NEWS: Free speech flops on campus p3
FEATURE: Women in the film industry p7
ARTS: Romeo and Juliet gets modern makeover p 11
DEBATE: Does size matter in the classroom? p5
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THE NEWS
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Cuts to work-study leave students in the lurch Levy groups lose positions, students lose opportunities
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Student run bike repair and resource centre BikeChain was affected by the cuts. BikeChain will hold an Annual General Meeting Thursday, November 8, 7:30-9:30 p.m. at Harvest Noon.
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Contributors
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HZWVhi^Vc <gZZc]daio The provincial government’s work-study program provided jobs on campus to students with financial need. However, Ontario’s 2012 budget pulled the funding for the program, leaving universities the option of picking up the tab. Ontario’s provincial budget has continued its funding of the “30% Off Ontario Tuition” grant, which provides up to $800 in funding for students in full-time undergraduate study. However, the budget states the “cost of the 30% Off Ontario Tuition grant is being offset by reducing funding to non-core programs,” one of which is the work-study program. The University of Toronto has decided to fund a portion of the work-study positions, making major changes to allowing who can participate in the program and where the participants have the opportunity to work. Part-time, graduate, and international students can now participate in U of T work-study positions which were previously limited to full-time undergraduate students receiving OSAP. As only academic department positions are available, levy groups’ positions are cut.
The Legislative Assembly of Ontario’s Standing Committee on Finance and Economic Affairs predicted these cuts, stating, “[I]nstitutions will not be able to maintain the program... So we’ll see a decrease in the amount of jobs available on our campuses…and we’ll see student jobs lost.” One of the levy groups without work-study is the Centre for Women and Trans People (CWTP). It provides a safe drop-in space, community resources, and advocacy for women and trans people at U of T. However, with workstudy positions cut, the Centre struggles to continue serving students. Sabera Esufali, Coordinator for Volunteer Management and Peer Support, stated “[The Centre] is really volunteer driven in a lot of ways, so we don’t have a huge staff.” The volunteers are typically students struggling with five courses and thus have little time to contribute. The bulk of the work inevitably falls on staff. The Centre prided itself on offering safe employment for marginalized students. Esufali commented, “There were students who would apply for work-study positions and spe-
cifically say, as a queer person of colour, or as a trans person of colour, whatever, this is a space where I feel I could actually come to work and be myself.” Although students can apply for positions within academic departments, Kim Abis, Finance and Communications Coordinator at the CWTP, feels this is not a replacement. “Work-study is already an exploited type of labour. You only get paid $10.25 for a lot of work...I’ve organized a fullout academic conference--that should be done by someone who is unionized and paid much more than I am.” “Basically, [the university] can tell the department, ‘This job that you wanted, that we were supposed to give you money for as a conference organizer, we’ll just give to you as work-study--it won’t be unionized.’ Because before if you worked for a department you had to be unionized, even if it’s 10 hours a week.” Abis concludes, “It’s all part of the neoliberalization of campus.” Whatever reasoning one gives, the cuts to the workstudy program leave students with one less option to cover the rising costs of education.
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the briefs Marijuana legal-
Canadian universities get modest ‘C’ grade in Campus Freedom
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Treatment of pro-life groups earns U of T an ‘F’ for ‘practices and actions’ 9naVc =dgcWn Last week, the right-leaning Justice Centre for Constitutional Freedoms gave Canadian universities a scathing review in its 2012 Campus Freedom Index. After gathering information from thirtyfive post-secondary institutions, the Index lists many violations, denials, and even prosecutions of free speech on campuses across Canada. The Index gave out letter grades based on four sets of criteria. The first focused exclusively on university policy and principle. The second evaluated whether those policies translated into suitable actions and practices. The third and fourth categories applied the same criteria to student unions. While Canadian universities averaged a disappointing “C” for university policy and principle, U of T was the only school in Canada to earn an “A” for the category. U of T’s Provost Cheryl Misak agreed with this rating: “Freedom of speech
is extremely well-supported at the University of Toronto, as it must be. A university campus is the very place to face difficult questions and hold controversial discussions.” “The University of Toronto permits all legal forms of speech by its members,” added Misak. However, U of T’s “F” grade for actions and practices appears to contradict this statement. With twenty-one others (over 60% of Canadian universities) joining us in the bottom rank, the Index argues that “higher education in Canada is not living up to its own standard of being a haven for free inquiry, critical reflection, and the pursuit of truth.” The Index lists many examples of where free speech has been compromised. McMaster and Laurier have both banned the word “Israeli Apartheid” from their campuses. The University of Prince Edward Island refused to publish a campus newspaper with an image of Muhammad. Carleton University has arrested pro-life group
members for expressing their views on campus. U of T, Western, and Carleton received “F”s for forcing pro-life groups to express their views in an isolated part of campus rather than in hightraffic areas. Upon being questioned whether this was fair, Misak argued “managing freedom of speech sometimes involves balancing rights. On rare occasions in the past, the administration has taken the position that some forms of free expression, such as the display of potentially offensive materials, must be balanced against the rights of others, including children travelling through our campus, to not see the materials.” In such cases, Misak said that U of T offers “a prominent location to display the materials in a manner that allows individuals to make a conscious choice to view the display or to not view the display.” Student unions fared no better than their administrative counterparts. No student un-
ion in Canada earned an “A” grade for its policies. A potential reason for this is the commonality of student unions to openly take stances on noncampus issues such as abortion and Israel. Student unions can become increasingly influential through control of the funding and regulation of student groups. They can often override university authority and express their own criteria for student expression. For example, the University of Victoria Student Society prohibits posters that “have the effect or purpose of unreasonably creating a hostile, intimidating, threatening, or humiliating environment.” According to Misak, the limitation of campus free speech is a question that “…really can only be answered by the students themselves.” Similarly, the Index argues that a lack of interest and low voter turnout allows ideologically-biased student unions to form.
DEMOCRACY: Does it matter?
Professors Stein and Kingwell discuss and debate the meaning of democracy in the twenty first century HVgV] 7d^k^c
Obama was a self-proclaimed “sort of prop” in his own election. Harper holds a majority with 39 per cent of the popular vote. Movements like Occupy and the student protests in Quebec are scoffed at. What of it? On Monday, November 5, at the Royal Ontario Museum, U of T Philosophy Professor Mark Kingwell and Director of the Munk School Janice Gross Stein engaged in a lively discussion about what democracy means--if anything--in a contemporary context. Hosted by PEN Canada, an organization supporting international and domestic free speech, the discussion was moderated by Carol Off of CBC’s As it Hap-
pens. With the American election looming the following day, the discussion began with the current state of the presidential campaigns, specifically how the most expensive race of all time began to resemble the race between Coke and Pepsi in its marked similarity. Stein emphasized the differences in the candidates’ policies on taxation, healthcare, and foreign policy. Kingwell, however, articulated his worry that with the candidates’ move towards election-time moderation, the enormous financial influence of corporations thanks to Citizens United, and the declining influence of factchecking, it seems to be that “losing touch with reality is a political norm.”
The discussion turned to the state of Canadian democracy. Stein deemed Question Period in Canada’s House of Commons as lower than entertainment, as it is neither funny nor nice. Stein said, “[Canadian democracy] has become debased. Not corrupt so much as ugly.” She explained that the current government exemplifies several democratic flaws, such as backbenchers having to simply tow the party line, and the censoring of scientists and environmental activists who protest the Alberta oil sands. With such a democratic process, one must ask how policy is made in this country today. Despite allegedly having been warned by Stein backstage against bringing up “fucking Hegel,” Kingwell reminded
the audience of the philosopher’s maxim that “democracy is where quantity becomes quality.” Essentially, everyone counts. Yet when Stein raised the example of Israel as a highly dysfunctional, yet perfect democracy, Kingwell conceded that true democracy could in fact be a “nightmare.” While discussion raised some highly contentious issues on how to engage meaningfully with the democratic process, the act of discussing these issues are arguably imperative to maintain meaningful democracy. Figuring out what “democracy” means both politically and in everyday life may prove vital in a political century in which, Kingwell warned, “the cheaters are winning.”
Don’t “break out the Cheetos” yet warns Colorado Governor John Hickenlooper, after his state legalized recreational marijuana use in Tuesday’s election. Alongside Washington, Colorado must still navigate federal laws before it can sell and tax pot. According to CNN, the Drug Enforcement Association was quick to put out the fire, stating that the Controlled Substance Act remains unchanged at the federal level. Pending final vote counts, Massachusetts and possibly Montana may also legalize marijuana for medical use.
Leadership change in China
Another world superpower is changing leadership this week. China’s ruling communist party will hold internal elections for a new Standing Committee. This 9-person council is China’s highest cabinet, and 7 of the current positions are expected to be replaced. Most notable is the expected replacement of President Hu Jintao with Xi Jinping. In Beijing where the elections are being held, over 1.4 million volunteers have been brought in for security.
U.S. Congress loses an atheist, gains a lesbian; Senate full of women
California Rep Pete Stark (Dem) lost his seat in the House of Representatives in this week’s election. He also lost his mantle as the only openly atheist member of Congress. Arizona Democrat and non-theist Kyrsten Sinema was elected to the House, filling the gap in the non-believer category. Wisconsin Democrat Tammy Baldwin was elected to the Senate, becoming the first openly lesbian member of Congress. Seventeen women will enter the 100-seat Senate in January, a record number in the Senate’s history. - EMERSON VANDENBERG & YUKON DAMOV
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THE NEWS
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FAIR PROTEST
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Protesters decry animal cruelty at Royal Agricultural Winter Fair
Adj 9dndc On Sunday, November 4, visitors of The Royal Agricultural Winter Fair saw some “unRoyal” protesters in front of the Princes’ Gate at Exhibition Place. The Toronto Police watched quietly from a distance as protesters armed with signs and banners led a peaceful demonstration against the animal cruelty they feel the fair promotes. The Royal Agricultural Winter Fair is a not-for-profit charity bringing together national and international breeders, growers and exhibitors. Now in it’s 90th year, the fair welcomes over 340 000 participants and visitors to the Direct Energy National Trade Centre, on the grounds of Exhibition Place. The fair aims to connect the rural and urban populations, demonstrating the
hard work and importance of the farming community. Sunday’s demonstration was initially intended to protest the “Running of the Bulls” event, where the organizers of the fair had intended for 6 bulls to run north on Bay Street to kick start the 10-day event. Both Toronto Pig Save representative, Anita Krajnc, and spokesperson for Marineland Animal Defense (M.A.D.) Dylan Powell, saw the bull run as a publicity stunt on the part of the fair organizers. “As a world-class city, it would be an obviously huge step backwards, especially for a city council that has worked so hard to ban things such as shark-finned soup, pet store puppy mills, and relocating the elephants in the Toronto Zoo to a sanctuary in California,” stated Krajnc. When the City declined permits
A handful of protesters organize in front of Exhibition Place, November 4, 2012 for this event, the protesters changed their focus to the treatment of animals at the fair. “There are various livestock auctions throughout the fair and lots of people don’t know that the bidders are slaughterhouse owners and research labs,” said Krajnc to the newspaper. Powell cited the 2010 video called Field Trip as summing up his perspective on the fair. The 2010 video directed by local photographer Karol Orzechowski follows students that attend the fair every year, often as a fieldtrip to accompany their curriculum. The film suggests that the fair tries to normalize animal cruelty in the handling of livestock, and points out that the level of cleanliness of the animals on display is not always reflective of the reality on the
farms. The film also highlights one of the fair’s purposes. The opening shows a Toronto grade 5 teacher explaining that he hopes students will gain a greater appreciation of the importance of farms in Ontario, and understand how food goes from the farm to the table. Events at the fair provide educational opportunities, such as the 100% Canadian Milk Milking station, which features two life-sized versions of dairy cows that simulate the milking process. Booths set up throughout the fair provide visitors and other participants with information about the contribution they have to the fair and to the agricultural community as a whole. Anything from small, local ar-
tisans set up to sell their goods, to larger outlets like the Ontario Fruits and Vegetable Growers Association and Health Canada. In addition, farmers often stay nearby their livestock and are more than willing to talk to anyone who has questions or concerns. Krajnc still believes there is some good to the fair, such as the ability to promote healthy eating, supporting the organic local vegan farming community, protecting the environment and the animals. “What I, and Toronto Pig Save, don’t support is the slavery, cruelty, and abuse of animals. We promote a vegan diet and the fair has the potential to provide good support to this kind of living as well,” said Krajnc.
Can flu shot reduce chance of heart attack? A pair of Toronto hospital studies connects Tamiflu shot with lower risk of cardiac events Two independent studies from researchers based in Toronto have found compelling reasons to get the flu shot--neither of which concern influenza. Presented at the Canadian Cardiovascular Congress on Oct 28, the studies demonstrated a staggering connection between the flu shot and reduced chances of cardiac events such as heart attack, stroke and ICD shock. Dr. Jacob Udell of Toronto Women’s College hospital compiled results from four previous studies dating from 1994 to 2008 that polled 3 227 people with cardiovascular disease. Half of these patients received the flu shot while the other half received a pla-
cebo. Over the next year, the patients who received the flu shot showed a 50 per cent decrease in cardiac events. The study further assessed a 40 per cent drop in cardiac-related deaths among those patients who received the shot. Speaking with Heartwire, a medical journal that covered the conference, Udell asserted “this is a profound finding, and if that’s actually the case, this stuff should be in the water [system]!” However, some other doctors at the conference were not convinced. While speaking with the newspaper, Sunnybrook researcher Dr. Harindra Wijeysundera discussed some limitations of the study. Wijeysundera stated, “Despite a large number of studies found,
only four could be incorporated as many did not report on cardiovascular outcomes. This suggests the possibility of under-reporting cardiovascular events.” In addition, little has been said about why the flu shot is causing this decline in cardiac events, despite the optimistic results. Wijeysundera believes that “a randomized controlled trial is the best design to suggest causality.” This method stands in contrast to Udell’s analysis, which simply reviewed the results of previous studies. Udell is aware of these limitations and stated to Heartwire that the skeptics are right in thinking the meta-analysis alone cannot prove how the influenza vaccine may reduce
the risk of cardiac events. However, Udell does believe his current study opens the door for a more direct analysis in the future. The second study presented at the Cardiovascular Congress correlates the flu shot with a lower risk of ICD shocks among patients with Implantable Cardiac Defibrillators. ICD shocks are the device’s attempts to restore a normal rhythm in a patient’s heart. Fewer shocks may indicate a reduced risk of cardiac events. Dr. Ramanan Kumareswaran, the Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre doctor who led the study, surveyed 230 ICD care patients aged 70 to 74. Of the 78 per cent of patients that received the flu shot only 10.6 per cent expe-
rienced an ICD shock during the following flu season. The percentage of ICD shock in the remaining patients was 13.7. Heartwire suggests that the second study is limited by its small sample size, low event rate and self-reporting nature. Despite the limitations, both studies make a case for cardiac patients to get the flu shot.
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THE DEBATE
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Size matters in school
Motion: smaller class sizes ensure an inherently better educational experience HZWVhi^Vc <gZZc]daio In any debate about improvements to education one demand is a constant refrain: reduce class sizes. This is because reducing the size of classes is absolutely essential to enhance the learning experience of all students by addressing varied needs and learning styles. North America’s top univer-
sities accept thousands of students and crowd them into huge lectures, making educational intimacy impossible. UofT, with about 50 000 students on the St George campus alone, is no exception. With 200 to 1000 students in a lecture a professor has no flexibility with their style of teaching; a lecture class will inevitably be lecture style. A teacher speaking in front of the class with slides only benefits the auditory-visual learner who has no problem taking notes or
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paying attention for long periods of time. Plus, information only flows one way, which reduces learning opportunities. While professors may attempt to engage with students by asking questions, chances are they must repeat the answer so the rest of the class can hear it. Furthermore, in a Convocation Hall lecture of 1500, the joke known as iClickers are a professors only hope for interaction. Multiple choice tests aren’t exactly the hallmark of original thinking. In a small classroom, how-
ever, each student’s voice can be heard. Students can work in small groups and share with the class. Professors can also teach in a more traditional lecture style, but because of the small class size students can ask questions throughout the lecture, rather than having to wait until a break or the end. For visual learners, professors can use handouts. For tactile they can provide physical samples where applicable. For auditory, listening to and recording professors is easier in a smaller room. The
smaller-class setting aids all students. Reducing class sizes will not solve all problems, of course. Bad professors will still teach poorly; any subject will still bore a certain subset of students; some strugglers will inevitably fall through the cracks. But smaller class sizes make it easier to identify these problems, when students and professors get to know each other and engage directly. Slimming down classes is a step towards strengthening our student body.
size. The named factors are frequent teacher feedback, use of data guided instruction, high amount of available tutoring, increased instructional time, and high expectations. At U of T, professor feedback and tutoring is available in office hours held by professors and teaching assistants, respectively. Additionally, smaller tutorials reduce the intimidation factor that may prevent students from participating and asking questions in large lecture halls. Tutorials also add to the amount of time and attention given to a course and its materials by both the profes-
sor and the teaching assistants. The professor’s ability to keep students’ interest and attention in class plays an equally important role. The use of interactive slides or questions and thought exercises are effective ways that professors incorporate the integral element of interaction into their lectures. If he or she cannot keep students from falling asleep during a listless lecture, then it will not matter if there are 15 or 1500 other students in attendance. The number of students in a first or second year class should not determine the productiv-
ity and results of the students in that class. U of T provides many resources that enable students to work with the large class sizes they face, particularly professor office hours and tutorials. In conjunction, professors should create engaging lectures through the use of interesting and relevant examples, interactive slides, and questions that demand the students’ anticipatory preparation. It is the coupling of student ambition with the ability and experience of the educator that produces the best academic results.
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nadian universities has focused on the commonplace
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large lectures. Frequently, these stakeholders suggest
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U of T has long been criticized for holding massive classes by students and parents alike, many of whom wonder how classes this big can foster a productive learning environment. Despite the potential for distraction in a room holding hundreds of students, the quality of the educational experience is not dependant on the volume of attendees. Rather, the importance lies in an engaging instructor paired with students’ taking initiative in their own education. With over 43 000 undergradu-
ate students at the St. George campus, large class sizes at the first year level are inevitable. It is therefore important to learn how to engage with the assigned material. Visiting a professor’s office hours, participating in tutorials, forming study groups with classmates, or more likely, a combination of these methods can help counter the anonymity of the big class sizes. A recent study conducted at Harvard found that after forty years of qualitative research, five factors have the most influence in a school’s effectiveness, none of which refer to class
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THE INSIDE
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Mental health cases on the rise in universities, factors vary
Job market, social media linked to increasing cases of mental health issues on Canadian campuses The start of November also means the start of increased stress as term paper deadlines and December exams close in. In an effort to alleviate student stress, U of T implemented a Fall break on November 12 and 13. The break has since been linked to the prevention of student suicides as “the number and severity of calls by depressed persons increases every year through November,” according to Canadian Mental Health Association Ontario. Accordingly, on November 2, Victoria College held a conference on mental health in universities entitled “Minding our Minds.” The conference addressed the role of Ontario universities in preventing and responding to the increasing diagnoses of mental health issues on Canadian campuses. Panelist Janine Robb, executive director of Health and wellness at U of T St George, revealed that in the 2011-2012 academic year, there was 47 per cent increase in the number of students seeking services at CAPS (Counselling and Psychological Services) at the University of Toronto. The statistics also show that 89 per cent of students felt overwhelmed, 62 per cent felt very lonely, 53 per cent felt overwhelmingly anxious and 36 per cent felt depressed and found it hard to function. Janine Robb attributes students’ high stress levels and the subsequent outreach to the poor state of the current job market stating, “because of the job market, people have higher expectations of themselves.” These “expectations” put students under intense pressure to perform, and the competition for what few jobs await them hardly ease their stress. This mentality entails that the university is no longer
perceived as a place to learn and develop skills. It is instead used as means to fulfill extrinsic goals they believe the job market will provide, such as wealth and status. In an interview with the newspaper, U of T Psychology Professor Romin Tafarodi explained that previously attending university enabled students to explore their self interests and discover their own identities.
to secure these jobs. “Kids today see each other as rivals instead of classmates . . . [and are] competing to get into universities with degrees that no longer guarantee jobs,” Tafarodi asserted. When classmates are supplanted by rivals there is no longer sufficient communication between students. Tafarodi presented a clear example of this phenomenon: “When
has rendered students incapable of making friends in the classroom. “It leaves a lot of students isolated in a daunting environment,” added Tafarodi. Tafarodi links nearly constant use of computers and cellphones to what he sees as students’ inability to communicate with others. This link creates a student body that is more connected to technology than actual
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According to Tafarodi it is now rare that students have that opportunity today. “They [students] mostly come into university already foreclosed that they wanted to be doctors or lawyers.” The result is that students now compete with each other
a kid has said they’ve missed a class, and asked to get the material from a classmate, their response is that they don’t know anyone.” The age of Facebook and online friendship
hum a n contact, claims Tafarodi. Robb explained, “[Today] everything is instantaneous. Before, nothing had to be answered at every minute, there was time to breathe.” The inability to slow things down and unwind is the notable shift in this “plugged in” generation. Robb concluded, “Internet use affects depression and academic
success.” Tafarodi suggested a solution may be to encourage discourse among students, as speaking with peers will reveal that the majority of students share similar feelings of stress. Charmaine Williams, Associate Dean Academic of Social Work at U of T, explained that students are reluctant to get extensions or take fewer classes because they want to feel like a “normal person.” Williams does not believe that school stress is the sole variable that affects individuals. She suggested, “The age at which people come to university is also the age in which onsets of psychological illnesses arise.” Williams’ remark cautions against confusing causation and correlation. While school stress does relate to mental health issues among students, it is not necessarily the independent factor that causes it. Robb provided an alternative reason for the increase in diagnoses, asserting “The rate of students having psychiatric problems has not changed, but as enrollment increases, subsequently so has the number of people reaching out for help.” She believes that the ratio of students suffering from mental health issues in the student body has not changed, merely the number of students has increased. Regardless of which factors cause students to seek help, U of T provides counselling and psychological services tailored to the challenges university life presents. For now, enjoy the extra two days off. CAPS is located at 214 College St. Hours: Monday-Friday 9am-5pm, Tuesday 9am-7pm. Students must bring their student and OHIP numbers. Appointments are made in-person or by calling 416-978-8070.
THE INSIDE
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Canadian film features few women on top
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If you read the headline as a sexual innuendo, this article’s for you The public sector in the United States is not the only part of the global economy charged with closing the books (or binders) on women. Sexism on and off screen indicate the Canadian film industry is equally, well, unequal when it comes to gender equality. “Filmmaking is generally white men” said Canadian filmmaker, actor and activist Sarah Polley at Q&A with a UC One class last month. Polley admitted, “It’s really lonely being a female filmmaker, there really aren’t that many women doing this job.” The Canadian film industry is no outlier in its unequal representation of women. In an article published in Canadian Business in September 2012, Dr. Richard Leblanc, lawyer and professor at York University cites 25 big name Canadian companies with zero women members on their boards. Companies like Dollarama, Air Canada and McCain Foods all have at least 9 members on their boards, none of which are
female. Rina Fraticelli, the executive director of the women’s equity organization Women in View, said in an interview with the newspaper, “Women need to become vigilant again . . . [as] there is [still] employment inequity in the great majority of industries.” Women are discouraged from progressing in the film industry, explained Fraticelli, due to unwelcoming environments, harassment and an unwillingness to take into account that they are likely to be primary caregivers in families. The demanding schedule required for North American movie budgets may preclude the possibility of ‘having it all.’ Polley explained that a director is expected to work 16 to 18 hour days, and there are few accommodations made for women who are pregnant or have children. As the mother of a newborn, Polley said, “It’s very hard for me right now to imagine how I’m going to incorporate being a very present mother with making films.” The lack of gender equity in
filmmaking is perhaps a selfsustaining cycle. Movies shape the way that people see the world and by extension, the way that people see women. Fraticelli explained, “you can really easily correlate where women are in the power structure behind the scenes with the representation with women on scene.” She suggests that if women were at the top of the hierarchy in film production, roles for women on screen would be more diverse, prominent and most importantly, less sexist. Fraticelli asks audiences to try the Bechdel Test after seeing a film. The Bechdel test, which originated from a 1985 comic by American cartoonist Alison Bechdel, is designed to assess the depiction of women in film. The test asks three questions of the film: Are there two or more women in the film who have names? Do they talk to each other? Do they talk to each other about something other than a man? You would be shocked to discover how many publicly ac-
claimed films fail the test. Underrepresentation of women in the industry is not just a social justice issue. It is also an economic issue. Women are half of the global market. Fraticelli believes, “if your talent stream, your labour stream does not reflect the world, you’re just a bad business person.” According to Statistics Canada’s July 2012 population estimate, 50.38 per cent of the Canadian population is female. As Fraticelli sees it, “To close your eyes to half of that talent pool simply isn’t good business.” There are measures that governments can take to help bridge the social inequity gap. Fraticelli cited the “60-40 rule,” which has been implemented in countries such as Sweden and Finland. “It says that where government money is spent, no more than 60%, no less than 40% can go to one sex or the other.” A 2008 report by the European Commission called Mapping the Maze: Getting More Women to the Top in Research, suggests that reasonable gen-
der balance (e.g. 40:60) should be made mandatory in decision-making bodies in order to “improve the current work-life balance for the benefit of both women and men.” Fraticelli supports the 40-60 rule as an effective incentive program. Of course, the government must be compelled to arrive at these regulations. “I think they [the government] just need to open the parameter of their thinking to understand that if they’re not drawing on the full pool of talent in the country, they’re not helping industry thrive,” said Fraticelli. The current gender ratio in the film industry is indicative of a pervasive attitude in North America. Women are seemingly presented with the choice between their families and their work lives. Opening ‘the parameter of thinking’ may be the key to breaking the cycle of sexism. Unfortunately as it stands, Fraticelli says “women will rise to a certain level and then just go ‘fuck it, this is just not worth it.’”
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L A R E N E G G N I T E E M L A U N HE AN
T
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2 1 0 2 , 2 NOV 2
DING L I U B S E C N E I SC L M P A 9 C I D M E M 6P 3 5 1 3 MS
AGENDA 1. Call to Order 2. Approval of the Agenda 3. Welcoming Remarks & Guest Speaker - Adam Vaughan 5. Approval of Minutes 6. Receipt of the 2011-2012 Audited Financial Statements 7. Appointment of Auditors for 2012-2013 8. Approval of UTSU By-law Changes
9. Adjournment
(full-time undergraduate and professional faculty students at the St. George and Mississauga campuses) can participate in this meeting.
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THE ARTS
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Artist Harry Enchin at TorontoTransformed openning night, November 8, Steam Whistle Gallery.
Equal parts beer + art
Steam Whistle exhibit features photos from city archives, may prove mixing art and beer is good for memory ;Za^X^V EZgg^XZaa^ On Wednesday, November 7, the Steam Whistle Gallery opened its doors to the works of local photographer Harry Enchin. The exhibit, entitled TorontoTransformed, showcases Enchin’s unique approach to collage photography that connects the city’s past and present. Enchin digitally merges archival shots with his own contemporary colour photographs to create playful and historical narratives. Enchin spends hours sifting through the City of Toronto Archives, choosing black and white images of Torontonian life and the city-scape from the past hundred years. He then visits the exact location of the archival image, lines up his
digital camera to match the old photograph and retakes it in colour. In his previous body of work, Enchin would splice and recombine the halved images, presenting the viewer with a clear contrast of old and new. For his current exhibit, Enchin uses a different process. He selects and combines elements from each image that will effectively show the narrative of the time in between the two photographs. Enchin refers to the currently displayed work as “true collage” and suggests that as elements of old and new interact in the composition a “new reality” emerges. For viewers who do not have memories of Toronto’s past, particularly youth or recent immigrants, Enchin’s images fill in the visual gaps, connect-
ing new Torontonians to the history of the city they live in. The works illuminate Toronto’s past by showing the faces and stories of those who laid the groundwork for the contemporary city and current citizens. The images simultaneously trigger the memories of an older generation. Enchin explained,“people will read what they want to, the images ignite their own memory. Someone will see the photograph collage, and say ‘Oh hey, that’s where my father and my uncle and my grandfather sold newspapers, right out on that corner,’ referring to the Toronto Telegram.” The Toronto Telegram was a one-page afternoon publication in circulation from 1876 to 1971. TorontoTransformed also illu-
minates the cultural evolution of a neighbourhood. In one image, Enchin presents two moments in time on Spadina Avenue: the Yiddish theatre taken from the archives and a photograph of a contemporary Chinese-Canadian woman. Enchin’s image shows that contemporary Chinatown, filled with Asian goods and culture, once catered to Jewish Theater-goers. While the collage presents two images of a specific past and present, it alludes to a larger story. In the case of Spadina Avenue, Enchin explains, the immigrant-friendly area of Toronto has gone through many changes over the years, being associated with people of Jewish, Italian, African, Portuguese, and more recently, Chinese descent. The collage
image yokes the past and the present, evoking nostalgia and curiosity from its viewers. Enchin, who received the award for Best Computer Altered Fine Art Photography at the 2012 Toronto Outdoor Art Exhibition, will be showcasing dozens of new works this month at the Steam Whistle Brewery. You will recognize Toronto’s red streetcars, Canadian-brand storefronts and skateboarding passersby while discovering Toronto’s quirky past: bowler hats, stone architecture and immigrants hard at work. Free to the public, the exhibit is a chance to taste local beer and add your own stories to the city’s narrative. TorontoTransformed runs until November 30 at the Steam Whistle Brewery.
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THE ARTS
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AGO puts the art in party
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On November 1, the Art Gallery of Ontario kicked off its second 1st Thursdays event as part of the new Art Party curation series. The theme for November’s event was contemporary photography, focusing the evening’s events around the four exhibitions nominated for the 2012 Grange Prize. This was the AGO’s second sold out 1st Thursdays, with 2100 guests in attendance, 500 more than the previous month. According to Kelly McKinley, the AGO’s Executive Director of Education and Public Programming, the AGO is trying to attract two target groups. In an interview with the newspaper, McKinley described the first group as “the young 20 to 30 somethings living in downtown, engaged in art and culture within Toronto, but [who] aren’t necessarily coming to the AGO.” She described the second as “the creative industry, as well as artists, graphic designers, and architects that
are in the business and would love to come [to the AGO] at night.” The first floor of the AGO incorporated an oyster buffet, mini tacos, a snowball stand, and multiple bars, effectively transforming the gallery into an elegant lounge-style venue. In the Galleria Italia, models posed for life drawing activities and guests had the opportunity to have their portrait taken in the historical style of Tintype photography, provided by local Toronto business The Tintype Studio. The AGO remained open until 11pm, encouraging guests to enjoy hors d’oeuvres, drinks, and the permanent collections on the first floor. A DJ set by Katie Stelmanis, from Toronto’s electronic band Austra, provided the soundtrack as it echoed through numerous the gallery rooms. The extended gallery hours are “shifting how we program and shifting when we are open, to suit those very specific audiences.” said McKinley. She
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1st Thursday event brings together industry members and culturally aware youth over oyster bar, contemporary photography
Art Gallery of Ontario’s second ‘1st Thursday,’ November 1, was sold out. further stated “[the AGO] feels that this is one of our biggest moves to reposition the AGO as much more of a community hub and cultural destination with the younger audience.” “It’s the future” for the AGO, McKinley asserts. There is currently no set end date for the monthly events and talks for summer and fall 2013 Art Parties are already underway. The Royal Ontario Museum
is also running a similar weekly program on friday nights. McKinley says that the two iconic Toronto museums have been extremely supportive of one another’s events. “We are thrilled that we have exceeded what we hoped we would do by a large margin...the second night was really great and the building really sings with that many people in it. We are thrilled, but we’ll call it a suc-
cess when we can do it many months in a row” McKinley adds modestly. Based on the popularity of 1st Thursdays and each month’s growing success, it is clear that the AGO is revamping Thursday nights in the city and revolutionizing the future of the Toronto art scene. The next 1st Thursday event is on December 6. Advance tickets: $8
Public picks Jo Longurst’s work as best in show UK photographer Jo Longhurst wins this year’s Grange Prize, features work on show dogs, gymnasts at AGO
On Thursday November 1 at the Art Gallery of Ontario, underdog Jo Longhurst won the Grange Prize for her projects Other Spaces and The Refusal. In winning, Longhurst receives honorary recognition and the means to create new work in the future. The Grange Prize has “a mandate to recognize the best in Canadian and international contemporary photography,” according to its online mission statement. The four finalists included British photographers Jason Evans and Jo Longhurst, and Canadian artists Annie Macdonell and Emmanuelle Léonard. All four finalists of the prize gain an artists residency in their respective countries to create new works of art.
The Grange Prize is Canada’s largest art prize determined by the public, and awards $50 000 to the winner and $5 000 to each shortlisted nominee. Following the pick of a short-
The democratic process enables viewers to engage with and contribute to the course of contemporary photography on an international scale. The work of winning art-
elite gymnasts and show dogs. “As a photographer, that put me in position as the judge,” she explains. The images are encased in small frames, surrounded by other images that
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From left to right: jurors and artist duo Adam Broomberg, Oliver Chanarin award UK artist Jo Longhurst the 2012 Grange Prize at the AGO, November 1. list by jurors, viewers voted on the artist of their choice at voting stations within the exhibit.
ist Jo Longhurst examines the idea of physical perfection of the subjects, which include
jut out from the wall. Repetition of the images emphasizes the reflexive nature of photog-
raphy and how it is a tool used for examining its subject matter. When asked about how she felt about winning, Longhurst belted out, “I feel fantastic!” The artist was clearly spinning off of the high that comes with receiving massive amount of funds for her art. “I don’t know about what I will do with the money, but it will allow me time to think about what I will do next with my art and not have to rush into some shit job.” Longhurst will take some time to figure out where to go next but plans to work with Canadian gymnasts during her residency at the AGO. Jo Longhurst is artist in residence at the AGO until December. Work by the shortlisted artists can be found in the AGO exhibition, running until January 6, 2013.
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THE ARTS
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Hart House Theatre revives Romeo and Juliet Hart House Theater’s production of Romeo and Juliet, despite a risky modern setting, was an excellent rendition of an often overdone play. Jeremy Hutton, the artistic director chose to set the play in a fictional modern Italy, but this affects very little: he contained himself to costumes and props, and the script is the original Shakespearean. Hutton’s goal with the modernization was to not be meddling, and he achieved it. Each cast member recited Billy’s iambic pentameter with a relieving natural fluidity. Their acting was succinct as well as sincere, keeping it suitably believable and engaging. The actors playing the elder roles had a convincing authority, and the other main characters were appropriately emotional. Darwin Lyons successfully captured the manner-
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isms of a 13 year-old Juliet, and Joshua Browne’s Mercutio did the character justice: wholly erratic and quirky, with great use of physical movement for emphasis. Music plays between scenes, often Italian hip hop in the first half and emotional piano in the second half. The song choice sticks out somewhat rudely in comparison to the actors’ performance and is one of the weakest points in the whole production. Fortunately, the timing of the music itself works successfully with the performers’ rhythm. The set itself was simple, just a single backdrop and a moveable flight of stairs with sparing use of other small set pieces. What made the difference from scene to scene was the lighting, which was used masterfully to completely change the location with little effort. For the fight scenes, both swords and guns were
used. The guns actually fired, punctuating characters’ deaths audibly and to great effect. This was a wonderful idea on the director’s part and worked nicely. All things said and done, this performance of Romeo and Juli-
et was enjoyable. Almost every facet of the play was strong, from the actors’ performances to the creative use of lighting, and while my only criticism is the music, it did not detract from the play as a whole. I laughed at the beginning and
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I was captivated by the end. Give it a go, it’s “two hours traffic” well spent.
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Director Jeremy Hutton turns classic into contemporary, makes well-worn play well-worth the time
Romeo and Juliet runs until November 24 at Hart House Theatre. Tickets are $15 for students.
On November 6, the US Consulate hosted a US elections watch in the Hart House Debate Room
i]Z cZlheVeZg Vh`ZY/ What was the best 2012 campaign slogan that never was?
SERGEI TIMOSHENKO Ryerson grad ““Romney: ensuring the middle class keep their yachts.”
RYAN O’DOWD 3rd year, English “Mitt Romney, a compassionate human being...47% of the time.”
TASHIANA PETGRAVE Security “Obama 2012: Actions speak louder than words.”
ADAM SCIME 4th year doctoral student, music “Romney/Ryan: A president with no first name and a VP with two.”
STAN BEVINGTON Founder of Coach House Press
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ROBERT MASON, 3rd year, International Relations and American Studies “Obama 2012: binders full of good policy.” “Obama 2012: because Kenyans make good presidents.”
“Romney: because Canada is a viable alternative.”
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DOWNTOWN MOTOWN in as s ociat ion wit h L aid Ba re: Cur at ions a nd O t her Concerns
a fundraiser for THE NEWSPAPER, U of T's independent weekly
live motown performance by
THE MIDNIGHT SOCIETY
november 30
th
2012
MAY CAFE 876 DUNDAS WEST doors at 10pm , concert at 11pm $5 cover