Join the Wolfpack: Frosh 2015 by MacMedia Magazine

Frosh 2015

JOIN THE

AUGUST 2015 | 1

JOIN THE WOLFPACK AUGUST 2015: Vol. 21, Issue #01 www.macmediamagazine.com 004c McLaughlin College, York University Toronto, ON M3J 1P3 416-736-2100 ext. 60555

Executives Editor-in-Chief Web Manager Production and Layout Manager Social Media Manager

Janae Diaz VACANT Eryn Tang Eric Bizzarri

Editors News Opinions Features Arts Humour Sports & Health

Nick Catania Julia Alfano Jason Rivas Vanessa Butera Juan Lopez Tyler Drummond

Copy Editors

Tabitha Peters Milica Markovic

Staff Writers

Editor’s Note

President’s Message

O-Chair’s Message

VP Commuter’s Message

Sports & Rec’s Message

Sports: The Secret to Success

Undergrad Eats: Avoiding the Freshmen 15

Transitioning from High School to University

Why I Regret Not Going to Frosh

Get Amped for #CODEORANGE: Events to Look Out For

Ouestions You May Have about Frosh Week

Frosh 101: What You Can Learn from your Frosh Bosses

Myths vs Facts about York

We Are Here, In a Foreign Land

In Touch

James Zhan Matty Sia

Art and Design Cover Artist Designer Designer Illustrator

Kristen Chung Mary Anne Cruz Sandra Tacic Elizabeth Zhu

@MacMediaMag

MacMedia Magazine

MacMedia is a proud member of The Canadian University Press, a national organization of Canadian student newspapers.

2 | MACMEDIA

MacMedia is the official student monthly of McLaughlin College but does not speak on behalf of McLaughlin College—unless specifically specified by the Big Kahuna upstairs (in which case there’ll be a note). The opinions expressed herein are also not necessarily held by MacMedia or its staff (unless they’re really smart and dastardly written) but are a reflection of the current social outlook. Our goal is to act as an objective forum for constructive conceptual synthesis and intellectual thought—not as a community censor. Therefore, our content is only as strong as your contribution. Every month we publish a wide variety of studentwritten news, opinions, art, poetry, humour, fiction, photography, and everything in-between. Please feel free to contact us for any reason, including publishing dates, advertising, world domination, iguana preservation, puddle-pants, the whereabouts of Godzilla, or any other “topics of interest.” Please send all submissions and inquiries to macmedia.eic@gmail.com

eDITOR’S nOTE So, you’re a MAC Wolf, huh? You better be ready to howl like one too! If some of you wolf pups need a little bit of guidance then we’ve got you covered. Who’s we? I’m glad that you asked! MacMedia is McLaughlin College’s only magazine and your go-to read at York for anything that your tired heart desires. Do you want to read about the best Frosh Week on campus? We’ve got that. Do you need to brush up on some current global issues? We’re pretty knowledgeable. Let’s talk about sex, baby. Let’s talk about sports, politics, and what music helps you focus. We can even read some poetry that will make you cry (if you’re into that). Why are you reading this? You’re full of great questions. Well, the reason is simple: you’re a frosh and this is MacMedia’s Frosh Issue. So, even though we’ll be bringing you quality articles about a range of topics, such as drinking games, music festivals, and dangerous sex positions, we’re just going to talk about Frosh Week for now. For any York student, MAC affiliated or not, this is an essential read. MacMedia affiliates itself with McLaughlin College and you probably do as well. Students in Criminology, Global Political Studies, Interdisciplinary Social Science, Law & Society, Political Science, Public Administration, Sociology, & Work and Labour Studies are a part of MAC. The collegiate system at YorkU is great since we’re such a big university. Students are divided into different colleges depending on their program of study. Think of York’s colleges as you would Hogwarts’ houses, as past Editor-in-Chief, Jacob Pacey, explains. Actually, York’s colleges are more like homes; you won’t get lost in the hustle and bustle as easily. That’s exactly what McLaughlin is: your home for the next four, five, or however many years you choose to stay at York University. Entering my first year, I learned very quickly that since I was a commuter, I didn’t want to simply come to school, go to class, and then go home. I wanted something more than that and that’s exactly what I got from MAC. Here’s the best part: I’m not supposed to be affiliated with McLaughlin College. I went to MAC Frosh 2013 because my best friend was in McLaughlin, but I was terrified I’d be kicked out somehow. Every time that somebody asked me what my major was, I was prepared for a Regina George-esque: “You can’t sit with us!” But nobody cared that I wasn’t supposed to be in MAC. I danced all seven days of Frosh Week; I had no voice for my first day of class; I changed my affiliation after the first week of school and I’ve been here ever since. That brings us to you: you have the choice to get involved, too! MacMedia’s talented team of writers, editors, designers, and

managers have compiled this Frosh Issue just for you. Think of it as a YorkU Survival Guide – we just want to make sure that you have the best possible transition into university. So, get reading! Do you have questions about Frosh Week? We -’ve got the answers. Are you athletic? MAC (and York, of course) have an unbelievable amount of sports that you can play. Are you scared of the Freshmen 15? I mean, we’re not health nuts or anything, but we’ve got a couple of tips for you. Do you want to see what kind of events that we’ll have at Frosh? We’re in pretty tight with your O-Chairs and President, who have left you a special message in this issue. Do you like what you’re reading? Well, you’re in luck! Even though we have an amazing team, we can’t go on without you. You’re not just a reader; you’re the fuel of MacMedia. If you look on the back of any of our latest issues, you’ll get a sneak peek of what our next month’s topic will be. This is where you come in. MacMedia accepts all types of submissions. We want to read your news article that’s packed with facts, your opinionated piece that’s bursting with sarcasm, and your hauntingly beautiful poetry. We want your short stories, your artwork, and an essay that you think just needs to be read. There’s no limit if you want to see your work published and communicate with people that you’ve never met. If you’re not much of a writer or an artist, that’s perfectly okay. We encourage you to be our backseat drivers. If you have any suggestions or topics that you’d like to see covered, our talented team of writers can grant your every wish. Send us an email at macmedia.eic@gmail.com or show off your beautiful face and swing by our office in the basement of McLaughlin College, room 004C. Even if you don’t, then I’m sure that we’ll see you at Frosh Week. Orange is so your colour.

Janae Diaz Editor-in-Chief

AUGUST 2015 | 3

a message from the president Hello McLaughlin Wolves! For those of you returning, welcome back! For all of you new up and coming first years, congratulations and welcome to the wolf pack! My name is Jonathan Grandchamp and I am your president for the 2015-2016 school year. I am so happy to welcome you to McLaughlin College, where I hope you’ll get to enjoy all that we have to offer. At McLaughlin College, as well as York University in general, there are so many opportunities available. First off, the biggest, and possibly the best step to make when coming to York, is doing Frosh! The reason I say this is because Frosh Week is the week where you get to step out of your comfort zone, make new friends, and have fun all around! Frosh week gives you the opportunity to make lifelong friends, and you also get to experience the social and fun side of York University. My message to all of you is this: take part in all the opportunities that this college, as well as the university, has to offer. Your tuition pays for social and academic events, workshops, and so much more! Do not let your university life be a journey of attending classes and then going home instead of taking part in our lunch talks, our Career Centre workshops, and our events, such as our highly popular Montreal Trip! For those of you who want to take part in clubs, we have over 10 clubs available for you to join here at McLaughlin. If you are all about staying fit and healthy, then Dynamacs is the 4 | MACMEDIA

place for you! That’s right; here at MAC, we have our own 24hr self-service gym, along with showers and lockers for daily use. Not only do we offer a 24hr gym, but we also have intramurals where you can play all sorts of sports throughout the year, from cricket to Jorkeyball. There’s always a sport you can play or try out for the first time! So now you’re probably wondering, “How do I get involved?” Here at MAC, there are tons of opportunities for you to get involved! Aside from the opportunities available through our various affiliated clubs, we also have a student council, where YOU can run for First Year Rep and take part in event organizations, deal with clubs, and be a voice for the First Years here at York. There’s always something to do and take part in; all you have to do is ask, and you can bet you’ll get a great answer! With all that being said, I want to thank you for taking time to read this message, and I cannot wait to see you all at Frosh! #CODEORANGE#FLEXINFORFROSH #JOINTHEWOLFPACK Kind regards, Jonathan Grandchamp

0-Chair’s Message:

LEO & ANTHONY

Hey everyone! My name is Leonel Rombaoa and I am one of the Orientation Chairs for McLaughlin College’s upcoming Frosh Week #CodeOrange. I am in my final year of studying Sociology here at York University. Aside from planning Frosh Week, you can catch me at the movies or see me snapping pictures around Toronto. Frosh Week is an amazing and engaging orientation that incoming students should definitely participate in. You will meet new people in the same program, learn about the different resources your college has to offer, and will be able to create long-lasting friendships with people of all sorts. Having been part of four different McLaughlin Frosh Weeks over the years, it is rewarding to meet new people who are the future of York University. At McLaughlin College, we stress the importance of getting involved in extracurricular activities. Attending Frosh Week is the initial step to getting involved in your First Year. McLaughlin College affiliates will be able to attend many of our events throughout the year, and will also be eligible to participate in next year’s Frosh Week as a leader! Make sure you check us out on Twitter @macfrosh for all your daily updates, behind the scenes, and all information regarding #CodeOrange. Can’t wait to meet you guys in September! Let’s start off the new school year with a BANG!

Hey everyone! My name is Anthony Gabrielli, and I am one of your Orientation Chairs for McLaughlin College’s Frosh Week 2015. I am a Sociology major going into my fifth year, and I am so excited to meet you all! My university experience has been amazing thus far, and I can confidently say that it wouldn’t have been nearly as great if I hadn’t stumbled upon McLaughlin College’s orientation on my first day. That decision set me on a path whereby I was able to experience Frosh Week at York and become a part of the best community on campus! That’s what this institution is all about: community. You are about to enter a school that’s home to 50,000+ students. York gives you an incredible opportunity by supporting the collegiate system, because it enables you to find a home on campus with people who can offer you guidance on your journey. So take my advice and come to Frosh Week! Hopefully Leo and myself can offer you the same amazing week that we had, and show you just how incredible this university and McLaughlin College really are. Can’t wait to see you at #CodeOrange! Anthony Gabrielli Orientation Chair

Leonel Rombaoa Orientation Chair AUGUST 2015 | 5

A Message from your

VP of Commuter Relations Hello MAC froshies and welcome to York University! My name is Justice Sibblis and I am SUPER excited and honoured to be your Vice- President of Commuter Relations for the 20152016 academic year. This is the beginning of an extremely exciting chapter of your life. So what is my role? It is my job to represent, advocate and ensure the comfort and safety of ALL commuter students affiliated with McLaughlin College (if you haven’t noticed already, YorkU is primarily a commuter University, so my duties never end!). Also, if you decide to stay overnight at YorkU due to a late party, event or other reasons, I’m your guy! My responsibility is to ensure that students have all year round access to sleep in our commuter rooms. This keeps all events commuters accessible (and there are TONS of events). Lastly, I give students access to our very own MAC lounge, where students may study, relax on our couches, watch movies or bust out our N64, Ps3 and Wii gaming systems on our 55-inch TV! (I doubt that I have to invite you to make use of that room). Am I a commuter? You may be wondering what a commuter is. To be honest, it wasn’t until I entered University when I learned what that word meant. Essentially, if you spend anywhere from 5 minutes to 6+ hours in a bus, train, car or spaceship travelling to and from YorkU…YOU ARE A COMMUTER! As a member of your student government and as a fellow student, I STRONGLY urge you to participate in this year’s WICKED TURNT FROSH WEEK (Orientation week) entitled, “#CODEORANGE”. Your O-Chairs have planned an extremely psycho, exciting, insane, memorable and rave-alicious 9 days full of partying, trips and food that I am no longer going to provide spoiler alerts for. #CODEORANGE is the perfect time to meet other first year students and create friendships that will last a lifetime (like seriously…they will). FROSH week is the ONLY way to start your successful four years at YorkU! Do yourself a favour and DON’T MISS OUT! YorkU campus is very overwhelming in size to new 6 | MACMEDIA

and current students. It’s also home to a HUGE population of about 55,000+ students, so it is easy to feel lost or for it to become a slightly scary place. However, the MAC community and McLaughlin College council is your home away from home. Truly, the party never ends at MAC. Once FROSH week is through, McLaughlin college council kicks in to full effect and hosts trips to Niagara Falls, wonderland and the BIGGEST trip of the year “MAC does Montreal”! Whether you are in need of a quiet area to study or fun place to chill out, we are here to hook you up. I expect to see everyone come visit us at the McLaughlin College Council (MCC) office (Rm.143 MC-the room with the BIG ORANGE door). Lastly, I am very proud that you are now a part of McLaughlin College and you should be too. Without MAC, my University experience would not be as successful, fun or as rich as it is today. I have no regrets when it comes to MAC. Please get involved as much as you can during your stay here at York University. I wish you all the success in your studies and endeavours! Remember, I am your advocate. If you need ANYTHING at all, please contact me or visit the MCC office at any time. We may be Wolves, but we don’t bite…hard.

Welcome to the WolfPack, Justice Sibblis Vice-President of Commuter Relations, McLaughlin College Council Office: 143 McLaughlin College E-mail: mcccommuter@gmail.com MCC Telephone: (416) 736-2100 ext. 77106

A Message from

Sports & Rec

Hey MAC Wolves! Sport and Recreation Council welcomes you to York University for the 2015-2016 school year. Our job is to make your university experience one in a million through your involvement in sports. The intramural program at York University is one of the largest programs in Canada, boasting over 20 different sports to choose from. Whether you’re a seasoned soccer player or looking to try something new like broomball, the intramural program has something for everyone. It’s a great way to get involved, stay active and an even better way to meet new people from your college as well as the other colleges at York University. The Intramural program offers two tiers per sport; tier two is recreational and tier one is more competitive. I, along with the Sport and Recreation Council, can place you in a team and sport that best matches your interests as well as your skill level. Inspired by the Olympic Torch, York University awards The Torch to the top performing college, the top criteria of which is participation and athleticism. There are a variety of ways to get involved with sports at McLaughlin College. MC 143 is the hub of Sport and Recreation where you will find sign-up sheets outside, as well as information about the events that we hold throughout the year, such as Raptors events. Sign up for sports is done through www.imleagues.com. It’s super easy and if you have any questions, feel free to drop us an email or stop by the office and we would be happy to help you out. Our bulletin, Facebook and Twitter will be updated regularly about sports and upcoming events, so be sure to like and follow! Don’t forget to represent Mac with our custom-design Under Armour apparel, which will be released in September 2015. McLaughlin College is the only college with its own gym, which can be accessed 24/7 with a membership. Dynamacs includes a full set of free weights, racks, a punching bag and cardio equipment. Our gym is constantly upgraded with new equipment and is male and female friendly. The change rooms are equipped with day-use lockers, rented lockers as well as a sauna. The gym is a great way to get away from studying for an hour or two to clear your mind. I highly recommend that if you have free time, you should participate in the intramural program. It is a life changing experience that you won’t regret! If you have any questions or concerns about participating in the intramural program, don’t be afraid to stop by 143 McLaughlin. We are more than happy to help. Help us make this year the best year of your life.

Your Coordinators, Dalton Graham Sport and Rec Coordinator

Jenny Ng Sport and Rec Assistant Coordinator

AUGUST 2015 | 7

Sports:

The Secret to Success Tyler Drummond | Sports Editor University is often referred to as “the best years of your life”, but your first year can be an intimidating experience. A new campus where every building seems to be multiple sizes bigger than your high school, lectures with hundreds of students and a decrease in teacher-student attention. A jump in the difficulty and levels of work, and possibly a new school with thousands of students while all your friends go elsewhere – and that’s just scratching the surface. But, the reason it’s called “the best years of your life” is because of the experiences you make and become a part of. There’s so much to do in university, and sports can be a great way to kick start your experiences. York has a wide variety of varsity, recreational and intramural sports available. For the competitive and hardcore, to the light and fun – there are options for everyone out there at all levels. There’s football, basketball, soccer, tennis, hockey, volleyball, track, and so much more! York University offers a vast array of great sports for students new and old to play. So, you may be asking: why? Sports at York can provide a great entryway into all the great experiences one can have at university. It starts as being a great way to meet new people and make new friends. By choosing a sport you love, it creates an instant common interest with a group of people that you can begin to make friends with. Despite the wide array of people constantly roaming the campus, university can sometimes feel very isolating and lonely. Engaging in a sport at any level gives you a regular group of people to interact with.

8 | MACMEDIA

Playing sports can help boost your confidence. Dedicating yourself to a sport forces you to constantly practice and work hard, and shows you how you can push yourself farther than you ever thought possible. Seeing yourself grow physically and mentally gives you greater confidence, and that is such an important thing to have during these formative and crucial years of your life. Now is the time that you start truly discovering yourself and setting up your future, and having that confidence can make all the difference. Taking up a sport keeps you healthy. As you will read in this very issue, the Freshman 15 is very real, and taking up a sport can help you keep those pounds off. It keeps you regularly active, and makes getting into a rhythm at the gym that much easier and natural as well. It’s especially great for the winter, when your motivation to workout can often lessen with the holidays, snow that you have to trudge through, and the cold that keeps you inside. Speaking of rhythm, taking up a sport gives you a regular reason and rhythm to come to campus, which can be very difficult if you aren’t living in residence. With the increased freedom you get in university, it can become very easy to start slacking off and skipping classes. If you have a reason to come to campus outside of classes, it makes sticking to classes that much easier. Developing a routine is key to success in university, as you no longer have teachers who will stay on top of you and call home if you don’t show up or forget your homework. The final and most important reason… FUN! Sports are fun, engaging and active, and no two games are ever the same. Sports will give you incredible experiences and amazing memories. So, as the Nike slogan says, “Just do it!” So, welcome to York! Explore all the sports and new experiences available to you, and have fun!

CHEW YOUR FOOD What is this, the last supper? You don’t need to inhale your food to reap the benefits of nutritional value! Slow and steady wins the race in keeping a balanced dietary track. Eat smart and all the time. GET DOWN AND PROTEIN Bacon or toast: that is the real question, with the more obvious answer being turkey meat! Protein burns more calories per intake, and adds to cell replacement and muscle gain. Don’t scapegoat on exercise (utilize your natural instincts... wink, wink), as protein strands will turn to fat! Keep it balanced.

Undergrad Eats: AVOIDING THE FRESHMEN 15 Nick Catania | News Editor When creeping those from your past, you may come across a universal epidemic known as the Freshmen 15. You may even come across people who acquired the Sophomore 30 and Senior 60. For those confused, meal plans and an abundance of quick meal options on university campuses can be very dangerous to your health and figure. With the right combination of academic pressures and social outings, you may very well leave your first year of university 15lbs(+) heavier than when you arrived. We become so busy with our schedules and extracurricular activities that we simply do not care what we put in our system. Nutrition then becomes the last thing on our minds and the first pound on our waistline. Take it from someone who entered university 70lbs heavier and 90% less confident. Follow these simple tips to avoid destroying your healthy physique and to also help you maintain it.

STAY NATURAL If it comes in a processed box, it belongs in the garbage. Always stick to your vegetables and meat products to ensure your knowledge of their nutritional origins. When craving something sweet, remove all sources of artificial sugar and snack on an apple, grape or kiwi. Frozen vegetables are still vegetables. ARE THOSE WHOLEGRAINS? With the worst carbohydrates being sugar, honey and soda products, complex carbohydrates are your best energy source when keeping you going during exams and midterms. Cut the sugar completely and save it for extra special outings. If you’re choosing Wonder bread, then it’s no wonder that those loins are longing for a deluxe pizza. I repeat: Wholegrains, not whole-wheat. SASHAY INTO SPICE Sweet or salty? You will meet an array of people like this, but when it comes to food, the answer is spicy! Sodium retains water and keeps you bloated, and sugar makes you chubby. Spicy foods boost your metabolism and break down food easier. Keep hydrated and add cayenne pepper! POST-PARTY BINGE Lay off the pizza and grab a bushel of bananas! Whether it’s the munchies or dancing that wore you out, never eat three hours before bed, as your stomach has no time to properly digest. Stick to bananas, as the added potassium speeds up digestion. Your colon and muscles will thank you! HOW TO FAT Mono, meet Poly: the two saturated fats that are both good for your heart and health. These include avocadoes, many nuts and different cooking oils with extra virgin olive oil in the lead! Saturated and Trans fats are solid at room temperature, keeping your hips solid up to convocation. Read your labels! AUGUST 2015 | 9

Transitioning from HIGH SCHOOL TO UNIVERSITY Tabitha Isabella Peters | Copy Editor Many students are nervous when starting university for the first time, but it’s completely normal and a part of life. You’re going from being a senior to a freshman again. It’s mind-boggling to think about how your first lecture will be and you’ve heard stories from your parents or older siblings, which are usually a brief introduction. You won’t really know until you experience it yourself. Things you freshmen should know about first year: 1. Welcome to Moodle! It’s a website where all or most of your professors will post about their lectures and any other important information they have for you. 2. Your university professors are only there to teach. In high school, there may have been a cool teacher who you’d sometimes hang out with or play teacher’s pet with, but not anymore. If you don’t do the work, they won’t remind you to submit it! So, don’t waste your time being a kiss-ass. Just do the work. 3. Write everything down. In high school, I remember everyone taking pictures of what’s being taught on the board. Nowadays, your phones could die any minute or the computer won’t start up. This is where writing things down on paper will be a real win! Any little note you jot down in your notebook can come in handy on a test or for future work. Once you write stuff down, you’ll be able to remember it. 10 | MACMEDIA

4. Show up to your lectures and tutorials. Sometimes the lectures may make your eyes sleepy, but not all the information for that class is going to be on Moodle. It’s worse than skipping classes in grade 12, because you don’t know anyone to get notes from. Take notes, come prepared to write, and, more importantly, listen. Don’t forget to participate, because that’s a huge percent of your grade! 5. Organize your time. In high school, some of you must have been given agendas to keep track of your schedules and due dates. Well, be prepared to use those again! Since your classes aren’t every day, you could lose track of when an assignment is due. Prioritize your time and have a schedule. 6. Be punctual. If you’re late for one of your classes, no professor is going to start all over for you. You’re going to have to tough it out and ask a fellow classmate or just try to catch up. 7. Do NOT procrastinate.The work load will come around and bite you in the ass if you leave it for the last minute. I know all you high schoolers procrastinated all the time … We all did. You have enough time. Try and finish everything at least two days before its due so that you can review and make sure everything is done

properly. 8. Unlike high school, this time you’re paying tuition, So you have more of a reason to do well. Unless you’re willing to waste thousands of dollars to fail a course, I would reconsider all the parties and focus on school. This doesn’t mean you have to eliminate partying! Just use your time wisely. 9. Socialize. Of course, you have your best friends from high school. However, you will meet people at university that you have more in common with based on your majors. You’ll meet down to earth and genuine people here at York that will stick around for a while. 10. Go to Frosh Week and have a good time! You’ll realize how much you are changing after school starts. You’ll start thinking differently, become more mature, and become more responsible. It’s all about YOU now! This is the time to figure out your life and what your strengths are. If you make mistakes, that’s okay. We learn from them. It’s a big change from high school, but for the best. Meet people, make different choices and have fun! Welcome to York University and have a great Frosh!

Why I Regret Not Going to Frosh

Julia Alfano | Opinions Editor I like to think of myself as a one-man Wolfpack. If I ever signed up for an online dating website, my favourite activities would be listed as, “thinking I’m better than everyone else”, along with, “mentally judging you”, and karaoke. When I first entered York University, I naturally refused to go to Frosh, believing the universe had bigger plans for me other than taking Instagram pictures in a shirt 10 times too big for me. So while everyone was live tweeting about Frosh, I was busy making a dent in my couch. At least I could have a beer, right? Well that was cool until school actually started, and I literally had no friends in my program or college. I had no connection at all to anything York-related. Do you ever feel like a plastic bag? Drifting through the wind? Because that’s how I felt my entire first year (like a plastic bag, not Katy Perry). I was like that high school quarterback who refused to give up his letterman jacket even though he was 40, balding and fat: I just couldn’t let go of my “too cool” attitude, which I thought was still pretty cool of me. Or worse, I was like that kid who won the spelling bee in sixth grade and mentioned it at any chance I got. I thought I was just too smart, too cool, and too mature for any Frosh activities. Excuse me while I smoke my French

cigarettes and drink espresso now, please (instead of chugging cans of Canadian and smoking shitty weed from a water bottle). But let me tell you something I learned from thinking I’m better than everyone: I’m not. Isolating myself didn’t put me in any better position than someone who actively sought out friendships, nor did it make me feel any better. Whether I could have admitted it to myself or not, my stomach would slightly drop at the sight of every Frosh-Esque group photo I saw uploaded on Facebook, hating the feeling of being left out. Except, I had no one to blame but myself, and worse yet, no one to really talk to about it. All my other friends had gone to their schools Frosh week, repeating the same “you should’ve gone!” advice. Maybe deep down I wanted the stupid oversized shirt and the scavenger hunts. Maybe I wanted to make friends and feel connected to something other than my will to be better than everyone else. Maybe I wanted to get the full university experience instead of going to class and then going straight home after. Maybe, maybe, maybe. There may have been a flaw in my one-man Wolfpack philosophy: Wolves always travel in packs.

AUGUST 2015 | 11

GET

AMPED FOR

#CodeOrange:

EVENTS TO LOOK OUT FOR

Janae Diaz | Editor-in-Chief Haven’t sold you on why #CodeOrange will be the best Frosh Week on campus? Well, here’s some Frosh events that should convince you! Get amped! MAC Infiltrates Downtown Toronto MAC was running through the 6 with our woes! Do you know how that shit go? Imagine over 300 people running through the streets of Toronto in a sea of orange. Yeah, we get a little crazy. MAC Invades Wasaga What’s better than stripping off that Frosh shirt for a day of some sun, surf, and sexy MAC students? I don’t think that it gets wilder than that, folks!

12 | MACMEDIA

York Wide Carnival Kick off the school year with some YU Spirit! We don’t only rep orange – we wear red and white pretty well. MAC Quad Party A bunch of other colleges come to McLaughlin to party in OUR quad! We love every single college at York, so when any of us get together, you know that we’re going to rave until dawn.

Don’t Forget: MAC doesn’t just party. We also take part in tons of events, like sports, as you’ve heard from Dalton, Jen, and Tyler. Mark the Terry Fox Run in your calendars to help MAC #GetThatTorch! The 35th Annual Terry Fox run will be on September 20, 2015. Registration will be at 9am and the run will start at 10am. It’ll be located at York University, though the specific venue is to be determined. Check out the Facebook event at: https://www.facebook.com/ events/1458134104497851/

QUESTIONS YOU MAY HAVE ABOUT FROSH WEEK Jason Rivas | Features Editor Should I always wear my Frosh shirt? It’s just a keepsake, so why does it matter? Hell to the yes. It’s not only your swag for the week (orange looks great on you, FYI), but it shows the rest of York who you’re affiliated with (the best), and should you get lost or confused, Frosh Bosses can easily and efficiently help you find your way back. Equally as important, the shirt and wristband act as your all-inclusive VIP pass to all the parties and events. As a Frosh Boss of 3 years, I can’t begin to count how many times kids have been sent away or not allowed into the Mac Quad parties because they didn’t want to wear the shirt, or “forgot” to bring it. “It’s dirty” and “it smells” are not excuses, and can be worked around. The best thing to do is to simply cut the sleeves off from the shoulder blade to a couple of inches below the armpit, giving enough air for those pits to breathe. You won’t wash the shirt the whole week and you’ll be customizing your shirt to make it all your own! Everyone will be squished together during all the parties, so it’s cool if I just grind up on someone, right? For the inexperienced partygoer, this may seem okay because of the scenario, but you’ll quickly figure out that it’s not an excuse. Here’s my step-by-step guide to dancing with your fellow froshies: Step 1: Find a cutie on the dance floor. Step 2: Approach said cutie. Step 3: Introduce yourself, and ask them if they would like to dance. Step 4a: They say, “yes”, so you proceed to dance the night away, you smooth operator. Step 4b: They say, “no”, so you respect their wishes and either go dance with your friends, or try your luck with someone else instead. There are plenty of people who

would love to dance with you; they’re just waiting to be asked. It’s never cool to just randomly grind on anyone without asking or even introducing yourself (we’ve all been guilty of it, myself included). It’s an invasion of someone’s right of space, and really, how would you feel if someone just body slammed into you from behind with their hands all your over personal space? Don’t be “that creep from Frosh.” First impressions are important, so make sure yours is in the best light, even if the dance floor is dark! I’m not sure if I can make it to all the events or if I even want to do half of them. Do I have to? Frosh week is quite draining, so it’s understandable if you feel as if you won’t make it through the whole week or don’t really want to participate in every single activity. With this year’s Frosh Week being 9 days long, it’s seems like quite the daunting effort to participate. But that’s what’s so great about Frosh - there’s so much to do. Feel free to drop in and out of the activities as you please. We’re all big kids now, so there’s no need to pressure or talk down to you about not participating. You will be welcomed with flailing arms and torn apart voices regardless. When I was in high school, I participated in the leadership program at my school where we had a saying, “no deposit, no return.” If you don’t put anything into something, you won’t get anything out of it. If you do decide to only participate in certain events, make sure to put all your energy into making those events memories that you won’t regret.

AUGUST 2015 | 13

Frosh 101:

What you can learn from your frosh bosses Juan Lopez | Humour Editor Don’t worry – we’ve all felt what you’re feeling right now. Whether you’re a first year going through your first frosh, or a returning student to York University, there’s a mixture of anxiety, curiosity and slight nausea as you walk through the halls. To all newcomers, congratulations! You have made a conscious decision to attend one of the biggest and best universities across Ontario. Frosh week is a great way to interact with other students and your first step in experiencing what university is all about. Most importantly, you’ll meet your frosh bosses, who are going to be your guide throughout the first week, and help you survive the rest of the year. Our Frosh bosses, alongside other staff, have been planning this event for months just to make sure that everything goes well. The idea is that you, the Froshies, have an amazing introduction to York and everything the University has to offer. Over the course of Frosh week, your frosh bosses aren’t just students, they’re also your friends and mentors. They’re going to let you know where your classes are, and where you can grab a cold one after a stressful day of classes. They’re going to tell you where the best places are to study, and which bathrooms to avoid in Vari Hall. They’re going to tell you which professors to take for your second year, and which electives to avoid. Not only that, but they’re going to be at every event, every party and every dirty bingo tournament or wet t-shirt contest. 14 | MACMEDIA

Frosh bosses were once first year students and like you, they’re feeling intimidated and nervous. However, your Frosh bosses will tell you that all it takes is a smile, a good attitude and a low cut tank top to have a great time. Our freshmen are always looking to become a Frosh Boss, so we might see you in a couple of years welcoming newcomers to York. Most importantly, they’re going to tell you to have fun! Like all those campaign ads you see on TV, bus stations and across campus, this is your time. Make the best of it, and don’t be embarrassed for asking a stupid question or wondering where the best places are to get food after midnight. Remember, Frosh bosses are exactly like you: students who commute, live on campus, who are in your program and, who have already experienced what the York atmosphere is all about. Pay attention to what they tell you, make sure you ask them questions, and find out if they’re in your program. Don’t feel shy or uncomfortable around them! Our amazing Frosh bosses have put a lot of effort into seeing that all of you Froshies and freshmen know everything you need to know about the York life and how to enjoy it to the fullest. So get out there, enjoy Frosh Week, and have an amazing time here at your new home, York University!

Myths vs. Facts

about York

Milica Marković | Copy Editor Myth: York is a dangerous place to be. Fact: People claim that due to York’s relatively high exposure in media coverage of sexual assault reports, shootings, and other violent and street crimes, a lot of that exposure is superfluous, because the majority of incidents occur in the highly stigmatized surrounding area (not necessarily on campus). CBC Maps have also indicated that downtown Toronto, where Ryerson and University of Toronto are located, is less safe than Keele. Nonetheless, York has amped up security over the years with services like goSAFE in response to safety concerns. We are also the most vocal university, as we prefer to keep our students informed about what happens on campus. Still, most cases are the result of mischief, hoaxes, misconstruction, and petty thefts. Seldom does sexual assault get reported, as individuals known to the victim usually commit it (in private), and victims feel threatened by double victimization if they speak up. Understand, though, that these are social issues not confined to any university. For example, rape tends to arise due to the drinking and partying culture upheld by students, meaning that open discussion with them for responsible solutions should be emphasized, as opposed to solely relying on university campus security. Myth: York constantly goes on strike, and when it does, it’s because union members want better salaries. Strikes also last for long periods of time. Fact: The strike that happened recently only went on for a month, and the last one in 2009 endured for three. The issues usually surround tuition freezes, tuition reduction, job security, funding for graduate assistants, whistleblower protection, codes of conduct, and fund indexation, etcetera. It’s not only about the union’s rights, but about the students’ rights and benefits, too. If you’re concerned about completing your classes and even your degree on time, the staff will inform you of the options available during mediation and adjudication, such as the 50% grade clause, extended deadlines, and take-home exams. York’s thought of everything; we got you covered! Myth: The ‘strong’ programs at York are business, accounting and finance, kinesiology, and the sciences. Fact: Just because a program is popular doesn’t mean that

it gets substantially more funding and is necessarily superior over others. There are plenty of other fields in the spotlight as well. Engineering is a fast growing discipline, and both the science and arts branches of psychology are well populated. Many liberal arts programs have been expanded too, such as criminology, political science, and law & society. Professional writing, biomedicine, the fine arts and even graphic design are also examples of programs with increasing turnouts. But don’t let numbers dictate what you study. You’re here to explore your interests and possible career paths, not to partake in some enrollment extravaganza! Myth: York is a moneygrubber. Fact: Well, look at it this way: York’s campus is the third largest in Canada, so maintenance and accommodation are a big deal. It’s also a private institution, which means that most of its funding comes from our tuition and service fees, as opposed to the government. That money goes towards the many resources, such as, academic programs, and services needed in order for faculties, colleges, and establishments to function and provide quality education, opportunities and essentials for students. Plenty of students live in residence, so adequate housing requires investment as well. So really, you’re not just paying for your diploma. You’re paying for a whole experience. Make use of the school and your time in it! Trivia: York is actually more affordable than most Ontario universities, like Ryerson, U of T and Western. Myth: Your teaching staff doesn’t actually care about your success or failure in your academic career. Fact: Generally speaking, your professors and TAs will want to keep in touch via email or even Moodle by providing reminders, news, clarification or advice on any aspect of the material, and perhaps even lecture slides. They will also implore you to meet with them during their office hours for assistance, participate and ask questions in class for your benefit. They will even go to great lengths to supply you with all sorts of workshops, tools, links, review kits and databases to guide you during your studies, as well as offering to reread and possibly reevaluate your work. So yes, they actually do care about your academic endeavors. Don’t let anyone discourage you from doing the same! AUGUST 2015 | 15

We are here, In a Foreign land James Zhan | Staff Writer Leaving home is what everyone does at some point in his or her life, and it is a sign of growing up. I, a Cantonese, at the age of 17, had left home for education in North America. I went to the University of Washington in Seattle for a brief English language course in 2012, and then came to Toronto and have been here since 2013. I haven’t gone back home yet. As an experienced away-from-home-r, I want to give some advice to the new international students at York, especially to those who just arrived in Canada for university. Take great care of your documents. Now you are all on your own; no one is going to look after your passport and your study permit, and no one is going to tell you that your visa or study permit is expiring. Trust me, losing your passport in a foreign land is the last thing you want to happen. So make sure you always know where your documents are and know when they are expiring. Make friends with local students. “Canadianize” yourself, especially if you are not that good with English yet. I mean, what’s the point of you spending so much money coming here if you don’t immerse yourself in the local culture, eh? Canada is one of the friendliest countries you can find, and the multiculturalism is just amazing. No one is going to laugh at or even care about your accent. In fact, many Canadians have an accent because they are immigrants, or their family members 16 | MACMEDIA

are immigrants. And oh, USE FACEBOOK, because that’s where you can keep in touch with your friends and socialize. It’s always a big “shake my head” moment when I hear that some of my Mandarin friends don’t use Facebook, and they have zero friends that can speak proper English. Try your best to save money. Oh, sorry, I only speak for those who come from a working-class family like me. If you are rolling in money, please excuse me. I never eat out, because it’s just too expensive. Our tuition is 3 times higher than tuition for domestic students, and if you are entering this year, it’s even more expensive than before. $20,000+ a year! You can probably build a house with that amount of money. I spend around $250 for food and $450 for rent each month, and my phone is on prepaid. I used to be on a $39/month contract, but it was just too much. My jaw dropped to the ground when my Mandarin friend told me he spends $1,000 on food a month and he lives in a 3-storey newly innovated townhouse. Uh, let’s not do that… Finally, study hard, work hard, and enjoy your time here! Canada is unique, because the culture is not everywhere yet like the States’, and you will meet people from all around the world. Not everyone can have the chance to study abroad, and with your international experience, you could be more sophisticated than your peers! Best of luck!

In Touch Vanessa Butera | Arts Editor My past is a closet door I prefer to keep shut. When that part of my life ended I was so quick to shut that book, Receive the piece of paper that represents my accomplishment, Put the final words of this experience down on the last page With the hope that I will go on to much better things. It all seemed so mediocre at the time. I created a life so separate from the one before, The friends I made who were once the centre of my life Became as distant as the miles between us. My past is something that I let slip from my fingers, But sometimes I find myself getting in touch And it reminds me of how I got to where I am today. My past can only appear so far in my rear view mirror. Without some of the memories and people appearing in plain view, Finding their way out of the blind spot, I look at the faces of the people who still need me there. My heart is heavy from how it all felt before, All over again I feel the guilt for not being more in touch. My past is a closet door I sometimes open, But I wonder if any of the people from that time Are willing to open that door for me.

AUGUST 2015 | 17

MCLAUGHLIN COLLEGE

FROSH WEEK 2015

www.macmediamagazine.com 18 | MACMEDIA

@MacMediaMag

MacMedia Magazine