The Dialog Sept. 17-30 2013 by The Dialog

Sept. 17–30, 2013

SYRIAN GBC STUDENTS

WEIGH IN ON CHEMICAL ATTACK BIKE THEFT: HOW TO AVOID WALKING HOME

PLUS: GBC SMARTPHONE APP LAUNCHED

Here’s your guide to student deals & sneaky savings around Toronto.

GBC Student Newspaper • Founded 1982

EDITORIAL Oligopolistic telecom market results in paying absurd prices

PREETEESH PEETABH SINGH News Editor

When Verizon included a feature to call Canada in their Share Everything plan for $15, people thought the company has set its sights on entering the Canadian market. There was a lot of excitement in the media when Verizon proposed an offer of $700 million to takeover Wind Mobile in June. The American giant was also reportedly in talks with Mobilicity with intentions of stepping into the communication scene in Canada.

The entire buzz went down recently when Verizon stated that it had shelved the plan of entering Canada. Instead they announced a $130 billion deal to buy 45 per cent stake held by Vodafone in Verizon Wireless. This deal might have left the company with a lighter pocket to try out new ventures. So, they decided to drop Canada from their agenda. Earlier this year, the federal government rejected a $380 million offer made by Telus Corp to buy out Mobilicity. Mobilicity came into existence after the Advanced Wireless Services (AWS) spectrum auction held in 2008, reserved 40 MHz out of 105 MHz exclusively for new entrants to bid on. According to the rules of that auction any new wireless carriers were forbidden from selling their spectrum to an incumbent company within five years.

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 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 subsidized by the Student Association. Occasionally, some advertisers, products and services do not reflect the policies of the Student Association. The Dialog will not publish any material that attempts to incite violence or hatred against individuals or groups, particularly based on race, national origin, ethnicity, colour, gender, sexual orientation, age or disability. Contributions to The Dialog are always welcome. We request that articles be submitted as digital copies in plaintext (TXT) or rich-text (RTF) format. Letters to the editor can be sent in an email message to dialog@georgebrown.ca. Images should be in EPS format as vector images or TIF format (Mac or PC).

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

“At the end of the day, our goals are lower prices, better service and more choice for customers and business,” said then Industry Minister, Jim Prentice in a press statement. The move was cited to involve greater competition in the market and further innovation in the industry. The next Mobile Broadband Services auction for the 700 MHz band is set to take place in January. The federal government’s intentions did not seem to do the trick. The Canadian telecommunications industry today is still ruled by the three mega giants: Rogers Communications, Bell Canada and Telus which together holds the majority of the market. As compared to Rogers, Bell and Telus; Wind, Mobilicity and Public Mobile provide inexpensive plans for the consumers, but at the

same time their service (network) is even crappier than the big three. This leaves people with no or very little choice; a choice of picking one which is the least worst. Students are big market for these companies. Less competition means higher prices and a higher price doesn’t necessarily mean good service. Being tied in by two or three year contracts, $70 mobile bills, or a $55 plan including limited data, limited messaging, and limited calling minutes leaves consumers dissatisfied and helpless. Now with Verizon also backing out; the telecom market is venturing into a dangerous territory. The oligopolistic nature of the market will force consumers to stick to these limited phone service providers and continue paying absurd prices.

Get Your TTC Post-Secondary Student Photo ID

+ MY CAMPUS A. STUDENT

Show your Post-Secondary TTC Student Photo ID every time you use your Post-Secondary Student monthly Metropass.

For $106, available at TTC Collectors, participating TTC Fare Media Sellers or at select Pass Vending machines in subway stations.

Students in certificate programs or enrolled on a part-time basis are not eligible.

The Dialog is Published by Student Association of George Brown College

Look for the posters on campus or visit www.ttc.ca to find your school’s photo date.

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

the dialog • september 17– september 30, 2013 ART_04_TTCCORP35058_PSDC_SchoolPaper_PrintAd.indd 1

13-08-20 4:35 PM

DAILY CHECK UP SEPTEMBER 17– SEPTEMBER 30, 2013 MONDAY 16

23 All course exemptions finalized today

TUESDAY

WEDNESDAY

THURSDAY

FRIDAY

Dis-Orientation: Accessible Education Outreach & Panel St. James, Kings Lounge 11 a.m.–2 p.m.

Dis-Orientation: Idle No More Teach In St. James, Kings Lounge 11 a.m.–1 p.m.

Mining Injustice Solidarity Network: Screening of Gold Fever & Panel Royal Cinema 608 College 7 pm. $8

Free outdoor screening of Old School Ryerson Quad, 350 Victoria St. 9:30 p.m.

Dis-Orientation: Spoken Word Competition St. James, Kings Lounge 11 a.m.–1 p.m. Your Public vs.Your Private Online Presence: Where to Draw the Line…Or Should You Even Bother to Try? 290 Adelaide St. E 6:30–8 p.m.

Art & Activism: The Work Of Ai Weiwei Panel Discussion Art Gallery of Ontario (AGO) 317 Dundas St.W. 7 p.m. $12, students $8. Freelance Survival Series Canadian Media Guild Lillian H Smith Library, 239 College 9:30 a.m. –4:30 pm. (Pre-register at cmg.ca)

Hip-Hop Empowerment Conference & Concert St. James, Kings Lounge 10 a.m.–9 p.m.

13th Annual Boat Cruise On the Enterprise 2000 242 Cherry St. $25 for GBC students, $30 for guests Tickets at Student Association offices

“Queering the Waterfront”: A monthly space for George Brown LGBTQ students Waterfront campus rm. 721 12:15 p.m.–1:30 p.m. Free For more information contact vshraya@georgebrown.ca

Pension Funds, Unions, and Working Class Strategies CSI, ING Room, 720 Bathurst S. 3:30 p.m.–6 p.m.

Students at 15 schools start petition to leave the CFS JANE LYTVYNENKO CANADIAN UNIVERSITY PRESS

OTTAWA (CUP) – Students at more than a dozen postsecondary institutions across Canada have begun a move to leave the Canadian Federation of Students (CFS) according to a press release sent out Sept. 4. Of the 83 members student unions across the country, students at 15 are rallying to hold a membership referendum said Ashleigh Ingle, one of the spokespeople for the movement. “There are large groups of students that are very dissatisfied with the way the CFS runs,” said Ingle, who was on the executive for the University of Toronto’s Graduate Student Union last year. “After a long time of multiple student unions trying to make the same reforms over and over again and seeing no results, we aren’t seeing that as a productive way forward anymore.” With students at 15 schools involved this marks the largest campaign to leave the organization since 2009, when students at 13 schools wanted to leave the CFS. This time students at Kwantlen Polytechnic University and Capilano University in B.C.; the University of Toronto, Ryerson University, York University and Laurentian University in Ontario and Dawson College in Quebec have confirmed they will apply to host a referendum. Ingle said some schools are not going public with their campaigns yet. “Not all of the people who are running petitions are in a stage where they want to be explicitly named especially because of the tendency for doing this kind of thing to at-

tract a lot of attention of CFS campaigners,” she said. According to Brent Farrington, the CFS spokesperson for internal affairs, while the federation is aware of the campaign, it does not have plans to launch any counter campaigns To leave the CFS, members of that student union must collect a petition with signatures and present it to the CFS executive. Once the signatures are ratified, a date is set for the referendum to take place. According to the CFS bylaws, which Farrington said change every six months, the vote cannot be held during the regular electoral period and is a simple majority vote. Ingle said leaving the CFS is not an easy process for its members. “We are trying to follow the bylaws as strictly as we can so we can avoid as much legal hassle as possible,” she said. “That said, if it does require legal action at some point to get this to happen for our fellow members, we have the resources to follow that through.” Currently several schools across the country are in lawsuits with the CFS. Ingle said that’s one of the reasons some members are reluctant to leave. “We wanted to spread the word that it’s happening now because we want people to know that it’s possible and that if they wanted to try to do something like this on their campus now, they wouldn’t be alone,” she explained. Farrington said CFS members “have the ability to collect petition on referenda on continued memberships.” He said members determine what the priorities of the federation are. “As a membership-based organization, the federation is a network of the student associations,” said Farrington.

“The loss of any members results in other association having not as strong of a voice. In terms of our day-to-day operations, we would be effected by there being a fracturing of the student movement in Canada.” Ingle stressed that the CFS — primarily the staff and the national executive — is unreceptive to change.

PHOTO: ALEXANDRA POSADZKI/CANADIAN UNIVERSITY PRESS

Above Students with the Canadian Federation of Students protesting during the G20 summit in Toronto in 2010.

the dialog • september 17– september 30, 2013

NEWS Syrian GBC students struggle to find any hope in civil war KAREN NICKEL Staff Reporter

Syria dominates the news lately. The nation waits to find out if it will be the target of limited military strikes from the United States, backed up (in words) by Stephen Harper. The use of chemical weapons on Aug. 21 in Damascus pushed Obama across his ‘red line’ into considering military action against Syria. The ongoing internal conflict and fears of U.S. attacks makes it’s hard to see hope in Syria but some George Brown College (GBC) students are trying to. Sahel Zreik, a graduate in Marketing Management - Financial Services program at GBC came to Canada in 2010 from Lattakia, Syria. Part of his family remains there. He is sceptical about America’s intervention in the conflict; ongoing since 2011. “The U.S. doesn’t want democracy in Syria, their own interests are the reason for their intervention,” said Zreik. This thought is echoed by Hadi Mousattat, in his last term of Business Marketing at GBC. While his immediate family is abroad, he has extended family in Aleppo. “The Americans would not be there for moral or ethical reasons, but for their own agenda,” said Mousattat. “If it was for the Syrian people a No Fly Zone would have helped them early in the conflict.” Referring to the chemical allegations, Zreik says that he believes the chemical attacks in Damascus were from the Bashar Al Assad regime, “ I have no doubts. They have admitted they had the weapons. Why would the rebels bomb rebel held neighbourhoods? I have no reason to doubt it.” Mousattat agrees, “Why would they (revolutionaries) ever target themselves? Those areas affected were very pro-Free Syrian Army. Why would they target locals who support them? It’s obvious the regime did it.” UN inspectors took samples from the areas days after the alleged sarin gas attacks; their investigation is ongoing. “People were involved in the uprisings taking place across the area during ‘Arab Spring’ in 2011, but from the beginning, in Latakia, it was strictly controlled and suppressed, with protesters being killed,” said Zreik. “But everywhere there are activists who are organizing and taking care of residents as well as refugees’ basic survival needs, including children in need of medical care,” said Zreik. “People are organizing and helping people locally. That gives me hope, something I don‘t see being talked about in the media.” Mousattat is struggling to see any hope for Syria. He has an audio engineering diploma and is a DJ and music producer. He visibly brightens when asked about music, it’s his passion. But he returns to heavy thoughts about Syria. “I haven’t been doing anything, because of thinking and feeling so depressed about the situation. I talked to my grandmother in Aleppo, she said she has no running water, none.” “I think there is no hope. Even an attack would do nothing if the regime is left in place. If no serious international help arrives, Syria will be left in the stone age as far as rebuilding the vast infrastructure that’s necessary. It can only be done by stopping the war inside Syria, but there is no call for that.” Both men are cynical about the ‘Stop the War’ and ‘Hands off Syria’ rallies popping up after the U.S. threats. They wonder where the international community has been for the last two years. Mousattat summed up his thinking, “Anti-war is antiwar, isn’t it?” 4

the dialog • september 17– september 30, 2013

Chelsea Manning seeks justice, recognition of gender identity from U.S. Government KAREN NICKEL Staff Reporter

Private Manning has gone through a great deal since joining the U.S. Army in 2007. As an intelligence analyst stationed in Iraq in 2009, Pvt. Manning witnessed things so disturbing that sharing this information with the world became more important than their freedom. Now Manning has embarked on a new goal, to petition President Obama for clemency and to begin to live as she really is, as Chelsea Manning. Chelsea Manning (formerly Bradley Manning) was an intelligence analyst during her military stint in Iraq in 2009. It was during this tour that Manning came across information that shook her belief in the war and what America was doing there. She contacted WikiLeaks and began to release chunks of information to be analysed and released. Beginning in 2010 with the ‘Iraq War Logs’, the ‘Afghan War Diary’ and the damning visual evidence of U.S. forces killing two Reuters journalists and shooting four people that came to help, including two children. This was the ‘Collateral Murder’ video. Manning hoped to show the world that the U.S. was

not being accountable for the abuses and crimes it was perpetuating under the banner of the War On Terror. The U.S. government detained and charged Manning in 2010 with leaking confidential information and she was placed in custody. There were allegations of torture while she was held waiting for the hearing. At the end of the trial, Manning was found guilty of around 20 charges, but was not found guilty of ‘Aiding the Enemy’, and spared from the death penalty sentence. Manning and her legal team have claimed a ‘Whistle Blower’ definition of what she did, as sharing information with a reporter was done for the common good. On Aug. 21, Manning was sentenced to 35 years in a military prison; she released a statement to supporters thanking them for the three years of support, in it was this statement, “As I transition into this next phase of my life, I want everyone to know the real me. I am Chelsea Manning. I am female.” On Sept. 3, Manning petitioned the White House for a commutation of her sentence, stating in the petition, “When I chose to disclose classified information, I did so out of a love for my country and a sense of duty to others.” There has been no comment from Obama.

NEWS Don’t want to walk home today? Bike theft prevention tips KAREN NICKEL Staff Reporter

George Brown College’s (GBC) Public Safety and Security office is running their ‘Bike Safety Campaign‘.This campaign assists students by providing them with preventive information on how to keep bikes out of the hands of potential bike thieves. Most of the GBC campuses have bike racks that students can use to secure their bicycles to, while they are in class. While not all have them, there are things students can do that reduce their risks of losing their bike. And if they are stolen there are ways they can perhaps be recognized and returned. Officer John Spanton, of 51 Division’s Community Response Unit, says that it’s a matter of preventative actions. “Students should use the proper, quality U-locks,” said Spanton. “ It’s important to take a photograph of your bike, especially if it is a unique or expensive one. That will assist officers who might recognize it on the street.” Toronto police divisions have a number of bicycle police that are always riding around the neighbourhood. Officer Spanton believes there is a greater chance that they can recognize a bike from a photo. “Each bike has a serial number that students should locate and make a record of,” he said. “This serial number should be registered on the police bike registration website.” GBC’s Public Safety and Security office has been providing this service to students during the first week of classes at GBC campuses. The website, found at: webapp1.torontopolice.on.ca/BicycleRegistry/Submit registers your name and contact information, as well as serial number and description of the bike. The more unique things about your bike you can list the better. “Bicycle theft is a low priority for police,” Officer Spanton explained. “In the end it’s a matter of preventative measures. Good locks, photographing and registering the bike and reporting a theft to college security are what I would suggest students do.”

PHOTO: MICK SWEETMAN/THE DIALOG

Stolen tires and empty locks at Casa Loma campus: An all-too-common sight at the GBC bike racks.

A familiar sight around GBC: Stripped bikes and empty locks.

the dialog • september 17– september 30, 2013

You don’t need us to tell you that school is expensive.

Between tuition and textbooks, it can all add up quickly! Fortunately, there are ways to save money by flashing your student card or getting in on discounts that can help you to save some much-needed cash this year.

Shopping Art Supplies Curry’s and Above Ground, and DeSerres all offer 10% discounts with a student card. DeSerres also has a points card system that you can sign up for. Topshop/Topman 10-15% discounts with student ID.

Services YMCA of Greater Toronto Check ymca.ca for details on various discounts. Greyhound Buses 10% off with student ID.

Entertainment The ROM (Royal Ontario Museum) Free for students on Tuesdays. $14.50 all other times with student ID. 100 Queen’s Park AGO (Art Gallery of Ontario) Free for everyone every Wednesday night from 6–8:30p.m. $11 all other times with student ID. 317 Dundas Street West

the dialog • september 17– september 30, 2013

Club Monaco 20% discounts with student ID. Roots 20% discount with student ID. Dollarama For the uninitiated: all Dollarama items cost $1–3. Many slam Dollarama for its cheap products, but they also often stock decent discounted brand-name items.

Groceries Bulk Barn Student discounts on Wednesdays. Real Canadian Superstore 10% discounts for students on Tuesdays.

Rainbow Cinema & Carlton Cinema $7 tickets for students. 80 Front Street East/20 Carlton Street

Design Exchange Canada’s design museum. $18.50 for students. 234 Bay Street

St. James Park Free for everyone!

Centre Island Ferry $4.50 tickets for students, but only if you’re still under 19.

Bata Shoe Museum Only $8 for students! Get those boots walkin’. 327 Bloor Street West

Textile Museum of Canada Only $6 for students. Great for fashion students. 55 Centre Avenue

OSC (Ontario Science Centre) $16 for students. 770 Don Mills Road

Museum of Inuit Art $3 admission for students. 207 Queen’s Quay West

Thrift & Vintage Some folks are put off by the idea of wearing used clothing, but many are learning how much cash they can save (and what unique items they can find) by poppin’ tags à la Macklemore. Value Village Value Village offers 20% off to students on Wednesdays. Multiple Locations

Goodwill If you’ve got a Goodwill in your area, check in frequently for unannounced sales of up to 75% off of the regular price. Multiple Locations

Be Kind Exchange With locations on Queen and one near Casa Loma, Be Kind is a great place to buy cheap in-season clothing and swap your old duds for cash or trade! Multiple Locations

Black Market Vintage This Queen Street staple stocks tons of clothing and accessories, from vintage to tees. Almost everything in the store is $10 (with only a few exceptions). 256 Queen Street West

Kensington Market Kensington Market is known for good prices, but the vintage shops on Kensington Ave. often have racks of $5 items. Kensington Avenue

Rental Property Search Sites ontariostudenthousing.com padmapper.com places4students.com 247apartments.com www.torontoroommates.ca

Student-Oriented Rental Properties GBC is affiliated with a number of buildings catering to student residents. While they are pricier than other options, you may find that their student-oriented environments suit your needs:

Dining Out Gabby’s Gabby’s is wonderfully close to St. James and offers a variety of daily deals on drinks and food. Stop by to see what specials are running. 309 King Street Salad King 10% off for students between 2 and 5p.m. 340 Yonge Street Guu Izakaya No specific student discount, but cheap food that you order tapas-style by item. Delicious and affordable. 398 Church Street WVRST Very trendy beer and sausage joint with meats from all kinds of unusual critters (kangaroo?!). Most sausages under $10 and affordable brews to boot. 609 King Street West Govinda’s Students pay only $8 to get a heaping plate of delicious vegetarian/vegan Indian food. To sweeten the deal, they’ll usually give you a free second serving, too! 243 Avenue Road

Housing Lodging in Toronto isn’t going to be particularly cheap no matter what you do. However, there are resources available that you can use to help you to hunt for the best deal you can find. Be sure to take note of these tenant support resources as well to protect yourself from infringements on your tenant rights and from being taken advantage of. Educate yourself about legal rent increases and other financial matters related to housing to avoid the stress on both you and your chequebook!

Tenant Support The Ontario Landlord and Tenant Board ltb.gov.on.ca Hotline: 416.645.8080 (8:30a.m.–5p.m.) The Federation of Metro Tenants’ Associations (FMTA) torontotenants.org

Campus Common www.campuscommon.ca One32 Berkeley www.concertproperties.com/rentals/one32 Hi-Hostels (For temporary accomodations) www.hihostels.ca/Toronto

INFOGRAPHIC: SAMANTHA BULLIS, HOUSING SECTION INFO: KAREN NICKEL/ THE DIALOG

the dialog • september 17– september 30, 2013

ARTS & LIFE Former GBC Theatre students talk crowdfunding and comedy ALENA KHABIBULLINA STAFF Reporter

A team of former George Brown Theatre School students “with a passion for creating high-energy, unpretentious and above-all fun theatre” managed to fund raise $6,000 for their show called Callaghan! through the online funding platform Indiegogo. In an interview with The Dialog, Colin Munch, Conor Bradbury and Kaitlin Morrow talk about their company “SexT-Rex” and how the George Brown Theatre School didn’t fit their performing style. Alena Khabibullina/The Dialog: Why Sex-T-Rex? Where did this name of your company come from?

Colin Munch: Sex T-Rex is a shortened version of our original name Sexual Tyrannosaurus, which is a reference to the movie in Predator. In it, Jesse Ventura says that chewing tobacco will “make you a god damned sexual tyrannosaurus”, just like me (laughing). AK: How did you start working together? Colin: We’ve been an improv team for 5 years. We’ve been a theatre company for two. AK: Doing comedies right now, did you feel the same energy studying in George Brown? Kaitlin Morrow: Oh, no! You know this is a therapy session, right? We were not the shining examples what they wanted as actors. We are too wired.

Colin: Two of us finished the program, three dropped out. Basically they create actors to go to Stratford and the Shaw Festival, and we were always interested in making in own work and they don’t really teach how to do that. AK: What was a common complaint about the theatre school you all had? Kaitlin: George Brown Theatre School is preparing students for classic, text-based theatre like Stratford, Shaw, Soulpepper theatre. Just sort of museum-based theatres, they are very preserved by classical text. But we got tons of practical stuff. Colin: Oh, yeah! We are million times the actors we were. Even in one or two years of studying there. We are way, way better than we were back then. My problem is I’m a jerk and I like doing my own thing and I’m very stubborn and I want to make my own stuff and the program just wasn’t great for that. AK: Ok, going back to Indiegogo where you fundraised $6000 for Callaghan!. How did you manage to do it? Colin: We had two really, really generous donators - our parents, especially my mom’s company. Don’t laugh, this is a big part of fundraising at a young age, about a quarter comes from your friends and family. So my mom’s company gave us a $1,000 and Kaitlin’s mom gave us $200. Kaitlin: I work in a coffee shop part time and our biggest donations probably came from someone who is a regular to the coffee shop. It’s just really about having no shame and just getting out there and telling everybody that you have no one to count on. AK: Why is the show called Callaghan? Colin: Callaghan is the guy’s last name. I just thought it would be really cool for a movie. Conor Bradbury: He has the same name as a cop from Dirty Harry, Jack Callaghan, but that’s an accident. Colin: It’s inspired by Indiana Jones, which is my favorite movie, and also by the video game called Uncharted, which is about a guy who hunts for treasure. I know this stuff so well. We know the beats we are beating but the audience doesn’t guess what’s going to happen. AK: So you never stop improvising even in a scripted show as Callaghan? Kaitlin: We write a script and basically throw it out of the window. I performed it more than 20 times and every time we do it, it’s slightly different. Conor: This was a moment where I was supposed to step over Kaitlin, she is playing a goon. I break her neck, she falls down, I step over her and Callaghan suddenly kicks her in the head and I remember myself saying, “You kind of kicked that guy in the head” and he turned saying “I know that guy is dead, but I hope he is ok” (laughing). Colin: What’s great about pulling this off is the audience knows that you are making it up. So they assume that you are making up other stuff that you meticulously rehearsed.

PHOTO: ALENA KHABIBULLINA/THE DIALOG

Sex T-Rex: Kaitlin Morrow, Conor Bradbury, and Colin Munch support each other both on and offstage.

the dialog • september 17– september 30, 2013

AK: What is your next step for Callaghan? Colin: We are going to take a break on Callaghan. We’ve done it so many times. Apart from Montreal – three times in Toronto and one preview. Now we get to work on something else. Kaitlin: We’d like to produce Leviathan, our sci-fi comedy, in Toronto even for a couple of shows. We write our own original material, Firefly, Blade Runner, Star Wars and Star Trek inspire it.

ARTS & LIFE Ace Hood brings high-energy performance to GBC Fest Having made it to the big scene in 2007 at age 19, he owes his success to his family, his roots, and his fans. Left Ace Hood works the crowd at GBC Fest 2013 at the Waterfront Campus. PHOTO: DANILO BARBA/THE UBYSSEY

TINA TODARO STAFF Reporter

The Student Association (SA) event staff never ceases to hold excellent events and each year they strive for better! This year’s GBC Fest was marked “a first,” as it was held at the new Waterfront campus. Blessed with blue skies, GBC Fest ’13 took full swing at 11 a.m. and ended with a bang with a concert from rapper Ace Hood. Most students at this year’s event were

anticipating Ace Hood’s performance. The rapper described the inspiration behind his tracks as stemming from his roots growing up in Broward County, Florida. Football had been his first passion, but after sustaining an injury, he focused on his second passion and talent, rapping. “I believed in myself ”, said Ace Hood with passion in his voice. After a performance at DJ Khaled’s annual birthday bash in 2007, Khaled signed the young star to his, ‘We the Best’ record label and has since then, worked with him.

“Khaled’s been there throughout my career and he brings out the best in every artist,” said Ace Hood. Having made it to the big scene in 2007 at age 19, he owes his success to his family, his roots, and his fans. “I appreciate every individual, every fan. The fans are my supporters,” said Ace Hood. Along with a future clothing line, he plans to continue connecting with his fans and making music. The SA events team had organized numerous activities, from a fashion show put

on by Mosaic, to contests to win tickets for the upcoming boat cruise. GBC talent contest winner Kayara also took the stage this year, performing one of her favourite tracks ‘Turn Your Lights Down Low’ by Lauryn Hill and Bob Marley, along with other performances by Zoo Babies. This year’s GBC Fest was a great kick-off to the school year and succeeded in getting students pumped up for what should be a great year!

GBC app puts the college in the palm of your hand TINA TODARO STAFF Reporter

George Brown College (GBC) recently developed a new cell phone app, in an effort to make navigating through the school much simpler and more effective. The app contains an organized list, which act as links for students to access their grades, campus location and contact information. Not only does this app provide with direct links to the college, it also allows students to access GBC’s Facebook and Twitter pages. Using GBC student ID and STU-

VIEW password, students can have quick access to all the program information. Contact information for each centre, campus, and offices located at the schools are provided to students. They are also able to view their complete timetables, by full schedule or time. This app allows students to be kept up-to-date on current grades, and notifies them of any changes or issues pertaining to their personal GBC accounts. The ‘blackboard’ app also keeps students current on grades and course information, but the new GBC app, strictly designed for GBC students might prove to be a quicker and more efficient way

to stay in the loop while being kept busy with homework and assignments. Included in the app are college maps. Shown on a grid, students can easily navigate through all the campuses and easily find which building their classes or offices are located. The app includes GBC library as a quick link, allowing students to book a room for study groups, view computer availability, hours, personal library accounts and search the library database. With the introduction of the new GBC app, students have access to the college right in the palm of their hands.

The new GBC app on an iPhone.

the dialog • september 17– september 30, 2013

ASK US ANYTHING This week: work, travel, and dealing with a terrible professor ALENA KHABIBULLINA STAFF REPORTER

We have just started our first classes this semester and our professor sucks. Before it’s late, can we change him somehow? Where to complain? Yes, you may change but you need to escalate this issue to higher authorities of the college. You can start with coordinator of the program to the director of the respective department. I am sure they will take necessary actions. I just arrived to Toronto and most of the job opportunities are already filled in on campus. I need to pay my bills and accommodation. I am not relying on my parents and I am so fucked up. Please let me know how can I get a job on or off campus? First of all, legal eligibility for work in Canada depends on your status. If you are a Canadian citizen, there is no obstacle in trying to find a job within or outside the campus. You need to check the job postings on George Brown College website for all the on campus jobs they have and also visit Student Association office as there are usually some open positions. You can find more information on www.georgbrowncollege.ca and www.studentassociation.ca If there are no current openings you can apply for the off-campus postings. The Career Centre helps students with resumes and cover letters you need for a job application. It’s more complicated if you are an international student. You are eligible to work on

campus without a work permit. This is the best part of it. Working outside the campus requires a valid work permit for international students that you cannot get earlier than six months of your stay in Canada. Cash work is illegal without a valid work permit, be also careful even with unpaid internships as some of them still require offcampus work permit. If it’s not possible to find current opportunities within the campus I encourage you to volunteer as this experience builds your resume and gives a record of your social contribution in Canada which is really important for future jobs. Having found a job remember that you are eligible to work not more than 20 hours a week if you a full-time student. You can also visit GBC’s International Centre. They provide the students with all needed information and service for international students. I am an International student and would like to go to New York. I suppose if I already have a Canadian visa and a study permit, I don’t need the U.S. visa. Am I right? No. Unfortunately it’s not correct as you still do need to apply for the U.S. visa because it’s a different country. It also depends which country you are from and what is the purpose of your trip. For instance, citizens of some countries such as Japan, Singapore, Brunei, Australia, New Zealand and most of the countries –members of the European Union do not need a tourist visa to enter U.S. You can find more full information on the website of the Bureau of Consular Affairs: www.travel.state.gov/visa.

Send us an email at dialog@georgebrown.ca and

ASK US ANYTHING! 10 the dialog • september 17– september 30, 2013

Wolfpack Ticker: September sports scores Mens’ Soccer September 1, Exhibition match George Brown 3 • University of Ottawa 3

Baseball September 8 St. Clair (Windsor) 13 • George Brown 0

September. 7 Centennial 3 • George Brown 0

September 8 St. Clair (Windsor)16 • George Brown 0

September 10, Fleming 1 • George Brown 0

September 12 Durham (Oshawa) 14 • George Brown 11

September 13, 2013 , 9:00 PM George Brown 1 • Cambrian 0

September 16 George Brown vs. Seneca (No score available at time of publication)

Women’s Soccer September 7 George Brown 4 • Centennial 0 September 10 Fleming 2 • George Brown 1 September 13 Cambrian 2 • George Brown 0

For information on upcoming games check out the listings on our website at dialog.studentassociation.ca.

PUZZLES & FUN Realizing that you’re not going pro JOSH MARTIN THE OTHER PRESS

NEW WESTMINSTER (CUP) — Every athlete grows up imagining that they’ll turn pro. Playing a sport professionally in front of thousands of fans while making millions of dollars is the dream, but often just that—a dream. There’s always that one day when an individual realizes that those hopes and dreams are something of a fantasy. Joining hockey at the late age of 12, my days were doomed before I had even started. What were the odds of a boy who could barely skate making it to the NHL? The story of latebloomer Ed Jovanovski gave some hope for at least a couple more years in my career. The fact that the former Vancouver Canucks defencemen began playing organized hockey at the age of 11 and made it to the big leagues gave me the silly notion that perhaps I could do the same. It wasn’t until a couple years later when I was still playing on the house team that I realized “Jovo-Cop” was one in a million — a sad truth, right up there with Santa Claus. It happened with my friends around the same time I imagine — realizing they weren’t the next Wayne Gretzky. Some realized it sooner than others, perhaps those of us who were not quite good enough to make the cut for the rep teams and excusing it with, “I just want to have fun this year,” or the classic, “I

want to play with all my buddies,” in order to save our egos’ from a bruising. In the long run, maybe those of us who didn’t make the team or didn’t even tryout were let off a little easier with reality—the dream being cut short several years earlier than others. For those who were good enough during those years of minor hockey of making the cut onto the rep teams, I feel for the most. After dedicating the majority of his life to hockey, including going to a hockey academy away from his friends in all of high school, leaving to the east of Canada for junior ‘B’ action in Ontario, and spending dollar upon dollar on replacing broken hockey sticks, getting new skates and gear, my friend has suffered the brutal rejection call harder than anyone I know. It was almost worse seeing him slowly come to the conclusion rather than realizing it for myself when I was an early teen. Like a little kid who would set out the cookies and milk every Christmas Eve, except this year they were still there in the morning. The realization that you’re just not good enough is one of the toughest ones in life and perhaps the most important. Rejection is bound to happen and in this case it comes in the form of professional sports for me and my friends. But to those few kids who made their dreams their reality, we’re now watching them in arenas all over North America. That could maybe be you one day, but most likely not.

Across 1. Fool 5. What’s left 9. Diminutive being of folklore 14. Suit to ___ 15. Switch ending 16.Causing goosebumps 17. Celestial body 18. Large village 19. Spoil 20. Short-tempered person 22. Where junk may be held 24. Extraterrestrial 26. Yes, to Yves 27. Occur 30. Infinite time 35. Bottomless gulf 36. German Mister 37. Exultation 38. Craggy hill 39. Dancer Duncan 42. Nav. officer

43. Paradise lost 45. Sect 46. Fable 48. Resound 50. Emphasis 51. “… ___ the cows come home” 52. Mead subject 54. Taro 58. Relate 62. Moral precept of conduct 63. Object of devotion 65. ___-European 66. Peter of Herman’s Hermits 67. Songwriter Bacharach 68. Draft classification 69. Supermodel Cheryl 70. Cpls.’ superiors 71. Snack

Down 1- Cummerbund 2. Sock ___ me! 3. Crux 4. Possibly 5. Keep possession of 6. Eat into 7. Plant 8. Heaps 9. Circuitous way 10. Eroding 11. “Tosca” tune 12. Circular band 13. Celebration 21. Varnish resin 23. It’s human 25. Teases 27. Misanthrope 28. Dwelling 29. Funeral fires 31. Horse’s gait 32. Actress Graff 33. Camp sights 34. Approvals

36. ___ monde 40. Climb 41. Role player 44. Naught 47. Speech 49. Sisters’ daughters 50. Separates metal from ore 53. Nautical direction 54. Fender bender 55. Yours, in Tours 56. Foot covering 57. Pen points 59. Part of A.D. 60. Mid-month times 61. Flood survivor 64. Made a hole

Crossword puzzles provided by BestCrosswords.com (www. bestcrosswords.com)Used with permission.

the dialog • september 17– september 30, 2013 11

anything! Have a burning question you want answered? The Dialog is now taking your questions about work, school, life, and love (and everything in between).

When we say ask us anything, we really do mean anything! Post, Tweet, or Email: WEBSITE dialog.studentassociation.ca TWITTER @thedialogonline EMAIL dialog@georgebrown.ca FACEBOOK facebook.com/thedialogonline