McGill_Tribune_Vol_28_Issue_15 by The Campus Network

Travel: An African adventure, Page 7

Out with the Old, In with the new, pages 12 & 13

Published by the Students’ Society of McGill University

www.mcgilltribune.com

Volume 28 Issue 15 • January 7, 2009

MUNACA threatens strike over contract

Latest offer rejected in GA vote Theo Meyer

The McGill University Non-Academic Certified Association still hasn’t reached a collective bargaining agreement with the McGill administration despite months of negotiations and is threatening to strike. MUNACA members voted on the administration’s latest proposal at a General Assembly on December 4. “We called a General Assembly to present the last offer that McGill made, and our recommendation to the General Assembly was to reject it and give us a strike mandate so that we can apply pressure tactics up to and including a strike,” MUNACA President Maria Ruocco said. According to Ruocco, all areas of dispute between MUNACA and the university have been resolved except for salary increases. In September, the MUNACA membership rejected the university’s offer for a 12 per cent salary increase over four years. The offer the membership rejected in December proposed an 8.5 per cent increase over three years, though the increase would have been weighted more beneficially. Ruocco argued that the proposed increases are less than what similar Quebec universities’ employees are paid. “Our support staff is getting paid less than

our counterparts at other Quebec universities for the same work. Other Quebec universities are getting on average, over four years, 20 per cent [salary increases],” Ruocco said. After MUNACA’s rejection of the university’s offer, the McGill administration issued a statement on December 5 predicting possible “labour disruptions of some sort in the near future.” The statement attempted to assure members of the McGill community that a strike would not disrupt the operation of the university. Associate Vice-Principal (Human Resources) Lynne Gervais declined to comment on negotiation specifics, however. “McGill cannot comment on the substance of negotiations with its labour union,” Gervais said in an email to the Tribune. “We are continuing to work toward finding a settlement and naturally hope we will succeed sooner rather than later. We have, nonetheless, developed contingency plans to ensure the continued operation of the university in the event [that] the union decides to follow through with its mandate.” MUNACA’s previous contract with McGill, which expired on November 30, 2007, was a hard-won bargain. The union’s membership approved the previous contract at a General Assembly in December of 2003, after almost 14 See UNION on Page 2

A protestor rallies against Israel’s recent actions in the Gaza Strip on Sunday on St. Catherine Street.

Montrealers protest Israeli actions in Gaza Demonstration also aimed at Canadian government’s position James Gilman

Thousands of demonstrators took to the streets in Montreal last Sunday to protest the conflict in the Gaza Strip, calling on Israel to stop its military campaign against Hamas, the group which currently controls the territory. According to some media estimates, as many as 5,000 protestors marched down St. Catherine Street to the Israeli consulate, many of them waving Palestinian flags and placards and shouting anti-Israeli slogans, including “Israel terrorist” and “intifada.” The demonstrators called on the Canadian government to put pressure on Israel to bring an end to military operations in Gaza. They also called on the Egyptian government to ease

border-crossing restrictions. “The demonstration this Sunday was aimed at the Canadian government, but also at the Israeli government, and the Egyptian government,” said Laith Marouf, the chapter coordinator of the non-profit Montreal group Solidarity for Palestinian Human Rights. SPHR was one of the demonstration organizers, along with Tadamon!, whose name is Arabic for solidarity, a Montreal-based activist collective. “The turnout was very impressive—this was probably the largest demonstration for Palestine [in Montreal] in the last ten years,” said Marouf. “[Demonstrators] showed up and voiced their opposition to Israeli war crimes happening now in Gaza, and to the Canadian government’s shameful position support-

ing Israeli government policies.” The protest remained largely peaceful. However, at least one Israeli flag was burned and stamped on outside the Israeli consulate, and there were complaints of violent slogans being shouted. Members of the Quebec-Israel Committee, which had observers at the protest, expressed concern at some of the slogans being chanted. “We witnessed a burning and stampeding of the Israeli flag in front of the Consulate-General of Israel in Montreal,” said David Ouellette, the director of research at the QIC. “More worryingly, we heard jihadi, radical Islamic slogans shouted in

See FLAG on Page 2

News

Cover photo by adam scotti

campus

City

Strike would disrupt campus life

Gaza death toll continues to rise

Union presses McGill Flag burning criticized Continued from COVER months of negotiations. Like the current negotiations, the previous talks were marred by strike threats and protests. Since obtaining a strike mandate in the December 4 vote, the MUNACA leadership has increasingly used pressure tactics in an effort to persuade the university to put forth a better offer. “We’ve had a number of demonstrations, we’ve done publicity in the newspapers, and we will continue escalating our pressure tactics until such time as we feel appropriate,” Ruocco said. If MUNACA doesn’t receive a better offer through the use of pressure tactics, the leadership will likely call a strike, which would severely disrupt the functioning of the university. MUNACA members work in areas such

as student services, library services, services for academic staff, and in medical and dental clinics. All of these areas would be affected. “[The university might be able to operate] for a short period of time, but after that it would take its toll,” Ruocco said. Students’ Society Vice-President External Devin Alfaro said that a strike would be detrimental to students, but that SSMU was not supporting MUNACA beyond offering space for their use in the Shatner Building. “We’re not taking any particular position in terms of what should be in the collective agreement between MUNACA and McGill,” Alfaro said. “That’s definitely not our place. But we hope that McGill will show willingness to work with MUNACA.” n

Continued from COVER Arabic by a fair number of people. These are slogans which are in effect calling for the massacre of Jews.” Hillel McGill President Hartlee Zucker also expressed her concern with some of the incidents that took place. “From my point of view, I believe that a rally for peace ought to be held peacefully,” she said. “And the idea of burning a flag, incites a lot more that isn’t peaceful.” In addition, Zucker argued that people shouldn’t lose sight of the broader context in which this recent conflict is taking place. Thousands of rockets have been fired at southern Israel targets since Israel withdrew from the Gaza strip in 2005. “Like any other country, like any democratic country, Israel has the right to defend

itself. And it has a right to be able to promote the security and safety of its own citizens, and I think that that’s the main point here,” Zucker said. However, Marouf appealed for Quebec students to express solidarity with their counterparts in Gaza. “Students at McGill and other universities in Montreal should be aware that Palestinian students in Gaza are currently suffering. … The only university in Gaza has already been bombed multiple times by Israel. Over ten schools have been completely destroyed or partially damaged, and over 60 children have been killed,” he said. “So students in Quebec should be mobilising to defend the right to education of students in Gaza, and condemn the Israeli war crimes in Gaza against them.” n

city

Concordia faculty threaten to walk off the job Breakdown in contract negotiations fuels speculation of professor strike James Gilman Negotiations for a new contract between Concordia University and the Concordia University Faculty Association continue this month amid speculation over a possible faculty strike. The university and CUFA, the body that represents fulltime faculty and professional librarians at Concordia, have been negotiating for over two years, with an agreement on pay reportedly the last major outstanding issue. According to CUFA President Charles Draimin, settling on a salary increase continues to be difficult. But while negotiations have dragged on for over two years, he couldn’t say whether or not a strike is likely. “We are not in a strike position yet. Our council called for a strike vote [which means that] we have to have a strike vote among the membership, [but] we haven’t called that yet,” he said. “We are hopeful [a strike] can be avoided” Chris Mota, director of Concordia’s media relations department, also stressed that it is impossible to say whether a

strike will take place, and that negotiations between the two sides are continuing. “Our labour relations people are in the process of talking with the union to set up some [negotiating] dates for January, so at this point we are not dealing with a strike situation. We’re in negotiations,” she said. The union is seeking an increase in salaries to bring the pay of Concordia professors in line with the national average, although they stress that this could be achieved with incremental increases. In November, CUFA Council voted to give the association’s executive a mandate to take strike action. But, according to the Quebec Labour Code, CUFA’s membership must approve Council’s decision by secret ballot. This vote has not yet been held and, according to Draimin, a specific date to hold it has not been scheduled. CUFA will need the approval of 60 per cent of ballots cast in order to ratify the decision. Prior to a recent constitutional change, the approval of 70 per cent of all members was needed. According to Draimin, there have been “some changes” in

the administration’s negotiating team. “We’re hopeful that [these changes] might signal a renewed attempt to come to a good negotiated settlement,” he said. “We’re more optimistic [that a strike can be avoided] than we were in December.” In November of last year, a deal was struck between the Concordia administration and the Concordia University Parttime Faculty Association following six years of negotiation. Both Concordia and CUFA want to avoid something similar if possible. CUFA has the full backing of the Concordia Student Union, who posted a written statement of support on their website. And according to Draimin, they have received verbal support from the post-graduate student society. “As long as they’re talking, that’s an optimistic sign. We remain committed to a negotiated settlement—that’s certainly the university’s position. We’ve achieved that with all of our other unions, so there’s no reason to assume that this can’t be accomplished with our faculty,” Mota added. n

CAMPUS

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AMUSE takes the next step

changes lives Application filed with Quebec Labour Board Thomas Quail

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Participate in cutting-edge arthritis research in an international industry lab setting Application dealine: January 30, 2009 Salary: $16-$20 / hour Airfare and initial visa application costs are covered For more information on qualifications, please visit: www.arthritisnetwork.ca

On December 19, the Association of McGill Undergraduate Student Employees filed for accreditation with the Quebec Labour Board, paving the way for the unionization of nonacademic undergraduate employees. To be accredited, an association must obtain signed union cards from at least 35 per cent of their target work force. According to AMUSE, they have nearly 50 per cent. “Based on our estimates, and the partial lists that we had gathered, we have close to 50 per cent, if not more. … We were not expecting to be able to apply this early, [but] there has been a very positive response [to the union] by students,” AMUSE organizer and Tribune columnist Max Silverman said. AMUSE, McGill, and the Quebec Labour Board are scheduled to meet on February 2 to review the application. If AMUSE is awarded union status at the hearing, library, athletic complex, bookstore, residence, and some work-study employees could be unionized. “If it is determined [at the hearing] that we obtained union cards from 35 per cent of potential members, then [AMUSE] will have a referendum [to approve unioniza-

tion],” Silverman said. “If it’s validated that we have more than 50 per cent, there’ll be automatic certification.” Ultimately, regardless of the labour board’s decision, AMUSE members will decide whether or not to unionize. “Even if we are automatically certified, there will still be a vote at the union’s first General Assembly to confirm accreditation,” Silverman said. According to Deputy Provost (Student Life and Learning) Morton Mendelson, the administration is complying with its responsibilities under the labour code. As required by law, the university provided the Public Service Alliance of Canada, AMUSE’s umbrella organization, with a “list of employees as defined in the application for certification,” Mendelson said in an email to the Tribune. This list was publicly available until the evening of December 24. In addition, Silverman said that there was a “good chance” that AMUSE would start campaigning to unionize undergraduate academic staff—including research assistants. AMUSE started collecting union cards in September. Standardized pay scales and guaranteed contracts for undergraduate employees are AMUSE’s top priorities. n

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07.01.09 • The McGill Tribune • 3

News Analysis

Examining Obama’s new economic team

Geithner, Summers, and Romer to play key roles in administration

Trip Yang

Shortly after his election last November, U.S. Presidentelect Barack Obama revealed his economic team. These advisors, some of America’s best and brightest economic minds, will play a major role in the United States’ national and international economic stability. Obama chose acclaimed New York Federal Reserve President Timothy Geithner as his secretary of the treasury, Lawrence Summers as the director of the National Economic Council, and Christina Romer as chairwoman of the Council of Economic Advisors. Geithner was chosen largely for his experience in combating ailing credit markets. Last year he gave the green light to loan JPMorgan Chase $29 billion (U.S.) to acquire failing investment giant Bear Sterns. Thanks to his non-partisan reputation, Geithner has established good relationships with both Democrats and Republicans. Despite not having an academic background in economics, Geithner’s experience in drafting stimulus packages made him a popular choice with Wall Street investors and journalists alike. “Traditionally, being an economist is not a requirement for treasury secretary—look at [current secretary] Henry Paulson,” said McGill Professor Harold Waller, a political scientist specializing in American politics. “Obama’s selection was widely praised because people believe he is the right man for the job.” As treasury secretary under President Bill Clinton, Lawrence Summers was a logical choice for senior economics

advisor. As director of the National Economic Council, the former Harvard president is in charge of formulating a hefty economic stimulus package for Obama to sign once the president-elect assumes office. Chairwoman of the Council of Economic Advisors appointee Christina Romer was another widely applauded choice. Her experience in analyzing recession policies was seen as an asset. “Romer and Summers are very qualified for their positions. Romer has extensive knowledge with Depressionrelated policies and Summers is one of the most respected academic economists of this generation,” said McGill macroeconomics Professor Francisco Alvarez-Cuadrado. Geithner, Summers, Romer, and the Obama economic team inherit supervision of the Bush administration’s $700 billion stimulus package approved last fall. Like Paulson, Geithner believes that his department should have the power to experiment with new strategies. After reviewing data of previous recessions, Romer concluded that the current slowdown was more severe than previously thought. Summers and other advisors are currently drafting a new plan focussing on infrastructure, health, education, energy, and aid to the poor and unemployed. The Obama team has considered $136 billion in infrastructure investments, composed mainly of transit construction. A smaller portion would be allocated to port ex-

campus

Promoting campus athletics

pansions and renewable energy programs. To improve the education system, Obama plans to fund teacher training, expand college tuition aid, build new schools, and renovate existing ones. For health assistance, Obama plans to further subsidize Medicaid and children’s health programs, as well as expanding coverage for those who lost health insurance. The stimulus package is projected to be in the neighbourhood of $675-$775 billion. Private economic analysts have recommended stimulus plans ranging from $800 billion to $1.3 trillion over the next two years. “I would say Romer and Summers are market economists, instead of strictly Keynesian economists,” AlvarezCuadrado said. “They adjust their policies depending on the market situation. If the situation is dire enough, they will propose government intervention. They are not the kind who would intervene in the market for the sake of intervening.” Summers, a chief architect of the stimulus package, stressed in a recent interview with the New York Times that the new plan would not include excessive spending. If passed, the package would be the most expensive ever assembled. Congressional participants reported sincere bipartisan cooperation to pass the stimulus package, which may need additional provisions to succeed. “Economic advisors are there to map out all the options. In the end, it’s up to the politicians to modify, approve, or reject the bill,” Alvarez-Cuadrado said. n

News Brief

Moreau joins McGill executive team University of Quebec president and McGill alumnus Pierre Moreau is set to join the university’s senior executive team. On December 11, Principal Heather Munroe-Blum announced that Moreau would be appointed as McGill’s first Executive Director, Planning and Institutional Analysis. Moreau will assume the newly created position on February 11. winter semester, tickets to men’s and women’s hockey, basket“McGill’s decision to hire an Executive Director, Planning Kaylea Howarth ball, and volleyball games, as well as to any special events by and Institutional Analysis, was made not long after Professor other varsity teams, will be available for purchase at the booth. Hélène Perrault left her position as Associate Provost (PlanNext fall, students will be able to purchase football and soccer ning and Budgets) to become the Dean of the Faculty of EduThe McGill Varsity Council will launch a new promotional tickets. cation,” said Provost Anthony Masi in an email message to the “In addition to ticket sales, the stand will offer free month- Tribune. “Prior to her leaving that position, she and I undertook initiative, the Varsity Booth, in the Shatner Building’s main entrance starting this Thursday. Varsity athletes will be at the ly calendars of all varsity events. There will also be music and a a review of McGill’s analytical capacity and the organisational booth each week selling tickets to upcoming varsity games, slideshow of action shots to attract attention,” said Barr. structures that support it, including but not limited to PlanThe booth has been in the planning stage since the fall ning and Institutional Analysis.” advertising the varsity program, and increasing student expoof 2008. It was conceived over the summer by Thomas Fabian, sure to athletics on campus. Based on the review and recommendations of an external DATE LIMITE DÉPÔT DES DOSSIERS : LE 5 FÉVRIER 2009, 16 toHcreate the new position Varsity Council DE president and Redmen volleyball player, andJEUDI Varsity Council is a group of student athletes, including committee, the university decided one representative from each varsity team and club, which Anthony Lucka, the Council’s vice-president internal and Red- of Executive Director, PIA. According to Masi, this will allow team member. – Cycles supérieurs de l’Ordre ? meets monthly to plan events such as the Varsity Gala and men Vous êtes membre de lafootball Section étudiante current Director Chuck Adler to focus on working with Associ“We decided to delay the launch date to de January ensure Brunch, as well as school and communityVous initiatives such as noteate maximale de 4(University (ou l’équivalent) ? Nicell and resolving avez une moyenne générale cumulative minimale 3 surtoune Vice-Principal Services) Jim food and equipment drives. The Varsity Booth is a new pro- we had an effective debut,” said Barr. “It’s also good that this the university’s space management issues. gram through which the Varsity Council hopes to bolster stu- upcoming weekend is the management carnival game, which While the university conducted interviews with several dent enthusiasm for athletics, increase game attendance, and lots of students like to attend. This should give the booth a candidates, Moreau quickly emerged as consensus candidate. raise McGill Athletics’ involvement in the McGill community. great debut for ticket sales.” After earning a PhD in microbiology from McGill, Moreau “We are really happy that it’s de finally off the ground, ” Fabian (Disclosure: the author is a member of the Varsity Council.) Renseignements et formulaires candidature disponibles auprès despent votrefive association étudianteatetthe auprès du professeur years teaching University of Ottawa followed “So many students never venture up the hill to the gym, said. représentant de l’Ordre de votre campus, ainsi que sur le site Internet de l’Ordre au www.oiq.qc.ca/etudiants by 15 years as a professor at Laval University. He became ViceThe booth will be staffed by two athletes from a different President (Academic and Research) for the University of Queand this is a way to create awareness about what’s going on down where the students are,” said Andrew Barr, an employee team each week, who will use the money earned as a team bec system in 2002 and assumed the presidency in 2004. of the Intercollegiate Office and the staff advisor to Varsity fundraising opportunity. In selecting teams to work at the “His experience, skill set, and personal attributes are conbooth, priority was given to varsity club teams whose mem- siderable and Principal Munroe-Blum felt that in addition to Council. While varsity game tickets are available for purchase at bers are typically in more need of fundraising. heading up PIA, Pierre Moreau could provide needed policy The stand will be located in the main entrance of the expertise to the senior team,” Masi said. “Thus, Pierre Moreau both the Redbird Sports Shop and the entrance to each event, the booth will serve as an on-campus location for students to SSMU building, next to the main staircase. It will be in opera- was offered an appointment with two mandates.” purchase regular-priced tickets for any varsity event. For the tion every Thursday of the semester from 11 a.m.-1 p.m. n

Varsity Booth to be launched in Shatner

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Opinion You Had An Option, Sir

The paternalist song that never ends

historia me absolvera

More rockets and wrongdoing in Gaza

Max Silverman maxwell.silverman@mail.mcgill.ca

Timothy Mak timothy.mak@mail.mcgill.ca

ou’d better not get caught publicly singing “The Song That Never Ends” in Brighton, Michigan—unless you want to be fined up to $100. The small town recently attracted controversy over a civil ordinance that prohibits individuals from engaging conduct “that alarm[s] or seriously annoy[s] another person and that serve[s] no legitimate purpose.” The ordinance also makes it illegal to “insult, accost, molest or otherwise annoy, either by word of mouth, sign or motion any person in any public place.” The people who enacted these regulations claim that their intentions aren’t as nefarious as they seem. Brighton Police Chief Thomas Wrightman claims that the ordinance will not be used for things like ticketing those who speak out loudly at public meetings, but rather to punish offences like “repeated text messages.” Beyond the city council’s apparent disregard for the United States Constitution, their actions demonstrate a mentality that is all too common among government officials and bureaucrats. Along with being offensive and (almost certainly) unconstitutional, the Brighton ordinance is an example of a serious threat to classical liberalism: governments that believe they’re responsible for allaying every annoyance and reducing every risk through regulation. The rise of the “nanny state” affects us all, from when we’re forced to wear helmets to bike through the ghetto, to when we’re forced to buy liquor from the Quebec Liquor Corporation (SAQ)—ostensibly because government control makes it less likely that minors will be able to purchase alcohol. Excessive risk management violates the private sphere and erodes society’s sense of personal responsibility. Whenever an accident occurs, people are quick to point their fingers at the government, lamenting its failure to regulate this

personal risk or that hazardous behaviour. Countless newspaper columns are published beseeching the government to ban cell phone usage while driving, or to make helmets mandatory on the local tobogganing hill. Local TV stations capture a distressed parent’s plea for a national knife registry, and a loud group of activists follow suit. Perhaps it’s only a matter of time before we must register our nail clippers at the local “Hazards Canada” office after a freak cuticle-trimming incident. When the risks are evident, people should be allowed to make their own decisions. Of course, there is a role for the state in banning nuclear material from being transported across town in your brother’s minivan. But if I enjoy the wind blowing through my hair as I ride my bike, going helmet-free should be my prerogative. People should have the choice to take risks so long as they are cognizant of the consequences and agree to live by them. And no matter how hard we try, there are some risks that we can’t regulate out of existence. If I’m walking down the street and someone is determined to stab me with a knife, there is little a national knife registry or a mandatory suit of armour ordinance could do to save me. Public policy analysts often need a good dose of common sense: some risks simply can’t be covered by legislation, and others shouldn’t be covered due to prohibitive compliance costs. Are you sick of annoying text messages? Block the sender. Are you engaging in risky behaviour? Be aware of, and prepared to live with, the consequences. The government should protect citizens from violations of property and person, but it doesn’t need to protect citizens from themselves. Unfortunately, nanny statism seems to be a song and dance that never ends. n

promised myself I wouldn’t do this. When I agreed to write a sensationalist and controversy-inspiring column, I was expecting to treat most topics with the tiniest bit of tongue-in-cheek. As a result, I promised myself I would avoid the question of Israel and Palestine, at least until I ran out of topics. But what’s happening right now in the Middle East is tearing me apart. I can’t in good conscience remain silent about the horrendous slaughter being committed in the name of (at best) state security and (at worst) the survival of a particular race-nationalist approach to religion. Namely, my religion. If you take issue with what I write, please take issue with what is actually written and not what you want to read. Addressing the roots of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict would require an entire series of columns, and even that would just scratch the surface. I’ve spent much of my life passionately studying the region and its politics, but I can’t lay out my entire case in this column. So instead I’m going to talk about rockets, Gaza, and wanton death and destruction. First, let’s examine Gaza. The Gaza strip is not the West Bank, where refugee camps mix with historical towns to create a hybrid cityscape, and residents come from both the West Bank and inside Israel proper. Almost all of Gaza’s residents are Palestinian refugees who can trace their heritage to Israeli territory. They’re the victims of the population dispersals of 1948. Even hawkish, pro-Zionist Israeli historians—like Benny Morris—now admit that these dispersals amounted to ethnic cleansing (though they argue it was a necessary ethnic cleansing). Gaza has been a wretched, inhumane refugee camp since that time, occupied first by Egypt, then by Israel. Because of these conditions, Hamas— the nasty terrorist group responsible for pioneering the suicide bombings that have terrorized Israeli citizens for years—has gained massive support in the region. Hamas is often the only source of medical care and

education, and also some form of organized resistance for a generation born into hopelessness. The Israeli “withdrawal” from Gaza in 2005 didn’t end the occupation. It simply relocated Israeli troops to a safer location. In the nastiest prisons in the world, you won’t find guards standing in each and every cell. In fact, prisoners control the vast majority of open space inside a prison. But every wall and every entrance is still in the hands of the guards, giving them total control. The same can be said of Gaza since Israel withdrew its troops from the strip—except that prisoners aren’t usually deprived of food, water, and medical supplies, as Gazans are thanks to Israel’s total embargo. Since 2001, rockets fired from Gaza have killed 20 Israelis. Since the Israeli withdrawal from Gaza in 2005, over 1,500 Gazans have been killed by Israeli “counter-terrorism” measures. In spite of this, the supposedly intractable terrorist group Hamas proposed, signed, and adhered to a ceasefire with Israel. This ceasefire was signed last summer, but breached in November when Israel killed six Gazans. And the last ceasefire negotiated with Hamas ended when Israel killed Hamas leader Sheikh Yassin, along with several bystanders, in a rocket attack as they left a mosque. Since the new assault on Gaza began in December over 500 Palestinians have been murdered in a matter of days. On Saturday, a mosque in Jabaliya was bombed. Even if we accept that Israel has the right to fight back—despite having broken the ceasefire in the first place—the sheer disproportionality of its “response” is nothing short of a murderous rampage. It’s blood on the hands of two Israeli politicians who are trying to out-tough each other going into the 2009 election. Supporters of this rampage claim that Israel can’t look weak in the face of Hamas terrorism. Despite the appeal of this buzz phrase, its Orwellian logic doesn’t change the facts, erase history, or justify mass murder. n

fresh hell

One of the many reasons to hate Cleveland Zoe Daniels zkdaniels@gmail.com

’ve never been subjected to the apparently rampant inconvenience of the holiday travel season. Normally, snow falls before or after I leave for Festivus. This year I was blessed (once again) with a last-day-of-exams exam, and I left Montreal soon after it finished. When I got to the airport, it was snowing hard for the first time in my holiday travel memory. My flight was finally deemed “DELAYED” about 20 minutes after it was supposed to leave. Thanks, Continental—I’d guessed as much. About an hour later I got on the world’s smallest multiple-passenger jet and headed to Cleveland, just in time to miss my connecting flight. I’ve never seen an airport more deserted than ClevelandHopkins that night. Our flight was literally the only one at the terminal. Upon “deplaning” we were directed to Continental customer service, where they informed us that there would be no departures that night due to bad weather. The next flight would leave Cleveland at ungodly-o’clock in the morning. I had $8, a Canadian Interac card, and my passport—all absolutely useless to get me a bed or a meal. While the Clevelandites on my flight scurried home, those of us unlucky

enough to live in worthwhile cities checked into the luxurious Cleveland-Hopkins Hotel. Unfortunately the C-H, like most of Cleveland, closes early. It was only 10 p.m., but the hotel restaurant, newsstand, and even bathroom vending machines were all closed for the night. No matter—I managed a healthy dinner of granola bar and trail mix unearthed from my sports-bag-come-carry-on. How serendipitous. After this feast, I made my way to to my bed: a cozy plastic bench behind a check-in desk. The maid service was nonexistent, but there were amenities: a complimentary newspaper, a half-packet of M&Ms, and some used Kleenex. The desk clerk had also given each guest a tiny pillow and a blanket of almost paper-thick lushness to pass the night. With my bags hooked around my extremities to prevent theft, I snuggled into an acute angle at the back of the chair. I truly hate overheating when I sleep and was pleasantly surprised to find that C-H keeps their rooms just above freezing. I fell asleep with visions of homicide dancing in my head. When I awoke six hours later, my left side was entirely numb. C-H was now offering breakfast, and I was determined

to put my $8 to good use. Allow me a moment to digress: being from Minnesota, I hadn’t eaten a Montreal bagel until I was 18 years old. In my pre-St. Viateur years, I ate Einstein Brothers, Bruegger’s, and even the occasional Lender’s refrigerator bagel. In other words, my bagel of reference was the fat, chewy, boiledthen-baked pride of New York. I think the Great American Bagel stand in the Cleveland airport had this same point of reference, but I’m not entirely sure. Although I ordered an everything bagel with cream cheese, I was served the severed fist of a pasty, overweight child who had just punched a bird feeder. As I ate my bagel on the bench that had been my bed, a family full of kids (with still unharvested hands) sat down nearby. They poked each other and snuck greedy glances at my breakfast. Licking the cream cheese off my lips it occurred to me that the witch from Hansel and Gretel had a point. Before I could construct a candy-cane snare, checkout time at the C-H was upon us. My impulse stifled, I brushed the birdseed off my lap and hurried onto the plane. n

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07.01.09 • The McGill Tribune • 5

Editorials www.mcgilltribune.com Editor-in-Chief

Matt Chesser editor@mcgilltribune.com

Managing Editors

Crystal Chan Thomas Quail

seniored@mcgilltribune.com

Production Manager

Samantha Chang production@mcgilltribune.com

News Editors

James Gilman Theo Meyer news@mcgilltribune.com

Opinion Editor

Bernard Rudny opinion@mcgilltribune.com

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Meghna Marjadi Carolyn Yates features@mcgilltribune.com

Arts & Entertainment Editors

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Sports Editor

Jacob Kanter sports@mcgilltribune.com

Photo Editors

Niki Hyde Adam Scotti

Got milk? Yup. Got hormones? Maybe.

his week’s feature examines Monsanto’s questionable business practices in the world of genetically modified seeds. Unfortunately, Monsanto’s lawsuits aren’t limited to grain—they’re also at the centre of a dispute over growth hormones and milk. At the centre of the storm is recombinant bovine somatotropin, a synthetic growth hormone produced through gene splicing. rBST increases the amount of milk a cow produces, and is exclusively distributed by Monsanto under the name Posilac. Monsanto insists that rBST is perfectly safe and has no impact on the milk produced by rBST-treated cows. However, the scientific evidence is ambiguous: Monsanto cites studies that support their position, but rBST has also been linked to health problems in treated cows. Health Canada has banned rBST since 1998, and there are similar bans in Australia, the European Union, and New Zealand. But many cattle in the United States are treated with rBST, and Monsanto is fighting to keep it that way. Monsanto’s greatest enemy is consumers: in recent years, the demand for organic and traditionally-produced milk has skyrocketed. In response, many American milk producers have started labelling their milk as rBST-free. However, many of these producers have also faced legal action from Monsanto, which claims the labels are misleading. Monsanto’s desire to keep rBST-related claims off milk labels (or accompany them with long disclaimers) is hardly surprising. According to the United States Department of Agriculture, the use of Posilac in America has declined significantly since 2002. But even in the absence of conclusive evidence on the impact of rBST on cows, milk producers should be allowed to label their product freely. Plenty of other beverages—from bottled water to sports drinks—are labelled with clinically insignificant information. And, more importantly, consumers are clearly interested. According to a 2007 Consumer Reports National Research Center poll, 88 per cent of respondents thought that milk from cows not treated with rBST should be allowed to be labelled as such. In the world of milk, as in the world of seeds, Monsanto relies on litigation to maintain their bottom line. But instead of dragging food producers into costly and extended legal battles, they should develop a product the market actually wants. n

photo@mcgilltribune.com

The SAQ wages the war against plastic

his year will bring some major improvements at the Quebec Liquor Corporation (SAQ). Unfortunately, stocking a half-decent selection of beverages isn’t one of those improvements. But reducing waste is one of them. As of last Thursday, the SAQ is no longer giving out single-use bags—paper or plastic—to customers. It’s the latest step in a green initiative that was announced last year. In September, the Tribune reported on a charge—ranging from five to 15 cents—that was introduced for all plastic bags as part of the same initiative. We’re glad to see that the SAQ has gone one step further, and we hope more retailers in Quebec will follow suit. Single-use plastic bags are an unparalleled example of unnecessary waste. It’s estimated that between 500 billion and one trillion plastic bags are consumed worldwide every year. At best, some of them will be recycled. At worst, they’ll either fill up landfills or drift out to sea—with significant ecological consequences. Realistically, consumption fees are the only way to reduce plastic bag use. The record also shows that punitive fees are more effective. In 2002, Ireland introduced a 33-cents-per-bag tax, accompanied by a publicity campaign. There was a 94 per cent reduction in plastic bag use almost immediately and, as the New York Times put it, Ireland “is well into the post-plastic-bag era,” and asking for plastic has become “socially unacceptable.” Although it’s only a minor inconvenience, switching to reusable bags is a change most consumers are unwilling to make on their own. An economic incentive is needed to change attitudes: the cost of plastic must outweigh the inconvenience of cloth. We’ve seen some early steps in Quebec: for example, a number of Quebec retailers currently offer a five-cent credit for customers who bring their own bags. But forfeiting a small credit isn’t nearly enough to dissuade those who choose plastic. Either steep per-bag fees or outright prohibitions are required. The Tribune therefore applauds the SAQ’s decision to send single-use plastic bags the way of the dinosaur. Now, we can only hope they start selling more products worth bringing home. Only in Quebec does six bottles constitute a “selection” of Irish whiskeys. n

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Beer pong in the digital era

he first college fraternities in the United States were established in the early 1800s. They were created to serve communities, enable professional advancement, and foster scholastic achievement—popular alcoholic drinking games probably weren’t the type of community service they had in mind. But the association between frat parties and drinking games is so widely recognized that when JV Games introduced a virtual adaptation of beer pong for the Nintendo Wii, they released it as part of a series entitled Frat Party Games. The game’s release caused much controversy because many people felt it glorified underage drinking. JV Games responded by changing the game’s name from Beer Pong which earned a rating of “T for Teen” (13+) from the Entertainment Software Rating Board to Pong Toss with a rating of “E for Everyone” by removing all references to alcohol within the game. Funny—I didn’t realize that there was a virtual reality drinking age, or that it was 13. The real-life version of beer pong has also caused its share of controversy. Several universi-

ties have banned the game, along with any of its paraphernalia, from residences. Many local governments have also ordered its removal from bars. Even JV Games’ virtual solution of substituting water for beer isn’t enough for some universities, which have banned the playing of beer pong with water for fear of water intoxication. Pong Toss may take the drinking out of the game, but universities want to take the game out of their campuses altogether. Call me a buzz killer, but, if nothing else, at least virtual beer pong-players don’t run the risk of catching an infection from cups shared by dozens of unknown fellow party guests. They also don’t have to think about how dirty the ping pong ball floating in their beverage truly is. These concerns may help take your mind off how bad the beer tastes—until one of your opponents sinks another one of your cups. By introducing beer pong—excuse me, Pong Toss—to a school-aged generation of avid Wii players, JV Games is perpetuating the association of drinking games, fraternities, and college life. The problems that universities are cur-

Kaylea Howarth

rently trying to remedy will only intensify with each freshman class. Even in the cleaned-up version of the game, subtle reminders of beer pong’s true intent remain: one strategy in Pong Toss is to “slow down your opponent.” Don’t think about that one too long. One of the ESRB’s arguments giving Pong Toss a lax rating draws on the examples of racing games or Grand Theft Auto: young gamers may drive recklessly and ransack neighbourhoods in virtual reality, but that doesn’t mean they’re going to climb into the family car and start a high-speed chase. Yet the influence of games like Grand Theft Auto has also been hotly debated—fighting controversy with controversy isn’t very effective. As beer pong continues to increase in popularity, its virtual counterpart will become more and more relevant to underage gamers who want to emulate the college party culture. Gone are the days of the original Nintendo Mario Brothers and Duck Hunt. Just imagine the pledge class of 2018—or how good their handeye coordination will be. n

The McGill Tribune is an editorially autonomous newspaper published by the Students’ Society of McGill University in collaboration with the Tribune Publication Society. Opinions expressed do not necessarily represent those of the Students’ Society or McGill University. Letters to the editor may be sent to letters@mcgilltribune.com and must include the contributor’s name, program and year and contact information. Letters should be kept under 300 words and submitted only to the Tribune. Submissions judged by the Tribune Publication Society to be libellous, sexist, racist, homophobic or solely promotional in nature will not be published. The Tribune reserves the right to edit all contributions. Editorials are decided upon and written by the editorial board. All other opinions are strictly those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of the McGill Tribune, its editors or its staff. Please recycle this newspaper.

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07.01.09 • The McGill Tribune • 8

Mindfunk

Fingerpaint the pain away Art therapy can be an alternative means of healing many injuries Katherine Stavro Homeopathy, psychotherapy, placebos, and even hypnosis are popular alternative treatment methods that break away from pill-popping remedies. Art therapy, including visual, dramatic, and musical incarnations, is one alternative, and provides a personalized outlet for individual expression. Combining art and psychotherapy, it has become influential in the rehabilitation process as it assists communication between the therapist and the patient. Images and colours may represent strong emotional states more accurately than words, while more precisely defining emotional intensity. As a result, art allows expression which is free from the intellectual barriers and suppression of information that often limit expression through spoken language. A therapist may begin an art-based therapeutic ses-

TIMEOUT.COM

sion by suggesting that the individual focus on a feeling or event; then, he or she is given free reign to express that feeling or event through art. The individual can choose whatever medium, colours, and textures which will facilitate expression. Once completed, the therapist and individual discuss the meanings behind the creation. Individuals who face emotional conflicts or have low self-esteem can benefit from art therapy because it allows them to build better social skills, change behaviours, and improve both coping skills and problem solving strategies. Even those who can’t advance beyond stick figures, can benefit from art therapy. The quality of the work produced is insignificant. Rather, self-expression, self-discovery, and personal development are the focus. The resulting art is simply a form of communication. Art therapy is not limited to paintbrushes and sketchpads. Music therapy uses rhythms and melodies to promote mental, physical, and emotional functions. Combining psychological and musical parameters, the therapist uses music to affect the patient’s emotions and social behaviours. Music therapy is widely used in neurological rehabilitation since it positively affects the motor system. Patients suffering from Parkinson’s disease have shown improvement in their ability to organize and perform movements after treatment. Stroke patients also benefit from music therapy, which may lead to a better mood, motivation and a faster recovery. Additionally music therapy may reduce patient fatigue, anxiety and hostility. Drama therapy is another variation, and combines psychotherapy and theatre to evoke personal change. It helps develop social skills, strengthens the ego, and promotes an active approach to solving emotional problems. Drama therapy can be used in psychiatric hospitals, nursing homes, day treatment centres, centres for the physi-

xmission.com cally, developmentally, or learning disabled, schools, and businesses. All different forms of art therapy rely on the idea that creativity and non-verbal expression can be used to communicate with a therapist. Self-expression through art lets individuals cope with difficult conditions. The healing powers of art combined with the principles of psychotherapy have proved powerful restorative tools for individuals dealing with mental, physical, and learning disabilities. n

GIZMOS & GADGETS

The Ultimate Coffee Cup

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Carolyn Yates Classic coffee drinking now has a new “ergonomically correct” incarnation. Lux-Delux Design has developed a cup that is a twist on the classic, but much more boring, coffee mug. The Ultimate Coffee Cup is made of fine white lead-free porcelain and has an oval body, curved rim, and fitted handle. “By sculpting my prototype from a lump of clay using only the simplest of hand tools, the design no longer is dictated by the design process,” says David Pier, owner of Lux-Delux Design, on his website. The cup is available in eight or 12 ounce sizes, and can come with or without a matching saucer that doubles as a lid. The cups are available in limited edition pastel, candy, chartreuse, brown, and cobalt blue glazes, although the standard colour is white. There is also the Almost Ultimate Coffee Cup, which is just as functional as the original but has tiny cosmetic flaws, and is several dollars cheaper. n luxdelux.com

Travel

Lions and leopards and gorillas! Oh my!

A guide to four of Rwanda and Uganda’s spectacular national parks Adam Scotti There may not be any tigers, bears, or yellow brick roads, but the national parks of Uganda and Rwanda offer enough stunning views and abundant wildlife to keep you on the edge of your car seat. Rwanda has two national parks of note for first time visitors to Africa. Akagera Game Park sits only three hours outside of Kigali and is accesible by a well-paved road. The park offers a savanna landscape surrounded by ever-present rolling hills. The park entrance is situated on one of the larger hills in the area, and spotters remain at the gate (perhaps the best vantage point in the park) to direct guides to areas where different animals are roaming while you are on your game drive. While the dirt roads are less than stellar, even for African standards, the guides are very well trained and knowledgeable about the park and its inhabitants. There is no need to stay overnight at the park or spend more than $200 (U.S.) per night on a two star hotel in Akagera since a day trip from Kigali is more than viable. Many of the animals in the park were killed off during the genocide; as a result reintroduction programs aim to increase the elephant and lion populations in the coming years. Hippos, zebras, and Thompson’s gazelles are easy enough to find, as well as a large variety of birds that Rwanda is known for. Thanks to their abundance on the “giraffe loop road,” visitors spot the Maasai Giraffe on a regular basis. Should you be lucky enough, you may spot the handful of elephants that normally roam the northern part of the park, which is less accessible due to poor road conditions. Queen Elizabeth Park in South Eastern Uganda is only seven hours from both Kampala and Kigali. The Ugandan Wildlife Authority offers subpar guided tours, but the park’s good roads and map make the self-drive option very easy. The park encompasses a variety of ecosystems, ranging from savanna to rainforest—and everything in between. QE Park is best known for the lions that seek refuge in the trees of the Ishasha sector of the park, while also offering regular leopard sightings. Ugandan cob and waterbuck are easily spotted and almost make you forget about the lack of zebras. For those who are not as interested in wildlife, a trip to the equator is only 15 minutes from the main gate, still on the main road, and always provides for fun photos and interesting conversations, such as figuring out which way the toilet flushes on each hemisphere—don’t be fooled by the cheap water tricks.

There are a handful of lodges in the area. Mweya Safari Lodge offers middle-of-the-road prices that include three meals per day along with views of the Kazinga channel and Lake Edward. People who want to spend less can stay at the hostel next to the lodge and still access the pool and restaurant at Mweya Lodge. Visitors can enjoy a gin and tonic by the pool while watching hippos and elephants in the water below—an unforgettable experience. Hotel guests should keep an eye out for the resident hippo that comes to graze on the hotel’s lawn after sunset, and if you’re brave, you can stand only feet away from the massive mammal. The UWA also offers two-hour boat rides along the channel, during which you will be mere feet away from hippos, elephants, and cape buffalo. If you somehow get bored of those animals check out the open deck above to take in the beautiful sights or look out for the large variety of birds over the water. Numerous kingfisher species grace the skies looking for fish while African fish eagles are easily spotted on the trees bordering the water. The most common sighting is the large herd of African elephants in the Mweya peninsula. The elephants are almost always accompanied by newborn or teenaged elephants that provide for exciting game viewing and pictures as the teenagers practice fighting and the babies play with their mothers’ trunks. Both Rwanda and Uganda offer the opportunity to view gorillas at close proximity, some even brushing by you as they look for food. Rwanda offers more options in terms of hikes and length of hikes. Although an expensive attraction at $500 (U.S.), the experience is remarkable and you can take some consolation in the fact that a small percentage of that money is given back to the surrounding communities through vari-

Photos by Adam Scotti ous projects. Ruhengeri is only three to four hours from Kigali, and offers a range of basic and upscale lodging options. The Muhabura hotel is a Ruhengeri staple for decent food, good atmosphere, and decent double rooms for under $50 (U.S.). Should you be venturing to the mountainous parts of both countries you will want to bring a sweater and long pants as the evenings are cool and refreshing after the days spent under the scorching sun at lower altitudes. Rwanda and Uganda may not be the most well-known safari destinations but they offer wonderful sights, interesting cultures, and ever-present reminders of their tumultuous past. n

Features

Of plants and patents Meghna Marjadi and Carolyn Yates

Monsanto is ready to round up seed patent violators

Monsanto Canada Inc. will go to court on January 15 to settle a case with four farmers who allegedly illegally grew, harvested, and sold products developed from patented Monsanto seeds. The McGill Tribune contacted the farmers involved, but none were willing to comment before they go to court. The January hearing follows Monsanto’s December settlement with three Quebec farmers growing Roundup Ready canola without a license. The farmers agreed to pay $200 per acre. Monsanto uses genetic engineering to produce the herbicide-resistant Roundup Ready, a line that includes seeds for regular and high-yield soybeans, canola, and highyield corn. Monsanto also offers other lines of enhanced crops that provide insect protection, weed control, and higher yields. Currently, Monsanto holds between a 70 and 100 per cent market share of various genetically engineered crops. Monsanto prosecutes farmers who use their patented products without a license. The company encourages people who suspect patent infringement to call a toll-free number to report their claims. In the instance of the Quebec farmers, Monsanto spokesperson Trish Jordan said that people in the area alerted Monsanto to the patent infringement. “We were told by people in [the farmers’] area that they thought that these guys were growing Roundup Ready canola without a license,” says Jordan. “We checked their fields and it was Roundup Ready … They weren’t accused of it. They admitted that they knowingly planted seeds [without a license].” But Monsanto’s field auditing techniques have come under criticism. The May 2008 issue of Vanity Fair included an account of Monsanto’s lawsuit against Gary Rinehart, the owner of a small country store in Eagleville, Missouri. Rinehart was charged by Monsanto with patent infringement— despite the fact that he neither farms nor deals with seeds—based on observations by investigator Jeffery Moore. After bringing Rinehart to court, Monsanto eventually realized Moore had accused the wrong person. “Monsanto relies on a shadowy army of private investigators and agents in the American heartland to strike fear into farm country. They fan out into fields and farm towns, where they secretly videotape and photograph farmers, store owners, and coops; infiltrate community meetings; and gather information from informants about farming activities,” Vanity Fair reported. Jordan, however, insists that Monsanto’s tactics are legitimate. “We do audit surveys every year and 90 per cent [of farmers] go through the audit and have no issue with it. Obviously people who are stealing the technology are going to be a little bit more difficult to work with, but the audit program is conducted completely within the law,” says Jordan. “We cannot enter anybody’s land without their permission. If we believe there is an expected violation we have to, number one, work with the grower to resolve that, and number two, have evidence that that is indeed the case.” In addition, Jordan notes that the people who complete the audits aren’t Monsanto employees, but are rather just contracted for the job. The threat of random audits prevents most farmers who legally buy Monsanto seeds from breaching contract guidelines, but they don’t always address farmers who acquire seeds illegally. “When a grower is purchasing seeds illegally in the first place, we are not going to know about [it] unless somebody tells us,” says Jordan. “Usually it could be another farmer, it could be a neighbour, it could be the local retail outlet. In those situations sometimes we check them out, and there are no issues: the guy has a contract and he is doing everything perfectly legally. In other situations that’s not the case, and that was the case with these three [Quebec] growers. They had never purchased the technology properly in the first place and they had used the seed.” Farmers who purchase Monsanto seeds must sign a contract agreeing that they will not use the purchased seeds for more than one growing season or save any seeds

from the season’s crop (traditionally, farmers keep seeds from one crop to use for the next). Instead, farmers who are Monsanto customers must purchase new Monsanto seeds every year. “Agronomically, it’s going to give you your best chance at productive crop if you purchase new seed every year … If you’re a grower that feels adamant about saving and reusing seeds we have no problem with it. You can save and reuse seed all you want, just don’t save and reuse the seed that has our technology in it,” says Jordan. She admits that not everyone will agree with the agronomic benefits of buying new seed. “I think there is a lack of knowledge,” says Professor Jasminder Singh from McGill’s Department of Plant Science. “But I understand that in some cases there are some self-pollinated crops where the seeds can be grown the next year, and in those cases sometimes companies want the farmers to still buy seeds from them.” In the case of the Quebec farmers, the battle with Monsanto is over. But for the farmers in Ontario, and others, the worst is yet to come. n

Clockwise starting from upper left, dennisflood.com, nostalgiafarms.com. 3d-images.ws, blogspot.com

Student Living X Vs. Y

SnowAP vs. OAP

Open Air Pub

SnowAP

Timing: Set in the cheerful days at the end of the summer when all you want to do is sit outside and drink with friends you haven’t seen for months.

Timing: Set during the first weeks of the winter semester, the coldest, most depressing time of the year, and therefore the best time to get drunk. Seasonal setting: The frigid winter wind makes getting to and from the event a painful quest, and the cold even finds its way into the tent. Extra drinking is, of course, required to stay warm.

Bigwhitetent.ca

Entertainment: This year the music is supposed to be carefully selected to keep the crap away, but if a band does suck, there’s no escaping the noise within the confines of the tent. Shelter: Getting drunk in a big, white, heated tent is an enjoyable novelty, but when it’s really cold the only warm seats are those right beside the heaters.

Winner: OAP SnowAP does the best it can with the cold weather—and the tent sure is fun—but OAP wins by a large margin for being set during a time when your beer does not start to frost over. n

Concurrent drinking events: The most boisterous event of the year, Carnival, takes place during SnoAP, bringing loud, colourful teams to the tent for their first drinking activities of the evening, spicing up SnowAP considerably.

Campus Calendar SnowAP When: Jan. 7-16 Where: Lower Field It’s the big white tent. It’s in the middle of campus. It’s January. It’s the start of winter semester. It’s the best reason to be back in Montreal. It’s the best place to catch up with friends. It’s the best place to grab a bite to eat. It’s something you should be a part of. It’s tradtion. Dop by if you’re 18+.

Loonie Line for Change When: Jan. 9, 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Where: The Fishbowl; the hallway connecting McDonald and McConnell Engineering buildings Donate a dollar and drive the change. Help Engineers Without Borders send its volunteers to Africa and create positive change within communities that are in need of it.

Advertise your event in Campus Calendar. Send the name, date, location, and other info to features@mcgilltribune.com with “event” in the subject line.

WRITE FOR FEATURES. THE FIRST MEETING IS WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 7, at 6 P.M. IN THE TRIB OFFICE (1ST FLOOR SHATNER). BE THERE, OR MONKEYS WILL EAT YOUR BRAIN.

Seasonal setting: The warm weather makes those beers even more refreshing, and you can stay until the end of the night without getting cold. Entertainment: Bands are often loud and annoying at OAP, but there are so many people wandering in and out that there’s always someone to distract you. Shelter: The leafy canopy above the Three Bares provides a nice shelter from the sun if you need it, although when it rains the event clears out pretty fast.

McGill.ca Concurrent drinking events: Frosh takes place during part of OAP, although it has little effect on it. Most first years stay away from the fenced-in drinking area, preferring to get drunk on the lower field while their fed-up Frosh leaders take a break by the Three Bares. —Laura Tindal

Food Guru

French onion soup

Standard and vegetarian versions of a classic Crystal Chan Nothing warms you to the core like French onion soup—preferably bubbling over with melted cheese—and paired with a side of salad, the soup is hearty enough to be a meal. Most importantly, this “fancy restaurant” staple’s ingredients are actually very simple and—except for the cheese—dirt-cheap. The recipe usually turns out well, even for first-time makers, but with a little practice and creativity you can play with the thickness and the richness of flavour, and add additional ingredients for a different taste. My greatest battle with this soup has been finding a vegetarian version that still has the robustness of the original, which uses beef stock. The following recipe is the result of several failed attempts and a lot of fine-tuning. Ingredients • • • • • • • • •

5-6 large onions, finely sliced (red or yellow) 3/4 cups white or red wine 1 bay leaf Fresh thyme or rosemary to taste 1½ loaf crusty bread (day-old is best) 1½ cups Gruyère or other cheese (see below), grated 5 cups chicken and/or beef stock OR 5 cups mushroom or vegetable stock 1-3 incredients from the following: soy sauce, miso, balsamic vinegar, Worcestershire sauce, about 1-2 tbsp each

4. 5. 6. 7. 8.

soup needs a meaty, salty broth, so most vegetable bullions taste too plain and too much like cabbage; solve this by using mushroom stock instead. Add your own mushrooms (shitake or Portobello are best) for more flavour; potato skins and leeks also add bite. Season with extra salt and add pepper. Now add a combination of 1-3 of the following: soy, miso, balsamic vinegar, and Worcestershire sauce to taste, about 2-5 tsps in total. Cut the bread into medium-sized chunks (think oversized crutons). Sprinkle with olive oil and place in an oven on low heat until toasted. Once onions are browned add wine and scrape up any bottom bits. Add stock, bay leaf, herbs, and season to taste. Bring to a boil, cover, and simmer for 30-60 minutes. To serve, ladle soup into four individual oven-safe bowls, divide croutons evenly over the bowls, and sprinkle the cheese on top. Broil for five minutes or until browned and bubbly.

Additional cheeses: Regardless of the base, French onion soup gets most of its distinctive texture from the cheese on top. In addition to the Gruyère listed above, possible cheeses include: Swiss, Emmenthal, and an additional 1 tbsp. of Parmesan on top of the main cheese.

Instructions 1.

In a large soup pot over low heat, heat olive oil or butter and add onions. 2. Cover and cook on low heat, for 1-3 hours (the longer the better), stirring occasionally. The onions will brown, slush, and shrink. 3. If making stock from scratch, start now. French onion

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Mon & Wed Tues & Thurs Mon & Wed Tues & Thurs Friday Wednesday Mon & Wed Mon & Wed Tues & Thurs Friday Mon & Wed Tues & Thurs Saturday Tues & Thurs Mon & Wed Saturday Thursday

09:00-17:00 11:00-11:55 08:00-08:55 16:00-16:55 18:15-19:25 19:30-20:40 08:00-08:55 16:00-16:55 17:00-18:10 17:00-18:10 18:30-19:40 18:00-18:55 18:00-18:55 16:30-17:55 19:00-21:55 17:00-17:55 19:00-19:55 13:00-14:10 14:30-15:40 13:00-13:55 17:00-17:55 12:00-12:55 08:00-08:55 18:00-19:25 11:00-11:55 20:00-21:25

48.73/53.16 31.01/53.16 42.53/77.96 42.53/77.96 66.45/110.74 53.16/88.60 53.16/97.46 42.53/77.96 53.16/88.60 53.16/88.60 66.45/110.74 39.87/84.17 62.02/106.31 46.96/69.10 221.50/252.50 53.16/97.46 53.16/97.46 66.45/110.74 39.87/62.02 53.16/97.46 53.16/97.46 26.58/48.73 62.02/106.31 93.03/137.32 20.38/42.53 31.89/49.61

1 10 8 8 10 8 10 8 8 8 10 10 10 10 14 10 10 10 10 10 10 10 10 10 10 8

Mon & Wed Tues & Thurs Monday & Friday Tues & Thurs Tues & Thurs Tues & Thurs Tues & Thurs Tues & Thurs Mon & Wed Tues & Thurs Mon & Wed Mon & Wed Tues & Thurs Mon & Wed Mon & Wed Mon & Wed

12:15-13:00 12:30-13:15 12:15-13:00 12:15-13:00 13:00-13:45 12:15-13:00 13:00-13:45 12:00-12:45 12:15-13:00 12:15-13:00 12:00-12:45 12:15-13:00 13:00-13:45 13:00-13:45 13:00-13:45 13:00-13:45

$13.29 $13.29 $13.29 $13.29 $13.29 $13.29 $13.29 $13.29 $13.29 $13.29 $13.29 $13.29 $13.29 $13.29 $13.29 $13.29

13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13

Tues & Thurs Hatha Yoga II Kick, Punch, Jive & Jam Pedal Jam Pedal & Pump Personal Trainer Development Pilates Pilates I & II Power Yoga Spin Spin & Trim Step Tai Chi STAFF FITNESS Aqua Fitness Badminton Belly Dancing Body Design - Adv Body Design - Intro Dance Aerobics Hatha Yoga I Hatha Yoga II Pilates - Intro Pilates - Advanced Power Yoga Lite Recess Spin Stretch & Strength Tai Chi Tennis

39.86/57.59

8 SPORTS Fencing I Fencing II Hockey I Hockey II Skating Squash Intro

Squash Inter

Tennis Intro

Tennis Inter

Tennis Advanced MARTIAL ARTS MARTIAL ARTS Aikido Capoeira Judo Karate Kendo Kickboxing Kickboxing - Savate I Kickboxing - Savate II Tae Kwon Do Shaolin Kung Fu OUTDOOR PURSUITS Equestrian

Mon & Wed Tue & Thurs Mon & Wed Friday Friday Wednesday Saturday Saturday Monday Monday Tuesday Tuesday Wednesday Wednesday Thursday Thursday Friday Friday Friday Friday Friday Saturday Sunday Monday Thursday Saturday Sunday Monday Thursday Friday Friday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Tuesday Wednesday Friday

08:00-08:55 20:00-20:55 20:00-20:55 13:30-14:45 15:00-16:15 15:00-16:15 10:30-11:20 11:30-12:20 16:00-16:45 17:30-18:15 16:45-17:30 17:30-18:15 12:15-13:00 13:00-13:45 16:00-16:45 16:45-17:30 08:30-09:15 09:15-10:00 14:30-15:15 15:15-16:00 16:00-16:45 10:45-11:30 11:30-12:15 16:45-17:30 17:30-18:15 11:30-12:15 12:15-13:00 15:00-15:55 16:00-16:55 09:00-09:55 11:00-11:55 14:00-14:55 16:00-16:55 15:00-15:55 16:00-16:55 16:00-16:55 14:00-14:55 10:00-10:55

Tuesday & Friday Mon, Wed, Friday Mon & Wed Mon & Wed Tuesday & Saturday Mon & Wed Tue & Thurs Tue & Thurs Mon & Wed Tue & Thurs

18:00-19:55 17:00-19:55 16:30-17:55 17:30-19:25 19:30-21:25 20:00-21:55 09:00-10:55 15:00-16:25 20:30-21:55 19:00-20:25 19:30-21:25 20:00-21:55

Saturday Sunday Cross Country Skiing Friday, January 23 Sat, January 24 Sun, January 25 Snowshoeing Sun, January 18 Sun, February 1 Saturday, March 14 FITNESS & WELLNESS (PAY-AS-YOU-GO) STEP Monday TAE BOX Tuesday BOOT CAMP Wednesday BODY DESIGN Thursday POWER YOGA Friday SPIN Friday AEROBICS Sunday ONE ON ONE Fitness Appraisal (Private) by appointment Personal Training (Private) by appointment Personal Training (Semi-Private) by appointment Skating (Private) by appointment Skating (Semi-Private) by appointment Squash (Private) by appointment Squash (Semi-Private) by appointment Swim (Private) by appointment Swim (Semi-Private) by appointment Tennis (Private) by appointment Tennis (Semi-Private) by appointment

44.30/79.74

44.30/79.74 52.27/69.99

8 8

51.39/69.10 35.44/53.16

23.92/37.21

31.89/45.18 31.89/45.18 31.89/45.18 31.89/45.18 31.89/45.18 31.89/45.18 31.89/45.18 31.89/45.18 31.89/45.18 31.89/45.18 31.89/45.18

6 6 6 6 6 6 6 6 6 6 6

88.60/132.89

79.74/146.18 70.88/115.17 70.88/115.17 70.88/115.17

10 10 10 10

53.16/97.46 53.16/97.46 53.16/97.46 70.88/115.17 70.88/115.17

10 10 10 10 10

13:30-15:25 13:30-15:25 13:00-16:00 10:00-13:00 13:00-16:00 All Day

141.75/150.61 141.75/150.61 22.15/26.58 22.15/26.58 22.15/26.58 46.95/51.38

6 6 1 1 1

18:00-18:55 17:00-17:55 18:00-18:55 17:00-17:55 17:30-18:25 18:00-18:55 12:00-12:55

2.21 2.21 2.21 2.21 2.21 2.21 2.21 44.30/48.73 44.30/48.73 30.12/34.55 17.72/22.15 12.40/16.83 21.26/25.69 15.06/19.49 17.72/22.15 12.40/16.83 23.92/28.35 15.95/20.38

1.5 1.25 hrs 1.25 hrs 1/2 hr 1/2 hr 45 min 45 min 1/2 hr 1/2 hr 1 hr 1 hr

AT H L E T I C S & R E C R E AT I O N

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$150.00 per team

November 24 9:00, January 8, 17:00

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DODGEBALL

Co-Rec

INDOOR SOCCER

# PLAYERS TO REGISTER

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Fieldhouse A&B

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Gymnasium 1&2

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4 Men & 4 women

Mon & Tues Sundays

Fieldhouse A&B

Men Women Corec

$150.00 per team

November 24 9:00, January 8, 17:00

8 4 Men & 4 Women

Mon. to Fri. weekends

Fieldhouse C&D

INNERTUBE WATERPOLO

Co-Rec

$150.00 per team

November 24 9:00, January 8, 17:00

4 Men & 4 Women

Weekends

Currie Pool

VOLLEYBALL

Men Women Corec

$150.00 per team

November 24 9:00, January 8, 17:00

8 4 Men & 4 Women

Mon. to Fri

Gymnasium 3 &4 Fieldhouse A&B

OFFICIALS & TIMERS Are you looking for work? Applications are now being accepted for officiating and timer positions in the McGill Intramural Program for the following sports:

Ball Hockey, Basketball, Dodgeball, Indoor Soccer, and Innertube Waterpolo Please forward your resume (.doc) to perry.karnofsky@mcgill.ca or

fax 514-398-4901 Experience and/or officiating certification preferred.

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Rental fees must be paid at Client Services (Office G-20C) of McGill Sports Center.

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INFORMATION: 514-398-7011 w w w. a t h l e t i c s . m c g i l l . c a

Arts & Entertainment

Best of 2009

Could be Good in 2009

Kid’s movies, folk rock, and comedy TV will be this year’s highlights

Film There are movies other than the new Harry Potter coming out in 2009— unfortunately most of them are sequels. The most promising upcoming films are mostly those that straddle the line between kid and adult films— it seems that in 2009 we want to go back to our innocent days of childhood while bringing our darkness with us. Here are a few worth checking out:

Nine. With a stellar cast including Nicole Kidman, Judi Dench, Penelope Cruz, and Daniel Day-Lewis—who is almost automatically nominated for an award the second he is attached to a script—and directed by Rob Marshall (Chicago), this movie would have to work really hard to be bad. The film focusses on the life of Guido Contini, a film director struggling with his lack of ideas and his surplus of women. Oscars are very likely to be in its future. (December).

Up. Pixar’s latest movie is raising eyebrows for not appealing to children as much as other upcoming computeranimated films like the new Ice Age or Dreamworks’ Monsters vs. Aliens. Yet Pixar has always won favour with audiences of all ages, even with kid-friendly films such as Finding Nemo and Wall-E. The story centres on a 78-year-old man who finally decides to go on an adventure, using balloons to lift his home up into the sky and around the world. Up is sure to be smart, funny, and of course, beautifully animated. (May).

The Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus. Already famous for being Heath Ledger’s last project, the film’s director Terry Gilliam (Twelve Monkeys, Monty Python & The Quest for the Holy Grail) dealt with the loss of his star by supplementing him with three of the hottest actors around. Tom is played by Ledger, Johnny Depp, Jude Law, and Colin Farrell, as he travels through a dream world to rescue Dr. Parnassus’ daughter (Lily Cole) from the Devil, Dr. Nick (played by musician Tom Waits). (September).

Sunshine Cleaning. What looks like the next Little Miss Sunshine is the quirky tale of two sisters who turn to crimescene clean-up (think of the people who have to clean up the brains after the CSI team leaves) to make quick cash. Starring Amy Adams (Enchanted, Junebug) and Emily Blunt (The Devil Wears Prada), it looks like a sweet dark comedy. (March).

Coraline. This film is already being pegged as an improved Nightmare Before Christmas. Coraline is a stop-animation adaptation of Neil Gaiman’s horror novella, an Alice in Wonderland-esque tale of a girl who enters a dark parallel universe through a secret trapdoor. Like Pan’s Labyrinth for children, director Henry Selick will be giving Tim Burton a run for his money. Unfortunately, Dakota Fanning stars— but only in voice. (February).

Where the Wild Things Are. Fans who grew up with the book have been eagerly awaiting the release of this film. The story begins when Max is sent to bed without his dinner and escapes to a world of monsters who are under his control. Directed by Spike Jonze, this dark adaptation of the eponymous children’s story book is getting buzz as a dark, intelligent, and nostalgic trip into a child’s imagination. (October).

Music Although the best releases often come from bands that nobody’s heard of before, here are some CDs to get excited about from artists who have already made their name: Franz Ferdinand. Tonight. Scottish indie rockers Franz Ferdinand are releasing their third album, Tonight: Franz Ferdinand. The two tracks they’ve released— “Ulysses” and “Lucid Dreams”— both sound like a departure from 2005’s You Could Have It So Much Better and more like a return to form from their self-titled debut. (January). MSTRKRFT. Fist of God. Toronto electro heroes MSTRKRFT are set to release their highly anticipated second album, Fist of God, on March 17. Fans got a taste of what’s to come with last year’s release of the intoxicating dance track “Bounce,” featuring rapper N.O.R.E.. While they do sporadically release remixes, many fans can’t wait to hear more original material from the dynamic duo. (March).

Jonze’s film is born to be wild.

Firstshowing.net

Pop Rhetoric

hese days, it seems like a television series has to be seen as progressive and unconventional before it’s considered worthwhile. If you want people to respect your taste in TV shows, you’d better include at least one about gay lifestyles (The L Word, Queer as Folk) and one about the sensitive side of serial killers (Dexter, The Sopranos). TV shows are the new way to prove your openness to liberal or out-of-the-ordinary ideas. Arrested Development’s fan following relies partially on its “nonappeal”—fans love arguing that the show was too quirky and far-out to be accepted by the mainstream. Lost fans love hearing people say that their favourite program is too complicated to be any good, because the lack of appeal to others is what makes their show even more desirable to them. Just like finding that tourist-free town off the beaten path when travelling, controversial TV shows are the ones to strive for when rounding out your list of favourite series. Yet for some reason, the appeal of non-appeal doesn’t work when it comes to science fiction shows. In fact, sci-fi seems to be the one television genre which is not made cool by its unpopularity. Friends are proud to tell me they watch Big Love, a “cutting-edge” program mostly because it’s about the polygamist lifestyle, but also because not that many people watch it. Yet if I tell my friends I watch

Bon Iver. Blood Bank. 2008’s favourite indie surprise is set to release a new EP, sure to tide over eager fans who are

Sci-fi pride Battlestar Galactica, a show that is also cutting-edge in that it deals with relevant controversial political concerns such as abortion, torture, and the occupation of Iraq, and it’s not watched by the majority, I get looks of disgust. Tell somebody you like a science fiction-based television show and words like “nerd” and “loser” start coming out of the other person’s mouth, as if watching anything with spaceships is a thousand times worse than watching rich kids on scripted “reality” shows. What is it about the sci-fi label that turns some of the best written television series into guilty pleasures, while American Idol can still be publicly praised? The sci-fi genre is made up of shows with a strong reliance on futuristic technology, usually involving spaceships, aliens, and robots. Why are these aspects open to ridicule when shows about vampires, superheroes, and ridiculous medical conditions are considered acceptable? People fly in Heroes, one of the most popular shows on TV, and that’s easier to accept than a world where people live in space? Clearly the lack of realism is not what keeps sci-fi shunned by the real world. Bad writing or acting can’t be the reason either, since Desperate Housewives manages to be popular while Battlestar and Stargate Atlantis, two of the highest rated TV shows by critics, are still seen by many as only worthy of the thick-rimmed glasses crowd who live in their moth-

already wanting more. Justin Vernon’s mellow folk sound and ethereal voice won over thousands with his debut For Emma, Forever Ago, and his new EP will hopefully bring much of the same. (January). The Decemberists. The Hazards of Love. Jagjaguwar.com Fans will love The DecemBon Iver enjoys a good winter. berists’ new album, but newbies may be turned off: the upcoming 17-track CD is a “rock opera,” and includes song titles such as “Hazards of Love 1 (The Prettiest Whistles Won’t Wrestle the Thistles Undone).” My Morning Jacket frontman Jim James joins the quirky intellectual-indie darlings on the new album, sure to be similar to previous albums with its charming stories, witty lyrics, and Colin Meloy’s comforting, mildly off-key voice. (March). TV Whether clones or comedy are your thing, be sure to catch these shows online when you should be studying this year. Flight of the Conchords, Season 2. The highly acclaimed HBO series about New Zealand’s fourth most popular folk parody duo is finally coming back for a second season. Rumour has it that Saturday Night Live’s Kristen Wiig and My Boys comedian Jim Gaffigan will be appearing on the show, giving fans even more reason to look forward to season two. 30 Rock, Season 3. Continuing their third season, Tina Fey’s comedy is a must-see for anyone oblivious enough to have missed the first two seasons. Probably the funniest thing on TV, ratings have soared since Fey’s Sarah Palin impressions, but those who have always been watching know you better go back and watch the first two seasons … then watch them over and over again. Dollhouse, Season 1. The new series by Joss Whedon (Buffy the Vampire Slayer) is sure to be good because, well, it’s Joss Whedon. Starring Eliza Dushku in a world where clones are being programmed for different uses (soldiers, wives/sexslaves) without being aware. It looks like an exciting thriller, but catch it while you can: shows like this tend to get unjustly cancelled.n —Kyle Carpenter and Laura Tindal

Laura Tindal ers’ basements. It seems that the un-coolness of sci-fi lies in the area that other shows gain their respect from: great reviews, obsessive fans, but low TV ratings. The original Star Trek series went through the same evolution Firefly did; cancelled due to low ratings, even though fans and entertainment critics alike said it was the one of the best shows on TV. Now there are conventions and gatherings for fans of both, as well as successful movies that catered to diehard fans and brought in new ones at the same time. Joss Whedon managed to get the cast of Firefly back together to make Serenity due to fan demand, two years after the show was cancelled. 43 years after Star Trek first aired, it still has the strength to warrant a new motion picture coming out this year. How can intelligent shows with such strong fan bases be viewed as worthless? Fans of trashy shows seem to be more proud of their crap TV than sci-fi viewers, who have much more to be proud of. I say we break away from the negative bias towards sci-fi and be publicly proud of what we watch. Don’t be embarrassed to say you watch a show set in outer space—others should be embarrassed that they’re missing the best shows on TV. Next time somebody asks what my favourite shows are, I’ll tell them I love Battlestar Galactica and I’ll tell them with pride. And if they call me a loser, I’ll tell them to frack off. n

www.mcgilltribune.com

07.01.09 • The McGill Tribune • 13

worst of 2008

Couldn’t Have Been Good in 2008

The worst in pop culture rivaled the worst news on Wall Street Cringe-worthy movies, TV shows, and music which made the bailout l0ok like a walk in the park. 2009 is already looking better in comparison. TV Californication, Season 2. Why did an edgy and clever show with such potential have to go south after only one season? In season two, Hank Moody seems to have lost his characteristic edginess. The new characters—chiefly Lou Ashby and Daisy—bring little to the table. The show’s writers offer the audience the same old characters and situations as season one but badly done, with a few gimmicks thrown in to keep everyone on their toes. The Office, Season 5. The Office has continued its steady decline by leaving out too much of what was good about the series: the tension between Pam and Jim, Michael’s abuse of Toby, and Andy Bernard being himself instead of a martyr. Instead, the characters are becoming cartoon-like and predictable. There is a possibility that the show will redeem itself, but nothing in season five has suggested that this will happen anytime soon. Entourage, Season 5. While the plot of season five began with business as usual for Entourage, there was something about season five that made it painful to watch. Viewers are forced to see Vince take hit after hit until his career is ground into almost complete obscurity. The worst part is that if you want to find any sort of silver lining, you’ll have to sit through the entire season, which features yet another cruelly irritating episode with Seth Green. Heroes, Season 3. Although allegedly one of the most popular shows on TV, one would be hard pressed to find anybody who still watches it. The first season was great, the second season weakened, and the third just crashed. Somebody needs to put this show out of its misery. Music Kanye West, 808s & Heartbreak. Kanye West may be the biggest rapper in the world, but on 808s & Heartbreak he cer-

tainly does not live up to his name. The first single, “Love Lockdown,” merely consists of some snare drum patterns, a few notes on the piano, and the notorius auto-tuner that is used excessively throughout the album. Once you get past all the robot-speak, the album still sounds like a bad mix of hip-hop, electro, and 1980’s dance music. Clearly, 808s & Heartbreak is not harder, better, faster, or stronger than 2007’s Graduation.

Katy Perry, “I Kissed a Girl.” It’s a shame that this annoying-but-catchy pop tune caught on enough to become a Top 40 staple, unavoidable to all but those who lived under a rock for most of 2008. Katy Perry encouraged us all to celebrate bisexuality—or just drunkenly making out with girls—by using lyrics like, “Us girls we are so magical,” and “Ain’t no big deal, it’s innocent.” Janet Jackson’s North American Tour. A mysterious illness led Janet Jackson to postpone many performances and offer to reschedule them for a later date in her 2008 Rock Witchu tour. Alleged “scheduling conflicts” then forced LL Cool J to drop out of the tour. Jackson ended up cancelling most of the shows, disclosing her illness as “vertigo-induced migraines.” Low ticket-sales-induced migraines may be the more likely occurence. Film The Love Guru. Generally acknowledged to be the worst movie of 2008, this utterly un-funny comedy failed on nearly all counts. The film’s crude potty-humour induced more eye-rolls than laughs in Myers’ sad attempt to return to his Austin Powers glory days. You Don’t Mess With The Zohan. Toilet jokes are to Myers’ flop as sex jokes are to Zohan, Adam Sandler’s complete failure of a comedy. In this runner-up for the Worst Film of 2008 Flixter.com category, Sandler stars as an Israeli anti-terrorist agent who fakes his own death and goes to New York to become a hair stylist. Immature and crass.

The Sex and The City Movie. The excessive hype surrounding The Sex and the City Movie marked the official beginning of Sex and The City overload. The once trendy, now trite series spawned not only a three-hour-long, product placement-laden blockbuster, but also a Sex and The City Bus Tour and a new wave of obsession for a series which seems all too frivolous and materialistic in today’s economic climate. They should have stopped while they were ahead and left us to enjoy our DVD box-sets in peace. The Happening. Failed films in 2008 weren’t limited to comedy—M. Night Shyamalan’s not-so-thrilling thriller The Happening was marred by a weak script and an agonizing performance by Mark Wahlberg. Shyamalan has outdone himself again; the cinematic disaster was hailed by many critics as even worse than his last train-wreck of a film, Lady In The Water. A more mysterious movie could be made investigating what happened to Shyamalan’s talent. Teen Trends The Jonas Brothers, Miley Cyrus. These Disney Channel offshoots—with minimal talent and legions of screaming preteen fans—have captured the hearts of a new generation of teenyboppers. Be thankful that you came of age listening to quality boy bands like the Backstreet Boys and N*Sync. gossipchic.com Twilight. Similar to the Jonas Brothers in that the books, the movie, and star Robert Pattinson have sparked mobs of screaming teenage girls, all while cautioning against sex before marriage. Vampire heartthrobs Spike and Angel never got this kind of attention. n —Kyle Carpenter and Carolyn Gregoire

Music

Intense beer and rock bands ... in tents! Hot bands and DJs at SnowAP melt the snow off of lower field Laura Tindal

January is arguably the worst month of the year. The holiday excitement dies down, the weather takes a bitter turn for the worst, and students everywhere have to set their alarms and return to classes. McGill students respond to this ghastly month the best way they know: cheap beer, good music, and a big tent. SnowAP kicks off this week in the big tent on the lower field, and this year the musical entertainment is sure to be better than ever. The SnowAP logistics team has been more thorough in their screening of bands than past years, to try and prevent the duds and metal-heads that have not fit well with the SnowAP atmosphere in the past. This year there will be two Band Nights (January 7 and January 14), with two bands each, running from 6-9 p.m. There is still an empty slot on the 14. Below is your guide to this year’s SnowAP bands: The Darcys: January 7, 7:30 p.m. This Halifax band from Toronto got the crowd moving during OAP this year, and they shouldn’t have any problem doing it again in a tent. “[OAP] went really well, so we’re kind of convinced that people will like us,” says Darcys’ drummer Wes Marskell, adding, “We only do things when we think we’ll succeed.” Dark indie-rock laced with a feel-good melody, since OAP The Darcys have been busy, touring the country from coast-to-coast in support of their album Endless Water, as well as working on new material for a 7-inch, an EP and, eventually, an album. Yet they’re still making time to hit up SnowAP: “We thought it would be a blast to play in a very well heated tent on the lawn in Montreal,” Marskell says. “[Playing for] a drunk tent is something I’m looking forward to do. We’re loud in a good way, but a fun rock presence, so hopefully exactly what you would expect while getting drunk in a tent.”

Fluxus: January 7, 6 p.m. As enthusiatic SnowAP attendees, Montreal band Fluxus saw it as the perfect event to test their material and play louder than they normally do. “When we play live, we like to pack a good punch,” says member Mark Sandford. “Our sets are pretty rockin’ … We want people movin’, rockin’, and groovin’ to our tunes.” They have previously played at 3Minots, and the band is currently working on releasing an EP within the month, and their first album by the end of the semester. Originally formed last winter, the band was reformed this fall with the current line-up: Mark Sandford, James Windsor, Chris Ploss, Scott Nelson, Chase Elliott, and Joe Winer. Influenced by such diverse sounds as German experimental band Krautrock to old folk standards, Fluxus is a rock band loud enough to shake the walls of the tent.

the week. Friday, January 9 there will be DJs playing all night as part of Our House Music Society’s (OHM) Glow in the Snow, featuring dance and house music from six local DJs spinning from 6-11 p.m. on Saturday, Holloway and DJ Etc. will be spinning for the AYCD SnowAP party ($25 at the door); you may know Holloway from his performance at Nuit Blanche, while DJ Etc. played Monday nights at Koi last year. The goal is to have something for everybody, so there should be something to keep your ears happy as you drink the cold away. n

Late For Dinner: January 14. Sounding like a mellow Tragically Hip, this bluesy folkrock band of McGill students is sure to keep the mood relaxed and fun. “We’re a pretty chilled out kind of band,” says guitarist Brooke Struck. “SnowAP is a good gig for us because it allows us to access a wider audience. Our usual gigs are patronized by the same people over and over again, so playing a new venue where the crowds don’t really come to see the band allows us to play for new folks.” Composed of Struck, bassist Jesse Corbeil, drummer Christopher Chalcraft, and keyboardist Orad Reshef, the band is releasing their first album Amber at a launch party at Gert’s, on January 15. They’ve played at McGill events before to good reviews, including Four Floors this October. According to Struck, the lack of payment wasn’t an obstacle when deciding whether to play at SnowAP this year. “We don’t usually get paid at all, even in beer, so that’s a nice change.” DJs Tent-goers will also be kept dancing by DJs throughout

Adam scotti SnowAP runs from January 7 to 16 on the lower field. Band times are subject to change.

14 • Arts & Entertainment • 07.01.09

CD Reviews Fall Out Boy. Folie à Deux. Chicago’s self-proclaimed “pop punk/emo rock” band Fall Out Boy recently released their sixth album, Folie à Deux. The album begins with a pseudo-epic track that at first sounds curiously like “Won’t Get Fooled Again”, which truly isn’t fooling anyone. Besides the chorus, the first single “I Don’t Care” conveys a woman’s edginess in a shampoo commercial (that Transplants song is getting a little old). The trouble continues as the song “America’s Suitehearts” couldn’t be more all over the place if it tried. The track starts with fast guitar and a march-like build up, only to transform into a moderate pop-punk song with Beatlesesque harmonics and a cowbell in the background. The album sounds like everyone in the band pitched a bunch of ideas and none of them were rejected. For example, the tiresome and unexplained solo vocal bridge at the end of “w.a.m.s.” is particularly confusing. Further features like the string accompaniment on “(Coffee’s For Closers)” and the voice distortion on “Tiffany Blews” show that Fall Out Boy has clearly been given advantages in the studio that most bands never see, yet on Folie à Deux they are unable to put them together in an original or complementary way. -—Kyle Carpenter Metermaids. Nightlife in Illinoise EP. New York Citybased hip-hop group Metermaids have boldly ventured where no hip-hop group has gone before with their new EP, Nightlife in Illionoise. The unexpectedly delightful and innovative EP effectively combines the seemingly incongruous musical genres of hip-hop and indie-folk rock. A reinvention of singer-songwriter Sufjan Stevens’ classic folk-indie album Illinois, the EP infuses Stevens’ melodic and beautiful tunes with new life and a hip hop edge. A novel idea which could have easily gone wrong, the Metermaids’ hip-hop beats and the soft acoustic backdrop of Sufjan Stevens’ tracks complement each other well and make for an unexpectedly enjoyable listening experience. You don’t even need to be a fan of Sufjan Stevens to appreciate this innovative mash-up album. The notable track “A Breakdown in Chicago, or, How To Sabotage Your Own Happiness in Two Steps,” is a great remix which accomplishes the difficult feat of doing justice to one of Stevens’ most popular songs. Nightlife’s clever song titles offer a reinterpretation of Stevens’ titles—for instance, “Jacksonville” becomes “Thinking About Jacksonville, or, A Letter Sent To Yourself On Some Back To The Future Type Steez.” The Metermaids put themselves ahead of the musical curve with their inventive genre-blending and clever remixes. As an unexpected collaboration which successfully mixes soft instrumentals and hip-hop beats, the dynamics of Nightlife are reminiscent of Eminem and Elton John’s surprising duet at the 2001 Grammys. And with the EP available on the Metermaids’ official website for free download, there’s no reason not to experience the Nightlife of Illinois for yourself. —Carolyn Gregoire Melissa Auf der Maur. This Would be Paradise. The three tracks on the EP This Would Be Paradise are filled with deep nuances. Hums, breaths, raw guitars, and clangy pianos add tender layers and accentuate the harmony and dissonance over Melissa’s hushed, emotive voice and dark lyrics. There is an evident virtuosity in the structure of these songs as they build, develop, and break down through dynamics and attitudes. Every note is exactly in the right place as Auf der Maur’s voice, bass, and guitar melodies airily cross all over each other, driven by a powerful drum groove. Although each track is woven together with loose single note melodies, these three tracks are cohesive pieces of art that have a full sound. Melissa Auf der Maur’s newest release provides two new teaser tracks from the studio, as well as an instrumental piece accompanied by a haunting spoken word loop from Tommy Douglas. Each song develops as a lush synthetic Indiantinged soundscape, lending the EP a more art rock than alternative rock sound. The new EP hints that her next album will triumph over her first, which was filled with cameos from alternative rock’s most original musical talents—such as Josh Homme and James Iha—but failed to move copies, push boundaries, or receive airplay like the music of her previous bands, which include Hole, The Smashing Pumpkins, and Black Sabbath cover band, Hand of Doom. Melissa Auf der Maur is definitely a talent whose unique sound had not yet been captured. This Would be Paradise contains 11 minutes of originality, dreamy melodies, harsh chord progressions, and nonstandard musical scales that will leave your ears both haunted and pleasured. —Ethan Feldman Andrew Bird. Noble Beast. At just fifty-four minutes, Andrew Bird’s new album, Noble Beast, probably won’t be enough for true Bird fans. Yet considering every song differently showcases Bird’s musical and songwriting talents, it’s hard to believe that this will be his second album in just one year. In a time of synthesizers and vocoders, Andrew Bird’s music speaks for itself without the distraction of overbearing audio effects. While his first single, “Oh No,” is rather bland, there are a plethora of redeeming songs on this album. “Not a Robot, But Ghost,” is the album’s best track, and also the most experimental. In this song, the quintessential Bird sound— such as the wind instruments and soft guitar—are merely accessories to a more edgy sound scattered with heavy, fast paced percussion that emits an almost Latino vibe. With five records in two years, it is clear that Andrew Bird is constantly evolving and improving his sound. While this may not be the best Andrew Bird album out there and Noble Beast may fall a little short of fans’ expectations, this album shows that Bird has the makings of musical greatness. —Arielle Frank

The McGill Tribune

FILM

Millionaire wins big

East meets West in the powerful holiday hit Slumdog Millionaire Bryan Lin At first, Slumdog Millionaire may seem like just another under-the-radar independent film: it has a relatively unknown Indian supporting cast, two up-and-coming lead actors, and is directed by British cult classic-master Danny Boyle (Trainspotting, 28 Days Later). M.I.A.’s “Paper Planes,” which is prominently featured in its soundtrack, might be the sole feature immediately recognizable to the average North American, yet the surprise hit has won mainstream appeal. The film’s less-recognizable cultural references and beautiful cinematography of a colourful Indian landscape allow viewers to immerse themselves fully in Boyle’s world. This incredible rags-to-riches romantic fantasy provides a unique glimpse into the humanity and

A hollywood film with a bollywood aceshow.biz ending.

goodness of people, even during the most dire and heartbreaking circumstances. Jamal Malik (Dev Patel) is in trouble, and not for the first time in his traumatic life. He is suspected of cheating by the host of the Indian version of the game show “Who Wants to Be a Millionaire?” Prem Kumar (Anil Kapoor) and others. After all, how is it possible for a former street beggar turned call-centre tea boy to get all of the answers correct en route to the final question worth 20-million rupees when, as the police inspector (Irrfan Khan) puts it, “Doctors, lawyers never get beyond 60,000?” We discover through a series of flashbacks that every major event in Jamal’s life has provided him with clues to the answers. Most importantly, he only appeared on the show in a desperate attempt to reconnect with his childhood love Latika (Freida Pinto) and mobster older brother Salim (Madhur Mittal). Slumdog Millionaire succeeds on the strength of Boyle’s visionary story-telling ability. He effectively deals with sombre themes of prostitution, gang violence, and poverty with affection, hope, and spirit. He keeps the tale plausible all the while—despite the lack of standout performances from his cast. In her first acting role, Pinto lacks the screen presence of a leading lady and portrays her damsel-in-distress role with a little emotion. Patel was better in comparison, but the film still stands without exceptional acting. Jamal’s stirring journey is powerfully entrancing by itself, and therein lies the true genius behind Slumdog. n Slumdog Millionaire plays at Cinema du Parc. Check www.cinemaduparc.com for showtimes.

MUSIC

Lofty musical aspirations

Lab Synthèse creator launches record label Carolyn Gregoire

At just 22-years-old, Sebastian Cowan has already made a name for himself in both the London and Montreal music scenes. In London, Cowan worked as a studio manager at a recording studio—a job which consisted of walking around in his socks, making tea, and recording albums for friends; in Montreal he formed his own record label, Arbutus Records, out of a Mile End loft. Cowan, along with four friends who were all newcomers to Montreal, also played a central role in the development of Lab Synthèse, a loft space which has become a venue for local musicians. According to the organization’s Facebook group, Lab Synthèse is “art becoming,” a growing community of Montreal musicians and artists. The loft—used for concerts, vernissages, and film screenings—boasts a stage, PA system, art gallery, and recording facilities. A huge Velvet Underground fan, Cowan is creating his own sort of Silver Factory. “It’s kind of been a weird long journey. … There were four of us and then I brought my brother into it. We had the idea of making an art collective,” says Cowan. As the project has shifted and changed over time, Cowan wouldn’t call Lab Synthèse an art collective anymore. “We’re five independent artists who work together and like what each other do[es],” says Cowan. Cowan has recently shifted his focus from Lab Synthèse to his own small record label, Arbutus Records. The label currently features musicians Jurassic Park, Claire Boucher, Oxen Talk, and Sean William Savage, who are all friends of Cowan. “Now I want to do something for my friends … and the record label is very much a motion from that, as far as developing an internal community,” says Cowan. “All the artists on the label are good friends of mine, some of them I’ve known since high school, some I’ve just met here.” The record label started out as a kind of a grassroots project, when Cowan booked a show for a friend and then started recoding his songs. Soon

after, he decided to take things a step further and started making and selling copies of the CDs. “When I start doing something I don’t stop,” says Cowan. “I have no problem with hard work.” For Cowan, the record label is very much a community-centred project. “I’m doing all of the leg work. … But it’s not really my record label; it’s very much the record label. The record label is its own thing. I’m just making it grow—it belongs just as much to the artists involved, and the people who listen to the music,” says Cowan. Cowan is currently working on generating awareness about the label, but he isn’t too worried about the commercial aspect. “If something is good, people will like it … so all you have to do is focus on doing a good thing, doing a good job, and things will work. … That’s going to be the idea with the label and thus far it’s been working very well,” says Cowan. In London, Cowan studied audio recording at university and then worked at Mute Records, which features artists such as Depeche Mode and Moby. He also started a record label called PDM Records with friends, but the project never really got off the ground. Cowan finds Montreal to be a more welcoming city for a small independent label. “[In Montreal] There’s a really strong inner community, particularly within Mile End. I really like the small town aesthetics. Obviously I couldn’t live in one, because I want to do big things, but it’s a lot more human,” says Cowan. Cowan’s record label corresponds with the personal element of the Mile End, focussing on community and person-to-person contact rather than profit. For example, when someone orders a CD online, Cowan asks them where they heard about it. “Everyone wants to do something great … I want to do something that people will remember, that will affect people in a positive way,” says Cowan.n Sean William Savage’s album launch will take place January 24 at Lab Synthèse (435 Beaubien Ouest.)

Sports

Hockey—Martlets 9, Toronto 0

A staggering statistical season continues Three wins in Humes Tournament gives McGill 36 straight wins Matt Chesser It may not be quite as remarkable as Joe DiMaggio’s 56-game hitting tear or as sensational as Wayne Gretzky’s 51 consecutive games with at least one point, but the McGill Martlets’ Canadian winning streak may be approaching similar territory. The Martlets won their 36th consecutive game against a Canadian opponent and captured their third consecutive Theresa Humes Tournament Championship on Sunday with a 9-0 victory over the University of Toronto Varsity Blues. “[The winning streak] isn’t something that we talk about within the room,” said McGill Head Coach Peter Smith. “In fact, I wouldn’t have even known what our streak was at until you mentioned it. The motivation for this team is to perform at an elite level every time they hit the ice. We don’t worry about how many consecutive wins we have.” Despite Smith’s nonchalance, the streak includes some impressive numbers. This year alone, the Martlets have notched an 18-0 record against Canadian teams, and have outscored their opponents 115 to 17—an average of over six goals per game for the Martlets, to less than one goal per game for their opponents. The last loss to a Canadian team for McGill came on December 30, 2007 when the University of Alberta Pandas defeated the Martlets 2-1 in a shootout, after McGill outshot Alberta 29-13 through regulation and overtime. The loss to the Pandas snapped an 18-game winning streak for the Martlets. During the last calendar year, the Martlets have lost twice to American teams—losing 3-2 to the Harvard Crimson and 5-4 to the University of St. Lawrence Saints. But at the same time, McGill can also boast wins over Dartmouth, Yale, and the University of Vermont. Women’s hockey in America is considered to be superior to the Canadian brand, as NCAA programs usually attract the top North American prospects. Coasting through the weekend The Martlets overcame some sloppy play

Third Man in

in the initial game of Concordia’s annual Theresa Humes tournament—a 4-0 win over the Queen’s Golden Gaels on Friday—to eventually outscore their opponents 21-2 over the course of the weekend. “I can honestly say that I thought we got better in every period of the tournament,” said Smith. “We looked a bit rusty in the first game against Queen’s, which is understandable given the winter break, and [McGill goaltender Charline] Labonté had to make a couple real good saves when it was 1-0 to keep us in the lead. … But by the end of the tournament I thought we were back to mid-season form.” The Martlets defeated the University of Ottawa Gee-Gees 8-2 on Saturday, setting up Sunday’s final game against U of T—the nation’s eighth-ranked team. The lopsided scores occurred despite the absence of leading scorer Anne-Sophie Bettez and top defender Catherine Ward, both of whom are currently representing Canada at the Under-22 Nations Cup Tournament in Germany. “It’s difficult to play without two players of the calibre of Ward and Bettez, but it gives an opportunity for other players to step up,” said Smith. “[Vanessa] Davidson and [Cathy] Chartrand, in particular, played excellent hockey.” Davidson was named the tournament’s most outstanding forward after recording nine points in three games, including two goals and two assists in the championship game against Toronto. Chartrand led all blueliners with eight points, but was passed over in favour of Varsity Blues defender Lyndsey Ryan in the voting for the tournament’s most outstanding defenceman. “Everybody is going to make their own picks, but from my perspective, it was a little bit disappointing that Chartrand didn’t get recognized for the teriffic tournament she had,” said Smith. Labonté was named the tournament’s most outstanding goaltender after stopping 52 adam scotti of the 56 shots she faced. She also picked up her 45th and 46th career shutouts—in just 98 career The top-ranked Martlets will resume regular season play this Saturday night as they starts—during the tournament. n travel to Ottawa to take on the Carleton Ravens at 7 p.m.

Sports Blog-ojevich

n the wake of the corruption charges filed against Illinois Governor Rod Blagojevich last month, many friends and acquaintances asked me a variation of the same question: “As a Chicagoan, how do you feel?” Honestly? I’m proud of my state. Some corruption every once in a while gives Illinois a little extra flavour—something that is often lacking in the cornfields and small towns of the Midwest. But while Blagojevich may be getting all of the media attention, he is hardly the most notorious Illinoisan among college-age sports fans such as myself. That dubious title goes to Jay Mariotti. Always arrogant and antagonistic, the former Chicago Sun-Times columnist and current Around the Horn regular is almost universally loathed. He has raised the ire of his readers and viewers (see the blog Jay the Joke), his subjects (see his 2006 feud with White Sox Manager Ozzie Guillen), and his coworkers (Roger Ebert led the celebratory chorus after Mariotti’s resignation from the Sun-Times in August, calling him a “rat”), all of whom indulge their inner masochist every time they read a column or tune in to Around the Horn. Sports fans caught a major break when he resigned from the Sun-Times. But, alas, it was short-lived. Mariotti has been signed by AOL Sports to write a column not-so-cleverly titled “Sign of the Times,” a move which is staggering in its hypocrisy. After all the feuding, the arch-enemy of the blogosphere has switched sides. Only a few months ago, Mariotti was decrying blogs for contributing to newspapers’ demise.

Now he has changed his tune, and he’s not alone: fellow Around the Horn contributor and former Dallas Morning News columnist Kevin Blackistone has also jumped on the AOL bandwagon. Mariotti’s jump has left many bloggers feeling uneasy, as if their world has been turned on its head. Imagine Barack Obama hiring Ann Coulter as Secretary of State, and you have an approximation of the magnitude of this development. But fear not, amateur bloggers. “Professional” bloggers, which is what Mariotti has become, will never drown out the “amateurs”—the bloggers who write for the love of the game, not for the money (because they aren’t making a cent). Amateurs will never get a press pass to the Bowl Championship Series Championship Game—where Mariotti will be tomorrow night—which is what makes their voice so unique. You can view it as a tier system, or a complex network of a multitude of voices, and you can hold Mariotti’s level of writing and standards of accountability over those of any novice blogger. But those blogs, and their audiences, will always remain relevant thanks to their amateurish (in the most positive sense of the word) qualities. At the other end of the sports writing world are the newspapers, which continue to cut costs by running an increasing number of wire stories, and seem to reform their business philosophies every week. Mariotti has had no problem burning bridges and declaring himself the victor of this imminent “war” between Internet and print coverage, writing in his first column on Monday that “Failing

Jacob Kanter

newspapers are a victim of their own stubbornness, stupidity and lack of foresight. … How do you keep fighting for a place that had stopped fighting? How do you work for any newspaper, save a select few, in 2009?” Granted, being a journalist may have lost some of its lustre over the past few years, but the world will always need professional sportswriters. No blogger could have possibly uncovered the soap opera in the Dallas Cowboys’ locker room in December—a story which the sports blogs used as fodder for weeks. Bloggers—at least, those without press passes—need their local papers’ beat writers to report on the goings on within the locker room. Mariotti’s new blog certainly shakes things up, but in a sense, he’ll be doing exactly what he did for 17 years at the Sun Times, except for a national audience and without a mainstream editor peering over his shoulder. He can’t simply be called a blogger, because he can’t be compared to the people who actually are writing in their underwear from their mother’s basements (there must be at least one of these stereotypical bloggers out there somewhere). There is no clear division between blogs and the mainstream media anymore—there is a large grey area between “fanboy” blogs and professional print coverage, where many insightful and articulate writers produce quality content. And although we might get a change in nomenclature, no one is going anywhere. The bloggers, both amateur and professional, will remain. The mainstream media will remain. And sadly, so will Mariotti. n

16 • Sports • 07.01.09

The McGill Tribune

profile

McGill fencer hits the Rhode Versatile Larochelle wins prestigious award Jacob Kanter Vincent Larochelle didn’t grow up as a fencer. He didn’t enter McGill as a fencer. Fencing isn’t even the sport he’s best at. But his performance as a foilist on the varsity Redmen fencing team undoubtedly went a long way towards winning him a Rhodes Scholarship, and three years at the University of Oxford, last November. Larochelle became the 12th McGill varsity athlete to win the prestigious award—one of only 11 awarded to Canadian students across the country. Though Larochelle is officially only a one-sport athlete, it would be unfair to merely call him a “fencer.” Growing up in Quebec City, he played on his high school’s basketball team. “I [also] play hockey pretty much every day during the winter, and in intramurals as well,” said Larochelle. “But I wanted to do a [varsity] sport at McGill.” Fencing provided Larochelle with an opportunity. The sport’s foundation in chivalry and fairness lured him to a beginner’s class in the fall of 2007. “I had always wanted to fence,” Larochelle said. “Swordsmanship was something important to me, and it was something I wanted to acquire. There’s also a somewhat romantic dimension, as well as a chivalrous connotation to it.” The inquisitive and talented mathematics major immediately took to the sport, and was able to apply his unique style to the learning process. “He had an enthusiasm and an interest to learn that helped push the class forward,” said McGill Fencing Head Coach Andrew Dathan Frankel. “He was asking very focussed questions, and was very eager to compete. … The questions he asks—everyone learns from them, and they help bring focus [to our practice sessions].” Larochelle made the jump from beginner to the varsity squad this year, and competed in the first Circuit AAA tournament—the first Quebec provincial fencing event of this academic year—on November 1 at the Regina Assumpta Fencing Club in Montreal. “Most people who go out to their first tournament are very hesitant or intimidated,” said Frankel. “[Larochelle] was enthusiastic. He was ready to fight.” Larochelle won two of his 14 pool bouts, and lost his direct elimination bout 15-2, finishing in 24th place out of 29. Though those numbers may not sound impressive, Larochelle performed more than admirably for a beginner—most novices typically don’t tally a single victory in their first competition, according to Frankel. Fellow Redman Brett Hodgins finished 26th. “I finished in a pretty good position, given my experience and background,” Larochelle said. The competition provided Larochelle with more than just his first competitive fencing experience. Tied

in overtime against one opponent, Larochelle chose to take the moral high ground, even though he technically had to break the rules to do it. “[My opponent] hit me, and it was the winning point,” Larochelle said. “But the equipment malfunctioned, and [the light] didn’t go off, [signaling a hit]. The referee couldn’t give him the point, even if he had clearly hit me, because the equipment had to go off. I went over and told the referee that he hit me, and I was amazed, because the referee didn’t want to let me give him the point. I had to argue to let my opponent get the point. That portrays the spirit of fencing for me. It’s a gentleman’s sport.” An energetic scholar Larochelle had to fulfill a number of requirements to become a Rhodes Scholar, as the scholarships are awarded based on the candidates’ “academic ability, sporting activity, qualities of personal rectitude, strength and compassion, and sense of the public good.” Athletic involvement is not a requirement to be considered, but Larochelle’s aptitude for numerous sports—and the energy level required for each of them—greatly helped his cause. “[The Rhodes officials] want people who are active and who have energy, and that use it to its fullest [capacity],” Larochelle said. “You don’t need to be on a sports team to get the scholarship. … You don’t need a gold medal or something like that.” While working on his PhD in Mathematics, Larochelle will try out for Oxford’s hockey team, and he believes he can make it. “I intend to play hockey over there,” Larochelle said. “I’ll also check out the fencing opportunities that are given to me. I also want to do some rowing. I’ve been doing some rowing on and off, more or less [at the amateur level].” Though he will have spent only one year as a varsity Redman, Larochelle, who wants to work towards becoming a lawyer after finishing his PhD, will be missed by his fellow fencers. “We’ll miss working with him, certainly,” said Frankel. “He was a beginner. He wasn’t on the team with prior experience, so he couldn’t necessarily fill a leadership role on the team. But he was definitely a good student. He’s clearly smarter than all of us. … He’s very analytical in his approach. He always wants to learn the individual components that go into being a better fencer, being a better student, being better at whatever he’s doing.” Larochelle will have two more chances to improve his AAA record—the second AAA is on January 24 at the Anjou Sports Centre, and the third is on February 21 in Saint-Jean-sur-Richelieu. n

On Deck Men’s Hockey Friday: York vs. McGill Redmen, 7 p.m. at McConnell Arena Saturday: UOIT vs. McGill Redmen, 7 p.m. at McConnell Arena The Redmen kick off the new year with a busy weekend, featuring the best and the worst of the Ontario University Athletics Mid West Division. The York Lions bring an 8-8-2 record— good enough to lead the Mid West—into McConnell Arena on Friday night. The 7-6-1 Redmen have a better goal differential (plus-two) than the Lions (minus-seven), but still find themselves in last place in the Far East division. Saturday night should prove an easy contest, as the University of Ontario Institute of Technology Ridgebacks are in last place in the Mid West at 3-12-1. The game against the Ridgebacks is also this year's annual Management Carnival game, so there should be no shortage of support for the Redmen on Saturday night.

CALL

DEADLINE FOR SUBMITTING APPLICATIONS: THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 5TH, 2009 AT 4 P.M.

STUDENT Award

M erit 2009

1er prix 7 500 $ 2e prix 5 000 $ 3e prix 3 000 $

Sports Briefs Men’s Basketball The McGill Redmen did what they were supposed to do over winter break. Craig Norman’s cagers toyed with the University of New Brunswick and Royal Military College in UQAM’s Citadins Holiday Tournament, beating the Varsity Reds 90-52 on December 28 and thrashing the Paladins 94-43 the next day. Although UQAM had a higher point differential, thereby taking the tournament title, the story of the weekend for the Redmen was junior guard Matt Thornhill’s performance. Thornhill, who was named to the all-tourament team, scored 52 points over the two games, including the 1,000th point of his career. The Redmen (1-3, 11-6) will look to climb out of the Quebec conference basement when league play resumes this Friday with a game against the Citadins, at 8 p.m. at Love Hall. Women’s Basketball The Martlets didn’t fare quite as well as their male counterparts over the holidays. The Martlets dropped all three of their games at the Reebok Invitational at Concordia University, though two were closely contested. The eighth-ranked Memorial Sea-Hawks, the McMaster Marauders, and the Carleton Ravens each dispatched the Martlets from December 28-30. Point guard Nathifa Weekes was a bright spot for McGill on an

F O R A P P L I C AT I O N S

otherwise gloomy weekend, as she scored her 1,000th career point in the McMaster game. The Martlets (1-3, 4-12) will look to break out of a six-game losing streak when they host the UQAM Citadins this Friday at 6 p.m. at Love Hall in Quebec league play. Women’s Volleyball While the basketball teams had to remain in Montreal, Rachèle Béliveau’s 10th-ranked Martlets got to travel to Clearwater, Florida for a three-game tournament against CIS teams. However, the weather may have been the best part of the trip: the Martlets lost two out of three games to unranked opponents. The University of Western Ontario Mustangs lost only one set on December 28, to beat the Martlets 3-1. McGill followed that up with an easy 3-0 victory over the Acadia Axewomen the next day, but then fell to the University of New Brunswick Varsity Reds 3-0 to close out the tournament. At 11-4, the Martlets are right in the thick of the race for the Quebec league, tied with Laval for second place behind the top-ranked and undefeated University of Montreal Carabins. League play resumes this Friday night on the road against Sherbrooke University, but the Martlets return home on Saturday to face the Laval Rouge et Or at 6 p.m. at Love Hall.

Eligibility • Be a member of the OIQ Student Section. • Be a full-time student in an undergraduate program in engineering. • Have a minimum of 60 credits or more. • Have a minimum cumulative grade average of 3 out of 4 (or the equivalent). Information and application forms available from your student association or the professor representing the OIQ on your campus or on the OIQ website at www.oiq.qc.ca

514 845-6141 • 1 800 461-6141, ext. 3123