Issue 5 - October 5 2008

Vol. XXXI, No: 1 October 2 – 8, 2008 - Vol. XXXI, No: 5

U T blanche

Illustration: Effi Vlass

Sleepless in studio

U of T’s dark history

Nuit Blanche at U of T

South Africa: Then and Now

NATALIE RAE DUBOIS

SAFIA AIDID

Community Events Bureau Toronto’s third annual contemporary art event, Nuit Blanche (which translates as ‘Sleepless Night’), is taking place in just a few days (Oct.4). It is estimated that more than one million people will be flocking to the city’s streets between the hours 6:52 pm on Saturday, October 4 and dawn on Sunday, October 5, exploring the 155 destinations that are part of this year’s all-nighter art exhibition. The sheer volume of work on display will make it impossible to visit all the installations in one night.

Which exhibits should be on your must-see list? Here’s a sneak peek of one exhibition that’s definitely worth checking out – and it’s taking place right at home on the U of T St. George campus.

U of T Action Bureau The students at the John H. Daniels Faculty of Architecture, Landscape and Design have experienced many ‘sleepless nights’ in their studio located at the corner of College and Huron. This Saturday, other U of T students and the general public are invited to join in on the all-nighter. The Eric Arthur Gallery and the Larry Wayne Richards Gallery are exhibiting “The street belongs to all of us!” which is a traveling project first presented in Paris in April 2007. Against the backdrop of this exhibition will be a dynamic collection of 13 original pieces of work from 24 architecture, landscape and urban design graduate students.

“What may be interesting to the [architectural] outsider are the

Continued on page 5...

“Reparations NOW!” chanted students outside Simcoe Hall on September 18th in the first rally organized by the newly formed Reparations Committee at the University of Toronto. Following a forum featuring several South African and community activists, dozens of students assembled to demand that U of T acknowledge its financial involvement with apartheid South Africa and redistribute the related wealth in the form of free and accessible education for black students on campus.

From the 1960s until 1980, academic institutions had overwhelmingly divested and boycott the apartheid regime, with the United Nations issuing a resolution in 1980 calling for “all academic and cultural institutions to terminate all links with South Africa.” U of T had yet to do so when a coalition of student

groups took over a Governing Council meeting in March 1987 to demand that the university divest its $5.5 million in shares tied to apartheid South Africa. U of T finally agreed in 1988, only two years before South Africa began to dismantle its apartheid system and over twenty five years after academic boycotts were first initiated.

Though the Reparations Committee has placed its weight on highlighting U of T's complicity with apartheid South Africa, the International Reparations Movement to which it belongs extends beyond that, examining the historical experiences and systematic oppression faced by Africans, which form a crucial starting point for numerous long standing conflicts and the basis for explaining much of the continent's present plight.

Because of apartheid having been Continued on page 4...

2 the newspaper

October 2 – 8, 2008

the inside

the table of CONTENTS

it’s a free-for-all!

Calling all writers, copy editors and artists!

Have you ever wanted to work in journalism?

Would you like a chance to have you work published?

the newspaper is U of T’s ONLY independent newspaper, distributing across all 3 campuses as well as the surrounding community. This is an open call to all potential contributors. We want writers for politics, current events, sports, finance, arts and more! We are looking for creators to submit flash fiction, prose, poetry, photography, art, comics and anything else that falls out of your head. If you’d prefer to work behind the scene and help to edit and refine a weekly publication with 15,000 copies in circulation, then come see us.

One more important thing: we offer free food! Yes! Come to our weekly open staff meeting, beginning THIS Thursday @ 5pm in our office.

We will feed your face! Awesomeness!

We are on the edge of St. George campus, just north of College on Spadina.

We want YOU to write between the lines.

the inside . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 the editorial . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 the news . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4,7 the arts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5,7 the end . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8

the newspaper Publisher Matthew Pope

News Editor

Arts Editor

Maria Ionova

Moe Abbas Ari Simha

Layout

Caroline George

Jeffrey Spiers

Copy Editors Cecelia Dekorne, Helene Goderis, Tayyabe Jiwani

Contributors Safia Aidid, Tomasz Bugajski, Natalie Rae Dubois, Mathew Gagne, Caroline George, Adam Jurczak, Mathiaus Poe, Thomas Shifrer, Suganthan Thivakaran

Ads & Marketing Ana Avner, Peter Josselyn 1 Spadina Crescent, Suite 245 Toronto, Ontario, M5S 1A1

Come see for yourself.

www.thenewspaper.ca

WANTED: SERIOUS ENTREPENEURS!

When Mr. Spiers gets mad, Mr . Spiers speaks in the third person.

At that point Mr. Spiers also requires expensive massages.

Call: 1-866-418-8173

Administrative Assistant

fax: (416) 593-0552

29.5% of all people surveyed said that the new, improved website for U of T’s only independent newspaper did not cause them to vomit in their soul. Exciting! It’s a website that is always growing, built to specifications and suggestions that you can send to us! Soon you can rant, discuss and get your hate on for all your leastfavourite writers! teh interwebs is Good again.

Open to a high opportunity

Associate Editor

main: (416) 593-0552

NOW WITH 28.1% MORE AWESOME!

thenewspaper@ thenewspaper.ca

the mission statement the newspaper is proud to be University of Toronto’s ONLY independent news source. We look to our readers and contributors to ensure we provide a consistently superior product. Our purpose is to provide a voice for university students, staff, faculty and U of T’s extended community.

This voice may at times be irreverent but it will never be irrelevant.

write between the lines

the newspaper 3

October 2 – 8, 2008

BEER • WINGS • POOL • JAVA SPORTS • JUKEBOX • SPIRITS EVENTS • OPEN STAGE • GAMES

the editorial I hate People

The views and opinions expressed here are barely those of the author and not representative of the newspaper, its parent company Planet Publications or its helpless minions.

Do NOT call me MATHIAUS POE Opinion Column Bureau

Serving up a good time Every time since 9T6!

Weekly Events: Man vs. Martini MONDAYS Toonie TUESDAYS Open Mike WEDNESDAYS NOW PODCASTING (from our website)

Thirsty THURSDAYS

Like many Canadians, I was excited to hear about the government’s announcement of finally creating a national “Do Not Call” list (DNCL), which launched on September 30th, 2008 (and has already been stretched beyond capacity by the overwhelming response). However, I have found some frustrating exemptions in the rules set out by the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC).

Case in point: approximately one week ago, I returned home to find I had a message. Checking this message, I discovered that a computer had called my home on behalf of the NDP to let me know that “Stephen Harper is wrong on the issues that matter”.

I was incensed. I will not discuss partisan politics or personal affiliations here. That said, I have never registered with any political party for anything, ever (NB: I have voted in every election since getting off the streets in 2002). My number is supposedly unlisted and I registered with the Do Not Call List (DNCL) on September 31st. Granted, the DNCL site says that “Telemarketers have up to 31 days to update their lists and to make sure they do not call you,” but the principle of the situation still angered me. I was certain that the national “Do Not Call” list would be something the NDP was in favour of.

In fact, as early as 2005, the NDP was contributing to the CRTC legislation that Canadians had cried for and promised to “establish a more effective ‘do-not-call’ list for telemarketers” and that they would “impose tough new sanctions on telemarketers who violate the list.” If the NDP does in fact support this type of legislation then how could they justify cold-calling me?

Upon reading the Telecom Decision CRTC 2008-6, I found some dubious exemptions. Specifically, calls “made by or on

TGIF!

the guest editorial

(Thank Guinness it’s Friday)

FRIDAYS Live Music SATURDAYS Free Pool & Comedy SUNDAYS PODCASTING AS HOGTOWNCOMEDYRADIO (from our website)

All Day Breakfast and Canadian Tire Money at par every weekend!

Game Room with plasma available for groups FREE WIRELESS INTERNET PROVIDED BY:

229 COLLEGE STREET

416/59•STEIN WWW.EIN-STEIN.CA

behalf of a political party that is a registered party [per] Canada Elections Act” (Part II, 3c). I could possibly be swayed in favour of the exemption for charities (Part II, 3a). However, that good will does not extend to political organizations in my mind, regardless of how honourable they may (consider themselves to) be.

The message itself was nothing more than a handful of slogans that told me nothing about the party itself, making sure to emphasize that the Prime Minister is “wrong”. I was spared at the first part of the recorded harassment while my answeing machine played its message, with the two recordings just talking at each other. While the NDP likes to talk about “grass roots” campaigning, I hardly consider it “grass roots” to have one computerized machine talking to another.

In my mind this constitutes hypocrisy; championing legislation to prevent businesses from cold-calling citizens while protecting their own freedom to make unsolicited calls to constituents. If I am not your friend, if I do not like you or if you are calling just because you want something from me, then save yourself the effort of dialing and put that finger in your orifice of choice.

To date, that is the only campaign call I have received. As yet, I have received no reply from calling the number that left the message (belonging to GT Group Telecom Services Corp) or by writing to the NDP through their website. Interestingly, everyone involved seems to have gone rather quiet, but it is far too late for that. The damage is done and the verdict is in: socialists are hypocrites too. But this comes as no surprise to me. If one seeks truth and sincerity, politics is the absolute last place you could ever hope to find it.

Bridge to nowhere: the Oval Office ADAM JURCZAK A 2nd year Commerce student (economics & finance specialist and member of the Hart House Investment Club When the Democratic and Republican parties first announced their candidates as Barrack Obama and John McCain, I was unsure whom I would support. Since I had concerns about both sides, neither candidate stood out.

I was surprised when, on August 29, McCain announced that Governor (of Alaska) Sarah Palin would be his running mate for the presidency of the United States. I had never heard of her, despite all the media attention given to his prospective picks. I naturally turned to Wikipedia expecting to find a page detailing the life and career of an educated and accomplished female politician. Women like Angela Merkel and Margaret Thatcher, and even Hillary Clinton, all came to mind. What I read, however, deeply disappointed me. I never held McCain’s age against him. So what if he can’t send an email or that his health could deteriorate at any moment? That’s why there’s a vice-president, right? Exactly right. Now I worry a lot.

Perhaps I’m being too hard on Sarah Palin. She does have a wealth of diplomatic and international experience. She is from the state geographically closest to Russia, as she publicly brags. Don’t forget Alaskans are keeping an eye on those pesky Russies. And if that’s not sufficient experience, I don’t know what is. Should it ever happen, I look forward to the meeting between Vladimir Putin, Prime Minister of Russia and formerly of the KGB, and Sarah Palin, Vice President of the United States and formerly of the PTA. In all seriousness, nothing was more disturbing than watching the recent interview of Sarah Palin with Katie Couric.

When asked about the proposed $700 billion bailout of Wall Street in the midst of the American financial crisis, Palin’s answer was completely incoherent. It touched on everything

from health care reform, to tax cuts, to trimming government spending, without either addressing the question or developing any single point completely. It was embarrassing to watch.

Senator McCain’s choice was a moment of clarity for me. It now became obvious who must win the American election: Senator Barrack Obama. Unfortunately, the majority of the American electorate did not share my sentiments. Shockingly, Palin reinvigorated the Republican campaign and the parties tied in the polls. Isn’t it obvious that the selection of Sarah Palin is nothing but a political tactic, an appeal to the disillusioned Hillary Clinton supporters and the ultra-conservative ‘family values’ crowd?

I do not blame Sarah Palin however. Who would turn down the opportunity to run as the American vice-presidential candidate? Rather, I blame McCain and question his judgment. His campaign has largely centred on Obama’s supposed inexperience. This seems funny now, considering his choice of Palin. Between Iraq, the deteriorating situation in Afghanistan and the current financial crisis, this is not the time to be playing populist games in Washington. People of substance are needed now more than ever.

I wonder why John McCain didn’t choose Condoleezza Rice.

No one can question her experience or intelligence. Maybe then he’d still have my support, and the support of the disenfranchised Republican minority that calls for Palin’s resignation.

If John McCain can win this election with Sarah Palin as his number two, then truly anyone can be vice-president, anyone at all. I hope the American electorate will prove me wrong on November 4.

4 the newspaper

October 2 – 8, 2008

the news Mining truth In aboriginal communities MATHEW GAGNE St. George Events Bureau On September 25th, The University of Toronto Centre for the Environment invited Dr. James Heller, an Environmental Health Consultant and Faculty member at the Dalla Lana School of Public Health, to the “Environment and Health Seminar Series� to present the results of his recent study. Dr. Heller conducted a study on behalf of the government of the North West Territories that examined the social impact of diamond mining on Aboriginal Communities.

His study specifically investigated how various socio-economic variables (such as teen birth rates, sexually transmitted infections rates, and income levels) were affected by diamond mining within the impact zone, populated predominantly

by Aboriginal and Inuit people. Using primarily statistical analysis, he presented a number of graphs outlining changes in the variables before and after 1996 (the year diamond mining began in the North West Territories).

However, the methods he used to obtain his results did not appear satisfactory. First, he gathered data primarily from government agencies (RCMP and Statistics Canada), instead of directly analyzing the communities being examined. Secondly, his linear models only studied whether one of the variables changed after 1996 within the impact zone, comparing it to the non-impact zone. This did not allow for the consideration of other factors. So while a change in the variables was observed after 1996, it did not necessarily have to be a result

of the mining. There are even more questions and issues related to how the data was gathered (i.e. whether people were comfortable reporting information accurately) The Tricouncil Policy statement on Ethnical Conduct for Research Involving Humans states: “indeed, there are historical reasons why Indigenous or Aboriginal Peoples may legitimately feel apprehensive about the activities of researchers... Inaccurate or insensitive research has caused stigmatization.�

There was also general skepticism about whether the numbers were truly representative of the communities being studied.

Furthermore there are ethical issues when studying aboriginal communities and conducting ethnographic research among them. The Tricouncil Policy also stated that “In many cases, research has been conducted in respectful ways and has contributed to the well-being of Aboriginal communities. In others, Aboriginal Peoples have not been treated with a high degree of respect by researchers.� Despite this fact, the methodology used in this study did not include some of the more culturally appropriate methods available when researching Aboriginal communities.

While the study did not necessarily warrant in-depth ethnographic methodology, it is evident that the statistics involved reflect neither the perspectives of the community nor the local circumstances that might have affected the results.

...continued from page 1

Photography by Safia Aidid isolated to one country rather than affecting all of Africa and the diaspora, it remains unclear why the Reparations Committee is demanding reparations for all black students, rather than South African students directly affected by it. “Our rights and resources as people have been expropriated,� explained keynote speaker Omali Yeshitela, likening Africa's condition to a house which has been robbed and left with nothing. “For all the incalculable wealth and resources stolen from Africa, asking for access to education is a reasonable request.� The transAtlantic slave trade, communism, the legacy of imperialism and colonialism, and modern economic policies have all had a devastating and often under appreciated affect on Africa. The primary aim of reparations movements is to see that some wealth is channeled back into Africa and the African diaspora to make up for the wealth and resources that have historically flowed out of the continent.

However, the calls for reparations have not gone without controversy. While most will recognize and condemn these historic injustices, there has always been disagreement over who should foot the bill.

South Africa's Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC) has suggested that 'reconciliation' in a post-apartheid South Africa is justice and closure

through reparations. This includes filing a class action lawsuit against 20 American, European and Asian banks and corporations directly involved with the apartheid government, seeking upwards of $50 billion in damages. The TRC concluded in one report that “business was central to the economy that sustained the South African state during the apartheid years.� While two of the companies named in the lawsuit, Xerox and BrystolMeyers, were among the companies U of T held shares in before divesting in 1988, the TRC went after direct investments in apartheid South Africa rather than shareholders of the companies.

Though the university can and should be criticized for its investments at a time when most universities took action to cut direct and indirect ties to South Africa, the calls for financial compensation – paid by U of T – are unfounded.

At the University of Toronto, the rally looks to be the first of many as students push for the administration to formally recognize its role during apartheid. But if the university's reluctance to even divest from South Africa gives us any indication, students are in for a wait.

Reaching oUT Making time for a difference SUGANTHAN THIVAKARAN Community Action Bureau

For the past 5 years, University of Toronto students, staff, and faculty have participated in the oUTreach Program. This event has grown in size every year, and this year was no exception with over 700 participants volunteering their time on a rainy Saturday. However, the weather did not in the least diminish the spirits of the volunteers who were visibly excited, and eagerly set to work with various local organizations.

The largest group of volunteers participated in the TD Shoreline Cleanup, with the goal of creating a cleaner city and planet. The simple task of collecting litter sent a message of moral responsibility to keep the planet clean. Other volunteers worked in nursing homes, shelters and charitable organizations. The sense of accomplishment and fulfillment of civic duty made the hours pass by quickly.

All the oUTreach participants have busy schedules complete with readings, tests and other responsibilities; it was therefore astonishing to see how many students and faculty members set aside time from their busy lives to help others.

The ultimate goal of the oUTreach Program, however, is for the participants to reflect on their own involvement in volunteering services and to continue to pursue activities to help their community in the future. Let’s hope we were successful in striving towards this goal, in the hope of achieving a healthier, more cooperative society.

%9 WXYHIRX /EXI MR /MRKWXSR 3RXEVMS 'EREHE

%XLEFEWGE 9RMZIVWMX] MW XLI TIVJIGX TPYK MR JSV ]SYV EGEHIQMG GEVIIV ;LIXLIV ]SY RIIH EHHMXMSREP GVIHMXW XS KVEHYEXI JVSQ ]SYV MRWXMXYXMSR SV TVIVIUYMWMXIW XS GSQTPIXI ]SYV HIKVII [I GER LIPT %9 SJJIVW SZIV GSYVWIW ERH RIEVP] YRHIVKVEHYEXI ERH KVEHYEXI TVSKVEQW ;MXL SZIV WXYHIRXW EGVSWW XLI GSYRXV] ERH EVSYRH XLI [SVPH %9 LEW LIPTIH RYQIVSYW

the arts CONTINUES on page 7

www.athabascau.ca/standout

MRHMZMHYEPW TYVWYI XLIMV EGEHIQMG KSEPW %RH [IÂŤH PSZI XS LIPT ]SY 7S [L] RSX XEOI XLI RI\X WXIT# 6IWIEVGL ]SYV STXMSRW SRPMRI ZMI[ E YRMZIVWMX] GEPIRHEV SV GSRXEGX %9ÂŤW -RJSVQEXMSR 'IRXVI EX JSV EHZMGI SR LS[ XS KIX WXEVXIH *PI\MFMPMX] %RSXLIV VIEWSR [L] %9 WXERHW SYX EW E KPSFEP PIEHIV MR HMWXERGI PIEVRMRK I\GIPPIRGI

the newspaper 5

October 2 – 8, 2008

the arts

U T blanche

Carpe noctem U of T pulls all-nighter HELENE GODERIS

Nuit Blanche at U of T ...continued from page 1

Community Events Bureau This Saturday promises to be the one night this academic year when pulling an all-nighter is advised.

Nuit Blanche, Toronto’s city-wide contemporary art show (now in its third year), is taking place from sunset on Saturday to sunrise on Sunday. The Nuit Blanche experience is “exciting, because it gets so many people out looking at contemporary art” says Barbara Fischer, director of the Hart House Barnicke gallery, “it lends the city a certain density, turns it into a hub for art and cultural experiences.” Those of you with a taste for adventure won’t want to miss the chance to explore the 155 destinations throughout the three zones.

A good start would be to visit the six shows exhibited at U of T St. George campus. Atom Egoyan collaborates with Phillip Barker to recreate the streetscape of his recent film, Adoration, across the Back Campus. The nearby Faculty of Music’s Walter Hall will host an exploration of creative sound. Hart House’s Barnicke Gallery is home to “Wildflowers of Manitoba”, a video installation that sketches a 1970s commune on the sunshine coast.

The Hart House courtyard will be transformed with the “Sweet Dreams” exhibit, featuring multiple installations.

Head to the Faculty of Architecture, Landscape and Design to see a multimedia exhibit that explores how we share in the noise, encounter and conflict that occur on city streets. Probably the most interactive show will be the “Vehicles” exhibit at the U of T Art Centre on King’s College Circle, complete with trampoline-activated video games.

many forms of exploration that designers use, anything from movie-making, sculpture, photography or abstract material forms; [these] allow us to develop ideas, approaches and attitudes towards design,” says Holly Jordan, President of the Graduate Architecture Landscape and Design Student Union (GALDSU). The exhibited projects take full advantage of these various mediums of representation. The exhibit includes short films and interactive video that examine and re-present the spaces of the city in new ways, large-format photography that explores one person’s existence in a space within a period of time and abstract material sculptures that interactively utilize space.

Each piece explores the concept of space in different ways, tying into the mandate of Nuit Blanche to engage the public in examining contemporary art’s significance and impact on public space. This exhibition, however, goes even beyond the realm of contemporary art. In the opinion of one of the exhib-

itors, third year Master of Architecture student Jesse Jackson, art that engages with architecture becomes more accessible and understandable to the public.

The exhibition will be “a mental break from all of the ‘in your face’ art [at Nuit Blanche]”, he says.

This year’s presentation by the Faculty makes a more concerted effort to showcase the creativity of student work. “We have a lot of exemplary work being conducted in the school, and Nuit Blanche is a great opportunity for others to get a glimpse of what goes on in 230 College Street,” says Holly.

The school’s Café 056 will also be open for the night, serving coffee and snacks to help you stay awake and fueled for all that Nuit Blanche has to offer. So rest up!

October 4 will be an exciting night, and the Faculty exhibition is one that shouldn’t be missed.

Designers (clockwise): Sarah Miller, Avery Guthrie and Rashpal Thind.

Designers (clockwise): Jamie Atkinson, Ted Encarnado Benedicto and Olivia Cheung (not pictured).

Zone A, encompassing Yorkville, the downtown Yonge area, Cabbagetown and Church Street village, explores feelings of belonging and isolation. Zone B exhibits will inject some artistic vigor amongst the normally steely skyscrapers of the Financial District.

Zone C (where U of T falls), runs along the south and west of the city, offering sensory experiences including a waterfall rushing out of a third story window and a building that appears to be aflame.

How to prepare for this night of mayhem? Pick up a Nuit Blanche booklet, earmark the destinations that appeal to you and remember to plan ahead. For a meager $9, a TTC Day Pass will get you and a friend unlimited travel for the night. It is estimated that one million revelers will be roaming the streets for Nuit Blanche.

To spare yourself the hassle of long line-ups, avoid the peak hours of 9:00 p.m. to 1:00 a.m. Good night and good luck!

Photography by Sam Catalfmo

Cheung describes their project as interactive, in the form itself and its ability to be configured in many ways. She explains that it was the group’s intention for the piece to be “a mediator between public and private space; more private spaces are created in the interior of the work.”

Photography by Sam Catalfmo

Guthrie describes the work as an organically-woven cardboard seating landscape. “It’s a moment in a possible growth cycle. Since it has achieved its form, people have interacted with it in different ways” she says.

Photography by Sam Catalfmo

A federal general election is taking place on October 14, 2008.

New identification rules to vote!

WHEN YOU VOTE, YOU MUST PROVE YOUR IDENTITY AND ADDRESS.

YOU HAVE THREE OPTIONS: 85<0+, one original piece of identification 099;,+ )? ( .5<,843,4: 58 .5<,843,4: (.,4*? *54:(0404. ?5;8 6/5:5 4(3, (4+ (++8,99 , . driverâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s licence

OR

85<0+, two original pieces of identification (;:/580@,+ )? :/, /0,- 2,*:58(2 -B *,8 5- (4(+( Both pieces must contain your name and one must also contain your address. , . /,(2:/ *(8+ (4+ /?+85 )022

OR

Swear an oath and be vouched for by an elector =/5 09 54 :/, 209: 5- ,2,*:589 04 :/, 9(3, 652204. +0<09054 (4+ =/5 /(9 (4 (**,6:()2, 60,*, 58 60,*,9 5- 0+,4:0B *(:054 , . ( 4,0./)5;8 ?5;8 85533(:,

PIECES OF IDENTIFICATION AUTHORIZED BY THE CHIEF ELECTORAL OFFICER OF CANADA IDENTITY CARDS C ,(2:/ (8+

ORIGINAL DOCUMENTS (containing name and address)

C 5960:(2 (8+

C 8,+0: (8+ ":(:,3,4:

C "5*0(2 49;8(4*, ;3),8 (8+

C (41 ":(:,3,4:

C 08:/ ,8:0B*(:,

C $:020:? 022 8,90+,4:0(2 :,2,6/54, *()2, #% 6;)20* ;:020:0,9 *533099054 /?+85

C 80<,8 9 0*,4*,

.(9 58 =(:,8

C 85<04*0(2 #,880:580(2 +,4:0B*(:054 (8+ C (4(+0(4 (99658:

C ::,9:(:054 5- !,90+,4*, 099;,+ )? :/, 8,965490)2, (;:/580:? 5- (4 4+0(4 )(4+ 58 8,9,8<,

C ,8:0B*(:, 5- 4+0(4 ":(:;9

C 5*(2 856,8:? #(> 99,993,4:

C ,8:0B*(:, 5- (4(+0(4 0:0@,49/06 58 0:0@,49/06 (8+

C "*/552 522,., 58 $40<,890:? !,658: (8+ 58 #8(49*806:

C 8,+0: ,)0: (8+ =0:/ ,2,*:58 4(3,

C !,90+,4:0(2 ,(9, !,90+,4:0(2 58:.(., ":(:,3,4: 58 .8,,3,4:

C (4(+0(4 58*,9 +,4:0:? (8+

C (4(+( /02+ #(> ,4,B: ":(:,3,4:

C %,:,8(49 --(089 (4(+( ,(2:/ (8+

C 4*53, #(> 99,993,4: 5:0*,

C 3625?,, (8+ 099;,+ )? ,3625?,8

C 49;8(4*, 520*?

C 2+ ., ",*;80:? +,4:0B*(:054 (8+

C 5<,843,4: /,7;, 58 5<,843,4: /,7;, ":;) =0:/ ,2,*:58 4(3,

C ;)20* #8(49658:(:054 (8+

C ":(:,3,4: 5- 3625?3,4: 49;8(4*, ,4,B:9 (0+ #

C ":;+,4: (8+

C (4(+( ,49054 2(4 ":(:,3,4: 5- 54:80);:0549 ;,),* ,49054 2(4

C 0)8(8? (8+

":(:,3,4: 5- (8:0*06(:054

C 07;58 +,4:0B*(:054 (8+

C ":(:,3,4: 5- 2+ ., ",*;80:? # 58 ":(:,3,4: 5- (4(+( ,49054 2(4

C (4(+0(4 255+ ",8<0*,9 A3( ;A),* (8+

,4,B:9 #

C 09/04. 0*,4*,

C ":(:,3,4: 5- ,4,B:9 -853 685<04*0(2 =58162(*, 9(-,:? 58 049;8(4*, )5(8+

C &02+20-, +,4:0B*(:054 (8+

C ":(:,3,4: 5- 08,*: ,6590: -58 685<04*0(2 =5819 58 685<04*0(2 +09()020:?

C ;4:04. 0*,4*,

9;6658: 685.8(3

C 08,(83 *7;090:054 (8+ 08,(83 599,99054 (8+

C %,/0*2, =4,89/06

C ;:+5589 (8+ (4+ 0*,4*,9

C %,/0*2, 49;8(4*,

C 5*(2 533;40:? ",8<0*, ,4:8, (8+ "

C ::,9:(:054 5- !,90+,4*, 099;,+ )? :/, 8,965490)2, (;:/580:0,9 9/,2:,89 95;6 10:*/,49 9:;+,4: 9,4058 8,90+,4*,9 254. :,83 *(8, -(*020:0,9 C ,::,8 -853 6;)20* *;8(:58

Note: The pieces of identification required under the Canada Elections Act are not the same as those for provincial or municipal elections.

The above information is also available in a number of heritage and Aboriginal languages on the Elections Canada Web site at www.elections.ca.

www.elections.ca

1-800-INFO-VOTE 1-800-463-6868

##'

for people who are deaf or hard of hearing

the newspaper 7

October 2 – 8, 2008

the news

cont’d

the arts

cont’d

Boost or bust?

Civilized barbarians

Grading online homework help

Fiction with an axe to grind

TOMASZ BUGAJSKI

THOMAS SHIFRER

Student Life Bureau

Book Review Bureau

What is the best way to improve study habits? The few lucky ones get by without a special system, but the rest of the world might need a bit of extra help. In a previous article (the newspaper, Sept. 11–17), I introduced readers to a website, homeworktree.com, that offers precisely that help. Now that I’ve had some time to use it, my verdict is officially mixed.

For those who have not heard of the site, it is an organizer that breaks down assignments and creates a schedule that promises to effectively organize and simultaneously manage your time. All that is required for its activation is the simple input of data such as the type of assignment, the percentage value of final grade and the due date. Homework Tree then customizes your planner based on the provided information, adding the option of daily reminders which can be received via email.

You might think this program is exactly what you need to cure your study problems, but first you’ll have to learn how to use it. The site requires an excessive amount of time just for learning to navigate it, on top of all the work you already have.

Furthermore, managing the planner can be a bit of a hassle. For instance, it automatically breaks down assign-

ments, gives each task an estimated amount of time and creates due dates for each sub-task. I was a little shocked at the work load I was assigned for my first week of classes. The organizer sent me endless notifications telling me to get my essays started which were not due for over a month. As well, sub-tasks are often not relevant, such as instructions to gather articles and books for papers that do not require research. In the site’s defense, all of this can be customized and adapted to what is relevant to your work, but this process is timeconsuming and boring.

While fidgeting with these things, I was mostly asking myself whether it might not be better to just start studying instead.

The site itself feels like an assignment, especially when typing in your assigned work. I put off using Homework Tree as often as I put off my school work. This site is better suited to students who are already well organized and not to procrastinators. For all of us lazy people that leave our essays until the last few days, this website will feel like a drag and potentially have a negative impact on your self-esteem when you do not meet its deadlines. However, for those who are motivated and love being organized, this could be a great tool to help you stay that way.

J.A. Hunsinger’s Axe of Iron: The Settler overhauled all previous impressions I had of Vikings. I had always pictured Northmen (also called “viscious Vikings”) as savage and wild people who pillaged the coasts of Britain during the Middle Ages. However, once I read Hunsinger’s historical-fiction account I gained more insight.

This book follows the adventures of Halfdan Ingolfsson and his secondin-command Gudbjartur Einarsson as they lead their clan to the vast unexplored lands of North America. Hunsinger has clearly studied the Northmen and Viking culture in depth, from battles and navigation to the curious and strange laws of the people. Being a history buff myself, I found all of this fascinating and with it presented in such glorious and gruesome detail, I was captivated and even motivated to learn more about Viking life.

Although the story was sufficiently interesting, I couldn’t help but notice the static feel of many of the characters. Halfdan is your standard leader: powerful, imposing, displaying a patri-

archal attitude towards all members of his clan. Gudbartur, however, appears to carry identical characteristics and mirrors, rather than compliments the leader.

This prevents the reader from taking a vested interest in the dynamic between the two characters.

This brings me to my second issue: story. I’ve always felt that the point of historical fiction is to educate while entertaining. There was a lot more room for drama in this book and the utter lack of intrigue was a major disappointment.

At many instances throughout the storyline I found the civility displayed by the characters contradicted the very nature of the historical aspects which the author was attempting to highlight. While I would definitely say that Hunsiger provides a lot of fascinating information about the Northmen and their culture, the sheer lack of depth and intrigue surrounding the cookie-cutter characters would ostracize a reader simply looking for an entertaining story.

In conclusion, the book is a wellresearched work of historical fiction with a story line that doesn’t quite deliver; but it is worth the read.

The inside scoop From Behind the Headlines CAROLINE GEORGE Book Review Bureau

Ceceil Rosner offers an exciting insider perspective to the world of investigative journalism in Behind the Headlines: A History of Investigative Journalism in Canada. With straightforward prose, the book effortlessly draws the reader into a world of treachery, anxiety and unpredictably.

The book starts with a look at the humble beginnings of Canada’s first investigative journalist, William Lyon Mackenzie, and concludes with journalists’ uses of advanced technology. A veteran journalist with over three decades of experience, Rosner offers exciting anecdotes while offering a fascinating overview of the inner workings of investigative journalism throughout each chapter.

From political scandal to bringing down the government, Rosner offers in-depth analysis on the perils journalists face in pursuit of the truth. The harrowing consequences for those who dig a little too deep is evinced in the chapters “Robbers and Cops” and “Attacking the Messenger”. Rosner achieves a difficult feat that few storytellers can: presenting each chapter as more exciting than the last.

Not just for the journalist or expert sleuth, Behind the Headlines is an enjoyable and highly discerning read that appeals to anyone.

8 the newspaper

October 2 â&#x20AC;&#x201C; 8, 2008

the end

BY STEPHEN NOTLEY

On Tuesday, October 14, vote.

A federal general election is taking place on October 14, 2008.

Did you receive this card?

Where and when to vote?

Advance voting

Keep the voter information card you received by mail from Elections Canada. It tells you where and when to vote. Youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ll get through the voting process more quickly if you have it with you.

If you havenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t received it, or if you found an error in your name or address, please phone your local Elections Canada office.

Youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ll find the number at www.elections.ca by clicking on â&#x20AC;&#x153;Voter Information Serviceâ&#x20AC;?.

You can vote before election day.

Advance voting will be held Friday, October 3, Saturday, October 4 and Monday, October 6, from noon to 8:00 p.m.

Locations of advance polling stations appear on the back of the voter information card.

You can vote by mail or at your local Elections Canada office using the special ballot if you make the request by 6:00 p.m. on Tuesday, October 7.

To download the registration form, go to www.elections.ca and click on â&#x20AC;&#x153;Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;m Mailing My Vote!â&#x20AC;?, or call Elections Canada to obtain the form and information.

Do you know the new identification rules to vote?

When you vote, you must prove your identity and address.

For the list of acceptable pieces of identification authorized by the Chief Electoral Officer of Canada, please see the pamphlet you received by mail from Elections Canada or visit www.elections.ca and click on â&#x20AC;&#x153;Voter Identification at the Pollsâ&#x20AC;?.

To vote, you must: ; "% ! !-!$)!- #)3)9%- ; "% !3 +%!23 8%!12 .+$ .- %+%#3).- $!8 ; prove your identity and address

Vote. Shape your world. www.elections.ca

1-800-INFO-VOTE 1-800-463-6868 toll-free in Canada and the United States, .1 3.++ &1%% )- %7)#.

TTY 1-800-361-8935 for people who are deaf or hard of hearing, toll-free in Canada and the United States, or

&1., !-86(%1% )- 3(% 6.1+$