it’s the Comp-Sci department. Maybe the engineers. However, we do enjoy the way the artist desperately tries to explain that while this automaton, which is meant to represent their faculty, is physically identical to scores of other robots, it is very special on the inside.
They also mention that the centurion-style robohelmet represents how Commerce students have the “strength and dedication of a warrior.” Are there plans for a business-led robotic uprising? Do androids dream of electric cashflow?
Worthless art school diploma rating: Basic shapes combined to make a more complex figure? Rudimentary use of gradients! Symmetry and an amalgamation of symbols?! Not only does this person understand how to use a non-Microsoft art program (most likely from the heinous Adobe suite), they have a tenuous grasp on the basics of design. Why don’t you drop out of Sauder and pick up a freelance design gig, artsy-fartsy? $/$$$$
Post-ironic stereotype reclamation: The science-fiction edge of this robot not only suggests that CUS controls your future, it say that this future will be one in which you will resemble a machine not only in your conformity but in your replaceability. Also, the “Sigma” name is a great subtle nod to the fraternities which are populated by Commerce students. $$/$$$$
Sammy the Shark
Sporting an androgynous name and referred to in the text as “it”, the issue of Sammy’s gender might be a mystery if not for the prominent vagina. As one of only three mascots not wearing a tie (or any clothing at all), maybe Sammy should have been given one to strategically cover up her naughty bits. Lest there be any doubt about Sammy’s “motives”, the write-up mentions that Sammy is “extremely down to earth, nice and open-minded”— and”lots of FUN!” And really, if that thing came after you, wouldn’t you want to be open-minded and fun? The skin on her legs resembles a really old, droopy pair of Uggs, which must have come from some sloppy reconstructive work after the caudal fin separation surgery.
[Editor’s WAGS note: By the way, this androgynous nightmare is the closest any of the contributors came to submitting a visibly female mascot. Thanks, Sauder, for proving that once again, no faculty is comfortable being represented by a woman–if it’s gotta have a gender, dudes only, plz]
Worthless art school diploma rating: Defined lines, impressive shading…the artist knows what he’s doing. Which makes the camel toe (I’m sorry, but that’s just what it is) all the more disturbing. We’re going to assume that this artist is intentionally trying to get an enthusiastic androgynous shark as the CUS’ mascot. Wait, why are we complaining? That would be AWESOME. $$$/$$$$
Post-ironic stereotype reclamation: Absolutely none. It’s open-minded and fun! It isn’t even wearing a tie! Sacrilege! -$$$
Orion the Phoenix
Mystical animals are so last decade. The fourteen year old girl that designed this mascot has a high opinion of Sauder students: like phoenixes, they’re “leader[s] born to conquer obstacles with grace, sophistication and wit.” Clearly. Phoenixes die and Sauder kids fail, but both rise from the ashes to “complete tasks.” Generics aside, it’s pretty awesome that the designer managed to pun on Sauder’s traditional “Hot to Go” cheer. Get it? Fire! It’s hot! Ten thousand points.
Worthless art school diploma rating: Like Pokémon fanart from the fetid depths of the internet, but with an ugly tie. The Photoshop overlay on the wings is a nice touch and totally speaks to the untapped artistic/creative skills of Sauder students. Points for including an extra “Mascot Version ->,” which handily points out how a theoretical future mascot furry suit might be designed. One’s arms, would, apparently, go in the wings. $/$$$$
Post-ironic stereotype reclamation: Apparently the design process for 90% of these mascots included “extraneous tie.” This lack of originality is both shocking and appalling—but completely in character. $$/$$$$
BeeCom the Bee
Get it? It’s a pun!
We’re not quite sure what BeeCom’s about. He wants to be green (naming the Commerce Community Program and CUS Sustainability), but is big on the whole “bees/hive mind” thing. Literally, the writeup says “hive” twice. And you know what a hive actually is? A bunch of small, insignificant drones and workers mindlessly completing tasks with no joy simply to benefit their Queen overlords. Sort of like accountants (Boom!).
Worthless art school diploma rating: A little effeminate, and frankly, he looks like an over-caffeinated workaholic dad who’s dressed up for Halloween with the kids. And didn’t we all come to university to get away from our parents, amirite? If I’m an engineer, I want to devise a plan to string him up on a tall, tall tree, because BeeCom looks like he could be bullied unbeelievably (see what I did there?) easily. $/$$$$
Post-ironic stereotype reclamation: A suitcase, and again with the $@%@#% ties! Also, completely devoid of any individual soul. Yay conformity! Sauder forever! $$/$$$$
Fernando the DLam Llama
Unlike most of the other mascots, who merely represent ideals for actual students, Fernando actually goes to Sauder, “keenly pursuing a career in investment banking,” cracking wise, and saving Patrick Warburton Brock Samson from doom in a tragically overlooked Disney film, The Emperor’s New Groove. Notice the resemblance between the two?
Also, correct us if we’re wrong here, but according to our mandatory two years of junior high Spanish, that double L means that ‘llama’ is pronounced ‘yama.’ As in, ‘quesadilla,’ or ‘amarillo,’ or ‘blatant plagiarism’—oh, no, wait. That doesn’t have a double L at all! OUR BADWorthless art school diploma rating: We’re gonna assume that blue thing is a tie. I suppose that cloth is meant for students to ride him. Also, you may notice that Fernando has four legs. There’s a reason you don’t see four-legged mascots, kids—they require two people. On the other hand, that means two of you get to pad your resume with more “Extracurricular Activities.” $/$$$$
Post-ironic stereotype reclamation: Hey, you’re a hip young student/entrepreneur in a cosmopolitan, international city! Did somebody say “Llamas”? $/$$$$
To be continued tomorrow! Yes, we’re tearing apart all 18 of them. Yes, we’re aware the Arts mascot is a big purple dinosaur whose name may or may not be “Barney.” But see, uh, it’s post-ironic…
Hilarious. You guys/gals are awesome. Looking forward to the rest!
actually it’s not Barney, it’s the Artsasaurus <3
1000% more interesting than Justin’s last guest post. I guess it’s because this time he had help from people who find humour in more things than just dissing Naylor?
Sigma is sweet, except for the horrible horrible gradient.
I think it’s great that they’re giving retarded kids a chance to design Sauder’s new mascot. Vagina Shark gets two thumbs (fins!) up for the frontal incisor Hitler moustache.
Sammy the Shark review nailed it.
I really appreciate the attempts to include femininity in the designs, while still not having one mascot be outright female. Be it Sammy’s vagina, BeeCom’s outright fabulousness, or that “Orion” is written on what appears to be a pad.
Also, this phoenix thing really does a shame to the name Orion. Orion is a name reserved for hunters who were blinded by their dad, wanted to kill everything on Earth, and were killed by nature herself.
Wait… being backstabbed by allies? Preying on the weak? No respect for nature?
Orion the Greek for Commerce mascot!
Labrat aint got nothin on this Greek god. http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/4/45/Orion_constellation_Hevelius.jpg
I am shocked, shocked that Kyrstin didn’t find 2000 words of me ranting about Student Court interesting.
I have been informed to inform you that there is a faculty currently (and perhaps ironically) represented by a woman. Lady Godiva!
Really decent post… I love it. Keep ’em coming… 🙂
Yep, we have a naked chick riding a horse. Whatup, Sauder?