Nov. 26, 2013 Health & Fitness issue

Nov. 26 – Dec. 13, 2013

SA AGM: Students vote 104 to 101, slashing SA board’s pay P.2 Memory of the L’Ecole Polytechnique massacre: a reminder of the work still left to be done P.4

GBC student Walter Acosta carves out a new life after injury P.7

How prepared is GBC for medical emergencies? P.8

The Health and Fitness Issue Health and fitness boot camp whips GBC students into shape P.5 Despite the flood of Rob Ford jokes, addiction is no laughing matter P.6 GBC Student Newspaper • Founded 1982

NEWS

November 26 –December 13, 2013

Students vote 104 to 101, slashing SA board’s pay at AGM TINA TODARO STAFF REPORTER

Massive changes came into effect in the Student Association (SA) by-laws at the Annual General Meeting (AGM) held at St. James Kings Lounge on Nov. 19.

Issues surrounding the reductions of job hours and pay cuts for campus directors, education centre and constituency representatives on the SA board of directors were the topics of a heated debate among students at the AGM. Many students were against the proposed changes, and it was clear that they were not going to back down.

Jenny Saliba, who is a former Women and Trans Rep. on the board, was extremely opposed to the motion from the board, stating “power and privilege, they obviously are in the position to have both and they are opposing a marginalized group.”

Julia Mackenzie, director of internal af-

fairs, spoke for the motion and compared the SA’s board structure to the Humber Students Federation who pay their directors $2,000 a year.

Geneve Gray, director of finance and operations said “if someone is in it for the money, they shouldn’t be in it at all.”

Shana Kealey, who works for the SA as a part-time campaign staff, argued that the constituency rep.’s are important and that campaigns and events could be reduced.

The motion carried 104–101 leaving education centre and constituency representatives with a $2,000 honoraria per year, compared to $14,040 per year previously.

They will no longer be required to work a set number of hours a week but will have to attend board meetings and SA events.

Campus directors saw their hours cut to 10 a week and a reduction of pay to $7,000 per year.

“The under-represented population was not represented well at the AGM and that is because in my mind there has not been any

THE DIALOG IS...

Managing Editor Mick Sweetman News Editor Preeteesh Peetabh Singh Art Director/Illustrator Samantha Bullis Multimedia Reporter Danilo Barba Staff Reporters Alena Khabibullina Karen Nickel Tina Todaro Follow us on Social Media!

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Drop by or contact The Dialog at: Room E122 - Casa Loma 142 Kendal Avenue Toronto, ON M5R 1M3 www.dialog.studentassociation.ca Tel: 416-415-5000 ext. 2764 Fax: 416-415-2491 dialog@georgebrown.ca The Dialog newspaper is published by The Dialog Collective under the auspices of the Student Association of George Brown College.

The collective is responsible for the overall vision and direction of The Dialog newspaper, as it coincides with the larger vision of mission of the Student Association.

The cost of producing a monthly newspaper is in part defrayed by advertising revenue and largely

outreach from the board which has now been cut even more,” said Kealey.

After over half an hour of heated debate many students left the meeting after the motion passed.

Mohammad Ali Aumeer, director of education and equity, supported the motion saying, “there are blurred lines right now between the at-large board members. We want to see the structure to be more focused with board members being student leaders, and executing the deliverables on the ground should be allocated to part-time staff.”

LGBTQ Rep. Kyle Rodgers was “unbelievably opposed” to the changes and Thomas Hadwen, construction & engineering representative, compared the new board structure to “unpaid internships.”

Aumeer responded, “the organization has been very clear on our stand on unpaid internships, we are adamantly against it, and the change in the by-laws has no impact on that. We have board members

who are elected to represent students, it’s a volunteer position. We receive an honorarium, not a salary. We don’t elect staff; we hire staff, if we hire staff and not pay them that would be very very problematic.”

With files from Preeteesh Peetabh Singh

Shivam Khullar wins tight race for GBC’s board of governors MICK SWEETMAN MANAGING EDITOR

In a tight race for the student seat on George Brown College’s board of governors, Shivam Khullar has defeated incumbent Mohammad Ali Aumeer by a scant 11 votes.

The unofficial results of the sole contested position in the fall byelections was 137 for Khullar to Aumeer’s 126 votes.

14 ballots were spoiled for a total of 277 votes cast.

The close results triggered an automatic recount under the Student Association (SA) bylaws delaying the release of the unofficial results until Tuesday.

Also acclaimed to the SA board of directors after facing no opposing candidates were: Patricia Bonnaud Ryerson Campus Director

The Dialog is published by the Student Association of George Brown College

The Dialog is a member of CUP, the Canadian University Press

Alessia Provenzano Waterfront Campus Director Antonella Savino Faculty of Health Sciences Right New student representative to the board of governors Shivam Khullar.

PHOTO: PREETEESH PEETABH SINGH/THE DIALOG

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The Dialog • dialog.studentassociation.ca

November 26 –December 13, 2013

DAILY CHECK UP

NOVEMBER 26–DECEMBER 13, 2013 MONDAY

TUESDAY

WEDNESDAY

THURSDAY

FRIDAY

26

27

28

29

Salsa Showdown 11 a.m.

The Atrium SJB, St. James.

A festive Mexican-themed event for the GBC Community, centered around a salsa cook off.

2 GBC Price is Right 11 a.m.–1 p.m.

Kings Lounge, St. James.

9 Getting to Know You 4–7 p.m.

A networking series for women., $25. Daniel Spectrum Bldg, 585 Dundas East.

3 GBC Price is Right 11 a.m.–1 p.m.

Student Centre, Casa Loma

10 Discover India 6:30 p.m.

A talk about travel in India.

Adventure Travel Co, 48 King West.

More information available at atcadventure.com.

Fundraiser for the Red Cross: Typhoon Haiyan Fund Round Venue, 152A Augusta Avenue. Tickets $10.

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GBC’s Got Talent 5:30 p.m.

Kings Lounge, St. James. 1st prize: Trip for 4 Montreal trip (Feb 27– March 2). 2nd prize: Six tickets to Massive (Fri, Dec. 13,). 3rd prize: $25 gift card (Cadillac Fairview)

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Casino Event 11 a.m.–3 p.m.

Student Centre, Casa Loma

GBC Price is Right 10 a.m.–12 p.m.

6th Floor SHE, Ryerson

Men’s basketball 8 p.m.

Alex Barbier Gym, St. James

Casino Event 11 a.m.–3 p.m.

Kings Lounge, St. James..

11

12

Lips And Lashes: A Chorus Queen 7:30 p.m.

Cabaret and drag show to benefit the Canadian Cancer Society. $65 and $99. ROM, 100 Queen’s Park.

Bad Santa Cruise 9 p.m. $35. Wear your ugliest Christmas sweater. More info can be found at mariposacruises.com.

Arts And Crafts Fair (United Way) 11 a.m.–6 p.m.

5120 Yonge (North York Central Library) Free.

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Impulse Festival Dec. 12–15 Young Centre for the Performing Arts, 50 Tank House Lane. $20, $15 for students. More information available at soulpepper.ca/impulse.

Massive: Reggae vs. Soca 6 Degrees Night, 2335 Yonge St. $15 in advance.

Massive: EDM vs. Top 40 Gravity Sound Bar, 296 Richmond West. $15 in advance.

The Dialog wants you!

We are looking for contributors to fill the roles of: News reporters • Photographers • Sex columnists •

• •

Humourists Or...have another idea? Pitch it to us!

Love Sports?

We are also hiring for a new paid position of Sports Reporter as part of our core staff. Contact us at dialog@georgebrown.ca to find out how to apply!

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OPINION

November 26 –December 13, 2013

We mourned and now we must work for change DECEMBER 6TH MEMORIAL COMMITTEE SPECIAL TO THE DIALOG

On Dec. 6 Canadians unite in solidarity to honour the lives and memory of 14 women murdered at L’Ecole Polytechnique.

On Dec. 6, 1989 an anti-feminist gunman wandered the halls of the school that day, segregating women from their peers, espousing misogynistic beliefs and an explicit hatred of feminists before opening fire and murdering Geneviève Bergeron, Hélène Colgan, Nathalie Croteau, Barbara Daigneault, AnneMarie Edward, Maud Haviernick, Maryse Laganière, Maryse Leclair, Anne-Marie Lemay, Sonia Pelletier, Michèle Richard, Annie St-Arneault, Annie Turcott and Barbara Klucznik-Widajewicz.

Dec. 6 stands as Canada’s National Day of Remembrance and Action on Violence Against Women to reflect on the tragic events of that day and on the continuing acts of violence regularly perpetrated against all women across Canada in every area of life.

The terrifying events of Dec. 6, 1989 proved to be a galvanizing moment for the

feminist movement and acted as a catalyst for change regarding the inequities and suffering each woman experiences.

Judy Rebick, a Toronto feminist activist, broadcaster and journalist wrote in a column on cbc.ca in 2000, “the death of those young women would not be in vain, we promised.

We would turn our mourning into we would turn our mourning into organizing to put an end to male violence against women.”

The December 6th Committee led by the assaulted women and children counsellor advocate program at George Brown College has chosen to commemorate the 14 women killed at L’Ecole Polytechnique and other women victims of violence by directing our focus to end institutional violence against women.

We seek to educate ourselves and others concerning the status of women in our nation and the devastating impact of the numerous oppressions we face as individuals and as a group, simply because we identify as women.

Our organization is an effort to contribute to the work that still needs to be done.

We must acknowledge as individuals and a nation the destructive impact and fallout that continued oppression, exploi-

tation, sexualisation, and all forms of violence against women has on our cultures, societies, and nation as a whole.

In order to address our current systems it may be wise for each of us to reflect on feminism and the status of women by offering some perspective in this area or as The Times columnist Caitlin Moran suggests “What part of ‘liberation for women’ is not for you?”

Violence against women is everyone’s problem and in working to prevent what is essentially the annihilation of women we must demand change at every level in our culture and society.

“Men are afraid that women will laugh at them. Women are afraid that men will kill them,” wrote Canadian activist and writer Margaret Atwood more than 30 years ago, inspired by conversations she had with groups of men and women at that time.

The statement is shocking as it is based in truth and remains relevant today, reflecting the environment and conditions women are forced to negotiate.

Please join us for a college-wide memorial held on Dec. 10 from 11 a.m. to noon in room 303 at 290 Adelaide followed by a

march to highlight our cause and bring attention to the work that needs to be done. We will light candles to honour those women killed on Dec. 6 and all women victims of violence at the hands of men, and have students and speakers come together to connect us with this cause and inspire us to towards demanding positive change.

Each one us is a survivor and we encourage every person to speak out and interrupt misogyny by sharing our experiences and validating the worth of women everywhere.

Cheris Kramarae wrote in A Feminist Dictionary that feminism was the “radical notion that women are human beings,” – that should no longer be an explicitly feminist demand.

Men are afraid that women will laugh at them. Women are afraid that men will kill them.

–MARGARET ATWOOD

Students held hostage by elevator TINA TODARO STAFF REPORTER

The Dialog’s Staff Reporter Tina Todaro returns to the scene of her elevator ordeal at St. James.

PHOTO: PREETEESH PEETABH SINGH/THE DIALOG

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The Dialog • dialog.studentassociation.ca

I walked into George Brown College (GBC) for work on Nov. 13 with the hopes of having an easy day, until I got stuck in one of the elevators.

Six inches off the ground was my life enclosed in a tiny, packed space, clinging to the cables that supported me. Stuck in the elevator surrounded by 11 other students, I began to panic.

How long would I be standing here?

Though other students seemed unfazed by this incident – laughing and joking about the situation, I on the other hand was getting a case of vertigo knowing I was hanging between the ground and safety.

Elbow-to-elbow students crammed the 19-person maximum capacity elevator in hopes that maybe the door would re-open if the ‘open door’ button was pressed – but sadly that wasn’t to be.

With my luck, and my ability to be a tad bit over dramatic at times, my heart began to race. Just typical locked-in-an-elevator anxiety, topped off with heat and claustrophobia.

It appeared as if I was the only one who

was nervous. Why does no one else feel or sense the danger in this situation, while I’m in the back of the elevator praying I don’t die?

I was looking around hoping to find a way out, when in reality there was no escape. With my heart rate increasing and ability to breathe decreasing, I had to leave this elevator.

One male student, in an effort to rescue the trapped students, attempted to pry open the doors. Demonstrating some struggle, it appeared as if we may have to wait for help.

Successfully managing to open the doors with the second attempt, we all hopped out of the elevator quickly to avoid getting caught in the doors.

According to security this was a very dangerous act, obviously, but I wasn’t about to stand there. Who knows what would’ve happened if we had not left that elevator. Would the elevator have shot up or come crashing down six inches?

In either case, it was not an experience that I will brag about and one that I will remember as the reason for my elevated fears.

November 26 –December 13, 2013

SPORTS

Fitness boot camp whips students into shape Sports Score Updates

PREETEESH PEETABH SINGH NEWS EDITOR

Working out at the gym and playng varsitylevel sports are not the only option available for students at George Brown College (GBC) to keep fit.

Intramural leagues at GBC are a great way to get involved in the sport students like, including basketball, cricket, indoor flag football, volleyball, dodge ball and many more.

GBC also offers fitness classes which are held throughout the week.

“It’s important for everybody to make health and fitness a part of their lifestyle.

It shouldn’t be something that you make an effort to do, but something that you do naturally,” said Deanna Oliver, GBC’s fitness and women’s varsity co-ordinator.

Fitness classes at GBC include flow yoga, power yoga, spin yoga, zumba, pilates, yogilates, body sculpt, studio cycling, meditation

and boot camp.

Classes are conducted in the fitness studios at St. James and Casa Loma campuses.

Students can register for a class for $40 for the season. Registrations begin in January.

“Right now students can pay $10 and try any of the classes. So that when registration starts next year, they will have an idea which class works best for them,” said Oliver.

One of the classes conducted on Tuesdays and Fridays at St. James is boot camp. The boot camp’s workout’s inspiration is hardcore military training throughout the world.

“Boot camp is hard work and dedication. We go through a lot of exercises using no weights at all, strictly using your body weight in order to get you in shape,” said boot camp instructor Carl Lyte. “Classes are usually very tough. Don’t over exert yourself, but push yourself as hard as you can and don’t give up.”

Roy Ramirez, 34, a student sweating it

out at the camp, said, “In general the whole thing is pretty exhausting but that’s what makes in such a good workout. Incorporation of both cardio and core at the same time gives you a pretty balanced workout.”

Other popular classes are zumba and power yoga. Zumba is a form of aerobics inspired by different styles of Latin American dance moves whereas power yoga is a modern form of classical Indian yoga which is also known as flow yoga.

“Health and fitness is a lifestyle. It makes you a better person overall. Once your body feels better, you feel better,” said Lyte.

GBC has been stepping up their game in regards to athletics, health and fitness facilities for students. Recently, there was an announcement about a complete renovation of the athletic facilities at Casa Loma campus.

This major infrastructure development is likely to begin next year but students have all the reasons to rejoice.

Women’s Basketball: George Brown 42 Seneca 39 George Brown 76 Fleming 28 St. Lawrence 74 George Brown 53 George Brown is 5th in OCAA East Men’s Basketball: George Brown 91 Seneca 75 George Brown 98 Fleming 55 George Brown 60 St. Lawrence 55 George Brown is 2nd in OCAA East Women’s Volleyball: Algonquin 3 George Brown 0 George Brown 3 La Cite 0 Georgian 3 George Brown 0 George Brown is 7th in OCAA East Men’s Volleyball: Algonquin 3 George Brown 0 George Brown 3 La Cite 0 George Brown 3 Georgian 0 George Brown is 4th in OCAA East Men’s Extramural Hockey: Exhibition Tournament: George Brown 6 Boreal 1 George Brown 4 U of T 1 George Brown 3 Laurier 2 Humber 3 George Brown 1 George Brown loses in semi-final

Boot camp instructor Carl Lyte working out with students in the fitness studio at the St. James Campus.

PHOTO: PREETEESH PEETABH SINGH/THE DIALOG

The Dialog • dialog.studentassociation.ca

5

Addiction in Canada Canadians over 15 is dependent on drugs or alcohol.

Plenty of jokes have been made recently about Rob Ford and his admitted alcohol and crack cocaine use. However, it’s important to remember that the reality of addiction is no laughing matter. It’s a widespread problem.

How is an addiction defined?

One common set of criteria is known a the “Four Cs”: According to the National Institutes of Health, drug abuse and dependencies are mental illnesses.

Mental illness is also often a risk factor for addiction.

• • • •

Cravings for the substance Inability to control quanitity or frequency of use An irresistible compulsion or urge to use Continued use despite consequences

Social costs The Canadian Centre on Substance Abuse (CCSA) found that substance abuse has a tremendous social cost to Canadians; as much as $39.8 billion in a year. That’s equivalent to $1,267 for each and every Canadian. Most of this cost comes from the abuse of legal substances.

Addiction changes the brain, disturbing the normal hierarchy of needs and desires.

–National Institutes of Health

Annual social cost of illegal drugs

$8,300,000,000 CAD Annual social cost of legal drugs

$31,600,000,000 CAD

What factors impact susceptibility to addiction?

There is no simple “profile” of a person with and addiction. However, there are many different factors that can influence someone’s vulnerability to substance abuse.

GENDER

MENTAL HEALTH

MEN Are more likely to develop an addiction than women.

While addiction is considered a mental health issue in itself, other mental health issues such as mood disorders make some more susceptible to the development of an addiction.

WOMEN suffer from medical and social consequences of addiction more quickly, face more difficulty quitting, and are more likely to relapse than men are.

POVERTY Prevention and high-quality treatment resources are more readily available to people with higher socioeconomic status. Poverty is a disadvantage for those with addictions at both the preventative and recovery stages of addiction.

AGE People aged 15 to 24 are more likely to face substance abuse or mental health issues than other age groups. The average age that drug abuse begins is 15.7 years old.

DEATHS are tied to substance abuse and addiction every year in Canada.

To put that in perspective, that’s roughly equal to the number of Canadians killed in World War II, or the capacity of the Rogers Centre.

GENETICS While genes certainly don’t determine whether or not one is going to develop an addiction, there is a growing body of research indicating that genetics can predispose an individual to addiction. There is not just one gene that has an influence on susceptibility to addiction, rather there is a broad spectrum of genes that may influence bad habits.

However, it is important to remember that environmental factors are equally important to developing an addiction.

STRESS High levels of stress have been identified as often predictive factors in vulnerability to addiction and for relapse.

Who should I contact if I or someone I know needs help with an addiction?

The Ontario Drug & Alcohol Helpline drugandalcoholhelpline.ca 1-800-565-8603 •

The Canadian Centre on Substance Abuse ccsa.ca •

National Anti-Drug Strategy (Youth-Oriented) nationalantidrugstrategy.gc.ca •

ILLUSTRATIONS, INFOGRAPHIC, AND COVER: SAMANTHA BULLIS/THE DIALOG INFORMATION FROM: STATISTICS CANADA, THE NATIONAL COUNCIL ON DRUG ABUSE, THE CANADIAN CENTRE ON SUBSTANCE ABUSE, THE NATIONAL INSTITUTES OF HEALTH, THE CENTRE FOR ADDICTION AND MENTAL HEALTH, TEEN CHALLENGE CANADA, THE GENETIC SCIENCE LEARNING CENTRE AT THE UNIVERSITY OF UTAH, “CHRONIC STRESS, DRUG USE, AND VULNERABILITY TO ADDICTION” BY R. SINHA (YALE UNIVERSITY SCHOOL OF MEDICINE)

November 26 –December 13, 2013

ARTS & LIFE

GBC student Walter Acosta carves out a new life after injury ALENA KHABIBULLINA STAFF REPORTER

Walter Acosta, a business administration student at George Brown College (GBC), has been living a difficult life on the way to his ingeniously simple talent, stone carving, that he showcased this year at Latin Fiesta held by the Organization of Latin American Students (OLAS) club in the Kings Lounge on Nov. 21.

The organizers gave Acosta an opportunity to present his work, currently displayed outside the Kings Lounge, to a full house.

Stone carvings as well as jewelry pieces are done in Mexican and indigenous styles and look like ancient artifacts. Using amatuer instruments, Acosta transforms the stone into moving pieces; stone ducks shaking their necks and sculptures rolling out their tongues.

The talent was discovered 10 years after Acosta arrived to Canada from El Salvador.

An early morning trip to the Toronto Island in 2002 became a starting point of his new life.

“I remember I went there to enjoy beautiful weather with my kids. While we were walking along the beach I was picking up some small rocks and two of those really grabbed my attention,” said Acosta. “I decided to take them home and was so desperate to carve them as I felt they were waiting for me. The next day I went to my storage room and I started to carve. I had a feeling that I was not alone. This gave me goose bumps. After a couple of hours I had two small faces in my hands. They were thanking me for reuniting them.”

To feed his family, Acosta, a former electrician and a new immigrant who couldn’t speak much English at the time, started working in a McDonald’s restaurant.

He was always hungry for knowledge as he worked from six in the morning until 10 at night and also read equipment manuals.

Within a year Acosta improved his English and was promoted from customer service to a supervisor position.

After more than 10 years of experience in McDonald’s and Shoppers Drug Mart, he ended up working as a welder for a construction company. Getting paid at a higher rate, Acosta could afford taking care of his wife and three kids while carving stone in his spare time, before a tragic accident happened.

“In 2007 I had an industrial accident and that’s how the whole nightmare started. In order to improve my life, I required lots of therapy. I almost lost my hand and ability to create as I work using my hands,” said Acosta.

“In 2008 my son had got cancer, leukemia.

For three years I had to take care of him. At the same time I had to go to the therapy and take medication.”

Spending time at the hospital with his son, Acosta started to assist the therapeutic clown program at Sick Kids Hospital, participating

PHOTO: ALENA KHABIBULLINA/THE DIALOG

as a photographer. Minimizing the stress for the sick kids and their parents, he forgot about his hand’s trauma that had started to slowly recover.

“At these moments you realize how their work is important as a kid’s smile is the most precious thing that can happen over there,” said Acosta.

As he discovered his passion for photography at Sick Kids, Acosta started implementing this skill while carving. He took pictures of his works from different angles until a piece was complete, and he managed to present them at different places.

Acosta’s participation in the therapeutic clown program was not his first experience working with kids. After night shifts in Shoppers Drug Mart, he volunteered his time at St. Paul Catholic Elementary School during the day where he taught art classes.

“Most of my friends were criticizing me and even calling me stupid, as in my free time I was teaching children art without getting paid,” said Acosta.

Three years after the industrial accident,

The Workplace Safety and Insurance Board (formerly Worker’s Compensation Board) helped Acosta enrol in the business administration diploma program at GBC for a professional retraining due to his inability to work at his previous position.

“My first day at school I couldn’t understand anything. That was really traumatic for me to go back to school,” said Acosta.

“Students have lots of stress; I couldn’t even imagine how much stress my kids had before I started school. Everyone deals with it differently, some smoke weed, use drugs or sleep too much. I was going to school and had to do therapy, I also had to deal with my son. There was too much on my plate. So I started carving without knowing that I was dealing with stress at the same time.”

Explaining how he discovered his talent, Acosta metaphorically calls it imaginary “third luggage” he managed to take from El Salvador across the border that he opened 10 years after his arrival.

“They allow you to take only two bags of luggage on the plane but I have brought three.

The third luggage is what people call talent. I call it taking out the dust. You find a rock - you take out the dust,” said Acosta.

Through all the ups and downs, he manages to stay optimistic and doesn’t give up, living his “la vida loca.” Now a single father, Acosta finds not only time for the kids, but also his inspiration in them.

“Things that are happening are happening for good. That helped me to improve myself,” said Acosta. “I am getting stronger every time.

I told my son that I will be with him until he finishes all the treatment and at the end we will be laughing.”

Finishing his last semester, Acosta has changed his views over the years. Being a “labour” person before the program started, he has turned his goal to managerial positions and creating stone-carved pieces for a living.

“My plan is to make more unique handmade things and put it into the market,” said Acosta. “I was like an unpolished stone. At George Brown they take this stone, they cut it and then you become something useful.”

The Dialog • dialog.studentassociation.ca

7

HEALTH & FITNESS FEATURE

November 26 –December 13, 2013

How prepared is GBC for medical emergencies?

PREETEESH PEETABH SINGH NEWS EDITOR

Earlier this year in August, Huskies basketball player Dwayne Harrison suffered a cardiac arrest while playing at the Lawrence Heights Community Centre. It was the quick action of a custodian, who used a defibrillator until medical help arrived on the scene, which saved his life.

A defibrillator is an apparatus which is used to control heart muscle movement which occurs due to uncoordinated contraction of the individual fibrils, by application of an electric current to the chest wall or heart.

But how equipped is George Brown College (GBC) when it comes to handling medical emergencies?

First-aid centres are located at the St. James, Casa Loma and Waterfront campuses of GBC. Although there are no doctors or nurses at the centres, qualified attendants are certified to assess and treat minor injuries and illnesses. Transportation is provided to the nearest walk-in clinic or hospital in situations when proper medical treatment is required.

“The treatment we provide is situation dependent. I have some students who are worried about going to the hospital because they are worried about the cost. It all depends on the individual, how bad it is. We can certainly inform them about best choices and consequences, but the decision is up to the individual, every adult is allowed to take their own decisions,” said Daniel Whitworth, a health and safety technologist at St. James.

Emergency medical services are called for

life-threatening matters.

The first-aid centres are equipped with first aid supplies, scales, blood pressure monitoring, oxygen and automatic external defibrillators (AEDs).

AEDs are located at various spots within the campus for easy and quick access. Currently, St. James, Casa Loma and Waterfront campus have four AEDs each and the GBC Theatre School has one.

“There are studies about certain cardiac arrests and response time for AEDs and the convention that most people have is for every minute you are waiting for the defibrillator to arrive, survival rates drop to 10 per cent,” said Whitworth. “(The) college is committed to buying more AEDs.” All program level first-aid courses and safe walk staff are mandated to have AED training. The athletics association is also required to carry one when they are travelling.

Other facilities include first-aid kits located throughout the college at various spots. “At 300 Adelaide, where they cut and burn themselves on a regular basis as a part of the program, they have a kit in every single lab and it’s restocked every day,” said Whitworth.

“I have students come in just to weigh themselves on scale; I have some students come in to have their blood pressure checked. We have a smoking cessation group as well which is run through our department,” said Whitworth.

The smoking cessation peer group educates students on campus about the ill effects of cigarettes.

ILLUSTRATION: SAMANTHA BULLIS/THE DIALOG

It’s ok to ask for help COURTNEY DICKSON THE OMEGA

KAMLOOPS (CUP) — I don’t talk about my issues, or even deal with them, because I’m so worried that sharing my faults will alter people’s feelings towards me. Admitting that was really difficult.

Even though it’s widely talked about, there is still a stigma attached to people who aren’t independent, who need to lean on others for support.

There are days dedicated to mental health awareness, workshops and support groups, and statistics have been published that should make us feel comfortable accepting these struggles.

Some people, however, still view mental health issues as threatening. This past

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fall, controversy occurred when stores in the U.K. were selling a “mental health patient” costume. The particular costume in question was removed from store shelves because of its offensiveness and insensitivity. However, if you Google “mental health patient costume,” more than one outfit appears. There are even costumes designed specifically for female “mental patients.” People are dressed in straitjackets or look like they’ve just returned from some murderous rampage. Lovely.

Knowing that’s what people think of those who see a doctor or counsellor makes it impossible to want to tell someone, anyone, what’s going on. I’d rather tell people I have a doctor’s appointment for my asthma or an interview for a story than say I’m going to see my counsellor. And I’m quite certain I’m not the only person that does that.

The Dialog • dialog.studentassociation.ca

Then there are some people who don’t ask for help at all. Not even from a friend or family member, or from professors or bosses. Asking for help would be admitting you aren’t perfect.

When I think about it from a rational perspective, I don’t understand that. But when you’re already feeling down or anxious, recognizing you aren’t as independent as you thought or something as simple as not being able to finish a paper on time when everyone else can, is devastating.

A Statistics Canada report says most mental illnesses manifest during youth and young adulthood. The average age of onset of depression is 28-years-old and the average age a person begins to experience panic disorder is 25.

Most universities have a counselling team that will talk to you about literally anything, and a wellness schedule with alternative options to improving mental (and physical) wellbeing. Anyone (not just students) in distress can even call anonymous hotlines if they have

no one else to turn to.

In my experience, professors are generally understanding. Believe it or not, they’re people too, and they know sometimes you have to deal with things that in the long run, are more important than getting a paper in this second. Same with bosses – and if an employer isn’t understanding of your need to take care of yourself in order to perform your job to the best of your ability, do you really want to be working for that person anyway?

It might be difficult for you to admit to yourself that you’re struggling, let alone anyone else. Saying “I can’t do this by myself ” feels weak sometimes, but by getting the help you need and dealing with whatever it is that’s hurting you, you’re going to feel stronger.

Sometimes you just need someone to say these words in order for you to be comfortable with it, so I’ll say them now: it’s OK to ask for help.

November 26 –December 13, 2013

HEALTH & FITNESS FEATURE

Veganism: the new food trend DYLAN HACKETT THE AQUINIAN

FREDERICTON (CUP) — Next time you’re in a restaurant, try ordering a burger without meat, cheese or the bun.

That’s what Sarah Roach does, and surprisingly many others.

The decision began when Roach gave up gluten, along with her sisters and mother a year ago.The proper term for those people is not lunatics, but vegans. It’s growing and popular trend that is sparking some serious interest among the health conscious.

“To me, I was always healthy, and then basically I ended up reading the wheat belly diet last summer. My mom read that and we both decided to cut gluten out and we lost a bit of weight, and we both felt a little better about ourselves,” said Roach, a University of New Brunswick student.

If you’re unsure of what exactly a vegan is, it’s a few notches up on the vegetarian scale.

Not only do vegans not eat meat, but they also cut out all animal bi-products from their eating habits. No dairy products no eggs and no seafood.

“I had no money, I had nothing,” said Roach. “I just kinda thought I’m too poor to spend $17 on meat, and was like, okay people do it, whatever. So, I just researched it and justified it and watched a couple of documentaries.

“My mom just began buying the vegan replacement for stuff in our house and so all summer we ate vegan. Apart from when we were guests in someone’s home.”

Roach said the most difficult part of being a vegan, is that it’s still viewed as “weird” and “unnatural.”

“I noticed a huge difference, I even lost weight,” said Roach. “The only thing that gets you ever is social situations, that’s it.”

Roach said people still don’t understand what vegans are all about, and still tend to judge.

“It’s just so weird that it’s looked at like ‘oh you’re eating healthy?’” Roach said. “I don’t want to always be defending the world of vegans. People are like, ‘why are you doing that? where do you get your protein?’”

self and every living thing on this earth.”

Hicks also noticed the health benefits of her switch. She said she lost weight that was gained through consuming salt, MSG (monosodium glutamat) and fatty foods.

“I went to the doctor to make sure I was still healthy because my mother was skeptical and my cholesterol and blood pressure were one of the best my doctor had seen,” said Hicks.

Roach said her decision to be a vegan has actually simplified her life in many ways and opened up a whole new way to cook food.

“You don’t have to think about your meal at 10 a.m.,” said Roach. “I can make a meal in 45 minutes, that’s decision to eating.”

Roach said her favorite vegan meals

PHOTO: MEGAN COOKE/THE AQUINIAN

Morgan Hicks, a student at St. Thomas University in Fredericton, has been a vegan for six months and said the most challenging aspect of her lifestyle change is the judgment she receives.

“The most frustrating part is when people judge you for making that decision and not being educated on what it is and what you can do for the earth,” said Hicks. Hicks made her decision based on a more ethical background.

“It’s not about losing or giving up anything. It’s about feeling harmonious with my-

are spaghetti squash and curried chickpeas and rice.

“I eat a variety of different foods, I make smoothies almost every day, I live basically microwave free, make almost all my food from scratch and have found all new uses for avocado, chick peas and tofu,” said Hicks.

Ryan Dunphy said he tried being vegan after being a vegetarian for several years, however he wasn’t able to attain the amount of protein he wanted to gain muscle.

“I’m working on building muscle and I was

having a hard time getting enough protein to add the muscle I wanted to,” he said.

Dunphy said the experience was beneficial for his health overall, and was an easy switch from being a vegetarian.

“It was a good experience and I felt really good, it even aided in my weight loss incredibly and was not hard to be vegan at all.”

Laura Michaud is 72 and her husband is 75, they have been raw vegans, limited to no cooked meals, for nearly 10 years. She currently teaches vegan cooking and lifestyle to her clients. Michaud completed a course on the vegan diet through Hallelujah Acres, an organization in Ontario that promotes a healthy a lifestyle through changes to a person’s diet.

“It’s a choice that you make; it’s giving up not just meat but everything really, dairy, and sugar. We found things that are much better instead and have learned to cook all over again,” said Michaud. “ I love it now, and my favorite thing is cooking.”

Michaud said the decision to be a vegan means adopting a new lifestyle and understanding that it takes time.

“You have to give it time, you can’t give up after three months,” said Michaud. “Make up your mind and go with it.”

Veganism also means learning more about your body, how it works and what it needs to sustain itself.

“It’s knowing your body, knowing when you and what your body needs,” said Michaud.

Roach said she could always eat whatever she wanted without consequence. She said becoming vegan has been a positive decision for her and her body.

“I always loved being able to eat whatever I wanted,” said Roach. “[Switching to vegan] all made sense in so many ways, when people ask me why are you a vegan, I can never answer the same thing because its not one reason at all.”

Good 2 Talk knows your mental well-being is on the line TINA TODARO STAFF REPORTER

Mental health is an important issue as many students are affected by it on campus.

Good2Talk, a 24-hour and confidential mental health helpline, is being provided to post-secondary students in Ontario through their post-secondary institutions. This service is delivered by Kids Help Phone and ConnexOntario.

“Good2Talk is an opportunity for students to talk about their feelings and to express themselves at that moment,” said Good2Talk counsellor Duane Singh.

Financial support from The Ministry of Training, Colleges and Universities has been a tremendous ally and resource for Good2Talk.

Good2Talk marketing and communications manager Justin Hanna said, “the province has taken the leadership step” and recognized the need for such a service.

“Post-secondary students need to know that this service is available and that whatever the issue might be, we as counsellors and mental health promoters are here to help students face and tackle their issues,” said Hanna.

Having reached out to all campus health centres, through the delivery of posters and information cards, students are being made aware

of the service through current promotion.

Good2Talk have also reached out to student-led initiatives such as the Yellow Umbrella Project, a campaign by the College Student Alliance that addresses mental health challenges.

All personnel on the line are paid professionals who are always ready to listen and make callers feel comfortable and safe.

Info sessions are held in order to spread awareness, run by Fiona O’Conner Good2Talk’s partnership co-ordinator.

Currently there are no volunteer opportunities available, but volunteering will soon be incorporated into the service as students have

reached out to the service with the desire to be involved.

George Brown College has recognized the needs of its students when it comes to mental health issues, and have chosen to aid in the promotion of Good2Talk.

Remember, even if you feel like there’s no one to talk to, call 1-866-925-5454 where you’ll always find someone good to talk to.

The Dialog • dialog.studentassociation.ca

9

BUSINESS & TECH

November 26 –December 13, 2013

Green Team encourages a cleaner commute with carpooling ALENA KHABIBULLINA STAFF REPORTER

George Brown College (GBC) picked up the initiative of the City of Toronto and Metrolinx to commute greener.

GBC’s Green Team, created in 2005 to keep the college ecologically friendly and encourage more and more students and staff to do so, is starting a second year of their smart commute campaign.

“Every month we have a Go Green team with different themes like buying local food, reducing paper, saving energy, using reusable water bottles and so on,” said Green Team sustainability co-ordinator Stephanie Foster.

“Every month is a different theme.”

“We are trying to encourage people to carpool to work or place of study. So we want to see who is driving from where and who has a single passenger vehicle that people are taking to the college verses taking GO Transit or TTC. And we will be setting up a carpool program internally that I think we can open up for students.” said Foster.

Initially created for the college’s em-

ployees, this month the campaign was set up for students as well.

Live Green Toronto, Smart Commute Toronto-Central and GBC’s Green Team set up

carpool booths at St. James, Casa Loma and Waterfront campuses encouraging people to take anything but single-passenger vehicles, instead using optional transport such as bicycles,

Aneesah Luqman (Left), Co-ordinator of City of Toronto Smart Commute Toronto-Central, and Peiman Armand (Right), a volunteer with Live Green Toronto

TTC or the GO train.

During three days of campaigning, about 10 per cent of the surveyed people, signed up, finding the initiative to reduce college’s transportation carbon footprint useful.

“There is a website (carpoolzone.ca) where the people can go on to and say ‘I am in North York and I am going to 200 King and I am looking for somebody to carpool with.’ So it will pair me up with people that live in my neighbourhood and that are going downtown,” said Foster.

“Let’s say I am going every day, I am leaving at nine and I am returning at five,” said Foster. “You can specify what your rides and needs are. Of course it is not a very good example because I can take a subway quite easily. Hopefully we are going to get more people carpooling who are coming from further afield and have to drive for one reason or another.”

A sustainable commuting program is a part of a Green Plan II which is a five-year green road map that models the college’s culture towards a greener future.

PHOTO: ALENA KHABIBULLINA/THE DIALOG

Unpaid interns left out of Ontario’s workplace safety law ANQI SHEN

CUP ONTARIO BUREAU CHIEF

HAMILTON (CUP) — Ontario legislation that protects workers against unsafe working conditions does not cover unpaid interns, according to a Ministry of Labour briefing that has recently surfaced.

The confidential memo, dated March 27, 2013 and discovered by the Toronto Star, explains that the Occupational Health and Safety Act (OHSA) defines ‘worker’ as “a person who performs work or supplies services for monetary compensation.”

“This definition would exclude unpaid interns (students, trainees, volunteers) from OHSA coverage,” the internal briefing states.

The policy is now under review by the Ministry of Labour.

“We are reviewing the rules for co-op students under Ontario’s Occupational Health and Safety Act (OHSA) to ensure they have all the same rights and protections as other workers,” Minister of

10

Labour Yasir Naqvi said in a release.

Naqvi’s statement did not address unpaid interns recruited illegally —a significant but undocumented number of workers who are also not protected under the OHSA. In Ontario, unpaid internships are illegal unless six criteria are met.

Joel Duff, communications director for the Ontario Federation of Labour, expressed concerns about the extent to which interns can hold their employers accountable for workplace safety.

“If workers feel unsafe in their workplace, they have the right to refuse work. An intern can technically refuse work, but their internship would be cancelled and they wouldn’t get their academic credit,” Duff said.

“An intern, because they’re the newest or least experienced person in a company, is the most vulnerable to health and safety hazards.”

There are no concrete statistics on unpaid internships in Canada, nor are internships federally regulated. Recent estimates suggest there are as many as 300,000 unpaid internships in the country.

The Dialog • dialog.studentassociation.ca

ILLUSTRATION: SAMANTHA BULLIS/THE DIALOG

November 26 –December 13, 2013

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The Dialog • dialog.studentassociation.ca

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HELP THOSE AFFECTED BY TYPHOON HAIYAN

redcross.ca/donate 1-800-418-1111 george brown ad.indd 1

11/21/2013 12:45:06 PM