The sinking tower of Peacock
Ben Cataudello will cut you...
Tim Ryan investigates on the science page. p.10
Your hair that is. p. 7
the newspaper
University of Toronto’s Independent Weekly
Vol. XXXII N0. 11
November 12, 2009
CUPE3902 ratification to come
HELENE GODERIS
DAN CRAIG
Orders boomed down Hoskins Avenue last Thursday, November 5, as two regiments prepared for the Presentation of Colours ceremony to be performed by Prince Charles. Prince Charles has taken over as Colonel-inChief of the Royal Regiment of Canada and the Toronto Scottish Regiment following the Queen Mother’s passing in 2002. A nervous energy was evident among the two files of officers, which stretched in front of the Munk Centre and St. Hilda’s residence. It’s no wonder, considering the preparation involved. “Preparation began well before the event was publicized, and even before the Royal Visit was planned. Indeed, long term planning for the parade began about five years ago,” said Sergeant Major Allan Craigie of the
ing rumors about the H1N1 flu virus is that it attacks the healthy, robust immune systems of young adults. It focuses in on the confident heartbeats and deep lungs of the young and ignores the vulnerable bodies of the aged, infirm and infantile. While this is not exactly how this virus operates, it does seem to have affected our healthiest students. The Blue’s coach, Kristine Drakich, said that five mem-
Classes continued as normal on Monday, November 9, after CUPE local 3902 and the U of T administration reached a tentative agreement over sessional lecturer contracts in the early hours of Sunday morning. CUPE 3902 had threatened a strike after not being pleased with U of T’s initial contract offering. However, the tentative agreement reached over the weekend was enough for the CUPE negotiating team to send the proposal to be voted on by the general membership. On Monday, November 16th, CUPE 3902 will hold a member’s meeting to decide if the tentative agreement should be sent to a ratification vote. If sent to a ratification vote, polling stations will be opened across campus where members can vote whether or not to ratify the agreement. Should the membership vote to ratify the agreement by November 18, the possibility of a strike will have passed. The tentative agreement, available on CUPE 3902’s website, includes a higher base wage increase and greater job security than was previously offered. These were two of CUPE’s major demands in threatening a strike. “We’re pretty confident [the tentative agreement] is going to pass,” said chief spokesperson for the CUPE 3902 bargaining team, Dr. Leslie Jermyn, about the upcoming members’ referendum. “The membership has checked it out on the website, and we’ve been getting positive feedback.” The U of T administration is still witholding comment until
Continued on page 11
Continued on page 2
Continued on page 3
HELENE GODERIS
Prince Charles, Duchess of Cornwall visit Varsity Stadium Inclement weather, hardy crowd hails Prince Charles
HRH Prince Charles Presents Colours at Varsity Stadium.
OUA cancels games due to H1N1
ALEX NURSALL
DIANA WILSON
Lest we forget.
Over the past ten days, Ontario University Athletics (OUA) has cancelled five games due to confirmed cases of H1N1 amongst players. The Brock Badgers men’s hockey team, the Guelph Gyphons and Waterloo Warriors women’s hockey teams, and our own Varsity Blues women’s volleyball team all have confirmed cases of the flu. One of the most frighten-
the editorials
2
November 12, 2009 BEER • WINGS • POOL • JAVA SPORTS • JUKEBOX • SPIRITS EVENTS • OPEN STAGE • GAMES
Serving up a good time Every time since 9T6!
Weekly Events: Man vs. Martini MONDAYS Toonie TUESDAY Open Mike
ALEX NURSALL
WEDNESDAY
Students protest outside on Bay St. during the November 5th Day of Action.
the newspaper Editor-in-Chief
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Contributors Tomasz Bugajski, Gord Brown, Mairi Chudyk, Andrew Gyorkos, Tejas Parasher, Catherine Shi Qiu, Thiru Shathasivam, Cailin Smart, Amina Stella, Diana Wilson
Business Manager Taylor Ramsay ads@thenewspaper.ca the newspaper 1 Spadina Crescent, Suite 245 Toronto, ON M5S 1A1 Editorial: 416-593-1552 thenewspaper@gmail.com www.thenewspaper.ca the newspaper is U of T’s independent weekly paper, published by Planet Publications Inc., a non-profit corporation. All U of T community members, including students, staff and faculty, are encouraged to contribute to the newspaper.
Letter to the Editor Where is the urgency in the climate movement? On Thursday November 5, I was proud to stand with activists from UofT, Ryerson, and York who had converged on Queen’s Park to support CFS Ontario’s Drop Fees campaign demanding universally accessible and affordable education in Ontario. I wondered though, why we have not been able to produce a climate movement with an equal sense of urgency on campus. Are not scientists telling us that we are at a tipping point for the Earth’s climate? Isn’t it true that the current United Nations climate negotiations, which will cumulate in Copenhagen this December, are absolutely crucial if we are to achieve the coordinated action necessary to limit and reduce global greenhouse gas emissions? So why then is the climate movement on campus so much less radical than its campus cousins when it comes to action? Perhaps one clue can be found in the fact that I saw almost nobody from the climate movement out at the rally. We
talk a lot about ‘justice’ in the climate movement. It’s the new catchphrase. But we must show that this commitment to justice goes beyond words. We must stand in real solidarity with the movements on campus and otherwise who are fighting to achieve this goal. By building bridges between the various movements on campus, we will strengthen each one until administrators and policy makers understand that the voice of youth is united in a desire for justice above all else. Justice for the poor, justice for indigenous communities, and, yes, justice for the planet. I know that I personally want to live on a planet where there is clean air, clean water and a stable climate. To go with that I want to create a world where wealth is shared, where all cultures are respected and valued, where there is peace, and where everyone has the same access to basic human rights. In other words, a world where we can all live with dignity.
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We invite letters to the editor. Please keep letters under 300 words. Send to thenewsaper@gmail.com. ERRATA. Due to reporting errors, comments in the November 5th article “Students Rally Against Tuition Fees” were incorrectly attributed to Emily Durst, spokesperson for John Milloy, Minister of Training, Colleges and Universities. the newspaper retracts these comments and apologizes to Ms. Durst.
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the news
November 12, 2009
Tiananmen Square Prince Charles
3 the brief
cont’d from page 1
the campus The TTC and student unions have been working for over a decade to reach a deal ensuring university students a reasonable fare discount. The TTC recently announced that fares are going up to $3 per ride and regular metropasses to $126 (VIP discount rising to $111). The move is expected to launch student and rider protests.
TOMASZ BUGAJSKI On November 10, the Munk Centre for International Studies hosted a discussion about the 20th anniversary of the Tiananmen Square riots in Beijing. The anniversary was almost six months ago, but due to scheduling conflicts, the Munk Centre has only now addressed the issue. The panel included Victor Falkenheim, China specialist and professor of political science at U of T, Jan Wong, author of Beijing Confidential and former Globe and Mail correspondent, and Dr. Rowena He of Harvard. Professor Joseph Wong, of the U of T political science department, moderated the discussion. The Tiananmen protests began when Hu Yaobang, a government official who supported democratic reform, died on April 15, 1989. His funeral attracted thousands and became an impromptu demonstration for more political freedoms. A protest movement quickly developed and spread across the country. At first, the government did not know how to react, leading to what Falkenheim calls “regime paralysis.” Eventually, hardliners within the government decided to crack down on the demonstrators. On the night of June 3-4, tanks and heavily armed troops moved towards Tiananmen Square, where the protestors had assembled, and killed whoever was in their way. By the next day, the square was cleared, leaving many dead. The exact number is not known, but The New York Times estimates 400 to 800 civilians were killed. The speakers debated the impact of the riots on modern
China. Falkenheim believes China has largely moved passed the tragedy, while Wong and He spoke of the strong, persistent memories. A key question was why China’s youth today are not demanding reforms like the 1989 generation. “It skips a generation,” said Wong. “Their parents went to Tiananmen Square, so they’re not going to. It’s the ‘one-child’ generation, and they’re pretty spoiled.” Wong is also concerned that many young Chinese Canadians do not know or care enough about what happened at Tiananmen. But Professor Falkenheim, speaking with the newspaper after the discussion, explained that “Canadian-born Chinese probably know more about Tiananmen than their counterparts in China. They have contacts back in China, and they travel back and forth, so if they know the history of what happed, it probably opens some eyes back at home.” Both Wong and Falkenheim agree that engagement is a good way to bring change. They say the lack of understanding between China and rest of the world is a factor in the country’s refusal to adopt democracy. Wong said that ending prejudice on both sides would help to foster better relations. China is at a crossroads. For many, the events of 1989 have been eclipsed by the country’s economic miracle, and communism is no longer the goal of the government. The country is vastly different than 20 years ago, and where it is heading is anyone’s guess. Feelings were generally optimistic about the future. When asked if democracy is inevitable at some point in China, Wong replied “everything’s inevitable.” Falkenheim, however, stresses that it could take many decades.
DIANA WILSON
20 years after
Toronto Scottish Regiment, a U of T alumni. “At the individual soldier level, each of our training nights for the month prior to the parade was dedicated to conducting drill.” The two regiments and band marched in fine formation onto the windswept turf of Varsity Stadium. An estimated crowd of 2,500 spectators huddled together on the stadium bleachers despite the frigid temperature, galvanized by the imminent arrival of the royal couple. The turnout was proof, perhaps, that the royal pair still has some traction here in Toronto. The crowd’s patience paid off. Prince Charles and Camilla arrived to much pomp and circumstance. Wearing a prominent bearskin hat, and crimson and gold uniform, Prince Charles delivered a speech from atop a royal dais in front of the 50 yard line, flanked by military officials, members of the Church, and families of the officers. He ad-
dressed the two regiments, many of whom are U of T students or alumni: “Today, both your regiments continue the finest traditions of your predecessors, only this time to be deployed to other regions of the world, including the Golan Heights, Sudan, and of course Afghanistan.” Prince Charles also touched on the importance of such “acts of solidarity” as the highway of heroes, and his own emotions at being a father of a serviceman. He ended by saying: “As you march on with your new Colours, please be aware of your current chief’s concern in all you do, but above all the pride I feel in being associated with two such professional regiments. God bless and preserve you all.” After remarks, Prince Charles presented the new Colours to each regiment, a ceremony of great symbolism. Sergeant Major Craigie explains, “the Colours symbolize to us the dedication and sacrifice of those who went before and act to motivate current serving members to perform to the same high standard as our Regimental forebearers.” Following the ceremony, Their Royal Highnesses met with members of the regiments and their families. For Sergeant Major Craigie, this event emphasizes the relation of the Regiments in the wider community. “Too often the military is seen as something that is separate from society as a whole. Thursday’s parade, in the shadow of the Soldier’s Tower, demonstrated that the Toronto Scottish are a part of the wider Toronto, and University of Toronto, community. It was in that very same location that we received Colours from the Queen Mother in the 1960s and when she was Queen in 1939.”
the local A 25-year-old man remains in custody after allegedly stabbing another man in New Generation, a local sushi joint in the Annex. This is the third murder in the neighbourhood and the second on the same block in the past several months. Police are awaiting a response from a next of kin before the victim’s name is released. the world Over 124 people have been killed recently in El Salvador due to flooding, landslides, and heavy rain. A local police officer said, “The weather continues to be bad, and we already have a river flowing through the village. We are worried things will get worse if the rains continue.” the weird A school in Goldsboro, North Carolina has started selling test scores as a fundraising initiative after a chocolate sale failed to yield results. For $20, students can purchase 20 test points, which can significantly alter their grades for the better. -Amina Stella
CUPE 3902 cont’d from page 1
the Union ratifies the agreement, but in a public statement released to students after the agreement was reached, the office of the Provost did say that they were very pleased to come to an agreement and to have avoided a strike. Did U of T almost pull a York? Professor Laurel Sefton MacDowell, specializing in Canadian labour history and relations, thinks U of T students have little to fear when compared to the TA strike debacle last year at York. “I think there is a different culture at York than other universities where there has been less turbulence.” The uncertainty about classes continuing as normal can be made just a little more certain now that CUPE 3902 has a seemingly favourable deal lined up for a ratification vote. However, no one can know for sure until that vote happens next week.
the news
4 3.
GRADUATE STUDENTS’ UNION, UNIVERSITY OF TORONTO
November 12, 2009
Summary of significant accounting policies The statements have been prepared by management in accordance with Canadian generally accepted accounting principles, the more significant of which are outlined below.
2009 Financial Statements
9.
Use of estimates
Deferred income Deferred income received from University of Toronto and graduate students consists of:
The preparation of financial statements in conformity with Canadian generally accepted accounting principles requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amount of assets, liabilities, revenue and expenses. Actual results could differ from these estimates.
Auditors’ Report
Financial instruments
To the Members of Graduate Students’ Union, University of Toronto
The CICA provides a temporary choice for financial instruments disclosure and presentation and the Union has chosen to continue to apply Section 3861, Financial Instruments - Disclosure and Presentation, in place of Section 3862, Financial Instruments - Disclosure, and Section 3863, Financial Instruments - Presentation.
2009 Thesis Cabinet Fund
The Union’s financial instruments are comprised of cash, short-term investments, accounts receivable and accounts payable which approximate fair value due to their short-term maturities.
Balance, beginning of year Amounts received Amounts disbursed and recognized as revenue
$
Balance, end of year
$
1,663 -
Total
$ 145,827 163,980
(37) 1,626
2008
Fees
Total
$ 147,490 163,980
(145,827)
$ 144,811 145,827
(145,864)
$ 163,980
(143,148)
$ 165,606
$ 147,490
Property and equipment
We have audited the balance sheet of Graduate Students’ Union, University of Toronto (the “Union”) as at August 31, 2009 and the statements of operations and changes in net assets and cash flows for the year then ended. These financial statements are the responsibility of the Union’s management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial statements based on our audit.
Equipment is recorded at cost and is amortized on a straight-line basis over its estimated useful life as follows: 10. Fees Renovations, furniture and equipment Security system Computer equipment
We conducted our audit in accordance with Canadian generally accepted auditing standards. Those standards require that we plan and perform an audit to obtain reasonable assurance whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement. An audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. An audit also includes assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall financial statement presentation.
3.
10 years 10 years 5 years
Fees received from University of Toronto are as follows: September 2008 January 2009 March 2009 May 2009 June 2009 July 2009
Summary of significant accounting policies - continued Revenue recognition
In our opinion, these financial statements present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of the Union as at August 31, 2009 and the results of its operations and its cash flows for the year then ended in accordance with Canadian generally accepted accounting principles.
$ 2,883,027 1,674,769 420,955 2,955 95,601 54,702 5,132,009
The Union follows the deferral method of accounting whereby externally restricted contributions are deferred and recognized as revenue in the period in which the related expenses are incurred.
Deferred fees received from University of Toronto, current year Deferred fees received from University of Toronto, prior year
Fees are recognized as revenue in the fiscal year to which they relate.
(145,923) 116,527 $ 5,102,613
Fees received from the University of Toronto for insurance premiums are shown gross of the related insurance premium expenses. The fees from extended or family insurance premiums are presented net of the related insurance expenses. Future accounting standard changes The CICA has issued the following accounting standards which the Union will be required to adopt for the fiscal year ending August 31, 2010. The adoption of the new standards is not expected to have a material impact on the presentation of the financial statements. 11. Section 3862, Financial Instruments - Disclosure and Section 3863, Financial Instruments - Presentation, places an increased emphasis on risk disclosures. Section 3862 requires entities to provide both qualitative and quantitative information about exposures to risks arising from financial instruments, including credit, interest rate, liquidity, currency and other price risks. Section 3863 is consistent with the previous standard and therefore will not have an impact on the Union’s financial statements.
Chartered Accountants, Licensed Public Accountants (License Number 18393) October 9, 2009
GRADUATE STUDENTS’ UNION, UNIVERSITY OF TORONTO Balance Sheet As at August 31 ASSETS
2009
$
97,436 404,333 22,844 91,500
$ 107,706 383,805 33,565 38,544
616,113
563,620
73,565
71,601
$ 689,678
$ 635,221
Property and equipment (note 8)
The Union’s capital consists of assets invested in equipment, building improvements, internally restricted funds and unrestricted surplus funds. The Union invests in computer and other equipment as required and in building improvements to improve the office and student areas of the building, which is owned by the University of Toronto.
2008 The internally restricted funds have been set up for specific purposes from the unrestricted fund. The unrestricted fund has accumulated from annual operating budget surpluses. The Union is not subject to any external capital requirements.
Section 4470, Disclosure of Allocated Expenses for Not-for-Profit Organizations, will require the Union to disclose its policy on the allocation of fund raising and general support expenses including the nature of expenses, the basis of allocation and the amounts allocated.
Current assets Cash (note 5) Short-term investments (note 6) Accounts receivable Prepaid expenses (note 7)
Objectives, policies and processes for managing capital
Recommendations for new property and equipment purchases are discussed by the staff and the Executive and noted in the annual operating budget. Expenditures from the internally restricted funds are discussed by the Executive and, in most cases, are approved by the Union Council. 4.
Net assets internally restricted for specific purposes
Property and equipment purchases in 2009 included a café fridge and improved lighting, improvements to gym security and office facilities, and new computers.
The Union has set up internally restricted funds to support the following activities: Building Fund The Building Fund was established to finance capital improvements to the facilities of the Union. Thesis Cabinet Fund
LIABILITIES AND NET ASSETS Current liabilities Accounts payable and accrued liabilities Deferred income (note 9)
$
62,997 165,606
$ 123,876 147,490
228,603
271,366
73,565 201,362 186,148
71,601 102,371 189,883
461,075
363,855
$ 689,678
$ 635,221
Net assets Invested in property and equipment Internally restricted for specific purposes (note 4) Unrestricted
The Thesis Cabinet Fund was established to finance the costs associated with the Union’s Thesis Cabinet, including thesis reproduction expenditures. 12. Financial instruments Emergency Fund
It is management’s opinion that the Union is not exposed to significant interest, currency or credit risks arising from its financial instruments.
The Emergency Fund was established to finance unforeseen expenditures not included in the budget and which are necessary between May 1 and September 15 of each year. Directors’ Liability Fund The Directors’ Liability Fund was established to protect the Directors of the Union in the event that the Union ceases operations.
13. Comparative Amounts
See accompanying notes On behalf of Council:
Certain comparative amounts have been reclassified from those previously presented to conform to the presentation of the 2009 financial statements.
Net assets internally restricted for specific purposes - continued
4.
Accessibility Fund The Accessibility Fund was established to finance accessibility-related improvements to the facilities, communications, and services of the Union. Health and Dental Insurance Administration Fund GRADUATE STUDENTS’ UNION, UNIVERSITY OF TORONTO
The Health and Dental Insurance Administration Fund was established to offset the administrative costs of the increased demand on the health and dental plans.
Statement of Operations and Changes in Net Assets Year ended August 31 2009 Internally Restricted for Specific Purposes
Invested in Property and Equipment Revenue Fees (note 10) Sundry and interest Miscellaneous income
$
Expenses Grants and fees (schedule 1) Salaries and benefits (schedule 2) House (schedule 3) Amortization Restaurant and bar (schedule 4) Thesis cabinet Building repairs (cost recovery)
-
Building Fund
$
-
-
-
13,810 -
-
Net assets, end of year
73,565
37
37 37
21,341
1,000
$
-
$
-
$
-
$
5,102,613 46,997 62,021
$
Total
5,102,613 46,997 62,058
$
5,039,577 68,390 2,010
-
-
-
-
-
5,211,631
5,211,668
5,109,977
-
-
-
-
4,479,632 416,152 199,727 5,060 -
4,479,632 416,152 199,727 13,810 5,060 37 30
4,460,886 388,105 171,625 13,163 5,985 10 (1,155)
-
10,000
-
-
40,000
30,000
37,000
$
186,148
461,075
Credit facility
Net change in cash during the year Accounts receivable Prepaid expenses Accounts payable and accrued liabilities Deferred income
Cash flows from operating activities Investing activities Additions to property and equipment Short-term investments Cash flows from investing activities
97,220
Short-term investments
Mutual funds - Investment savings account Cashable term deposit, 3.55%, maturing March 14, 2009 Cashable term deposit, 3.55%, maturing March 14, 2009 Fixed term deposit, 4.55%, maturing December 8, 2008 Fixed term deposit, 4.25%, maturing September 8, 2009 Fixed term deposit, 3.76%, maturing September 14, 2009 Fixed term deposit, 3.30%, maturing December 8, 2009 Cashable term deposit, 2.55%, maturing January 23, 2010
71,358
13,810
13,163
111,030
84,521
10,721 (52,956) (60,879) 18,116
36,580 690 6,124 2,679
(84,998)
46,073
26,032
130,594
(15,774) (20,528)
(19,871) (239,340)
2009
2008
66,660 47,673 40,000 250,000
$ 235,255 54,275 54,275 40,000 -
$ 404,333
$ 383,805
$
2008
273,439 85,968 56,745
$
416,152
$
253,847 79,164 55,094 388,105 Schedule 3
Health insurance administration Handbook Student conferences Travel and conferences General council meetings Communications Campaigns Office and general Duplicating and printing Orientation Professional fees Insurance Photocopying Repairs and maintenance Telephone Sundry projects Metropass sales contribution Elections Social events Small equipment Gym Bank charges and interest Security monitoring Women’s caucus Subscriptions
2008
$
70,405 18,302 12,540 10,336 10,216 8,310 7,600 7,211 7,131 6,553 6,040 5,661 5,153 4,438 3,932 3,798 3,000 2,594 2,354 1,934 922 775 300 192 30
$
62,403 19,237 11,030 8,786 9,143 6,401 5,696 6,608 3,314 4,119 2,009 5,721 5,186 4,742 4,699 2,749 3,000 20 2,348 2,478 669 389 300 270 308
$
199,727
$
171,625
See accompanying notes
(36,302)
(259,211) 7.
Prepaid expenses
(10,270)
(128,617)
Cash, beginning of year
107,706
236,323
97,436
$ 107,706
Included in prepaid expenses is an estimated overpayment of $44,762 to the Union’s health and dental broker. This overpayment was the result of errors made by the health and dental broker. The amount recorded in the accounts reflects management’s best estimate based on information available but management recognizes that the actual amount could differ from this estimate. Management does not believe any difference would be material.
$
Schedule 2
$
2009
Net change in cash during the year
Cash, end of year
$ 4,460,886
$
2008
$
$ 4,479,632
House
6. 2009
$ 3,897,067 214,069 93,166 77,557 60,973 36,584 12,195 2,550 66,725
363,855
See accompanying notes
$
2008
$ 3,966,815 216,329 98,596 82,163 63,203 37,922 12,641 1,963 -
2009
Staff Benefits Executive officers
292,497 $
GRADUATE STUDENTS’ UNION, UNIVERSITY OF TORONTO Statement of Cash Flows Year ended August 31 Operating activities Excess of revenue over expenses Item not involving cash Amortization
Schedule 1 2009
Health insurance University of Toronto Course Union Head Grants Canadian Federation of Students - National Canadian Federation of Students - Ontario Ontario Public Interest Research Group Downtown Legal Services Women’s Centre Special grants Peer Review
-
363,855 $
Schedules to Financial Statements Year ended August 31, 2009 Grants and Fees
The Union has available an operating line of credit in the amount of $25,000 (2008 - $25,000). This line of Salaries and Benefits credit had a $Nil (2008 - $Nil) balance at year end.
71,358
-
189,883
62,021
5.
GRADUATE STUDENTS’ UNION, UNIVERSITY OF TORONTO
5,038,619
97,220
(114,795)
$
5,114,448
111,060
62,021
$
5,100,571
-
37,000
30,000 $
-
-
-
40,000 $
-
-
-
10,000 $
-
Total
The Student Services and Resources Fund was established with the remaining funds from the 2007/2008 Peer Review levy. A student services and resources working group will make recommendations on the use of the funds.
-
-
1,000 $
$
-
-
21,371 $
-
-
-
-
71,601 $
$
Student Services and Resources Fund
Health and Student Dental Services Directors’ Insurance and Liability Accessibility Administration Resources Fund Fund Fund Fund Unrestricted
Emergency Fund
37
(30)
15,774
Net assets, beginning of year
-
30
(13,810)
Interfund transfer
$
30
13,810 Excess (deficiency) of revenue over expenses
Thesis Cabinet Fund
2008
See accompanying notes
GRADUATE STUDENTS’ UNION, UNIVERSITY OF TORONTO
Restaurant and Bar
1.
2.
Insurance Sundry Repairs and maintenance Contract rebate
Nature of the organization The Graduate Students’ Union, University of Toronto (the “Union”) is incorporated under the Corporations Act (Ontario) as a not-for-profit organization. The Union was established to meet the needs of and provide services to the graduate students of the University of Toronto.
8.
2008
$
6,566 978 376 (2,860)
$
7,867 978 (2,860)
$
5,060
$
5,985
Property and equipment
As a not-for-profit organization, the Union is exempt from income taxes under Part I of the Income Tax Act. Change in accounting policy Effective September 1, 2008, the Union adopted the provisions of Canadian Institute of Chartered Accountants (“CICA”) Handbook Section 1535 - Capital Disclosures, which requires the Union to disclose information that enables users of the financial statements to evaluate the Union’s objectives, policies and processes for managing capital. See note 11, objectives, polices and processes for managing capital for disclosures made under this Section.
Schedule 4 2009
Notes to Financial Statements Year ended August 31, 2009
Cost Renovations, furniture and equipment Security system Computer equipment
2009 Accumulated Amortization
2008 Net
Net
$ 111,685 25,842 29,999
$
57,462 15,917 20,582
$
54,223 9,925 9,417
$
53,244 12,509 5,848
$ 167,526
$
93,961
$
73,565
$
71,601
See accompanying notes
the news
November 12, 2009
5
A nation once again? AMY STUPAVSKY Toronto got a little closer to the Emerald Isle on Nov. 7, when the Canadian chapter of the Friends of Sinn Féin welcomed Sinn Féin President Gerry Adams to their conference on creating a united Ireland. Crowds convened in U of T’s OISE auditorium to attend the public forum entitled “A United Ireland: How Do We Get There?” Drawing on the sizable Irish diaspora in Canada, the event focussed on raising awareness to advance Irish unity. “Our main goal was to spark discussion in the Irish community about how we can move forward,” said Alan McConnell, Friends of Sinn Féin President. While Adams only served as the forum’s introductory speaker, he was the undisputed centre of attention. As leader of Sinn Féin, the nationalist party in Northern Ireland, Adams has represented their voice of peace and reconciliation in ending the conflict since 1983. He has become an international peace activist in other troubled areas, such as the West Bank and South Africa. Adams’s speech emphasized
both his desire to see Northern Ireland join the Republic and the initiation of a conversation in Canada about Irish people’s right to self-determination. Adams channeled Barack Obama, impressing the importance of action in achieving dreams upon the audience. “We wouldn’t be where we are today if it weren’t for your efforts,” he said. “We’re not just about changing flags, we’re about creating a real republic. To succeed, we have to be active. Activism isn’t about the big things, it’s the little things coming together.” Adams was quick to point out the role of young people as a vital component. “I think it’s up to people to find their own space in which they can do whatever type of work their own conditions allow them to do,” he said to the newspaper. “I couldn’t be prescriptive in terms of what form that work should take, but at this stage, it has to be about building public consciousness. It has to be about raising the issue within student movements, academia, and politics.” The event attracted few students, but attendees did engage with the topic. “I went in not knowing what to expect,” said Cameron
(who did not wish us to use his surname), a fourth-year Celtic Studies student. “I am neutral on matters surrounding the North, and attended with an interest in seeing what range of opinion exists here in Toronto. To anyone who has a connection to the North, like many friends of mine, it is clear that that level of optimism may well be premature. The British army may be gone, but on a community level, both sides remain bitterly divided and mutually suspicious. What efforts there have been to bring the two communities together are too few and far between.” Adams acknowledged that while great strides have been made, unity cannot be accomplished without more effort. “We should not take it for granted,” he said. “We should work to bed down the process to move it forward.” Despite the fatal shootings in Belfast in March, Adams remained confident that any subsequent attacks would not derail the peace process. “I don’t think there’s any possibility at all that we’re going to go back to the type of war we had for decades,” he told the newspaper, “but I do think these groups
AMY STUPAVSKY
Sinn Fein President Gerry Adams at OISE
have the potential to inflict death and injury. They have to be challenged. Now there’s an alternative to violence: a peaceful, democratic way to move forward. These groups have no active or popular support from the vast bulk of opinion in Ireland. They really just aid the rejectionists and the reactionaries.” Adams said his hope was “to shape an Ireland in which there can be equality and justice, and in which people can live with a sense of prosperity and in peaceful coexistence with their neighbours.” The event also featured Warren Allmand, former Solicitor General of Canada, NDP M.P. Charlie Angus, Chris Axworthy, former Attorney General
and Minister of Justice of Saskatchewan, and Manon Perron, Secretary/Treasurer of the Montreal executive of the Confederation of National Trade Unions. The speakers offered a Canadian perspective on Irish unity. Allmand, Axworthy, and Manon shared personal experiences from observer delegations in Belfast. Manon and Angus spoke about solidarity. “Conferences really can inspire people,” said McConnell. “I know that is the case. The feedback I’m getting is strong. Gerry is an inspiring leader. He’s maintained a tremendous humanity and an ability to inspire men and women who want freedom all over the world.”æ
Toronto wins 2015 Pan Am Games bid U of T site of future athletic facilities: students may pay the bill TEJAS PARASHER On November 6, Toronto beat out Lima, Peru, and Bogota, Colombia, in its bid to host the 2015 Pan American Games. The Games are scheduled to take place from July 10 to 26, 2015. Thirty countries will participate in up to 36 different sporting events. U of T’s central position in the city means that it will play a major role in these games. University resources will be widely used throughout the two weeks. To accommodate the events, new aquatics facilities are planned for UTSC, including the high-performance Pan American Aquatics Center. St. George is slated to see major renovations to the Varsity Arena, two new artificial grass fields on the back campus, and the construction of the Goldring Center for High Performance Sport. The Games, and these developments in particular, have elicited significant controversy. An association called No Games Toronto (NGT) has provided some of the most vocal opposition. NGT spokesperson Joeita Gupta is also on the U of T Governing Council, and she is especially concerned about the
university’s role in the affair. “It seems absurd,” says Gupta, “that the university administration would be compensating for lower endowments by raising class sizes, increasing tuition fees, and planning to cut vital programs, while at the same time pledging millions of dollars towards a two-week bonanza. This means that whatever the administration cannot procure will have to come out of the pockets of students.” Gupta points out that there is already a referendum planned for March 2010, asking UTSC students to pay for all operational costs of the new facilities through mandatory levies. NGT is also concerned that the proposed Goldring Center will displace the office of the Association for Part-Time Undergraduate Students (APUS), on 100 Devonshire Place. This will be the second eviction faced by APUS. Students and staff of the association are worried that it will severely affect their ability to function effectively. Supporters of the 2015 PanAm Games, however, believe that the benefits will be worth any immediate shortcomings. Laura Matthews, Director of Communications and Public
Affairs at UTSC, considers the games a chance for the university to improve on multiple fronts. “Current UTSC facilities are designed for only 4,000 students, whereas the campus has 10,000 students,” she says. “It has constantly been one of our major deficiencies. For years, we were in conversation with the city of Toronto, to see if we could combine common interests. The Pan Am Games provided a perfect opportunity. Now, instead of suffering a blow to its resources, UTSC will gain valuable government funding, and only pay $7.5 million of the $170 million needed to put up much-needed facilities. “Plus, these facilities will become legacies far beyond the games. There will be new career and academic options: graduate Physical Education students will be able to get hands-on research experience, and UTSC is considering using the new resources to initiate a Co-Op Program in Sports Management.” These sentiments are echoed by Bruce Kidd, Dean of the Faculty of Physical Education and Health. “My colleagues and I have been a part of the Pan-Am Continued on page 7
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the inside
6
November 12, 2009
“ the campus comment ” Orphan Sponsorship thenewspaper asks: where do you Program keeps on giving go for a good cat-nap on campus? AMINA STELLA
“Queen’s Park, on a bench, on a beautiful day like this.” Alexandra, 1st year English
“A friend’s house on Bathurst between Harbord and College. I sleep there because it’s close to Pizza Gigi.” Paul, 4th year Film Studies (UBC)
“Here in the East Common Room at Hart House. It’s quiet, comfortable, there’s a fire-place. It’s your own mansion.” Zack, MA Institute of Child Studies
“I sleep on the way here [on the subway].” Eddie, 1st year Actuarial Science (left) “I trained myself to stay awake.” Carmen, 1st year Political Science (right)
“Usually in Robarts, third floor in the reading room.” Alex, 1st year Humanities
“In our residence.” Brock, Sasha, Anthony, Ian, Steven, Arif, 1st year PHE (ed: not ordered, we couldn’t remember who’s who)
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Founded in 2003, the Orphan Sponsorship Program (OSP) at U of T was launched in the hopes of giving better lives to orphans around the world. Since its inception, the OSP has fundraised $260,000. This year, the organization has raised over $65,000 to sponsor children via registered Canadian charities, with donations coming in from across North America. So far, 131 orphans have been sponsored in 20 countries. Donations are collected yearround as an ongoing initiative, covering basic needs such as health, food, and shelter. All donations made to the OSP go directly to the orphans. Administrative costs are covered through student initiatives such as bake sales. The OSP provides not only financial, but emotional support to the orphans. At the Annual Orphan Greeting Card/Letter Writing Social, students, donors and community members design and write cards to send along with gifts to the sponsored children. Senior executive Asna Ahmad believes that events such as this are important because “they allow us to communicate with orphans on a continual basis, to make sure they are doing well, and that their needs are being met with the money that we send.”
“It’s touching to see cards and letters from these children, it shows you how real they are” said Farrah Hussein, head coordinator of the OSP.” This year, several OSP members had the opportunity to visit orphans on trips back to their home countries. OSP C0-head Sarah Khan visited a rural village in Karachi, Pakistan called Rehri-Goht. The experience had a profound effect on her. “Seeing profiles of children is much different from the actual environment they come from,” she said. “While driving to the rural village, I noticed the pavement suddenly turn into rock, it was like a different world less than two miles away from one of the biggest, most highly populated cities in Pakistan.” Daanish Afzal, OSP Co-head, echoed her sentiments. He told the newspaper that nothing compares to seeing the fruits of the donations for oneself. “Seeing that the sponsored orphans were getting the education and resources through firsthand experience changes your perspective,” he said. “It makes everything that we’ve done here feel that much more rewarding and worthwhile.” The organization is always looking for new members who want to help raise awareness about the cause. For more info on the organization and how to get involved, visit www.ospuoft. wordpress.com
the inside
November 12, 2009
7
GORD BROWN
Not unlike Michaelangelo, Ben Cataudello sculpts the perfect goatee. As the years pass, Ben still loves working at Hart House. ”It’s a great atmosphere, ” he says, ”along with great people. I love my job and I really enjoy the clientele, especially the young students.” He also notes that many famous people, including Canadian political figures, regularly
come to visit Hart House. Overall, about half the clientele are students, with the remainder made up of faculty and staff (including several from Simcoe Hall). In fact, some of his clients are people he served back at the Clarke. “There’s more than one person who followed me to Hart House
and still comes to me, ” he says. Several alumni, many from far away, also come back to get their hair cut. “You can see all the postcards from customers,” Ben says, as he points to the colourful collection on the mirror in the shop. The hair place looks forward to many more years of service.
HELENE GODERIS
This year, the Hart House Hair Place celebrates 90 years of snipping and styling away at U of T. The Hair Place is one of the oldest ongoing barber shops cum hair salons in the city. As long as Hart House has been part of the U of T community, the Hair Place has occupied the southwest corner of the building, serving generations of students, faculty, and staff. Ben Cataudella has run the Hair Place since the winter of 1981. From 1975 to 1980, Ben’s brother was in charge until Ben was approached to take over the space and the service. At the time, he was happily working out of a newer facility at the Clarke Institute (now CAMH). He was not sure he was ready for the move. “Little did I know,” he says with a chuckle, as he prepares to celebrate nearly 30 years at the shop. When I was an undergraduate, I got my hair cut at Hart House (then, as now, the Hair Place had a staff of three). After graduating, I moved around the city to different places, and old shops closed and new shops
opened. But now that I am a student again, I seem to have moved up in the world. I now get my hair cut by Ben himself in his vintage chair, dating from the 1970s – “the Rolls Royce of barber chairs,” he says. While I have had many compliments on my new ’do, I am especially pleased with the fresh, neat look of my beard. The ambiance of the Hair Place is a little bit like that of an old-fashioned barber shop. It has beautiful wood trim that dates back to when Hart House and the shop first opened. But don’t be fooled by appearances: the Hair Place is a full-service unisex shop, and all of the staff are fully qualified as both barbers and stylists. Colourings, tints, and perms are all part of the services offered. “When I hire staff, I make sure that they are fully certified as stylists as well as barbers,” Ben says, which match his own qualifications. “That way, we can offer the full range of services that people want.” It’s a far cry from life at the shop prior to 1972, when women were first allowed to use the facilities at Hart House.
HELENE GODERIS
Hart House Hair clips along for 90 years
Toronto Wins Pan Am cont’d from page 5 Bid right from the start, and are overjoyed with the decision,” says Kidd. “There will be a huge boost to student life.” Kidd underlines that the Pan Am facilities will be for all members of the university community: “As a rule, we allocate UofT resources to students 75% of the time and to outside groups only 25% of the time. That will be the case for any new facilities on campus. Even the principal outside groups will be Canadian and Ontario-carded athletes, some of whom are UofT students, and school and community groups, such as the Toronto Sport and Social Club.” But NGT and other oppo-
nents of the Pan Am Games are adamant that the costs associated with the event are simply too high. They believe that government and university funds will be spread too thin to devote sufficient attention to studentlife and equity issues. “Whatever supposed benefits there are will only affect a very specific segment of the student body,” says Gupta. “It is likely that the revenue that UofT gains from all the real-estate will just be reinvested into the stock market. I doubt whether those students who need institutional support will have anything to gain from such superfluous spending.” Despite the controversy, the Pan Am Games are scheduled to go on as planned. Construction of new facilities at both the Scarborough and St. George campuses will begin in the very near future. Architectural rendering of the new Aquatics Centre coming to UTSC.
the arts
8
November 12, 2009
Reel Asian Film Festival gets real MIKI SATO & DAN CRAIG Now in its 13th year, the Reel Asian Film Festival has gained recognition as one of Toronto’s major film festivals. Autumn in the T-dot offers an array of specialty cinema festivals, so as you narrow down your list of flicks to catch, why is Reel Asian worth checking out? Of the 49 Asian and Southeast Asian films presented this year, 30 are homegrown Canadian titles. Whether your preferences lean towards political issues--A Schoolgirl’s Diary follows the life of a North Korean adolescent; action--Overheard explores the ethics of surveillance in urban Hong Kong; or even the erotic--The Ache is about a heroine with magical beauty and powers; with the array of selection at the fest, you’re sure to find at least one or two that will catch your interest. White on Rice 3.5/5 White on Rice is the follow-up to 27-year old American film director, David Boyle’s Big Dreams Little Tokyo (2006). The comedy follows the trials and tribulations of main character Jimmy (Hiroshi Watanabe), as he tries to adjust to American suburban life following a divorce from his
Joy Osmanski and Hiroshi Watanabe enjoy an awkward moment in White on Rice. wife in Japan. Living under his sister’s roof, the 40-year old bachelor, much to his brotherin-law’s dismay, un-apologetically squats without an end in sight. Watanabe, known for his comedic role in The Last Samurai, undeniably carries the film with his endearing, though at times slightly annoying, demeanor. With a fair amount of laughs and a heartwarming message, the film’s accurate portrayal of the subtle nuances in a Japanese-American family is great for those who want to see something light enough for
a date, but substantial enough to remember. Emphasizing the difficulties of cultural and emotional transition, White on Rice exhibits the earnest attempts of a character trying to find love and happiness despite of himself. Overheard 3/5 Everyone has a secret in this financial crime drama, and perhaps the investigators who are decked out with all the latest surveillance equipment have the most to hide. Set in Hong Kong, Overheard was written and di-
rected by Alan Mak and Felix Chong. You may know Chong’s work, although indirectly, as he also wrote The Departed before Scorsese made a remake for English tastes. The film covers all sorts of moral territory as the cops who overhear the secrets of an insider trading deal decide to cash in on the black market information. Their personal lives also get mixed up with their work as affairs, lies and secrets pile up. While I found myself becoming attached to the characters, I was somewhat tired of caring by the end as the post-climax pulled a CSI-style “I told you so” with the bad guy (who also, somewhat predictably, was the only person to use English in the whole movie). Fish Story 4/5 Music can save the world, or at least save it indirectly according to Japanese director Yoshihiro Nakamura. A fictional punk rock band that predates the Sex Pistols by one year struggles to get their music released without compromise is only one facet of the story of how the earth was saved from an incoming comet. One flaw this movie may have is that it tries to be too many things at once as it takes itself
seriously through rockumentary, martial arts, horror and comedic sequences. While these more serious elements are quite funny, I began to wonder what it was that I was supposed to be feeling. It wasn’t funny enough to be an all-out laugh-fest, but it didn’t take itself seriously enough for me to be moved by its drama. Yang Gaw 2.5/5 Blantant sound editing problems and poor decision making in the second-half of the plot overcame the few well-crafted moments of terror in this film. The story centres around a rural Phillipino family whose daughter, Amor, returns home due to a mysterious illness. Family loyalty and economic troubles test the characters during Amor’s slow transformation into an aswang monster. Take one part Blair Witch, one part Exorcist, a bit of hunger paradox from Interview with a Vampire, and you get Yang Gaw. The setting and context of the rural Phillipines makes the whole experience feel fresh, but it wasn’t fresh enough to make me ignore all the potential plot outcomes that could have been.
NOTICE UNIVERSITY OF TORONTO STUDENTS’ UNION
ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING Thursday, November 19, 2009 6:00pm in Medical Sciences 3154 Registration starts at 5:30
University of Toronto Students’ Union Local 98, Canadian Federation of Students
This meeting is open to all full-time undergraduate students enrolled at University of Toronto-St. George and University of Toronto-Mississauga.
Proxy forms are available at the following locations: U.T.S.U. ofÞce (St. George Campus) 12 Hart House Circle
Bring your T-Card for identiÞcation.
University of Toronto Mississauga Students’ Union ofÞce (Mississauga Campus) RM 115 UTM Student Centre 3359 Mississauga Rd. North
The Agenda Package is available online at www.utsu.ca
Questions can be directed to Adnan Najmi, Vice-President Internal and Services (vpinternal@utsu.ca), or Sandy Hudson, President (president@utsu.ca). Telephone: (416) 978-4911.
the arts
November 12, 2009
9
Wherefore art thou now, Romeo and Juliet? At Hart House! fact, this is exactly what makes the play so brilliant. Sure, Romeo and Juliet both behave as though they were five years old, and their emotional monologues seem more like the temper tantrums of prepubescent teens, but then isn’t that what they were? And sure, their reactions seem irrational and unfounded, and their love the swirling consuming passion of children, but isn’t that what it was? Juliet seems a bit crude at times and Romeo a bit of a dolt, but god they were charming! I don’t think I’ve ever smiled so much through a tragedy. The production expects you to be young, innocent, and seeing the play for the first time. And so without realizing it, we experience it as young, innocent people. Although we may have seen it before, it somehow feels like we are watching it for the first time.
CATHERINE SHI QIU Romeo and Juliet, you are thinking in your mind, is a play that has been done countless times before, that there simply isn’t any reason to go see it for the nth time. The play has been performed so many times that it has passed into the realm of cliché. So I likewise thought as I walked down the red carpeted hall leading towards the auditorium the night of the performance. But surprise, my friends, I could not describe the scene that I beheld as I strode into the theatre five minutes late. Just imagine my mistake, thinking I was going to see Shakespeare’s pristine Romeo and Juliet, when instead I stumbled straight into a real 17th century Elizabethan theatre, complete with brawling, yelling, rioting actors-turnedscoundrels a’bangin’ on tin lids and trying to sell things in cockney accents before the show. Imagine my surprise as a carrot flew through the air from one side of the audience to the other, thrown by a rogue in the
melee, as another rogue hollered, “Silver platter! Anwone fer a silver platter! Yers for only five ducats!” The Classical Theatre Project produces Shakespeare designed especially for youth, and
performs for over 50,000 high school students per year. With a mandate to take Shakespeare “from the page to the stage,” they seek to inspire young students with an understanding and appreciation of literature.
As such, every aspect of their plays is crafted meticulously towards this younger audience. You would think such tailoring would make Romeo and Juliet a little puerile for the rest of us, wouldn’t you? But in
See Romeo and Juliet in March 2010--when the production returns to Hart House--for some young love, old fashioned humour, and lots of charm.
UTAC lifts the screen on student art CAILIN SMART Facing the Screen, an art exhibit exploring the relationship between digital technology and traditional art media, opened on November 4 in the UTAC student lounge. It is part of the student art lounge exhibit series, which has yielded an enthusiastic response since UTAC Student and Education Program Coordinator Sunny Kerr started it in September 2008. “Visitors are generally surprised that it is student work,” says Kerr. “The standard for quality is high. They are also surprised to see painting. A lot of our previous exhibits have included photography, video and sculpture.” Masters of Visual Studies student Bogdan Luca is the exhibit’s curator. Last June, Luca began looking for relevant art pieces in major art schools across the GTA. The spectrum of work exploring the dichotomy between traditional art media and digital technology represents students from U of T, Ryerson, Guelph, York, and OCAD. “Our connection with digi-
tal technology is something we must consider as painters,” says Luca, “There is a nostalgia of the perceived loss of painting, which is generating a return to the traditional media.” A memorable piece is Ryerson Fine Arts student Michael Lawrie’s “Efficient Mondrian,” a computer program which uses algorithms to design and project a new version of Piet Mondrian’s iconic De Stijl paintings every few minutes, then periodically loads the images onto the artist’s own twitter feed. “It represents the collision between the material and the immaterial,” says Luca. “One of the admirable things about the Mondrian paintings is that if you look closely, you can see the physical brushstrokes: the material work. Here that element is gone.” When the pair are asked how the exhibit defines the relationship between the digital and the traditional, the ambivalence persists. “The artwork doesn’t present a solution, so much as it presents a question mark,” says Kerr. A poignant question mark, too, as the art world is met by the difficulties
(or, more accurately, facilities) of digital technology. “It’s about putting a face on the technological world,” adds Luca, “looking at the world through machine eyes.” Facing the Screen runs through to December 19th, at the UTAC student art lounge at University College.
the science the science
10
November 12, 2009
Thiru Shathasivam gets to the bottom of salmon This year, 10.6 million sockeye salmon were expected to return to the Fraser River, according to the calculations of Fisheries and Oceans Canada. Imagine the shock when only 1.7 million arrived. The collapse of the Fraser River sockeye stock has received much coverage and scrutiny in the media recently, resulting in the appointment of British Columbia Supreme Court Justice Bruce Cohen as head of a judicial inquiry. According to Dr. Brian Ridell, CEO of the Pacific Salmon Foundation, identifying the
causal factor leading to this demise is impossible, due to the lack of historical records for the sockeye during different stages of their life cycle. Life begins for salmon in the gravel beds of fresh water streams. Fertilized eggs are incubated more than a meter under snow and ice during early winter. The eggs are hatched in late winter producing tiny creatures called alevins, which continue to mature under the gravel until spring when they emerge as fry. After spending an additional year in a nearby river or lake, they head downstream to
the sea. Here, they feed heavily for the next five years, growing into the huge, powerful and beautiful creatures we enjoy. During the maturation stages, the salmon commence their up-river migrations returning to the exact stream where they were spawned. Sockeye salmon travel as far as 1,600 km before reaching their destination. Salmon die soon after spawning is complete, with the fertilized eggs buried well under the gravel surface. It is difficult to determine which migratory stage the current sockeye population is being
most affected. However, sea lice infestation is emerging as a possible culprit, caused by the many salmon farms dotting the rivers of B.C. The high density of fish grown in the floating open-netcages produces an unnaturally high sea lice population. These pens allow for the movement of sea lice from the farms into the surrounding environment, where they can infect juvenile wild salmon, leading to their death. Not only do salmon farms affect the environment, they also affect you directly. Unless clearly marked as wild, the
Robarts Myths, Debunked!
Tim Ryan goes straight to the source to debunk the many Robarts myths TIM RYAN When you construct a building as architecturally unusual as Robarts Library, it tends to polarize the people. The building takes on a persona, somehow building character as it morphs into a peacock, or a turkey, or a turtle. While some enjoy it because it’s different, most learn to ostracize it. Yet whether the attention is good or bad, the library remains capable of generating genuine curiosity, and no building at U of T intrigues students more than Robarts. The result is a plethora of tales spun from minds of creative, conspiracy theorizing students. We talked to Robarts Library Assistant Director of Public Affairs & Patron Relations, Gabriella Bravo to confirm or deny some of the more popular myths surrounding the heart of the campus. the newspaper: Gabriella, as we sit here in your office, are we sinking? The crown jewel of Robarts myths is this idea that the weight of the books were not taken into account in the final design plans of the library, causing the building to slowly bury itself over time. Gabriella Bravo: (Laughs at the absurdity.) The myth started right after it was built, it has now been open for 36 years, so if that had been true, the library would have sunk a few inches already. It is entirely not true. I’m not sure why it came about, but it is not unique to this library. We know in the library world in North America that there are other places where people have made up that same thing. We hear a lot of these myths because this build-
ing tends to always generate curiosity. It was constructed using “brutalistic” architecture, during the period in which [new] city hall was built, amongst others. So there is a lot of cement and iron and wood, and the architects decided to leave those elements in the open rather than cover them up with drywall. They wanted to show the people the materials that hold up the building. It’s very different from what came before and after it. tn: It is true that the library was designed to resemble a peacock, a sign of unity and happiness? GB: There is no evidence that that was the case. The previous chief librarian, Dr. Robert Blackburn, was here since the inception of this building. Because the administration at the time saw Robarts as a thing to bring U of T to a higher level, on par with Harvard and others, he
wrote this book the “Evolution of the Heart”. (And in true librarian fashion, we searched through “The Evolution of the Heart”, a book documenting the history of Robarts up to 1981. There was nothing in the design chapter about a peacock.) tn: Were undergraduates originally forbidden access to the library? GB: Undergrads were always allowed access after it opened, but that only happened after a struggle by the students. When it opened, the policy had already changed. It was originally to be only for grad students and faculty, so undergrads were to be allowed in but not have access to the stacks. So in the 60’s the students staged protests and sit-ins and forced the university to change their policy and allow student access.
tn: Are many of the books at Robarts falling apart? GB: This is a problem in all libraries. In the early 20th century, for about a 10-20 year period, books started being printed on acid paper. As time passes, those papers begin to erode. All libraries became very concerned on how to preserve these books, they began looking for a method of preservation, but then the digital world came in and digitalizing everything was much cheaper than any method of physical preservation.
salmon you purchase at stores and restaurants is farmed. Farmed salmon are inundated with antibiotics, receiving more antibiotics by weight than any other live stock. And unlike wild salmon, they contain higher levels of saturated fats and lower levels of omega-3 fatty acids. Thus, in order to continue enjoying one of the most delicious fishes, we must all be concerned with conserving our natural resources and push for the enforcement of proper industrial regulations.
the facts FILES FROM MIKE GREEN Dates: Design process began in 1960, design accepted 1966 Construction time: 4 years, 9 months Construction completed: July 1973 Cost: $41,700,000, approximately $34/sq. ft. in 1976. Equivalent Cost: $185,936,301 in 2006. Size: 1,036,000 sq. ft Walls: 1ft. thick Concrete: 100,000 cu. Yards Book collection capacity: 6 million Seating capacity: 3,500 seats in open carrels, lockable carrels, reading rooms and lounge.
the sports
November 12, 2009
Blues pitcher hits personal home run
11
OUA cancels games due to H1N1 cont’d from page 1
ABDI AIDID On October 15th, Varsity Blues’ baseball player Tyler Wilson was named Ontario University Athletics’ (OUA) Most Valuable Pitcher for the 2009 season. Wilson, a 3rd year PhD student in Mathematics, racked up an impressive 1.86 ERA while throwing 53 innings, good enough for 2nd in all of Ontario. The distinction comes after a solid season for the Blues, finishing 4th place and reaching the OUA semifinal after two consecutive years of missing the playoffs. With the honour, Wilson becomes the third straight Varsity Blue to be recognized as the OUA’s top pitcher. the newspaper caught up with the Port Hope, Ont. native to discuss the award, his baseball career thus far and his future goals. What got you into baseball? Is it a sport you’ve played for years? I grew up in a small town
well before soccer became really popular in Canada so I played hockey in the winter and baseball in the summer. That’s pretty much what every kid my age did. I’ve been playing since I was 6 and at a competitive level since I was 9. As I got older I really started to appreciate the fine details involved in baseball at a high level and even now I’m still learning. That’s one of the things that has kept me playing; you’re never done learning in this game and I always think there’s something I can do better. How did you react to hearing you were named the OUA’s Most Valuable Pitcher? I actually heard from an exVarsity Blues player on Facebook. Needless to say, I was pretty stunned and surprised. Once it sank in it was pretty humbling for me since there were 4 or 5 guys in the league that had great years too. I was happy with how I performed
this year, but I didn’t really anticipate this kind of honour. It was humbling to say the least. How has your game developed since coming to U of T? I’ve lost a lot of velocity on my fastball. However, just this past summer I dropped my arm angle slightly. This added downward movement to my fastball and turned it from a regular two-seam tailing fastball into a sinker. This allows me to get many more groundballs which is crucial since I can’t overpower guys anymore and throw a lot of strikeouts. Outside of that my approach has been the same it’s been since I was 20. Throw strikes and let your defense do the work. Sometimes it doesn’t work out, but this year it certainly did, and for that I’m both humbled and grateful. How do you feel about the Varsity Blues’ baseball team going forward? With a lot of guys graduating this year, next year’s team will look much different. But in Dan Lang they’ve got one of the most committed coaches I’ve ever been around. It’s such a short season that how you start is crucial. As long as they get out of the gate running next year they’ll be fine. U of T always attracts a lot of rookie players and there’s always a couple diamonds in the rough found each year. Do you have any favourite pitchers? Greg Maddux, because he could throw a baseball into a mailbox from 100 feet away. He had the best control and accuracy of any pitcher I’ve ever seen. He was 10 steps ahead of everyone else and was the most cerebral pitcher in baseball. The closest active guy to that is Roy Halladay. Between his control, his talent and his character, I would say Roy Halladay is hands down my favourite pitcher in the game today. What are your career ambitions, baseball or otherwise? At 29, my baseball ambitions have long passed. I play because it’s still challenging, I have fun and the guys on every team are hilarious to be around. I enjoy the limited time I have left and try to pass on anything I can to the younger guys I’m around. As for my career, I’ll have lots of options when I graduate and I haven’t picked out something I want to do with the rest of my life. If I had to narrow it down, something in finance, politics or the air force (en route to being an astronaut) would probably be places I would start looking.
bers were “seriously affected with fevers, coughs, sore throats, headaches and chills, which is consistent with H1N1 Influenza, and two remain quite ill.� The fear of flu pandemic has flustered the U of T administration all summer and into the fall term. Anti-bacterial gels are available through every doorway on campus and policies are in place in case of mass absenteeism. Policies notwithstanding, missing a week of classes will put any student behind on her books. Coach Drakich explains: “They are missing classes and assignments as well as games and practices; and they will be behind in both areas when they have recovered. It has been, and still is, very stressful for those who are ill.� It has been little over two weeks since 13 year-old Evan Frustaglio died suddenly of
MMPA
H1N1 during a hockey tournament. The press coverage of his death caused a panic amongst hockey parents and a scramble for vaccinations all across the GTA. Athletes province-wide are on high alert. The Queen’s Journal reported recently of an uproar following a men’s hockey game when the Queen’s players refused to shake hands with their competitors for fear of contracting the virus. Student athletic organizations have policies in place to prevent or deal with an influenza outbreak. Canadian Interuniversity Sport’s (CIS) H1N1 policy encourages coaches and athletes to avoid drinking from the water bottles of other players, remove towels from benches during games, get vaccinated, not train too vigorously, and report all illnesses.
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November 12, 2009
the sexy time
Across 1. Type of extract 4. Makeshift boat 6. PSP media 8. Strike down, biblically 10. Popular auto show 13. Angry 15. Network that airs 10 across 16. Sets of steps 18. Depressed 20. Christmas, for one 21. Deli bread 22. Had a seat 24. Means of access 26. Err
the crossword 28. Impose 30. Dangers 31. Grouped 34. Senior 36. Female Deer 37. The ‘S’ in ASAP 38. Enigmatic driver of 10 Across Down 1. Vigour 2. Reykjavik’s country 3. “A long time ___ in a galaxy...” 4. Crude contraption 5. Rotates 7. Bruce Campbell’s nemesis
8. Boorish person 9. What stalactites resemble 10. Definite article 11. Idioms 12. Costello or Presley 17. Queen 19. Is wearing clothes 20. Came in 23. “_____ firma” 25. Responses 27. Close by 29. Looks at 30. Dispose of 32. Our star 33. Healthcare worker 35. Versatile breakfast item
I’m a young guy with a healthy love of porn and a decent collection stashed away on my computer. But my longtime girlfriend is not a fan of this fact, and would prefer it if I never looked at porn. It makes her uncomfortable, and while I can kind of understand where she’s coming from, I don’t want to give up watching and enjoying it, as I don’t feel like it’s really a problem. I watch it while she’s not around, and keep it tucked away in the deepest recesses of my computer so that she never stumbles across it. Here’s my other issue: Although I know my girlfriend is totally not into porn at all, I would like to work watching porn with her into foreplay at some point, but I have no idea how to bring this up to her. What should I do? Pornographically Inclined First off, before you broach the topic of making it a couples night, you’ve got to talk to her about why she’s not a fan of porn in the first place. Is it the depictions of sex? Does it make her feel jealous to think of you enjoying the thought of another woman? Does she find it degrading towards women? Find out why she’s against it, and then see if she’s maybe willing to flex a bit on the issue. If she’s up for bringing some filmic fun into foreplay, let her choose the video for
the first time. Try going to a store like Good For Her (175 Harbord) or Come As You Are (701 Queen W). They’ve got a good selection of stuff, including material from the Feminist Porn Awards. Try looking for something couple-oriented. If things work out, try it again, and perhaps take turns choosing various materials--or pick it out together. Don’t make it an every night thing, but more of an occasional way to spice things up, and be sure that both of your needs are being satisfied. If she still stands firm on not allowing any porn in the bedroom, don’t fucking force her to do it. Don’t try coercing her into it, or just flipping it on while she’s around, just don’t. No shit like, “I bet you could do better!” or comparing her to any of the women in the movie. Relationships involve compromise, and sometimes that means saving the spank bank for times when you are alone. As for her dislike of the dirty stuff, here’s where I play devil’s advocate: Unless it’s affecting your relationship in some way or you have an obvious obsession, she’s going to have to get over it for both your sakes. You should be able to enjoy your alone time as you please, and if masturbating to Jenna Jameson is your thing, go for it. It doesn’t sound like it’s affecting your relationship outside of her concerns about porn in general.
MIKE WINTERS
ANDREW GYORKOS
MAIRI CHUDYK